I really enjoy having the 11" MBA and the iPad. I use my iPad as my media consumption device, and when I want to be on the web but NOT be on the computer. iPad is great for doing all of my reading, browsing the web, e-mail, and some light games when I feel like passing time. If I need to create content, write long e-mails, or know I will need to be at a device for a long time, then I use my MBA, MBP, or desktop. It just all depends where I am and what is the most convenient to use. However, I would not give up my iPad. It's too convenient when I need something on the go or don't need the full capabilities of a computer. If the battery did not last as long as it does or the device didn't perform as well as it does, then I couldn't justify the need for the device.
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Both the iPad and the MBA
- Thread starter Bakari45
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Im not sure if this should be a separate thread, but just thought Id let MBA and iPad owners know that you can use the iPad as a second monitor using an app called Air Display: http://avatron.com/apps/air-display
The app I believe is $9. I just set it up on my Air. It will come in handy when Im writing articles and need to park a web page or other application window over on the iPad screen for easy reference.
You cant use the Air to park files onto the iPad display, but you can slide open windows, documents, and applications. Its a wireless, networked (Wi-Fi) setup, and it works great.
The app I believe is $9. I just set it up on my Air. It will come in handy when Im writing articles and need to park a web page or other application window over on the iPad screen for easy reference.
You cant use the Air to park files onto the iPad display, but you can slide open windows, documents, and applications. Its a wireless, networked (Wi-Fi) setup, and it works great.
I have both and use them both, however I use the MBA more, probably 70/30 leaning towards MBA. There are things that each one does better. I would argue it makes sense to have both but that's a personal decision based mostly on a person's financial situation.
Heres an article I published based on the topic of this thread. Thanks to CristobalHuet for his excellent outline of the differences between the Air and the iPad.
http://www.applematters.com/article/macbook-air-or-ipad-which-should-you-buy/
http://www.applematters.com/article/macbook-air-or-ipad-which-should-you-buy/
Then you haven't really used one with any of the many amazing apps for it. The iPad uses a subset of OS X as it should. OS X is not a touch enabled OS and much of the OS would serve no purpose on a tablet other than to slow it down and consume battery.
Back to the OP...I've had an iPad since day one and used it more than any electronic device I have ever owned. But it's use has dropped off dramatically since getting a MBA. The Air is light, fast, and has none of the iPad compromises.
Back to the OP...I've had an iPad since day one and used it more than any electronic device I have ever owned. But it's use has dropped off dramatically since getting a MBA. The Air is light, fast, and has none of the iPad compromises.
Well, I have an iPhone 3G; and just got an iPad for my wife, who seems to be completely non-sold on it after getting it; so it will probably become mine. (Traded with a coworker for a computer, it was new in box, but it was received as a prize, so no receipt, so I can't return it.)
But, I had been saving up to buy an 11" Air to replace my aging Linux netbook. So I'm torn.
The iPad is very useful for most things, my netbook has gone completely unused since I got it; but I would still like a "full computer" on the go.
On top of that, my "hackintosh" is REALLY acting up, and I've been pining for a Mac Mini Server to replace it anyway. So, do I just live with the iPad as my "big mobile" device, and get a Mac Mini Server as my "real Mac" - or do I get the MacBook Air and put more effort into fixing my hackintosh?
But, I had been saving up to buy an 11" Air to replace my aging Linux netbook. So I'm torn.
The iPad is very useful for most things, my netbook has gone completely unused since I got it; but I would still like a "full computer" on the go.
On top of that, my "hackintosh" is REALLY acting up, and I've been pining for a Mac Mini Server to replace it anyway. So, do I just live with the iPad as my "big mobile" device, and get a Mac Mini Server as my "real Mac" - or do I get the MacBook Air and put more effort into fixing my hackintosh?
I've used one, really. Many times with many hours. I'm aware of the apps. Just because i'm not as impressed with it as you are doesn't mean I haven't used it. It just means i'm not as impressed with it as you are.
im on the shelf with the iphone4 or the ipad. both things i would like but im not sure that i need. Im a heavy media consumer. tv shows & movies and ebooks. I think the ipad would make sense for me. Tried reading books on the iphone and it started hurting my eyes. Im secretly lusting for one but im not sure if i actually need one. My iphone dies too fast and so does my macbook pro when it's not being charged.
You guys make great points about the ipad..
You guys make great points about the ipad..
movies and tv shows the iphone is cool. but when you are trying to read pdfs and ebooks for me that's when it hurts my eyes...
My first apple device was the iphone 3gs. It was cool and very useful..I decided it was time to get the ipad to play a bit more games and browse the internet. It was much easy on the eyes due to it's larger screen. Now, i find it difficult to play games for more than 5 mins on the iphone. The screen seems too small to even browse the internet especially if the web site is not formatted for the iphone. At nights the ipad is great using when lying in bed.
I decided it's time i get an apple laptop since I don't own any device that runs the mac osx. I got the macbook air 13" a few days ago and I'm still in the process of learning to use the OS.
They each overlap in it's use but each is suited for a particular task.
I will be keeping all 3.
I decided it's time i get an apple laptop since I don't own any device that runs the mac osx. I got the macbook air 13" a few days ago and I'm still in the process of learning to use the OS.
They each overlap in it's use but each is suited for a particular task.
I will be keeping all 3.
Well, at this point, I have the following:
The iPad is a recent acquisition, and has at this point nearly completely replaced my netbook.
I *HAD* been planning on replacing the netbook with a MacBook Air before getting the iPad.
But now, seeing that the iPad can fairly effectively replace my portable "full computer", I'm leaning away from the Air.
At this point, I'll wait another month, see if the Mac Mini and/or MacBook Air get updated. If the Mini gets updated to have a quad-core processor (standard or optional,) I'll likely get the Mini to replace my hackintosh, since the hackintosh has been overkill as a workstation for me - I'll likely relegate it back to "server" status.
If the Mini doesn't get a quad-core processor, then I'll probably repair the hackintosh, get an Air, and give the iPad back to my wife. For me, the minimum-spec 11" Air is *NEARLY* all I need in a portable computer. The only thing I would like added is an SD card slot. I value minimum size and weight, so the 11" is preferred; but the 13" would still be acceptable. But the other benefits of the 13" are largely inconsequential to my usage - only the SD card slot appeals to me. And $300 is a lot to pay to upgrade for "just" the SD card. (Yes, the other upgrades would be appreciated, but I can live just fine with the 11" otherwise.)
- iPhone 3G
- iPad
- Linux netbook
- Malfunctioning "Hackintosh" (very high end, though - dual quad-core CPUs, lots of RAM.)
The iPad is a recent acquisition, and has at this point nearly completely replaced my netbook.
I *HAD* been planning on replacing the netbook with a MacBook Air before getting the iPad.
But now, seeing that the iPad can fairly effectively replace my portable "full computer", I'm leaning away from the Air.
At this point, I'll wait another month, see if the Mac Mini and/or MacBook Air get updated. If the Mini gets updated to have a quad-core processor (standard or optional,) I'll likely get the Mini to replace my hackintosh, since the hackintosh has been overkill as a workstation for me - I'll likely relegate it back to "server" status.
If the Mini doesn't get a quad-core processor, then I'll probably repair the hackintosh, get an Air, and give the iPad back to my wife. For me, the minimum-spec 11" Air is *NEARLY* all I need in a portable computer. The only thing I would like added is an SD card slot. I value minimum size and weight, so the 11" is preferred; but the 13" would still be acceptable. But the other benefits of the 13" are largely inconsequential to my usage - only the SD card slot appeals to me. And $300 is a lot to pay to upgrade for "just" the SD card. (Yes, the other upgrades would be appreciated, but I can live just fine with the 11" otherwise.)
I'm flattered.
- Great job on the article, by the way, you went into pretty good detail on why the iPad is a great device and not simply the giant, useless iPhone many think it is. It's been a few weeks now since I sold my iPad, and I honestly wondered if I could go without it and go Air + iPhone...that isn't the case. The iPad was announced one year ago yesterday, hopefully the next announcement is around the corner.
Everyone has different uses for different devices and many of them have been shared here. I guess I'll share my reasonings and hopefully add something to the discussion.
I had an iphone with AT&T from the second week that it came out. Later I switched to T-Mobile (saved a bunch of money) but kept using an iphone. Just this past fall I switched to a MyTouch and I'm much happier with it. Not because it's a better overall device but because it has a few very significant advantages over the iphone on T-Mobile. I get unlimited everything with it for $79 a month. It gets better reception then the iphone in low signal areas, I get visual voicemail back (missed that), and I get unlimited hotspot data for up to 5 devices at once. This is a must have for me because I have to be able to connect to the internet with my ipad and MBA for work.
I use my ipad for internet, email, and apps for both personal and work (since I don't have an iphone for my apps anymore). It is also used in place of my bible (great improvement over the book form) and it's used for accepting credit card payments from my customers. The ipad goes with me almost everywhere. About the only place I don't take it with me is when I volunteer at the local prison because we're not allowed to bring any type of communication device inside with us.
I've got a Macbook air for work. I'm a contractor and need a real computer for various things durning the day when I'm at customer's homes. Even if an ipad had OSX it probably couldn't do what I use my MBA for.
Finally I've got a MBP with an anti-glare screen for my personal computer. I need the matte screen because the glossy screens give me a headache when using them for any length of time. The MBA is much better then the glass screens but sometimes I use my MBP for hours on end and even the MBA screen will give me a bad headache long before I'm finished. There's also the problem of not having quite enough drive space.
I'm thinking about getting one of those matte screen protectors for my MBA to see if that will be good enough to relieve my headaches. If it is then I'll probably sell my MBP. I've got one of those screen protectors on my ipad and it makes a world of difference. It does make the screen a little grainy but it also makes it useable for me.
So I've got a smartphone, ipad, MBA and a MBP. There is definitely overlap between them but each one does something or fills some need that the other devices can't.
I had an iphone with AT&T from the second week that it came out. Later I switched to T-Mobile (saved a bunch of money) but kept using an iphone. Just this past fall I switched to a MyTouch and I'm much happier with it. Not because it's a better overall device but because it has a few very significant advantages over the iphone on T-Mobile. I get unlimited everything with it for $79 a month. It gets better reception then the iphone in low signal areas, I get visual voicemail back (missed that), and I get unlimited hotspot data for up to 5 devices at once. This is a must have for me because I have to be able to connect to the internet with my ipad and MBA for work.
I use my ipad for internet, email, and apps for both personal and work (since I don't have an iphone for my apps anymore). It is also used in place of my bible (great improvement over the book form) and it's used for accepting credit card payments from my customers. The ipad goes with me almost everywhere. About the only place I don't take it with me is when I volunteer at the local prison because we're not allowed to bring any type of communication device inside with us.
I've got a Macbook air for work. I'm a contractor and need a real computer for various things durning the day when I'm at customer's homes. Even if an ipad had OSX it probably couldn't do what I use my MBA for.
Finally I've got a MBP with an anti-glare screen for my personal computer. I need the matte screen because the glossy screens give me a headache when using them for any length of time. The MBA is much better then the glass screens but sometimes I use my MBP for hours on end and even the MBA screen will give me a bad headache long before I'm finished. There's also the problem of not having quite enough drive space.
I'm thinking about getting one of those matte screen protectors for my MBA to see if that will be good enough to relieve my headaches. If it is then I'll probably sell my MBP. I've got one of those screen protectors on my ipad and it makes a world of difference. It does make the screen a little grainy but it also makes it useable for me.
So I've got a smartphone, ipad, MBA and a MBP. There is definitely overlap between them but each one does something or fills some need that the other devices can't.
use both for different things
ipad- lying around watching tv, lying in bed, takin a sh** on the jon and using as a second monitor for the macbook air.
macbook air- work, downloading, programming and sometimes i just like to be on it cause its such an amazing machine.
i love takin a sh** while using the ipad though.
ipad- lying around watching tv, lying in bed, takin a sh** on the jon and using as a second monitor for the macbook air.
macbook air- work, downloading, programming and sometimes i just like to be on it cause its such an amazing machine.
i love takin a sh** while using the ipad though.
My kids and their families gave me an iPhone 4 for Xmas and I love it. It replaced an HTC G1 that I got a couple of years ago on a T-Mobile contract. T-Mobile gives more for less but because I don't ever use many minutes of talk time, few text messages, and little data transmission, coupled with my qualifying for AT&T's Senior Nation plan, I am paying AT&T only $49 a month. That's less than I was Paying T-Mobile but I got unlimited everything from them. Fortunately, it turns out I didn't need all of that. The best part, though, has been that I like the iPhone far more than I ever did the G1.
I agree that there is a lot of overlap of the iPhone, iPad, MBA, and MBP, all of which I still use. Obviously, selling the iPad and MBP, both of which have Applecare coverage,would let me recoup a not insignificant amount of money. Nevertheless, I have decided to keep both because doing so allows me to always have the right tool for the right job. As for the iPhone and the MBA, you would have to pry them from my cold, dead, hands.
I agree that there is a lot of overlap of the iPhone, iPad, MBA, and MBP, all of which I still use. Obviously, selling the iPad and MBP, both of which have Applecare coverage,would let me recoup a not insignificant amount of money. Nevertheless, I have decided to keep both because doing so allows me to always have the right tool for the right job. As for the iPhone and the MBA, you would have to pry them from my cold, dead, hands.
I WANT an 11" Air just because I think it's such a neat device. However, this is the conclusion I've come to over and over. Between the iPad, my 21.5" iMac and my iPhone, I just have no need at all for an 11" Air.
(I also have a Sony Vaio P and a Sony Vaio UX, both with Windows 7, so my ultraportable needs are indeed covered)
I've been on the fence about getting an iPad. I upgraded from the 2009 MBA to the 11" model, and it's fantastic. It's slower than the 13" MBA but the size is much smaller, so it's perfect as a travel computer.
My wife loves her Kindle, and she's expressed reluctant interest in an iPad. She really believes the Kindle screen is better for reading, and she doesn't like that the iPad is too big to fit in her purse. But I know that she'd appreciate a device to surf the web while traveling, check email, Facebook, etc. The iPad would be perfect for that, but is it really necessary?
The lack of Flash is a nuisance. This is very strange for me to say since, as a developer, I am in strong agreement with Steve Jobs about the problems with Flash. (My own enjoyment of the web increased when I added ClickToFlash on my Macs). However, there is no way for my son to play Club Penguin without Flash.
Plus, the iPad 2 is coming 'any day now', so it's hard to figure whether it's worth buying a refurb now or waiting for the iPad 2.
Now you see why I'm wishy washy about the iPad.
My wife loves her Kindle, and she's expressed reluctant interest in an iPad. She really believes the Kindle screen is better for reading, and she doesn't like that the iPad is too big to fit in her purse. But I know that she'd appreciate a device to surf the web while traveling, check email, Facebook, etc. The iPad would be perfect for that, but is it really necessary?
The lack of Flash is a nuisance. This is very strange for me to say since, as a developer, I am in strong agreement with Steve Jobs about the problems with Flash. (My own enjoyment of the web increased when I added ClickToFlash on my Macs). However, there is no way for my son to play Club Penguin without Flash.
Plus, the iPad 2 is coming 'any day now', so it's hard to figure whether it's worth buying a refurb now or waiting for the iPad 2.
Now you see why I'm wishy washy about the iPad.
I have a 24" iMac w/ a 24" Cinema Display for my home office. I just bought a 13" MBA to replace a 3 year-old 15" MBP used primarily for work-related travel. I also have an iPhone4. I tried to switch to a Google Nexus One, but I just couldn't tolerate Android (maybe gingerbread will be better since I love the built-in, free WAP feature).
I also have an iPad, but it falls into a weird niche for me... it's too big to replace my iPhone (i.e. switch to a different phone) and it's too tedious to type on to ever replace my laptop, but it's great for reading Kindle Books or looking things up around the house. It is not worth what I paid for it (to me), but just useful enough now that it isn't worth selling.
I also have an iPad, but it falls into a weird niche for me... it's too big to replace my iPhone (i.e. switch to a different phone) and it's too tedious to type on to ever replace my laptop, but it's great for reading Kindle Books or looking things up around the house. It is not worth what I paid for it (to me), but just useful enough now that it isn't worth selling.
Well said, that's what I think, too! I would never, ever, have gone out and bought an iPad to fit in between an iPhone and MBA but I already had an iPad when I got my iPhone and MBA. The iPad still has enough utility to have convinced me to keep it but it has become something of a luxury.
This is exactly what I'm thinking. Thanks for articulating this. It's a lot to spend for a 'sit-on-the-couch-web-browser'. The only difference between us is that I bought the MBA first, which is why I'm having a hard time justifying getting an iPad.
So what are you saying exactly? (I'm confused -- but curious to hear your thoughts on this) Can you clarify?