iPad Pro From MacBook to iPad Pro

[DNAppleGold]

I am looking to upgrade my 2017 MacBook. I love the portability and lack of noise, but the keyboard, decent but not great screen, and being a little pokey for even basic tasks (opening up any app) are driving me to a newer machine. The new 2020 air is an obvious choice but it’s heavier than the MB (I often walk 2 miles to work and am constantly moving from a to b at work).

The iPad Pro seems like it’s worth considering, lighter, better screen, better camera, probably snapper than the Air tablet functions.

I am not a power user, but this will be my primary computer and need to use the full office suite (including excel, teams, Sharepoint), salesforce (and I need full functionality because I build and run reports), video conferencing and webinars (which I often set up and run). When I last used an iPad for business in 2017, I a number of pain points that made me switch to a Mac. Here are a few I remember

• Outlook. I can’t tell you how often I had to wait to get back to my desktop to find an email where, in outlook, I could search using several search factors. Plus, I couldn’t use options such delayed send, have replies sent to a different person
• Synched files. It drove me crazy to save a file to onedrive or dropbox and not have it automatically download on the iPad the next time it was on lines. I found myself SOL several times when I needed a doc that was saved to a share drive days ago but to which I had no access on the iPad because I was without internet access at the time.
• Salesforce. Could never get the full version.
• Office. Word was good, powerpoint and excel barely usable for other than reading. Had to run to a PC to do real work.
• Video conferencing - zoom and other apps had less functionality than desktop.

There were others, like inability to change genre on music added to my library. I can get over some point points for what tables do well. But unless the above issues are resolved, I don’t I can go with the iPad.

For those of who use your iPad for similar functions, what do you think?

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am looking to upgrade my 2017 MacBook. I love the portability and lack of noise, but the keyboard, decent but not great screen, and being a little pokey for even basic tasks (opening up any app) are driving me to a newer machine. The new 2020 air is an obvious choice but it’s heavier than the MB (I often walk 2 miles to work and am constantly moving from a to b at work).

The iPad Pro seems like it’s worth considering, lighter, better screen, better camera, probably snapper than the Air tablet functions.

I am not a power user, but this will be my primary computer and need to use the full office suite (including excel, teams, Sharepoint), salesforce (and I need full functionality because I build and run reports), video conferencing and webinars (which I often set up and run). When I last used an iPad for business in 2017, I a number of pain points that made me switch to a Mac. Here are a few I remember

• Outlook. I can’t tell you how often I had to wait to get back to my desktop to find an email where, in outlook, I could search using several search factors. Plus, I couldn’t use options such delayed send, have replies sent to a different person
• Synched files. It drove me crazy to save a file to onedrive or dropbox and not have it automatically download on the iPad the next time it was on lines. I found myself SOL several times when I needed a doc that was saved to a share drive days ago but to which I had no access on the iPad because I was without internet access at the time.
• Salesforce. Could never get the full version.
• Office. Word was good, powerpoint and excel barely usable for other than reading. Had to run to a PC to do real work.
• Video conferencing - zoom and other apps had less functionality than desktop.

There were others, like inability to change genre on music added to my library. I can get over some point points for what tables do well. But unless the above issues are resolved, I don’t I can go with the iPad.

For those of who use your iPad for similar functions, what do you think?

Microsoft Office has gotten much better on the iPad.

 

[ericwn]

I’m not sure if the situation for Salesforce has changed - maybe you can access it with the improvements in Safari better now.

At the end of the day the workflow has to work out for you. Why not get a new iPad, put the MacBook in a drawer for 2 weeks and try the iPad in the return period as best you can? You’ll be the best judge!

 

[omelet1978]

You could try an iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard Folio or wait for the Magic Keyboard but I'd agree with the thought that you should put the MacBook in a drawer for a couple of weeks and see if you can make it work with just the iPad.

If I were to place a bet though I'd bet that given everything you just said you will probably need to have a computer. Can't hurt to try though. I've tried going iPad only in the past and so far have eventually gotten a computer after a few months of being iPad only.

 

[infernoguy]

With iOS 13.4 (and iOS 14) adding native mouse/trackpad support plus working from home for a while has made me reconsider using an iPad as my primary mobile Apple device (I have an iMac at home). All I need is some of the RDP apps and Citrix to support the native mouse and I'll be set.

As for you OP. Do what's mentioned above.... put your Mac in the drawer and go all in with the iPad Pro/Keyboard Folio/Mouse and see how things go.

 

[Moakesy]

I have the 3rd Gen 12.9 inch iPad Pro with the apple keyboard case + pencil.

Although mouse / trackpad support is coming, I’d say Excel doesn’t really work on the iPad if you’re a power user.

I consider myself quite advanced with Excel, doing a lot, lot more than just pivot tables etc, and for that use it isn’t really that great. For more basic MSOffice use it does work, and I’d imagine the use of a trackpad or mouse will improves things further.

So, if you are keeping things simple then it’s a possibility, if you want to ramp up the experience I’m afraid you still need a laptop IMO.

 

[PhallicPhillip]

Don’t have as much experience with office as others here, but I’ll just say that one change since your last use of an iPad is that safari is now generally desktop class. So if any part of your workflow happens in a browser or could be done in a browser (Outlook?) you might be in business. I would also recommend trying the iPad for a couple weeks with your Macbook tucked away to see how it goes.

 

[MrKennedy]

I love my iPad, but I'd never trade away the productivity capabilities of my Mac for it.

The use cases you listed aren't super intensive tasks, but the iPad just can't do those things well. I work in Office, GSuite, Salesforce, Zoom (webinars!), multiple CMSs. If you need a new computer, get the Air. And if you want to experiment with an iPad, get one of the cheaper ones.

 

[Mike Boreham]

For doing a lot of work you would probably find the 12.9" better than the 11", but the 12.9 with Keyboard is bigger and heavier than the 12" MacBook.....personal choices.

I have both the 12.9" iPad with ASK and 12" MacBook, and close to being able to do everything on the iPad, but still a few things holding back. My accounting program (Moneydance) is one...only a cutdown version available for iPad.

 

[omelet1978]

Just one more input. I spent 3 months in Germany recently with a quick 7 day trip home half way through for a work conference. I originally brought just an iPad Pro 11 with a Brydge Keyboard for the first part of the trip. When I came home at the 45 day point for a week after using the iPad only for 45 days I brought out my MacBook Air.

IMHO, the iPad is a secondary device not a primary device even with the new advancements such as desktop Safari. You either use an aftermarket keyboard which is bulky or the keyboard folio which is very slim and works but it's not something you want to type on for several hours. The new Magic Keyboard for the iPad looks tempting with the trackpad but I'm guessing given your workflow you'd probably be better going with a MacBook Air.

If you are a fan of technology though it can't hurt to try going iPad only though (which is why everyone is saying just toss your computer in a drawer for a while). Probably a couple of months rather than a couple of weeks though.

 

[ejin222]

If you use Office a lot, then I would definitely stick with the MacBook. I use my iPad Pro for 90% of everything I need, but it's the software which fails me every time.

 

[FlyingScot]

I am going to try...just try and us my incoming IPP as a MB replacement. Will truly evaluate when Magic keyboard in and will use side by side until then. With mouse pointer support and Citrix can now get full featured app aces when needed. If I can do basic office locally that will work well for me. The pointer support is key - will at least be an interesting experiment

 

[titovenok88]

I am looking to upgrade my 2017 MacBook. I love the portability and lack of noise, but the keyboard, decent but not great screen, and being a little pokey for even basic tasks (opening up any app) are driving me to a newer machine. The new 2020 air is an obvious choice but it’s heavier than the MB (I often walk 2 miles to work and am constantly moving from a to b at work).

The iPad Pro seems like it’s worth considering, lighter, better screen, better camera, probably snapper than the Air tablet functions.

I am not a power user, but this will be my primary computer and need to use the full office suite (including excel, teams, Sharepoint), salesforce (and I need full functionality because I build and run reports), video conferencing and webinars (which I often set up and run). When I last used an iPad for business in 2017, I a number of pain points that made me switch to a Mac. Here are a few I remember

• Outlook. I can’t tell you how often I had to wait to get back to my desktop to find an email where, in outlook, I could search using several search factors. Plus, I couldn’t use options such delayed send, have replies sent to a different person
• Synched files. It drove me crazy to save a file to onedrive or dropbox and not have it automatically download on the iPad the next time it was on lines. I found myself SOL several times when I needed a doc that was saved to a share drive days ago but to which I had no access on the iPad because I was without internet access at the time.
• Salesforce. Could never get the full version.
• Office. Word was good, powerpoint and excel barely usable for other than reading. Had to run to a PC to do real work.
• Video conferencing - zoom and other apps had less functionality than desktop.

There were others, like inability to change genre on music added to my library. I can get over some point points for what tables do well. But unless the above issues are resolved, I don’t I can go with the iPad.

For those of who use your iPad for similar functions, what do you think?

Go for Surface Pro X - light, slim, lte connection, full office 365

 

[DNAppleGold]

This is some great input. Once the magic keyboard comes out, I may experiment for a week. But the more I monitor my workflow, the more I keep bumping into things that would be more difficult on an iPad. As so many others have said, it's a software/OS problem not a hardware problem. But I'm guessing the limits will outweigh the advantages.

 

[tothemoonsands]

This is some great input. Once the magic keyboard comes out, I may experiment for a week. But the more I monitor my workflow, the more I keep bumping into things that would be more difficult on an iPad. As so many others have said, it's a software/OS problem not a hardware problem. But I'm guessing the limits will outweigh the advantages.

I've gone back and forth on this one too. I literally had a 12.9" 2020 iPP w/ 1TB + LTE in my bag, but then decided against it in lieu of a 2020 13/14" MBP.

It's a tough call for sure. On one hand, the iPad Pro has gotten incredibly sleek to the point where there are many advantages over MBP (better screen, touch, better cameras, LTE, iPasOS apps, etc.), but on the other hand, once you add a magic keyboard case, you are looking at approximately the same weight as a MBP/MBA, and some apps are still not supported on iPad OS (Adobe CC and many other creative/business apps).

Even as I type this now, I still am very much tempted to go the route of iPP 2020, even despite rumors of another mini-LED model coming late 2020/early 2021 with A14 chip.

In short, someone please help me
I cannot afford both a 12.9 loaded iPad Pro + a new MBP, and like yourself, I am right in that middle ground where either one could work...

 

[henckel]

I tried to use my IPP 12.9 2018 w pencil 2 and folio keyboard to replace my MacBook 12"/MacBook Air. But the iPad OS Microsoft Outlook not supporting POP3 that only allow me to use the default mail which is not quite well organised IMO.

Using Microsoft Excel or Word on iPad are not as user friendly as on a Macbook. IPP is a great machine for secondary device but I won't use it as my primary working station until the new iPad OS had those enhancement.

IMO, if any work task not quite rely heavily on Microsoft products, (I think Microsoft do it purposely) it will be a good desktop replacement.

 

[omelet1978]

This is some great input. Once the magic keyboard comes out, I may experiment for a week. But the more I monitor my workflow, the more I keep bumping into things that would be more difficult on an iPad. As so many others have said, it's a software/OS problem not a hardware problem. But I'm guessing the limits will outweigh the advantages.

If it helps I'm most likely going to buy the Magic Keyboard for my iPad Pro but still planning on keeping my MacBook Air.

I have both and iPad Pro and Macbok Air bc I commute for work and 3 nights a week I'm in a hotel. I use the MacBook at home and the iPad on the road since I've learned the hard way that if I haul one device around I'll eventually drop and break it. That was the iPad Pro that I dropped lol but fortunately I had AppleCare.