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When will the iPad be our main computer?

It depends on what you define as a "main computer".

id argue that for most people the iPad probably covers 95% of their computorial needs like emailing, browsing, basic writing and consuming media.

So in that way the iPad is already their main computer.

Now for pro-users the iPad might never be their "main" computeer.
 
Wiesenlooser said:
It depends on what you define as a "main computer".

id argue that for most people the iPad probably covers 95% of their computorial needs like emailing, browsing, basic writing and consuming media.

So in that way the iPad is already their main computer.

Now for pro-users the iPad might never be their "main" computeer.
Click to expand...

I think 99% of users do download craps. Either traditional http download from web browser to torrent. I also think 99% of user do have some applications they need only available on PC or Mac. Take full featured tax return software. I also think 99% users sometimes wish to transfer content from external drive via USB or SD card to their computers.

Can you do this on iPad? No. Unless someday, iPad allows us download files directly from Safari, torrenting directly on iPad, include USB and Micro SD card slot and most imoortantly does not require iTunes to sync content, especially local content. Do not tell me DropBox crap. Most users do not want upload stuff to Dropbox, then redownload to iPad...just pain in ass
 
MisakixMikasa said:
I think 99% of users do download craps. Either traditional http download from web browser to torrent. I also think 99% of user do have some applications they need only available on PC or Mac. Take full featured tax return software. I also think 99% users sometimes wish to transfer content from external drive via USB or SD card to their computers.

Can you do this on iPad? No. Unless someday, iPad allows us download files directly from Safari, torrenting directly on iPad, include USB and Micro SD card slot and most imoortantly does not require iTunes to sync content, especially local content. Do not tell me DropBox crap. Most users do not want upload stuff to Dropbox, then redownload to iPad...just pain in ass
Click to expand...

Do people still sync their idevices via iTunes? I haven't done that in years. I just use icloud backup and other cloud services. Works like a charm. Never had an issue.

I guess it does depend on how you define "main" computer. If this means the computer I use most at home, then clearly the iPad is my main computer. If this means the computer that has the greatest functionality/capability, then my desktop wins hands-down.

I have two cars in the garage. One is my hybrid commuter car with limited capacity but great gas mileage, so I drive it everyday to work. The other is an old van with much greater load carrying ability, but I generally only drive it to the dumps and to haul stuff. The van can definitely do things the hybrid can not. Which one is my primary transportation?
 
Mainsail said:
Do people still sync their idevices via iTunes? I haven't done that in years. I just use icloud backup and other cloud services. Works like a charm. Never had an issue.

I guess it does depend on how you define "main" computer. If this means the computer I use most at home, then clearly the iPad is my main computer. If this means the computer that has the greatest functionality/capability, then my desktop wins hands-down.

I have two cars in the garage. One is my hybrid commuter car with limited capacity but great gas mileage, so I drive it everyday to work. The other is an old van with much greater load carrying ability, but I generally only drive it to the dumps and to haul stuff. The van can definitely do things the hybrid can not. Which one is my primary transportation?
Click to expand...

I perfer iTunes backup... It is way faster than uploading everything than downloading everything again. Also install apps are way faster when using iTunes especially you have multiple iDevices.

iPad is probably fine for just content consuming. If it use as main computer, you will find many things you can not done. The best example is when you need upload your resume for a job application. You just cannot directly upload PDF or word document from Safari.
 
Wiesenlooser said:
It depends on what you define as a "main computer".

id argue that for most people the iPad probably covers 95% of their computorial needs like emailing, browsing, basic writing and consuming media.

So in that way the iPad is already their main computer.

Now for pro-users the iPad might never be their "main" computeer.
Click to expand...

I agree with the majority of your post in terms of the point you're making....but COMPUTORIAL??? Did you make that word up? LMAO.
 
desktop sales have been declining in the past few years. it makes sense that they are because know a days we want all of our music, contacts, document, notes, etc at our fingertips at all times. A iPad is a very good main computer if you only need to do light work like browsing the web, doing school work, etc.
 
MisakixMikasa said:
I perfer iTunes backup... It is way faster than uploading everything than downloading everything again. Also install apps are way faster when using iTunes especially you have multiple iDevices.

iPad is probably fine for just content consuming. If it use as main computer, you will find many things you can not done. The best example is when you need upload your resume for a job application. You just cannot directly upload PDF or word document from Safari.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.....all I do is plug my ipad into the charger at night and it automatically backs up to the cloud via wifi. How could it be simpler? All content is synced via the cloud, so I don't need to upload anything to my desktop computer. We use OneDrive with Office documents, and it automatically syncs as well. I never feel the least bit inconvienced, and it all works pretty seamlessly.

For home use, I occasionally have tasks that are not suitable for the iPad, but they are pretty infrequent. The lion share of functions frequently performed by most folks at home can easily be done on an iPad. For these people (I.e. average consumers) the iPad can be their main computer......Not their only computer......Just the one they use most often.
 
MisakixMikasa said:
I think 99% of users do download craps. Either traditional http download from web browser to torrent. I also think 99% of user do have some applications they need only available on PC or Mac. Take full featured tax return software. I also think 99% users sometimes wish to transfer content from external drive via USB or SD card to their computers.

Can you do this on iPad? No. Unless someday, iPad allows us download files directly from Safari, torrenting directly on iPad, include USB and Micro SD card slot and most imoortantly does not require iTunes to sync content, especially local content. Do not tell me DropBox crap. Most users do not want upload stuff to Dropbox, then redownload to iPad...just pain in ass
Click to expand...

First of all, your assumption That you can Not Download things to your iPad is plain wrong. I have downloaded PDFs, videos, mp3s, even ROMs straight to my iPad.

Also, I HIGHLY doubt that 99% of users use their computers for tax programmes. I have to say I can't think of ONE single application my mom has on their laptop that could not be done on an iPad. She is going to replace her laptop with an iPad Air soon btw.

And last but not least, the number of pro-apps that are not on iPad is getting smaller and smaller. Even office is there now. Give it a few years and the desktop might be solely use for niche tasks
 
I'll use a tablet as my main PC when they can fit a 6 core i7, 32GB of ram, a GeForce 780Ti, and 4 TB of space into one.

Tablets might be good for basic stuff, but high end 3D and video work will still require a traditional computer for a long time.
 
Wiesenlooser said:
First of all, your assumption That you can Not Download things to your iPad is plain wrong. I have downloaded PDFs, videos, mp3s, even ROMs straight to my iPad.

Also, I HIGHLY doubt that 99% of users use their computers for tax programmes. I have to say I can't think of ONE single application my mom has on their laptop that could not be done on an iPad. She is going to replace her laptop with an iPad Air soon btw.

And last but not least, the number of pro-apps that are not on iPad is getting smaller and smaller. Even office is there now. Give it a few years and the desktop might be solely use for niche tasks
Click to expand...

Yes, you can download thing from other browser app and all content are stuck inside that app. There is no universal download folder and you relay cannot do much with no supported format. Have you ever tried to download torrent file? Safari certainly cannot. Most user who trying to replace their computer with iPad certain won't hunt for app that allow them to download craps. They simply will just use Safari.

Yes there are tax return app. But most app are just limiting you to very basic return (i.e. Just simple one tax return, only T4) not support RRSP, CPP, tax ductuion, no spouse transfer, no capital gain tax etc. when you need these, you need desktop version. I ended up buying uFile after all.

Last, wig all these limitation on iOS. There is just no way iPad would replace desktop. Desktop OS will always better in multitasking, high power computational tasks. I can never imagine myself do Adobe After Effect on iPad. It just not doable.

----------
Mainsail said:
Hmmm.....all I do is plug my ipad into the charger at night and it automatically backs up to the cloud via wifi. How could it be simpler? All content is synced via the cloud, so I don't need to upload anything to my desktop computer. We use OneDrive with Office documents, and it automatically syncs as well. I never feel the least bit inconvienced, and it all works pretty seamlessly.

For home use, I occasionally have tasks that are not suitable for the iPad, but they are pretty infrequent. The lion share of functions frequently performed by most folks at home can easily be done on an iPad. For these people (I.e. average consumers) the iPad can be their main computer......Not their only computer......Just the one they use most often.
Click to expand...

I have 5 iPads, 2 iPod Touch and inky 5GB of iCloud space. So no, iCould backup is not solution for me. I prefer local back up so I can restore all my device at time, yes, connecting 5 iPad at same time and restore all these devices at one go and it probably way faster than restore from iCloud. Simply download all app from cloud take longer time than restore from local backups.
 
MisakixMikasa said:
Yes, you can download thing from other browser app and all content are stuck inside that app. There is no universal download folder and you relay cannot do much with no supported format. Have you ever tried to download torrent file? Safari certainly cannot.
Click to expand...

Wrong. I download Torrents and save them to a folder via dropbox that automatically triggers a download in Transmission on my Mac.
 
Wiesenlooser said:
Also, I HIGHLY doubt that 99% of users use their computers for tax programmes.
Click to expand...

I guess I'm in the 1% along with the rest of my family because we use Turbo Tax on the iMac and I am self-employed so I have to use the Home and Business software. Do you honestly think most everyone pays a tax preparer in this day and age? I understand many do because they know nothing about taxes or have a complicated return but even my complicated business taxes are pretty simple to do in Turbo Tax and it's certainly a lot cheaper than paying a Tax Preparer.

MisakixMikasa said:
Yes there are tax return app. But most app are just limiting you to very basic return (i.e. Just simple one tax return, only T4) not support RRSP, CPP, tax ductuion, no spouse transfer, no capital gain tax etc. when you need these, you need desktop version. I ended up buying uFile after all.
Click to expand...

Have you actually looked at Turbo Tax on the iPad? From I've seen it does everything from the basic 1040 to Schedule C. I'll bet a complicated return can be done easily on the iPad and just like the Mac. It can be saved, sent to the cloud and filed from the iPad.
 
HenryDJP said:
I guess I'm in the 1% along with the rest of my family because we use Turbo Tax on the iMac and I am self-employed so I have to use the Home and Business software. Do you honestly think most everyone pays a tax preparer in this day and age? I understand many do because they know nothing about taxes or have a complicated return but even my complicated business taxes are pretty simple to do in Turbo Tax and it's certainly a lot cheaper than paying a Tax Preparer.



Have you actually looked at Turbo Tax on the iPad? From I've seen it does everything from the basic 1040 to Schedule C. I'll bet a complicated return can be done easily on the iPad and just like the Mac. It can be saved, sent to the cloud and filed from the iPad.
Click to expand...

I think Turbo tax does not available in Canadian App Store
 
Wiesenlooser said:
It depends on what you define as a "main computer".

id argue that for most people the iPad probably covers 95% of their computorial needs like emailing, browsing, basic writing and consuming media.

So in that way the iPad is already their main computer.

Now for pro-users the iPad might never be their "main" computeer.
Click to expand...


Same.. I use my ipad for 95% of the things. and have a imac desktop at home for other purposes (itunes server, some gaming)
 
Wiesenlooser said:
First of all, your assumption That you can Not Download things to your iPad is plain wrong. I have downloaded PDFs, videos, mp3s, even ROMs straight to my iPad.

Also, I HIGHLY doubt that 99% of users use their computers for tax programmes. I have to say I can't think of ONE single application my mom has on their laptop that could not be done on an iPad. She is going to replace her laptop with an iPad Air soon btw.

And last but not least, the number of pro-apps that are not on iPad is getting smaller and smaller. Even office is there now. Give it a few years and the desktop might be solely use for niche tasks
Click to expand...

Try to do one simple task. Open up an Excel file, select portion of the cell, then print only selected cell. Make it black and white only. Can you do it? No! Even if you have AirPrint printer, the software on iOS can only do very basic printing tasks. Until one day, we can plug in our printer and do more complicated printing tasks, iPad could not replace any computer anytime sooner
 
MisakixMikasa said:
I have 5 iPads, 2 iPod Touch and inky 5GB of iCloud space. So no, iCould backup is not solution for me. I prefer local back up so I can restore all my device at time, yes, connecting 5 iPad at same time and restore all these devices at one go and it probably way faster than restore from iCloud. Simply download all app from cloud take longer time than restore from local backups.
Click to expand...

Well, ya got me there. But, you must admit that the average consumer is not trying to backup 7 iOS devices to one iCloud account. I think you are making a common mistake on this forum, which is to believe your needs represent the typical user. I don't mean to sound harsh, since I do the same thing from time to time.

We have 6 ios devices in our household.....2 iPads and 4 iPhones spread across 4 users, and each users has there own free iCloud account. Nobody is close to using the full storage on their account. The backup process is simple and easy. Everybody just charges their device at night and backups are automatic over wifi. Frankly, if my kids had to plug their iPhones into a computer to sync and backup, they would never do it! Most people (especially my teenagers) don't think about consequences of a failure without backup until they get burned. On the other hand, they will plug their phone into a charger at night, since they want to be connected to their friends the next day.
 
Tablets: content consumption

Computers: content creation

If all you're doing is browsing/reading/listening, then sure a tablet is all you need. But if you're doing anything that involves significant user input, a tablet is not going to cut it.
 
HenryDJP said:
Awesome for stating the obvious. ;)
Click to expand...

I thought it was obvious, too, but yet people keep yapping about if iPads will replace laptops. :rolleyes:

It's plain and simple: touchscreens will never supplant the speed of tactile feedback keyboards and the precision of pointing devices. We've all spent enough time poking at our screens and yelling at Safari on iOS going "DAMMIT JUST HIT THE LINK I WANTED" to know that nothing can replace a cursor.
 
SomeGuyDude said:
I thought it was obvious, too, but yet people keep yapping about if iPads will replace laptops. :rolleyes:

It's plain and simple: touchscreens will never supplant the speed of tactile feedback keyboards and the precision of pointing devices. We've all spent enough time poking at our screens and yelling at Safari on iOS going "DAMMIT JUST HIT THE LINK I WANTED" to know that nothing can replace a cursor.
Click to expand...

Exactly...even task like office editing is faster using keyboard and mouse... Not even motion larger tasks like using Adobe After Effect to create some special effects
 
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