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iPad for 5 days, to UMBP

ajohnson253

ajohnson253

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 16, 2008
1,751
0
So I have been using the iPad for 5 days about now, I love it. I do quiet a bit of things on my UMBP as I would on my iPad. I went to the macbook and i realized I can actually type so much quicker than I could on the iPad when I thought I was quick on the iPad. It feels so much more comfortable to type on the macbooks pro I realized. The screen is always popped up in whichever direction I'd like, with the iPad I only have the Macally Bookstand to prop it up a little bit.
I don't see anymore fingerprints since I am not using the screen to interact, obviously. I guess I have come to a realization that the iPad is just a different user experience than a computer. I enjoy the more capabilites I can do with the macbook than the iPad. At times it almost felt like it was more work to use the iPad, fun when lounging though.

Sorry for the novel, anyone else feel similar? I know these are obviously 2 different devices.
 
I am actually surprised how useful the iPad is, given that this is an initial release of a new type of a device. It is certainly far more comfortable to type on my MBP. At the same time I am also pleasantly surprised that I can actually type reasonably well on the iPad. Given that I can read/edit PDF's, watch the lectures on iTunes, etc., etc., I would actually be comfortable taking it with me on a 2-3 day trip instead of MBP. The iPad's form factor is simply fantastic for a mobile professional. As its feature set evolves, so will the likelihood that more of us will be taking it with us when traveling. I think we all understand that the device won't be able to completely replace a laptop in the near future. Nevertheless, it may provide a pretty competent alternative for some lighter computer use.
 
Apart from when I have to sync my iPad, if I need to use my MBP I do it through VNC.

The iPad is perfect for most of what I do of an evening (surf, email, games) but it's good to know I've got more horsepower if I need it for iPhoto etc. :)
 
ajohnson253 said:
So I have been using the iPad for 5 days about now, I love it. I do quiet a bit of things on my UMBP as I would on my iPad. I went to the macbook and i realized I can actually type so much quicker than I could on the iPad when I thought I was quick on the iPad. It feels so much more comfortable to type on the iPad I realized. The screen is always popped up in whichever direction I'd like, with the iPad I only have the Macally Bookstand to prop it up a little bit.
I don't see anymore fingerprints since I am not using the screen to interact, obviously. I guess I have come to a realization that the iPad is just a different user experience than a computer. I enjoy the more capabilites I can do with the macbook than the iPad. At times it almost felt like it was more work to use the iPad, fun when lounging though.

Sorry for the novel, anyone else feel similar? I know these are obviously 2 different devices.
Click to expand...

Yes, your points are valid. The iPad is not a computer, while it can do many of the things your Macbook does, it does them badly.

On the flip side, the Macbook would be a lot less "fun when lounging". Thats where the iPad shines, relaxed use on a sofa/in bed.

As for the stand, a case with a stand like the Apple case is a must. Dont get me wrong, i think its an ugly overpriced piece of crap that ruins the beautiful design of the device, but it's functionality is great. I find the iPad very clumsy without the case, especially when typing.

Personally, i get 40wpm from the iPad keyboard, which is a little slower than a physical keyboard, but still pretty quick.
 
I think for me, I didn't know a device like this could really have a place in my life. I can sit on the couch with the iPad propped up on a pillow and watch tv and browse online or answer some emails or whatever, and it doesn't even feel like it's there. It makes my laptop feel bulky, which I would have laughed at if you would've said that to me two months ago. There is a real place for this thing, and I just think it's brilliant. You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands! :D
 
Streethawk said:
Yes, your points are valid. The iPad is not a computer, while it can do many of the things your Macbook does, it does them badly.

On the flip side, the Macbook would be a lot less "fun when lounging". Thats where the iPad shines, relaxed use on a sofa/in bed.

As for the stand, a case with a stand like the Apple case is a must. Dont get me wrong, i think its an ugly overpriced piece of crap that ruins the beautiful design of the device, but it's functionality is great. I find the iPad very clumsy without the case, especially when typing.

Personally, i get 40wpm from the iPad keyboard, which is a little slower than a physical keyboard, but still pretty quick.
Click to expand...


I thought it was just me, but after a while it gets irritating trying to configure a comfortable way to use the iPad It's a neat device and all, but it isn't replacing one thing I have. I mean, I have an iPhone which I can even do things quicker than on my iPad. Quicker because the small screen real estate which means my fingers can move quickly to things rather than dragging it across 9.7 inches of sticky glass. I have to take my iPad in today anyways for an exchange, yellow tint. A lot of it.
 
Did you type your post on your iPad because your spelling and grammar are terrible.
 
ajohnson253 said:
I went to the macbook and i realized I can actually type so much quicker than I could on the iPad when I thought I was quick on the iPad.
Click to expand...

Ten years ago when I got my first BlackBerry (the pager kind) I thought it was impossible to type on. Ditto my iPhone. I eventually worked it out. The iPad is not going to replace my MBP but it's creeping more and more into my everyday life. I was reclining on the sofa over the weekend and surfing the Internet on it when I suddenly realized what I was doing. Something that was simply not possible on any of the Macs I own (MacBook Air included) - and while possible on my iPhone, it's nowhere near the iPad experience. I love my iPad and I suspect I will grow to love it more in the coming months.
 
I love the iPad though I can agree with your statement (and I'm currently writing this post from my MBP). Several months ago my wife and I owned the MBP I have now and also a MB that she used. A glass of water was knocked over by our son or dog and ended up soaking the MB and therefore it no longer worked. We ended up creating another profile on my MBP and ended up sharing the computer (which has worked out quite well for us).

Now that we have an iPad we can both surf the internet at the same time. I love how the iPad is more portable than the MBP (now my MBP just resides on our table in the dining room) but love how the MBP can multitask and is easier to type on than the iPad.

I don't see the iPad being great as a single device that you use to do all your computing but it can be a great compliment to your existing computer setup and we've definitely found it to be a great replacement for the MB that my wife used to use. We love the portability of the iPad so much that when our MBP ends up needing replacement we will replace it with an iMac because anytime we want to go somewhere we take the iPad instead of the MBP.

EDIT: After I wrote this post I got up to go to the bedroom and noticed my wife and 14 month old son sitting in the reclining chair in the living room using an application on the iPad that plays the sounds of animals. That's not something that we would have been doing if we didn't have the iPad.
 
ajohnson253 said:
So I have been using the iPad for 5 days about now, I love it. I do quiet a bit of things on my UMBP as I would on my iPad. I went to the macbook and i realized I can actually type so much quicker than I could on the iPad when I thought I was quick on the iPad. It feels so much more comfortable to type on the macbooks pro I realized. The screen is always popped up in whichever direction I'd like, with the iPad I only have the Macally Bookstand to prop it up a little bit.
I don't see anymore fingerprints since I am not using the screen to interact, obviously. I guess I have come to a realization that the iPad is just a different user experience than a computer. I enjoy the more capabilites I can do with the macbook than the iPad. At times it almost felt like it was more work to use the iPad, fun when lounging though.

Sorry for the novel, anyone else feel similar? I know these are obviously 2 different devices.
Click to expand...

I would imagine the keys on the macbook, are exact same as any other keyboard... lol?
 
I actually prefer typing on the iPad virtual keyboard to my MB. Maybe cos I'd use the MB in a 'reclining position' much of the time with the keyboard sitting on my chest; I had to reach awkwardly to hit the keys and the corner of my finger would often strike the wrong key. When iPad's tilted up enough to see the screen, it's tilted nicely for typing too.

Plus, no autocorrect on MBs. I already find myself writing emails at work using double space for end of sentences and assuming capitalisation - I have to stop myself and go back to correct the iPad-isms!
 
What I found after a week of using my ipad is that.. the computer is better for most things, except for safari!! I absolutely love the safari experience on the ipad!!

Actually that's the app I use the most. In my iphone I have a facebook, twitter apps and use them all the time but I find that on the ipad is so much better to use safari and access the full desktop versions of facebook and twitter. Plus "touching" a webpage is just absolutely great.
 
If I had a laptop, I wouldn't have gotten an iPad, nor even considered one. Thing is, I have a mac mini, which pretty much has me tethered to the desktop.

For me--and this is just me--the iPad satisfies all kinds of niches my mini cannot. Surfing in bed, in front of the tube, on the front porch, wherever...all covered by the iPad.

The other significant draw is having a travel companion that can act as a word processor. When I'm on a plane, in a train or automobile, I can use the on-screen iPad keyboard to decent effect. When I'm in a hotel or where ever else (i.e., stationary), I can dock the bluetooth keyboard I already had to the iPad and type away at full speed, unimpeded. Plus, there are all the games and other cool apps that--for me--make it a worthwhile investment.

But it's not a cure all, nor is it necessarily the revolution Jobs is painting it to be. And for the vast majority of buyers, myself included, the iPad is a luxury item. One should have a clear notion of what they want it for before making the plunge.
 
The iPad is not a laptop replacement. This does not mean the iPad is bad, I have had mine for almost 2 weeks now and love it, but I love the interface and hardware, not the productivity. Actually I have found there is very little productive about the iPad. I can't even pay bills and I even have trouble ordering items on the iPad. I don't think it will ever be a productivity tool. Typing is absolutely no fun if I have to type anything more than a couple sentence e-mail. However, the good part about the iPad, the 'new' interface to the web is amazing, I wouldn't give it up. I don't use my computer (desktop or laptop) much anymore for surfing.
 
wPod said:
TActually I have found there is very little productive about the iPad. I can't even pay bills and I even have trouble ordering items on the iPad. I don't think it will ever be a productivity tool.
Click to expand...

I disagree. I think if the iPad is utilized correctly, one can get quite a bit done on it. True, its primary purpose will be as a surfing/gaming/entertainment tool, but it's also a nice backup to have when one needs occasional basic computing (word processing and similar) on the go.
 
Since I never had a laptop and basically did away with a desktop years ago I like using the ipad 3G. My sole computer is a Mac mini hooked to my HDTV in the living room, so I already sofa surf. With the Magic Mouse I was already touch computing on the sofa.

But I like using the ipad in other rooms, and when out and about. I have an iPhone 3g hacked to tmobile with no data, so the 'groundbreaking' data plan on the iPad works great for my mobile needs.
 
What I use the Ipad for

While it's true that Ipad is not a laptop, there is some overlap. I think the burning question for many potential buyers is "will I get enough extra utility from the Ipad to justify buying the thing." Like many of you, I used my Ipad almost exclusively for the first few weeks, but have gone back to using the MBP for more functions. That being said, I still use my Ipad a ton and feel it is completely worth the investment. My only regret is not buying one with larger hard drive. Here is my usage.

Exclusively Ipad:
- reading books
- reading magazines or magazine type pdfs.
- playing games
- comic books
- personal computer while travelling for business. I've got to take my work computer with me, and I'm certainly not going to drag along even an Air as a second computer for my personal needs or a second screen.
Prefer to do on my Ipad

- Photos. Even though I have a 17' MBP, but photos look so much better on the Ipad
- Websites where I'll be reading long articles (such as the NY times - the editor's choice app is a close to the pleasure of reading a real newspaper as possible)
- Videos, particularly full length movies/tv shows. I almost never watch full length videos on my MBP.
- Sites like Epicurious, NY Times, NPR, BBC, where the app is better organized than the website.

I could go either way. - whatever one is one or more handy
- quick review/response of e-mail
- short web searches
- quick notes or doc edits.

Exclusively/Primarily MBP
- longer documents
- multi-media creation editing
- specific software that requires a full computer
- in-depth web searches
- on-line shopping
 
This is sort of a useless topic. I mean, the iPad was never meant as a laptop replacement. If you listen to the Apple marketing spew, it fills a nitch and closes a gap. That's it. I mean think about it, a laptop isn't really a replacement for a Desktop either. I do high-end design and multimedia work. While I 'could' do it on a laptop and sometimes do, its only because the laptop fills the need and nitch at that moment. i.e on the road, in a hotel, making edits to a document for my client. The reverse works the same, I wouldnt have bought a Mac Pro Xenon just to surf the web. So in essence, or what Apple expects anyway, is that you own a Desktop, a Laptop, a iPad and an iPhone, and choose between them when they best support your need for that moment.

That being said, I haven't even thought about booting up my MBP since I got the iPad. Its just too clunky of a device to go to after using the iPad. I also haven't surfed or checked email on my phone since then either. But to be fair I do have a beautiful MP with a 24" monitor that is on always, so if the iPad can't do it, thats when I switch to the MP.

P.S. anyone want to buy a MBP? :D
 
This really is a little silly. One of the major distinguishing points of the iPad is that it doesn't have a physical keyboard, Of course, for touch typists like myself, typing on a physical keyboard will always be faster and more accurate than tying on he iPad. But, then with a laptop you are stuck lugging it around with you all the time. The form factor makes it unique. At 1.6 pounds, I can carry it my bag so easily I can take it with me everywhere and hardly know it's there. Try that with a my MBP. at work, I use my iPad while walking arouind a great deal. Try that with my MBP. I also flip it around with ease to share documents, PDFs, photos, and videos at work with such ease, much better than with my MBP. And then of course, there's the standard lounging on the couch use and the fun of using an all touch screen. Yet, as others have noted, typing on a flat surface where you can't feel the keys is still surprisingly adequate. Still, as a director, I pull out my BT keyboard when I need to sit and take notes for a run of a show so I can keep my eyes on the action the entire time. When I'm done, I pick up the iPad, and walk around giving out notes. A perfect set up that fills my needs in a more convenient way than my MBP ever could.

Again, it can't replace a MBP, except in situations when it can. Isn't that kind of the whole point?
 
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