The iPad can replace your laptop

One of Macworld readers turned to the editor with the problem: Like many users, he faces a choice - "MacBook or iPad". Probably in a similar situation have been, and you. To those who have not decided yet, I want to share this articleAnd if you have a similar problem has already passed stage, then leave your tips in the comments.

Here is what the reader MacWorld:

I would like to soon buy a 13-inch MacBook or iPad. I'll use it mainly to travel to check email (once a day or two), sometimes print text documents (although I do not know how this is possible on the iPad, while it is impossible to install Word on it) and go on Online Auction. Also, I would like to listen to music on a CD or watch a DVD. And what about the flash drives? Without USB-ports they can not be used on the iPad, is not it?

As you may have guessed, you can do it all on the laptop. Of course, you need an external CD / DVD drive, for the latest Apple model with integrated drive - this is an old 13-inch MacBook Pro without Retina display. Now let's look at what you can offer the iPad.

E-mail: No problem. iPad can be configured for all your mailboxes and any iPad can use Wi-Fi to connect to the network. For an additional fee, you can buy the iPad, which supports cellular, then you will remain online at all times (of course, while you are in the coverage area of ​​the operator and pay services communication).

Work with text: At the moment, Microsoft Office applications for the iPad does not really exist, but you can create compatible with Word documents using Apple's Pages - packages iWork and iLife applications are now completely free for those who purchased a new device or Mac iOS. Of course, Pages is very different from Word, but is unlikely to play a role when it comes to working with text "on the go".

If you intend to print three-dimensional texts, I highly recommend a wireless keyboard. Version of Apple's cost 2 899.00 Py., however, there are plenty of budget options in the market.

The Internet: Any browser will cope with the task. You can use the preinstalled Apple's Safari or Chrome download free mobile version of the App Store.

CD and DVD: Here the question is more acute. Apple (except the 13-inch MacBook Pro without Retina, which was mentioned earlier) actually left wheels in the past. If you want to listen to music or watch movies stored on the disk, you will have to copy them to your computer and throw on the iPad using iTunes. Moreover, iPad gives you access to music and video services, where not only can you find what you've heard / seen, but something new.

Flash Drives: You're absolutely right, iPad has no connectors, no software to "flash drives". That's another thing, from which you will have to give up, if you purchase the iPad. Instead, to migrate data on physical media, you can easily synchronize them with the cloud, for example, Dropbox or google Drive.

It's very simple: using a home computer, let down your desired file, for example, Dropbox. On the road, you only need to connect to the Internet, install the Dropbox app and download the file you want on your iPad. Of course, so you can open the file, its format must be compatible with the iPad. In the case of documents created in Pages, and other Apple programs can use the free Apple service iCloud.

I'll be the last one to say that the iPad is able to fully replace the laptop. There are many things that the power of the MacBook, but it is impossible for the iPad (or possible, but make it difficult). If you do not want to change the habits related to work on the PC - do not hesitate to purchase a laptop. But if you are open to all new and are ready to change the usual way of things - iPad will be justified step.

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What choice would you do? Tell us about it in the comments.

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