iPad as a laptop replacement

[Populus]

I feel like the clouds moved away, and a beam of solar light has entered my mind, offering me a vision that many of you already know, but some still don’t (like stubborn-me for all this past years with an iPad Pro).

This feels almost like a revelation: Apple isn’t interested in making the iPad, -not even the Pro-, a laptop or Mac replacement. Even when they add useful and QoL features to iPadOS, such as external monitor support, new multitasking modes such as Stage Manager, or the latest addition of being able to format external USB-C drives: they don’t add them to make an iPad a computer replacement (but, what’s a computer?) but rather to make the device less dependent of a traditional computer such as a Mac or a PC.

But the goal of Apple with the iPad family, including the Pro, is to make a compelling third category in between the Mac and the iPhone. A simpler, lighter, more portable device than a laptop, but with the philosophy of iOS. Kinda like a more versatile, complex, and capable iOS device, oriented towards productivity.

I have needed the “disappointment” of iPadOS 18 to realize that Apple’s plans for the iPad don’t include making it more macOS-like, but rather to keep differentiating it from the Mac and the iPhone, to pursue a different kind of perfection. One that doesn’t necessarily cater to the needs of Mac users, but rather those with a different workflow that makes intensive use of the touchscreen and Apple Pencil combo, or those who need to minimize weight and space on their backpack/suitcase, or those that just don’t need the features or apps that can be installed on a Mac.

I think I finally understand: The iPad is on its own category and depending on your needs, maybe what fits better in your work is a Mac, and that’s fine, Apple doesn’t want to change that. Or maybe the iPad is what best suits your needs. Or maybe you are fortunate enough to have a device-agnostic workflow, and you can use both. But I’m afraid that this third customer category isn’t the primary target of Apple with iPadOS, and they are going to keep the iPad on its own road.

However, for those specific tasks that may require a Mac or PC, thanks to the recent approval of emulators that allow you to run Windows or Linux on your iPad, you may be able to rely only on your tablet for 99% of your needs. I’m going to give it a try sooner rather than later, and I’ll let you know how it goes!

 

[bondr006]

I feel like the clouds moved away, and a beam of solar light has entered my mind, offering me a vision that many of you already know, but some still don’t (like stubborn-me for all this past years with an iPad Pro).

This feels almost like a revelation: Apple isn’t interested in making the iPad, -not even the Pro-, a laptop or Mac replacement. Even when they add useful and QoL features to iPadOS, such as external monitor support, new multitasking modes such as Stage Manager, or the latest addition of being able to format external USB-C drives: they don’t add them to make an iPad a computer replacement (but, what’s a computer?) but rather to make the device less dependent of a traditional computer such as a Mac or a PC.

But the goal of Apple with the iPad family, including the Pro, is to make a compelling third category in between the Mac and the iPhone. A simpler, lighter, more portable device than a laptop, but with the philosophy of iOS. Kinda like a more versatile, complex, and capable iOS device, oriented towards productivity.

I have needed the “disappointment” of iPadOS 18 to realize that Apple’s plans for the iPad don’t include making it more macOS-like, but rather to keep differentiating it from the Mac and the iPhone, to pursue a different kind of perfection. One that doesn’t necessarily cater to the needs of Mac users, but rather those with a different workflow that makes intensive use of the touchscreen and Apple Pencil combo, or those who need to minimize weight and space on their backpack/suitcase, or those that just don’t need the features or apps that can be installed on a Mac.

I think I finally understand: The iPad is on its own category and depending on your needs, maybe what fits better in your work is a Mac, and that’s fine, Apple doesn’t want to change that. Or maybe the iPad is what best suits your needs. Or maybe you are fortunate enough to have a device-agnostic workflow, and you can use both. But I’m afraid that this third customer category isn’t the primary target of Apple with iPadOS, and they are going to keep the iPad on its own road.

However, for those specific tasks that may require a Mac or PC, thanks to the recent approval of emulators that allow you to run Windows or Linux on your iPad, you may be able to rely only on your tablet for 99% of your needs. I’m going to give it a try sooner rather than later, and I’ll let you know how it goes!

I love your writeup above on this subject. You are soooo right that the iPad is its own device, and a very flexible one at that (IMO, the most flexible device Apple has ever made). It's not a laptop, it's not a PC, it's not a Mac (although it can cover most or more of each of these to varying degrees)... the iPad is it's own category, that being a tablet computer. Not only a tablet computer, but a tablet computer that is not MacOS, Windows, Android, or Linux...but runs its own unique OS. Some like it, some don't. Some can make it be productive, others can only be entertained by it, while most are somewhere in the middle, and a growing number that can use it as their main or only puter.

I am somewhere in the middle. I can fully use my iPad as my mobile computer in place of a laptop, but I still have my Mac Mini and Windows PC's, and now a Samsung Android tablet, that all get used daily at home. Yes, I am a techno nerd/geek that just simply loves and enjoys tech in general.

I agree that this is a revelation, and a new great perspective way of looking at this topic. Very happy you shared the above with us.

 

[Kal Madda]

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.

Exactly. And anymore, the “limitations” of iPadOS are becoming far less significant. Even relatively niche power-user features such as external drive reformatting are now built into iPadOS. There aren’t many meaningful things that truly can’t be done at all on an iPad anymore. There are even pretty niche things like terminal apps and plain text editors for iPadOS. There’s not a single category of software that I can think of that is available on the MacBook but isn’t available on the iPad. There are some individual apps that haven’t ported over yet (and yet is the key word here, because many of them have, are, and probably will in the future), but there are generally alternatives that offer a similar level of functionality. That’s why I believe and keep going back to the point that this is more about preference and use case than capability. The iPad clearly can replace a laptop as evidenced by many here in this thread. That doesn’t mean the iPad can replace a laptop for everyone. And that doesn’t mean that everyone should replace their laptop with an iPad. Because many prefer the advantages of a laptop form factor over an iPad, like the extra ports, the different balance, etc. and value those things more than the advantages of an iPad. Or they prefer some of the differences with macOS. More power to them, I’m not going to tell them they shouldn’t prefer the laptop over a tablet. A laptop is clearly a better choice for them than a tablet. But for many of us, it’s also the same in the opposite direction. The laptop might be capable of replacing an iPad, but we wouldn’t want to do it. It seems the YouTuber/content creation community often leans hard towards essentially wanting to replace the iPad with a MacBook, whether it’s the countless videos trashing iPads and telling people to get MacBooks instead because they can supposedly do everything an iPad can do, or wining and complaining every year for macOS to replace iPadOS. But if we flip the original question on it’s head and ask “can a laptop replace an iPad”, for many it can’t. Again, I think much of this boils down more to preferences and use-case.

 

[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.

If you hate the iPad so much, and are relieved that you are completely free of them....Why are you even here then? You don't even have any more Apple gear according to your signature. Only thing one can surmise you are here for is...

 

[bondr006]

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.

As long as you realize that "anything complicated soon becomes a frustrating exercise" is subjective to people's personal experience. In other words, what is difficult or complicated to you, may be simple and intuitive to others. What you view as a limitation in the OS, may be an asset or advantage to others. Again, I stress that individual, subjective experience is the only meaningful rule of measure here.

 

[richpjr]

As long as you realize that "anything complicated soon becomes a frustrating exercise" is subjective to people's personal experience. In other words, what is difficult or complicated to you, may be simple and intuitive to others. What you view as a limitation in the OS, may be an asset or advantage to others. Again, I stress that individual, subjective experience is the only meaningful rule of measure here.

Agree it is subjective. But people's experiences are their reality and there are plenty of people here who it seems to be adequate for and others that need additional computing devices because they can't work effectively.

 

[bondr006]

Agree it is subjective. But people's experiences are their reality and there are plenty of people here who it seems to be adequate for and others that need additional computing devices because they can't work effectively.

Agreed, and my thoughts exactly... Even I have a Mac Mini and a few PC's in my house. My iPad Pro is used primarily for the mobile aspect of my work and play as a laptop replacement.

 

[Surfsalot]

iPad is a terrible LAP top.
theend

 

[Slartibart]

iPad is a terrible LAP top.
theend

au contraire mon frère, the iPad has a marvelous, top Low Altitude Performance!

nota bene: I use frère as a pure general descriptor here. 🤓

 

[outlawarth]

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.

Exactly. It is astonishing that some people continue to think in absolutist terms about this issue. Personally, the iPad has replaced the laptop for me and I don't care what anyone says. I no longer carry a laptop around. Now, I don't come here and claim that iPad is a replacement for everybody - it clearly is not. By the same token I don't claim that it cannot replace a laptop. It can for some. Who is the arbiter of what constitutes laptop usage? I don't get it.

 

[Surfsalot]

wrong thread

 

[Kal Madda]

Exactly. It is astonishing that some people continue to think in absolutist terms about this issue. Personally, the iPad has replaced the laptop for me and I don't care what anyone says. I no longer carry a laptop around. Now, I don't come here and claim that iPad is a replacement for everybody - it clearly is not. By the same token I don't claim that it cannot replace a laptop. It can for some. Who is the arbiter of what constitutes laptop usage? I don't get it.

Well put. Clearly the iPad is a laptop replacement for many people. People saying it can’t be a laptop replacement are contradicting the experience of many people who have done exactly that and replace a laptop with an iPad.

 

[sparksd]

Well put. Clearly the iPad is a laptop replacement for many people. People saying it can’t be a laptop replacement are contradicting the experience of many people who have done exactly that and replace a laptop with an iPad.

The problem is people saying it can’t be a laptop replacement without the added qualification for them, instead speaking as though they are espousing a universal truth.

 

[bondr006]

Well put. Clearly the iPad is a laptop replacement for many people. People saying it can’t be a laptop replacement are contradicting the experience of many people who have done exactly that and replace a laptop with an iPad.

We may be a minority, but our numbers are growing steadily. I am having fun with the iPad OS PB2. Anxious to try the AI features though. I will wait for it to be added to a public beta. After replacing my MBP with the iPad over 2 years ago, it would be a big adjustment for me to do something different. Yes, I am definitely in it for the long haul with my iPad. Looking forward to seeing what more Apple has in store for it.

 

[Kal Madda]

The problem is people saying it can’t be a laptop replacement without the added qualification for them, instead speaking as though they are espousing a universal truth.

Exactly. 👍🏻. I understand that some people have workflows that favor the MacBook over the iPad, and I understand why many choose to stick with the Macs. It’s not as if there’s any wrong answer. People should use whatever device/devices work best for them and their use case. But I do get a bit tired of some of these content creators constantly claiming that the iPad isn’t a “real computer” and that iPadOS needs to be replaced or gutted.

 

[Kal Madda]

We may be a minority, but our numbers are growing steadily. I am having fun with the iPad OS PB2. Anxious to try the AI features though. I will wait for it to be added to a public beta. After replacing my MBP with the iPad over 2 years ago, it would be a big adjustment for me to do something different. Yes, I am definitely in it for the long haul with my iPad. Looking forward to seeing what more Apple has in store for it.

Yeah, it has been nice to watch iPadOS come to a point where more are beginning to make the transition over to the iPad. 👍🏻. I am definitely committed to the iPad workflow at this point as well! Definitely excited to see where iPadOS goes from here! 👍🏻

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Exactly. It is astonishing that some people continue to think in absolutist terms about this issue. Personally, the iPad has replaced the laptop for me and I don't care what anyone says. I no longer carry a laptop around. Now, I don't come here and claim that iPad is a replacement for everybody - it clearly is not. By the same token I don't claim that it cannot replace a laptop. It can for some. Who is the arbiter of what constitutes laptop usage? I don't get it.

The mistake many her make is they apply their own needs to everyone else. The iPad can be a complete laptop replacement for many people, especially if they are not running demanding or specialist software.

For me I replaced my home laptop with an iPad in 2014 and now all my browsing and consumption is done on a more convenient tablet that’s easier to hold. At work I couldn’t possibly do my job using an iPad due to hardware and software limitations, I couldn’t use a Mac either as they are not compatible with the software I use. It just highlights the point, for many things the iPad is better for and for others it’s not. There’s no standard for everyone.

 

[tim@ipad]

I think the Laptop Replacement question isn’t correct. An iPad would never replace a 16“ MBP with the latest and greatest. It should be more of a question like what gives the best Mobile Working Experience. And here I think the iPad Pro M4 with Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard is far superior to a Laptop. For me easily!!!

Also I think the way iPadOS is designed and even with the upcoming Apple Intellgience integrated it suit that mobile working experience far better then MacOS would be able to do so. The interaction / interface with mobile devise is key.

The biggest Problem for most I say are the Apps themselves as they are often not as Powerfull as the Mac ones which creates hurdles. But this is not on Apple as such much on the Developer. And then, especially for Audio, Video and Photo, it is the lack of the important 3rd Party Apps / Plugins. I for myself cannot wait for Topaz finally bringing der AI apps to iPad!

Otherwise I only see three areas where Apple needs to get their head round how to fix iPad OS: Background Rendering (and Virtual RAM for large files), Multiple Audiostreams and to have the File app with near Finder Functionality.

Otherwise, having the 13“ M4 Pro for a week now, I can say what an awesome, albeit very expensive, Mobile Solution. The Pencil Pro is much better and the squeeze and hovering provides such an improved user experience. This is how the pen should have been from start.

 

[r_mack]

I realize this thread will go on forever, but I’ll add a perspective: my 76-year-old mother recently purchased an iPad 10th gen with a Logitech keyboard/case. She has (had) a Windows laptop—circa 2015—and never figured it out. My brother and I spent hours supporting her.

The iPad setup does everything she needs. Many of the posters on this thread talk about high-end use/intensive processing requirements and the iPad’s inability to meet those. For the average light-duty user who browses the web, uses social media and does email, it’s perfect.

Me: I have an iPad Pro 11” M1, and it’s not a desktop/laptop replacement for me. But I use it more than I use my personal MBA. Outside of work, I am involved heavily in a volunteer organization. When I travel, it’s the only device I carry (besides my iPhone). And it works well enough. For paid work, it’s a Dell laptop (employer required).

 

[bondr006]

I think the Laptop Replacement question isn’t correct. An iPad would never replace a 16“ MBP with the latest and greatest. It should be more of a question like what gives the best Mobile Working Experience. And here I think the iPad Pro M4 with Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard is far superior to a Laptop. For me easily!!!

Also I think the way iPadOS is designed and even with the upcoming Apple Intellgience integrated it suit that mobile working experience far better then MacOS would be able to do so. The interaction / interface with mobile devise is key.

The biggest Problem for most I say are the Apps themselves as they are often not as Powerfull as the Mac ones which creates hurdles. But this is not on Apple as such much on the Developer. And then, especially for Audio, Video and Photo, it is the lack of the important 3rd Party Apps / Plugins. I for myself cannot wait for Topaz finally bringing der AI apps to iPad!

Otherwise I only see three areas where Apple needs to get their head round how to fix iPad OS: Background Rendering (and Virtual RAM for large files), Multiple Audiostreams and to have the File app with near Finder Functionality.

Otherwise, having the 13“ M4 Pro for a week now, I can say what an awesome, albeit very expensive, Mobile Solution. The Pencil Pro is much better and the squeeze and hovering provides such an improved user experience. This is how the pen should have been from start.

Never say never...My M1 iPad Pro 11 replaced my 2019 I9 16" MBP in Nov. 2021 for the mobile side of my real estate and property management business, and I've never looked back. But yes, I 100% agree with everything you said above. I love iPad OS....because it does everything I need it to and just keeps getting better. Using the iPad OS PB 2, and imo it's the best iPad OS yet. Anxious for the AI features to arrive. Sounds like sci-fi, and I'm a Star Trek nut. So...

 

[User #07242024]

Me: I have an iPad Pro 11” M1, and it’s not a desktop/laptop replacement for me. But I use it more than I use my personal MBA. Outside of work, I am involved heavily in a work volunteer organization. When I travel, it’s the only device I carry (besides my iPhone). And it works well enough. For paid work, it’s a Dell laptop (employer required).

Never say never...My M1 iPad Pro 11 replaced my 2019 I9 16" MBP in Nov. 2021 for the mobile side of my real estate and property management business, and I've never looked back. But yes, I 100% agree with everything you said above. I love iPad OS....because it does everything I need it to and just keeps getting better. Using the iPad OS PB 2, and imo it's the best iPad OS yet. Anxious for the AI features to arrive. Sounds like sci-fi, and I'm a Star Trek nut. So... View attachment 2401557

Interesting! What apps are you guys using for work?

 

[bondr006]

Interesting! What apps are you guys using for work?

Hi again!

Great question. MS 365, Outlook, Files App/FileBrowserPro, PDF Expert/PDFelement, Adobe Scan, Notes App/CollaNote, Safari/Chrome, Affinity Photo 2, Sketchbook, and some real estate specific apps.

 

[tim@ipad]

Interesting! What apps are you guys using for work?

Wasn’t directed at me, but I have the full MS Office with Sharepoint, OneDrive and MS Teams. Then it is PS and LR, the Affinity Suite, Procreate and LumaFusion (but might change the FCP for iPad). And Good Notes 6 for sketches, Notes etc.

The App I’m badly waiting on is Topaz Photo AI for Denoise, Gigapixel and Sharpen

Still have my 16“ MBP incl LR Classic, the full Topaz Suite, NIK Collection, FCP and Rapidweaver. And to backup my data and to prep for Prints

 

[User #07242024]

Hi again! View attachment 2401559 Great question. MS 365, Outlook, Files App/FileBrowserPro, PDF Expert/PDFelement, Adobe Scan, Notes App/CollaNote, Safari/Chrome, Affinity Photo 2, Sketchbook, and some real estate specific apps.

Hi! Do you use both PDF Expert and PDFelement? If so, is it both as backup to each other (in case of crash for example) or because they have unique features (one has while the other does not)?

Wasn’t directed at me, but I have the full MS Office with Sharepoint, OneDrive and MS Teams. Then it is PS and LR, the Affinity Suite, Procreate and LumaFusion (but might change the FCP for iPad). And Good Notes 6 for sketches, Notes etc.

The App I’m badly waiting on is Topaz Photo AI for Denoise, Gigapixel and Sharpen

Still have my 16“ MBP incl LR Classic and Rapidweaver which I also use as my Maschine to backup my data

Appreciate it! I welcome any reply.

 

[richpjr]

Wasn’t directed at me, but I have the full MS Office with Sharepoint, OneDrive and MS Teams. Then it is PS and LR, the Affinity Suite, Procreate and LumaFusion (but might change the FCP for iPad). And Good Notes 6 for sketches, Notes etc.

The App I’m badly waiting on is Topaz Photo AI for Denoise, Gigapixel and Sharpen

Still have my 16“ MBP incl LR Classic and Rapidweaver which I also use as my Maschine to backup my data

I'm waiting for the MS Office apps to not be a subset of the desktop apps. Excel finally got pivot tables - that is a start.