iPad as a laptop replacement

[Abazigal]

@omarc

What exact error message?

But in any case: backup the files folder (iCloud Drive, OneCloud, Dropbox, external medium, whatever). Then delete the File app. Restart and reinstall Files via the Appstore.

EDIT: send before finishing- you can also try »Reset All Settings«.

Here’s the error messages. Deleting and reinstalling the files app has made no difference. Resetting my ipad is the last resort, as I simply haven’t had the time to get round to it, but now that it’s the weekend (again), I think I will just bite the bullet.

Wish me luck.

 

[Slartibart]

Here’s the error messages. Deleting and reinstalling the files app has made no difference. Resetting my ipad is the last resort, as I simply haven’t had the time to get round to it, but now that it’s the weekend (again), I think I will just bite the bullet.

Wish me luck.

just to be clear: I was referring to reset all settings only. not resetting the iPad as in “factory reset”.

 

[Abazigal]

just to be clear: I was referring to reset all settings only. not resetting the iPad as in “factory reset”.

Update - resetting my iPad didn’t solve the pdf issue, but it did solve the problem of the files app not opening a document in the respective office app (eg: open saved word documents in the word app).

It also had the side effect of making me have to redo all my settings (especially since I turned off “show content in search” for all my apps).

What does seem to fix the issue was to log out of the OneDrive app, and then log in again. Right now, pdf documents are opening fine in the files app again. I will continue to observe while keeping my fingers crossed.

Again, thank you to everyone who responded.

 

[Slartibart]

Update - resetting my iPad didn’t solve the pdf issue, but it did solve the problem of the files app not opening a document in the respective office app (eg: open saved word documents in the word app).

It also had the side effect of making me have to redo all my settings (especially since I turned off “show content in search” for all my apps).

What does seem to fix the issue was to log out of the OneDrive app, and then log in again. Right now, pdf documents are opening fine in the files app again. I will continue to observe while keeping my fingers crossed.

Again, thank you to everyone who responded.

Oh, you try to open PDFs on OneDrive through Apple’s Files without transferring them to the iPad beforehand?

 

[Abazigal]

Oh, you try to open PDFs on OneDrive through Apple’s Files without transferring them to the iPad beforehand?

Could you elaborate on that? I am not really doing anything differently from how I have done things on my ipad over the last couple of years.

 

[Kal Madda]

Could you elaborate on that? I am not really doing anything differently from how I have done things on my ipad over the last couple of years.

I didn’t even think about that, but OneDrive causing issues actually makes a lot of sense to me. I’ve had similar issues with OneDrive where I had to uninstall and reinstall it. It got to where OneDrive was using more local storage then I even had files in it. In other words, the local storage listed for OneDrive exceeded the storage I had used in OneDrive. I uninstalled and reinstalled the OneDrive app, and that fixed it, but I suspect I’ll likely have to do something similar again sometime down the road. It seems like OneDrive has far more bugs like this than any other cloud storage system I use. Glad to hear you found a solution for the problems you were experiencing! 👍🏻

 

[MrAverigeUser]

I switched from Microsoft to apple with the MBP 2009 15" in 2009 and never will go back.
Then started with the iPhone 4, than bought the second gen. iPad, (2010?) because it was a pain in the ass to "write" on a microscopic Touch-screen of the ip5...

So - today I use a iPhone 14 plus (replaced the iPhone SE) because it is my first phone with a screen not perfect but ok to type on.
The very old 2nd gen. iPad (WiFi/Cellular) served me a long time and was replaced by the 2nd gen. iPadPro 10.9" in 2019 (?) and this then has been replaced by the iPadPro M1 11" WiFi/Cellular model 2022 with 2TB capacity and 16 GB. Got it new for half the price. And purchased the fantastic ZUGU protection for it, which can be easily fixed STABLE in 9 different angles and so it is easy to fix a very ergonomic working position. I REALLY recommend the ZUGU because all the original apple protection gear and nearly 99% of third party gear is just useless and too expensive. ZUGU is the very first protection which is nothing than very impressive and ergonomic.

I still have the best and most reliable 15" MBP apple ever has build: The mid 2015 MBP 15" retina - especially after upgrading with a very fast 2 TB SSD via Sintech adapter. But since I got the iPad Pro 11" M1 I use it much less than before. For daily standard usage the 11" iPP M1 is just perfect. Especially if I am not at home and want to be independent from unknown suspicious Hotel-WLAN for security reasons.

Did not buy the 12,9" iPP because this model would be too big and heavy - the 11" iPP is perfect to have with you and even at home you can just take it everywhere (garden, kitchen while cooking, even having a bath) to watch Tv or hear music etc. with the M-processor battery endurance is now absolutely overwhelming

BUT I still use nevertheless my old MBP 15" for writing longer texts and to watch and edit my photos.

Perhaps I will buy a MBP 16" this year or next year - but I am not sure because price/performance relation of even a used 16" M1 (Pro Processor) with 2 TB internal is still too expensive for just the little more performance.
For my work with it it would be only an advantage concerning photo-editing because much more performance using modern editing methods and a perfect 16" screen. But the rest of my daily use condition can easily be done with the good old MBP 15" mid 2015 when upgraded by the very fast internal M2 SSD and the 16 GB.

so....
I think there is still a place for a MBP, but ...
newer iPhones replaced the old iPads
newer iPadPro with M-Processors replaced a lot of the daily work on the MBP

But there is still a place for at least a reliable but for >95% of users absolutely sufficient upgraded "old" upgraded MBP.
At least for the most part of users - Not for extensive performance-hungry users doing software-development etc. or professional photographers or video-editors and so on.. which ist just a very little minority.

Even the screen of the old 15" MBP retina mid 2015 is still pretty good (enough) for most of us - as is the keyboard: The mid 2015 MBP was the last one before the introduction of the absolutely catastrophic "butterfly" keyboard of the following MBP generations.... it was the most reliable and well-thought developed MBP until firing Jony Ive and doing the switch to M-Processor MBPs.

If prices for a 16" MBP with M1/M2 Pro-Processor and 2 TB will fall to 1.500 USD/EUR I will buy it for future photo-editing. So I have surely still to wait for 1-2 years. But I am not in a hurry... 😀

.

Just to add my generelly Thought for the future about iPad and Macbooks:

apple seems to work a lot to approach IOS and MacOS which is a logic way for the future, because now there is a common hardware-basis since both use the M-Chips AND a System-on-a-chip technology. The "only" difference is a wide range of combinations of 3 different CPUs 4 different GPU and 8-96 GB ...

to be able to have a principally common (or at least similar) hardware-structure for even a simple iPad up to workingstations saves a lot of production costs and enforces the already enormous scale-effects.

BUT apple will never ever take a self-cannibalization way and a real fusion of IOS and MacOS ! They will always reserve higher technical performance and software-based possibilities for the Mac-family, because most of us will always be aware of the performance-gap between these lines and therefore - if in doubt - buy BOTH lines. And apple earns a lot money with this situation of double-needs.

BUT never the less:

More and more of daily use can easily be done just with the new M-CPU based iPadPros family and less and less of the daily work will only be possible on MacBook(Pro)...

Portability of the iPad is fantastic, battery-capacity holds a whole day and the future all-day work of at least 90% of customers will therefore happen either with iPad Pros ..

or...

the nowadays growing alternative and affordable, well portable MacbookAir - if you want to work with MacOS system without having "castrated" IOS-Software. instead of MacOS. And if you desire the best keyboard and a comfortable 13-15" Screen.

So - if you let beside Gear aquisition Syndrome and if you have a realistic View at your own "Must" concerning hardware-performance - the Problem for at least 90% of the customers is easily to resolve just with a iPad Pro + purchasing a simple basic version of a MacBook.

If even this collidates with your budget: EVERY used (!) product of the iPad- and Macbook family with M-processor will do is job - for most of us the M1 basis is more than enough...

This will give you as a plus an important redundancy:

If one of the two system doesn´t work or is broken, you switch to the other one and go on...
and if you choose both a 11" iPad is absoluetly enough, because there is the second item with 13" oder 15" screen on the Macbook !

.

 

[tim@ipad]

So, i finally took the plunge and just ordered a iPadPro 13" 1TB with Pen, Keyboard and Apple Care.... 2850,- ... still a lot of cash.

Now, after a long debate what where the points that for me to go for it and finally replace the 12.9 2018 Pro?

For me, in iPadOS 18 there are 4 feature that's are useful for me: Formatting External Drives, the new notes App with the smart script handwriting, the math notes (yes, that's very handy for me) and the improved Photos App. Of course it could have been way better but those are 4 features I really do appreciate.

The other is the Pencil Pro with the hovering and smart squeeze.... I finally switched from Good Notes 5 to 6 as it had finally the ruler feature. I would even prefer if they would have a triangle as well. I made a detailed, to scale sketch this weekend using the ruler and I real found the feature that I should set the ruler to exactly degrees and would stay so even when moving. Finally! I was after such since 2018.... and really no note App did this which is frankly beyond belief (yes notes had one but it was so not sticky...). And with this ruler the Hovering feature of the new pencil pro would come in very very handy. I do a lot of such sketches (RE building, planning, woodworking...)

Now, Goodnotes need a square paper with a 5mm Grid. But For now it is the most usable note app. Hope they could integrate Smart Script and Math Notes with iPadOS 18.

And then with watching a few iPad Pro (iPad OS 18) videos about a pro use case... i got more into the the stage manger and it does really help for what i do...

And last, the hint by Topaz that there might be an iOS app of their AI software, likely Photo AI...

 

[tim@ipad]

So, having the iPad now for a day or two, first impression coming from the 12.9 2018 Pro and having a M1Pro MBP.

I think the speakers have improved considerable. Far less boomy and more clear at the top end. Bass is maybe less but thats 5mm so nothing to expect (Got my B&W PX8 anyhow).

Screen is far superior, no question but maybe because it is new it has far more resistance when touching (Less with the Pen but very noticeable at finger tip). And the Brightness is killing it. Couldn’t “test” the battery runtime but i say it must be 25-50% more as I need far less brightness then before

The hovering and squeeze isn’t part of Good Notes (yet), which is a tad disappointing as the iPad Pro is available for a month now..

The new Keyboard is far better than the old magic one. The keys are superior, everything. And Pen, well it is as promissed.


So, I say it is very expensive for what it is. Officially, at Apple in Germany, the 2024 13 1TB with Pen, Magic Keyboard and Care+ is 3007,- EUR - I paid 2850,- which at least starts with a two, but still too much.. 2500 EUR would be about right for what you get.

Are the differences noticeable compared to a 2018. Bloody hell, yes. In every way - but it is now on the Apps to also make use of this new and improved 2024 iPad Pro.

Cant wait for iPadOS 18 and hopefully the new App Revisions that will follow.

 

[Matz]

As many have said, it entirely depends upon what you want and need to do with a portable computing platform.
I use my 2014 MacBook Pro and my iPad Air 2 mostly for personal stuff. I also have a 2010 27” iMac. Work is mostly on a Windows 10 laptop with a docking station and dual monitors, provided by my employer.

I say mostly because occasionally on a lengthy project I’d rather work in Excel in MacOS. Likewise with Word.

But lately I’ve come to the realization that I rarely use my MBP, at least for the past year, but use my iPad daily. My iMac takes care of the rest.

So in the interest of simplifying, yesterday I sent my MBP off to a company that purchases used Apple stuff. I could probably get a few bucks more by selling it myself, but the transaction costs (mostly the time and effort) given where I live would likely eat up those few bucks.

My intent is to see what new IPP models are announced at WWDC, or whenever Apple gets around to announcing them, then decide what to buy. My iPad Air 2 works just fine, but the IPP is appealing to me for a couple of reasons. The anticipated payment for my MBP will cover nearly all of the 10.5” IPP, including Smart Keyboard, case, pencil, and AppleCare. Then again, I’ll spend some time trying out the larger IPP before deciding.

The heavy lifting for my needs will be performed by my iMac, at home. But it’s a desktop, and your question was about being a laptop replacement.

Clearly, my expectation is that the IPP will replace the MBP for my purposes. My current IPA2 is, in my opinion, a stellar device for what I use it for. Buying an IPP may be strictly unnecessary, but as much as I use that platform, I believe it will be worth it.

Forgot to respond to the question of mouse support and file management. I don’t recall ever wishing my IP had a mouse. Files go to Dropbox.

Again, as for you or anyone else, it entirely depends on what you want and need to do with a portable computing platform.

I posted the above more than six years ago, and still do not own a laptop. I wound up purchasing a 2018 12.9” iPad Pro, 256 GB. It was great, until a couple of months ago when it developed a hardware glitch and a cracked screen as a result of dropping it on a hardwood floor.

The new M4 iPads were announced, but I waited until WWDC to decide which iPad to purchase. A few weeks later I found a lightly used 2022 12.9” M2 iPad Pro with 1TB and 16GB of RAM, and cellular capability, for $1200 including tax and a one year warranty. Fortunately I’m able to use my 2018 Magic Keyboard with the ’new’ iPP. I haven’t felt the need for a mouse, and I rarely used the pencil before I put it somewhere ‘safe’ a couple of years ago. Bottom line, after WWDC I simply couldn’t justify the price of an M4 iPP for my moblie computing needs, but wanted something that would take advantage of AI when that rolls out. It should serve me well for the foreseeable future.

My heavy lifting is now done on a 2020 i7 Mini. The iMac was sold.

As mentioned previously, my moblie computing needs are pretty basic, and especially so now that I’m retired. My activities on the iPP include writing, reading books, viewing technical manuals, task management, web browsing, photo browsing, youtube, Google Maps, banking, a very few games, some spreadsheet viewing and editing, some light CAD work, email, and a slew of other minor but important (to me) productivity apps. I’m not doing any photo or video editing, but that might well change.

My choice of an iPad over a laptop still appears to be the right one for me. YMMV.

 

[DeepSix]

I have no interest in using the iPad as laptop replacements because it fails to do the job.

 

[sparksd]

I have no interest in using the iPad as laptop replacements because it fails to do the job.

… for you.

 

[Kal Madda]

… for you.

Exactly! Many of us here have happily replaced our laptops with iPads, and find the iPad to be a better option. This is just a matter of preferences and use-case.

 

[bondr006]

I have no interest in using the iPad as laptop replacements because it fails to do the job.

You really need to give some attention to your stand up routine. This one is so old, it's starting to look like stale, moldy bread.

 

[richpjr]

You really need to give some attention to your stand up routine. This one is so old, it's starting to look like stale, moldy bread. View attachment 2400248

And yet continues to be true for a large number of people.

 

[Ludatyk]

And yet continues to be true for a large number of people.

To be fair, I don’t think this is the case… it’s a manner of preferences. I don’t look at an iPhone and claim it fails to be a smartphone because I decided to go with a different one.

Ultimately, a large majority of folks use a laptop to browse the web, check email.. do some light document editing.. maybe edit some photos or videos. And doing those tasks are non-existent on the iPad? I don’t think so… it’s just people likely prefer the familiarity of a traditional laptop than an iPad with a keyboard.

 

[sparksd]

To be fair, I don’t think this is the case… it’s a manner of preferences. I don’t look at an iPhone and claim it fails to be a smartphone because I decided to go with a different one.

Ultimately, a large majority of folks use a laptop to browse the web, check email.. do some light document editing.. maybe edit some photos or videos. And doing those tasks are non-existent on the iPad? I don’t think so… it’s just people likely prefer the familiarity of a traditional laptop than an iPad with a keyboard.

I found my iPad Pro with MKB working for me - haven’t touched my laptop in a month now, including a week on the road. I use it in conjunction with a desktop at home.

 

[richpjr]

To be fair, I don’t think this is the case… it’s a manner of preferences. I don’t look at an iPhone and claim it fails to be a smartphone because I decided to go with a different one.

Ultimately, a large majority of folks use a laptop to browse the web, check email.. do some light document editing.. maybe edit some photos or videos. And doing those tasks are non-existent on the iPad? I don’t think so… it’s just people likely prefer the familiarity of a traditional laptop than an iPad with a keyboard.

It's not just familiarity, it's battling some of the limitations of iPadOS that get in the way and slow people down for certain tasks. I can do basic tasks easily on my iPad, but anything complicated soon becomes a frustrating exercise that has me going back to my Mac.

 

[DeepSix]

You really need to give some attention to your stand up routine. This one is so old, it's starting to look like stale, moldy bread. View attachment 2400248

For the first time in 2.5 years I'm 100% free of iPads now. I sold my mini 6 two weeks ago and my iPad pro today. Felt sensational.

Loved the iPad when I got it but it got moldy over time and way past its expiry date for me. I didn't have a single use case for it anymore after getting the Galaxy Tab. I tried and tried but the iPad just sat in its case left all alone completely neglected. Today I found a new owner for the pup.

 

[Ludatyk]

It's not just familiarity, it's battling some of the limitations of iPadOS that get in the way and slow people down for certain tasks. I can do basic tasks easily on my iPad, but anything complicated soon becomes a frustrating exercise that has me going back to my Mac.

No denying there are limitations within iPadOS… that users have to find workaround, but is that considered a failure?

You go back to your Mac, because you prefer that computing experience… and that‘s okay. I find it exhausting to keep going back and forth… when some users prefer to use mouse (which the iPad support but not to the level of the Mac), terminal.. having a multiple monitor setup. And immediately call it a fail when the iPad can’t match that experience.

Now, if there are specialized software a user needs that’s only available on the Mac/Windows… I get it. But for the vast number of folks... a iPad can be a suitable laptop replacement. And it doesn’t bother me if someone chooses a laptop over an iPad based on preferences. My issue is immediately criticizing the iPad because some task can’t be done exactly the same on the Mac.

I recall someone wanting to add songs on the Music app… and being frustrated that it’s not a similar experience on the iPad. But if they were to go to the AppStore... 3rd party app could have helped.

 

[Slartibart]

No denying there are limitations within iPadOS… that users have to find workaround, but is that considered a failure?

By lexical definition it is not - but there are waste areas of application where there is no workaround. So iPadOS does not fail, it simply cannot or does not allow to - for whatever reasons - do it.

You go back to your Mac, because you prefer that computing experience…

While this is true, again, there are enough examples where it is not a matter of “experience”.

Even in cases of a “limited experience” - slightly rephrasing what you wrote - is that considered a success? 🙃

To be clear, and going back to the title of this thread, the iPad is A laptop replacement. IMHO.
Alas in some areas this is similar to it being a replacement for a cutting board: technically this is true. But… 🥹 Again: IMHO. 🤓
So it seems that where, how, to what degree, et cetera, an iPad&iPadOS can be a laptop replacement… well, 271 pages into this thread and apparently: everyone’s mileage may vary. 🤜🤛😀

 

[NastyMatt]

And yet continues to be true for a large number of people.

Your source?

 

[Surfsalot]

Bought a 13" M3 16/512GB MB Air today. Doubt I will ever buy another iPad Pro.
Was $1KAUD less than a 13" iPad Pro 512GB with MGK I was thinking about.
Couldn't justify that just for oled, everything else is worse.
Still have my 11" M1 iPad but it's just a big iPhone to me.

 

[bondr006]

I have no interest in using the iPad as laptop replacements because it fails to do the job.

For the first time in 2.5 years I'm 100% free of iPads now. I sold my mini 6 two weeks ago and my iPad pro today. Felt sensational.

Loved the iPad when I got it but it got moldy over time and way past its expiry date for me. I didn't have a single use case for it anymore after getting the Galaxy Tab. I tried and tried but the iPad just sat in its case left all alone completely neglected. Today I found a new owner for the pup.

Very happy for you, but that's not what I'm referring to. No one wants to fault you or begrudge you your happiness with your new tech. What is not cool or acceptable is your first statement. It does not fail to do the job for everybody. It is a laptop replacement for many of us...including myself....and imo, it does the job very well. The difference is, I and others here relate our experience and opinions in a way that is open and considerate to the experiences of others that can't, don't want to, or are somewhere in the middle.

Coming in here to make the blanket statement that the iPad is a failure....is just to troll and stir up the hornets nest. If you had started with your second post, explaining that in your experience and sharing it the way you did...no one would bat an eyelash...and just be happy for you. But, you are in an Apple community that likes its tech, and rightfully so. IMO and many others here also, Apple makes some of the best tech in the world....which is not to say, that there are no other companies that make some great tech too.

When I decided to try Android, I did not come in here and trash my iPad, or anybody's positive experiences with theirs. Fact is, as much as I like my Android/Samsung tablet, and use it on a regular basis...I still much prefer my iPad Pro. It's not old or moldy, and makes me smile every time I use it. If you came here to share experiences without blanket trashing, pretty sure everyone would be fine with it, but your lack of courtesy and respect for others experience and successes seems to unfortunately be your usual modus operandi, aka....hit and run. I can't decide if you don't care about others feelings and experiences and it is your intention to troll, or if you are somewhere on the spectrum....and just don't realize how ridiculously inappropriate your blanket "iPads are trash" statements are.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

This thread goes round in circles but what exactly does the title mean? Replace a laptop for what exactly? Everybody’s needs are different which is why bizarrely people here are arguing over it.