Should I Get an iPad?

[PixelDestructor]

Hi guys, having a bit of a debate with myself. I've always been a very traditional computer user. I'm very used to the mouse and keyboard since I've been using it since a young age. I've had iPads before (2, 3, Mini 2) but I never got too much usage out of them outside of watching videos since I used my MacBook for just about everything else on the go. Fast forward to today, I'm having a debate. I'm returning to college for my sophomore year, and my parents offered to get me an iPad for back to school. Given my history with iPads, I normally wouldn't consider it, but my iMac recently broke, and I've been relying on my 2015 Retina MacBook Pro as both my laptop and as a desktop machine connected to an external monitor. The constant connecting/disconnecting of cables is a bit of a hassle when moving it, so the iPad sounds attractive to have as a video consumption device. What wards me off; however, is the new iPhone set to be released in a month. It's my upgrade year and I plan on upgrading, and with a larger screen being introduced, I'm wondering if I could use my iPhone for video and cut out having a separate device just for video. For those of you who have similar situations (Plus-sized iPhone, iPad, MacBook), what would you suggest?
Thanks!

 

[Greenmeenie]

What ipad were you thinking of getting? One of the pro ipads? The regular 9.7" ipad or The mini 4? If its for video only consumption, i'd get the 2017 non pro 9.7" ipad. The price is great, and Its bigger and more enjoyable for watching video compared to the iphone plus. Even the mini 4 is more enjoyable for watching video. If you think you may also want to use your ipad for taking notes and other work at college, then get one of the pros and apple pencil. I find having an ipad essential. Even tho i have an imac, i find myself grabbing my ipad even when home. Its my main device now. I dont think you'll regret it. Even if its for watching media only. So much nicer than staring at the smaller iphone screen, and so much easier to lounge around on the couch or in bed with than a laptop.

 

[44267547]

Hi guys, having a bit of a debate with myself. I've always been a very traditional computer user. I'm very used to the mouse and keyboard since I've been using it since a young age. I've had iPads before (2, 3, Mini 2) but I never got too much usage out of them outside of watching videos since I used my MacBook for just about everything else on the go. Fast forward to today, I'm having a debate. I'm returning to college for my sophomore year, and my parents offered to get me an iPad for back to school. Given my history with iPads, I normally wouldn't consider it, but my iMac recently broke, and I've been relying on my 2015 Retina MacBook Pro as both my laptop and as a desktop machine connected to an external monitor. The constant connecting/disconnecting of cables is a bit of a hassle when moving it, so the iPad sounds attractive to have as a video consumption device. What wards me off; however, is the new iPhone set to be released in a month. It's my upgrade year and I plan on upgrading, and with a larger screen being introduced, I'm wondering if I could use my iPhone for video and cut out having a separate device just for video. For those of you who have similar situations (Plus-sized iPhone, iPad, MacBook), what would you suggest?
Thanks!

Being your usage seems to be fairly light with what you're needing for an iPad, I would look at the 9.7 2017 iPad. It's fairly affordable at $329 and you can still use it for video editing. It might be a nice supplement between your MacBook and iPhone.

 

[TinaBelcher]

Please, don't get the iPad thinking it's a laptop replacement. An iPad should be used as an alternative replacement for a laptop when not having to do heavy tasks. I own a MacBook Pro that I use for school and I just ordered the 12.9 iPad Pro that I plan on using for homework at home. There were a couple of not so bright students in my class who brought their iPads for exams and could not connect to the wifi, were unable to open certain files and unable to print/save/upload before the deadline. Our teacher told them beforehand to bring a legit laptop with them, but they didn't listen. They were naive and cocky, thinking their iPads could do anything a laptop could.

 

[sonicrobby]

Are you telling us that you are considering an iPad for school to watch videos in class? My real question to you is what would you do with your iPad in class?

So in your topic about the iPhone vs iPad:
Ive had the 6+ iPhone, and the screen size was good, but to me it really made little difference. The limiting factor was that the iPhone still ran iPhone apps. Id much rather use my mini for everything over my iPhone with the exception of pictures. Now if youre talking video specifically, it really depends on your personal preference and eye sight. I see no difference in watching a video on the 6+ over my 5S, to me they were both small devices and nothing from one really stood out over the other (other than the speakers).

My own recommendation:
I would advise getting the iPad. I found it really convenient to have it for school because I could go online to view the web notes, had internet access for quick research, and I even managed to load up some of my ebooks on it. I dont think youd get anywhere near the same experience on an iPhone. And while I completely understand your minimalist approach of not having extra devices, I think the iPad would be a good one to have (I personally feel the iPhone is my "extra" device at this point). You can always return it within the first 2 weeks if it turns out you dont think it was worth it.

 

[imaccooper]

I really enjoyed having an iPad in class. I would sometimes bring a laptop, but I just got tired of carrying it around and eventually I just gave up on the laptop for anything more than work around the room. Obviously, the iPad isn't ideal for writing papers on or big projects, but I love taking notes on it and I use it heavily for web searches of things mentioned in class (things the teacher actually mentions and things like sports when I got bored). Seriously though, anytime the teacher would talk about a book, paper or any type of resource, I always looked it up and several times I got good information that helped me. As far as video consumption, I find the iPad far superior to a phone in every respect. I also find that it has become my favorite device to have with me.

My recommendation would be the 9.7 in or 10.5 pro model. I would buy the pro model with the keyboard case if you would like to take it to class and make it a laptop replacement device for on the go and relegate your MacBook to staying plugged in to the dock. If you like to annotate notes or would prefer writing things instead of typing then the pencil is a great device.

If you are set on using the iPad for just videos and web surfing and don't really want to use it for note taking, the the 9.7 in is a great device that would fit your usage great.

 

[Ledgem]

The answer, as usual, is that it depends.

What size iPhone do you have now? Everyone made a big deal about how the iPhone "Plus" model was so close to the iPad mini, but having used both, I disagree. I think that the iPad mini had noticeably more screen space. I used my iPad mini as a pen-and-paper replacement, which worked well. I can't imagine trying to write on my iPhone 7 Plus; the screen is larger than my iPhone 5S that came before it, but still nowhere on the same scale as the iPad mini.

Since you're asking about the device specifically for video consumption, the next question is about how much of a stickler you are about video content. I thought the iPad (9.7") was comfortable to view video content on, even for two people. The iPhone could do in a pinch, but I don't think I'd want to watch hours of video on it - especially not if it was something that I was really into. The screen is just a bit too small.

Lastly, you mention being back in school, and finding it to be a bit of a hassle to plug and unplug your laptop. I used to be in the same situation. The iPad was initially little more than an E-reader and basic web browser, until I discovered applications that made it a lot more useful for productivity. It requires that you get out of your comfort zone in the way that you used to do things, but now there are certain tasks that I prefer to do on my iPad than on my computer (with note-taking being one of them). I reached the point where my iPad became my main portable device, and my MacBook Pro remained anchored to my desk.

As a further boost to productivity, iOS 11 should include some new features that make the iPad even better for things like file management and juggling multiple applications at once. It will still require thinking about computing a bit differently than your MacBook Pro, but it should help.

TL;DR: if you're willing to push your comfort zone and/or you prefer a larger screen, get the iPad. Otherwise, save your parents some money and pass on it.

 

[Mivo]

If you would just get it for watching videos, I feel you might be better off with a large iPhone, since you will be using it a lot anyway.

But if you can see yourself using an iPad Pro for taking notes (with the pen), as a study aid, or for lighter laptop tasks (iOS 11 adds features that assist with this), I think the 10.5 or 12.9 Pro would be useful to you. I think as a campus replacement for a laptop it's a nifty choice. But just for watching videos, no, it would probably end up collecting dust and you'd use the iPhone instead anyway, especially if your previous iPads didn't see much use after the novelty wore off.

 

[PixelDestructor]

Thanks for the opinions everyone! I would definitely be open to using the iPad as something to take to class with me. I never used my MacBook in class as typing out notes isn't really how I prefer to do things. I usually write down my notes, and I know an iPad Pro with the Pencil could be useful in that respect, or even just scanning in notes that I've written down on paper could be useful. I don't want to necessarily replace my MacBook, because, as I've said, there's a lot of things I can do very quickly and easily on it that would be much harder on an iPad, but I think for carrying around to class, it would be lighter and better in my use case.

The reason I specifically bring up video is because right now, I use my MacBook at my desk for most of the day, and then at night, I unplug it to use in bed for videos and general web browsing. The next morning I then sit at my desk and forget I unplugged my MacBook, so I have to get up and reconnect it. I understand that there are times when I need a laptop and that's why I love having a portable computer I can use both at my desk and on the go, but I feel like an iPad would be much easier and better to use in bed than a laptop anyways.

 

[Ledgem]

The reason I specifically bring up video is because right now, I use my MacBook at my desk for most of the day, and then at night, I unplug it to use in bed for videos and general web browsing. The next morning I then sit at my desk and forget I unplugged my MacBook, so I have to get up and reconnect it. I understand that there are times when I need a laptop and that's why I love having a portable computer I can use both at my desk and on the go, but I feel like an iPad would be much easier and better to use in bed than a laptop anyways.

General recommendations are to avoid using electronic devices within an hour or so of going to bed (current theory is that the blue wavelength emitted by displays interferes with sleep signaling) and to avoid using electronic devices while in bed, as that can disrupt the ability to fall asleep. That's "sleep hygiene" to avoid insomnia and poor sleep.

That said, yes, an iPad would be easier than a MacBook for what you're trying to do. I'm not convinced that an iPhone couldn't accomplish the same thing, though. Unless you're browsing for hours from bed...