Why would anyone want an iPad over a laptop?

[nile455]

As their MAIN computer.

Let's see....

Has a physical keypad that provides tactile feedback
Laptop: Yes
iPad: No

Can run more than one program at a time
Laptop: Yes
iPad: No

Has a CD/DVD drive
Laptop: Yes
iPad: No

Has USB ports
Laptop: Yes
iPad: No

Sits comfortably in your lap and won't fall through your legs
Laptop: Yes
iPad: No

Adjustable screen angle, so you don't have to bend over to see the screen
Laptop: Yes
iPad: No

 

[dfchelbay]

I don't get it either.

 

[Aisling]

Not a good reason, but it feels more 21st century, space age-y, futuristic.

 

[olena]

I could never have a laptop as my main computer. I need a gaming machine. I haven't played with an iPad, but it seems like it would be easier than a laptop to use for the visually impaired. I'd have to play with one to see if that's true.

 

[nile455]

I haven't played with an iPad, but it seems like it would be easier than a laptop to use for the visually impaired.

With no physical buttons whatsoever, I highly doubt an iPad would make a viable option for the visually impaired. It's all touchscreen.

 

[LoraJ]

Yeah, I don't get it either. It's just a bigger version of my ipod touch. Why would I want the 3G version and have to pay an additional internet fee on top of what I already pay at home just so I can look something up outside? I can do that with my blackberry. It would probably be nice to have when I am at jury duty and they have free wifi, but other than that, there is no need. And I just can't see myself carrying it around everywhere.

 

[DVCLiz]

I love my iPad but I would not like it as my only computer - I like a desktop at home. I seldom use my laptop, although I have both a standard size and a netbook, since I got the iPad.

I don't need a CD/DVD drive because I'm using iTunes and Netflix instead. If I want to listen to a CD I'll put it on my iTunes account. If I have a DVD I wouldn't watch it on a laptop - I'd watch it on my TV instead.

I don't think it will replace my desktop but I like it much better than my laptop.

 

[princess.chell]

It's not meant to be a total replacement for a laptop in a house/persons life. It's marketed towards a household or a person that has a laptop but also has more casual "laptop" needs, as in checking email, surfing the web, watching videos, etc. So while it lacks what laptops have (USB, CD drive, etc), its features for the casual user that make it strong (lightweight, portable, small, the ability to read eBooks, the iPod built in, etc). The target for this device is different from the target for laptops.
That being said, there is some target overlap. I know a lot of traveling business people that have the iPad because of the easy of carrying it. With the added ability to run iWorks, the iPad becomes nearly perfect for the traveling business person because of the size as well. They have their laptops and desktops back at home but they also have their iPad.
Similarly is college students. I've heard of college students having both a laptop and an iPad. They take the iPad and the keyboard with them to class because its so much smaller more portable to take notes on. Then they can import the notes into their laptops and print or use them from there.
To me, the iPad isn't replacing a laptop, it's just being used in conjunction with it.

 

[RyeCrimsonMoon]

As a fun thing to play around with then get bored with in a month, yes! (Or even as an e-book reader)

As a replacement for a laptop, no!

I don't know why people want to replace their laptop with one, it's too fragile. I like the idea my laptop can close and I can throw it into a bag and take it anywhere. I feel like I would ruin an iPad so quickly.

If I wanted a small and easy laptop, I would get a netbook.

 

[epcotfan]

I don't get it either.

Ditto!

 

[nile455]

It's not meant to be a total replacement for a laptop in a house/persons life. It's marketed towards a household or a person that has a laptop but also has more casual "laptop" needs, as in checking email, surfing the web, watching videos, etc. So while it lacks what laptops have (USB, CD drive, etc), its features for the casual user that make it strong (lightweight, portable, small, the ability to read eBooks, the iPod built in, etc). The target for this device is different from the target for laptops.
That being said, there is some target overlap. I know a lot of traveling business people that have the iPad because of the easy of carrying it. With the added ability to run iWorks, the iPad becomes nearly perfect for the traveling business person because of the size as well. They have their laptops and desktops back at home but they also have their iPad.
Similarly is college students. I've heard of college students having both a laptop and an iPad. They take the iPad and the keyboard with them to class because its so much smaller more portable to take notes on. Then they can import the notes into their laptops and print or use them from there.
To me, the iPad isn't replacing a laptop, it's just being used in conjunction with it.

Tell this to the school I work at, which announced last week it will be replacing all staff laptops with a brand new iPad next year! Most of the staff is giddy (needless to say). Some like myself are extremely disappointed.

 

[golfgal]

Tell this to the school I work at, which announced last week it will be replacing all staff laptops with a brand new iPad next year! Most of the staff is giddy (needless to say). Some like myself are extremely disappointed.

I could be wrong but I thought I read you can't hook up an IPAD to a printer==is that true? If so, how in the heck are teachers going to use these things? I would hang on to my laptop if I were you.

 

[nile455]

I could be wrong but I thought I read you can't hook up an IPAD to a printer==is that true? If so, how in the heck are teachers going to use these things? I would hang on to my laptop if I were you.

Wow really? I had thought that the iPad's can print to wireless printers. If they can't do that, and if you can't hook up a USB printer up to it (which obviously you can't) that would pretty much make it useless for the teachers.

 

[Minnie824]

Does an ipad connect to a home wireless network? I'm curious how the internet works on it, or if you have to have some set account and pay monthly?

 

[Rora]

I went to the Apple store to try out the iPad and thought it was cool but something I'd probably get tired of. There's no way I'd ever replace my PC or laptop with it!!!!

I also thought that the iPad was a really awkward size... not small enough to be an e-reader but too small to be a mini-laptop. Very odd.

 

[nile455]

I went to the Apple store to try out the iPad and thought it was cool but something I'd probably get tired of. There's no way I'd ever replace my PC or laptop with it!!!!

I also thought that the iPad was a really awkward size... not small enough to be an e-reader but too small to be a mini-laptop. Very odd.

And this right here is my #1 complaint about it. People trying it out at an Apple Store or Best Buy are STANDING UP. And when standing up and holding it in the hands for a few minutes, it seems fine. But imagine when they buy one, take it home, sit down and try using it in their lap (which I'm assuming most computer users prefer). It is the most awkward thing to use. You have to try balancing it with your knees close together so that it doesn't fall through, and then you need to hunch over because the screen doesn't angle. Just an ergonomic nightmare. A friend suggested that you can simply buy a laptop stand that will give it the angle needed to avoid hunching over, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a small, easy, and portable device? An iPad + laptop stand would be larger and more annoying to carry around than a simple laptop.

 

[jazzielady]

And this right here is my #1 complaint about it. People trying it out at an Apple Store or Best Buy are STANDING UP. And when standing up and holding it in the hands for a few minutes, it seems fine. But imagine when they buy one, take it home, sit down and try using it in their lap (which I'm assuming most computer users prefer). It is the most awkward thing to use. You have to try balancing it with your knees close together so that it doesn't fall through, and then you need to hunch over because the screen doesn't angle. Just an ergonomic nightmare. A friend suggested that you can simply buy a laptop stand that will give it the angle needed to avoid hunching over, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a small, easy, and portable device? An iPad + laptop stand would be larger and more annoying to carry around than a simple laptop.

If you buy the ipad cover offered by Apple, then it can sit at any angle you prefer in either portrait or landscape style.

Also, there is a regular keyboard that you can attach the ipad to.The ipad is upright like the screen of a laptop, and the keyboard, about the size of one on a netbook, is flat.

I'm guessing most people here criticizing it don't have one. Try it, you might like it! Yes, it does have some negatives, most of which were already mentioned (no flash, no multitasking, no dc/dvd drive - but don't need that with itunes and netflix) and I already said I would not replace it for my laptop, but the positives outweigh the negatives, and having both is great!

Some people have likened it to a large ipod touch, and they are partly correct. One advantage to that is you CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT without a magnifying glass .

ETA: I do not have the 3G model, as I only intend to use the internet capabilities where wi-fi is available. Otherwise I have plenty of apps that don't need internet to keep me occupied (ereader, games, etc.)

 

[Praying Colonel]

IMHO it's not intended as a laptop replacement. For example, DW's trying to decide right now between a Kindle and an iPad. She's leaning toward the iPad because she can read ebooks but also surf the web, do Facebook and listen to her music library.

 

[castleview]

I love my I-Pad. Even though I got it for the reading feature, it's been terrific to be able to use it without having to kick anyone off the desktop. Because of it's lightness, it comes to sports practices and many other places. The keyboard feature does get easier to work with. Knowing Apple, it will just get better.

 

[Colleen27]

The iPad isn't really meant as a main computer, is it? I want it instead of a laptop because I don't like lugging my laptop around (full laptop, not a netbook) and because I want an eBook reader anyway. I don't need full function when I'm out and about; I just need to be able to check in on my e-mail in case a customer is trying to get ahold of me, get maps/weather updates if needed when we're on the road, and maybe play music or movies to pass the time.

The pay-as-you-go 3G is what really sold me on it. An iPhone would do everything I really need and most of what I want, but I don't want to pay for 3G service every month when I only need it maybe 3 months out of the year nor do I want to switch cell phone carriers when I'm happy with our family plan through Sprint. So the iPad is perfect.