Does the iPad....

[coast1ja]

I think the biggest reason the iPad will not replace the MBA is the lack of ability to multitask.

 

[stoconnell]

I have a 15" MBP (3 yrs old) and want a MBA, but can't convince myself not to get a 13" MBP. It seems to have everything in one great neat package. I didn't see any updates to the MBP's or MBA. I'm hoping something comes up in the near future... or did I just miss it with all the iPad information??
Thanks.
Frank

There have been no Apple notebook announcements or product changes to date. Speculation is rampant (at least in this forum) that there will be a silent SPEC bump across most of the line soon to keep the line fresh for now. I wonder if Apple will wait and hold another notebook focused event when/if they move to the mobile core3/5/7 platform. As always we are on the outside looking in (at a mirror ).

 

[Gaelic2]

I have an MBA rev B with the solid state HD. It is a great adjunct to my iMac 24". I don't use the MBA for a lot more than surfing the web, checking my bank, e-mail, viewing photos etc. when away from home. The iPad would have served just as well for these purposes for much less money since I don't really need all the computing power of the MBA. I tried the iPod Touch but it's too small for my eyes to be of much use. I may sell my MBA and eventually buy the iPad but right now, I sure love my MBA!

 

[sanPietro98]

Can the iPad run Windows?

My eyes started to bleed when I read this! Just the juxtaposition of the two makes me cringe.

 

[sanPietro98]

I think the biggest reason the iPad will not replace the MBA is the lack of ability to multitask.

I would be utterly shocked if the next iPhone OS (hopefully released in June) doesn't address this.

 

[PsyD4Me]

iWork saves in Office formats, .docx, .pptx, .xlsx. Also it's not infringing on any IP like Office.

The on screen keyboard is actually pretty big in landscape. You won't be typing at 200 wpm speeds but it's more than adequate for note taking. Plus, you can write using a stylus (any iPhone stylus works since the touchscreen is the same) or your finger with handwriting recognition.

without the interface of a a real OS it is a fail, and how can you even use it as a lecture recording machine without multitasking. Editing Office files without a mouse will seem like a nightmare.

Anyone who sits with this thing in a classroom and tries typing on it will look like a tool.

 

[El Cabong]

without the interface of a a real OS it is a fail, and how can you even use it as a lecture recording machine without multitasking. Editing Office files without a mouse will seem like a nightmare.

Anyone who sits with this thing in a classroom and tries typing on it will look like a tool.

With the keyboard dock, it looks like a mini-iMac.

 

[PsyD4Me]

With the keyboard dock, it looks like a mini-iMac.

yes, but who the hell is gonna carry a keyboard dock with them to class.
I mean isn't this going backwards in technology, instead of eliminating add ons apple creates them.
With the dock it will looks like the original Palm Pilots with those cheese keyboard docks.

 

[roslee7]

i agreed with HighADP. Ipad is for different purposes and not to compare with macbook or macbook air. For those people who just need to surf nets and email and not so techie , ipad is good for them. Its just work and not so complicated. I have tried my friends HP netbook and dont really like it coz of small screen . Perhaps , that why apple are not producing any netbook and ipad is the replacement for netbook. I own a iphone and macbook air and i think i will still buy it coz of different purpose and my need. Whenever i am on vacation, i will just bring my iphone and ipad and leave my laptop at home. Iphone is a great product but its to small for surf internet. other that iphone, iphone is awesome. Ipad will also be useful for me if i am at home...example, while in the kitchen and on the bed. While on the bed watching TV, i dont have to use my laptop and the advantage of ipad is that i can use it any any angle. But the only 2 things i dissapointed is without USB and webcam.

 

[El Cabong]

yes, but who the hell is gonna carry a keyboard dock with them to class.
I mean isn't this going backwards in technology, instead of eliminating add ons apple creates them.
With the dock it will looks like the original Palm Pilots with those cheese keyboard docks.

I was trying to be funny. I guess it didn't work.

However, I'm not sure whether or not you're disappointed that the iPad doesn't have an interface that's much more functional than an iPhone/Touch. Having a "real OS" on a touchscreen without a peripheral (i.e. mouse/keyboard) still requires input compromises. While I certainly agree that the lack of multitasking blows, I don't see how that would make the iPad inferior to a laptop for note-taking, in the sense that I'm not sure how typing down notes requires multiple applications. Of course, it would be great if it were easy to switch between drawing (for equations etc) and word processing apps on the iPad, but the former isn't something that's typically used on a laptop.

It's misleading to compare the MBA to the 13inch MBP. To get a real sense of its value, you need to compare the machine to its real competitors which are the ultralights like the Adamos, Lenovo X300s, and certain Vaios. When making those comparisons, the MBA's performance per dollar is much higher. Some on this board even consider the MBA to be a bargain for the type of computer that it's supposed to be. [...]

I see your point about its added value due to its form factor. I suppose I was trying to say that the market for the MBA is shrinking, and that its price (which has already dropped, what, 30 percent?) as well as the prices for ultraportables as a whole (see: $999 Adamo) has/had to be adjusted in order to better reflect their value to most consumers. While the iPad and MBPs obviously don't overlap entirely with the MBA in either form or function, there is enough overlap to damage its marketability, especially at its price point.