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General Category => Off the Record => Computer Affairs => Topic started by: Martinus on January 28, 2010, 05:32:09 AM

Title: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Martinus on January 28, 2010, 05:32:09 AM
I have been considering getting a new MacBook lately as my current one is slowly showing wear and tear. However, having read about iPad, I am thinking if this wouldn't be a better choice for me, considering the use I put my MacBook too.

Essentially, I have iMac desktop computer, so I don't really use my MacBook for normal desktop purposes, such as gaming for example. The things I am looking for is:

- handiness (i.e. being able to carry it with me to wifi cafes and other similar spots, or take it with me on holidays and travels),
- being able to browse internet,
- being able to browse pictures and movies (including porn :P),
- iTunes,
- being able to write and receive e-mails,
- being able to access chats and other social networks (MSN, Facebook, etc.)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think all these purposes could be easily served by an iPad.

Btw, anyone who comes here suggesting a non-Apple product instead can GTFO. :P
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 28, 2010, 06:26:06 AM
I would say go for the Macbook. You don't seem to need a Pro one for your uses.
Not sure if the Ipad can handle all weird video formats VLC does on the Mac.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Grey Fox on January 28, 2010, 06:56:42 AM
Macbook. No flash, remember?
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: DisturbedPervert on January 28, 2010, 07:06:38 AM
Internet?  Pictures?  Email?  I dunno, those are some tough demands...
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Alatriste on January 28, 2010, 07:17:40 AM
I see two potential problems:

- No flash support
- using a portable device to store porn can be unwise... ask John Edwards.

It's up to you to decide if they are important or not.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Martinus on January 28, 2010, 07:55:42 AM
well I would probably wait for them to implement flash format.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Barrister on January 28, 2010, 12:10:10 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 28, 2010, 07:55:42 AM
well I would probably wait for them to implement flash format.

You'll be waiting a long time.  Apple appears to want to help kill Flash.

Marti, I think you're giving into your lust for shiny new Apple products. :P  You've mentioned before what "showing wear and tear" on your MacBook means - it has scratches on the case. :rolleyes:

My vote is to keep your MacBook for awhile longer.

When the MacBook is truly ready to be replaced, then for the uses you have mentioned yes the iPad could be a nice replacement.  But hopefully they'll have iPad v2 out.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: DontSayBanana on January 28, 2010, 02:11:34 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 28, 2010, 12:10:10 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 28, 2010, 07:55:42 AM
well I would probably wait for them to implement flash format.
You'll be waiting a long time.  Apple appears to want to help kill Flash.

On a tangential note, I think I've found out why that is.  I notice that the failure of Apple's video compositing package is largely credited to Adobe's acquisition of After Effects.  Methinks I smell a corporate grudge. :contract:

Mart, just go with the Macbook.  How are you going to hold up the tablet to watch porn with one hand wrapped around your johnson, anyway? :contract:
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Barrister on January 28, 2010, 02:45:37 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on January 28, 2010, 02:11:34 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 28, 2010, 12:10:10 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 28, 2010, 07:55:42 AM
well I would probably wait for them to implement flash format.
You'll be waiting a long time.  Apple appears to want to help kill Flash.

On a tangential note, I think I've found out why that is.  I notice that the failure of Apple's video compositing package is largely credited to Adobe's acquisition of After Effects.  Methinks I smell a corporate grudge. :contract:

Mart, just go with the Macbook.  How are you going to hold up the tablet to watch porn with one hand wrapped around your johnson, anyway? :contract:

Why the optional case that converts to a stand of course. :)
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Alatriste on January 29, 2010, 05:25:12 AM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on January 28, 2010, 02:11:34 PM
On a tangential note, I think I've found out why that is.  I notice that the failure of Apple's video compositing package is largely credited to Adobe's acquisition of After Effects.  Methinks I smell a corporate grudge. :contract:

Probably true, but I think there is more than that: Flash support would undermine Apple's App store. Anyone could play free flash games, etc, etc. Apple wants absolute control, and that's not compatible with Flash.

Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Iormlund on January 29, 2010, 09:58:41 AM
Buying a device that cannot multitask sounds quite stupid to me. If you want a tablet PC, get one.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:44:53 PM
For you iPad hipsters out there (yes, you too Ed!)....

If one were thinking of using the iPad as an easy-access repository for PDFs (and I am mostly thinking on-the-road use for easy access to National Park maps, etc...but in general as well), would it be useful for that purpose?
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 04:53:06 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:44:53 PM
For you iPad hipsters out there (yes, you too Ed!)....

If one were thinking of using the iPad as an easy-access repository for PDFs (and I am mostly thinking on-the-road use for easy access to National Park maps, etc...but in general as well), would it be useful for that purpose?

HAI!

The ipad 2's PDF support is pretty good. I've used it for RPG rulebooks, and it only chokes on the monster 100MB+ files.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 04:54:28 PM
Also, set up a dropbox account, and with the dropbox app, access your shit from anywhere as long as you can pick up a signal.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:56:32 PM
I've been testing the theory with my new iPhone4S....if trying to sync PDFs to the iPad is similar...then fuck this Apple bullshit...I'll just stick to opening them on my Macbook Air.   :mad:

I could do that, of course...but I imagine reading PDFs on the iPad screen is much better than my scrunched 11" Air, non-rotating rectangle screen.  :P
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:57:18 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 04:54:28 PM
Also, set up a dropbox account, and with the dropbox app, access your shit from anywhere as long as you can pick up a signal.

I was thinking being able to access and easily reference park maps in the middle of say...Death Valley.  :P
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:59:53 PM
Hmm, maybe some cheap-ass, throwaway non-Apple might work better for this purpose alone (who cares if a black bear eats your Galaxy pad)...but I'll need to research how easy they are with dumping files onto, reading PDFs, etc.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 05:00:11 PM
I bought the wi-fi models and not the 3G ones. As long as you can find a Mickey D's, you'll be alright.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 05:02:04 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:59:53 PM
Hmm, maybe some cheap-ass, throwaway non-Apple might work better for this purpose alone (who cares if a black bear eats your Galaxy pad)...but I'll need to research how easy they are with dumping files onto, reading PDFs, etc.

Check Big Lot's. They have cheap tablets for under 100 bucks. Be aware they are going to be pokey as hell.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 05:02:10 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 05:00:11 PM
I bought the wi-fi models and not the 3G ones. As long as you can find a Mickey D's, you'll be alright.

An Apple hipster should only be leeching wifi from nothing less than a Starbucks.  :mad:
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 05:07:10 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 05:02:10 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on June 20, 2012, 05:00:11 PM
I bought the wi-fi models and not the 3G ones. As long as you can find a Mickey D's, you'll be alright.

An Apple hipster should only be leeching wifi from nothing less than a Starbucks.  :mad:

:lol: Or Panera Bread.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: DontSayBanana on June 20, 2012, 09:09:40 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 05:02:10 PM
An Apple hipster should only be leeching wifi from nothing less than a Starbucks.  :mad:

Might want to daisy chain a car battery if you're in NYC; they block the outlets. :contract:
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: garbon on June 20, 2012, 09:25:58 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on June 20, 2012, 09:09:40 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 05:02:10 PM
An Apple hipster should only be leeching wifi from nothing less than a Starbucks.  :mad:

Might want to daisy chain a car battery if you're in NYC; they block the outlets. :contract:

Overblown item. It's only been some of them.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: The Minsky Moment on July 05, 2012, 05:44:24 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:44:53 PM
For you iPad hipsters out there (yes, you too Ed!)....

If one were thinking of using the iPad as an easy-access repository for PDFs (and I am mostly thinking on-the-road use for easy access to National Park maps, etc...but in general as well), would it be useful for that purpose?

I use mine a lot for PDFs- I can carry around, annotate and send court opinions and dozens of key case files for all my cases.  Very useful.

Also for your specific purpose there is a dedicated app called maplets that claims to store maps for the national parks; it also has museum maps, ski trail maps, amusement park maps, major subway and busline maps, etc.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: sbr on July 19, 2012, 03:15:40 PM
You Apple experts probably know about this or something similar but I hadn't seen it before.

The iPad I got from work has a case/bluetooth keyboard.  It is pretty slick not having to use the touchscreen keyboard.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi195.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz133%2Fsbr32%2FIMAG0110.jpg&hash=4de1ae79fb44ee4bbf2809b70773aa1530b4fdda)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi195.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz133%2Fsbr32%2FIMAG0111.jpg&hash=ccc73a4fdec768ad3e2f24e799d7236d7af44bfd)

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi195.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz133%2Fsbr32%2FIMAG0112.jpg&hash=5e4c521da56bcbe2adf37a4d663bf95e0e71611e)
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: garbon on July 19, 2012, 03:17:34 PM
Of course that's kinda like having a netboook that can't run any standard software...
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: sbr on July 19, 2012, 04:09:49 PM
Quote from: garbon on July 19, 2012, 03:17:34 PM
Of course that's kinda like having a netboook that can't run any standard software...

True I guess.  Maybe that's why I like it, I would not have got a tablet if it was up to me so the closer it is to something else the more I like it. :P

What is the cost comparison between an iPad and a netbook?  Right now 90% of the use for them is email, though they are getting all of the electrical drawings and as-builts available as pdfs.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: DGuller on July 19, 2012, 04:31:26 PM
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on July 05, 2012, 05:44:24 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on June 20, 2012, 04:44:53 PM
For you iPad hipsters out there (yes, you too Ed!)....

If one were thinking of using the iPad as an easy-access repository for PDFs (and I am mostly thinking on-the-road use for easy access to National Park maps, etc...but in general as well), would it be useful for that purpose?

I use mine a lot for PDFs- I can carry around, annotate and send court opinions and dozens of key case files for all my cases.  Very useful.

Also for your specific purpose there is a dedicated app called maplets that claims to store maps for the national parks; it also has museum maps, ski trail maps, amusement park maps, major subway and busline maps, etc.
How do you manage and keep them organized?  I use my iPad for studying material that is available on PDF, but I can't figure out how to keep files organized inside that stupid app OS.
Title: Re: Mac (and not only Mac) buffs to me!
Post by: garbon on July 21, 2012, 01:50:14 PM
Quote from: sbr on July 19, 2012, 04:09:49 PM
True I guess.  Maybe that's why I like it, I would not have got a tablet if it was up to me so the closer it is to something else the more I like it. :P

What is the cost comparison between an iPad and a netbook?  Right now 90% of the use for them is email, though they are getting all of the electrical drawings and as-builts available as pdfs.

Quick look shows price difference to be about $250.