iPad When do you think iPads will replace laptops?

[zhenya]

Tablets and pcs will converge. They're too similar in size and you shouldn't have to carry two devices of similar size.

Here's why:
- Tablets are getting more powerful
- Laptops are getting more energy efficient

We'll end up with a device that can stand alone as a tablet with the desired size for a user. I'm sure Intel and ARM will work to get there from their perspective corners as if their lives depended on it.

Add to that:
- Easy ways to shift displays to somewhere else (TV's or big monitors for typical PC kind of work) depending on what the user wants
- Easy ways to connect a keyboard or not

- That's it! You can already shift displays to a TV with airplay. Need to bump that up that bandwidth to support retina displays and/or gaming

I think the surface pro is a step in the right direction. I'll bet Apple will soon leapfrog anything it can do in an environment that I'd like. I'll bet the choice will be here by the time 2016 rolls around, and will just get better over time.

I think there will continue to be devices like that made, but I am convinced that for the medium term at least, tablets will be primarily companion devices. They will continue to be more and more powerful so there will be far fewer times where you find something you can't do on your tablet, but the reality is that tablets are best at 7-10", and laptops are best at 12-15". That's a physical reality that can't be overcome. I can work on my Surface Pro all day, but it's a constant strain and feels like a big relief when I'm back to my 14" laptop.

 

[iCarabma]

Laptops:iPads :: Desktops:Laptops

 

[irDigital0l]

Never.

No way in hell I could use an iPad to write papers or do CS compared to my MBA.

 

[bwhli]

I'd like to bluetooth mouse support on the iPad. It would make for a nice remote desktop device.

 

[Ainkor]

Didn't read all the replies so it may have been said but as soon as there is flawless access to Excel with macro support, it will be a 100% replacement for my laptop.

Interestingly though, Windows 8.1 tablets are able to do that right now. I have a Surface Pro and am test driving a Dell Venue Pro 8. Throw in LTE on a device like the Dell and I'm sold.

I love the apps for my iPad, but the apps for Windows are becoming decent.

 

[Bear]

...
Obviously the laptop market will never go away, but my question is more asking, when do you think an iPad will be just as good as a laptop.
...

In a word? Never.

In more words, not everyone needs a laptop, an iPad will do everything they need. Then there are those that need a laptop for what they do.

Will we see tablets continue to reduce laptop sales? For a while yes. Totally kill laptops? No.

 

[VPrime]

There needs to be better multi tasking before this can truly happen. Most people have multiple apps running on screen at once, not just running in the back ground.

iPads are fairly capable. The apps on the iPad allow you to do things that only desktops could do before. We already have image editors, movie editors, spreadsheet apps, word processors, programming apps, 3d modelling apps, and even game development happening on the iPad.

We're bringing Game development to the iPad, allowing iPad users to actually create games right on a tablet. This is typically something you would only see on desktop computers. But our platform is fairly capable and includes most features of popular desktop software.

There are a few OS changes needed, and some app store policy changes.. But we're very close on a hardware level.

 

[Badrottie]

iPad will NOT replace laptop because iOS and OS X are the different operating system.

 

[slwiser]

For myself, for the most part (time used) it already has.

 

[1rottenapple]

I still have my MacBook Pro which is a heavy duty machine, used for torrents heavy word processing. But the ipad mini is what I use at home. It's just convenient. I say I used it 85% at home. There's even days where I don't turn my laptop on. BUT the pro still has a role. It's just faster when typing word docs, working on excel. And typing long form.

 

[charlituna]

I see topics every now and then pop up on this site about how someone can't decide between a traditional laptop or just an iPad.

Or someone will make a post asking if it's possible to just use an iPad instead of a computer.

Yes it's possible. It has already replaced the laptop for many.

It's all about what you are looking to do. Many folks just need something to check their email. So an iPad is fine.

 

[SolarCanoe]

I understand what the OP was intending, but heres my thoughts

the iPad is getting better and better every year, BUT MacBooks are also getting better and better every year. I think apple will continue to produce both since there is a market for it, however I wish they would just combine the 2 products. I hate having both, I wish I just had one 'computer'

 

[s2mikey]

Wouldn't mouse support also be a requisite for replacing a laptop completely? Maybe Bluetooth mouse or whatever? Of course, if the iPad gets used in a docking station arrangement that's really just like a laptop now then, isn't it?

Personally, I think both have a bright future and there shouldn't be any reason for tablets to try and replace laptops. Let them both do their own thing. It's quite obvious that the crossover devices and hybrids are useless. They end up sucking at both!

 

[panzer06]

If the question was will tablets replace you regular computer? I would say Windows tablet is already capable if you buy one that has the core I processor.

There are several Windows tablets that support everything most people do the only issue is there heavier and thicker than the iPad. And of course they run windows not iOS.

I personally don't see my retina iPad mini being my primary computer anytime soon.

Cheers,

 

[xArtx]

Are you kidding?
It doesn't take a power user to update firmware for your Garmin GPS,
it just takes a Windows user.
Pretend he's talking about jailbreaking an iPhone then, or ripping an mp3.

Call yourself a power user when you do something with iOS that iOS wasn't intended for.

What? Basic users don't even do stuff like that. Hell, I consider myself a power user and even I don't.

Never.. So long as Apple are selling laptops,
and so long as iOS is secured from unauthorised third party developers.

Have you noticed you can't connect any iOS device to anything non Apple over wire?
There's a reason for that.

 

[panzer06]

snip

Personally, I think both have a bright future and there shouldn't be any reason for tablets to try and replace laptops. Let them both do their own thing. It's quite obvious that the crossover devices and hybrids are useless. They end up sucking at both!

Not sure I agree with that. The latest more powerful Windows Tablets like the Surface Pro 2, Sony Tap 11 and Dell Venue 11 Pro all have Core i processors and are fully capable Windows computers. They are not as light or have as long battery life as an iPad but they certainly can replace a Windows Desktop or laptop for everything except heavy gaming or workstation level work. The average office worker could use a Windows tablet and never have to access a dedicated PC.

The docking station with monitor and keyboard add functionality but don't detract from the fact you can have a fully functioning tablet as your primary computer. . . Just not one made by Apple

Cheers,

 

[divergirl]

I don't think a tablet could ever replace a computer for me entirely but it could easily replace a laptop in my case at least. I'm one of those people who only bought a laptop because tablets weren't around yet. I'm a desktop girl, but I still wanted something portable to veg out on the couch with. Hence the laptop. If I'm doing anything productive the laptop starts to feel too constraining. Such a small screen and I have to crane my neck just to look at it. I'd rather have a nice twenty seven inch monitor that is eye level, so for me it's desktops all the way. But it's still nice to have something to veg out on the couch with. So for me a tablet COULD be a laptop replacement, since it would replace what I use my laptop for now. But replacing a main computer with one? I don't think I could do it anytime soon!

 

[McGiord]

I don't think a tablet could ever replace a computer for me entirely but it could easily replace a laptop in my case at least. I'm one of those people who only bought a laptop because tablets weren't around yet. I'm a desktop girl, but I still wanted something portable to veg out on the couch with. Hence the laptop. If I'm doing anything productive the laptop starts to feel too constraining. Such a small screen and I have to crane my neck just to look at it. I'd rather have a nice twenty seven inch monitor that is eye level, so for me it's desktops all the way. But it's still nice to have something to veg out on the couch with. So for me a tablet COULD be a laptop replacement, since it would replace what I use my laptop for now. But replacing a main computer with one? I don't think I could do it anytime soon!

With AirPlay it could, let's say they can run 64 bit software that can be streamed to a big screen and you decide how to interact with it either using it as a trackpad, or having other devices connected i.e. Mouse, keyboard, trackball, etc.

 

[divergirl]

With AirPlay it could, let's say they can run 64 bit software that can be streamed to a big screen and you decide how to interact with it either using it as a trackpad, or having other devices connected i.e. Mouse, keyboard, trackball, etc.

You know, if a tablet could do all that it just might be able to replace a desktop machine for me. It WOULD be really awesome to consolidate devices! For me it really is all about the big screens so a tablet with that functionality would be amazing in my book! I've even considered using an enormous HDTV (we're talking like 90+ inches here at least) as a monitor and having say… a Mac Mini attached to it. It would be amazing to be able to have a desk ten feet away from the screen and still be able to see everything clearly. So much easier on the eyes. So if I could just have a tablet and airplay to the TV and do… real work on it, that'd be even better!

 

[The Doctor11]

Really soon. But I don't think and hope that iPads won't replace desktop computers. I love desktop computers for something's but iPads are great for on the go or every where else. Like just today I spent a few hours watching TV on the couch with my iPad. I was playing games and using the Internet.

 

[Hustler]

I hope sooner than later. I would love to not need a laptop with the portability of the iPad.

 

[1rottenapple]

You can't download torrents, you can transcode video or music. Big uses for me. But the laptop is definitely becoming the truck analogy that Steve jobs used. I like using my laptop for studying modules.

 

[s2mikey]

Not sure I agree with that. The latest more powerful Windows Tablets like the Surface Pro 2, Sony Tap 11 and Dell Venue 11 Pro all have Core i processors and are fully capable Windows computers. They are not as light or have as long battery life as an iPad but they certainly can replace a Windows Desktop or laptop for everything except heavy gaming or workstation level work. The average office worker could use a Windows tablet and never have to access a dedicated PC.

The docking station with monitor and keyboard add functionality but don't detract from the fact you can have a fully functioning tablet as your primary computer. . . Just not one made by Apple

Cheers,

That's cool. But, those aforementioned tablets are certainly more like laptops than tablets seeing as they lack portability and battery life which are key items for what I consider important for tablets. I don't think they give you the complete tablet experience overal either. It's still that issue where they are trying to be everything and maybe aren't completely good at either one.

iPads IMO are fantastic as a tablet but are NOT such a good computer per say. I think it's better that the two stay separate since they can then concentrate on their core strengths instead of trying to be both. The hybrid idea turns me off. That means up you end up with a device that isn't quite good enough as a laptop and isn't quite good enough as a tablet.

I say keep the two separate and work on perfecting each one.

 

[BigHonkingDeal]

Not sure I agree with that. The latest more powerful Windows Tablets like the Surface Pro 2, Sony Tap 11 and Dell Venue 11 Pro all have Core i processors and are fully capable Windows computers. They are not as light or have as long battery life as an iPad but they certainly can replace a Windows Desktop or laptop for everything except heavy gaming or workstation level work. The average office worker could use a Windows tablet and never have to access a dedicated PC.

The docking station with monitor and keyboard add functionality but don't detract from the fact you can have a fully functioning tablet as your primary computer. . . Just not one made by Apple

Cheers,

As seen here....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPPY4m8iY0k

 

[panzer06]

That's cool. But, those aforementioned tablets are certainly more like laptops than tablets seeing as they lack portability and battery life which are key items for what I consider important for tablets. I don't think they give you the complete tablet experience overal either. It's still that issue where they are trying to be everything and maybe aren't completely good at either one.

iPads IMO are fantastic as a tablet but are NOT such a good computer per say. I think it's better that the two stay separate since they can then concentrate on their core strengths instead of trying to be both. The hybrid idea turns me off. That means up you end up with a device that isn't quite good enough as a laptop and isn't quite good enough as a tablet.

I say keep the two separate and work on perfecting each one.

I could have done with the 8" and gotten the weight and battery life of Baytrail but the low res display and 2GB RAM was a concern.

I must say the 11" is a very good Windows PC. It has some early hiccups common with a new Windows design but few products release with no bugs at all. I think it's a pretty good tablet. I can consume media and perform work on a reasonably portable device and with the i5 and real SSD it's very fast. If you call a good tablet as an ultra portable super light device with many apps dedicated to it's OS, perhaps it's not as good. But as a reasonably portable full PC replacement that can do all of the videos, music and social connection stuff while having full versions of office I think you can't beat this class of Windows tablets.

As seen here....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPPY4m8iY0k

Pretty neat and very light. I wish it had 4GB of Ram. I might have gone that route.

Cheers,