Going out of our way to use iPad for laptop tasks?

[HXGuy]

Has anyone else caught themselves doing this?

Im trying to do some things on the iPad that would be easier and faster on my desktop...but almost want to prove that it can be done on the iPad too.
One example is browsing the net. While browsing it is very nice on the iPad...making a post on this forum for example is a bit more work than on my desktop...especially if you have to quote someone and edit their quote. Its much simpler to use highlight with the mouse and delete vs trying to select on the iPad.

Is it wishful thinking for the iPad...maybe a way to justify it more or hoping it's something a little more than it is?
Like I saw some people they use it in class and that taking notes is "pretty easy" and "typing isn't bad"...but really, wouldn't it just be easier to use a laptop/netbook in that instance? Or I saw someone say they took a picture of a paper in class...uploaded it to their laptop, then made it into a PDF to be able to view it on the iPad in class.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

Other way around for me. More than 90% of the time, I'm using my iPad instead of my MBP in the house. I can bring my iPad wherever I go, whereas my MBP would require me to sit down and put it on my lap. Only thing it needs is multi-tasking but April 8th is 2 days away and I doubt Apple will not have multi-tasking in iPhone OS 4.0.

 

[pondie84]

Let me guess You don't own an iPad and have spent ages trolling about how useless they are?

What is a 'laptop task'? You cite 'typing notes in a lecture' as a 'laptop task'.

What would you classify as a non-laptop task?

 

[HXGuy]

Other way around for me. More than 90% of the time, I'm using my iPad instead of my MBP in the house. I can bring my iPad wherever I go, whereas my MBP would require me to sit down and put it on my lap. Only thing it needs is multi-tasking but April 8th is 2 days away and I doubt Apple will not have multi-tasking in iPhone OS 4.0.

Thats good and it obviously depends on how much you expect out of the iPad. I knew mentally to approach it as a media viewing device (web, photos, books, videos, games) but I guess I tried to go past that.

 

[HXGuy]

Let me guess You don't own an iPad and have spent ages trolling about how useless they are?

What is a 'laptop task'? You cite 'typing notes in a lecture' as a 'laptop task'.

What would you classify as a non-laptop task?

Ive owed an iPad since 10am on April 3rd.

I cited the notes thing because it's clearly faster to type on a regular keyboard then it is on the iPad, I dont think anyone can dispute that.

 

[nStyle]

I assume when you say laptop, you mean a more powerful computer in general.

Multitasking still isn't going to replace the powerful tools that a lot of users demand on a full OS.

 

[taskmanager]

i just had a typing contest with the misses. Me on the iPad her on the dell... I lost. Time to practice. I will get faster!

 

[FWW]

Ive owed an iPad since 10am on April 3rd.

I cited the notes thing because it's clearly faster to type on a regular keyboard then it is on the iPad, I dont think anyone can dispute that.

I type just as fast on the ipad as i do on a regular keyboard.

I find browsing just as easy, and more enjoyable on the ipad.

 

[HXGuy]

I type just as fast on the ipad as i do on a regular keyboard.

I find browsing just as easy, and more enjoyable on the ipad.

Oh don't get me wrong...I absolutely love browsing on the iPad, its a much better experience then on a regular computer. See my post I made here on it: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/889418/

The problem I am finding is when doing other non browsing tasks...basically almost anything that requires more than just taking in content visually.

Even for the internet for example...it's really good...but have you tried to go back to a post to edit it, especially if its a really long one, and it doesnt all fit in the reply window? So you have to scroll around...but there is no scroll bar on the iPad so you kind of have to use the magnifying glass thing to ever so slowly scroll down. Same if you have to select a large group of text...not nearly as quick as using a mouse.

Again...really really great for taking in content, not as great for when actually inputting content. Another example as someone pointed out was deleting photos that you uploaded. I uploaded a couple hundred pictures and then realized I didn't want 3 of them to share with other people...how am I able to delete them? I can't...I have to reupload all of them minus the 3 pictures, which means I have to make a new folder in iPhoto minus those 3 photos and sync...which took about 10 minutes the first time I did it.

 

[Night Spring]

Again...really really great for taking in content, not as great for when actually inputting content. Another example as someone pointed out was deleting photos that you uploaded. I uploaded a couple hundred pictures and then realized I didn't want 3 of them to share with other people...how am I able to delete them? I can't...I have to reupload all of them minus the 3 pictures, which means I have to make a new folder in iPhoto minus those 3 photos and sync...which took about 10 minutes the first time I did it.

Can't you just delete or move those three photos from the existing iPhoto folder and resync?

 

[HXGuy]

Can't you just delete or move those three photos from the existing iPhoto folder and resync?

Yes but doesn't that seem a little ridiculous? Just to delete 3 photos? That is something you should be able to do in a couple seconds, not have to go back to the desktop and spend time doing then spend 10-15 minutes resyncing.

Also...what if you don't have access to the desktop? Say you load photos when you go family and when you are at their house, you realize there are a couple photos you don't want them to see?

 

[Stetrain]

Even for the internet for example...it's really good...but have you tried to go back to a post to edit it, especially if its a really long one, and it doesnt all fit in the reply window? So you have to scroll around...but there is no scroll bar on the iPad so you kind of have to use the magnifying glass thing to ever so slowly scroll down.

Tried two-finger scrolling?

 

[bsblvnv]

Guess I'm the only one

I have actually replaced my laptop with my iPad. Sold the laptop yesterday. For what I do, surfing the web, playing some games, and just general tasks like email. The iPad is much better for me and I can type pretty fast on the keyboard. I am not saying that the iPad will replace laptops but for me it is much more economical. Plus I have 4G that I can take with me anywhere so I guess that helps.

 

[mobilebuddha]

heh.. I agree with you there.

I personally prefer to take 1 "computing device" (or whatever the F that you wanna call it). I really think iPad is getting there but there are just some things that one cannot do with the iPad yet. What I find strange is people stating that they find the browsing experience more "enjoyable" on the iPad.

How is it more enjoyable? Am I doing something wrong? Because I don't necessarily find it more "enjoyable" -> because there isn't anything that I can do with the iPad that I CANNOT do with a regular laptop, PC or Mac. Now, don't get me wrong, iPad's instant on and portability does have its advantages, but working with files and lack of flash dampers the "magic" a bit.

There are things that I do find more powerful/easier to use on the iPad. Evernote is one of them. But browsing?? Quit being a fanboi already!

Yes but doesn't that seem a little ridiculous? Just to delete 3 photos? That is something you should be able to do in a couple seconds, not have to go back to the desktop and spend time doing then spend 10-15 minutes resyncing.

Also...what if you don't have access to the desktop? Say you load photos when you go family and when you are at their house, you realize there are a couple photos you don't want them to see?