iPad as a laptop replacement

[The Samurai]

I used to be a heavy FCPX user (could never think the iPad would replace my iPad given this intense piece of software) and over the last couple of months, my role has changed drastically and as such am no longer in the same position so all I do now is deal with a lot of admin related work i.e. emails (a lot of them), excel, pages, word, PDF.

I tried the iPad given my new work routine but simply couldn't tackle it. Now don't get me wrong, it's not that the iPad CAN'T do it, it's just that its not the best device to use. Just because one can doesn't mean one should. I just find it easier to manage different screens and scenarios on a 13" screen with multitouch, unlimited windows, proper file system, USB devices and a touch pad.

I am not sure what the future holds but I don't think the iPad will get a trackpad as it defeats the purpose of a tablet and Apple wouldn't want to compromise decline in sales for Mac. They want people to buy both.

 

[jasonklee]

After years of using iPads, I've gone back to the glorious Mac. It comes down to a couple of things for me. Mutli-touch trackpad is way better than mutli-touch display when doing any kind of prolonged editing work. Three-finger text select is magic. Force Touch is also a boon, whereas the iPad still lacks 3D Touch.

MacOS multitasking is better than iOS multitasking, and a lot of that is tied again to the trackpad.

And of course MacOS offers more twindly knobs to mess around with.

I really wanted to switch over to the iPad but doing any kind of script writing is cumbersome and fatiguing—even iMessage is easier on a Mac than iPad.

 

[Koh Phi Phi]

After years of using iPads, I've gone back to the glorious Mac. It comes down to a couple of things for me: Mutli-touch trackpad and multitasking

I really wanted to switch over to the iPad but doing any kind of script writing is cumbersome and fatiguing—even iMessage is easier on a Mac than iPad.

I completely agree, and I have been saying it for years: for the iPad pro to be a true laptop alternative as a daily work horse, it needs 3 things:

• Proper file management app
• More flexible multi-tasking
• Mouse cursor (trackpad) compatibility

 

[Knowimagination]

I'm getting really close to making this switch. I'm thinking about getting rid of my 2015 MacBook Pro and getting an iPad Pro instead. A little over a year ago I built a really nice gaming PC that is so much more powerful than my MBP and so I find myself reducing my MBP to just web browsing, surfing reddit, watching youtube, etc. It seems like the additional functionality from the pencil would benefit me in some things that I do especially if I start using it for work also. If I go through with it, it would be the first time in 15 years that I didn't own a mac. Going to be reading through more of this thread to see if anything helpful jumps out at me.

 

[partsofspeech]

I've had a MacBook Pro Retina for a year now, and quite frankly, its simply overkill for what I used the computer for on a daily basis. I would have been fine with a MacBook Air, but elected to spend the extra cash for a nice screen.

I use writing intensive programs (Final Draft, Pages, etc), but outside from that, just do regular web browsing, music, and etc.

I was curious of if anyone on here had replaced their laptop with an iPad, because I am considering doing that. I'm just curious about how the keyboards work with the iPad.

No, the iPad Pro is not qualified as a laptop replacement.

The bug with the Smart Keyboard has not sovled yet. It will still randomly disconnect as of the latest iOS version.

Lack of pro apps is the more serious shortcomings.

 

[Brammy]

The bug with the Smart Keyboard has not sovled yet. It will still randomly disconnect as of the latest iOS version.

I was plagued by this issue, but it stopped happening for me around 11.3.

 

[partsofspeech]

I was plagued by this issue, but it stopped happening for me around 11.3.

The previous bug, which is related to using wifi for public access, is gone after 11.3. Yes, that one is gone. The new one I have is editing Page files in iCloud and Notes in iCloud. My iPad Pro has cellular. I don’t if that has anything to do with the bug.

 

[Koh Phi Phi]

No, the iPad Pro is not qualified as a laptop replacement.

Lack of pro apps is the more serious shortcomings.

I personally find iOS Apps pretty robust (specially those specifically catered to the iPad), so that wouldnt hold me back as far as using it as a laptop replacement.

The lack of proper File Management and flexible Multi-tasking though... that is a productivity killer and a waste of iPad Pro's impressive hardware oomph!

 

[spiderman0616]

I personally find iOS Apps pretty robust (specially those specifically catered to the iPad), so that wouldnt hold me back as far as using it as a laptop replacement.

The lack of proper File Management and flexible Multi-tasking though... that is a productivity killer and a waste of iPad Pro's impressive hardware oomph!

I find the "lack of pro apps" argument to be pretty stale at this point. There are so many great ones out there. People still seem to think you're stuck with Apple's own default apps for their "pro" tasks. I always look at Apple's apps as the groundwork for functionality and kind of a guideline for developers as well. Doesn't mean they're the most popular or that you HAVE to use them.

Examples:

GarageBand--I could never use this for my full time podcasting tasks or music composition, but Ferrite and Notion are both fantastic apps for those tasks.

Notes--I could never use this for any "serious" art I want to create, but Paper by 53 or Linea are both sufficient for that and there are others out there that go beyond my talent level as far as what they're capable of.

iWork--It's usually good enough for what I want to do, but Office for iPad still kicks its butt. I know it's still missing some power user things, but Microsoft is getting there slowly but surely.

The list goes on and on, and people will argue with me that the apps I consider pro are not really pro, so this entire argument is pointless. I guess MY point is that the iPad Pro is plenty pro enough for my workflows. I don't even mind the file management or lack of mouse.

 

[Think creative]

I find the "lack of pro apps" argument to be pretty stale at this point. There are so many great ones out there. People still seem to think you're stuck with Apple's own default apps for their "pro" tasks. I always look at Apple's apps as the groundwork for functionality and kind of a guideline for developers as well. Doesn't mean they're the most popular or that you HAVE to use them.

Examples:

GarageBand--I could never use this for my full time podcasting tasks or music composition, but Ferrite and Notion are both fantastic apps for those tasks.

Notes--I could never use this for any "serious" art I want to create, but Paper by 53 or Linea are both sufficient for that and there are others out there that go beyond my talent level as far as what they're capable of.

iWork--It's usually good enough for what I want to do, but Office for iPad still kicks its butt. I know it's still missing some power user things, but Microsoft is getting there slowly but surely.

The list goes on and on, and people will argue with me that the apps I consider pro are not really pro, so this entire argument is pointless. I guess MY point is that the iPad Pro is plenty pro enough for my workflows. I don't even mind the file management or lack of mouse.

I'm in a similar boat. I need two apps on my iMac for my full workload, but other than that i can do everything else with iPad apps. Which is why I've decided my next laptop won't be a laptop, it will be an iPad pro with the logitech keyboard

 

[spiderman0616]

I'm in a similar boat. I need two apps on my iMac for my full workload, but other than that i can do everything else with iPad apps. Which is why I've decided my next laptop won't be a laptop, it will be an iPad pro with the logitech keyboard

I actually tried the Logitech keyboard very recently and despised it, so I exchanged it for this one:

ZAGG Rugged Messenger 7 Color Backlit Case and Bluetooth Keyboard for 2017 Apple iPad Pro 10.5 - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WPHL8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_8eIvBbRG6SJNH

LOVE this case. I had been using the Apple Smart Keyboards on my 9.7” and 10.5” but this thing is phenomenal. Better constructed and designed than the Logitech, and the “tablet only” mode is so much better of an experience. I highly recommend at least trying it to compare. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. This case doesn’t get the media attention that the Logitech gets because it’s not a Smart Connector case, but so far it’s the best solution I’ve seen.

 

[akash.nu]

While talking about lack of pro apps, does anyone know any app that can connect to a wireless scanner and scan multiple pages to create a single PDF?!

 

[spiderman0616]

While talking about lack of pro apps, does anyone know any app that can connect to a wireless scanner and scan multiple pages to create a single PDF?!

I haven't owned a scanner in years because the scanning apps have become so accurate and easy. I use Scanner Pro for that kind of stuff.

 

[Think creative]

I actually tried the Logitech keyboard very recently and despised it, so I exchanged it for this one:

ZAGG Rugged Messenger 7 Color Backlit Case and Bluetooth Keyboard for 2017 Apple iPad Pro 10.5 - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WPHL8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_8eIvBbRG6SJNH

LOVE this case. I had been using the Apple Smart Keyboards on my 9.7” and 10.5” but this thing is phenomenal. Better constructed and designed than the Logitech, and the “tablet only” mode is so much better of an experience. I highly recommend at least trying it to compare. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. This case doesn’t get the media attention that the Logitech gets because it’s not a Smart Connector case, but so far it’s the best solution I’ve seen.

This looks promising, but my issue is I'm going to grab a bigger iPad, so I don't think this will work for me

 

[akash.nu]

I haven't owned a scanner in years because the scanning apps have become so accurate and easy. I use Scanner Pro for that kind of stuff.

Yeah I don’t generally use the scanner unless it’s official document where quality is absolutely important.

 

[The Samurai]

Safari needs to offer more.

For example, I manage multiple Squarespace websites time to time, and the iPad simply can not handle them as its using the dumbed down mobile method and going 'desktop' on the safari app doesn't cut it.

 

[Totally]

Still waiting for the iPad that can run Matlab.

 

[musicpenguy]

While talking about lack of pro apps, does anyone know any app that can connect to a wireless scanner and scan multiple pages to create a single PDF?!

Wirecutter’s top pick here has an iOS app that you could use to scan from a mobile scanner directly to the iPad - https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-portable-document-scanner/
[doublepost=1532612753][/doublepost]

Safari needs to offer more.

For example, I manage multiple Squarespace websites time to time, and the iPad simply can not handle them as its using the dumbed down mobile method and going 'desktop' on the safari app doesn't cut it.

Yea the web can be a serious issue and I’m not sure who I am to blame is it SquareSpace for not considering touch users or Apple for not creating a robust enough browser - it is a problem though that hopefully gets addressed sooner rather than later. Another example is I can use Mailchimp up until I need to schedule the campaign for that I need to open up their app because the their website is trash.
[doublepost=1532612830][/doublepost]

Still waiting for the iPad that can run Matlab.

Never heard of it until now - looks like there is an app, but I’m sure not anywhere as near as powerful or full featured: MATLAB Mobile by MathWorks
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/matlab-mobile/id370976661?mt=8

 

[Totally]

Wirecutter’s top pick here has an iOS app that you could use to scan from a mobile scanner directly to the iPad - https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-portable-document-scanner/
[doublepost=1532612753][/doublepost]
Yea the web can be a serious issue and I’m not sure who I am to blame is it SquareSpace for not considering touch users or Apple for not creating a robust enough browser - it is a problem though that hopefully gets addressed sooner rather than later. Another example is I can use Mailchimp up until I need to schedule the campaign for that I need to open up their app because the their website is trash.
[doublepost=1532612830][/doublepost]
Never heard of it until now - looks like there is an app, but I’m sure not anywhere as near as powerful or full featured: MATLAB Mobile by MathWorks
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/matlab-mobile/id370976661?mt=8

Well color me surprised. I wonder what kind of performance it has .

Also, looks like it requires being on the internet to work, so not quite a standalone yet.

 

[bubbleboil]

Someone asked me this and I cant believe iPad can't do.

Draft an email with a table and highlight the first word.

Hmmmm..... Can't do on iPad..... OMG. Stunned

 

[musicpenguy]

Well color me surprised. I wonder what kind of performance it has .

Also, looks like it requires being on the internet to work, so not quite a standalone yet.

Yea I’m curious if a direct wifi connection or bluetooth connection is available in a different product, think that isn’t unreasonable to expect
[doublepost=1532665888][/doublepost]

Someone asked me this and I cant believe iPad can't do.

Draft an email with a table and highlight the first word.

Hmmmm..... Can't do on iPad..... OMG. Stunned

Not sure I’ve ever had a need to draft an email with a table ... you can easily enough open Numbers and copy and paste from that. Curious can the built in Mac email client do this? Been awhile since I’ve used it. See attached for an example (not an image, but copy and paste from Numbers)

 

[Macalicious2011]

I'm getting really close to making this switch. I'm thinking about getting rid of my 2015 MacBook Pro and getting an iPad Pro instead. A little over a year ago I built a really nice gaming PC that is so much more powerful than my MBP and so I find myself reducing my MBP to just web browsing, surfing reddit, watching youtube, etc. It seems like the additional functionality from the pencil would benefit me in some things that I do especially if I start using it for work also. If I go through with it, it would be the first time in 15 years that I didn't own a mac. Going to be reading through more of this thread to see if anything helpful jumps out at me.

If you buy an iPad Pro, keep your MBP 2015. It's a fantastic laptop and there's no need to get rid off it. For prolonged and comfortable use on the sofa or in bed, the Macbook is a better device.

Wipe it clean and put a new battery in it in 1-2 years and it will feel brand new.

 

[Booji]

Of of the biggest problems I’ve encountered is some website functionality that requires you to select multiple times with a left mouse click. Simply cannot do it even in desktop mode.

 

[Arcade]

It’s hard to get rid of that mouse feeling in your hand.

 

[SpiersyG]

Yeah I don’t generally use the scanner unless it’s official document where quality is absolutely important.

I have been Executor to both of my parents’ estates, with a need for dozens of official scans of documents, creation and sending of faxes (for USA purposes) and emails of the pdfs created. ScannerPro is an essential tool for that job and the quality of imaging is excellent.

The only shortcoming is for large documents of many pages, which a domestic, unfed scanner would be no better at.