Laptop or iPad?

smartech

New Member
Hi everyone,

My dad is asking me to try and find him a laptop (preferably) or an iPad that he will use for a course that he is currently doing.

What I would like to know is what brand computer should I get for him (he likes high spec gadgets but really doesn't have any real use for it) that will be durable and yet with enough specs that would be considered decent?

In addition, what would be the significant difference between getting him a laptop versus an iPad? and which would be more convenient to utilize on a regular basis?

Thanks
 

The_Other_One

VIP Member
My girlfriend has an ipad and loves it/uses it almost exclusively anymore. I have an ipad and use it on occasion.

Limitations for the ipad... No physical keyboard (though the on-screen keyboard is quite good), no card reader, limited support with certain things, no adobe flash support, limited usability (no file browser)

What do I mean by limited support? Everything is an app. If you want to print, hope you can find an app that supports printing whatever you want to print and that supports your printer that better be a networked printer.

If all you want is something for casual web surfing and very little typing, the ipad is pretty good. However, I still stand firm with the traditional laptop/keyboard/touchpad.
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
I say go with a laptop. More productivity possibilities. If you want something that will last a long time, look into a Dell Latitude. They're nice and durable. I've had mine for 4-1/2 years and haven't had any issues with it.
 

speedyink

VIP Member
They're for two different purposes. If you want to be able to do real computing like managing files, using full scale applications, and doing any sort of note taking/typing/printing, go with the laptop. If you want to browse the web, play angry birds and check your facebook, get an iPad.
 

PCunicorn

Active Member
For light usage and playing games like angry birds, get a tablet. I would get a Nexus 10 though, but ipads are nice. For medium to heavy usage, get a laptop. A dell latitude would be nice, or most lenovos. Laptops are better for autocad, editing documents, etc. Also, you can guarentee any site will load with a laptop. I have found sites that just dont work with tablets.
 

ThursdayChick

New Member
iPads are a bit limiting, it does depend whether he wants it for light entertainment and use or whether he needs something more, in that case its the laptop
however The_Other_One is right about there usually being an app for stuff like printing i.e. printcentral or print n share for example
 

strollin

Well-Known Member
What kind of course will your dad be taking? In what way does he expect to be able to use the tablet or laptop to aid him in that course?

For note taking, the laptop with it's built-in keyboard would be a better choice. The tablet is more portable but not as good for doing things like note taking, spreadsheets, presentations, etc...

If the course's text book is available as an ebook, the tablet would be the better ereader although there are applications available for the laptop to do that as well.
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Could look into getting a Microsoft Surface because that has a physical keyboard and would be useful for note taking.
 

Geoff

VIP Member
iPad's are a supplemental device to be used in addition to a computer, it's not a computer replacement.
 

fastdude

Active Member
iPad: Great for consuming content, e.g. watching videos and reading documents
Laptop: Great for producing content, e.g. making videos and creating documents
 

speedyink

VIP Member
Could look into getting a Microsoft Surface because that has a physical keyboard and would be useful for note taking.

Actually since the Surface runs on Windows 8 it wouldn't be so bad. I'd recommend the Surface Pro, it's nice to use any x86 application.
 

Justin

VIP Member
iPad's are a supplemental device to be used in addition to a computer, it's not a computer replacement.

Not necessarily. Depends on the user.

When me and the rest of my family gave my mother a laptop, she barely used it. Now she has an iPad sand you can't pry it off her hands. She doesn't work so there's no need to create documents, or make powerpoints, etc...
 

tahuuson

New Member
The iPad’s main appeal is its size. The iPad may be great for reading, web-browsing, and emailing on the go and even has a pretty nice camera built in, but if you want to get some actual work done, it’s a bit less desirable. The iPad lacks a USB port, which means that you can’t just plug in a flash drive and move files around when needed.
So I think you should choose the ipad or laptop custom on your requirements
 
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