iPad Pro iPad has become quite useless and I regret purchasing it

[Digitalguy]

From the review I saw the x13s with Qualcomm gen 3 is doing pretty well, performance is actually similar to that of the Thinkpad nano (intel 9th gen) and battery life is better. But it's heavier and it doesn't open 180°. But it is also fanless like the Macbook air....

I have a couple of devices I could game on, but I try to stay away from gaming. I gamed a lot when I was a teenager in the 90s (mainly on DOS and Windows 3.11) and it's an addiction...
I have a RTX 2070 super in my desktop and my surface book 3 15 has a 1660 ti, which isn't bad either. I even have a couple of high refresh rate monitors. But I have managed to stay away from gaming.

I am tempted to buy a GPD Win Max 2 with Ryzen 6000, but crazy enough not for gaming, but more as a desktop / laptop replacement (has 4G, pen support, it's very compact and powerful and has even a silent mode).
But I afraid that with x86 even silent devices just change the issue instead of removing it, the device stays silent but it gets hot (like my 12in Macbook, it's silent and great, but do anything mildly intensive and it become burning hot to type on or to hold...)

 

[Mackilroy]

I totally see that approach given the fact that you have a desktop. But, then you would still have three devices: Desktop, iPad, and Smartphone (I am assume that everyone...even middle schoolers these days....have smartphones). In my earlier post, I was thinking about someone on a tight budget (e.g. college student that is scrapping by each month) that could only afford two devices. One would be a smartphone. The other would be a laptop. In my view, the choice would be M1 MBA + iPhone SE.

True, but here a phone is basically a ‘default’ device that would not demonstrably impact which one of the other devices I would keep. Perhaps if Apple made a phone with a much larger screen and added Pencil support it might, but I’d still prefer something 10” or bigger for that.

Edit: I also bought my first iPad as a college student - because I had to write many equations, it was far easier to do so with an iPad that it would’ve been with a laptop, and I preferred the tablet form factor for portability, reading, etc. Sure, I could have used a laptop, but Notability and the Pencil were invaluable to me. Now I enjoy doodling and painting on it as well.

 

[Mainsail]

True, but here a phone is basically a ‘default’ device that would not demonstrably impact which one of the other devices I would keep. Perhaps if Apple made a phone with a much larger screen and added Pencil support it might, but I’d still prefer something 10” or bigger for that.

Edit: I also bought my first iPad as a college student - because I had to write many equations, it was far easier to do so with an iPad that it would’ve been with a laptop, and I preferred the tablet form factor for portability, reading, etc. Sure, I could have used a laptop, but Notability and the Pencil were invaluable to me. Now I enjoy doodling and painting on it as well.

Interesting. It is great to hear that the ipad was useful for note taking. I can see how equations would be much easier writing than typing on a notebook. My kids are all recent college students. Basically, I have had three kids in various stages of undergrad and/or grad school for the last decade. One just started his PhD. They have never used an iPad for school. MacBooks yes. External monitors yes. iPhones yes. They use the MacBook for typed notes and use an old fashion pencil and paper for classes with equations and diagrams. They scan those handwritten pages with the iPhone. One of my kids was a math/Econ double major, so he might have been able to benefit from a tablet solution. The other two were business and international relations majors, so they weren’t really as equation intensive. They all felt that a good laptop was absolutely essential for college. None even asked for an iPad or mentioned the possibility of using one for school. Not sure why.

California State University loans free iPad Air + pencil + Smart Keyboard folio to their students. I would love to know how this has worked for them.

 

[CSBBody]

very interesting discussion, and very glad its full of useful viewpoints, from both sides.

I hope APPLE is listening ....who am i kidding they listening.

I was all over the iPad for many years. i had a MacBook pro 16" loaded intel i9. it did nothing really but act as a desktop hub, it never left the house. my days were spent for an hour at my desk, getting my spreadsheets and other work done.

Then onto couch and start reseraching and answering emails, and researching on my Ipad pro 12.9 with MKB, bliss. and then onto my 11" to watch some youtube, browse forums and take notes when on client calls and assessments etc. My ipad mini was simply an ereader.

when travelling away on holiday, i have to use the laptop, i could get away with the iPad, but way to many hoops to jump through, leaving me irritated.

Although a nutritional scientist by trade, and everything music is my serious hobby. so when the mac studio was announced i was all over it, bought the spec i wanted, realised i still needed a laptop, so traded in everything iPad wise, and purchased a 16" base MacBook pro but bumped the storage.

Now remember, i have never used a laptop (certainly not for any appreciable time) as a laptop, it was always a glorified hub.

low and behold i was forced to use the 16" for all my content consumption and everything i used the 12.9 for. I am quite sad that i don't miss the 12.9 for anything. i am quite comfortable on the couch, laying in bed watching a show.

where it failed obviously is as an ereader and note taker. so off i went and bought a base Ipad Air M1 with pencil and lightweight folio. thinking its a nice middle ground between the two and i still enjoy reading on that size.

What i discovered is i much prefer moving around the house the 16" , the display is fabulous, as is the sound. I know don't need to go to my office for something i can quickly do where i am.

We don't have public transport like you do where i live, and nor is it a daily reality for me. if i go on holiday, the Macbook is just fine to take a long. so that use case for me, is not a priority.

The only place i use the Ipad Air now is outside, i don't like taking my MacBook in the sun, or taking written notes while assessing a client.

i still love the idea of the Ipad, i really do, for me now though, that interest in the pro models is gone, and ipad mini or Ipad air is perfect for me and my use case.

Like everyone, if they actually listen to their client base. Give us our pro apps relevant to someones industry, and let it be a viable choice, do i want a traditional laptop, or something modular that can be a tablet, a laptop, or fly swatter.

it seems like they are headed that way, they just taking 4-6 years too long to get there.

 

[BhaveshUK]

very interesting discussion, and very glad its full of useful viewpoints, from both sides.

I hope APPLE is listening ....who am i kidding they listening.

I was all over the iPad for many years. i had a MacBook pro 16" loaded intel i9. it did nothing really but act as a desktop hub, it never left the house. my days were spent for an hour at my desk, getting my spreadsheets and other work done.

Then onto couch and start reseraching and answering emails, and researching on my Ipad pro 12.9 with MKB, bliss. and then onto my 11" to watch some youtube, browse forums and take notes when on client calls and assessments etc. My ipad mini was simply an ereader.

when travelling away on holiday, i have to use the laptop, i could get away with the iPad, but way to many hoops to jump through, leaving me irritated.

Although a nutritional scientist by trade, and everything music is my serious hobby. so when the mac studio was announced i was all over it, bought the spec i wanted, realised i still needed a laptop, so traded in everything iPad wise, and purchased a 16" base MacBook pro but bumped the storage.

Now remember, i have never used a laptop (certainly not for any appreciable time) as a laptop, it was always a glorified hub.

low and behold i was forced to use the 16" for all my content consumption and everything i used the 12.9 for. I am quite sad that i don't miss the 12.9 for anything. i am quite comfortable on the couch, laying in bed watching a show.

where it failed obviously is as an ereader and note taker. so off i went and bought a base Ipad Air M1 with pencil and lightweight folio. thinking its a nice middle ground between the two and i still enjoy reading on that size.

What i discovered is i much prefer moving around the house the 16" , the display is fabulous, as is the sound. I know don't need to go to my office for something i can quickly do where i am.

We don't have public transport like you do where i live, and nor is it a daily reality for me. if i go on holiday, the Macbook is just fine to take a long. so that use case for me, is not a priority.

The only place i use the Ipad Air now is outside, i don't like taking my MacBook in the sun, or taking written notes while assessing a client.

i still love the idea of the Ipad, i really do, for me now though, that interest in the pro models is gone, and ipad mini or Ipad air is perfect for me and my use case.

Like everyone, if they actually listen to their client base. Give us our pro apps relevant to someones industry, and let it be a viable choice, do i want a traditional laptop, or something modular that can be a tablet, a laptop, or fly swatter.

it seems like they are headed that way, they just taking 4-6 years too long to get there.

Your post is incredibly interesting. I'm having a similar experience. I once loved using the iPad as my main device (been an iPad user since iPad 2), but lately I've noticed my life is simpler when I use iMac as my primary device, with the iPad being a supplementary device.

I've started to use the iMac more for my business where I once used iPad. I've made that switch because I can get my work done more efficiently than when I have to do those same tasks on iPad. By being more efficient, I am starting to have more time off in the evenings.

iPad still excels in smaller, more consumptive tasks such as reading, doing research, banking, browsing content. For me, the iPad is now being used for drawing illustrations, as a second screen for my iMac with Sidecar and taking notes on Goodnotes. However, even with note taking, I've started to carry an A5 physical notebook as it aids my creative thinking, it's simpler to use - I never think about which pen width to use - and my eyes are thanking me for taking time away from the screen.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Interesting. It is great to hear that the ipad was useful for note taking. I can see how equations would be much easier writing than typing on a notebook. My kids are all recent college students. Basically, I have had three kids in various stages of undergrad and/or grad school for the last decade. One just started his PhD. They have never used an iPad for school. MacBooks yes. External monitors yes. iPhones yes. They use the MacBook for typed notes and use an old fashion pencil and paper for classes with equations and diagrams. They scan those handwritten pages with the iPhone. One of my kids was a math/Econ double major, so he might have been able to benefit from a tablet solution. The other two were business and international relations majors, so they weren’t really as equation intensive. They all felt that a good laptop was absolutely essential for college. None even asked for an iPad or mentioned the possibility of using one for school. Not sure why.

California State University loans free iPad Air + pencil + Smart Keyboard folio to their students. I would love to know how this has worked for them.

When I did my first degree and masters (Molecular biology/genomics) iPads didn’t exist. I would have loved to have one with an Apple pencil to hold and annotate papers and journals. I would have loved to have had digital notes back then. Having to write all my notes by hand was not an enjoyable experience.


Later on I went back to college to do my nursing degree and I used an iPad for the majority of that degree. I did have a laptop and chrome book and I wouldn’t have wanted to not have a traditional computer. However going iPad only would have been possible. I used my iPad as an accessory. I always left my laptop at home and just took my iPad into class. It was good for taking notes, annotating lecture slides, doing research etc. I also typed some parts of my literature review on there. That was by choice and just to see how easy it would be. It was fine. I think with the advent of the magic keyboard the experience would be much better today.

 

[Mackilroy]

Interesting. It is great to hear that the ipad was useful for note taking. I can see how equations would be much easier writing than typing on a notebook. My kids are all recent college students. Basically, I have had three kids in various stages of undergrad and/or grad school for the last decade. One just started his PhD. They have never used an iPad for school. MacBooks yes. External monitors yes. iPhones yes. They use the MacBook for typed notes and use an old fashion pencil and paper for classes with equations and diagrams. They scan those handwritten pages with the iPhone. One of my kids was a math/Econ double major, so he might have been able to benefit from a tablet solution. The other two were business and international relations majors, so they weren’t really as equation intensive. They all felt that a good laptop was absolutely essential for college. None even asked for an iPad or mentioned the possibility of using one for school. Not sure why.

California State University loans free iPad Air + pencil + Smart Keyboard folio to their students. I would love to know how this has worked for them.

I could have done pencil and paper notes, but keeping them organized, accessible, and useful was much easier with a tablet. I never needed a laptop, as university labs were plentiful and well stocked with machines.

 

[Mainsail]

For my use, it has become more difficult for iPad to live in the middle between the iPhone and MacBook, unless I go with the lower cost iPad sans expensive Apple accessories. Here are some things that have put the squeeze on the iPad since launch in 2010:

• iPhone screens have become larger
• iPads have become expensive when compared to the MacBook. I am thinking about the 12.9 M1 Pro with Magic keyboard = $1,450 retail with 128GB vs M2 MBA = $1,199 with 256GB
• iPad 12.9 + Magic Keyboard weighs about the same as a MBA...maybe a bit more
• M2/M1 MBA battery life (18 hours) has substantially improved and is now superior to the iPad (10 hours)

Of course, if I buy the base iPad to use for vacation and for light consumption, then the investment is small and there really isn't much pressure on the device to be better at anything.

 

[Ludatyk]

For my use, it has become more difficult for iPad to live in the middle between the iPhone and MacBook, unless I go with the lower cost iPad sans expensive Apple accessories. Here are some things that have put the squeeze on the iPad since launch in 2010

I totally get it. You value the iPad over the Mac (or Windows)… you drawn the line in the sand and have made that very clear. And I believe the M1/M2 MacBook is better suited for almost anyone who’s in the market for a laptop because of the wide range of applications.

However, what makes the iPad an attractive choice for buyers is the versatility it provides. It removes the barrier in a psychological sense meaning you can interact with it multiple ways… touch, mouse or pencil. And I know this might come off as if I’m attacking the Mac… but the iPad gives me a modern computing feel.

I can use my MK type some document or respond to someone via email and then undock the iPad from the MK to interact with it via touch. If I want to do some design work… I can use the Apple Pencil with Affinity Designer or Procreate. These scenarios is what I mean by a modern feel.

Two of the key differentiators of why I choose the iPad over the MacBook is versatility and cellular capabilities. But as I said previously the MacBook over the iPad is a better fit for almost anyone.

 

[iPadified]

Interesting. It is great to hear that the ipad was useful for note taking. I can see how equations would be much easier writing than typing on a notebook. My kids are all recent college students. Basically, I have had three kids in various stages of undergrad and/or grad school for the last decade. One just started his PhD. They have never used an iPad for school. MacBooks yes. External monitors yes. iPhones yes. They use the MacBook for typed notes and use an old fashion pencil and paper for classes with equations and diagrams. They scan those handwritten pages with the iPhone. One of my kids was a math/Econ double major, so he might have been able to benefit from a tablet solution. The other two were business and international relations majors, so they weren’t really as equation intensive. They all felt that a good laptop was absolutely essential for college. None even asked for an iPad or mentioned the possibility of using one for school. Not sure why.

California State University loans free iPad Air + pencil + Smart Keyboard folio to their students. I would love to know how this has worked for them.

Sorry that my post got a little long but there are much to reflect upon.

As an University teacher I have the following observations. Those students that takes hand-written notes with pen and paper or corresponding iPad seem to be doing better than those taking notes using a keyboard. It is not so surprising as much of STEM teaching (that I teach) is about simple diagrams, sketches and equations combined with some but not much text. A keyboard is exceptionally slow for such notes.

It is interesting to note that students with iPad+pencil are note taking happy during lab session when I discuss with them face to face. Laptop people are not. They try to remember because the laptop is never close enough or interactive enough during a discussion. Laptop people with pen and paper are fine. Those who do not take notes are generally not doing fine.

A creative process is best done on an iPad+pencil or pen and paper or white boards. Laptops seem to be a failure in this regard likely due to difficulties to share the content of the screen and lacking drawing and free form note taking.

There are still "data bars" for specialised software and more and more web based solutions for data analyses so there is room for more personalised computer choices as it should be. Use the tool you are most comfortable with. The complexity of written tasks at least my student do is well within the realms of iPads "simplistic" Word and Pages. For research, specialised iPad software does not exist and many do not exist for Macs either.

My kids have been home schooled including A-level course solely using iPads+pencil. My oldest study second year on medicine and she is not considering a laptop. Conclusion: perhaps you get used to whatever computer type you use and stick to this. It is horribly apparent in the iPad threads as well.

That laptop rules is likely due to a long lag in the system due to schools that buys the cheapest computer which typically are laptops, teachers (and parents) are "raised" with a traditional computer and simply avoid teaching that requires pen and paper or corresponding iPad solutions. To be fair, an affordable iPads with pencil has only been around for a few years and it takes time to adapt the teaching and learning for this.

I am 55 years old and love my iPad(s) for note taking, pdf annotations, teaching, brain storming BUT use my Mac(s) when writing scientific manuscripts mostly because I am used to the Mac/winPC computer paradigm and of course the screen real estates you can get on Macs.

 

[jm31828]

Everyone has different use cases of course. For me the ideal setup is iPad (Pro) + iMac

but as I've mentioned before I hate laptops. for me the iPad Pro is the superior content consumption / communication system whereas the iMac is the superior work station.

but I understand off course that that implies a certain budget and also understand that some people prefer to have a laptop. Which makes sense if you only have one device. But when you like two, iPad + iMac is the way to go for me

I have a 2017 27" iMac that is a bit slow but still a great device, and of course an iPhone (13 Mini).... I want something in between, for longer media consumption sessions on the couch without straining my eyes to look at my small phone, as well as being able to do some photo and possibly very light video editing.

I was considering an iPad Air 5 as they are on sale for $499, but had picked up a MacBook Air M1 for $799 that I just opened last night.

The MacBook is a fantastic device, but I just don't know how much I like it as a "couch media consumption" device, scrolling through Reddit, MacRumors, reading news- etc. It doesn't feel as nice to use for that as a phone is, given how big and bulky even the Air is.

I also feel that this sort of duplicates the iMac I have, and would cause me never to use it- which would be a waste considering how much it cost to purchase back when I bought it.

So, I had ordered the iPad Air 5 and it arrived today- my plan was to try both out and return one of them before the return windows on each close....
I think the iPad will be much better for browsing/media consumption, but I worry a bit about the photo editing- that it will be clunky, especially since the app I really like and use 100% of the time- Luminar AI- is not available on iPad. So I would have to purchase another app such as Pixelmator photo and learn it and hope I can get similar results, or do something like using a VNC connection from the iPad to my iMac in the other room to occasionally still use Luminar AI (assuming that would work).

In some ways it sounds exciting to play around with these possibilities with the iPad...... but we'll see how it goes.

 

[Isengardtom]

I have a 2017 27" iMac that is a bit slow but still a great device, and of course an iPhone (13 Mini).... I want something in between, for longer media consumption sessions on the couch without straining my eyes to look at my small phone, as well as being able to do some photo and possibly very light video editing.

I was considering an iPad Air 5 as they are on sale for $499, but had picked up a MacBook Air M1 for $799 that I just opened last night.

The MacBook is a fantastic device, but I just don't know how much I like it as a "couch media consumption" device, scrolling through Reddit, MacRumors, reading news- etc. It doesn't feel as nice to use for that as a phone is, given how big and bulky even the Air is.

I also feel that this sort of duplicates the iMac I have, and would cause me never to use it- which would be a waste considering how much it cost to purchase back when I bought it.

So, I had ordered the iPad Air 5 and it arrived today- my plan was to try both out and return one of them before the return windows on each close....
I think the iPad will be much better for browsing/media consumption, but I worry a bit about the photo editing- that it will be clunky, especially since the app I really like and use 100% of the time- Luminar AI- is not available on iPad. So I would have to purchase another app such as Pixelmator photo and learn it and hope I can get similar results, or do something like using a VNC connection from the iPad to my iMac in the other room to occasionally still use Luminar AI (assuming that would work).

In some ways it sounds exciting to play around with these possibilities with the iPad...... but we'll see how it goes.

I’ve heard Lightroom is quite nice, especially with the Apple Pencil. And you can try it for free

I use my iPad on the couch and in bed all the time. (In fact I am typing this lying on the couch)
Thats when I take it out of the Magic Keyboard and use it “naked”, sometimes with the pencil.


as for your iMac, if you ever upgrade to an M series one, you won’t regret it. The M1 is the nicest iMac I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned 4 versions before between 2007 ish and last Year when I bought the M1)

 

[jm31828]

As a family of 4, we had 4 iPad's at one point, but as we started using them, we quickly hit the limitations and started to ditch them. We are down to 1 which is used by our younger daughter. My wife, older daughter and I we got MacBooks and never looked back at iPad. I have a feeling that within the next 3-4 years we will retire the last iPad in our household and become 4x iPhone and 4x MacBook setup. Sorry Apple. but still iPad is a glorified iPhone after a decade long development which is pretty sad.

If you don't mind my asking, do you find that you just use the Macbook for sessions sitting on the couch reading news and/or social media? Or do you just do that on your phone?

Just curious as the iPad has sort of become that device for people given the bigger screen, but wondering if the Macbook serves that purpose in your scenario?

 

[jm31828]

I’ve heard Lightroom is quite nice, especially with the Apple Pencil. And you can try it for free

I use my iPad on the couch and in bed all the time. (In fact I am typing this lying on the couch)
Thats when I take it out of the Magic Keyboard and use it “naked”, sometimes with the pencil.


as for your iMac, if you ever upgrade to an M series one, you won’t regret it. The M1 is the nicest iMac I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned 4 versions before between 2007 ish and last Year when I bought the M1)

Thanks! Yeah, that was my thought with the iMac.... but for now it is still perfectly fine, just not lightning fast.

I haven't considered Lightroom an option as outside of the free trial, it requires a subscription and I detest that- I will only use an app that I can pay once for and keep using, like I did with Luminar AI on my iMac.

Pixelmator Photo is intriguing as it is similar to Lightroom (maybe a bit more basic), and can be purchased for about $50 for a lifetime license.... but it still doesn't have the broad functionality that my Luminar AI has.... if that was available on iPad, I would be happy to switch over to an Ipad and just use it for everything.

 

[bondr006]

Thanks! Yeah, that was my thought with the iMac.... but for now it is still perfectly fine, just not lightning fast.

I haven't considered Lightroom an option as outside of the free trial, it requires a subscription and I detest that- I will only use an app that I can pay once for and keep using, like I did with Luminar AI on my iMac.

Pixelmator Photo is intriguing as it is similar to Lightroom (maybe a bit more basic), and can be purchased for about $50 for a lifetime license.... but it still doesn't have the broad functionality that my Luminar AI has.... if that was available on iPad, I would be happy to switch over to an Ipad and just use it for everything.

I use Affinity Photo 2. Very similar to Photoshop, and is on a launch sale right now for only $11.99 one time payment. I use it on my iPad Pro and really like it a lot.

 

[Atomic1977]

In my opinion iPads do not become useless. I am very attached to my iPad 9 even though I have A laptop and a desktop And a iPhone 13.

 

[smoking monkey]

If I didn't have to use an iPad for work, I'd never use one. But the Missus uses hers all the time. In fact she prefers it to the M1 MBA I gave her which is now just a glorified photo depository...

I really does depend on your workflow.

 

[Mainsail]

If I didn't have to use an iPad for work, I'd never use one. But the Missus uses hers all the time. In fact she prefers it to the M1 MBA I gave her which is now just a glorified photo depository...

I really does depend on your workflow.

Similar situation. I have an M2 MBA and an iPad 10 (purely as a tablet), with a cheap third party pencil for basic markups and notes etc.. My wife has an iMac and an iPad Air 4 (as a laptop replacement), with the Magic Keyboard case. I hate using iPads for spreadsheets, other productivity apps, and multitasking. She hates using Laptops because they feel too cramped, and prefers a full sized desktop when being productive. We are both very happy with our individual setups.

So, there really isn’t one right answer.

 

[jm31828]

I use Affinity Photo 2. Very similar to Photoshop, and is on a launch sale right now for only $11.99 one time payment. I use it on my iPad Pro and really like it a lot.

I tested Affinity Photo 2 for just a few minutes on my wife's iPad- it seems extremely powerful but complicated compared to what I am used to- how was the learning curve for you?

That pricing is amazing, and to have that power on an iPad would be great!

 

[bondr006]

I tested Affinity Photo 2 for just a few minutes on my wife's iPad- it seems extremely powerful but complicated compared to what I am used to- how was the learning curve for you?

That pricing is amazing, and to have that power on an iPad would be great!

I started using Affinity Photo a year ago and the learning curve was not too bad. Took me about a week of use to get the hang of use to get the hang of it. I just recently upgraded to Affinity Photo 2 and there was hardly any learning curve at all, but I really like the improvements they made. You are right. To have that kind of photo editing power on my iPad Pro is very satisfying. I now have a hard time going to Photoshop on my Mac Mini.😊

 

[ackmondual]

Ended up getting a Switch for free. The 9th gen iPad (64 GB) was a glorified gaming device anyways. Between not getting the 256 GB model, and giving up on Apple Arcade, I'll be spending even less time with it. However, I still have a collection of digital board games, and bric-a-brac stuff on there that I'll go back to from time to time.

For in internet browsing, I got a bigger phone, but also got a new Chromebook that's smaller and lighter for travel.

 

[ctjack]

Every unsatisfactory result is just a product of unweighted decision - usually people navigate only their wants but not needs.

Very few people can have a good use to multiple products: any ipad makes up a really great 3-4 display as a sidecar be it in a hotel room or your home cool setup. The issue is that not everyone needs it, not everyone travels hotels for business, not everyone has a ergonomical cool home desk setup.

I personally learnt photo edits in lightroom by pc/mac only. Then on an iphone 13 I got really interested in dabbling with mobile lightroom which was no worse. I can only imagine how that is going to be awesome on some sort of an iPad while on coach.

Make sure that you need it before buying and that you can employ it enough to justify purchase. Refuse to buy if it will sit unused in your projected use plan. I was always a laptop guy, so I know that any ipad will be a cool gadget for me to have but not needed.

 

[BhaveshUK]

Every unsatisfactory result is just a product of unweighted decision - usually people navigate only their wants but not needs.

Very few people can have a good use to multiple products: any ipad makes up a really great 3-4 display as a sidecar be it in a hotel room or your home cool setup. The issue is that not everyone needs it, not everyone travels hotels for business, not everyone has a ergonomical cool home desk setup.

I personally learnt photo edits in lightroom by pc/mac only. Then on an iphone 13 I got really interested in dabbling with mobile lightroom which was no worse. I can only imagine how that is going to be awesome on some sort of an iPad while on coach.

Make sure that you need it before buying and that you can employ it enough to justify purchase. Refuse to buy if it will sit unused in your projected use plan. I was always a laptop guy, so I know that any ipad will be a cool gadget for me to have but not needed.

Great advice for purchases in general. Work out exactly how you're going to use the product (rather than letting marketing persuade you) and see if the value presented justifies the purchase on how it addresses needs rather than wants.

My iPad Pro 2020 justified the purchase based on value it would bring to my workload and creative goals. However, the more recent iPad Pro's don't hold the same value proposition (especially with raised prices), hence I haven't had any urge to upgrade. A few ways I use iPad:

• A second screen for iMac using Sidecar.
• Illustration and graphic design with Apple Pencil.
• Research and note taking.
• My main travel device when away from iMac (instead of a laptop).

Having a sense of where iPad fits into my setup makes me much happier. There was a time when I wanted it to be a laptop replacement and that created frustration. But now, I know exactly when I will use it and view the device as a supplement to the iMac, rather than a full replacement.

 

[jwolf6589]

Every unsatisfactory result is just a product of unweighted decision - usually people navigate only their wants but not needs.

Very few people can have a good use to multiple products: any ipad makes up a really great 3-4 display as a sidecar be it in a hotel room or your home cool setup. The issue is that not everyone needs it, not everyone travels hotels for business, not everyone has a ergonomical cool home desk setup.

I personally learnt photo edits in lightroom by pc/mac only. Then on an iphone 13 I got really interested in dabbling with mobile lightroom which was no worse. I can only imagine how that is going to be awesome on some sort of an iPad while on coach.

Make sure that you need it before buying and that you can employ it enough to justify purchase. Refuse to buy if it will sit unused in your projected use plan. I was always a laptop guy, so I know that any ipad will be a cool gadget for me to have but not needed.

Do you travel? A iPad (especially the mini) is far easier to read books on or watch movies on a long plane flight.

 

[ctjack]

Do you travel? A iPad (especially the mini) is far easier to read books on or watch movies on a long plane flight.

I do a lot on a car while driving myself. Fly once in 1 or 2 years - feel jealous of people pulling out their 12.9 or 11 Pros, but can't justify purchase for myself. Maybe someday when $1000 to drop on a little used gadget is no problem for me then I might pick one up.