Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
- WikiPost WikiPost
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
That's probably because Apple added separate settings for external keyboards. They're in the same spot in Settings but only appear if the keyboard is connected to the iPad.
I type over 100 words/minute and have zero lag issues. Let's be honest: the data transfer rate for a Bluetooth keyboard vastly exceeds what a person can type. Perhaps there's RF interference issues or something else going on.
Thanks for this! I am still newbie when it comes to iOS. The keyboard is at work so I can't test now, but I will check it tomorrow!
Hm there is nothing that could interfere. Well I have a phone which Bluetooth setting is always on, but that should not have impact on the keyboard.
We do have WIFI cells at work that are nearby where I am sitting. However I also experience the same when using the keyboard in the mall and I doubt that there is such powerful WIFI there.
The iPad itself is WIFI only and I would use it only with WIFI and the keyboard will be used only if I am near WIFI so if that's the case then the iPad is unusable for me when it comes to the keyboard aspect.
It sounds like a Bluetooth fault either with the keyboard or iPad. I’ve never had any latency issues with multiple keyboards from Apple, Logitech etc on any iPad.
9 to 5 Mac has released a GREAT article explaining why the iPad pro, with all its might, still cannot operate as a laptop replacement.
The State Of The iPad 2018
The State Of The iPad 2018
If you need to use a trackpad to write or edit text, then you are already not writing or editing text efficiently: whether you’re being inefficient with a mouse, a trackpad or a finger is irrelevant. They all mean you’re taking your hands from the keyboard, and that’s not helpful. With a properly set up keyboard, the times you need to leave the keyboard should be reduced to the bare minimum.
The Apple Smart / Folio keyboard isn’t there yet: they don’t use some of MacOS’s built-in shortcuts such as cmd-d/n/p etc, and you can’t yet remap the caps lock and enter keys to control. That’s not great, but the keyboard still beats a mouse etc for text entry and editing for most purposes, particularly if you’re using a dedicated writing program such as Scrivener/Ulysses etc.
Of course we can dream and hope that one day they’ll implement vim text editing, but I’m not holding my breath for that one. ;-)
I doubt the Bluetooth on your phone is causing the problem, but it could be anything in that frequency causing interference. Where I live there are close to 30 wifi access points in range and my wifi sucks as a result. Even non-computer things can cause problems (microwaves, etc.). Might even be a defective Bluetooth transceiver on either of the devices.
Maybe try a different Bluetooth keyboard paired with your phone and see how it is. Or try the same keyboard and iPad but at a different location.
Last edited:
Using a mouse with the keyboard can be very useful. For example, quickly selecting blocks of text (especially multiple) or words/numbers that you want to replace.
It's also useful when you're writing something to be able to quickly control other applications where you might be manipulating data or referencing material.
I understand what you're saying, but as someone who writes a lot on their iPad I think this really depends on what a person is writing. A lot of my content requires me to copy/paste text from one source for use as a blockquote. That's much, much easier if I had a trackpad/mouse. For the rest of the writing, I do agree with you though, I use option/alt in combination with the arrow keys to navigate whole words or paragraphs and can edit a document pretty quick that way.
(And @davez...)
I was being slightly tongue-in-cheek (as I hope the vim reference made clear — but it would be great, eh?). I agree that there are circumstances when a pointing device can be useful. Equally, on the desktop I can write for a long time before needing the mouse / trackpad, even with a lot of copying. Take Scrivener, for example: very little there you need a mouse for, because the developer knows what he’s doing. It’s a personal bugbear when developers hide functions only on context menus or behind buttons, making it difficult to get at them to attach shortcuts. Terrible design.
One trick I find useful (on iOS and MacOS) is the old Emacs/Vim one of using Find to navigate prior to copy paste/edit etc. Cmd-f “word” (cmd-g for repeat) and it’s selected, ready for the selection to be expanded with the keyboard. Surprisingly effective once you get used to it and better than poking around with finger/pencil/trackpad/mouse often.
I was just pointing out that the idea that you ‘need‘ a trackpad or that iOS is useless for writing is a little fanciful. As always, it depends on what one’s requirements are. But a Keyboard Maestro for iOS equivalent would be nice...
Safari on iOS *is* rubbish for keyboard shortcuts, though.
Last edited:
Apple will never produce a device that will eliminate another device from Apple.
An iPad is not a MacBook and will never be. Some uses can be replaced (browsing, e-mail acces, social media...) but without external storage and without OSX, iPad will never replace a laptop in a full way.
An iPad is not a MacBook and will never be. Some uses can be replaced (browsing, e-mail acces, social media...) but without external storage and without OSX, iPad will never replace a laptop in a full way.
When they are saying its a computer replacement, when they are boasting on stage as to how it outperforms 90% of notebooks sold with its sheer power, its not that they will never - it's just a time when it suits Tim Cook & co.
I use vim for all my coding.
(... via Panic's Prompt app when I'm on iOS.)[doublepost=1541983289][/doublepost]
The iPhone killed the iPod.
I don’ t agree.
We don’ t need OSX on an iPad, but we need an enhanced version of IOS, with a (better) filemanger, and limited trackpad support for text intensive apps. And we need apps like full photoshop (in the works), Xcode , Final Cut Pro.
But imagine an iPad with the ability to run more iOS apps at once, all over the screen, like PIP. More like floating and size adjustable apps over the screen, (it could use the iPhone apps with the different resolutions to accomplish that), and the ability to select from which app we want the sound to output over the internal speakers. It could be a great addition for iOS on the iPad.
That would definitely make the iPad a more pro like device.
Agreed.
The iPad Pro doesnt need MacOS. Instead, it needs "iOS Pro", and enhanced version of vainilla iOS.
Also, a set of full apps and desktop-grade browser would complete the package.
I've love to understand how Apple are structured in their iOS areas. I'm guessing at some point in the structure there's a dedicated iPad team, but what are their priorities? Is it new functionality for the "general" user of a device who is just interested in media consumption, email and browsing? Is there a separate "pro" team looking at the sort of functionality for power users who want to do more and want to replace their laptops? How big are the teams?
It does seem like Apple should be willing to move quicker and take more risks when it comes to releasing functionality for the iPad. So why aren't they? Is it priorities? A lack of resources?
There does seem to be a groundswell of opinion with these iPad reviews, that iOS is the weak link again (as it was before iOS 11 appeared), so I wonder if they will sit up and listen as the current position doesn't make any sense if they want to sell more iPad Pros.
Make no mistake, Apple is fully aware of these opinions and reviews, and their decision to NOT implement all these long-awaited features (full file system, mouse cursor, more flexible multi-tasking, USB pen-drive recognition, etc) is 100% intentional on their end. They're voluntarily choosing to restrain the iPad Pro by chaining it to the same operating system as the iPhone.
Why? God knows. Maybe they dont want to cannibalize Macbook sales? I doubt it, since they already cannibalized iPod sales with the iPhone. They also cannibalized Mac Pro sales with the iMac. So... I dont think they're afraid of product line overlapping.
Maybe they prefer to keep Macs and iPad Pros painfully differentiated via artificial software limitations so every household is compelled to purchase both devices? This is probably closer to the truth: the more Apple devices you own, the more invested you're in their ecosystem, more revenue, more brand loyalty, yadda yadda.
Whatever the reason may be, it's by design... and that's the most disappointing thing about this whole issue... iPad Pros could be so much greater as the ultimate all-in-one device!
I don't think I need (or want?) full trackpad support to improve my iPad experience. I get why many people do, but I suspect for a great deal of people they just want something akin to the cursor you can use when editing text on an iOS device where you force touch the screen and the cursor appears.
Some functionality like that - either on a mini trackpad attached to the keyboard, or maybe you hold down the spacebar - to get a cursor which would offer some functionality to click/select "stuff" on the screen instead of having to take your hands off the keyboard and reach over to the screen feels like it would be a start.
Some functionality like that - either on a mini trackpad attached to the keyboard, or maybe you hold down the spacebar - to get a cursor which would offer some functionality to click/select "stuff" on the screen instead of having to take your hands off the keyboard and reach over to the screen feels like it would be a start.
My IPP home desktop screen? Wasted space, a blown up iPhone that could have more rows and columns. Unchanged ancient design.
Moving cursor to position to edit? Clumberson esp when it wrongly autocorrects and have to retype and proofread. So yes physical keyboard with navigation along with mouse. Yes it begins to sinned like MS Surface Pro which I tried but don’t like using Windows.
Ever notice there is a seemingly scrollbar on web pages and documents but you cannot grab and pull it down or advance to next page, bottom, or back to top? Keyboard navigation again.
Is IPP really just a blown up iPhone? Needs better GUI support in iOS.
A stylus like on the Note makes it easier to type, place the cursor where you want. Even select a word or text. I had slim hope, but hope, the XS Max would see one. And not as bully as Apple Pencil (is the Pencil 2 slimmer?) I use the pencil on IPP not for drawing or long hand writing but first input. (But Numers doesn't see it allow for such use even in numeric spreadsheet cells).
Moving cursor to position to edit? Clumberson esp when it wrongly autocorrects and have to retype and proofread. So yes physical keyboard with navigation along with mouse. Yes it begins to sinned like MS Surface Pro which I tried but don’t like using Windows.
Ever notice there is a seemingly scrollbar on web pages and documents but you cannot grab and pull it down or advance to next page, bottom, or back to top? Keyboard navigation again.
Is IPP really just a blown up iPhone? Needs better GUI support in iOS.
A stylus like on the Note makes it easier to type, place the cursor where you want. Even select a word or text. I had slim hope, but hope, the XS Max would see one. And not as bully as Apple Pencil (is the Pencil 2 slimmer?) I use the pencil on IPP not for drawing or long hand writing but first input. (But Numers doesn't see it allow for such use even in numeric spreadsheet cells).
Last edited:
I have read many threads about whether an iPad can replace a laptop, with all kinds of arguments, pro and con. Here is my opinion:
- Sticking to Steve Job's original vision for the iPad, its a device that is supposed to sit in between a phone and a computer.
- Therefore its not Apple's intention for an iPad to completely replace a computer. However, I would guess many are in the same situation that I am. I have a company issued work laptop (windows), that I use exclusively for work (I'm an accountant). At home, I have an iPad pro 10.5 and a MacBook Pro (2017 NTB). For 99.5% of the things I need to do at home personally, the iPad is the best device for the job. Emails, messages, web browsing, photos, document creation, paying bills. It has replaced my computer for all of those things. The MacBook pro is for my son's school work and the other .5% of things that I would need a laptop for.
- So for MOST people, an iPad can be the go to computer for almost anything. However, if you are using an iPad as your ONLY device (no work issued computer, no laptop or desktop), my guess is that it will fall short in some areas of getting work done. Again, going back to Apple's vision of an iPad falling in between a phone and computer.
- Yes, the marketing for the iPad pro touts it as a powerful computer. And it certainly is. However, Apple has never marketed it as the only device you need. It should be noted that they debuted the new iPad pro on the same day they debuted the new MacBook Air and Mac Mini.
Let me know your thoughts....
- Sticking to Steve Job's original vision for the iPad, its a device that is supposed to sit in between a phone and a computer.
- Therefore its not Apple's intention for an iPad to completely replace a computer. However, I would guess many are in the same situation that I am. I have a company issued work laptop (windows), that I use exclusively for work (I'm an accountant). At home, I have an iPad pro 10.5 and a MacBook Pro (2017 NTB). For 99.5% of the things I need to do at home personally, the iPad is the best device for the job. Emails, messages, web browsing, photos, document creation, paying bills. It has replaced my computer for all of those things. The MacBook pro is for my son's school work and the other .5% of things that I would need a laptop for.
- So for MOST people, an iPad can be the go to computer for almost anything. However, if you are using an iPad as your ONLY device (no work issued computer, no laptop or desktop), my guess is that it will fall short in some areas of getting work done. Again, going back to Apple's vision of an iPad falling in between a phone and computer.
- Yes, the marketing for the iPad pro touts it as a powerful computer. And it certainly is. However, Apple has never marketed it as the only device you need. It should be noted that they debuted the new iPad pro on the same day they debuted the new MacBook Air and Mac Mini.
Let me know your thoughts....
