When will the iPad be our main computer?

[maflynn]

It will never be a main computer for me. Its nice for some stuff, but not a good fit for others.

For instance, I access servers for my job. Remoting into them on my laptop vs. the iPad is night and day. I can easily get my work done on the laptop, but its quite difficult to accomplish many of the same tasks on the iPad.

Document creation is another aspect where I find the laptop is better suited. I can easily create/manage a large spreadsheet on a laptop, not so on a tablet.

 

[petvas]

Not in the next 10 years. The operating system is very limited in what it can do.
The iPad can certainly be used for a lot of things, but almost none of them can be done best on an iPad.
Common people that have no or little relation with technology will probably use an iPad more (and appreciate it even more), than computer specialists like me, who think that the iPad is just a gimmick, a great gadget, nothing more..

 

[VI™]

But on the other hand, tablets are becoming the main computers for people. The agency I work for is replacing laptops of certain employees with Dell Venue tablets that have decent computing power and can hook up to a docking station.

 

[maflynn]

But on the other hand, tablets are becoming the main computers for people. The agency I work for is replacing laptops of certain employees with Dell Venue tablets that have decent computing power and can hook up to a docking station.

I'm not saying it can't be, but rather for my needs its no the best fitting tool

 

[oldhifi]

When they grow to 12 inch

 

[VI™]

I'm not saying it can't be, but rather for my needs its no the best fitting tool

There are replacing the notebooks of people that do basic computer task in the office but need portability, not admins.

The fact that they have a full OS on them vs the iPad and iOS is why it's feasible with the Dell. If there was an iPad Pro with a more robust operating system and the ability to dock with a traditional keyboard, mouse, and monitor, then it would be more likely for them to catch on as a main computer for more people rather than just an accessory.

 

[rei101]

Not sure why those folks are better off with an ipad. I'd rather use a light laptop if those were my only uses. With a MacBook Air, you can have two apps on the screen at once, two windows from the same app at once, more robust music/photo/mail apps, better web browsers that play better with more sites... Why is an ipad better for those uses, other than cost?

Is not better. I have 2 iPads and I am not using any of them. I bought them because I work in show production doing visuals and I can have a touch screen interface with the iPad. And if I go to an small party between friends I have have one of those visual applications in an iPad and that is it. But for the rest, on my bed, I still using my 17" Mac Book Pro.

Even my mom wanted an iPad, I gave her one a year ago and now she is using a laptop again I believe.

So, the iPad is good for certain things, it is more a leisure device, not for developing stuff.

 

[Jinkst]

I use my iPad a lot more often than my MacBook but I still wouldn't say it's replaced it. There are still some tasks that just aren't simple enough for one tablet than they would be on one computer. Two tablets, different story, but the single app on screen set up of an iPad at the moment means my MacBook is still top dog.

 

[Harmonious Zen]

Not in the next 10 years. The operating system is very limited in what it can do.
The iPad can certainly be used for a lot of things, but almost none of them can be done best on an iPad.
Common people that have no or little relation with technology will probably use an iPad more (and appreciate it even more), than computer specialists like me, who think that the iPad is just a gimmick, a great gadget, nothing more..

In the next 10 years? That's awfully short sighted isn't it? To project that far out into the future, surely you'd have to make allowances for significanct advances in software and hardware.


The way I see it, our main computer will end up fitting in our pockets and will always be connected. When we get home to a bigger screen, then that device in our pocket will just connect to the bigger screen. That seems like the most sensible implementation and it's only a matter of time before technology enables that to happen.

 

[Night Spring]

The way I see it, our main computer will end up fitting in our pockets and will always be connected. When we get home to a bigger screen, then that device in our pocket will just connect to the bigger screen. That seems like the most sensible implementation and it's only a matter of time before technology enables that to happen.

Totally agree that that is how it would be, or at least what I'd like to see happen. Whether it will take 5, 10, 15 or 20 years to get there, who knows?

 

[AppleWindowsFan]

Hopefully never. I love typing on a regular keyboard, and will always buy a Mac when they are available.

 

[cynics]

It's more profitable for Apple to not have an iPad replace a Mac. So I wouldn't expect such a device anytime soon.

 

[0007776]

When they grow to 12 inch

If they get that big then most of the advantages of a tablet go away, so I don't think that would help them to replace computers for any more people than they already are able to.

 

[petvas]

Why can't people simple accept that every device type has its usage scenario?
Tablets are great for specific usages, and computer for other scenarios.
A tablet will never replace a computer.

Devices will change and hybrids will become a more viable option. Maybe in the future we will have a device that can be used as a smartphone, a tablet and a computer, depending on the situation and user preference. We are many many years away from such a reality, but even then, it won't be a tablet that will replace computers. It will a different kind of device that becomes whatever we want it to be.
Tablets cannot replace computers for all scenarios. Some people don't care and of course use them instead of a computer. That is also fine, but that doesn't mean that everybody will suddenly jump ship and move away from computers..

 

[CEmajr]

Probably never for me. I need a computer that can handle heavy tasks and content creation. The iPad does not. It is still mainly a consumption device and will likely remain so for the next several years.

 

[Altis]

But on the other hand, tablets are becoming the main computers for people. The agency I work for is replacing laptops of certain employees with Dell Venue tablets that have decent computing power and can hook up to a docking station.

The ability to dock a tablet and use a keyboard, mouse, and external monitor with it certainly makes it much easier to use it as a primary computer replacement.

I just don't see much from Apple to indicate that they intend to go that route. The options are already there from some of the competitors, though.

 

[Closingracer]

When will the iPad be our main computer?

I use my iPad for almost 95% of my web browsing (also including my nexus 5 in that number though ) and only use my laptop to play games on or if I simply prefer using the web browser on heat then my iPad.

 

[millydog]

I use my iPad for most of my home computing, meaning email, RSS news feeds, web browsing, twitter, podcasts, tv shows & games. I use my laptop at home mostly just to back up my & my family's iPads & iPhones and to convert video for the iPads. I am a senior software engineer though, so use a desktop for work with two large monitors.
As for my kids though, I see that things might work out differently. They are aged 7 & 12 and have been using iPads since they were released. The oldest will be going to secondary school next year & we have been attending school open days over the past couple of weeks. 3 out of the 4 schools use iPads (the other uses Dell laptops). In each of those 3 schools, the parents are required to purchase the latest iPad. The school then loads a profile onto it to distribute apps to the iPad, but the kids can still use their own apps in addition to the ones the school picks. The kids then use the iPads in class & for homework. I know one of the schools lets the kids use their iPads at lunch times, an other requires them to lock them in their lockers unless they get a library pass & use it in the library. I am unsure of the other school. The reasons that the schools are now using iPad included the battery life, portability, ease of use and ease of maintenance.
Anyway, I see the iPads being my kids computers for the foreseeable future due to schools taking them up. I'm actually keen to see how they go with this if they end up going to one of the schools with iPads.

 

[s2mikey]

If they get that big then most of the advantages of a tablet go away, so I don't think that would help them to replace computers for any more people than they already are able to.

I agree. The whole idea of 12 inch or even larger tablets is silly. If there is one thing apple absolutely nailed perfectly with the iPad it's the size. Perfect balance of screen real estate, portability, weight, all that stuff.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I barely use my laptop these days. It's become a specialist device, for doing specific things like ripping DVDs and typing. Everything else I do on my iPad. I use my iPad everyday. I use my laptop maybe once a month. However I wouldn't ever replace my laptop because there are somethings that you just need a proper computer for.

 

[speed4tu]

If you sell your main computer and leave nothing in the house except your ipad then you ipad will have replaced your main computer.

 

[darngooddesign]

I agree. The whole idea of 12 inch or even larger tablets is silly. If there is one thing apple absolutely nailed perfectly with the iPad it's the size. Perfect balance of screen real estate, portability, weight, all that stuff.

Fans of the iPad Mini feel the same way about your iPad Air.

 

[Billy95Tech]

Do you use your iPad as your primary computer?

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7(Android) and i mainly use it for surfing the web, Watching videos, Looking up the latest news, games and writing scripts for my Youtube videos(with bluetooth keyboard) and check the weather.

On my Windows 8 tablet Acer Iconia W700(I5 core) i mainly use it for video editing and make my Youtube videos with a mouse and keyword and surfing the web and watch videos.

I use them equally nearly every day as my main computer and i only use my gaming laptop for hardcore gaming(FIFA) sometimes and have it as a backup and i don't use it as much anymore.

My tablets are my primary computer and they are great i am a big fan of tablets.
I only bring my Acer Iconia W700 and Galaxy Tab 2 7 on holidays with me and leave my laptop at home.

In general i think tablets are like mini portable laptops regardless whether it is is a Android/IPad or Windows 8 tablet because they have the functional of a laptop and the potablity of a smartphone so they are in between the 2.

Most people have replaced there laptop/desktops with tablets for work/college(productive) or just for media consumption or both.everything a laptop can do a tablet can do.

I am wondering have anyone using there tablet as a primary computer? if not then do you think you will replace your laptop with a tablet in the future? or why haven't you replaced your laptop with a tablet?

 

[S.B.G]

No, I don't. The MacBook Pro is my primary computer and then I would say the iPad Mini is my secondary computer. The reason is because I can still do more, and certain things easier and quicker on the laptop than I can on the iPad.

 

[pooleman]

I haven't touched my desktop in months except to sync my iDevices.