M11x, Iphone 4, and Ipad2?

I own the M11x, iphone 4 and was debating on buying an Ipad2. My wife thinks this would be a waste of money saying that the Ipad 2 wouldnt allow me to do anything I cant already do with my other devices. So heres the question, do you guys own an Ipad2 or any other tablet along with smart phone and laptop? If so, do you feel its worth it to have the diversity of devices or does one collect dust? Interested to here what you guys have to say!

 

I have many laptops, all of them have their good points that make them better for certian tasks. My osx dell mini 9 I use when I just need to check something online because it boots in 8 seconds. I use my m11x for gaming and music, while the dell mini 10 gets used for general stuff. My wife has a iphone and a laptop, she uses both at the same time sometimes.

 

I won't get into an Apple / tablet rant.

What I will say is this: Every person that I have seen that owns both a laptop and an iPad tablet will tend to prefer one device over another for casual use (web browsing, email, videos). And they will tend to predominantly use that device.

My wife prefers her iPad. She hasn't touched her laptop in weeks.
My mother prefers her iPad. She hasn't touched her computer in weeks.
My mother-in-law prefers her iPad. She hasn't touched her computer in days.
I prefer real computers. I never used my iPad, which is why my wife now uses it.

If you own both a laptop and an iPad, then one of the two will collect dust. Which device collects dust will depend on your personal usage patterns.

 

I'd keep it to 2 devices for sanity's sake.
I'll choose the M11X + iPhone combo.
One for the backpack, the other for my pocket.

 

I honestly see no point to a tablet, your iphone already has the wireless connectivity and can handle A LOT of apps that the iPad may not even have, an iPad is a big iPhone in my humble opinion. Yes, they're cool to have, but I'd prefer the iPhone.
I've had a lot of tablets, and returned them all within 10 days, including Blackberries, HPs and Android tablets, a friend of mine has an iPad, he also does barely anything on it. I'd say no, but if you gotta have it, then by goosh, go get it!

 

The one purpose of a tablet is that it is an excellent device for people that primarily use their computers to CONSUME content. These are activities such as watching video, reading emails, reading / browsing web pages, online shopping, etc.


People who primarily use their computers to CREATE content will be happier on a true computer / laptop with a real keyboard. These are activities such as typing email, typing on forums, creating / editing documents, etc.

 

Is your m11x the only laptop you have? If this is the case - the m11x should be out of the equation, since it serves its own important purpose, no matter if you have a tablet or not.

I cannot totally agree with the way your wife chose to phrase it - the Ipad 2 would obviously allow you to surf the web, read ebooks, watch movies and whatnot - on the go. The m11x - is a rather large and heavy notebook, and due to a number of usability issues I won't call it portable at all.

If portability is an important factor for you - Ipad (or Blackberry Playbook, for that matter) might be a very reasonable choice. If you would rather save your hard-earned money - you might easily do so - since with an Ipad you will be buying nothing you don't already have, save for its portability and superior screen.

 

I use all 3 constantly. Droid, iPad, M11x. The iPad is more a toy than it is a computer, but boy is it awesome. If you ever have to do any work or type something longer than this posth here, you'll be glad youstill use a computer.

Disclaimer: I got my iPad from work, so I didn't actually get it with my own money.

 

I've been thinking about selling my M11X and getting an ipad. Then I realised how limited the ipad can be and the lack of expandable memory. I have an iphone 4 which I love and the idea of being able to use the apps on both appeals to me.

The ipad is very cool, if you ever play with one you want it. But I think using logic and reasoning the M11X wins every time for me.

 

You sir have a smart wife!

 

Compairing a ipad and a m11x is kinda like compairing a 1tb hdd and a 60gig ssd.

While the ssd boots up soo fast, you cant store anything on it
But with the hdd, you have to wait a little bit but get much more content.

ssd = ipad
hdd = m11x

So it comes down to how often do you need to check something quick on the internet then shut the computer down? If your computer is always on, then it doesnt really matter much. I leave my computer off, unless I am using it, so a ipad would be great for me to check my emails, check the forums.

 

Its all preference.

In college I earned a free ipad 2 and iphone 4. I use my ipad for taking notes with evernote or browsing the web whenever I am too lazy to get to my computer. My computer is small enough that it doesn't even matter to me which I use. Whichever is more convenient at the time.

 

I have my M11x, My IPad 2 and my IPhone 4.

I love having all, and if you're a gamer who doesn't care about platforms, then yes - there are games on the IPad 2 that you can't play anywhere else.

That being said, I don't think an IPad 2 has anything over an IPhone 4 other than screen size. I actually prefer the IPhone 4's screen resolution wise.

Even more so, I wouldn't even think of getting an IPad 2 right now, when there's a rumored revised "IPad 2.5" (my term for it) coming out in October with the proper "retina" resolution screen upgrade people expected in the IPad 2.

So even though I think it's worth having both. I'd still wait on getting an IPad 2 until the new model arrives in a few weeks.

 

I couldnt have said it better.....i own a Iconia TAblet, and i love it. I use it on my commute to work, i use it when im just browsing, or checking emails, etc....but if i need to create, or play games...m11x all the way. I Also have a android smart phone, and recently had an i phone 4. That device is still a phone, so its necessary, but the tablet is by far better for digesting content.

if you can afford it, its def nice to have all 3. and if your wife isn t a 'tablet' believer, give her 10 minutes with the ipad. =)

 

I have an iPhone 4 , an M11x and an iPad 2.

I bought the iPad 2 for school / gaming after M11x , but it can't replace it. I mean , the iPad is for work / lying in the bed , M11x is for typing. I can type on my iPad , more battery , but less confortable and speed typing.

All thoses 3 devices are awesome , but the less i use is the iPad 2. I bought it to play my favorite game ( ReRave ) , but it stay in my Bed , or for some school specific work.

I'll say something that may sound strage , but the iPad is GREAT , but useless.

 

A ton of great points here in this post. I think after reading all of this I have decided I won't save up for one specifically, but if I get an extra $600 i will buy one. Seems like reading through these posts its more of a luxery than a utility when I already have my m11x and my iphone 4. thanks guys: ) great community here!!

 

there is another alternative, I had an iPad ( until I gave it to my mother ) for me it was more of a toy. since then I got an Iconia W500 that doesnt use a stripped OS ( iOS or Honeycomb/android ) but runs windows 7 on it. for me it has become a great traveling companion as you can use it to consume alot more media formats as well as use it for practical puropses where you dont want to take your laptop around.

 

Just because I wanted to share
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/602996-m11x-tablet-mod.html

 

There is another alternative - buy yourself a proper laptop, sell your m11x, and buy any tablet you like

Out of curiosity... did you own your m11x for a long time?

 

i have a 15 month old m11x and 1 month old ipad2

put it this way, i left my ipad at my uncle's in a different city and really dont miss it

yea the ipad is great for web browsing say in a different room when you cant bring your m11x [bathroom lol]

but i mainly used it for web browsing, which i find better on my m11x

sometimes id use the ipad to be on IM while watching a full screen video as i dont have space to attach my 22'' lcd where im at

for work, i dont use the ipad as its not useful, my genome programs are pc only, so the ipad is just for email at work as well

its more portable than the m11x, but i take the m11x to work, i can get a quick gaming session and its fine

as for the ipad / iphone, i feel the iphone is just a small ipad, with phone function. if you have an iphone and are not over 60, then the iphone should be fine

but if you are over 60 [like my uncle] the ipad is a great device, it makes the internet easy, you can check email, read news, all on a clear screen
you cant type as fast but he's not typing anyway

 

In my room I have my desktop, a droid, a touchpad, ipod touch, a ps3, and m11x. All of them are connected to the web and all but the ps3 has my facebook and my email. The only real use my tablet has is looking up a really quick fact if I'm in bed and my m11x is off or if I'm stepping outside to have a smoke. Is that convenience worth $500? Not IMHO because my phone does the same task albeit slightly worse. It essentially replaced the 10 minutes a day I'm on the internet at home but not in front of a computer. Overall I still use my phone so much more because I can use it anywhere and its always connected. While waiting on my food at a place like Jason's Deli or 5 Guys, while waiting to get my haircut, while waiting to get the oil changed in my car etc... I still check almost all my e-mail on my phone because it updates frequently and I check it all the time for calls and texts anyway.

I personally feel my tablet sucks for much of my web browsing (especially forums), sucks for embedded videos, too big to carry, and touch screen gaming in general sucks. I had fun with it for 2 days...

Like stated by others, my mom loves her ipad. She doesn't spend alot of time on the internet, does not have a smartphone, loves playing simple games for 10-20 minutes, and she does not watch many videos. For her it does everything she needs, its always on, it has a good form factor, and has great battery life. It is perfect for her but as an enthusiast I find all tablets near useless.

 

Funny, I've got the M11X, an iphone 4, and an iPad 2 and I love em all.

I use my iPad in conjunction with the M11X by using it as a secondary screen while I watch my online classes. I send files back and forth between all three devices via bluetooth or SSH.

I also use the art programs (ArtRage) to create artwork on the fly. There's just something really organic in creating art with your fingertips.

I also use the iPad to take notes (Noteshelf) with my clients at the jobsite, and after the meeting, I can hammer out a proposal or contract on the M11x and have it ready for review and signing. If a client sends a .pdf I use Goodreader to mark it up while having a cup of coffee and email it back to them for review.

I wake up in the morning and check my stocks on CNBC and hopefully make the right move for that day.

The list goes on. In conclusion, value lies not in the tools, but rather within the user.

 

I have all 3 devices as well but I find that one of the commentors here made a very good point.

Main purpose of the Ipad or tablets are to consume content whereas pcs and computers are meant to create.

Most of the time, I use my Ipad to read books and magazines which I can seldom do on the computer. I'm still in University but zipping through 30 pages of articles at times on the computer (especially the m11x with its small screen) is quite taxing on my vision. Whereas reading books or articles on the Ipad, is generally much more preferred.

I still enjoying normal browsing on my m11x as I use it more often to do that than the Ipad but if you're an avid book reader or magazine reader, it'd definitely would a good fit among your devices. Not mention some apps that present information really creatively, like:

-Zite (Kind of like reddit or somethign like that)
-Flipboard (Takes news or RSS feeds and put them into a magazine format)
-Discover (Daily articles from Wikipedia to splurge your interest into random facts)
-Zinio (Magazine Reader)

This is just to name a few!

 

I've played with the iPad 2 as well as the Motorola Xoom. Tablets are really overhyped and overpriced right now.

If you *must* get a tablet... I would definitely go android. Android lets you install custom ROMs, NES/SNES/N64/GBA emulators, and free tethering if you're rooted.

On top of that, most of the newer android tablets have dual-core processors, and 4G, which blows any Apple product clear out of the water and into the kiddy pool.

 

I have been contemplating about selling my r3 just because I really haven't been using it for gaming that much. I love the processor speed paired with the ssd but since I got the 2540p, it can actually keep up with the r3. I have been using the 2540p more and I take it with me where ever I go. I will miss the portable gaming but I think I can do without it at the moment. I have been thinking about getting an iPad 2. For the longest it seemed silly to have both an iPhone and iPad but since I travel a lot, I will appreciate the bigger screen for watching movies and reading articles. I think if I do end up selling my r3, I will make the jump and get an iPad.

 

I would have to disagree with this. Android tablets ay have superior technical specs, but Apple has the dominant app ecosystem (especially apps that are natively designed for the tablet format). All the 4g and dual-core processors in the world will not help if you cannot run the apps you want.

But on another note, tablets prices are likely to plummet in the next 6 months (sub $250 is my prediction). If you can afford to wait, it will be to your benefit.

 

This is, verbatim, what I came here to say. I do use both, rather heavily, but in exactly those roles. If I need to access information, especially enormous PDF's or reference websites, I use the iPad. If I am writing, designing, computing, or gaming I use the laptop.

 

I just have a Desktop(35%), M11xR1(35%) and an Android 4" screen smart phone(25%).

So an iPad2 would sit somewhere in between the smart phone and the M11xR1. Or as a netbook with dock and keyboard attached.

If you look at the connectivity of the latest gen smart phones with HDMI, USB (includes keyboards, mouse, flash sticks, game consoles etc), WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth, HSDPA 21Mbps, dual core 1.4Ghz and etc, etc, you're looking at a pretty strong device all be it with a small screen (circa 4")

Kind of insane when you can connect a mobile phone to a 24" IPS screen with a keyboard and mouse.

The thing that most people don't talk about (and it's the elephant in the room) is storage, a home can have several (I have six) computing devices.

Many people here have talked about all the devices they have, cool, but data duplication, backup and access start to become a problem.

So given I already have a number of computing devices, but no iPad and no NAS (Network Attached Storage) I know where my money would go (Has gone ). If one looks at the features on say, Thecus, QNAP and Synology... will you're in a whole new ball game, say nothing of the potential and power of VPNs and media distribution.

Anyway, back to the topic, given my smart phone is with me all the time and my M11xR1 is never that far away, I don't see myself benefiting from an iPad and if I did get one, I'd just turn an iPad2 into a compartmentalised netbook. Otherwise it's just a one trick pony. (But hay, what girl doesn't love a pony)

As pointed out by others, if you're an information consumer and the applications/services you require on an iPad are mature, then it may have a place in your computing line up.

I'd be interested in how many people that have purchased an iPad have also purchased the iPad dock and keyboard. Expensive [1], but cool and ups the stakes to netbook plus.

For me, snuggled up in bed under the duvet, using a smart phone with one hand, works for me.

[1] - As kent1146 has mentioned, prices will drop.

 

Dropbox is my solution to this, but YMMV.

 

True, DropBox is a good call.

Streaming HD Movies from storage on the Internet may not always be the best solution when at home. NAS+VPN and DropBox covers a large playing field though.

DropBox is always an easy win on a mobile phone.

Anyway,I'm off to feed an Elephant....

 

Using M11x and iPhone4. My usage needs are met without the ipad but if I had a non smart phone then an ipad might be nice to keep nearby while watching tv.

Recently added my old P4 dt back into the mix for work but it didnt really change much - M11x still does work duty. At least I can spread the love (work).

For on the go communication where you need to read documents or approve graphical bits I can REALLY see a tablet device being handy. Not sure if I would recommend Apple over Android though if the screens are the same. Appstore is not a strong enough argument - at least by numbers. There is a lot of worthless crap in the itunes catalog and not much to allow for as many media types.

I have not yet got into the "cloud" but might play with dropbox or equiv sometime

 

if its any matter of intrest. i have a M11x and a DroidX

i had a android TAB with the Tegra2 in it for about 2 weeks (wasnt mine) and i played with it for about 1 day. after realizing it was the same exact ting as my phone only bigger i never messed with it again....

IMO TABs are kinda pointless if you already own a smartphone and ultra portable laptop. i could maybe see if you had a huge 18" back breaker of a laptop. but a waste of money if you ask me.

 

A man of excellent logic! I agree 100%.

 

Yeah, I would have to agree. I also agree that they are over hyped atm, and prices will drop pretty soon when people start to realize that they are oversized smart phones that just can't replace a laptop. One day they might, but right now the technology isn't there to back it up.