iPad as a laptop replacement

[Ludatyk]

For me, the true Magic Keyboard, https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...dec09183e801f37e223f9f4334683d54ae9406bf72f07
is the one. $99 and can use iPad in Portrait mode which is better for Document creation as it matches the form factor. Also easier to move around in different angles and orientations.

Yeah, I take that same approach. I prefer to be able to move around in various angles. I had used the true Magic Keyboard in the past. But it lacks backlighting… so I had moved to the K811 Logitech, which is now gone (sold it with my iMac).

Now I have the K2 Keychron Keyboard (RGB Backlighting), but I wish I would have waited for the K7 Keyboard… the ultra-slim model.

 

[ElDuderino91]

Well, I first thought this would be a cheaper and better solution for working at home… but I need a mobile solution. For the last Series I wrote I traveled to Sri Lanka. Traveling the world and staying in remote places to fully focus on my work is an important part for how I do my job. With this in mind I hope the expensive Magic Keyboard will do the job.

 

[macOS Lynx]

Here’s a list of the apps and activities I regularly did on my iPad:
- Browse the web with Safari
- Stream games with Stadia, Steam Link, and PS Remote Play
- Write documents and work on my Resume with Word and Pages
- Edit my gaming highlights with iMovie and Resolve
- Edit my ProRAW photos with Affinity
- Watch videos with YouTube and various streaming services

Well, I traded my MacBook Pro for my new 11” iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard, and I’m happy to say that with the exception of swapping Resolve with LumaFusion (I don’t do any heavy/high-end production so all the features I need are in LumaFusion), everything I was doing on my MacBook Pro i’m doing on my iPad.

In fact, I’m more productive with my iPad than I was with my Mac. The way I use my computer (even my desktop) is that I usually run my apps in full screen, alt+tabbing between them or occasionally doing side by sides, so the lack of floating window multitasking like a traditional OS isn’t anything I find myself missing (or even needing). Thanks to things like Slide Over I’m actually much more productive, as I can easily just pop an app open for quick info and hide it away.

Using the iPad as a laptop replacement or a main computer (I haven’t used my desktop for anything but gaming to the point I have it auto-boot into Steam Big Picture mode now) but for content consumers and amateu/intermediate content creators, I think the iPad is a complete and powerful viable alternative to a traditional computer. Unless you need to do something you just absolutely can’t do on an iPad (like high-end gaming, professional 3D modeling, programming, etc.), I think an iPad is a VERY viable alternative if it fits into your workflow.

I don’t think I’ll ever buy a laptop again. Those Apple commercials were right. My next computer really wasn’t a computer after all. It was something so much better.

 

[Ludatyk]

Well, I traded my MacBook Pro for my new 11” iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard, and I’m happy to say that with the exception of swapping Resolve with LumaFusion (I don’t do any heavy/high-end production so all the features I need are in LumaFusion), everything I was doing on my MacBook Pro i’m doing on my iPad.

Which MBP did you have?

The way I use my computer (even my desktop) is that I usually run my apps in full screen, alt+tabbing between them or occasionally doing side by sides, so the lack of floating window multitasking like a traditional OS isn’t anything I find myself missing (or even needing).

Yeah, that's one of the growing criticism of iPadOS right now.. the lack of window management. And I think Apple is making an effort with addressing it.. in iPadOS 15 users can manage SplitView windows in the AppSwitcher. But apparently that's not enough for macOS/Window users.

 

[macOS Lynx]

Which MBP did you have?

Yeah, that's one of the growing criticism of iPadOS right now.. the lack of window management. And I think Apple is making an effort with addressing it.. in iPadOS 15 users can manage SplitView windows in the AppSwitcher. But apparently that's not enough for macOS/Window users.

M1 MacBook Pro. I bought it to replace my 10.5” iPad Pro (because I wanted to try using macOS again after not having it for 5 years).

Don’t get me wrong it’s a great computer, and I absolutely loved it, I just realized that what I want is best achieved by an iPad.

 

[yalej]

I decided to try iPad Pro 12.9" over a MacBook for one simple reason: I can get my work e-mail directly on my iPad; otherwise I have to log in to a web portal or Citrix to do it.

My specific need is to be able to have an external display that I can use for a Citrix session, and work on the road for about 1 week more or less comfortably on occasion. This is possible now. The latest version of Citrix workspace supports full screen on an external display (mirrored of course, but no black bars). I've paired the iPad with a portable 15.6" 4K display (~$320), a portable VESA mount & stand for the 4K display, a separate BT keyboard (Logitech K380), and a BT mouse (MS Mouse, random I know but it's what I had laying around). In this way I am able to have a display at the appropriate height and replicate a normal desktop experience with mouse, keyboard, and display. It is essential you use a 4K display or the resolution is going to be whack (I tried with a 1080P display and it looks like garbage).

I have to say I am pretty pleased with that setup.

 

[Zazoh]

My specific need is to be able to have an external display that I can use for a Citrix session, and work on the road for about 1 week more or less comfortably on occasion. This is possible now. The latest version of Citrix workspace supports full screen on an external display (mirrored of course, but no black bars).

We’ll start seeing more of this, Horizon VMWare also supports full screen on external monitor as well.

 

[Drecca]

I decided to try iPad Pro 12.9" over a MacBook for one simple reason: I can get my work e-mail directly on my iPad; otherwise I have to log in to a web portal or Citrix to do it.

My specific need is to be able to have an external display that I can use for a Citrix session, and work on the road for about 1 week more or less comfortably on occasion. This is possible now. The latest version of Citrix workspace supports full screen on an external display (mirrored of course, but no black bars). I've paired the iPad with a portable 15.6" 4K display (~$320), a portable VESA mount & stand for the 4K display, a separate BT keyboard (Logitech K380), and a BT mouse (MS Mouse, random I know but it's what I had laying around). In this way I am able to have a display at the appropriate height and replicate a normal desktop experience with mouse, keyboard, and display. It is essential you use a 4K display or the resolution is going to be whack (I tried with a 1080P display and it looks like garbage).

I have to say I am pretty pleased with that setup.

which monitor are you using? Thoughts on it? How does it compare to Apple laptop screens in colors and brightness?

 

[ascender]

I still prefer iPadOS for doing lots of things and having the ability to touch the screen is so nice. But I still don’t think a touchscreen Mac is the answer, nor do I think having macOS on an iPad is the way to go. I think Apple will get there, but its just so slow sometimes waiting for them to implement features like proper external display support.

It’s also nice being able to use the Pencil when I feel like it and to remove the iPad from the Magic Keyboard for some things. I think its the flexibility I like the most - its nice being able to travel with one device which can be both a tablet and a laptop-style device.

That said, I’ve still no idea why its the iPad Pro which has been getting FaceID, the best screen tech, best front-facing camera, cellular etc when I’d love to see those features on a Mac laptop. Maybe all of this is just down to how Apple works and it’s never going to change - there will always be feature disparity between product lines caused by just how long it takes to get anything in to production.

 

[yalej]

which monitor are you using? Thoughts on it? How does it compare to Apple laptop screens in colors and brightness?

I got the UPERFECT True 4K Portable Monitor on Amazon. There’s many of these but I got this one for it’s max 400 nits brightness, the most important quality. I haven’t used it extensively yet, but initial impression is good.

It’s not as good as a Mac display but maybe 90% as good. For text I magnify the Windows settings by 200%. This does reduce workable screen space at 4K resolution but makes everything readable and usable.

 

[Somesayimhandsome]

i still find it crazy that itunes is not part of IPAD OS . i would like to restore my iphone without my PC or mac.. would be a nice feature

 

[ericwn]

i still find it crazy that itunes is not part of IPAD OS . i would like to restore my iphone without my PC or mac.. would be a nice feature

Totally valid point I think you raise here, however I don’t think we can expect this to change anytime soon. Apple has an interest to tie you to as much of iCloud as possible- hence they offer iCloud backups and restore options for those who don’t want to use iTunes or the Mac’s Finder.

They however have no benefit from porting the functionality of the old iTunes over to iPad.

iTunes as the center of our digital homes was the key when Apple sold iPods. Now with services around they prefer if we just subscribe to them. I wonder how many more years the Mac and Windows versions will continue to offer ways of dealing with “legacy “ files that users store locally.

 

[Somesayimhandsome]

Totally valid point I think you raise here, however I don’t think we can expect this to change anytime soon. Apple has an interest to tie you to as much of iCloud as possible- hence they offer iCloud backups and restore options for those who don’t want to use iTunes or the Mac’s Finder.

They however have no benefit from porting the functionality of the old iTunes over to iPad.

iTunes as the center of our digital homes was the key when Apple sold iPods. Now with services around they prefer if we just subscribe to them. I wonder how many more years the Mac and Windows versions will continue to offer ways of dealing with “legacy “ files that users store locally.

Well honestly let’s put it this way. Forget iTunes.. I just want a way to restore my other apple devices through iPad example.DFU mode iPhone. Apple really needs to add this feature

 

[stigzy]

I have an Macbook Pro 2016 model and and a 12,9 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard. Today i use the iPad 99% of the time and my Macbook Pro is dusting down. The time i use my Macbook Pro is when i am on vacation with my wifes parents and have to some working. I do work with accounting, so i am most effektiv working with at least 2 screens. Since iPad Pro dosent support that, i have to use my Macbook Pro. So if Apple would make it support external screen, i would sell my Macbook in an instant.

 

[Digitalguy]

I have an Macbook Pro 2016 model and and a 12,9 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard. Today i use the iPad 99% of the time and my Macbook Pro is dusting down. The time i use my Macbook Pro is when i am on vacation with my wifes parents and have to some working. I do work with accounting, so i am most effektiv working with at least 2 screens. Since iPad Pro dosent support that, i have to use my Macbook Pro. So if Apple would make it support external screen, i would sell my Macbook in an instant.

Every time I read "if I can do this (replace this with MacOS on Ipad, external monitor support, Final Cut on Ipad, etc) with the iPad, I'll get rid of my MacBook" I think to myself, mmh well that's probably why Apple is not doing that....

 

[ian87w]

Well honestly let’s put it this way. Forget iTunes.. I just want a way to restore my other apple devices through iPad example.DFU mode iPhone. Apple really needs to add this feature

This is the problem with iOS devices. In the end, they still need to be tethered to a computer. I don’t understand why Apple can’t have self recovery mode on iOS devices. It’s like Apple has a conflicting marketing decision. They want to sell more iPads and thus promoting it as a computer replacement, but they still want to sell Macs so after more than 10 years, it is still not a completely standalone device.

 

[ian87w]

Looking at things again, I think using an iPad for basic computing tasks is completely doable now. Majority of stuff that people do are through the browser. Increasingly, specific purpose apps now have their alternatives on iOS (eg lumafusion for advance video editing). Even Safari now can download files to be saved to the local storage and opened through Files. I think that covers majority of people’s computer use-case, especially if they are already acclimated to cloud services (eg Google Docs). Apps wise, Apple just need to make Preview for ipadOS.

Imo it’s not that one cannot use an iPad as a laptop replacement. It’s the fact that one still have to have a PC/Mac regardless, to troubleshoot the iPad if something goes wrong. Apple should put at least internet recovery mode on iPadOS so it can self recover from a catastrophic issue.

Price is also an issue. 11” is okay for a table, but arguably too small for a laptop replacement. That only leaves the 12.9” iPad Pro, which can be too expensive for many after you add the magic keyboard. Apple need to make a larger versions of the base iPad and iPad Air. But I don’t think that will ever happen as Apple wants people to give them more money, not less.

 

[contacos]

I just cannot deal with e-mails on iOS / iPadOS. For instance, I have no idea how to attach another e-mail to an e-mail or how to get attachments from multiple sources easily onto the email as well. What if I need the information of one email thread for another email, it is a pain in the a

 

[Mahasamatman]

I just cannot deal with e-mails on iOS / iPadOS. For instance, I have no idea how to attach another e-mail to an e-mail or how to get attachments from multiple sources easily onto the email as well. What if I need the information of one email thread for another email, it is a pain in the a

You can do all of that in split screen on an iPad. One side is the email you’re sending, the other is the app you want to attach an object from. I just did this with email attachments - new message on the left and inbox on the right - and it works fine. Same for any other app that supports drag and drop like Files or Photos. It’s really just how you would do it with different windows on a Mac or Windows PC.

 

[Ludatyk]

That only leaves the 12.9” iPad Pro, which can be too expensive for many after you add the magic keyboard. Apple need to make a larger versions of the base iPad and iPad Air. But I don’t think that will ever happen as Apple wants people to give them more money, not less.

Idk. Having a Magic Keyboard is always the prerequisite for using an 12.9 iPP for productivity purposes, which I find there are alternatives to the Magic Keyboard. I know that it is fantastic for the iPad and price is a factor. But my issue with the Magic Keyboard is viewing angles are limited.

If people want a larger iPad… just go for older models, like 3rd generation 12.9 iPad Pro. But I understand your point.. I agree, if Apple makes a larger 12.9 iPad Air it would only eat into profits of the Pad Pro.

 

[ian87w]

Idk. Having a Magic Keyboard is always the prerequisite for using an 12.9 iPP for productivity purposes, which I find there are alternatives to the Magic Keyboard. I know that it is fantastic for the iPad and price is a factor. But my issue with the Magic Keyboard is viewing angles are limited.

If people want a larger iPad… just go for older models, like 3rd generation 12.9 iPad Pro. But I understand your point.. I agree, if Apple makes a larger 12.9 iPad Air it would only eat into profits of the Pad Pro.

I actually thought of getting the older iPad Pros. But then I see the 12.9" magic keyboard is priced at $550 in my country. That cost almost as much as my Galaxy tab...

 

[Mainsail]

I frequent a local coffee shop that is primarily patronized by remote workers and students. This coffee shop is unique because it has a couple of large open work spaces for customers. Anyway, I see tons of folks working on laptops. I rarely see people working on iPads only. Of course, this is anecdotal. But, I wonder why people seem to be sticking with laptops when it is time to get stuff done.

 

[sparksd]

I frequent a local coffee shop that is primarily patronized by remote workers and students. This coffee shop is unique because it has a couple of large open work spaces for customers. Anyway, I see tons of folks working on laptops. I rarely see people working on iPads only. Of course, this is anecdotal. But, I wonder why people seem to be sticking with laptops when it is time to get stuff done.

I think most people still see the iPad as a tablet and more difficult to use as a work device. I rarely see people out using an iPad with any form of keyboard. Outside of myself, I haven't seen any of the many iPad owners I know use a keyboard. And even when I go out and plan to do some form of work, I take my Surface Pro 7 in lieu of my 12.9 Pro.

 

[clarencek]

I’ve been using an iPad + magic keyboard for about a month in place of my M1 MBP.

Note: I’m an office worker so deal mostly with office apps.
It’s doable as a laptop replacement, but there are a number of tasks that just take longer and require workarounds.
The two main issues are:

1. Multiple windows. Lets say you need to copy text from one word doc to another. It’s super cumbersome since all the iPad apps are single file only. So you have to open one, copy the text, then close it and open another to paste. This goes for pretty much any apps - PowerPoint, google docs, etc. it’s a problem and I wish these apps would implement something like Safari or Textastic which supports multiple windows.

2. Apps. Not all the apps have all the desktop features. And not all the apps support the magic keyboard trackpad. For example, google slides app has spotty support for the magic keyboard trackpad so to do some operations you still have to touch the screen. Really bizarre.

Some pros:
1. Internet everywhere without having to connect and drain your phone’s battery.

2. Portability. I have an 11 inch pro… it’s smaller and much more compact than the 13” MBP.

3. Apps and focus. I find the single / dual app views makes you focus a lot more than when using my MBP with all the apps open and visible. This is personal.
Also using some apps like Tapatalk on the iPad is much better than using a browser on the MBP.

Hope this helps for people looking to make the transition.

 

[rui no onna]

But, I wonder why people seem to be sticking with laptops when it is time to get stuff done.

Software and established workflows. Screen size and possibly keyboard layout, as well.

When I need to use a laptop for telecommuting, I reach for the $600 15.6" ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 with built-in numpad rather than the $1250 13.3" MBA or 13" $1100 ThinkPad X1 Nano.