iPad Pro How is mouse, file system and application windows of the M1 iPad Pro 12.9?

[hajime]

Hi, about 2 years ago I tried to use an iPad Pro 12.9 2017 as a laptop replacement. However, it did not suit me well. First, the mouse support was experimental. Second, the file system was not like Mac OS or Windows. I also could not connect it to external storage. Third, although I could have two applications displaying side by side, I like more about having part of window partially laying on top of each other like Mac OS, Windows and Linux. Could not find any app that would turn an iPad into something like a X-window system so I could stack part of an application window on top the other. How is the M1 iPad Pro doing in these aspects?

Also, can I connect it to an external 4K display at 60Hz and use it as an extended screen to have different application windows running on the iPad Pro screen and the external screens?

 

[rui no onna]

Mouse support works pretty well.

File system access is limited and I still wouldn’t trust iPadOS with data external storage unless there’s a backup.

Multitasking is still limited to split view and you can’t really use extended display except for a few apps (e.g. main app window on iPad and external monitor used as preview pane).

Basically, stick to your laptop.

 

[hajime]

Thanks. I have a MacBook Pro M1 Pro 16" 2021 (16GB, 1TB) but I am returning it due to some graphics issues. Meanwhile, M1 Max won't be arriving until mid or end of January.

The MacBook Pro 2021 is very good but it has some issues. The main issue is that I often write Asian characters on the trackpad. With the 2019 MacBook Pro, several characters were presented on the touchpad when the Mac was guessing what character I was writing. I just had to lightly press the word I wanted to choose. Now the Touch Bar is gone, I found it very hard to choose the character by swiping on the touchpad. Almost all the time I made mistakes and had to re-do it again. I wonder if having a touch screen on the iPad Pro would be better for my workflow. I wonder if that Luna Display Adapter or some other approach could be used to allow the phone/iPad to become the Touch Bar of the MacBook Pro. Another issue is that there is no specific program that I can run on the Mac but not on my Windows gaming PC at home. On the other hand, there are programs that can't be run on M1 Mac. The third issue is that since MacBook Pro 2019, I feel uncomfortable with the sharp front edge of the MacBook Pro product line. I wonder if the Magic Keyboard is more comfortable to type on as it is comparatively thin.

Have you tried shiftscreen 4X? It seems to allow users to run multiple windows on iPad but the current version seems to be limited to only having browser based apps on the external screen.

 

[savagewatts]

It works great. I have to admit though, there is no replacement for the Magic Keyboard. In my opinion it’s a must have for this iPad

 

[Davidalan]

With the Magic Keyboard, it works great. Scribble works as long as the website has been updated. Files app is a new experience and with each version of iPadOS gets better and better. If you print to PDF from the printer dialog box often, remember to do a pinch fingers apart on the left side of the preview to create the PDF. With either a USB C external drive or thumb drive and or extra iCloud storage, it’s great and you can save on the cost of extra internal storage on the iPad. Further you will also always have you files to work from, phone, MacBook, iMac, or iPad.

 

[scupking]

Can’t speak for the 12.9 but my Logitech mouse works great with my 11 pro. Doesn’t feel any different then using it with my desktop.

 

[Starscape]

I use the Apple keyboard and a Logitech mouse on my Pro 11 (2020) and they both work very well.

As for the file system and multitasking flexibility, it's terribly limited, especially for such a powerful device. The iPad still cannot truly multitask in many respects, and split-window is really all you get. The file system is frustratingly poor, as it has always been. Apple has made some improvements to it but if you're seeking Mac-like usability, not even close.

 

[hajime]

When connecting external storage to the IPP, is it better to turn off the IPP before disconnecting the storage because in iPad OS, there is no reject/unmount button?

I read that Apple intentionally slows down the TB4 of the iPad Pro 12.9" M1. Any sign that they will remove the restriction? Is it a waste of money to get a TB4 dock unless I can use it with other computers at home?

My expected requirements for IPP are:

1. I don't want to hang lots of stuffs from the device. Prefer to have only 1 cable going out of the IPP.
2. Connection to one external TV running at 4K 60Hz.
3. In the future I may add one more 4K display.

What dock/hub works well with the iPad Pro M1 12.9"?

 

[sparksd]

When connecting external storage to the IPP, is it better to turn off the IPP before disconnecting the storage because in iPad OS, there is no reject/unmount button?

I read that Apple intentionally slows down the TB4 of the iPad Pro 12.9" M1. Any sign that they will remove the restriction? Is it a waste of money to get a TB4 dock unless I can use it with other computers at home?

My expected requirements for IPP are:

1. I don't want to hang lots of stuffs from the device. Prefer to have only 1 cable going out of the IPP.
2. Connection to one external TV running at 4K 60Hz.
3. In the future I may add one more 4K display.

What dock/hub works well with the iPad Pro M1 12.9"?

I use this hub with my M1 12.9 -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087QZVQJX

Works great with USB storage, including USB-C, HDMI (4K 60Hz), SD & uSD cards, and Ethernet if needed.

 

[hajime]

I use this hub with my M1 12.9 -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087QZVQJX

Works great with USB storage, including USB-C, HDMI (4K 60Hz), SD & uSD cards, and Ethernet if needed.

Thanks. Does it get hot? I tried an Anker hub last year but it got so hot that I could not touch it for long. How long is the cable which came with the dock? Is it detectable? If it is too short, it may scratch the device.

If possible, I want to hide the dock/hub from nearby view.

 

[sparksd]

Thanks. Does it get hot? I tried an Anker hub last year but it got so hot that I could not touch it for long. How long is the cable which came with the dock? Is it detectable? If it is too short, it may scratch the device.

If possible, I want to hide the dock/hub from nearby view.

It gets warm, I wouldn't say hot. The cable is not detachable and is 7" long from case to tip. I use a 90-degree USB-C adapter with it so it runs down the side of the iPad and the hub sits behind the iPad in a case stand. Absolutely no scratching issues.

 

[LogicalApex]

The iPad still won’t fit your needs. No overlapping windows and external drive support is amateurish at best.

The only thing that has improved on your list is mouse support.

 

[hajime]

Is Apple doing this on purpose to make us buy different devices?

 

[sparksd]

Is Apple doing this on purpose to make us buy different devices?

One can only speculate on that. Pick a reason, it's as good a guess as anyone else's.

 

[hajime]

Mouse support works pretty well.

File system access is limited and I still wouldn’t trust iPadOS with data external storage unless there’s a backup.

Multitasking is still limited to split view and you can’t really use extended display except for a few apps (e.g. main app window on iPad and external monitor used as preview pane).

Basically, stick to your laptop.

Thanks for the warning. I see Apple crippled some features such as making the TB4 port slower than advertised, not having an extended screen mode, no external storage reject feature, etc.

I have 2k+ gift card points and I hesitate to use my gaming Windows PC to do online banking. I am giving the iPad one last chance.

 

[LogicalApex]

I have 2k+ gift card points and I hesitate to use my gaming Windows PC to do online banking. I am giving the iPad one last chance.

What's wrong with the Windows PC for online banking? More so, you definitely don't need am M1 iPP to pull that feat off...

But if you must, just pick up a M1 MBP or M1 MBA. You'd get a lot more bang for you buck there for these types of tasks.

 

[hajime]

What's wrong with the Windows PC for online banking? More so, you definitely don't need am M1 iPP to pull that feat off...

But if you must, just pick up a M1 MBP or M1 MBA. You'd get a lot more bang for you buck there for these types of tasks.

I installed some free games. Not sure if during the process, I also installed something unexpected.

I returned a M1 MBP yesterday. MBP only has 8GB RAM. I considered both options already.