<p>This is my dilemma at the moment. My computer crashed this morning and it is almost 6 years old. Apple refers to a computer older than 5 years old as vintage Of course, it could have crashed last week when my state had tax free shopping this past Friday and Saturday My son is trying to talk me into buying an iPad instead of a laptop as he knows I wanted one, but didn’t want to invest in one at this time. I, on the other hand, don’t see owning only an iPad without having a laptop.</p>
<p>My husband has a laptop, but he takes it to work with him each day and sometimes doesn’t bring it home at night. We haven’t had a desktop in years when the last one dies. I think an iPad is lacking as a full time computer. Without USB I have no way to save to flash drive or backup to an external HD, although I could backup in iCloud. Without USB I don’t know how I would be able to install from my current back up to the iPad. Then there is the printing issue; I have heard some printers can print from the iPad, but our current wireless printer does not and I am not looking to replace it. I believe the iPad also doesn’t have flash so some sites will not work properly.</p>
<p>I only use my computer for email and surfing, but I am on it a lot. I do help my parents with some work which requires downloading and installing to a flash drive. It is not unusual for me to have 10 tabs opened at a time. Do I really want to work daily on a smaller screen?</p>
<p>So back to the question, can an iPad really take the place of a laptop? My gut is no, but I promised my son I would look into it!!</p>
<p>I have the original iPad that I love, love, love. It’s especially great for traveling. But I wouldn’t have that as my only computer because I can’t create a document on it. Yes, I know there’s some apps that let you do that, but they’re a PIA.</p>
<p>I have a MacBook Air (11") that I also use at home that has a small screen, and I’m fine with it. But if I’m sending a long email I’ll always gravitate towards using my Air and not my iPad because it’s much faster to use a real keyboard.</p>
<p>You are 100 percent correct. While people have found a way to replace desktops with powerful laptops, the next phase to replace a desktop or a notebook with an iPad is not here yet. </p>
<p>There are simply too many limitations to a mostly passive tool like an iPad.</p>
<p>How about getting the iPad so you can see how it fits your needs and then if it doesn’t, pick up an inexpensive netbook to go along with it which would def suit your needs (email and surfing).</p>
<p>Either way you end up with an iPad which is so sweet to have!!!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t use the Ipad as the only computer. Screen’s too small and external the keyboard isn’t ergonomic for me…or most people I know. Not very comfortable typing a lot on the screen, either. </p>
<p>Out of curiosity, what’s are the symptoms of your machine’s crash?</p>
<p>I use my ipad about 75% of the time and nearly all the time for work. I have a wireless keyboard and two little clips - called WingStand - that hold the ipad to the keyboard. There are many options for this but I like the standard Apple wireless keyboard’s feel. </p>
<p>I prefer to use the ipad for writing and editing.</p>
<p>Where it lacks is storage and the memory to open lots of things at the same time. For storage, I have to look at lots of files and images and that takes space. It’s easier to manage that on a laptop. Memory is fairly basic; you can’t open a dozen web pages well on the iPad. It’s great for web use but it can’t handle as much because it’s designed for single page, single app at a time viewing. </p>
<p>I no longer think lack of flash is an issue at all. If a website still serves flash video only, it isn’t worth looking at. Any website worth a darn has switched to either html5 or is translating flash while serving it. That, btw, is what Adobe is now pushing for; they’ve given up on flash for mobile devices and are positioning it as a solution that can be served into other formats for users. </p>
<p>I would look at a MacBook Air. The ipad is easily the best device I’ve ever owned. A MacBook Air is 2nd best. People absolutely love them. They’re insanely light, turn on instantly and the battery lasts forever.</p>
<p>In the same position as OP. Found out that IPad will soon be compatible with Microsoft office soon, so that’s a good thing. Spent some time in best buy today and the lap top choices are baffling.</p>
<p>I love my iPad (we have two - I have one, H has one) but no way does it replace a laptop computer. The iPad is mostly good for consuming content, not creating it.</p>
<p>They now have refurbished 3rd gen iPads @ the apple store site. Not that much of a discount, but still some.
I think you still need at least a laptop that will run mountain lion to really get the most out of your iPad.</p>
<p>My plan is to buy the Macbook Air. As much as I want an iPad, I just didn’t want to spend the money on one at this time. IF I got one, the plan was to get one with 3G for road travel; we enjoyed using my son’s when we drove cross country or for the times we didn’t have wifi.</p>
<p>While the idea of buying the iPad and a less expensive PC is a possibility, I have been an Apple gal for the last 6 years, and have truly forgotten how to work a PC. When I have to use my husband’s laptop, I have to ask how to do common things! I think I will go with the Air and be a happy camper Maybe an iPad will be in our future soon!</p>
<p>I think you will like the air. They are much more sturdy than the early models.
There also is going to be a smaller iPad out soon, and I bet that by late winter there will be refurbed “new” iPads at a discount.</p>
<p>My story: had an antique (lol) macbook that was limping on, and I decided to get an iPad to replace it. Wrong! While the ipad is great, it definitely doesn’t replace a computer. I ended up selling the iPad (2nd model) after 3 months, selling the old Macbook and buying the 11 inch Macbook air. I LOVE it–and now I can print!</p>
<p>Ipad is great for viewing, but it is PIA to produce a document. The on screen keyboard is difficult to use. If you have to attach a real one to it, then you have defeat the purpose of an Ipad.</p>
<p>If you want a do-it-all tablet just wait for the Surface. Not only does it have a built in keyboard (though its ergonomics is debatable), Windows 8 is supposed to be quite well designed for the tablet.</p>
<p>My roommate had to use her iPad when her Mac kept dying (after four “fixes” they finally just gave her a new laptop). She had to borrow my old laptop numerous times for documents, websites, etc. IMO, iPads are definitely not replacements and won’t be for at least another few years.</p>
<p>I’m on my five year old Dell right now (which is, I admit, getting a little slow) wondering why so many people are willing to pay two/three times as much for Macs which don’t seem to last much longer. For the price of a MAC, you could get the iPad and a couple non-MACs. </p>
Of course, it could have crashed last week when my state had tax free shopping this past Friday and Saturday 
My son is trying to talk me into buying an iPad instead of a laptop as he knows I wanted one, but didn’t want to invest in one at this time. I, on the other hand, don’t see owning only an iPad without having a laptop.</p>
Maybe an iPad will be in our future soon!</p>