iPad as a laptop replacement

[DirtyVega$]

Have you replaced your laptop with an IPP? I would like to hear about it.
What aspects do you like or wish for a change? I am thinking of replacing an aging MBP with a
12.9 IPP in the fall. Looking to get thoughts and or advice.
thank you in advance.

 

[Newtons Apple]

For some it might be OK but for me the iPad could never replace a real computer.

Apple could allow the iPad to do more but will not.

 

[techwhiz]

I use my iPad Pro as a notebook (paper that is) replacement.
I take all my notes with an iPad Pro and pencil.

 

[azpekt]

yes, i did

i miss only option to hook up external monitors - but the overall mobility of the ipad compared to laptop is unbeatable

 

[RudySnow]

I replaced my MacBook Pro in Nov. 2015 when the 12.9 iPad came out. I don’t regret it one bit. I don’t code and I don’t edit hi-res videos or anything like that, but I have found software to replace 99% of everything I ever used on my laptop. There were a couple of games I couldn’t port over but that’s okay. I agree with the above post that it kind of sucks that I can’t add an external monitor that doesn’t just mirror my iPad display. The Apple Pencil is really necessary for navigating through Excel files, IMO. I have 128GB but I keep my files in iCloud and backed up on MS OneDrive. My wife still has a Mac Mini and every time I need to service it, I am reminded of how irritating macOS was for me... that’s another post for another day.

 

[thisismyusername]

Sort of. Technically, my iPad Pro 10.5 + Smart Keyboard did completely replace my 2012 MacBook Pro, however, I've always had and always will have a PC for when I need a "real computer". My laptop was mainly used for typical internet things along with any work related emergencies that came up while I was traveling for personal reasons and the iPad is great for all of that. However, an iPad could never be my one and only computer.

I'm very happy with my iPad Pro and am glad I bought it instead of a new laptop. I use it every day. I especially love the ultra portability of it while traveling. I also really like how easy it is to attach and detach the Smart Keyboard.

In short, an iPad can be a great secondary device to a real computer (which is my situation). Whether or not it can really be your one and only "computer" is up to you and what exactly you expect from it.

 

[sparksd]

No. I find the iPad to be too inefficient for a lot of activities - heavy RAW photo processing, working on documents and spreadsheets of any complexity. I also strongly prefer use of a mouse over finger or pencil. I really like my iPP but it is no replacement for my laptop.

 

[sracer]

Have you replaced your laptop with an IPP? I would like to hear about it.
What aspects do you like or wish for a change? I am thinking of replacing an aging MBP with a
12.9 IPP in the fall. Looking to get thoughts and or advice.
thank you in advance.

No, try as I might, I could not get my 12.9 iPad Pro to replace any of my macOS devices (iMac, 11" MBA)

Here are some of the reasons:
Lack of advanced productivity software for iOS. iWork, Office for iPad, Google Docs, etc. are all sorely lacking in moderate and advanced functionality. They're adequate for MODIFYING documents but insufficient for creating documents that have anything more than basic formatting.

Lack of support for peripherals. While it is possible to use things like RavPower's FileHub for accessing USB thumbdrives, harddrives, and SD cards, there's no direct way to do that with the iPad. iOS doesn't support things like presentation remote controls.

Lack of support for physical point devices. There are some scenarios where using a mouse is preferred over touching the screen. In those scenarios it is not enjoyable to use the touchscreen. I do use a mouse with my iPad Pro when remotely connecting to my iMac... THAT works great but makes the lack of mouse support in general even more frustrating.

Lack of a proper global file system. the individual sandboxed file systems for each app make using more than one app to work on a file cumbersome. The Files.app of iOS 11 is essentially Apple's version of Documents by Readdle and does not provide the type of support that I need for a file system.

Those are just a few of the reasons why my iPad Pro can't replace my macOS devices. That is not to say that these reasons will prevent YOU from doing so, but if these things are important to you too, they are to be considered.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

I got a 12.9 in November and sold my 2015 MBP in January because I wasn't touching it. I don't have another computer. I teach online, and for that, the IPP with pencil is a step up over the MBP plus Wacom tablet, especially if you travel a lot, as I do.

I was a little nervous about selling the MBP but told myself I could get a Mac mini if I found i needed one. So far I haven't had any need. I'm obviously not a programmer or anything. Pretty basic needs, plus the online teaching, and iPad is perfect for them.

 

[ericwn]

Have you replaced your laptop with an IPP? I would like to hear about it.
What aspects do you like or wish for a change? I am thinking of replacing an aging MBP with a
12.9 IPP in the fall. Looking to get thoughts and or advice.
thank you in advance.

I encourage you to browse this forum a bit longer. Your questions come up on a regular basis and there are lots of topics that will help you.

Personally, for what I do, I don’t need a laptop computer anymore, my iPad Pro is my main device at home. I do have an iMac as well but it’s mainly used for storage and recording purposes.

 

[millydog]

I love both of my iPads Pro, but I’d consider my 12.9” to be more of a laptop replacement than my 10.5 for the reason of size and two iPad apps side by side.
For it to be a permanent laptop replacement for myself, I’d like a file system more useful for a programmer with an area that is accessible by multiple apps. I’d also like access to more programming IDEs like XCode, Eclipse and an Oracle database programming IDE.
I’d also like a Lightening to Apple Dock accessory to plug in external devices such as hard drives and external monitors. Also add full mouse support. If/when we get to that point, I think that I’d consider my iPad to be a full laptop replacement.
Oh..and I’d like to be able to back up the iPad directly onto the connected hard drive from the iPad.

 

[prospervic]

For some it might be OK but for me the iPad could never replace a real computer.

Apple could allow the iPad to do more but will not.

From macOS Dictionary app:
"computer | kəmˈpyo͞odər |
an electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program."

Yep. iPad does this (and a helluva lot more) quite well. A "real" computer, indeed.
[doublepost=1521778122][/doublepost]The question was "Have you replaced your laptop with an IPP?"
Yes, it has replaced my 15" MacBook Pro.
However, I now have, and still use a 27" iMac.
Does the OP mean replacing a laptop in particular, or a Mac in general?

 

[akash.nu]

yes, i did

i miss only option to hook up external monitors - but the overall mobility of the ipad compared to laptop is unbeatable

Erm, you can connect monitor with an iPad though.

 

[Newtons Apple]

From macOS Dictionary app:
"computer | kəmˈpyo͞odər |
an electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program."

Yep. iPad does this (and a helluva lot more) quite well. A "real" computer, indeed.
[doublepost=1521778122][/doublepost]The question was "Have you replaced your laptop with an IPP?"
Yes, it has replaced my 15" MacBook Pro.
However, I now have, and still use a 27" iMac.
Does the OP mean replacing a laptop in particular, or a Mac in general?

LOL! The iPad would never replace my computers. Maybe for you with “simple” needs but not for me. It would not even run the software I need, much less be able to cope.

 

[sracer]

Erm, you can connect monitor with an iPad though.

Technically that is true. Practically, it isn't very useful for the purposes that people typically use an external monitor.

 

[akash.nu]

Technically that is true. Practically, it isn't very useful for the purposes that people typically use an external monitor.

Depends I guess. I use it for all non tech work related stuff. Just having the iPad screen available on a bigger monitor helps with usability for sure.

People need to change their workflow / expectations when it comes to using a different device on a different OS and a different workflow.

 

[azpekt]

Erm, you can connect monitor with an iPad though.

Dude, I know it
I meant proper usage of external monitor, like, you know, have different apps on iPad and external monitor, or hook several monitors or something more than mirroring my screen in glorious HD.

 

[akash.nu]

Dude, I know it
I meant proper usage of external monitor, like, you know, have different apps on iPad and external monitor, or hook several monitors or something more than mirroring my screen in glorious HD.

Yeah I think the issue is expectations. iPad was never developed for such use case. It took Microsoft so many years to get an OS that can transform between desktop and mobile systems. Both iOS and macOS are not in that situation and probably won’t be there for years to come.

Personally, I think it was a really clever move from Microsoft but then they’re struggling with actually coming up with a useful interface in terms of making the mobile - desktop switch easier for the consumers. Even the current solutions Microsoft provide is really clunky and fiddly.

 

[sracer]

Depends I guess. I use it for all non tech work related stuff. Just having the iPad screen available on a bigger monitor helps with usability for sure.

People need to change their workflow / expectations when it comes to using a different device on a different OS and a different workflow.

Of course. I'm a huge proponent of that. Just search this site for "sracer" and "Think different".

But thinking different is not the magic bullet that bridges the gap between an iOS device and macOS device. There are physical and technical differences between the two platforms that prevent the iPad from being a universal replacement for a laptop. It is reasonable to acknowledge that.

I'm a fan of the iPad (Pro or not) for what it is and what it can do. I've pushed the boundaries of it and can acknowledge those areas where it falls short without an all-or-nothing support or rejection of it.

If you use a dual monitor approach to simply mirror the content of the iPad on a larger screen and that is all you need, then that's great! Enjoy it. But that is not the only reason why people want dual display support.

 

[DNichter]

I did last year. Only using an iPad Pro and iPhone X for business and personal. Not a ton that I miss, but had to develop some different habits when it comes to file management and updates to my server. Overall I have been really happy. Performance is great, apps are better than macOS, battery life is incredible, screen is perfect. It was definitely the right move for me.

 

[Dave-Z]

I have. My second gen. 12.9 iPad is my primary device.

But I do cheat a little bit.

My work consists mostly of backend web development and server admin. I use Panic's Prompt 2 app to remotely connect to servers so I can code with command line tools like vim. I have a local server on which I develop and remote for production. The setup works really well.

There are times when I need an actual desktop computer, for that I use Jump Desktop.

There are definitely points of frustration at times though. There are no good front end web inspectors (at least nothing that compares to desktop OSs). And it still baffles me that I cannot download files in Safari on iOS. In fact, that I can't just put a random file on the device is stupid. I actually need to install an app like Pages, etc. (which can create its own files) before I can start doing that. I can't just go from Safari to Files. This makes no sense to me. At the moment I use PDF Expert by Readdle (because I tend to work with a lot of PDFs) as a document storage area instead of Apple's Files app. PDF Expert supports connecting to network shares in a variety of protocols, lets me store just about any file I want and I can manipulate PDFs (markup, re-order pages, etc.) easily.

I love the larger screen of the 12" iPad and I can attach the smart keyboard as needed. (I hope in the next iteration of Smart Keyboard they add some function/media keys, and an escape key.) Battery life easily lasts a whole day for me.

But just to be clear: for many people an iPad only (or primary) device just isn't an option. A few months ago I tried working on a spreadsheet with Numbers on my iPad and wanted to throw the thing through a wall. Any complex spreadsheet is going to be pretty painful. Also audio/video production is still lacking. But I do think that for most average people it could easily be a primary device.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Have you replaced your laptop with an IPP? I would like to hear about it.
What aspects do you like or wish for a change? I am thinking of replacing an aging MBP with a
12.9 IPP in the fall. Looking to get thoughts and or advice.
thank you in advance.

I mostly use my iPad Pro 12”. I’d say I use my laptop once in a blue Moon. The problem is that when I need to use my laptop it means that I am *REALLY* missing something from my iPad. It really depends on what you need it for. If I had to choose between laptop and iPad, I’d chose laptop due to its software flexibility although I’d seriously miss my Apple pencil.
If you can, get a cheap(er) Mac (MacMini? Macbook Air? Older Macbooks?) and the best iPP you can find.

 

[nightcap965]

I love my iPad Pro. I've tried adding a keyboard, and it's ... better, but it just can't replace my MacBook Pro. It's the ability to multitask that I miss, the ability to open a dozen terminal windows, or have my spreadsheet, DevonThink, Pages, Safari, Calendar, Contacts, 1Password, and Things all running and just a click away, along with the tools like TextExpander and Alfred. If I had to choose one or the other and didn't have money, I'd choose a MacBook Air.

 

[Jonr515]

I use my IPad Pro 12.9 2nd a ton, but when I need to do heavier excel work I have to go to my MBA for work. For personal use, I have a RavPower hub and also NAS My Cloud, I could get by without a laptop for sure.

 

[Nugget]

I hope in the next iteration of Smart Keyboard they add some function/media keys, and an escape key.

This is a big deal for me too, but seeing that Apple's higher spec laptops don't even have escape keys any more I'm not optimistic.