iPad as a laptop replacement

[rui no onna]

No change for me.

I'm already 90% iPad anyway for home use. For the other 10% that I need a desktop OS for (alternate browser engines, Windows only software, etc), iPadOS 16 brings nothing to the table that could change that.

 

[sparksd]

No change for me.

I'm already 90% iPad anyway for home use. For the other 10% that I need a desktop OS for (alternate browser engines, Windows only software, etc), iPadOS 16 brings nothing to the table that could change that.

Repeat this for me.

 

[babyexercise]

No change for me.

I'm already 90% iPad anyway for home use. For the other 10% that I need a desktop OS for (alternate browser engines, Windows only software, etc), iPadOS 16 brings nothing to the table that could change that.

I guess the multiple resizable windows new function will be limited to M1/M2 grade iPads only

 

[babyexercise]

I guess even the latest basic iPad does not get new fancy stuff like connecting to external monitor

 

[sracer]

Just to echo @rui no onna and @sparksd , for those already using the iPad for desktop-style workflows, these enhancements will only make the experience better.

But for those who can’t because of deficiencies in iPad OS, these enhancements don’t seem to be a game-changer.

These enhancements don’t move the ball forward for me, but it’s great to see advances being made.

 

[Mainsail]

I have been sucked in so many times thinking that an update will finally make my iPad a replacement for my MBA that I am going to sit this one out for now. I’ll keep my iPad Air (not M1) and MBA 2020. After the OS release in the fall, I will read reviews and reevaluate, but I don’t want to get burned again by jumping the gun.

 

[rui no onna]

I guess the multiple resizable windows new function will be limited to M1/M2 grade iPads only

I have M1 iPads. I find the iPad displays are too small for multiple windows though.

On 11", I prefer just using a single app fullscreen. On 12.9", Display Scaling should be useful for 1/2 splitview to view more content.

Mind, even on my 15.6" ThinkPad, I tend to use apps fullscreen and even use the iPad as external display. Actually, even at work, I tend to have one program/window per monitor (2x 24" 1080p).

If I were using iPads with a large external monitor (32-40" 4K?), then yeah, I'd probably find Stage Manager more useful.

 

[Ludatyk]

companies like Adobe could have already built a full version of Lightroom Classic for example, but they didn't. We got the somewhat capable wannabe iteration for iPads instead, which sucks so much.

The only app I know and used that feels more or less like the desktop counterpart is Affinity Photo.

You are aware Lightroom Classic for the PC came out in 2007, right? And features were gradually implemented throughout the years. Whereas the iPad is built from a touch-first interaction and features have to be carefully planned out.

We live in this microwave society, where we want things done immediately and I know there are plenty of users in this thread oppose an iPad as a laptop replacement. And of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But at least know, it’s a case by case scenario… don’t discourage others from transitioning from a laptop to an iPad.

 

[Mark Stone]

I’ve already retired my HP Pavilion (seriously - I haven’t opened it in days), and the iPad Air 5 (w/ magic keyboard) has already taken its place. The addition of Stage Manager will def strengthen the multitasking ui (if it works as advertised). I’ve been reading around some internet comments/articles about iPadOS 16, and have seen a common theme about M1 Eye Pads being PC replacements. For example, Tomsguide, at https://www.tomsguide.com/news/ipados-16 states: “These new features seem promising and may deliver on the notion of turning the iPad into a desktop replacement.” Hey, Apple Rules & Windows Drools lol

 

[Arctic Moose]

You are aware Lightroom Classic for the PC came out in 2007, right?

The iPad was released three years later, which was twelve years ago.

 

[grmlin]

You are aware Lightroom Classic for the PC came out in 2007, right? And features were gradually implemented throughout the years. Whereas the iPad is built from a touch-first interaction and features have to be carefully planned out.

Sure. I think I started using it in 2008 😃

The iPad version is still not the real deal. That’s all I’m saying. (Just like the non classic version on PC)

 

[Abazigal]

My philosophy for which device to work on hasn’t really changed much over the years.

I don’t think these changes are going to let you do anything you weren’t already doing on your iPad, for the simple reason that I feel the iPad’s biggest weakness is still the dearth of desktop quality apps that give it parity with desktop OSes.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Just to echo @rui no onna and @sparksd , for those already using the iPad for desktop-style workflows, these enhancements will only make the experience better.

But for those who can’t because of deficiencies in iPad OS, these enhancements don’t seem to be a game-changer.

These enhancements don’t move the ball forward for me, but it’s great to see advances being made.

I’m not sure - there was a mention of background downloading which is a huge change for the ipad. Swap also will be game changing. Center stage seems to more more than just resizable windows, the apps running within Center stage don’t get backgrounded, so that appears to be true multitasking. External monitor support seems to offer exactly that.

I mean, these are all key requests from these forums, now being implemented, I wonder what would change the game for you with iPadOS, if not these quite useful missing features being added?

 

[Isengardtom]

No change for me.

I'm already 90% iPad anyway for home use. For the other 10% that I need a desktop OS for (alternate browser engines, Windows only software, etc), iPadOS 16 brings nothing to the table that could change that.

The same for me. I’m probably 100% there for home use, but that was already the case with previous updates and is more thanks to the keyboard than the software upgrades.

For my pro use its a great companion device and good for light work like planning, following up on mail, reading reports, MS teams communication,… I even do part of my monthly group consolidation on it (it’s a web application)… but I can’t do all my tasks on it which require more complicated excel functions like connections to databases, PowerPivot,…

 

[subjonas]

Stage Manager is the main functional addition in iPadOS 16 I think, and I think it mostly just makes things a little better, except for one major function, which is extended display. So if that was keeping someone from being able to go iPad only, they should be somewhat happy. Although, I’m not 100% clear on how it works, so it might not be perfect. But also it might allow more apps to run in the background, not sure. That could also be significant.
There might have also been some additions to Files app, but I don’t recall anything too major.

For me, I mainly use Macs/PCs because of desktop-only software (which also require more power than iPads have), and software that can run all the time, so that doesn’t change with iPadOS 16.

 

[stocklen]

grudgingly this might force my hand to trade in my 2020 non-M1 iPad Pro.

I wasnt interested in the M1 2021 model as the M1 didnt really bring anything at the time.

but this software looks useful and irritating that only 2 year old machines cant run it.... its not as if the old iPads were intel chips.... they are still apple silicone.

But, seems sensible to wait for the iPad pro to get the M2 as it surely will. Its been over a year since the 2021 model was released so when that is refreshed it should be M2 and hopefully that will be in the near future probably before iPadOS16 is released.

 

[Isengardtom]

grudgingly this might force my hand to trade in my 2020 non-M1 iPad Pro.

I wasnt interested in the M1 2021 model as the M1 didnt really bring anything at the time.

but this software looks useful and irritating that only 2 year old machines cant run it.... its not as if the old iPads were intel chips.... they are still apple silicone.

But, seems sensible to wait for the iPad pro to get the M2 as it surely will. Its been over a year since the 2021 model was released so when that is refreshed it should be M2 and hopefully that will be in the near future probably before iPadOS16 is released.

I’d wait a bit though. The beta won’t end until after the summer and by then there may be an M2 iPad Pro soon after

 

[Arctic Moose]

My thoughts on the topic are covered pretty well in this thread:

iPad as a laptop replacement

I've have a MacBook Pro Retina for a year now, and quite frankly, it’s simply overkill for what I use the computer for on a daily basis. I would have been fine with a MacBook Air but elected to spend the extra cash for a nice screen. I use writing intensive programs (Final Draft, Pages, etc)...

forums.macrumors.com

(If you do not want to read it all, start at post #3593.)

It seems iPadOS 16 won’t change much, although Stage Manager is a step in the right direction, and of course it remains to be seen what developers do with the new functionality available to them.

 

[Mathias Denichi]

I gave up on the ipad being my main portable computer. I figure ill have to wait another 5-7 years for apple to merge the devices, but it seems to slowly be heading in that direction.

 

[stocklen]

I’d wait a bit though. The beta won’t end until after the summer and by then there may be an M2 iPad Pro soon after

Yes...

Under no circumstances would I buy the current M1 iPad Pro.... its been out since March 2021 so is due a chip refresh soonish anyway.

Will be interesting to see if the iPads get the M2.

I can see a situation where the iPad Air is M1, and the iPad Pro is M2.....

... still not convinced that iPadOS 16 is taking full advantage of that power though.

 

[Arctic Moose]

My philosophy for which device to work on hasn’t really changed much over the years.

Neither has mine, but I very quickly lose patience as a task drags on, and I have learned to switch sooner rather than later to avoid flinging the iPad at a wall in anger.

(For me I guess "Phones" should also extend indefinitely along the "Task Duration" axis for very low-complexity tasks. For example, I often have to listen to hours and hours of audio, and the Phone is the most appropriate device for that regardless of task length.)

Edit: I guess there are some of those tasks for the iPad as well, such as reading a book, or anything best done with a Pencil.

 

[GhostOS]

"Can coming iPadOS update let you replace laptop with iPad?"

No, the iPad is an iPad, and a laptop is a laptop.

 

[BhaveshUK]

I gave up on the ipad being my main portable computer. I figure ill have to wait another 5-7 years for apple to merge the devices, but it seems to slowly be heading in that direction.

Sadly I think you’re right. It’s going to be a good few years before iPad can reliably be a sole computer (without a backup Mac or Windows machine to cover any hiccups).

Neither has mine, but I very quickly lose patience as a task drags on, and I have learned to switch sooner rather than later to avoid flinging the iPad at a wall in anger.

View attachment 2015899

(For me I guess "Phones" should also extend indefinitely along the "Task Duration" axis for very low-complexity tasks. For example, I often have to listen to hours and hours of audio, and the Phone is the most appropriate device for that regardless of task length.)

I love this graph. But I feel as phones get bigger and laptops get thinner/ more efficient, that space for the iPad is becoming thinner and thinner for a lot of people. Why own three devices when two will do everything you want for cheaper?

 

[bondr006]

I’m not sure - there was a mention of background downloading which is a huge change for the ipad. Swap also will be game changing. Center stage seems to more more than just resizable windows, the apps running within Center stage don’t get backgrounded, so that appears to be true multitasking. External monitor support seems to offer exactly that.

I mean, these are all key requests from these forums, now being implemented, I wonder what would change the game for you with iPadOS, if not these quite useful missing features being added?

Add memory swap and new Files app to that. I let go of my MBP and went full M1 iPP for my Real Estate businesses back in Nov 2021 and have not looked back. I am thrilled with the new features coming in iPadOS 16. Love that I can use my iPad with full monitor support now. This update gives me a lot of what I was hoping for and then some.

My iPadOS for iPP's wish list...4 out of 9 ain't bad.

1. Real external monitor support that includes a real desktop type environment similar to the Samsung DeX mode.

2. Keep improving the multitasking experience. This goes hand in hand with #1.

3. Keep improving the Files App. It is pretty good now, but still needs some work, as does Safari and Notes.

4. I'd like to see a little more flexibility with placing the home screen icons, folders, and widgets.

5. Would like to see interactive widgets with some basic functions that don't need to open in the app.

6. The onscreen keyboard needs work for sure. Auto correct just plain sucks....

7. I think settings is a mess and needs a lot of work.

8. We need the ability to sign in to multiple accounts so families can share the device.

9. Add some more native apps like weather and calculator, and the ability to change more of the default apps.

 

[bondr006]

"Can coming iPadOS update let you replace laptop with iPad?"

No, the iPad is an iPad, and a laptop is a laptop.

Both are computers. iPad is a tablet computer that has replaced my MBP for running my Real Estate businesses.

A computer like anything else consists of the components that makes it what it is. In the case of a modern computer the list consists of:

1. CPU
2. GPU
3. Motherboard
4. Memory(RAM)
5. Storage
6. Power Supply
7. I/O - USB, SD and Micro SD cards, external HD's and SSD's
8. The ability to use keyboard and mouse
9. Operating System

The iPad has all these and is fully a computer.

What is a Computer? - Definition from Techopedia​

This definition explains the meaning of Computer and why it matters.
www.techopedia.com

B.) From Dictionary.com

Computer

1. a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones are some of the different types of computers.

Definition of computer | Dictionary.com​

Computer definition, a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones are some of the different types of...

www.dictionary.com

C.) From Wikipedia.org

Smartphones and tablets run on a variety of operating systems and recently became the dominant computing device on the market.

Computer - Wikipedia​

en.wikipedia.org

D.) From Techtarget.com

From their list of computer types.

Smartphone - a cellular telephone designed with an integrated computer
Tablet Computer (tablet PC) - a wireless personal computer with a touch screen

What is computer? - Definition from WhatIs.com​

The modern computer began as a machine the size of a room that used vacuum tubes, punched cards and magnetic drums to generate an output, and has since evolved into a collection of devices ranging from the tablet PC to the smartphone to the quantum computer.
www.techtarget.com

E.) From gcfglobal.org

Tablet computers—or tablets—are handheld computers that are even more portable than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation. The iPad is an example of a tablet.

Computer Basics: What is a Computer?​

After reading this Computer Basics lesson, you will be able to answer the question, what is a computer?
edu.gcfglobal.org