Whats the point of an iPad?

[SlasherDuff]

I used to think an iPad was an over glorified version of an iPod Touch... but that didn't stop me from buying one. So far I love the device, yet it hasn't completely replaced my MacBook. There are some applications the Mac does better than the iPad does.

At times the iPad is just convenient

 

[OllyW]

Anyone who says "ipad replaced my computer/laptop" is a god damn liar.

My iPad has replaced my laptop.

I've got a 24" iMac and still use that daily but I've been surprised by how adaptable the iPad is. I couldn't do without a traditional computer but a lot of people could easily manage with an iPad as their only computer since iOS 5 has removed the need for tethered syncing and OS updates.

 

[MacBH928]

its confusing to explain an iPad, especially if you own an iphone. I own an iPad and I am not sure if I should get an iphone even though i want one.

To be honest, iPad's for average consumer is basically internet soft browsing, games, and most important of all, reading.

You can get away with an iphone and a kindle, or nook. But if u dont have an iphone, , buy an ipad and you wont regret it.

I think iPad's biggest advantage is reading, books or website articles. I still do not see it as a device you can work from, macbook air makes a much better choice, and it is a FULL computer.

I say macbookair+iphone or macbookair+ipad , but no way u would want a macbookair+iphone+ipad

i just want to add, you may want to check out Samsung galaxy Note, it something between an iphone and ipad, see how it works for you. But I am not sure of the android OS and how does it compare to iOS

 

[wolfpackfan]

I've been looking into getting an ipad 2, but I'm not sure I see the point of it..What do you guys do with yours?

You got to be kidding. Have you ever thought about searching message boards? This topic has been beat to death in the past. The iPad is way past having to prove it's worth.

 

[Sodner]

The ultimate in portability.

A library, a music store, an aracde, a newstand, the internet in your hand.

Don't walk but RUN and pick one up.

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I say macbookair+iphone or macbookair+ipad , but no way u would want a macbookair+iphone+ipad

Ah.. How about the perfect setup.

imac+air+ipad+iphone

 

[alex2792]

iPad is a toy, a pretty cool one but nonetheless a toy. It can't replace a laptop due to no fe system access and ridiculous restrictions put in place by Apple in hopes of making you buy more stuff from iTunes. It's great for browsing,Facebook and games,but the aforementioned lack of file system access makes it useless as a productivity tool. Before the fanboys get their panties in a bunch, yes I know that it is theoretically possible to create documents in iWork, but even though you could dig a trench with a toothpick doesn't mean a shovel wouldn't be better suited for the job.

 

[v2kea412]

I purchased the iPad 2 in May, selling my 15" 2008 MBP in hopes that I would force myself into making the switch. For the most part, I have been rather happy. My 4 year old loves the iPad, and is able to navigate the UI almost too well. Netflix on the iPad, albeit a crappy selection of movies, is a very nice way to enjoy some downtime as well as iBooks. I still use my iPhone for a phone, and iCloud to sync up my music and pictures. I have an iMac that I rarely use, mostly because the portability that I have with the iPad has spoiled me.

I find that I mostly use the my iPad here at work, where i can check my email, calendar, take notes at meetings, etc. I use Evernote to organize my stuff, and use the camera to capture whiteboard images from production meetings... It truly has become essential for me at work to have it.

That being said, I am also a PHP developer on the side and am looking to purchase a laptop since that part of my consulting world is picking up steam and the iPad is not a feasible route. Oh sure they make some apps for the iPad, koder for instance, that look to work just fine. But a laptop is still a requirement I have found.

Just my two cents on how I have been using the iPad for the past 8 months and my current thoughts and direction...

 

[jojoba]

I use my iPad primarily for work. Here are the key tasks I do with it:

- reading and annotating academic literature
- note taking (meetings, seminars, conferences) - my iPad is now my one and only note book, and I love the fact that I can combine keyboard and stylus input
- reading and writing emails, web browsing
- task management/ to do lists
- mind mapping
- skype conversations

My non-work use of iPad centres on some internet browsing, playing backgammon, watching TED, various how-to-get-around apps (public transport, maps, etc) and occasional book reading (but I generally prefer my e-readers for the latter).

 

[APlotdevice]

iPad is a toy, a pretty cool one but nonetheless a toy. It can't replace a laptop due to no fe system access and ridiculous restrictions put in place by Apple in hopes of making you buy more stuff from iTunes. It's great for browsing,Facebook and games,but the aforementioned lack of file system access makes it useless as a productivity tool. Before the fanboys get their panties in a bunch, yes I know that it is theoretically possible to create documents in iWork, but even though you could dig a trench with a toothpick doesn't mean a shovel wouldn't be better suited for the job.

I get the sense that most people who claim that you can't do anything productive with an iPad have never actually tried. It's certainly not nearly as hard as you make it out to be.

 

[LeeM]

Ah.. How about the perfect setup.

imac+air+ipad+iphone

I'd love that but a mini plugged into my tv instead of an iMac

 

[jojoba]

I get the sense that most people who claim that you can't do anything productive with an iPad have never actually tried. It's certainly not nearly as hard as you make it out to be.

Agreed. As I said above, I use mine primarily for work. Granted, I wouldn't write a big research piece on my iPad and I'm not of the opinion that it has replaced my laptop (although I now travel on shorter trips with only my iPad where before I'd take my laptop), but in general it supports my work in a lot of ways and my primary reason for getting one was work purposes.

 

[bpaluzzi]

iPad is a toy, a pretty cool one but nonetheless a toy. It can't replace a laptop due to no fe system access and ridiculous restrictions put in place by Apple in hopes of making you buy more stuff from iTunes. It's great for browsing,Facebook and games,but the aforementioned lack of file system access makes it useless as a productivity tool. Before the fanboys get their panties in a bunch, yes I know that it is theoretically possible to create documents in iWork, but even though you could dig a trench with a toothpick doesn't mean a shovel wouldn't be better suited for the job.

It's like the last 2 years haven't even happened. I need to get some of the stuff you're smoking, buddy.

 

[Jez27]

Thought I'd weigh in with what I use mine for.
I have a MBP, iPad 2 & 27" iMac.

The MBP was my primary device for about 18 months. Used it for video editing, dual screened with an old 24" TV & use Plex to watch all my TV shows/movies.

With the iPad, I now stream all my movies/TV shows to it when I'm laying in bed in the evening and want to watch a quick episode of Family Guy or Futurama, for example. I also mainly use it for watching YouTube videos, updating/checking Twitter & I have Sky Go and NFL Game Pass on it, thus practically turning it into a TV - on my desk just in front of my iMac when I'm using that for video editing.

My MPB has now been effectively replaced by the iPad (YouTube/social media/general web browsing). Not to mention the added benefits of having magazine subscriptions (Tap! makes great use of gestures) & reading books on it.

The only thing I ever really use my MBP for now is playing Football Manager.

tl;dr - Coupled with a desktop machine of some sort the iPad can easily become a laptop killer. Just so long as the only reason you have a laptop is for streaming/light web browsing/light word processing around the house/on the move.

It did take me a couple of weeks to really figure out what I was going to use it for mostly.

 

[Wrathwitch]

What's the point? Here's my take on Apple's reasons.

1) Make another high profit revenue stream.

2) Create another device to brag about.

3) Get people to buy into their closed Eco-system.

4) Sell more expensive apps.

5) Sell a device to those who really don't need a computer.

6) Perpetuate their image as a leading innovator.

7) Expand Apple's user base.

That said, I bought one out of curiosity although I had no intention of it replacing any of my computers.

It has Pro's & Con's just like anything else. As an alternate, occasional use device, it works ok for me.

Wow, u mad bro?

They don't have to perpetuate their image as a leading innovator, they ARE leading innovators. No ifs, ands or buts.

My mom uses an iPad for almost all of her internet requirements, online banking, surfing, emails, address book etc. They can carry this to their condo with ease and it is simple to use so yes 7) is valid, it did expand Apple's user base.

Anyways, to answer the OPs question:

At night, I play Zinga poker in bed. In the morning to wake myself up, I read RSS news feeds using Pulse news reader. On a lazy Saturday or Sunday when I don't feel like getting out of bed, I can watch some streamed TV shows.

It is a quick reference to my email and I have some books on it. I sometimes play games.

Hmmmm really, I think I need to get a man hahahahah!! However, at least I can put the iPad down when I want or turn it on and off at will. Muahaah!

WW

 

[alex2792]

I get the sense that most people who claim that you can't do anything productive with an iPad have never actually tried. It's certainly not nearly as hard as you make it out to be.

iWork is TERRIBLE when working with anything but the most basic Office documents, and while other apps are better none of them are good enough to rely on. Since pretty much everyone uses Office to create work related documents it's kind of a big deal. The iPad has a fisher price file system(I still can't figure out what kind of a moron greenlit that idea, but whatever) that requires you to duplicate the same document over, and over and over if god forbid you want to use multiple apps to work with it, and there is no easy way to share the same document between apps without connecting the iPad to iTunes, which defeats the whole portability argument. While, iPad IS fun attempting to compose anything besides a short email using the virtual keyboard is NOT fun and if you have to bring a keyboard along with the iPad you might as well just get a laptop/netbook. There are a myriad of other reasons why the iPad sucks for productivity, which I don't have time to list.

 

[bpaluzzi]

iWork is TERRIBLE when working with anything but the most basic Office documents, and while other apps are better none of them are good enough to rely on. Since pretty much everyone uses Office to create work related documents it's kind of a big deal. The iPad has a fisher price file system(I still can't figure out what kind of a moron greenlit that idea, but whatever) that requires you to duplicate the same document over, and over and over if god forbid you want to use multiple apps to work with it, and there is no easy way to share the same document between apps without connecting the iPad to iTunes, which defeats the whole portability argument. While, iPad IS fun attempting to compose anything besides a short email using the virtual keyboard is NOT fun and if you have to bring a keyboard along with the iPad you might as well just get a laptop/netbook. There are a myriad of other reasons why the iPad sucks for productivity, which I don't have time to list.

This kind of post was bad enough when the iPad first came out, but my word, you look silly now.

 

[jojoba]

iWork is TERRIBLE when working with anything but the most basic Office documents, and while other apps are better none of them are good enough to rely on. Since pretty much everyone uses Office to create work related documents it's kind of a big deal. The iPad has a fisher price file system(I still can't figure out what kind of a moron greenlit that idea, but whatever) that requires you to duplicate the same document over, and over and over if god forbid you want to use multiple apps to work with it, and there is no easy way to share the same document between apps without connecting the iPad to iTunes, which defeats the whole portability argument. While, iPad IS fun attempting to compose anything besides a short email using the virtual keyboard is NOT fun and if you have to bring a keyboard along with the iPad you might as well just get a laptop/netbook. There are a myriad of other reasons why the iPad sucks for productivity, which I don't have time to list.

Bringing my iPad with my LogiTech keyboard is in many cases preferable to me over bringing a laptop for the following reasons:
- much better battery life (I never need to stress about finding an electricity outlet when I'm in conferences or seminars for whole days, and I never need to worry about running out of battery)
- 3G internet access so I don't need to worry about whether I will find wireless on the premises, and whether I need to waste time finding an IT office that can provide me with a password
- as noted above, the option of switching between stylus and keyboard input is a great plus for me

I primarily use Pages, Notability, EndNote, PDF Expert, NoteBook and iThoughtsHD for content production, all of which is easily synced to my work pc or mac book air after I get back to the office/ home (DropBox etc).

 

[JoeSixPack]

1) Better, and cheaper, way to read the newspaper. Especially during a snowstorm, though that is less of an issue for you in GA.

2) Great as a 2nd or 3rd tv, why pay for a cable/dish box every month.

3) Perfect vacation computer (how often do you need a full keyboard on vacation). Really nice on long flights.

4) Good for relationships - why watch content in different rooms when one can watch the tv and the other watch content on the iPad while sitting together.

 

[Malligator]

My iPad has replaced my computer. Does that mean it replaced every computer in my house? No. What it means is that I no longer need a full-fledged computer of my own. As long as there is a computer in the house that I can access occasionally I'm good. I do 99% of my computing on the iPad and about 1% on the iMac.

My wife and I have always had our own computers, desks, bookcases, etc. Our shared office was always cramped. Now her eMac is retired, she has my iMac, and my office furniture is gone leaving us much more room for activities.

 

[notjustjay]

iPad is a toy, a pretty cool one but nonetheless a toy. It can't replace a laptop due to no fe system access and ridiculous restrictions put in place by Apple in hopes of making you buy more stuff from iTunes. It's great for browsing,Facebook and games,but the aforementioned lack of file system access makes it useless as a productivity tool. Before the fanboys get their panties in a bunch, yes I know that it is theoretically possible to create documents in iWork, but even though you could dig a trench with a toothpick doesn't mean a shovel wouldn't be better suited for the job.

What you people need to understand is that not everyone does the same things with a computer. Some people only need a computer to check emails and Facebook and watch YouTube videos and maybe write the occasional memo. That might not be you or me but that's not to say those people don't exist. And for those people, a tablet might well perform all those functions perfectly well.

Or, to continue your own analogy, a toothpick certainly is no shovel but then again, I don't even own a shovel because I've never had any need to dig trenches!

So the people who say their tablet (note I'm not limiting it to the iPad) has replaced their computers are not liars, as one poster asserted, nor are they simpletons, as others have implied... they just have different needs than you or I.

 

[poloponies]

What you people need to understand is that not everyone does the same things with a computer. Some people only need a computer to check emails and Facebook and watch YouTube videos and maybe write the occasional memo. That might not be you or me but that's not to say those people don't exist. And for those people, a tablet might well perform all those functions perfectly well.

Or, to continue your own analogy, a toothpick certainly is no shovel but then again, I don't even own a shovel because I've never had any need to dig trenches!

So the people who say their tablet (note I'm not limiting it to the iPad) has replaced their computers are not liars, as one poster asserted, nor are they simpletons, as others have implied... they just have different needs than you or I.

The iPad fills 110% of my wife's computing needs (and wants). It IS her notebook computer. I got her an iMac several years ago but she uses is about once a week, and that's only if she happens to be in that room and needs to look something up. Otherwise teh iPad is at her side 27/7 (literally, it charges on her nightstand when she's sleeping). The same holds true for the vast majority of iPad buyers.

 

[mtfbwy]

I use my original, 64gb, 3G iPad for:

book reading and storage of technical docs and manuals
portable light photo editing
on the go photo storage with a camera connection kit
an awesome photo portfolio
couch web surfing
some games
a truly lightweight portable as compared to my 15" MBP and my 14" Asus laptop
news reading via Pulse
taking notes with various apps
awesome mapping and navigation aid for traveling
youtube and netflix

I didn't get the iPad either until I borrowed one for a week...

 

[Malligator]

iPad is a toy, a pretty cool one but nonetheless a toy. It can't replace a laptop due to no fe system access and ridiculous restrictions put in place by Apple in hopes of making you buy more stuff from iTunes. It's great for browsing,Facebook and games,but the aforementioned lack of file system access makes it useless as a productivity tool. Before the fanboys get their panties in a bunch, yes I know that it is theoretically possible to create documents in iWork, but even though you could dig a trench with a toothpick doesn't mean a shovel wouldn't be better suited for the job.

I can't simulate or back annotate my chip designs on my PC at work which means it's useless to me as a productivity tool. I guess that makes PC's toys?

 

[kevinfulton.ca]

I don't know about you guys, but for me it's opened things up for me creatively where the form factor of my iPhone is just too small. I use it for reviewing photos during a shoot, writing, browsing and sketching. To anybody thinking it's "just a toy" should take a look at Sketchbook Pro. I drew this in under 10min. Not trying to show off, but just to show that it CAN do some pretty incredible things.

 

[MacBH928]

I don't know about you guys, but for me it's opened things up for me creatively where the form factor of my iPhone is just too small. I use it for reviewing photos during a shoot, writing, browsing and sketching. To anybody thinking it's "just a toy" should take a look at Sketchbook Pro. I drew this in under 10min. Not trying to show off, but just to show that it CAN do some pretty incredible things.

if u used a stylus, then can you tell me which one?