Can an iPad replace my Desktop or Laptop?

I am getting this question more and more: Can an iPad or similar device replace my desktop or laptop?

The answer depends on what you use your desktop and laptop for. If all you use them for is surfing the Internet and email the answer is maybe, these pad products are great for these uses.

If you store a lot of big files on your computer these pad or tablet devices are not for you. The storage in the pad devices is at most 64 GB where most laptops and desktops have more than 250 GB. Also remember that the pad devices run apps like many smart phones - not full fledge software. So you can’t run say Adobe Photoshop on a pad device. They may have an app that does some of the same things, but it is not Photoshop.

Another consideration is how much do you type on your current device? Remember on the pad device the standard keyboard is an on screen keyboard again like many smart phones. This is ok for short emails or typing in a website address, but you would not want to compose a short story or even a long blog on it. They do have add-on keyboards for many of the pad devices, but that’s another device to carry around or keep track of.  

While I can see the iPad replacing netbooks and they definitely have their place (the portability factor is great), actually replacing a desktop or laptop with this type of device for most is not going to work. If you have questions, let me know at www.AOITS.com.