Macbook Air vs. iPad

I bought my first Macbook this weekend. It was a bit of a puzzling experience. I walked into the always-packed store and went straight to look at the Macbook Air’s. I was pretty sold on it, but wanted one last chance to play around. A sales associate came up, answered a few of my questions and asked what I wanted it for. I explained that I had a PC and wanted it as a second laptop mainly for travel. I said that I had been looking at netbooks, but the Air was either lighter or I liked it better than other netbooks. I also explained that I would mostly be using it for browsing online and remoting into my work computer to do email, use Microsoft Office, etc. After hearing what I was going to be using the Macbook Air for, he asked, “Have you tried the iPad? It might be a better fit.”

Me: Huh? Really? And um, isn’t that $1,000 less expensive than the machine I was just about to buy? Do you get a special commission for selling iPads or what?!

The Sales Associate went on to explain that you could put the iPad on a docking station and use a wireless keyboard with it. However, you couldn’t use a mouse. To me, that seemed like a lot of extra work and parts, but I said I’d take a look and think about it.

Luckily, there was a free iPad because I hate waiting in line I played around with it for a few minutes. And, I still didn’t understand how this could replace a netbook. Here’s why:

• I’m a neat freak. The thought of having fingerprints all over my screen was the nail in the coffin
• The thought of having to always remember to cart around a docking station and wireless keyboard didn’t seem very easy to me. While the iPad might fit in my purse, the other two items would be awkward.
• Here’s the other kicker to me – websites recognize the iPad as a MOBILE device, not a computer or netbook. What does that mean? Well, it means it serves up the mobile version of sites first. While that’s great for on-the-go, that’s not what I want for a second screen. I want the full version.
• Don’t worry, I won’t mention that flash doesn’t work nor that there’s no built-in camera
• Being a PC and Blackberry person too, I’m still not an expert at all the pinching, rotating and touchscreen typing that the iPad requires.
• Holding it was uncomfortable. It’s a bit too heavy to hold it upright for too long. At the same time, holding it on your lap puts unnecessary strain on your neck. Maybe okay for short periods of time, but not for long stretches of work.
• Unfortunately, my biggest question – would my VPN work – was left unanswered. I didn’t know the url and sadly had not yet saved it to my web bookmarks.

While the iPad might have a purpose, in my mind, it in no way, shape or form is a replacement for my newly bought Macbook Air.