iPad or not to iPad.....that is the question...:)

[Nick]

an Imac (which I run windows on),

A shooting offense in some circles Bob

[Bob Connor]

"Macs are for four year olds and geriatrics."

That's a standard joke around my office.

Because I lecture in the stuff I have to do some fairly heavy duty stuff on PC's and the software that's available for MAC just isn't up to it or doesn't exist. If I get really serious I'm using Unix or Linux. Strange really as the MAC graphical user interface sits on top of an an operating system amalgamation of NetBSD and FreeBSD (which Steve Jobs developed when he wasn't with Apple)

You have to remember that Mac computers make up only 6 percent of the global market and most of this is in domestic use, not in the enterprise environment. So the market for them isn't as big as everyone thinks and the amount of software (enterprise level software at least) just isn't written for it. Apples biggest share is in smart phones and tablets.

But things change quickly in this area. Look what happened to Nokia and Blackberry.

Anyone had a squiz at the Samsung Galaxy SIII smart phone yet? I've got one arriving tomorrow.

Regards

[kiwigeo]

"Macs are for four year olds and geriatrics."

That's a standard joke around my office.

Four year olds dont know how to f***k around under the hood of their computer and geriatrics like myself would rather be doing better things. To me a computer is a tool and like a tool it should just go without you having to f**k with it. Imagine if you had to spend as much time f**ng around with your router as much as you do on an average Windoze machine...most of us would chuck the machine in the nearest trash bin.

[jeremyb]

Hi John.
I have an I phone which I have been using at home to keep up with whats going on here. Its convenient ,I can keep up with whats going on any where , any time. I did play with the I pad at a shop once and like what Nick said above, Its the same as the phone, and for me that made it easy to get the hang of quickly, being a slow learner at computers.
What I don't like about the phone, and it may be the same as the Ipad, is its not possible to load pictures from my phone to a post , the Upload attachment section that I can see below as I'm typing this at work is different on the phone. So I can reply but not add pictures. If I was looking at a I pad I would be checking that.

Yeah the inability to upload straight from an iPhone to the net is a pain in the arse. I email my photos to myself and upload from the laptop.

If the forum supported tapatalk you can from their app, makes browsing forums easier too

[Kim Strode]

"Macs are for four year olds and geriatrics." Don't underestimate the ability of 4 year olds and geriatrics...!!

My first computer was a Mac which was introduced to the 'event' business I worked at, over 30 years ago.

I then went on to depend on these great Macs to run my video production business for 10 years. In the last few years we added the iPhone....followed by the iPad. The combination also works great for us now, enabling us to run our accommodation business from on the road or virtually anywhere.

Whilst I understand Bob's comments regarding specialised PC software, I had no training in IT, so the Apple concept enabled me to embark on business and creative work that I would have otherwise never have done or imagined doing.

I had a chuckle recently when my brother, who is a scientist and was in Mac denial, purchased an iMac, replacing his PC..he then went on to buy the iPad...now his favourite new computer!

My son Tom is now producing his second music CD using a Mac Laptop.

[auscab]

Auscab,

If you need a hand with it let me know.

Thanks Ro, I have had a look at it but do have a question .
I will pm you when I get a chance

[Dominic]

As a workshop replacement for a laptop it would be great if I could use all my windows apps like VA, and various sound and tuning apps. I am pretty sure you can't do that with an iPad but the new microsoft system will. From Bob's specs it look like it could be far more useful than and iPad.
Dom

[MBP]

I really don't think the surface is the iPad direct competitor, it will be surface vs Mac air.

Only time will tell but I can't really see the surface taking off. It looks ridiculous which although shouldn't really matter and probably won't to those who actually want to use it for work but to joe blow it will

[kiwigeo]

As a workshop replacement for a laptop it would be great if I could use all my windows apps like VA, and various sound and tuning apps. I am pretty sure you can't do that with an iPad but the new microsoft system will. From Bob's specs it look like it could be far more useful than and iPad.
Dom

Like I said in an earlier post the iPad was never intended as a laptop replacement and shouldnt be thought of as same. Think zooped up iPhone rather than dumbed down laptop. The Mac Air.....thats a machine you buy if bling and showing off in the Qantas lounge is more important to you than practicality. Real Macheads use Macbook Pros.

BTW if youre really desperate you can run windows on an iPad via Parallels......but its not the greatest emulator.

[Paul B]

I got my first Mac back in '93. Been a fan ever since. Always used PCs at work though.

Sure, the iPad doesn't have the storage of a laptop, but it's not supposed too. If you set up your home network with Apple gear, you'll have an airport extreme as the router/central hub, and you can hang large storage drives off that, that can be accessed by your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch/MacBook/MacBook Pro/iMac etc, through wi-fi. If you're travelling you just dump what you'll need for the trip to the iPad, you might have to make some space on it by switching out some files.

I know the PC Vs Mac argument has been going on for a long time, but it's over. Ironic though that a Mac had to become a little more like a PC to win that argument (same Intel processor in Macs now).

I returned to Apple last year after using a PC at home for a few years because of the price, and there was a bit of catching up to do. But it's not that hard.

I also have an iPhone 4, that I can use to connect to the net with my Mac Book Pro when I'm out and about. Their gear is just the bees knees. I don't think the phrase "I wish I didn't buy an iPad" is one that gets spoken very often. But if you need a laptop, buy a laptop. MacBook Airs are lovely.