Laptop vs iPad: which is right for you?
As we continue our buying advice discussion on laptops versus iPads, let's look at the reasons to buy a laptop.
The laptop advantage
Storage
Buy a new laptop today, and you'll probably get a hard drive with 10 times more storage than an iPad. It's easy to add more storage, too. External hard disks are cheap, and you can buy portable versions which will slip into a bag.
The iPad has no way of adding storage, so you're effectively stuck with the capacity you buy. The smallest has 16GB, and the largest is currently 64GB. There are ways around this limit, but none are entirely satisfactory. You can sign up for a cloud storage service such as Dropbox, Google Drive or even Apple's own iCloud, but when files aren't stored locally on the iPad itself they can be slow to load or in the wrong format, so will need converting first.
File formats
This brings us neatly to compatibility. Laptops are great because, with the right software, they can display or play almost any file. The iPad is much more restrictive and requires videos, for example, to be in MP4 (H.264) format before they'll play. It means you might have to convert files before you can play them, which could be more hassle than you're willing to accept.
For photos and music, the iPad supports the common JPG and MP3 formats, so these aren't a problem for most people.
Transferring files to the iPad has to be done via iTunes, not Windows Explorer. This lack of drag-and-drop support is initially a bit frustrating, but it's absent for a reason: a good user experience. Filtering everything through iTunes means you won't end up in a situation where you've transferred a video, say, and you're sitting on a plane only to find that your tablet doesn't support it and you've got nothing to watch.
Which iPad should I buy?
Assuming you decide the iPad's limitations are outweighed by its advantages (which they are), you need to make a choice. In fact, three choices.
The first is whether you want to be able to get online when you're out and about. If you do, you'll want to buy the 4G version of the new iPad (3G for older versions). It's £100 more than the equivalent model without a micro SIM slot.
Next, you have to work out how much memory you'll need. Here, the old rule 'get the best you can afford' applies. Apple charges steeply for more memory, so the Wi-Fi only 16GB version is £80 cheaper than the 32GB model, which itself is £80 cheaper than the 64GB model.
Finally, you'll have to choose whether to go for a black or white iPad. That's a decision we can't help you with!
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Comments
Shayla said: Laptop is much better for me
ian walker said: The ipad is a fantastic machine and easily the best tablet experience But you are still gonna need a computer for some heavy work and things that simply are not possible with the ipad Saying this though there are people who could probably use the ipad and nothing else especially for things like browsing the web and light photo and video editing I mean there are also some decent word processors for the machine
Julian Povey said: iPad is capable of doing most things that a laptop will do You guys obviously dont do research CD and dvd writing is done via a wifi cd writer Printing done easily through AirPrint or apps like print central prodownload all files video music pdf txt doc with apps then transfer if necessary via airstash to SD cardAirstash offers limitless memory via wifi SD card storage I have over 300 gig of movies instantly accessible via SD card on iPad I dont get itOnly power users need a laptoptalking final cut pro etc
Muhammad Jibran said: Jim you are right basically your article address therequirementof the user you have shown the both sides of laptop n ipad i was confused about it beforereadingyour article now i am relax to have enough knowledge yesAngus we can not replace ipad with laptop because ipad is thedriveform of laptopand ipad interface limits you to print a document watch selective formats movies and other devicesconnectivitywith it whether a laptop doesnt do like it Thanks again Jim Martin for your nice n informative article
James Smith said: As long as Apple continues the our way or no way attitude Ill never have an iPad For the very reasons you give a laptop especially the newer notebook ones is far superior I have a G4 121 Apple PowerBook that does everything I want from a laptop True it isnt as light and I always carry two good batteries but I 1000 ebooks and many videos are already on it I can use a thumb drive or two to carry anything else I want I also have a 1YB WD passport hard drive that is an excellent complement to the PowerBook It doesnt even require a separate power source but work from the USB port I load what I want and disconnect it to save power It will be a long time like never before I want a tablet
Multis Itio said: IPads are absurdly over-priced for what they do And ten times more memory in a laptop More like 50 times as much Tablets are over-priced toys which still leave you needing a laptop If you can afford both hey great
Chocolateimani said: Well thats my question too um I found out that my mother was getting me a laptop and my younger sister a tablet didnt say if it was a ipad or not should I be jealous and want the ipad instead
Chocolateimani said: Good answer but I have a question which one cost more because thats the only thing these people think about when they dont know the real story to either ipad tablets or laptops
jason said: Ipads dont compare to a computer and tablets are not a new technonolgy Ipad just made them popular even though it isnt really a tablet its just an oversize Ipad Also apps isnt even a new word You must be a moron why would you write about stuff you know nothing about Most laptops dont have lound fansthey have more pixils then ipads and if you buy a laptop with discrete graphics you can play any game that is out there There are way more advantages in using a laptop over a IpadBut then again im a gamer and Ipads cant do games like my laptop or my desktop can
omercirak25 said: writenot enough right
Margaret said: Thank you for your information It has answered a lot of questions for me I have a laptop amp know the ipad cannot do all my laptop can I see the iPad handy for travel amp laptop for business
Davesjocsman said: Just as an extra note to this subjectOf all the people I know with Laptops not one has used their DVD drives for burninglet alone run anything else so makes the drive rather pointless to their uses Also the Ipadstablets are so much easier to transportlie in bed etc etcIve yet to know of one single person carrying their laptop around on the busetc unlike the Tablets which are so much more portable This is not to fuel a debate but FACT on everyone I know who uses a laptop and those also with Ipadstablets