iPad The iPad is not a computer replacement

[Mainsail]

Our school district passed a $270 million bond issue, and I serve on the citizen’s oversight committee. Anyway, last night about two hours before a meeting, the district sent 5 lengthy documents for review. I downloaded them on my ridiculously inexpensive base 2019 iPad ($250 on sale during the holidays) and marked them up with my ridiculously overpriced Apple Pencil. Then, I took notes on the iPad during the meeting. The whole experience was extremely smooth and seamless.

Could I have done this on a laptop? Sure. But, I think a tablet is a much more natural device for this type of activity. This is just one example of how you can be more productive on an iPad while basically consuming content.

On the other hand, there is no doubt that a laptop is superior for writing lengthy documents, especially when you need to rapidly move between multiple windows. Also, laptops are hands down better than tablets for spreadsheets, manipulating large data sets, and file management.

So, we just need to use the right tool for the job.

 

[nickdalzell1]

See it can be looked at in many ways:

My 91 year old grandmother only uses her laptop for literally two things: Playing Facebook flash games and Yahoo! Mail. For those two tasks an iPad would easily work for her. The problem is, she's used to the Start menu and had been used to Windows 98 SE for a long time (only reason she felt interested in all in Windows 10 is because it is familiar to her). So while an iPad might work for some folks, and is definitely easy to use, there are exceptions.

There were times folks preferred the archaic command line of DOS or UNIX over a GUI despite how easy a GUI was and is to use. The point is it doesn't matter what you or I think. Let the market decide. Problem lately is that the companies don't give a rat's hat about supply/demand. They artificially create demand for things that really aren't that great (super huge screen smartphones are one such item) by paying reviewers to bias their reviews (seriously, were many really that concerned about Samsung phones being plastic?) or to tell us via marketing that "We need this"

Ironically, it's the Mac vs. Apple IIgs argument all over again.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Yahoo! Mail

That still exists?

 

[nickdalzell1]

Well, it could be worse. It could have been AOL

 

[AutomaticApple]

Well, it could be worse. It could have been AOL

I'm surprised Yahoo still exists in general.

 

[nickdalzell1]

Believe it or not, AOL still exists. You can still get an @AOL.com email today.

Yahoo! isn't at all like how I remembered it. I used to use Flickr (before Facebook got popular) as a social network site and then all my friends there jumped ship to Facebook and I abandoned it. I haven't logged into my account since like 2012.

Whenever I see my grandmom using Yahoo! Mail it's cluttered with ads all over, fake 'emails' that are also ads, and the layout looks like it were ripped out of a bad Material Design/Microsoft Metro handbook all rolled into one. She won't use Firefox (she calls it Foxfire) and still clings to Internet Explorer, which of course doesn't support extensions.

Whatever makes her happy though. It'd drive me nuts but hey she can use a PC just fine. Just don't try to get her an iPad or ANY smartphone.

 

[TiggrToo]

It’s still not a computer in the full blown sense, but ill be honest I’m enjoying the HELL out of apple Smart Keyboard and the new addition of a Bluetooth mouse with iPadOS (Microsoft 3600) on my 2017 12.9

Wish they implemented this years ago, even if its a faux Touch pointer

But it is a computer. In every conceivable respect, it's a computer.

Is not what you'd class as a laptop, but it is absolutely a computer.

 

[nickdalzell1]

But it is a computer. In every conceivable respect, it's a computer.

Is not what you'd class as a laptop, but it is absolutely a computer.

No one is debating whether a tablet is a computer; It is. A "Tablet Computer" or "Tablet PC" dates back to the late 80s and I definitely remember the 'bricks' such as Tandy's Zoomer and the infamous WinXP running Microsoft Tablet PCs.

The arguments are whether laptops can be replaced with tablets and be as functional and easy/productive. Which IMO is a definite NOPE!

 

[TiggrToo]

No one is debating whether a tablet is a computer; It is. A "Tablet Computer" or "Tablet PC" dates back to the late 80s and I definitely remember the 'bricks' such as Tandy's Zoomer and the infamous WinXP running Microsoft Tablet PCs.

The arguments are whether laptops can be replaced with tablets and be as functional and easy/productive. Which IMO is a definite NOPE!

1) Yes someone is: look at the post I quoted.
2) Yes - they can. For example, My wife gave me the go ahead this weekend to decommission her desktop PC because she's not used it for months. She's been using her phone and iPad now for everything.

Obviously this is entirely based on a per user basis, but I firmly believe that, depending on the user, iPad can indeed be good enough to replace a laptop or a desktop PV.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Has Apple ever even actually claimed that iPad is a ‘computer’ replacement for all users, all of the time? I don’t know for sure, but I feel certain that they haven’t.

 

[TiggrToo]

Has Apple ever even actually claimed that iPad is a ‘computer’ replacement for all users, all of the time? I don’t know for sure, but I feel certain that they haven’t.

Not that I'm aware of.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Not that I'm aware of.

Exactly. So remind me again what this is all about? 😂

 

[TiggrToo]

Exactly. So remind me again what this is all about? 😂

That, sir, is what one could say is "A bloody good question".

 

[rui no onna]

I'm surprised Yahoo still exists in general.

Verizon bought them, iirc.

 

[Mainsail]

No one is debating whether a tablet is a computer; It is. A "Tablet Computer" or "Tablet PC" dates back to the late 80s and I definitely remember the 'bricks' such as Tandy's Zoomer and the infamous WinXP running Microsoft Tablet PCs.

The arguments are whether laptops can be replaced with tablets and be as functional and easy/productive. Which IMO is a definite NOPE!

I don't think this is the argument. Otherwise, can't I just turn this around and say: can a laptop replace a tablet and be as functional and easy/productive for: note taking, sketching & diagraming, annotating documents, marking up screenshots/photos, reading manuals/books.....etc.? Cause the answer is NOPE IMO.

I think the discussion (shouldn't be an argument) is if a tablet can replace the need to own a laptop. Yes. Of course it can for some people.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Original question loads a LOT of assumptions into “computer”. Once you define “computer” for a specific use case, it’s no longer alarming or controversial.

Like, Apples are NOT a replacement for candy. Is ”call to arms” urgent.

Apples CAN be a replacement for candy if you’re eating candy to have something sweet between meals and the texture of an Apple doesn’t put you off and you don’t mind the skin... is more accurate.

BUT, this second statement won’t have half as many replies! Someone want to try starting a thread “An iPad can be a computer replacement for some people depending on what they actually use a computer for?”

 

[throAU]

Not by a long shot.

* for you

News flash! SUVs not a motorcycle replacement!


For many end users the iPad is a perfect computer replacement. It depends what your needs are.

Many, many users only need a computer for:

• internet banking
• email
• messaging
• chat
• web
• reddit / instagram / whatever
• media consumption
• light photo/video editing (cropping basically, minor effects)

you can do all that on an iphone, but the ipad has a more convenient form factor for that.

My GF hasn't used a computer in 2-3 years. Well, not until this month, where she's started a new job and they're a windows environment... but even that she could do on an ipad. involves mail, calendar scheduling, light excel use.
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iPads / tablets are primarily 'consumption' devices. Laptops, 'production' devices.
If you're using your laptop for production, then yes, you'll be disappointed with the iPad as a replacement; if you're using your laptop for consumption, then you'll be pleased with the iPad's performance. Sounds like the OP is the former.
I have desktops (Mac Pro, iMac), a Macbook Pro, and an iPad, and quickly realized the iPad has its own place alongside the other machines, but not as their placement.

I don't do a lot of "consumption" on my ipad, that's what my TV is for.

It depends on what you call "production". Using a mac for drawing (which is production) is way less efficient than using the ipad/pencil. Ditto for note-taking, recording video/photos in the field, etc. All of that stuff is "real work" for many people.
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Typing experience in general is better on bigger keyboard. At least for me. I can type with hardware keyboard case for an iPad but I am far more efficient on the bigger laptop keyboard. This is why if I have to choose I choose the second.

the ipad works with ANY bluetooth keyboard.

Want a massive 101 key full size PC keyboard? Go nuts.

What to hook it up to a screen? Airplay to your 70" TV, or get a monitor adapter. Want to use a mouse? bluetooth mice work.

 

[thadoggfather]

But it is a computer. In every conceivable respect, it's a computer.

Is not what you'd class as a laptop, but it is absolutely a computer.

Anything with a processor is a computer

My PS4 is a computer. But is it really?

 

[TiggrToo]

Anything with a processor is a computer

My PS4 is a computer. But is it really?

Yes it is. My Fingbox is also a computer - it's circular, light, has a single multicolored LED on top, has a single Ethernet port and a power port.

It's also just happens to run Ubuntu as the base OS.

Just because something doesn't look like a traditional PC, didn't mean it's not a computer.

Most modern day vehicles have several computers inside them. Fridges with displays, many IoT devices, expensive toasters, Sleep Apnea machines, and more: all of them I would say contain or are essentially computers.

 

[thadoggfather]

Yes it is. My Fingbox is also a computer - it's circular, light, has a single multicolored LED on top, has a single Ethernet port and a power port.

It's also just happens to run Ubuntu as the base OS.

Just because something doesn't look like a traditional PC, didn't mean it's not a computer.

Most modern day vehicles have several computers inside them. Fridges with displays, many IoT devices, expensive toasters, Sleep Apnea machines, and more: all of them I would say contain or are essentially computers.

I guess I wouldn’t disagree just a matter of
How specific were getting

In terms of iPad offering the same utility as a laptop, it is not replaceable. Getting ever so closer, particularly for casual use and I could see for
Some where they don’t need a laptop or desktop at all but it will always be secondary for me

 

[nickdalzell1]

Also, a Mac is a PC (Personal Computer) sorry to burst anyone's bubble on that!

 

[Viamusic10000]

I guess I wouldn’t disagree just a matter of
How specific were getting

In terms of iPad offering the same utility as a laptop, it is not replaceable. Getting ever so closer, particularly for casual use and I could see for
Some where they don’t need a laptop or desktop at all but it will always be secondary for me

But this is evidently false as many people have replaced their laptop with an iPad. Why is this even a discussion? It's blatantly false.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

My PS4 is a computer. But is it really?

If the only reason someone has a computer is to play games that have also been released on the PS4 at 1080p on a TV, then they could replace the computer with a PS4

It’s all about the features, not the form factor. If the features important to you are available on the device you have AND on the device you’d like to move to, then you can replace the former with the latter in every case if you want to.

 

[cardfan]

Not by a long shot. My MBP’s logic board recently decided that catching on fire and not displaying video is vogue, and thus has been out of commission. It’s currently traveling with the USPS to some guy in Florida who thinks he can get its communist tendencies out of its head. Maybe a good spanking will do, more likely some soldering.

In the meantime I got an iPad that I will give to my mom for her Birthday that for now Im using it as my MBP replacement.

it’s great, and because it came with an Apple Pencil, my friends have enjoyed the benefit of personal messages sent in the form of my elementary school cursive.

But, what I can equivocally and without a doubt declare: this is no Desktop replacement. It’s not even a laptop replacement, not by a long shot. *Anyone* who thinks this can even come anywhere close doesnt understand computers. I’m serious. Whatever Tim Cook is smoking in Cupertino, it must be stronger than anything I’ve ever tried.

Dont buy the marketing hype. Stay rooted in reality.

that is all.

Wasn’t this obvious before?

 

[Mainsail]

This is how it breaks down for me:

Primary usage by device:

iPhone	iPad	Mac
Phone	Books	Pages
Camera	PDFs	Keynote
GPS Apps	Notes	Numbers
Wallet	Photos	iMovie
Common Apps	Common Apps	Common Apps

Common Apps can easily & effectively be used on any device above: e.g. Mail, Messages, Calendar, Reminder, Files/Finder, Maps, Find My, Safari, & FaceTime