iPad as a laptop replacement

[eltoslightfoot]

Its a really weird position isn't it? On one hand, macOS and iOS have never been closer in terms of features and even how they look, not to mention the common hardware with Apple Silicon now. But they still feel so far apart in other ways.

I need a Mac for my daily workflow (being able to run VMs apart from anything else), but there's so many parts of that workflow I prefer being able to do on an iPad.

Right, it’s extremely frustrating because they are just showing what could be possible if they didn’t worry about cannibalizing the mac experience. Instead we will always have to have a mac to have a true desktop experience.

And people can laugh about needing a command line (terminal) but try installing python without brew. And traceroutes. And pings. And SCPing. Etc., etc.,

 

[Arctic Moose]

And people can laugh about needing a command line (terminal) but try installing python without brew.

Not to mention ssh, without having to trust some random app dev with your private key.

 

[ArchebaldDiv.]

As someone who uses both iPadOS and macos daily, I disagree. iPadOS is certainly not any of those things when compared to macos

as someone who does the same - I disagree with you - and yes - it very much is.

 

[ArchebaldDiv.]

Now that iPas Pros and Macs are powered by the same SOC, desktop apps for iOS are inevitable.

Stage Manager and extending an iPad's display lay the ground works for that.

Desktop apps won't be avaivle this year but could start roll out in beta in 12 months from now.

yes. I think this too

 

[Boil]

AR glasses is the future, not ipads.

Direct neural connection to the cerebral cortex is the real future...?

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Direct neural connection to the cerebral cortex is the real future...?

Man, Hackers is such a good bad movie. I watch it at least once a year.

 

[BhaveshUK]

If I have ever made anybody feel irritated or offended with my personal enthusiasm towards my M1 iPP, I 100% sincerely apologize. I know we are each individuals with our own unique use cases. Please forgive me if I have overstepped boundaries with anybody here. I kinda pride myself for being open minded towards others since I had no control over who I was born as. Tolerance, patience, respect, courtesy, fairness, open mindedness, honesty, kindness, and treating others well are all character traits I seek most in life. I have no real religious beliefs but do my best to treat others as I would want to be treated. My mama is a caregiver and very social, traits she passed on to me. I have only one rule when it comes to making friends. If you treat others well, we can be friends.

I've always enjoyed hearing your perspective bondr006. We do have different ideas on where iPad fits into our lives as you've made a complete transition to using it as a full replacement, whereas for me, it is very much a supplementary device because of current limitations. Your viewpoint is refreshing and I don't think you've ever overstepped your boundaries or been intolerant.

Don't worry man, I don't think you have ever offended anyone. Indeed sometimes you are extremely enthusiastic and can even get carried away but that should not offend anyone and even in the rare instances where I have tried to "contain" your enthusiasm by pointing out that you might be overly optimistic about some things you have always shown a respectful and open-minded attitude, which is appreciated. I also value a lot the contributions from Bhavesh and Sparksd.
Sure there are annoying and even aggressive people in these forums but in the few years I have been around I have come to realize it's still worth staying because of the contributions from people like you, like the others I mentioned and like many others I have not mentioned (well let me mention at least another great one, rui no onna).
It's not always easy, especially for people like me who are not in the Apple ecosystem and can be easily attacked by some Apple fanboys (and mind you, I don't mean people in the ecosystem are all fanboys, fortunately many aren't). Saying on MacRumors that you prefer Windows to MacOS, or defending the qualities of Samsung tablets (instead of saying they are trash) here is often viewed as heresy and with some disdain (and when English is not you mother tongue it doesn't help). But I think it's important that the contribution of people who are not "Apple only" or "Apple mainly", or simply that do not see things the same way, can be very useful and as long as there is respect and open mindedness everybody wins.

Thank you for the kind words. I've also extremely valued your insights Digitalguy and you've helped me to see things from a new lens. You're right that it's vital people who are not "Apple only" have a voice in this community because otherwise everything becomes an echo chamber.

Right, it’s extremely frustrating because they are just showing what could be possible if they didn’t worry about cannibalizing the mac experience. Instead we will always have to have a mac to have a true desktop experience.

And people can laugh about needing a command line (terminal) but try installing python without brew. And traceroutes. And pings. And SCPing. Etc., etc.,

The iPad and Mac are in a very strange position because they're so similar. The rest of Apple's lineup seem distinct, exist in their own spheres and build upon one another. iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod - they don't overlap the way the iPad and Mac do, and its very clear when you would use one over the other. In contrast, the iPad and Mac seem to be stepping on one another's toes with each update.

 

[bondr006]

Don't worry man, I don't think you have ever offended anyone. Indeed sometimes you are extremely enthusiastic and can even get carried away but that should not offend anyone and even in the rare instances where I have tried to "contain" your enthusiasm by pointing out that you might be overly optimistic about some things you have always shown a respectful and open-minded attitude, which is appreciated. I also value a lot the contributions from Bhavesh and Sparksd.
Sure there are annoying and even aggressive people in these forums but in the few years I have been around I have come to realize it's still worth staying because of the contributions from people like you, like the others I mentioned and like many others I have not mentioned (well let me mention at least another great one, rui no onna).
It's not always easy, especially for people like me who are not in the Apple ecosystem and can be easily attacked by some Apple fanboys (and mind you, I don't mean people in the ecosystem are all fanboys, fortunately many aren't). Saying on MacRumors that you prefer Windows to MacOS, or defending the qualities of Samsung tablets (instead of saying they are trash) here is often viewed as heresy and with some disdain (and when English is not you mother tongue it doesn't help). But I think it's important that the contribution of people who are not "Apple only" or "Apple mainly", or simply that do not see things the same way, can be very useful and as long as there is respect and open mindedness everybody wins.

I've always enjoyed hearing your perspective bondr006. We do have different ideas on where iPad fits into our lives as you've made a complete transition to using it as a full replacement, whereas for me, it is very much a supplementary device because of current limitations. Your viewpoint is refreshing and I don't think you've ever overstepped your boundaries or been intolerant.

Thank you both. As you both probably know, I am both an Apple and MS guy. I have used Windows since the mid 80's and Apple products since the early 90's. I have no experience with Android, so no opinion either way. I do have a Samsung ChromeBook for the kitchen computer, so I am not in any one camp, unless you count the camp of technology, which I love. My main tenant when it comes to stuff like this is use what you like best or in other words live and let live.

I hope everyone's day is safe and peaceful no matter what brand or device you like.

 

[dukebound85]

as someone who does the same - I disagree with you - and yes - it very much is.

sorry. ipados has too many limitations and is not a complete OS

 

[Fraserh02]

I ended up selling my 12.9 because I found it wasn’t good as a tablet. It was too big for me to use comfortably so I ended up using it more as a laptop replacement. Then I found that it wasn’t very good as a laptop replacement so I’ve recently ended up selling it and use a MacBook Pro as a laptop and an iPad Mini as a tablet. Couldn’t be happier! I also last year changed from a 12 Pro to a Mini iPhone and again find it better. I use my MacBook as my portable computer, iMac as my home office computer, iPhone just for calls and when out and about, iPad mini for everything at home and when travelling. Best decisions I’ve made

 

[pdaholic]

I’ve just been on a journey where I tried to use my phone as my only device for a few months. Used an old keyboard and hooked it up to a monitor through Apple TV. It works well for a while, but there are various sacrifices, especially the lack of multitasking. Pulled out my old macbook and remembered all the little things that annoyed me there—poor app window scaling, airpods don’t connect, and it’s not “fun” to read on. So now I’m back to my iPad. Pulled out the mini 6, but grew tired of holding it. iPad 12 kept flopping backward. Back to my iPad Pro 11. Ahhhhh…for now!

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I’ve just been on a journey where I tried to use my phone as my only device for a few months. Used an old keyboard and hooked it up to a monitor through Apple TV. It works well for a while, but there are various sacrifices, especially the lack of multitasking. Pulled out my old macbook and remembered all the little things that annoyed me there—poor app window scaling, airpods don’t connect, and it’s not “fun” to read on. So now I’m back to my iPad. Pulled out the mini 6, but grew tired of holding it. iPad 12 kept flopping backward. Back to my iPad Pro 11. Ahhhhh…for now!

That sounds exhausting! Glad you got it sorted!

 

[Dealmans]

I ended up selling my 12.9 because I found it wasn’t good as a tablet. It was too big for me to use comfortably so I ended up using it more as a laptop replacement. Then I found that it wasn’t very good as a laptop replacement so I’ve recently ended up selling it and use a MacBook Pro as a laptop and an iPad Mini as a tablet. Couldn’t be happier! I also last year changed from a 12 Pro to a Mini iPhone and again find it better. I use my MacBook as my portable computer, iMac as my home office computer, iPhone just for calls and when out and about, iPad mini for everything at home and when travelling. Best decisions I’ve made

I did the same with my 12.9" and have a 24" iMac in my home/office, I have a 13 pro max, tried a mini 6 (returned), 14" MacBook Pro (sold for a profit), a 11" pro (returned).
Not seeing anything else I can get excited about.

 

[exoticSpice]

In contrast, the iPad and Mac seem to be stepping on one another's toes with each update.

The iPad Pro will never replace the Mac Pro, Mac Studio nor the iMac.

The iPad Pro will never replace the 14" and 16" MBPs. These MacBooks are far to thick because they house the M1 Pro and M1 Max and have large RAM capabilites and big batteries. So for high-end pros or for people who want the best portable Mac.

The iPad Pro might replace the MacBook Air IF it got macOS or if Apple makes a Mac 2in1. But for now the MBA is cheaper and offers more desktop class apps and more ports than iPad Pro.

 

[exoticSpice]

I did the same with my 12.9" and have a 24" iMac in my home/office, I have a 13 pro max, tried a mini 6 (returned), 14" MacBook Pro (sold for a profit), a 11" pro (returned).
Not seeing anything else I can get excited about.

I don't see the point in iMacs for my use case. So I bought a 16" that I connect to an external monitor and also use it on the go.

My setup is 16" MBP, Galaxy A52s, iPad mini. My next upgrade will be a M3 Pro 16" MBP.

 

[Boil]

But for now the MBA is cheaper and offers more desktop class apps and more ports than iPad Pro.

The tradeoff being no touch screen or Apple Pencil capabilities...

 

[exoticSpice]

The tradeoff being no touch screen or Apple Pencil capabilities...

Which if the user does not need then the MBA is great.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Which if the user does not need then the MBA is great.

You mean sort of like how an iPad easily replaces a Mac if the user’s use case doesn’t require the ports, some particular app or macOS-specific features?

 

[exoticSpice]

You mean sort of like how an iPad easily replaces a Mac if the user’s use case doesn’t require the ports, some particular app or macOS-specific features?

uhh yeah. That's why Apple sells iPads for those people. But some people here think the iPad can fully replace the Mac.

 

[Arctic Moose]

But some people here think the iPad can fully replace the Mac.

If you read this thread it is obvious that it clearly can do just that for some people.

I don’t think anyone has argued that the iPad can replace a Mac for everyone for every use case.

(Although some of us wish it could do so in more scenarios.)

 

[exoticSpice]

(Although some of us wish it could do so in more scenarios.)

Same, some MacBooks users would also wish for 5G or touch...

 

[Isengardtom]

If you read this thread it is obvious that it clearly can do just that for some people.

I don’t think anyone has argued that the iPad can replace a Mac for everyone for every use case.

(Although some of us wish it could do so in more scenarios.)

Especially for home use the iPad is more than capable to be your home computer

 

[Boil]

Especially for home use the iPad is more than capable to be your home computer

But I cannot run World of Warcraft...

 

[Isengardtom]

But I cannot run World of Warcraft...

True but when it comes to games, macs suck in general
if anything there’s more choice on the iPad

 

[bcortens]

True but when it comes to games, macs suck in general
if anything there’s more choice on the iPad

I actually think the App Store is making it hard to get premium games on the iPad that aren’t filled with terrible micro transactions. We can have acceptable micro transactions but some of my favourite genres, such as city simulation, don’t have great iPad versions because sim city for iPad is just pointless to play due to the micro transactions.
We get Diablo Immortal instead of Diablo 3 because the former is more lucrative.