iPad vs Macbook Air for weary traveler

[alphaod]

I carry both a MacBook Pro and an iPad with me in my bag; the iPad is quite portable and easy to use when I'm standing and waiting for something, or perhaps I need to browse something on the web quickly.

However if I know I'll be sitting and attempting to do any serious work, I'll will take out my laptop computer and use a real computer. A physical keyboard and trackpad is much easier for me.

That said, I believe the MacBook Air and iPad can co-exist; of course that would mean added costs, weight, and bulk. Personally I'd choose a MacBook Air over the iPad, if I only had one or the other; with a real notebook, I can get work done on the computer; with an iPad, I'll either struggle with the virtual keyboard or I'll be playing games and not doing my work.

 

[lokerd]

However, After using the iPad for a few weeks, I decided to sell the MBA, buy a 3G iPad and give the WiFi ipad to my wife.

This is my plan as well. The laptop and netbook have both become nearly obsolete to me. I have been dragging around laptops on the road giving presentations for 16 years...and I am DONE!! Sholder pain, back pain, feet pain, you name it!

So, yeah, I am 100% committed to making the iPad completely, 100% usable. Fortunately, I am not on the road giving presentations much right now...so I have time to get the iPad to where it needs to be. And like rkulpajr, as soon as I can get a 3g, I will...and the wifi will go to my wife.

 

[flynz4]

I keep finding little things that just don't seem to work right on the iPad, that prevents it from becoming a laptop replacement. I expect these to get fixed over time.

One small example: I was on a web site the other day and I wanted to post a "web site based" email from within the page. As I typed my mail and exceeded the size of the little "test input window", it was next to impossible to scroll around inside of the window because there are not arrow keys to move the cursor. Using a finger to scroll didn't work either, because the entire page scrolled... not the text within the little "text input window". I finally just erased everything and typed a tiny response that would fit within the window. It was a frustrating exercise.

I do expect that a future software release will include arrow keys on the soft-keyboard... but this is just one of many small things that the iPad still does not do well.

For the time being... I am content to use the iPad primarily as a data consumption device... and a laptop as a data creation device. Over time, it may change as some of the iPad shortcomings are addressed. Even if they are never addressed, I still enjoy using the iPad a lot as is... but not as a laptop replacement.

/Jim

 

[aluren]

If you type alot of documents, then you should go with the MBA. I tried using my iPad for work and it just doesn't produce as well as my work laptop. The most I do is occasionally upload reading material for work on my iPad through email. But other than that, I would not be typing work papers or reports out of the iPad.

 

[lokerd]

I do expect that a future software release will include arrow keys on the soft-keyboard... but this is just one of many small things that the iPad still does not do well.
/Jim

I don't understand, as I have posted in a separate thread on this subtopic, why NOBODY has developed an app to add arrow keys. One of the things I loved about the Newton is how easily it could be tweaked with software. I realize Apple is keeping this locked down a lot more so, but surely they recognize the need for arrow keys.

To me, Apple denying the need for the arrow keys is as stubborn as Apple denying the industry of a right mouse button for many generations.

 

[flynz4]

I don't understand, as I have posted in a separate thread on this subtopic, why NOBODY has developed an app to add arrow keys. One of the things I loved about the Newton is how easily it could be tweaked with software. I realize Apple is keeping this locked down a lot more so, but surely they recognize the need for arrow keys.

To me, Apple denying the need for the arrow keys is as stubborn as Apple denying the industry of a right mouse button for many generations.

Maybe you are right... but maybe apple didn't realize that there are some web sites that cannot be used without the arrow keys. I just don't know. I do know that this particular web site was just about impossible to use without them. There are a number of small things like this that bug me about the iPad. I do expect them to get addressed over time.

/Jim

 

[Night Spring]

One small example: I was on a web site the other day and I wanted to post a "web site based" email from within the page. As I typed my mail and exceeded the size of the little "test input window", it was next to impossible to scroll around inside of the window because there are not arrow keys to move the cursor. Using a finger to scroll didn't work either, because the entire page scrolled... not the text within the little "text input window".

In order to scroll inside a subwindow like the one you describe, scroll with two fingers inside that subwindow.

 

[anthonymoody]

As has been discussed here and elsewhere there are definitely some quirkily little things (or not so little depending on perspective) when it comes to productivity workflow issues.

FWIW i use goodreader as my file system - seems to be the most powerful though the UI takes some getting used to. I "open in" air sharing to print. I'd
purchased it as a alt to goodreader but like gr better for a variety of reasons.

And i use the email method to get docs from pages back to goodreader.

Next up is linking gr to dropbox or idisk and having doc syncing in the cloud...

I prefer an all apple solution and will switch to one as soon as its delivered, but for now this works well enough for me.

THRILLED by the weight and form factor (and fun!) of the iPad - my MBP is staying retired...

 

[flynz4]

In order to scroll inside a subwindow like the one you describe, scroll with two fingers inside that subwindow.

It did not work. the entire screen (web site) was scrolling. In other words... the little "text input box" was moving up and down on the screen. Nothing could be done to move the cursor inside of the text box except to point to a visible section of the text, or to start typing. Neither was useful to navigate back to text that already scrolled outside of the text box.

I am not arguing that this was a well written web application. My point is that there is a constant barrage of little things that just don't work that we have to deal with on a day to day basis. These will mostly get fixed over time, but until they do, the iPad is a great augment... not a replacement. In the mean time, I love my iPad for what it can do well.

/Jim

 

[ARH1956]

I bought a 13" pro because of the weight and it's a good balance.

The best thing about it is that I can keep it on my lap in Hotel bed for extended periods without it being uncomfortable.

The 13" pro weighs 4 lbs, and the Air weighs 3lbs, but 4lbs is fine.

The Air has compromises, not for weight but for style, I believe, which is something to consider.

The 13" MBP weighs 4.5 lbs.

 

[christof]

I purchased a Rev A MacBook Air when it was first released a couple years ago. I've loved it for it's portability, but I only consume content and create emails/Tweets on it.

I work in finance and have a work laptop that I have to lug with me whenever i travel, so iPad 3G is a godsend for me. I haven't used MacBook Air all that often since I got iPad. It's awesome for traveling, since I'm always traveling for work, especially for my commute.

Granted, I have to use my work laptop to access proprietary systems and our VPN—I don't plan on taking MacBook Air with me anymore. iPad has become my primary computing device, along with my work laptop for the rare times that i truly need to work.

I love my iPad 3G! One more thing... I don't have to take it out of my bag and use two bins for my MacBook Air and my work laptop! It's little things like this that make iPad a real pleasure to use!