Base model adequate? More ram? Faster processor? More SSD?

[wolfers]

I'm sure these kinds of questions are irritating, but I feel I should ask before I commit myself . . .

Is the 2GB/1.4MHz/64GB enough?

My plan is to replace my iPad. I have a desktop Mac in my office, so I'm looking for something to use when I'm not in there. I will primarily be using it for web browsing (including watching BBC iPlayer and similar services), word processing and spreadsheets, maybe a bit of Adobe InDesign, sending e-mails, looking at my calendar, watching videos (avi, mp4, etc.), reading PDF books.

The intention is not to replace my iMac, but just the iPad.

If anyone can comment on screen quality vs. iPad and heat issues when watching iPlayer, I'd be grateful

 

[MacVirgin2011]

Yes.

I have the base 13" base model and its the best machine I have ever had. Everyone will say get 4gb just in case but what's the point if you will never use it? As someone said on another thread, what's the point of paying for a four lane highway if you're only going using one or two of the lanes?

 

[toxic]

Is the 2GB/1.4MHz/64GB enough?

1.4MHz is kinda slow...

My plan is to replace my iPad. I have a desktop Mac in my office, so I'm looking for something to use when I'm not in there. I will primarily be using it for web browsing (including watching BBC iPlayer and similar services), word processing and spreadsheets, maybe a bit of Adobe InDesign, sending e-mails, looking at my calendar, watching videos (avi, mp4, etc.), reading PDF books.

depends how much you do in your spreadsheets and in ID. if not much, I'm sure 1.4 is fine, but 1.6 will make a noticeable difference, though you'll have to pay for a 128GB SSD. same deal with memory, 2GB is fine if you don't do much, but 4GB will make a difference if you do.

if you don't intend to put much more than you do on your iPad, then 64GB will be fine.

If anyone can comment on screen quality vs. iPad and heat issues when watching iPlayer, I'd be grateful

the iPad has a very high-quality IPS panels, the MBA has an above-average but not exceptional TN panel (which are much worse than IPS to begin with). I'm sure it'll be good enough, but it's not an iPad display.

 

[rhinosrcool]

1.4MHz is kinda slow...depends how much you do in your spreadsheets and in ID. if not much, I'm sure 1.4 is fine, but 1.6 will make a noticeable difference.

A noticeable difference?

 

[torbjoern]

1.4 GHz is enough if you aren't going to do any gaming or heavy number-crunching on it.

64 GB disk is enough if you don't have many large video files, and are willing to get an external drive if necessary. Don't forget that Mac OS X takes up a bit more space than iOS does.

2 GB RAM is enough if you're not going to multitask between applications using large files, and if saving 100$ is more important to you than making sure you have enough RAM in a couple of years too.

 

[wolfers]

Thank you for your advice everyone.

I bought the lowest spec model. So far I'm absolutely thrilled with it. My iPad's days are numbered . . .