If this was your use case, WWYD?

[ssledoux]

I also think a MacBook of some sort could help you but since you have ruled that out, I’d go with an iMac. I also digital scrapbook and can’t imagine doing it only on iOS unless you are using something like the Becky Higgins app. It’s much easier to do on a full computer.

Yeah I just cannot make myself like a laptop. I know people can't really wrap their heads around that, but I just never have.

I mainly just make books on Shutterfly - not even really full-on scrapbooking. I have tried the Shutterfly app on and off for a couple years to see if it had updated to do more, but it hasn't.

I'm still on the fence. I may see what iOS 13 will have to offer before I bite the bullet. Right now I'm using dd's old iMac, and it's working for the basics. I mean yeah it's a bit slow, but not horrible considering it's nearly 10 years old.
[doublepost=1556717771][/doublepost]

If this were me, I'd just build a cheap PC for about $500 to do the few things in a desktop web browser that I need and then call it a day. But I understand not everyone likes to tinker with hardware.

I'm going to suggest getting a Mac Mini and using remote software like Luna (as @DNichter) recommended, or the Jump Desktop app. You can set the screen resolution on the Mini to match the iPad's and it will honestly be like your iPad is a small Mac. I did this for a year with my 12.9" iPad and a Linux desktop; it works incredibly well.

I would consider this if I had gone with the 12.9 iPad, but I think trying to do books on an 11" screen would be tough. If I have to buy something anyway, I'd rather buy something that can just do what I need without having to do a workaround. But as I mentioned in my last response, I'm thinking I'll see what iOS 13 is gonna do.
[doublepost=1556718005][/doublepost]

You can build a strong PC for $500 bucks. Especially if it is not used for gaming.

A Ryzen 1700X and 16GB of DDR4, cheap x370 motherboard and your done. It’ll burn up any Apple or Mac product from here to about $3,500?

I use a Windows computer at work, and have access to my work Windows laptop at home - I just can't. I despise using Windows. In fact, the photographer I work out of home for is switching everything to Mac this summer (and I am SO thankful), and the one I work from home for is all-in with Mac (except the darn Windows laptop I have because the pro printer won't work with Mac as it was supposed to).

Honestly, if I wouldn't have to sit up at the office to do all the stuff, I'd just work on scrapbooks at work, but I tend to enjoy staying up late and doing stuff like that at night, so that's not helping...
[doublepost=1556718379][/doublepost]

iOS13 should help you with a few of these issues. I also have satellite internet where I live, and It is just terrible! I sold my awesome PC, and went all in on a 1TB cellular unlocked iPad Pro 11” I use ATT prepaid data on it, and use around 80-160GB every month in data. My iPad is my computer. It works for me, and I’m looking forward to iOS 13, which should clear up the few hang ups I’m having right now.

Yeah I think I'm gonna wait and see what iOS 13 might offer.

I have had terrible satellite internet in the past, but this is a TON better! We have seen a terrible decline in our LTE, so I feel like I've hit the internet lotto out here!
[doublepost=1556718692][/doublepost]

That’s why I suggested a Mac mini if you absolutely need macOS. I just find it hard to believe that there isn’t an app that can accomplish what the OP needs. I don’t need to be careful about giving my opinion, I’m sure the OP is capable of making an informed decision for themselves.
[doublepost=1556663096][/doublepost]

Yea I’m not sure on the photo book thing. I am sure you have done your research, but I have to believe there is an app that can meet your needs. I mentioned the Mac mini paired with the 12.9 iPad Pro as I feel like that would be the best of both worlds. If you end up going for the iMac, just make sure you get an SSD.

Thanks for the input. I wish I could find an app that would work because honestly, I think being able to do it on a touch screen with the pencil would be phenomenal! I mean the digital planner stuff is awesome; if I could just combine that with something that would pull in the photos and then be bound and printable, it would be amazing. The way the apps work now, you just drag your photos in and it places them for you and you send it to print. It will put a single photo on a page, so I wind up with 300 page books that cost a fortune. It just doesn't work.

The thing is, I'm not just being stubborn - I have YEARS' worth of photos to do. I think that's the main reason I just want it to be simple and straightforward. This is gonna be a major undertaking that's gonna take me a lot of time, probably for a long time.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Yeah I just cannot make myself like a laptop. I know people can't really wrap their heads around that, but I just never have.

I mainly just make books on Shutterfly - not even really full-on scrapbooking. I have tried the Shutterfly app on and off for a couple years to see if it had updated to do more, but it hasn't.

I'm still on the fence. I may see what iOS 13 will have to offer before I bite the bullet. Right now I'm using dd's old iMac, and it's working for the basics. I mean yeah it's a bit slow, but not horrible considering it's nearly 10 years old.
[doublepost=1556717771][/doublepost]

I would consider this if I had gone with the 12.9 iPad, but I think trying to do books on an 11" screen would be tough. If I have to buy something anyway, I'd rather buy something that can just do what I need without having to do a workaround. But as I mentioned in my last response, I'm thinking I'll see what iOS 13 is gonna do.
[doublepost=1556718005][/doublepost]

I use a Windows computer at work, and have access to my work Windows laptop at home - I just can't. I despise using Windows. In fact, the photographer I work out of home for is switching everything to Mac this summer (and I am SO thankful), and the one I work from home for is all-in with Mac (except the darn Windows laptop I have because the pro printer won't work with Mac as it was supposed to).

Honestly, if I wouldn't have to sit up at the office to do all the stuff, I'd just work on scrapbooks at work, but I tend to enjoy staying up late and doing stuff like that at night, so that's not helping...
[doublepost=1556718379][/doublepost]

Yeah I think I'm gonna wait and see what iOS 13 might offer.

I have had terrible satellite internet in the past, but this is a TON better! We have seen a terrible decline in our LTE, so I feel like I've hit the internet lotto out here!
[doublepost=1556718692][/doublepost]

Thanks for the input. I wish I could find an app that would work because honestly, I think being able to do it on a touch screen with the pencil would be phenomenal! I mean the digital planner stuff is awesome; if I could just combine that with something that would pull in the photos and then be bound and printable, it would be amazing. The way the apps work now, you just drag your photos in and it places them for you and you send it to print. It will put a single photo on a page, so I wind up with 300 page books that cost a fortune. It just doesn't work.

The thing is, I'm not just being stubborn - I have YEARS' worth of photos to do. I think that's the main reason I just want it to be simple and straightforward. This is gonna be a major undertaking that's gonna take me a lot of time, probably for a long time.

Turn Your Pics Into a Photo Book: Tap here to put your social media feed on your coffee table.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/story/id1437935219

 

[ssledoux]

Turn Your Pics Into a Photo Book: Tap here to put your social media feed on your coffee table.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/story/id1437935219

That's pretty cool! Unfortunately, it only does pics from your social media feed as far as I can tell.

 

[mollyc]

I've never been keen on the quality from Shutterfly, but there are oodles of book printing companies that have apps or you can work from your phone. Have you looked at Persnickety Prints? I've never used them for books, but have used them for 12x12 pages and press printed Christmas cards and I love their quality - better than a lot of "pro" labs, IMO.

https://www.persnicketyprints.com/photo-books/

 

[ssledoux]

I've never been keen on the quality from Shutterfly, but there are oodles of book printing companies that have apps or you can work from your phone. Have you looked at Persnickety Prints? I've never used them for books, but have used them for 12x12 pages and press printed Christmas cards and I love their quality - better than a lot of "pro" labs, IMO.

https://www.persnicketyprints.com/photo-books/

Do they have some that actually allow you to do stuff on the pages besides just put a photo? I need to be able to put several and arrange them or adjust the sizes. That's the issue I've had using Shutterfly's mobile site/app.

Shutterfly isn't my favorite as far as quality, but their storage is fantastic, and I've been using it for so long I just have tons of photos stored in there.

I have access to pro books as well because I work for a professional photographer, but I would have to do that from work, and I like working on stuff like this late at night (I'm a professed night owl).

 

[retta283]

I've always been a desktop person, and probably always will be. The iMac is the best standard store-bought desktop ever made in my opinion. I used Windows desktops alongside PowerMacs for years, but when I got my iMac the Windows desktop went into storage. Love the all-in-one design, with the wireless keyboard/mouse there is only one cable in the whole setup. I think it would be a good machine for you, even if it is not in constant use. It should last you a long time with your use case.

I also have impaired vision, so I like the big screens of desktops. Never been a huge fan of laptops, but a few with bigger screens were nice. I tried to switch to an iPad twice and failed to do so. The lack of a real file system is what stops me from switching.

 

[ssledoux]

I've always been a desktop person, and probably always will be. The iMac is the best standard store-bought desktop ever made in my opinion. I used Windows desktops alongside PowerMacs for years, but when I got my iMac the Windows desktop went into storage. Love the all-in-one design, with the wireless keyboard/mouse there is only one cable in the whole setup. I think it would be a good machine for you, even if it is not in constant use. It should last you a long time with your use case.

I also have impaired vision, so I like the big screens of desktops. Never been a huge fan of laptops, but a few with bigger screens were nice. I tried to switch to an iPad twice and failed to do so. The lack of a real file system is what stops me from switching.

I haven't felt like I was missing anything since I went all in with iPad a few years ago. I use computers at work (Windows - and I HATE it), but at home, I've used just iPad for a while and been completely satisfied with it.

However, after using my daughter's old computer for just a few days, it makes me realize how much I actually like using a full size screen, and this one is nowhere NEAR as nice as a retina would be - the words are all blurry. ;-p

I think I'll definitely wind up going back to a desktop - it's just a matter of time til I find the right one refurbished.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

That's pretty cool! Unfortunately, it only does pics from your social media feed as far as I can tell.

That is an article from the app store highlighting a bunch of different photo book apps, that addresses the need you expressed, there are lots of options

 

[ssledoux]

That is an article from the app store highlighting a bunch of different photo book apps, that addresses the need you expressed, there are lots of options

Oh okay - definitely checking it out - thanks!

 

[JavaJones]

That is an article from the app store highlighting a bunch of different photo book apps, that addresses the need you expressed, there are lots of options

De-lurking to add that there is a great photo book service called Blurb. I have used the desktop version of their software, but they also have a web interface and an app. It might work well on the iPad for your needs, but I have not personally tried out the app version

 

[wib]

Sorry to butt in, but my laptops (Windows) always come with a wireless mouse. I couldn't imagine using the trackpad (although they all have one too). Isn't it normal to have a mouse with a laptop? I use mine like a desktop, as in it lives on my desk and never goes anywhere.

 

[sparksd]

Sorry to butt in, but my laptops (Windows) always come with a wireless mouse. I couldn't imagine using the trackpad (although they all have one too). Isn't it normal to have a mouse with a laptop? I use mine like a desktop, as in it lives on my desk and never goes anywhere.

My preference is also to use a mouse but I'd say majority usage on a laptop is the trackpad (only by observation, no data to back that up with).

 

[ssledoux]

So I bit the bullet and ordered me a refurbished 2017, and now I'm second-guessing myself.

I don't know why I have so much trouble making decisions when it comes to stuff like this.

The thing is, I like the simplicity of being all in on iOS, but I like simplicity, so doing work arounds to get stuff done that I could likely do much more simply and easily on a desktop just frustrates me.

I like the idea that I could do everything with my iPad; so simple and minimalist. Unfortunately, I just can't see a way to make it happen.

So my iMac will arrive today (crazy because I ordered yesterday afternoon and they said Wednesday delivery, but it's coming today). I guess if I fall in love with it, it's here to stay...

 

[retta283]

So I bit the bullet and ordered me a refurbished 2017, and now I'm second-guessing myself.

I don't know why I have so much trouble making decisions when it comes to stuff like this.

The thing is, I like the simplicity of being all in on iOS, but I like simplicity, so doing work arounds to get stuff done that I could likely do much more simply and easily on a desktop just frustrates me.

I like the idea that I could do everything with my iPad; so simple and minimalist. Unfortunately, I just can't see a way to make it happen.

So my iMac will arrive today (crazy because I ordered yesterday afternoon and they said Wednesday delivery, but it's coming today). I guess if I fall in love with it, it's here to stay...

Hope it works out for you. The iMac is a wonderful computer. Not sure what the return policy is like for those, but give it a bit of time and if you feel it''s not useful you can send it back.

Sadly I am unable to use late 2009 to present iMacs due to an apparent issue between my eyes and the screen. Might have to do with photophobia

 

[VineRider]

So I bit the bullet and ordered me a refurbished 2017, and now I'm second-guessing myself.

I don't know why I have so much trouble making decisions when it comes to stuff like this.

The thing is, I like the simplicity of being all in on iOS, but I like simplicity, so doing work arounds to get stuff done that I could likely do much more simply and easily on a desktop just frustrates me.

I like the idea that I could do everything with my iPad; so simple and minimalist. Unfortunately, I just can't see a way to make it happen.

So my iMac will arrive today (crazy because I ordered yesterday afternoon and they said Wednesday delivery, but it's coming today). I guess if I fall in love with it, it's here to stay...

I understand the dilemma. I am a hybrid user....I use iOS for all my tablet and phone needs, but I am a heavy Windows user when it comes to desktop applications and my job. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and am trying to see if I can go all in on iOS and Mac OS. It's very hard to do when you are ingrained in certain ways of doing things and rely on certain workflows to get things done.

I am really struggling with the shortcut keys on the Mac to get things done quickly (email shortcuts in Outlook etc). So, I have put Parallels on the MacBook and can now run Windows in a virtual machine for those apps where I need a Windows solution.

So, I say all that to say I understand how you can struggle with this stuff. Sounds like you are pretty ingrained in the Apple ecosystem so I bet the Mac will be a great solution for you.

 

[ssledoux]

Hope it works out for you. The iMac is a wonderful computer. Not sure what the return policy is like for those, but give it a bit of time and if you feel it''s not useful you can send it back.

Sadly I am unable to use late 2009 to present iMacs due to an apparent issue between my eyes and the screen. Might have to do with photophobia

I've had iMacs in the past; just not for a while. I think the return policy is still 2 weeks as for other Apple devices.
[doublepost=1557243681][/doublepost]

I understand the dilemma. I am a hybrid user....I use iOS for all my tablet and phone needs, but I am a heavy Windows user when it comes to desktop applications and my job. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and am trying to see if I can go all in on iOS and Mac OS. It's very hard to do when you are ingrained in certain ways of doing things and rely on certain workflows to get things done.

I am really struggling with the shortcut keys on the Mac to get things done quickly (email shortcuts in Outlook etc). So, I have put Parallels on the MacBook and can now run Windows in a virtual machine for those apps where I need a Windows solution.

So, I say all that to say I understand how you can struggle with this stuff. Sounds like you are pretty ingrained in the Apple ecosystem so I bet the Mac will be a great solution for you.

Yeah I love Apple products to be sure - just hoping this isn't overkill for my needs. I feel like this is either gonna make my iPP pretty much a frivolous device where it has been my main device, and I feel like there are probably ways I could do all I need to, but it's just not as straightforward.

Just frustrating...

 

[horseflesh]

The thing is, I like the simplicity of being all in on iOS, but I like simplicity, so doing work arounds to get stuff done that I could likely do much more simply and easily on a desktop just frustrates me.

I like the idea that I could do everything with my iPad; so simple and minimalist. Unfortunately, I just can't see a way to make it happen.

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."

Based on how you described your wants and needs, I think you made the right decision.