I have watched the “iPad as a MacBook” replacement debate for several years and have always seen the debate come down to use case. Over that same course of time, I have exclusively used the iPad Pro after previously completely shunning it as a gimmick. At this point (mid-2024) I want to give my insight on my use case and why I am looking at finally moving on from the iPad, and going a completely different route to try to get as close to an all-in-one solution that is best for me…I hope.
My first introduction to the world of Apple came in 2008 with the iPhone 3G. This piqued my interest and the next year I built a hackintosh running Snow Leopard. This was followed by a 2012 Mac Pro, 2018 Mini, and finally the M1 mini I have today.
During this time, I continually kept a laptop as well. However, most of the time it sat collecting dust. I always had the 2-1 style with a stylus. While I do not remember the exact models, I went from an HP to a Sony Vaio, to two different models of the HP Spectre X360.
With each successive upgrade my laptop usage increased. What was once used on on trips (and even then, sparingly) began to see gradual day-to-day usage as a growing family meant less time spent on my home office and more time spent on the couch, chair, or outdoor table.
I never saw a real use for an iPad, I fact I saw it as a gimmick. What use did it provide? I could do a lot of the things it did on my phone, and everything else could be done on a laptop, which by that time I was using one with a 15” screen. However, by 2018 I had more disposable income and decided to buy an iPad. My justification was that it could be a family device. YouTube, Games, web conferencing, etc.
However, once I paired it with a keyboard I began to use it more. In fact, by 2023 (having upgraded to the 12.9” M1) I was using it more than my laptop. It was (and still is as of this moment) a device that I use daily. It did take a few different keyboards to find out that worked for me. I went through two different versions of the Brydge keyboard/touchpad combos, and while they were great the hinge failed on both models. I finally settled on an Amazon DOQO detachable case and keyboard/trackpad which is what I still use to this day. In late-2023, I finally took the plunge, sold my laptop, and have used my iPad for day-to-day usage since that time.
So, what is my day-to-day usage? My free time is spent in historical research and writing, including occasional blog posts and creation of content for YouTube. Searching sites such as Ancestry and Family search is a breeze with the iPad. Usually, I detach it from the keyboard. I can screenshot and markup with the pencil, and reference things later. When it comes to writing, I usually use Split View with Word on the left side of the screen and Files (which opens PDF, etc.) on the right side. I have used Stage manager in the past, but I find it tricky when writing in Word (which takes up half the screen) because each PDF or photo opens on top of the Files app and overlays Word itself. These two things are most of my day-to-day usage of the iPad. Occasionally, I will watch YouTube, and it is not uncommon that I will have YouTube TV pulled up in PIP, but it usually gets in the way of writing/referencing.
What are the major shortcomings that I notice? The first thing is the files app. When I find a deed or document on FamilySearch that I want to download and save, it is a chore. Once it is downloaded, I have to move it into the appropriate OneDrive folder which is even more work. My compromise is to keep each document that I want to save open in its own tab, then when I get the chance, use continuity to open it on my Mac download and place in the correct location. What if the document is several pages? On the Mac it is as easy as selecting several JPG’s and converting to PDF. It would be nowhere near that easy on the iPad.
Another shortcoming is in Word itself. While it is great on the iPad, I am more efficient on my Mac. Oneonta thing that bugs me is citations. On the desktop version it under the references tab. On iPad it is under the insert tab. I often find myself confusing the two when switching between machines. Formatting and setting styles are also easier on the desktop version.
I can do blog posts on the iPad, but when it comes to inserting the photos to the post, I always go to my Mac, again, because of the issues with the Files app. It is just not easy to navigate to a photo to upload it to the media library as it is on a Mac. Also, any YouTube editing on the iPad is a no go. Why can I not just seamless go between a project on both the iPad and Mac? This just makes it easier for me to do it on my Mac, where I also do not have to make any compromises. I do want to add that I have made several Keynote presentations during this time. The same issue persists with it. Inserting media is just easier and more natural on the Mac. If I have several elements on the slide, I find working with layers much easier on the Mac as well. At least Keynote will sync between machines, so I am able to do a little bit of work on both.
In the last 6 months before I sold my laptop, I used it as an RDP server. This allowed me to use both the iPad and the Mac to do any necessary Windows based work. This usually consists of GIS in QGIS or ArcGIS Pro. It works seamlessly on the the Mac and is surprisingly good on the iPad as well. I would use it a lot more if the iPad had a larger screen. However, a lot of the elements and panels are just too small on the 12.9 form factor.
I was really hoping for more iOS 18 improvements. As much as I would like MacOS on the iPad, I am a realist and know that will never happen. However, I was hoping for Files app improvements, as well as improvements to Stage Manager. Unfortunately, there were no productive improvements to iPadOS.
After the M4 iPad announcement, I was ready to pull the trigger on the new 13” Pro and Keyboard…if Apple improved the experience on iPadOS 18. When they did not, I figured it was money saved and another year using the iPad. However, in the month since the announcement I have started thinking, am I willing to wait year after year for something that may never happen? What compromises am I making on the iPad? So, I began thinking, would a MacBook be an improvement? Would it make me more productive? Could I stop the time I go back and forth between my iPad and Mac Mini? Furthermore, would it be worth the cost?
While I would wait until new models come out (November?) I am pondering making the switch. I feel like the 13” Air may have some of the same sizing issues over RDP that the iPad currently has, so I have been looking into a 15” Air or a 16” Pro. I will need to see them in person before I get closer to a decision. I also look at what I may be missing from the iPad experience, but I think, with Sequoia’s iPhone mirroring that I can still get all the other apps I use on my iPad (Messenger, Reddit, Facebook, etc.) on my Mac. So, what would I be missing? Pencil support. While it is possible to hi-light, annotate, and grow overlays with the trackpad or mouse, it is not as easy or natural. However, I may have a compromise for that.
Since the Mac Mini in my home office is a M1, I know that I will need to make an upgrade in a few years down the road. However, the purchase of a MacBook could allow me to eliminate it as well. I currently have my monitor (40” Dell U4025QW) hooked up via thunderbolt, a mic, an All-In-One printer, and a 2.5G network adapter plugged into my mini. How could I replicate this with a MacBook in clamshell mode that would be in an out of my office? That is something I need to think about before making my final decision. This is also where the I think the solution to my Apple Pencil issue may be solved with the addition of a Wacom tablet. Of course, it is a compromise and would only be useful when using the MacBook as a desktop, but it is something I will be investigating.
I may be able to eliminate both the iPad and M1 Mini and replace them with a MacBook. However, what is the compromises? I will have to investigate that more over the coming months. Additionally, while the iPad has its shortcomings, I am still using it daily. In fact, I have composed this on it. However, even with this setup I am having to make compromises, as previously explained. I think in the end what it is going to come down to is if the MacBook setup makes me more productive, and compromise LESS. Thankfully, I will have several more months of research and thought before I make that decision.
