Saturday, August 3, 2013

Should You Buy an iPad 2 or a Laptop


When Apple Inc launched the first generation iPad back in 2010, Apple CEO Steve Jobs had made it clear that the iPad was not better than a laptop, just cheaper than one. It was more than clear that Apple was not keen on eating into the laptop market by introducing the iPad - an iPhone-iPod touch crossover which facilitated a bit of computing. But curiosity did take over, and people began wondering what would be ideal for them - an iPad or a laptop.

iPad vs Laptop: The Long Pending Debate
Come 2011, the launch of second generation iPad - Apple iPad 2 made the task of choosing all the more difficult as Apple made it a point to do away with all the limitations of its first generation tablet in the new device. Even though logically it should be a tablet PC vs laptop comparison, the iPad has become more of a brand within a year of its launch, and therefore it is better to compare iPad vs laptop, instead of tablet vs laptop. After Apple launched the successor to the original iPad - the 2nd generation iPad earlier this year, it triggered an all new iPad 2 vs laptop debate, and as always we were not able to hold ourselves back from joining it.

Which is Better - iPad 2 or Laptop?
While a tablet and a laptop both are portable personal computers, the two differ from each other by a significant extent; and which of the two is ideal for you will depend on what you intend to use this device for. Specifically referring to the second generation iPad, it is an advanced tablet which acts as a platform for various activities right from listening to music and watching videos to computing and Internet surfing. With so much to offer, it isn't surprising that this device is pitted against laptops, which are also evolving very fast. But is the iPad 2 better than a laptop? As a computer, not really!

The foremost drawback of the iPad 2 - when it is pitted against a laptop, is the absence of a physical keyboard. While a virtual QWERTY keyboard does exist - along with an amazing cover which doubles up as a prop to put it in a position ideal for typing, the experience is not as smooth as that of a laptop - especially when you have a lot of typing to do. As a student you require to do projects and assignments and as a working professional you may need to prepare PowerPoint presentations. Sadly, neither of the two tasks would work fine with a virtual keyboard, even if it happens to be a QWERTY keyboard which the iPad 2 sports. The virtual keyboard in iPad 2 is ideal for typing mails, but typing lengthy texts or doing assignments and PowerPoint presentations can be pretty annoying.

Other than a physical keyboard, laptops also edge out the iPad 2 in terms of USB ports. While the thousands of apps available at the official App Store may give iPad 2 users a high of a sort, one can't download some of the most useful apps from the Internet and install it on this device. While the multitasking feature finally makes a debut on the iPad, the experience is far from multitasking on a laptop. Not to forget, the problem with multitasking also affects your web experience on the iPad 2. At the same time, the 256 MB RAM available with the iPad is not sufficient when it comes to surfing. The 2nd generation iPad does boast of a 10 hour battery life, but it has a built-in battery which you cannot replace like you would in a laptop.

That must have helped to determine which is ideal for you - Apple iPad 2 or laptop. The second generation iPad does boast of two cameras which make FaceTime video calling possible. It does have the ability to play various audio and video files. It can also double up as an e-book reader and a gaming device. But all these things are also possible on the laptop, depending on which brand you opt for. In fact, Apple's very own MacBook Pro can be an ideal choice if you are to choose between the iPad and a notebook.

Apple iPad 2 in no doubt a lot better than its predecessor, but it is not good enough to replace a laptop. If you are still confused between a laptop and the iPad 2, you should sit back, think and decide what you want this device for. Irrespective of whether you are a student or a working professional, if it's about genuine computing, it's a laptop all the way. But if you already have a desktop or a laptop, and you just want to buy the iPad 2 for the brand that it is, you don't need to give a second thought on putting your money on it.


  • Which iPad Should You Buy? - The Pulse of Mobile Tech -

    blog.laptopmag.com/now-which-ipad-should-you-buy

    Why give consumers one iPad to choose from when you can give them three? That must have been Apples modus operandi as it planned to add two new iPads to its device ...


  • Which Should You Buy - An Apple iPad Or a Laptop?

    ezinearticles.com Computers and Technology

    Jun 22, 2010 With the introduction of the Apple iPad, a new topic for debate has emerged in message boards, online forums, blogs, and even in the review pages of


  • Which is Better - iPad or Laptop - Buzzle

    www.buzzle.com/articles/which-is-better-ipad-or-laptop.html

    Mar 12, 2012 Don't let the iPad versus laptop reviews fool you into believing ... Put in $50 more in the iPad price and you can buy a Dell XPS 15 laptop, with a 2.4 ...


  • New iPad vs. iPad 2: Should You Spend the Extra $100?

    blog.laptopmag.com/new-ipad-vs-ipad-2-which-tablet-should-you-buy

    LAPTOP Magazine compares the specs of the $399 iPad 2 and the new, $499 iPad. Which tablet should you buy?


  • Should You Buy An Ipad 2 Or A Laptop - ArticleSnatch Free

    www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Should-You-Buy-An-Ipad-2-Or-A-Laptop/...

    Should I get an iPad 2 or laptop? Now that's one question which has been haunting quite a few people out there who tend to get confused when it comes to choosing ...


  • Should You Buy an iPad 2 or a Laptop - Buzzle

    www.buzzle.com/articles/ipad-2-or-laptop.html

    Should I get an iPad 2 or laptop? Now that's one question which has been haunting quite a few people out there who tend to get confused when it comes to choosing ...


  • Should I buy an Ipad 2 or New Laptop? - Yahoo!

    Full questionOther answersanswers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110405170624AAZOb6jOpen 6 total answers Published Apr 06, 2011

    Apr 06, 2011 laptop. ipads are a rip off and before you know it ipad 3 is gonna come out and your gonna wish you haven't got the ipad 2


  • Why Buy an iPad - Buzzle

    www.buzzle.com/articles/why-buy-an-ipad.html

    Jan 12, 2011 If you are still wondering if you should buy an iPad or not, then you need to wake up and come to terms with ... Reasons to Buy an iPad Instead of a Laptop

0 comments:

Post a Comment