Electronics

[Mom2Dogs]

My Macbook Air may be on its way out, and I don't want to spend the money for a new one so I am thinking about an IPad.  Are the operating systems the same?  Will I be able to treat the I Pad like the MacBook...like having files on the desktop, bookmarks, etc.?  Thanks

[jaxs mom]

No, ipad uses IOS and macbook like all current mac computers uses OSX. With ipad you will be using apps from the itunes store and your web browser. Additionally, ipad will lose upgrade ability to the newer IOS much faster than an actual mac computer ( macbook, imac ect) does. Expect to no longer be able to update to the newest IOS on an ipad within about 3 years. 

[Mom2Dogs]

@jaxs mom, thanks!  Currently I have 2 Imac's one at home and one at the office along with my Air....I have never used a windows product.  I wish there was something smaller than my MacBook that I could purchase that uses OSX....I don't want to learn another product right now.  I use the MacBook Air to correspond with clients and receiving files, job work, etc. so I need something similar.

[jaxs mom]

I use an imac for my main computer too. I basically replaced my ipad ( which is the 1st gen one) with my iphone 6+.  It probably comes down to what functions you need it to do. The iwork programs have ipad apps, so theoretically you could work on files that required Numbers or Pages but I'd call and talk to someone at Apple to see if you could get the complete functionality you need with an ipad, based on the programs you need to use for work. 

[Sooner]

I love my Air but feel the IPad is very limited.  I would hate to be without the Air.

[wildlifewitch]

It depends on what you use it for. iPads work differently. I have to use my macbook for reports, and easily transferring and downloading documents. Another option is a refurbished mac from Apple. I had an iPad from them, and had no problems. I even sold it to a firend, to upgrade, and no problems. If you tell us how you use your mac, I can better advise. For me, I can't use it to replace my computer. I tried, and it failed.

[Mom2Dogs]

@wildlifewitch.....I use my MacBook for downloading files from customers and corresponding with them as well....also email and surfing the net, not a lot but I really like the MacBook.

  Lately the fan has been running a lot so I have to shut down and let it cool down and I am on my 2nd power cord....what an awful design.  I am careful with the cord, I am the only that uses the Mac and the cord is breaking again!!

I thought maybe the I Pad could take its place but from what I learned here it uses a different operating system.   I don't have an IPhone and I am so used to using a larger screen I don't think I even want an I phone....I don't know how people can see what they are doing!  I guess its all in what you get used to using.

[Mothertrucker]

wow, still have my original MacBook circa 2006, which I now use upstairs..My MacBook Pro which I bought in 2014 is my "main" computer...both still run like champs with original everything..

couldnt live with my Ipad, but can't imagine it being my sole computer....Ipad had a cord failure...