MacBook purchase now second thought, iPad may be better?

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51togo

Recycles dryer sheets
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Apr 22, 2013
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So retired in 2014 with a Dell desktop, got Porwepoints, excel spreadsheets, words etc. it’s helpful occasionally but as I’m getting older, last 5 years I’ve not touch the desktop. The desk top got tons of pictures, files, mostly work that’s nice to keep but now I’m thinking what for? I think it was running on Vista. Also worry about virus upgrade etc so primarily using the iPad Pro 10.5 for banking etc.
Anyone in the same boat just using the iPad instead? I recently purchase a MagicJack devise and needing to connect to a PC to syn prompting me that I need a computer. But now after just couple day on the MacBook Air with M3 16/256 good deal at $845. Got a feeling it’ll just collecting dust. Keep it or get another iPad… your thoughts? Thanks
 
Good choice on the M3 MacBook Air. I think you’ll find it useful for word processing (Pages), spreadsheets (Numbers), photos (Photos), web browsing and tax preparation. While you can do some of these things on the iPad Pro, I think a computer does a better job. You need a computer to run TurboTax or HRBlock.
 
I have both of the devices you mentioned (Mac book Air and an iPad 10th Gen ) and I love having both. I mostly use the iPad for general browsing, email and forums such as this. But when I do any type of word processing (I’m taking a couple of college courses for fun not credit), spreadsheets including investments, tax planning or list management I use the Air. Tax return will be another use of the laptop. You will be glad to have both.
 
I could probably live without a desktop, I do use my iPad a lot. But I like having a much larger screen, sitting at a desk, with lots of HD storage space and a backup drive - so I have/use my desktop too. If you’re willing to store everything in the cloud and use a smaller screen, an iPad is probably all 90% of people really need. Gamers, video content creators and other graphics intense users may gravitate to desktop/laptops for now at least. There are YouTubers constantly asking themselves can they live without a laptop/desktop - so we’ll know when.
 
Can’t ever see the need for a desktop but laptop sure. iPad is just not great for file management, document manipulation, connecting to printers or scanners etc. Just got a little Kodak negative/slide scanner and it won’t work with the iPad but is great on the MacBook. Will finally be able to get rid of this box of slides and negatives but great fun looking at photos of my youth traveling cross country on a motorcycle.
 
I use my desktop for the big screen. Been iPad less for years until recently. Got a new iPad and use it multitasking online while watching tv. Have a MacBook for our snowbird days, but don't use it anymore.
 
I have a MacBook Pro and an iPad Pro. I use the MBP more than the iPad. I like the bigger screen and keyboard with my shaky hands.
I can’t remember when I last had a desktop computer.
 
Currently have M1 Mac Mini and M1 MB Air. I have an older iPad which neither my wife or I have used in forever. I occasionally charge it up but have not found a use case. I should probably look into Touch Portal again for a StreamDeck-like experience. Or maybe I'll just do that on my iPhone? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I recently realized that the Mac Mini isn't really necessary. I have a small SSD drive (2 TB) that holds most of the data, so I could just use a dock with my MB Air. Docked for big-screen and external keyboard/touchpad. Undocked for kitchen island or couch use, as well as travel.
 
I use an iPad mini for all my books (I have about 1400). I also use it or my iPhone fore checking email, general browsing, Facebook and the like when I am not at my desktop. I have an old laptop that I almost never used. When it got slow, I converted it to Linux to get more life out of it. I prefer using the iPad to a laptop for general stuff. The light weight and unobtrusive form factor are a huge plus.

Anything involving any graphics work, a lot of writing, taxes, or even close attention, I prefer a desktop with a large screen. I use a 26" Dell all-in-one with enough RAM and graphics power to handle my astrophotography. All-in-ones are a bit limited, but I don't like having a tower on my desk or under foot. The desktop sits on a built-in desk in my kitchen which is the center of household activity. I do not like to shut myself away from people and activity while on the PC.
 
mrfeh said:
I can't stand typing on a touch screen. I still spend most of my time at my desktop with 2 large displays, keyboard and mouse.
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I should have mentioned that I have the Logitech case with fold down keyboard and back stand on my iPad. When I do any amount of typing (like now) I use the keyboard on the iPad.
 
I use both. My iPad is mostly for web browsing, reading and keeping up with emails, FaceTime. Casual stuff.

My laptop is for doing my financial “work”. Running Quicken, storing and tracking all my financial statements, running spreadsheets, writing up and tracking plans, taxes. I also use it mostly when doing travel planning and scheduling. Also when I get back to photo editing and organizing, it will be on a computer.

If you aren’t using your PC because of virus concerns seems like that would change with a MacBook Air. But if you are continuing to do your banking on your iPad Pro, maybe not.
 
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Not a chance I would ever give up my desktop for an iPad. I am on my computer way too much and do far too much typing to want to hunt and peck on a touch screen. I need a real keyboard and I always get the extended keyboard with a numeric keypad as I use a lot of numbers.

For checking email or social media or reading here or playing games, I use my phone which is much easier to handle than a tablet. I have yet to see any need for an iPad. My wife uses one regularly and likes it but she doesn't do anywhere near as much typing as I do so it's more viewing and it's fine for that I suppose.
 
A few years ago I got a two-in-one Chromebook and my iPad use imploded. It is light, fast, quick to turn on, battery lasts forever and when I want it has a full laptop form factor and plugs into a monitor. Zero security issues and if it gets goofy, I just “Powerwash” it … resets the device and when I log back in it updates to the latest OS and downloads all of the apps that I had before. Awesome.

Now that I’m FIRE’d, I have a Kindle Scribe for reading and notes (love it) and have added a Mac for some consulting simply because a company I work with requires a Mac or PC.

The Mac is nice but for sitting on the couch with coffee, it’s still my Chromebook ... I don’t feel the need for an iPad.

(I plan to buy a gaming PC to support high-end VR, but that’s a very specific app.)
 
If I had neither I would start with a cheaper version of the iPad and add a wireless keyboard. You will be amazed at what you can do with and iPad, keyboard, the apps, and the Safari browser.

If that is not good enough, then spring for a Macbook.
 
I have several laptops and several iPads. I use a Lenovo to grade student programming assignments. Mostly because I have software set up on it to do so. I have a Macbook Pro (14", M1, 16 GB, 1 TB) which is very very nice. Great for movies and youtube. I have quicken on it in a virtual machine (parallels running windows 11 - works great). I also have slowly been setting up programming environments (native) on it. Have/had an iPad Pro (circa 2016) which *was* a beast but now is slow slow slow. Just bought a iPad 10 ($250, black Friday deal) just because.

I've found myself using the Macbook pro more and more and other devices less and less. It is just a well built device w/a beautiful screen). Will see w/the new iPad in the mix how that goes.

I use Onedrive on all of the laptops so that both my personal files and school files are available regardless of where I work. (Two different OneDrive's.)
 
I think you guys are right, I really don’t want to lose any more of my computer skill. As when you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Keeping the laptop will the file organized and eventually do my own tax on TurboTax etc. I kept a good maintenance file on all my cars including several classics, now I noticed the updates stopped 5 years ago. Thanks all !
 
I only had an iPad for several years. It wasn't all too bad. Did my taxes on TurboTax on it just fine on both the app and the web. That said a couple of years ago I bought a base iMac M1 and it's a nice complement when I want to use a bigger screen.
 
I'm a big fan of the Mac mini for a desktop. I'll never get a laptop ever again because they are terrible ergonomically. The family each has their own login, so just one desktop in the house for when the iPhone SEs aren't enough, such as printing/scanning and some websites.
 
I have a desktop computer connected to my 75" 4K TV, and use a wireless keyboard and remote from a very comfortable couch.

I sat at a desk for 30+ years and don't ever want to do that again.
 
disneysteve said:
Not a chance I would ever give up my desktop for an iPad. I am on my computer way too much and do far too much typing to want to hunt and peck on a touch screen. I need a real keyboard and I always get the extended keyboard with a numeric keypad as I use a lot of numbers.

For checking email or social media or reading here or playing games, I use my phone which is much easier to handle than a tablet. I have yet to see any need for an iPad. My wife uses one regularly and likes it but she doesn't do anywhere near as much typing as I do so it's more viewing and it's fine for that I suppose.
Click to expand...
Same here. I hate typing on diminutive screens or keyboards (such as smart phones) and far prefer the classical full-size QWERTY. As a semi-retiree, I actually spend more time on my laptop than as a full-time employee... writing things, reading the news or books in PDF, editing photos, just general bumbling-around with electronic things. The smart phone is mainly used as a telephone, and for playing chess or bridge against the computer, especially when I'm a passenger in a car, or standing in line somewhere. A conventional laptop is the best compromise between physical clunkiness and useful user interface (screen, keyboard, mouse).
 
DH uses his iPad for browsing, pictures, etc and he has my old Macbook. I have a MacBook, and use the Mac for everything, including all of our financial stuff.
We both have iPhones also.
 
I too am considering just going for an upgrade to my iPad and adding a keyboard so I can periodically use it as a "laptop/desktop" I have an BT keyboard I use with my Chromebook at TaxAide. I'm not sure I even need more processing power than a high end pad anymore - perhaps just a full size BT keyboard and my stand that I use for watching baseball games now.
 
I got rid of my desktop Mac 4 years ago when I sold my house and moved into my apartment. I just use my iPad and IPhone. I continue to simplify my life. The Notes feature serves as a very simplified word processor, it gets me by.
 
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