13" MBA and iPad...redundant?

[Jolt21]

I've been waiting to get a new laptop as my 2008 MBP (2.4 Core 2 Duo with 4GB RAM) had liquid spilled on the keyboard 4 months after I got it (and I just decided to live with it as punishment to myself), and it's good to know that if I get a maxed out MBA 13", it will be faster than what I have now.

I was also thinking about getting the next iPad refresh that comes out later this year or early next.

My question to those with both currently, is do you find the iPad redundant if you have both? The MBA is already so portable. I have this education loan from my school that I can use on computers and accessories, but the catch is we can only get reimbursed once (even if we dont use all of it), so I'm hoping to use all of it. Do those that own both find different uses for them? or should I just get an external monitor with the remainder of the loan?

I do travel around some in the northeast, and being in med school, I can def use any extra time I have to study...that's why that the iPad was initially so intriguing.

 

[MacDawg]

I love my iPad, but given the choice, I would get the external monitor

 

[rnb2]

I have an iPad and plan to get the 11" MBA, and will keep both. I bought the iPad mainly for reading, and it works great for that - a much better experience than sitting at a desk or with a laptop. The MBA will replace my unibody aluminum MacBook as my travel computer - I need it for storing/keywording/geotagging DSLR photos/video on the road, something the iPad just can't handle at the moment.

Rick

 

[gwsat]

I have had my 13 inch MBA for more than a week and haven't used my iPad since I got it. The only reason I still have the iPad is that I have not yet got around to selling it.

Although the MBA is somewhat larger and heavier than the iPad, the MBA is still extraordinarily small and light, and does essentially everything I need a computer to do. For that reason the MBA has mostly replaced my MBP, too. The only thing I still use the MBP for is copying CDs into iTunes. In short, the 13 inch MBA Ultimate has become my everyday computer, used both for heavy lifting and casual Web surfing while watching TV.

 

[pfjellman]

I have a 13" MBA and a 64GB iPad. I wouldn't trade one for the other, they're both great for their individual purposes.

 

[hcho3]

There are times u need physical keyboard and there are times that u don't. I have iPad and 13 MBA. I am not going to give up any of them. However, I will not buy iPad 2 for just camera.I will wait long time before I upgrade

 

[jimboutilier]

Apple is wonderfully evil offering many devices that are all great products but that each excel in unique areas - thus creating the need or desire to own several of them.

The iPad by design is a symbiotic device. It needs a computer for updates, backups, and a lot of the content its so very good at consuming and presenting. And the tablet experience is unparalleled - some things its good at its VERY good at and once you use it, you don't want to use other devices if you can help it. The same can be said about a MBA or a MBP and many other Apple products.

Many of these devices can offer overlapping functions but the whole user experience on a 10" iPad or a 13" MBA or a 13" MBP can be VERY different.

So ultimately is comes down to your needs and budget. For me I think I will have a tablet AND a laptop and I don't consider them redundant because they each excel in different areas. Yes you can do almost everything with a MBA you can do with an iPAD (and the reverse is not true). But the experience is very different and there are a few areas like battery life where there is just a big feature difference.

 

[VespaMatt]

I had a 64GB iPad 3G + WiFi and just got a maxed out 13in. I used the iPad exclusively as my home computer since launch, as well as used it extensively the month of September while I traveled around the country on a JetBlue pass. After I got the Air I ended up selling it.

Unfortunately, while on my trip I still had to carry around my old 12in PowerBook because the iPad couldn't run software I needed for work. While I could have tried using remote install software and the like, I'm really not into the hassle of setting all that up, I believe it should 'just work', and I'm sure it would be very laggy with the flash based parts ordering system. For work I really need a laptop and the iPad OS is too limited. So for the majority of stuff, your Air will do everything 100x easier.

BUT, I will say, I'm a huge fan of the tablet form factor and it excels at document/eReading - I loved reading books, magazines, comics, and PDFs on it & its great for casually browsing the web or watching videos around the house. I definitely recommend if you spring for an iPad that you go for the minimum size - As long as you have an internet connection you can stream video to it with apps like AirShare so there is no need for massive storage. If you're on a trip, you can just load content onto the iPad with your Air.

Personally, I'm picking up a Galaxy Tab next week because I think the form factor is a more proper companion to the new Air. Its smaller and lighter and I know from watching previews it will comfortably function as an e-reader, video player, and web browser. As a plus, I should also be able to tether it to the Air and share the internet connection for when I need to get real work done.

If I'm for whatever reason disappointed with the Tab I'll probably end up getting a 4G modem for the Air and either trying to pickup a 16GB WiFi only iPad on the cheap or waiting for the refresh - but I honestly think the size of the Tab (even if Steve Jobs hates 7 inchers) is going to be a better companion to the Air.

 

[Jolt21]

I had a 64GB iPad 3G + WiFi and just got a maxed out 13in. I used the iPad exclusively as my home computer since launch, as well as used it extensively the month of September while I traveled around the country on a JetBlue pass. After I got the Air I ended up selling it.

Unfortunately, while on my trip I still had to carry around my old 12in PowerBook because the iPad couldn't run software I needed for work. While I could have tried using remote install software and the like, I'm really not into the hassle of setting all that up, I believe it should 'just work', and I'm sure it would be very laggy with the flash based parts ordering system. For work I really need a laptop and the iPad OS is too limited. So for the majority of stuff, your Air will do everything 100x easier.

BUT, I will say, I'm a huge fan of the tablet form factor and it excels at document/eReading - I loved reading books, magazines, comics, and PDFs on it & its great for casually browsing the web or watching videos around the house. I definitely recommend if you spring for an iPad that you go for the minimum size - As long as you have an internet connection you can stream video to it with apps like AirShare so there is no need for massive storage. If you're on a trip, you can just load content onto the iPad with your Air.

Personally, I'm picking up a Galaxy Tab next week because I think the form factor is a more proper companion to the new Air. Its smaller and lighter and I know from watching previews it will comfortably function as an e-reader, video player, and web browser. As a plus, I should also be able to tether it to the Air and share the internet connection for when I need to get real work done.

If I'm for whatever reason disappointed with the Tab I'll probably end up getting a 4G modem for the Air and either trying to pickup a 16GB WiFi only iPad on the cheap or waiting for the refresh - but I honestly think the size of the Tab (even if Steve Jobs hates 7 inchers) is going to be a better companion to the Air.

good point about going with the smallest storage iPad. didn't think of that. definitely sounds more reasonable.

thanks for the input, everyone

 

[highscheme]

It depends. If you travel a lot on mass transit (subways, trains, planes) then the iPad experience is very very nice for consuming content.

The 11" macbook does help cross over into this territory, but I don't think that a 13" + iPad is such a bad combo if you do a lot of traveling. And if you are doing really long flights, it helps that you have the battery power of both.

I think whether or not you have a kindle or even want an ereader comes into the equation.

Kindle + iPad + MacbookAir is a lot of overlap but if you do a LOT of reading then I could see it

 

[rkahl]

I have an unlimited 3G plan for my iPad, I don't on my MBA.

 

[gwsat]

I had a 64GB iPad 3G + WiFi and just got a maxed out 13in. I used the iPad exclusively as my home computer since launch, as well as used it extensively the month of September while I traveled around the country on a JetBlue pass. After I got the Air I ended up selling it.

I have an unlimited 3G plan for my iPad, I don't on my MBA.

Like VespaMatt, once I got my 13 inch MBA Ultimate, I stopped using my 16GB iPad. The iPad's critical limitations had been driving me crazy so getting an MBA, which was not only small and light but could do everything my MBP had done, was a breath of fresh air. Had I bought the iPad 3G I might have reached a different conclusion but, even then, I probably would have stopped using it because I so seldom need a computer when I don't have access to a WiFi network. On the few occasions I do have such a need, I use my smart phone. It's not fast and it's not easy but it works and it's paid for.

 

[rkahl]

Like VespaMatt, once I got my 13 inch MBA Ultimate, I stopped using my 16GB iPad. The iPad's critical limitations had been driving me crazy so getting an MBA, which was not only small and light but could do everything my MBP had done, was a breath of fresh air. Had I bought the iPad 3G I might have reached a different conclusion but, even then, I probably would have stopped using it because I so seldom need a computer when I don't have access to a WiFi network. On the few occasions I do have such a need, I use my smart phone. It's not fast and it's not easy but it works and it's paid for.

I tried using my unlimited from my iPhone 4, but couldn't ever get a signal inside my building. My iPad 3G picks up signals with no problem. I bluetooth my wireless keyboard and I've got a mobile computer - all for $30. How much for tethering?

 

[sectime]

I have a 64G 3G Ipad. I just bought a 13inch MBA. I'm going to wait to see how OS 4.2 runs on my Ipad before deciding to keep or sell. I have a phone that has great unlimited Hotspot Wifi service. So I don't need a 3g version now. The lack of multitasking on my Ipad is a problem for me. Hopefully 4.2 will work as good as it looks.

 

[virtuatony]

I had a iPad 32GB 3G but I sold it and bought the maxed out 13" MacBook Air. I don't miss it, I just wish my MBA had 3G built-in. For all the iPad could do I found it too large, but if they ever make a 7" model I might buy again. Then again I only really used the web browser on the iPad and found it annoying holding it up all the time, lack of flash was annoying at times as well even though I hate flash.

So for now I prefer my iphone 4 and macbook air to an ipad.

 

[shootingrubber]

I've been waiting to get a new laptop as my 2008 MBP (2.4 Core 2 Duo with 4GB RAM) had liquid spilled on the keyboard 4 months after I got it (and I just decided to live with it as punishment to myself), and it's good to know that if I get a maxed out MBA 13", it will be faster than what I have now.

I was also thinking about getting the next iPad refresh that comes out later this year or early next.

My question to those with both currently, is do you find the iPad redundant if you have both? The MBA is already so portable. I have this education loan from my school that I can use on computers and accessories, but the catch is we can only get reimbursed once (even if we dont use all of it), so I'm hoping to use all of it. Do those that own both find different uses for them? or should I just get an external monitor with the remainder of the loan?

I do travel around some in the northeast, and being in med school, I can def use any extra time I have to study...that's why that the iPad was initially so intriguing.

I sold my iPad for the 13-inch MBA, but depending on what iPad 2 brings, I might line up for that...