Need Opinions/WWYD?

[Amber1279]

Need help deciding what to do with my current computer options.

My 2007 laptop (that I custom built with Dell) is slowing down and looking to be toward the end of it's life span. It tends to run hot and it has been cleaned and fans were replaced by Dell under warranty. The battery is already dead and I just recently replaced the AC adapter, so it is is always plugged in now.

I do all of my photo editing as well as digital scrapbooking (duh) on this laptop, which is why I have the 17" screen . I could probably stretch the life a little longer. I want to upgrade my lightroom though and I am not sure how well it would work if I did that. I can barely run LR 1.1 and CS2 at the same time without major lagging.

I don't travel with my laptop anymore because of the size and weight, so I don't edit photos or scrap when I am away from home, but I still want the option to check in online. Which is why I REALLY want an iPad though. But the cost of an iPad is about what the replacement cost for a new 17" laptop would be.

I have the $ for one or the other right now.

[BrattyMeg]

do you have another computer to use to edit photos and scrap?? if not I'd get a computer if you do..I'd go for the ipad

[cardinalskate]

I just wanted to mention that the iPad isn't the only option you have. There are awesome tablets out there. I have a Toshiba Thrive and love it. It's the same size as an iPad, and you can do everything on it, too (apps, internet, Google Docs...tons). If you're not tied to alot of iThings, expand your options and look at other tablets, too. And if you're a Droid user, a tablet OTHER than an iPad is actually better (well, IMO), cause you can sync all these things together.

[Amber1279]

The only other computer in the house is the kids mini that I don't have any software loaded on.

I know there are other tablets, I have an iPhone so I would in theory want the iPad so that they would sync.

[color of my heart]

can you scrap on an iPad?

[Traci Reed]

there's no photoshop for iPads. At least not one what would scrap...

[color of my heart]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

there's no photoshop for iPads. At least not one what would scrap...

that's what i thought.

[Amber1279]

I don't think so ... does anyone know?

[usaf_wife10]

If I could get one or the other, I would say a new computer. Mainly, because the iPad can't do everything that a computer does. They make much smaller computers now vs in 2007 (they are much thinner and easier to transport), so you would be able to take the computer with you when you travel. You said that you want to upgrade that program? Well you can't do that on an iPad (obviously). And what would happen if your computer crashed before you could get enough money for a new computer? If I were you, I would get a computer.

Don't get me wrong, I have an iPhone, iPad, and an iMac and I love apple products. I love that I can take my ipad with me when we travel and it's easy to just toss in my purse and have it with me when I go to dr appointments and everything. I just can't do the same things on my iPad that I can on my computer. I hope that helped!

[lovely1m]

Originally Posted by Amber1279

I don't think so ... does anyone know?

Nope, you can't. I would get a new computer. What would you do if your laptop completely fried? You can get by without an iPad (even though they are awesome), but can you get by without a computer, probably not.

[abm234]

Get a new mac laptop!

[Jennilyn]

I'd get a new computer since you don't have another one. If something happened to the one you have and you bought an iPad, you'd have no way to edit photos or scrap.

[Megan Turnidge]

I love my iPad, but it's definitely not a replacement for a computer. Get a new computer.

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by Jennilyn

I'd get a new computer since you don't have another one. If something happened to the one you have and you bought an iPad, you'd have no way to edit photos or scrap.

Agreed with this. I have an iPad, I can't scrap on it. In all honesty, I just play games on it. My laptop has lagging issues as well, it's about as old as yours, and I'm debating what type of new laptop to get.

[jessica31876]

I have a nook and it is a tablet and do alot of the same stuff an Ipad can do. I would go for the new computer and maybe scrimp a little and get a kindle fire or nook tablet

[nun69]

I would get a new computer.....

[MichaelsMomJo]

Have to agree with everyone who says get a computer. The only scrapping apps out there for iPad and iPhone are nothing you would ever really want to use. They're not even particularly fun to play with... not when you're used to the things that we are used to. I have an iPad that I use when I wake up in the morning and am sitting with a cup of coffee so I can check the news, weather, SSD forum, etc. I take it with me when I'm sitting at my son's Thursday night gymnnastics class. So it's nice to have, but if it came down to a choice of that or a computer so I can scrap, the computer wins, hands down!!

[origami]

I have an iPad and it's wonderful, but you really need to have something to scrapbook with, and you can't scrapbook with an iPad. Maybe get the laptop now and then start saving for a tablet. You might even consider the Kindle Fire or one of the other tablets suggested. Although if you can stand getting an iPad 2, that would certainly be less expensive than the new Ipad.

[kristijoy]

I can't imagine scrapping on an ipad/tablet. Tablets are great for some stuff, but not for serious work. I would definately go for a real computer (laptop) and wait on the tablet.