iPad as a laptop replacement

[Ludatyk]

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!

No problem at all... but I've never heard of the app called Video Player?

I use a combination of Infuse, NPlayer and OutPlayer... my go-to choice for external monitor video playback is OutPlayer, the other two just depends on what I'm feeling at the time. Haven't paid for OutPlayer, just felt it wasn't needed... I don't mind supporting the dev.

But I at least need something to buy in. However, on the Mac... I use IINA. I don't see a need for any other video player apps.

 

[Populus]

No problem at all... but I've never heard of the app called Video Player?

The whole name is Video Player - PiP and More, by Jonathan Bui. It offers playback speed even on the free tier, and I think it supports more than Outplayer, including AV1 hardware decoding on iPhone 15 Pro and M4 iPad Pro.

It lacks a dark theme, but I think he will eventually add it.

BEWARE, I HAVE NOTICED A BUG THAT IMPACTS PERFORMANCE, I WILL UPDATE AFTER MORE TESTING AND ASKING THE DEVELOPER. TEST IT BEFORE PURCHASING PRO.

‎Video Player - PIP and more

‎Play a variety of videos with powerful features such as Picture-in-Picture all wrapped in an easy-to-use interface. FEATURES Versatile media support Play a variety of popular media codecs such as H264, H265, AV1, VP8, and VP9 and file formats such as AVI, MP4, WEBM, MKV. 4K and HDR playback...

apps.apple.com

 

[Ludatyk]

The whole name is Video Player - PiP and More, by Jonathan Bui. It offers playback speed even on the free tier, and I think it supports more than Outplayer, including AV1 hardware decoding on iPhone 15 Pro and M4 iPad Pro.

It lacks a dark theme, but I think he will eventually add it.

‎Video Player - PIP and more

‎Play a variety of videos with powerful features such as Picture-in-Picture all wrapped in an easy-to-use interface. FEATURES Versatile media support Play a variety of popular media codecs such as H264, H265, AV1, VP8, and VP9 and file formats such as AVI, MP4, WEBM, MKV. 4K and HDR playback...

apps.apple.com

Yeah, that's pretty barebones.... similar to OutPlayer.

That's why it's so difficult to find "one" video player app for the iPad, the best one I like out of the ones I tested is NPlayer, but it lacks the polish compared to OutPlayer and Infuse. NPlayer needs a major design refresh... but in terms of features, it has it all.

Infuse has a really nice metadata layout and the UI is the best there is for a video player app, but my issue with Infuse is that it doesn't compare to NPlayer when it comes to playback control features.

 

[sparksd]

Yeah, that's pretty barebones.... similar to OutPlayer.

That's why it's so difficult to find "one" video player app for the iPad, the best one I like out of the ones I tested is NPlayer, but it lacks the polish compared to OutPlayer and Infuse. NPlayer needs a major design refresh... but in terms of features, it has it all.

Infuse has a really nice metadata layout and the UI is the best there is for a video player app, but my issue with Infuse is that it doesn't compare to NPlayer when it comes to playback control features.

I use nPlayer for videos I have stored on my devices (mainly downloaded YouTube videos) and Infuse for movies from ripped DVDs that I store on a NAS. The Infuse metadata is quite good. Agree on the player controls.

 

[The Game 161]

not used my MacBook Pro for like a week and damn forgot I much better the overall in lap feel really is on a laptop compared to the MK on the iPad Pro even though I really enjoy the typing experience on the iPad Pro .

 

[lsquare]

Is Safari on a 16GB iPad Pro as likely to reload or have limitations like no extensions compared to Safari on MacOS?

For someone who's just using Safari, iMessage, YouTube/Netflix, and MS Office, is an iPad Pro with stage manager viable compared to buying a MacBook Air?

 

[Webcat86]

Is Safari on a 16GB iPad Pro as likely to reload or have limitations like no extensions compared to Safari on MacOS?

For someone who's just using Safari, iMessage, YouTube/Netflix, and MS Office, is an iPad Pro with stage manager viable compared to buying a MacBook Air?

iPad Safari has extensions but no it's not identical to on the Mac.

Is what you've listed "viable"? Yes, definitely.

 

[lsquare]

iPad Safari has extensions but no it's not identical to on the Mac.

Is what you've listed "viable"? Yes, definitely.

Does iPad Safari have extensions? What about iOS Safari? How is it any different from MacOS Safari?

 

[Ludatyk]

Is Safari on a 16GB iPad Pro as likely to reload or have limitations like no extensions compared to Safari on MacOS?

When it comes to Safari reloads... 8GB iPad Pros are just as good as 16GB Pros. But extensions on iPadOS are limited by what's on the App Store.... but on MacOS, extension can be added via the web.

For someone who's just using Safari, iMessage, YouTube/Netflix, and MS Office, is an iPad Pro with stage manager viable compared to buying a MacBook Air?

I cosign with @Webcat86, but to add to that... MS Office on iPadOS has limited features compared to macOS. I suggest trying out the web version of MS Office and if you can get by using that, then the iPadOS version will be enough for you.

 

[Webcat86]

Does iPad Safari have extensions? What about iOS Safari? How is it any different from MacOS Safari?

Yes it does. I expect there are lots of Youtube videos doing comparisons, I couldn't give a detailed answer because I only use browsers for basic stuff. I use extensions on my iPad though, including ad blockers and one that opens any Google Maps link in Apple Maps.

 

[lsquare]

When it comes to Safari reloads... 8GB iPad Pros are just as good as 16GB Pros. But extensions on iPadOS are limited by what's on the App Store.... but on MacOS, extension can be added via the web.


I cosign with @Webcat86, but to add to that... MS Office on iPadOS has limited features compared to macOS. I suggest trying out the web version of MS Office and if you can get by using that, then the iPadOS version will be enough for you.

What's the advantage of 16GB iPads compared to 8GB iPads for Safari?

 

[Ludatyk]

What's the advantage of 16GB iPads compared to 8GB iPads for Safari?

Nothing, really. 16GB iPads advantage are for apps that may require it such as Procreate when it comes to additional layers or certain games.

But when it comes to Safari... I don't think reloads play a huge part for 8GB and 16GB iPads.

 

[lsquare]

Nothing, really. 16GB iPads advantage are for apps that may require it such as Procreate when it comes to additional layers or certain games.

But when it comes to Safari... I don't think reloads play a huge part for 8GB and 16GB iPads.

Do you know if 16GB iPads can support more tabs opened?

 

[Ludatyk]

Do you know if 16GB iPads can support more tabs opened?

Not sure. I've had 16GB iPad since it's been released (M1 and now the latest), but I've never really been the type to keep hundreds of tabs open for a long period of time.

But according to Reddit, I believe the limit is 500 tabs (unclear if that's raised on 16GB iPads) and I've never came close to that... most I've probably had was 10 or 20 tabs open at a given time. Which handles it completely fine.

 

[lsquare]

Not sure. I've had 16GB iPad since it's been released (M1 and now the latest), but I've never really been the type to keep hundreds of tabs open for a long period of time.

But according to Reddit, I believe the limit is 500 tabs (unclear if that's raised on 16GB iPads) and I've never came close to that... most I've probably had was 10 or 20 tabs open at a given time. Which handles it completely fine.

I can confirm it's 500 on an iPhone. I don't know about a 16GB iPad.

 

[Ludatyk]

I can confirm it's 500 on an iPhone. I don't know about a 16GB iPad.

Out of curiosity, you actually take advantage of having 500 tabs?

 

[lsquare]

Out of curiosity, you actually take advantage of having 500 tabs?

I have them opened. I don't do bookmarks.

 

[rukind2]

Sometimes I have to smile when considering an iPad as a laptop replacement. Sure, it can replace a laptop for some people, but that comes with caveats which previous posters have commented. It's an apples and oranges comparison.

 

[Webcat86]

I have them opened. I don't do bookmarks.

But surely you close them?

Sometimes I have to smile when considering an iPad as a laptop replacement. Sure, it can replace a laptop for some people, but that comes with caveats which previous posters have commented. It's an apples and oranges comparison.

It’s not really a comparison though is it. It’s a question of “will this particular device suit my needs to the extent that I don’t need that other device?”
And for some people the answer is yes, and for other people the answer is no. It’s not at all dissimilar to how some households don’t have printers and others couldn’t live without one. The fact is the actual “need” for computers is lower today than ever before, because our other devices are better than ever before. Some people do damn near everything from their phones, even. It doesn’t mean the phone is a decent comparison to a laptop, it just means it’s sufficient for those people to not need the laptop.

 

[richpjr]

I have them opened. I don't do bookmarks.

OMG, my OCD warning level has hit critical reading this!

 

[Beefbowl]

I have them opened. I don't do bookmarks.

This is a concept completely foreign to me but at the same time I have a weird sort of respect for it.

 

[Ludatyk]

It’s not really a comparison though is it. It’s a question of “will this particular device suit my needs to the extent that I don’t need that other device?”
And for some people the answer is yes, and for other people the answer is no. It’s not at all dissimilar to how some households don’t have printers and others couldn’t live without one. The fact is the actual “need” for computers is lower today than ever before, because our other devices are better than ever before. Some people do damn near everything from their phones, even. It doesn’t mean the phone is a decent comparison to a laptop, it just means it’s sufficient for those people to not need the laptop.

Perfectly stated. And Phil Shiller broke it down like this:

Apple Watch: "The job of the watch is to do more and more things on your wrist so that you don't need to pick up your phone as often."

iPhone: "The job of the phone is to do more and more things such that maybe you don't need your iPad, and it should be always trying and striving to do that."

iPad: "The job of the iPad should be to be so powerful and capable that you never need a notebook. Like, Why do I need a notebook? I can add a keyboard! I can do all these things!"

MacBook: "The job of the notebook is to make it so you never need a desktop, right? It's been doing this for a decade. So that leaves the poor desktop at the end of the line, What's its job?..."

iMac: "It's job is to challenge what we think a computer can do and do things that no computer has ever done before, be more and more powerful and capable so that we need a desktop because of its capabilities. Because if all it's doing is competing with the notebook and being thinner and lighter, then it doesn't need to be."

 

[AppleTech22]

Perfectly stated. And Phil Shiller broke it down like this:

Apple Watch: "The job of the watch is to do more and more things on your wrist so that you don't need to pick up your phone as often."

iPhone: "The job of the phone is to do more and more things such that maybe you don't need your iPad, and it should be always trying and striving to do that."

iPad: "The job of the iPad should be to be so powerful and capable that you never need a notebook. Like, Why do I need a notebook? I can add a keyboard! I can do all these things!"

MacBook: "The job of the notebook is to make it so you never need a desktop, right? It's been doing this for a decade. So that leaves the poor desktop at the end of the line, What's its job?..."

iMac: "It's job is to challenge what we think a computer can do and do things that no computer has ever done before, be more and more powerful and capable so that we need a desktop because of its capabilities. Because if all it's doing is competing with the notebook and being thinner and lighter, then it doesn't need to be."

What a great reminder of how all of these devices play together in their product mix.

While so many reviewers seem to be clamoring for macOS on these new iPads, the whole reason I bought one to use in tandem with my Mac is because iPadOS is simpler and more enjoyable to use for a lot of everyday tasks. There are still walls you’ll run into, just like how you’ll run into walls on iPhone vs iPad. And this doesn’t mean improvements aren’t needed dearly to the multi-tasking and file management side of things.

iPhone vs iPad: Far more portable size and quicker for some everyday things as a result, but at the expense of screen size and capability for actions like typing on the MKB.

iPad vs Mac Notebook: Slightly more portable size with far simpler and more “fun” (for lack of a better word) experience for some light computing tasks, but at the expense of macOS‘ capability.

Mac Notebook vs Mac Desktop: This is where the lines are starting to get blurry unless you are in a profession that truly needs desktop-level power. The MacBook line is so good now that recommending someone go with a Mac Studio over a MBP is hard to do considering how restrictive it is in keeping you at your desk. The higher-spec’d MBPs that mostly sit on a desk, but retain the range to still do work on the go, is truly an exciting time for the Mac imo.

 

[lsquare]

What about printer drivers? I have a Brother laser printer that I would like to connect to the dock. Not sure how that would work.

I just read that the iPad's screen remains on when connected to an external monitor. Is there a way to turn off the screen or lower the brightness via the keyboard?

After reading about scaling issues with ultra-wide monitors, is it possible for an iPad Pro to use stage manager with two external monitors, say two 4K screens? If so, any other limitations?

 

[Ultracyclist]

What about printer drivers? I have a Brother laser printer that I would like to connect to the dock. Not sure how that would work.

I just read that the iPad's screen remains on when connected to an external monitor. Is there a way to turn off the screen or lower the brightness via the keyboard?

After reading about scaling issues with ultra-wide monitors, is it possible for an iPad Pro to use stage manager with two external monitors, say two 4K screens? If so, any other limitations?

Depending on your printer it can find it over your network.
You can set your brightness on low when you connect to a monitor, but you can not turn it off.
No, just on external monitor. Yes the ultrawide issue hasnt been adressed yet, but hope is alive now that iPadOS 18 is knocking at the WWDC door in a week.