It would be impossible for me to make a thesis on an iPad. No app would allow that kind of customisation. Also it would be too cumbersome to lift the arm and scroll through it.
It is like people want it to replace something it can't. I guess people can get used to even the most ineffective ways of working. iPad is the worst productivity experience you could get in most cases. But most people are fine with it.
Your post doesn't make sense. If something is the worst experience you could get, how can most people be fine with it?
Anyway, I have used Pages almost exclusively for years, and really like it. When I am forced to use Word in the office, I seem to always be struggling to get things formatted the way I want.
Have had the iPad Pro now for over a week, and am really glad I bought it. Typing on the larger screen is much better, and even with a cheap rubber stylus taking hand written notes seems to work better than my iPad Air. Can't wait for my Pencil to arrive.