iPad as a laptop replacement

[macbikegeek]

I tried an iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard for a few months for travel (several years ago). For just typing text, it was fine. Spreadsheets and other more complex programs were a pain to use. This may have improved, and the iPad is a great tablet, but as others have noted in the thread, it's not the same as a computer. YMMV, so I'd recommend borrowing an iPad with a keyboard and trying it out before deciding.

 

[Mainsail]

I tried an iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard for a few months for travel (several years ago). For just typing text, it was fine. Spreadsheets and other more complex programs were a pain to use. This may have improved, and the iPad is a great tablet, but as others have noted in the thread, it's not the same as a computer. YMMV, so I'd recommend borrowing an iPad with a keyboard and trying it out before deciding.

My experience has largely been the same. The iPad is a fantastic tablet, and I have enjoyed using it as such. When I try to use it like a laptop replacement, the frustration begins, especially with productivity apps (e.g. spreadsheets) and multi-tasking intensive tasks.

My recommendation for typical everyday consumers: MacBook Air ($900 on sale) + iPad 9 ($300 on sale) = $1,200.

• MBA for productivity and multi-tasking
• iPad for reading and casual computing (also a great vacation companion). Disregarding Side car & Universal Control, iPad does provide an additional independent screen that can compliment the MBA when working on multiple documents and the like. For example, Handoff works pretty effectively for cutting and pasting from one device to the other.

You can easily get 6 years out of the MBA and 4 years out of the iPad. Assuming zero resale value, that's a total of $225 ($150 + $75) per year, or ~$4.25 per week. About one hot venti beverage per week. It's a great value....but, of course, this setup might not work for everyone, so like you say; YMMV.

 

[DeepIn2U]

That not really Microsoft problem but Intel problem.

Buy any laptop or Tablet and enjoy your 3 hour battery life than shop around and you will be lucky to find some high end one with a say 8 hour battery life.

You want a long battery life and laptop or Tablet with no fans and really cool to the touch forget about Intel or AMD.

Complain to Intel and AMD for not making a great tablet or netbook CPU.

They’re the biggest partners in the entire tech industry and work together from inception to fill product manufacturing. Intel abs Microsoft have had literary 3 decades + to solve these issues - cpu efficiencies, and have yet to really do anything significant. This is the tower they’ve built and it’s collapsing continuously.

 

[vddobrev]

My experience has largely been the same. The iPad is a fantastic tablet, and I have enjoyed using it as such. When I try to use it like a laptop replacement, the frustration begins, especially with productivity apps (e.g. spreadsheets) and multi-tasking intensive tasks.

My recommendation for typical everyday consumers: MacBook Air ($900 on sale) + iPad 9 ($300 on sale) = $1,200.

• MBA for productivity and multi-tasking
• iPad for reading and casual computing (also a great vacation companion). Disregarding Side car & Universal Control, iPad does provide an additional independent screen that can compliment the MBA when working on multiple documents and the like.

You can easily get 6 years out of the MBA and 4 years out of the iPad. Assuming zero resale value, that's a total of $225 ($150 + $75) per year, or ~$4.25 per week. About one hot venti beverage per week. It's a great value....but, of course, this setup might not work for everyone, so like you say; YMMV.

There is something crucial to understand and have in mind when we discuss the iPad as a laptop replacement. Different people think of this differently. First, many assume that the laptop that the iPad replaces is the only device. In my perspective, the iPad has completely replaced my laptop. But, I have two desktop computers that do my heavy lifting - a Mac mini and a Mac Pro. So, for me personally, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a complete laptop replacement because the tasks that I did on my MacBook Pro were trivial - like in bed reading, media consumption etc. Any other tasks I still do on my desktop computers. So yes, you cannot do all on the iPad, but for many people the laptop is a secondary device, and as such the iPad can be and is a complete replacement, in the sense that I would never do any heavy spreadsheet editing or similar on the laptop... But again this is my own perspective and opinion. The iPad has been and is an outstanding replacement of my laptop, especially with the Magic keyboard for iPad.

 

[Mainsail]

There is something crucial to understand and have in mind when we discuss the iPad as a laptop replacement. Different people think of this differently. First, many assume that the laptop that the iPad replaces is the only device. In my perspective, the iPad has completely replaced my laptop. But, I have two desktop computers that do my heavy lifting - a Mac mini and a Mac Pro. So, for me personally, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a complete laptop replacement because the tasks that I did on my MacBook Pro were trivial - like in bed reading, media consumption etc. Any other tasks I still do on my desktop computers. So yes, you cannot do all on the iPad, but for many people the laptop is a secondary device, and as such the iPad can be and is a complete replacement, in the sense that I would never do any heavy spreadsheet editing or similar on the laptop... But again this is my own perspective and opinion. The iPad has been and is an outstanding replacement of my laptop, especially with the Magic keyboard for iPad.

Yes. This makes sense. There are certainly people that can function effectively with a desktop plus an iPad.

 

[sparksd]

There is something crucial to understand and have in mind when we discuss the iPad as a laptop replacement. Different people think of this differently. First, many assume that the laptop that the iPad replaces is the only device. In my perspective, the iPad has completely replaced my laptop. But, I have two desktop computers that do my heavy lifting - a Mac mini and a Mac Pro. So, for me personally, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a complete laptop replacement because the tasks that I did on my MacBook Pro were trivial - like in bed reading, media consumption etc. Any other tasks I still do on my desktop computers. So yes, you cannot do all on the iPad, but for many people the laptop is a secondary device, and as such the iPad can be and is a complete replacement, in the sense that I would never do any heavy spreadsheet editing or similar on the laptop... But again this is my own perspective and opinion. The iPad has been and is an outstanding replacement of my laptop, especially with the Magic keyboard for iPad.

Exactly - can it replace your laptop as a mobile device? I had gotten to where on a trip I would leave my laptop at home and take my 12.9 iPad (the 2021 version now). But I've gone back to the laptop (a Surface Pro 7) while traveling as I just don't trust the iPad with my exFAT-formatted external devices - I want to work with camera SD cards and backup storage for them. In addition, I use that backup storage for holding any Lightroom-processed images I may create.

 

[DeepIn2U]

There is something crucial to understand and have in mind when we discuss the iPad as a laptop replacement. Different people think of this differently. First, many assume that the laptop that the iPad replaces is the only device. In my perspective, the iPad has completely replaced my laptop. But, I have two desktop computers that do my heavy lifting - a Mac mini and a Mac Pro. So, for me personally, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a complete laptop replacement because the tasks that I did on my MacBook Pro were trivial - like in bed reading, media consumption etc. Any other tasks I still do on my desktop computers. So yes, you cannot do all on the iPad, but for many people the laptop is a secondary device, and as such the iPad can be and is a complete replacement, in the sense that I would never do any heavy spreadsheet editing or similar on the laptop... But again this is my own perspective and opinion. The iPad has been and is an outstanding replacement of my laptop, especially with the Magic keyboard for iPad.

Great explanation - pretty much falls right into the core attributes for the reason WHY iPad was produced and marketed in the very first place. It had to be 'better' at specific tasks that a laptop or a desktop would not be able to do in field of environments.

Personally - I've had a taste and I love the iPad Pro, but I'm also a traditionalist when it comes to 'computers' - yet many tasks that are required on laptops/desktops - surely those that have been raved about by a particular frustrated someone in the last several pages of this thread, don't really apply to me, personally.

Now ... I'm curious ... has anyone had any success, having a secure connection from a home based Mac Pro/Mac mini/iMac + iPad/iPad Pro where the later is a window of sorts to accomplish tasks that one would WANT to do on the iPad natively yet cannot, yet achieving those tasks with a remote internet connection to their desktop Mac?

Hmm.

 

[Slartibart]

Now ... I'm curious ... has anyone had any success, having a secure connection from a home based Mac Pro/Mac mini/iMac + iPad/iPad Pro where the later is a window of sorts to accomplish tasks that one would WANT to do on the iPad natively yet cannot, yet achieving those tasks with a remote internet connection to their desktop Mac?

Hmm.

well, for command line access there are actually quite a number of SSH-clients available. For remote access to x86-Macs and Linux machines in my lab we use DWService and for Apple Silicon machines AnyDesk.

 

[Isamilis]

Partially replace the laptop? Yes. Completely replace? Not yet. Since I have iPP 11”, I used my mba much less, but still need it for complex tasks (i.e. Excel and managing my website). I think, Mac + iPad combo will remain until next few years (with more people use tablet exclusively every year).

 

[Bubble99]

They’re the biggest partners in the entire tech industry and work together from inception to fill product manufacturing. Intel abs Microsoft have had literary 3 decades + to solve these issues - cpu efficiencies, and have yet to really do anything significant. This is the tower they’ve built and it’s collapsing continuously.

What I'm saying is Laptops always had horrible battery life and cooling problems.

I got a HP laptop for $900 in the year 2006 and after two years only got if you lucky one hour of battery life and ran really hot.

Look at the big water coolers and big heat sinks on very large desktop cases with lots of fans and still running very hot.

Intel has lost to ARM when it comes to tablets, smartphones and netbooks. The pentium and Celeron chips used in cheep windows laptops under $600 are beyond horrible.

When you have cheap iPad for $300 and the CPU and GPU can run circles around intel's pentium , Celeron and i3 and some of the i5s is very bad.

Intel and AMD roots is desktop computers not laptops or mobile where ARM is very rooted in mobile.

Where ARM will not make is good $3,000 gaming desktop computer playing Grand Theft Auto or Crysis on high setting.

It is only in the past 5 years windows laptops have started to improve but still probably be other 10 years before a $300 windows laptop can match a $300 iPad today when comes to long battery, no heat and fast CPU and GPU that the pentium and Celeron chips and i3s cannot get any where close to that level today.

But by that time Apple $300 iPad will be no where like the $300 iPad today when it comes to CPU and GPU. There just no way Intel or AMD can keep up when it comes to tablets, smartphones and netbooks.

 

[sparksd]

Some of the world's most advanced websites are built and maintained using only an iPad. Excel runs perfectly on iPad too, and don't ignore Numbers as a compelling alternative. All the pieces of the jigsaw are there waiting for you to seize the moment and abandon the legacy Mac platform.

Excel runs well on the iPad but you also need to note that it is not a full Excel implementation - it has missing functionality (e.g., macro support, which I need). Same is true with Word. So no, not all of the pieces are there.

 

[Bodhitree]

When you have cheap iPad for $300 and the CPU and GPU can run circles around intel's pentium , Celeron and i3 and some of the i5s [it] is very bad [for the laptop makers].

I think that is a very sound historical perspective. It is actually gaming that is pushing performance of the desktop higher and hotter, while in effect the ARM platform is catching up in terms of speed in consumer chips at a much lower power point, coming from the more efficient mobile and tablet platforms.

It seems to me that cooler, more efficient computers are the way of the future. You have fewer heat faults, the machines last longer, and software support becomes the limiting factor.

 

[Arctic Moose]

I gave you a perfect example of what I mean by a situation to whom someone hit a roadblock and found a solution. And I agree with @sparkd, we all have our preferences. But you on the other hand... is the reason behind my post, you oppose the iPad as a laptop replacement.

There are also tons and tons of examples in this thread of issues that have no practical solution on an iPad, all responded to by the iPad-proponents either with silence or "that's dumb, why would you want to do THAT?"

The iPad is still years and years from being a viable replacement for many of us, despite our best efforts to shoehorn it in.

 

[Ludatyk]

There are also tons and tons of examples in this thread of issues that have no practical solution on an iPad, all responded to by the iPad-proponents either with silence or "that's dumb, why would you want to do THAT?"

You bring this up… who are you quoting saying “that’s dumb, why would you want to do that?” Because I gave you an example the issue someone came across.

The iPad is still years and years from being a viable replacement for many of us, despite our best efforts to shoehorn it in.

Years? How can you make this statement… that’s broad generalization. And I believe @vddobrev made my point… that we all have a few devices. I have a PC (mainly used for server purposes) along with my iPad Pro…. years ago I’ll have a laptop instead of the iPad. Therefore the iPad has replaced my laptop.

I’m not saying… the iPad is the only device that a person has to have. Many of us have a selection of tools to do a certain task. Can I use an iPad for VM purposes? Can I use an iPad for native full Office suite? No.. to neither of those. But for the most part the iPad has done it’s part to replace a laptop for ME and I understand some might not have gotten there.

And that’s perfectly okay.

 

[cflem]

There are also tons and tons of examples in this thread of issues that have no practical solution on an iPad, all responded to by the iPad-proponents either with silence or "that's dumb, why would you want to do THAT?"

The iPad is still years and years from being a viable replacement for many of us, despite our best efforts to shoehorn it in.

I wouldn’t say “years” away - I would say one solid iPadOS update away… The hardware is there - the question is - does Apple wanna open up iPadOS a little more…

 

[Zazoh]

share a few examples of these websites you speak of including proof how they’re build and maintained solely on iPads.

Websites are easy. Textastic is a great program for SFTP access to servers. If it can, and it is done on Chromebook, it can be done on iPad. 1 and 1 hosting allows full development in browser.

Here is one persons journey: https://medium.com/@ow/the-2021-guide-to-coding-on-an-ipad-pro-5428d062c5ff

Also working with large datasets and scripting rather than using Excel is the preferred way of heavy lifting. The organization I work for doesn’t even allow macros in Excel. Just not a good enterprise tool in 2022.

But, that’s off topic. Some folks continue to need legacy technology to perform legacy tasks. Also check out Federico Vittici for all he does on iPad.

 

[sparksd]

Websites are easy. Textastic is a great program for SFTP access to servers. If it can, and it is done on Chromebook, it can be done on iPad. 1 and 1 hosting allows full development in browser.

Here is one persons journey: https://medium.com/@ow/the-2021-guide-to-coding-on-an-ipad-pro-5428d062c5ff

Also working with large datasets and scripting rather than using Excel is the preferred way of heavy lifting. The organization I work for doesn’t even allow macros in Excel. Just not a good enterprise tool in 2022.

But, that’s off topic. Some folks continue to need legacy technology to perform legacy tasks. Also check out Federico Vittici for all he does on iPad.

The point is that if you need full-function Excel, you can't use the iPad for it (same with Word). Whether Excel is a good enterprise tool is a matter for debate but not really relevant if you work in a large organization with a significant investment in complex spreadsheets.

 

[ericwn]

Websites are easy. Textastic is a great program for SFTP access to servers. If it can, and it is done on Chromebook, it can be done on iPad. 1 and 1 hosting allows full development in browser.

Here is one persons journey: https://medium.com/@ow/the-2021-guide-to-coding-on-an-ipad-pro-5428d062c5ff

Also working with large datasets and scripting rather than using Excel is the preferred way of heavy lifting. The organization I work for doesn’t even allow macros in Excel. Just not a good enterprise tool in 2022.

But, that’s off topic. Some folks continue to need legacy technology to perform legacy tasks. Also check out Federico Vittici for all he does on iPad.

Feeding a website editor via a CMS is hardly “the world’s most advanced websites”.

I have followed Federico for a while and his use cases aren’t necessarily those of the most people either. Good for him that he gets stuff done his way but that doesn’t mean it works or is the preferred workflow for anywhere close to the majority of users.

The vast majority of pro photographers cannot rely solely on iPad because even though some apps exist there isn’t always the capability to work with specific raw files, batch processing is missing in plenty places as well as there is no plugin architecture that pros rely on. Last I checked, digital photography wasn’t a legacy task.

Logic isn’t on the iPad hence plenty recording Workflows and midi workflows are not on iPad. Last I checked, pro music recording (and no, GarageBand does not cut it) wasn’t a legacy task.

And I say that as someone who embraced iPad as a tool ever since it was available. If your use case is broad, you will run into limitations that will make you fire up a traditional Mac or PC, not because it’s cumbersome but because iPad only doesn’t cut it then. To brandmark that as legacy tasks is ignorant, at best.

 

[Arctic Moose]

You bring this up… who are you quoting saying “that’s dumb, why would you want to do that?” Because I gave you an example the issue someone came across.

Yes, of course there are examples of issues that have turned out to actually have solutions. (Although I would add that in many cases the solution that does exist is a very poor alternative to the solution that exists on a Mac.)

I am not going to go back through the thread to find them all, but here's the first one I came across scrolling back a few pages.

I am not saying this feature should not be there, I am saying I dont miss it, and I dont think you do either, since I dint think your band frim the 8th grade will publish any new songs now ?

This was a response to the fact that it is impossible to import existing music, be it ripped music that does not exist on a streaming service, music you've recorded yourself or music that you own that you want in a playlist regardless of how the right the streaming service has to that particular track changes over time, into the Music app on iOS. There are so many legitimate reasons to want to do this, and reasons it needs to be done in the Music app and not in some random player, many of which have been documented in this thread.

Years? How can you make this statement… that’s broad generalization.

Of course it is. I can make this statement because the iPad is in the sad state that it is despite having been available for 12 years, based on an OS that shipped in its first revision 14 years ago.

And I believe @vddobrev made my point… that we all have a few devices. I have a PC (mainly used for server purposes) along with my iPad Pro…. years ago I’ll have a laptop instead of the iPad. Therefore the iPad has replaced my laptop.

Sure. However, that is not the question stated in the original post. The question is if an iPad can replace a laptop, and by "laptop" the poster obviously means a traditional computer running macOS. I.e. is it possible to use an iPad as ones only computing device?

The responses in this thread prove that for many, many users it cannot, obviously yourself included.

Many of us have a selection of tools to do a certain task. Can I use an iPad for VM purposes? Can I use an iPad for native full Office suite? No.. to neither of those. But for the most part the iPad has done it’s part to replace a laptop for ME and I understand some might not have gotten there.

I think it is quite obvious to everyone that some tools are better suited to certain tasks than others.

However, the question is if you can replace your other computing devices with an iPad. (I think it is quite clear from the original post that the user is not using a desktop Mac or any other PC of any kind. For many, many users a "computer" is a laptop.)

I wouldn’t say “years” away - I would say one solid iPadOS update away… The hardware is there - the question is - does Apple wanna open up iPadOS a little more…

There is exactly one potential quick fix, and that is for Apple to allow macOS on iPad. If the solid iPadOS update includes Bootcamp for iPad, I'll agree.

Any solution that involves advancement of iPadOS to solve all the issues detailed extensively in this thread is definitely many years away, since it not only requires OS updates, but also many fundamental changes to both Apple and third party apps. (So when I say "years" I probably mean "never", the required effort is simply not worth it.)

Granted, an OS update in the near future could alleviate some of the most glaring issues, such as:

• True multiuser support (seriously, in 2022 I still need to buy an iPad for each child just so they can keep their photos, playlists and Minecraft creations segregated?)
• Basic audio routing options (for example, no phone jack audio when HDMI is connected)
• Choice of when and how to use cellular data (it is currently impossible to get an OS update without access to wifi unless some sort of network sharing trickery is used)
• Basic printing options (just the basics that have existed on every platform for the last two decades would suffice)
• The infuriating practice of the OS pausing music or podcast playback just because some other source starts playing audio, and often not even restarting playback afterwards

For the edge cases I am really not holding my breath.

 

[Ludatyk]

Yes, of course there are examples of issues that have turned out to actually have solutions. (Although I would add that in many cases the solution that does exist is a very poor alternative to the solution that exists on a Mac.)

I am not going to go back through the thread to find them all, but here's the first one I came across scrolling back a few pages.

I'm curious you bring up a quote without backing it up with an example.

Of course it is. I can make this statement because the iPad is in the sad state that it is despite having been available for 12 years, based on an OS that shipped in its first revision 14 years ago.

Sad state? Where is this coming from? Have you been an iPad user since it was first introduced? I can understand if Apple hasn't made any changes from when it was introduced... but honestly, it has made strives to motivate a thread "iPad as laptop replacement."

Sure. However, that is not the question stated in the original post. The question is if an iPad can replace a laptop, and by "laptop" the poster obviously means a traditional computer running macOS. I.e. is it possible to use an iPad as ones only computing device?

The responses in this thread prove that for many, many users it cannot, obviously yourself included.

And let's be honest, given that same question for today's iPad Pro.... for the listed activities that the user needs. You telling me that the iPad wouldn't be able to replace their laptop?

However, the question is if you can replace your other computing devices with an iPad. (I think it is quite clear from the original post that the user is not using a desktop Mac or any other PC of any kind. For many, many users a "computer" is a laptop.)

Again, the original post was back in 2014.... writing apps have improved in the App Store over the years along with iPadOS.

And please don't do the iPad is not a "computer" argument, clearly it is.

 

[Arctic Moose]

I'm curious you bring up a quote without backing it up with an example.

How about the example I quoted, with the explanation below it? If you want context just click the arrows and follow the breadcrumbs back through the entire conversation.

Sad state? Where is this coming from? Have you been an iPad user since it was first introduced? I can understand if Apple hasn't made any changes from when it was introduced... but honestly, it has made strives to motivate a thread "iPad as laptop replacement."

I have had at least one iPad revision from every generation ever introduced, with the exception of the iPad mini and the current iPad Air. My original iPad Air is still used from time to time, and my iPad Air 2 is used daily by one of my children.

And let's be honest, given that same question for today's iPad Pro.... for the listed activities that the user needs. You telling me that the iPad wouldn't be able to replace their laptop?

Considering that particular user it is clearly fine.

For others it is quite obviously not.

Everyone here singing the praises of the iPad seem to not be able to wrap their head around the fact that many of us see so much potential in the iPad form factor, but we cannot use it exclusively due to the (in many cases entirely artificial) limitations.

Halfway through this thread there is a description of what happened when I stupidly tried to travel with only the iPad, thinking it would be fine since I only had trivial tasks for it to perform, with disastrous results.

And please don't do the iPad is not a "computer" argument, clearly it is.

I don't think I have ever claimed anything of the sort.

My calculator is a computer, the Raspberry Pi that runs Pi-hole and Home Assistant is a computer, my NAS is a computer and hell, even my washing machine is a computer. None of them can replace my Mac.

 

[Ludatyk]

Considering that particular user it is clearly fine. For others it is clearly not.

And that’s my point. No need for this back and forth…. the original post was able to replace their laptop. I understand that others cannot. Why debate me when we are an agreement that the iPad can be a laptop replacement to some users.

 

[UBS28]

And that’s my point. No need for this back and forth…. the original post was able to replace their laptop. I understand that others cannot. Why debate me when we are an agreement that the iPad can be a laptop replacement to some users.

Indeed.

In the end, the iPad Pro is just a big iPhone. And for some use cases, you could do things on an iPad or an iPhone that you would do on an laptop. And for those people, for basic things they might indeed not need a laptop. But that doesn’t mean that an iPad Pro is a laptop replacement.

The iPad is more similar to an iPhone than it is to a laptop in the end. You even got smartphones that can even expand into a tablet (foldable smartphones).

 

[sparksd]

Indeed.

In the end, the iPad Pro is just a big iPhone. And for some use cases, you could do things on an iPad or an iPhone that you would do on an laptop. And for those people, for basic things they might indeed not need a laptop. But that doesn’t mean that an iPad Pro is a laptop replacement.

The iPad is more similar to an iPhone than it is to a laptop in the end. You even got smartphones that can even expand into a tablet (foldable smartphones).

I said earlier that my 2021 12.9 does not replace my laptop but I consider my iPad much closer to my laptop than to my 12 Pro Max.

 

[UBS28]

I said earlier that my 2021 12.9 does not replace my laptop but I consider my iPad much closer to my laptop than to my 12 Pro Max.

For most things, it is just a big iPhone. For music production for example, you got the same iOS apps (like Cubasis 3) for the iPad Pro and the iPhone with the same functionality. The only difference is the screen real estate.

However my 16” M1 Max MBP has access to Logic Pro with the best 3rd party plugins. I really spend alot of money on apps in the App Store for music production on iOS, and laptops are far superior in the end.

Now I am not saying you cannot make music on the iPhone and iPad Pro. But the quality is not the same as on a laptop.

And this holds true for many things, not just music production. The iPhone app is similar to the iPad app version while on the laptop you have far superior software available.

Now there are some exceptions ofcourse such as for things that requires the Apple Pencil.