Hacker News Reader

Comment by ginko | Hacker News Reader

This article explains why you can’t travel with only an iPad (and a phone presumably) but doesn’t seem to bother explaining why you can’t just travel with a small laptop and phone.

What does the tablet add that makes it indispensable for travel? Just the media consumption?

I never used a tablet for an extended amount of time so maybe I’m missing something here.

View on HN

I travel with just an iPad and a Phone.

The iPad is great for media consumption while traveling. e.g. playing some games or watching shows, and it's good enough to do some cramped work in a pinch (sales and business management). Also take notes/sketch with the pencil, read a book/article.

Most of the things I would use the iPad for can be done better with a more dedicated, or more versatile, channel. Like a laptop, or a paper notebook, or a paperback book/kindle etc. But the convenience for me of having it all in the one package is enough to make up for that.

I still don’t understand why a laptop wouldn’t work for most of those use cases if you already are carrying one. Sure it’s a bit tedious to use a huge laptop on a plane but a 13” laptop will fit on your lap and in your bag nearly as easily as a 10” tablet.

For me I have a 17" laptop and the tablet is convenent in various cases (planes, media consumption, whipping out much quicker than my laptop as it's lighter, smaller and simpler).

It’s not about “you can do everything on a laptop”, but more of a convenience thing. My iPad is basically a dedicated TV/Movie screen. On the day of the travel, I go on apps, download a ton of stuff for online viewing and go through it on my flight or train rides. Sure I can do the same on my laptop, but then I have to hassle with the keyboard, battery, bulkiness and etc.

Sounds pretty stupid, but I bought it 5 years ago thinking it was a useless purchase. But it significantly improved my travels.

Tablets are smaller than laptops. It makes a huge difference when traveling and sitting in tight spaces. Further, the iPad is “always on” so it’s very easy to use quickly.

It’s really great for media consumption because of it.

I can hold an iPad in one hand pretty much indefinitely and it’s small enough that is comfortable to use in cramped spaces (like a plane).

Even a 13” laptop is a challenge when flying in coach.

Agreed. I feel like in the next year or so my travel bag is going to boil down to a MacBook Air and a paperback book.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com