iPad If you have a Macbook, iPhone, and an iPad ... what do you use the iPad for?

[TorbenIbsen]

I just ordered an iPad Air 5th Gen and someone mentioned that since I have an iPhone and MacBook I probably won't use an iPad that much. But I think I will as an eBook reader, surf social media and read the news.

Newspaper apps, Sky News, HBO Max, Britbox, Netflix, Youtube, Swiftscan, Imdb, PDF Expert, Polycam, Google Earth, DJI Fly (drone app), Graphic, Affinity Designer, Vectornator, iDesign, Sketches, Notability, Procreate, Artrage Vitae, Night Sky, Solar Walk 2, Nasa, Visible Body apps (Muscle, Skeleton, Atlas), 3D Dental Patient, WikiLinks, Bluefire reader, Star Walk 2, SkySafari Plus, Earthcam, Dog Anatomy, Bosch DYU, Documents (from Readdle), Metropolitan (museum), Louvre HD, Keep It Mobile (Super database app everybody should use). And 2-3 news apps from each of the 50 US states. And much more.

 

[Skeptical.me]

As someone who has spent a lot of time here on Macrumors and has gone back and forth between no iPad and (mostly) iPad —- I’ve found that reading what other people do with their devices often times doesn’t help me find out how I use devices. Yeah, it gives me an idea of how others use their devices but what works for me - I actually had to put a bit of effort into finding out what I like.

I like reading books in a comfortable setting and that’s hard to do with an iPhone or MacBook no matter how hard I tried.

Reading text on an iPad is just so freaking comfortable. And I do a lot of reading that I can’t replicate on any other device.


And last thing I’ve noticed… I WANT to just have one device. I often times try to force my usage to one device because I feel bad for having several devices just sitting around unused at every hour of the day. After work/weekends an iPad works for me. During late evenings (gaming) and for work - my MacBook is exactly what I need. When I’m out and about an iPhone is perfect.

I love Star Trek analogy. You’ve got the main viewer for when you’re on the bridge, the consoles in the back of the bridge for heavy research, PADDs/laptops for reading in quarters, and those handheld devices for when you’re on away missions. No one device. Sadly, most of my time is spent at home these days. So iPad works great for me.


I pay for Youtube Premium to get rid of ads (family and share it with others). Then I use 1Blocker for my apple devices (safari).

I think it will take some time for me to find out how I use all my devices, but I'm pretty sure I'll be using the iPad every time I lie in bed, and on the couch reading.

I'm still in awe at your record of 56 books read in 1 year. Amazing.

I didn't consider getting rid of ads on Youtube by paying for their premium feature. I use ad/tracker blocking at the router level and it's very effective, but there is an issue with Youtube video ads I think it has to do with Youtube using the same domain for their videos and their video ads, but not 100% sure, however.

 

[cardfan]

I just ordered an iPad Air 5th Gen and someone mentioned that since I have an iPhone and MacBook I probably won't use an iPad that much. But I think I will as an eBook reader, surf social media and read the news.

I do most of that on computer or phone. iPad is kinda useless besides drawing or pdf/comics. Show off docs. Etc.

 

[rctneil]

I had an iPad Mini 1st gen and hardly ever used it. The iPad is just not for me. I have my MacBook Pro 14" and my iPhone 13 Pro and that combination works perfectly for me!

 

[Rainshadow]

I think, iPad is luxurious product; not having that wont stop you to accomplish the stuff. iPad only gave more comfortable and natural way to do the work with computer-like devices. I can “forget” using iPad for few days during very busy day and not missing anything, but during my free time and holiday, I feel incomplete if I didn’t do something with the iPad.

I sincerely appreciate hearing these other viewpoints. Makes me think.

If I had to call a device “luxurious”, I would say a MacBook Pro would be to me. I *could get most things done on my iPad, but it would be difficult with workarounds. The mac is big, bulky and overpowered for my needs. Therefore, I would call that my luxury.

With that said, if your Mac is used for income and career development, I can see that being a necessity and not a luxury. Maybe that’s the difference. My job mandates a PC. So I have a PC at home. I have a Mac as well, and that’s probably why I would consider the max a luxury item for me.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

It honestly shocks me the number of people who say they use their macs for viewing content and browsing the internet.

Isn't that what you are supposed to use the macs for? It's a computer and I use it and an external monitor. Right now I'm typing this message on my mac and I'm probably going to use it as a second screen to watch a hockey game while the Football game is on the TV. I don't know why that would be shocking.

 

[Skeptical.me]

I had an iPad Mini 1st gen and hardly ever used it. The iPad is just not for me. I have my MacBook Pro 14" and my iPhone 13 Pro and that combination works perfectly for me!

Yeah, it appears either people have a use for the iPad or not, I guess it all comes down to how you prefer to do the things you do on devices.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I had all three. I had a macbook, an ipad pro & an iphone. I got rid of the macbook. I’m an artist who travels a lot, and the ipad pro was just better for me. Not only could i draw on it with the Apple pencil which i couldn’t do on the macbook, the iPad pro also handled all my photo & video editing that i used to do on the macbook just fine. It was also more enjoyable to consume media on as well as lighter & easier to travel with. I don’t miss my mcbook at all. My iphone also replaced my heavy dslr as my go to travel camera. basically my iPad Pro & iPhone are all I need when traveling & creating. I also have an iPad mini for when I really want to travel light. 😉

 

[rui no onna]

I do most of that on computer or phone. iPad is kinda useless besides drawing or pdf/comics. Show off docs. Etc.

I dislike reading ebooks on desktop/laptop. I used to do it 15 years ago back when I had no other option. Now, my favorite device for reading is the iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

If I had to call a device “luxurious”, I would say a MacBook Pro would be to me. I *could get most things done on my iPad, but it would be difficult with workarounds. The mac is big, bulky and overpowered for my needs. Therefore, I would call that my luxury.

With that said, if your Mac is used for income and career development, I can see that being a necessity and not a luxury. Maybe that’s the difference. My job mandates a PC. So I have a PC at home. I have a Mac as well, and that’s probably why I would consider the max a luxury item for me.

Same here, except I work primarily at the office and I have an employer provided Windows desktop. At home, I prefer to use my own ThinkPad instead of the employer provided Dell Latitude but they're still both Windows anyway.

I bought the M1 MacBook Air but found that I don't really like MacOS. Hence, I would (maybe not so) willingly spend $2K on a 1TB cellular iPad Pro but would not consider buying a $2K+ MacBook Pro when a $600-1000 Windows laptop does the job just as well (better in my case).

 

[Skeptical.me]

Same here, except I work primarily at the office and I have an employer provided Windows desktop. At home, I prefer to use my own ThinkPad instead of the employer provided Dell Latitude but they're still both Windows anyway.

I bought the M1 MacBook Air but found that I don't really like MacOS. Hence, I would (maybe not so) willingly spend $2K on a 1TB cellular iPad Pro but would not consider buying a $2K+ MacBook Pro when a $600-1000 Windows laptop does the job just as well (better in my case).

I also use a Windows PC for a media server and a Usenet downloader. Windows PCs are definitely cheaper than buying an iMac or Mac mini lol, does the job I need it to do.

 

[Rainshadow]

Isn't that what you are supposed to use the macs for? It's a computer and I use it and an external monitor. Right now I'm typing this message on my mac and I'm probably going to use it as a second screen to watch a hockey game while the Football game is on the TV. I don't know why that would be shocking.

We’re discussing the place of an iPad in your home lineup. I have no problem with computers for content. My point is - for those with an apple ecosystem, an iPad is far more comfortable for me to use in terms of general browsing and convenience.

 

[Seanm87]

MacBook Pro: productivity and work
Ipad Pro: Consumption
Iphone: Mobile device

 

[Mr. Awesome]

I love using my iPad Pro for sheet music. What apps do you use? I use Sheet Music Direct.

I usually use MuseScore and sometimes Sheet Music Direct as well.

 

[rui no onna]

I also use a Windows PC for a media server and a Usenet downloader. Windows PCs are definitely cheaper than buying an iMac or Mac mini lol, does the job I need it to do.

Lol, the cheapest thing about them being internal storage and RAM upgrades (compared to Apple at least).

I just bought a Crucial MX500 4TB SATA SSD for $238. Sure, it's not as fast as NVMe or M1/M2 storage but good enough for my use (built-in/internal secondary storage on the laptop).

 

[sjsharksfan12]

We’re discussing the place of an iPad in your home lineup. I have no problem with computers for content. My point is - for those with an apple ecosystem, an iPad is far more comfortable for me to use in terms of general browsing and convenience.

That's for you, but I was addressing the whole "I'm shocked people would use the macs for browsing and watching content" idea. I like the Ipad for browsing and watching content in Bed, but it won't replace a computer. Also, the Ipad is small enough that I use it as an extra screen. I saw that post as being why are you using a laptop for things you can actually use a laptop for. I was confused.

Since everyone is saying how they use the Apple Ecosystem:

Phone: I use it more of an Ipod and Text Messaging device. I listen to music and podcasts and do some browsing if I'm mostly away.

Mac/PC: I have a PC as an older computer because I trade stocks and I use Fidelity Active Pro. It doesn't work on the Mac, unfortunately. I also track my finances in Quickbooks on the PC. I use the mac purely as a internet browsing and media content device.

Ipad: See above. I use it for when I'm not at the computer and I plan to try to do more reading.

Apple Watch: Working out, closing the rings, checking the time. I would say the Apple Watch is the one device that is on me the entire day, at least until I get my 12 stand hours in and then I might take it off for the night.

 

[1BadManVan]

As much as I dont need my iPad anymore, I still enjoy picking it up and using it. I especially love using it in the kitchen to stream shows while im cooking. Honestly though, if it broke one day, I wouldn't be in a rush to replace it. I honestly prefer my iPhone and MacBook combo I have now

 

[kave]

I have all three, the ipad is used for consumption of media, browsing, reading emags etc. At home itsmy most used device, the iPad Pro 11.

 

[HDFan]

If a quick read away from my Mac it's my iPhone. Use my iPad when I settle in for an extended read and it's worth the extra effort to put the iPad in its pillow stand.

 

[sunking101]

I watch films and have YouTube sessions on my iPad but find it so much easier to spend hours web surfing on my phone. It's more comfortable to hold for extended periods and much easier to type on. I never use my MacBook.

 

[sunking101]

I had all three at one point. I traded in the iPad for an M2 MacBook Air, four months ago. Why? YouTube ads on the iPad started to hurt my brain. Ads in general, honestly, kill the internet for me.

Switched over to the M2 Air for my entertainment and browsing needs, with ABP installed, the internet is back to normal. Videos play without ad breaks. No distractions and interruptions. M2 Air dominates everything about the iPad. iPad is useless unless you want the Apple Pencil 2 and do art with it.

Air + iPhone = perfect, every day usage machines.

Watch YouTube on Safari with ABP installed. Don't use the app.

 

[Morrissey]

I have the three…
Macbook just for presentations at work (20%)
iPhone 14PM calls, social media & pictures (30%)
and two iPads Pro… the 12.9” first Gen that is super heavy (just for media consumption at home) 10%,
and a new M1 11” That I’m using for work & social media (40%), it’s so light and sometimes even faster than the iPhone…

 

[Blowback]

I just ordered an iPad Air 5th Gen and someone mentioned that since I have an iPhone and MacBook I probably won't use an iPad that much. But I think I will as an eBook reader, surf social media and read the news.

Have all 3 and use the iPad for reading; video conferencing ; sometimes movies in bed; Apple Fitness; Notes; etc. etc....And backup storage for some files and photos. Just a 'few' uses off the top....Ipad is great for reading in the park or elsewhere .

 

[Skeptical.me]

I now have my M1 iPad Air and have been setting it up all afternoon. It’s great having an 8 core 3.2ghz processor in it, very quick and responsive. A lot more powerful than my MacBook Air.

 

[GerritV]

I now have my M1 iPad Air and have been setting it up all afternoon. It’s great having an 8 core 3.2ghz processor in it, very quick and responsive. A lot more powerful than my MacBook Air.

Congratulations!
I got one for my wife about a month ago, and it's a quick device indeed.
Enjoy