iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop?: Motoring Computer Related forum

Computer Related > iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop?	Computing Issues
Thread Author: apm	Replies: 10

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New Fri 30 Sep 11 17:14

iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop? - apm

All,

Work have given me a woeful windows laptop that is hopeless. Won't pick up my profile (so can't install Chrome or Skype), battery life is 2 hours (!) and the fan makes a loud buzz. It's so flimsy that it looks like something my 3-year old would play with. Just horrible.

Anyway, I have some project funds to buy something decent. I am keen on a Macbook Air (Apple fan, so no Windows suggestions please), but also wondered if an iPad with a bluetooth keyboard would do all I need for less cash and weight? I'm an academic, so would mainly be email, web surfing, some writing and spreadsheets. Occasional stats would probably wait until I was at my desktop. I was wary of the iPad route as not keen on doing loads of typing, but have recently seen these cases that have the keyboard built in.

Anyone done it? Thoughts appreciated!

TIA,

Alex.

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New Fri 30 Sep 11 17:16

iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop? - Zero

Stick with your first suggestion. the Ipad is useless for serious work and far too limited.

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New Fri 30 Sep 11 17:23

iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop? - Redviper

Agree with Zero - despite its hype, Its far to limited and is only good for basic web surfing (without flash enabled sites) and "Apps"

If it was significantly cheaper than what it is - maybe, but it isn't.

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New Fri 30 Sep 11 18:04

iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop? - Iffy

Another vote for an Air.

Apart from the iPad's other limitations, there is the question of size.

It's a matter for apm, but I reckon an iPad's screen is too small for the use he has outlined.

An 11 inch Air might be big enough, but I would also consider the 13 inch.

Looks like the plastic MacBook is no longer sold, but a 13 inch MacBook Pro is £100 cheaper than the same sized Air.

www.apple.com/uk/mac/

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New Fri 30 Sep 11 20:31

iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop? - RattleandSmoke

Do what my customers do, spend £500 on one, pay me £30 to get it working with their network and data, then decide 2 months later its useless and that PC is better.

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New Fri 30 Sep 11 22:11

iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop? - movilogo

iPad becomes quite powerful once you jailbreak it. But still no match against a standard laptop.

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New Fri 30 Sep 11 22:14

iPad + keyboard as substitute for laptop? - RattleandSmoke

Ipads have their place, in certain situations they are brilliant but they will not replace the PC or laptop. In five years time that is a different matter, when you can connect them to 50" TVs and printers etc.

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