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So I've seen a lot of these "iPad replacing laptop" threads and I have a question

I use my iPad for most everything but at work, I multitask with two monitors for maximum efficiency. I'm constantly going between Microsoft apps and linking them. I can see using the iPad for viewing and some basic tweaking of documents but not for regular work - at least not in my job.

On the other hand, at home for leisure activities I hardly ever use my MBP.
 
Oppressed said:
I see replies like "have a file system", but what specifically do you need a file system for?
Click to expand...

I have hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Word files related to my job on my computer. I sometimes need to quickly find a particular document out of those files. Having a file system means I can type in some search parameters and quickly get a list of files that match my search.

In an iPad app like Pages, storing that many number of documents would be unmanageable, since it only offers one layer of folders, and no search function (at least, not yet).

That is not to say there aren't good apps for organizing and managing files on the iPad. Apps like GoodReader, Dropbox, and FileBrowser go a long way toward letting me have some of the functionality of a file system on the iPad. But these apps aren't yet as fully featured as file systems on traditional PCs. Dropbox, for instance, has a search function, but if I get many hits, there isn't a way to narrow down the search criteria, or sort the search results.

As for how much of my time on my desktop computer is spent dealing with file systems, I'd say it has pretty become a glorified file manager. Even iTunes is a type of file manager, just with a different interface and organizational principle than more conventional file managers like Finder or Windows Explorer. I do most of my content consumption and even a lot of content creation (like typing up translations for my work) on the iPad, but once I'm finished creating a document, and I want to archive it for safekeeping, that's when I go back to my desktop.
 
I've told this story before, but I guess it bears repeating. I did NOT plan on getting rid of my laptop when I got my iPad 2, but did finally end up selling it. After I got my iPad, the laptop sat in its bag unused. And to this day, the iPad 2, and subsequently the new iPad have been my main computers. I'm not counting my work computer--I have no choice but to use that every day, but I could easily do my job on just an iPad as well.

Not saying it's for everybody, but I could probably get by on just an iPad. The problem is that I use a piece of software regularly that is Mac/PC only. No iPad version yet. I also still need my tower for running backups of my important stuff.
 
Let's see what my laptop has that my iPad doesn't:

1. Mac OSX
2. Windows XP
3. 160GB of solid state storage
4. True multitasking
5. 640GB of hard drive space
6. A filesystem
7. Multiple monitors
8. Oh, syncing and backing up my iPhone and soon to be iPad. Oooh, how about that!
 
I personally need to add/edit files in iTunes 3-4 times a week. I get music videos, audiobooks, etc from places other than iTunes. If I rip an audiobook from CDs, there is quite a bit of work involved. I need to import and change the way iTunes sees it (ie go from several CDs to a single continuous play, make sure it files under audiobooks and not music, etc). I ripped the bible from CDs and still haven't got it done.
 
I went from a gaming laptop to just an iPad.

I pretty much stopped playing hardcore games during the last few years, so I did not see the need for a gaming PC anymore.

With my iPad, I do the following:

-Read news
-Browse forums
-Pay my bills online
-Netflix/Hulu
-Casual games
-Facebook

So I guess I mostly consume content now. If I need to type up a document, the Pages app is generally sufficient for me.

I also bought an Apple TV for mirroring and airplay. It works great to watch Hulu, Netflix, and other videos on my TV.

My printer is also compatible with airprint, so I can print straight from the iPad without messing with drivers.

It's all working rather well. I had a sub to Onlive Desktop, but cancelled it as I don't really need it.
 
Since iPad 1 ditched my MacBook it was hard before the AirPrint to print now it's my only device.
 
it all depends on the user. If you are one that uses cd's/thumb drives/does a lot of file storing then an iPad would not work for you. We do basic stuff like web browsing/email/music....we could totally go iPad only, but there will be a time where we actually do need the laptop. I would say about 95% of the time we are iPad only.
 
Appler8 said:
How many of you have actually replaced your computer with an iPad. I don't want to know about how it compliments your computer or how you've thought about replacing your computer with one, like stated in previous threads, but if you've completely gone computer free, and what's the experience like?
Click to expand...

I replaced MacBook Air. It is awesome. Much more mobile and can do almost everything astudent needs. I do own a destop mac, so I am not computer free. But for my mobile needs it is beyond awesome.
 
What my computer has that an iPad (or motorola xoom can't replace):
- dual monitors
- bigger than 10" screens
- real multi-tasking (tablets irritate the heck out of me because you can only have one window open at a time instead of having a virtual desktop where you can have multiple windows open)
- faster processor
- more RAM
- file system (for the iPad anyway)
- keyboard and mouse navigation, which is a superior way to go if you know your keyboard shortcuts its just so much faster than a touch screen
- massive storage space (3TB vs 32GB)
- able to convert/edit videos, music
- able to do picture editing with PRECISION of the mouse rather than my fat finger
- essentially quadruple the typing speed on my PC vs my tablet(s)
- programming

I feel like tablets are more for web browsing, video viewing, simple gaming and PDA-like functionality.
 
yeahhh like others have said, its not replacing your home computer, just your laptop (if you own the two)

mac mini 2011 server + my new ipad = no more macbook pro.. both of those are going to cost you close to the same of a macbook pro


and the mini gets a 10000+ benchmark for just a $1000 :D even more after i upgraded it 8 gb of ram.

to get speeds like that on an imac or macbook youre going to drop a bit

----------
dukebound85 said:
same here

I use my ipad almost exclusively for web browsing and ebook reading
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that here, but for the office people, iwork + icloud makes the ipad even more usefull then just browsing online and reading books.

i cant express enough how much i love numbers and icloud.
 
as with many other peeps here the iPad has replaced my laptop but not my main computer.
As a laptop replacement it works out very well for me.
 
Appler8 said:
How many of you have actually replaced your computer with an iPad. I don't want to know about how it compliments your computer or how you've thought about replacing your computer with one, like stated in previous threads, but if you've completely gone computer free, and what's the experience like?
Click to expand...

Not me. And now after having one, there is no way I would do that (but I didn't think I would in the first place. I just kept hearing from people I'd change my mind after having one).

It really does not replace my laptop at all. And I'm supposedly the target market for the ipad in that I mostly do reading emails and browsing forums/internet on my computer. But hell, I like participating in forums and I'd hate to have to be relegated to that on screen keyboard. Plus I honestly prefer reading my forums off the laptop to tell the truth (can't place my finger on it but I just prefer browsing on my laptop over my iPad. I only ever use the ipad when I wake up and am too lazy to get out of bed to use my computer). The iPad makes a good ebook reader and comic reader (and magazine reader) as well as fun for some games but it's really not something essential or something I'd say would replace having a "real" computer at all. Even my step mom, who is definitely the very ideal candidate for the ipad (she got rid of her computer for one though I managed to convince them they should at least keep dad's rather than getting rid of all their computers). She has admitted I am right in that she still does occasionally need the computer.

(ok, granted my laptop is my main computer as well. But honestly, even if I did have a desktop/laptop combo for what I use my laptop for when it is portable, basically when I'm travelling, I'd still prefer it over the iPad).

I thought of one reason it's nicer browsing on my computer. My wrists don't get tired holding up some item or alternatively I don't get a sore neck from staring down at the ipad on my lap as the laptop sets the monitor up to be right in front of me. And even if I propped up the ipad if I'm not jsut reading a lot of text but clicking on different links, it's also more comfortable to use a mouse/trackpad than hold my hand up and touch a screen (I agree with Steve Jobs, it is awkward and that is why I don't think that the idea of touchscreen laptops is a good idea).

The ipad is great for book reading though mainly cause it feels like reading a book (just not the same feeling reading a book off a computer screen as you aren't holding something in your hand). Same thing for comic reading. And it can be fun to play games on. Also, it is more portable so little stuff like being in a different room from my laptop is not worth disconnecting it from everything (I have it set up like a desktop including an extra monitor) but the ipad I can easily just move around the house to do stuff like watch shows while I cook/clean or play on the net while I watch tv.

I'd say the ipad is definitely useful and nice to have, but it's not essential and I would definitely pick my laptop over it if I could only have one.
 
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I still wouldn't travel on a long trip without the laptop, mainly for storing pictures and videos from the camera, and in case I need to open/ manipulate documents/ PDFs. There is just so much that iOS fails at that the laptop can do just fine.
 
mofunk said:
All you can do on an iPad is surf the web, watch vids, word doc, and edit videos taken with a 5mpeg camera.
Click to expand...

Not true. I've made some pretty substantial Keynote presentations on my iPad - without using anything else - without any difficulty. And with the HDMI and VGA dongles, I can project them right off the iPad as well. I use the iPad for most of my email. I manage schedules using Calendar and Numbers, keep a small database of ongoing research projects in Bento and maintain a library of reference articles, complete with annotations, in GoodReader.

So while you may not be able to do much, my iPad does 75-80% of what I need a laptop for. Not everything, but a very significant amount.
 
Great experience. I only had a computer to run my eBay store and manage my iOS devices. Now with iOS 5 you can own all the devices computer free. I can run my eBay store in my iPad and print labels and ship items and list new ones.
 
I don't see how they do it either. That's way too risky to rely strictly on my iPad. Maybe by time we get to the 7th or 8th generation iPad, but 3rd isn't going to replace my laptop.
 
xraydoc said:
Not true. I've made some pretty substantial Keynote presentations on my iPad - without using anything else - without any difficulty. And with the HDMI and VGA dongles, I can project them right off the iPad as well. I use the iPad for most of my email. I manage schedules using Calendar and Numbers, keep a small database of ongoing research projects in Bento and maintain a library of reference articles, complete with annotations, in GoodReader.

So while you may not be able to do much, my iPad does 75-80% of what I need a laptop for. Not everything, but a very significant amount.
Click to expand...

Sorry I was including Keynote in with Word. I use the library thing too. That's cool but everything you mention is small. My Macs I use Adobe CS and several other apps for editing. I noticed with the new CS6 this will be possible to do on an iPad. But at what cost. Photoshop on an iPad is compressed. You cannot edit RAW photos. It has to be converted.

I can't see my iPad replacing my MBP. I see my iPad as mobile device that allows me to work within smaller projects.
 
I did it once... I was advised not to, but I did it anyways. It didn't end well.


My problems might not be problems for your uses. But here:

Using the iPad can be very slow. You have to watch a fancy animation every time you want to do anything. On a computer, you don't have that problem. It can get tiring.

I couldn't get Pages to work how I wanted. I primarily used tables to make my school notes (subject on the left cell, and information on the right cell) but manipulating tables on the iPad is... not good. They don't function like they do on the computer. It's troublesome.

Not all web sites will work correctly. You won't be able to navigate through all web sites. I'm not even talking about sites with Flash (that's also a problem)

You can't organize your files on Dropbox.

Documents made in Pages may not be formatted correctly when you email them as Word docs.

Only one window can be open at a time... So you aren't gonna be able to, let's say, transfer all your notes from Springpad to Evernote in a quick manner. It'll be painful. You never know when you're gonna need to do things like that.

Setting up a Bluetooth keyboard every time you want to write something long may not be appealing. It wasn't for me.

Workarounds... You need workarounds for everything. Wanna chat with someone on Gmail? You'll need an app for that if you want a good experience. Now you need to look at all the apps and see which one has the right functions for you. Is this one gonna keep me "online" all day? Wait, now I want to download this file from the web... How will I do it? Guess I need to download some browser that lets you download files. *back to app store* I want to print something. Darn, don't have an AirPrint printer... need a workaround for that too!

^simple functions like those just aren't easy, if possible at all. This could get extremely aggravating for you.
 
I'm trying the whole "laptop replacement" thing with my iPad3. I've also replaced my PC with a Mac Mini, so I've truly jumped head-first into the Apple pond.

I feel pretty good about the changes. One problem I'm encountering is that I still use a PC at work, plus I've spent 20 years of my life using PCs. There's also the matter of MS finally getting on the ball with Windows 8, Windows Phone, and Skydrive -- they really are putting together a nice little ecosystem to rival Cupertino.
 
For me it has replaced the laptop in our house about 95%. We have an iMac, 2 iPhones, a PC laptop and an iPad.
I still use the iMac for "heavy lifting" freelance work, photo sorting, etc.
We use the laptop for flash sites if we really feel like looking at them (many times we shrug and say screw you) and we use the laptop for Shutterfly which cannot be done on an iPad yet.

Most anything else is now with iPad and iPhones. They let me browse the internet, read news and forums, edit photos, create and search recipes, games, amazon, bill pay, watching movie clips, set DVR, change channels on TV, Draw, read, etc.

For what we used a laptop for as a SECONDARY computer it has replaced that 95%+ of the time.
 
mofunk said:
Sorry I was including Keynote in with Word. I use the library thing too. That's cool but everything you mention is small. My Macs I use Adobe CS and several other apps for editing. I noticed with the new CS6 this will be possible to do on an iPad. But at what cost. Photoshop on an iPad is compressed. You cannot edit RAW photos. It has to be converted.

I can't see my iPad replacing my MBP. I see my iPad as mobile device that allows me to work within smaller projects.
Click to expand...

The iPad is not meant to replace a standard OS X computer. Tim Cook even says as much.

Of course if you need Adobe CS Suite or Final Cut Pro then an iPad isn't going to be your laptop. But neither is an Android tablet. Or a Windows 8 RT tablet for that matter.

Maybe in 5-10 years an iPad-like device will be all anyone needs for any general computer task. But a low-power ARM processor has a long way to go to catch up to 8-core 3GHz i7 desktop-class processors with 8+GB of RAM. Or maybe not ever. There are obviously severe design limitations required in the mobile realm compared to machines which have no weight, size or AC power restrictions.
 
The iPad will never replace a computer. You could argue that you could stick a computer in the closet and remote access it, or even do that on a cloud-based service running VMs like OnLive, or a university's VM system, but you're still way short on screen real estate. Also what if you're at a location with little or no data connectivity? That remote access won't work so well anymore.
 
In my opinion, the ipad will never ever replace a laptop.

Some people would say, that in the future, an ipad (or a table) could have a core as powerful as the top i7 quad today and have proper cooling, now all programs will run fine! So you're gonna use today's program??? You don't think that in the future, programs will develop further going along with the computer technology, and that requirements of programs would stay the same? No way. If photoshop requirements are only today's standard in the future, it would make it useless, as of course, technology in the future would develop, people would probably be holding a phone with at least 50-100 megapixels camera( nokia's 40+ megapixel camera phone is already out). Will today's photoshop be able to handle that easily, non lag and no memory hog? Probably not.
 
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