Laptop or iPad?

[PLD]

What is it about sticking an 'i' on the front of everything that makes people blind to the lack of functionality??? or shall we refer to that syndrome as an i-infection?? 

Hi PLD, i see you not a fan of the brand, and you have mentioned the lack of functionality a couple of times.  I think it would be helpful, even for those of us who are happy with our (admittedly rather expensive) iPads, if you could be more specific about what functionality is missing. So, price apart... What am i missing out on (apart from Flash)?  What is there that the OP might need that can be found on a PC compatible tablets?

OK. The biggest drawback for me personally is the lack of expansion and conectivity.

• No USB ports on the i-Pad (virtually every Android and Windows tablet has at least one) so no direct connection to Printers, cameras, scanners, memory sticks etc etc unless they support WIFI which very few do.
• No memory card slots (all but the most basic Android tablets have at least an SD slot, many mid-range and upwards have multi format slots). If you find you want more memory on your i-pad your only option is throw it away and but the next model in the range.
• Apps - only available through Apple 'aproved' channels and cost generally more than the Android equivalent.
• Initial hardware cost - for the same spec (screen size, processor power, on-board memory etc), you pay between 1.5 and 2 times the price for the i-pad you do for an Adroid tablet.

[PLD]

We're going way of topic now. The OP's query was about Laptops vs Tablets (and it applies to any brand of tablet). That in the end depends on what he wants to do with it, they being two different tools for different jobs.

The i-brand vs others debate is a seperate issue, but my take is it's like comparing different brands of car... A Ford Mondeo does exactly the same job as a BMW 3 series (probably better if most reviews are anything to go by) yet there are many people who still buy the higher priced BMW because either they simply prefer the look of it, or because (they believe) it is the 'trendy' brand to be seen with...

[Flakmunky]

Personally, an Acer Transformer Android tablet would be my choice; work bought me my an iPad...

I can't stand my wife's iPhone, the iPad is better but I miss Swype...

BTW, have you tried 'zooming' into the iPad keyboard?

[Mustermark]

BTW, have you tried 'zooming' into the iPad keyboard?

Hadn't tried it by zooming, but if you tap and hold the keyboard botton (bottom right) it briefly shows a menu to undock and split, or merge the keyboard.

[Mustermark]

What is it about sticking an 'i' on the front of everything that makes people blind to the lack of functionality??? or shall we refer to that syndrome as an i-infection?? 

Hi PLD, i see you not a fan of the brand, and you have mentioned the lack of functionality a couple of times.  I think it would be helpful, even for those of us who are happy with our (admittedly rather expensive) iPads, if you could be more specific about what functionality is missing. So, price apart... What am i missing out on (apart from Flash)?  What is there that the OP might need that can be found on a PC compatible tablets?

OK. The biggest drawback for me personally is the lack of expansion and conectivity.

• No USB ports on the i-Pad (virtually every Android and Windows tablet has at least one) so no direct connection to Printers, cameras, scanners, memory sticks etc etc unless they support WIFI which very few do.
• No memory card slots (all but the most basic Android tablets have at least an SD slot, many mid-range and upwards have multi format slots). If you find you want more memory on your i-pad your only option is throw it away and but the next model in the range.
• Apps - only available through Apple 'aproved' channels and cost generally more than the Android equivalent.
• Initial hardware cost - for the same spec (screen size, processor power, on-board memory etc), you pay between 1.5 and 2 times the price for the i-pad you do for an Adroid tablet.

That's useful, thank you.  I think it is fair to say that ipad users are not necessarily blind to those, but may not have a use for them on their portable device.  The ipad price, i agree, is higher than alternative tablets, but still cheaper than a laptop.


I also agree that the main question for the OP is what it will be used for.

[Mustermark]

I find the iPad is great for surfing

Timmo

Do you have to stand on one leg or can you get both feet on it

I can't get both feet on mine!

[Pengi]

We're going way of topic now. The OP's query was about Laptops vs Tablets (and it applies to any brand of tablet). That in the end depends on what he wants to do with it, they being two different tools for different jobs.

Just to remind everyone, the OP's query was specifically about laptops vs iPad and he is considering the iPad for speed/video/pictures/taking abroad alongside the PC for word/excel.

[zwilnik]

We're going way of topic now. The OP's query was about Laptops vs Tablets (and it applies to any brand of tablet). That in the end depends on what he wants to do with it, they being two different tools for different jobs.

Just to remind everyone, the OP's query was specifically about laptops vs iPad and he is considering the iPad for speed/video/pictures/taking abroad alongside the PC for word/excel.

Unless you have very specific software tasks that you can only do on a laptop (ie bespoke software) or need to do something that involves either a lot of typing or a lot of drawing, the iPad's an ideal go anywhere device. There's a lot of talk about it only being to watch or play things on, but it's a very handy creative tool too (especially for musicians, I know several who use iPads as writing studios when on holiday).
If you do a lot of photography or have an iPhone, get the camera connection kit too. That gives you a USB port to connect the phone or camera to (as well as a card reader for non USB cameras) so you can offload your photos to the iPad for storage or editing in iPhoto. Also handy because you get to view and edit them on a larger screen while you're in the field so if you realise you need to retake a shot, you can do it there rather than having to come back later when the light's different.
Not having a physical keyboard is offset by the iPad being a lot more portable than a laptop (and more international as the virtual keyboard is available in almost any language now) and the built in battery means you get a lot longer battery life than a laptop or other tablets.
As far as apps are concerned. One, managed, App Store means you can trust what you're downloading. No fake app stores to worry about.
As previously mentioned. Depending upon which carrier you're on, the 3G iPad can be used as a mobile hotspot too, so you can access the net from it while the rest of the family use it via wifi to get online as well.

[red_death]

If you do a lot of photography or have an iPhone, get the camera connection kit too. That gives you a USB port to connect the phone or camera to (as well as a card reader for non USB cameras) so you can offload your photos to the iPad for storage or editing in iPhoto. Also handy because you get to view and edit them on a larger screen while you're in the field so if you realise you need to retake a shot, you can do it there rather than having to come back later when the light's different.

You can do all that with a laptop (which is what the choice is with)...out of interest does an Ipad process RAW images?

Not having a physical keyboard is offset by the iPad being a lot more portable than a laptop (and more international as the virtual keyboard is available in almost any language now) and the built in battery means you get a lot longer battery life than a laptop or other tablets.

It isn't really that much more portable or have significantly longer battery life than say a netbook/ultrabook/Macbook Air. It really boils down to what functionality you want out of the device and whether a keyboard/greater connectivity etc is important.

As far as apps are concerned. One, managed, App Store means you can trust what you're downloading. No fake app stores to worry about.

Strangely enough most manage to avoid fake app stores...I don't need Apple or Google to do that.

[Flounder]

Crikey - thanks for all the replies and the discussion.  I only expected a couple at most.  All very useful, including the off-piste stuff.  I suspect I will end up in an Apple store to have a play, but I wanted to go in armed with some good questions and you've ensured there is less chance of me being drawn in by the sales patter.

In answer to the specific use, I suspect the majority of the time I personally will be doing little more than browsing retailers, ebay, this forum, receiving and sending e mails, and organising photos.  The touchscreen attracts me in this respect. However, my eldest is 9 yrs old, so the main reason for considering the laptop is the use for homework as I have three children who will all need to access a PC/laptop device at various points.

What astonished me watching the olympics was the number of people using ipads and tablets to video and take pictures.  I wondered about the quality which people have touched on - thanks.

[EtchedPixels]

Strangely enough most manage to avoid fake app stores...I don't need Apple or Google to do that.

An Android phone requires you enable various debug options to load apps from elsewhere (eg so you can write your own which is always fun)

Battery life on a modern netbook or ultrabook is about 5 to 6 hours I find. Enough for pretty much any journey I do but the pair of 158s from Birmingham to Porthmadog, and borderline for the Heart of Wales. If Arriva would kindly fit those with plug sockets...

Good but not as good as some of the tablets/phones.

I've never done serious photo editing on my Android devices (too slow and no tablet type device has a full ICC colour calibrated display to my knowledge), but on a netbook the same is true. Ultrabooks are quick enough but rather pricier.

[EtchedPixels]

What astonished me watching the olympics was the number of people using ipads and tablets to video and take pictures.  I wondered about the quality which people have touched on - thanks.

A lot of the photography sites endlessly debate the various phone and tablet cameras and their performance and test stuff like low light performance and distortion. That is probably the best way to investigate the video on tablets, phones and laptop devices as it varies dramatically between devices.

[MikeDunn]

Enough for pretty much any journey I do but the pair of 158s from Birmingham to Porthmadog, and borderline for the Heart of Wales. If Arriva would kindly fit those with plug sockets...

Er ... they have ...

At least, the 158/2s have them fitted ...  I don't get one very often (next stop down from the end of the HoW line) but all 158/2s that venture this far south have power on certain seats, unlike the 150s or a number of 175s ...

[EtchedPixels]

Er ... they have ...

At least, the 158/2s have them fitted ...  I don't get one very often (next stop down from the end of the HoW line) but all 158/2s that venture this far south have power on certain seats, unlike the 150s or a number of 175s ...

Oh good, they hadn't last trip I did.

[MikeDunn]

Think the last 158/2 I was on was about 5-6 weeks back ...