I'm torn....ipad and new MBA

I was set on getting a 32gb 3G Ipad. I even had the details worked out with my 3G signal provider but I decided to wait to see if there would be any updates on Oct 20. I was not expecting the new Air models, but after stuyding them quite thoroughly I am really torn between the two.

I am basically deciding on the ipad or the base 13" Air w/4GB ram.

My uses for this machine would be:
-watch videos
-internet surfing - lots of internet...research, news, facebook etc..
-apps

Basically this will be my mobile computing device for when I dont need to bring my Macbook Pro with me. I have been using my iphone, but the screen is just too small.

So what would your mobile computing device of choice be? The ipad or the MBA? I guess it comes down to preference...either you want a physical keyboard or you don't.

For me, I have used both, and find it doesn't really matter to me.

 

you might as well get an ipad.. seems your not doing anything too strenuous. Note: iPad doesn't have flash player and is just an oversized version of your iphone, However if you decide to get the MBA, its a thinner version of your MBP and you can internet tether for internet. Either ways I don't understand why you can't use your mbp, if you choose to pick mba I suggest the 11.6" version.

Also apparently there are 7" iPads on the way.. although it was a rumor so was the 11.6" mba.

 

I agree with him..

 

why 11.6 inch?

 

I've got an iPad and the 11" Macbook Air. I don't think I could give up either - I could do without the Macbook Pro, but that's because I have a powerful desktop. If I didn't, and I really had to choose between the iPad and the Air, I don't know what I'd do. Probably rob a bank if it meant I could keep both.

Sorry - I know that's not helpful, but they're both great devices.

 

11.6 is smaller... if its for portability, why not get the smaller one?

if you can do everything you need to do on your iPhone yet the screen is too small.. I'd go for the iPad. If you need to do a bit of things the iPad cannot do that needs a full computer, then I'd go with an 11" air. even the 11" air is slightly bigger than an iPad, why overdo it with a 13"er?

 

#1: the iPad is generally NOT an oversized iPod. It's display opens up possibilities that the iPhone/Pod couldn't dream of in the same way that a bigger trunk allows you to put different things in your car that the smaller trunk couldn't handle. visit the iPad app recommendation thread for more perspective on that.

#2 if your favorite websites need flash, you'll be generally speaking, very disappointed.

#3 the iPad does not function well as your only computing device. Get it as a compliment or don't get one.

#4with the iPad, you'll have to buy some extra stuff, so keep that in mind. keyboard, minimum.

 

That's a lot of money to spend on something that you're going to use for things any netbook can do. If you HAVE to have either, go with the iPad. Or if you have the money and want something that has a bit more function, go with one of the Air's.

 

It'll be a tax write off

I think I'm going to wait until my local Best Buy gets the new Airs in. I want to play around with one before I decide, and get my friend to use his employee discount.

 

Having both the 11.6" Air, the iPad, and a bunch of 12-13" notebooks, I'd definitely go with the 11.6" Air. It's not actually that much bigger than the iPad, it's not too much more expensive, and it's significantly more useful. Plus it's not too much slower than the 13" Air.

(seriously, I took the 11er out of the box and was like holy **** it's an iPad sized MacBook...)

 

I personally would get the iPad over the Air but as others have said it depends on how you plan to use it. The iPad is more than an "oversized version of the iPhone" and saying as much shows a lack of knowledge of the product. That being said, there are drawbacks to the iPad of which some will be fixed with the new OS update (printing and multi-tasking). If you have been doing fine with the iPhone except for the screen size you should be very happy with an iPad. My cons for the Air would be the lesser battery life, lack of touch screen and inability to run iOS apps.

I suggest making a list of what you want to do with your portable device and checking off which of the two will do each item better. Then think about the other things such as screen size, battery life, touch screen, accessories and such. In the end the choice should be much clearer than listening to a bunch of strangers on a forum.

 

Steve Jobs Says 7-Inch Tablets Are ‘Dead on Arrival’ | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

 

An 11.6" notebook is the perfect travel size. The 11.6" MBA is a particularly attractive and well designed ultraportrable. I would probably pick it over any other 11.6" out there, including the Acer 1830, Asus UL20 and happily pay the extra $300. The unibody construction (Starbucks WOW-factor) is well worth the extra $. The Air can easily slip into a briefcast and go where-ever you go.

I like the 13" as well. I own both 11.6" and 13.3" notebooks that I use for work. I can assure you that the difference between 11.6" and 13.3" in typing comfort, speed and accuracy is more than significant.

The IPad is nowhere near as tempting to me. I need a portable device to be more productive than the IPad allows. I would clearly opt for the Air over the IPad.

Bronsky

 

I picked up an iPad 3G after the new MBA announcement. Not too pleased with MBA. But I will wait out the reviews first On how it handles.

 

Im leaning towards the 11 incher now because somebody said that it is not significantly more expensive, but significantly more useful. I have to agree with this. the MBA is a full on computer so I think I'd be a lot more productive on it.

 

Get an 11inch MBA you won't be disappointed. Nuff said lol

 

iPad is not a computer, I don't know how anyone can enjoy their experience on it unless they're reading eBooks and checking email.

I don't get how anyone can enjoy web-surfing on anything other than a full blown computer. iPad cannot open sites in tabs, you have to switch windows and what not. I mean, it's a novel idea and props to Apple for giving it a shot but it's still a very useless device for most people who actually care about functionality instead of having the latest toy on the market.

It's not even all that aesthetically pleasing to look at, so I don't get the appeal at ail.

In any case, good call on the MBA, you'll find it much more useful than the iPad.

 

Oh please school me on how the iPad is any different than an oversized iPhone. Please point out the major differences and all the new things it brings to the table.

If you're going to make a claim like that you should explain what sets it apart from the iPhone ... Maybe I'm one of the uneducated ones but as far as I'm concerned. It's an oversized iPhone.

 

I'm not sure why anyone would even consider the iPad for intensive web browsing when it doesn't even support flash. How far in to your web surfing are you going to get before you realize that you've purchased an enlarged iPod touch?

 

Seriously, I don't get it either. I don't understand who the product was intended for, because it certainly isn't intended for the computer literate crowd.

Apple needs to allow the iPad to run OS X or some equally functional variant of it.

 

That's what I'm planning on doing too. From reading on macrumors and other mac sites, it seems people who have seen the new Airs in person (both the 11.6 and 13 side by side) have been totally blown away by the 11.6. I can't wait to see it in person because I was initially sold on the 13 but the 11.6 might be very attractive and its portability advantage means I'd use it in more places.

I just wish they released them with 4GB RAM as standard instead of 2 (it's my understanding that the RAM is not user upgradable on the MBAs); that's gonna force me to have to custom order mine instead of picking one up locally. Although I heard BestBuy in the US has some with 4GB RAM in stock, hopefully we'll see upgraded units at retail in Canada too.

 

Employee discount on Apple products is pretty weak if there is one, unless you work directly for Apple.

 

Yeah, my buddy is the actual Apple guy that stands at the Apple product display telling people about the Macbooks and what not. I know that he gets a better deal than the regular BB people, but he told me it's not as big as you might think.

 

To the OP, 11.6" macbook air. Anyone with > 500 posts on here is a poweruser, and that's what the 11.6" macbook air is: an ipad poweruser's dream ipad: keyboard, built-in stand, mouse, and flash, also with the ability to develop on it.

 

Your post seems a bit hostile but I'll brush that off as just the way I'm reading it. While the iPad looks like a large iPhone or iPod it actually does have more functionality than that. The larger screen obviously makes things like web surfing, apps, email, photos and video much easier to use and opens up more possibilities. Over and above that there are other things you can do with the iPad that are not available on the iPhone.

The camera kit



Keyboard dock



Lets not forget the apps that are only available on the iPad: iWork, The Elements and MLB at Bat just to name a few. I'm not saying that the iPad is a full blown computer or without faults, just that it is more than an oversized iPod.

 

Wasn't supposed to be hostile, it's just that you made a claim and I wanted you to back it up.

The camera kit may be first party (really not sure) but I know there are other (legal) ways of tethering your iPhone/iPod touch to a DSLR camera to use in LiveView ... So that's nothing unique.

As for the applications unique to the iPad, there's nothing besides Apple stopping these applications from being run on the iPod touch; after all, the iPad and iPod touch have the same computing power. Obviously it won't make sense to run iWorks on the iPod's screen but to me the iPad's screen doesn't cut it either if I'm doing serious work.

Besides, to effectively use iWorks, one needs to dock a keyboard and mouse; at that point, why not get a real computer?

Lastly, the only thing the iPad does well in my opinion is eBook reading, checking email, and killing time with music and video. It is not an ideal device for any kind of serious websurfing. I cannot post on a forum using the iPad's touch screen, it's just not convenient ... Sure I could dock the keyboard, but again; at that point, why not get a real computer?

Edit: It is a novel concept on Apple's part, but they're doing it wrong in my opnion. They should let the iPad run a variant of OS X, it will make a world of difference.

 

Even if you could find a way to tether a camera to an iphone it defeats the purpose because the screen is too small. Same goes for iWorks, the screen is too small on the iPhone. While you think a keyboard and mouse is mandatory, others do not as the iPad works well in a pinch. I post on web forums all the time using the iPad (including here) where I wouldn't even try on an iPhone. I thought you wanted to compare the iPad to an iPhone not to a real computer? I agree that overall a computer trumps the iPad in many ways but the iPad wasn't designed to replace a computer. The iPad only came into play here because the OP said he was using the iPhone as his mobile device and was trying to decide between an iPad or Air. If the OP is doing everything needed on an iPhone the iPad is a logical choice. If the OP wants to spend the extra money for the Air that's fine too.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree on the iPhone vs iPad thing and let the thread move on.

 

Yeah, different strokes for different folks I guess.

Speaking of tethering to a camera, I personally haven't bothered to use it but I wouldn't call it useless. The iPhone's screen is much larger than any dSLR's screen today ... It only gets much better with the iPad.

I currently tether to my dSLR via Adobe Lr3 and my Macbook Pro. It's a bother because as small as the Macbook is it isn't exactly mobile in that situation, especially when trying to shoot Macro. I wish I could have that on the iPad, it would seriously give me a reason to buy one.

Not to get off topic but why hasn't Apple thought of releasing a watered down version of OS X for the iPad? It would be the device out there, and I'm not even joking.

 

While the iPhone has a larger screen than most DSLR cameras the difference doesn't help very much. I've used the iPad with my DSLR on vacation, at a wedding and on a weekend boating trip with great results. The iPad fit nicely into my camera bag even though the bag wasn't meant to hold a notebook. Every day (sometimes several) I would download the pictures to the iPad and clear out my memory card. I was then able to delete the out of focus shots and any others I wasn't happy with and share the pictures with family and friends within minutes. There is also the screen saver mode that uses your photos like a digital frame which is nice. Sometimes I played around in photogene to test out the editing functions which are actually not bad. I was surprised on vacation as I saw about 5 to 10 other people doing the same thing with their iPads as well. I was also approached by a few photographers who were interested to see the iPad To be honest the camera kit was the major reason I bought the iPad to begin with but over time it's become my go to system for meetings, travel and most around the house usage.

It's much easier to watch tv or lay in bed while using the iPad than my MBP. I think over time the line between iOS and OS X will blur and the iPad will be closer to what you want it to be. Don't hold your breath for full blown OS X on the iPad though as I don't think that is what Jobs is looking to do. I'm looking forward to the next generation of the iPad as it should have the retina display and face time camera, I hope.

 

Well I made my decicsion, I'm going for the MBA. Will probably grab one as soon as Best Buy gets them in.

 

Well it appears we're talking about different things, I was under the impression the camera kit allowed you to use the iPad's screen as a LiveView monitor.

From your description it appears all it does is import photos and and lets you view them?

 

No live view currently unless someone made an app for it. I've read that the SDK from Nikon and Cannon only works for Windows or OS X currently. I'm not a pro photographer so I never really got into the whole liveview thing anyway.

 

I'm torn between the 11.6" and the 13.3" macbook air. For $100, I can get a bigger screen and faster processor. What are the advantages of going with the smaller one except for the reduced weight? I will be using it mainly for heavy doses of web surfing and email.

Anyone know if the new macbook airs are capable of running dual OS? I would like to run Win 7.

 

Basically just the size/weight, though the $999 cost of entry for the 64GB model is attractive for people that don't need too much disk space. And yes, the Airs are capable of running Windows 7. Mine is running Ultimate 64bit.

 

Which model do you have? 64gb or 128gb? How much space is left after having installed 2 OS? And do you have 2gb or 4gb of ram? I wonder if I need to go with 4gb to run Win 7 Ultimate smoothly...

 

64GB, 2GB memory. I've got like 30 or 32GB left after the two OS installs. If you're really looking at boot camp/using it with a lot of programs or games, you want the 128GB. Benchmarking games is such a pain - have to uninstall each one to install the next one LOL.

The RAM....it runs smoothly with 2GB, but really you do want the 4GB. OS' don't get lighter, I'm expecting 10.7 to be fairly bloated.

 

I checked out the MBA 11 and 13 today. Definitely prefer the 11 inch model because the screen is not that small and thanks to the resolution you can actually get work done on it and use it comfortably.

The 13 felt kind of big to me and the 11 felt like the perfect size. I'm going to think about it for a couple more days then pick one up soon.

 

It's more than that. The Air is a real computer. It has real multitasking (the iPad never will, even with 4), it has a minimum of 8x more RAM and many times more CPU/GPU power. It's running a real OS, has real web support, real video support, real program support. Even for something as basic as web browsing, an Air has flash, an air has multiple browsers, and they're all full, versus the stripped down iOS Safari. It has real tab support, 10x faster scripting (while doing the real full site, not a half broken version), the power to playback probably any video you come across, etc.

iOS by comparison is buggy, single tasking, and really clunky for even a lot of basic things like Office programs/files. About the only thing I think the iPad wins at would be as an eReader, since you can use it portrait mode without a keyboard....but I like my Kindle better for that.

For me, there's no comparison, and the 11" Air, while pricey, seems like a much better deal than the iPad. The iOS' limitations seem REALLY obvious too me when you blow the thing up to notebook size.

 

The air price is very reasonable for those that remember the first Airs a few years ago much higher priced for much less laptop.

 

The point you're so blissfully missing however, is that not everyone needs all of that extra bloat.

iOS is not clunky by any stretch of the imagination. I usually pickup my iPad instead of my iPhone or even my Mac to chat, surf the web, email, manage remote computers, etc because it's much more convenient to use.

Use what works for you, but don't slag the alternatives simply because YOU don't see the value in them.

 

"Bloat"? A real OS is "bloat"? Now that's spin if I ever heard it :lol:

It's hideous next to a real OS if you're trying to get work (or fun for that matter) done.

If that somehow works for you, fine, but it can't do ANY of those things well. That, and the lack of a hardware keyboard + tiny screen means it's not at all convenient for me.

 

People wanting a mobile OS which offers speed and convenience, aren't going to need all of the things that a full blown OS offers. Therefore it can be considered bloated by comparison. I'm not saying that the features of a full OS should be considered "bloat", but notice I said "by comparison".

iOS isn't a full OS, so why bother comparing it, and judging it by the same criteria as one?

What an ignorant comment. Unfortunately there's no point in trying to help you understand someone elses point of view because this comment shows your mentality.

You can buy an iPad Keyboard Dock, as well as use the Apple BT wireless keyboard.

I will give you credit however, this last sentence was the least offensive due to your wording.

 

But iOS devices are slower, not faster, than real computers. 'Convenience' depends on how you define that. iPods and iPhones are a lot smaller
so that can be convenient. But iOS devices are a lot slower, and capable of a lot less, so that's inconvenient.

Because it's competing with full computers.

I think you meant to say "factual" not "ignorant". They're far less capable-that's a fact.

Yes, but the form factor and portability is more unwieldy like that than using-for example-a Macbook Air, and you're still mouse-less.

 

OK, that's been fleshed out enough. Anymore post in this vein will simply be deleted... before things get out of hand.

 

If you can't afford both an iPad and Macbook air, then your better of buying a $200 asus eee pc , which is pretty much the same thing as a macbook air but cheaper.

For some, $1000+ is well worth the thinness and status symbol of the macbook air. I love my ipad as a living room reader and something to entertain guests, but lets face it: its a toy. The macbook air is a great travel device. Two different devices and if I was in the position where I has to choose one, I would probably just save the $1000 than stretch my funds on toys.

 

Being able to browse the web, read ebooks, watch media content, take notes, write, listen to music, view pictures, makes it a toy? Many people do just that with full fledged notebooks. Suppose they are using their notebooks as if they are toys then?

 

But it doesn't give you the full web, isn't a great choice for writing, and can't really take notes without a keyboard...a $300 netbook is better than it for all those things, not that it can't sort of do them.

 

Though I know a novelist who uses his iPad to type out and edit his manuscript using pages and the OSD keyboard. I've played around with it and found after about 10 mins of use for the first time, I can type just fine in landscape mode on the OSD keyboard. Many iPad owners report the same.

As to full web, yes it doesn't have that capability. But in many, many instances, so what? There are many apps tailored and designed to allow access to certain internet assets like brokerages, banks, ticket ordering, etc that having "full" web capability is not an issue.

I'm not advocating having an iPad as one's sole computing device. If one has to choose, I'd go with a MBA or MBP. (Assuming one has an affinity for things Apple). BUt if one's needs were basic enough, an Ipad would be a suitable device as it is quite capable. Though I would wait for the next gen.

 

you may not be able to take notes without a keyboard... I used one for that before and it worked fine. I can't find any $300 netbook (or any netbook at all) that works better for me in any way shape or form than an iPad.

 

Not everyone needs or wants "the full web" (which is completely subjective in itself). Personally I avoid Flash websites like the plague, so browsing on my iPad and iPhone are an absolute pleasure, which to me is "the full web".

Isn't a great choice for writing?? WHY is it not a great choice for writing? A person can take it with them wherever they go, it's instant on and able to immediately capture ideas, and depending on the apps installed you can capture text, drawings, and audio clips. Sounds like the perfect choice for writing.....either with the on-screen keyboard, or an external keyboard.

Seriously, give yourself a shake and think about what you're saying. You're making broad claims without any supporting evidence whatsoever. If anything, several people have completely discredited your rantings by citing examples which go exactly opposite of your claims. You don't like the iPad.....fine, but don't talk down to people because of their positive iPad opinions.