iPad Pro Bit of a unique dilemma here

[1BadManVan]

So I’m in a bit of a unique dilemma (as the title says lol). My use case for iPads very much relies on the fact that I need LTE connectivity because of how often I’m away from home for work. I heavily use mine to stay connected to family and multimedia usage during my down times

I recently upgraded to an air 4 because of broke my older iPad 6. Unfortunately it had a screen defect and I had to return it to my carrier. The other unfortunate part was apparently I got one of the last ones they had in stock and they have no idea when the next round is coming back in.

They do however have the 2020 iPad Pro 11” in stock I can get right away. I haven’t really considered the pro because my main usage is just for web browsing and multimedia usage. But not having an iPad at all for over a week now has been a real pain and I rather not go much longer.

The other part to this issue is I was currently looking at a macbook or windows ultra book for just usage at home for basic browsing etc. I’m considering instead just doing the iPad upgrade to the pro and grabbing the magic keyboard and just skipping past the MacBook all together to just use this as my all in one.

I know the m1 Macs are pretty impressive machines but useless for me at work where I have barely 1-2 bars of signal, let alone any form of usable wifi. Considering all of this, should I just jump to the pro? The last part this makes this suck is I know the new pros are just a couple months out but I really can’t wait that long

 

[CYB3RBYTE]

So, I have a 2018 Pro so keep that in mind with what I'm saying here.

The differences between the iPad Air 4th Gen and the iPad Pro are pretty big, you get Face ID, better display, very, very slight performance upgrades, etc. I don't know if the LIDAR is useful to you, but there's that too.

As a student, I have yet to use my iPad Pro as a real professional, but I have edited new proRAW files on it from my 12 Pro, and it is mainly a content device for YouTube, Podcasts, my classes, etc. It's been one of the BEST things I've ever spent money on computing wise, and I own a 16" MBP as well. If something happened to the MBP, I'd be sad, but the iPad Pro is more than up to the tasks I ask it to do, and it's been a great tool in my lifestyle. In fact, it's one of the few things I own where it regularly teaches me new things I didn't know it could do, and I have a real yearning to actually try those things, like drawing, etc.

If you loved your old iPad 6th Gen, and the 4th Gen Air besides it's defect, you'll love the pro too. I see far too many people get a MBP for writing or basic browsing, which IMO is overkill and not worth the extra money. The MBA is the exception, but in your case, you're biased towards the iPad anyways, so why not get what you already know and really like?

That's just my two cents, I hope it helps. Good luck.

 

[1BadManVan]

If I didn’t travel for work and rely on LTE connectivity so heavily, I probably wouldn’t be so biased to an iPad lol. But it’s definitely a big fit for my use case that way. Just not sure if I wanna dive that deep into iPad to officially be my full laptop replacement.

 

[rui no onna]

Lol, I don't think I can even last a day without my iPad.

As for laptop replacement, only you would know your usage.

It's never going to replace a laptop for me. I use programs that are simply not available for iOS (e.g. Calibre ebook manager) so that's a non-starter. I've also had a scare where the iPad almost corrupted my Kindle Paperwhite's storage (FAT32) and caused the device to freeze and restart multiple times when I was trying to add ebooks. It just locked up when I opened a folder on the Kindle.

Apart from that are the website issues. Just recently, I encountered problems when I tried accessing a government website as well as accessing certain parts of my bank/credit union's site. In the past, I've also had to switch to a Windows desktop/laptop for simple things such as ordering my iPhone SE from Walmart ($200 off deal) or checking and making changes to my AT&T account.

 

[1BadManVan]

Lol, I don't think I can even last a day without my iPad.

As for laptop replacement, only you would know your usage.

It's never going to replace a laptop for me. I use programs that are simply not available for iOS (e.g. Calibre ebook manager) so that's a non-starter. I've also had a scare where the iPad almost corrupted my Kindle Paperwhite's storage (FAT32) and caused the device to freeze and restart multiple times when I was trying to add ebooks. It just locked up when I opened a folder on the Kindle.

Apart from that are the website issues. Just recently, I encountered problems when I tried accessing a government website as well as accessing certain parts of my bank/credit union's site. In the past, I've also had to switch to a Windows desktop/laptop for simple things such as ordering my iPhone SE from Walmart ($200 off deal) or checking and making changes to my AT&T account.

I don’t use my iPad for any work related things, I’ve personally not owned a laptop in 6 years. But was playing with the idea of getting one for the sake of wanting one, not so much a need. But now that I’m in this situation, I’m considering just going all in for the iPad.

I originally was debating a full blown gaming laptop but too many compromises so got the new Xbox instead and I’m glad I went that route

 

[rui no onna]

I don’t use my iPad for any work related things, I’ve personally not owned a laptop in 6 years. But was playing with the idea of getting one for the sake of wanting one, not so much a need. But now that I’m in this situation, I’m considering just going all in for the iPad.

I originally was debating a full blown gaming laptop but too many compromises so got the new Xbox instead and I’m glad I went that route

I don't use the laptop for work either (well, aside from some recent telecommuting via remote desktop). All those annoyances/incompatibilities I've mentioned were for personal use.

That said, doesn't sound like you need a laptop anyway.

Personally though, I'd probably suffer from a severe case of buyer's remorse if I bought the 2020 iPad Pro for full MSRP now (which is why I get AC+ on my devices).

 

[1BadManVan]

I don't use the laptop for work either (well, aside from some recent telecommuting via remote desktop). All those annoyances/incompatibilities I've mentioned were for personal use.

That said, doesn't sound like you need a laptop anyway.

Personally though, I'd probably suffer from a severe case of buyer's remorse if I bought the 2020 iPad Pro for full MSRP now (which is why I get AC+ on my devices).

Yea that’s the hardest part right now, knowing the new one is around the corner but I can’t go another couple months without an iPad. I’m away from hone at work 24-32 hours at a time. Phone doesn’t cut it

 

[Geepaw]

Maybe you can go with a laptop if you want one and use your phone's hotspot?

 

[1BadManVan]

Maybe you can go with a laptop if you want one and use your phone's hotspot?

I stuff my iPad into the front pouch of my lunch bag, I have a decent sized lunch bag since I need to back a couple days worth of food but not big enough to hold a laptop and I already carry an 80lb bag with the rest of my gear. Not looking to add another bag just for a laptop. But I didn’t float that idea before.

 

[1BadManVan]

So I think I’ve come up with an idea to hold me over for now until they release the new pros.

While I’m sitting in the couch scratching my head over this idea, I look over and see my kids iPad sitting in the side table. It’s pretty much sat there since Christmas when he got his new phone. So I think I’m just going to chat with him about borrowing his iPad until the new pros come out.

Between his school iPad and his iPhone, I don’t even think he would notice his Air 3 is missing lol

 

[rui no onna]

So I think I’ve come up with an idea to hold me over for now until they release the new pros.

While I’m sitting in the couch scratching my head over this idea, I look over and see my kids iPad sitting in the side table. It’s pretty much sat there since Christmas when he got his new phone. So I think I’m just going to chat with him about borrowing his iPad until the new pros come out.

Between his school iPad and his iPhone, I don’t even think he would notice his Air 3 is missing lol

That's a great solution.

 

[1BadManVan]

That's a great solution.

Now I’m really happy I spent the extra to get them the LTE iPads lol

 

[1BadManVan]

I can’t win with iPads, as I’m setting his up with my info, I notice he has the infamous white spot issue on his Air 3. Luckily still under Apple care but that’s going to have to wait for now lol.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Maybe you can go with a laptop if you want one and use your phone's hotspot?

Phone hotspot drains battery like crazy though.

 

[1BadManVan]

Phone hotspot drains battery like crazy though.

Also not near as quick.

 

[djlythium]

OP: Why not find a used iPad as a temp measure until the new iPPs come out? I'm sure you can find one for a couple hundred, live with it for a couple of months, then either trade it in for credit on a new iPP, or otherwise re-flip it. ??‍♂️

 

[1BadManVan]

OP: Why not find a used iPad as a temp measure until the new iPPs come out? I'm sure you can find one for a couple hundred, live with it for a couple of months, then either trade it in for credit on a new iPP, or otherwise re-flip it. ??‍♂️

found a better solution that’s free, bowrrowd my kids iPad that he’s not using to hold me over lol