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riviera74
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an iPad with cellular or a MacBook Air

Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:41 pm

I have a question concerning a mobile solution.

After I build my next (PC/Win8) desktop, I will probably require something mobile. I am considering three options: a 13" MacBook Air (the latest one with Haswell), an Ultrabook such as a Samsung Series 9 (15", 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD), and an iPad with Retina Display. If I go with the iPad with Retina Display, should I get one with a cellular connection or not? Thanks in advance for your advice.
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Buub
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Re: an iPad with cellular or a MacBook Air

Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:12 am

What is it you want to do with this device? That will make a difference.
 
kumori
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Re: an iPad with cellular or a MacBook Air

Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:00 am

These are very different devices. A Macbook Air can do so much more than an iPad, but the form factor of an iPad is more convenient for content consumption.

If you are considering that you will type anything on the device other than a forum post or two then get the Macbook Air. The Samsung 9 is still pretty expensive for what you get, though they are very nice computers.
 
riviera74
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Re: an iPad with cellular or a MacBook Air

Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:10 am

Buub wrote:
What is it you want to do with this device? That will make a difference.


Admittedly the Samsung Series 9 is an outlier since it is rather expensive. The mobile will primarily be about wireless internet surfing and perhaps a few games. Those games will be like Angry Birds rather than Far Cry 3 or Crysis 3. Any suggestions now?
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DancinJack
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Re: an iPad with cellular or a MacBook Air

Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:16 am

An iPad, obviously.

I never really feel like the cellular versions of tablets are worth it. You already have a phone i'm assuming. Cellular tablets require a monthly data plan as well, which is extra money.
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Flatland_Spider
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Re: an iPad with cellular or a MacBook Air

Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:33 pm

Cellular iPad. It's very much worth it. For one, you don't have to run the battery on your phone down, and second, the extra screen real estate makes a big difference. The screen is closer to the size that designers design for.

Optionally, you could get a cheaper phone for phone calls and text messages.
 
Buub
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Re: an iPad with cellular or a MacBook Air

Thu Jul 18, 2013 3:12 pm

riviera74 wrote:
Buub wrote:
What is it you want to do with this device? That will make a difference.


Admittedly the Samsung Series 9 is an outlier since it is rather expensive. The mobile will primarily be about wireless internet surfing and perhaps a few games. Those games will be like Angry Birds rather than Far Cry 3 or Crysis 3. Any suggestions now?

Definitely an iPad. Ideal for surfing and has some excellent games. And with the retina display, games look amazingly good on it too.

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