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issiciby

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 16, 2010
26
0
hi, own a MBP - early 2010 edition. What I do is I use my laptop to surf the web and do assignments for school such as writing essays and doing presentations on neo office. I don't really play games. Since its an 15 inch it is kinda hard to carry around. Im thinking of buying an IPad but on the other hand im thinking if it could do everything i want it to do. Such as playing videos on websites and most importantly, im a really fast typer on the laptop. Will i be able to type really fast for the classes etc?
 
If you can afford an iPad in addition to your MBP, I'd say go for it, an iPad will improve your life tremendously. But if you can only have one, stick with the MBP, an iPad doesn't quite do everything your MBP does.

As for typing speeed, that varies a lot depending on the individual, some people learn to type almost as fast on the iPad as a physical keyboard, others find they type considerably slower. There's really no way to tell what your experience will be until you try it.
 
Both...

I carry both a laptop and the iPad. I use the laptop for Excel and PLC work, the iPad for everything else.

You didn't mention an iPod. IPad doesn't replace my 3rd gen Nano. I am a podcast junkie, and iTunes on the iPad doesn't manage podcasts. My iPod Jack in the car is also in the center console, so it is easier to just plug in the iPod and toss it in the console.

I am not a great typist to begin with, but I am getting faster on the iPad.
 
+1 for both.

I just brought an iPad and i love it. It does pretty much everything an average user would want. And you can get more apps for more or less everything each day.

I brought it as a trial knowing i can return it after 2 weeks but after 1-2 days i was hooked.

Im using it pretty much as my main computer as much as possible - i could use it 100% for everything but you still need a laptop for focused web research/surfing, backing up, loading updates and sync'ing etc etc.

Its nice to type on the iPad in short bursts and maybe its good enough for you but for me the traditional experience of a laptop is difficult to move away from at the moment - this might change. I might be the same speed on both but the experience on the laptop is preferred for longer or more formal writing. And the mbp gives you speed to scan through multiple web pages very quickly - you cant really do that on the ipad browser with its speed. Its fine for browsing but not heavy duty research - just not efficient use of time. Eg, you cant open a link from the page you reading into a new tab to move onto next - its more or less one page at a time going back & forth - all time consuming and messy'ish.

I would recommend anyone get the iPad as it will quickly become the main computer you use.

And the weight difference is wonderful! I was carrying around my 15" mbp pretty much everywhere (3-4 hrs per day on back, with books etc and im pretty strong) but after using carry the ipad for a week there is - stating the obvious - no comparison. Its 4lbs lighter and you know it - its *great* not having to carry that and the extra space in your bag is fantastic. You dont feel it at all and you dont have to be as mindful in making sure you dont bang it on a wall when you swing around a corner (have crumpler messenger bag).

I say get it and move over to it FULLY and see how i goes for 2 weeks. You'll keep it im sure :)

iPad comes everywhere with me regardless (email, casual surfing, notes/journal, todos, books, pdfs, spreadsheets, podcasts, rss feeds, instapaper app!!!, etc) and my mbp is now pretty much a home 'research' computer and sync station. Probably last longer with getting less wear & tear.
 
2 more important things.

10 hour battery!

and upgraded OS for iPad next month i think so more functionality to look forward to probably....

(wish they had put a front facing camera on this one.)
 
How I wish iPad can replace the Pen and paper and also my Macbook Pro....
I was very excited when I have my hands on the iPad.

One day, I left my macbook charger at the office and I was left with my iPad at home. Thus, before my MBP ran out of battery, I quickly transferred the important files to my iPad ..just in case, I might need to work on them.

It proves that I barely survive using the iPad for work.
I also owned an iPhone 3GS but its not a replacement for iPad.
But the iPad helps me a lot on other things.... and I still loves the iPad. I will keep all the iPhone, iPad and macbook. All of them are for different usage.
 
If you had a 13" MBP then I would say no, but since it's 15" and I can imagine that being a bit if a pain to carry, then I'd say yes.
Just make sure you are certain though. I bought an iPad and ended up not using my MacBook which made me feel like I was putting it to waste. I started using my MacBook again and found most things were much easier on it and I browsed the web alot more. And of course the MacBook is only 13" so it wasn't too bad to carry around.

The iPad is a very nice device, but only get one if you really need one. And it's limited functionality may not bother you at first but later on it comes more apparent and can really bug you, just like it did with me.
 
iPad is NOT a laptop substitute. It's a consumption device w/ limited creation abilities. I love my iPad but could never sub it long term for my MBP. I do use it on short trips, but longer ones would be a pain.

Get the iPad if you want one, it's not going to solve your immediate issue. What will is selling your 15" and getting a 13". I've got both so I know what you are talking about. Since I've bought my 13" as a backup machine, I've fallen in love w/ the size -- didn't think I would, and now hate my 15". You won't regret it. It's so much easier to carry around and travel.
 
what do you mean? what does it not do which a MBP does not do other than running programs/games

Well, if you're working on a project with another person and you want to just quickly use a USB stick to transfer info you can't with an iPad.

There is no micro-soft office suite (power point, excel, word) which may or may not be an issue for you.

I also wonder about how you're going to print any thing at school. You won't be able to print directly from you iPad would you? Or if at a classmates place and working together?

I also find it a little slower to type on the iPad ran the MBP. But that's just me.

Just a couple of thoughts.....
 
where are some good places to sell my MBP ? i have the latest 15 inch - 2010 early
 
iPad is NOT a laptop substitute. It's a consumption device w/ limited creation abilities. I love my iPad but could never sub it long term for my MBP. I do use it on short trips, but longer ones would be a pain.

Get the iPad if you want one, it's not going to solve your immediate issue. What will is selling your 15" and getting a 13". I've got both so I know what you are talking about. Since I've bought my 13" as a backup machine, I've fallen in love w/ the size -- didn't think I would, and now hate my 15". You won't regret it. It's so much easier to carry around and travel.
Thank you for injecting some sanity.
thumbts1.gif
 
I would never substitute one of my laptops with the iPad. There are too many things I NEED to do on a laptop that I cannot do on my iPad.

That being said, I resisted as long as I could; broke down; and bought an iPad (64GB, Wifi, 3G) a couple of weeks ago. I, too, figured I could return it if unimpressed.

I took it with me on a few trips coast-to-coast since then, and am HOOKED.
 
Two issues:

First you say " thinking if it could do everything i want it to do. Such as playing videos on websites ". None of them are flash based are they?
I'd make sure that the actual sites you're going to use work on the iPad If it is vital.

Second is the iPad isn’t meant to be a main computer as you know. My iPad is mainly a mobile communication device. e-mails, reading and amending work-related documents and forwarding them on, plus reviewing a lot of data on line.

I've tried to do this for the last couple of years with my iPhone and the screen size was a real pain in the neck. Hence I find my iPad a very usful device.

I think it is easier to commute with and is on the go than a laptop.

The iPad couldn't replace my desk top for creating documents with several pages and complex data as I need some hard core stats software quite often.
 
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