Should I sell my iPad to buy a MacBook air

[phobic99]

I sold my iPad (which I've had since it launched) last night and I really don't miss it at all. Although the screen is WAY smaller, my Droid X renders and loads webpages faster than the iPad, which is a shame IMO. I've almost pulled the trigger on a MBA twice but the Macbook Pro refresh rumors are keeping me from doing so right now.

I need a new gadget!

 

[petvas]

I sold my iPad (which I've had since it launched) last night and I really don't miss it at all. Although the screen is WAY smaller, my Droid X renders and loads webpages faster than the iPad, which is a shame IMO. I've almost pulled the trigger on a MBA twice but the Macbook Pro refresh rumors are keeping me from doing so right now.

I need a new gadget!

I don't know what your needs exactly are, but the Macbook Air is a great gadget!

 

[jdsmoooth]

I sold my iPad within 3 days of owning a 11" Air. The iPad was a great web surfer and eReader. Not a creation machine. I love my Air. However, I do miss the almost unlimited battery of the iPad. ;-)

 

[AlvinNguyen]

I use my iPad exclusively as a portfolio (stills and video) to clients. Problem is, the client are not warmed up to using a tablet yet. Most people didn't want to touch it - they're scared of the idea of a tablet portfolio. So, I ended up holding it on one hand (heavy) while presenting with the other. Not so good for that I was also planing on using for email, but seeing as I run my own business and reply to about 30+ emails a day, maybe more, this gets pretty old.

The Air does everything I want and more. It's also can be use as a main computer in times of need - like me right now waiting for the refresh of the MBP line to buy a 17" ultimate editing powerhouse. The next 3 weeks on the air will test its computing to the limits. As a porfolio, I think it'll be great with a bluetooth presentation remote. As a mobile device it'll get me through emails painlessly while looking ridiculously good. The iPad was great when it first came out as a novelty item and gets everyone talking, but like the iPad, that attention is now towards the Air - everyone always compliments how a full blown OSX notebook can be so small and capable for everyday computing.

Oh and I sold my 16GB 3G iPad for $550 plus the unlimited data plan SIM for $300 - so in the end my Air only costed me $300 extra and I get a full computer running 4gig of ram, bigger screen, real keyboard, and lighter weight than my iPad + case + bluetooth keyboard combo.

 

[itoddm]

I sold my iPad last week for $500 and an old macbook for $200. Next I'm buying an MBA. May go with a refurbished also. Course I read a rumor that there could be new version coming out in June. So confusing.

 

[torbjoern]

I sold my iPad last week for $500 and an old macbook for $200. Next I'm buying an MBA. May go with a refurbished also. Course I read a rumor that there could be new version coming out in June. So confusing.

Why confusing? If you need it now, then buy it now. I bought mine a couple of weeks ago - and I'm thrilled with it. If a new one (spec bump or redesign) comes out next month, it won't make any difference - far less if it comes in June. My Rev D MBA was outdated even before it hit the shelves last October, just like all other technology. I suppose (and I kind of hope, too) that Apple is currently working on Rev F already.

 

[Penooker]

Oh and I sold my 16GB 3G iPad for $550 plus the unlimited data plan SIM for $300 - so in the end my Air only costed me $300 extra and I get a full computer running 4gig of ram, bigger screen, real keyboard, and lighter weight than my iPad + case + bluetooth keyboard combo.

Holy ***** balls Batman! There's a secondary market for the unlimited plan? And one is worth $300?

 

[Kaiser Phoenix]

Although I dont actually own an iPad, i have used it a couple of times during work using a colleagues and had the same dillema a few months back as to which one to purchase.

I would def go for the Macbook Air 11inich which is the one I own. In terms of footprint, its not that much different and the 11 inch is not that much heavier. Its very very thin and INFINITELY more useful IMO.

It does everything i needed to do which I used to do on my mbp 15 inch. I use windows, mac, watch videos, everything. It has a camera, usb etc.

I would def go for MBA!

 

[57004]

They're such different devices. IPad is great for watching video, reading books and browsing email, and the 3G-always on is absolutely brilliant. Every time I take my iPad out it's already updated with the latest emails, notifications from the chatboxes I'm using, and internet is just one press away. It's just great for catching up on the go, and handy enough to type on for a quick reply (unlike the iPhone)

The MBA, while it has instant-on, does not update itself while in standby and also doesn't have built-in 3G. I don't have one yet, but it sounds a lot more clumsy having to turn it on, find wifi (or activate tethering on iPhone), connect, launch mail app, retrieve emails, etc. But it's brilliant for getting work done whereas on the iPad it's a pain to do anything serious even with the well-made iWork apps.

I'm planning to sell my MBP and get an MBA but I will certainly keep the iPad as well. However if Apple would make a MBA with built-in 3G and with a built-in low power chip (e.g. A4 chip) that updates its mailbox and such while in standby, I'd probably sell the iPad. I wouldn't be surprised if the next MBA will have this, as Apple themselves have said they're aiming for more similarities between the Mac and iDevice platforms.

 

[newdeal]

...

I actually do miss my ipad. Its great for all the free software titles and games. Also the battery life is a legit 10 hours, if you use your computer a lot during the day the ipad will last and the air won't (my experience anyway). I am considering buying a new ipad but I will probobly get a touchpad instead because it just seems like a better OS than iOS is currently. The only thing that made me sell my ipad was lack of flash...I have a flash blocker on my mac and I love blocking flash but some videos I want to watch (UFC fight videos) are only in flash so to not have it is a real drag

 

[petvas]

This was the first day I didn't use my iPad at all. I somehow miss it but my logic says that having an iPhone, an MBA, a Windows Laptop (from my company) and a Mac Pro is more than enough.
I cannot justify having it and now is the best time to sell it, since the iPad 2 is coming.
I will consider getting the iPad 2 even if it is against my logic

 

[RDRoe]

They're such different devices. IPad is great for watching video, reading books and browsing email, and the 3G-always on is absolutely brilliant. Every time I take my iPad out it's already updated with the latest emails, notifications from the chatboxes I'm using, and internet is just one press away. It's just great for catching up on the go, and handy enough to type on for a quick reply (unlike the iPhone)

The MBA, while it has instant-on, does not update itself while in standby and also doesn't have built-in 3G. I don't have one yet, but it sounds a lot more clumsy having to turn it on, find wifi (or activate tethering on iPhone), connect, launch mail app, retrieve emails, etc. But it's brilliant for getting work done whereas on the iPad it's a pain to do anything serious even with the well-made iWork apps.

I'm planning to sell my MBP and get an MBA but I will certainly keep the iPad as well. However if Apple would make a MBA with built-in 3G and with a built-in low power chip (e.g. A4 chip) that updates its mailbox and such while in standby, I'd probably sell the iPad. I wouldn't be surprised if the next MBA will have this, as Apple themselves have said they're aiming for more similarities between the Mac and iDevice platforms.

That is actually very well said. THe ultimate MBA will have *sleep push*, built in 3g and 12+ hours for battery. I have my 11", arrived today. All loaded up for what I need it to be and so far, I have not looked back to the iPad. I do have a MBP 15" i5 for my main development system at home and a 12 core MPro at the office for some serious work. (Bootcamp with VM for Java development). I am trying the 11" as the go-to in a quick trip where an internet appliance with minimal development is needed. Your comments about the ultimate MBA are right on.

 

[petvas]

What I am seeing is that since yesterday where I don't use my iPad anymore, I started using my iPhone much more. I returned to the times my iPhone was really a great companion when on the road. That goes to show that having both the iPhone and the iPad and on top of both a laptop, is too much and doesn't really make any sense. Of course the iPad is a great device and knowing me, I am sure I will buy the new model when it comes out, but still, it ain't logical.

I find myself using the iPhone 4 and I enjoy the multitasking much better than on the iPad. The 512MB of RAM make a big difference and show that the iPad should come with this amount of RAM by default...

 

[petvas]

So, another days has passed. I had my iPad on eBay but today I decided to remove it and keep it till the iPad 2 comes out. As I said before the iPad doesn't really fit in my situation, but I love gadgets, what can I say?
I think I will try to use all my devices depending on the situation. I am sure it is a luxury, but what the heck?
For serious work or stuff that need performance I will be using my Mac Pro. When I am in bed or on the couch it is iPad time. The Macbook Air is ideal when I am a) on my couch and need better surfing or chatting capabilities than the iPads b) when I am on the road in Hotelrooms and want to do stuff.
The iPhone will be mainly used as a phone and of course when on the road, or on the train, on moments where I feel I don't have the room for a laptop or iPad.
I know, I am crazy

 

[Onimusha370]

So, another days has passed. I had my iPad on eBay but today I decided to remove it and keep it till the iPad 2 comes out. As I said before the iPad doesn't really fit in my situation, but I love gadgets, what can I say?
I think I will try to use all my devices depending on the situation. I am sure it is a luxury, but what the heck?
For serious work or stuff that need performance I will be using my Mac Pro. When I am in bed or on the couch it is iPad time. The Macbook Air is ideal when I am a) on my couch and need better surfing or chatting capabilities than the iPads b) when I am on the road in Hotelrooms and want to do stuff.
The iPhone will be mainly used as a phone and of course when on the road, or on the train, on moments where I feel I don't have the room for a laptop or iPad.
I know, I am crazy

That summed me up exactly.
When I'm having a lazy night and want to watch YouTube and use safari, the pad is perfect! But when I'm feeling abit more social and want to use MSN, skype and facebook, I'll fetch the air and enjoy its real keyboard and more productive OS.
I thought about selling the iPad long and hard, but you never know when you'd like to scroll the photos and browse the web in bed.
Sell it, you'll miss it.
My advice is to have both, and enjoy them

 

[xheathen]

Eh, too much of a difference to compare the two imo.

I think the people who use an ipad kind of like they'd use a laptop will always see that trade as being better.

For me, the iPad makes 10x more sense for what I use it for. It's purely a communication device for business purposes. And I can easily bang out a good 30 wpm on the iPad on-screen keyboard. I don't do long trips, so when I do, I can edit my documents, access my computer remotely if I need something, and email people.

I use it as my primary e-reader.

Then the flip side is my kids use it as a DVD player because we buy all our movies digitally. Any kind of trips we take the iPad doubles as a game machine and movie player. At night when I'm at home I really don't want to bust out a full computer or laptop, so I'd rather just quickly check messages, look at stocks, read news, etc. then go to bed.

I can't possibly see the MBA fulfilling that role as easily.

 

[Bakari45]

I could never go without my iPad. It’s my go-to device for reading e-books, PDFs and RSS feeds. The screen on my 11” MBA is too small for extended reading. However, the Air is better for extended writing and other OS X app work. So I guess selling the iPad all depends on of course how much you actually are using it. I use mine everyday, three times as much as the Air.

 

[ccf]

doesn't it really depend on YOUR needs and usage

I have an ipad 3G with unlimited data. I take it with me everywhere. Coffee places, lunch, gym (great to catch up on episodes of spartacus and "24" while on the treadmill) I can easily review a presentation, do lite work on docs and I get great battery life.

But it is not a laptop or a computer...I have a MBP and iMac; so I don't need it to be those things.

Get what you need.

How do you go about getting an unlimited 3G plan on an iPad? Never heard of such.

I may buy an iPad soon (likely when the 2 comes out) & an unlimited plan would be ideal. Anybody know if they're still offering it & how much?

 

[jlyanks85]

I see them as 2 completely different device. I love my iPad for casual web browsing, when I'm laying on my bed or couch. I also use it as a e-reader and playing games every once in a while and movies.

Eventually I will buy a macbook air in the future or some laptop, but would never sell my ipad towards getting one. Laptop would mainly be for travel and to take to class for notetaking, since my core i7 imac does all the dirty work.

 

[ccf]

How do you go about getting an unlimited 3G plan on an iPad? Never heard of such.

I may buy an iPad soon (likely when the 2 comes out) & an unlimited plan would be ideal. Anybody know if they're still offering it & how much?

Nevermind. Saw where it was discontinued.

 

[petvas]

I see them as 2 completely different device. I love my iPad for casual web browsing, when I'm laying on my bed or couch. I also use it as a e-reader and playing games every once in a while and movies.

Eventually I will buy a macbook air in the future or some laptop, but would never sell my ipad towards getting one. Laptop would mainly be for travel and to take to class for notetaking, since my core i7 imac does all the dirty work.

I sold my iPad three weeks ago and I have to say that I don't miss it. Yes, I would love to have one, but it is difficult somehow to see how it fits my life. When at home I use my Mac Pro mainly. When I want to relax and sit on the couch I use my Macbook Air for Internet surfing, chatting and emails. Sometimes when I am in bed I would like to have the flexibiity that the iPad provides, but I can also do without it.
When on the road I use my iPhone 4 more now than I did before. When I travel, I use my iPhone and of course I could say that that is where I would use an iPad. The iPhone is great but the iPad offers a larger screen (which is good for Internet surfing and games).
Another area I have to consider is when staying in hotels. Usually I have my Macbook Air with me, so I wouldn't need an iPad. Some other times I have to use my windows laptop (from my company), so having the MBA also is difficult because of the overall weight I have to carry with me (my Dell laptop weighs almost 3Kg). For these times I would love to have an iPad instead of the MBA.
I believe that in my situation the iPad is a luxury, not because of its price, but because of its limited usage scenarios that are useful to me.
Having said that I decided to get an iPad 2
I will mainly use the iPad for entertainment, Internet surfing, calendaring and emailing when mostly on the road. When at home I will use my MBA more (on the couch mainly).
The iPhone will of course remain my phone and it will get its usage when I am on the road and want to quickly do sth.
Sounds crazy but I really love gadgets and I want the white iPad 2

 

[namtaB]

I have both and the iPad has its benefits, but if I had to choose I would go with the MBA or any laptop for that matter without hesitation. The iPad will never cut it as a laptop replacement.

 

[JayMysterio]

As it's been stated repeatedly, the Air & iPad are two completely different animals. It's dependent on you specifically which one you need. For me, I have never been able to draw on my MacBook or Mini, without the aid of a tablet. The iPad makes that possible with absolutely no setup or preparation. Just tap Sketchbook pro & I am ready to go, wherever I am.

I've tried playing games on my MacBook or Mini, and with the exception of Solitaire or Plants Vs Zombies, I am just not the type of person that likes playing games on the computer. I didn't care for it much when I had gaming PCs, and still don't. I'm pretty much a gaming console fan, but the iPad does have that ease of play when I want to take a break and play something.

Ultimately it's the tablet OS that makes the difference. I like having just that screen to play around with, and nothing else in the way. True, when I have to write, I do go back to my MacBook, but in a pinch I've worked with the iPad. I'm not the sort that needs to do 'heavy computing' so the tablet / laptop difference skews differently for me. I like when I am curious about what is on tv, I can just pick up the iPad, hit the Yahoo entertainment app, and I have a great tv guide instantly.

It's all about your needs, one isn't really better than the other. Just better for some needs, over others.

 

[gwsat]

I did not sell my iPad when I got an MBA a little over 4 months ago. I have noticed that I use my iPad less all the time but do still use it once in awhile. In truth, my 13 inch MBA by itself could do about as much for me as it and the iPad do together.

 

[koobcamuk]

I don't have a desk at home. Without a desk, a desktop is out of the question. A laptop is possible, but is a pain to use and requires being plugged in all the time.

For my at home, private uses, the iPad will suffice.