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iPad vs. Notebook
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Opening
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With the new iPad now out the device is seriously starting to transition from a content consumption device to something more and more people are using for creation
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Some of the credit can go to the improved specs, better camera, processors, graphics
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The bulk of credit need to go to the apps and services
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Productivity apps and utilities
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Video and Photo apps, etc.
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Dropbox, iCloud, iCloud Backup, iTunes in the Cloud, etc.
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The question is, is it enough to replace your notebook? Can someone get by with an iPad as their only computer?
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This came up because a listener posed this question to me and while I know it's been discussed in the media I hadn't given it too much thought until now.
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The answer that has more questions
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What kind of user are you?
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Answering that will take you a long way to understanding what device will best suit your needs.
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The funny thing is this is the question we should ALWAYS ask when making any kind of technology buying decision.
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What are ALL of the scenarios and use cases you can come up with and maybe even a few that you can't.
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Keyboard entry
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Virtual keyboard can work, but still falls short for me for heavy text entry
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New Dictation feature could help, but only in some situations
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Pairing a Bluetooth keyboard can help, but you lose some portability
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Incase Origami workstation + Apple Wireless Keyboard
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Keyboard cases can help with portability, but do add bulk and cost ($80 - $100)
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Also, lake of a mouse or trackpad becomes obvious in many situations
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The act of "switching planes" to use the touchscreen is very awkward
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Bang for the buck
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Limited storage on the iPad
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Helped by iCloud and things like Dropbox
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iMovie, iPhoto on iPad, but will eat up storage.
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iTunes match is an added $25/mo.
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Devices like Hyperdrive Cloud FTP, but again another $99.00
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Processor
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iPad is great for a majority of applications.
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Not sure it's the best choice for heavy video or audio encoding.
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Video longer than a few minutes
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Prices
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iPad: $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), $699.00 (64GB)
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11" $999 (64GB), $1,199 (128 GB), 13" $1,299 (128), $1,599 (256 GB)
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13" MacBook Pro $1,199 (500 GB)
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Care and handling
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iPad is more droppable.
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In the hand more often. Notebook usually requires a lap or desk
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When not in use a notebook is typically in a special bag
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Easy to forget an iPad is in a bag and toss it
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iPad is "hot ticket" item.
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Usage
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Battery life on iPad is phenomenal.
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iPad excels at single focused tasks.
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Multitasking via fast application switching when needed.
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Instant on gets you to the task at hand more quickly
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Have this in a way with sleep mode on a notebook
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Focused apps mean a lot more shuffling
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Some tasks require jumping between multiple apps on the iPad
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Laptops can be more versatile in some instances.
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Photo editing and compositing is a good example.
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Photoshop may handle it all on a notebook.
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Casual use is a great use case for iPad
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Web surfing, email, messaging
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Research and light note taking
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Gaming
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Without a doubt the iPad is a phenomenal gaming platform
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Lots of options, also distractions.
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Media consumption
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Awesome
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Books, movies, tv, Netflix, etc.
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AirPlay, adds to the whole experience
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Textbooks, I think are still an experiment
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Large file sizes
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No secondary market, but they are relatively cheap.
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Still only 10 titles 60 days out
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Presentations
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Great for showing things of 1 on 1 or 1 to few
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AirPlay or iPad connectors work for mirroring to TV or projector
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Dongle's can be awkward
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Except for the HDMI one, don't allow for power.
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Photography
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New camera is really nice
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Camera connection kit is great
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Can import RAW files, but editing apps on iPad convert to JPEG
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Light editing and color correction, but color accuracy might be a problem.
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Media creation
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I think you can do it, but light applications for most types of media
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Music
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GarageBand is very cool on the iPad
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Some projects are being done, but all the same tools aren't there
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Movies
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iMovie for iPad
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Storage and processing power can be limitations
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Format support on import and export is also a limitation.
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Drawing, may be one exception.
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With a stylus, can be an amazing drawing platform. Pressure sensitivity options are just emerging
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Research and information access
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The iPad excels at this and is even better when the experience is enhanced with a dedicated app
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Conclusion
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Every iteration seems to blur the lines further
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I don't think we are to the point yet of the iPad serving as a full time laptop replacement
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It's a very good compliment though.
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There are some very specific use cases and areas where it may be possible
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It also has a lot to do with a learning curve and willingness to take on the challenge of changing your workflows and dealing with the limitation when you hit them
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It's those limitations though that often require workarounds, and maybe don't have "solutions" or tablet equivalents.
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The longer you depend on an iPad as a primary device though the more it can also become one.
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We have had 28 years with a mouse and keyboard and only 3 year with the iPad.
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It's come a very long way and it's only getting better
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