iPad or Mac Air if $$$ Not an Issue?

Also posted in "Logos 4 Mac" forum...

Logos Bible Software being the primary usage, which platform would you choose, and why, if money wasn't an issue?

I have two basic, but equal concerns: Using LBS in a portable fashion and reading through the hundreds of books (cover-to-cover) that I own.

I use an iMac at home primarily for study, but need portability for church, Bible study groups, etc. I also anticipate purchasing an iPhone 5 by the years end, which allows me a quick and easy access to God's Word, but not so much to using multiple resources as I do in home church and group Bible study. I've been using an Acer Netbook, but it is excruciatingly painfully slow.

I would love to hear from any and all, but especially those who might be using both, the iPad and a Mac Air.

Please add any additional thoughts you may have that I should consider as I pursue this purchase.

Thank you,

Michael

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Comments

Paul N

Ill post on the other thread...

(I've always wanted to do that! [:P])

Greg

Ill post on the other thread...

(I've always wanted to do that! )

I see what you did there [^o)]

Paul N

Ok kidding aside,

I really think Apple has created a nitch with the iPad. I was a skeptic until I saw the value of using it as an ebook reader. There's something pseudo-romantic (not real romantic like a real book) about reading books on a tablet rather than flipping up a screen. To be honest I like the idea of a device that can't do too much. The Macbook Air is still a laptop, although a very slick one. If I have access to it I can tell you now I won't be reading my books.

Logos' iPad app does just enough of what the desktop program does to not miss my desktop for too long. I would just make sure to get the 32 or 64 GB model in case space becomes and issue.

As of right now I have 259 Logos resources in offline mode on my iPad including 6 commentary sets and I don't think it even put a dent in my available space.

If given the choice between the two, I would go with the iPad

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Thankful for many improvements in Logos app and anticipating more (e.g. highlighting and notes).

Looking forward to higher resolution iPad display => http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/07/07/apple_again_rumored_to_grow_ipad_family_with_hd_model_and_pro_apps.html

Likewise responded in other thread => iPad or Mac Air if $$$ Not an Issue?

Keep Smiling [:)]

MJD

I have both the Ipad 64GB and the MB Air with 128GB SSD with 4 GB Ram. The MB Air is the clear choice if you only want one in my opinion.

The MB Air has all my resources resident on the hard drive and no internet needed. The Ipad is a nice reader if you want to just read and not due a lot searching, but you don't have access to all your resources, even if you are on the internet due limited license agreements. The Ipad is tedious to download each book you want to remain on the Ipad while offline.

Bear in mind that doing a search on the MB Air it is not as fast as my PC base laptop. But, the form factor of the MB Air is AMAZING!

Lots to think about... but the over all winner for me is = [*]Buy them Both if $$$$ are truly not the issue!

JT (alabama24)

which platform would you choose, and why, if money wasn't an issue?

Michael - Since money is not an issue, buy both and give me the one you don't end up using [:D]

I have two basic, but equal concerns: Using LBS in a portable fashion and reading through the hundreds of books (cover-to-cover) that I own.

When the iPad app catches up with features like highlighting, it will be a great way to read your resources. The iPad would be my recommendation unless you plan to do in depth study. I have both an iMac and a MacBook Pro and like being able to take my studies with me on my laptop.

In short: the iPad for reading; the MacBook Air for portable study.

Christopher Sanchez

I cannot speak to the Mac but I have a 64 GB WiFi iPad2 and LOVE it! I have over 500 of my resources available offline and add others all the time. It is a very good mobile choice for me.

Chris

Wild Eagle

I use an iMac at home primarily for study, but need portability for church, Bible study groups, etc....

Ipad

Dan Francis

While people sem to be favouring the iPad, One must also take into consideration network availability. You will need a wireless connection (wifi or cellular network) to effectively use the iPad. Macbook requires neither to use your whole library. Not everything you want may be available on the iPad, many publishers will not allow their works to be made available. Then again there are the numerous items Logos as lost the rights too. Oxford Bible commentary, Jerome Biblical commentary, Daily Study Bible old and new testament series (the new revision of the NT is abut to be released but you will need to purchase it since Logos calls it a distinct work, which is pushing it a bit far). I have seen countless people ask about the Bible Knowledge Commentary, which the publisher will not allow for mobile. So when making your choice make sure the resources you want to use are available on the iPad. You should e able to confirm what is available of your library by logging into Biblia.com if everything you want to use is there either will work for you, if some favourite resources are missing the Air is likely your best bet.

-Dan

JT (alabama24)

Good thoughts Dan! Generally I think for study the MacBook Air would be best, and for reading the iPad. I had not thought about the mobile resource availability issue in my recommendation, however.

Mike Childs

iPad for me, no question about it.

Extensive reading even on Mac Air is little better than on any other mini notebook. Reading on the iPad is about as comfortable to me as reading a paper book. I would do my intensive study on the iMac at home, and do my reading on the iPad. If I got a Mac Air it would be to replace the iMac at home, not to replace the iPad.

If the Mac Air isn't up to replacing the iMac for running the full blown Logos program, then it would be useless to me. It would never replace the iPad for reading.

Mike Childs

While people sem to be favouring the iPad, One must also take into consideration network availability. You will need a wireless connection (wifi or cellular network) to effectively use the iPad.

I have not found that to be a problem. I primarily use my iPad to read and take notes. I do this fine without a wireless connection. I have over 2100 books downloade to my iPad.

I have over 2100 books downloade to my iPad.

Thought I went overboard downloading a few hundred!

How do you tell how many books are downloaded on the iPad?

Thanks,

Peter

Paul N

Peter I believe the only way would be to turn your iPad's internet connection to 'Airplane' mode and then open Logos back up. Navigate back to your book list which should now only list your offline books. If you drag your list down from the top (down motion with the finger), the number of books listed is at the top.

I'm not sure why its hidden until you drag your list down. This works when you've got your connection back too so you know how many books are available to you out of your collection.

[EDIT] - the number of resources is viewably listed at the top - its just small

Dan Francis

While people sem to be favouring the iPad, One must also take into consideration network availability. You will need a wireless connection (wifi or cellular network) to effectively use the iPad.

I have not found that to be a problem. I primarily use my iPad to read and take notes. I do this fine without a wireless connection. I have over 2100 books downloade to my iPad.

I was under the impression he was hoping to take advantage of some of the more Study related things like the passage guide. I know that the iPad is a great reader, I am just wanted him to be sure of the possible limitations, for a lot of people i know not having the NIV would be a deal breaker right there. I am very happy with the NRSV so I haven;t got a problem in that regard. Some people, myself included are happy enough with the iOS app (I would love to sync my files from my machine putting on any file I own I want, but I know that will never happen). I have seen numerous people quite irate in their postings here over not having their whole library and needing to be online to use it effectively.

-dan

Mike Childs

I was under the impression he was hoping to take advantage of some of the more Study related things like the passage guide. I know that the iPad is a great reader, I am just wanted him to be sure of the possible limitations, for a lot of people i know not having the NIV would be a deal breaker right there.

You make a valid point, Dan. If he needs more than the ability to read, do simple searches, and take some notes, then iPad is probably not his best tool. But if you want to be able to read you library - especially read books cover to cover - iPad is the way to go. It depends upon how you will use it. What is right for one person is not for another.

I only use a laptop for my full blown Logos study. So I am somewhat portable for even that. But for extended reading, or reading on the go, it is hard to beat the iPad. I have only played with a friend's Mac Air,and I agree it is nice. However, I can't see where it would fit into what I do with Logos. I wouldn't satisfied with it for running the full Logos - not enough memory or power for that in my opinion. I sure wouldn't be satisfied reading extensively on it.

I did not get the wireless version of iPad, but I do find that wifi is nearly every where. You have public wifi in nearly every hospital, motel, fast food restaurant, etc. For reading I seldom need an internet connection. But I have used one while waiting in hospitals from time to time, and it worked great for Passage Guide.

Since we all work differently, figure out exactly what you want the machine to do and buy accordingly. It is wonderful that we these choices available.

Mike Childs

How do you tell how many books are downloaded on the iPad?

Turn on airplane mode under system. Start Logos app. Go to library, and at the top it should tell you how many books are available. Only books downloaded to you iPad will be listed.

Oke Shannon

I have over 2100 books downloade to my iPad.

I am considering the 64 gig iPad 3 for my Silver edition Logos 4. I do a weekly SS lesson using Silver Logos 4 on an HP laptop (which is getting long-in-the-tooth) by building an MS Word document with verses followed by the text of cross references, word studies and other notes. Is it possible to do such study on the iPad?

BTW: I am a memory hog and a reference hog. [MORE POWER...MORE POWER!) My teaching guide is very complicated so that I can guide the discussion in any direction the students wish to go. I don't lecture (I am not particularly good at that). I try to stimulate discussion of the text in view. Will the iPad be useful in such study?

JT (alabama24)

I do a weekly SS lesson using Silver Logos 4 on an HP laptop (which is getting long-in-the-tooth) by building an MS Word document with verses followed by the text of cross references, word studies and other notes. Is it possible to do such study on the iPad?

The iPad is not a MacBook. The mobile app is not Logos 4. If you are looking to replace your computer, you would be better suited buying a MacBook or MacBook Air. By the way, new models should be released in the next several months. Even if you don't want a newer model, the current ones will be cheaper. [;)]

The mobile app does let you read many (but not all) of your resources. Publishers must extend your resource licenses to mobile devices, and not all publishers are willing to do that. The mobile app can do highlighting, and notes attached to text. You can do word studies, but you must be connected to the internet. If you study in places without a good connection, a MacBook would be better.

I would never replace my computer with an iPad. Here is my priority:

If I could only have one device, it would be a MacBook.
If I could have two devices, it would be an iMac and an iPad.
If I could have three devices, it would be an iMac, MacBook and iPad.
If I could have four devices, I would have an iMac, MacBook, iPad and iPhone.

By the way, I have all four. [:D]

Side note: If you notice, My #2 priority switches the MacBook for an iMac. I prefer an iMac, but I believe that portability is important. The iPad provides much of what I would need in portability, but not in power.