I can be unproductive on any device. That’s however an issue of my attitude and not so much the device itself.
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iPad If you have a Macbook, iPhone, and an iPad ... what do you use the iPad for?
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Typical Day: iPad 90% (reading/research, comms), MBPro 5% (documentation, photo manipulation), iPhone 5% (work calls, photography, annotation on the go)
I tend to be in an ever-present cycle of attempting to downsize and am finally coming to the realization that I will likely end up with two iPads. I like the 11” I have but it’s not super comfortable to use as a tablet (it’s often housed on a keyboard case) and the screen is sufficiently reduced from the 12.9” (which I had before and decided is way too large for a do-all tablet) that commonly used apps like Safari and Mail are definitely compromised in comparison.
I just have no idea when: I tried the iPad mini in an Apple Store and the screen quality difference from my Pro was jarring. As that device would take the role of eBook and web browser, I remain sceptical…
I tend to be in an ever-present cycle of attempting to downsize and am finally coming to the realization that I will likely end up with two iPads. I like the 11” I have but it’s not super comfortable to use as a tablet (it’s often housed on a keyboard case) and the screen is sufficiently reduced from the 12.9” (which I had before and decided is way too large for a do-all tablet) that commonly used apps like Safari and Mail are definitely compromised in comparison.
I just have no idea when: I tried the iPad mini in an Apple Store and the screen quality difference from my Pro was jarring. As that device would take the role of eBook and web browser, I remain sceptical…
I think I'll use it as a second monitor as well to be honest
I'm surprised more people don't call this out but for me, iPad (and iPhone) are supported as managed work devices for me. Therefore my iPad doubles both as a personal device (surfing, social media, emails, youtube), as well as a work device where I can access outlook for emails/calendar, zoom, powerbi, teams, slack, etc... and having cellular built in means it's super useful when I walk around the city for work (used to be in a client facing role where I'd visit their sites) and can stop anywhere, access my OneNote, take minutes from meetings, access all the files on our server/my cloud storage, etc
Macbook Pro 14" is my computer when I sit at a desk or on couch and need to do stuff non-corporate work. iPhone is for taking photos/whatsapp/calling people/etc.
Macbook Pro 14" is my computer when I sit at a desk or on couch and need to do stuff non-corporate work. iPhone is for taking photos/whatsapp/calling people/etc.
My use has evolved over time and will evolve again as things change and I will adapt. I am grateful that I am in a position to own this many devices and its overlapping redundancies. I do feel that just owning one of these could do the bulk of what I need.
M1 MacBook Air - bought it during lochdown to remote into the company PC during 2020 and 2021 it was my main device used and I gave my iPad to my kid. I could answer calls, text, “work”, and content consumption. After going back to the office full time it’s rarely used now. Use it to print stuff (current printer not a compatible with iPad). I mainly use it for hobby DJ software and controller and to do banking, given I can do that on the iPad it’s more of a because I have it I try to find ways to still use it I guess. Also use it when I can’t find my reading glasses. (Could easily sell it and get by with the below)
iPad Mini 6 - main device now and use it for everything paired to an external monitor it can easily replace my MBA. Even with its “multitasking” limitations I can easily use it solely. I used the base iPad to remote work from home with slide over and split screen 98% easily. (If I didn’t have a MacBook I would have a 11 ipad pro)
iPhone 13 Mini - it’s a perfect pocket camera, text, email, quick look up companion that takes up no space in the pocket and is so light it’s not even there. (If I didn’t have either the iPad or macbook I would have the pro max phone.)
Not asked but will add;
Apple TV 4K - the main video watching device when not in bed.
Now I know that because of my job and the work supplied desktop PC things might be different. For work I live in an MS Excel world with too many complex formulas for any Apple device to handle.
M1 MacBook Air - bought it during lochdown to remote into the company PC during 2020 and 2021 it was my main device used and I gave my iPad to my kid. I could answer calls, text, “work”, and content consumption. After going back to the office full time it’s rarely used now. Use it to print stuff (current printer not a compatible with iPad). I mainly use it for hobby DJ software and controller and to do banking, given I can do that on the iPad it’s more of a because I have it I try to find ways to still use it I guess. Also use it when I can’t find my reading glasses. (Could easily sell it and get by with the below)
iPad Mini 6 - main device now and use it for everything paired to an external monitor it can easily replace my MBA. Even with its “multitasking” limitations I can easily use it solely. I used the base iPad to remote work from home with slide over and split screen 98% easily. (If I didn’t have a MacBook I would have a 11 ipad pro)
iPhone 13 Mini - it’s a perfect pocket camera, text, email, quick look up companion that takes up no space in the pocket and is so light it’s not even there. (If I didn’t have either the iPad or macbook I would have the pro max phone.)
Not asked but will add;
Apple TV 4K - the main video watching device when not in bed.
Now I know that because of my job and the work supplied desktop PC things might be different. For work I live in an MS Excel world with too many complex formulas for any Apple device to handle.
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I love using my iPad Pro for sheet music. What apps do you use? I use Sheet Music Direct.
I have mine at my kitchen table, doin' iPad stuff when cooking/eating, instagram, news and so on
I have mine at my kitchen table, doin' iPad stuff when cooking/eating, instagram, news and so on
Actually, another use I'll get out of it will be using it for recipes in the kitchen ... I currently use my iPhone for that but the larger screen of the iPad will be perfect.
Make sure you get a screen protector if you use it in the kitchen. I find it easier to wipe off oils, sauces, etc. from the tempered glass screen protector vs plain iPad display.
My iPad Pro is my light/portable laptop, since even with the MKB attached it's lighter and more portable than a 16" MBP. I use it for writing, 365/Azure management on the go, etc.
The iPad Mini's the bedside iPad, but it'll probably be sold next year if I decide to stick with the iPad 10 for that role since it's flexible for couch use, etc.
The iPad Mini's the bedside iPad, but it'll probably be sold next year if I decide to stick with the iPad 10 for that role since it's flexible for couch use, etc.
I fall into this gap. I love the iPad. But the only one I’ve ever bought is the first iPad Air 9+ years ago. And with a 16” MBP (Intel currently) and iPhone Pro Max’s, I just don’t need an iPad. I want one, but every year I just end up not getting one. I know it wouldn’t get used very much. And I just hate to think of it sitting there wasting away.
That was my fear, that I'd end up not using it and waste my money. But I think it will have its place. I lie on my bed often with the MacBook on my chest and the aluminium makes it slippery and it slides off often, so having the iPad in bed where I can hold it will make a difference.
For me, the iPad is all about having a light (1lb) device with a large screen (even the base model is now 10.9in). I own an MBA, so I have no desire to add expensive accessories that will add weight to my iPad. If I need a laptop, I'll use a laptop.
The iPad is a delight as a simple tablet. I recently bought the iPad 10th gen, and I know there are a fair amount of negative reviews and comments about this device. But, for $399 (on sale), it is a great secondary device for reading, content consumption, and light computing. Also, with Universal Control, it's a useful companion to my MBA. I hope to get about 4 years out of it. If so, I'll be satisfied.
The iPad is a delight as a simple tablet. I recently bought the iPad 10th gen, and I know there are a fair amount of negative reviews and comments about this device. But, for $399 (on sale), it is a great secondary device for reading, content consumption, and light computing. Also, with Universal Control, it's a useful companion to my MBA. I hope to get about 4 years out of it. If so, I'll be satisfied.
I bought an iPad Pro 12.9 as a stop-gap for my work from home duties to supplement my 2015 15 inch MBP. I ended up using it much more than I thought, largely because I was tired of hearing the fans spin all the time on my MBP, and it was so slow doing web-work. I got the iPad for whiteboarding duties during my zoom teaching sessions, it worked great for that. I also use it for grading, my handwriting is a little messy, but I’m hoping the students appreciate the more human touch than just putting in word or google docs comments. I did at one point realize that the iPad screen couldn’t hold a candle to the MBP screen, mine is a 2020 iPad, and yeah, I wish I could have waited a year to get the iPad. So when I’m traveling, I definitely prefer the MBP for watching movies, etc. The iPad is great for Mario Kart though.
I use my macbook pro as a desktop machine and my iPad as a laptop. Think I ****ed up somewhere.
My iPad used to be my notebook, mainly. Until I went analog again - loving pen to paper too much ;-)
And so my iPad is being used less. I even prefer watching movies / video's on my new MBA.
Screensize, keyboard, not sure why exactly - but I keep going back to the laptop for everything (of course, also working in Numbers, Pages etc.).
And so my iPad is being used less. I even prefer watching movies / video's on my new MBA.
Screensize, keyboard, not sure why exactly - but I keep going back to the laptop for everything (of course, also working in Numbers, Pages etc.).
I only use the iPad in the kitchen. The sealed keyboard means that I don't have to worry about spilling stuff on it when I'm cooking.
It's currently 7:55 am on Saturday morning and the delivery will occur on Monday afternoon, so after reading everyone's comments I'm feeling pretty excited.
I take my iPad to church every Sunday. So much more convenient to carry than my scriptures. I also teach Sunday School so it's easy to share videos to my Sunday School class from time to time. And like most others, I also use the iPad for casual reading, web browsing, game playing while at home.
This my neurosis, and let me know if anyone else feels this way, I hate redundant technology. I also have a sense of guilt if I have too many overlapping devices. So, I go back and forth on the iPad. Sometimes I think it’s the best computer Apple offers. Other times I am frustrated by iPadOS’s limitations. I will want a MacBook. Then I miss using the iPad for reading or drawing, so I will want an iPad. I hate the idea of owning both - they are both portable computers, but each are better in their own ways.
So at the moment I have an old iMac for traditional computing tasks. I do genuinely work faster on macOS, but I long for iPadOS to replace my needs for a Mac altogether. The 11” is the sweet spot for a “laptop” replacement, but it’s a clunky iPad.
I currently have the iPad mini 6, and it’s ok. I don’t love it. I feel like an iPhone Max would be close enough for me, it just needs to be a lot lighter - fingers crossed for that rumored titanium Max.
I also would love a cellular MacBook. Overall, none of Apple’s current lineup is overly enticing. If I could switch to a Galaxy Fold, I would…but I’ll be damned if Apple’s hooks aren’t deep in me.
So at the moment I have an old iMac for traditional computing tasks. I do genuinely work faster on macOS, but I long for iPadOS to replace my needs for a Mac altogether. The 11” is the sweet spot for a “laptop” replacement, but it’s a clunky iPad.
I currently have the iPad mini 6, and it’s ok. I don’t love it. I feel like an iPhone Max would be close enough for me, it just needs to be a lot lighter - fingers crossed for that rumored titanium Max.
I also would love a cellular MacBook. Overall, none of Apple’s current lineup is overly enticing. If I could switch to a Galaxy Fold, I would…but I’ll be damned if Apple’s hooks aren’t deep in me.
The truth is that I’m often trying to scroll the screen on my MBPs now. I do wish for a touch screen, but it doesn’t seem like it’s happening. There’s too much that iPad OS can’t do, so the MBP is still necessary.
Not me. I'm perfectly happy to have a complete toolbox rather than just one gadget to rule them all.
This is a great point. Took me a long and expensive year to learn it. Lol.