I spy 1 Magic Keyboard, a few smart keyboards, a variety of Logitech folio keyboards (combo touch / slim folio case), some other models which I don't recognise. But by far, Logitech seems pretty popular.
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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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Not surprising as first Magic Keyboard is rather expensive, second not very convenient when you want to use the Apple Pencil and use the iPad as a digital notebook.
Logitech cases are good choice when it comes to the balance between keyboard and trackpad quality but also ability to use the iPad with the pencil.
What about you? Do you use keyboard case?
Btw keep sharing your observations! It is definitely interesting for me to read.
I love my Logitech Combo Touch. Have had it since Nov 2021 when I got my M1 iPad Pro 11. I appreciate the convenience of having a great keyboard and touchpad, but being able to detach it for use as a notepad with my Apple pencil and still having excellent protection, something the MK cannot do. I have dropped my iPad 3 times since I've had it, and the LCT has fully protected it and still looks as good as the day I got it. The LCT has a great typing experience and a large click anywhere touchpad. I also love the full row of function keys, which the MK does not have. For the price, imo the LCT is as good if not better than the MK.
Thank you for your interest.
I initially got the smart keyboard with my iPad Pro but the durability left much to be desired, with the sides of the keyboard come apart at the seams after just over a year. Apple replaced it, then I bought another one, all had the same issues, and it was getting ludicrous swapping it out every year.
Which is a shame, because the smart keyboard is my favourite design by far. Magnets make it easy to detach / attach from the iPad, it's reasonably thin and light, and I actually quite like the typing experience. It answers every single issue I have had with keyboard cases so far.
I did try the Magic Keyboard when it was first released, but returned it when I discovered it could not be folded on its back (it's a dealbreaker for me). And I got crumbs stuck in between the keys while eating near it at my desk. 😅
Then I recently tried the Logitech combo touch, but didn't like how bulky and heavy it was, plus the kickstand design took up way too much space on my table. So returned it as well.
Currently not using any keyboard with my iPad. Got this cover off amazon.
JETech Magnetic Case for iPad Pro 11 Inch (2022/2021/2020/2018 Model), and iPad Air 5/4 (10.9-Inch 2022/2020), Support Pencil 2nd Gen Charging, Magnetic Attachment (Black)
Designed for iPad Air 5th/4th Generation (10.9-inch 2022/2020) and iPad Pro 11-inch (2021/2020/2018 Released Edge to Edge Liquid Retina Display). Fit iPad Models: A2759 A2435 A2761 A2762 A2588 A2589 A2591 A2324 A2072 A2316 A2325 A2377 A2301 A2459 A2460 A2228 A2068 A2230 A2231 A1980 A2013 A1934 A1...
www.amazon.sg
And if I need to type at home, I pair it to a Logitech K30 keyboard. But for heavy typing, I have my MBA.
I have a love-hate relationship with iPad keyboards.
Had similar experience with Smart Folio for my 2018 iPad Pro.
Indeed it looks cool from trackpad point of view and all that but it is not that useful if you use the Apple Pencil often enough.Yes, Logitech is a bit bulkier I think compared to the Apple Magic Keyboard and definitely compared to the Slim Folio.
This works if you use the keyboard only at home. If you need to use it outside unfortunately it seems that some compromises are to be madeJETech Magnetic Case for iPad Pro 11 Inch (2022/2021/2020/2018 Model), and iPad Air 5/4 (10.9-Inch 2022/2020), Support Pencil 2nd Gen Charging, Magnetic Attachment (Black)
Designed for iPad Air 5th/4th Generation (10.9-inch 2022/2020) and iPad Pro 11-inch (2021/2020/2018 Released Edge to Edge Liquid Retina Display). Fit iPad Models: A2759 A2435 A2761 A2762 A2588 A2589 A2591 A2324 A2072 A2316 A2325 A2377 A2301 A2459 A2460 A2228 A2068 A2230 A2231 A1980 A2013 A1934 A1...www.amazon.sg
And if I need to type at home, I pair it to a Logitech K30 keyboard. But for heavy typing, I have my MBA.
I have a love-hate relationship with iPad keyboards.
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Yeah, I like it, unfortunately it is not sold in my country. Here I can find only the Folio but not the Combo Touch.
I use the Logitech Combo Touch with my M1 iPad Air. It’s nearly as good as the Magic Keyboard and is often available at a discount. The trackpad isn’t nearly as good as the Magic Keyboard’s in registering the two-finger “right click but otherwise it has the build quality and usability of an Apple product.
My employer has activated OneDrive for Business, which makes the iPad much more useful as a laptop replacement. On a short work trip I would be comfortable taking only that vs my work laptop.
The Logitech Combo Touch is brilliant. But the only reason I use the MK over the Combo is because the Combo still requires use of the USB port to charge it. The MK uses the side port on the MK and you just magnetically attach, like a dock.
Actually the Combo Touch is powered just like the MK through the connecting pins. There is no charging the Combo Touch. It is not Bluetooth and is powered directly by the iPad, at least the one I use with my iPad Pro.
I doubt I could ever replace my MacBook Pro with and iPad Pro (which handles about 85% of my computing needs), but the iPad makes a great laptop substitute.
My 16-inch MBP is a tad bulky and heavy for regular toting around town, whereas the IPP carries quite nicely. (This is certainly the case when traveling.)
Now, if you have a desktop computer at home, then yes, iPad could replace a laptop.
I think he means that the Magic Keyboard has a charging port by the side that you can use to charge your iPad, freeing the usb-c port for something like like say, powering a portable usb-c monitor (which is really the only reason I can think of to justify getting one). With the combo touch keyboard, it doesn't add any extra ports, so you have to charge it via the iPad's sole usb-c port.
I think it can be done but it just requires us to ditch are traditional ways of using a computer and be open minded to how things are with the iPad. I’m going to try and use my iPad Pro 12.9 M1 for the next week as a laptop replacement. I’ve just started playing about with it today and I’m happy so far. My only gripe is that I can’t seem to download files in the iCloud app permanently as they keep going to live in the cloud again, on the Mac, where is the option to keep things downloaded, but I can’t seem to find an option on the iPad?
I also had a play with iMovie last night for some of our basic family videos, and I must admit I really like that magic movie feature, I thought it was a very good.
I’ve been contemplating buying a new MacBook Pro to replace my age in 2015 model, but I think now I will give this iPad another chance and see if I can make it work. I think I will take my iPad to the Apple Store as well and see how it connects up to the one of the Apple monitors.
I also had a play with iMovie last night for some of our basic family videos, and I must admit I really like that magic movie feature, I thought it was a very good.
I’ve been contemplating buying a new MacBook Pro to replace my age in 2015 model, but I think now I will give this iPad another chance and see if I can make it work. I think I will take my iPad to the Apple Store as well and see how it connects up to the one of the Apple monitors.
In Settings, look under Safari and you’ll be able to select Downloads and keep them on your iPad. I wish Apple would do this by default, but it could be a involuntarily way for them to get users to upgrade their iCloud storage.
I’ll say give it a go… but I personally wouldn’t go so far as to spend $1600 on a monitor specifically for the iPad.
There’s plenty of solid monitors to choose from and Stage Manager is much better on an external display (imo).
In Settings, look under Safari and you’ll be able to select Downloads and keep them on your iPad. I wish Apple would do this by default, but it could be a involuntarily way for them to get users to upgrade their iCloud storage.
I’ll say give it a go… but I personally wouldn’t go so far as to spend $1600 on a monitor specifically for the iPad.
There’s plenty of solid monitors to choose from and Stage Manager is much better on an external display (imo).
Thanks but I actually meant the files app itself. I want to keep the full contents of my iCloud Drive downloaded on the iPad on a full time basis but it doesn't seem to allow that? it does download them but then does seem to remove my less used files from the iPad and let them just live in the cloud. I have enough storage so id just like to keep them all permanently downloaded.
Umm.. why not just copy the full contents (or things you wanna keep) to a custom folder onto the iPad?
My file manager app of choice is the FileBrowser app and similar to you I prefer to keep files onto the iPad, but I occasionally use the Files App to move various files between apps.
That's my approach with FileBrowser Pro, one of my favorite apps.
That’s problematic when you need to keep files/folders in sync with multiple devices. Thankfully, iOS 16 now a “Download Now” option for folders which makes batch downloads a lot easier. I do wish they had a keep downloaded option similar to MacOS.
I have an ebooks folder that I like having an offline copy of. That seems to stay on the iPad just fine. Granted, the individual ebook files are fairly small and I have 256GB-1TB models with sufficient free space.
Been using FileBrowser for iPhone and iPad for years. A truly indispensable app.
Completely understand.
But the user in question is planning on using the iPad as their sole computing device... my method of syncing folders across devices is through Google Drive and OneDrive. I stopped using Dropbox... I don't know why, but with OneDrive I like to keep Office365 files and Google Drive for everything else.
I have an Office 365 subscription (TB storage I'm nowhere near of filing) and Google One as well... but I only did the basic one. I use Google Drive primarily as a go-between... when it comes to moving photos/videos from my Fold to iPad, since I use iCloud as my photo storage.
Honestly, to me this makes iCloud syncing even more important. Keeping non-replaceable files on just the iPad with its problematic support for external storage feels iffy to me.
I have an Office 365 subscription, too, but pretty much just use it solely for Excel/Word/Powerpoint.
We’re on iPhone + iPad + Windows and use a combination of iCloud + Dropbox for syncing amongst our devices (with NAS for backup).
I’ve used Dropbox for document syncing forever and so has the family. We’ve switched to a family plan and don’t see us switching to another service. It’s also the only cloud service supported by Marvin 3 (can easily batch download all epubs from Dropbox). I’ve yet to find an epub reader I like better than Marvin and unlike the iBooks/Books app, ebooks don’t get evicted from local storage.
For photos, we use iCloud (200GB).
I use my iPad for 90% of my laptop needs. I would love to have them upgrade the software to fully utilize Office 365 instead of offering just the basics. It’s especially noticeable on Excel. I created a budget spreadsheet for a friend on my laptop. I told him I would bring my iPad and tweak it when we met at lunch. Good thing I checked - I can’t even remove the protection on it with the iPad. 😠
After weeks of working iPad only I have to say iOS 16.3 made this possible.
Sometimes I tote my 14” still with me because I expect the iPad to fail, but so far it hasn’t been the case. Some things are harder to do (for my Mac-wired brain ) but a lot of things are also easier to do on an iPad.
Harder to do is sorting large amounts of files, renaming, that kind of things. Easier is reading large (PDF/Workd) documents, annotating etc.
But there is one thing I’m really worried: the temperature of my iPad.
Running a 27”4K display, having notability with a 400 page file open on the iPad itself, brightness to full. And on the display I have word, mail and safari with several tabs and Teams for chatting and within 20 minutes it’s warm.
After an hour it discharged to 80%, where it stays the rest of the day. It refuses to charge beyond 80%.
When I disconnect it, leave it to cool and the charge it, it charges again to 100%.
This is a bit annoying because if I work at the office and go to a client, I prefer my iPad charged to 100%.
I’ve been thinking about buying a M2 12.9” instead of my 11” M1, but I’m not sure it is going to make that big of a difference. So I’ll wait for the M3 and then decide of there is need for a M3 and decide over the 11/12.9.
Sometimes I tote my 14” still with me because I expect the iPad to fail, but so far it hasn’t been the case. Some things are harder to do (for my Mac-wired brain
) but a lot of things are also easier to do on an iPad.Harder to do is sorting large amounts of files, renaming, that kind of things. Easier is reading large (PDF/Workd) documents, annotating etc.
But there is one thing I’m really worried: the temperature of my iPad.
Running a 27”4K display, having notability with a 400 page file open on the iPad itself, brightness to full. And on the display I have word, mail and safari with several tabs and Teams for chatting and within 20 minutes it’s warm.
After an hour it discharged to 80%, where it stays the rest of the day. It refuses to charge beyond 80%.
When I disconnect it, leave it to cool and the charge it, it charges again to 100%.
This is a bit annoying because if I work at the office and go to a client, I prefer my iPad charged to 100%.
I’ve been thinking about buying a M2 12.9” instead of my 11” M1, but I’m not sure it is going to make that big of a difference. So I’ll wait for the M3 and then decide of there is need for a M3 and decide over the 11/12.9.
On the temperature I can only speculate that it is because it is being charged by the monitor.After weeks of working iPad only I have to say iOS 16.3 made this possible.
Sometimes I tote my 14” still with me because I expect the iPad to fail, but so far it hasn’t been the case. Some things are harder to do (for my Mac-wired brain
Harder to do is sorting large amounts of files, renaming, that kind of things. Easier is reading large (PDF/Workd) documents, annotating etc.
But there is one thing I’m really worried: the temperature of my iPad.
Running a 27”4K display, having notability with a 400 page file open on the iPad itself, brightness to full. And on the display I have word, mail and safari with several tabs and Teams for chatting and within 20 minutes it’s warm.
After an hour it discharged to 80%, where it stays the rest of the day. It refuses to charge beyond 80%.
When I disconnect it, leave it to cool and the charge it, it charges again to 100%.
This is a bit annoying because if I work at the office and go to a client, I prefer my iPad charged to 100%.
I’ve been thinking about buying a M2 12.9” instead of my 11” M1, but I’m not sure it is going to make that big of a difference. So I’ll wait for the M3 and then decide of there is need for a M3 and decide over the 11/12.9.
I might be able to explain the fact that the battery remains at 80 %. This seems to be the optimised battery charging situation. I assume the monitor you use can charge your iPad. It is not very good for batteries to be charged continuously so I assume what the iPad is doing is basically discharge to 80 % then it uses the monitor to keep this charge level but does not charge it fully to 100 %. Maybe try to go to the Battery section in Settings, it might tell you when does it plan to charge it to 100 %. If you really need it to charge to 100 %, if you disconnect and connect again I think that it will charge up to 100 %. However I do not advise doing this every day as this would impact negatively the battery health.
I have not seen this often with my iPad as my charging habits are very random but I do have this with the MacBook Pro. I use external monitor with thunderbolt that can charge the laptop and for the most part the laptop knows when to remain at 80 % and when to charge up to 100 %.
After weeks of working iPad only I have to say iOS 16.3 made this possible.
Sometimes I tote my 14” still with me because I expect the iPad to fail, but so far it hasn’t been the case. Some things are harder to do (for my Mac-wired brain
Harder to do is sorting large amounts of files, renaming, that kind of things. Easier is reading large (PDF/Workd) documents, annotating etc.
But there is one thing I’m really worried: the temperature of my iPad.
Running a 27”4K display, having notability with a 400 page file open on the iPad itself, brightness to full. And on the display I have word, mail and safari with several tabs and Teams for chatting and within 20 minutes it’s warm.
After an hour it discharged to 80%, where it stays the rest of the day. It refuses to charge beyond 80%.
When I disconnect it, leave it to cool and the charge it, it charges again to 100%.
This is a bit annoying because if I work at the office and go to a client, I prefer my iPad charged to 100%.
I’ve been thinking about buying a M2 12.9” instead of my 11” M1, but I’m not sure it is going to make that big of a difference. So I’ll wait for the M3 and then decide of there is need for a M3 and decide over the 11/12.9.
I think that sums it (“our brains are Mac wired”).. I’m taking my laptop and iPad to work tomorrow with the plan of just using the iPad and mac as backup!! 🤞
It’s normal for the battery to drop to 80% in one hour if you use notability. It happened to all similar app, like Goodnotes and also Apple notes (as long as you draw on it). If the iPad constantly in high temperature, its better to keep the battery at 40-70% range because high temp + closed to 100% or 0% charge is not good for battery health, especially in the long run.After weeks of working iPad only I have to say iOS 16.3 made this possible.
Sometimes I tote my 14” still with me because I expect the iPad to fail, but so far it hasn’t been the case. Some things are harder to do (for my Mac-wired brain
Harder to do is sorting large amounts of files, renaming, that kind of things. Easier is reading large (PDF/Workd) documents, annotating etc.
But there is one thing I’m really worried: the temperature of my iPad.
Running a 27”4K display, having notability with a 400 page file open on the iPad itself, brightness to full. And on the display I have word, mail and safari with several tabs and Teams for chatting and within 20 minutes it’s warm.
After an hour it discharged to 80%, where it stays the rest of the day. It refuses to charge beyond 80%.
When I disconnect it, leave it to cool and the charge it, it charges again to 100%.
This is a bit annoying because if I work at the office and go to a client, I prefer my iPad charged to 100%.
I’ve been thinking about buying a M2 12.9” instead of my 11” M1, but I’m not sure it is going to make that big of a difference. So I’ll wait for the M3 and then decide of there is need for a M3 and decide over the 11/12.9.
From other posts, it looks like the battery on 12.9” is a bit shorter than in 11”. Also, M2 consume (a bit) more than M1.