iPad as a laptop replacement

[Digitalguy]

Smartphones are usually applied to content consumption and some basic tasks. The thread is about people who have a use case for a notebook laptop thingy or an iPad if applicable. It’s not about the Facebook surfing phone user but usually more substantial Workflows. As in, getting work done.

I’m not saying the big phone is necessarily a problem as long as it provides sufficient functionality to replace my laptop. Which for my workflow, it cannot at the moment. Maybe one day down the line.

For me there are 3 elements that make a working device, the screen size, the keyboard and the (desktop) apps.
A tablet can have the screen size and a good keyboard, but generally lacks some critical desktop apps (which however are not always necessary for any workflow, although they often are in my case), although some could come in the future...
A phone can replace a tablet as a communication / consumption device if one accepts the compromise of the inferior experience of watching a video or reading a pdf (etc) on an under 7in screen and of writing on glass. Most people do, I don't. That's why I use tablets (with physical keyboards) and laptops and only do the essential with my phone (check notifications, calls, photos/videos). To each his own...

 

[Ludatyk]

I don't think it's nitpicking, these are just examples of why the iPad is not a laptop replacement for some - direct to the substance of this thread. I pointed out shortcomings, but I still think it's a great device.

I'm not denying whether it's a great device or not. And I've said plenty of times throughout the thread that I'm fully aware of its limitations thus it cannot be a laptop for some users. But it's claiming "oh the iPad cannot do this particular basic task" whereas I point out you out you can compare two of the same documents.

But the goal post was then moved to there is a "compare" function that's capable of comparing two documents in a more effective way. Now, this basic task is on the desktop version of Word... not on the iPad. I argue that this is not a basic task, but more of a desktop feature.

I know this might seem a bit complicated... but let me ask you this. If a feature is tied to the desktop version of Word... is that considered a basic feature?

That's the whole point of this thread, not nit picking. And mentioning the shortcomings for laptop/desktop workflows does not mean that we hate the iPad, far from it. On the contrary we love it for what it can do.
I have been using it way more since iPadOS 13 and have bought several iPad pros and magic keyboards which now sit on my desk next to my Macs and PCs. There is absolutely no rejection.

I'm not saying you hate the iPad... I be the first to criticize the iPad on its limitations, but as I laid out... it's the constant acknowledging the shortcomings. For instance, there was this one thread... that spoke very negatively of the iPad which resulted in a 30+ page post with most in agreement of the OP.

However, a thread that spoke highly of the iPad... does not get the same response, mostly crickets lol.

 

[sparksd]

I'm not denying whether it's a great device or not. And I've said plenty of times throughout the thread that I'm fully aware of its limitations thus it cannot be a laptop for some users. But it's claiming "oh the iPad cannot do this particular basic task" whereas I point out you out you can compare two of the same documents.

But the goal post was then moved to there is a "compare" function that's capable of comparing two documents in a more effective way. Now, this basic task is on the desktop version of Word... not on the iPad. I argue that this is not a basic task, but more of a desktop feature.

I know this might seem a bit complicated... but let me ask you this. If a feature is tied to the desktop version of Word... is that considered a basic feature?

Not just desktop, it's also available on a laptop; hence, my point that needing that functionality in my mobile device means that the iPad is not a laptop replacement for me - the question posed by the OP ages ago. I'm simply answering the original question with the reasoning applicable to me. That is not nitpicking.

 

[Ludatyk]

Not just desktop, it's also available on a laptop; hence, my point that needing that functionality in my mobile device means that the iPad is not a laptop replacement for me - the question posed by the OP ages ago. I'm simply answering the original question with the reasoning applicable to me. That is not nitpicking.

Laptop or desktop... that feature is not on the mobile version. And you have made it very clear... that the iPad is not a laptop replacement for you. I completely understand... however you didn't answer my question.

We are in an agreement that a mobile application is different from a desktop/laptop application... correct? And one of the reason the iPad is not a laptop replacement for you because you require desktop/laptop applications... right? Hopefully you are following me here... if a feature is tied to a desktop/laptop application, which is not on mobile version. Is that feature considered a basic feature?

From my understanding, Microsoft will dictate which features will go to its mobile counterparts which I personally believe are basic features. If someone goes into a laptop/desktop Word application and use the "compare" function... then that user point out that this is a basic feature. But according to whom? Because my point is... the feature is not basic if so, Microsoft would have implemented on its mobile application.

 

[sparksd]

Laptop or desktop... that feature is not on the mobile version. And you have made it very clear... that the iPad is not a laptop replacement for you. I completely understand... however you didn't answer my question.

We are in an agreement that a mobile application is different from a desktop/laptop application... correct? And one of the reason the iPad is not a laptop replacement for you because you require desktop/laptop applications... right? Hopefully you are following me here... if a feature is tied to a desktop/laptop application, which is not on mobile version. Is that feature considered a basic feature?

From my understanding, Microsoft will dictate which features will go to its mobile counterparts which I personally believe are basic features. If someone goes into a laptop/desktop Word application and use the "compare" function... then that user point out that this is a basic feature. But according to whom? Because my point is... the feature is not basic if so, Microsoft would have implemented on its mobile application.

It really doesn’t matter if you call it basic or not - I don’t see the relevance in the context of the general question posed by the OP. And there are multiple features missing in the mobile suite, making the iPad inadequate as a laptop replacement for me. And there are other capabilities that the iPad does not have that the laptop does that also matter to me.

 

[Ludatyk]

It really doesn’t matter if you call it basic or not - I don’t see the relevance in the context of the general question posed by the OP. And there are multiple features missing in the mobile suite, making the iPad inadequate as a laptop replacement for me. And there are other capabilities that the iPad does not have that the laptop does that also matter to me.

Fair enough, was hoping you could answer my question instead of dismissing it. But I'd move on from that particular topic and let others decide if an iPad is a viable option as a laptop replacement for them.

 

[sparksd]

Fair enough, was hoping you could answer my question instead of dismissing it. But I'd move on from that particular topic and let others decide if an iPad is a viable option as a laptop replacement for them.

I would say they are basic functions in Office for use in a work environment.

 

[Slartibart]

We are in an agreement that a mobile application is different from a desktop/laptop application... correct?

But that’s far from being an immutable fact, isn’t it?

And one of the reason the iPad is not a laptop replacement for you because you require desktop/laptop applications... right? Hopefully you are following me here... if a feature is tied to a desktop/laptop application, which is not on mobile version. Is that feature considered a basic feature?

It is not.

Necessarily. 🙃

From my understanding, Microsoft will dictate which features will go to its mobile counterparts which I personally believe are basic features.

Taking in account the glacial pace in which Apple has developed (or simply fixed long standing bugs in) iPadOS so far - it’s often just the features which the developer(s) could implement by using the existing framework.

Yes, within certain limits a developer can work around some limits - but for many things it simply doesn’t make sense to do so.

If someone goes into a laptop/desktop Word application and use the "compare" function... then that user point out that this is a basic feature. But according to whom?

TL;DR: The implementation of a “basic” feature in an app is often dictated by the restrictions of the Apple developed frameworks on iPadOS.

It’s really just that.

Because my point is... the feature is not basic if so, Microsoft would have implemented on its mobile application.

They can’t. Some times they might additionally not want to - for whatever reasons. But basically they can’t - e.g.:

nobody will deny that print preview is indeed a basic feature for any app which offers printing - luckily it will become available… in iPadOS 16. That it wasn’t available so far, doesn’t make it a non-basic feature, does it? 😄

There is a a very big difference between »basic« and »rudimentary« - the implementation or support of features on various levels in iPadOS unfortunately often falls into the latter category.

 

[Ludatyk]

But that’s far from being an immutable fact, isn’t it?

Huh? As it stands now.. a mobile (Word) application is different from a laptop/desktop application. Of course, it’s subject to change…. But it is different.

TL;DR: The implementation of a “basic” feature in an app is often dictated by the restrictions of the Apple developed frameworks on iPadOS.

So, with all that being said… you are putting Apple at the forefront lol.

They can’t. Some times they might additionally not want to - for whatever reasons. But basically they can’t - e.g.:

Fair enough. And I completely understand. Some frameworks are not available on iPadOS and Microsoft is unable to implement a certain feature or doesn’t care to.

nobody will deny that print preview is indeed a basic feature for any app which offers printing - luckily it will become available… in iPadOS 16. That it wasn’t available so far, doesn’t make it a non-basic feature, does it? 😄

Wait a min.. print preview? this is a way we can view a document before it’s printed… correct? That has been available prior to iPadOS 16.

There is a a very big difference between »basic« and »rudimentary« - the implementation or support of features on various levels in iPadOS unfortunately often falls into the latter category.

So, now the low bar is rudimentary… got it.

 

[Slartibart]

Huh? As it stands now.. a mobile (Word) application is different from a laptop/desktop application. Of course, it’s subject to change…. But it is different.

But there is no technical reason for it, as already pointed out.

Many iPadOS apps could be largely functionally the same to their macOS variants.
Forget e.g. the interface paradigm, protected app storage space, etc. for a moment - many contributions to this thread expound how iPadOS doesn’t offer basic but rudimentary functionality. Yep, there are work around. Yep, sometimes one simply doesn’t know better.

A basic function should just work. A rudimentary function… well… please see my reference to Safari’s print dialogue a little below.

So, with all that being said… you are putting Apple at the forefront lol.

Whoelse? One more simple example: the fact that iPadOs¹ simply starts copying data without checking wether there is sufficient storage space on a destination drive (e.g. a NAS) and then stops throwing an error and the user has to find out which is the last data/file which was sucessfully copied… who else then Apple is to blame? This isn’t Windows in the 90ties… certainly it behaves like it sometimes.
We’re at the 16th iteration of iPadOS. Apple for sure knows how to implement basics, they covered that quite a while ago on macOS.

Wait a min.. print preview? this is a way we can view a document before it’s printed… correct? That has been available prior to iPadOS 16.

I apologize, my mistake. I mixed up partly Ventura and iPadOS 16, and I meant to refer to the print dialogue options… again, I apologise. But while one could discuss wether certain print dialogue features are “basic” or not:

take this web page opened in Apple’s Safari. It’s a long one, so for printing the content is distributed automatically over several pages. Now please try to print… let’s say the third page… I’ll wait. 😇

I am aware I could create a PDF, open that in the app of the printer manufacturer of my choice, and print said third page…

the point here is: the print dialogue is not basic, it’s rudimentary.

It’s in no way an advanced feature to print a single page from several ones. By initiating the desktop publishing revolution in the past Apple actually took care of that.

So, now the low bar is rudimentary… got it.

You didn’t.

And maybe that partly my fault, because I wasn‘t clear:

Yep, there are differences between MacOS and iPadOS programs. Shouldn’t there any? IMHO mostly not. Whatever reasoning persuades Apple to implement certain software features, it is some times rudimentary.

While the interface paradigm for sure requires differences compared to MacOS¹, certain basic tasks and their requirements are without doubt the same on both platforms.

Why Microsoft didn’t implement a true diff-function in Word on iPadOS only Microsoft knows.

But: want to copy data from A to B?
Apple implemented the functionality a.k.a. the OS allows it.
The user shouldn’t bother wether the data on B becomes corrupted.
"basic" should work reliable - this is annoyingly “rudimentary”.

This is another kind of “rudimentary” and yes, all in all it is a very low bar, but that’s the reality on iPadOS.

For some, the convenience of the iPad’s form factor is simply outweighed by the limitations of its software — which persist largely due to Apple.

It’s nice if there is sometimes a workaround or someone missed a feature and then it’s even nicer if you point that out.



In the context of this thread: laptops have become somewhat the ubiquitous universal computing device for many.
In certain scenarios iPads can replace laptops. Even for certain professionals.
In many it can’t.
Often because Apple implemented something rudimentary on OS-level or even in their own apps.

It seems like we’re reaching a point in the evolution of Apple’s hardware where the MacBook can do everything the iPad can do, while the iPad can still only do iPad things - even though plenty of “MacBook” tasks could take good advantage of its form factor, hardware, and touchscreen.



¹just for the protocol: IMHO Apple shouldn’t implement any form of a MacOS-mode on iPads... different can of worms 🤪

 

[Annv]

For me, an iPad can only replace a laptop if I connect from the iPad to my PC via JumpDesktop. As I already have the iMac keyboard and mouse, I have all I need for occasional travels and don't need to buy a laptop.
Otherwise, iPadOS has too many limitations, poor multitasking and no professional software for my industry.
And even if I wanted to type on it, I couldn't as there is no way to customize a keyboard layout, and my layouts are very different from standard options.

 

[OlSuttree]

For me, the more menus and buttons they add (submenus, pull-down button, pop-up button) the less and less I use a Mac despite my amorous affair with it for decades. Now that Mac-like toolbar customization is coming to iOS 16, I think it's nearing time to file the papers.

 

[Student of Life]

As many have stated, we have reached a point where it's not a hardware issue but a software issue. iPad OS is just not up to par. Im ok with a hybrid approach where if you are connected to a Magic Keyboard, then a modified version of OSX runs which will solve most of the problems. Something as simple as office, if the native version can run on the iPad, problem solved. Thats not on the office developer but on Apple making native apps run.

 

[Zest28]

Why you need office on an iPad in the first place? You got Notes, Numbers, and so on .... which is more than sufficient for personal use.

And for work, most people have a Windows computer with the real version of Office installed (not the Mac version which is also limited) for free from the company they work for, with multiple monitors.

So the iPad doesn't need the Windows version of Office in a "pro setting". You get this for free from work on a Windows computer.

As I have mentioned before, the iPad is a personal computer and it's great at that.

 

[sparksd]

Why you need office on an iPad in the first place? You got Notes, Numbers, and so on .... which is more than sufficient for personal use.

And for work, most people have a Windows computer with the real version of Office installed (not the Mac version which is also limited) for free from the company they work for, with multiple monitors.

So the iPad doesn't need the Windows version of Office in a "pro setting". You get this for free from work on a Windows computer.

As I have mentioned before, the iPad is a personal computer and it's great at that.

If you want to make the iPad your laptop replacement away from work and you work with documents or spreadsheets with some degree of complexity, you need the fully-functional Office suite - the alternatives you mention are not an option in this case.

 

[Zest28]

If you want to make the iPad your laptop replacement away from work and you work with documents or spreadsheets with some degree of complexity, you need the fully-functional Office suite - the alternatives you mention are not an option in this case.

In most companies, you are not allowed to have company documents on your personal computer in the first place. If you do this, you can get in alot of trouble.

So really, the iPad is fine.

 

[sparksd]

In most companies, you are not allowed to have company documents on your personal computer in the first place. If you do this, you can get in alot of trouble.

So really, the iPad is fine.

True - was that way when I was working (I'm retired). However, even in retirement I do some personal work where I need the full-up suite and the iPad (I have an M1 12.9) is not fine.

 

[Zest28]

True - was that way when I was working (I'm retired). However, even in retirement I do some personal work where I need the full-up suite and the iPad (I have an M1 12.9) is not fine.

Then use Python on the iPad. Excel is really bad and extremely limited in comparsion to R and Python.

 

[sparksd]

Then use Python on the iPad. Excel is really bad and extremely limited in comparsion to R and Python.

No. The files I am working with are shared with others and I stick with Excel to maintain full sharing capability. And I also need full-up Word, more so than Excel in terms of overall usage.

 

[ericwn]

In most companies, you are not allowed to have company documents on your personal computer in the first place. If you do this, you can get in alot of trouble.

So really, the iPad is fine.

Plenty companies these days have BYOD policies in place for years already.

 

[Zest28]

No. The files I am working with are shared with others and I stick with Excel to maintain full sharing capability. And I also need full-up Word, more so than Excel in terms of overall usage.

You got LaTeX on the iPad which is superior to Microsoft Office Word also.

Microsoft Office is only needed in a corporate setting due to "legacy" reasons. For personal use, I absolutely see no point of using Office.

I only have Office for the 1TB cloud storage.

 

[sparksd]

You got LaTeX on the iPad which is superior to Microsoft Office Word also.

Microsoft Office is only needed in a corporate setting due to "legacy" reasons. For personal use, I absolutely see no point of using Office.

I only have Office for the 1TB cloud storage.

I have to use Office for my personal purposes and use cases so "only needed in a corporate setting" works for you but it is not a universal truism.

 

[Mainsail]

Then use Python on the iPad. Excel is really bad and extremely limited in comparsion to R and Python.

I am not sure I understand what you are suggesting. Rather than using Excel or Numbers on a MacBook, you would write Python code to attempt to duplicate the same conditional formatting, logic formulas, financial functions, pivot tables and scores of other capabilities that have been built into spreadsheets by teams of programers at MS and Apple over the last couple of decades? In my case (retired), I use spreadsheets to monitor income, expense, and maintenance on numerous family owned properties. This is not very complicated stuff, but it is immeasurably easier and better experience on my MBA than my iPad. For me, writing python code on my iPad to attempt to duplicate what spreadsheets already easily do on my MBA seems like an enormous waste of time. All of this so I can force a square peg into a round hole? Why not just use the proper tool for the job?

 

[sracer]

You got LaTeX on the iPad which is superior to Microsoft Office Word also.

Microsoft Office is only needed in a corporate setting due to "legacy" reasons. For personal use, I absolutely see no point of using Office.

I only have Office for the 1TB cloud storage.

It's great to advocate for open-source solutions (I'm an advocate), but it sounds like you don't have much experience with MS Office. That's ok. For those of us who need or want to use MS Office, being creative to find ways to use Office on mobile devices often pays off.

If it is not possible for a device to support the software we need or want to use, then that is an indication that the device is not appropriate for our needs or wants. I use computing devices to get things done with the software I use, not for the sake of the device itself. But I'm an oddball that way.

 

[alongdingdong]

My son broke my 2019 macbook pro, so i am using the Mini 6 on a external monitor now, with bluetooth mouse and keyboard.

It works but it is kinda meh... the resolution does not fill the entire screen of the external display, also the screen of the ipad mini is mirrored and requires to stay on.

Also audio sometimes comes from the monitor sometimes from the ipad. I need to get another adapter so it also can charge the ipad at the same time, but honestly not willing to invest any money further into it then need to.

It works but it is not fantastic, but i am no longer going to spend money on a new mac so i will keep using the ipad like this going forward.

I wish the ipad mini gave me a few options then only mirroring the ipad screen because when connected with a external keyboard and mouse that would be welcomed as i have to flip over the ipad as it is distracting to see everything twice.

Bigger screen is nicer to the eyes. I do really miss video editing via davinci resolve and playing WOW on my macbook but not going to buy another expensive one after my son destroyed it.

I wait till the kids are bigger lol.

Edit just saw the prices of the Air 2 and the regular mac lol nevermind they are really expensive these days mind you with the older M1 chip lol, the ipad mini 6 will do, thank you very much.