iPad Pro Bought the Ipad Pro 11, loved it, but returned it. It’s not for me. Here is why.

[Mabus51]

Unfortunately I am both team lead of Software Development team (former Software Developer) and I do need to use sometimes big Excel sheets so I kind of fit your example . Nevertheless I am actually quite curious for the people that can do all of their work on an iPad. Not because I don't believe them. I am just interested in their workflow because I never know if it is something I don't know or it is just also about a preference I don't lean towards.

So contrary on your belief I would not tell you that your opinion is wrong. I actually love the way the iPad Pro 11 looks like but I am worried that iOS cannot offer me what I need fully and then I would not want to pay such price for a secondary device. That being said I would not say completely No for the years to come. It is a definite NO but for now and given my usage, workflow and expectations.

iOS Excel is pretty awful. If you’re just viewing it’s ok as long as there are locked column labels so you can scroll and not lose your place. But editing or formulas forget it. Everything else I can do on my iPad without headache. I manage cloud in AWS & Azure so being on the go and the portability of an LTE equipped tablet that lasts all day is great compared to lugging around a bag with a laptop, charger, pen, and paper. iPad is all in one for me.

I tried the Surface for awhile and the kickstand was uncomfortable to use in the lap while trying to type or use the touchpad mouse, the pen was useless and couldn’t even function as a mouse, it’s writing recognition in Word was bad really bad, and the onscreen keyboard isn’t very fluid, and touch inputs while they work it’s just not a great experience in Windows. As a light laptop with a full desktop OS it’s good enough as long as you have a table to use the flimsy keyboard on.

The iPad I can hold in one arm like a notepad and do everything I need to with the other. Windows 10 just doesn’t function well that way, it tries too. But that’s just not it’s OS design it feels very tacked on as far as capabilities go. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. It all boils down to what you need to do and using the right tool for the job. For instance I couldn’t imagine making a pivot table from a Microsoft recon file with iOS Excel. But for me that is all I need desktop version of Excel for and that’s once a month.

General purpose iPad all the way.
Workhorse needs or programming you need a desktop class OS in my opinion.

 

[Digitalguy]

1. The iPhone 4/5 style edges are uncomfortable to hold and make it difficult to pick the iPad up

I personally like a lot the design. The pick up thing is not an issue for me as the ipad is always either in it's keyboar or in it's smart cover (by the way it was an issue with the surface book, very hard to pick up, which I never bought anyway because it was too heavy)

1. The new screen coating (necessary for the new pencil?) gets too smudgy and looks gross

All my ipad have a matte screen protector. I can't stand fingerprints and glare

1. Face ID worked extremely poorly for me, was always holding the damn thing upside-down

What bothered me was that I had to swipe every time to unlock, that I could not unlock while standing (for instance to set an alarm) without turning the ipad getting close to it, and that some apps like Jump Desktop don't always want to quit with a swipe, while touch ID always work (and touch id leaves you all the gestures available)

1. Juggling two different cables in the charger became infuriatingly cumbersome very quickly

you mean iphone lightening and USB C?

1. Keyboard Folio is heavy, feels cheap and is disastrous when folded back

I am ok with the additional weight as it protects the back, I don't mind the feel, but it does not fold back at all while the ipad is standing, contrary to previous gen, and that's sometimes annoying, it's not backlit for that price, and the main deal breaker for me, it's not lappable

1. Too bendy

I was ready to take the risk honestly, but I also realized that protecting it (in addition to the keyboard cover) means adding weight, which somewhat negates one of the main benefits of the ipad pro, maximum portability....

PS apparently the numbers became all 1 and there is not way to edit that....

 

[Mabus51]

1. The iPhone 4/5 style edges are uncomfortable to hold and make it difficult to pick the iPad up
2. The new screen coating (necessary for the new pencil?) gets too smudgy and looks gross
3. Face ID worked extremely poorly for me, was always holding the damn thing upside-down
4. Juggling two different cables in the charger became infuriatingly cumbersome very quickly
5. Keyboard Folio is heavy, feels cheap and is disastrous when folded back
6. Too bendy

1. First I’ve heard anyone complain of this. I haven’t experienced this problem all year. Even without a case you have the dumb camera bump lifting it off a surface.

2. Screen coating was bad. I get why they call it liquid display. But with the Pencil I always use PaperLike matte screen protector and this has become a non issue.

3. Again never experienced this problem so I can’t comment on it as being an issue. With a case on you know what orientation you’re holding it in. Without a case the camera bump gives the orientation away along with the obvious USB port.

4. I don’t understand this one at all. There is only one charging cable for the iPad.

5. Heavy no, feels cheap Yes. When folded back the keyboard is off and inactive. It is only on when the iPad is locked into the groove so as far as disastrous goes, no idea what you’re talking about explain.

6. What is too bendy? Explain

I feel your comments are all theoretical, based off of YouTube naysayers, and no real world experience with the device.

 

[Arctic Moose]

1. First I’ve heard anyone complain of this. I haven’t experienced this problem all year. Even without a case you have the dumb camera bump lifting it off a surface.

I frequently place the iPad screen down.

3. Again never experienced this problem so I can’t comment on it as being an issue. With a case on you know what orientation you’re holding it in. Without a case the camera bump gives the orientation away along with the obvious USB port.

With the Keyboard Folio folded back it wasn't obvious until picked up.

4. I don’t understand this one at all. There is only one charging cable for the iPad.

I use an iPhone, and prefer to only carry one charger. Switching between lighting and USB-C got really old really quickly.

5. Heavy no, feels cheap Yes. When folded back the keyboard is off and inactive. It is only on when the iPad is locked into the groove so as far as disastrous goes, no idea what you’re talking about explain.

It's 297 grams. The iPad is 468 grams. Adding the Keyboard Folio increases the weight by more than 50% making it almost as heavy as a MacBook. The keyboard is off when folded back, but still feels terrible. I don't want to have my fingers handling clicky keys while holding an iPad. I find it extremely distracting.

6. What is too bendy? Explain

Apple sent me two bent units after which I gave up on the product.

I feel your comments are all theoretical, based off of YouTube naysayers, and no real world experience with the device.

I feel my comments are based on using the iPad Pro 11" device I purchased, which I absolutely hated, after being happy with all the iPads I've owned which includes practically every single model that has ever shipped.

 

[Mabus51]

I frequently place the iPad screen down.



With the Keyboard Folio folded back it wasn't obvious until picked up.



I use an iPhone, and prefer to only carry one charger. Switching between lighting and USB-C got really old really quickly.



It's 297 grams. The iPad is 468 grams. Adding the Keyboard Folio increases the weight by more than 50% making it almost as heavy as a MacBook. The keyboard is off when folded back, but still feels terrible. I don't want to have my fingers handling clicky keys while holding an iPad. I find it extremely distracting.



Apple sent me two bent units after which I gave up on the product.



I feel my comments are based on using the iPad Pro 11" device I purchased, which I absolutely hated, after being happy with all the iPads I've owned which includes practically every single model that has ever shipped.

Face ID works in any orientation on the iPad. This is a nonissue.

Placing it screen down there is more device along the edge than the tapered iPads screen down. I guess I still don’t get your point on that one. Oh well

Carrying two thin weightless cables is to much for you? You can charge your iPhone with the iPad or use the same cable for that with the iPad charger. But I guess the problem is just the two cables. I assume you don’t own a MacBook or any other device and are just using iDevices. Meh first world issue for sure until next year.

No not the same weight, nether are heavy.

Bendy? I guess it sucks to be in the 1% in the world of a manufacturing defect twice. Not making an excuse there, that just sucks.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Face ID works in any orientation on the iPad. This is a nonissue.

Not if you’re hand is covering the camera. It’s cool that it works for you. I found it annoying.

Carrying two thin weightless cables is to much for you?

No, constantly switching cables in the charger is an unnecessary annoyance.

 

[The Game 161]

I have both the 12.9 and 11 and have to say i’m Liking my 12.9 far more where i may sell the 11 inch as although i bought the 11 inch for work i may just use the 12.9 for work instead certainly with mouse support.

 

[secretk]

What annoys me is when people tell me that because the things THEY do make the iPad not a feasible machine for them, that it can't be a feasible machine for ME. That I somehow don't fully understand the iPad's shortcomings or I would be going back to the Mac. The people that tell me that usually cite Excel or app development as their main examples of why I've made the wrong choice.

I totally get you! Both groups need to chill out. Just because the iPad cannot be the main device I am using it does not mean that it cannot be for you. And vice versa. Just because it works for you it does not mean that it would work for me. Those threads should be less about "Whatever applies to me applies to you" and more about sharing different workflows and different ways of incorporating iPads in our daily work.

Again, I don't let it bother me and don't care what other people use/don't use. What I do know is that Apple finally got over that hump with the iPad where more and more people are starting to take it seriously as a productivity device and I love that. Just the other night I was watching a news broadcast with about 5 panelists and three of them had an iPad Pro in front of them on the desk instead of a traditional laptop. The device has really made some new inroads.

That is definitely good. I would not install beta on my device but I am definitely interested to check out iPadOS in the fall once it is officially available. I don't think that it would solve all of our issues and I do think that there are things Apple needs to continue working on but that's normal life. For now it seems that they are going in the right direction - based on what I saw in WWDC videos. We will see once it is available for usage.
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iOS Excel is pretty awful. If you’re just viewing it’s ok as long as there are locked column labels so you can scroll and not lose your place. But editing or formulas forget it. Everything else I can do on my iPad without headache. I manage cloud in AWS & Azure so being on the go and the portability of an LTE equipped tablet that lasts all day is great compared to lugging around a bag with a laptop, charger, pen, and paper. iPad is all in one for me.

Ipads are quite portable indeed.

I tried the Surface for awhile and the kickstand was uncomfortable to use in the lap while trying to type or use the touchpad mouse, the pen was useless and couldn’t even function as a mouse, it’s writing recognition in Word was bad really bad, and the onscreen keyboard isn’t very fluid, and touch inputs while they work it’s just not a great experience in Windows. As a light laptop with a full desktop OS it’s good enough as long as you have a table to use the flimsy keyboard on.

Yeah Apple pencil was the big reason for me to buy an iPad. I do not use tablets as consumption devices. I have my laptop for that and I find any laptop far more lappable than any tablet out there (iPad or Surface). Based on what I read it seemed that the Apple Pencil has less latency so this is why I chose it.

The iPad I can hold in one arm like a notepad and do everything I need to with the other. Windows 10 just doesn’t function well that way, it tries too. But that’s just not it’s OS design it feels very tacked on as far as capabilities go. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. It all boils down to what you need to do and using the right tool for the job. For instance I couldn’t imagine making a pivot table from a Microsoft recon file with iOS Excel. But for me that is all I need desktop version of Excel for and that’s once a month.

I agree. Both operating systems have their strengths and weaknesses. In the end of the day what matters is what you need and what is comfortable for you. For example I type a lot and I type fast. I find any on screen keyboard awful but I also find the hardware keyboard for the 9.7 iPad I have not comfortable enough. It is just too small for me. It is pure ergonomics. I need a bit more spacing between the keys. In other words for typing I need a device that is comparable in size to 13 or 14 inch laptop. Once it boils to this then the portability of the iPad is irrelevant because it is comparable to full blown laptop. And I am left to decide between iOS and Windows and I like Windows far more (when it comes to everything aside pencil support). This is why for me personally the iPad is great for digital notebook but for everything else I would go for a laptop if I have one. If the iPad is the only device available I would use it but I would also be like "Man I can be so much faster on the laptop".

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Surface device! I have not used or tested it out so it was interesting to read your point of view.

 

[Herrpod]

I returned an 11 recently as well. Pro Motion isn't that great, and Face ID is horrible compared to Touch ID. Touch ID never, and I mean, never fails for me. Face ID fails a ton(on iPad, but not on my phone). The 11 just became a nuisance to use because of how often I'd have to enter my pin.

 

[Mabus51]

Not if you’re hand is covering the camera. It’s cool that it works for you. I found it annoying.



No, constantly switching cables in the charger is an unnecessary annoyance.

I’m sorry I just didn’t realize that (FaceID) being an issue. I guess I use the 11” more in portrait than landscape. I will have to remember that if I ever decide on the 12.9 version cause to me that one I think I’d use more in landscape.

Supposedly next year the iPhone switches to USBC. So your cable problem will be solved then. Working in the music industry and now the tech industry, I just always have cables around. As many accessories & devices use something different even Apple Watch uses its own thing. At least more devices are trying to adopt the 1 cable idea. Using history as an example by the time that happens a new cable will be introduced and like mini & micro USB you’ll be back to carrying multiple cables again. So to me cables are just a fact of life and something I never considered as bothersome.

 

[Herrpod]

Face ID works in any orientation on the iPad. This is a nonissue.

It’s very much an issue for the millions of us who hold iPads in landscape mode. Our hands block the camera. And even when I wasn’t blocking it, it was having a hard time in low light. A problem my phone never has. Face ID is definitely an issue.

 

[MisterSavage]

It’s very much an issue for the millions of us who hold iPads in landscape mode. Our hands block the camera. And even when I wasn’t blocking it, it was having a hard time in low light. A problem my phone never has. Face ID is definitely an issue.

That sounds more like a defective unit to me. Face ID uses infrared light and low light conditions wouldn't matter. I unlock my iPad constantly in landscape mode in low light conditions with Face ID and never have a problem.

 

[Herrpod]

That sounds more like a defective unit to me. Face ID uses infrared light and low light conditions wouldn't matter. I unlock my iPad constantly in landscape mode in low light conditions with Face ID and never have a problem.

Did the same thing on the unit I replaced the first one with (first unit was really bent, and the second one was only mildly bent). Face ID definitely doesn't work as well on the Pro as it does my XR. Until it does, I'll go with Touch ID since that never fails.

 

[Cape Dave]

Fortunately, the iPP11 software keyboard is backlit.

There is no comparison between software and hardware keyboard. Sorry.

 

[Digitalguy]

There is no comparison between software and hardware keyboard. Sorry.

One of the main reasons I always carry an ipad (with keyboard) with me is that contrary to a lot of people, I hate writing on glass, whether it’s on the ipad or on a smartphone. My smartphone is mainly for notifications and calls. When I only have my phone I use speech recognition most of the time...

 

[Mabus51]

One of the main reasons I always carry an ipad (with keyboard) with me is that contrary to a lot of people, I hate writing on glass, whether it’s on the ipad or on a smartphone. My smartphone is mainly for notifications and calls. When I only have my phone I use speech recognition most of the time...

I prefer to use the pencil and convert to text if need be. I never carry a keyboard with me. If I ever feel the need to type on the iPad I’ll connect an external full size keyboard at home.

 

[spiderman0616]

I prefer to use the pencil and convert to text if need be. I never carry a keyboard with me. If I ever feel the need to type on the iPad I’ll connect an external full size keyboard at home.

That's actually super interesting that you use it in that way. Do you use Goodnotes? They have really good writing to text from my experience.

 

[dzankizakon]

My only complaints are the camera bump (couldn’t care less about the back camera) and the aspect ratio - 4:3 would have been better. It’s an amazing device.

 

[Mabus51]

That's actually super interesting that you use it in that way. Do you use Goodnotes? They have really good writing to text from my experience.

I do have GoodNotes and Notability. They both are good. I tend to prefer Notability for its speed with the pencil and the way it adds recordings to notes.

I’m still trying to get used to GoodNotes as I like the way it attaches pictures better and the use of covers. Now that I’m used to writing normally with the pencil, I tend not to record meetings anymore. The organization just makes it a bookshelf style I dig that in GoodNotes.

 

[Digitalguy]

I prefer to use the pencil and convert to text if need be. I never carry a keyboard with me. If I ever feel the need to type on the iPad I’ll connect an external full size keyboard at home.

I have given up on natural writing. I am either too slow or I can’t read what I have written, let alone a machine understanding it....

 

[Mabus51]

I have given up on natural writing. I am either too slow or I can’t read what I have written, let alone a machine understanding it....

It took me awhile to get used to it myself. Highly recommend getting a screen protector like Paperlike or one of the knockoffs. It helps with the feel of it.

 

[960design]

There is no comparison between software and hardware keyboard. Sorry.

Sure there is.
You happen to prefer a hardware keyboard ( if I may guess ) and I prefer a software keyboard ( adaptability, availability and a bunch of other ...abilties ).
See, I just compared it. Your viewpoint, while valid, is not the viewpoint of all people.
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One of the main reasons I always carry an ipad (with keyboard) with me is that contrary to a lot of people, I hate writing on glass, whether it’s on the ipad or on a smartphone. My smartphone is mainly for notifications and calls. When I only have my phone I use speech recognition most of the time...

That is a common, and very valid, view for 'older' users. 'Younger' users grew up with a less tactile experience and prefer the adaptability of a software keyboard.

 

[secretk]

Sure there is.
You happen to prefer a hardware keyboard ( if I may guess ) and I prefer a software keyboard ( adaptability, availability and a bunch of other ...abilties ).
See, I just compared it. Your viewpoint, while valid, is not the viewpoint of all people.
[doublepost=1567041522][/doublepost]
That is a common, and very valid, view for 'older' users. 'Younger' users grew up with a less tactile experience and prefer the adaptability of a software keyboard.

If you don't mind me asking what do you mean by adaptability?

I do prefer hardware keyboard but then again I have also first used hardware keyboard before using software one. My reason for it to be honest is not the tactile experience. I am faster using hardware keyboard. That is the factor for me. Whenever I use software keyboard I am like "Man this can be so much faster if I had hardware keyboard". But I use 10 fingers to type in and I type quite fast - like faster than the average person. It is the first thing my co-workers comment actually.

The other thing is the ergonomics. If I put the iPad on a flat surface to use the keyboard I will get a neck pain. I need the iPad to be in angled vertical position. In this position the software keyboard is not positioned well enough for my needs.

It is a preference though. I agree with you that for some software is better, for others hardware.

 

[Digitalguy]

If you don't mind me asking what do you mean by adaptability?

I do prefer hardware keyboard but then again I have also first used hardware keyboard before using software one. My reason for it to be honest is not the tactile experience. I am faster using hardware keyboard. That is the factor for me. Whenever I use software keyboard I am like "Man this can be so much faster if I had hardware keyboard". But I use 10 fingers to type in and I type quite fast - like faster than the average person. It is the first thing my co-workers comment actually.

The other thing is the ergonomics. If I put the iPad on a flat surface to use the keyboard I will get a neck pain. I need the iPad to be in angled vertical position. In this position the software keyboard is not positioned well enough for my needs.

It is a preference though. I agree with you that for some software is better, for others hardware.

Yeah one thing that is not clear is, is 960design using 10 fingers.
Cause let's be honest, most people use their smartphones not their tablet and they use their thumb or anyway 1-2 fingers to type.
I don't buy at all the argument that young people prefer software keyboards. They just don't mind it because of the convenience of using their smartphone.
Given them a laptop with a true keyboard and one with a glass keyboard (like the lenovo yoga book) and 99+% will pick a true keyboard. Most will even find the glass keyboard awful
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Sure there is.
You happen to prefer a hardware keyboard ( if I may guess ) and I prefer a software keyboard ( adaptability, availability and a bunch of other ...abilties ).
See, I just compared it. Your viewpoint, while valid, is not the viewpoint of all people.
[doublepost=1567041522][/doublepost]
That is a common, and very valid, view for 'older' users. 'Younger' users grew up with a less tactile experience and prefer the adaptability of a software keyboard.

it's not a matter of young vs old, many old people are ok with typing on their smartphones. That's not touch typing however, that's what I am talking about.
Most people use 1 or 2 fingers to type, even on tablets.
Those that touch type on tablets are a minority. Same as with those that use a hardware keyboard, they are probably a minority.
Having said that, a hardware keyboard is always a superior experience when it comes to touch typing, so it's always a trade-off between how much you are typing and how much you you can tolerate the inferior experience of touch typing on glass (or convince yourself it's as good or superior). A for you term "adaptability", it mainly makes sens for thumb typing. For touch typing you need a surface or your legs, so the added advantage is at best weight, which considering apple smart keyboards are also a protection and are very light, is quite a weak argument

 

[Cape Dave]

Sure there is.
You happen to prefer a hardware keyboard ( if I may guess ) and I prefer a software keyboard ( adaptability, availability and a bunch of other ...abilties ).
See, I just compared it. Your viewpoint, while valid, is not the viewpoint of all people.
[doublepost=1567041522][/doublepost]
That is a common, and very valid, view for 'older' users. 'Younger' users grew up with a less tactile experience and prefer the adaptability of a software keyboard.

I still disagree. A flat piece of glass is simply not a keyboard to me.