The iPad does work
as a laptop replacement if you buy a decent keyboard case with which to use it.
Not exact matches
If you really plan on using your iPad Air
as a
laptop replacement, the ClamCase Pro seems like the keyboard case to get.
Obviously
if you use the iPad
as a true
laptop replacement it is going to last
as long
as it would
if you're just occasionally surfing the odd web page, but it's not something you'll need to be concerned about.
I found that the small 7 inch screen, the relatively slow processor, and small amount of memory and file storage do not really allow a cheap tablet to function
as a
laptop replacement - even
if you add a keyboard.
It can even be used
as a netbook or
laptop replacement if you're happy with its limitations, and dare we say should run Windows 8 beautifully when that OS comes out, expanding its flexibility further.
But Galaxy Tab suffers three important experiential deficiencies,
as will all 7 - inch Android tablets: they are too small to be a
laptop replacement, they are two big to be a camera / camcorder
replacement (even
if it were good at either), and there's no Andoid desktop client to make it easy to move your personal media onto and off of the device.
If you're serious about using the Infinity
as a
laptop replacement, then the good news is that the software included pretty much makes that possible.
David Sparks and Katie Floyd at the Mac Power Users Podcast did a great episode in December on the iPad
as a
laptop replacement, and I think they really go through all of the main issues that
if you really want to move to the iPad
as a
laptop replacement, they are the issues you really need to think about to see, does it matter to you, do these things matter to you.
Reimbursement and / or
replacement of your belongings such
as your camera,
laptop or phone,
if they are stolen or damaged,
If you're planning to use an iPad
as a
laptop replacement, that's a big help, since you won't have to deal with Bluetooth all the time and keeping something extra charged up.
That power is undeniably a good thing, but the screen size will be more divisive,
as while all that space is great
if you plan to use it
as a real
laptop replacement, for running apps in split screen, or for watching a lot of movies, it leaves it a little unwieldy in other ways, especially
as it makes the slate a hefty 713g.
The speakers are still great, too, and while the Smart Connector hasn't been changed, it's handy for accessories like the Smart Keyboard, which is arguably essential
if you're to use this
as a
laptop replacement, but is still eye - wateringly expensive — we'd wait to see
if third - parties beat Apple at this game with an option that has backlighting, for example,
if you can wait.
If you're a serious creative using an iPad
as a full
laptop replacement, go with the Pro.
If you want to use the iPad Pro
as a
laptop replacement, you need to get used to its Smart Keyboard first.
We've seen people using iPads with keyboards
as very lightweight
laptop replacements, so an Android
laptop could serve a similar function
if you prefer Android to iOS (or
if you can just get an Android device cheaper).
If you plan to use your iPad
as a
laptop replacement — storing lots of large files like photos, movies, music, and using desktop - quality apps — you might find this easier to manage on an iPad Pro.
Obviously
if you use the iPad
as a true
laptop replacement it is going to last
as long
as it would
if you're just occasionally surfing the odd web page, but it's not something you'll need to be concerned about.
Apple is bent on making the its iPad Pro series a «
laptop replacement» for
as many users
as possible, almost treating its Pro tablets
as if they're touchscreen MacBooks.
For our money the Samsung's use of Windows 10 is more practical
as an out - and - out
laptop replacement - even
if that's not an operating system for all tastes - because Windows 10 is, first and foremost, a desktop operating system with all that offers out of the box.
It might look affordable
if you bought Google's argument that the Pixel - C could serve
as a
laptop replacement, but its capabilities never fulfilled that promise.