iPad as a laptop replacement

[Kal Madda]

I figured this piece I wrote may be useful for those who want some accessory recommendations/ideas for their iPad. And since we’re heading into New Years, it seems fitting to look back on my favorite accessories this year. I recently added some new accessories to my arsenal and I’ll probably write about some of those accessories next year. 👍🏻

My Favorite iPad Accessories in 2024

The accessories that enhance my iPad every day.

kalebcadle.substack.com

 

[rletras]

I’ve found some post here talking about backups for who uses only the iPad. I’ve made a post also asking for feedback about using one app called Sync Folders. I’ve tested that one and others and I’ve came to the conclusion that the best one is simply FileBrowser!
I’ve set this app to do automatic backups to my external SSD, and also to Storj (backup cloud and zero knowledge encryption). This way I have all my files stored locally in my iPad, plus a backup to my SSD and cloud.

 

[bondr006]

I’ve found some post here talking about backups for who uses only the iPad. I’ve made a post also asking for feedback about using one app called Sync Folders. I’ve tested that one and others and I’ve came to the conclusion that the best one is simply FileBrowser!
I’ve set this app to do automatic backups to my external SSD, and also to Storj (backup cloud and zero knowledge encryption). This way I have all my files stored locally in my iPad, plus a backup to my SSD and cloud.

Good stuff young Padawan! There are a few of us here that like and use File Browser Pro. Best 3rd party solution I've found for file management on iPhone and iPad.😊

 

[rletras]

Good stuff young Padawan! There are a few of us here that like and use File Browser Pro. Best 3rd party solution I've found for file management on iPhone and iPad.😊

View attachment 2467431

I know this app is well known here, just wanted to share some feedback 😉
I’m using the Go version, trial for 14 days and maybe gonna subscribe for some more. The Pro version is expensive, do they lower the price sometimes?

 

[bondr006]

I know this app is well known here, just wanted to share some feedback 😉
I’m using the Go version, trial for 14 days and maybe gonna subscribe for some more. The Pro version is expensive, do they lower the price sometimes?

That's what this place is for. We learn from each other. AFAIC this is the best tech site/community on the web. As far as the price of FBP, I've had it for years and don't remember what it cost. I do know they have sales at the app store. Just have to keep a watch out. I would much rather pay a one time fee than a subscription.😊

 

[sparksd]

I know this app is well known here, just wanted to share some feedback 😉
I’m using the Go version, trial for 14 days and maybe gonna subscribe for some more. The Pro version is expensive, do they lower the price sometimes?

May be pricey but it's been one of the best app investments I've made.

 

[rletras]

May be pricey but it's been one of the best app investments I've made.

Maybe I’ll buy it, since there is other member in our Apple Family that will use it. Thanks for the feedback!
Is there other software you think is also a great investment?

 

[sparksd]

Maybe I’ll buy it, since there is other member in our Apple Family that will use it. Thanks for the feedback!
Is there other software you think is also a great investment?

I'm not a fan of the built-in photos app and have two I like - HashPhotos for interfacing and working with the on-board Photo Library and Photo Manager for managing and displaying my photos I load onto the iPad.

 

[Ludatyk]

I'm not a fan of the built-in photos app and have two I like - HashPhotos for interfacing and working with the on-board Photo Library and Photo Manager for managing and displaying my photos I load onto the iPad.

Interesting. I actually like the new Photos app… once I took the time to customize it to my liking, it has worked well for me.

Maybe I’ll buy it, since there is other member in our Apple Family that will use it. Thanks for the feedback!
Is there other software you think is also a great investment?

Umm… I’m big on having a clipboard manager, I currently use Copied (it has been discontinued now). But another good one to use is Gladys. And OutPlayer is a good video player app (especially for external monitor support)… but NPlayer has more features.

Not sure if you are into installing Fonts… I use iFont, pretty straightforward process when it comes to installing font on the iPad. Preview Mini is a good app for resizing photos.

 

[Kal Madda]

Interesting. I actually like the new Photos app… once I took the time to customize it to my liking, it has worked well for me.


Umm… I’m big on having a clipboard manager, I currently use Copied (it has been discontinued now). But another good one to use is Gladys. And OutPlayer is a good video player app (especially for external monitor support)… but NPlayer has more features.

Not sure if you are into installing Fonts… I use iFont, pretty straightforward process when it comes to installing font on the iPad. Preview Mini is a good app for resizing photos.

I second the iFont recommendation. That’s the way I install fonts for my design work on my iPad. I actually wrote a piece about it a bit ago. 👍🏻. It’s pretty similar to the Font Book app on macOS. I do hope though that Font Book eventually comes to iPadOS, or at least a better built-in way to install fonts from the web. 👍🏻

 

[Ludatyk]

I second the iFont recommendation. That’s the way I install fonts for my design work on my iPad. I actually wrote a piece about it a bit ago. 👍🏻. It’s pretty similar to the Font Book app on macOS. I do hope though that Font Book eventually comes to iPadOS, or at least a better built-in way to install fonts from the web. 👍🏻

Installing font on macOS is easier.. for sure. But when Apple started doing font installation on the iPad... it was rough. Had to install each one by one... and it was a tedious process just to install ONE, but it's a lot easier now.

We can install them in batches... that's how I do mine.

 

[Kal Madda]

Installing font on macOS is easier.. for sure. But when Apple started doing font installation on the iPad... it was rough. Had to install each one by one... and it was a tedious process just to install ONE, but it's a lot easier now.

We can install them in batches... that's how I do mine.

Yeah, that’s what I do in iFont. I batch install them. 👍🏻. Overall, iFont is very similar to Font Book on macOS, the UI is just a little less refined and some of the icons look old. But other than that, it works out really well. 👍🏻

 

[Kal Madda]

Happy New Year everyone! 👍🏻

 

[Ghost31]

I switched over to using my Apple Vision Pro for my iPad use in the past couple weeks, but i have been big on using iPad as one of my main computing devices since the iPad Pro came out in 2015. I remember in 2018 I even went back and tried to go back to a Mac but I ended up just getting bored with it and feeling like it was antiquated and came right back to iPad.

Seeing iPad go from “just a big iPhone” to what it is now has been absolutely amazing

 

[Ludatyk]

I switched over to using my Apple Vision Pro for my iPad use in the past couple weeks, but i have been big on using iPad as one of my main computing devices since the iPad Pro came out in 2015. I remember in 2018 I even went back and tried to go back to a Mac but I ended up just getting bored with it and feeling like it was antiquated and came right back to iPad.

Seeing iPad go from “just a big iPhone” to what it is now has been absolutely amazing

I think eventually I’d transition over to the Vision Pro from the iPad… they both share the same characteristics in terms of apps, my current issue is I’d lose out on cellular capabilities.

I don’t plan on moving away from Android anytime soon, enjoy having a foldable phone. And a cellular iPad is an alternative iPhone (for me) in which it allows access to Apple Ecosystem on-the-go. I’ve been avoiding doing the demo for the Vision Pro… because I know it won’t do me any good lol.

If Apple adds cellular capabilities to the Vision Pro… I’d give it a go (definitely be something I take anywhere). But if Apple creates a foldable iPad or some hybrid foldable Mac/iPad (according to the rumors), then I’m not sure what I’ll do.

 

[Ghost31]

I think eventually I’d transition over to the Vision Pro from the iPad… they both share the same characteristics in terms of apps, my current issue is I’d lose out on cellular capabilities.

I don’t plan on moving away from Android anytime soon, enjoy having a foldable phone. And a cellular iPad is an alternative iPhone (for me) in which it allows access to Apple Ecosystem on-the-go. I’ve been avoiding doing the demo for the Vision Pro… because I know it won’t do me any good lol.

If Apple adds cellular capabilities to the Vision Pro… I’d give it a go (definitely be something I take anywhere). But if Apple creates a foldable iPad or some hybrid foldable Mac/iPad (according to the rumors), then I’m not sure what I’ll do.

Might be worth a shot! I have used mine tethered to my iPhone and it works great. But only you can know how you would actually use it. Or you could just keep both and since Apple Vision Pro act as a receiver, you could mirror your iPad into the Vision Pro

 

[Ludatyk]

Might be worth a shot! I have used mine tethered to my iPhone and it works great. But only you can know how you would actually use it. Or you could just keep both and since Apple Vision Pro act as a receiver, you could mirror your iPad into the Vision Pro

I already imagine how the Vision Pro would be used... my super ultra-wide monitor would have to go along with the portable one. Probably opt for a smaller desk... presently have an L-shaped desk, but the Vision Pro would act as a monitor for my MBP when used at the desk and utilized around the house (as well as on-the-go).

I personally wouldn't keep the iPad... if I owned a Vision Pro, the redundancy would be an issue for me. I'm alright with my current setup... 13" iPad Pro, Galaxy Fold 6 and 14" MBP. I do have a Mini-PC... but that's for server purposes.

Do you take yours anywhere? There's one thing I'm kind of wary about... the watchful gaze of the public. I mean, I get an occasional look when I use my Galaxy Fold in public... but I'd expect it would be much different with something attached to my head.

 

[elmoss]

The retired people I know have swapped to iPads from desktops/laptops.
Budget ones.

 

[sparksd]

The retired people I know have swapped to iPads from desktops/laptops.
Budget ones.

Not here. I'm retired 10+ years now - M4 13", laptop, & desktop.

 

[Ghost31]

I already imagine how the Vision Pro would be used... my super ultra-wide monitor would have to go along with the portable one. Probably opt for a smaller desk... presently have an L-shaped desk, but the Vision Pro would act as a monitor for my MBP when used at the desk and utilized around the house (as well as on-the-go).

I personally wouldn't keep the iPad... if I owned a Vision Pro, the redundancy would be an issue for me. I'm alright with my current setup... 13" iPad Pro, Galaxy Fold 6 and 14" MBP. I do have a Mini-PC... but that's for server purposes.

Do you take yours anywhere? There's one thing I'm kind of wary about... the watchful gaze of the public. I mean, I get an occasional look when I use my Galaxy Fold in public... but I'd expect it would be much different with something attached to my head.

I’ve taken mine a couple places. I expected it to be a conversation starter or that someone would say something about it, but nobody said anything. Went to work. A coworker asked about it and said it’s cool. Went to a couple public places. Was at an appointment with my wife waiting in the lobby forever for her to get done. Had my Vision Pro on watching stuff. Nobody even looked at me let alone said anything.

Probably gonna be like AirPods 1 all over again. I remember people said they looked ridiculous. Like toothpicks in your ears. “Who would wear those?” Then people got used to it and now it ain’t no thang. I’m older now so I don’t really care what people think anyway.

I put my iPad on offer up. I haven’t used it since I got my avp except to try out mirroring. I have my iPad apps on my Vision Pro like Reddit and lose it and twitter so iPad feels pretty useless to me now

 

[GerritV]

Not here. I'm retired 10+ years now - M4 13", laptop, & desktop.

Retired 4 years, no more iPad for me - MBA 13" and iPhone SE 1st gen.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I switched over to using my Apple Vision Pro for my iPad use in the past couple weeks, but i have been big on using iPad as one of my main computing devices since the iPad Pro came out in 2015. I remember in 2018 I even went back and tried to go back to a Mac but I ended up just getting bored with it and feeling like it was antiquated and came right back to iPad.

Seeing iPad go from “just a big iPhone” to what it is now has been absolutely amazing

I think if they "modernized" the macOS a little bit to give it some of that bouncy and fluid interface that iOS and iPadOS have, I’d enjoy using it a lot more. It just feels so static in comparison.

I've been mostly an iPad only user since the first iPad Pro came out, but toyed around with different Macs and MS Surface products in between. Having my M2 MacBook Air for the last one and a half years is the longest I've been away from the iPad, but here I am again with my M4 11" iPP. I liked my MBA, but this iPad is much more suited to my wants and needs. The Macbook has been in storage for the last few weeks. Figured I'd give it at least until WWDC before deciding to sell it or not; it'll also give me plenty of time to figure out if I really even need it anymore. I'm curious what directions Apple will take these two systems in later this year.

 

[bondr006]

I think if they "modernized" the macOS a little bit to give it some of that bouncy and fluid interface that iOS and iPadOS have, I’d enjoy using it a lot more. It just feels so static in comparison.

I've been mostly an iPad only user since the first iPad Pro came out, but toyed around with different Macs and MS Surface products in between. Having my M2 MacBook Air for the last one and a half years is the longest I've been away from the iPad, but here I am again with my M4 11" iPP. I liked my MBA, but this iPad is much more suited to my wants and needs. The Macbook has been in storage for the last few weeks. Figured I'd give it at least until WWDC before deciding to sell it or not; it'll also give me plenty of time to figure out if I really even need it anymore. I'm curious what directions Apple will take these two systems in later this year.

As you are probably aware, my M1 iPP 11 has been my laptop replacement for my business and trips for the last 3 years but I still need a desktop for home use. Granted, I use my iPP and iPhone 13PM at home a lot also but I love my M2 Pro Mac Mini...almost as much as I love my iPad. I toyed with the idea of getting an M4 Mac Mini because of the new "extra mini" form factor but I think I'll wait and see what the M5 or M6 brings. I am thinking also, that an m5 iPP 11 is in my future this year. And I agree, I'd like to see Mac OS trend a little more toward iOS and iPad OS. I'd also like to see the iPhones get full external monitor support. Hope you and your family had safe and happy holidays.

Happy New Year!🎉

 

[xxFoxtail]

As you are probably aware, my M1 iPP 11 has been my laptop replacement for my business and trips for the last 3 years but I still need a desktop for home use. Granted, I use my iPP and iPhone 13PM at home a lot also but I love my M2 Pro Mac Mini...almost as much as I love my iPad. I toyed with the idea of getting an M4 Mac Mini because of the new "extra mini" form factor but I think I'll wait and see what the M5 or M6 brings. I am thinking also, that an m5 iPP 11 is in my future this year. And I agree, I'd like to see Mac OS trend a little more toward iOS and iPad OS. I'd also like to see the iPhones get full external monitor support. Hope you and your family had safe and happy holidays.

Happy New Year!🎉

Happy New Year to you as well!

That's why I haven’t been so quick to sell my MacBook just yet. Before when I was switching devices, I'd immediately sell the previous device to cover the cost of the new one. Only to find out the old device probably would have been handy to keep around months later. Especially my old iPads.

My ideal use for the MacBook is to keep it docked at my desk. But, at the same time, I can just connect my iPad and use it for the same things I'd use the Mac for. I can probably set it up for remote access for the rare task I might actually need it for, just haven't got around to that yet.

Overall, I’ve accomplished more tasks on this iPad in the past three weeks than I did on my MacBook in the last three months. Whether it's business or hobby related, reading more ebooks, journaling, learning something new, or something as simple as having a larger display (than my iPhone's) for my treadmill and being able to natively stream Fitness+. I've also been more attentive to my health data, it's nice being able to see that on a larger display too.

 

[bondr006]

Yeah, I love my iPad and can do many things on it that I could not do on a laptop, and many other things that I can just do better or easier for the work I do. The iPad to me, has shown it has great flexibility, and imho is the most flexible computer device Apple sells. As a Realtor and Property Manager, I have to save contracts and transaction records for at least 3 years. Although I backup everything to cloud storage, I just don't quite fully trust it as my only means of storage and backup. My Mac Mini fills that space very well as a local backup and storage hub. The storage redundancy just gives me a piece of mind, and it is still a fun machine.😊