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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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If an iPad can replace a laptop, why can't an iPhone replace a laptop?
For some people, maybe. Me - absolutely not, an iPhone couldn't replace my iPad.
My 13PM screen is not near big enough to even replace my 11" iPad Pro, let alone a laptop. iPhones don't have Stage manager either. Now, my M1 iPad Pro 11 is a different story on this topic.
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https://polymath.net/2016/11/the-iphone-7-plus-is-my-only-computer/
There are a few threads on here and reddit on the topic. For general personal needs, it is often all you need - indeed what a good many people do. Depends what situation you’re in, and what you want to achieve etc. I personally love the idea, but it’s a bit impractical as I like having a second screen at times, e.g. one for research, one for writing.
I probably could if they gave the iPhone proper external display support. I'd buy something like the NexDock and just plug my phone into it.
An iPhone as it is now, I probably couldn't. I tried it for a few months with my old 7+ and a bluetooth keyboard. Back in 2016, my eyes were much healthier and it was like using a tiny laptop. Working on that small screen all day will probably have some kind of negative effect on my eyes at some point though.
Display reasons aside, my iPhone is more than capable of handling any of my work or personal tasks. Definitely nice to be able to quickly edit a spreadsheet or photo at any moment of the day if needed.
My 13PM screen is not near big enough to even replace my 11" iPad Pro, let alone a laptop. iPhones don't have Stage manager either. Now, my M1 iPad Pro 11 is a different story on this topic.
They have the same apps. The iPhone is an iPad replacement. Most people don’t own iPads for this reason.
I haven’t tried it but what is exactly wrong about the external display support of the iPhone 15 Pro Max versus an iPad Pro?
I believe the iPhone 15 Pro Max connects to the Apple Studio Display in the same way as the iPad Pro does?
edit: So I just tried it for laughs and it seems with the iPhone 15 Pro Max you get this ”vertical” screen mirror mode by default, so that is no good.
Maybe there is a 3rd party app in the App Store to get the iPhone 15 Pro Max in “full screen” mode on an external display, but i didn’t check.
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You are limited to mirroring and don't get stage manager on the bigger screen
There’s a few apps that would make an iPhone usable on an external display. Shadow PC and InfiniteX2P to name a couple. Along with all the video apps. But, not quite what I’m looking for, and I think it should be more like an iPad.
Not for me. They may share most of the apps but not all. The biggest, most important one that is not shared is Stage Manager external monitor support, which belongs solely to M series iPads and Macs. Without Stage Manager, there is no external monitor support for desktop setup. I use Safari on my iPad like I use on the Mac. I don't use apps just for the sake of having them. Only apps/programs I use on my iPad are the same app/programs I would use on my Mac, otherwise everything is accessed online with Safari just like on my Mac.
Admit it or not, the iPad supports traditional computer use much easier than an iPhone. Don't get me wrong, the iPhone is a very capable little handheld computer that I use a lot, just not for all the things I use my iPad for. I am thinking most people don't buy iPads because they already have a Mac or PC and don't see a use for one, or just don't know what an iPad can do for them, not because they have a smart phone.
Edit: Decided to do a cursory search and found several iPad only apps. By no means a complete list.
1. Procreate
2. Affinity Photo 2
3. Astropad Studio
4. Adobe Illustrator
5. Adobe Lightroom
6. Adobe Photoshop
7. Aturia iMini Synthesizer
8. Save2PDF
9. Endless Paper
10. Complete Anatomy 2023
And although MS Office, .pdf, and note taking apps are on both iPhone and iPad, it's a no brainer which device screen they are better to use on.
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Very nice! I have done the same since Nov. 2021. My M1 iPad Pro 11 totally replaced my 2019 16" MBP for all things taking care of my real estate and property management businesses. I sold my MBP and now have an M2 Pro Mac Mini for desktop use, and even that gets used far less than my iPad Pro.
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There is counter argument saying NO the IPP M1 cannot handle the tasks of a computer scientist graduate student. We addressed those opinions in the academic setting with other graduate students and professors. The prudent course is to allow others to carry their thoughts and pass by.
No one under the age of 40 has a iPad in my family, all use iPhones and laptops.
Bravo! Now here is a person with an open mind and a curiosity that allows them to ask "how could an iPad fit into my workflow?" Rather than being narrow-minded, like some, and posting ignorant comments like "most people don't own iPads" -- as if they actually surveyed "most people".
I can't imagine someone who would say “this never leaves home”, because I see iPads in use EVERYWHERE -- airports, airplanes, trains, coffee shops, classrooms, business meetings, podcast studios (PBD Podcast) lounges, parks, museums, as cash registers, restaurant ordering kiosks -- you name it!
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Wondering if anyone else is like me…
I use my iPad like a laptop, and my MacBook Pro like a desktop.
I use my iPad like a laptop, and my MacBook Pro like a desktop.
Thanks for getting back on topic ;-)
Similar(ish) for me - iPad as a laptop, MacBook as a backup device (plugged in, Time Machine disk attached, backing up all necessary files from finder, notes, reminders, calendar).
Lol. That's me. My MacBook is plugged in a monitor with USBC and 60watt power delivery. I rarely use it as a laptop at home. I have kids and MacBooks are simply too fragile to have laying out. Even a small knock can result in a cracked screen, dented chassis or water damage.
The iPad with Logi Combo touch is fully protected. If I need to go to the toilet, I close the keyboard cover, leave the iPad on the couch or put it on a small nest of tables. Can't do that with the MacBook, I would need to put it upstairs in the bedroom where it's safe for any damage.
Replacing or repairing a damaged iPad is way cheaper than doing the same for a MacBook.
That depends on the iPad (plus accessories) and the MacBook. An M2 iPad Pro 12.9 with 256 storage cost more than an M2 MBA with 256GB storage, which was on sale for $899.Replacing or repairing a damaged iPad is way cheaper than doing the same for a MacBook.
Why not?
Put an iPhone on a stand, connect a wireless keyboard and mouse to it and you could be hammering out the next award-winning novel.
It can even work with an external monitor and certain apps in landscape mode.
So yeah, not impossible.
I thought the same thing…. Apple wouldn’t allow it. Same reason proper external monitor support doesn’t work on a IPad Mini. If an IPhone had a M series chip and could be connected to an external display, support external storage I think a lot of people would go that way.
I wonder/think that the majority are already iPhone only. I don’t see many folks with a family computer anymore like we did 20 years ago.
Yep. Smartphones have become the primary computer for a lot of users.
At our workplace, a lot of my co-workers are okay with just using the employer-provided PC at the office and smartphone for personal use. Many had to buy a home laptop or desktop so they can take advantage of the WFH option during the lockdowns.