iPad or Laptop?

Hello all:

I currently do my L4 Bible studies on a desktop in my office in the basement away from family and the great outdoors. I am considering either a laptop or iPad merely for portability reasons so that I can go outside on a nice day and study while my wife is playing in her garden, etc... I am thinking of an iPad because of its weight but don't want to throw out the possibility of the power of a laptop over an iPad.

As far as having a kewl device, the iPad has it hands-down but am I being unrealistic to give up the functionality and power of having a full blown L4 software package installed on a laptop? Outside of the highlighting and note taking issue with the iPad, what benefits / losses would I have in getting an iPad over a laptop or vice versa?

Thank you kindly.

David

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Comments

Floyd Johnson

You might also consider a Tablet PC - using OneNote, you can take hand written notes as well as typed notes. You might also consider the HP Slate.

A bit of patience, and you may want to consider the soon to be release Android app.

Rick

but am I being unrealistic to give up the functionality and power of having a full blown L4 software package installed on a laptop? Outside of the highlighting and note taking issue with the iPad, what benefits / losses would I have in getting an iPad over a laptop or vice versa?

Advantages of iPad: Size, convenience and excellent eReader for books that you want to read cover to cover.

Disadvantages of iPad: Logos is not nearly as functional for in depth work or studies. Also the question exists if Logos will even be allowed on iPad after next month? See: http://community.logos.com/forums/t/33215.aspx

If you plan to use your second device for more than casual reading I would whole heartily suggest some sort of laptop. I would not buy an iPad just for Logos. For example, there is no way (that I have figured out) to have layouts, adjust windows etc. I may be wrong here, my iPad is only about a week old so I have not played with it much. I am primarily using Logos iPad as an eReader.

Josh Hunt

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/248895#Comment_248895

the are priced about the same. Other than the cool factor of the ipad, a laptop seems like a better choice. Lots more back for your buck.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/249002#Comment_249002

the are priced about the same. Other than the cool factor of the ipad, a laptop seems like a better choice. Lots more back for your buck.

Depends on usage (bang for your buck). Refurbished 1st generation WiFi iPad's are available for $ 349 => http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad

Observation: laptops with 2nd generation Intel Core i5 or i7 are bit more expensive (so Logos 4 is responsive on laptop). For use outdoors, LED backlighting would be better (brighter); likely need shade for comfortable screen reading.

Potential for iPad is remote control of desktop computer: Mocha VNC Lite app is Free and can use Mac screen sharing => http://www.mochasoft.dk/iphone_vnc_support.htm

Also, iPad has remote desktop apps for Windows. Found a review article => http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/free-remote-desktop-apps-ipad/

A bluetooth keyboard can be used with an iPad (appears bluetooth mouse needs to jail break iPad).

Likewise, an Android tablet, e.g. Transformer => http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Asus-Eee-Pad-Transformer-Android-30-Tablet-Review/ may be something to consider for remote desktop use. Hoping for Logos Android application sometime.

With a discount coupon, did notice a Dell Outlet laptop for $ 299 that would be adequate for remote control of desktop computer (but netbook slow for running Logos 4).

Keep Smiling [:)]

Mike Childs

David,

It depends on the nature of how you expect to study on the machine.

If you are primarily going to do extended reading, copy and paste some passages into a notebook, do some basic language study, type a few notes, then by all means go with the iPad. That is what I would do. Save the heavy lift study with searches, etc. for the desktop. For extensive reading the iPad is a thousand times better. It is also a thousand times more portable than a laptop. I take to the hospital while waiting on members to have surgery, for example.

On the other hand, if you basicly want the full Logos program working for you, the laptop is the only choice. I use my laptop as you use your desktop. It and my iPad are my only computers.

iPad for reading. Laptop for heavy study.

Smithereens

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/249013#Comment_249013

Potential for iPad is remote control of desktop computer: Mocha VNC Lite app is Free and can use Mac screen sharing => http://www.mochasoft.dk/iphone_vnc_support.htm

Didn't know about this app until you posted. Thanks! One thing that's not immediately clear to me: is it possible to access your computer using this app on a wifi-only ipad if your not connected via LAN? In other words, can I use this to access my mac that's home from a wifi-only ipad I'm using at a coffee shop?

Kinda strange asking a question on the Logos forums, but since it's not about Logos, per se, maybe it can be forgiven. [:)]

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/249841#Comment_249841

In other words, can I use this to access my mac that's home from a wifi-only ipad I'm using at a coffee shop?

Kinda strange asking a question on the Logos forums, but since it's not about Logos, per se, maybe it can be forgiven.

One Logos use for remote connection is using features that are not available in a mobile device (e.g. Notes and Highlighting, which are not yet implemented). For email, remote control of a computer allows one email program to have all correspondence, which is attractive.

Caution: all internet computer sharing solutions have an inherent security risk since your computer is being remotely controlled. Sophisticated thieves like to assist in emptying bank accounts (well beyond Logos Sale items). Other "organizations" use remotely controlled computers to send out spam email or carry out distributed denial of service attacks (hard for a web site to respond when millions of requests are flowing every second).

Coffee shop caution: other nefarious computer user(s) nearby can "listen" to connection, then spoof your connection to control your computer. Have received several "spam" email from friends whose email account was compromised, including a story about traveling and being robbed in a foreign country, please send money.

Searching internet for public wifi security found many articles, including:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368802,00.asp

http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/385

http://www.zdnet.com/news/hidden-dangers-of-free-public-wifi/149778

Mocha has VNC FAQ's => http://www.mochasoft.dk/iphone_vnc_faq.htm includes router configuration information (port forwarding) for internet remote access. Also recommend using strong passwords on your network router; a different friend using remote access had router reconfigured by someone else.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Daniel Spencer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/250382#Comment_250382

I have a laptop, and actually decided to get an HP Mini netbook as opposed to an iPad. For about half of the price of the cheapest Wi-fi iPad, I have a fully functional Logos 4 system that I can easily carry anywhere I commute. Granted, the speed can be an issue (sometimes Logos helps me work on my patience) but I still have the option of Libronix DLS or Biblia.com for quicker work. I feel like it was a way better deal than the iPad, though I must say I'm a little envious still of the iPad when I see one!

Austin Preik

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/251828#Comment_251828

The nice things about the iPad is that I can flip open the cover, hit a button and open a book - no boot-up time. My iPad has become my primary Bible. (Much easier to lug around than my ESV StudyBible at least) I tried using a netbook for a while but it chugged along, unable to keep up with Logos' memory demands. And of course there were the boot times. I have a laptop now that I basically use as a desktop with occasional unshackling for longer trips. If you have a desktop and are supplementing the desktop use with an iPad, it is great. But I have a short attention span and study/read/research in spurts and so like being able to start up and shut down quickly on the go. Were I setting up shop in the garden or at a coffee shop regularly to do serious study, a laptop would be preferable.

Rev Chris

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/249841#Comment_249841

Didn't know about this app until you posted. Thanks! One thing that's not immediately clear to me: is it possible to access your computer using this app on a wifi-only ipad if your not connected via LAN? In other words, can I use this to access my mac that's home from a wifi-only ipad I'm using at a coffee shop?

Don't know about this app, but I use a remote app called LogMeIn. It's kinda expensive for an ipad app ($30), but gives you complete functionality over your computer. I already had Logmein installed on my work PC and my home Macbook, so it had the advantage of being able to connect right to both of those without hassle. B/c it works through the Logmein web server, all you need is to be connected to the internet. My iPad is wifi only, and it works great as long as I have a fast connection. The problem is, you need a fast connection on both ends!