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iPad Use iPad Air as replacement for laptop?

R

Retired Cat

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 12, 2013
1,210
380
If I don't do anything like Photoshop or software development, could I get away with ditching laptops entirely and using only an iPad?

I see that iPads come with free iWork software downloads, and that they have keyboard accessories and printer compatibility. For a basic computer does anyone need more?
 
It can definitely be done. I would want a Bluetooth keyboard to be paired up for it in times of some extra typing.. But absolutely.
 
Retired Cat said:
If I don't do anything like Photoshop or software development, could I get away with ditching laptops entirely and using only an iPad?

I see that iPads come with free iWork software downloads, and that they have keyboard accessories and printer compatibility. For a basic computer does anyone need more?
Click to expand...
It really depends on what you do use a computer for. If all your activities can be done on the iPad, you don't need a computer. I've been able to replace about 85-90% of my need for a computer with the iPad, but I still need a computer for several activities.
 
It really depends on what you do. How much can you deal with touch vs trackpad vs mouse. Hard to say where you spend most of the day.

Some people can do it very easy.

Some with a little work.

Others will pull their hair out.
 
some can some cant. like me, i like listening music on youtube in the background and surf the web same time which the ipad cant do.
 
I think I may go the iPad Air route when my notebook computer breaks. Compared to my iPhone, my Dell PC seem clunky: takes too long to boot or resume from standby, mediocre battery life, runs hot, noisy from cooling fans, pixelated display, and so forth. I don't really do anything with it that requires its super powerful CPU and GPU.

iOS is just a great interface.
 
richardbb85 said:
some can some cant. like me, i like listening music on youtube in the background and surf the web same time which the ipad cant do.
Click to expand...

Well maybe not on YouTube, but there are a multitude of apps that allow you to listen to music while surfing the web.
 
It's amazing at how much you can get done on iPads these days. I relied heavily on my last MacBook Pro for everything from work to personal. When I sold it in anticipation for the Haswell MacBook Pro only to find myself waiting almost an extra month (at least I got the amount I wanted for my old Mac due to eBay not being flooded with then yet). With nothing to use with the exception of my AT&T iPad mini, I was able to get by perfectly fine with everything. Finally tought myself how to really use the iWork apps, which worked fine even in a Word and Excel environment. Had all my music still available on iTunes Match. Browsing the web was perfectly fine as the iPad will view the full desktop versions of majority of the web sites out there.

Can it be done? Absolutely.
 
GGJstudios said:
It really depends on what you do use a computer for. If all your activities can be done on the iPad, you don't need a computer. I've been able to replace about 85-90% of my need for a computer with the iPad, but I still need a computer for several activities.
Click to expand...

This.

If you never plan to rip a DVD.

If you never plan on buying a gadget that needs it firmware upgraded by a computer via USB port.

If you never need access to your file system (you know, like to reply to an email and attach a document).

If you never care to download all your financial transactions from your bank to manage your finances.

And a multitude of other thing you NEED a computer for, then sure, you can make do with just an iPad.
 
ZBoater said:
This.

If you never plan to rip a DVD.

If you never plan on buying a gadget that needs it firmware upgraded by a computer via USB port.

If you never need access to your file system (you know, like to reply to an email and attach a document).

If you never care to download all your financial transactions from your bank to manage your finances.

And a multitude of other thing you NEED a computer for, then sure, you can make do with just an iPad.
Click to expand...

The first two aren't a concern for me. The last gadget I bought that needed USB connectivity for an update was a GPS navigation unit that I hardly use anymore. The iPhone made that mostly obsolete.

I don't rip DVDs and all my music has been digital for years. I can't remember the last time I bought a CD.

The file stuff is a concern though. I think that iWork can work around the attachment issue, but downloading financial statements I'm not sure how to handle.
 
Not even possible in my line of work. I love the iPads for their portability. They are great browsing machines but I hate typing on them and at worst case I need MS office. I work in the IT field supporting both mac and PC. I am currently learning MS Exchange and Server 2008 R2. Currently I have VMware fusion installed on my 2013 late rMBP 8/256 I am running a windows 2008 r2 server with web server, another server with Exchange 2010 and can run a windows 2007 client with outlook installed connecting to the Exchange server. All while flipping screens to safari, spottily, iPhoto etc. Pretty impressed. Only thing I wish is when running a couple of windows servers and win 2007 client 16GB would be nice.
 
JGWolven said:
It can definitely be done. I would want a Bluetooth keyboard to be paired up for it in times of some extra typing.. But absolutely.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Ipads have keyboard cases and every needed to be a productive tablet.

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ZBoater said:
This.

If you never plan to rip a DVD.

If you never plan on buying a gadget that needs it firmware upgraded by a computer via USB port.

If you never need access to your file system (you know, like to reply to an email and attach a document).

If you never care to download all your financial transactions from your bank to manage your finances.

And a multitude of other thing you NEED a computer for, then sure, you can make do with just an iPad.
Click to expand...
You can attach documents with an iPad. I do it all the time when sending resumes and pictures through email. I manage my finances with iWork and App store has a zillion financial apps.
 
tried to do it with an iPad and couldn't. get the surface 2. has usb port, 2 side by side apps can run same time, 32gb standard... 449 $ free sd card slot for up to 64gb.....$459 can get you 96gb... that won't even buy you the iPad air. surface can be hacked to run full window programs but if not its fine just to use the included microdot office suite which now includes Access . trust me dude i tried each and everyday to make iPad work for me and i just couldn't lol. good luck if you do try.
 
I think if you never need java it could be done. I am taking some online classes and I swear since I have grabbed my Air, the only thing I absolutely need my laptop for, is to log into the classroom environment.
 
isephmusic said:
tried to do it with an iPad and couldn't. get the surface 2. has usb port, 2 side by side apps can run same time, 32gb standard... 449 $ free sd card slot for up to 64gb.....$459 can get you 96gb... that won't even buy you the iPad air. surface can be hacked to run full window programs but if not its fine just to use the included microdot office suite which now includes Access . trust me dude i tried each and everyday to make iPad work for me and i just couldn't lol. good luck if you do try.
Click to expand...
Windows 8 and 8.1 actually manages to make regular windows worse than it already is. Not to mention its far less mobile than an iPad. The clip on keyboard doesnt work and the $449 version of Surface doesnt even have the benefit of windows or the benefit of being more mobile than a laptop. You might as well get a laptop. Im a freaking software engineer and if I can be productive on an iPad then anyone can seriously.
 
ZBoater said:
This.

If you never plan to rip a DVD.

If you never plan on buying a gadget that needs it firmware upgraded by a computer via USB port.

If you never need access to your file system (you know, like to reply to an email and attach a document).

If you never care to download all your financial transactions from your bank to manage your finances.

And a multitude of other thing you NEED a computer for, then sure, you can make do with just an iPad.
Click to expand...

Not to mention all the multi-tasking you can do. iPad is a one-app-at-a-time device. I like the freedom a desktop OS offers.
 
ob81 said:
I think if you never need java it could be done. I am taking some online classes and I swear since I have grabbed my Air, the only thing I absolutely need my laptop for, is to log into the classroom environment.
Click to expand...

They should be ashamed of themselves for using java that way. Its offensive.

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PDFierro said:
Not to mention all the multi-tasking you can do. iPad is a one-app-at-a-time device. I like the freedom a desktop OS offers.
Click to expand...

I like the freedom of not being tied down to a desk.
 
AdonisSMU said:
You can attach documents with an iPad. I do it all the time when sending resumes and pictures through email. I manage my finances with iWork and App store has a zillion financial apps.
Click to expand...

You need to read more carefully and think.

Try REPLYING to an email and attaching a document to your reply. Let me know how that works out for you.

And can you share the name of the app you use to DOWNLOAD TRANSACTIONS from your bank? I've been looking for one and can't find it....

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AdonisSMU said:
... Im a freaking software engineer and if I can be productive on an iPad then anyone can seriously.
Click to expand...

Try asking a HARDWARE engineer how he plans to reprogram a Cisco commercial router with an iPad....
 
AdonisSMU said:
You can attach documents with an iPad. I do it all the time when sending resumes and pictures through email.
Click to expand...
Please explain how I can use an iPad to reply to an email and attach files such as .mp3, .xlsx, .mov, etc. in my reply. I'd really find this useful if I could use the iPad for this, instead of the computer.
 
You don't. You need an iPad and a macbook.

GGJstudios said:
Please explain how I can use an iPad to reply to an email and attach files such as .mp3, .xlsx, .mov, etc. in my reply. I'd really find this useful if I could use the iPad for this, instead of the computer.
Click to expand...
 
AdonisSMU said:
They should be ashamed of themselves for using java that way. Its offensive.

----------



I like the freedom of not being tied down to a desk.
Click to expand...

You are only tied down a desk if you are using a desktop, like an iMac. You can use laptops anywhere you want.
 
richard371 said:
agreed. The iPad is one of the greatest gadgets of all time but useless for productivity. Its an amazing toy/device and useful for lot of things but just like the iPhone its not a PC.
Click to expand...

Well, I do find many uses for it, like handling and signing PDFs (PDF expert rocks), and I can create some light docs, catalog my DVD collection (with DVD Profiler), create some simple forms and database (Tap Forms HD), etc. So I wouldn't call it useless. But when I need to get serious I fall back on my MBA and my 15 different VM flavors...
 

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