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Chrysalis99

macrumors newbie
Nov 14, 2021
27
23
No, its actually a desktop replacement imo.

I think those that have been in the Apple computer world for some time can make that connection but for me, someone who's only been in the Apple computer world for 6 months, there's no way I could use an iPad as any kind of computer replacement. I may change my mind with my next iPad purchase but I can't even use my new MacBook as a PC replacement...yet. I love my MacBook but for me its been a huge learning curve as a PC replacement. Cant imagine making the jump with an iPad. *shrugs* Just speaking from my personal experience
 

ArchebaldDiv.

Suspended
Jun 13, 2022
89
21
I think those that have been in the Apple computer world for some time can make that connection but for me, someone who's only been in the Apple computer world for 6 months, there's no way I could use an iPad as any kind of computer replacement. I may change my mind with my next iPad purchase but I can't even use my new MacBook as a PC replacement...yet. I love my MacBook but for me its been a huge learning curve as a PC replacement. Cant imagine making the jump with an iPad. *shrugs* Just speaking from my personal experience
I conpletley understand where you are coming from, and tbh - iPad has a steep learning curve if you want to reach iPad profficiency or “poweruser” level. I started about one year ago with iPad as the main/only device - and still to this day I am finding new faster and more comfy ways of doing things / workflow optimisations. iPad is huge compared to “regular” OSs, and there’s a lot to learn to really become a master of the iPad. Plus much , or at least some of the software is completley new / only iPad, so thats there to learn too.

But for me - it’s well worth it.
I love my iPad and I use it 24/7 - it’s my perfect computer and I do everything on it - from software developement, to photo and video editing, plus emails, documents, printing, scaning etc. office stuff. it’s especially great for all kinds of visual art / creative fields, with many apps being iPad only. tldr - iPad is supreme, but def has a steep learning curve to master, and get all the benefits
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,921
13,273
I think those that have been in the Apple computer world for some time can make that connection but for me, someone who's only been in the Apple computer world for 6 months, there's no way I could use an iPad as any kind of computer replacement. I may change my mind with my next iPad purchase but I can't even use my new MacBook as a PC replacement...yet. I love my MacBook but for me its been a huge learning curve as a PC replacement. Cant imagine making the jump with an iPad. *shrugs* Just speaking from my personal experience

I feel like those on Macs actually have a harder time transitioning to iPad. They keep wanting the iPad to be a Mac.

Personally, I never had the intention of replacing my Windows desktop and laptop with the iPad. It just naturally took over some functions over the years as both hardware and software improved. The iPad’s not a 100% replacement and I wouldn’t use it for work (lotsa Excel and webapps requiring IE compatibility mode). For home use though, it’s been covering my regular usage fairly well and I only need to use the home desktop maybe once every 1-2 months.
 

ArchebaldDiv.

Suspended
Jun 13, 2022
89
21
Personally, I never had the intention of replacing my Windows desktop and laptop with the iPad.
I will say I did try to do it - it started as an “iPad only challendge” that never ended 😄😆
I just kept surprising myself with what you can do with the device, and soon enough I stopped using mac completley
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
I have the combo touch for the 10.5 (seems virtually identical to this one) and the Magic Keyboard, and while I agree with some points, especially point 4, I still much prefer the MK. And the simple reason is the typing experience, which I find much superior on the MK. Trackpad size makes no difference to me (even on laptops by the way).
The protection is a double edged sword, as it make the iPad much heavier. Personally at home I use all my iPads naked for max comfort (but if I had kids or pets I'd probably have a different view).
On the go it's nice to have protection, but there is the weight issue and the fact that the cover is very hard and annoying to remove (it's meant to stay there all the time).
Also lap use is ok on a couch but not in some public chairs, especially with armrests. You can put the MK further since the surface is shorter because of no kickstand, which gives is a more comfortable experience
Recently I bought the extremely light Pitaka case that works with the MK and protects the side.
Seems the best compromise so far for those who prefer the MK typing experience, but still want protection.
I had the Logitech keyboard with my old iPad Pro 10.5 and now I’m using the magic keyboard with my iPad Pro 11. I do prefer the magic keyboard due to it being lighter, having a better design, better keyboard and trackpad. However there are a few things that the magic keyboard doesn’t have such as the function row or the adjustable keyboard. Overall whilst I do prefer the magic keyboard I think the Logitech one is a good alternative.
 
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BhaveshUK

macrumors regular
Jan 20, 2012
220
459
Obviously you don’t have a life if you’re spending time and energy trolling people on forums.

Every time I’ve seen a reply from you on one of my comments I’ve found you incredibly insightful and you’ve always made me think. Don’t pay attention to people on here who just want to get a reaction out of you - especially when they’re so engrained in their beliefs - it’s not worth the time or energy.
 

xxray

macrumors 68040
Jul 27, 2013
3,115
9,412
Some simple things that make using an iPad as a laptop replacement in 2022 still frustrating:

  • Can’t play two audios at once
  • Can’t mute internet browser tabs
  • Can’t safely eject any external storage
  • Zoom will automatically turn your camera off if you move mouse to control center, notifications, and dock area
  • Can’t add local music to Apple Music or Spotify or manage music library
  • Can’t view play counts of songs on Spotify
  • Most video streaming apps won’t play 4K or any quality higher than 1080p even when you have a higher than 1080p screen and are paying for 4K quality
  • You can’t easily download an image from Safari without adding it entire your entire Photos library
    • In other words, you can’t quickly download an image into your Files app or the designated downloads folder in the Files app
    • On a Mac, you right click, then Save Image
    • On an iPad, you must save to Photo Library, then close out of your app, open Photo Library, open the image, hit share, then finally… save to Files
This is why I’m buying a MacBook Pro soon and why iPadOS 16 still doesn’t solve a lot of problems for me. External monitor support is a big improvement, but it still won’t fix all these tiny issues that seem like they shouldn’t even be issues in the first place. I mean these are basic features that I think the very large majority of normal Windows/macOS users know how to use, use, and expect to use on a computer.

The issues don’t make the iPad impossible to use as a laptop replacement. You can do without, as I’ve been doing for the last 8 months, but they’re enough to make me anxious to get a MacBook and to get me to never want to try this experiment again.
 

ArchebaldDiv.

Suspended
Jun 13, 2022
89
21
Funny thing, the iPad logs actually still show iPhone OS.

Code:
{"timestamp":"2022-06-12 17:01:27.00 -0700","bug_type":"193","os_version":"iPhone OS 15.5 (19F77)"}
Okay, so in your opinion iPadOS and iOS are one and the same, and there is no reason to call them differently?
 

ArchebaldDiv.

Suspended
Jun 13, 2022
89
21
Obviously you don’t have a life if you’re spending time and energy trolling people on forums.
Ps you obviously have a life - thats why you are discussing a topic as meaningless as if iPad is a laptop replacement or not - on an online forum. What a life you have myguy!
 

ArchebaldDiv.

Suspended
Jun 13, 2022
89
21
Some simple things that make using an iPad as a laptop replacement in 2022 still frustrating:

  • Can’t play two audios at once
  • Can’t mute internet browser tabs
  • Can’t safely eject any external storage
  • Zoom will automatically turn your camera off if you move mouse to control center, notifications, and dock area
  • Can’t add local music to Apple Music or Spotify or manage music library
  • Can’t view play counts of songs on Spotify
  • Most video streaming apps won’t play 4K or any quality higher than 1080p even when you have a higher than 1080p screen and are paying for 4K quality
  • You can’t easily download an image from Safari without adding it entire your entire Photos library
    • In other words, you can’t quickly download an image into your Files app or the designated downloads folder in the Files app
    • On a Mac, you right click, then Save Image
    • On an iPad, you must save to Photo Library, then close out of your app, open Photo Library, open the image, hit share, then finally… save to Files
This is why I’m buying a MacBook Pro soon and why iPadOS 16 still doesn’t solve a lot of problems for me. External monitor support is a big improvement, but it still won’t fix all these tiny issues that seem like they shouldn’t even be issues in the first place. I mean these are basic features that I think the very large majority of normal Windows/macOS users know how to use, use, and expect to use on a computer.

The issues don’t make the iPad impossible to use as a laptop replacement. You can do without, as I’ve been doing for the last 8 months, but they’re enough to make me anxious to get a MacBook and to get me to never want to try this experiment again.

cool, glad you have a good option for your needs!


In my case,
1. I like this. I like my music stopping when I play a movie and so on
2. you dont have to. they auto mute when you play another, or just press stop in controlcenter (or mute the ipad)
3. I dont use them but I hear its a problem
4. Havent had this happen to me. which ipad do you use?
5. you can manage music library, its very convinient. but it would be nice to be able to add more stuff
6. I dont use spotify so I dont care
7. most? but some will? why dont you use those that will? how many video players do you need, I just need one. I think you should take issue with app developers, this is not ipados related really… and, I dont care, I stream my movies in 4K
8. I love the fact that alk the photos go into the photo library. its very tidy, and super fast to save one (but, if you wanted you could also drag the image to the folder you want to use… still I prefer the photo’s app)
9. yes you can. you just dont know how. thats why I say iPad has a steep learning curve to get to iPad proficiency poweruser level, and it seems especially hard on older - boomer - type people..
10.. again, no you can drag it to the folder you want as you would on a mac… but, it didnt even occur to you to try this it seems…. 😞

I’m happy that you are going back to Mac/PC combo! Good luck!
 

Arctic Moose

macrumors 68000
Jun 22, 2017
1,599
2,133
Gothenburg, Sweden
Mhm, so you think they are?

No, I know they aren’t.

It’s not the minuscule differences that are interesting, it is all the ways they are the same, which is severely limiting the iPad.

Can you show me iPadOS only features working on iOS?

This question doesn't really make sense since they are basically the same OS.

The only difference is that iPadOS has a few features that only make sense on a larger screen.

It's a differentiation between hardware of different models, just like 3D touch, spatial audio, wide spectrum mode, interactive globe, hotel keys in the wallet app, walking steadiness and iCloud restore over cellular. These are only a few of the many features that are only available on particular iPhone models, all running the same revision of iOS, based on their capabilities. They are still all iOS devices, no?

The iPad happens to be the only iOS device that has a reasonable screen size for the iPadOS-specific features. (And, for some reason, isn't trusted with a calculator.)

Apple simply chose to give the version of iOS running on iPads a different name.
 
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xxray

macrumors 68040
Jul 27, 2013
3,115
9,412
2. you dont have to. they auto mute when you play another, or just press stop in controlcenter (or mute the ipad)

Some websites play sounds that make the entire system audio stop, and you can’t disable it, and so then you can’t stream any other audio. Muting tabs would be useful.

4. Havent had this happen to me. which ipad do you use?

2021 12.9” iPad Pro. Happens to me every time.

5. you can manage music library, its very convinient. but it would be nice to be able to add more stuff

You can’t edit metadata or artwork and can’t add local files in Apple Music like you can on Mac. If adding/removing songs to your library and rearranging playlists is enough library management for you, then lucky for you.

7. most? but some will? why dont you use those that will? how many video players do you need, I just need one. I think you should take issue with app developers, this is not ipados related really… and, I dont care, I stream my movies in 4K
I’m talking Netflix, HBO Max, Prime, etc. Obviously, I can’t just download their content in 4K and watch it in whatever player I want. The player isn’t the issue anyways. It’s the fact that the developers haven’t put in the effort to stream 4K on iPad. And yes, I know the iPad doesn’t have a 4K display, but 4K video has a higher bitrate and more pixels will show on the larger screen resolution of the iPad (since the resolution is higher than 1080p), and it does make a difference in video quality.

Pointing out this this is the fault of app developers does nothing to help me. It is the app developer’s fault, yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that I still have a poor user experience that I can’t control and am having features that I’m paying for wasted because I’m using an iPad.

8. I love the fact that alk the photos go into the photo library. its very tidy, and super fast to save one (but, if you wanted

To each his own, but I don’t see how having every single photo in one place whether you want it there or not is tidy.

9. yes you can. you just dont know how. thats why I say iPad has a steep learning curve to get to iPad proficiency poweruser level, and it seems especially hard on older - boomer - type people..
10.. again, no you can drag it to the folder you want as you would on a mac… but, it didnt even occur to you to try this it seems…. 😞

“You just don’t know how” “Especially hard on older - boomer -type people..” “It didn’t even occur to you”

Is there a reason that the fact that the iPad isn’t working the best for my use case is making you so condescending? Why does my experience with the iPad make you that bitter? Yes, I’m aware that I can hold an image and drag it to the files app to save it. Let me make another comparison:

  • On a Mac, you right click, then Save Image
  • On an iPad, you hold the image down, exit your Safari, open files, then save the image
    • This is still much less efficient the two-step Mac process, and it’s not ergonomic either. You don’t always have two hands free when working on an iPad. You could be holding the iPad with one hand. Other times, you‘re majority working from an external keyboard and mouse, and now you have to go put two hands on a screen just to save an image to the folder you want.
By the way, I’m Gen Z, and I taught myself how to build my own websites and use professional photo and video editing software before I even hit puberty lol. I’m not some tech-illiterate boomer, and even if it was, that doesn’t change the fact that the iPad has certain quirks for basic features that are inefficient and frustrating [in my experience].
 
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BhaveshUK

macrumors regular
Jan 20, 2012
220
459
Some websites play sounds that make the entire system audio stop, and you can’t disable it, and so then you can’t stream any other audio. Muting tabs would be useful.



2021 12.9” iPad Pro. Happens to me every time.



You can’t edit metadata or artwork and can’t add local files in Apple Music like you can on Mac. If adding/removing songs to your library and rearranging playlists is enough library management for you, then lucky for you.


I’m talking Netflix, HBO Max, Prime, etc. Obviously, I can’t just download their content in 4K and watch it in whatever player I want. The player isn’t the issue anyways. It’s the fact that the developers haven’t put in the effort to stream 4K on iPad. And yes, I know the iPad doesn’t have a 4K display, but 4K video has a higher bitrate and more pixels will show on the larger screen resolution of the iPad (since the resolution is higher than 1080p), and it does make a difference in video quality.

Pointing out this this is the fault of app developers does nothing to help me. It is the app developer’s fault, yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that I still have a poor user experience that I can’t control and am having features that I’m paying for wasted because I’m using an iPad.



To each his own, but I don’t see how having every single photo in one place whether you want it there or not is tidy.



“You just don’t know how” “Especially hard on older - boomer -type people..” “It didn’t even occur to you”

Is there a reason that the fact that the iPad isn’t working the best for my use case is making you so condescending? Why does my experience with the iPad make you that bitter? Yes, I’m aware that I can hold an image and drag it to the files app to save it. Let me make another comparison:

  • On a Mac, you right click, then Save Image
  • On an iPad, you hold the image down, exit your Safari, open files, then save the image
    • This is still much less efficient the two-step Mac process, and it’s not ergonomic either. You don’t always have two hands free when working on an iPad. You could be holding the iPad with one hand. Other times, you‘re majority working from an external keyboard and mouse, and now you have to go put two hands on a screen just to save an image to the folder you want.
By the way, I’m Gen Z, and I taught myself how to build my own websites and use professional photo and video editing software before I even hit puberty lol. I’m not some tech-illiterate boomer, and even if it was, that doesn’t change the fact that the iPad has certain quirks for basic features that are inefficient and frustrating [in my experience].

Your response is brilliant. I don’t know why @ArchebaldDiv is being quite aggressive to everyone on this thread. But in his response to you and your response back, I noticed something for myself. Those workarounds are fine if you’re using iPad or your devices for fun and consumption. But I’m not.

I’m using my devices for professional workflows. I don’t have time for funky workarounds. Having to take additional steps to do something as simple as save an image into the files app is not helpful. It’s a headache when I’m trying to focus on the actual work.

Taking an example you used of building a website — it’s technically possible on iPad — but it’s not something I would encourage anyone try. The number of loops you have to go through is absolutely grinding. Moreover, simple things like video calls on Zoom, when I’m with a client and my video turns off because I went on split-screen, its not cute. It looks unprofessional (and don’t get me started on the iPads camera placement). These are the type of things which place iPad firmly in the supplementary device category rather than a desktop or laptop replacement.
 
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