Stuck between an iPad or a laptop?

Question

Recently I've been thinking about replacing my current laptop, but I can't decide between an iPad or another newer laptop (which will probably be a Mac or HP). I've been doing a lot of research on the new iPad, and that thing is generally just overall awesome. I love the size, portability, the touch screen, battery life, how easy it would be to take notes for school or do projects, research, and many other things, etc. However, there are a couple of things I'm iffy about, like the non existant support for Adobe Flash, how there's no port for a USB or any other removable media like CD's, no standard Microsoft Office, and how a regular computer has to sometimes be a go-between for the iPad if you want to update certain things. I'm not sure how that would work, because if I did buy an iPad my old and sadly busted laptop would be going into storage. Also, I hear that there isn't as much room for documents, pictures, music, and other things when compared to a normal laptop.

If I did get an iPad, I would mostly be using it for school, but of course also games, movies, music, etc. So, for those who have had a laptop and then switched to an iPad, or vice versa, could you tell me the pros and cons you've experienced with either, and also please answer these additional questions? 

Despite what the iPad is lacking, is it still better than a laptop, worse, or does it just depend on your needs?
 Does having no Adobe Flash seriously limit every day activities, or does that problem only come up once in a while, or never? 
Does the portability really make a difference in reducing hassle when traveling? 
Do you need a computer to be a go-between? 
How well does the iPad work as a learning tool?
Will an iPad be more costly in the long run, with all of those apps and accessories?
Will Skype still work?
I know that the iPad doesn't have Microsoft Word, but there is another program called Pages, I think. Does this still work as well as Word?
Is the iPad easily breakable?

Thanks so much for any help!!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

They have bad as well as good things.. the main is portability but laptops often have less room for upgrading in the future. If you overclock your hardware you will have bad luck with laptops as they have next to no thermal capacity. Laptops have a touch pad for mouse control which is not very good for gaming. Desktops Have much more potential for expanding the internal parts. In 5 years if your desktop is slow, Just get a few internal parts instead of a new PC. In the news its possible to upgrade memory and cpu(in some cases) but will cost more then doing so in a desktop. Also desktop is a lot cheaper for the same performance and generally have bigger screens

Laptops are not upgradable in general. All you can upgrade on a laptop is the memory and the one disk drive (most usually have only one). 
You cannot add most common add-on cards, though many are now available as USB devices.

Other disadvantage is screen size. Though many laptops have HD screens (1920x1080), those screens are often small (15-16"). A desktop usually runs with larger screens (20-24"). Mind you, you can add a larger screen to a laptop externally (second screen), but then the laptop is no longer "portable".

For the price, you get more CPU power and better expandability with a desktop. Laptops cost more for the same hardware because it is made to be "portable", so price vs value is a disadvantage for laptops. If portability, moving from place to place is important, a laptop is the only choice in that case....

The main disadvantage for a laptop is a very poor upgradable capabilities. Only memory and posible the HDD. But processor and video card NO. And these two means in fact the heart of power of a PC.
Main advantage is mobility.
For desktop main advantage is high reliabilty through updgrade. U can customize what u buy and put inside of the desktop case. If u want a new better graphics card u can sell the old one and replace it with new one. Same with memory, hdd, motherboard, soundboard etc.
About the legs :))) i dont know if the problem is with overheating knees or overheating processor.

Anonymous · Answer

I couldn't understand if you meant your current laptop is usable or not. If its still usable and in working condition, get an iPad. If not, you should get a new laptop. 

An iPad is not better than a laptop in any way. If can't replace a laptop at all. Yes, there are similar traits, but overall, laptop wins. 

I think they have said they are trying to get Adobe Flash on the iPod's, iPad's, and iPhone's, but I'm not sure. I could be thinking of something else. On my iPod, I don't usually experience it at all, except if I get on YouTube from the website version, but then again, I use my iPod for music and games, and occasional web surfing. 

When a 15 in. laptop is folded closed, its about the same size as iPad. But obviously, the iPad is much thinner and lighter. But I think the hassle with a laptop is about 30% more than it would be for an iPad. 

I'm not sure what you mean by a "go-between"

I've heard you can download your school books on it, but I'm not sure. 

No. The system itself (laptop, iPad) cost about the same. But then for a laptop you need to pick a system software, if, which I'm sure you will, you want Microsoft Office, that costs, ect. For accessories, if you get iPad accessories new from eBay, they are way cheaper than a laptop.

Skype will work on an iPad. You can get an app for it, that works really well, and you can video call others from a laptop, iPhone, another iPad, or iPod. 

Yes, Pages works amazingly. I've saw reviews about it on YouTube, and it looks really cool!

Well, it depends. Its a touchscreen, so it will obviously break easier than a laptop, since a laptop closes to cover the screen, and the iPad has no protection. If you got an iPad, I would recommend getting a full protection cover, that folds over the screen and covers the back. 

The second best tablet, I would say any Android powered one.

Anonymous · Answer

I have found out that the i pad is neat for general use though
I take notes on it for school and find that it graet for short notes but I want to blow my head off if I am taking extensive notes.
the touch screen seames cool and is very accurate and responsive but it can get annoying wheile useing the internet 
personaly I would go with a laptop it has much more capability then an Ipad I you are using for extensive work
Do some good research on what type of laptop thought some are better then others
personaly I like windows best but the mac is also a very nice computer

Anonymous · Answer

I would say get a Laptop, but for gaming get a higher end laptop. The iPad is nice, but not a computer subsitute.

Get a cheaper desktop + a iPad 1, and it will be perfect.

? · Answer

Trust me lap top

Trending News

Stuck between an iPad or a laptop?

5 Answers