iPad or laptop

Twee.

Currently in New York so was thinking about picking up some gadgets for myself. Am living here so could have it delivered to my apartment.

Now here's my question. I have a four year old MacBook. (Hate to sound really female, but it's the white plastic one). It's a bit battered, OS 10.4, no battery life without charger.

Would be it be an idea to update my OS for better running and keep the laptop, bearing in mind I'd just be using it for Word, doing college essays. And then purchase an iPad for messing around on? Facebook, reading on the bus to college, everyday in use in college (usually just looking up articles in class). As for the bus reading, I wouldn't be interested in an e-reader, as I'd be reading journals for college that I need to get online.

Or scrap the laptop altogether and buy a new one? Should I bother even updating my OS? Would I need to if I got an iPad? I use my laptop basically for just dicking around on the internet, sometimes college typing. I'm thinking the iPad would be a lot lighter to carry around with me during the day (near 3 hour round trip to college), and I would only take my laptop on days I'm going to need to type an essay.

What do you think?

Sad Professor

Have you considered getting the 11-inch Macbook Air? It's very small and light, would be perfect for college.

But the iPad would be okay as well. And with a keyboard you could probably even type essays on it.

Twee.

From a purely aesthetic point of view, I'm not a fan of the Air! I suppose I could get over that though.


If I got the iPad, would I need to update my OS to sync the two?

guil

yeah you would need to update, minimum is mac osx 10.5.8

ironclaw

Personally I'd buy a new MacBook. I just bought an iPad 2. Its great for surfing, Facebook and short text. But as for typing anything longer than an email, I'd have my doubts.

If you could afford both, I'd get a MacBook and an iPad 1. Try the refurb section of Apple.com. Seeing as your in the US, you'll save a fortune.

Twee.

I was planning on keeping my old laptop as well though, just for the typing for college, and then using the iPad for surfing.

Didn't consider the refurb store though, that's a great idea, thanks!

Tipsy McSwagger

Ideal for typing:)

ironclaw

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Ideal for typing:)

Not for essays or serious work in my opinion. Refurb iPad 1 and a MacBook Pro would be my vote. Cost you the same as a MacBook in Ireland OP.

Twee.

As I said before!!! I will not be using the iPad for serious typing, at all! I would be using my old Macbook exclusively for college work, the iPad for my general internetz buisness!

Off to look at the refurbs, thanks!