Laptop vs. iPad: Computing on the Go

First off, I use an iPad mini with Retina display, and I love it! It is the perfect size computer to take with me. I do have an 11 inch Windows laptop, which I could take, but the iPad mini is even smaller, and it fits in not only my backpack but also my purse! I also have an iPad smart case, which acts as a screen cover and full body case. What might surprise some people is that I don’t have a keyboard for my iPad. I can type pretty quickly on my iPad with my thumbs, and so I have never felt the need for a keyboard.

Anyway, on to how I use my iPad, both on the go and at home.

THE CLOUD

First, I have really become fan of the cloud. Since I do have a windows laptop, I use OneDrive, because the student package came with 1TB of cloud storage for $70 for four years! Yes, that is 1000 gigs. *I’m not sponsored by Microsoft in any way, by the way*

PRODUCTIVE APPS

Going back to the whole Microsoft thing (still not sponsored), I use Word and OneNote for notes and class assignments. If I need to upload a document on the go, I will use an app called Puffin Web Browser which allows me to use Dropbox or Google Drive to upload more than just pictures from my camera roll. I will open the required document in one of those apps and then upload them to the web browser. Puffin is also cool, because you can access websites that use flash. It uses the cloud to access a desktop browser so you can bypass the anti-flash movement that is Apple mobile devices.

SAFARI

I can honestly say that I really like using the Safari browser. It functions pretty well, and for the most part, it gets the job done. It would be nice if it allowed you to upload documents and images from more than just your device, but I have my Puffin Browser (see above) for that.

THE GREAT DEBATE
So, do I think that an iPad is better than a laptop? I think that neither is better than the other. They both have their strengths and their weaknesses. But, if I am on the go and don’t want to deal with a gargantuan bag of stuff just so that I can have a bigger screen than just my phone, I will take the iPad mini any day. Laptops are more powerful, and I love my laptop, but there is something to be said about being able to put a computer in my crossover purse. It just works.

So, what do you think about laptops versus tablets? Do you have either or both? Do you take either or both on the go? Let me know in the comments or on twitter at @HannahHaefele.
Thanks for reading!