iPad as a laptop replacement

[gangzoom]

Been using a work supplied iPad Pro, Flio keyboard and pencil for 2 weeks now in 'anger'. I have to say am very pleased with the Office work flow when intergrates with 365 Enterprise/One drive setup. I now choose to use it over my HP Elitebook because the iPad just gets to work so much more quickly.....no Bitlocker ID, no start up sequence, no Windows OS to load, just FaceID and I'm in Word/Outlook in literally seconds.

 

[DeepSix]

There unfortunately isn't really a perfect setup in the Apple lineup (or anyone's lineup), as you're discovering. While the price of the MK does come close to another iPad, I'm not sure owning two iPads is really worth the hassle. The MK was worth the cost to me at the time as I used my 11" iPad Pro as my main computing device for almost two years, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. The MK certainly isn't built to last though - I had mine replaced just recently a bit after the two year mark. It was through Apple Care so no cost, except to my sanity while Apple support kept telling me over and over that it wasn't covered (it IS covered).

If I was still using an iPad Pro as a main computing device, honestly I'd probably still get the MK all over again, because it's just such a good experience vs everything else, and because I'm not that bothered about having every inch of my iPad protected all the time.

The 14" MacBook Pro that work got me has converted me back to the Mac for now, however, so I don't worry so much about the MK, and my iPad Pro spends its time in the smart folio these days. The MK is now reserved for those times I'm travelling light and I'm taking just an iPad with me. It's the perfect setup for a long flight.

After using the Surface Pro Type covers for like 8 years, all the type covers I've had and used never showed any wear over it's time and I took them literally everywhere, even travelling across the world. And like I said, I rarely cleaned them because they didn't require it. Extremely well made product that has top notch build quality. And Microsoft doesn't charge $400CAD for it. The MKB is unacceptable for a $400CAD keyboard. Pay that much for a keyboard that shows wear within minutes of taking it out of the box? It's just not worth having a keyboard if you have to clean, dust, sanitize it every day like many users are.

Apple can take some pointers from Microsoft on how to make a durable mobile keyboard just like they did on how to make a 2 in 1. If I bought a MKB right now, I would take it out of the box and apply duct tape to it front and back, all over to assure me that it will stand the test of time and it won't rip from just taking it out of a bag.

From my experiences I find that ipad pro 11 and mini 6 give you completely different experiences when using it as a tablet. Reason why I bought another mini 6 yesterday.

 

[DeepSix]

We use the apple folio's which is same material as the MGK, can't see it being any different in wear, some people just trash everything. The logitech combo takes up too much desk space, no good on the lap, is heavy even without keyboard, doesn't raise the height of the iPad. Sure the apple one is over priced but so is the logitech at full price imo.
I have tried both and returned both.

Combo touch takes up the same amount of space as a Surface Pro does, this issue has been blown way out of proportion by many. It feels just like using a smaller version of the Surface Pro, just with a non-metal kickstand. I agree it's heavy without the keyboard but just something you have to tolerate and get used to.

This is why I bought a mini 6 yesterday, so I can use this as my tablet first device with a super thin ESR TPU case on it. Its weight that no other ipad can come close to matching. The experience that an ipad mini gives you for a pure tablet experience is different and unique compared to a Pro 11 or larger. Not just for holding it but on screen typing on it. I'd say it's better than the rest of the larger ipads because of the ipad minis size and form factor. It really excels as a media consumption device because it fits into pockets easy and you can one hand it. And it's less cumbersome to use in your car because you can use it just like a larger phone.

Has anyone tried using the Combo touch keyboard without the combo touch case? Since it's just connecting to the ipads smart connector, I bet you it would work. I don't want to try it because each time you remove a case, it won't fit the same the next time you put it on.

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

Having used both Surface with touch cover and IPP with MKB, at least to me, the MKB experience is much better, especially if I use the device in my lap.

Two are the thing which are relegating my iPad Pro to be a kind of second device:
1. The lack of possibility to attach a digital as in cryptographic signature to a document.
2. A good document scanning solution.

PS
Can someone recommend a good document scanning application? It hasn’t has to be free but I would like to avoid subscriptions.

 

[dotnet]

Can someone recommend a good document scanning application? It hasn’t has to be free but I would like to avoid subscriptions.

I don’t know what constitutes a “good document scanning application” in your judgement, but I’ve been using Scanner Pro for many years on both iPhones and iPads. It’s not free but not subscription, either.

 

[bondr006]

Can someone recommend a good document scanning application? It hasn’t has to be free but I would like to avoid subscriptions.

Adobe Scan is a good free one.

Microsoft Lens is another good free one.

 

[teh_hunterer]

After using the Surface Pro Type covers for like 8 years, all the type covers I've had and used never showed any wear over it's time and I took them literally everywhere, even travelling across the world. And like I said, I rarely cleaned them because they didn't require it. Extremely well made product that has top notch build quality. And Microsoft doesn't charge $400CAD for it. The MKB is unacceptable for a $400CAD keyboard. Pay that much for a keyboard that shows wear within minutes of taking it out of the box? It's just not worth having a keyboard if you have to clean, dust, sanitize it every day like many users are.

If I bought a MKB right now, I would take it out of the box and apply duct tape to it front and back, all over to assure me that it will stand the test of time and it won't rip from just taking it out of a bag.

I get where you're coming from but that is a bit dramatic regarding the wear and tear. My Magic Keyboard didn't require that kind of babying at all, and it looked no older at two years of daily use than it did after 6 months.

I found it to be perfectly acceptable for the price. Not an amazing deal, but acceptable.

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

I don’t know what constitutes a “good document scanning application” in your judgement, but I’ve been using Scanner Pro for many years on both iPhones and iPads. It’s not free but not subscription, either.

Adobe Scan is a good free one.

Microsoft Lens is another good free one.

In the past I used CamScanner which was nice but I hate that they went subscription.
As I said before, have no issues paying one time for software but not subscription.

 

[Surfsalot]

Combo touch takes up the same amount of space as a Surface Pro does, this issue has been blown way out of proportion by many. It feels just like using a smaller version of the Surface Pro, just with a non-metal kickstand. I agree it's heavy without the keyboard but just something you have to tolerate and get used to.

I didn't mention a surface pro never used one never will, combo takes up more desk room than the MGK and won't work on your lap. /theend

 

[bondr006]

I didn't mention a surface pro never used one never will, combo takes up more desk room than the MGK and won't work on your lap. /theend

Works on my lap just fine...

 

[Surfsalot]

This is why I bought a mini 6 yesterday, so I can use this as my tablet first device with a super thin ESR TPU case on it. Its weight that no other ipad can come close to matching. The experience that an ipad mini gives you for a pure tablet experience is different and unique compared to a Pro 11 or larger. Not just for holding it but on screen typing on it. I'd say it's better than the rest of the larger ipads because of the ipad minis size and form factor. It really excels as a media consumption device because it fits into pockets easy and you can one hand it. And it's less cumbersome to use in your car because you can use it just like a larger phone.

I can do all that with my 11", no keyboard needed. You must have big pockets lol

I can see someone with a 12.9 having a mini, not needed with a 11" imo.

 

[Surfsalot]

Works on my lap just fine...

View attachment 2187129 View attachment 2187128

looks awkward and not comfortable

 

[bondr006]

looks awkward and not comfortable

Looks can be deceiving. Feels perfectly normal.

 

[Surfsalot]

Looks can be deceiving. Feels perfectly normal.

I've had one so know, still takes up twice as much room as the MGK, I have neither now so have no stake in the game lol

 

[bondr006]

I've had one so know, still takes up twice as much room as the MGK, I have neither now so have no stake in the game lol

It may take more room than a MKB, but twice as much is a gross exaggeration. I know, I used to have a MKB.

 

[sparksd]

I've had one so know, still takes up twice as much room as the MGK, I have neither now so have no stake in the game lol

I have an SP7 & an M1 12.9 with MKB - no way on twice as much.

 

[Digitalguy]

I have both the MK and the Combo touch for the 11". Both have their pros and cons. And which one is better is a matter of priorities.

Pros of the MK:
- the ability to seamlessly move from pure iPad to an iPad with a great keyboard
- extra charging port
- the screen is closer
- lappability is decent
Cons of the MK:
- it's "aesthetically" fragile, especially if you use it on the go, typically in a backpack which has no laptop sleep, just like any Apple iPad's keyboard
- it's won't protect the ipad sides
- it's very expensive

Pros of the Logitech
- Full protection
- More durable
- Possibility to separate the keyboard
- Function row
Cons of the Logitech
- Very hard and annoying to remove if you want to use the iPad naked, it's meant to be left on, which means that the iPad pro 11" becomes much heavier even without the keyboard (heavier than the 12.9")
- Not great on your lap (unless you are on a couch at home). The keyboard is much closer to your belly so less confortable and in some places where space is tight it's almost unusable on your lap. Particularly if you have your pockes full of keys and coins as the keyboard will lay on you pockets (same problem with Surface devices)
- Screen is not as close

In the end it's a matter of priorities. If you have pets or kids who could drop you iPad or if you use it a lot on the go or put it on the ground etc. the Logitech is much safer.
However if you want to enjoy the "lightness" of the iPad when you don't need a keyboard, mainly use it at home, have a laptop pocket in your backpack or use it often on your lap outside your house, then the MK is probably a better solution.

Personally I am in this last camp. I have harly ever used my Logitech, mainly for testing it (but it's there if I need it and I got it for only $100), although I have used the similar Surface devices a lot, while I use the MK rather regularly (it acts as the iPad stand), because most of the time I want to enjoy my iPad as a light device, otherwise I'll use my 12.9. And most of the time I use it without the keyboard and only use the keyboard if I need to write something, which is not often since I use my computer for that.

 

[DeepSix]

I've had one so know, still takes up twice as much room as the MGK, I have neither now so have no stake in the game lol

The combo touch is perfectly lappable, it takes up the same space as the Surface Pro but less for width. The MKB is top heavy so it will take a tumble to the ground if you don't balance the weight.

 

[DeepSix]

Cons of the Logitech
- Very hard and annoying to remove if you want to use the iPad naked, it's meant to be left on, which means that the iPad pro 11" becomes much heavier even without the keyboard (heavier than the 12.9")

But once you have the combo touch, why would anyone want to constantly remove it? Cases IMO are one and done, once you put it on (at least me), the only time I ever remove a case is if it gets wrecked and I have to replace it. Like with any case, as soon as you start removing and putting it back on, it just stretches the material and it will never fit the same again. A very hard to remove case is a good sign of it's high craftsmanship.

I don't think the 11 Pro with the combo touch is heavier than the 12.9 ipad. The combo touch case weighs about 600grams.

 

[teh_hunterer]

But once you have the combo touch, why would anyone want to constantly remove it? Cases IMO are one and done, once you put it on (at least me), the only time I ever remove a case is if it gets wrecked and I have to replace it. Like with any case, as soon as you start removing and putting it back on, it just stretches the material and it will never fit the same again. A very hard to remove case is a good sign of it's high craftsmanship.

I don't think the 11 Pro with the combo touch is heavier than the 12.9 ipad. The combo touch case weighs about 600grams.

Another question is why would you buy something light and sleek and premium like an iPad Pro, and then immediately entomb it a bulky, heavy, plasticky case that takes almost all those advantages away?

 

[sparksd]

Another question is why would you buy something light and sleek and premium like an iPad Pro, and then immediately entomb it a bulky, heavy, plasticky case that takes almost all those advantages away?

Those advantages are subjective valuations that may not be of importance to a particular user.

 

[Surfsalot]

It may take more room than a MKB, but twice as much is a gross exaggeration. I know, I used to have a MKB.

including the stand out pretty much

 

[sparksd]

including the stand out pretty much

M1 12.9 in an MKB and Logi Combo Touch, both screens at same angle -

Logi front edge to back stand edge - 14"
MKB front edge to back hinge edge - 9"

I have both and just measured.

 

[Digitalguy]

But once you have the combo touch, why would anyone want to constantly remove it? Cases IMO are one and done, once you put it on (at least me), the only time I ever remove a case is if it gets wrecked and I have to replace it. Like with any case, as soon as you start removing and putting it back on, it just stretches the material and it will never fit the same again. A very hard to remove case is a good sign of it's high craftsmanship.

This shows how different people look at the same things very differently. Which is exactly what I said. It's a matter of priorities. For me the priority is not constant total protection (no pets or kids at home) but enjoying the iPad as it is. If I want to read something there is no way I am holding over 700gr comfortably in my hand for long, vs 460-470gr. Even the naked 12.9 is lighter than that. The MK stays on my desk and allows me to detach and attach the iPad very quickly. I got the Combo because if I ever need to bring the iPad to an environment where I need full protection (e.g. picnic in a park) I have the option.

I don't think the 11 Pro with the combo touch is heavier than the 12.9 ipad. The combo touch case weighs about 600grams.

It is. The naked 11 pro is 471gr (but generally a bit less as mine is LTE and has a paperlike screen protector). With the combo touch it's 717gr without the keyboard and 1035gr with the keyboard.
The naked 12.9 is 630-640gr for the 2018-2020 model and 685gr for the M1 model... (I have all of them and just weighted them) so still lighter.

 

[bondr006]

Another question is why would you buy something light and sleek and premium like an iPad Pro, and then immediately entomb it a bulky, heavy, plasticky case that takes almost all those advantages away?

That's an easy one. To protect that beautiful, expensive piece of hardware, duh! My Combo Touch has fully protected my iPad Pro from 3 drops in the year and a half I've had it. Not a scratch or dent to be found, and the icing on the cake, is no damage to my Combo Touch either. That's what I call an actual advantage. I doubt the MKB can replicate that.