The Unacknowledged Compromise →
Matt Gemmell on how we view and use multiple computing devices today:
I don’t think we take enough time to assess whether we’re unconsciously opting into constraints that don’t really need to exist.
At the end of last week’s ATP episode, I ranted about people going iPad-only for workloads that laptops are much better suited for. This is along the same lines, but better said: if you have the ability to own multiple tools, use the right tool for the job.
If your work can’t be done on an iPad without jumping through hoops and bending over backwards, it’s probably the wrong tool for the job.
The portability and battery-life gap between an iPad and a MacBook Air has never been smaller. This is a great time for iPads and Macs. If you’re reading my site, there’s a good chance that you don’t need to choose just an iPad for your computing needs.1 Nobody’s pressuring you to go iPad-only. The laptop isn’t going away.
If your work fits gracefully into an iPad, then great — you have options. But if it doesn’t, don’t force it.
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If you can’t afford both an iPad and a laptop, and you’re technically proficient enough to enjoy my site, you probably shouldn’t get an iPad at all.
You’d probably be better served getting a laptop (as your only computer) first, a smartphone second, and maybe an e-ink Kindle if you want a bigger screen for portable reading. ↩︎