Air Vs. iPad

[SonicIndustries]

Hello to all,

I am looking for some oppinion and advise before puchasing one or the other.
Either the iPad or Mac book Air.

I'm new to apple machines, i do not currently own one but I am planning to make the switch and treat myself to a powermac later in the next couple of months so whichever I buy, iPad/Air will be more of a tool for ultra mobilty and client visit etc.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts...

Thank you...

 

[ZorroAMG]

Air. It exists, so we can choose it and comment on it.

 

[ingallsra]

My personal opinion is to go with the MacBook Air (if you can afford it). It will be able to perform many more tasks than the iPad, and I'd be reluctant to buy an iPad until at least a 2nd generation is released. Just my opinion though.

 

[vansmith]

What exactly will you be using your machine for? The iPad is limited in what it can do but it may still meet your needs. Also note that discussion of the iPad and it's potential/limitations is limited (despite some discussion to the contrary) since it hasn't been released.

 

[SonicIndustries]

Hello guys, thank you for your responses.

What I want from the machine is mobile internet access and email etc
I want something small and lightweight with excellent battery life.
I will also use the machine for browsing pictures and video.

Until I found out about the iPad I was pretty fixed on the idea of getting myself a MacBook Air, however i currently have an iPhone 3GS which I love and when I saw the iPad I began to wonder about how much of functionality the Air I would actually need and could the iPad be a suitable replacement for my needs.

I cant imagine needing huge computing power from it. hopefully that sheds so more light on the subject. Thank you all for your help and advice

 

[mdfuller]

I wanted the tablet. I really did. After seeing how it is all shaking out, I am getting a MacBook Air to add to my collection. It is hard to compare the two since the MBA is three times as much. If that is not a problem then by all means get the thing!

 

[dtravis7]

Here is a question for you. Does your iPhone 3Gs (besides the Cell Phone part) do everything you need a mobile device to do? If so, then the iPad would also serve you quite well with a 10" suburb screen and even iWork for Word Processing and SpreadSheets. If not and you need more, then I would go with a lightweight notebook which the Air for sure is.

 

[SonicIndustries]

Here is a question for you. Does your iPhone 3Gs (besides the Cell Phone part) do everything you need a mobile device to do? If so, then the iPad would also serve you quite well ...

When you put it like that, it probably does, but that increase in screen size would make it much more useful but at the same time I cant help but wonder if I will find myself looking for more functionality...
I've been trying to think back over the last 6 months of how often have I used and needed my little netbook when out of the office and for what.
I have been unable to draw any startling conclusions from that thought process and so I thought i'd share my thoughts and see what anybody had to offer on the subject.

Thank you to everybody for your advice and opinions btw, i only registered on here today and what a pleasant and helpful bunch you all are. thank you.

 

[vansmith]

Here is a question for you. Does your iPhone 3Gs (besides the Cell Phone part) do everything you need a mobile device to do? If so, then the iPad would also serve you quite well with a 10" suburb screen and even iWork for Word Processing and SpreadSheets. If not and you need more, then I would go with a lightweight notebook which the Air for sure is.

Well said. I would like to note though that unless you need the thin form factor of the Air, you might be better served with a MacBook. If you decide to go the notebook route, note that MBs have faster processors, bigger HDs and have optical drives on top of being at least $500 USD cheaper.

 

[chas_m]

You sound to me like an ideal candidate for the iPad, but it's not coming out for another 55 days or so.

My advice would be to wait the 55 days, get thee hence to an Apple dealer and try both of them out on display. Then you'll know.

My guess is you'll go with the iPad, particularly since you say you are getting a desktop computer later on.

 

[SonicIndustries]

Sound Advice indeed Chas. Thank you

 

[pigoo3]

I know that the choice is supposed to be MacBook Air vs. iPad...but in my humble opinion...I would not recommend either for you.

It sounds like you want/need a portable computing device. Thus I would say get a laptop first (rather than the iPad)...and unless you REALLY like the styling of the MacBook Air & slightly lower weight...I would not recommend the MacBook Air...it just isn't a good value vs. what you get in terms of computing power in a MacBook or MacBook Pro.

In my humble opinion...with the MacBook Air you're paying a lot extra for "eye candy & style"! If your looking for the most computing power/dollar...the MacBook Air is not a good value. But if you want "style"...then the MacBook Air may be what you want.

Hope this helps,

- Nick

 

[SonicIndustries]

Hi Nick, thanks for that.

I will admit I completely love the MBA it is beautiful. I am looking to purchase a new home apple too, in fact you have been advising me there too lol.

the question im toiling with really is two fold, (with my new apple at home) do I really need the mobile computing power of the MBA or will the cheaper iPad do the job.

for what I use a mobile machine for the lightweight minimalist design is something I favour. If I were buying a machine to do both jobs home and mobile I would be looking for a MBP

 

[pigoo3]

the question im toiling with really is two fold, (with my new apple at home) do I really need the mobile computing power of the MBA or will the cheaper iPad do the job.

for what I use a mobile machine for the lightweight minimalist design is something I favour. If I were buying a machine to do both jobs home and mobile I would be looking for a MBP

I see! Maybe you are the perfect customer for an iPad...but then if an iPad works for you...maybe an iPod Touch would work as well.

- Nick

 

[vansmith]

Hi Nick, thanks for that.

I will admit I completely love the MBA it is beautiful. I am looking to purchase a new home apple too, in fact you have been advising me there too lol.

the question im toiling with really is two fold, (with my new apple at home) do I really need the mobile computing power of the MBA or will the cheaper iPad do the job.

for what I use a mobile machine for the lightweight minimalist design is something I favour. If I were buying a machine to do both jobs home and mobile I would be looking for a MBP

The MBA may look nice but if you're going to go the notebook route, you would be much better served with a MacBook (Pro). Unless you absolutely need the thinner design of the MBA, there is little reason to buy one over a MacBook (Pro). If you do plan to use this at home, you need to consider what you can and can't do with the iPad - no Flash support, no Java support, no optical media support, no MS Office (if you depend on this) and other things that may affect your satisfaction with this device as a suitable machine for the home.

 

[SonicIndustries]

Hi Van Smith,

iPad or MBA is to be purchased as a mobile machine in addition to my home machine. I will not be using the mobile machine at home save for idly trawling the internet for something whilst watching TV. little more than I currently do with my iPhone.

 

[vansmith]

I understand that you need it for mobility but how "mobile" do you need to be? My MB comes with me to school all the time and is more than mobile for my needs.

My concern is that you may be thinking that the MBA is somehow inherently 10x more "mobile" than an MB which isn't really true. As an owner of an MB, I can tell you that they aren't that large. If I were you, I would suggest that you go to an Apple Store and take a look at both the MBA and the MacBook (Pro). Decide for yourself whether or not the thin form factor of the MBA is that much better than the MB which is cheaper, is better equipped and isn't all that large.

 

[pigoo3]

If I were you, I would suggest that you go to an Apple Store and take a look at both the MBA and the MacBook (Pro). Decide for yourself whether or not the thin form factor of the MBA is that much better than the MB which is cheaper, is better equipped and isn't all that large.

Great idea Vansmith...I 2nd it!

Assuming there's an Apple Store near the OP.

- Nick

 

[vansmith]

Hadn't thought of proximity to a store (this is what happens when you live 5 minutes away from one).

Well, here is the list of locations in the UK. If one of those is close enough for you, I would go take a look.

 

[pigoo3]

Hadn't thought of proximity to a store (this is what happens when you live 5 minutes away from one).

Yes I'm very lucky like you. I live roughly 2 miles (5 minutes) from my nearest Apple Store!

- Nick