iPad as a laptop replacement

[sparksd]

I keep playing with the idea of a computing environment that is iPad + Synology NAS, with the NAS being used for stuff like serving video to TVs and running server kinds of tasks that aren’t suited to the iPad. I can get FRUSTRATINGLY close to everything I want to do but there are always pain points.

Interesting thought. I use a Synology NAS for file storage, accessed by my iPads, iPhone, laptop, & desktop. Great for streaming video from - I ripped my Blu-Rays and stored the videos on the NAS.

 

[hyperreal]

I bought the new iPad Air 13” and the compatible Magic Keyboard. Here are some of my initial impressions of using it for web browsing, email and small tasks for a non-profit organization:

• The limited multitasking on iPadOS makes it easier to focus on one task at a time. I don’t get distracted as easily.
• Simultaneously the limited multitasking and window management makes it harder to manage data between places.
  
  For example, when writing an email to which I relay information from another message, I can’t have my draft and the another message in separate windows that I could juggle between.
  
  I can’t even create a split view out of them because they‘re in the same app. I need to copy & paste the information to eg. Notes for reference.
• The Magic Keyboard UX is surprisingly good and having a pointer on the iPad is a welcome addition…
• …but I frequently find myself reaching for macOS shortcuts and they don’t always work. On a touchpad, my muscle memory says “four-finger pinch gives you the Launchpad”. But on an iPad there’s no Launchpad, or a Desktop. There’s just the home screen and various ways to get there.
• I’m frequently swiping up with three fingers to invoke Mission Control but swiping too fast gets me to home screen.
• The keyboard case is a dust magnet.
• As a literal laptop replacement, the iPad + Magic Keyboard combo is very top-heavy and not as comfortable to hold on your lap because it constantly feels like the entire thing will topple over. Also the screen angle adjustment is not as flexible as on a MacBook.

I still get stuff done but so far I feel like the iPad is not an adequate laptop replacement. However, things have come far since my last iPad (3rd gen that I got rid of 5-6 years ago). It’s easier to actually be productive on the iPad. Together with a Magic Keyboard it makes for a distraction-free work environment, great for focused tasks like writing, as long as you’re not having to rely extensively on multitasking.

 

[chmania]

A lap-top. After all, it is about a tablet replacing a laptop.
If a guy can keep his legs together for a long time...keypad on the lap, one edge of the tablet on the lap, the stand practically on the knees. A slight movement of one leg would drop that expensive tablet, even if it is fixed to the keypad, one way or another.

But, on a desk or on table, it is much safer. And, then it could be a desktop replacement.

 

[bcortens]

I bought the new iPad Air 13” and the compatible Magic Keyboard. Here are some of my initial impressions of using it for web browsing, email and small tasks for a non-profit organization:

• The limited multitasking on iPadOS makes it easier to focus on one task at a time. I don’t get distracted as easily.
• Simultaneously the limited multitasking and window management makes it harder to manage data between places.
  
  For example, when writing an email to which I relay information from another message, I can’t have my draft and the another message in separate windows that I could juggle between.
  
  I can’t even create a split view out of them because they‘re in the same app. I need to copy & paste the information to eg. Notes for reference.

You can long press on A message in your inbox to drag it into its own window, when composing you can also drag the compose window into its own window.

 

[TPadden]

If a guy can keep his legs together for a long time...

... you saying a girl can't keep her legs together for a long time and will drop her expensive tablet???

Tom

 

[chmania]

... you saying a girl can't keep her legs together for a long time and will drop her expensive tablet???

Tom

The girls can, while boys can't. Not for long, even if they try hard.
See any boys/men sitting with their legs together?
Anyway, that's not the point. A tablet can't really act like lap-top, not with a keypad attached to it.

 

[Webcat86]

The girls can, while boys can't. Not for long, even if they try hard.
See any boys/men sitting with their legs together?
Anyway, that's not the point. A tablet can't really act like lap-top, not with a keypad attached to it.

What nonsense is this? My iPad is on my lap with a keyboard almost every day. The MKB may have the wrong ergonomics for that but my Logitech certainly doesn’t.

 

[chmania]

What nonsense is this? My iPad is on my lap with a keyboard almost every day.

And, you are keeping your legs together? All the time?

 

[Webcat86]

And, you are keeping your legs together? All the time?

You have taken this conversation to the most bizarre of places. “Clutching at straws” has been left in the dust.

 

[TPadden]

And, you are keeping your legs together? All the time?

What a ridiculous computing criterea!

Tom

 

[chmania]

You have taken this conversation to the most bizarre of places.

What a ridiculous computing criterea!

If you keep the tablet + keypad on your lap almost everyday, you are sure to get problem with your neck (and spine) in time. That neck pain, once started, is quite hard to get rid of, practically never.

That's the reason, why all monitors are placed at eye-level. You are even supposed to incline your spine backwards, while looking at the monitor.

 

[Webcat86]

If you keep the tablet + keypad on your lap almost everyday, you are sure to get problem with your neck (and spine) in time. That neck pain, once started, is quite hard to get rid of, practically never.

That's the reason, why all monitors are placed at eye-level. You are even supposed to incline your spine backwards, while looking at the monitor.

Alas, this has absolutely nothing to do with the keyboard — nor, in fact, the iPad compared to a laptop.

Again: straws, clutching, nonsense, bizarre.

 

[chmania]

Alas, this has absolutely nothing to do with the keyboard — nor, in fact, the iPad compared to a laptop.

That's up to you, it is your neck (and spine)

 

[Webcat86]

That's up to you, it is your neck (and spine)

But, once more, it is not a valid point in comparing the iPad to a laptop. The laptop occupies the exact same space as an iPad if both are used on the lap — which, remember, was a criteria that you decided to introduce.

If you want to now argue that the iPad shouldn't be used on a lap, that's fine: it works perfectly well on a desk or table as well.

As for the neck and spine, this is indeed a real concern these days, but desk computers are equally culpable. Monitor height plays a role but the main instigator of the problem is people leaning forwards. The device is only one factor, the larger problem is that by sitting down so much, we lose strength in some places and get tighter in others. The result is slouching and leaning, regardless of the type of screen being looked at.

 

[chmania]

If you want to now argue that the iPad shouldn't be used on a lap, that's fine...

You said: My iPad is on my lap with a keyboard almost every day. Which means your neck is like lifting 60lbs all the time.

 

[Webcat86]

You said: My iPad is on my lap with a keyboard almost every day. Which means your neck is like lifting 60lbs all the time.

Which person in the photo are you?

 

[DaveOZ]

Now you’re really moving the goal posts.

 

[hyperreal]

You can long press on A message in your inbox to drag it into its own window, when composing you can also drag the compose window into its own window.

Thanks. It’s a bit finicky but it works.

It’s too bad the UI doesn’t do a thing to explain any of this.

I remember in System 7 (or maybe 7.5?) there was an app whose whole purpose was to teach people how to use a mouse and how the graphical user interface paradigm worked. Things like dragging & dropping files, dragging a box to select multiple files, etc.
This was done using a step by step tutorial that guided you through a generic workflow sequence.

iPadOS desperately needs something similar for new and returning users who are out of the loop. The gestures themselves are not intuitive enough and the Tips app doesn’t cut it.

 

[Webcat86]

Thanks. It’s a bit finicky but it works.

It’s too bad the UI doesn’t do a thing to explain any of this.

I remember in System 7 (or maybe 7.5?) there was an app whose whole purpose was to teach people how to use a mouse and how the graphical user interface paradigm worked. Things like dragging & dropping files, dragging a box to select multiple files, etc.
This was done using a step by step tutorial that guided you through a generic workflow sequence.

iPadOS desperately needs something similar for new and returning users who are out of the loop. The gestures themselves are not intuitive enough and the Tips app doesn’t cut it.

This, I agree with. I've watched many YouTube videos to learn about iPad tips

 

[Arctic Moose]

I remember in System 7 (or maybe 7.5?)

I recall trying it on an SE/30, but I am fairly certain it had been removed by 7.5.

This was done using a step by step tutorial that guided you through a generic workflow sequence.

Mouse Basics - Macintosh Repository

A great tutorial for computer users who haven't used a mouse before. This title makes learning/mastering the mouse fun and exciting! A true...

www.macintoshrepository.org

 

[hyperreal]

I recall trying it on an SE/30, but I am fairly certain it had been removed by 7.5.

Mouse Basics - Macintosh Repository

A great tutorial for computer users who haven't used a mouse before. This title makes learning/mastering the mouse fun and exciting! A true...

www.macintoshrepository.org

This is a different one, I think, although I have some distant memories of this as well.

But the one I’m talking about was running on a Performa 5200 in the mid-90s. It was more like a handheld Finder experience integrated into the OS.

 

[michelg1970]

I bought the new iPad Air 13” and the compatible Magic Keyboard. Here are some of my initial impressions of using it for web browsing, email and small tasks for a non-profit organization:

• The limited multitasking on iPadOS makes it easier to focus on one task at a time. I don’t get distracted as easily.
• Simultaneously the limited multitasking and window management makes it harder to manage data between places.
  
  For example, when writing an email to which I relay information from another message, I can’t have my draft and the another message in separate windows that I could juggle between.
  
  I can’t even create a split view out of them because they‘re in the same app. I need to copy & paste the information to eg. Notes for reference.
• The Magic Keyboard UX is surprisingly good and having a pointer on the iPad is a welcome addition…
• …but I frequently find myself reaching for macOS shortcuts and they don’t always work. On a touchpad, my muscle memory says “four-finger pinch gives you the Launchpad”. But on an iPad there’s no Launchpad, or a Desktop. There’s just the home screen and various ways to get there.
• I’m frequently swiping up with three fingers to invoke Mission Control but swiping too fast gets me to home screen.
• The keyboard case is a dust magnet.
• As a literal laptop replacement, the iPad + Magic Keyboard combo is very top-heavy and not as comfortable to hold on your lap because it constantly feels like the entire thing will topple over. Also the screen angle adjustment is not as flexible as on a MacBook.

I still get stuff done but so far I feel like the iPad is not an adequate laptop replacement. However, things have come far since my last iPad (3rd gen that I got rid of 5-6 years ago). It’s easier to actually be productive on the iPad. Together with a Magic Keyboard it makes for a distraction-free work environment, great for focused tasks like writing, as long as you’re not having to rely extensively on multitasking.

I wanted to write a similar review. I went the 13” Pro way with Magic Keyboard. Just went traveling to Thailand and Middle East for work and left my laptop at home, to see if this approach would work (within the return window).

I can second all your points above with the addition that I can use Remote Desktop to take over my work PC on my iPad and can be as productive as in the office while I can also use your “focus” approach alternatively, depending on what needs to be done.

A little bit more multi-tasking would be welcome though.

Thanks for your review! I think I will keep it: no more need to carry and a laptop for work and an iPad for movies in the plane.

 

[dgdosen]

I believe, looking back at Windows OS's... they started the transition with a failure in Windows Vista, and again with a lousy try in Wndows 8... when 10 hit I jumped ship due to the absolutely shameless info gathering and sharing that was more prevalent and intrusive... Slowly they took your controls away... I endured a year and a half of it before I gave it up and went MBP. The only thing I miss at all is the Office Suite and there were a few Windows only Programs I used (They didn't call them apps so much until windows 8) I have found suitable replacements within the Apple ecosystem for most of my needs. The last step is transitioning all of my files to Apple format... some are slow in getting converted and some are difficult... mostly due to size and time it will take to verify the change.

I find it smart for all software to take steps and stead of jumps, after what happened with Microsoft over the Vista change that was not widely accepted by the masses... They went too far too fast and the rest of the software developers took notice... now they all seem to be waiting for the other to make the jump that will define a "YES" or a "NO" on the open platform style software... I am hungry for it as many of the rest of us discussing it are... but everyone may not be as receptive to it as some of us are.

I did a search on this thread as I was wondering who else thought iPadOS and iPadOS features was similar to Microsoft Windows Vista (and all the editions with new features).

MS threw a bunch of features in there and then product teams dissolved leaving an absolute mess.

Sound familiar?

Looking forward to what else Apple can do with the M4 and OLED.

 

[bondr006]

I did a search on this thread as I was wondering who else thought iPadOS and iPadOS features was similar to Microsoft Windows Vista (and all the editions with new features).

MS threw a bunch of features in there and then product teams dissolved leaving an absolute mess.

Sound familiar?

Ummm, no!

 

[Populus]

Wow, since I’m using Outplayer (recommended by @Ludatyk ) and Video Player - PIP and more (I know, the name can be improved), I no longer need other media players, and I finally feel the flexibility and ease of use I have with my Mac (using VLC or IINA).

Both players are really recommended, I bought both Pro versions, although the latter one feels a bit better than Outplayer, which has some small bugs, and it is cheaper. Also, it can be used for free with more features available (speed playback) than free version of Outplayer.

Really enjoying both to play my video files!