iPad as a laptop replacement

[Zazoh]

I have always liked to tinker with my devices and upgrade them... but at some point I started accepting that you miss out on too many great devices if you limit yourself to upgradable ones...

When I learned to drive in the 1970s you had to understand mechanics, engines, the cars you were driving. People bought cars they could work on. You did maintenance weekly.

Today people get to focus on the purpose of a car, to travel. Computers have gone thru a similar transition, you buy them to perform a task not to maintain.

I haven’t had to maintain a computer in over two decades. You can if you want, Linux is still out there and to some extent Windows. Or you can just pick up a device to perform tasks, which are creating content, sharing and consuming content.

I started programming in DOS. Switched to MacOS twenty years ago and never looked back. I still have terminal and Linux functions if needed, but 99 times out of a 100, I open the lid and get to work. No need to understand he hardware at all.

Or even more frequently rely on iPadOS to do what I need.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Found myself struggling this weekend in my quest to use the new iPad Pro 12.9 as a full "laptop replacement" and had to go back to my Surface Laptop; the Safari browser can be really fussy with web hosted tools which makes it quite hard to rely on it; I assume its because its not quite a full-desktop grade browser.

To be fair I have the same issue with Android tablets but then an S7+ isn't the best part of £2000

 

[subjonas]

Perhaps, that word choice is subjective. No shade to those who choose macOS over iPadOS, but I like the fact that iPadOS is given mouse-input (external keyboard support) in addition to the excellent touch-input it already has. That factor alone makes it much more valuable to me.

And, I've been a proponent of cellular use with the iPad since the introduction of the feature. Obviously, Apple makes it easy to use hotspot with iPhone and iPad integration. But I like the convenience of having cellular use with the iPad. And this factor is invaluable for me.

Yeah iPads/tablets definitely have more versatility than traditional computers when it comes to hardware.

 

[ericwn]

Anyone got links to great iPad home screen setups? Mines a mess and want some inspiration.

Throw all apps into a folder and use search to find them. Ultra-fast with a keyboard.

 

[Ludatyk]

Throw all apps into a folder and use search to find them. Ultra-fast with a keyboard.

Yup! I even put all my apps on the dock.. that way it's always accessible on each app I go to via a (partial) swipe up.

 

[jrichards1408]

Apple has been clear thus far, that they are not interested in doing that with the iPad.

Things can change

 

[Apple_Robert]

Things can change

You are right. They won’t be changing this year or probably next year, either. Farther out than that Apple could pivot.

 

[kp98077]

i just use excel, word, power point and exchange email, unless I am missing something i see no difference really on the iPad 12.9 Gen 5 versus my MBP - anyone feel this way?

 

[chrism_scotland]

i just use excel, word, power point and exchange email, unless I am missing something i see no difference really on the iPad 12.9 Gen 5 versus my MBP - anyone feel this way?

Probably only Excel; the iPad version isn't on par feature wise with the MBP but it really depends on which features you use; personally I've been fairly happy with the mobile versions of Office on iOS and Android for most things.

 

[secretk]

Probably only Excel; the iPad version isn't on par feature wise with the MBP but it really depends on which features you use; personally I've been fairly happy with the mobile versions of Office on iOS and Android for most things.

When it comes to Excel, I just find it rather difficult to merge cells which is something I do often enough. For Powerpoint I find easier to use SmartArt on desktop than on the iPad. So far I have not found issues with Word but I don't use Word that often.

 

[Digitalguy]

Apple showed a clear path forward today. It's integration, not convergence. They want to you to buy a Mac AND a iPad (and an iPhone and services etc.). They won't turn the iPad into a "laptop replacement" (at least within the meaning given to this expression by those expecting iPadOS to be much closer to a desktop OS) anytime soon, let alone give it MacOS...

 

[Populus]

@Digitalguy That’s an understandable path, from the company point of view.

I would be happy with, at least, external monitor compatibility, but I am afraid this is not the moment yet.

 

[Digitalguy]

@Digitalguy That’s an understandable path, from the company point of view.

I would be happy with, at least, external monitor compatibility, but I am afraid this is not the moment yet.

Absolutely, that's what I have been saying to those expecting MacOS to land on iPad. Integration is what makes the most financial sense for Apple and in terms of iPadOS development it's not like they have strong competition in the tablet market pushing them to hurry up things...
Monitor compatibility was my main wish, but it's a big change and probably the 3GB devices would struggle with it... It might come in a couple of years...
The only positive thing is that older iPads pro will be quite future proof for years to come.... ??
At this point I feel I am good for quite a few years with my 11 pro (6GB RAM), 12.9 first gen (new battery last January) and mini 5... Instead this WWDC make me want even more to update my old 11in air with a M2 air (at this point I don't expect it before 2022...)

 

[Populus]

Absolutely, that's what I have been saying to those expecting MacOS to land on iPad. Integration is what makes the most financial sense for Apple and in terms of iPadOS development it's not like they have strong competition in the tablet market pushing them to hurry up things...
Monitor compatibility was my main wish, but it's a big change and probably the 3GB devices would struggle with it... It might come in a couple of years...
The only positive thing is that older iPads pro will be quite future proof for years to come.... ??
At this point I feel I am good for quite a few years with my 11 pro (6GB RAM), 12.9 first gen (new battery last January) and mini 5... Instead this WWDC make me want even more to update my old 11in air with a M2 air (at this point I don't expect it before 2022...)

Well, to be fair, I know I am good with my 2018 11” iPad Pro, but those 4GB of RAM... honestly I’d like to upgrade to an M1 11” iPad Pro with at least 8GB of RAM. That would be pretty future-proof, because I don’t see Apple releasing an iPad with more RAM than a base MacBook.

 

[Digitalguy]

Well, to be fair, I know I am good with my 2018 11” iPad Pro, but those 4GB of RAM... honestly I’d like to upgrade to an M1 11” iPad Pro with at least 8GB of RAM. That would be pretty future-proof, because I don’t see Apple releasing an iPad with more RAM than a base MacBook.

Honestly at this rate, with even the mini 4 and air 2 getting iPadOS 15 (and even 16 IMO, which will probably be an even smaller update, as 14, 12 and 10 were) I don't expect RAM to be any more problematic than it is now... And honestly for most things even my 3GB mini 5 seems to have room to spare in terms of RAM (but maybe it's because I use several iPads so I spread my (intense) use over several devices...). If 4GB feels not enough now, then sure, but if it's fine now it will be for a couple more years at least and by then there will be an even better iPad pro... (miniled or oled in the 11in?)

 

[Populus]

Honestly at this rate, with even the mini 4 and air 2 getting iPadOS 15 (and even 16 IMO, which will probably be an even smaller update, as 14, 12 and 10 were) I don't expect RAM to be any more problematic than it is now... And honestly for most things even my 3GB mini 5 seems to have room to spare in terms of RAM (but maybe it's because I use several iPads so I spread my (intense) use over several devices...). If 4GB feels not enough now, then sure, but if it's fine now it will be for a couple more years at least and by then there will be an even better iPad pro... (miniled or oled in the 11in?)

You know what happens to me? For example, using Discord in the side bar view, sometimes I bring it up and Discord refreshes, restarts. That means (for me) my ipad had not enough RAM.

 

[Digitalguy]

You know what happens to me? For example, using Discord in the side bar view, sometimes I bring it up and Discord refreshes, restarts. That means (for me) my ipad had not enough RAM.

Then yes, you have an argument to upgrade. In my case I constantly move to and from different sizes based on what I do and on what iPad is charging that I hardly ever have reloads

 

[Never mind]

 

[ericwn]

What point are you making?

 

[Ludatyk]

What point are you making?

I think the point they are making…. M1 iPP users had no benefit in upgrading, specifically from 2018/2020 iPP models.

But after the dust has settled a bit. And currently using iPadOS 15, I’m alright. Still trying to get accumulated to the new features. But after careful consideration, I’m thinking to myself… I upgraded from the 2018 model. Although, I could of have waited.

But what more could Apple improve on this year’s iPP? Move the front facing camera, glass back for wireless charging… idk. At this point… staying with this year’s iPP keeps me safe for 2 to 3 years.

 

[Never mind]

What point are you making?

Point is very clear that the WWDC did not under any circumstances give those that purchased the more expensive iPad Pro what we were hoping for so in the short term keep the 2018 2020 iPad Pro and wait for Apple to catch up with the hardware.

 

[Populus]

I have a hunch that the big revamp of the iOS and iPadOS operating systems got delayed until 2022, probably because of the pandemic, or because of other circumstances (maybe slow development, bugs, other difficulties). All rumors pointed towards a big revamp of iOS and we haven’t seen it either. I think many of the features we just saw yesterday, are iOS 14 features that got delayed (that’s why I say this feels more like iOS 14.5), because some iOS 13 features got delayed last year as well, and implemented on iOS 14. So... I think next year could be the big year for iOS/iPadOS. But we’ll see.

____________________________________​

About the MaxTech @vadimyuryev YouTube video, I respect their opinion, of course, but saying that Apple just killed the iPad Pro seems a bit excessive. It’s just that Apple has a different vision regarding the iPad. They don’t see it as a laptop, but as -the best- professional tablet out there. And I think their vision is fair.

I was one of those who bought my iPad Pro on 2018 wishing it was more capable, flexible, and believe me, there are still improvements to be made to Files app and some other details. But the more I use the iPad Pro, the more I realize this is gonna keep being an iPad. A better iPad. The best iPad if you want, but an iPad.

Don’t get me wrong, as I said, I think many things have still room for growth and improvement, flexibility and compatibility, but I understand that the road Apple has prepared for the iPad, doesn’t cross the mac road. They just run in parallel roads. And personally, I don’t want to see more floating windows on my iPad like we saw with the quick notes feature.

You need a mac? Buy a mac. Apple Laptops are awesome, really. And even more affordable than an iPad Pro. If you really like the iPad, then try it out and see if it limits your workflow or not. And then, make your decision.

 

[ericwn]

I think the point they are making…. M1 iPP users had no benefit in upgrading, specifically from 2018/2020 iPP models.

But after the dust has settled a bit. And currently using iPadOS 15, I’m alright. Still trying to get accumulated to the new features. But after careful consideration, I’m thinking to myself… I upgraded from the 2018 model. Although, I could of have waited.

But what more could Apple improve on this year’s iPP? Move the front facing camera, glass back for wireless charging… idk. At this point… staying with this year’s iPP keeps me safe for 2 to 3 years.

Well at the end of the day most stuff we have been reading here is just wishful thinking for the 11th year in a row.

Apple put a faster chip in the iPad and some folks’ imagination ran wild. Likely a non issue outside of the click bait YouTube stuff as above or the regular user out there who knows what iPads are about.

 

[Ludatyk]

Apple put a faster chip in the iPad and some folks’ imagination ran wild. Likely a non issue outside of the click bait YouTube stuff as above or the regular user out there who knows what iPads are about.

Well, I do admit... I was excited by the M1 chip, had few ideas of what Apple could do. But it's not as if the iPad Pro is now ruined due to unfulfilled hopes.

He tested apps, but haven't really gone deeper to test graphic performances in regards to working on a project with hundreds of layers . I believe he tested LumaFusion with exporting a video, but I don't think LumaFusion has been optimized for the M1.

The iPad Pro is still a beast... apps will be able to stay in memory due to the extra ram. So, yeah... it's clickbait.

 

[raqball]

Found myself struggling this weekend in my quest to use the new iPad Pro 12.9 as a full "laptop replacement"

Same here.. For me is a lot of little things and work arounds that I have to do.. That along with several minor irritations like not being able to click in the Safari address bar sometimes requiring me to remove the iPad from the KB and reattach it. Backlight on the Magic KB not activating unless it's almost pitch black ect..

I had decided I was going to try this for an extended time but I honestly don't think I can do it. My plan was to use it as a Laptop replacement and sell my M1 Air (8 core, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) but I think I need to just give up on it at this point..

Also the price is a little hard for me to swallow.. When you equip them similarly, it's insane how much more the iPad Pro 12.9 with Magic KB is -vs- a maxed out M1 Air costs...

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFI with 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Magic KB = $2148
MacBook Air with 8 core GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD = $1649

That's a $499 price difference along with extra sales tax..

I do understand the iPad is detachable and can be used in tablet mode (a plus) and that it has the better screen (another plus) but the MacBook has the better KB and trackpad and is intended to be a Laptop with a full file system and full blown Mac apps and programs..

I think my experiment to use the iPad Pro 12.9 as a Laptop replacement is winding down. I had intended to be in it for the long haul but I am hitting to many roadblocks, issues, workarounds needed, and minor annoyances to continue..

The iPad Pro is a great machine! I may pick up an 11" to use as a dedicated tablet (without the magic KB) and keep my M1 Air as my primary Laptop.. I just don't think it's ready to be a Laptop replacement and it may never be, by intended design...