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> iPad Air does more than a computer in simpler, more magical ways. They keep claiming this, but it’s still not true, and this is why I’m still on the lookout

> iPad Air does more than a computer in simpler, more magical ways. They keep claiming this, but it’s still not true, and this is why I’m still on the lookout for a new laptop, and not another tablet. Tablets, no matter how fancy the hardware, are always let down by their locked down software-platform hellbent on making it an appliance rather than a computer you actually own.

EricE 6y ago
Depends on who you are. While I tried the iPad only lifestyle and found it wanting (ended up back with a MacBook Air) it absolutely is true for my father. He never did feel comfortable using computers, but he loves his iPad Pro - it let's him keep in contact with friends, follow news and sports, keep track of his appointments - in other words it's a tool that does things he cares about. He doesn't consider it a computer, nor does he want a computer. I suspect that there are far more of him than there are of us - which is why having a choice of computing styles is a good thing. It always baffles me when people (not necessarily you, just making general observation) seem to get bent out of shape that every offering doesn't meet their expectations and is thus bunk. Maybe it's not bunk, but just not good for your use case. Diversity is our strength and all that...
- josteink 6y ago
  Not getting bent, but if what you’re selling isn’t a computer, don’t market it as one. If some told you you were getting a car, and in the end you are delivered a bicycle, you’d be unhappy. Obviously that bicycle may be great for a lot of people, it may be the best bicycle ever built... But it’s still not a car, so don’t sell it as such.
  - EricE 6y ago
    But it is a computer. And it's no where near as dramatic as a computer vs. bicycle. I'd pin it more from nimble sports car to full size sedan in variation. It may not be your definition of a computer, but it does everything my father wanted a computer for - without having the overhead of having to operate and maintain a general purpose computer. In that respect it's FAR superior to a general purpose computer. If you want to call it an appliance - fine. I'm down with that. Still doesn't make it any less powerful for my dad and what he wants, and doesn't make it any less powerful for the majority of what I do either. And honestly if text selection would have been better I probably would still be on my iPad Pro. Yes, now they have track pad support for the text selection but I'm not investing in a new keyboard with trackpad for an older iPad Pro. It will be interesting to see if I get an iPad Pro or new laptop first. Multitasking on the iPad is still a bit convoluted so I'm tending to remain in the laptop first for upgrading camp, but I vastly prefer the form factor and flexibility of the iPad Pro. Thankfully most of my issues with the iPad Pro vs. MacBook are software and they have fixed the vast majority of them with the two iPad OS 13 & 14. It's nice to have choices!
  - zepto 6y ago
    It’s obviously a computer. It’s clearly Turing complete. It’s just not one you can install your own operating system on without jailbreaking. If you want to define a computer as a machine that you can install your own operating system on, then you probably have to rule out a bunch of early computers that were too simple to install any operating system. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Mark_1 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Mark_1
baddox 6y ago
Unless you want an appliance. Some people want to experiment with electronics and magnetrons. Some people just want to microwave their leftovers. There's nothing wrong with either type of person or product, and either type of person would be very disappointed if they got the product intended for the other type of person.
lolsal 6y ago
I look for a car instead of a motorcycle for a similar reason. Maybe you are not the intended audience/consumer for tablets?

EricE 6y ago

Depends on who you are. While I tried the iPad only lifestyle and found it wanting (ended up back with a MacBook Air) it absolutely is true for my father. He never did feel comfortable using computers, but he loves his iPad Pro - it let's him keep in contact with friends, follow news and sports, keep track of his appointments - in other words it's a tool that does things he cares about. He doesn't consider it a computer, nor does he want a computer. I suspect that there are far more of him than there are of us - which is why having a choice of computing styles is a good thing. It always baffles me when people (not necessarily you, just making general observation) seem to get bent out of shape that every offering doesn't meet their expectations and is thus bunk. Maybe it's not bunk, but just not good for your use case. Diversity is our strength and all that...

josteink 6y ago
Not getting bent, but if what you’re selling isn’t a computer, don’t market it as one. If some told you you were getting a car, and in the end you are delivered a bicycle, you’d be unhappy. Obviously that bicycle may be great for a lot of people, it may be the best bicycle ever built... But it’s still not a car, so don’t sell it as such.
- EricE 6y ago
  But it is a computer. And it's no where near as dramatic as a computer vs. bicycle. I'd pin it more from nimble sports car to full size sedan in variation. It may not be your definition of a computer, but it does everything my father wanted a computer for - without having the overhead of having to operate and maintain a general purpose computer. In that respect it's FAR superior to a general purpose computer. If you want to call it an appliance - fine. I'm down with that. Still doesn't make it any less powerful for my dad and what he wants, and doesn't make it any less powerful for the majority of what I do either. And honestly if text selection would have been better I probably would still be on my iPad Pro. Yes, now they have track pad support for the text selection but I'm not investing in a new keyboard with trackpad for an older iPad Pro. It will be interesting to see if I get an iPad Pro or new laptop first. Multitasking on the iPad is still a bit convoluted so I'm tending to remain in the laptop first for upgrading camp, but I vastly prefer the form factor and flexibility of the iPad Pro. Thankfully most of my issues with the iPad Pro vs. MacBook are software and they have fixed the vast majority of them with the two iPad OS 13 & 14. It's nice to have choices!
- zepto 6y ago
  It’s obviously a computer. It’s clearly Turing complete. It’s just not one you can install your own operating system on without jailbreaking. If you want to define a computer as a machine that you can install your own operating system on, then you probably have to rule out a bunch of early computers that were too simple to install any operating system. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Mark_1 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Mark_1

baddox 6y ago

Unless you want an appliance. Some people want to experiment with electronics and magnetrons. Some people just want to microwave their leftovers. There's nothing wrong with either type of person or product, and either type of person would be very disappointed if they got the product intended for the other type of person.

lolsal 6y ago

I look for a car instead of a motorcycle for a similar reason. Maybe you are not the intended audience/consumer for tablets?