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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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I love my iPad for school, the only reason I wish I had went with say a MacBook Air is because I can't casually work on my programming projects. Meaning I can't compile code in my spare time while at school. I get bye though lol.
I love the iPad but it does not suit my needs for working on academic projects. I definitely use it for PDF markup or for extra screen space.
But I need multiple windows open at once, access to my specific database programs, etc. Also, I find writing documents too hard in iOS, particularly large documents (20-100 pages or so), and I use Scrivener for that on my MBPro.
The iPad definitely has its place in my academic workflow, but at this point it cannot replace my laptop. It doesn't have multitasking, the programs that I need, or enough screen space. Even with the first two, I need more screen space. Sure, I may be able to hook it up to a large screen, but I'd rather just have a laptop.
Love my iPad AND my MBPro (soon to be new 12" Air, I hope!!!).
But I need multiple windows open at once, access to my specific database programs, etc. Also, I find writing documents too hard in iOS, particularly large documents (20-100 pages or so), and I use Scrivener for that on my MBPro.
The iPad definitely has its place in my academic workflow, but at this point it cannot replace my laptop. It doesn't have multitasking, the programs that I need, or enough screen space. Even with the first two, I need more screen space. Sure, I may be able to hook it up to a large screen, but I'd rather just have a laptop.
Love my iPad AND my MBPro (soon to be new 12" Air, I hope!!!).
I don't think I'd be able to use any kind of iPad as an 'only' computer. For those considering iPad pro (or other size iPad) as a laptop replacement, will it be the only computer in the house, or will it still be a companion to a desktop or other 'main' computer?
I use my iPad Air 2 90% of the time for general stuff, but I couldn't not have my desktop for access to more storage, more power, larger screen etc.
I use my iPad Air 2 90% of the time for general stuff, but I couldn't not have my desktop for access to more storage, more power, larger screen etc.
I spent a 3-month summer break last year with iPad Air only. Seems to do the trick, especially when I was on break, didn't have much real "work" to do..
But depends on what you do with most of your time, sure iPad may replace a laptop for you.
With iPad pro, if you were comparing against a laptop, not an iMac, the screen size is really no longer a downside.
Power, again, depends on what you do, iPad can be pretty enough.
Like you said you can live with it for 90% of the time, maybe consider using Remote Desktop for the rest 10%, and a cheap nas for storage.
But depends on what you do with most of your time, sure iPad may replace a laptop for you.
With iPad pro, if you were comparing against a laptop, not an iMac, the screen size is really no longer a downside.
Power, again, depends on what you do, iPad can be pretty enough.
Like you said you can live with it for 90% of the time, maybe consider using Remote Desktop for the rest 10%, and a cheap nas for storage.
I was thinking about this yesterday as my main machine is a MBA with a 27" display for when i'm working from home. I'm at the point where I think an iPad Pro could replace my MBA, but the missing link is a large external display. I'm surprised Apple didn't take the whole laptop replacement thing a step further by announcing some small sort of hub/dock which would let you use an external display with it.
Just wondering do you guys believe the iPad pro is officially a laptop replacement yet. Would you still prefer some mouse support and how is the Files application since updating to iOS 11? I noticed there is a Chrome OS looking dock on iOS 11 now...is that working well?
The dock is an improvement in how multitasking works. The new multiwindow capabilities have made me glad that I went (and stayed with) the 1st gen 12.9 Pro. Multiwindow works even more smoothly than it did under 10.
I'm not digging the single column of widgets in landscape mode (under 10, there were 2 columns). I'm also not digging the task switcher including all recently used apps regardless of whether or not they're actually running.
The Files application looks promising. Seems like it might be more useful than Readdle's Documents but I'll have to spend more time with it.
As for mouse support, with the added tweaks and functionality introduced with iOS 11, I'd say that I need mouse support more than ever.
For me, it can't be until it gets mouse support and a native file system (which it probably never will).
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For a lot of people, the casual user, it’s damn close.
I wish they kept the two column widgets too and the date on the widget screen...
I do not think I can play a ton of games made for windows or even Mac on iPad .
The iOS app capability is limited.
No USB support for things like hard drive.
Too limited to be considered as a desktop system (you can do some hack, debugging, coding, using utilities like dual column file explorer, and so on).
So yes, mainly and probably only for casual users and some specialized professional users.
The iOS app capability is limited.
No USB support for things like hard drive.
Too limited to be considered as a desktop system (you can do some hack, debugging, coding, using utilities like dual column file explorer, and so on).
So yes, mainly and probably only for casual users and some specialized professional users.
Grab a My Passport Wireless 4TB Drive and app called File Browser. So no not by USB but you can connect to a hard drive. And for USB there are many dual lightning and USB sticks... like iDiskk, Leef iBridge, istore n go etc.
Only the user can decide if the iPad is a laptop replacement.
However the iPad is a worthy laptop alternative for many, many people.
That being said, I plan to purchase the next iteration of the 12.9 and migrate away from my MBP.
However the iPad is a worthy laptop alternative for many, many people.
That being said, I plan to purchase the next iteration of the 12.9 and migrate away from my MBP.
for some yes, others no.
me personally, no. its still a great companion device though.
me personally, no. its still a great companion device though.
I would argue yes for the household and for those in school. With the changes in IOS 11 I’m not sure how this doesn’t do everything the average consumer would need it to do from a laptop perspective. If my job didn’t use windows and RDP links and remote desktop connections all over the place I could probably even use this as a work computer. However, the software I work with is windows based so, not really. However, for everything I do at home, this more than suffices as a laptop and then some and in many ways, is better in my view. The 12.9 second interaction with IOS is phenomenal in my view. I understand the mouse argument, I do. However, I think that is a generational issue, not a platform issue. My kids have grown up in a world with touch interaction. The mouse to them is more foreign than it is comfortable. Even I, prefer using the 12.9 and touching the screen seems more intuitive than clicking a mouse... that’s just me. AGAIN I GET THE MOUSE ARGUMENT AND FIND IT VALID... 
Agree with this. I don’t use my Macbook much at this point, and most of my daily computing tasks are done on the iPad. It hasn’t replaced the laptop for me, but there are many tasks now I prefer to do on the iPad compared to the laptop because it’s a nicer alternative.
I use a lot of Office programs. If they functioned in iOS as well as they did in Windows, I would fully switch over to iOS. But they don’t.
And I grew up in the generation of the mouse.
And I grew up in the generation of the mouse.
Ive done a lot of thinking about my iPad Pro , and I think they’ve done it again. I’m glad I got it over a MacBook 12” or Air. To me it is really 50/50 between the iPad Pro 12.9 and the MacBook non pros.
I’ve been looking for something fit between my iPad Air 2 (which is the perfect toilet device) and my 8 lb 2014 MacBook Pro (the truck I call it since it does/carries everything).
Was considering a MacBook 12” (reminds me of my first Mac: a 12” PowerBook Ai) or a cheap Air , just to throw in my bag when all I need is ‘desktop’ OS portability. In a turn I went with the 12.9 + ASK , and to me it is a worthy device for this job. Just enough productivity capability with the dock and keyboard for work tasks, 512 GB of space for really carrying photos/movies/data on the go, while maintaining touch in the hand tablet ability. It is really Apple’s ‘Surface’.
I’ve been looking for something fit between my iPad Air 2 (which is the perfect toilet device) and my 8 lb 2014 MacBook Pro (the truck I call it since it does/carries everything).
Was considering a MacBook 12” (reminds me of my first Mac: a 12” PowerBook Ai) or a cheap Air , just to throw in my bag when all I need is ‘desktop’ OS portability. In a turn I went with the 12.9 + ASK , and to me it is a worthy device for this job. Just enough productivity capability with the dock and keyboard for work tasks, 512 GB of space for really carrying photos/movies/data on the go, while maintaining touch in the hand tablet ability. It is really Apple’s ‘Surface’.
If it is Apple's Surface then it falls far short. But as a tablet, it is a high quality option.
I mean... is it just me? I feel like I'm in a bizarro world.
So far the multitasking "improvements" are that unless you only use apps already in your dock, you have to exit your running app and do this multi-fingered drag and drop to launch one app over another, rather than just pull down a full list of available apps without leaving your primary app. What is the use case where the new method makes things easier or better?
also the 'slide over' pane has become so finicky to position/dismiss, I almost always have to try multiple times to get it to register that gripper at the very top of the screen, the absolute furtherst place from where your hands are likely holding your device, I might add. I don't recall ever noticing any difficulty swiping it away in iOS 9 or 10.
also by selecting your secondary app from the dock/homescreen means there is no indication whatsoever if it is actually multitasking compatible, so I guess you just have to trial and error see what works?
and that gets even better because (for me at least) it is so buggy, even after verifying "allow multiple apps" is on in settings, sometimes multitasking simply... stops working... until I reboot. so maybe an app isn't multitasking-ready, or maybe the iPad just needs a restart. just keep fiddling with dragging and dropping icons onto things, because its cool and modern, right!?
sigh. I know it's all first world problems. I just...
So far the multitasking "improvements" are that unless you only use apps already in your dock, you have to exit your running app and do this multi-fingered drag and drop to launch one app over another, rather than just pull down a full list of available apps without leaving your primary app. What is the use case where the new method makes things easier or better?
also the 'slide over' pane has become so finicky to position/dismiss, I almost always have to try multiple times to get it to register that gripper at the very top of the screen, the absolute furtherst place from where your hands are likely holding your device, I might add. I don't recall ever noticing any difficulty swiping it away in iOS 9 or 10.
also by selecting your secondary app from the dock/homescreen means there is no indication whatsoever if it is actually multitasking compatible, so I guess you just have to trial and error see what works?
and that gets even better because (for me at least) it is so buggy, even after verifying "allow multiple apps" is on in settings, sometimes multitasking simply... stops working... until I reboot. so maybe an app isn't multitasking-ready, or maybe the iPad just needs a restart. just keep fiddling with dragging and dropping icons onto things, because its cool and modern, right!?
sigh. I know it's all first world problems. I just...
Not even close to a laptop replacement for me, though iOS 11 is an improvement. There are still too many programs I can't run on iOS or aren't up to snuff compared to their equivalents on my Mac. And multitasking, while better, still isn't close to what I can do on my iMac . That's not to say I don't enjy my iPad, but it's not there yet. Oh and screen size matters, too. I like my 12.9. but it isn't a fifteen inch, or a 27 iMac running two external displays...
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