iPad as a laptop replacement

[Mainsail]

For me, iPad and MBA have their places:

iPad: reading and marking-up
MBA: productivity and multi-tasking

Of course, there is overlap, but I maximize effectiveness and minimize frustration by more or less keeping these devices in their best lanes.

 

[prospervic]

For me, iPad and MBA have their places:

iPad: reading and marking-up
MBA: productivity and multi-tasking

Of course, there is overlap, but I maximize effectiveness and minimize frustration by more or less keeping these devices in their best lanes.

Exactly.
This "iPad replacing a MacBook" debate seemingly stems from the notion that using only one device will usher you into some sort of tech nirvana. Is this state even achievable in today's world? Depends on your needs, but I would say if you're using more than just your smartphone you've gone beyond "minimalist" purity.

 

[Mainsail]

Exactly.
This "iPad replacing a MacBook" debate seemingly stems from the notion that using only one device will usher you into some sort of tech nirvana. Is this state even achievable in today's world? Depends on your needs, but I would say if you're using more than just your smartphone you've gone beyond "minimalist" purity.

Good point. In terms of simplifying your life, with cloud data, there really isn’t a big advantage in having everything on one device. In the old days, syncing files was kind of a manual process, but now it is seamless and easy. As for cost, an iPad Pro + MK is going to cost about the same as a base MBA + iPad 9. The difference is so small over the useful lives of these devices that it really should not be a major factor in most peoples decision about one or two devices.

 

[blulegend]

For productivity purposes, I’d say the iPad Pro/Air with Magic Keyboard can work well as a ”netbook”. A very expensive one. Then there are some other niche uses like creativity, etc. However, as a mainstream netbook-type device it does a good job. Obviously does a good job for content consumption.

The iPadOS Safari experience needs to be better still. Some websites still don’t handle it well. Some websites, such as some of Apple’s and Google’s, will force you to use an installed app over their website which is VERY frustrating and necessitates uninstalling the app in many cases. Websites like Google Sheets aren’t 100% in iPadOS Safari. Not sure why they still can’t make parity between their desktop and iPadOS Safari browsers.

 

[subjonas]

For me under normal circumstances, I’d much rather have a MBA and a small iPad than say a 12.9” iPP and Magic Keyboard that can run macOS (I wouldn’t want to use macOS on an 11”). The MBA is better for laptop use because it’s lighter, not top heavy, and has greater viewing angles, and if moving it around I don’t need worry about the display or keyboard base getting bumped off. And a small iPad (I prefer Mini) is much more comfortable to hold for consumption. Also it’s often convenient to use both devices at the same time. I could even use them both via Sidecar or Universal Control, although that’s better with larger iPads.

But actually an iPP with Magic Keyboard is still almost 2 devices in terms of price, weight, and convenience. And if we’re talking dual boot, then it might be even less convenient because you have to log off/turn off one and boot into the other each time, whereas you can more seamlessly switch between using a MBA and iPad.

I said “under normal circumstances” because under my circumstances, I need to use the Pencil on a big screen, so I opt for a 12.9” iPad instead of a MBA (I have an iPad Mini too). And actually, for all my non-work stuff it‘s pretty much a MBA replacement (but not desktop replacement). I agree with @blulegend maybe most of my issues seem to be with sites that don’t play well with Safari. Whether that’s a general Safari thing or iPad Safari thing, I’m not sure. Also I get some annoying reloads, but I’m on an older iPP with I believe 4GB RAM, and there is one app in particular that it always happens with, but it happens even if I just go to home screen for one second, so I think it’s the app’s issue, not RAM.

 

[rui no onna]

For me under normal circumstances, I’d much rather have a MBA and a small iPad than say a 12.9” iPP and Magic Keyboard that can run macOS (I wouldn’t want to use macOS on an 11”). The MBA is better for laptop use because it’s lighter, not top heavy, and has greater viewing angles, and if moving it around I don’t need worry about the display or keyboard base getting bumped off. And a small iPad (I prefer Mini) is much more comfortable to hold for consumption. Also it’s often convenient to use both devices at the same time. I could even use them both via Sidecar or Universal Control, although that’s better with larger iPads.

Personally not a fan of the 12.9” iPP + MKB setup either. It just feels weirdly unbalanced. When I go on short vacations, I often just bring the medium-size iPad + Kindle Paperwhite. If I need to work or it’s an overseas trip with greater potential for emergencies, then I bring along a laptop as well.

But actually an iPP with Magic Keyboard is still almost 2 devices in terms of price, weight, and convenience. And if we’re talking dual boot, then it might be even less convenient because you have to log off/turn off one and boot into the other each time, whereas you can more seamlessly switch between using a MBA and iPad.

There’s no almost about it. Oh well, it’s to be expected. The Magic Keyboard ($349) by itself costs more than the regular iPad ($329) base config.

I said “under normal circumstances” because under my circumstances, I need to use the Pencil on a big screen, so I opt for a 12.9” iPad instead of a MBA (I have an iPad Mini too). And actually, for all my non-work stuff it‘s pretty much a MBA replacement (but not desktop replacement). I agree with @blulegend maybe most of my issues seem to be with sites that don’t play well with Safari. Whether that’s a general Safari thing or iPad Safari thing, I’m not sure. Also I get some annoying reloads, but I’m on an older iPP with I believe 4GB RAM, and there is one app in particular that it always happens with, but it happens even if I just go to home screen for one second, so I think it’s the app’s issue, not RAM.

At least for me, I get far fewer unwanted reloads on the 2021 M1/16GB iPad Pro compared to the older 2017 A10X/4GB iPad Pro or even the 2021 A15/4GB iPad mini 6.

 

[UBS28]

For me, iPad and MBA have their places:

iPad: reading and marking-up
MBA: productivity and multi-tasking

Of course, there is overlap, but I maximize effectiveness and minimize frustration by more or less keeping these devices in their best lanes.

Exactly. Why don’t people just accept that an iPad is an iPad and not a laptop. Saves alot of frustrations.

It is just a big iPhone with a pencil in the end. And there is nothing wrong in the end, just don’t pretend it is a laptop.

Android tablets have been killed by big Android smartphones even.

When I bought the 12.9 M1 iPad Pro, it wasn’t to replace any laptop, it was to replace my 2017 12.9 iPad Pro. I knew what I was getting myself into and it is fine for me.

 

[grmlin]

It is just a big iPhone with a pencil in the end. And there is nothing wrong in the end, just don’t pretend it is a laptop.

It was 5 years ago, it can do much more than the phone these days. It's not perfect, we all know that, but it's very different than iPads in the past.

Android tablets have been killed by big Android smartphones even.

No, they have been killed by Google. They just didn't care and let them die.

 

[subjonas]

It was 5 years ago, it can do much more than the phone these days.

I don’t know about that part. I think the iPhone has grown along with the iPad, so the difference is still similar to how it has always been. They both got better Files apps, widgets, Picture in Picture, etc. They both even got mouse support. The unique iPad features are still those that just go with the bigger screen—split screen, slide over, pen support. The only new unique feature I can think of is USB-C on the iPad, but I‘m not sure it’s a very drastic differentiator. It has more throughput, but function-wise pretty similar to lightning albeit without dongles. Maybe the iPad has differentiated itself more on the apps side of things, but I don’t know of specific examples.

But that said, the disparity between the iPad and iPhone I think is very irrelevant. They’re both capable devices. How does the iPhone being very capable make the iPad less capable? In other words, to say the iPad is “a big iPhone” is not a knock on the iPad but rather a compliment to the iPhone.

 

[Digitalguy]

Exactly. Why don’t people just accept that an iPad is an iPad and not a laptop. Saves alot of frustrations.

It is just a big iPhone with a pencil in the end. And there is nothing wrong in the end, just don’t pretend it is a laptop.

Android tablets have been killed by big Android smartphones even.

When I bought the 12.9 M1 iPad Pro, it wasn’t to replace any laptop, it was to replace my 2017 12.9 iPad Pro. I knew what I was getting myself into and it is fine for me.

People should just "be aware" of the limitations of iPadOS and not buy it hoping to replace a laptop or do it at their own risk and not going to complain later.
People should not "accept" that the iPad will never be able to replace a laptop and stop wishing for more. They have any right to wish for more.

Android tablets were never killed, exept in the mind of Apple ecosystem locked people. Low end ones have always been selling a lot, more than iPads worldwide, simply because they were cheaper. Flagship ones have been coming back in the last 2-3 years thanks almost exclusively to Samsung. And they are selling in record numbers, even if there are no hard numbers to compare to iPads.
I have been buying and selling iPads and Samsung tablets over the last few years and I have to say since the S7 series the Samsung are just as sought after and hold their value as iPads.
And the multitasking capabilities they offer are all in my and many others wishlist for iPadOS.
And the lack of some iPad apps (mainly drawing or music) affects only those who use those apps....
In short, the death of Android tablets is greatly exaggerated.

 

[grmlin]

I don’t know about that part. I think the iPhone has grown along with the iPad, so the difference is still similar to how it has always been. They both got better Files apps, widgets, Picture in Picture, etc. They both even got mouse support. The unique iPad features are still those that just go with the bigger screen—split screen, slide over, pen support. The only new unique feature I can think of is USB-C on the iPad, but I‘m not sure it’s a very drastic differentiator. It has more throughput, but function-wise pretty similar to lightning albeit without dongles. Maybe the iPad has differentiated itself more on the apps side of things, but I don’t know of specific examples.

But that said, the disparity between the iPad and iPhone I think is very irrelevant. They’re both capable devices. How does the iPhone being very capable make the iPad less capable? In other words, to say the iPad is “a big iPhone” is not a knock on the iPad but rather a compliment to the iPhone.

I didn't say an iPad is a laptop replacement, I just said that it's more than a big phone. It certainly was just that when it released and the first few years. But you can clearly do things with an iPad now an iPhone can't.
Of course it's also still a giant iPhone, as it's based on the same platform, but it doesn't end there anymore.

There is still a lot of room to improve, no question. For me personally the iPad replaces a laptop for 90% of my families needs. But I could never use one for work (dev) exclusively for example

 

[subjonas]

I didn't say an iPad is a laptop replacement,

Sorry what is this part in response to?

I just said that it's more than a big phone. It certainly was just that when it released and the first few years. But you can clearly do things with an iPad now an iPhone can't.
Of course it's also still a giant iPhone, as it's based on the same platform, but it doesn't end there anymore.

For sure, I was just responding to your comment about how the iPad differentiated itself from the iPhone in the last five years. I was just pointing out that wasn’t really true for the aforementioned reasons. I agree the differentiating happened earlier with the addition of multitask windows and the pencil but that was about 7 years ago and pretty much stopped there. But again, that’s not at all to say the iPad isn’t very capable.

 

[grmlin]

Sorry what is this part in response to?

Nothing. Just wanted to make clear that I don’t think that an iPad replaces a laptop 100% ?

 

[DeepIn2U]

For me under normal circumstances, I’d much rather have a MBA and a small iPad than say a 12.9” iPP and Magic Keyboard that can run macOS (I wouldn’t want to use macOS on an 11”). The MBA is better for laptop use because it’s lighter, not top heavy, and has greater viewing angles, and if moving it around I don’t need worry about the display or keyboard base getting bumped off. And a small iPad (I prefer Mini) is much more comfortable to hold for consumption. Also it’s often convenient to use both devices at the same time. I could even use them both via Sidecar or Universal Control, although that’s better with larger iPads.

But actually an iPP with Magic Keyboard is still almost 2 devices in terms of price, weight, and convenience. And if we’re talking dual boot, then it might be even less convenient because you have to log off/turn off one and boot into the other each time, whereas you can more seamlessly switch between using a MBA and iPad.

I said “under normal circumstances” because under my circumstances, I need to use the Pencil on a big screen, so I opt for a 12.9” iPad instead of a MBA (I have an iPad Mini too). And actually, for all my non-work stuff it‘s pretty much a MBA replacement (but not desktop replacement). I agree with @blulegend maybe most of my issues seem to be with sites that don’t play well with Safari. Whether that’s a general Safari thing or iPad Safari thing, I’m not sure. Also I get some annoying reloads, but I’m on an older iPP with I believe 4GB RAM, and there is one app in particular that it always happens with, but it happens even if I just go to home screen for one second, so I think it’s the app’s issue, not RAM.

Non of the MBs/MBA/MBPs have ever been top heavy since inception. Not ever. PowerBooks haven’t been since they all went Titanium or Aluminum ~ Apple don’t play that.

Edit: corrected typo from ‘too heavy’ to Top Heavy.

 

[subjonas]

Non of the MBs/MBA/MBPs have ever been too heavy since inception. Not ever. PowerBooks haven’t been since they all went Titanium or Aluminum ~ Apple don’t play that.

Well, “too heavy” is subjective. Depends on the person and in what situation/what you’re comparing to. But for this person and the situations I would use those devices, I agree.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Well, “too heavy” is subjective. Depends on the person and in what situation/what you’re comparing to. But for this person and the situations I would use those devices, I agree.

Sorry typo I meant Top heavy.

 

[UBS28]

Nothing. Just wanted to make clear that I don’t think that an iPad replaces a laptop 100% ?

Because it is just a big iPhone with pencil support.

An iPad is a touch device that runs on a mobile OS that is at the mercy of gatekeeper Apple, just like the iPhone.

And they have the same mobile apps too.

What seperates the iPhone and the iPad is basically the pencil and the apps that make use of it (like Procreate).

 

[UBS28]

Btw, I do think the iPad Pro will replace the MacBook Pro in the future as Apple is transforming their laptops into iOS devices. So in name of “security and privacy”, Apple might at some point restrict Mac’s to the App Store as well, which will remove alot of good software. And then there is no point of owning a MBP anymore.

In the end, Apple doesn’t make any money from the current “sideloading” on MAC, so I don’t see Apple keeping this feature and instead will try to force everybody use the App Store along with the restrictions Apple puts in place.

 

[cardfan]

Btw, I do think the iPad Pro will replace the MacBook Pro in the future as Apple is transforming their laptops into iOS devices. So in name of “security and privacy”, Apple might at some point restrict Mac’s to the App Store as well, which will remove alot of good software. And then there is no point of owning a MBP anymore.

In the end, Apple doesn’t make any money from the current “sideloading” on MAC, so I don’t see Apple keeping this feature and instead will try to force everybody use the App Store along with the restrictions Apple puts in place.

But then you have to switch to windows so don’t think that scenario will happen.

 

[grmlin]

Btw, I do think the iPad Pro will replace the MacBook Pro in the future as Apple is transforming their laptops into iOS devices. So in name of “security and privacy”, Apple might at some point restrict Mac’s to the App Store as well, which will remove alot of good software. And then there is no point of owning a MBP anymore.

In the end, Apple doesn’t make any money from the current “sideloading” on MAC, so I don’t see Apple keeping this feature and instead will try to force everybody use the App Store along with the restrictions Apple puts in place.

I'm sure that's why they just released the ridiculously powerful M1 Ultra, and teased a new Mac Pro that will be even more powerful.

Because it is just a big iPhone with pencil support.

An iPad is a touch device that runs on a mobile OS that is at the mercy of gatekeeper Apple, just like the iPhone.

And they have the same mobile apps too.

What seperates the iPhone and the iPad is basically the pencil and the apps that make use of it (like Procreate).

As I said, it can clearly do more than an iPhone. The available sizes alone make sure an iPad can be used for more. Saying that it's just an iPhone with a pencil shows that you either don't use an iPad or just want to hate it.

I mean, the iPad is far from being a perfect laptop replacement for many. The support for external displays is bare bones at best, apps are limited as developers don't treat an iPad like a laptop replacement in many cases, the UI still leaves a lot to be desired.
But with a Magic Keyboard or something similar it absolutely is all some people need for getting things done.

 

[UBS28]

I'm sure that's why they just released the ridiculously powerful M1 Ultra, and teased a new Mac Pro that will be even more powerful.



As I said, it can clearly do more than an iPhone. The available sizes alone make sure an iPad can be used for more. Saying that it's just an iPhone with a pencil shows that you either don't use an iPad or just want to hate it.

I mean, the iPad is far from being a perfect laptop replacement for many. The support for external displays is bare bones at best, apps are limited as developers don't treat an iPad like a laptop replacement in many cases, the UI still leaves a lot to be desired.
But with a Magic Keyboard or something similar it absolutely is all some people need for getting things done.

What things can the iPad do more than an iPhone if you exclude pencil? The iPhone has all the same apps (if you exclude apps like Procreate that is aimed at the pencil), so you can do the same.

Even music production apps like Cubasis 3 I bought for the iPad Pro, works on the iPhone too.

And that again shows how the iPad Pro is just a big iPhone as you have to use Garageband or Cubasis 3, just like the iPhone, while on my 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro I have Logic Pro with Serum, Omnisphere 2, Avenger, Nexus 4, Spire, and many more. It is nothing like my 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro.

 

[grmlin]

It has better multitasking, Thunderbolt 4, apps made for iPad that are not available or don't make any sense on a phone. It's bigger, especially the 12.9" is so big that I could work a day with it. It's faster, has more RAM, can be used with external monitors, has a desktop class Safari, works great with a mouse/trackpad and keyboard. It's something I can place in front of me on a desk and work with. I don't think anyone will sit in front of a phone with a mouse+keyboard and try to work with it? lol

Sure, if the apps you need, like me for work, don't exist on an iPad, that's bad luck. But people like my parents fully abandoned all laptops/pcs at home, simply because an iPad does everything they need, too, and is much nicer to use.

 

[UBS28]

It has better multitasking, Thunderbolt 4, apps made for iPad that are not available or don't make any sense on a phone. It's bigger, especially the 12.9" is so big that I could work a day with it. It's faster, has more RAM, can be used with external monitors, has a desktop class Safari, works great with a mouse/trackpad and keyboard. It's something I can place in front of me on a desk and work with. I don't think anyone will sit in front of a phone with a mouse+keyboard and try to work with it? lol

I am talking about things that you cannot do on an iPhone, so what apps are missing?

But to the points you raised, the iPhone works with an external keyboard and mouse/trackpad too. The iPhone can also be used with external monitors (with screen mirroring) that has a terrible screen resolution, just like my iPad (also has a very bad screen resolution). Just shows again that the iPad is just a big iPhone as it has the same problems / limitations. And my 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro can drive more than 1 external monitor, which both the iPhone and iPad (what a coincidence?) cannot do.

All the “work” you do on an iPad Pro, you can do on an iPhone too. That is, if you exclude the Apple pencil because that is where the iPad Pro does seperate itself.

Heck, all the music I made on my iPad Pro, it even works when i open the project on my iPhone.

 

[grmlin]

Just shows again that the iPad is just a big iPhone as it has the same problems / limitations.

It only shows that you need a MacBook for the things you do, nothing else. Your needs aren't what defines a laptop. It's also totally irrelevant, as so many people replaced their PCs and Laptops with iPads at home. They didn't replace their PCs with iPhones btw, and that's because you can and will do different things with an iPad.

 

[UBS28]

It only shows that you need a MacBook for the things you do, nothing else. Your needs aren't what defines a laptop. It's also totally irrelevant, as so many people replaced their PCs and Laptops with iPads at home. They didn't replace their PCs with iPhones btw, and that's because you can and will do different things with an iPad.

You said that the key defining feature of an iPad Pro is external monitor support? Did you even try this out? If so, then you would know it is garbage, just like the same garbage you see on the iPhone. It is nothing like how laptops properly support external monitors, but similar to the crap you have with iPhone.

Try it out and you will see those nice fat black bars on the side

But back to my original question, what apps are missing from the iPhone so that certain tasks cannot be done if we exclude the Apple Pencil?