iPad as a laptop replacement

[Ludatyk]

I agree with you, and along those lines, I think that "solving" that issue would require it to run MacOS apps or be able to load MacOS via dual boot. Apple can't control what other companies do, so I don't see how they get the desktop version of Photoshop (one common example) on the iPad without MacOS if the third party company doesn't want to devote the time to it. Apple is trying to rewrite Final Cut to get it more on par with the desktop version and that is coming along slowly, so what hope is there that Adobe and other companies will spend time updating for the iPad?

Well, it's the case of the iPad being a touch-first device... therefore it needs to be some level of strategy behind how developers implement features for it.

Adobe is rewriting Photoshop and it's a work in progress... will it ever be on par with the desktop version, I highly doubt it. But it can end up being a situation to where Photoshop gets a certain feature that has been long requested that could potentially unlock the ability to have a Mac user switch over.

 

[bmustaf]

To each their own, but I don’t think multi-tasking is the deciding factor on whether it could be a replacement for a Mac user.

Because there is some multi-tasking features available on iPadOS, it’s not as if it’s non-existent… ultimately you can only focus on one application at a time. I personally don’t see why this need for unlimited power in multi-tasking… could someone explain this to me?

But on your point with application suite… that’s understandable, some devs don’t put that much resources behind applications for the iPad. Because I know some folks need full Office suite (especially with Excel) or certain plugins with FCP.

Multi-tasking is not just a UI thing. For example, I regularly use software that uses multiple docker containers, and that, inherently is multi-tasking, and, well, yes, requires a lot of power.

Another example, that every single one of my developers does, every day, for hours, is "code in the IDE to the left, see changes in live reload on the right, have docs open on the left monitor, have slack open on the right monitor with likely a video conference".

Which, those use cases, ironically, the latest iPad Pro likely has way more power than most "laptops" out there and could probably do that way better than most laptops, even, but the software hampers so much of that. Which, well, you may well blow through battery doing that, but, well, my MBP still has great battery life running all those processes, so I don't doubt the iPad can/could/would, actually.

 

[Ludatyk]

Multi-tasking is not just a UI thing. For example, I regularly use software that uses multiple docker containers, and that, inherently is multi-tasking, and, well, yes, requires a lot of power.

Technically, multi-tasking is a UI thing.

The idea behind is to be able to do more than one task at the same time and that's based on having an interface that can display those tasks.

Another example, that every single one of my developers does, every day, for hours, is "code in the IDE to the left, see changes in live reload on the right, have docs open on the left monitor, have slack open on the right monitor with likely a video conference".

Umm... just throwing out an example, I can have Swift Playgrounds or maybe Textastics open to the left and to the right have docs open on an external monitor... while slacks can be opened on the iPad itself while PiP video conference placed on the iPad as well.

Or maybe have Lumafusion open on the iPad... prefer it this way since I like using the Apple Pencil to edit clips, while Safari is to the left and docs to the right on an external monitor. I'm not trying to undervalue your example; I'm only pointing out that level of multi-tasking is possible on an iPad.

And it's not some multi-tasking requirement to have multiple monitors. As long as I have another display to reference material... I believe that should be enough.

 

[DeepSix]

Someone told me about FileBrowserProfessional. It’s $20. He said it installs a file system on your iPad. Anyone use this app? It has very good reviews in the App Store.

 

[Arctic Moose]

Technically, multi-tasking is a UI thing.

Technically, it is a process execution thing, at least as far as computer multi-tasking is concerned.

This is by far the most important aspect lacking in iPadOS if you're exporting, transcoding, compiling, running containers, maintaining server connections or whatever. It is extremely frustrating that I$H drops my ssh sessions the second I do something else for too long.

Computer multitasking - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Cooperative multitasking - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Preemption (computing) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The idea behind is to be able to do more than one task at the same time and that's based on having an interface that can display those tasks.

Human multitasking - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Media multitasking - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[arc of the universe]

All the rumours before this year’s WWDC, and then with the Keynote itself, the new Magic Keyboard was mainly rumored to be only usable with the new iPad Pro. So I was prepared for the new keyboard to not be able to be used with the new iPad Air.

The new keyboard is just so much better than the old one.
But I only really need and want the updated iPad Air

My question is, how likely is it that Apple would launch a version of the new Magic Keyboard for an Air within the next 12 to 16 months ?

Thanks.

 

[Zapdoc]

All the rumours before this year’s WWDC, and then with the Keynote itself, the new Magic Keyboard was mainly rumored to be only usable with the new iPad Pro. So I was prepared for the new keyboard to not be able to be used with the new iPad Air.

The new keyboard is just so much better than the old one.
But I only really need and want the updated iPad Air

My question is, how likely is it that Apple would launch a version of the new Magic Keyboard for an Air within the next 12 to 16 months ?

Thanks.

Guess they did this on purpose to encourage you to buy the IPPro ?

 

[PaladinGuy]

All the rumours before this year’s WWDC, and then with the Keynote itself, the new Magic Keyboard was mainly rumored to be only usable with the new iPad Pro. So I was prepared for the new keyboard to not be able to be used with the new iPad Air.

The new keyboard is just so much better than the old one.
But I only really need and want the updated iPad Air

My question is, how likely is it that Apple would launch a version of the new Magic Keyboard for an Air within the next 12 to 16 months ?

Thanks.

I’d guess the odds are very low. Who really knows? Maybe (though who am I kidding, probably not) they’ll slightly lower the price of the older magic keyboard next year? Newer technology and features tend to stay reserved for the Pro lineups with Apple. They know that they can upsell people doing they that otherwise don’t need more powerful devices.

The keyboard is another way to push people to the higher margin, higher cost device.

 

[arc of the universe]

I’d guess the odds are very low. Who really knows? Maybe (though who am I kidding, probably not) they’ll slightly lower the price of the older magic keyboard next year? Newer technology and features tend to stay reserved for the Pro lineups with Apple. They know that they can upsell people doing they that otherwise don’t need more powerful devices.

The keyboard is another way to push people to the higher margin, higher cost device.

Yes. That’s what I thought.
But I wanted to get others opinions on it as well.

I hope apple isn’t listening, but their strategy will work with me.
I like the new keyboard so much that I will buy two new iPad Pros - one for me and one for my wife.

And, to be consistent with the original question and intent of this thread’s original poster, for me, the new keyboard is all I was waiting for to replace my Intel MacBook Air.
iPadOS is enough for me to replace my Mac with an iPad.
Improved keyboard input and trackpad input was what I needed.

 

[Ludatyk]

Technically, it is a process execution thing, at least as far as computer multi-tasking is concerned.

This is by far the most important aspect lacking in iPadOS if you're exporting, transcoding, compiling, running containers, maintaining server connections or whatever. It is extremely frustrating that I$H drops my ssh sessions the second I do something else for too long.

If I'm doing what you are suggesting... I'm having one window open with a certain task (mind you, it stays active if you keep the window open).

While I'd have another window with another task... and with an external display, I could potentially have 8 windows doing tasks concurrently.

 

[Delgibbons]

Along with my iPad Pro I have a comparatively crappy android tablet. The android keeps downloading and doing file transfers if I lock the device, even has a transfer bar on the Lock Screen. It’s basic basic stuff.

 

[Arctic Moose]

If I'm doing what you are suggesting... I'm having one window open with a certain task (mind you, it stays active if you keep the window open).

The point is that it is absurd to have to keep a window open for **** to not just stop. Why would I waste screen space on a terminal I only want to glance at once every few hours?

 

[Ludatyk]

Along with my iPad Pro I have a comparatively crappy android tablet. The android keeps downloading and doing file transfers if I lock the device, even has a transfer bar on the Lock Screen. It’s basic basic stuff.

I'm curious what's the (standby) battery life you are getting out that android tablet compared to the iPad?

The point is that it is absurd to have to keep a window open for **** to not just stop. Why would I waste screen space on a terminal I only want to glance at once every few hours?

I'm only giving you a solution... you act as if I'm the one who put in the guardrails. And you don't have to glance... just keep it open, heck.... you can place it behind other windows.

 

[bondr006]

Someone told me about FileBrowserProfessional. It’s $20. He said it installs a file system on your iPad. Anyone use this app? It has very good reviews in the App Store.

Hi. Just noticed this. I have been using File Browser and FileBrowser Pro for 6 years now. It is the complete deal with features the Files App does not provide. @sparksd also uses FB and maybe he can chime in also. This past year I have been using the Files App more often, as it fits my needs now....but if you want a more robust file manager, FB is the one.

 

[sparksd]

Hi. Just noticed this. I have been using File Browser and FileBrowser Pro for or 6 years now. It is the complete deal with features the Files App does not provide. @sparksd also uses FB and maybe he can chime in also. This past year I have been using the Files App more often, as it fits my needs now....but if you want a more robust file manager, FB is the one.

Definitely one of my favorite apps. Been rock solid - no failed transfers, no corruption of attached storage.

 

[DeepSix]

Hi. Just noticed this. I have been using File Browser and FileBrowser Pro for 6 years now. It is the complete deal with features the Files App does not provide. @sparksd also uses FB and maybe he can chime in also. This past year I have been using the Files App more often, as it fits my needs now....but if you want a more robust file manager, FB is the one.

Thanks for your feedback. So does the app pretty much make the ipad a drag and drop device for file management? Just want to make sure it's worth the $20 and give me exactly what I am looking for. There's not really any demos out there showing how it works.

 

[sparksd]

Thanks for your feedback. So does the app pretty much make the ipad a drag and drop device for file management? Just want to make sure it's worth the $20 and give me exactly what I am looking for. There's not really any demos out there showing how it works.

https://www.stratospherix.com/produ...ebrowser-professional-user-guide.php#dragdrop

The on-line user guide is quite good in i its description of functionality and how to use it.

 

[bondr006]

Thanks for your feedback. So does the app pretty much make the ipad a drag and drop device for file management? Just want to make sure it's worth the $20 and give me exactly what I am looking for. There's not really any demos out there showing how it works.

You’re welcome!👍🏻 It does do drag and drop, but the Files app also has this functionality.

 

[jazz1]

Definitely one of my favorite apps. Been rock solid - no failed transfers, no corruption of attached storage.

I had no idea about this third application. If a third party can do it, why can't Apple??? I like to generally give Apple the benefit of the doubt. Apple's "Walled Garden" sometimes turns into a maze!

I do love my M4 iPad Pro 13", and my previous iPads. I'm not sure what the upcoming AI is really going to offer, but I wish Apple would also update the more basic navigation features in iOS. Different topics, I know. Giving a little OS in iOS couldn't hurt could it?

 

[bondr006]

Nice update to files I haven't heard anyone talking about.

This Files upgrade is the best iPadOS 18 feature for power users - 9to5Mac

Apple‘s iPadOS 18 update is light on changes to how the iPad fundamentally works, but there’s one Files upgrade that makes a big difference.

9to5mac.com

"Not only on the iPad but also the iPhone in iOS 18, you can long-press on a file or folder and find a new ‘Keep Downloaded’ button in the menu.

That’s right, you can tell iPadOS to keep an entire folder or a file downloaded permanently, never to be whisked away to the cloud again."

 

[chmania]

Nice update to files I haven't heard anyone talking about.

This Files upgrade is the best iPadOS 18 feature for power users - 9to5Mac

Apple‘s iPadOS 18 update is light on changes to how the iPad fundamentally works, but there’s one Files upgrade that makes a big difference.

9to5mac.com

 

[Ludatyk]

Nice update to files I haven't heard anyone talking about.

This Files upgrade is the best iPadOS 18 feature for power users - 9to5Mac

Apple‘s iPadOS 18 update is light on changes to how the iPad fundamentally works, but there’s one Files upgrade that makes a big difference.

9to5mac.com

View attachment 2388795
Not only on the iPad but also the iPhone in iOS 18, you can long-press on a file or folder and find a new ‘Keep Downloaded’ button in the menu.

That’s right, you can tell iPadOS to keep an entire folder or a file downloaded permanently, never to be whisked away to the cloud again.

I've never had a problem with this... but nice welcome addition.

And you keep your Downloaded Folder on iCloud Drive? I've moved mine over to On the iPad...

 

[bondr006]

I've never had a problem with this... but nice welcome addition.

And you keep your Downloaded Folder on iCloud Drive? I've moved mine over to On the iPad...

I keep important stuff on the iPad, but also keep backups to iCloud. I like the idea of having my files available everywhere, and 2TB is only $10.99 mo. I have never had files get transferred off my iPad without my permission or interaction either, but from the article, looks like some have. I also keep my own redundant local backups on external storage. I even have 1TB on One Drive with MS Office yearly subscription, and 2TB of cheap Google cloud storage.

 

[Ludatyk]

I keep important stuff on the iPad, but also keep backups to iCloud. I like the idea of having my files available everywhere, and 2TB is only $10.99 mo. I have never had files get transferred off my iPad without my permission or interaction either, but from the article, looks like some have. I also keep my own redundant local backups on external storage. I even have 1TB on One Drive with MS Office yearly subscription, and 2TB of cheap Google cloud storage.

I’ve got the Apple One Family plan with 200GB iCloud Storage, but I despise the upsell Apple (and Google) did with the 2TB option.. I have a 200GB Google Cloud Storage and MS Office yearly subscription.

I’m an advocate of having my files available everywhere too… but plugging in the T7 (2TB) does the job too lol.

 

[bondr006]

Oops! Wrong thread