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iPad & iMac or Macbook Pro
- Thread starter rtay
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Wouldn't it be better to work out what you want to do and then work out what tools best meet that need?
Do you want to do primary "work" (which might gaming or the internet as work) at a fixed location and only have a mobile device that is supplementary?
I have a personal iMac and a work Lenovo X301 laptop.
I plan to get an iPad for casual use in the house away from the study, enhanced media experience when travelling (both interstate/international and on the train to work) for personal purposes but I might also use the iPad as a note taking device when travelling for work on short trips and leave the X301 at home.
It is all about the need not the device!
Do you want to do primary "work" (which might gaming or the internet as work) at a fixed location and only have a mobile device that is supplementary?
I have a personal iMac and a work Lenovo X301 laptop.
I plan to get an iPad for casual use in the house away from the study, enhanced media experience when travelling (both interstate/international and on the train to work) for personal purposes but I might also use the iPad as a note taking device when travelling for work on short trips and leave the X301 at home.
It is all about the need not the device!
Well personally I am going the iMac-Low scale white Macbook myself, I would rather have a full OS based computer on the go, and a powerful Desktop also.
But if you can only afford a iMac + iPad or just a Macbook Pro, my vote would be on the Macbook Pro.
But if you can only afford a iMac + iPad or just a Macbook Pro, my vote would be on the Macbook Pro.
What are your mobility needs?
For instance, the iPad could satisfy my mobility needs as a device that I can upload my images, do some light documentation work, surf the web, etc. If on the other hand you need to run Aperture, Photoshop or any other program that won't be available on the iPad then a MBP makes more sense.
For instance, the iPad could satisfy my mobility needs as a device that I can upload my images, do some light documentation work, surf the web, etc. If on the other hand you need to run Aperture, Photoshop or any other program that won't be available on the iPad then a MBP makes more sense.
27" iMac i5 + iPad.
My 13" MBP has seen very little use outside the video, email, browsing since bring the iMac home in early Jan. iPad will do everything I need a mobile computer for plus give me larger screen for playing some games I enjoy and other apps I use daily. I use VNC and Citrix daily but it can be a pain on the iPhone, look forward to a decent sized screen.
iPad will be carried with me full time in my briefcase vs leaving my laptop home many days if I felt I didn't need it. Just didn't want to carry around the extra weight and power cords/brick.
My 13" MBP has seen very little use outside the video, email, browsing since bring the iMac home in early Jan. iPad will do everything I need a mobile computer for plus give me larger screen for playing some games I enjoy and other apps I use daily. I use VNC and Citrix daily but it can be a pain on the iPhone, look forward to a decent sized screen.
iPad will be carried with me full time in my briefcase vs leaving my laptop home many days if I felt I didn't need it. Just didn't want to carry around the extra weight and power cords/brick.
I'm having this struggle this week.
I just need a crystal ball to know if I actually will NEED a laptop in the coming months. I know the iPad can do all i need it to do - but I can't see beyond a few things yet.
But without that new addition to my life - the iMac and iPad combo would do all i need it to do.
I just need a crystal ball to know if I actually will NEED a laptop in the coming months. I know the iPad can do all i need it to do - but I can't see beyond a few things yet.
But without that new addition to my life - the iMac and iPad combo would do all i need it to do.
im leanin toward the imac and ipad cause i dont really use my laptop when i leave for much more than some word processing, internet, and sometimes music streaming on zune. i have usually stopped bringing it cause i just do all my web browsing on my droid, and only really do word processing at home. at least with the ipad, i will have the option to do some quality word processing if i want. now if only the iphone would come out on verizon, i wouldnt have to carry my droid, an ipod touch, and an ipad.
To the OP, imagine how you will use it/them. From there, decide which will fit those roles better.
For me:
- Mobile (two main locations)
- Programming
- PC games
- "Couch" use (surfing, reading, idea capturing)
Currently, I use an 17" MBP that handles all of those needs, but it is a bit large and unwieldy for couch use. I've considered the iPod Touch, but it is too small for what I want. The iPad fits that need and will reduce the PC games category.
For me:
- Mobile (two main locations)
- Programming
- PC games
- "Couch" use (surfing, reading, idea capturing)
Currently, I use an 17" MBP that handles all of those needs, but it is a bit large and unwieldy for couch use. I've considered the iPod Touch, but it is too small for what I want. The iPad fits that need and will reduce the PC games category.
There really isn't such thing as a perfect setup. The one you list is great and that's what I use. But for others, the iMac and iPad combo could just work. I would feel constrained when I travel with just an iPad, but as it is, I will be using an MBP and iPad combo while traveling. The iPad will be great though when getting around the city.
I'm leaning towards the MacBook Pro because I love my MBP and use it daily. While the iPad looks cool, it doesn't really do anything that my MacBook Pro doesn't so I'd be losing functionality there. I'm not a fan of desktop computers, so I don't see myself using an iMac very much.
Yeah, I have my early '08 15" MBP that I got when I first switched from PC to Mac. It was my first laptop as well.
I still use it for school as it's mandatory for certain classes we take, but I got an iMac over the holidays and use that as my main computer now. The MPB doesn't get as much use at it used to, but still a good bit, and it's necessary for me to have a fully functioning laptop. That said, I think I'm going to pick up an iPad to fill that browsing/light application type of use that I'd love to have on the couch, laying in bed, etc., where the laptop is just too bulky and awkward.
I plan on waiting until 2nd gen. though. Hopefully my MPB doesn't go bust in the meantime and I'd have to get a new laptop instead of the iPad (knocking on wood!). I also do not have an iPhone, if I did, I may reconsidering getting the iPad.
I still use it for school as it's mandatory for certain classes we take, but I got an iMac over the holidays and use that as my main computer now. The MPB doesn't get as much use at it used to, but still a good bit, and it's necessary for me to have a fully functioning laptop. That said, I think I'm going to pick up an iPad to fill that browsing/light application type of use that I'd love to have on the couch, laying in bed, etc., where the laptop is just too bulky and awkward.
I plan on waiting until 2nd gen. though. Hopefully my MPB doesn't go bust in the meantime and I'd have to get a new laptop instead of the iPad (knocking on wood!). I also do not have an iPhone, if I did, I may reconsidering getting the iPad.
I had an iMac, then replaced it with a macbook, and now I have a macbook pro. Primary reason to move to a laptop was portability - I didn't like having to go to 'the computer room' just to check something on the internet.
the compromise with that solution is that my general computer is now on my lap and is less powerful than my old desktop. Realistically if I want to do anything 'productive', I have to plug my laptop into the power and sit it on the desk.
With the iPad coming, I'm hoping that will handle all of my mobile cases - primarily browsing and email. That means any productivity (which is already effectively tethered) can be done equally well with a cheaper iMac.
i haven't decided yet whether to sell the MBP and buy an iMac. I'll probably start off with runnign the MBP in clamshell mode on a 22" monitor I have. that'll let me know whether the iPad is suitable for all mobile usage, and if so, whether a 21.5" iMac would be enough.
the compromise with that solution is that my general computer is now on my lap and is less powerful than my old desktop. Realistically if I want to do anything 'productive', I have to plug my laptop into the power and sit it on the desk.
With the iPad coming, I'm hoping that will handle all of my mobile cases - primarily browsing and email. That means any productivity (which is already effectively tethered) can be done equally well with a cheaper iMac.
i haven't decided yet whether to sell the MBP and buy an iMac. I'll probably start off with runnign the MBP in clamshell mode on a 22" monitor I have. that'll let me know whether the iPad is suitable for all mobile usage, and if so, whether a 21.5" iMac would be enough.
Of course, all of this depends on your individual needs. I never do anything more complicated than editing/burning movies with iMovie. However, what my general computing needs lack in intensity they more than make up for in frequency and portability. Up until now, that has meant a 13" MacBook Pro that travels with me on pretty much a daily basis.
Soon, my iPad will take over as my most mobile computing device (ipod touch aside), as I believe it will handle the vast majority of my daily tasks in a smaller, lighter and more compelling form factor. My MacBook Pro will become my mobile desktop for long business trips (3+ weeks) and the rare day when I will need more outside of the house than my iPad.
Answer:
MacBook Pro = Sometimes Device
iPad = Daily Device
iPod Touch = Never Leave My Pocket Device
Soon, my iPad will take over as my most mobile computing device (ipod touch aside), as I believe it will handle the vast majority of my daily tasks in a smaller, lighter and more compelling form factor. My MacBook Pro will become my mobile desktop for long business trips (3+ weeks) and the rare day when I will need more outside of the house than my iPad.
Answer:
MacBook Pro = Sometimes Device
iPad = Daily Device
iPod Touch = Never Leave My Pocket Device