I am interested in purchasing either a Macbook Pro (13") or a ipad. I have seen lots of comments that suggest those who have purchased a Ipad, have been able to replace the functionality with an ipad. Any truth to that? Has anyone been able to replace their macbook pro with an ipad?
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13" Macbook Pro or IPAD?
- Thread starter ldobson
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Like every post that is just like this one, it really depends on what you want from your device. If you're just going to surf the web, maybe whip up a quick document or two, and read, then the pad is all you really need.
But for more important task such as making longer documents, editing video or photos, or more simply just heavier computing power that's more than just web surfing and video watching, I'd say go with the pro.
I graduated college last summer. I just gave my mbp to my GF so I could get and iPad. All I was doing was surfing the Internet. That's seriously it next emailing and the occasional YouTube video. I only need her computer to sync every now and again.
iPad is great, mbp is obviously a better choice depending on what you want to do and vice versa. Good luck on your decision!
The MBP is immensely more valuable to me, but I do a lot of things at once with my computers. What do you need it for? If you just do casual portable browsing, a little gaming, and some media consumption, go for it. If you do much creation, value doing multiple things at once, or want a much more open and powerful experience, MBP is the way to go.
It really depends on what you're going to use the piece of equipment for. The iPad will not do well alone since it needs a full fledged computer to sync music and pictures and install updates.
If you already have a main computer, and just want something portable for web browsing, email, media consumption, and some content creation (words processing, presentations, etc) then there is a good chance an iPad will be enough for you. However, if you need something with more beef to it for video editing and other things an iPad just can't right now, then a Macbook Pro will most likely fit your fancy.
You're the only one who can answer this question for yourself. Go to an Apple store and touch things until something rings your bell.
If you already have a main computer, and just want something portable for web browsing, email, media consumption, and some content creation (words processing, presentations, etc) then there is a good chance an iPad will be enough for you. However, if you need something with more beef to it for video editing and other things an iPad just can't right now, then a Macbook Pro will most likely fit your fancy.
You're the only one who can answer this question for yourself. Go to an Apple store and touch things until something rings your bell.
Buy a used MB locally off craigslist and get yourself an iPad with the left over money.
Smartest choice.
The iPad is not meant to be an independant device. It is meant to supplement a computer not replace one.
You need a computer to activate it, update it, back it up etc. Apple would have you use iTunes on a computer as the primary conduit of getting things on or off your iPad as well.
I travel a lot and have used a Macbook Air as my primary computer for a while. An iPad will allow me to use a more powerful Macbook Pro as my primary computer and use the iPad when I am temporarily away from my primary computer. That gives me the best of power and mobility. We will see how that works out.
You need a computer to activate it, update it, back it up etc. Apple would have you use iTunes on a computer as the primary conduit of getting things on or off your iPad as well.
I travel a lot and have used a Macbook Air as my primary computer for a while. An iPad will allow me to use a more powerful Macbook Pro as my primary computer and use the iPad when I am temporarily away from my primary computer. That gives me the best of power and mobility. We will see how that works out.
I recently sold my 13" Unibody MB and my Kindle 2. The iPad has easily replaced both of those devices since I only used the MB for browsing and email. No regrets so far. I also have a 24" iMac for serious work. The iMac and iPad make a great combination. I would only recommend getting an iPad over the MB if you like me just intend to use it for browsing and email.
I love my iPad. I even started a thread saying my iPad is now my go to device for casual surfing instead of my MBP. However, I am glad I have both.
In time, I can see iPad or similar devices evolving to where they can truly replace laptops for all common tasks. We are not there yet.... Get the MBP.
In time, I can see iPad or similar devices evolving to where they can truly replace laptops for all common tasks. We are not there yet.... Get the MBP.
interestingly enough, i just bought a 13" MBP off the refurbished apple site last week. i decided that while the ipad will be useful (i still await my 3G ipad), i figured that it wont be up to snuff to replace the laptop for about another year. as an example, i need a rules based mail reader. the new one is a step forward, but i need to sort the incoming email into folders when it domes in.
replacing the 5 year old ibook was an experience. the new MBP is really nice, and i really like the illuminated keyboard.
replacing the 5 year old ibook was an experience. the new MBP is really nice, and i really like the illuminated keyboard.
Depends
The MacBook Pro is meant to be your primary and/or secondary computer, while the iPad is meant to be a tertiary media device.
What this means is that iPad is limited to the App store and covers all the basics tasks you do in your PC/Mac in a more intuitive yet more limited way (I.E. Safari is touch friendlier but no Flash). So it really depends upon you. Would you need a computer for video editing, Photoshop... get a MacBook Pro, if you need it for internet and general typing, save money and go for the iPad. But, if you do a lot of multi-tasking with all your windows visible you will miss the MacBook Pro a lot.
But, you can also get a cheap monitor, cheap mouse/keyboard, and opt for a Mac Mini and an iPad, or a PC desktop and an iPad, mind you, some more functionality of the iPad will be lost if you work with PC, or by itself, for example iPhoto will have faces ONLY if you use it with a Mac.
If you opt for the MacBook Pro the base model will do all your basic tasks and will handle your professional applications fairly well. If you go for the iPad alone, get a 32GB or a 64GB model, if you use it with another mac or PC go for the 16GB or 32GB as it will be enough. Make sure to get the Warranty for whatever you are buying. The iPad's hardware will get outdated faster than the ones of the MacBook Pro, but you can constantly change how the iPad works with software updates.
One more thing, I do not think it is possible to get updates from the iPad alone, I am not positively sure of this, so yeah...
The MacBook Pro is meant to be your primary and/or secondary computer, while the iPad is meant to be a tertiary media device.
What this means is that iPad is limited to the App store and covers all the basics tasks you do in your PC/Mac in a more intuitive yet more limited way (I.E. Safari is touch friendlier but no Flash). So it really depends upon you. Would you need a computer for video editing, Photoshop... get a MacBook Pro, if you need it for internet and general typing, save money and go for the iPad. But, if you do a lot of multi-tasking with all your windows visible you will miss the MacBook Pro a lot.
But, you can also get a cheap monitor, cheap mouse/keyboard, and opt for a Mac Mini and an iPad, or a PC desktop and an iPad, mind you, some more functionality of the iPad will be lost if you work with PC, or by itself, for example iPhoto will have faces ONLY if you use it with a Mac.
If you opt for the MacBook Pro the base model will do all your basic tasks and will handle your professional applications fairly well. If you go for the iPad alone, get a 32GB or a 64GB model, if you use it with another mac or PC go for the 16GB or 32GB as it will be enough. Make sure to get the Warranty for whatever you are buying. The iPad's hardware will get outdated faster than the ones of the MacBook Pro, but you can constantly change how the iPad works with software updates.
One more thing, I do not think it is possible to get updates from the iPad alone, I am not positively sure of this, so yeah...
It just depends what you need it for! I got both and ended up selling my iPad, just could justify with a macbook pro, and iPhone. Its a great device but I didn't think i could use it enough.. Good Luck!
I had the iPad for 10 days and ended up returning it for a 13" MacBook Pro today.
I enjoyed the ipad a lot, but for me (even though all i do is email and surf the web), the MBpro fits me better. Maybe because i like buttons, or the genius use of the multi touch trackpad.
Why dont you pick up an iPad and give it a test ride, i'm sue you'll come to a decision before the 2 weeks are up.
I do have a feeling that i will be buying the ipad in the near future, but for now, because i had to choose one, i went with the MBpro.
I enjoyed the ipad a lot, but for me (even though all i do is email and surf the web), the MBpro fits me better. Maybe because i like buttons, or the genius use of the multi touch trackpad.
Why dont you pick up an iPad and give it a test ride, i'm sue you'll come to a decision before the 2 weeks are up.
I do have a feeling that i will be buying the ipad in the near future, but for now, because i had to choose one, i went with the MBpro.
I only wish the iPad could replace my MacBook. But for what I do, it'll take a few more generations of iPads before I could. Each month I create Keynote presentations on the order of 30-40MB, including video and tons of images as well as important presenter notes and customized templates and master slides. For now, at least, the iPad's version of Keynote can't handle this. And since Keynote for iPad requires media to be pre-synced to the device to insert it into a presentation, it makes things very tough for me to use to create my complex projects (especially since I don't need my work diagrams and images mixed in to iPhoto with pictures of my kids and family.
And while I can use my nice desktop at home with a big 30" screen to do the heavy stuff, it doesn't matter since Keynote for the iPad can't present it anyway (the custom templates and masters aren't supported, video clips cannot be looped, etc).
So, while my iPad is very useful (I carry around right now about a hundred scientific PDF articles nicely organized in Good Reader), it can't replace a laptop for me... yet.
And while I can use my nice desktop at home with a big 30" screen to do the heavy stuff, it doesn't matter since Keynote for the iPad can't present it anyway (the custom templates and masters aren't supported, video clips cannot be looped, etc).
So, while my iPad is very useful (I carry around right now about a hundred scientific PDF articles nicely organized in Good Reader), it can't replace a laptop for me... yet.
It'll be a few years before the iPad becomes a proper laptop replacement IMO.
The battery life is amazing but having to sync to a computer means that it is too dependant.
I wonder weather apple will actually make it a proper standalone computer. If they did it would definitely eat into the sales of macs, especially the lower end macs like the mini and the macbook.
The battery life is amazing but having to sync to a computer means that it is too dependant.
I wonder weather apple will actually make it a proper standalone computer. If they did it would definitely eat into the sales of macs, especially the lower end macs like the mini and the macbook.