iPad as a laptop replacement

[ProbablyDylan]

Depends on which half of me you ask. If it's my office job - no, I can't. I need Excel + ODBC, so no iPad for that job.

If it's me after dark, yes, 100% can replace my desktop for my creative work. Affinity photo, pages and numbers, Termius, all accommodate my needs nicely. Only gripe becomes safari's over-ambitious memory management always unloading my tabs!

 

[haruhiko]

Unfortunately someone at the IT department decided that a device must have antivirus installed to access the remote work environment. So they practically banned iOS devices.

 

[StoneJack]

I tried once and this was not workable.
iPads are still consumption devices.
Work on iPad is a torture

 

[cupcakes2000]

Been using an iPad plus Mac mini plus Luna display to get the best of both worlds for years now. It’s great if a bit clunky compared to one or the other. It does bring macOS as an app to the table though. These new smaller minis, if announced, would be fab.

 

[sparksd]

Unfortunately someone at the IT department decided that a device must have antivirus installed to access the remote work environment. So they practically banned iOS devices.

Retired now but we weren't allowed to use personal devices for work nor connect them to company networks at any locations.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

All answers to this thread question are highly subjective, associated with the computing & software needs of each job.

For OP to answer this question for themselves, they need to:

1. identify the software they need for THEIR job.
2. See if that software is available on iPad. If not, is some kind of clone option available on iPad that sufficiently covers all of the same needs (or maybe some combination of apps can do that).
3. If all of the software they need has good iPad versions, they probably CAN sub in an iPad for a computer.
4. If any of the software they need does NOT have iPad versions, they probably need a computer.

Yes, there may be workarounds for some situations... but workarounds are usually either bandaid solutions vs. complete solutions and/or burn more time to somewhat accomplish the same thing... or something close to it.

In very broad strokes: if the job...

• requires content creation, a computer is probably going to be better for that, whatever it is.
• is mostly about content consumption, iPad or even iPhone can likely be a pretty solid option.

However, this too begs for definition to phrases like "content creation" vs. "content consumption." For example, there is a mountain of creation & consumption software available only for Windows. So if any of that is essential to a job, the person probably needs NEITHER option from Apple but instead needs a Windows-based device.

Again in very broad strokes, I read the 4 specifics OP referenced:

design work, coding, video editing, or juggling a bunch of different apps at once.

...and all of that shouts computer. Can each of those be done on an iPad? Yes. But then the questions are what kind of design work? using what app(s)? how intensive is the design functionality? what coding? In what app(s)? how intensive? what video editing apps are needed? an occasional home movie or a major motion picture? how intensive of video editing? And while iPad can and does multitask, it's not remotely on par with Mac multitasking and I'd need a definition of "bunch." Even iPad Pro is relatively RAM-starved if "bunch" is many intensive RAM-demanding tasks. People still regularly post gripes about just having many Safari tabs not reloading web pages (that have fallen out of RAM).

One more "broad strokes" observation: in general, those trying to replace computer with iPad tend to basically work the iPad into being very laptop-like... as in keyboard case so they have touch key access, track pad or mouse for that kind of cursor control and sometimes other accessories in support of whatever they are trying to do. If the question is using an iPad as intended (no keyboard/mouse/trackpad), productivity vs. a "real computer" is likely to be slower/constrained.

If OP is writing an article and looking for examples of how people are subbing in tablets for computers and how some can't do that, this thread should pile up some good examples of both over time. But if OP is trying to rationalize going iPad over computer, only OP can answer their own question by executing #1-#4 above.

• Can an iPad replace a computer for some jobs? Absolutely YES!
• Can an iPad replace a computer for other jobs? Absolutely NO!

The devil is in the details.

 

[turbineseaplane]

• Can an iPad replace a computer for some jobs? Absolutely YES!
• Can an iPad replace a computer for other jobs? Absolutely NO!

The devil is in the details.

A perfect summary

I have a relative in her 50's who's a really basic tech user (in healthcare) and she's a great candidate for "iPad only"

But... after a year or so trying that with an iPP she ended up getting a MacBook Air, as the frustrations kept building with PDF workflows for her and constantly needing random Apps to try to get thing done .. and all the frustrations associated with going from one App to another App and back and forth and into Mail, etc..

It was all just too cumbersome, even for her

Fast forward nearly a year and she's been delighted having a Mac again
The iPad Pro left and hasn't been missed

To me, it's sort of an indictment on iPadOS that a user like her, just doing basic office style email/PDF interactions, got frustrated and bailed back to a Mac

It was all very "possible to get done", it was just a PITA relative to doing it on a Mac

 

[Johnny365]

If I was first glancing at this thread from an outsider perspective, would have thought it was AI generated and fetching for real user data lol

 

[alecgold]

I’m a consultant. These days most things are webbased and/or MS office and very well doable with an iPad.
there are a few legacy systems that are still operated via citrix and that doesn’t play nice with an iPad. So once every week or two weeks I need to fire up the old Dell laptop and login to that.
I’ve heard the rumor that they will move everything to Azure and it will be accessible via a web/app-based thingy so then I can do everything on my iPad.
Biggest advantage is that when interviewing, the iPad is flat on the table and I’m writing with the pencil. But if I need to, I can use the Magic Keyboard and it’s almost a laptop. Oh and it has the cellulair option, no need to use all kinds of shady wifi Oh and OLED is so nice when writing in near dark, no blooming. One more thing? When reading 350 pagers, it’s so nice to hold it in landscape when reading in a lounge chair!

If you are an engineer or write code or do lots of other things? Then an iPad can be a really nice secondarily device. Or not.

 

[Abazigal]

As a student i was fascinated by how much the learning improved once we had a substitute teacher with their surface tablet. That is when having a tablet shined with new lights for me.

It was just so much more convenient, faster and better for teaching purposes.

Same. A substitute math teacher my school recently hired used her own iPad in the classroom because the temporary laptop loaned to her did not have a stylus. Making it all but impossible to carry out annotation.

She didn’t have to, but I am happy to see that she is willing to make the extra effort here.

 

[Ludatyk]

Anyone having any issues with the latest FileBrowser update? I’m on the Professional version, not sure if that makes any difference. I believe all three versions received the same update.

For some reason there’s a bug when it comes to using my Magic Keyboard... Perhaps it has something to do with iPadOS 18.2. But I’m not sure if it’s actually the beta I’m on or the latest FileBrowser update.

Edit. The issue is when clicking… nothing registers.

 

[sparksd]

Anyone having any issues with the latest FileBrowser update? I’m on the Professional version, not sure if that makes any difference. I believe all three versions received the same update.

For some reason there’s a bug when it comes to using my Magic Keyboard... Perhaps it has something to do with iPadOS 18.2. But I’m not sure if it’s actually the beta I’m on or the latest FileBrowser update.

Edit. The issue is when clicking… nothing registers.

FB Pro here and 18.1 - don't see the problem so it's likely tied to the beta.

Edit: It does seem something is going on as clicking behavior is inconsistent - sometimes not working.

 

[Ludatyk]

FB Pro here and 18.1 - don't see the problem so it's likely tied to the beta.

For some strange reason, I have to do a right click in order for an image/document to open and this under the gallery view options. Because I can’t open anything under list, columns or grid… well, with a standard click. Hoping beta 2 comes along to fix this.

 

[bondr006]

FB Pro here and 18.1 - don't see the problem so it's likely tied to the beta.

Edit: It does seem something is going on as clicking behavior is inconsistent - sometimes not working.

I also have FB Pro with iPadOS 18.2 beta on my M1 iPad Pro with no problems. Only difference is I'm using the Logitech Combo Touch, and all my clicks and gestures are working just fine.

 

[sparksd]

I also have FB Pro with iPadOS 18.2 beta on my M1 iPad Pro with no problems. Only difference is I'm using the Logitech Combo Touch, and all my clicks and gestures are working just fine.

View attachment 2443735

18.1 and using my Logi MX Master 3 is as inconsistent as the MKB.

 

[Ludatyk]

I also have FB Pro with iPadOS 18.2 beta on my M1 iPad Pro with no problems. Only difference is I'm using the Logitech Combo Touch, and all my clicks and gestures are working just fine.

View attachment 2443735

Have you been accepted to Image Creation yet?

But gestures are good with the Magic Keyboard... clicks are the problem (at least with me). And I'm not sure if it started with the beta or the app update... because I did both about the same time.

Edit. And this is why I enjoy using FB app… they just released an update to fix it.

 

[sparksd]

Have you been accepted to Image Creation yet?

But gestures are good with the Magic Keyboard... clicks are the problem (at least with me). And I'm not sure if it started with the beta or the app update... because I did both about the same time.

Edit. And this is why I enjoy using FB app… they just released an update to fix it.

Yeah, the Stratospherix devs are great. I had some back and forth with them a few years back and they were real responsive and helpful.

 

[Infinitewisdom]

I suspect the ideal setup is an iPad and a Mac desktop like a Mac Mini or iMac. Perhaps I’m biased because that’s the setup I have, but I think it adds a backup option for those who are worried they’ll run into something the iPad can’t do, or, if the iPad is down for some reason. And with VNC software, and you can always connect to it with the iPad if you really need the Mac for something so long as you have a wifi connection. 👍🏻 For me, the Mac Mini is purely a secondary device, and I’ve never run into a situation where I needed it vs my iPad. But it’s nice to be able to continue to tinker with macOS. 👍🏻

What do you do for work that allows this setup to be feasible?

 

[Kal Madda]

What do you do for work that allows this setup to be feasible?

I actually have a fairly mixed workflow. I do some things that don’t involve a computer for work as well, but the things I do with computers for my work is predominantly freelance graphic design. I use the Affinity apps, which work great on my iPad, so I do most of my design work and art on my iPad. I also do some 3D modeling/sculpting, and for that I use Nomad Sculpt and Valence on my iPad, and Blender on my Mac. Those are the main things I do for work with my computers, but I do also do paperwork obviously for managing my business, and I do some writing as well for my SubStack. 👍🏻. I also experiment with coding, and for that I use Code App and Swift Playgrounds. For most of these things, I think the iPad is the perfect fit for my workflow. I prefer the tablet form factor, so it’s nice being able to use a tablet for most of my computer work. I still like having access to macOS so I can tinker with it, and do a few other things, so the Mac Mini is a perfect Mac option for me, since my iPad acts as my mobile computer. 👍🏻. And I can also use Affinity and Blender on my Mac Mini when I want to work at a desktop.

 

[0-0]

ipad as a laptop replacement is impossible until they add the ability to play multiple audio sources at once

 

[sparksd]

ipad as a laptop replacement is impossible until they add the ability to play multiple audio sources at once

Depends on your needs. Ability to play multiple audio sources at once is a total non-issue to me.

 

[Kal Madda]

ipad as a laptop replacement is impossible until they add the ability to play multiple audio sources at once

I think it depends on someone’s use case. For me, my iPad has completely replaced a laptop, the only laptop I own is an old one that I never use anymore. I have pretty mixed workflow as I already said before in this thread. So I really think it just depends on workflow. Heck, some people need a laptop with a particular OS, so even another laptop couldn’t be a replacement for their laptop. 👍🏻. And I’d argue a laptop can’t really replace my iPad, which is actually true because there are several apps that I use that are only on the iPad or where I’m more productive with the iPad version, and don’t have good alternatives I’d be as productive with on a laptop.

 

[sparksd]

I think it depends on someone’s use case. For me, my iPad has completely replaced a laptop, the only laptop I own is an old one that I never use anymore. I have pretty mixed workflow as I already said before in this thread. So I really think it just depends on workflow. Heck, some people need a laptop with a particular OS, so even another laptop couldn’t be a replacement for their laptop. 👍🏻. And I’d argue a laptop can’t really replace my iPad, which is actually true because there are several apps that I use that are only on the iPad or where I’m more productive with the iPad version, and don’t have good alternatives I’d be as productive with on a laptop.

Not to mention that a laptop doesn't cut it if what you want is a tablet form factor.

 

[Kal Madda]

Not to mention that a laptop doesn't cut it if what you want is a tablet form factor.

Yes, the form factor is a big part of it for me. I love that I can use the iPad as a tablet, or like a laptop with the Magic Keyboard Case. 👍🏻

 

[bondr006]

ipad as a laptop replacement is impossible until they add the ability to play multiple audio sources at once

Oh jeeze, here we go again. Hate to burst your bubble, but I've been using my M1 iPad Pro as a laptop replacement for 3 years now, and the experience just keeps getting better. Back in Nov. 2021, I sold my 16" i9 MBP because I found I didn't need it anymore because my iPad could easily take care of my real estate and property management business, and I have never looked back.