theMore than five years ago, i interview Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for Tech Radar. In a briefing room at the JW Marriott Hotel in Delhi, I’m sitting with another journalist scrolling on my iPad Pro. Nadella walked into the room, tapped my shoulder, and said cheekily, “You’ve got to start using a real computer, buddy.” Soon after, my Article I was selected by tech blogs all over the world. Next thing we know, Apple gave refute – Advertisement for the new iPad Pro – arguing what a computer is. A satirical hit on Windows and PC, it reignited a decade-and-a-half life Mac vs PC discussiononly this time it was an iPad.
Until today, that was the ballpark for the iPad. Its massive computing power — thanks to Apple’s silicon and general hardware improvements in the past five years — has given it an edge over most Windows laptops. The iPad Pro models are more powerful than most high-end laptops, though they’re quite pricey when one takes into account the keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories.
Earlier, only the iPad Pro could replace a laptop or PC for my business requirements, but today, even an entry-level iPad can do the same. Which is why Steve Jobs’ original presentation of the post-PC era makes sense even 12 years later. Certainly, critics could say that given the hardware advancements Apple has made in its recent iPads, it has been lethargic in terms of improving iPadOS. With more complex software, the iPad can do a lot in its compact form.
But Apple’s mantra of staying close to the iPad’s roots and simplicity also make it the best computer for school kids. Its user interface is as good for seniors as it is for any young professional who wants to surf the web, create Microsoft Word documents or Excel sheets, send emails, watch videos on YouTube and Netflix, and communicate with families and friends remotely via video conferencing.
Best for kids, and the elderly tooThe ninth generation iPad is the most affordable model in India with a starting price of Rs 33,900. It’s thin and compact with the powerful A13 Bionic chip and features a decent display, especially for any laptop in this price range on the market. It also has a good 1080p rear camera and, more importantly, a 12MP ultra-wide front camera that’s better than those found in laptops under Rs 50,000. Better for online learning, the iPad can easily be used as a tablet. When paired with a good enough keyboard like the Logitech K480 and its pop mouse, it will prove to be a better computer than any with Windows. It will even be for the desktop if paired with an external monitor.
The iPad is now home to a plethora of photo-editing apps, games with Apple Arcade, and everything under the sun. The first-generation Apple Pencil is also a very advanced tool for kids who are interested in drawing and illustration. That’s plenty of firepower for even basic video editing on apps like LumaFusion and iMovie.
iPadOS also comes with parental controls to limit screen time, whether it’s gaming, watching videos, or browsing the web. Safari has evolved a bit and now offers a desktop-like experience, which means you can easily open web apps without worrying about a dedicated iPadOS app.
For seniors, the iPad makes more sense. Why? First, the large touch points and simple user interface make it very easy to use. Secondly, it is portable and lightweight, so you can carry it around without any hassle. Third, the iPad has a lot of accessibility features that help with ease of use for seniors, especially those with poor vision and hearing. Finally, the high quality screen adds to the overall experience.
Long lasting productIn this age of planned obsolescence, the iPad stands out. It does not slow down easily over time. Apple provides great software support. Like the iPhone, the iPad gets software support for five to six years, while Android only offers support for three years. Moreover, with updates, the iPad does not lose performance, which is a problem with Windows computers. The latest iPadOS 16 supports up to the fifth generation iPad and the third generation iPad Air. It even supports the first generation iPad Pro launched in 2015.
Designed in such a way as not to slow down the device and protect it from security issues, iPadOS is a boon for the non-technologically savvy. The iPad also has an excellent 9-10 hours of battery life, which is, almost always, double what a Windows laptop can provide.
If you have a bigger budget
A bigger budget gets you an iPad with more horsepower, a better display, better battery life, better cameras, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. Depending on the size you want, you can choose either the fifth-generation iPad Air or the sixth-generation iPad Mini. The iPad Air has an M1 processor, which the 2020 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini also have – very fast and features 6GB of RAM. Maybe it’s overkill, but the better screen and cameras along with support for the Apple Pencil 2 make the iPad Air perfect for the hardcore user.
The iPad Mini is smaller at 8.3 inches, almost the same as the Kindle but runs on the A14 chip that debuted with the iPhone 12 series. Again, it supports the new Apple Pencil and is generally a well-rounded product for on-the-go use. iPad Air can be purchased for Rs 52,900; iPad Mini for 46,300 rupees on Croma. This is a great combo for this price, but yes, you’ll need either a Logitech K480 keyboard and pop mouse or an iPad keyboard case to properly use it as a main computer.
Originally posted 2022-12-18 13:51:51.