Can the 64gb iPad with Retina Display replace a laptop?

Question

I'm looking into getting the new ipad to use primarily as a laptop.. i would be doing alot of word processing, keynote presentations and the odd imovie. i'm planning on keeping my current laptop if needed but hoping to use it sparingly.. so would the new ipad be able to satisify my needs?

Answer 1

I can go for days without using my computer. However, there is a lot that hte iPad just can't do, or can't do well (it was created to be a data consumer, not a data creator, so you have to be prepared to find work arounds or tweaks to do what you want to do)
If you don't have or keep your laptop, then you're going to be dependant upon cloud services to back your info up. I may sound paranoid, but I really don't like trusting a third party with my data. You may not share my issues but if you don't have a local backup, then you will need something.
Also, as noted, all apps are skinnied down versions of their original programs. I use Documents to Go, and it does just fine for basic typing, etc, but there isn't any support for in depth formatting or complicated formulas in excel. So you need to decide if the basic functions will do what you need them to do.
Even with 64 gig, for example, if you take photos, you're not really going to be able to backup your images etc.
If I were making declarations....a good short term replacement, a good travel companion, but I'd only consider it a permanent replacement for a person that really does nothing beyond e-mail and the occasional e-book reading.