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Torn... Worth it?

Arkanok

Arkanok

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2007
552
115
Ok here's my situation. I want an iPad, real bad in fact. Don't ask me why but I do. Anyways, currently I own a MacBook Pro which is about 3 years old now plus I have an iPhone, and I'm having trouble justifying it's worth to me. Since it's a portable device, my MBP is a portable device as well as my iPhone (with data, of course), I don't know if there's much point or worth in owning an iPad at the same time.

I'm not much of a traveller at the moment, and I go out but not to too many places in which the iPhone won't suffice to give me the info I need whenever I need it.

Given the gear I currently own and everything else, is there a point in buying an iPad right now? Any good reasons I SHOULD get one?
 
Arkanok said:
Ok here's my situation. I want an iPad, real bad in fact. Don't ask me why but I do. Anyways, currently I own a MacBook Pro which is about 3 years old now plus I have an iPhone, and I'm having trouble justifying it's worth to me. Since it's a portable device, my MBP is a portable device as well as my iPhone (with data, of course), I don't know if there's much point or worth in owning an iPad at the same time.

I'm not much of a traveller at the moment, and I go out but not to too many places in which the iPhone won't suffice to give me the info I need whenever I need it.

Given the gear I currently own and everything else, is there a point in buying an iPad right now? Any good reasons I SHOULD get one?
Click to expand...
Personally I'd get one, i was a in a similar situation, the problem is, my mbp is a bit big ti carry around, but the iPad has a nice big screen and is portable. The iPhone will feel a bit small after using the iPad.

It's a in-between phone and ,laptop, but it's in-between them. Depends if you think you will use it enough, my MacBook doesn't even leave the table anymore.
 
Does one truly ever need a good reason to get a new toy? Really?

I guess it just depends on your budget and your needs. I travel frequently for business and also take trips with my family 2-3 times per year in addition so for me, the iPad has become my constant travel companion.

I also own a MacBook Pro of about the same era and love it, however I don't love lugging it around and it hasn't traveled with me in about two years.

When I'm home, I use the iPad for surfing while watching tv, looking up recipes while I'm cooking, or for reading when I'm not able to use my Kindle. If you owned a netbook, you would understand the difference between having something that is quickly portable and ready to use vs. hauling around your 5 pound MBP.

If you can afford it, then why not grab a 16 gb wifi version? The investment is not much and you can test it out to see how much usage you'll really get. If you don't like it, you can always return it within the 14 day window at the Apple store.

For me, it's a no-brainer - always yes to the iPad. It's still much easier to use than any of my other devices - instant on, great screen size, etc. Love it.

Sandy
 
It comes down to cash in the end. I got one and love it, but I did then sell my Macbook as it got no use whatsoever. I do not believe that an iPad will replace a laptop - but if you want it for apps, browsing and email it is great.
 
I own an almost 3 year old MBP and have found the iPad to be a great device. Of course I was having to share my MBP with my wife and now with the iPad we can both browse the Internet at the same time. My wife likes the iPad to play games and read books. I like the iPad to listen to my psodcasts during the day.

If I was single I wouldn't buy one as the MBP would suffice but since there are two of us but we don't need more than one computer the iPad is a great fit for us.
 
Torn? No, you are not torn. You are guilt-ridden about spending the money and want strangers to collectively justify why you need an iPad so you feel good when you ultimately buy one.

Honestly, the iPad did not exist in January and I was doing great. I bought an iPad in April and I'm still great. Not greater, great. I love the iPad and its totally integrated in my life and work pattern now. But that's just human nature adapting. Maybe it's made me more efficient, but probably not. I could live without my iPad but I'd prefer not to. (And yes, I have two recent MBPs and an iPhone).

All I'm saying here is face up to your desires and if you can afford one buy it. Don't bother trying to rationally justify an irrational purchase. If it's going to cause financial hardship or you are going to be socked w/ a 18% APR to pay it off it's not going to remake your life or get you a better job. Maybe it will get a girl to flock to you though if they don't already. At least that is what Steve Jobs reports.
 
Well I bought a new 13" MBP and an iPad on the same day -- which seems a bit crazy. I love them both for different reasons, but the iPad has got WAY more use than the MBP so far.

I'm in academia, and on break right now -- so I suspect I'll be getting more MBP use once work starts up again. Although I'm still not sold on the iPad for a full book, I love it for browsing and documents as well as the basic organizational stuff. I need the horsepower of the MBP for bigger projects and I couldn't imagine writing a paper on the iPad. I think they're both great and although buying both felt futile, I can really understand the separate application in different situations.

Good luck with your decision! Feel free to PM with any Q's! :)
 
Thanks for the tips guys, I think I'm gonna grab one. I really want the 32gb 3g one but I think since I have an iPhone I might just go for the wifi one. Cash isn't tight, but it's not great either, so that's a factor.. Maybe I'll wait a few weeks, get the cash so that I don't put it on the old credit card..
 
I did the same thing, wondering if I needed it. Have a MBP, MP and iphone. Found a local apple seller in Philly that had them in. Put one on hold and went down.

I didn't get it. Just couldn't see spending 650 for a convenience. Between the MBP and iphone there is nothing that the ipad will do the others cant that I place a value of 650 on. But that was me.

Its nice to have something new, but nice to be able to recognize when you don't really need it.
 
Well I definitely think the iPad is a luxury item.
You have lived perfectly fine with your MBP and and iPhone (or phone) for the last 3 years.
The iPad is a great device if you have the money (which it looks like many do, for such a product), as over a million were sold within a month and over two million already.
I have a uMB and a BB and soon the iPhone4, but I got an iPad to fill in the gaps/as a new toy. I will use it to surf the web quickly while on the couch or in bed (use my uMB for this now), watch movies, and the apps. Everything is just better on the screen of an iPad compared to an iPhone.
The iPad can't be compared to a MBP, as it isn't meant to replace it.
I will stop blabbing, because you get the point.

As for you, do you need the space of a 32? Personally, I would go with the 3G over the space (so a 16GB 3G in your case) just because the convenience of having the ability to have the internet on any given outing or road trip. Depends what you will store on it as well though. Just my opinion.
 
Arkanok said:
Thanks for the tips guys, I think I'm gonna grab one. I really want the 32gb 3g one but I think since I have an iPhone I might just go for the wifi one. Cash isn't tight, but it's not great either, so that's a factor.. Maybe I'll wait a few weeks, get the cash so that I don't put it on the old credit card..
Click to expand...

I went 32GB WIFI only myself and haven't had a single time where I've found myself wishing I had the 3G model. Other than the fact that I don't want to pay ATT any money, it was $130 extra up front plus (at the time) $30 more per month.

I'd say if you want to begin to minimize the paper in your life, the iPad is worth it. Also, keep in mind, that you will get to leave your MBP at home some times, which has lightened the load in my bag on several occasions :)
 
btrav13 said:
I'd say if you want to begin to minimize the paper in your life, the iPad is worth it. Also, keep in mind, that you will get to leave your MBP at home some times, which has lightened the load in my bag on several occasions :)
Click to expand...

Agree completely with this. I'm putting syllabi, PDFs and such on my iPad for portability and easy reference. But I'm also getting the new iPhone (I've still got a 3G) and soon a new MBP. These are the tools of my trade, essentially, and they all work together. And I have a Kindle too. (But I'm a writer too, and my book is about to come out on both iBooks and Kindle.)
 
...

I have a new MacBook pro and an iPhone. I just bought an iPad. My MacBook pro now sits In the kitchen on the counter as a stationary computer and my iphone only gets used to make phone calls. For what i use it for the iPad is better than either. I just wish they would make the game lux for the iPad because i love that game but its only on my Mac
 
I sold my laptop off after getting mine. It really makes a laptop useless for most peoples mobile situations. Unless you need to do real work on the go (encoding, editing, etc) it will suffice for most stuff. Since I sold my laptop I'm going to build a nice desktop with the cash and use my iPad on the go.

I will say my iPhone feels a lot less of a needed item now. Although I use iPhone as my primary GPS device to justify having it.
 
Similair

I also own what you have stated.
All comes down money first. I use my macbook pro about 70% less then pre iPad.
I also use my iPhone a little less, which is good for the battery.
It certainly is not a must have device, but if you can afford the one you want and want one it is worth it to me, I can't speak for everyone. Plus think about the other uses, books, apps, movies, etc.
Plus you do have 14 days with it, except restocking.
I used mine like crazy those 14 days and maybe that's why I now use it so much.
Goodluck
 
Arkanok said:
Thanks for the tips guys, I think I'm gonna grab one. I really want the 32gb 3g one but I think since I have an iPhone I might just go for the wifi one. Cash isn't tight, but it's not great either, so that's a factor.. Maybe I'll wait a few weeks, get the cash so that I don't put it on the old credit card..
Click to expand...

Since cash isn't tight, I would opt for a 3G model. It may come in quite handy while traveling or just going around town.
 
Well I own an iPhone, an iPad and a Mac mini. IF I owned an MBP I would NOT have bought an iPad. I just wouldn't have needed it. I purchased my iPad because I needed a portable device with a bigger screen and keyboard than my iPhone and I didn't want to pay the much higher price for an MBP. And I knew I was giving up some functionality by doing this. I know I could have bought a cheaper PC laptop or netbook, but I refuse to use Microsoft based products. I don't regret it, but there are times when I wish I had the great functionality the MBP provides (especially flash).
 
Call me crazy, but I plan on buying a new 15" i7 MacBook Pro, iPhone 4, and an iPad together :p

Just saving up my money, just need about 600$ more, I am a student with a job, so money just keeps adding up as I dont pay for any bills, including my current iPhone 3G bill:p

But my main decision now is if I should get the iPad 3G or Wifi Only. I really do not see myself leaving the house with my iPad, and since I will have 3G on the new iPhone, I dont think it would be worth it. But now that I think about it, I have been to places such as my Grandma's house and it would be so nice to use the 3G iPad there (they have no wifi:() And it would be so fun using the iPad during car rides :D
 
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