Anyone Using iPad Pro as Main Device?

[iPadDad]

T

And they have excellent podcasts about it too:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/canvas/id1073124209?mt=2

This is excellent!!!

 

[Eric5273]

Well, regardless of what people torrent it is my feeling that it is one reason an Ipad is not able to replace a computer completely. I am not sure why Apple thinks it is any of their business what people download. Oh wait, we should all use iTunes to fill our devices. Even Gates knew that idea is nuts when he laughed about how much money it would take to fill an iPod classic through legal methods.

It really doesn't matter because people will just use their computer for this anyway. My point here is it doesn't stop piracy and is an artificial limit to the device. Enforcing a companies sense of morality onto a computer is a stumbling block to it becoming a computer replacement.

Perhaps you may not like it, but at least Apple is trying to do something about piracy. It seems like they are the only ones. It also seems like most people today believe that downloading copyrighted music online is not a crime and is perfectly ok to do. It is a crime and is the same as stealing.

The results of this will be felt in a few years when the quality and quantity of new music being released will decline substantially. We are already seeing this happen. It is no longer possible to make a living as a songwriter, so instead of having professional songwriters, today 99% of the music is being written by the musicians who perform the music (the artists).

If you think there is no problem with that, then perhaps Apple should get rid of all of their engineers and instead have their hardware designed by the people who assemble it.

Today there is almost no money in distributing music, and what little money there is to be made is mostly from iTunes digital downloads. Once that dissappears, there will be nothing left. Muscians can only make a living by performing. There are no more album sales, and digital downloads are on the decline. And there is no money to be made in streaming, except by the companies providing the streaming service, and even then none of them have managed to be profitable yet.

So anyone in the music business who is not a performer and who instead was involved in the recording or writing of music, such as producers, sound engineers, songwriters, lyricists, etc....all these jobs are going to disappear and with them, any sort of decent quality music.

How sad is it that revenue from CD sales is still more than double that of streaming? How many people do you know that still purchase CDs, and how many people do you know that use a streaming service?

 

[ericwn]

I've never used time machine, but setting a new iPad out of the box is super simple. I suspect it's simpler than using time machine. I just take it out of the box, turn it on, sign in to my iCloud account, and pick restore from backup of my previous iPad, then just wait for all my settings, contacts, calendar, notes, and apps to download. When the restore process is completed, I have an iPad that is set exactly the same as my previous one.

Does time machine download and install all your apps? Even if it does that for apps you buy from the App Store, I bet it doesn't do that for apps you install from outside the App Store. And the thing about Macs is I always end up installing some apps not from App Store. So setting up a new Mac is always going to be more complicated for me than setting up a new iPad, even if I did use time machine.

Of course, it's true that being able to install apps from outside the App Store makes the Mac a more flexible device than the iPad. But it also makes the Mac more complex to setup and maintain. I used to jailbreak my iOS devices, but I gradually lost interest, because it made setting up a new iOS device and restoring all my jailbreak tweaks way too complicated. The extra effort wasn't worth it for the additional features I got by jailbreaking.

Sorry but if you don't know time machine, maybe don't just assume. It's very straightforward. IF you can use a Mac, time machine is extremely easy. And yes, it does a nice full backup.
Adding programs from outside the App Store is also very easy. Many don't even require an installation routine, just drop them into the Applications folder, done. That simplicity has been integral part of Mac OS for decades.

 

[ericwn]

Oh yes, that's right. I don't have Apple Keychain turned on. It requires two-factor authentication, which I don't like. I mean, what happens if you lose your trusted device? Oh then you have to have your recovery key written down somewhere. Riiiiight.

In return, using cloud services without strong security is just asking for trouble down the road.

 

[ericwn]

Perhaps you may not like it, but at least Apple is trying to do something about piracy. It seems like they are the only ones. It also seems like most people today believe that downloading copyrighted music online is not a crime and is perfectly ok to do. It is a crime and is the same as stealing.

The results of this will be felt in a few years when the quality and quantity of new music being released will decline substantially. We are already seeing this happen. It is no longer possible to make a living as a songwriter, so instead of having professional songwriters, today 99% of the music is being written by the musicians who perform the music (the artists).

If you think there is no problem with that, then perhaps Apple should get rid of all of their engineers and instead have their hardware designed by the people who assemble it.

Today there is almost no money in distributing music, and what little money there is to be made is mostly from iTunes digital downloads. Once that dissappears, there will be nothing left. Muscians can only make a living by performing. There are no more album sales, and digital downloads are on the decline. And there is no money to be made in streaming, except by the companies providing the streaming service, and even then none of them have managed to be profitable yet.

So anyone in the music business who is not a performer and who instead was involved in the recording or writing of music, such as producers, sound engineers, songwriters, lyricists, etc....all these jobs are going to disappear and with them, any sort of decent quality music.

How sad is it that revenue from CD sales is still more than double that of streaming? How many people do you know that still purchase CDs, and how many people do you know that use a streaming service?

The point made was not that piracy is ok. The point is that users don't need to be artificially held back from doing common computing tasks with their devices. It's about some person making the decision what you can do with your computer that is not the customer. Sure folks use torrents for piracy. But to say all torrents are used for that is a generalisation that doesn't meet reality. Like most generalisations.

Btw why is owning CDs bad? What's wrong with people who like to collect music or books or whatever. That's not sad at all. Let's appreciate a world with options. One size often doesn't fit everybody.

 

[Night Spring]

Sorry but if you don't know time machine, maybe don't just assume. It's very straightforward. IF you can use a Mac, time machine is extremely easy. And yes, it does a nice full backup.
Adding programs from outside the App Store is also very easy. Many don't even require an installation routine, just drop them into the Applications folder, done. That simplicity has been integral part of Mac OS for decades.

Problem with reinstalling apps from outside the App Store isn't the installation part -- it's the part where you have to find them on the web and download them. That's more complicated than just going through the setup in iOS and sitting back while everything redownloads.

I did try making Time Machine backups once. But whenever it came time to wipe and reinstall a machine or move to a new machine, for one reason or another I ended up not using the backup but setting up as new. Please don't ask me to tell you the reasons. It's been a while and I don't remember the details. I don't doubt that it works well, but even if it worked as well as it's designed to, restoring iPad backups would still be easier and simpler.

 

[sers]

My iPad has been my main computing device for quite a while. My computing needs are fairly basic so I can accomplish whatever I need on my iPad. I do, however, have a USB hard drive hooked up to my router which serves as my file server and I use FileBrowser to manage those files, which works quite well. I can stream movies from my iPad (even to my Apple TV if I want), or transfer them directly to my iPad if I'm travelling. Also, I store all photos I take on my iPhone on the USB drive as well as other files and can access the files online with my phone if I need to. I use iCloud for the few Pages and Numbers' files I do have.

This setup has worked quite well for me. I have a backup drive that I hook up to my router to back up new pics or whatever and use the iPad to do this. I did need a computer in the beginning to do the initial backup, but subsequent backups have been done using my iPad. I have to say that I'm not sure how I would get around storing my files without the router and USB drive.

If your computing needs are not that heavy, then the iPad works great.

 

[apolloa]

My iPad has been my main computing device for quite a while. My computing needs are fairly basic so I can accomplish whatever I need on my iPad. I do, however, have a USB hard drive hooked up to my router which serves as my file server and I use FileBrowser to manage those files, which works quite well. I can stream movies from my iPad (even to my Apple TV if I want), or transfer them directly to my iPad if I'm travelling. Also, I store all photos I take on my iPhone on the USB drive as well as other files and can access the files online with my phone if I need to. I use iCloud for the few Pages and Numbers' files I do have.

This setup has worked quite well for me. I have a backup drive that I hook up to my router to back up new pics or whatever and use the iPad to do this. I did need a computer in the beginning to do the initial backup, but subsequent backups have been done using my iPad. I have to say that I'm not sure how I would get around storing my files without the router and USB drive.

If your computing needs are not that heavy, then the iPad works great.

Hmmm interesting idea you have, my router has a USB socket. I may look into this, although all my photos and videos are stored in iCloud, my files are on my Mac which I hardly use. This sounds like a good way to acces them.

 

[sers]

Hmmm interesting idea you have, my router has a USB socket. I may look into this, although all my photos and videos are stored in iCloud, my files are on my Mac which I hardly use. This sounds like a good way to acces them.

I'm using an Asus router and use their AiCloud app to access my files when I'm away from home. It's like having your own cloud storage service.

 

[Eric5273]

Btw why is owning CDs bad? What's wrong with people who like to collect music or books or whatever. That's not sad at all. Let's appreciate a world with options. One size often doesn't fit everybody.

Nothing is wrong with owning CDs. My point was that most people have not purchased a CD in many years, yet the revenue from CD sales is still higher than streaming, which is how the large majority of the public gets their music today. Don't you see something wrong with that? Where do you even purchase CDs today? As far as I can tell, all of the music stores have long since gone out of business.

Shouldn't the method that the majority uses to get their music also provide the most revenue for the owners of the music? We live in a capitalist economy where everyone is free to ask however much they want for use of their property, except when it comes to music. When it comes to music, the courts and the government dictate the price and also dictate that you cannot refuse to sell under the name of "fair use". So anyone can play your music on the airwaves and anyone can perform or distribute your music even if you don't give your consent, and the price they must pay you is predetermined without your consent.

And further to that, if the person or company performing or distributing your music refuses to pay you, there is no criminal act there, so you have little recourse but to sue them, but the amounts are so low it rarely pays to do so.

So basically, you have an industry that produces a product in which the government sets a price, but the government refuses to ever prosecute someone who steals the music or breaks copyright laws. And with that knowledge, everyone owns a computer that is capable of stealing music.

Perhaps they should have street vendors selling masks and guns on the sidewalk outside of banks, and also not prosecute people who rob banks. Do you think we would have an increase in bank robberies?

I know this is a major thread drift here, but being in the music business myself, I've seen this gradual decline over the past 25 years and more troubling is the general additude of people who think stealing music is about as serious of a crime as littering or jaywalking.

 

[M. Gustave]

Nothing is wrong with owning CDs. My point was that most people have not purchased a CD in many years, yet the revenue from CD sales is still higher than streaming, which is how the large majority of the public gets their music today. Don't you see something wrong with that?

...I know this is a major thread drift here, but being in the music business myself, I've seen this gradual decline over the past 25 years and more troubling is the general additude of people who think stealing music is about as serious of a crime as littering or jaywalking.

Streaming music is not stealing, and you are obviously trying to conflate the two. I pay for my music, whatever the medium, and I always have willingly. Most people I know have too.

Second, streaming should cost less to the end user than a physical disc. How can you expect revenue parity? Obviously "the music industry" saves money by not making and distributing discs.

 

[rillrill]

Perhaps you may not like it, but at least Apple is trying to do something about piracy. It seems like they are the only ones. It also seems like most people today believe that downloading copyrighted music online is not a crime and is perfectly ok to do. It is a crime and is the same as stealing.

The results of this will be felt in a few years when the quality and quantity of new music being released will decline substantially. We are already seeing this happen. It is no longer possible to make a living as a songwriter, so instead of having professional songwriters, today 99% of the music is being written by the musicians who perform the music (the artists).

If you think there is no problem with that, then perhaps Apple should get rid of all of their engineers and instead have their hardware designed by the people who assemble it.

Today there is almost no money in distributing music, and what little money there is to be made is mostly from iTunes digital downloads. Once that dissappears, there will be nothing left. Muscians can only make a living by performing. There are no more album sales, and digital downloads are on the decline. And there is no money to be made in streaming, except by the companies providing the streaming service, and even then none of them have managed to be profitable yet.

So anyone in the music business who is not a performer and who instead was involved in the recording or writing of music, such as producers, sound engineers, songwriters, lyricists, etc....all these jobs are going to disappear and with them, any sort of decent quality music.

How sad is it that revenue from CD sales is still more than double that of streaming? How many people do you know that still purchase CDs, and how many people do you know that use a streaming service?

Apple as the protector of intellectual property is funny to me. People forget that they came out with the iPod and iTunes. I don't know about you, but certainly used my iPod to listen to pirated mp3s back in 2003-2009. Or, rip borrowed music to my computer. The iPod, despite the invention of the iTunes Store, was used to listen to music from Soulseek to Megaupload by all of my friends. I knew very little people that bought digital music. Of course iTunes was a success and other people did, but the people that had early versions of iPods, that I saw, were younger and knew how to fill there device with music they didn't buy. Apple's popularity with younger people during that time was very antiestablishment. They were an underdog company before the iPhone.

Nevertheless, this is getting off topic. Apple's problem right now, imo, is software. They should invest heavily in iCloud and their apps and iOS. The hardware is not going to change that much in the coming years, but The software needs to improve - especially on the iPad.

 

[jonnyb098]

Is anyone here using their Pro as their main device? As in, no PC, no Mac, just an iPad Pro.

To those that are, what does your usage entail, and what changes did you have to make to move to the Pro exclusively?

I use an iPad Pro 9.7 as my main device. iPad has become my main device since the Air 2. Also iOS 9 helped a lot with split screen.

For me it all came together when the iPad Air came out. That was the beginning of my iPad usage surpassing my Mac use at home. And now with combination of split screen, Apple Music , iCloud I have little use for a computer. I moved to full time photo editing on iPad a few years ago when the screens got the full color gamut of a typical computer.

I've been a believer in the iPad and purchased day one in 2010 and felt amazing potential of what the device could become with the Air 2 and now iPad Pro, that potential have been fully realized. I don't want a computer replacement. I want something as powerful as computer and very easy to consume content on. Including gaming. Yes I enjoy iPad games.

I can count on one hand how many times I've booted up my mac in the last year. (Mostly to do design work at home). My girlfriend has used an iPad Air as her main home computing device for 3 years. And recently a friend of mine switched over to an iPad Air 2 full time and never uses his laptop anymore. So yes it is possible. When you think about it all we do is consume consume consume. And the iPad is amazing for all of it. I understand why people may still want a laptop but the iPad does 90 percent of what people need on a daily basis especially at home. For me it's 100 percent.

 

[profets]

I've been using an iMac at home and an iMac at work for 3-4 years now. Along with that though I've absolutely loved using an iPad day to day. A few months back I purposely removed the iMac I have at home and started using my 9.7" iPad Pro as the only 'computer' when not at work. Been such a great feeling, truly enjoy using it.

However, now I'm really intrigued by the 12.9" - every time I pick one up at the store to play with I'm really blown away by all the screen real estate. Curious to see what updates may come to the Pros next spring, though I'm still torn, if I upgrade to a 12.9 in the future I don't feel like it would be optimal for all of my iPad use (some portability and one handed use definitely not feasible).

 

[gobikerider]

I've been using an iMac at home and an iMac at work for 3-4 years now. Along with that though I've absolutely loved using an iPad day to day. A few months back I purposely removed the iMac I have at home and started using my 9.7" iPad Pro as the only 'computer' when not at work. Been such a great feeling, truly enjoy using it.

However, now I'm really intrigued by the 12.9" - every time I pick one up at the store to play with I'm really blown away by all the screen real estate. Curious to see what updates may come to the Pros next spring, though I'm still torn, if I upgrade to a 12.9 in the future I don't feel like it would be optimal for all of my iPad use (some portability and one handed use definitely not feasible).

I know I have a Air 2 that I use daily as my "computer in school" today I actually realized typing a paper is not ideal I'd prefer a bigger screen real estate with split view but it still got the job done. I'm considering a 12.9 Pro because that would give me that screen real estate I want in splitview. Other than that I prefer using a iPad to my MacBook Pro as iOS has a more efficient workflow compared to Mac.

 

[Peepo]

My whole infrastructure at home is setup and maintained by computers like Macbook, iMac, windows servers, windows laptops, virtual machines (hyper v and esxi), and linux. I have my whole house automated using Insteon and ISY994i, and Homebridge on a raspberry pi to interface with HomeKit.

Here are some things I could not do with iPad alone:

My ISY Controller is programmed using a Java applet.
My Raspberry Pi running Linux/Homebridge - requires downloading an image and formatting SD Card - beyond iPad's capabilities.
Plex Server
Home automation scripts and .NET apps which bridge things like my DSC Alarm to ISY.

Once it is all running I can control most things using iPad apps like Microsoft remote desktop to access my servers, and TinyTERM plus to shell into linux. But doing multiple things at once, a real multi-window, multi desktop OS like MacOS cannot be beat.

I could not do what I am doing with an iPad alone, but having it all setup makes it possible to control and interact with mostly everything using my iPad (even my iPhone) as an alternative to my MacBook. So while I would not at this time call an iPad my main device, it does a wonderful job of integrating into many things I use.

 

[temna]

My whole infrastructure at home is setup and maintained by computers like Macbook, iMac, windows servers, windows laptops, virtual machines (hyper v and esxi), and linux. I have my whole house automated using Insteon and ISY994i, and Homebridge on a raspberry pi to interface with HomeKit.

Here are some things I could not do with iPad alone:

My ISY Controller is programmed using a Java applet.
My Raspberry Pi running Linux/Homebridge - requires downloading an image and formatting SD Card - beyond iPad's capabilities.
Plex Server
Home automation scripts and .NET apps which bridge things like my DSC Alarm to ISY.

Once it is all running I can control most things using iPad apps like Microsoft remote desktop to access my servers, and TinyTERM plus to shell into linux. But doing multiple things at once, a real multi-window, multi desktop OS like MacOS cannot be beat.

I could not do what I am doing with an iPad alone, but having it all setup makes it possible to control and interact with mostly everything using my iPad (even my iPhone) as an alternative to my MacBook. So while I would not at this time call an iPad my main device, it does a wonderful job of integrating into many things I use.

hmm, I have a NAS that handles the few things I wouldn't want to try doing on my iPad like being a Plex Server and imaging SD cards. Until I can put 8tb of protected storage in an iPad, I will keep the NAS..

 

[bubbleboil]

My whole infrastructure at home is setup and maintained by computers like Macbook, iMac, windows servers, windows laptops, virtual machines (hyper v and esxi), and linux. I have my whole house automated using Insteon and ISY994i, and Homebridge on a raspberry pi to interface with HomeKit.

Here are some things I could not do with iPad alone:

My ISY Controller is programmed using a Java applet.
My Raspberry Pi running Linux/Homebridge - requires downloading an image and formatting SD Card - beyond iPad's capabilities.
Plex Server
Home automation scripts and .NET apps which bridge things like my DSC Alarm to ISY.

Once it is all running I can control most things using iPad apps like Microsoft remote desktop to access my servers, and TinyTERM plus to shell into linux. But doing multiple things at once, a real multi-window, multi desktop OS like MacOS cannot be beat.

I could not do what I am doing with an iPad alone, but having it all setup makes it possible to control and interact with mostly everything using my iPad (even my iPhone) as an alternative to my MacBook. So while I would not at this time call an iPad my main device, it does a wonderful job of integrating into many things I use.

This happens because there is no such app yet.....

Maybe you can be the 1 who code such an app?

But, I know android can write to aurdino and stuff, not sure about iOS

 

[Traverse]

And they have excellent podcasts about it too:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/canvas/id1073124209?mt=2

This is the first time I've listened to Podcasts (outside of Keynotes). Now I'm using the Podcast app. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Eric5273]

My whole infrastructure at home is setup and maintained by computers like Macbook, iMac, windows servers, windows laptops, virtual machines (hyper v and esxi), and linux. I have my whole house automated using Insteon and ISY994i, and Homebridge on a raspberry pi to interface with HomeKit.

Here are some things I could not do with iPad alone:

My ISY Controller is programmed using a Java applet.
My Raspberry Pi running Linux/Homebridge - requires downloading an image and formatting SD Card - beyond iPad's capabilities.
Plex Server
Home automation scripts and .NET apps which bridge things like my DSC Alarm to ISY.

Once it is all running I can control most things using iPad apps like Microsoft remote desktop to access my servers, and TinyTERM plus to shell into linux. But doing multiple things at once, a real multi-window, multi desktop OS like MacOS cannot be beat.

I could not do what I am doing with an iPad alone, but having it all setup makes it possible to control and interact with mostly everything using my iPad (even my iPhone) as an alternative to my MacBook. So while I would not at this time call an iPad my main device, it does a wonderful job of integrating into many things I use.

I realize this is a tech site, and therefore a large number of people in these forums are professional programmers and such. I think it is quite obvious that for such complex uses as this, a Mac or PC is still going to be required. I don't think Apple is expecting the iPad to become your every day computer if your uses are as complex as these.

I think their target is your average user who does basic computer stuff like browsing the web, paying their bills online, watching some YouTube, and occasionally using a word processor or spreadsheet. For years many of these types of users have struggled with a Mac or PC. I know plenty of them as they always tend to call me when they have a virus or have somehow corrupted their computer and need help getting it to work again. For these types of people, an iPad Pro would be a perfect solution.

Everyone has their own specific needs. My neighbor is a chef and in his kitchen he has 2 full size ovens and a huge refrigerator and separate large freezer. Myself, I rarely cook and could probably get by with a microwave and a toaster oven. The iPad Pro is the microwave/toaster oven combo. If you are a chef, it's not going to be enough. But for many, it is perfect.

 

[M. Gustave]

...My neighbor is a chef and in his kitchen he has 2 full size ovens and a huge refrigerator and separate large freezer. Myself, I rarely cook and could probably get by with a microwave and a toaster oven. The iPad Pro is the microwave/toaster oven combo. If you are a chef, it's not going to be enough. But for many, it is perfect.

That's actually an excellent analogy.

The professional chef's job is to put 200 meals a night out on the floor, and their gear reflects that. And they have to be able to cook anything that comes their way, so the gear has to be able to handle any task, in any configuration.

My Cuisinart toaster oven is actually far more capable, efficient, and user friendly than any traditional oven I've ever used. But obviously cooking a full Thanksgiving turkey is out. So, you could change the menu to turkey breast...

 

[kalex]

That's actually an excellent analogy.

The professional chef's job is to put 200 meals a night out on the floor, and their gear reflects that. And they have to be able to cook anything that comes their way, so the gear has to be able to handle any task, in any configuration.

My Cuisinart toaster oven is actually far more capable, efficient, and user friendly than any traditional oven I've ever used. But obviously cooking a full Thanksgiving turkey is out. So, you could change the menu to turkey breast...

That's because full turkey is legacy, nobody does that now. You should be in turkey flavored tofu

 

[iPadDad]

To answer the OP, I use my Air 2 as my main computer, i am waiting for the new iPad Pro 12.9". I choose iOS on iPad over a Mac because of the following benefits;

- Security - iOS is arguably the most secure operating system in the world.
- iOS - Beautifuly efficient, intuitive, elegant, effortless
- UX - user experience for me is miles ahead of any OS and a pleasure to live in.
- Speed - iPad wakes in an instant, apps open in a heartbeat night & day vs Mac
- Portability - I want to have my most important device with me when ever I choose
- File System - files are easier to find and store,
- Black Up - All my files are securely backed up seamlessly.
- Programs - The App Store has 37 X more programs than Mac Store

At the end of the day the world is moving in the direction of making everything simpler, easier, faster, and isn't that what life is all about. You know your work flow, if you are able to move to iOS via iPad Pro, Air 2 etc, GO FOR IT!! You will be getting a head start on the future of mobile computing, Apple says it and I belive it too!

 

[ryanwarsaw]

The point made was not that piracy is ok. The point is that users don't need to be artificially held back from doing common computing tasks with their devices. It's about some person making the decision what you can do with your computer that is not the customer. Sure folks use torrents for piracy. But to say all torrents are used for that is a generalisation that doesn't meet reality. Like most generalisations.

Btw why is owning CDs bad? What's wrong with people who like to collect music or books or whatever. That's not sad at all. Let's appreciate a world with options. One size often doesn't fit everybody.

This guy seems to understand the point I was making.

 

[M. Gustave]

This guy seems to understand the point I was making.

Your point is that the iPad is a bunch of compromises, but so what? All consumer electronics are full of compromises. In fact, trying to make a "do everything" computer and operating system, fully open to the end user, is itself a compromise: for every added capability, you are sacrificing ease of use and resilience; and you require more processing, ram, and power consumption. And of course the price has to go up accordingly... see the new MacBook Pros for an example of that.