iPad as a laptop replacement

[Nugget]

You know what’s the sad thing about this statement? I have never seen an iPad user tell a Mac user they’re wrong for using the tool they prefer...

You know what's the confusing thing about this statement? I did not tell you that you were wrong for using an iPad. I am an iPad user, myself. I just see very little utility from plugging an iPad into a large display because iOS is not well-suited to larger displays. The lack of resolution and a truly flexible windowing user interface means that larger displays are mostly wasted on iOS devices.

I didn't say what you imagine I said.

 

[mjcharlton71]

Pretty much mainly using the iPad Pro 11 (2020) with MK exclusively now, for anything that's not Windows gaming. No WoW playable via iPad, so still needing the PC.

Had some niggles with an app I use via a browser needing index files uploaded to function, and iOS preventing that, but zipping them within Files and then uploading works a treat.

Other than that, the only massive gotcha would be writing a bootable USB stick for unRAID!

I love working on just the iPad.

 

[soulreaver99]

This may have been asked before but what was the reasoning for not being able to display to an external monitors native resolution with an iPad or iPad Pro? This would make a formidable setup if that were the case.

 

[sparksd]

This may have been asked before but what was the reasoning for not being able to display to an external monitors native resolution with an iPad or iPad Pro? This would make a formidable setup if that were the case.

Just hasn't been implemented by Apple, no reason stated that I know of. Would be great but it's a who-knows-when.

 

[tlnargi]

Just hasn't been implemented by Apple, no reason stated that I know of. Would be great but it's a who-knows-when.

This is why i still use my MacBook. I can’t RDP into my office workstation in full screen on the iPad. I have a 32in monitor and the screen real estate is wasted with the iPad. Frustrating.

 

[sparksd]

This is why i still use my MacBook. I can’t RDP into my office workstation in full screen on the iPad. I have a 32in monitor and the screen real estate is wasted with the iPad. Frustrating.

I agree. It works but I find the side bars distracting. Like watching an old 4:3 TV show on a widescreen TV (emphasis on the old).

 

[soulreaver99]

This is why i still use my MacBook. I can’t RDP into my office workstation in full screen on the iPad. I have a 32in monitor and the screen real estate is wasted with the iPad. Frustrating.

Yup same situation here. I have a 35 inch ultra wide. Would love to just let go of my MacBook too. Wish they would work on that feature instead of wasting R&D on the next set of emojis!

 

[petvas]

After watching the WWDC keynote it has become clear to me that Apple is not planning to make the iPad a desktop replacement. Yes, it will become more capable with time, but its form factor will always be the limiting factor for specific use cases. Laptops aren't going anywhere anytime soon and with Apple Silicon in the pipeline we will see the platforms converging.

 

[conshok26]

I’ve been using an iPad Pro 12.9” as my main computing device for a little over 2 years. For the most part it’s been able to handle what I need to do on a day to day basis so it makes complete sense for me.

I recently had to purchase a computer for my daughter since they will be doing remote learning for most of the week and I went with a new 27” iMac. I must say that that after not using an actual mac for this time it felt very foreign. It was weird to the point where I felt like I was my parents not knowing what to do.

 

[ascender]

Since the Magic Keyboard came out, the iPad Pro has become my most used device and go to device for pretty much everything. Its going to be a real test for me when the first Apple Silicon laptops are available because I’ve had a Mac laptop for 20 years+. As much as I am really excited to see what they do, I don’t know if I could give up the 2-in-1 iPad Pro - I think the best thing about it is just being able to take the iPad off the keyboard and continue working.

 

[Internaut]

I don't envisage iPad as a full time desktop replacement for me. The job occasionally involves writing code... However, I have started exploring the idea of the iPad Pro being the only computing device (other than phone) I have with me when I travel. I've picked up the following kit:

• iPad Pro 2020 (11 inch)
• Pencil
• Logitech Touch Folio
• TBC some sort of mouse (Logitech Pebble and Magic Mouse being the candidates)
• TBC some external storage (probably yet another 500GB Samsung SSD drive to add to the collection)
• TBC some sort of gadget bag for iPad and accessories.

Use cases: Only device when travelling personally; personal computing when travelling on business with the quite heavily locked down corporate laptop. In terms of applications:

• For Photography, there is no Topaz, so I've had to up my sharpening game in Lightroom CC.
• And combined with Affinity Photo this gives me a similar capability to the MacBook (and Pencil makes local adjustments easier).
• Personal documents and spreadsheets: The Google and Microsoft apps just work (and loving the iPad OS Files app).
• For notes I'm trying Note Shelf.
• And for To-do I already use Trello and that just works everywhere.
• Oh, and 2020 was supposed to be the year I learn to make movies (I haven't, but we've still four months to go), so I'll be looking for an editing package.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

...I just see very little utility from plugging an iPad into a large display because iOS is not well-suited to larger displays. The lack of resolution and a truly flexible windowing user interface means that larger displays are mostly wasted on iOS devices.

Sure it is, the iPad Pro 2018/20 does 4K @60hz through USB-C - It just has those annoying black bars on the sides.

When I use Jump Desktop with my iPad Pro I get full screen 4K on the external monitor remoting into my Mac mini.

Now you are super correct that the OS UI does not scale down, but if you are using a lot of web apps for your office and professional productivity, then you can get pretty expansive work spaces. I get every bit as much room in my spreadsheets using my 11” iPad Pro on a big 4K monitor than I do on macOS.

With split screen and slide over, as well as the saved work spaces, it is pretty fast and efficient once you get used to it. Room for improvements? Absolutely. Automatically at fault because it isn’t macOS? Not really.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

This is why i still use my MacBook. I can’t RDP into my office workstation in full screen on the iPad. I have a 32in monitor and the screen real estate is wasted with the iPad. Frustrating.

Jump Desktop uses the full monitor width and has lots of options for external screens in-app. Highly recommended. By far the best RDP for iPad out there IMHO.

 

[sparksd]

Sure it is, the iPad Pro 2018/20 does 4K @60hz through USB-C - It just has those annoying black bars on the sides.
View attachment 947596

When I use Jump Desktop with my iPad Pro I get full screen 4K on the external monitor remoting into my Mac mini.

Now you are super correct that the OS UI does not scale down, but if you are using a lot of web apps for your office and professional productivity, then you can get pretty expansive work spaces. I get every bit as much room in my spreadsheets using my 11” iPad Pro on a big 4K monitor than I do on macOS.

With split screen and slide over, as well as the saved work spaces, it is pretty fast and efficient once you get used to it. Room for improvements? Absolutely. Automatically at fault because it isn’t macOS? Not really.

The odd thing with HDMI connection is the black bars at the top and bottom, not just the sides, something I don't see with DisplayPort.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-monitor-shows-small-ipad-screen.2246291/post-28697687

 

[MyopicPaideia]

The odd thing with HDMI connection is the black bars at the top and bottom, not just the sides, something I don't see with DisplayPort.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/external-monitor-shows-small-ipad-screen.2246291/post-28697687

Heh heh heh - yep - you and I have had this conversation Weird thing is it is inconsistent. I have had the same Apple USB-C Multiport HDMI Adapter work with a 42” 4K monitor at full height when mirroring iPad, and on my 28” 4K monitor at home, it has bars on all 4 sides. However, when used with Jump Desktop and not mirroring, both monitors using the same adapter show the full height and width of the remote screen, in 4K.

 

[tlnargi]

Heh heh heh - yep - you and I have had this conversation Weird thing is it is inconsistent. I have had the same Apple USB-C Multiport HDMI Adapter work with a 42” 4K monitor at full height when mirroring iPad, and on my 28” 4K monitor at home, it has bars on all 4 sides. However, when used with Jump Desktop and not mirroring, both monitors using the same adapter show the full height and width of the remote screen, in 4K.

Does jump desktop support retina resolutions on the external monitor?

 

[sparksd]

Heh heh heh - yep - you and I have had this conversation Weird thing is it is inconsistent. I have had the same Apple USB-C Multiport HDMI Adapter work with a 42” 4K monitor at full height when mirroring iPad, and on my 28” 4K monitor at home, it has bars on all 4 sides. However, when used with Jump Desktop and not mirroring, both monitors using the same adapter show the full height and width of the remote screen, in 4K.

Yeah, I ran into it yesterday with HDMI to my 4K monitor. Netflix and nPlayer (when playing video) utilized the full screen while mirrored home page and other apps have the top & bottom bars. Switched to DisplayPort after that.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Does jump desktop support retina resolutions on the external monitor?

If by Retina you mean up to 4K, then yes. It will also scale, so you can configure a remote 4k desktop to downscale to for example 1440p or 1080p to save bandwidth, preserving the full 4k workspace, but being a bit fuzzier. Or you can actually change the remote machine’s actual resolution down or up. Very good stuff. If you get really advanced, you can install SwitchResX on the remote machine and configure perfect profiles to fill the quirky aspect ratio of the 11” iPad Pro screen for example, when not using an external monitor.

 

[tlnargi]

If by Retina you mean up to 4K, then yes. It will also scale, so you can configure a remote 4k desktop to downscale to for example 1440p or 1080p to save bandwidth, preserving the full 4k workspace, but being a bit fuzzier. Or you can actually change the remote machine’s actual resolution down or up. Very good stuff. If you get really advanced, you can install SwitchResX on the remote machine and configure perfect profiles to fill the quirky aspect ratio of the 11” iPad Pro screen for example, when not using an external monitor.

Can you remote in from iPad to a PC?

Does it do audio too?

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Can you remote in from iPad to a PC?

Does it do audio too?

Yes and Yes

 

[George Dawes]

iPad has replaced my desktop let alone laptop . The only things I use my 27 iMac for is big spreadsheets and complex emails . Everything else the 12.9 is amazing for .

 

[ericwn]

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

I think so too. Plus, many young people have no own income yet or need to watch their spending.

 

[Stlrz]

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.

hello, anyone has information or how to on how to pair ps3 remotes with the iPad Pro? Thank you.

 

[macdogpro]

hello, anyone has information or how to on how to pair ps3 remotes with the iPad Pro? Thank you.

Not possible as far as I know. Not without jailbreaking.

 

[0128672]

hello, anyone has information or how to on how to pair ps3 remotes with the iPad Pro? Thank you.

The PS3 controller is not Mfi so isn't compatible.

Connect a wireless game controller to your Apple device - Apple Support

Connect a wireless Xbox, PlayStation, or other Bluetooth game controller to your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, or Apple Vision Pro.

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