All iPads Do you love your iPad? How do you use it?

[jwolf6589]

I have read complaints of iPads lately. One user claims his iPhone Pro Max is better for reading books and does not like the idea of the Mini 6. I strongly disagree. At my job all the field techs use iPads I mean the classic iPad with the home button because they meet our needs just fine. Plenty of other companies use iPads. Do you love your iPad and how do you use it? I have the Mini 6 and use it daily. It’s very useful for 6 hour plane flights and far more useful than a laptop or phone for books and movies on such long flights. What about you?

Do you work at a company that uses iPads and if so what type of iPad?

 

[rui no onna]

My employer is pretty much all Windows. However, I really enjoy iPads for personal use.

My first iPad was the iPad 2 which I bought for reading manga. It wasn't retina so at the time, I was still reading ebooks on the iPhone 4 and iPt 4th gen with Stanza app. With the release of retina iPads and Marvin ebook reader, I switched to using iPads as my ebook reader as well.

Over the years, with more powerful hardware and changes to iPadOS (e.g. better desktop website support), the iPad has pretty much replaced the laptop for 90-95% of my personal usage.

Mind, on 12-16 hour trans-Pacific flights, the Paperwhite (pre-loaded with tons of novels prior to the trip) is still my device of choice. Great for beach and poolside, too.

 

[jwolf6589]

My employer is pretty much all Windows. However, I really enjoy iPads for personal use.

My first iPad was the iPad 2 which I bought for reading manga. It wasn't retina so at the time, I was still reading ebooks on the iPhone 4 and iPt 4th gen with Stanza app. With the release of retina iPads and Marvin ebook reader, I switched to using iPads as my ebook reader as well.

Over the years, with more powerful hardware and changes to iPadOS (e.g. better desktop website support), the iPad has pretty much replaced the laptop for 90-95% of my personal usage.

Mind, on 12-16 hour trans-Pacific flights, the Paperwhite (pre-loaded with tons of novels prior to the trip) is still my device of choice. Great for beach and poolside, too.

Whats the paper white?

 

[hg.wells]

Whats the paper white?

Paper White is one of Amazon’s kindles. E-ink and far less eye strain for avid book readers.

 

[jwolf6589]

Paper White is one of Amazon’s kindles. E-ink and far less eye strain for avid book readers.

Looks nicer than Mini 6 for reading. However all 234 of my books are in Apple Books format and I use my Mini for more than just reading.

 

[ejb190]

Looks nicer than Mini 6 for reading. However all 234 of my books are in Apple Books format and I use my Mini for more than just reading.

I would love a ruggedized iPad with a Paper White screen for outdoor field data collection. The battery life would be incredible, the screen easy to read. But alas.... We make do with iPad 8th Gen with Otterbox cases.

 

[rui no onna]

Looks nicer than Mini 6 for reading. However all 234 of my books are in Apple Books format and I use my Mini for more than just reading.

Notably lighter (less than 200g for the 6" Paperwhite 4) and a lot cheaper, too, with Amazon's frequent discounts (got mine for $80, iirc). Plus much longer battery life and the IPX8 water resistant rating and it makes for a better beater device for reading novels than my $800 mini 6.

Granted, I still use the iPad more even for ebooks since it's a lot easier to load content on the fly that are not on the official ebook stores.

I specifically avoid buying from Apple Books because it's locked down to Apple devices. At least with Kindle and Kobo, there are DeDRM tools available.

 

[Dealmans]

for the tenth time

 

[i4k20c]

i don’t really have a use for it and am trying to fit it into my workflow. i don’t watch a lot of videos and mostly forum and reddit. i got the ipad to use in bed but find my phone to be a lot easier to use for this.

i’m trying to figure out how to make it work within my lifestyle but it just doesn’t really fit in i guess.

 

[nStyle]

I have the 2021 12.9 iPad and use it mostly for web browsing and videos but I also like using the pencil and doing a little design work here and there. I don’t need it but I love using it in bed compared to a laptop. I really enjoy the mini-LED screen and MKB. There’s certain tasks that are just so much better in tablet/touch mode.

Whenever I try to get rid of my iPads, a new one always finds its way into my life again so I am never selling this one. The 12.9 is the perfect around-the-house iPad for me.

I want to pickup a Mini 6 for flights as well. I’ve tried gaming on the plane and I get a little motion sick so I think I’d be happier reading and playing card games and watching movies and the 6 is perfect because you can get away with not having to store it for takeoff and landing. I could get by reading on the Pro Max I think but everything is going to be better on the bigger screen.

 

[winglet69]

iPads are pretty much the industry standard issue to every airline/corporate/cargo pilot. A few companies use Windows tablets but the vast majority I've seen are iPads. They're the ideal platform for the charts, performance calculation apps, and vast amounts of digital documentation required for the job. Some even integrate directly into the aircraft navigation systems.

Had different models over the years but current issued ones are 4th and 5th Gen Airs in various ruggedized cases like Otterbox.

I carry my own iPad Pro 11.9 inch for watching movies while deadheading. Watch movies on a phone? No thanks. Also carry a large collection of eBooks as well. Agreed that a dedicated eReader is a better screen but physical books are even better than an eReader. So since digital is a compromise anyway I can't justify lugging around a 3rd single-purpose device.

 

[jwolf6589]

I have the 2021 12.9 iPad and use it mostly for web browsing and videos but I also like using the pencil and doing a little design work here and there. I don’t need it but I love using it in bed compared to a laptop. I really enjoy the mini-LED screen and MKB. There’s certain tasks that are just so much better in tablet/touch mode.

Whenever I try to get rid of my iPads, a new one always finds its way into my life again so I am never selling this one. The 12.9 is the perfect around-the-house iPad for me.

I want to pickup a Mini 6 for flights as well. I’ve tried gaming on the plane and I get a little motion sick so I think I’d be happier reading and playing card games and watching movies and the 6 is perfect because you can get away with not having to store it for takeoff and landing. I could get by reading on the Pro Max I think but everything is going to be better on the bigger screen.

Yes I use the Mini for this. The Mini 6 is new to me so I cant wait for my next September flight to Alaska. 6+ hours.

 

[jwolf6589]

iPads are pretty much the industry standard issue to every airline/corporate/cargo pilot. A few companies use Windows tablets but the vast majority I've seen are iPads. They're the ideal platform for the charts, performance calculation apps, and vast amounts of digital documentation required for the job. Some even integrate directly into the aircraft navigation systems.

Had different models over the years but current issued ones are 4th and 5th Gen Airs in various ruggedized cases like Otterbox.

I carry my own iPad Pro 11.9 inch for watching movies while deadheading. Watch movies on a phone? No thanks. Also carry a large collection of eBooks as well. Agreed that a dedicated eReader is a better screen but physical books are even better than an eReader. So since digital is a compromise anyway I can't justify lugging around a 3rd single-purpose device.

What about the medical industry? Dont some hospitals use iPads instead of laptops?

 

[Abazigal]

I do use my iPad more than my iPhone. At work, I teach with it in the classroom and at home, I prefer using it to browse content since it has a way larger screen than my iPhone, and is more convenient to use than my laptop.

I am really curious how people read on their phones, much less do so for extended periods of time. I can understand doing it while on the move for convenience, but actually preferring it to an iPad?

 

[unrigestered]

Mainly Youtube for me, but i'm also using my (standard) iPad for the balcony, on the loo and often times it is also enough while travelling.

Most other stuff is done on my laptops though.

The iPads are good for what they do, and they can be great for creatives who actually draw on them and in certain other areas, but for me, the fan-less MBA has replaced my iPads that i used to love, for most stuff

i still like them, they simply are not the very best portable computers they used to be for me anymore though

 

[Gregg2]

I also use my iPad on flights, and for browsing the web and getting e-mail at my destination. I even do the latter two at home, as it's often more convenient than going to the computer. It's also my preferred device for playing solitaire. I have a few other apps I use on it, but not for creating documents, and I don't take photos with it. If it broke, I'd get a new one immediately.

 

[1557750]

I use iPP for graphic design and just drawing. I love it when I’m using it. Unfortunately I go through phases of drawing and a lot of the time it just sits around. But I’d use it any day over a PC/laptop for my graphic needs.

 

[bobdamnit]

i don’t really have a use for it and am trying to fit it into my workflow. i don’t watch a lot of videos and mostly forum and reddit. i got the ipad to use in bed but find my phone to be a lot easier to use for this.

i’m trying to figure out how to make it work within my lifestyle but it just doesn’t really fit in i guess.

This is me. My wife bought me one because she thought it would be better than using my MacBook Air in bed. (Side note, as a paraplegic... I'm in a bed frequently.) Know how I use it? As a Sidecar display for my MacBook Air lol.

 

[jwolf6589]

I do use my iPad more than my iPhone. At work, I teach with it in the classroom and at home, I prefer using it to browse content since it has a way larger screen than my iPhone, and is more convenient to use than my laptop.

I am really curious how people read on their phones, much less do so for extended periods of time. I can understand doing it while on the move for convenience, but actually preferring it to an iPad?

I agree. I could not read books or watch movies for extended periods on a iPhone. Thats why when I travel iPad always goes with me. My latest trip in May I left my laptop at home.

 

[chevyboy60013]

I use my 10.5 iPad Pro daily. It has basically become my laptop Replacement. Much lighter and easier to carry around.

 

[MPclk2006]

My iPad is mainly for personal use, movie watching, browsing internet from the couch, etc. I like it because it’s easier than using my MacBook and allows the MacBook to stay connected to external display on my desk. I also use iin/out of the house by keeping files I need in the icloud to get a hold when I need them.

 

[Boyd01]

I've tried, but I just am not very interested in iPads. Got the first version for my daughter and then got her a newer one after a number of years. But I didn't find it compelling. Finally got a 6th generation iPad shortly after it was released just to use an app that provides a mixing surface for my 8 track audio field recorder. Works really well for that. Also works very well as a mixing surface for Logic Pro. Haven't done any audio work for the past few months though.

Have tried to get interested in other apps, but they just don't do it for me. Right now, it has been sitting unused for a couple months. I suppose my basic problem is that I just don't like touchscreens. I know this bothers people, but it still just seems like a big phone to me. I suppose the iPad Pro goes well beyond this now, but I'm not interested. Don't really even have a need for a laptop anymore after retiring but I spend lots of time on my Mac Mini with a big screen.

The iPad feels too heavy and awkward to me for reading and watching video (although, putting it on a stand and watching video works well, when needed). I much prefer my iPhone 12 Pro Max for reading or watching video on a small screen.

Yeah, I might be happier with an iPad Mini. But I just don't need it. So (unfortunately) my response to the question posed by this thread is that my iPad doesn't get much love and I seldom use it, except for audio recording/mixing (which is great).

 

[Traverse]

I am really curious how people read on their phones, much less do so for extended periods of time. I can understand doing it while on the move for convenience, but actually preferring it to an iPad?

I know a co-worker who reads several novels a month (sometimes as much as 6 or 7) all on their iPhone X. I've asked them whether they've considered an iPad mini or Kindle since that would surely offer an appreciable difference in experience, but they claim it isn't necessary as the phone is "good enough."

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To answer the OP, my iPad is my most-used, least-essential, and most infuriating device. My iPhone is for on-the-go, music, and camera. My Mac is "home base" with servers, music management, file management, etc. My iPad is my real "personal computer." I use it to watch YouTube, Twitch, Hulu, etc. I browse the web, read books and manage, sometimes write, doodle, etc. Exactly the general content-consumption the most people use their computers for and, as a result, is my most-used device. Even so, it'd be the first to go if I had to make a choice because a Mac is 100% essential while the iPhone is what I use for core functionality.

I say the iPad is infuriating because I've never had a device that made me jump between all-in and not interest. Sometimes I feel like the iPad is really the best personal computer and I jump all in on using it all the time with all accessories. Then I get frustrated with the limitations or how I always feel like I should get the 11" iPad Pro (but when I use a smaller I want the 12.9"). I can't seem to find my perfect device. For 90% of my uses the Air would be fine, but I appreciate ProMotion and I want more than 256GB of storage so I'm stuck with the Pro. I have many aspirational uses for the iPad but usually just end up consuming content.

 

[circatee]

I enjoy my iPad when sitting on the sofa or at the dinning room table, as I am now. Mainly for responding to forums, and general browsing of the internet.

However, I was researching yesterday to trade it in, for a MBA M1. Rather tempting.

Still thinking…

PS: I have a Apple keyboard attached to my iPad, too.

 

[jwolf6589]

She must have good eyes.