iPad as a laptop replacement

[Momof9]

I think my Asus was a C11 - I guess it was a low end gaming desktop. I could upgrade a little, but not what I was looking for.

I do agree about linux and drivers. That is another reason I did not want to mess with it now. LOL

The 15” MBP with Apple Care, $120 for the dock, and tax is almost $3000

This keyboard does not have much of a lag for me. Or maybe I don’t type as fast LOL. But I am not typing long posts etc right now. It is the same keyboard I used on my desktop as well. I needed a small keyboard to sit on my keyboard shelf along side my large wacom tablet.

I am just hoping that the geekbench scores are good in real life as well. I have done a heavy workout on this 2015 iPP and I have made it stutter. When I go and close a whole bunch of the apps I was not using - then it has been fine. I have gotten it a bit warm, but I was charging it at the same time as some heavy work. I did buy a 30w charger - so I will charge it up as needed (it usually is pretty fast).

I do plan on giving the new iPP a heavy workout over the 2 weeks - to make sure it will do what I want it to do. If not, then I will have to get a computer - whether it is a Mac or Windows.

 

[secretk]

I think my Asus was a C11 - I guess it was a low end gaming desktop. I could upgrade a little, but not what I was looking for.

I see. I have Asus as well, but I have the Vivobook line. I don't use Photoshop in general and I needed it more for programming and stuff and photo processing. And for now it can do that. We will see in the future. It's just an year old.

I do agree about linux and drivers. That is another reason I did not want to mess with it now. LOL

Makes sense.

The 15” MBP with Apple Care, $120 for the dock, and tax is almost $3000

MBP are always expensive for me so I never check out their prices.

This keyboard does not have much of a lag for me. Or maybe I don’t type as fast LOL. But I am not typing long posts etc right now. It is the same keyboard I used on my desktop as well. I needed a small keyboard to sit on my keyboard shelf along side my large wacom tablet.

I type fast. People are always impressed with that. It's one of the reasons why I have wrist issues. I manage to juggle work chat, skype (personal chat), emails and documentation in the same time every minute. I can chat with multiple people in the same time and everyone of them would be slower to respond than I am. I forget my thoughts if I type slower or talk slower.

I am just hoping that the geekbench scores are good in real life as well. I have done a heavy workout on this 2015 iPP and I have made it stutter. When I go and close a whole bunch of the apps I was not using - then it has been fine. I have gotten it a bit warm, but I was charging it at the same time as some heavy work. I did buy a 30w charger - so I will charge it up as needed (it usually is pretty fast).

Your workflow is different than mine. I think that iPads handle better photoshop and Procreate apps than opening a lot of tabs in Safari/Chrome. Even my regular iPad handles better ibis paint x than Chrome. I don't know what it is, but that's the case.

I do plan on giving the new iPP a heavy workout over the 2 weeks - to make sure it will do what I want it to do. If not, then I will have to get a computer - whether it is a Mac or Windows.

That's a great plan! I hope that it works out for you. When is supposed to arrive?

 

[Tha Professor]

I really want to switch to the iPad Pro. And one of the main reasons is that maybe I need it to be limited. Everything distracts me on my computer. I have a gazillion of tabs opened. A slack window is always peeking somewhere whether you want it or not. What scares me is whether I won't keep coming back to a computer because of something. I am a product manager, so I kinda do a little bit of everything, but nothing full time really. I write an article every other month, I fire up photoshop to do a quick edit once in a while. I make presentations, but not every day... you get the point. But I also access our DB, automate get requests and then merge stuff together to make an analysis. It is not my job, but my job is to do it when I need it. However, with my workflows being as shattered as they are, I feel like I don't get to the full productivity, because I can do it all at the same time!

Was anyone in the same boat before purchasing the iPad Pro? has it helped with the focus issues?

 

[nightcap965]

I really want to switch to the iPad Pro. And one of the main reasons is that maybe I need it to be limited. Everything distracts me on my computer. I have a gazillion of tabs opened. A slack window is always peeking somewhere whether you want it or not. What scares me is whether I won't keep coming back to a computer because of something. I am a product manager, so I kinda do a little bit of everything, but nothing full time really. I write an article every other month, I fire up photoshop to do a quick edit once in a while. I make presentations, but not every day... you get the point. But I also access our DB, automate get requests and then merge stuff together to make an analysis. It is not my job, but my job is to do it when I need it. However, with my workflows being as shattered as they are, I feel like I don't get to the full productivity, because I can do it all at the same time!

Was anyone in the same boat before purchasing the iPad Pro? has it helped with the focus issues?

I’m trying. Before I retired, I was a Unix sysadmin. I’d have a dozen terminal windows open as well as a number of other apps. Now, I’m typing this on an iPad Pro which I just outfitted with a Logitech keyboard. Keeping focus is a Good Thing, but I don’t know if I can retrain what’s left of my mind...

 

[linkgx1]

"This little Lightroom vignette is basically the story of the iPad Pro: either you have to understand the limitations of iOS so well you can make use of these little hacks all over the place to get things done, or you just deal with it and accept that you have to go back to a real computer from time to time because it’s just easier. And in that case, you might as well just use a real computer." --- Nilay Patel.

^This by far is what my main issue is with it as a replacement.

 

[bluecoast]

I do see where you’re coming from and I definitely agree with you. Although I’ve adapted to iPad over the years, albeit it took the iPad Pro 12.9” before I actually got productive with the things.


If Apple really do want the iPad to be the future of mobile computing, they need to get serious about the capabilities of iOS.


It’s not a matter of want, it’s need and that’ll be different for everyone.

For me, just giving us a version of Xcode for iOS would make the iPad Pro damn near perfect. For everything else I’ve found apps, Procreate, Graphic, Pages, Numbers and so on that allow me to work away happily.


A more flexible file system would be a boon, there’s no doubt about it. Certainly the sandbox nature of the current system makes it easier to control the security and safety of the system. But I’m sure they could come up with a centralised storage system which is just as secure.


In the meantime I work around it with a MobileLite, which at least gives me a bit more flexibility in where my files are stored, what they are stored on and of course the ability to easily import files from Windows users, using a flash drive/SD Card, or hard drive.


There’s a lot that could and probably should be done to expand the iPad into an even more serious work device. Thankfully it would seem Apple are beginning to realise that. So I’m very hopeful for the future.


The hardware is there, it’s already powerful enough and given the opportunity, flexible enough. So it’s all down to what they do with iOS. I’m looking forward to next year and iOS 13 to see what’s in store.

It’s very bad that arguably the most significant multitasking enhancements to the iPad were those realised with iOS 9 (2015)...

Like you I think that all that we want is coming with iOS 13.

I suspect that marzipan (iOS -> Mac apps) plus multi user login plus multitasking enhancements are all bound up with each other.

And Apple tends to be patient and wait until it has all of its ducks in a row instead of randomly piling on the features just to get them live (Microsoft Windows, I’m looking at you).

 

[Momof9]

If this iPP does all it can in Photoshop - I agree that we should see some huge updates in iOS 13. It looks like it has the power....

So in the meantime - I will use the little hacks and multiple apps to do what I need it to do. If I invest money in a new computer etc right now, then that means I need to wait a few years (get my money’s worth) before I can get the iPP. So it comes to my house on Wednesday - I can’t wait!!!

 

[KrispyKrink]

I guess this'll be the year I jump in feet first. Just sold off my 2015 13" MBP and have the new 11" iPad Pro 256GB coming next week with the KB folio and pencil.

If there's an urgent need for a "full" computer I have an old Windows gaming rig I built in 2012 that's been sitting in a closet since 2015.

 

[FUNUR]

I guess this'll be the year I jump in feet first. Just sold off my 2015 13" MBP and have the new 11" iPad Pro 256GB coming next week with the KB folio and pencil.

If there's an urgent need for a "full" computer I have an old Windows gaming rig I built in 2012 that's been sitting in a closet since 2015.

I‘m in the same boat.

Sold my 2017 macbook pro touchbar last week.
It was an overkill for me
I need it for calendar, mail, watch videos, youtube, safari, photos, imessage

All i can do easy when not better with an ipad.

I will catch an 12.9“ pro in store with pencil and keyboard folio

 

[FrankySavvy]

I am just going to say this.

"For 90% of people - they can certainly make the iPad their primary computer or laptop. "

Most professional reviewers and a lot of us on here are part of the 10% who work professionally on desktop/laptops. So I think for "most people" they really can replace a laptop with an iPad but for a specific group of professionals they can not.

For web browsing, e-mail, messaging, social media, blogging, writers, gaming and media consumption which is what 90% of everyday people do, the iPad can be a laptop replacement and a much better one at that.

Even for professionals using the Microsoft Office suite and some Adobe CC Applications (Photographers, Graphic Designers and Digital Illustrators) can primarily use the iPad Pro.

It is select professionals - the developers, recording studios, high end video editors, web designers and 3D designers who are limited by the software and application availability which I think will change in the next iOS. All we need is Xcode / Final Cut / AutoDesk / Dreamweaver / Pro Tools can certainly run on the new iPad Pro hardware - we just need the iOS and App support.

Main point here is - if 90% of the population can use the iPad Pro as their everyday computer why can't we say the iPad Pro is a laptop replacement?

 

[flur]

Microsoft Word on the iPad is a laughably cumbersome compared to the desktop version using a mouse

Considering I’ve written novels, essays, and two grad theses with it, I have to disagree. It’s extremely easy to use.

 

[QquegChristian]

Considering I’ve written novels, essays, and two grad theses with it, I have to disagree. It’s extremely easy to use.

iOS Word doesn’t have true support for paragraph styles, which is honestly the most important feature in all of Word.

You can type a novel into this comment box for free, but paragraph styles are what make Office necessary for publishers (print or digital) and other industries where formatted text is crucial (think lawyers).

 

[flur]

iOS Word doesn’t have true support for paragraph styles, which is honestly the most important feature in all of Word.

You can type a novel into this comment box for free, but paragraph styles are what make Office necessary for publishers (print or digital) and other industries where formatted text is crucial (think lawyers).

Um, professional novelist here. But hey, thanks for the education on publishing.

 

[Brammy]

There are a lot of areas Word for iOS falls down compared to the desktop version.Writing novels and essays is pretty straightforward. While I haven't written a novel, I have written research papers in iOS Word. It's pretty easy lifting, and the web version of Endnote gets around the citation management issue.

The problem with Word for iOS is things like style and paragraph formatting, especially around creating styles. You also cannot insert a table of contents. Oddly, copying in a ToC from another document and telling it to update works.

It is easy to use, but it needs more features I hope MS adds some day.

 

[QquegChristian]

Um, professional novelist here. But hey, thanks for the education on publishing.

Cool. Maybe we were both on the New York Times bestsellers list at the same time.

 

[subjonas]

Main point here is - if 90% of the population can use the iPad Pro as their everyday computer why can't we say the iPad Pro is a laptop replacement?

I find “laptop replacement” a weird, confusing, and unneccessary term. Yes, it can replace a laptop for some, but labeling it a “laptop replacement” only causes confusion for those whom it cannot. (So bad on Apple if they're pushing that term.)

Let’s be clear (speaking to everyone), tablets and laptops, or iPads and Macs, are different devices with different focuses and therefore different strengths and weaknesses. Some people get by better with one, some the other, some both, some neither, depending entirely on one’s specific needs and preferences. One does not encapsulate, therefore cannot replace, the other.

This just leaves an argument about how many people belong to which group. But I don’t understand the purpose of this argument either. It is what it is. If one is really curious to find out, the only way is with a big survey. Otherwise it’s pure guesswork.

But if the question is: for whom does an iPad make a laptop completely redundant (in other words, what set of needs and preferences can be completely met by an iPad)?—which is what the OP and at least a portion of this thread is talking about—then I see true value there because then the discussion can help individuals figure out which device will best serve them personally.

 

[Angler]

I find “laptop replacement” a weird, confusing, and unneccessary term.

But if the question is: for whom does an iPad make a laptop completely redundant (in other words, what set of needs and preferences can be completely met by an iPad)?—which is what the OP and at least a portion of this thread is talking about—then I see true value there because then the discussion can help individuals figure out which is the best device for them personally.

Agreed, in my case I only need an iPad, my wife on the other hand has different needs so she has both, a laptop and a iPad. This thread should highlight all the ways people use the iPad, what they can do with it, what they can’t do with it, and work arounds.

 

[cyberone]

Pretty good article - nails it for me.

Just because the new iPad Pro is as fast as a pro laptop doesn't make it a laptop:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/tech...pro-still-isnt-laptop/?utm_term=.1ef8b8e613a0

Quotes:

The $1,000 tablet was powerful enough to let me write, edit photos and publish this column with little more than my finger, a stylus and a keyboard case. But I also never figured out an efficient way to multitask, sit with decent posture and work for hours, or keep it balanced on my lap.

Since you need to touch the screen to swipe through apps or select things, I couldn’t quite figure out how to sit with the iPad. Hunched over? What about while writing, where the screen is propped up in that case but you still need to reach up to do things? Apple has in the past criticized other tech for causing “gorilla arm syndrome” with vertical touch screens, but it’s done little new to address the problem here.

The iPad Pro’s biggest problem is its software. In iOS 12, the iPad has some ability to make between two and four apps share the screen simultaneously, but not all apps play ball. For example, you can’t make Spotify split the screen with Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Getting apps into these sharing modes also requires finger yoga that’s a lot more work than moving around windows with a mouse.

While iOS 12 has a few keyboard shortcuts that help zip between apps, what I was missing was a degree of information density. Everyone has a different way of working, but sometimes on a Mac I’ll have five windows open at once, passively monitoring messages, email, Slack, Twitter and music. On the iPad, I had to keep flipping through apps in an attempt to stay tuned in. Some iPad apps don’t even show you the time and battery level along the top edge.

 

[bandrews]

It would be amazing if everyone could just respect other folk's computational needs, buy what they need themselves and not feel they have to talk up their/talk down others' choice in order to justify their purchase.

 

[cyberone]

It would be amazing if everyone could just respect other folk's computational needs, buy what they need themselves and not feel they have to talk up their/talk down others' choice in order to justify their purchase.

So no one would read and need reviews.

 

[bandrews]

So no one would read and need reviews.

There's a difference between someone writing an impartial review based on first hand experience of the device vs people ranting a device isn't suitable for someone else because it doesn't fulfil their own requirements before they've even used it.

 

[cyberone]

There's a difference between someone writing an impartial review based on first hand experience of the device vs people ranting a device isn't suitable for someone else because it doesn't fulfil their own requirements before they've even used it.

True that, however I can very much connect with what the Post writer says. Holding position / posture and multitasking are doubts I have all along, and it's interesting to see it "confirmed" by someone who actually does the same kind of work with similar using patterns as I have.

 

[bandrews]

True that, however I can very much connect with what the Post writer says. Holding position / posture and multitasking are doubts I have all along, and it's interesting to see it "confirmed" by someone who actually does the same kind of work with similar using patterns as I have.

Which is fine. But when someone says "it's going to replace my laptop" and someone replies "don't be so stupid, it can never replace a laptop" things start getting a little childish. On another thread one poster called another a liar for daring to state he was happy with his iPP setup over a laptop.

If people can respect the iPP isn't suitable for you and you can respect the fact it may work for someone else then there's not a problem.

 

[ascender]

I'm really tempted to try and replace my MBP with an iPad Pro again. I don't think the iPad has to be considered a laptop replacement, but you can see why a lot of the reviews are reviewing the Pro ones from that exact perspective.

My workflow and needs have changed, to the point where all the software I need day to day, on the move or at my desk, are available on an iPad.

The last time I seriously considered this was when the 12.9" Pro came out, but one of the things which ruled it out was the limited display options. The new Pro, with usb-c, albeit limited to mirroring, suddenly removes this blocker. The smaller form factor also means I would probably replace both my laptop and 10.5" iPad with a smaller device.

But.... last time I looked at this, I ended up getting frustrated with the amount of time I had to touch the screen to do stuff. Is that any better with the later versions of iOS in terms of integration? Or is it just a change of habits needed.

I get the feeling I either need to try it for myself or do some more reading online as its been a while since I read some of the blogs about transitioning from the Mac to iOS.

 

[KrispyKrink]

I chose to just go ahead and jump in this year due to the sheer power Apple has placed in this new version. I usually keep my tech for years, switching from a 2015 13” MBP which to me had at least another 7 years on it. So I’m placing some faith that Apple will fix possibly the only issue I foresee myself having. That’s accessing external storage. If they can rectify this and bake it into the Files App all would be perfect. Most of my stuff resides on an 8TB NAS that I can access anywhere but once in a while I do need to shuffle things around on an external HD or flash storage.

I thought the 11” would be fine for this. I was wrong and cancelled that order. If this is going to full on replace my MBP, I’m going with the big boy 12.9”. Hopefully Apple doesn't bung this up. I'd really have no problems walking to the MS Surface Pro or try the new Google Pixel Slate