iPad as a laptop replacement

[Hater]

Functionality wise I could probably do 95% of the things I want with my iPad, but the interface sucking plus the last 5% is the reason why my laptop gets used almost 24/7 and the iPad gathers dust. Even typing on forums really annoys me with a touchscreen.

 

[Mack812]

For the iPad to have a real shot at replacing laptops (for media functionality at least), a iPad Pro Plus model with native file system support and USB capability (for external drive support) is needed.

 

[0989383]

For the iPad to have a real shot at replacing laptops (for media functionality at least), a iPad Pro Plus model with native file system support and USB capability (for external drive support) is needed.

USB, and cables in general are not the future.

Even a local, physical drive or RAID setup in the future will have a WiFi connection to move data.. It’s also not far off being faster than the cables. At least fast enough to be usable, even at moving larger files.

The iPad now has a file system. It’s not fully grown up yet, but it does have one. And you can bet that each year it’ll get closer to the Mac’s and someday maybe even surpass it at this rate.

 

[Synergie]

USB, and cables in general are not the future.

Even a local, physical drive or RAID setup in the future will have a WiFi connection to move data.. It’s also not far off being faster than the cables. At least fast enough to be usable, even at moving larger files.

The iPad now has a file system. It’s not fully grown up yet, but it does have one. And you can bet that each year it’ll get closer to the Mac’s and someday maybe even surpass it at this rate.

Exactly the future is wireless, not wired. But if you want USB support it already is there. Grab either a Rav Power Hub or a Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro. The My Passport Wireless Pro is already its own external hard drive in its own right, but it has a USB slot and an SD card slot as well allowing you attach either another USB external drive or USB stick, and SD cards - so the drive acts as a hub. With the Rav power one I think its just a hub but you can connect external drives and SD cards USB cards etc. I use the My Passport Wireless Pro 4 TB. It’s fully battery operated and portable. Meaning I can take it anywhere. It also acts as a portable battery bank to charge the iPhone or ipad in a pinch. You can already access file system to a point as well. Just get a third party app like File Explorer or File Browser.

 

[Technarchy]

It’s possible. Though the laptop will always be the heavy lifter and more versatile tool.

Mind you, Apple’s stripped down, dongle dependent Macbooks are crippled out the box. The gap between iPad Pro and MacBook Pro is quite a bit smaller than prior years as a result.

 

[adambadamh]

I really dislike the new app switching eliminated the pull down to switch apps. I don't mind the addition of dragging from the dock, but there are frequently apps that are not in my dock I would like to switch to.

 

[Works4Me]

Not for me it's not. iOS 11 is an improvement, but there are still so many things that I can't do as well on an iPad as I can on a Mac. I like my iPad a lot, but it's a limited use scenario for me...

 

[everythingapplerainbow]

The dock is an improvement in how multitasking works. The new multiwindow capabilities have made me glad that I went (and stayed with) the 1st gen 12.9 Pro. Multiwindow works even more smoothly than it did under 10.

I'm not digging the single column of widgets in landscape mode (under 10, there were 2 columns). I'm also not digging the task switcher including all recently used apps regardless of whether or not they're actually running.

The Files application looks promising. Seems like it might be more useful than Readdle's Documents but I'll have to spend more time with it.

As for mouse support, with the added tweaks and functionality introduced with iOS 11, I'd say that I need mouse support more than ever.

the Readdle app is better at streaming video actually. Everything under Files app has to be downloaded to open
[doublepost=1506662587][/doublepost]

I do not think I can play a ton of games made for windows or even Mac on iPad .
The iOS app capability is limited.
No USB support for things like hard drive.
Too limited to be considered as a desktop system (you can do some hack, debugging, coding, using utilities like dual column file explorer, and so on).
So yes, mainly and probably only for casual users and some specialized professional users.

Me too, Xcode and programming is the only thing keeps me with the Mac

 

[max2]

Kinda.

 

[Eric5273]

the Readdle app is better at streaming video actually. Everything under Files app has to be downloaded to open

Yes, this was added in an update earlier this year if I remember correctly. It's a nice feature which I use quite often. You can stream any music or video file from any cloud service without downloading it to local space.

 

[Synergie]

I really dislike the new app switching eliminated the pull down to switch apps. I don't mind the addition of dragging from the dock, but there are frequently apps that are not in my dock I would like to switch to.

Just open one app, close it then open the second. While the second is open swipe up to see the dock and first app will be there in recent opened apps on right side of dock. Takes like 3 seconds tops.

 

[subjonas]

I don't mind the addition of dragging from the dock, but there are frequently apps that are not in my dock I would like to switch to.

I agree. I think making the dock the main way to initiate a split screen was a mistake for this reason and because initiating split screen apps not on the dock is more cumbersome than it needs to be. Not to mention my dock is starting to look too crowded.

 

[dingclancy23]

I still got the 2017 MacBook Pro. I had an aging 2011 MacBook Air and there is always that 5%.

Unlike before, I am not in the quest of removing myself from using a Mac. There are just apps I need on the Mac that the iPad does not.

But after using my MacBook for 2 months, I can say that the only tasks that the MBP is better for me is coding and spreadsheets. Those are only two tasks where I do not think twice about pulling up the MBP.

For all the remaining tasks, I use what is nearest to me, and most of the time it is the iPad Pro. I am talking about E-mail, Project Management, Providing Spec Feedback, Drafting Mockups, Mindmapping, and Outlining.

And all the other personal stuff is all iPad. For example when I want to open Youtube or even just Google Maps, I dread using the MBP. Why the heck does the fan turn on with these simple tasks?

So no it will never replace my laptop but for many many things, I do not need a laptop replacement. I need an iPad.

 

[Count Blah]

I agree 100% dc23. I would add the ability to manage my files as well. The 1st step to some degree of autonomy was introduced in iOS 11, but it's no where near enough for my tastes.

 

[CrystalQuest76]

i create Multi-media eLearning projects with Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, and Articulate Storyline. There is no functional equivalent in the iOS environment. Advanced formatting and spreadsheet is too limited on the iOS versions of Miscrosoft products. The iPad does do an amazing job, and certainly is a viable replacement for many people.

 

[Lapine Rider]

Just wondering do you guys believe the iPad pro is officially a laptop replacement yet. Would you still prefer some mouse support and how is the Files application since updating to iOS 11? I noticed there is a Chrome OS looking dock on iOS 11 now...is that working well?

Definitely needs a mouse and always has. In comparison to that enormous shortcoming the changes made in 11 were trivial and of no real significance to my usage, except in that somewhere along the way they ruined a perfectly good podcast app.

 

[everythingapplerainbow]

Why the heck does the fan turn on with these simple tasks?

yup, that is very annoying on the Macbook Pro despite I installed some software to disable the turbo boost

 

[Cool Pup]

It's always getting better but I simply cannot see a situation where an iPad is as efficient as a laptop with price and mobility, unless you do a lot of drawing or prefer touchscreens. The one-slate tablet is a great solution but iOS is too limited as opposed to a fully-fledged operating system like MacOS or even Windows 10. Once you bring in stuff like external keyboard cases for the iPad and other things it just makes a laptop more of a valid option considering the options you have open to you outside of the iOS environment.

iPads aren't cheap after all, so it's hard to recommend an iPad and all of the accessories of one for purely productivity purposes in my opinion unless you want to utilize the touchscreen which will never be implemented in MacOS in any real serviceable way. There's too many great laptop options that are on-par spec wise and function at a higher level than iPads for professional means.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Just wondering do you guys believe the iPad pro is officially a laptop replacement yet. Would you still prefer some mouse support and how is the Files application since updating to iOS 11? I noticed there is a Chrome OS looking dock on iOS 11 now...is that working well?

Absolutely not. I gave it a serious shot for about two weeks, but it simply did not work. The screen is way too small, audio is one app at a time only and many apps lack features I use all the time, such as the Safari Develop menu.

 

[Freyqq]

Depends on needs. If you're doing anything professional or graduate student-level stuff as your only device, it probably isn't going to be sufficient. If you're just using it as a consumption device and basic productivity device (with keyboard), then it's probably enough.

Not sure if I could part with full MS Office, for instance.

 

[itsmilo]

not until i can use JDownloader, convert mkv to mp4 or restore an iPhone on it

or have external storage appear in the useless files app. the screen is also too small to have different apps open at the same time. can you imagine writing a bachelor thesis on an iPad?

 

[Donfor39]

Since commenting I thought msoffice wasn't as good as win10 laptop.
I since re installed ms office mobile on my Asus 1.4ghz Atom 2gb ram 32gb internal flash drive.
Almost returned immediately to ipp pro 10.5 for excel budget.
Ippro wins as a home user.
Apple smart keyboard has been amazingly reliable as an addition.

 

[lookn4wifi]

I was in the market for a MacBook (Pro) when the pricetags gave me cold feet. I purchased an iPP 10.5, ASK and a iOS compatible printer. I’m currently on iOS 11.0.1 and able to do everything I need with this setup (admittingly nowhere near a power user). The laptop would have likely been overkill for me.

I’m using the iCloud Drive file system. It looks like I’ll be needing to start paying for cloud space soon thought. I could use a local file system as my 256gb of storage has plenty of empty space. I’ve not figured out how to make use of this space for file storage.

 

[profmjh]

(Have I posted to this thread already? LOL)

I bought the MacBook Pro TB 15-inch because, you know, I was addicted to Apple products. I got it at the student discount rate so I paid about £2,200 for it. Which is utterly ridiculous and completely unjustifiable. But, you know, Apple addiction.

iOS 11 was a game-changer for me. For what I was using the MBP for, I really couldn’t justify keeping it. I sold it, and my iPad Pro 9.7, and bought an iPad Pro 10.5 plus Smart Keyboard.

And now I’m as happy as Larry. (It’s a phrase.) The iPad is like a little mini laptop. But with a touch screen. And Apple Pencil. I love the Smart Keyboard — I get great typing speeds on it. I’m getting used to the iPad version of Excel and really like using it.

Of course, I still have my iMac for when only a Mac will do, but I use it mostly when I need its much larger display. And for more complicated Excel tasks. And InDesign.

Net effect — I’ve recouped a tonne of money and I have a really great set-up that I’m very happy with.

 

[Mack812]

I was in the market for a MacBook (Pro) when the pricetags gave me cold feet. I purchased an iPP 10.5, ASK and a iOS compatible printer. I’m currently on iOS 11.0.1 and able to do everything I need with this setup (admittingly nowhere near a power user). The laptop would have likely been overkill for me.

I’m using the iCloud Drive file system. It looks like I’ll be needing to start paying for cloud space soon thought. I could use a local file system as my 256gb of storage has plenty of empty space. I’ve not figured out how to make use of this space for file storage.

I use File Explorer as my file storage app for photos and other files.