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Would you replace your computer with a ipad?

I need a computer for remote support, productivity, and graphics. Surfing with multiple monitors is a wonderful thing as well as you can have different pages open as well as email and document processing.

I use my iPad on the go and to play a game (namely We Rule). It can not replace the regular computer as even though you may be able to text with your thumbs like a 14 year old kid, for regular typing it just doesn't replace the desktop keyboard.

Maybe when the device gets powerful enough for intelligent voice recognition it will be a different story.

On the other hand since I got my iPad, my iPhone has just been used as a phone.
 
I couldn't do that, I like to have multiple windows up and do more than one thing at a time, I don't find the multitasking that useful and kind of difficult compared to a normal computer. The Ipad is great for going on the net and game playing and things like that, cant even play alot of videos on the net, this version doesn't cut it really, maybe down the road when they get alot better. I think some of the new tablets coming out they look like they can do alot more
 
I could on one condition - I was able to use PocketCloud to connect to my desktop in the cloud.

If not, then no, I would definitely not be able to replace my MacMini or MBP with the iPad.

Screen size is a little small - but I could survive.

TheVirtualGuy
 
I have a 24" iMac desktop with keyboard, mouse, wired ethernet, 2 external Firewire drives, a printer, and a scanner. Replace it with an iPad with no real keyboard, no mouse, no external firewire? I think not.

Replace a 13" MBP? No. I still want a real keyboard and a full computer.
 
I can see NO way in which I would replace my computer with an iPad.

There is just never going to be (in my lifetime) enough computing power to replace the software capabilities that cutting edge computing power enables, be it games, photo / video editing, etc.

I do see the iPad as the eventual PERFECT middleware computing device...

For example... to use while laying on the couch watching tv... using it as a web device, remote control for all your AV devices, the perfect out and about device while on trains, planes or automobiles, etc.
 
Let's be honest, for most of us, the iPad is just too dam small.

Even if the iPad was the same speed as my PC, with a 1TB SSD drive, surround sound speakers etc etc. I'd still not want to try and do the things I enjoy on a tiny 9.7" screen.

I was using my Atari VCS2600 on a 15" screen !!!!
 
Replace my laptop? Yes, already have for the past 6 or 7 months. Business and personal.


Replace my desktop as a main computer? No
 
i already have....i only use my macbook for updating my iphone and ipad...

otherwise it sits in my computer bag in the spare room..

use my ipad 100% of the time...
 
Replacing a computer with an iPad is like replacing a 5 course dinner with a candybar.
 
No way.

iPad is great for browsing, reading, playing games, etc....

But my MBP is a must for the times I need to do some real work.
 
JRoDDz said:
Replacing a computer with an iPad is like replacing a 5 course dinner with a candybar.
Click to expand...

Why is that? iPad can be updated/backed up at an Apple store. Media purchases may be made from the iPad.

Drop Box/DropDav works well. Along with Goodreader, I don't have any problems getting files to my iPad.

Do I have a desktop and a laptop? Well of course I do. All of my digital media is ripped from physical disks that I own. Yes I update/backup my iPad myself.

But MY point is, how many people don't have access to a computer at work, school, or a friend/family members house? (Really, how many people in the civilized world don't have at least an old desktop or laptop?) You wouldn't use other's computers for sync/update/back up, but you can access you drop box.
 
Per my signature, this is exactly what I've done. Hung up my MBP and use the iPad exclusively, full time. I retain my pre-existing household iMac as a central repository of files and media (and for syncing) but actually use the iMac for an exceptionally small list of things. Really only one: scanning, and presumably sooner or later the iPad will be able to do that especially now that printing is baked in.

Have there been some funky workflow issues to tackle? Sure. But they've gotten better over time as apps and iOS have evolved for the better (thank god for Goodreader...) and I have no doubt at ALL that they will continue to evolve for the better.

I think a centralized file system (or a version of iDisk which is MUCH more robust) baked deeply into/across iOS is really the final frontier, and I think it's coming in iOS5.

I will NEVER go back. The iPad does basically everything I need to do, and does it well. And weighs much less than the next best option. Even the 11" MBA weighs 50% more. Yes, every ounce counts when you're talking about the ability to freely and without hesitation take your device basically everywhere...
 
anthonymoody said:
Have there been some funky workflow issues to tackle? Sure. But they've gotten better over time as apps and iOS have evolved for the better (thank god for Goodreader...) and I have no doubt at ALL that they will continue to evolve for the better.
Click to expand...

For me, the lifesaver was FileBrowser. It lets me connect to any shared drive on the same network as the iPad, and download and upload files to and from my iPad. It's taken a few steps out of my workflow. For instance, when I get a mail with an attachment that I want to work with on my desktop, I can use FileBrowser to save it directly to the desktop from the iPad, instead of waiting until I get to the desktop and opening the mail again so I can save the attachment.

I think a centralized file system (or a version of iDisk which is MUCH more robust) baked deeply into/across iOS is really the final frontier, and I think it's coming in iOS5.
Click to expand...

I really hope you're right.

I will NEVER go back. The iPad does basically everything I need to do, and does it well. And weighs much less than the next best option. Even the 11" MBA weighs 50% more. Yes, every ounce counts when you're talking about the ability to freely and without hesitation take your device basically everywhere...
Click to expand...

For me, the iPad doesn't quite do everything I need -- I need to prepare busiess letters with some specific formatting, and they need to be in Word format. Any formatting I do in Pages have a chance of coming out oddly when converted to Word, so I need to do all final formatting on my laptop or desktop. Also, sometimes I like to see more of a document I'm working on than is possible on the iPad, where, with the onscreen keyboard up, you can only see a few lines at a time. But the iPad is definitely the right size for me to take on the move. As you say, even the Air is twice its weight.

But on the other side of the coin, the other day, we decided to go out to a cafe on the other side of the park, and since it's a rather long walk and it looked like it might snow, I left my iPad and took only my iPod touch. I immediately regretted it once we were settled in at the cafe, because the touch is just too small to sit back and relax with. The touch fits in my pocket, and is the best mp3 player I've ever had, but it just doesn't do as much as the iPad, and isn't as enjoyable for things like reading books and webpages. So next time we go, I'm definitely lugging my iPad with me even if it's in the middle of a hurricane! :p Seriously, there are *some* situations where the ultra-portability of a touch or iPhone make them the only devices that will do, but for me, those situations are far and few between.
 
Having had (and sold) an iPad, I would definitely not have one as my primary. Maybe a MBA. But the iPad just isn't there yet.
 
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