Replace MBP with iPad 2

mac-P4c · Mar 7, 2011

Hello everyone.

As the title says, I am wondering if my MBP could be replaced with the new announcement of the iPad 2.

Primally I using my MBP for notes and surfing on the internet, and sometimes Football Manager 2011 (I know the iPad can not handle that). And that's it, no video editing or something like that.

About my surfing, I almost near WiFi all the time, but when I visit my father on vacation (He doesn't have internet

) it could be nice to have 3G, but it's only twice a year I visit him, so is it really worth it?

I have actually no idea of, what the iPad can run.. Does it runs Pages, Numbers and Keynote??

And how much GB do you think I need for my usage? (Documents, Apps, Programs etc.)

So what do you think, would iPad 2 be the perfect 'thing' for me?

I don't have any experience about iPad, so hopefully I will some great answers

Thanks for reading all my questions

And be sure you answer them all ;D

schweb · Mar 7, 2011

I'll say no, the iPad generally is not a laptop replacement. But you'll get some people who say yes, although you'll find even those people have other computers they still use.

As for the iPad 2, since no one has it in person yet, no one can tell you for sure what its performance is like over time, but it's not really about the performance, it's about the OS, which is not designed, or sometimes even capable, of doing everything that a desktop OS is capable of doing.

In the end, you'll need to look at the features and decide for yourself if you think it will really meet 100% of your computing needs.

Sounds like you need to look at http://www.apple.com/ipad/ , read and watch the videos.

wolfpuppies3 · Mar 7, 2011

No, it is no replacement for a computer

the iPad is not a computer, you may not load traditional software on it. I use my MacBook Pro as Steve Jobs intended, it is a fine computer. I use my iPad1 and soon 2 for what it is intended - reading email, surfing the web, reading books, and running a few (35 or so) apps.

The iPad has no keyboard, no mouse. You may buy a separate keyboard but now it is bigger than the laptop.

Mamajag · Mar 7, 2011

I would say if you had another comp in the house to sync with it (and do your football stuff) you would probably be ok. I had a run of several months where I didn't have a dedicated computer while I "negotiated" a replacement and the iPad did what you describe very well. I pretty much used the other comps in the house for scanning in the kids' homeschool work, syncing the ipad, and going to the rare flash site I couldn't find a substitute for. I spent about $75 on apps for the "have to" list (word processing, spreadsheet, photo editing, checkbook register). My husband gave it to me as a birthday gift and bought the bluetooth keyboard. I only used the external keyboard for extremely typing intensive tasks like my research papers for class. I do agree that once you start thinking about hauling a keyboard with it you're still looking at MBP size and it's bulkier to boot. When you say notes are you meaning as in typing notes in class or retyping notes once you're home?

It's definitely one of those things where it's a lifestyle choice. That said, last Christmas my husband bought me an iMac, and I love not sharing a computer with the kids. It's a definite luxury in my book. If one of the comps went down I could totally be happy sharing the iMac with the kids (but not husband because he loves to change systemwide settings and force them on everyone…).

mac-P4c · Mar 8, 2011

schweb: I think, I didn't expressed me right. But I will still keep my MBP as backup for Football Manager and other stuff, that the iPad can't handle..

One think I forgot, was if I should wait on reviews as you say.

Mamajag: Yea, about notes it is only typing in class, and if I should edit it or something like that, it would probably be on my MBP. But as you pointed, I will have my MBP as backup and for sync.

When you are typing on the iPad I have read, that it is just something you have to learn instead of getting a keyboard?

clive12 · Mar 8, 2011

If you didn't replace your MBP when the ipad one came out then the 2 still wont replace it.

Ipad 2 has some enhancements such as cameras for face-time, thinner, faster (although the Ipad 1 is still very fast) but other than that its essentially still an Ipad.

The Ipad is a great device but will not replace a computer which is used for just more than Internet and Email.

Lifeisabeach · Mar 8, 2011

We replaced our MBP with an iPad and have no regrets. The MBP was way overkill for how we were using it, and we still had/have a desktop Mac for more general uses. The iPad is a great device for casual web usage (via Safari or dedicated apps like those for Wikipedia, iMDB, etc), casual games, and generally a better device for traveling so long you don't have any heavy computing needs on-the-go. We don't use Pages or any of the productivity software, but I would highly recommend the keyboard dock if you need to do a lot of typing. The on-screen keyboard is fine for "light duty" typing, but I wouldn't want to live by it.

iWhat · Mar 8, 2011

mac-P4c said:
When you are typing on the iPad I have read, that it is just something you have to learn instead of getting a keyboard?

The technique for typing on the iPad is "hover and peck". It's easy to get use to.

However, if you think you might be taking notes, there are a few apps out there for this. They utilize your finger or a tablet stylus to record your handwritten notes. Seems like Penultimate and Notes Plus are the best ones.

Mamajag · Mar 8, 2011

I could touch type almost as fast on my ipad as a regular keyboard when I was using my iPad exclusively. Now it's different because I'm going between two different keyboards and it's weird but still pretty good. I would check out handwritten note software as iWhat suggested if I were still iPad exclusive. I just kept hoping that replacement was just around the corner. It showed up 2 days after I got my iMac. LOL