All answers to this thread question are highly subjective, associated with the computing & software needs of each job.
For OP to answer this question for themselves, they need to:
- identify the software they need for THEIR job.
- See if that software is available on iPad. If not, is some kind of clone option available on iPad that sufficiently covers all of the same needs (or maybe some combination of apps can do that).
- If all of the software they need has good iPad versions, they probably CAN sub in an iPad for a computer.
- If any of the software they need does NOT have iPad versions, they probably need a computer.
Yes, there may be workarounds for some situations... but workarounds are usually either bandaid solutions vs. complete solutions and/or burn more time to somewhat accomplish the same thing... or something close to it.
In very broad strokes: if the job...
- requires content creation, a computer is probably going to be better for that, whatever it is.
- is mostly about content consumption, iPad or even iPhone can likely be a pretty solid option.
However, this too begs for definition to phrases like "content creation" vs. "content consumption." For example, there is a mountain of creation & consumption software available only for Windows. So if any of that is essential to a job, the person probably needs NEITHER option from Apple but instead needs a Windows-based device.
Again in very broad strokes, I read the 4 specifics OP referenced:
design work, coding, video editing, or juggling a bunch of different apps at once.
...and all of that shouts
computer. Can each of those be done on an iPad? Yes. But then the questions are what kind of design work? using what app(s)? how intensive is the design functionality? what coding? In what app(s)? how intensive? what video editing apps are needed? an occasional home movie or a major motion picture? how intensive of video editing? And while iPad can and does multitask, it's not remotely on par with Mac multitasking and I'd need a definition of "bunch." Even iPad Pro is relatively RAM-starved if "bunch" is many intensive RAM-demanding tasks. People still regularly post gripes about just having many Safari tabs not reloading web pages (that have fallen out of RAM).
One more "broad strokes" observation: in general, those trying to replace computer with iPad tend to basically work the iPad into being very laptop-like... as in keyboard case so they have touch key access, track pad or mouse for that kind of cursor control and sometimes other accessories in support of whatever they are trying to do. If the question is using an iPad as intended (no keyboard/mouse/trackpad), productivity vs. a "real computer" is likely to be slower/constrained.
If OP is writing an article and looking for examples of how people are subbing in tablets for computers and how some can't do that, this thread should pile up some good examples of both over time. But if OP is trying to rationalize going iPad over computer, only OP can answer their own question by executing #1-#4 above.
- Can an iPad replace a computer for some jobs? Absolutely YES!
- Can an iPad replace a computer for other jobs? Absolutely NO!
The devil is in the details.
