Anyone Using iPad Pro as Main Device?

[Traverse]

EDIT: Wrong thread.

Correction:
I've been pleasantly surprised. I've been doing some heavy Pixelmator work the last few days and I've been very happy with how much I can get done on my iPad. You have relearn some workflows.

I love that with iCloud Drive I can pull resources in from outside of the photos app.

 

[HSVBamaBob]

If I could get the same quality of document scans that I get on my Fujitsu Scan Snap, that would almost seal the Mac's fate versus the ipad Pro.

One other area I wish I could access would be our DroboServer - yes I know there is the cloud but I have over 20 years of photo, audio & video files and, living fulltime in a RV our WiFi access is neither pervasive or fast so local storage is an absolute must.

Solutions to my situation appreciated!

 

[M. Gustave]

If I could get the same quality of document scans that I get on my Fujitsu Scan Snap, that would almost seal the Mac's fate versus the ipad Pro.

Documents, meaning tax forms, printed letters, receipts, etc? An iPhone or iPad Pro camera can handle those no problem with an app like Scanner Pro, including OCR. We have a paperless household now.

The real challenge is printed photographs, and I did resort in the end to buying a $75 Canon LiDE 220 flatbed to do ours (with my old windows laptop). The quality from the iPhone was pretty good, but not "archival". And my goal was to archive and toss a dozen old photo albums and yearbooks.

 

[garyleecn]

If I could get the same quality of document scans that I get on my Fujitsu Scan Snap, that would almost seal the Mac's fate versus the ipad Pro.

One other area I wish I could access would be our DroboServer - yes I know there is the cloud but I have over 20 years of photo, audio & video files and, living fulltime in a RV our WiFi access is neither pervasive or fast so local storage is an absolute must.

Solutions to my situation appreciated!

not 100% sure, but I think Drobo NAS has at least webdav/ftp/smb function, or they should have their own mobile file browser right? so you should be able to access those on iPad via apps such as 'file explorer'. I do this all the time via webdav with my Synology.

as far as scans, im not sure if you are willing to pay for that. you can have a cheap Mac mini, and have your scans sent to Mac mini, set up scripts to automate OCR, send to your drobo so you can access it anywhere on any device. meanwhile, Mac mini can be your central server, doing cache, backup, or pretty much anything.
or you can just use your existing MacBook, just needs to let it running and set aside (or not.)

 

[marcociccone]

Yes but I just use the 9.7 as personal device or light work when I'm not in the office: consuming media, writing sometimes, organising all my stuff (personal finance, etc). It's more than ok. I use my computer at work, but if I'm home and I need to do some quick work related stuff, I use my iPad Pro... I've recently started a company also and I manage everything with my iPad, but it's just office work (google docs and drive).

Overall I wouldn't be comfortable at working 9-5 on it, until iOS and Pro apps become more mature. I also wish a bigger screen, maybe 10.5" or better 11".

 

[liquidsuns]

An iPad? I can and have used nothing but an iPhone. I just have other things cause I like devices.

A vast majority of people I know can or could easily just use an iPad.

 

[Nevaborn]

I have been using a Surface Pro for a while now for work and the more I use it the more I want an iPad Pro.

The Surface as a device is great in theory but the software just gets bogged down too much. Now my Surface Pen needs a new battery. I have to try and fine a AAAA battery. For all those that thought the Apple Pencil was wrong to charge the way it does. Trust me it is preferable to this POS.

 

[HSVBamaBob]

not 100% sure, but I think Drobo NAS has at least webdav/ftp/smb function, or they should have their own mobile file browser right? so you should be able to access those on iPad via apps such as 'file explorer'. I do this all the time via webdav with my Synology.

as far as scans, im not sure if you are willing to pay for that. you can have a cheap Mac mini, and have your scans sent to Mac mini, set up scripts to automate OCR, send to your drobo so you can access it anywhere on any device. meanwhile, Mac mini can be your central server, doing cache, backup, or pretty much anything.
or you can just use your existing MacBook, just needs to let it running and set aside (or not.)

Thanks for the tips - I will look into setting up our Drobo as a NAS (my other concern is that we have all our media in a HUGE (as in 3.5TB) iTunes folder.

The good news is we still have a (2012) MacBook Pro so can access all the media files.

Keep the suggestions coming!!!

 

[HSVBamaBob]

Documents, meaning tax forms, printed letters, receipts, etc? An iPhone or iPad Pro camera can handle those no problem with an app like Scanner Pro, including OCR. We have a paperless household now.

The real challenge is printed photographs, and I did resort in the end to buying a $75 Canon LiDE 220 flatbed to do ours (with my old windows laptop). The quality from the iPhone was pretty good, but not "archival". And my goal was to archive and toss a dozen old photo albums and yearbooks.

I hear you there (I am a semi-pro photographer + my wife is the family Genealogist, so archival photo scans/RAW photos are the order of the day.

I *think* I have a solution for this (comments freely requested and accepted!): Right now we have a pretty decent HP4270 al-in-one printer that can wirelessly scan photos at archival resolution. Pair this with a DROBO 5N NAS on a wireless network (with the DROBOPIX software for RAW downloads from our Sony A6300 and I think we have a photo solution. (Any thoughts from Photographers out there?)

Documents. I agree the iPhone (especially a iPhone 7+) can serve as a great document scanner, but until you have used a Fujitsu ScanSnap you really have *no* idea! Compact, hi-resolution PDFs, automatic duplex scanning, 10+ sheet document feeder and you have an archivists dream Compared to a iPhone - well there is NO comparison. now, IF Fujitsu could make this scanner completely wireless problems would be solved

Finally, keep in mind that we will (for the foreseeable future) have a MacBook Pro--and in fact we will probably upgrade our 2012 Retina MBP to the new touchbar MBP in 2017. What I am wanting to do is eliminate the need for *2* MacBook Pros I am willing to use a iPad Pro as my primary computing device assuming I can retain 90% of my workflow (I only need to archive receipts and documents 3-4 times a month)

 

[Traverse]

And they have excellent podcasts about it too:

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

People should really take a listen to this if they are serious about using the iPad for productivity. Even though I'm pretty good with it, I've learned a few really helpful tips and tricks. I didn't know about double tapping and triple tapping the keyboard for selections and even though I use Text Replacement, it never dawned on me to put my mail in it to save time logging in!

 

[subjonas]

The difference between a tablet and a laptop is one uses touch input on the display and the other uses touch input on a separate surface with a cursor to show what you're manipulating on the display. Which one honestly sounds more efficient?

The only reason many people find a traditional computer more efficient is because either they won't bother finding alternative applications that work great for touch screens, or developers simply haven't designed the applications they need with full features for touch screens.

Touch tablet is more intuitive, intimate, fun, and efficient for smallish screens and screens on the go. But using a laptop with a pointer has three objective advantages that I see:
1. It is more ergonomic at a desk to keep your head up and hands down. This is important for long periods of use, like during a work day.
2. Using a pointer expends less physical energy than using a touch screen. This is also important for long periods of use. And the larger the screen the less energy efficient touch screen input is and the more advantageous a pointer is.
3. By using a pointer that controls a single pixel, as opposed to a finger, it allows much smaller buttons/hit targets in the UI, which means many more buttons and actionable data can fit in the UI all at once, which means less scrolling and poking around menus and screens, which can mean better productivity.

Laptop pointer has some significant advantages when it comes to certain work scenarios. Touch tablets are much more versatile however. So they each have their strengths and weaknesses.

We're seeing a maturation of the touch tablet these days, but I don't think either is going anywhere.

 

[M. Gustave]

1. It is more ergonomic at a desk to keep your head up and hands down. This is important for long periods of use, like during a work day.

Nothing about a traditional laptop design is ergonomic. Read an ergonomics site.
And many enlightened offices are moving away from the sitting at a desk all day mindset, because frankly it's killing their workforce.

2. Using a pointer expends less physical energy than using a touch screen. This is also important for long periods of use. And the larger the screen the less energy efficient touch screen input is and the more advantageous a pointer is.
3. By using a pointer that controls a single pixel, as opposed to a finger, it allows much smaller buttons/hit targets in the UI, which means many more buttons and actionable data can fit in the UI all at once, which means less scrolling and poking around menus and screens, which can mean better productivity.

Small "buttons", deep text menus, and overdense screen information are probably not the best way to present information to human beings. Again, like laptops, the design reflects engineering decisions, not ergonomics or optimal productivity.

Many people say they prefer the simplified presentation of iOS apps, and find they're more productive in them. I'm thinking of writers especially.

And iOS apps are often deceptively "simple". Complex functionality is often a long-press away. There is a learning curve.

 

[Night Spring]

Touch tablet is more intuitive, intimate, fun, and efficient for smallish screens and screens on the go. But using a laptop with a pointer has three objective advantages that I see:
1. It is more ergonomic at a desk to keep your head up and hands down. This is important for long periods of use, like during a work day.
2. Using a pointer expends less physical energy than using a touch screen. This is also important for long periods of use. And the larger the screen the less energy efficient touch screen input is and the more advantageous a pointer is.
3. By using a pointer that controls a single pixel, as opposed to a finger, it allows much smaller buttons/hit targets in the UI, which means many more buttons and actionable data can fit in the UI all at once, which means less scrolling and poking around menus and screens, which can mean better productivity.

Laptop pointer has some significant advantages when it comes to certain work scenarios. Touch tablets are much more versatile however. So they each have their strengths and weaknesses.

We're seeing a maturation of the touch tablet these days, but I don't think either is going anywhere.

What you are describing is desktop usage. And I agree that traditional mouse and keyboard UI is better for computing while sitting at a desk. My thinking is that for many people desktop + iPad may be the optimal device combination. No need for a laptop.

 

[gobikerider]

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!

I feel the same exact way with my Air 2. I can't wait to upgrade to the Pro 3 when ever that comes out, but the Air 2 still screams performance.

 

[JamiLynee]

Doesn't Apple Keychain do this already?

Not on individual apps. It doesn't even remember my Game Center password. How can I expect it to remember my PhotoVault password?

 

[Abazigal]

Not on individual apps. It doesn't even remember my Game Center password. How can I expect it to remember my PhotoVault password?

The onus is on the individual developers to support the iCloud Keychain, not Apple itself.

 

[garyleecn]

Thanks for the tips - I will look into setting up our Drobo as a NAS (my other concern is that we have all our media in a HUGE (as in 3.5TB) iTunes folder.

The good news is we still have a (2012) MacBook Pro so can access all the media files.

Keep the suggestions coming!!!

well, if that's in a iTunes folder, you don't want to put it onto a network folder. network folders are slow for small files, really slow. and network folders are somehow unreliable - it disconnects sometimes, and it will cause problems with database for iTunes, and photos.


if you are not constantly syncing those media with your iOS devices (considering you have 3.5TB, I guess you don't sync), then consider this, move all your data to a external HD -- there are 4tb portable drives sold less than $200 -- connect it to your MacBook, and use your MacBook as your main media server. just steam whatever you need from it. even better, you can try out PLEX instead of iTunes, does a much better job with medias.

 

[Traverse]

My thinking is that for many people desktop + iPad may be the optimal device combination. No need for a laptop.

I agree and have been moving that way for a while. I have a 15" MacBook Pro for school. iPad 3 on iOS 5/6/7 was an okay extension, but something I use only for short activity actions.

Finally with iOS 10 and the iPad Pro I feel as though the iPad has become sufficient for on the go work. I still love my Mac and would take it over an iPad if I had to, but for the last 1.5 years my MacBook has been docked at home to a large monitor and external keyboard and mouse. I only undock it one day a week now.

Once I graduate I think I'll sell the MacBook Pro and get a next gen iMac with 2TB SSD as my dream machine.

Without actually trying, the iPad took over my mobile needs and the MacBook became a desktop. Why buy a laptop with a finite battery and gorgeous screen I never see just to use it closed all the time?

 

[DNichter]

I tried to do it, but ultimately had to revert back. The workarounds are just too cumbersome for regular use. I found that the rMB and 7 Plus is the best combo which achieves best of both worlds.

 

[BoneHead001]

Yes I am. It replaced my MacBook.

 

[macnewbieee]

i am migrating from MBPr. my IPP 12,9 is coming tomorrow. i have already gaming pc at home for heavy gaming. i was using Ipad Air 2, but screen size while split screen is awkward, so i need a bigger one. when i was using Ipad Air 2, i barely touch my Macbook. so yeah it replaced almost all i need, but yeah different people have different needs! my consideration is just resale value. sadly Macbook resale value is most of the time more than Ipad. i think it is because mobile chip for tablet (Ipad) is still growing with 20-30% more faster then its predecessor while Notebook just 10-15% faster or just more energy efficient with same power.

 

[ericwn]

I tried to do it, but ultimately had to revert back. The workarounds are just too cumbersome for regular use. I found that the rMB and 7 Plus is the best combo which achieves best of both worlds.

Could you elaborate a bit more on the workarounds you struggled with? Thanks in advance!

 

[DNichter]

Could you elaborate a bit more on the workarounds you struggled with? Thanks in advance!

No problem. Just day to day things, trying to save a file and them email it, manipulating files on my server, downloading torrents, remote access, managing my iTunes library. Not necessarily typical things mainly, but tasks I would do regularly that would take much more time or steps than needed. I was the biggest proponent of the iPad being the future of the computing, but in its current state I see it as a large iPhone. Maybe one day they will progress the OS to be something useful, but that's not today.

 

[Brammy]

No problem. Just day to day things, trying to save a file and them email it, manipulating files on my server, downloading torrents, remote access, managing my iTunes library. Not necessarily typical things mainly, but tasks I would do regularly that would take much more time or steps than needed. I was the biggest proponent of the iPad being the future of the computing, but in its current state I see it as a large iPhone. Maybe one day they will progress the OS to be something useful, but that's not today.

You can save a file to a cloud storage system (Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, etc.) and email it.
What do you need to manipulate on the server and how? There are SSH clients available if it's Unix.
Remote Access: VNC and Microsoft Remote Desktop Clients are available for the iPad.
What are you manipulating in your iTunes library? Adding ripped songs?

 

[DNichter]

You can save a file to a cloud storage system (Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, etc.) and email it.
What do you need to manipulate on the server and how? There are SSH clients available if it's Unix.
Remote Access: VNC and Microsoft Remote Desktop Clients are available for the iPad.
What are you manipulating in your iTunes library? Adding ripped songs?

I know it is all possible. I just found that, for me, it was more work than it was worth. The rMB and 7 Plus combo fits my needs better.