iPad as a laptop replacement

[Quackington]

There's a Safari setting for Show Tab Bar. Is that what you meant?

Not quite. I have that setting switched on already. When scrolling down a page though, the tab bar disappears on iOS. It requires you to scroll up a little before getting the tab bar again.

That’s a common mistake, you shouldn’t expect your iPad to work exactly like a desktop, because it isn’t. It’s a tablet, a mobile device for other kind of users with different needs.



Unfortunately, we can only use it with Office 365.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess one could argue that Apple itself is looking to get to become more of a laptop replacement. I appreciate your point though, however, I'd still like to try to customise it to my needs as much as possible. It's a shame we can only use Office 365. I may try to get used to Apple's own offerings.

 

[sparksd]

Not quite. I have that setting switched on already. When scrolling down a page though, the tab bar disappears on iOS. It requires you to scroll up a little before getting the tab bar again.

If you tap the site address that shows in small print at the top of the Safari window, the tab bar shows again without having to scroll.

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess one could argue that Apple itself is looking to get to become more of a laptop replacement. I appreciate your point though, however, I'd still like to try to customise it to my needs as much as possible.

Yes, I understand. Don’t get me wrong, I think it can replace a computer for most users, but people shouldn’t expect it to work in the same way.

It's a shame we can only use Office 365. I may try to get used to Apple's own offerings.

You can also use Google Docs on Safari, it works great for me.

 

[0128672]

If you tap the site address that shows in small print at the top of the Safari window, the tab bar shows again without having to scroll.

If you're using a trackpad, hovering the cursor over it will do that too.

 

[Quackington]

If you tap the site address that shows in small print at the top of the Safari window, the tab bar shows again without having to scroll.

Thanks, this works.

Yes, I understand. Don’t get me wrong, I think it can replace a computer for most users, but people shouldn’t expect it to work in the same way.



You can also use Google Docs on Safari, it works great for me.

Thank you

If you're using a trackpad, hovering the cursor over it will do that too.

This is even better, just tried it and works great. Thank you.

 

[macdogpro]

Very hesitant at first, but now my MBP is sitting on the corner of my desk after using my IPP since two weeks ago.
Agree to someone above said, it’s not a laptop replacement the way you think it would, but the way you work with it certainly can cover what you do most in a laptop (at least for my case).

All creative apps that I use regularly can be replaced with cheaper options on the app store. Including using Apple‘s own office apps. Needs a bit of learning curve, but manageable in the end.

 

[Tsepz]

Now that I have the 11inch Pro along with my BT Keyboard, it may actually be more viable as a laptop replacement versus my old Air 2, I can use the keyboard in whatever position I want it in while also putting the iPad where I want, and the larger screen is great. Need to get the pencil.

However let us see how things are in iOS 14, still not thoroughly convinced but I still love using iPads.

 

[Puonti]

I used to want some type of Macbook years back, but then I got the 12,9" iPad Pro and that want evaporated. I do still need a Mac, but for the last couple of years and for the time being that Mac hasn't been and won't be a laptop.

I'm not sure if you can call that "replacing" a laptop since I never had one in the first place. "Blocking" a laptop, perhaps?

 

[Quackington]

I used to want some type of Macbook years back, but then I got the 12,9" iPad Pro and that want evaporated. I do still need a Mac, but for the last couple of years and for the time being that Mac hasn't been and won't be a laptop.

I'm not sure if you can call that "replacing" a laptop since I never had one in the first place. "Blocking" a laptop, perhaps?

I’m still getting used to using my iPP as a laptop replacement but it’s much better than where I was at a week ago! I don’t think it’ll ever properly replace it for me, I plan to pick up an MBA or MBP at some point, hopefully this year.

 

[t0rr3s]

It has been 3 months with the ipad pro 11 and I’ve taken to using it exclusively for work for the past month and counting. So far it’s been a really enlightening journey as I streamlined my workflow to ensure that I am able to effectively use the Pro. In terms of the form factor, I use it attached to the Brydge Pro Plus keyboard and the typing experience has been wonderful. I take it with me to work and bring it around, do work (mainly around keynote, Office suite (i have a 365 account provided by my organisation), Zoom etc without skipping a beat. My files are backed up on Dropbox (i have Filebrowser and so far the Files app has been ok), presentations are a cinch with the USBC > HDMI/VGA dongle and I can attach a thumbdrive to the dongle to access other files. Only time i need my work laptop is to access the network printer at the office and to access work email which can’t be accessed elsewhere. My MBA 11 and 5,1 Mac Pro has been gathering dust at home thus far. Other than the dongle and Brydge pro plus keyboard, only other essential additions have been the pencil 2.0 and a matte, paper like screen protector. The ipad has really come a long way and I never thought it’d fulfil my computing needs so adroitly as a working professional.

 

[0128672]

I'm not sure if you can call that "replacing" a laptop since I never had one in the first place. "Blocking" a laptop, perhaps?

LOL, I might say laptop displacement ...

 

[Quackington]

It has been 3 months with the ipad pro 11 and I’ve taken to using it exclusively for work for the past month and counting. So far it’s been a really enlightening journey as I streamlined my workflow to ensure that I am able to effectively use the Pro. In terms of the form factor, I use it attached to the Brydge Pro Plus keyboard and the typing experience has been wonderful. I take it with me to work and bring it around, do work (mainly around keynote, Office suite (i have a 365 account provided by my organisation), Zoom etc without skipping a beat. My files are backed up on Dropbox (i have Filebrowser and so far the Files app has been ok), presentations are a cinch with the USBC > HDMI/VGA dongle and I can attach a thumbdrive to the dongle to access other files. Only time i need my work laptop is to access the network printer at the office and to access work email which can’t be accessed elsewhere. My MBA 11 and 5,1 Mac Pro has been gathering dust at home thus far. Other than the dongle and Brydge pro plus keyboard, only other essential additions have been the pencil 2.0 and a matte, paper like screen protector. The ipad has really come a long way and I never thought it’d fulfil my computing needs so adroitly as a working professional.

Thanks for the impressions. File management: this is one thing I need to have a bit more of a play with. I have an iCloud subscription for 2TB and my iPad has plenty of space at 1TB, but the few minutes I’ve used Files before, I found it a bit unintuitive. Is there any way to make it look like the OS X folders?

 

[Mac47]

I have the 12.9 iPP 2020 with MK and Apple pencil. Taking the thread title au pied de la lettre, my iPad Pro has completely replaced my laptop (MacBook Air), to the point where I no longer use the latter at all, but have given it to my kids to use as their school computer.

Has my iPP replaced Macs entirely? No. I still use a 27” iMac (2017). I’m an online teacher (Greek and Latin), and the Zoom desktop app has more capabilities than the iPad app. The ability to spread out lots of windows is crucial to my workflow: I will frequently have a Powerpoint or KeyNote slideshow that I’m showing my students, plus Zoom’s webcams, plus a PDF or ePub book, the Notes app, Photos app, a couple browser windows with course materials (quizzes, etc) in Canvas, and iTunes all open at the same time. It’s no problem on the 5k screen; it’s not possible on the iPad. Of course, wasn’t possible on the MacBook Air either. So the iPad has successfully replaced my laptop. I do all my class prep, reading, and grading on the iPad. It’s only the actual teaching that happens on the iMac.

My son has a 2019 MacBook Air. He is casting serious sidelong glances at my iPP. The screen is better, the processor is faster, it has twice as much storage as his laptop, to say nothing of its tablet-specific capabilities (pencil, portrait orientation, etc).

 

[subjonas]

My son has a 2019 MacBook Air. He is casting serious sidelong glances at my iPP. The screen is better, the processor is faster, it has twice as much storage as his laptop, to say nothing of its tablet-specific capabilities (pencil, portrait orientation, etc).

I’m curious, do you think if the Macbook Air had updated specs to match the iPad Pro, would your son still be eyeing your iPad Pro? In other words, is it the specs or the tabletness that he is eyeing?

 

[Mac47]

I’m curious, do you think if the Macbook Air had updated specs to match the iPad Pro, would your son still be eyeing your iPad Pro? In other words, is it the specs or the tabletness that he is eyeing?

The specs only. He had the option of buying the 2018 iPP when he got his MacBook Air. He is not a tablet guy. I very much am.

 

[subjonas]

The specs only. He had the option of buying the 2018 iPP when he got his MacBook Air. He is not a tablet guy. I very much am.

Interesting. I wonder how the demographics of tablet users breaks down. Seems like teens/20s aren’t as interested for some reason.

 

[sparksd]

Interesting. I wonder how the demographics of tablet users breaks down. Seems like teens/20s aren’t as interested for some reason.

I'd say phones readily trump tablets in that demographic - portability and calling usage.

 

[subjonas]

I'd say phones readily trump tablets in that demographic - portability and calling usage.

So you mean the more attached you are to your phone, the less you see a need for a tablet? That’s possible.

 

[sparksd]

So you mean the more attached you are to your phone, the less you see a need for a tablet? That’s possible.

I think younger people prefer use of a handheld device like a phone as opposed to a tablet.

 

[EknCn]

Now that I have the 11inch Pro along with my BT Keyboard, it may actually be more viable as a laptop replacement versus my old Air 2, I can use the keyboard in whatever position I want it in while also putting the iPad where I want, and the larger screen is great. Need to get the pencil.

However let us see how things are in iOS 14, still not thoroughly convinced but I still love using iPads.

I think there is no big update with iPadOS 14, with iPadOS 13 they had given us all good things but when we look at the Pencil side i think there is good update like Scribble.

 

[ascender]

I found the video below on YouTube last night and the creator’s experience with the Magic Keyboard and using the iPad as a laptop replacement mirrors my own. Its a pretty short video, but the second half of it articulates pretty well what I’ve found the more I use this setup.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I found the video below on YouTube last night and the creator’s experience with the Magic Keyboard and using the iPad as a laptop replacement mirrors my own. Its a pretty short video, but the second half of it articulates pretty well what I’ve found the more I use this setup.

I like his presentation style. Clear, not overly and falsely energetic and gets to the point without gimmicks. So you obviously feel that the plusses of the Magic Keyboard outweigh the clear and numerous negatives?

 

[ascender]

I like his presentation style. Clear, not overly and falsely energetic and gets to the point without gimmicks. So you obviously feel that the plusses of the Magic Keyboard outweigh the clear and numerous negatives?

Yes. I was exactly like him and close to returning the Keyboard, but now I use it more than my old laptop - the flexibility of having the 2-in-1 and the pencil means its my go to device for pretty much everything now.

If your apps are available on iPadOS, its definitely worth considering.

 

[flobach]

I do really like using my iPad (Air 3 w/ Smart Keyboard), but the ergonomics are terrible, so only use it for short bursts at a time.

 

[Puonti]

I do really like using my iPad (Air 3 w/ Smart Keyboard), but the ergonomics are terrible, so only use it for short bursts at a time.

What is / are the main ergonomic pain points you're running into with this combo?