I saw an iPad stand like that at Amazon, it almost makes the iPad look like an iMac. And it also makes me wish I had bought the 12.9 inch iPad Pro instead of the 9.7 inch.If you like something that's a little higher up, I really like the stand I bought. Bought it for the hell of it, not thinking I'd use it that much, but I use it everyday. Might get a keyboard now too, because with the 12.9 onscreen keyboard, it's big enough for me to type at a pretty good speed, but with the iPad in the stand, I might really like it.
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Anyone Using iPad Pro as Main Device?
- Thread starter Mr_Killjoy
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I don't use excel so I don't know about that, but copy and paste can be done wth keyboard shortcuts without touching the screen. I know people's work flows are different so your experience may not be the same as mine, but I find that when I use my iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard, I can go for long stretches of time without touching the screen. And like another poster said, if I find I'm touching the screen a lot, I just pick up the iPad and hold it in my hands. Then, when I'm ready to go back to typing, I put it back down.
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Actually, can't you just use arrow keys to "slide around cells"? If you can't, then isn't it up to Microsoft to implement that?
The keyboard is an optional accessory, always has been. If you buy it, and sit behind it at all costs (self-inflicted gorilla arm), then that's on you.
My negative opinion of Apple's iPP marketing has been voiced many times here. But the brilliant thing about the iPad (vs Surface, Chromebooks, Win10 2-in-1's...) is that it's actually a great tablet first. It offers a world class touch experience, and I feel that allowing pointer devices will degrade that experience over time. Yes, even if everyone claims it's optional. The mouse-vs-touch debate has been done to death here, go kill an afternoon reading it.
It's really nice to have. I use it every morning while I look at the news, and it is great for watching stuff. It can even pivot upward so it can be used while standing up. I'm actually ordering one for somebody who has a 9.7 because they like how it works. Only thing is they keep selling out!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B0SE4OI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_DSGBybT7CNSEX
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It really comes down to not trying to make the iPad into a Desktop Tablet. The intention of the iPad is the "tablet for the rest of us" - it's not Microsoft's "Do everything" desktop-based Surface, it's the tablet that maintains a level of simplicity and ease-of-use that makes it accessible to all.
Every time somebody comes up with a "feature" (like Mouse Support) they look it in terms of "this is the ONE change I want to make" - but what are the number of users that would be satisfied with that "one" change? "Now that we have mouse support, we can drag files into folders!" "Now that we can drag files into folders, how about a windowed UI?"
The iPad is NOT a desktop computer and it shouldn't function like one.
Apple's Smart Keyboard is a great accessory, but, as others have point out, it's not the only option. There are so many keyboard/stand options out there (commercial and custom) that the ASK is far from the only option.
And, of course, I'll add in that if you NEED a mouse for that much of an extended time, then maybe the iPad is not the best option for you.
I agree:
IOS is a touch based operating system.
Mac OS is a Keyboard/Trackpad based operating system
If an iPad is setup in such a way that touching it is painful and must be avoided, I would suggest that the configuration or use is not appropriate for a touch based operating system. I am not saying that one shouldn't occasionally use an external keyboard with an iPad.....especially, helpful if you have a large document to compose. However, if you regularly use a keyboard, then you might be better off with a laptop, which runs on a keyboard and trackpad based operating system.
Touch based systems make sense when you are holding a device or when the device is inclined in tablet mode such that your hands are close to the display. Of course, there are exceptions. Large touch based displays are used on the news to show weather forecast, election results, etc. ....... but that's a different kettle of fish from day to day productivity apps.
IOS is a touch based operating system.
Mac OS is a Keyboard/Trackpad based operating system
If an iPad is setup in such a way that touching it is painful and must be avoided, I would suggest that the configuration or use is not appropriate for a touch based operating system. I am not saying that one shouldn't occasionally use an external keyboard with an iPad.....especially, helpful if you have a large document to compose. However, if you regularly use a keyboard, then you might be better off with a laptop, which runs on a keyboard and trackpad based operating system.
Touch based systems make sense when you are holding a device or when the device is inclined in tablet mode such that your hands are close to the display. Of course, there are exceptions. Large touch based displays are used on the news to show weather forecast, election results, etc. ....... but that's a different kettle of fish from day to day productivity apps.
That would be true only if the Smart Keyboard were a required component, which it is not. Your thought processing has forced that opinion on you and that is why you suffer. The device is a tablet, and has never been anything else, if you want to force a device into a form factor for which is was not created, then you have to live with that outcome. Laptop replacement != identical form factor
Again, this device is marketed by Apple as a laptop replacement...on their website....in social media and on TV....we have not forced ourselves into anything.
We are trying to see how this can, if at all, become a laptop replacement and this is one of the options.
Yes, "laptop replacement" means, surprisingly, replacing a laptop with something else. However, replacing a laptop with a device that looks and acts like another laptop.. well, that really isn't a replacement. What Apple meant by replacement was replacing one device with a different device, not an identical device.
For me, my iPad Pro 9.7 is indeed a laptop replacement. But, I never expected the form factor to be identical between the two.
Some folks have allowed their thought processes to mislead them to a certain outcome with which they are unhappy. Instead of considering that they may be wrong, they deflect the blame onto someone else in order to avoid having to deal with the thought that their practices aren't perfect. Our thoughts and methods must always be scrutinized for the purposes of self-improvement. Growth often requires change.
There's a big difference between "how can this device fit me / how can I fit this device?" and "how can I change this device to fit me?"
Just because Apple markets it as a laptop replacement doesn't mean that is going (or has to) fit everyone every time.
I also don't think it always has to be as binary as people make it. Just because you might still need a Mac or PC at home (that you already own) for 5-10% of tasks doesn't mean the concept of replacing 90% of your workflow with an iPad is complete rubbish. You don't HAVE to ONLY go with an iPad - there is no shame in needing a desktop occasionally.
This is just another "you're holding it wrong" moment. I love the iPad Pro, it's a fantastic machine. But it was and is pushed as a laptop replacement. It was designed with a specific connection spot for a keyboard, which puts it in a fixed position that mimics a laptop. The message they've sent is "buy this with the keyboard and this can become your work machine." I didn't comment about it not working for me in certain aspects in order to start a debate. I will still have many uses for it and will enjoy it.
Admitting that it falls short of what it could be is not hating it. It's simply stating an experience that others have also had.
It's NOT a "you're holding it wrong" moment. It falling short is STRICTLY in the eye of the beholder and is NOT a technical universal issue. Apple is not telling you how you should use it, they are giving you ways that it can be used. The port was designed so it could be used with more than just the ASK (though it hasn't taken off with developers).
Apple is NOT "pushing" the idea of it as a laptop replacement - it's a possible use case.
Again, what Apple meant by replacement was replacing one device with a different device, not an identical device.
I feel you are still making excuses in an attempt to justify your feelings. If you are happy with that, then so be it. I, however, cannot agree with you.
I find that more and more aI am using my iPad Air 2 as my main device for most things. When I need to type something, I just pull out my Apple (old) Bluetooth keyboard and starting banging away. I did purchase a 27 inch 5K iMac last year, I suspect and hope that will be my last Mac in a long time or ever as I hope the iPad Pro can truly do everything. I mainly use it for storage, online classes and I still prefer doing online banking/ bill pay stuff using the mac. I can manage just about everything else using personal using my iPad.
iPads are amazing devices, in my opinion. I still have my Mac minis but they don't get much use these days.. thinking about turning one of them into an entertainment system for the living room.
Have to concede that I just bought and returned a Dell Windows laptop. I do like the Windows eco system, but time after time, for little things, the iPad Pro 12.9 just worked better for me since I am mostly a consumer and not a producer of content. I think I might eventually go with a stand and a larger keyboard, but for now I think the folding KB works fine. Yes, I think I have found my laptop replacement.
Look to see if your bank has an iOS app. I use CapitalOne, and the PayPal app, they're secure (TouchID) and easy. You can even deposit checks using the camera.
I could never use a pc or Mac for banking anymore.
...or any tablet at all!
I like the magic keyboard because for times when I need to type a lot of text, I can do so on the iPad without any issues. I can also tab around easily in most apps, and even on the main screen the TAB+CMND shortcut to change apps works (I dont think it works on the ASK if I remember correctly). But it DOES work on the magic keyboard. I rarely need to touch the screen that way, if I am using it as a mini desktop setup. But that's only if I have a lot of typing to do, or a big chat session etc. To be honest I really like being able to use it either way. But for large amount of typing I do like to use the magic keyboard because it feels just like I am using a mini iMac.
I will just say that I use the Brydge keyboard which makes my 12.9 Pro exactly like a laptop. I guess maybe I have strong arms, because I never get "gorilla arm". However, I also make very good use of the keyboard shortcuts and don't find myself having to touch the screen too often when using typing intensive apps.
And when using non-typing intensive apps, I disconnect the iPad from the keyboard and use it like a regularly tablet.
It works just fine for me.
And when using non-typing intensive apps, I disconnect the iPad from the keyboard and use it like a regularly tablet.
It works just fine for me.
My bank does also but I use a password manager so not as fluid or easy on iOS to get at that password as it is on the mac. It has touch ID but for some reason when I go to conduct a transaction it wants my password to do so. Kind of a pain.
I agree. If you are an analyst (financial or other), I think you are much better off with a laptop to drive spreadsheets, mine databases, and develop presentations that are data rich (graphs, tables, etc).
A keyboard/trackpad based operating system is just more conducive to this type of work than a touch based OS. Also, analysis applications, like spreadsheets and data base query software, are more sophisticated and evolved for laptops.
Remember the spreadsheet was the first killer business app for personal computers.