iPad as a laptop replacement

[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.

 

[Ludatyk]

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.

Not to Momentarily derail the iPad topic... But how’s the Galaxy Tab experience going?

 

[bondr006]

Not to Momentarily derail the iPad topic... But how’s the Galaxy Tab experience going?

Thanks for asking! I ended up giving it to my son to use in college. It wasn't because I didn't like Android, or the tablet itself...because it could fully do what I wanted/needed it to, but because I am very invested in the Apple ecosystem and decided to keep my efforts there for now. Knowing Android now, and what the Galaxy Tabs have to offer, and just liking tech in general...I'll probably end up with another Tab sooner or later. I have nothing bad to say about Android, or the Galaxy Tabs. I had a lot of fun with the experience of getting to know it and what I could do with it. We'll see what the future brings. Thanks for your input and help when I shared I had gotten the Tab. There were many people here that helped me, and I was surprised at all the people and resources available that I found right here at MR. This is my very favorite forum ever.

 

[sparksd]

Thanks for asking! I ended up giving it to my son to use in college. It wasn't because I didn't like Android, or the tablet itself...because it could fully do what I wanted/needed it to, but because I am very invested in the Apple ecosystem and decided to keep my efforts there for now. Knowing Android now, and what the Galaxy Tabs have to offer, and just liking tech in general...I'll probably end up with another Tab sooner or later. I have nothing bad to say about Android, or the Galaxy Tabs. I had a lot of fun with the experience of getting to know it and what I could do with it. We'll see what the future brings. Thanks for your input and help when I shared I had gotten the Tab. There were many people here that helped me, and I was surprised at all the people and resources available that I found right here at MR. This is my very favorite forum ever.

If you go back to Samsung and really want to go down a rabbit hole, check out the forums over at xda -

https://xdaforums.com/c/samsung.11975/

I spent a lot of time there when I was rooting my devices and working with custom Android ROMs.

 

[Ludatyk]

Thanks for asking! I ended up giving it to my son to use in college. It wasn't because I didn't like Android, or the tablet itself...because it could fully do what I wanted/needed it to, but because I am very invested in the Apple ecosystem and decided to keep my efforts there for now.

Ahhh.. thought you were gonna be using the Tab for the long haul.

I have nothing bad to say about Android, or the Galaxy Tabs. I had a lot of fun with the experience of getting to know it and what I could do with it.

Yeah, I like the Android side of things.. I wouldn’t abandon the iPad (given the versatility it brings). And I get the best of both worlds with the Galaxy Fold, with it being a 2-1.

Thanks for your input and help when I shared I had gotten the Tab. There were many people here that helped me, and I was surprised at all the people and resources available that I found right here at MR. This is my very favorite forum ever.

That’s what I like to do… provide some helpful advice. And I also learn from others as well. I like where the iPad is heading… even though it has its critics lol.

If you go back to Samsung and really want to go down a rabbit hole, check out the forums over at xda -

https://xdaforums.com/c/samsung.11975/

I spent a lot of time there when I was rooting my devices and working with custom Android ROMs.

Yeah, i check out XDA occasionally… just to see what new apps I can try. There’s so many good ones to try that’s not on the Play Store.

 

[dotnet]

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

Well, it turns out that iPads work very well as laptop replacement for people who were previously using laptops as iPad replacement

 

[bondr006]

Well, it turns out that iPads work very well as laptop replacement for people who were previously using laptops as iPad replacement

That's what I was doing and just didn't know it until I got my M1 iPad Pro. I can do things that I need to do for my business, easier and faster with my iPad. I just can't go back to a laptop. I would feel handicapped. Besides, I have a Mac Mini and a few Windows machines for things desktops just do better...like storage servers. If I am home, I will also use the desktop or Apple TV for Netflix, YouTube, and such.

 

[xxFoxtail]

That's what I was doing and just didn't know it until I got my M1 iPad Pro. I can do things that I need to do for my business, easier and faster with my iPad. I just can't go back to a laptop. I would feel handicapped. Besides, I have a Mac Mini and a few Windows machines for things desktops just do better...like storage servers. If I am home, I will also use the desktop or Apple TV for Netflix, YouTube, and such.

I feel the same way. There's a few things that just work faster for me using my iPhone vs my MacBook with my business. I had an iPad Pro M1 in the past, that was the perfect in-between. I regret trading it in for my Macbook, but I don’t really see any reason to get another one right now.

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

A desktop class browser is the last thing wihich stops me using my iPad as a single ultra mobile solution (I do not want to ditch laptop altogetgher). I solved my other issues manly thanks to the generous help of mebers of this forum and specifically posters on this thread.
Living in EU I hope that we are close to be able to install other browsers than just skinned Safari and that way I will be completelly happy with my iPad. Until that moment I use Jump to remotely connect to my mac mini And work with those sites which dont play well on iPads Safari.
As a sidenote, I bought a Huawei Matebook Pro 12.2 (the one with tandem oled), the hardware is nice, the software allows me to accomplish those thing which on ipad dont work but the experience an Apple products is much more seamless and pleasent.

 

[Kal Madda]

A desktop class browser is the last thing wihich stops me using my iPad as a single ultra mobile solution (I do not want to ditch laptop altogetgher). I solved my other issues manly thanks to the generous help of mebers of this forum and specifically posters on this thread.
Living in EU I hope that we are close to be able to install other browsers than just skinned Safari and that way I will be completelly happy with my iPad. Until that moment I use Jump to remotely connect to my mac mini And work with those sites which dont play well on iPads Safari.
As a sidenote, I bought a Huawei Matebook Pro 12.2 (the one with tandem oled), the hardware is nice, the software allows me to accomplish those thing which on ipad dont work but the experience an Apple products is much more seamless and pleasent.

I’m genuinely curious, what is the difference between desktop Safari and Safari on the iPad? Using both side by side, they both look nearly identical, and offer the same features on the surface as far as I can tell. I have a friend who does web development who has said that Safari on the iPad is a bit different for development, but I’m unaware of any major differences in surface-level user features. I’m not trying to come across as dismissive or anything, I just keep hearing people upset iPadOS lacks “desktop-class Safari” and I don’t understand. 👍🏻

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

My issue is with embedded pdfs.
For example, due to my work, I have to have acces to some LandBooks which can be downloaded from the Land Registry’s official site. The issue is that the files do not have any kind of download link but are embedded in the site somehow (I’m a lawyer not an IT guy so my terminology may be defective). This is not an issue for desktop Safari but I will be able to see or download only the first page on iPad.
As far as I read on some forums, this issue is known from some time.

 

[Kal Madda]

My issue is with embedded pdfs.
For example, due to my work, I have to have acces to some LandBooks which can be downloaded from the Land Registry’s official site. The issue is that the files do not have any kind of download link but are embedded in the site somehow (I’m a lawyer not an IT guy so my terminology may be defective). This is not an issue for desktop Safari but I will be able to see or download only the first page on iPad.
As far as I read on some forums, this issue is known from some time.

Oh, ok, that makes sense. Hopefully that’s fixed soon. 👍🏻 I wonder if a Siri Shortcut could fix that issue? I’ve found Siri Shortcuts to be very helpful in filling in functionality gaps. It sounds like you’re VNC solution is working, but maybe if we can get an onboard Siri Shortcut set up for you, that may be easier. 👍🏻

PS, also, can you open the documents in the browser? If so, you may be able to download them via the Share Sheet. 👍🏻

PS, I also found someone recommending to try double-tapping and holding on the embedded document, selecting copy, and then pasting it into the search bar. This should open the document as a standalone page in the browser, where it can then be saved by the Share Sheet. 👍🏻

 

[Ludatyk]

Oh, ok, that makes sense. Hopefully that’s fixed soon. 👍🏻 I wonder if a Siri Shortcut could fix that issue? I’ve found Siri Shortcuts to be very helpful in filling in functionality gaps. It sounds like you’re VNC solution is working, but maybe if we can get an onboard Siri Shortcut set up for you, that may be easier. 👍🏻

PS, also, can you open the documents in the browser? If so, you may be able to download them via the Share Sheet. 👍🏻

PS, I also found someone recommending to try double-tapping and holding on the embedded document, selecting copy, and then pasting it into the search bar. This should open the document as a standalone page in the browser, where it can then be saved by the Share Sheet. 👍🏻

Yeah, I’m kind of confused by their issue.

I’ve never had a problem with Safari on the iPad displaying a PDF correctly and as you noted… We can always use the Share Sheet to open it in a different app.

i use a combination of apps to open up a pdf…. PDF Expert, PDF Elements and GoodReader. But Files app can do the job as well.

 

[Kal Madda]

Yeah, I’m kind of confused by their issue.

I’ve never had a problem with Safari on the iPad displaying a PDF correctly and as you noted… We can always use the Share Sheet to open it in a different app.

i use a combination of apps to open up a pdf…. PDF Expert, PDF Elements and GoodReader. But Files app can do the job as well.

I was at first as well, but I looked it up before I responded. 👍🏻. Most websites don’t embed PDFs, so most sites work normally. But some sites embed PDF files, and when they do that, sometimes the pdf will only show a single page unless you copy it and paste it into the search bar in Safari. That seems to work for most people encountering the issue, and then they’re able to save all of the pages of the PDF.

I’ve never encountered this issue either, but government sites aren’t known for being coded the best, lol! 😂👍🏻. I’ve had to deal with government websites, and their design and layout just always sucks!

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

Embedded PDFs in mobile safari bro… | Apple Developer Forums

forums.developer.apple.com

This is the thing.

@Ludatyk, if I remember correctly you are the one who gave me in the past some very nice advice which helped use my iPad much more efficiently. Thank you for that.

 

[Kal Madda]

Embedded PDFs in mobile safari bro… | Apple Developer Forums

forums.developer.apple.com

This is the thing.

@Ludatyk, if I remember correctly you are the one who gave me in the past some very nice advice which helped use my iPad much more efficiently. Thank you for that.

Do you have a site you could link to as an example of an embedded PDF that’s having this issue? I’ve been trying to find a website with such a pdf file that way I can try to create a Siri Shortcut to extract the PDF for you. 👍🏻

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

There is just on site where I have this issue.
The problem is that to test it, you need the credentials and sadly it would be unlawful to disclose them.
I’ll try to find some similar sites to share links.

 

[Kal Madda]

There is just on site where I have this issue.
The problem is that to test it, you need the credentials and sadly it would be unlawful to disclose them.
I’ll try to find some similar sites to share links.

Thanks, it would be great if you could find a public site, because then I could test and troubleshoot some different potential solutions. 👍🏻

 

[Silvestru Hosszu]

I’ve posted related to this issue here see post #5734 and the following. There are some links at that page also.
Nothing happened in the meantime but next month, starting with iPadOS 18.2, at least in the EU, I hope that this kind of problems will be history.

 

[Kal Madda]

I’ve posted related to this issue here see post #5734 and the following. There are some links at that page also.
Nothing happened in the meantime but next month, starting with iPadOS 18.2, at least in the EU, I hope that this kind of problems will be history.

I just looked at post #5734 in this thread, and it was a comment from another poster. Were you meaning to link to a different thread?

 

[Kal Madda]

I would love to see lots of constructive threads started by iPad fans about how they’ve set up their iPads to be productive for them.

Part of my challenge is this: I have a very well-equipped MacBook Pro setup at home, with a 4K monitor, keyboard, external storage, NAS backup, 4K webcam, all attached with a single Thunderbolt cable. And the truth is that I’ve used Mac OS for decades and I use this setup all day long, so I’ve tweaked things and bought hardware bits and pieces to make it very stable, smooth and seamless.

The iPad Pro I recently bought is intended to make me productive when I’m traveling — which I don’t do that often! When I take my MacBook with me, I just drop a mouse and charger in my bag and I know what my limits are, but it otherwise works. The iPad… I really haven’t figured out how to make it productive for me. It’s great for downloading Netflix movies to watch on the plane, and email/web browsing are great. Beyond that, I’m struggling.

If you’re interested, I write a SubStack and I’ve written about several tips and tricks I’ve found useful for using an iPad in place of a MacBook. You can read my SubStack at https://kalebcadle.substack.com/