[Opinion Wanted] Which device for my situation? (MBA vs. iPad)

[sapsjr]

I know there are many threads on this (I've read a bunch) but I'd like some of your opinions. I'm leaning towards an 11 MBA (which is why I'm posting in this forum) but there are a lot of situations where an iPad would more appropriate for me.

I'm an "internet marketer" and college student.. I use an iMac ( current generation) as my primary machine. I create/write a lot of content but I also consume a lot as well. My current laptop runs Windows 7 and is a 13 inch (smaller than most Windows laptops).

If I got a Macbook air it would replace my current Windows laptop. It would mainly be used at school & cafe's when working online.

As far as an iPad--I'd love to be able to consume content w/ it (on the go & around the house). I can see myself using it almost everywhere. I would have to make some sacrifices as far as writing/creating content goes--but I'd still have my Windows laptop for this.

I do not have a smartphone/iPhone atm--this is another reason an iPad would come in handy.

I guess it really comes down to Macbook air (and no iPad) vs iPad (and continue to use my Windows notebook).

AHHH.I cannot decide! I want to order one this week. I'd love to hear your opinions (MBA &or iPad owners).

Thanks!

 

[torbjoern]

An iPad to replace a Windows laptop? What do you currently use the win machine for? If you create and write a lot on it, you should go with the MB Air.

 

[Buck987]

I have both. Go for the MBA.

 

[Boston007]

MBA for sure

MBA for sure and ditch that Windows laptop, not even because it's windows, but because the MBA is such a beautiful portable machine.

I use it for school, and it's excellent for my needs and I think you'll be very happy.

 

[Scott Baret]

I've been using the 11" Air since December and find it to be a great machine in all respects. The SSD beats any hard drive for performance and while I do keep my old black MacBook around for using my FireWire video equipment, it sounds as though everything you do can be done with the Air alone.

Keep in mind the iPad would require an external keyboard for optimal typing and while I think most of us can agree Flash has its problems, you do need it for many websites and would want a computer capable of handling it for everyday web browsing.

The iPad definitely has its uses and market, but it's by no means a replacement for a standard computer. If you do want an iOS device to use alongside your MacBook, consider an iPod Touch.

 

[sapsjr]

Thank you for all of your responses and opinions. I'm 99% confident that I'm going to go w/ the 11 Macbook Air as opposed to the iPad.

Apple sure does know how to market and they do design pretty things...lets just hope all of the iPad ads don't cause me to drool all the way to the Apple store next week. hehe

 

[liquid stereo]

For work purposes get MBA

I purchased my iPad for the main, if not sole, purpose of using it for work/travel presentations. I bought Pages and Keynote, as well as GoodReader. I've been making extensive use of Keynote since version 1 and do not use PowerPoint.

I cannot help but feel that Apple has intentionally hobbled the iPad so it doesn't suck sales away from the MacBook line. Why? Because its so frustratingly difficult to get files on/off the iPad - Dropbox doesn't work with Keynote files greater than 30MB and MobileMe is ridiculously slow. Let's not talk about the cluster**** that is iTunes file management.

Yesterday I broke down and bought a MacBook Air. The iPad is good for reading, email, and to a lesser degree web browsing. (The bookmarks on iPad Safari are too difficult to access.)

For business/work needs, the iPad is just not ready for prime time. And Apple is holding it back.

Thank you for all of your responses and opinions. I'm 99% confident that I'm going to go w/ the 11 Macbook Air as opposed to the iPad.

Apple sure does know how to market and they do design pretty things...lets just hope all of the iPad ads don't cause me to drool all the way to the Apple store next week. hehe

 

[grawk]

For me, the decision would come down to battery life. Do you need more than 5 hrs away from an outlet? If so, keep your windows laptop and get an ipad. If not, then the 11" air is a spectacular machine.

 

[entatlrg]

I own both, MBA for sure.

 

[Apple OC]

Go with the Air ... an iPad cannot replace your laptop

 

[toondw]

i got rid of the ipad after 4 months of use, a nice "toy" but thats all, it cant compete with the air. But to be honest i still cant understand why people keep trying to compare 2 completely different products. The air and the ipad are not in the same ballpark? or am i missing something?

 

[gglockner]

I'm surprised to say that I'm coming to the conclusion that I want one of each. I own an 11" MBA, and it's great for work. But there are times when an iPad would be more convenient: pleasure trips, lookup a recipe, give to my wife or son to use while traveling (while I'm using my MBA, natch).

Note that I said 'want'. I don't need both.

 

[liquid stereo]

Why they "do compete"

Consider if the majority of your work-on-the-road experiences pertain to email and presentations.

In theory the iPad should/does compete with a laptop. Why? Email and Keynote is supposed to work. The problem is that Keynote is severely dumbed down. Maybe its a hardware/memory issue but for all but the most simple of presentations, Keynote on the iPad is just inadequate. Apple has also made a mess of file/data transfer/handling.

But its really the buyers who are at fault. In retrospect I should have have bought iPad+Keynote+Pages without more research.

i got rid of the ipad after 4 months of use, a nice "toy" but thats all, it cant compete with the air. But to be honest i still cant understand why people keep trying to compare 2 completely different products. The air and the ipad are not in the same ballpark? or am i missing something?

 

[2IS]

This may sound a bit blasphemous around here, but I'll ask/suggest it anyway. If your current Windows laptop is meeting your portability needs, why not pop in a SSD and call it a day?

 

[bmat]

I have both, and they really are quite different -- for different purposes really. The air is a secondary machine for me (I have a desktop at home and a desktop at work), so I use it when I need to work remotely or want to work someplace other than my home office. I use the iPad more overall -- around the house and on the go, but I don't try to create docs on it, etc. unless in a pinch. If I only had one, it would be the 11 inch air.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I have an iPad,first gen, as well as a 2007 black Mac Book. There is nothing wrong with the BMB, it's a Core 2 Duo, 2.2 with 6 GB of RAM, and a 7200 RPM WD 320GB Scorpio Black. The only problem I have with it is it is HEAVY, which is why I LOVE my I Pad. I do 80% of my computing with the iPad, because of the Touch Screen, I adore it!
The iPad has taught me, thin and light is where it's at, maybe it's the minimalist approach,IDK, All I know the 11" speaks to me, and from what I read here, it will do all I want it to do.
I just turned 63,have arthritis, and don't want to be lugging around heavy any more. I wish the 11" had a 256 SSD, and a touch screen, it doesn't so rather than go to OWC for an SSD and put it in the BMB, I will go with the 11" MBA, and when I do, I'll have two gloriously thin and light computing devices, to serve all my needs.
Just ordered my wife the new iPad 2, for her it should serve all her computing needs. We both, so love the direction computing is heading,ala Apple.

 

[Kaidan]

As a user of both an iPad and 13" MBA i would, based on your needs go for the Air. I exclusively use my Air around the house - except for in the bath. However the better portability, magnificent battery life and built in 3G makes it awesome and my primary choice for when out and about.