iPad 2: The end of the laptop era?

[IncarnateX]

I agree completely. It makes sense to put all related files for a particular project into one place, obviously. Working with iOS feels like you are having to workaround the limitations of not being able to do this.

Yeah, I agree too, unfortunately. Not having acces to a general file system has been THE downer on iOS. Therefore I only buy apps with pasteboard transfer or mail transfer (which can cooporate with pasteboard transfer if you know the trick). But the procedure is much slower and makes no sense if you want to transfer large sample libs from one app to the other.

You can always downgrade and jailbreak to get around this, but then some of yours apps might not be compatible.

[Meffy]

To those who read my previous reminder to keep things on a civil, non-personal, non-hostile level (which is to say most folks in the thread): THANK YOU.

To those who are still taking things in a hostile way, arguing the person instead of the technology: Don't, okay? If the thread gets locked it gets locked for everyone. If the thread gets split, messages lose context.

Keep your cool, don't take things personally, and don't attack others with "you know-it-all" and similar pejoratives. If you're about to post a hostile message, wait before clicking the Submit button. Consider whether you really want to go there.

I'm depending on everyone to keep from stepping outside the bounds of civility. Most seem to be doing okay, but it's got to be everyone.

Thanks.

[sonicflux]

The original topic has shifted slightly from tablets vs. laptops to iOS vs. more complex operating systems.

I think it's obvious that iOS will never take the place of a laptop. There's no flexibility in the file system. With that said, there is no rule that iOS will the only thing Apple will load onto tablets. As tablet power grows, users will demand more control over their device.

Still, laptops will continue to be more powerful than a tablet just because of the simple factor of size. More processing power, bigger screen, more storage. Sure, tablets might close the gap, but I don't forsee them making laptops obsolete... at least not in the next 10 years.

[raikard233]

Still, laptops will continue to be more powerful than a tablet just because of the simple factor of size. More processing power, bigger screen, more storage. Sure, tablets might close the gap...

I will not to bring with me a 24" laptop!

[polaris20]

With this technology it's important to keep in context what it can do and can't, make an informed purchasing decision, and move on. You can't expect an iOS device to do things it never claimed to do. For example, what file formats it supports are clearly listed here:

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

It certainly makes sense for a lot of people to say "this doesn't fit my needs, I need to stick with a laptop" and move on. But hammering away at its lack of capability when there's no one that can change that but Apple (or Google, or Microsoft) isn't very productive.

Security is the number one reason file system access is limited. It's not a simple case of filtering, because the applications are all sandboxed. Once you open up file system access, it changes the security model of the device and opens up a lot of vectors of attack.

This is an inconvenience, and tedious when someone like a musician is trying to work in multiple apps across the system. But the OS wasn't developed for us, it was developed for the other 98% that just want a reliable, safe device that is their phone.

It really comes down to being good about reading reviews and technical specs, and determining if a product fits.

It's kinda like the old Mac vs. PC argument: "Macs don't have {insert feature here}". Okay, then don't buy a Mac. Windows is fully capable.

Stuff like this happens all the time in technology. VMWare vSphere doesn't support a USB stick directly attached to the server, an then being accessible from within a virtual machine locally housed on that host. Why? Security. Is it inconvenient in some cases? Absolutely. Therefore I had to decide whether or not the workaround was worth the trouble, or if a physical server fit needs better. Turns out there's a simple and cheap workaround, so there ya go.

Workarounds exist for iOS too. It's just a case of whether or not you find these workarounds acceptable. If not, groovy. Move along to something else that does work for your use.

[botkiller]

I know this is old, but I just wanted to say... uh...

HELL NO.

sorry, but making music on an ipad is kinda fun, but still a toy. Laptops are still where I go for the real work onstage, and desktops in a studio.

Believing that an OS makes you better music is like believing that painting fire on your car makes it go faster.

[Meffy]

Believing that an OS makes you better music is like believing that painting fire on your car makes it go faster.

:-} Have I got the topic for you: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4809327

[chj]

I was a naysayer to the iPad for awhile since I found even run of the mill tasks to be cumbersome. But I've found it's really very good ... for keeping children occupied when you're babysitting your sister's kids.

Yes, that's an insult. But it's also a complement. For that kind of thing, a regular PC just does not have the hands on appeal the iPad does. Also my Dad is the most technophobic, techno-illiterate person I know. He just got an iPhone out of necessity for work. He's kindof loving it now and figuring stuff out ON HIS OWN That's a HUGE complement to the interface. You may not be able to appreciate how techno-illiterate my Dad is.

As many people have pointed out already, for the kind of tasks many people use a PC for, the iPad may be everything they need, with the bonus of being mouseless and portable. As far as the title of this thread goes, the iPad has a long way to go before it can replace a good laptop for "serious" work in just about any field, not just music.

[IncarnateX]

Believing that an OS makes you better music is like believing that painting fire on your car makes it go faster.

Just show me one thread in which someone claims that you make better music on iOS Devices! What a lame strawman, especially considering the fact that it is usually the PC people who claim that you can not make pro music on iOS Devices.

[fmr]

Anybody brainwashed into believing that an IOS device can produce pro caliber content is kidding themselves... yes, you can create content, but put it next to "pro" caliber work on pro hardware and software, if fails.

Interesting that you use the term 'pro' in quotes like that. I was going to ask what is considered 'pro' these days? Have the lines not been blurred completely by the massive influx of new & affordable music/studio equipment? This stuff used to be the realm of the professionals because they were mainly the only ones who could afford it! Beyond that you had to be pretty serious about this stuff in order to afford it as an amateur/hobbyist. Things have obviously changed just a little bit in recent times though

And besides that who's to say you can't create 'pro' (whatever the hell that means!) material on any old piece of crap music equipment? Creativity is not elitist. You can't say to someone that something is not art because you have not used high end materials or equipment to produce it! The accessibility of equipment & the way we use it has completely changed in recent times. I think these days anyone who makes such sweeping statements about some bullshit like 'pro' level are the ones that have been brainwashed!

Right, rant over. Sorry about that. Completely off topic but it HAD to be said

OK, let's remind you of what was the OP:

The apple site states that you can order the iPad 2 from tomorrow 11/3. With a dual core processor and with iWorks and Garageband, it seems that they try to take the concept much further than the iPad as a toy, player or browser.

I have always been into mobile computers because I make music on the run as well as writing documents or making slide shows. I have especially appriciated the development of netbooks, making the mobile computer as small and handy as possible.

Now I am thinking of buying an iPad 2 with a keyboard dock to completely replace my laptop for mobile work. I already have an iPod and so far I am satisfied, but not overwhelmed, by the quality of music apps, and with iWorks (AND a keyboard dock) my needs seems to be fulfilled by the iPad which is both smaller/thinner and more inspiring to work with than a computer due to the touch screen.

Some small remarks:
The iPad has not been marketed as "old piece of crap music equipment". Quite the opposite, IMO. And the OP was questioning himself because a lot of people have, explicitly or implicitly, implied that an iPad can do everything a laptop does. I agree with you about the Pro vs non-Pro, but I think what newrigel meant was a good and well cared production vs something sketchy, badly cooked and half done.

So, to sum it up, yes the iPad maybe great for some domestic and day by day use, but not for real world serious work.

[IncarnateX]

OK, let's remind you of what was the OP:

The apple site states that you can order the iPad 2 from tomorrow 11/3. With a dual core processor and with iWorks and Garageband, it seems that they try to take the concept much further than the iPad as a toy, player or browser.

I have always been into mobile computers because I make music on the run as well as writing documents or making slide shows. I have especially appriciated the development of netbooks, making the mobile computer as small and handy as possible.

Now I am thinking of buying an iPad 2 with a keyboard dock to completely replace my laptop for mobile work. I already have an iPod and so far I am satisfied, but not overwhelmed, by the quality of music apps, and with iWorks (AND a keyboard dock) my needs seems to be fulfilled by the iPad which is both smaller/thinner and more inspiring to work with than a computer due to the touch screen.

Some small remarks:
The iPad has not been marketed as "old piece of crap music equipment". Quite the opposite, IMO. And the OP was questioning himself because a lot of people have, explicitly or implicitly, implied that an iPad can do everything a laptop does. I agree with you about the Pro vs non-Pro, but I think what newrigel meant was a good and well cared production vs something sketchy, badly cooked and half done.

So, to sum it up, yes the iPad maybe great for some domestic and day by day use, but not for real world serious work.

Just to clarify. My opening post is from 10/3 2011. I have owned an iPad2 for more than a half year now and is very satisfied with the music apps and development of controllers and docks since then. Everything I need is covered apart from some better masteríng gear. However, Auria recording studio is going to fill this gab, it seems:

http://www.wavemachinelabs.com/Products/auria

Cheers

[fmr]

OK, let's remind you of what was the OP:

The apple site states that you can order the iPad 2 from tomorrow 11/3. With a dual core processor and with iWorks and Garageband, it seems that they try to take the concept much further than the iPad as a toy, player or browser.

I have always been into mobile computers because I make music on the run as well as writing documents or making slide shows. I have especially appriciated the development of netbooks, making the mobile computer as small and handy as possible.

Now I am thinking of buying an iPad 2 with a keyboard dock to completely replace my laptop for mobile work. I already have an iPod and so far I am satisfied, but not overwhelmed, by the quality of music apps, and with iWorks (AND a keyboard dock) my needs seems to be fulfilled by the iPad which is both smaller/thinner and more inspiring to work with than a computer due to the touch screen.

Some small remarks:
The iPad has not been marketed as "old piece of crap music equipment". Quite the opposite, IMO. And the OP was questioning himself because a lot of people have, explicitly or implicitly, implied that an iPad can do everything a laptop does. I agree with you about the Pro vs non-Pro, but I think what newrigel meant was a good and well cared production vs something sketchy, badly cooked and half done.

So, to sum it up, yes the iPad maybe great for some domestic and day by day use, but not for real world serious work.

Just to clarify. My opening post is from 10/3 2011. I have owned an iPad2 for more than a half year now and is very satisfied with the music apps and development of controllers and docks since then. Everything I need is covered apart from some better masteríng gear. However, Auria recording studio is going to fill this gab, it seems:

http://www.wavemachinelabs.com/Products/auria

Cheers

Glad you are happy with your purchase. Perhaps it's time to put an end to this endless argument vs argument thread, which, as usual, will end to anyone with its own reason. There will never be a tool that satisfies everyone needs, but fortuinately, there are plenty of tools to keep everybody happy.

I still don't get why people need to justify their own options and choices. I personally choose to use what fits in each occasion, and don't swear fidelity to any platform, DAW, synth or FX suite.

[IncarnateX]

I thought PRO first and foremost had something to do with whether you make music for a living, e.i. it is your PROfession, no matter what gear you prefer.

But then again, this makes most of us amateurs by defintion, so I guess there are plenty of reasons to redefine it as if it had something to do with the gear you own according to self invented standards.

Used in a gear marketing context, PRO only signifies the most big and complex product in a serie, and thus is relative to whatever that product that may be.

[UltraJv]

This will be even more fun when the ipad 3 arrives (maybe this year?), will the ipad2s go on ebay or on the shelf? Thats the official upgrade option
Then I guess we start again with a new thread and the ipad2 owners get tortured by what they cant do...

[VariKusBrainZ]

You mean just like the laptop killed the desktop