iPad vs Laptops – This is an issue that users have been grappling with ever since the first iPad was released in 2010. One of the biggest questions going around is whether an iPad can replace the laptop. There are several tech blogs that break down the pros and cons of the iPad vs. laptop to give users a clear view of what each does well. It has been more than a year since the launch of the iPad and the dilemma surrounding the iPad vs laptop has yet to be resolved. But has there been any change? Well, as many tech blogs report, users have adapted to tablets quite easily. Apple sold more than 14 million iPad units in 2010 and is aiming for 40 million units in 2011. This obviously indicates the huge popularity of iPad tablets among users.
Most tech blogs address the iPad vs. laptop, discussing the pros and cons of each. Here, we’ll look at how the suitability of each of the devices changes with the type of job you use it for or the type of user you are.
iPad vs laptop: which is better for the casual user?
iPads are great for performing simple computing tasks. These simple tasks that you can easily do on a laptop or desktop become more personal when done on a tablet. If you’re a casual user who intends to scan news sites, check emails, read e-books, do some social networking, or just surf the net lying on your couch, nothing could be better than the iPad.
Not only that, the iPad is also becoming popular as a game console. Although people were a bit nervous about using touch screen controls to play the game, they have now gotten used to it.
So you’ll see that you don’t really need a laptop if this is all you want to do.
iPad vs laptop: which is better for the professional user?
When the iPad was launched, the idea that was circulating in various technology blogs was that the iPad was intended for content consumption rather than content creation. This more or less sums up the functionality of the devices in question.
Simple content creation is becoming possible on the iPad, but to create advanced content, you still have to rely on the laptop.
If you’re a writer, you certainly can’t work on the iPad. Of course, many will argue that writers can use the Bluetooth keyboard. But the question is if you have to add a keyword, you might as well use a laptop. Also, sites like WordPress are not optimized for tablets.
If you’re thinking of professional-level photo editing, the iPad certainly won’t be of any help, at least not in its current form. By having a touch screen interface, the iPad has the potential to offer advanced photo editing options, but that will take some time.
Photoforge 2, which claims to be Photoshop’s iOS counterpart, is a far cry from what Photoshop allows its users to achieve.