for me the same is achieved with jump desktop and my desktop pc. But when I am home I don't see the point, since I can access everything directly and when I am away I only do this when I am certain cellular connection is going to be good... If I am away several days and I am not sure about cellular speed, I take a laptop with me....
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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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Depending on what you are going to do with it...the iPad is a excellent laptop replacement...the most tech tablet there is.
iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard is the best laptop money can buy today.
The critical keywords here are “depending on what you are going to do with it.“ While the iPad Pro is not a general purpose computer, it covers most basic computer needs, and even some specialized ones, particularly in the creative arts. I use mine for drawing and music performance.
For me, it did replace my MacBook Pro, but I also have a Mac Mini.
I never owned or used a Magic Keyboard, but I’ve fared alright with a Bluetooth keyboard. I have had this iPad stand before the Magic Keyboard been introduced. Not downplaying, your comment. But there are alternative options to live up to the iPad Pro being a viable laptop for some.
I've been beating this drum for a long time, and I'm going to do it again here:
The best iPad case I have ever owned (and yes, this is counting the Magic Keyboard I had on my 12.9" iPad Pro) was the Zagg Rugged Messenger I had for my 10.5" iPad Pro a few years back. They were still making it for the 10.5" iPad Air too, so it's probably still available in some places. It was a two-part case that functioned kind of like a hardback book. The inner part was a thin, light, hardshell case for just the iPad itself with the standard Pencil holder on one side for the gen 1 Pencil.
With a tempered glass screen protector and JUST the inner part of this case, you had solid protection if you didn't want to take the whole setup with you and just wanted to sketch or read or something without all the baggage. But if you needed a laptop, the inner case popped magnetically on to spine of the outer part, which was like a hardback book on both sides. It was made out of MUCH more rugged material than the Magic Keyboard/Smart Keyboard cases are, and the angle adjustment was a magnetic connection that could be slid up and down into infinite angles. The keyboard itself had fantastic key action, lots of backlighting options, and lasted literally years on a single charge. No trackpad support, but that's because it wasn't part of iPadOS yet at the time, and now it's probably too late because it doesn't look like Zagg plans on continuing this lineup of cases.
The whole assembly together was just as bulky as the Magic Keyboard, BUT there was a big advantage: Taking the iPad out of the case did not involve any risk to the iPad. It was still covered on the back and all sides, and of course the screen protector is always up to the user. I swore by this case and almost didn't upgrade my 10.5" iPad because I loved the Zagg case so much. It just offered the level of protection and functionality that no Apple accessory could give you at the time. (and still can't, IMHO)
EDIT: Almost forgot to mention--this case also had two little vents on each side of the enclosure for the iPad that would actually point the quad speaker system's sound directly at your face instead of out to the sides. It was a wonderful feature, and something I haven't seen in an iPad case since.
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I would have bought a 15 or 16" MBA the very second they were available. I love the 13" M1 MBA, but more screen in the same form factor would be awesome.
I’ve had the benefit of being able to try both the M1 Mac Mini with 16GB, and an iPad Air 3. Now, to be completely honest the iPad Air 3 simply feels a lot faster. Discord is snappier, apps open faster, and honestly? Having never used MacOS before, it felt extremely cumbersome. It just didn’t feel like a good experience, to be frank. I learned the iPad immediately, I feel like I was able to just pick it up and immediately adapt to it. In terms of general usage, like web browsing, email, YouTube, and chatting the iPad is a lot better than any laptop I’ve ever used. That’s my personal opinion but the ipad just feels snappier in terms of speed and it makes for a better experience.
macOS suffers from lots of delayed maintance. macOS things that work as expected in the 90's, well expectations have changed.
than again
in IOS some things are bad
-editing out a mis type on the screen line is frustrating. seems the curser has a mind of its own. it locks out and will not do as you will.
-the concept of a file as an object seems to vary from one app to another
After actually considering getting a tablet to replace my PC (be it an iPad or Android tablet), I'm finding that there is one huge thing that would prevent me from using iOS/Android to replace a traditional desktop OS. Multiple windows/instances of the same app. For example, I often times need to have multiple Word/Excel documents open at the same time, often 5 or more. iPadOS can do side-by-side, but that's just two documents. I also see that having apps side by side or quick app switching are still "awkward" when compared to a traditional desktop OS. iOS and Android are still designed to have just one full-screen app at a time. Anything other than that are cumbersome. Meanwhile, dealing with multiple windows on Windows/macOS are extremely easy.
The M1 Macs seem to be the ideal solution. It has the performance and power efficiency of the mobile devices, and the traditional desktop OS on it.
The M1 Macs seem to be the ideal solution. It has the performance and power efficiency of the mobile devices, and the traditional desktop OS on it.
I find the pure real estate size of a 13 inch screen too small to run more than side by side of apps. Even on my MBP I can't have more than 2 apps/docs on screen at once. Switching between desktops is not a solution for me.
But this is the main function that I think laptops have clear benefit over iPads - being able to plug in external monitors and have true desktop extension (and not just mirroring). At work I have 2 monitors plugged in full time (one landscape and one portrait) on my MBP.
This then feels like what I actually need is desktop (not a laptop). So at home I have desktop pc with a 34" ultra wide screen monitor that I use and is so much more productive than a laptop, purely because of screen size.
Given that this group is knowledgeable about the strengths and weaknesses of iPads as laptop replacements, I have hopes that you'll be able to help me figure out my best option and if an iPad might hit the spot.
I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to get a primary computing device that takes up very little space in a house (compared to a tower + its needful accessories).
Computing power is not a major concern, since I tend to have old machines and anything that's relatively new is likely to be at least comparable.
I feel that I would like it to be very portable (easy to move around) without unplugging things or doing 'setup' work. (However, I must confess I'm not sure how much this actually correlates to my expected 'workflow', given that I get out very little; it's reasonable to guess that more than 80% of my life is at home).
Except for pictures I've backed up to Google Photos, and songs I bought from the iTunes Store, currently most of my data is local, on internal drives and backed up on an external drive. I'm a bit paranoid about radio waves and strongly distrust Bluetooth. I love keyboards and mice.
The basic alternatives I've thought of are 1) a desktop setup with a smaller computer, 2) a laptop, or 3) a tablet.
What I see as the pros and cons of each:
1) Miniature desktop - e.g. Mac Mini
Pros: Have a wide array of ports for accessories and storage devices. I'm very familiar with the Mac OS workflow. Inexpensive compared to laptops, and often the best overall price/performance ratio.
Cons: Although it may be small itself, neither the monitor that it requires nor all of the cords and power plugs will be. The computer is 'portable' only in the sense that it can be quickly unplugged and carried away. Newer Mac Minis are more expensive than many (although not all) iPads.
2) Laptop
Pros: Very portable. Has some ports; less than a desktop, but more than a tablet. Mac OS experience. Frontal camera.
Cons: MacBooks of any kind command a premium price on the market. It doesn't seem uncommon for 9-year-old MacBooks to go for as much as a relatively new low-end iPad (which is hard for me to understand). The least expensive new MacBook is $1,000, a sum we haven't paid for a computer since the Bondi Blue in 1998. I'm uncertain I'd like a laptop's built-in keyboard (which is small), and I've always been skeptical about trackpads.
3) Tablet - iPad of some description
Pros: Extremely portable. Has powerful cameras on both sides. Touchscreen and stylus support. Often more affordable than the others (the 128GB current-gen iPad goes for $429).
Cons: A definite lack of ports; if I went this route, I would definitely want a good hub, which increases the price a little. I'm uncertain about how iOS is when it comes to doing certain tasks that are simple on a Mac, e.g. web design work (with the browser's Developer Mode), managing all those local files, and whether the app store has everything I might want (for example, an IRC client). I'm also unsure how the keyboard/mouse combo works on a device that's designed for touchscreen-first.
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I suppose what most of my problem boils down to is that I'm not familiar enough with actually using an iPad to tell if it's something I would want to do in the long term. Direct experience, like some kind of trial run, would go a long way towards letting me know if this is likely to work or not. In the absence of that, I guess I'm hoping I can lean on yours. Thanks for putting up with this post.
I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to get a primary computing device that takes up very little space in a house (compared to a tower + its needful accessories).
Computing power is not a major concern, since I tend to have old machines and anything that's relatively new is likely to be at least comparable.
I feel that I would like it to be very portable (easy to move around) without unplugging things or doing 'setup' work. (However, I must confess I'm not sure how much this actually correlates to my expected 'workflow', given that I get out very little; it's reasonable to guess that more than 80% of my life is at home).
Except for pictures I've backed up to Google Photos, and songs I bought from the iTunes Store, currently most of my data is local, on internal drives and backed up on an external drive. I'm a bit paranoid about radio waves and strongly distrust Bluetooth. I love keyboards and mice.
The basic alternatives I've thought of are 1) a desktop setup with a smaller computer, 2) a laptop, or 3) a tablet.
What I see as the pros and cons of each:
1) Miniature desktop - e.g. Mac Mini
Pros: Have a wide array of ports for accessories and storage devices. I'm very familiar with the Mac OS workflow. Inexpensive compared to laptops, and often the best overall price/performance ratio.
Cons: Although it may be small itself, neither the monitor that it requires nor all of the cords and power plugs will be. The computer is 'portable' only in the sense that it can be quickly unplugged and carried away. Newer Mac Minis are more expensive than many (although not all) iPads.
2) Laptop
Pros: Very portable. Has some ports; less than a desktop, but more than a tablet. Mac OS experience. Frontal camera.
Cons: MacBooks of any kind command a premium price on the market. It doesn't seem uncommon for 9-year-old MacBooks to go for as much as a relatively new low-end iPad (which is hard for me to understand). The least expensive new MacBook is $1,000, a sum we haven't paid for a computer since the Bondi Blue in 1998. I'm uncertain I'd like a laptop's built-in keyboard (which is small), and I've always been skeptical about trackpads.
3) Tablet - iPad of some description
Pros: Extremely portable. Has powerful cameras on both sides. Touchscreen and stylus support. Often more affordable than the others (the 128GB current-gen iPad goes for $429).
Cons: A definite lack of ports; if I went this route, I would definitely want a good hub, which increases the price a little. I'm uncertain about how iOS is when it comes to doing certain tasks that are simple on a Mac, e.g. web design work (with the browser's Developer Mode), managing all those local files, and whether the app store has everything I might want (for example, an IRC client). I'm also unsure how the keyboard/mouse combo works on a device that's designed for touchscreen-first.
-
I suppose what most of my problem boils down to is that I'm not familiar enough with actually using an iPad to tell if it's something I would want to do in the long term. Direct experience, like some kind of trial run, would go a long way towards letting me know if this is likely to work or not. In the absence of that, I guess I'm hoping I can lean on yours. Thanks for putting up with this post.
Buy one from Apple and use the 14 day return policy to try the device out to see if it works for you.
It’s very hard to come up with sweeping statements to somebody who’s more accustomed to traditional PCs.
Having used iPads and tried to make it replace a 'laptop', sadly it doesn't work. Well hang on - it kinda does, only if you have the time and energy to jump around in hoops to achieve what would be simple on a 'laptop'. If time is money to you, like it is for me then stick to a Macbook.
It highly depends on what you are doing with it. It can replace my private laptop just fine and did for a long a time. But a work computer? Not for me, but any laptop has a hard time replacing my work computer.
The only way to know is to try..Maybe directly from Apple.
My experience with trying to use iPad as a "work" machine is..basically it can't for me. As others have mentioned, I spent a lot of time jumping though hoops just to do "basic" things that a laptop/desktop can do. There's just so many limitations and quirks of iPadOS that made what I was trying to do such a pain. In the end (as in since beginning of this calendar year), I gave up and just went back to my Windows laptop to do work at home. My iPad has just become a consumption device and excels at that. (I do still occasionally VPN then remote log in ssh/vnc/rdp for quick tasks).
For hardware, I did get a bluetooth keyboard, Apple's magic trackpad and a tablet stand and it works well at the table. I tried the Magic Keyboard, but in the end I returned it due to the cost combined with limitations of iPadOS.
If you really want to try, go for it..but maybe for a cheaper option, try iPad 8 and basic bluetooth mouse and keyboard. I did find my 11" Pro is a bit too small for working for a long time. A 12.9" would work better for what I'd do..but then for that money and the iPadOS limitations, its probably more worth it for a M1 Macbook.
PS: ArsTechnica recently has an article with some complaints about iPadOS for an interesting read. A lot of comments there too: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...at-add-up-to-make-ipados-productivity-a-pain/
The problem is Legacy processes: “denoting or relating to software or hardware that has been superseded but is difficult to replace because of its wide use.”
I posted the definition because without it folks get super upset.
If you need a laptop, you are either doing a legacy workflow, 3D rendering, or video production work. Some professional photographers fit there some have migrated workflows.
I work for an organization who has over 200k employees. Less than 1% have a laptop. Nobody has a desktop anymore, they are all thin clients and if you remote in, you can use a computer, Chromebook, or iPad. You can even use iPhone but the screen is too small.
All the data is in the cloud and prohibited from being on device. All software is run on a server. It is modern. It is global. Network advancements have made it possible. The company is not unique.
If you work in this type of environment, the iPad, can and does replace the laptop for many. My wife works for a local school district who migrated to Google and same goes for the whole district. Most the teachers just use an iPad and when my wife works remote, she does as well.
My daughter ditched her Chromebook and does school from iPad exclusively. I have an M1, but I rarely use it and I’m declaring it my last laptop.
All of us have external Bluetooth keyboards and I use a mouse when I’m working with remote spreadsheets as my fingers are not thin enough to click in just one cell.
I’m a full stack web application developer.
I posted the definition because without it folks get super upset.
If you need a laptop, you are either doing a legacy workflow, 3D rendering, or video production work. Some professional photographers fit there some have migrated workflows.
I work for an organization who has over 200k employees. Less than 1% have a laptop. Nobody has a desktop anymore, they are all thin clients and if you remote in, you can use a computer, Chromebook, or iPad. You can even use iPhone but the screen is too small.
All the data is in the cloud and prohibited from being on device. All software is run on a server. It is modern. It is global. Network advancements have made it possible. The company is not unique.
If you work in this type of environment, the iPad, can and does replace the laptop for many. My wife works for a local school district who migrated to Google and same goes for the whole district. Most the teachers just use an iPad and when my wife works remote, she does as well.
My daughter ditched her Chromebook and does school from iPad exclusively. I have an M1, but I rarely use it and I’m declaring it my last laptop.
All of us have external Bluetooth keyboards and I use a mouse when I’m working with remote spreadsheets as my fingers are not thin enough to click in just one cell.
I’m a full stack web application developer.
My field does not fit into your little box, nor is it one of your two or three exceptions. If you really want to make blanket statements (which I don’t know why people feel so compelled to do) I suggest you at least speak only to your specific field.
But for what it worth, I don’t believe in “legacy” workflows. People are different and have different methods. Judge the work results, who cares how they get it done.
There is a huge difference between needing a computer and preferring a computer because it makes you so much more effective.
And it is unbearably slow.
Not surprised, a Chromebook is a Chromebook, not a laptop. I would choose the iPad too.
Agreed. I have an iPad Pro and a MBP. I much prefer the MBP for general browsing, email etc. even though I have a MKB for the iPad. It just doesn't feel as comfortable. Also, the laptop sits better on my knees compared to the iPad with the MKB, which I don't think was really made for wide lap use. I only tend to use the iPad occasionally, and mainly for watching stuff. If I'm honest though, I could happily get by without it as I hardly ever use it.