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iPad trumps MacBook pro

CalMin

CalMin

Contributor
Original poster
Nov 8, 2007
1,933
3,875
It happened. My iPad was upstairs, my computer was downstairs with me. I tried to do my usual evening couch surfing on the laptop and it just felt, well, odd.

I was skeptical about this being a paradigm shift for me. I had to force myself to use the iPad week 1. I enjoyed it week 2. Now I need it week 3.

This really is a better way to casually surf the web. It's official. I'm blown away. :D
 
Same here. I'm really surprised, to be honest. I expected to use both devices in tandem, but now, my Macbook is just there for syncing, bittorrent, and Air Video serving.
 
The other day I learned about a software update when reading posts....and my immediate reaction was "oh,no, I have to fire up the computer for a software update!?". Whoa! Most uncharacteristic for me!

Since my iPad came into my life on April 3rd, I have used my "real" computers significantly less.....
 
Cinder6 said:
Same here. I'm really surprised, to be honest. I expected to use both devices in tandem, but now, my Macbook is just there for syncing, bittorrent, and Air Video serving.
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Agree. I can see overtime how this could hurt Mac sales. I used to, ahem, "need" (;)) an iMac, and a MacBook. Now, I really only need one computer and an iPad.
 
That seems to be a common concensus for users on this forum. I like using the iPad but i find for a lot of things i do I still need to get on my laptop because it's a lot more efficient...
 
h3nG said:
That seems to be a common concensus for users on this forum. I like using the iPad but i find for a lot of things i do I still need to get on my laptop because it's a lot more efficient...
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This. Doing things on the iPad is fun because it's such a cool new form factor, but before iPad i was always quickly switching between multiple Internet tabs, adium, iTunes, utorrent, and Microsoft word. And typing a lot faster in all of those. The iPad is a little frustrating that I can only do one thing at a time. It still does everything, just takes longer.
 
This makes me even sadder that its not out over in the UK until the end of may. Over the past few days i have been sitting doing some light browsing just reading MR, gizmodo and engadget etc. My MBP is total over kill for that. and my iPod touch is too tiny to have a proper internet experience. Damn you Steve Jobs making me want things and not letting me buy them
 
mikethebigo said:
This. Doing things on the iPad is fun because it's such a cool new form factor, but before iPad i was always quickly switching between multiple Internet tabs, adium, iTunes, utorrent, and Microsoft word. And typing a lot faster in all of those. The iPad is a little frustrating that I can only do one thing at a time. It still does everything, just takes longer.
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I know! I spent 60 minutes browsing through pages that normally take 30-40 minutes to go through.

On my laptop: I open chrome, load 2 pages switch back and forth. I'll probably open 4 tabs to read the article I want and it'll load in the background. At the same time while I am doing all this my email is fetching new messages in the background.

There's definitely a "fun" aspect to it. But when I think about how much more time I spend on the iPad doing the same thing...I immediately get back on my laptop.

(Back on laptop now)

I am not sure how long it'll last. I've been trying to use the iPad more to give it a chance to see if it can "replace" my notebook...but after two weeks, it looks more like a portable option for me. I'll probably use in 5-10min sessions around the house. But when I have an hour long session of things to go through, I'll jump on my laptop.
 
h3nG said:
I know! I spent 60 minutes browsing through pages that normally take 30-40 minutes to go through.

On my laptop: I open chrome, load 2 pages switch back and forth. I'll probably open 4 tabs to read the article I want and it'll load in the background. At the same time while I am doing all this my email is fetching new messages in the background.

There's definitely a "fun" aspect to it. But when I think about how much more time I spend on the iPad doing the same thing...I immediately get back on my laptop.

(Back on laptop now)

I am not sure how long it'll last. I've been trying to use the iPad more to give it a chance to see if it can "replace" my notebook...but after two weeks, it looks more like a portable option for me. I'll probably use in 5-10min sessions around the house. But when I have an hour long session of things to go through, I'll jump on my laptop.
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Right. See, this is the problem. Is the iPad really necessary, or are we trying to just convince ourselves it is? Sadly, for me, it may be the latter.

But that's just me. From reading around, it looks like it may actually fill a hole in a lot of people's lives that they previously didn't know existed.
 
Bought iPad on launch weekend, and the new 15" mbp last week. Sad to say, the ipad has been getting a lot more use!
 
This is what those tuned in to Apple's vision have been saying all along.

The iPad is gradually, bit by bit, replacing certain regular tasks that you'd do on a notebook. It's only a matter of time and development (might not be that far off) until you use your notebook for only the most intensive and rare tasks. Your iPad will become your go-to device.
 
mikethebigo said:
Right. See, this is the problem. Is the iPad really necessary, or are we trying to just convince ourselves it is? Sadly, for me, it may be the latter.

But that's just me. From reading around, it looks like it may actually fill a hole in a lot of people's lives that they previously didn't know existed.
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Of course it's not necessary. Neither are laptops or desktops or cellphones or landline telephones or clocks or the steam engine. It's a question whether it makes some things easier. When things get easier then you have time to do more. I haven't used my iPad for anything that I couldn't have used a laptop for, but I have used it many times when I would not have because a laptop is a big pain in the ass. The iPad starts up right away, I don't have to carry around a mouse, the screen is great, I don't ever worry about the battery running down, there's room to hold it in the car without banging on the dashboard, and if I have only a few minutes to kill, I can use 99% of those few minutes reading a PDF or book or checking the news or email.

Sorry about the rant, I just see people saying 'necessary' all the time, and that's beside the point.
 
ipad is what it is. consumes information. Does anyone *need* one? No. I sure do want one. I see the long term vision. As long as i can get back to my iMac from where ever I am, I am golden.

C'mon 3G,.... I'm a waitin'!
 
qtx43 said:
Of course it's not necessary. Neither are laptops or desktops or cellphones or landline telephones or clocks or the steam engine. It's a question whether it makes some things easier. When things get easier then you have time to do more. I haven't used my iPad for anything that I couldn't have used a laptop for, but I have used it many times when I would not have because a laptop is a big pain in the ass. The iPad starts up right away, I don't have to carry around a mouse, the screen is great, I don't ever worry about the battery running down, there's room to hold it in the car without banging on the dashboard, and if I have only a few minutes to kill, I can use 99% of those few minutes reading a PDF or book or checking the news or email.

Sorry about the rant, I just see people saying 'necessary' all the time, and that's beside the point.
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It may not be beside the point for someone with enough income that it doesn't matter. But, for those of us with limited monetary resources, the question of whether it's necessary or not becomes the MOST important question of all.

What's your definition of necessary, anyway? Mine is, something I need to appropriately accomplish what I want to in a day. If that's the case, a computer and a phone are absolutely necessary. I guess yours is anything that sustains human life. I guess you don't need anything other than food, water, and shelter, but have fun trying to exist in society with just that.
 
Is the iPad necessary? Nope. It's a convenience. That's the whole point. It makes using the 'net easier and more enjoyable in most cases. Those of us who spend our evenings sitting at the computer surfing and emailing can now do so on the couch, or in bed, or at the bar down the street (while trying to get an Apple engineer drunk enough to leave behind more prototype equipment).

People are ingenious by their very nature. They will find ways to take this very consumer-oriented device and make it work for techies, like many of us are. I doubt Apple ever intended people to do development ON the iPad, but there are already apps to allow it (e.g. website work).

I returned mine last week to wait for my 3G and I'm missing it terribly. I'm having major iPad withdrawals. I check my order status several times a day in the hopes of something updating. :)

Heck, I'm going to Portland next week for an interview (I'm driving) and it would be great to have with me. But at least I'll have my Mac with me.

Rob
 
Hmm, I've definitely have been using my iPad as a laptop replacement/complement to my iMac, and as long as I realize that the iPad will never fulfill all my needs, only my immediate needs, I think I can enjoy it more..rather than becoming frustrated by it's downfalls. It's a great device, but it still has 3-5 generations to go for it to become a real contender to a laptop replacement.
 
mikethebigo said:
It may not be beside the point for someone with enough income that it doesn't matter. But, for those of us with limited monetary resources, the question of whether it's necessary or not becomes the MOST important question of all.

What's your definition of necessary, anyway? Mine is, something I need to appropriately accomplish what I want to in a day. If that's the case, a computer and a phone are absolutely necessary. I guess yours is anything that sustains human life. I guess you don't need anything other than food, water, and shelter, but have fun trying to exist in society with just that.
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You think you're disagreeing with me but I don't. I just think the word 'necessary' is absolutist, when it's really a matter of being marginally more efficient. Right now the iPad isn't 'necessary' for your job because it's not integrated into the workflow, but if laptops ceased to exist then your employer would adapt, and you'd become slightly less efficient. It's only required because your boss expects it.
 
For me the iPad is a necessity. I'm in the Navy stationed onboard a submarine. The area where it is moored is 100% secure. This means no iPhone, no MBP. When the iPad was announced, I was praying for there to be no camera on it, otherwise this was going to be another gorgeous Apple product I wouldn't be able to use at work. Thankfully it didn't. I'm still patiently waiting for my 3G...:cool:
 
qtx43 said:
You think you're disagreeing with me but I don't. I just think the word 'necessary' is absolutist, when it's really a matter of being marginally more efficient. Right now the iPad isn't 'necessary' for your job because it's not integrated into the workflow, but if laptops ceased to exist then your employer would adapt, and you'd become slightly less efficient. It's only required because your boss expects it.
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If my laptop ceased to exist... how would I activate my iPad???
 
I find taking the iPad to meetings is much better than taking the laptop. I'm using it for notes, email, look up stuff during the meeting.

The laptop is just too obtrusive with the screen open between me and others in the meeting. Plus pecking away at the keyboard.

I can casually tap the iPad screen in my lap. Very preferable so far.
 
There are still a handful of basic things I feel more comfortable doing on my MBP, but overall I much prefer the iPad.
 
seriously I feel bad for neglecting my mbp 13 inch. I think mac sales may be affected a bit since people will have less of a need to upgrade, but any lost in sales will be made up in the content apple must be able to sell including getting a cut of 30% form ads, apps, tv shows, etc...

pretty crazy.... I'm even transfering pdfs to my ipad for work!!!
 
I heard a while back that apple wanted to start to move away and focus less on the whole laptop and desktop market. Since there is alot of competition with market share, there are bigger gains moving into a market with less competition. Give them the opportunity and head start to control the entire sector.
 
You people obviously don't do any work then... since it's impossible to replace my MBP with a iPad to do any serious graft. Do you only use your machines for surfing and watching porn? :D
 
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