iPad as a laptop replacement

[livmatus]

So I tried the so called Stage Manager today... it is an ultimate crap.
Buggy, non-intuitive, lack of settings ... I find it everything but helpful in any way.

The only somewhat useful thing I can imagine it using is to have some media playback on background ... Youtube, AppleTV etc ... (Disney+ e.g. doesn't support external display) ... but want to watch the video without headphones and your monitor does not have built-in speakers? Forget!

Apple should either provide proper windowing of applications - or at least split view, think of any combinations on how to use the thing (e.g. in combination with SideCar, Universal Control (or both - try it, the whole thing becomes a mess))

...or just ditch the whole thing

 

[Ludatyk]

So I tried the so called Stage Manager today... it is an ultimate crap.
Buggy, non-intuitive, lack of settings ... I find it everything but helpful in any way.

Well, you are entitled to your opinion. But I just find it comically that you mention it has "lack of settings." When it literally gives you an area in Control Panel and in Settings app to allow you to either turn it on or off along with giving users the option to show recent windows or the dock.

Apple should either provide proper windowing of applications - or at least split view, think of any combinations on how to use the thing (e.g. in combination with SideCar, Universal Control (or both - try it, the whole thing becomes a mess))

...or just ditch the whole thing

What exactly is proper windowing of applications? Freedom of moving windows... perhaps? This might have been your first impression... but I find most of the criticism comes from Mac/Window users who want the iPad to behave like a Mac/Windows OS.

 

[Beefbowl]

So I tried the so called Stage Manager today... it is an ultimate crap.
Buggy, non-intuitive, lack of settings ... I find it everything but helpful in any way.

The only somewhat useful thing I can imagine it using is to have some media playback on background ... Youtube, AppleTV etc ... (Disney+ e.g. doesn't support external display) ... but want to watch the video without headphones and your monitor does not have built-in speakers? Forget!

Apple should either provide proper windowing of applications - or at least split view, think of any combinations on how to use the thing (e.g. in combination with SideCar, Universal Control (or both - try it, the whole thing becomes a mess))

...or just ditch the whole thing

iPadOS desperately does need a proper audio selector, since you’re at its mercy to pick which playback device it chooses to use, but in my setup (iPad to Caldigit Thunderbolt Dock to AudioEngine USB speakers) it is at least smart enough to play back through the speakers and not send sound to the monitor. I’m not sure if that is pure chance since there are at least four audio devices it could be choosing from, or if there’s some priority to the selection that puts USB audio at the top of the list.

I’ve had mixed results with media apps.

Disney+ can do full screen on the external display if you open it on that display and then choose full screen from the … menu.

VLC needs to be opened on the internal display and will then play back fullscreen on the external display. (You can open it full screen on the external but I had trouble getting playback controls to work).

Amazon Prime is an unqualified poorer experience under Stage Manager, however. On a non-Stage Manager iPad you can open it on the iPad and it plays full screen on the external, but on Stage Manager I haven’t been able to get it to open full screen on the external AND if you open it on the iPad it plays video only to the iPad rather than using the monitor.

 

[cwosigns]

I am about to put this to the test; I have someone coming to buy my iMac after work today. Aside from my work-issued MacBook Pro, this leaves my M1 12.9” iPad Pro as my main personal computing device, supplemented by LG UltraFine monitors, an iPad mini 6, and my iPhone 14 Pro Max. I will no longer own a MacOS device for this first time since 1999. It’s exciting and a little nerve wracking as well. We’ll see how this holds up.

Just a short update. I have not missed my iMac (or MacBook that I sold previously). Using the M1 iPad Pro with Stage Manager and external display support has been great. There hasn’t been anything over the last three weeks that I felt like I needed a Mac to do. The iPad Pro, along with my 5K UltraFine display, is all the computer I need.

 

[bondr006]

Just a short update. I have not missed my iMac (or MacBook that I sold previously). Using the M1 iPad Pro with Stage Manager and external display support has been great. There hasn’t been anything over the last three weeks that I felt like I needed a Mac to do. The iPad Pro, along with my 5K UltraFine display, is all the computer I need.

Congrats bud! Sold my MBP over a year ago and flying solo with my iPad Pro ever since. Best experience ever. No turning back now!

 

[Mark Stone]

Just a short update. I have not missed my iMac (or MacBook that I sold previously). Using the M1 iPad Pro with Stage Manager and external display support has been great. There hasn’t been anything over the last three weeks that I felt like I needed a Mac to do. The iPad Pro, along with my 5K UltraFine display, is all the computer I need.

Congratulations! I divorced an HP Notebook, and my only PC now is my M1 iPad Air 2022 - this little bad boy does it all!

 

[jm31828]

Congratulations! I divorced an HP Notebook, and my only PC now is my M1 iPad Air 2022 - this little bad boy does it all!

I just picked up an m1 iPad Air, and don’t have a MacBook but do have a 2017 27’ iMac.

I set up chrome Remote Desktop and it flawlessly lets me log into the iMac, and I can air drop files back and forth- so I am imagining all kinds of possibilities with this combo!

I can transfer files to the iPad when I’m on the iPad doing photo or video editing, and can even use an app or two via remote control that are on the iMac from the iPad in the couch… there is no lag.

I’m debating spending the money on a Magic Keyboard for it to allow it stand on my lap properly, and to have the keyboard and trackpad when those are useful in certain apps to make it even more like a laptop.

 

[Mark Stone]

I just picked up an m1 iPad Air, and don’t have a MacBook but do have a 2017 27’ iMac.

I set up chrome Remote Desktop and it flawlessly lets me log into the iMac, and I can air drip files back and forth- so I am imagining all kinds of possibilities with this combo!

I can transfer files to the iPad when I’m in the iPad doing photo if video editing, and can even use an app or two via remote control that are on the iMac from the iPad in the couch… there is no lag.

I’m debating spending the money on a Magic Keyboard for it to look it it stand on my lap properly, and to have the keyboard and trackpad when those are useful in certain apps to make it even more like a laptop.

Go for the Magic Keyboard! It turns the iPad into a little monster. It’s like the “Netbook” computers of yesteryear - fits in a shoulder bag, goes everywhere, does everything. My architectural history studies (see link in sig) are sooooo easy with this device.

 

[jm31828]

Go for the Magic Keyboard! It turns the iPad into a little monster. It’s like the “Netbook” computers of yesteryear - fits in a shoulder bag, goes everywhere, does everything. My architectural history studies (see link in sig) are sooooo easy with this device.

Thanks, I might just pull the trigger!

I don’t bring the iPad out of the house, so one thing I considered to save money is to just get the folio case, and use the Magic Keyboard from my iMac when needing to type on the iPad.

I imagine that would be a bit clunky, and wouldn’t sit well on the lap…

 

[SteveJUAE]

What exactly is proper windowing of applications? Freedom of moving windows... perhaps? This might have been your first impression... but I find most of the criticism comes from Mac/Window users who want the iPad to behave like a Mac/Windows OS.

But is that not the key to this thread "ipad as a laptop replacement" LOL

If your iPad fails to replicate your laptop usage etc the way you like then it's not the device for you

If it does or you do not care then good for you

Trying to convince or criticise users one way or the other on personal preference is futile at best

 

[Abazigal]

But is that not the key to this thread "ipad as a laptop replacement" LOL

If your iPad fails to replicate your laptop usage etc the way you like then it's not the device for you

If it does or you do not care then good for you

Trying to convince or criticise users one way or the other on personal preference is futile at best

This is why I would rather the thread have been an "iPad alternative" discussion, where members share on how they have used their iPads to complete tasks that were otherwise impossible or impractical on a conventional PC. But at over 180 pages, I suppose that rubicon has been crossed.

 

[SteveJUAE]

This is why I would rather the thread have been an "iPad alternative" discussion, where members share on how they have used their iPads to complete tasks that were otherwise impossible or impractical on a conventional PC. But at over 180 pages, I suppose that rubicon has been crossed.

I agree (for a change LOL) yes that would of been a far more useful topic for iPad owners

This thread is full of how or why they have or not succeeded with their iPad and needs far to much reading to get anything really useful, unfortunately

 

[Ludatyk]

But is that not the key to this thread "ipad as a laptop replacement" LOL

If your iPad fails to replicate your laptop usage etc the way you like then it's not the device for you

If it does or you do not care then good for you

Trying to convince or criticise users one way or the other on personal preference is futile at best

Yes, the thread is called “iPad as a laptop replacement,” but it doesn’t necessarily mean convert the iPad into a Mac lol.

And my keyword was “behave”… task that you normally do on the iPad are different from Mac/Windows, users have to adjust their workflow to the iPad.

That particular user came in critiquing ”proper windows of application,” so.. my guess they means “freedom of movement” because the iPad has the ability to present 3 or 4 windows on display (8 with external display). However, since the movement isn’t similar to Windows/Mac… criticism ensues.

I agree (for a change LOL) yes that would of been a far more useful topic for iPad owners

This thread is full of how or why they have or not succeeded with their iPad and needs far to much reading to get anything really useful, unfortunately

Because people come in and criticize why the iPad isn’t a laptop replacement.. when the discussion should be ”iPad as a laptop replacement.”

And explaining how they achieved it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I have drawn the same conclusion now that I did many months ago when this thread started. For some an iPad can replace their laptop fully and for others it simply can’t. My iPad replaced a laptop at home but I could never do my job on an iPad, it’s simply not powerful enough. No one persons use-case is applicable for all and some of the bickering in this thread is rather futile. Take a step back and realise that what you can use fine, others have different needs.

Yes, an iPad can be a laptop replacement for some people.

No, an iPad can’t replace a laptop for some people.

It’s as simple as that folks….

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think it all depends on the user and what they need out of computer. Horses for courses as they say. At the end of the day, do your research, think about what you need the computer to do and then choose the right device for you. There’s also the option of having both an ipad and a Mac. It doesn’t have to be either or.

 

[Mainsail]

So much of this is personal preference. Two people with the same use cases might elect different devices and device combinations. For example, my wife and I have reasonably similar technology needs and uses. I prefer a laptop with an iPad as a secondary device. She prefers an iMac plus iPad combo. I use my iPad purely as a tablet and auxiliary screen. She uses her iPad as more of a laptop replacement or alternative.

For Christmas, I bought her the MK to go with her iPad Air. Perviously, she was using the Keyboard Folio. She loves the MK. When I watch her using it, I think "why not just use a laptop?". But, she doesn't like laptops. Why? It kind of boils down to personal preference. When using a small screen device, my wife prefers the one app at a time experience. Occasionally, she might use Split View on the iPad. But, she doesn't want to deal with a bunch of floating windows on the 10.9in iPad Air. If she needs multiple floating windows, she uses the iMac. That's just her preference. On the other hand, I prefer the freedom of moving rapidly between multiple windows.....even when using the relatively small 13.6 in screen on my M2 MBA. So, there you go. We just have different ways of working but not substantially different requirements or use cases.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Yes, the thread is called “iPad as a laptop replacement,” but it doesn’t necessarily mean convert the iPad into a Mac lol.

And my keyword was “behave”… task that you normally do on the iPad are different from Mac/Windows, users have to adjust their workflow to the iPad.

That particular user came in critiquing ”proper windows of application,” so.. my guess they means “freedom of movement” because the iPad has the ability to present 3 or 4 windows on display (8 with external display). However, since the movement isn’t similar to Windows/Mac… criticism ensues.


Because people come in and criticize why the iPad isn’t a laptop replacement.. when the discussion should be ”iPad as a laptop replacement.”

And explaining how they achieved it.

Maybe the distinction should have been "Ipad as an alternative to a laptop" as soon as we say "as a laptop replacement" it implies or is as taken some mimicking of functionality that adds to the side line distraction and away from the core discussion

 

[Ludatyk]

Maybe the distinction should have been "Ipad as an alternative to a laptop" as soon as we say "as a laptop replacement" it implies or is as taken some mimicking of functionality that adds to the side line distraction and away from the core discussion

I've brought this up before... when we break down the term of laptop, it's practically a keyboard/mouse attached to a screen.

Technically, attaching keyboard/mouse to a iPad... that is considered a laptop. And fundamentally that causes a problem... because we have been rooted that the only thing exist in laptop form are Windows and Mac computers. Heck, Chromebooks are now considered laptops.

I wish we can get away from categorizing what the iPad should be. Because at the end of the day, it's up to the user to decide what's best for them.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I've brought this up before... when we break down the term of laptop, it's practically a keyboard/mouse attached to a screen.

Technically, attaching keyboard/mouse to a iPad... that is considered a laptop. And fundamentally that causes a problem... because we have been rooted that the only thing exist in laptop form are Windows and Mac computers. Heck, Chromebooks are now considered laptops.

I wish we can get away from categorizing what the iPad should be. Because at the end of the day, it's up to the user to decide what's best for them.

I agree fruitless side discussions

 

[sparksd]

I've brought this up before... when we break down the term of laptop, it's practically a keyboard/mouse attached to a screen.

Technically, attaching keyboard/mouse to a iPad... that is considered a laptop. And fundamentally that causes a problem... because we have been rooted that the only thing exist in laptop form are Windows and Mac computers. Heck, Chromebooks are now considered laptops.

I wish we can get away from categorizing what the iPad should be. Because at the end of the day, it's up to the user to decide what's best for them.

Yeah, I set my M1 12.9 & Magic Keyboard side-by-side with my Surface Pro 7 and they sure look a lot alike. I can even use the same mouse with them, just having to set a switch on the mouse (Logitech MX Master 3). Each has its own strengths and weaknesses and I view them as complementary devices.

 

[Abazigal]

Well, I started the first day of my 4-month middle management course yesterday, and my schedule this week is basically a week's worth of lectures and admin briefings. I really enjoy using my 2018 iPad Pro take notes and refer to lesson material, but my battery barely lasted the day yesterday. I guess that's what 4 years of usage does to it, but I am not ready to upgrade just yet.

That said, I do see many other teachers using iPads in the lecture theatre as well. All with an assortment of keyboard cases, from the magic keyboard to the logitech combo touch. Really makes my fingers itch. Good thing I have tried them previously and returned them after deciding that they didn't work for me. Else, I would be seriously contemplating a purchase right now...

 

[bondr006]

Well, I started the first day of my 4-month middle management course yesterday, and my schedule this week is basically a week's worth of lectures and admin briefings. I really enjoy using my 2018 iPad Pro take notes and refer to lesson material, but my battery barely lasted the day yesterday. I guess that's what 4 years of usage does to it, but I am not ready to upgrade just yet.

That said, I do see many other teachers using iPads in the lecture theatre as well. All with an assortment of keyboard cases, from the magic keyboard to the logitech combo touch. Really makes my fingers itch. Good thing I have tried them previously and returned them after deciding that they didn't work for me. Else, I would be seriously contemplating a purchase right now...

You might find an external power bank/battery useful as a backup in this case. This is what I carry, just in case.

Baseus Power Bank, 65W 20000mAh Portable Charger​

 

[Abazigal]

You might find an external power bank/battery useful as a backup in this case. This is what I carry, just in case.

Baseus Power Bank, 65W 20000mAh Portable Charger​

Thank you for the suggestion. I thought of it, but am already trying to travel light as is. Will see how the next few days go before I consider getting one over the weekend.

 

[papbot]

Thank you for the suggestion. I thought of it, but am already trying to travel light as is. Will see how the next few days go before I consider getting one over the weekend.

I am definitely one who believes that an iPad can easily be the only computer I'd ever need. Both my wife and I currently have the M2 12.9 iPP. But I just replaced a 2013 MacBook Pro with a new M2 MacBook Air. I kinda like having an up to date laptop as a backup, and I was able to splurge this year. This MBA should last me another 7-10 years. My wife never uses her old laptop anymore.

But I have to say the battery life of this MBA is phenomenal, especially compared to that old MBP, but even compared to the iPad Pro it is superior. Everyone's use case will differ so battery life will vary among users, but I have found using the MBA in the same way I use my iPP for the same periods of time it is better, noticeably so. If you’re looking to upgrade a device and battery life is critical you might want to consider the MBA.

Add in a keyboard, AppleCare and probably an Apple Pencil and the MBA comes out less expensive by a possibly significant amount depending upon configurations of either one. And I was able to use the Education Store discounts for both. We always get the wifi + cellular versions. I love my iPP and many features are simpler and easier to use but this MBA has revived the debate in my head about which is the better choice for me. I had at one time thought I’d never waste the money on another laptop. So depending on what your uses will be and just how critical battery life is you might give an MBA a thought. But a new iPP would be extremely satisfying.

 

[Abazigal]

If you’re looking to upgrade a device and battery life is critical you might want to consider the MBA.

I am currently bringing both my 2018 11" iPad Pro and 2020 M1 MBA to University. So far, I haven't really had a chance to use my laptop as we are still have lectures (tutorials start next week), so I am using my iPad Pro for note taking (usually notability and notes in split-screen, and occasionally switching to other apps / websites like blackboard or mail).

The notes app is weird. Initially starts out fine, but then I start getting a split-second lag between me writing on the screen and the annotation appearing. I don't seem to get this in Notability, so maybe I will switch over tomorrow. I also note that my handwriting is horrendous.

So for today, my iPad was down to around 60% by the time we broke for lunch at 12, but I was able to get a power outlet and left it charging back to 100% (yay for my 3-port anker charger which I shared with two other group mates, both also using iPads). Then from 1.30 to 4.30 pm, it went down to 65%? I am not sure if leaving VPN on the whole time made much of a difference; their wifi was blocking telegram and iCloud from working. It would have lasted the day, but then I also did some light gaming and YouTube after dinner at home at it's now at about 30%, so I would have had to charge it at some point either way.

My iPad is old, but I don't really feel compelled to upgrade at this point. The iPad Air feels like a step down, and the M2 iPad Pro seems too pricey for no real benefit. Let's see what Apple offers this year.

Good night all! It's definitely different going back to studying after so many years away from school.