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[acheron_xl]

At this point, I use so many devices simultaneously, that even limiting myself to one would be difficult, so say nothing of it just being an iPad. My typical home setup is, 34" 21:9 monitor, 14" laptop, iPhone 6 Plus between them. The iPad is usually limited to bedroom use, and only when I don't want to commit to being in there a while. If I'm sitting for an hour, I get the laptop.

 

[jagowar]

Not an ipad but could see myself going all in on the surface pro. There are times when I want to use a kb/mouse and a large monitor and run a full os. Its far too cumbersome to do that with an ipad or android tablet compared to sp3 with its dock.

 

[Polari]

I use a Chromebook mostly, which is not far off. Still have a desktop at home for Steam and downloading, plus a desktop at work for well, work. Not sure I could go as far as a tablet though - screen size and lack of keyboard.

 

[vwnut13]

There have been tablets that were full pcs for many years, but perhaps you didn't pay attention to them.

The iPad devolved tablets into what they are today.

 

[Condom]

The iPad devolved tablets into what they are today.

Ok... cool?

Doesn't change the fact that other tablets already have a full active component because they are actually PCs. Once you hook up m/k on a Surface connected to your TV, then you'll understand how far things have come.

 

[Danneee]

I tried a couple of years ago but with iOS abysmal way of handling storage it was pretty much impossible to do anything worthwhile with it outside of apps. Trying to upload documents to stuff that don't have a dedicated app was impossible for example. Android seems better in that regard but nowhere near a full computer.

 

[LaserBuddha]

I switched from mostly using an iPad for casual computing for a couple of gens to using a Surface Pro 3. Havent touched my iPad since. You just cant really appreciate what a nice upgrade that thing is until you try it. As long as they make these I dont see myself going back.

 

[SmackCrackleNPop]

The tablet PCs of yesteryear were desktop experiences with a resistive touchscreen, small touch targets made it difficult.

The iPad came along that was easier to manipulate with fingers and even easier if you used a touchscreen smartphone.

Microsoft Surface is a good blend. Still a full blown PC, but with touch in mind to make the experience better than before. And the ability to use a keyboard and mouse like a computer makes it even cooler. The only drawback is its a little thick/heavy to be a tablet and possibly a little small to be a fully productive laptop. But those are the trade offs. If I had to pick only one device other than a phone or a real PC/laptop it'd be the Surface.

 

[kamakazi5]

It's probably around an 80/20 split, iPad to PC. I still have an iPad 2 and when I eventually upgrade I might switch to a Surface Pro but I can't really see myself taking advantage of the extra power. I likely won't need to think about it for a couple of years.

 

[-bakalhau-]

I do... With a... Nexus 7. 2013 edition. I don't do heavy work on PCs anymore. I do use Office. Word, PP, Excel... And I still use my tablet for that.

This thing is a beast of a tablet. I will not state that this is as good as a Surface Pro 3 or full PC for working but in my case, despite the small screen, it's damn fucking good due to some things:

Splashtop app: Stream Windows from your PC to your tablet. I pay 15$ a year so I can stream anywhere in the world.

Keyboard and mouse: I have one of each so I can use Android (and Windows) better. I don't use them on Android, but in Windows yes.

The stellar screen: THE defining feature of this tablet. It's so sharp I can use full Windows 7 on a 7" screen absolutely fine. It looks good and despite the small font I can read it so well because of the screen's PPI.

Again, I need to state that the screen is just incredible. So good that I watch all movies and series on it. The stereo speaker are just awesome as well. I can play the full on Football Manager on the go. Both with mouse and with touch. I can do daily tasks in WoW just fine (non combat gameplay). I can play many other games. Oh, and the speed. Blazingly fast. I can keep 40 tab open in Chrome like on my PC.

I realize this is a one off situation. It's perfect - but just for me. I just sold my dad on a Surface 3 to replace his work laptop and personal iPad. And it took no more than 15 minutes. I can see the Surface being an awesome choice by many more users than something like the Nexus 7. But I'm happy.

 

[Junior Mint]

Tried it and it's just too painful. Even posting on neogaf with an iPad is a chore, let alone trying to do actual work.

 

[jstripes]

My in-laws don't even turn on their computer anymore. They just use their iPad.

 

[Kama_1082]

I don't know how people are able to use tablets as their full PC (especially Android and Apple tablets). Even a Surface wouldn't be enough for me.

surface is my full time browsing computer. It's pretty damn awesome.

My desktop PC is only used for gaming

 

[mokeyjoe]

It's possible, but not ideal. Even with my laptop if I want to be productive it gets plugged into a monitor, mouse and mechanical keyboard, and effectively becomes a desktop. You can do stuff on a tablet but it becomes more of an effort and when it comes to getting work done you don't want to have to use workarounds.

However for non tech literate types who barely use a computer for more than internet and the odd email a tablet is probably a better choice than a PC.

My in-laws don't even turn on their computer anymore. They just use their iPad.

Exactly.

 

[reKon]

My in-laws don't even turn on their computer anymore. They just use their iPad.

Because they use it all for media consumption... Which is what people primarily use their tablets and laptops for...

Tablets are just better suited for it.

 

[Chezzymann]

Tablets are good if all you want to do is consume entertainment. Computers are good if you want to do that and produce stuff as well. Although with stuff like the surface pro the line is starting to blur. Hopefully default OS's like android and iOS become more flexible in the future to the point where they're just as good as windows.

 

[Kurt Angle]

I work on computers to bring bread

not possible

 

[Air]

I use it for most stuff that's not art related. Would love to use it for illustration work, but I don't really like the stylus' out now. The best part is that due to cloud synching with my apps, I can get work done piecemeal throughout the day when I get an idea.

 

[diamount]

No, tried it after my main computer and laptop decided to keel over. It's such a restrictve device too. The thing is only good for Youtube.

I use it for most stuff that's not art related. Would love to use it for illustration work, but I don't really like the stylus' out now. The best part is that due to cloud synching with my apps, I can get work done piecemeal throughout the day when I get an idea.

Isn't colour reproduction essential for things like that? I couldn't imagine anything worse on an ipad screen.

 

[WillyFive]

I use it for most stuff that's not art related. Would love to use it for illustration work, but I don't really like the stylus' out now. The best part is that due to cloud synching with my apps, I can get work done piecemeal throughout the day when I get an idea.

I would love an iPad with a digipen or Wacom-style equivalent.

 

[Air]

Isn't colour reproduction essential for things like that? I couldn't imagine anything worse on an ipad screen.

The iPad screen isn't too bad actually. Color is definitely important but what I usually do is keep my work file in Dropbox, and test the colors on my cintiq and laptop to make sure it's color range is acceptable. If not than I do the tweaking on my cintiq. The other perk is, a lot of my web traffic comes from iOS anyway, so I need to make sure the colors work for idevices.

That said, I'm not too much a stickler for color. I would rather the convenience of working on art wherever I am.

I would love an iPad with a digipen or Wacom-style equivalent.

Yup, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Here's hoping something comes out of wwdc tomorrow. I've heard Apple is working on the iPad screen in a way that's more friendly for companies making stylus'.

 

[Mohonky]

My iPad 2 is struggling to run Safari, not sure it'll handle Witcher 3.....

 

[Mister Negative]

surface is my full time browsing computer. It's pretty damn awesome.

My desktop PC is only used for gaming

Same here. I've ditched my 2011 mackbook pro for a Surface 3. The app ecosystem may not be as great as iOS, but I don't think you can beat running full windows.

As for a keyboard, if I've got space for my Pok3r I'm using it.

 

[HamsterPackage]

I moved 4 months ago, and haven't unpacked my pc yet. My iPad mini does everything I need to do.

 

[TxdoHawk]

It's doable, but it really depends on your needs. You'd have to pry my desktop from my cold, dead hands, but that's largely because I love PC gaming and heavily multi-task.

Someone like my parents, on the other hand? Probably perfect for them.

 

[polg]

I don't have a laptop at home (if this is what you mean). I do have a laptop at work where I use business related apps (visual studio, visio, etc).

But when I'm at home, I only use my iPad mini and my iPhone 6+

 

[Fnord]

I tried. And while it'll do an impressive amount of things, composing more than a few lines of text on the thing is brutal. For that reason alone it could never be my primary computing device. My One Plus One would fit that bill before my iPad did.

 

[345triangle]

Isn't colour reproduction essential for things like that? I couldn't imagine anything worse on an ipad screen.

i'd trust an ipad air 2 screen over virtually any laptop.

 

[SmackCrackleNPop]

iPad Air 2 screen is really good for color reproduction, not as bright as the iPad Air though (due to the antireflective coating)

 

[Newt]

Maybe you should get a surface.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

My mother does. She really needs an Air 2. Safari crashing due to memory is the lamest shit ever. I assume with the Air 2 that problem would be greatly diminished.

 

[Google]

I'm a Sales Director at a software company and use my MacBook Pro as my day-to-day computer for work and I have a fairly beefy desktop PC at home for playing video games.

I have an iPad Air 2 that I use predominantly when I travel (along with my MacBook). My setup in a hotel room/plane then essentially resembles that of my home but my iPad becomes my 'travel' device that I'll use to watch movies/browse the net while on my bed or in a chair while my MacBook becomes plugged into the desk and is my 'powerhouse' work computer.

The idea that I should restrict myself to one device (regardless of how well it might perform certain tasks) seems a little old fashioned.