A Great Take On The "Laptop Replacement".

[off_piste]

What I don't get is buying a tablet with an expensive connected keyboard because, if your primary input is keyboarding, why not just buy a laptop with an OS optimized for keyboard and mouse input?

Agree with your exception to the author's statement about usage by people under 20.

However, a keyboard makes a lot of sense in that it provides flexibility. I don't need it all the time for my iPad but when I want to hammer out an email or several posts on a website I simply attach the keyboard and run with it. When I don't the keyboard isn't there or used as a stand. The problem is that you're equating having a physical keyboard to primary use which isn't the case. Let's flip it around. Why would I want a permanently attached keyboard when I'd use it only 5-10% of the time? Even if I used it more for extensive emailing it still provides great convenience and I don't see an advantage to a laptop in that situation.

 

[dk001]

No. This is where this topic always crashes and burns. Again, missing the point. Just because YOU don't see how it can be the case or YOU tried it and it doesn't work does not mean that's the case for the whole rest of the world. The iPad is not a laptop any more than a laptop is an iPad. Nobody speaks for everyone else. You can only speak for yourself. I cannot tell you that an iPad is a laptop replacement any more than you can tell me that I shouldn't use an iPad for everything because "it doesn't work" or because I've somehow deluded myself into thinking I can use an iPad for everything.

Nobody should be saying either device is good for everything and everyone. The arguing seems to happen when one type of user feels threatened by the other and thinks their device of choice is going away somehow. As the article states, it's the same mentality as Playstation vs. Xbox or Coke vs. Pepsi. It's a pointless argument that will never end.

You missed my point. That was my point.
Use what works for you.

The most frustrating endeavor I was involved in was an evaluation for a business to move from laptops to iPads.
We could use laptops for all activities and iPad for some activities. Stayed with laptops.
People are the same. All, some, or none in use case.
I am one of those fortunate enough I can afford multiple devices.
My iPad cannot replace my rMB nor my Thinkpad. For some it could replace one, the other, or even both.

 

[richpjr]

This point will be missed over and over and over again.

That's kind of getting into semantics. Whether it's a laptop replacement or a computing device replacement is not that germane to the other point that it will work for some and not others.

 

[parseckadet]

I can use an ax to drive a nail, but it is probably not as good as a hammer. I can also use an ax to split wood, but when I need some precision in cutting wood, a saw is a much better tool.

This illustrates the biggest problem with all of these "Laptop Replacement" arguments. Nobody says to the carpenter "You have to choose between only using a hammer or a saw." Or to take it to the inevitable Jobs/car reference, why can't you have both a car AND a truck in your garage? You never hear anyone asking "Is the Harley Davidson a sedan replacement?" It's perfectly acceptable to own and use BOTH a tablet and a laptop. Use them however and whenever you like.

Haha I was thinking about how often I've used the back of n axe head for hitting a few nails that weren't deep enough in.

So does that make the ax a hammer replacement?

 

[Martyimac]

As an additional data point here is my reasoning about an iPad replacing MY laptop. I carry a thumb/USB drive with me when I travel. It contains all the login/passwords I may need while away from home as well as other data I want with me. Today I bought the Apple Lightning to USB adapter to see if my iPad could read it. Short answer is no. Research says the only way the iPad can get to the date is if I use the cloud to store the data where an iPad can access it. Maybe I am paranoid but my experience with cloud storage isn't positive and ANY cloud storage can be hacked, or the cloud unavailable, or worst case scenario is the cloud looses that data, which has happened to me.
And before anyone goes there, yes I could loose that thumb drive but then the loss is on me, so I am careful as to where I store it.
I will continue to travel with my 13"rMBP until that changes.

 

[Brammy]

It contains all the login/passwords I may need while away from home as well as other data I want with me.

So, the only way you are truly safe in this regard is if the usb Drive is encrypted. I’m not sure if yours is. In my case, I have FileVault turned on and some removeable drives are encrypted as well.

That said, if you use something like Dropbox with 2FA and 1Password you can reduce your paranoia a little. To be honest, I’d trust Dropbox over me losing the thumb drive. If you are worried about TSA and the like, I’d recommend uninstalling 1Password and Dropbox from your iOS devices before you travel and reinstall them when you are out of the airport.

 

[SDColorado]

Today I bought the Apple Lightning to USB adapter to see if my iPad could read it. Short answer is no. Research says the only way the iPad can get to the date is if I use the cloud to store the data where an iPad can access it.

That was the answer I received at the Apple Store when asking about the USB adapter too. Some long winded explanation about USB drives not having a "brain" and therefore no way for the iPad to understand the data on them. But I was asking because I frequently get handed USB drives with photos and documents and need a way to read them.

The associate kept going on about that is not how "we" (meaning Apple) like to do things and how they want everything to be cloud based and universally accessible across all your devices. She was going on about why couldn't the clients just upload the data to the cloud or use Airdrop to send me the info and it just didn't seem to occur to her than not everyone uses iPhones, iPads and Apple Laptops and didn't seem to "get it" that I was being handed these drives during meetings, where there are no other means to have them transfer them.

I guess it is a limitation of the thumb drive that is the issue? But I never really got the chance to ask any follow-up questions because she kept on going on and on about how "she" and "we" do things, rather than have any interest in what *I* as the customer needed to do.

They could use a little training at some of the stores. They are nice enough and enthusiastic, but dial it in a little and listen to the customer for a change

 

[Martyimac]

So, the only way you are truly safe in this regard is if the usb Drive is encrypted. I’m not sure if yours is. In my case, I have FileVault turned on and some removeable drives are encrypted as well.

That said, if you use something like Dropbox with 2FA and 1Password you can reduce your paranoia a little. To be honest, I’d trust Dropbox over me losing the thumb drive. If you are worried about TSA and the like, I’d recommend uninstalling 1Password and Dropbox from your iOS devices before you travel and reinstall them when you are out of the airport.

Good thoughts. One thing though, we can't fly anymore due to wife's health issues so I don't have to worry about this scenario. Appreciate the info though.

 

[Brammy]

I guess it is a limitation of the thumb drive that is the issue?

I’m a pretty big Apple cheerleader, but that sounds like BS.

 

[parseckadet]

Maybe I am paranoid but my experience with cloud storage isn't positive and ANY cloud storage can be hacked, or the cloud unavailable, or worst case scenario is the cloud looses that data, which has happened to me.
And before anyone goes there, yes I could loose that thumb drive but then the loss is on me, so I am careful as to where I store it.
I will continue to travel with my 13"rMBP until that changes.

Any file that isn’t backed up twice on two different media types (cloud counts as a media in this case) might as well not even exist in my book. If you lost data due to a cloud service nuking it, that’s still your fault for not having sufficient backups.

How large are these files and how frequently do they change? I’m curious why you can’t load these onto your iPad in advance, either into an app like 1Password, or via the iTunes document sync.

 

[Mainsail]

Agree with your exception to the author's statement about usage by people under 20.

However, a keyboard makes a lot of sense in that it provides flexibility. I don't need it all the time for my iPad but when I want to hammer out an email or several posts on a website I simply attach the keyboard and run with it. When I don't the keyboard isn't there or used as a stand. The problem is that you're equating having a physical keyboard to primary use which isn't the case. Let's flip it around. Why would I want a permanently attached keyboard when I'd use it only 5-10% of the time? Even if I used it more for extensive emailing it still provides great convenience and I don't see an advantage to a laptop in that situation.

Oh. Let me be clear. I agree with you. If you only need a physical keyboard 5-10% of the time, then a tablet is the right device for you....no question. But, we are talking about a $150 accessory, so it seems like a real premium to pay for those occasional uses. Anyway, my main point was that if you are compelled to buy an expensive attached keyboard, you must be using the keyboard a lot. And if that is the case, why not buy a laptop instead of a tablet, since a laptop is a device with an OS optimized for keyboard/mouse UI.

Don't get me wrong....I think iPads are great. There are all kinds of reasons people would buy one to be productive and to enjoy. I just don't get the whole attached physical keyboard thing. I get the pencil because it is truly a different type of input and interface that works best on a tablet.

Tablets are touch first devices. Their OS is optimized for touch.. They are meant to be held or propped in such a way as to have your hands on or very near the device (except when just watching movies, of course). A physical keyboard takes your hands away from a device that is meant to be touched.

Now, I have only used a physical keyboard with my older iPad a couple of dozen times, and that was a few years ago....so, maybe things have changed. I would be happy to hear that this is the case, since I am tempted to jump back into an iPad to experience iOS11 features.

 

[rui no onna]

That was the answer I received at the Apple Store when asking about the USB adapter too. Some long winded explanation about USB drives not having a "brain" and therefore no way for the iPad to understand the data on them. But I was asking because I frequently get handed USB drives with photos and documents and need a way to read them.

Meh, iPads can obviously function as USB master. It's just iOS support that's lacking at the moment. With Files coming to iOS 11, that may be coming eventually.

 

[Martyimac]

Any file that isn’t backed up twice on two different media types (cloud counts as a media in this case) might as well not even exist in my book. If you lost data due to a cloud service nuking it, that’s still your fault for not having sufficient backups.

How large are these files and how frequently do they change? I’m curious why you can’t load these onto your iPad in advance, either into an app like 1Password, or via the iTunes document sync.

As I posted, I don't trust the cloud yet. Years ago mobilme lost all my contact information, twice, and then downloaded the updated info to my iPhone, twice. In other words all my contacts disappeared, twice. If you were around for those days that is the way Apple had it set up, IE the cloud was the master and all other devices were the slaves. Apple has since changed that so it can't happen anymore. As to the data and size, it's a small amount of date, < 100K in size and it doesn't change very often. But again, I don't trust the cloud as a repository for sensitive, to me, data.
Yes it was my fault for not having sufficient backups at that time, now I have them backed up, but not on the cloud and when I travel, I don't want to lug my backup drive with me, that kind of defeats the idea of a travel device.
Lastly, technically the data may be on my ipad, but if I forget the info, it is much easier, for me, to look up the data on the thumb drive. But I can't read the data on my thumb drive with my iPad, ergo I take the rMBP. Capiche?
Basically it works for me and gives me a warm fuzzy.

 

[SDColorado]

Meh, iPads can obviously function as USB master. It's just iOS support that's lacking at the moment. With Files coming to iOS 11, that may be coming eventually.

So basically her long winded explanation was pretty much a bunch of hooey?

 

[parseckadet]

As I posted, I don't trust the cloud yet. Years ago mobilme lost all my contact information, twice, and then downloaded the updated info to my iPhone, twice. In other words all my contacts disappeared, twice. If you were around for those days that is the way Apple had it set up, IE the cloud was the master and all other devices were the slaves. Apple has since changed that so it can't happen anymore. As to the data and size, it's a small amount of date, < 100K in size and it doesn't change very often. But again, I don't trust the cloud as a repository for sensitive, to me, data.
Yes it was my fault for not having sufficient backups at that time, now I have them backed up, but not on the cloud and when I travel, I don't want to lug my backup drive with me, that kind of defeats the idea of a travel device.
Lastly, technically the data is on my ipad, but if I forget the info, it is much easier, for me, to look up the data on the thumb drive. But I can't read the data on my thumb drive with my iPad, ergo I take the rMBP. Capiche?
Basically it works for me and gives me a warm fuzzy.

So don’t get me wrong, I’m not questioning why you don’t trust the cloud. I don’t trust thumb drives either. They’re easily lost, broken, etc. I’m a trust nothing person. When you tailor your data acces around the idea that you will NOT be able to use the primary means of accessing it, then you develop multiple means of accessing. Then WHEN the cloud fails you, or your thumb drive dies, the you have at least one other way of accessing your important data.
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So basically her long winded explanation was pretty much a bunch of hooey?

A sales person making up stuff on the spot in order to make a sale? Why I never.

 

[Martyimac]

So don’t get me wrong, I’m not questioning why you don’t trust the cloud. I don’t trust thumb drives either. They’re easily lost, broken, etc. I’m a trust nothing person. When you tailor your data acces around the idea that you will NOT be able to use the primary means of accessing it, then you develop multiple means of accessing. Then WHEN the cloud fails you, or your thumb drive dies, the you have at least one other way of accessing your important data.

So a backup to the backup? LOL

 

[Brammy]

So basically her long winded explanation was pretty much a bunch of hooey?

The longer winded the explanation, the more full of hooey it is.

 

[spiderman0616]

As an additional data point here is my reasoning about an iPad replacing MY laptop. I carry a thumb/USB drive with me when I travel. It contains all the login/passwords I may need while away from home as well as other data I want with me. Today I bought the Apple Lightning to USB adapter to see if my iPad could read it. Short answer is no. Research says the only way the iPad can get to the date is if I use the cloud to store the data where an iPad can access it. Maybe I am paranoid but my experience with cloud storage isn't positive and ANY cloud storage can be hacked, or the cloud unavailable, or worst case scenario is the cloud looses that data, which has happened to me.
And before anyone goes there, yes I could loose that thumb drive but then the loss is on me, so I am careful as to where I store it.
I will continue to travel with my 13"rMBP until that changes.

Uh.....I've never had my iCloud account compromised, but I've lost/destroyed/washed plenty of thumb drives in my life and had plenty more flake out on me for no reason. This sounds a bit like "get off my lawn with your new fangled cloud accounts!!"

 

[richpjr]

I've never had my iCloud account compromised

There are so many stories of online hacks that to dismiss it because it hasn't happened to you (or maybe it has and you just don't know it) is pretty naive. There are very legitimate reasons to be wary about cloud storage, just as there are reasons to be wary of a thumb drive.

 

[spiderman0616]

There are so many stories of online hacks that to dismiss it because it hasn't happened to you (or maybe it has and you just don't know it) is pretty naive. There are very legitimate reasons to be wary about cloud storage, just as there are reasons to be wary of a thumb drive.

I use 2 factor authentication and change my password regularly, so it's highly unlikely.

 

[richpjr]

I use 2 factor authentication and change my password regularly, so it's highly unlikely.

Those are good things to do, but if the hack wasn't using your credentials, it wouldn't help. And if the cloud service is down, people are out of luck:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/17...estore-from-backup-as-icloud-outage-continues

 

[SDColorado]

Uh.....I've never had my iCloud account compromised

Oh I certainly have. Spent hours per day working with Apple over the course of a week, trying to resolve the issue. At one point they had me remotely wipe one of the computers that were associated with the hack, somewhere in Georgia. Then they tried several things to remove the other computers and could not. In the end they had figured out a way to give me back access to it in order to lock in down with 2-factor authentication, but still recommended I cancel the iCloud account so that they could put it into some sort of permanent lockdown and create a new iCloud account. That was in February of this year.

Edit: Probably one of the reasons for the current increased security measures with the iCloud accounts.

Edit2: Paying for an identity theft monitoring service as a result as well. Maybe paranoid, but probably a good idea anyway

 

[BigAppleNYC123]

The reason it's a hot button issue is that people are feeling insecure. Not sure why--like you said, I really don't think laptops are going anywhere. They're just not going to be as common as they once were.

As another commenter noted, I don’t think this has anything to do with insecurity.

Some people have work which allows them to only use an iPad. Others can’t ditch their Mac due to specific capabilities. It shouldn’t be a hot button issue.

 

[44267547]

As another commenter noted, I don’t think this has anything to do with insecurity.

Some people have work which allows them to only use an iPad. Others can’t ditch their Mac due to specific capabilities. It shouldn’t be a hot button issue.

I think they're always will be some user divide between a laptop and iPad. There was another forum member in another thread, commenting how the iPad has benefited them in their chose work field, but certain desktop applications only work on a laptop, where it limits the iPads to only so many uses. Point is, I think every situation will vary depending on the user situation and what they are limited to. I think the iPad has lots of potential as more powerful it becomes, but the desktop is still primary (Or secondary) for many. I see the spectrum and advantages to both the iPad and laptop. Everybody will vary because every situation is likely different depending on work or personal needs.

I agree with you though, it shouldn't be a hot button issue, when iPad and laptop don't necessarily need to compete with each other, it's all user dependent on what they need to accomplish.

 

[mosesming]

Although iPad fulfill 90% of my computing needs and I want to sell my MacBook, I wouldn’t say an iPad could replace a laptop. I need both. However, since the release of iPad Pro (with accessories), I start preferring to spend more money on a premium iPad rather than a premium laptop. In the past, I spend $1200 on a high-end laptop and $500 on an entry level iPad, but now I would buy a $749 iPad Pro for most tasks and $500 or even less on a laptop for managing my music library and files only.