iPad as a laptop replacement

[rui no onna]

Which version of iPadOS is that?

15.6

 

[4419867]

I do understand that people have been asking for multi-user account on an iPad for years, but that’s never been a feature I’ve desired.

And I don’t agree that multi-user feature is required for a laptop to be a laptop… I think it’s more of business decision that multi-user accounts hasn’t been added for iPads. Apple prefers users to buy multiple iPads for a household.

Not everyone has the same needs. Some don't even have any use for an iPad, some settle for a mini, others buy the most expensive Pro model, and some want to share within the family. To avoid people sharing accounts, you should be able to have multiple user accounts.

I understand that Apple would rather see each family member have their own iPad, it makes more money. However, one forgets that not all families can afford it and they will not buy an iPad for every person in the household. They are instead forced to share an account or choose an Android tablet (or Windows?).

Those who want their very own iPad will buy it anyway because not everyone shares their laptop just because they can. As a user, you should be able to choose.

Also worth mentioning is that multiple users would potentially pose a problem on many iPad models if they decide to download and store data on the device. I can imagine the models with low storage capacity will fill up rather quickly.

I see no major problem with this. iPads also come with 256 GB of storage just like entry-level MacBooks (not long ago it was 128 GB) and the Pro models can be expanded even more. Families can spend more money on storage to cover the whole family or store photos and videos in iCloud and only have enough space for apps.

That's not a good argument for not offering multiple user accounts in iPadOS.

 

[r_mack]

I tried the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. I bought a Magic keyboard as well. However, after a few months, I returned the keyboard and bought a MBA. For me, it was the camera: when I would have a videoconference, the camera would keep zooming after I screen shared. And, it was distracting. Also, for the money, the iPad Pro should have a front-facing camera birth both landscape and portrait modes. When using as a laptop replacement, the orientation of the side camera is weird.

I still have the iPad though.

 

[4419867]

Another thing they forget is that you attract more people into the Apple ecosystem by making it available to more people. Maybe a family buys an iPad that they share. Finally, it becomes unsustainable when several family members want to use it at the same time, so the family buys another one. In addition, Apple makes money from its services by allowing multiple users to use their ecosystem This instead of families using the same account or choosing an Android tablet instead.

Same with the Apple Watch. Being able to pair it with more devices (at least within the Apple ecosystem) will only lead to more people buying their Apple Watch - not the other way around. They sold more and made more money doing that with the iPod.

 

[4419867]

I tried the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. I bought a Magic keyboard as well. However, after a few months, I returned the keyboard and bought a MBA.
for me, it was the camera. when I would have a videoconference, the camera would keep zooming after I screen shared. And, it was distracting. Also, for the money, the Ipad Pro should have a front-facing camera birth both landscape and portrait modes. When using as a laptop replacement, the orientation of the side camera is weird.

I still have the iPad though.

Agree. The front-facing camera is misplaced in laptop mode.

 

[rui no onna]

Another thing they forget is that you attract more people into the Apple ecosystem by making it available to more people. Maybe a family buys an iPad that they share. Finally, it becomes unsustainable when several family members want to use it at the same time, so the family buys another one. In addition, Apple makes money from its services by allowing multiple users to use their ecosystem. This instead of families using the same account or choosing an Android tablet instead.

They can get the same effect even with shared accounts. To be honest, we don't bother with individual user accounts on the shared desktop, either.

As for services, prior to Family Sharing, we would use a single shared account for iTunes and App Store anyway.

 

[ericwn]

Not everyone has the same needs. Some don't even have any use for an iPad, some settle for a mini, others buy the most expensive Pro model, and some want to share within the family. To avoid people sharing accounts, you should be able to have multiple user accounts.

I understand that Apple would rather see each family member have their own iPad, it makes more money. However, one forgets that not all families can afford it and they will not buy an iPad for every person in the household. They are instead forced to share an account or choose an Android tablet (or Windows?).

Those who want their very own iPad will buy it anyway because not everyone shares their laptop just because they can. As a user, you should be able to choose.

I see no major problem with this. iPads also come with 256 GB of storage just like entry-level MacBooks (not long ago it was 128 GB) and the Pro models can be expanded even more. Families can spend more money on storage to cover the whole family or store photos and videos in iCloud and only have enough space for apps.

That's not a good argument for not offering multiple user accounts in iPadOS.

I am not stating that it should not be offered - I am just pointing out where I can imagine some issues. Of course someone could elect to buy more storage, but tons of iPads are playing in the lower storage areas these days.

 

[Slartibart]

15.6

how to you get the seperated view? According to the storage stack chart in Settings about 9.5Gb are occupied by iPadOS 15.6 plus 1.x Gb of System data on my 11” iPPs (128&256Gb). I did a quick check on a bunch of 7&8th gen iPads (32&128Gb) and its about the same.

 

[4419867]

They can get the same effect even with shared accounts. To be honest, we don't bother with individual user accounts on the shared desktop, either.

As for services, prior to Family Sharing, we would use a single shared account for iTunes and App Store anyway.

You don't get the same effect from sharing an account. You assume that the family then has other devices of their own, but if a family wants to share an iPad, laptop or desktop, you need separate accounts. You want to be able to separate e.g. their private emails, schoolwork, apps, etc.

Just because you don't need it doesn't mean others don't.

Don't understand why you argue against a feature or defend Apple for not offering a feature that you don't even need yourself. I wouldn't argue against a feature others claim to need just because I don't.

 

[4419867]

I am not stating that it should not be offered - I am just pointing out where I can imagine some issues. Of course someone could elect to buy more storage, but tons of iPads are playing in the lower storage areas these days.

Of course, more space may be needed when several people use the same device. However, that hasn't prevented Apple in the past from having less storage in entry-level models (iPhone with 8 and 16 GB). You can rely on iCloud or you realize your needs and upgrade the storage.

An alternative if you have bought too little storage for photos/videos and can't/don't want to use iCloud for some reason is to use a NAS (home cloud). As long as you have room for your apps.

 

[Digitalguy]

It's funny how people try to make arguments for multi-user account, almost as if they were trying to convince Apple it's a good idea. Apple does not agree, or care, they believe they can make more money the way it is now, as Ludatyk said, regardless of what people would prefer...

 

[Slartibart]

Don't understand why you argue against a feature or defend Apple for not offering a feature that you don't even need yourself. I wouldn't argue against a feature others claim to need just because I don't.

I think you are confusing an opinion, like @rui no onna expressed, with arguing against something.

 

[rui no onna]

You don't get the same effect from sharing an account. You assume that the family then has other devices of their own, but if a family wants to share an iPad, laptop or desktop, you need separate accounts. You want to be able to separate e.g. their private emails, schoolwork, apps, etc.

Web based email instead of using apps. Or if you don’t care if others can see your email, then apps work, too.

Apps can just be installed once and if the user doesn’t need it, then just ignore it. Heck, before Netflix introduced individual profiles, our watch list and history were just jumbled together. I think shared app data is going to mainly be problem in games where you only have one save progress.

Files, you can put them in a folder for each user or just go by filename.

Bookmarks, again one can use folders if they want to segregate or just keep them jumbled together. Or use a browser that offers profile selection within the browser itself.

For the most part, it’s mainly iMessage and FaceTime that we found problematic with a shared iPad.

Just because you don't need it doesn't mean others don't.

Don't understand why you argue against a feature or defend Apple for not offering a feature that you don't even need yourself. I wouldn't argue against a feature others claim to need just because I don't.

I actually want multi-user support or at the very least guest mode. I reckon Apple just figures they make more money with “encouraging” each family member to buy their own iPad. Apple probably doesn’t consider lack of multi-user accounts as a major detriment in a family setting that will prevent customers from buying iPads.

 

[4419867]

It's funny how people try to make arguments for multi-user account, almost as if they were trying to convince Apple it's a good idea. Apple does not agree, or care, they believe they can make more money the way it is now, as Ludatyk said, regardless of what people would prefer...

I don't think Apple is reading here. Nevertheless, I appreciate when major media profiles and newspapers present requests for improvements. Apple may run its own race but they are not immune to change. Sometimes they provide what is requested.

I understand that they want to make money, but it doesn't seem that simple. Because if they only wanted to make money, they would have e.g. made it possible to pair AW with more devices (even outside the Apple ecosystem) to make people choose their AW over others. Now only iPhone users can choose AW and even though Apple is big in the US, they are not the biggest in every country.

One reason they offer cheaper iPhone SE is also a response to another market that is more price sensitive. Apple realizes that they make more money from people using their ecosystem than not.

I think you are confusing an opinion, like @rui no onna expressed, with arguing against something.

Apparently I did. She/he may have tried to suggest possible solutions.

Web based email instead of using apps. Or if you don’t care if others can see your email, then apps work, too.

Apps can just be installed once and if the user doesn’t need it, then just ignore it. Heck, before Netflix introduced individual profiles, our watch list and history were just jumbled together. I think shared app data is going to mainly be problem in games where you only have one save progress.

Files, you can put them in a folder for each user or just go by filename.

Bookmarks, again one can use folders if they want to segregate or just keep them jumbled together. Or use a browser that offers profile selection within the browser itself.

For the most part, it’s mainly iMessage and FaceTime that we found problematic with a shared iPad.




I actually want multi-user support or at the very least guest mode. I reckon Apple just figures they make more money with “encouraging” each family member to buy their own iPad. Apple probably doesn’t consider lack of multi-user accounts as a major detriment in a family setting that will prevent customers from buying iPads.

The purpose of multiple user accounts is just that, to be able to use email apps, social media apps, etc. without the whole family having access to it.

As for Netflix, I know people who get very upset when others use the wrong profile. If you follow a series, you want to know what you last watched...

Now understand that you are trying to give suggestions/solutions and that is good. 👌

I have a hard time with the argument that they make more money but ok. Now I have no need to share with anyone but if I do in the future I would not choose the iPad to share within the family. It would instead be a laptop or an Android tablet.

 

[4419867]

The thread is about replacing a laptop with an iPad. In my opinion, the iPad is more of a large iPhone (single-use device) and therefore not a good replacement for the MacBook. My opinion of course.

 

[Ludatyk]

I have a hard time with the argument that they make more money but ok. Now I have no need to share with anyone but if I do in the future I would not choose the iPad to share within the family. It would instead be a laptop or an Android tablet.

Why is so difficult for you to understand?

Please, take your heart out of it… think logically. If you owned a company which would you choose?

5 devices purchased by 5 individuals (more money for your company)

OR

1 device shared by 5 individuals (less money for your comany)

 

[4419867]

Why is so difficult for you to understand?

Please, take your heart out of it… think logically. If you owned a company which would you choose?

5 devices purchased by 5 individuals (more money for your company)

OR

1 device shared by 5 individuals (less money for your comany)

What is it that you don't understand?

I'd rather sell 1 unit than sell none at all because they choose Android (or share it anyway as suggested in the thread). Just because a family starts by buying 1 doesn't mean they won't buy more in the future...

Maybe Apple should remove the ability for multiple user accounts on MacBooks as well? Do you think it increases their sales or drives people to another platform?

People cannot buy more than they can afford. Those who can afford to buy a device for each family member will do so anyway. Therefore, not everyone shares a MacBook even if they technically can.

I know people who actively chose Android over iPad because of these limitations. I also see why people don't see the iPad as a real replacement for a laptop.

 

[4419867]

Unless you own shares in Apple, I don't understand why you would defend Apple's attempt to only make more money (even if everyone understands that's the purpose).

There are more companies making money even though they allow more things. 🤷‍♀️

 

[rui no onna]

The purpose of multiple user accounts is just that, to be able to use email apps, social media apps, etc. without the whole family having access to it.

As for Netflix, I know people who get very upset when others use the wrong profile. If you follow a series, you want to know what you last watched...

Now understand that you are trying to give suggestions/solutions and that is good. 👌

I have a hard time with the argument that they make more money but ok. Now I have no need to share with anyone but if I do in the future I would not choose the iPad to share within the family. It would instead be a laptop or an Android tablet.

I’m not making suggestions/solutions. I’m just describing how we used to deal with a shared iPad.

For social media, the Facebook app allows multiple profiles iirc. In any case, using FB via web browser works for that, too. You lose notifications but honestly, we keep that crap turned off anyway.

In the grand scheme of things, while having multiple profiles is preferable, it isn’t really a deal killer for our household (and probably for many others). A lot of apps that need it allow selecting profiles within the app itself. Using the web browser instead of apps is also an option for most web based services (email, social media, online shopping, finance, etc).

For the most part, the people I know with Android tablets (US) get the Amazon Fire because they’re cheap (just $30-50 for each kid) and are good enough for watching videos and casual gaming.

 

[Gherkin]

Is there no way to get spell check while using a Bluetooth keyboard? Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems the auto correct and spell check options in Settings refer to the software keyboard. Is there a way for me to get red squiggly lines under a misspelled word while using a Bluetooth keyboard?

 

[rui no onna]

Unless you own shares in Apple, I don't understand why you would defend Apple's attempt to only make more money (even if everyone understands that's the purpose).

There are more companies making money even though they allow more things. 🤷‍♀️

I don’t think anyone here is defending Apple’s choice not to allow multiple user accounts but rather being realistic/pragmatic about why it’s the way it is (and why it will probably stay that way).

 

[grmlin]

I'd rather sell 1 unit than sell none at all because they choose Android

Looking at the market share I have a feeling that most people prefer to use a good tablet instead of a crappy one with 3 user accounts on it lol

 

[GalileoSeven]

I tried this for a period with my iPad mini. Probably should've scored a keyboard attachment to get the full effect though as I found MacOS more seamless to work with as opposed to iOS.

Can definitely see where such a setup would work for some folks though

 

[Ludatyk]

What is it that you don't understand?

I'd rather sell 1 unit than sell none at all because they choose Android (or share it anyway as suggested in the thread). Just because a family starts by buying 1 doesn't mean they won't buy more in the future...

Because you keep telling us how you don’t understand how Apple does not allow multiple user accounts on their iPads. And we have given you a legitimate reason why.

And if you choose Android for that particular feature, then so be it. But keep in mind, iPads are popular for a reason… they have quality selection of apps that doesn’t compare to Android.

 

[4419867]

Looking at the market share I have a feeling that most people prefer to use a good tablet instead of a crappy one with 3 user accounts on it lol

Have used Samsung myself and no, they're not crap.

Feeling more and more that I don't belong here. I've tried too many different systems not to see negatives with all of them. Apple products are far from perfect but people here make it seem like they are irreplaceable.

Moving on...