Back in December, I bought myself a Mac Mini. Its a wonderful machine, and a joy to use. Now my problem is that I want to be able to use iWork on the go, which obviously I cannot do with my Mac Mini. I was thinking to getting a MBP to take care of that, but then I just bought an Asus gaming laptop last year. Then came the iPad, a solution which offers iWork, but I'm not sure whether to invest in it, or to save up for the MBP. I already have an iPhone and a 1st gen iPod touch, along with a Mac Mini. Should I get an iPad or save up for a MBP?
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iPad or MacBook Pro?
- Thread starter ThugZilla
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Two completely different machines designed with different functions in mind. The way I interpret it, the iPad is designed as a media tablet with limited functionality in the work/document space. The MBP is generally designed as a day-in day-out workhorse.
Your personal requirements will define which is a better fit, but they really do not share the same functionality space.
When I go out of town for a couple of days on business, I will bring my MBP to get serious work done. If I'm just flying somewhere for a meeting and then flying home, or if I'm going on a vacation where I don't expect to have to do much work, I'll bring the iPad with iWorks for minor editing and writing that may have to be done.
I used a Newton all through law school for note-taking (with a keyboard), and it was great. But for writing actual papers, I needed a more complete computer. I think the same distinction makes sense for the iPad and a laptop.
I used a Newton all through law school for note-taking (with a keyboard), and it was great. But for writing actual papers, I needed a more complete computer. I think the same distinction makes sense for the iPad and a laptop.
As mentioned above, two completely different products. If you are a power-user like me (Photoshop, Logic 9, etc.) then the iPad is probably a waste of time. But considering the fact that you bought a Mac Mini implies that you are either a first-time Mac owner, or you aren't really a power user. It all comes down to what you need. If you are a power user, you should sell your Mac Mini, buy a new iMac for intense applications, and buy an iPad w/ 3G for your mobile needs. Let us know what you end up doing, and happy hunting!
I want apple to make a combo ipad/Mbp where you can detach the display and it will be an ipad but the rest of the time it would be a mbp
I wouldn't count on it... That does not sound at all like something Apple would do. Detachable displays, two different operating systems on one (well, two halves) machine... leave it to EeePC or whatever.
Depends what you want to do away from the Mac Mini. If you know you're going to use iWork, the iPad might just suffice.
I've got a Macbook Pro and have ordered an iPad. I find myself doing a lot of WWW away from my Macbook Pro which is hooked up to a big monitor. My Macbook Pro is heavy, hot and has relatively short battery life when compared to the iPad (I have a non-unibody 2006-2007 era Core2Duo Macbook Pro). I've been using a netbook for the light surfing/mail duties so far but the 90 degree format of screen to keyboard is killing me for controlling the keyboard just to hit the spacebar to move down a web page.
We won't obviously know for sure until 4/3, but my guess is the iWork suite will rock and be more than enough for light to mid duty work. My only minor question is how to get files on and off the iPad - besides iTunes. Wifi shared drive might work - not sure about the USB/SD adapter.
Also, if you're going to type LOTS of text, not sure how the on-screen keyboard of the iPad will work out. If your typing will be light duty as well, iPad should be fine there too.
iPad = way more portable and better battery life than Macbook Pro. 10 hours of VIDEO so no telling how many hours of web surfing and iWork. Probably way more than that.
My guess is your Mini can do the "heavy" lifting and you'd be much happier (and have a fatter wallet) with an iPad than with a Macbook Pro. Might not even need the 3G iPad.
I've got a Macbook Pro and have ordered an iPad. I find myself doing a lot of WWW away from my Macbook Pro which is hooked up to a big monitor. My Macbook Pro is heavy, hot and has relatively short battery life when compared to the iPad (I have a non-unibody 2006-2007 era Core2Duo Macbook Pro). I've been using a netbook for the light surfing/mail duties so far but the 90 degree format of screen to keyboard is killing me for controlling the keyboard just to hit the spacebar to move down a web page.
We won't obviously know for sure until 4/3, but my guess is the iWork suite will rock and be more than enough for light to mid duty work. My only minor question is how to get files on and off the iPad - besides iTunes. Wifi shared drive might work - not sure about the USB/SD adapter.
Also, if you're going to type LOTS of text, not sure how the on-screen keyboard of the iPad will work out. If your typing will be light duty as well, iPad should be fine there too.
iPad = way more portable and better battery life than Macbook Pro. 10 hours of VIDEO so no telling how many hours of web surfing and iWork. Probably way more than that.
My guess is your Mini can do the "heavy" lifting and you'd be much happier (and have a fatter wallet) with an iPad than with a Macbook Pro. Might not even need the 3G iPad.