iPad as a laptop replacement

[richpjr]

Connect Apple keyboard/mouse via lightning cable to add it as a bluetooth device. Right now you can only connect via Bluetooth, so if the keyboard is paired with a Mac you need to disconnect it from the Mac and then it will advertise itself via BT.

This is why I switched to an MX Keys and MX Master 3S keyboard and mouse - support for 3 different devices. I have one channel mapped to my company MBP, one to my Mac Studio and one to my iPad Pro.

 

[richpjr]

Yeah, I think a Mac-to-iPad catalyst type feature would be very useful for some who currently can’t switch to the iPad full time due to some missing apps. 👍🏻. And it would help to further unify the systems. I think that is likely coming at some point, I don’t know when, it definitely could be this year, but the signs definitely seem to be there, at least in my opinion. 👍🏻

I’m sure we’ll probably see some other features, they could be more minor compared to some of the things people are mentioning here, but usually Apple likes to fill their bento graphics. 🙂👍🏻

But I actually think that Mac-to-iPad feature would be huge though, it would make it much easier for some to use the iPad. I’m fortunate that most of the apps I use already have good iPad versions, but some aren’t so fortunate. Have a Mac-to-iPad porting tool could be huge in helping with that. 👍🏻

That would be really nice, but I am pretty skeptical. iPadOS is still way too limiting for certain tasks for some of my use cases. I can do general email/browsing and photo/video editing now with not many limitations (aside from the previously mentioned annoying mobile web sites).

Multiple audio streams and better multitasking are pretty high on my list of things needed for me to get closer to using it as a computer replacement.

 

[Beefbowl]

This is why I switched to an MX Keys and MX Master 3S keyboard and mouse - support for 3 different devices. I have one channel mapped to my company MBP, one to my Mac Studio and one to my iPad Pro.

I own both of those, actually! Big fan of Logitech going quite literally back to their C7 serial port mouse from 1985. I don’t use the MX Keys with my Mac anymore, because it doesn’t have TouchID, but I do use the MX Master mouse.

I’d still like the ability to manage Apple input devices from the iPad! Like, we got the ability to format drives from the iPad and that was a nice step towards “real computer” status.

I mean, alternately Apple could put a sync button on their devices. But I don’t think we’re getting that.

 

[Ludatyk]

I own both of those, actually! Big fan of Logitech going quite literally back to their C7 serial port mouse from 1985. I don’t use the MX Keys with my Mac anymore, because it doesn’t have TouchID, but I do use the MX Master mouse.

You could always modify the Apple keyboard and use the TouchID standalone... if I had a desktop Mac, that's what I would have done.

My Touch ID button is fully deconstructed

I wanted to do a quick follow-up on my recent post about attaching an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch to the underside of my desk, because I’ve now done what I threatened to do at the end of …

sixcolors.com

 

[richpjr]

You could always modify the Apple keyboard and use the TouchID standalone... if I had a desktop Mac, that's what I would have done.

My Touch ID button is fully deconstructed

I wanted to do a quick follow-up on my recent post about attaching an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch to the underside of my desk, because I’ve now done what I threatened to do at the end of …

sixcolors.com

That is pretty clever.

 

[richpjr]

I own both of those, actually! Big fan of Logitech going quite literally back to their C7 serial port mouse from 1985. I don’t use the MX Keys with my Mac anymore, because it doesn’t have TouchID, but I do use the MX Master mouse.

I’d still like the ability to manage Apple input devices from the iPad! Like, we got the ability to format drives from the iPad and that was a nice step towards “real computer” status.

I mean, alternately Apple could put a sync button on their devices. But I don’t think we’re getting that.

Funny you say that about Touch ID. I have toyed several times with switching to the Apple keyboard just to get it but your exact issue of the difficulty of using it with multiple devices has stopped me.

 

[TgeekB]

That would be really nice, but I am pretty skeptical. iPadOS is still way too limiting for certain tasks for some of my use cases. I can do general email/browsing and photo/video editing now with not many limitations (aside from the previously mentioned annoying mobile web sites).

Multiple audio streams and better multitasking are pretty high on my list of things needed for me to get closer to using it as a computer replacement.

100%

 

[Ultracyclist]

Yeah, I think a Mac-to-iPad catalyst type feature would be very useful for some who currently can’t switch to the iPad full time due to some missing apps. 👍🏻. And it would help to further unify the systems. I think that is likely coming at some point, I don’t know when, it definitely could be this year, but the signs definitely seem to be there, at least in my opinion. 👍🏻

I’m sure we’ll probably see some other features, they could be more minor compared to some of the things people are mentioning here, but usually Apple likes to fill their bento graphics. 🙂👍🏻

But I actually think that Mac-to-iPad feature would be huge though, it would make it much easier for some to use the iPad. I’m fortunate that most of the apps I use already have good iPad versions, but some aren’t so fortunate. Have a Mac-to-iPad porting tool could be huge in helping with that. 👍🏻

Just a layer that apple could apply and that would need a mouse and keyboard to launch the app. If you look at what they did with Rosetta… they should be able to do the same with iPad.

 

[MrAverigeUser]

I own Ipads since the very first hit the market and switched every 2 or 3 years to a new one.
But typing on the touchscreen of my 11“ m1 iPad is still pain in….

bought a second hand Logitech Bluetooth keyboard (Slim folio, smart folio) and now I am absolutely happy.
It is like typing on a really good keyboard.

highly recommend that.

I regret only that I did not purchase one many years ago.
Logitech has a lot of different solutions - I got a combination of case for iPad plus keyboard (exists as bluetooth-type with USB-C cooector for loading its battery and as connectable directly via smartconnector, with or without touchpad). The keyboard then is at the same time a foldable protection for the screen and adds about 150 g weight.

There are as well very, very lightweight Keyboards for IOS apple products (Keyboard that are good and ergonomic, that weight nearly nothing and are extremely thin. Nice to have if you type using your iPhone or iPad and you can take it always with you. the keyboard is even including backlight out/soft/high light.

I bought also one of this mince little keyboard and have it always in my car in case of… these are as well chargeable via USB-c connector and one charge is enough for at least a month or three…

.