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Why the IPad Is Not A Computer

The brushed aluminum back of the iPad Wi-Fi
Image via Wikipedia

I remember the first time Apple iPad went on sale and a friend asked me if I was going to purchase one. My first answer was totally unrehearsed and by default “I already have a laptop”. Unfortunately I maintained the stance that I did not need another computer until my first interaction with the tablet device. Don’t get me wrong, I still haven’t purchased the iPad yet and consider an e-reader like the Kindle as being more relevant to my needs.

An important reason why a lot of people write off the iPad either before or soon after purchasing one is because they view it in the same fashion as a PC or notebook computer. When the iPad is looked at in the same way as a computer, it is inevitable that direct comparisons will be made and certain deficiencies will be found.

The iPad, however, is not a personal computer. It is a portable entertainment device and should be primarily used for this purpose. There are so many things to enjoy and creating spread sheets and word documents is certainly not one of them. Take for example, the thousands of apps available for download –  games, music, 3D-videos and lots more. Its almost like having your PSP, MP3 and DVD players all merged into one device that can also be used to write emails, notes, spread sheets and so on.

So then, why would you ever want to turn your iPad into a computer when you already have one? Perhaps, it is time you started enjoying it more by using it as what it really is – a portable entertainment device.

Talking Point

Why do you think a lot of people view the iPad in the same vein as their laptop or personal computers?

Written By

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9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. find a plumber

    August 28, 2010 at 11:08 am

    Apple iPad is looking awesome.Thanks for sharing with us.

  2. UK Webmaser forum

    August 31, 2010 at 11:11 am

    I think people look at it more as a tablet computer/notebook than a portable entertainment device.

  3. Computer Help

    August 31, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    Ipad is more of a prized possesion to show off to the world,people won’t even start proper blogging from it.

  4. Xirus

    September 12, 2010 at 8:31 am

    The reason many view the iPad in the same vein as a laptop or personal computer is because they don’t know how else to view it. The iPad is a brand new concept and people haven’t found a way to wrap their minds around it. There are plenty of articles and blog posts written about what the iPad does and does not have and can and cannot do. Your post does an excellent job of giving the public a fair explanation of what the iPad is. It’s a portable entertainment device, plain and simple. Many have used and taken for granted the little things on laptops such as a camera, USB ports, large storage, removable battery and flash for so long that they cannot imagine a computing device without them. Now that the iPad has been on the market for some time, I am happy to see more informed voices, such as yourself, speak up to help break people from their Apple induced daze.

  5. horsegames

    September 14, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    quite right, iPad can never compete with laptop and desktop, it currently does not provide much of functionality.

  6. Aspman

    November 29, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    But you CAN create on it just like a computer. You can do spreadsheets (Numbers), document files (Pages)and presentations (Keynote). I think when they make it so you don’t need a computer to sync it too and everything is done WiFi, then it will replace a lot of computers. Most people use their computers for emailing, browsing and viewing things (trailers, youtube, etc). The iPad does all that and more, especially with all the apps coming out. Anyone who says it’s just a status symbol just doesn’t get it. I don’t even own one, but my daughter does and it is an incredible machine.

  7. Software Downloads

    December 13, 2010 at 9:38 am

    Hi, its quiet true, Ipad really attracts everyone. some get impressed by seeing it, some after using it…
    Regards
    Naresh

  8. JMontes

    May 8, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    that is the reason until now I haven’t replaced my laptop with tablet or anything.

  9. Jim Olenbush

    August 10, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    In my opinion, people think that iPAD is same with laptops because almost all functionality of an iPAD is present in a laptop. However this post clearly gave a reasonable explanation what an iPAD is. Most of often than not, users buy ipad for status symbol purposes but obviously iPAD is an increadible machine that it may replace laptops in the future. Cheers!

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