iPad iPad + keyboard and trackpad advantages over laptop?

[sparksd]

iPad are not computer replacement
It's computer complement

Only really basic usage of a computer can be fully replaced by an iPad

But the question is regarding replacing a laptop - a portable device, not a workstation - so it may be possible for a lot of people to replace their laptop with an iPad.

 

[MDePew24]

We’ve had years of topics on the iPad as a laptop replacement. If it just had one more feature, one more feature. With the new keyboard and trackpad option it looks like we’re finally there. I like it, but now I’m wondering what everyone sees as the advantage. For me I see a few:

-Longer battery life
-IOS apps/ease of use for certain things
-Durability

But there are some disadvantages as well. It’s not really any thinner or easier to carry than a MBA, less user friendly for many things, harder to manage files, and more expensive! I’m just curious what other factors people are considering.

For what I use my MBP and iPad Pro for, I prefer my iPP. Adding the Magic Keyboard to the mix is perfect for me as I am setting myself up to have both a table and a laptop for my need whereas a MBP can only be one. Just my use case though.

 

[secretk]

No I have a laptop and a tablet. I sometimes use a mouse with my tablet. I'm done addressing this - as I said, I have no need to justify my preferences to anyone. If you fell the need to dwell on this issue, go back and read the many threads already covering it. (One other thing - I have essential tremors and sometimes using a touch interface is difficult and a mouse can help as I can apply downward pressure on it to steady my hand.)

Sucks about the tremors! I have some wrist issues that sometimes make the usage of touchscreen quite painful so I totally see why you need mouse. I am the same.

 

[sparksd]

Sucks about the tremors! I have some wrist issues that sometimes make the usage of touchscreen quite painful so I totally see why you need mouse. I am the same.

Yeah, it can make some things tough, like selecting small links to open in Safari (I'd like to find the guy who decided to eliminate the Open in New Tab menu item in Safari - two finger tap sucks).

Just got 13.4 and was trying the new mouse interface and I really like it. It makes something like selecting and adjusting a slider bar in Lightroom a lot easier. People can bash using a mouse with an iPad all they want - I don't care as it works really well for me when and where I need it.

edit: It was just pointed out to me that Open in Background works just like Open in New Tab (slap to forehead - oops, I missed because of the tremors ).

 

[jpadhiyar]

We’ve had years of topics on the iPad as a laptop replacement. If it just had one more feature, one more feature. With the new keyboard and trackpad option it looks like we’re finally there. I like it, but now I’m wondering what everyone sees as the advantage. For me I see a few:

-Longer battery life
-IOS apps/ease of use for certain things
-Durability

But there are some disadvantages as well. It’s not really any thinner or easier to carry than a MBA, less user friendly for many things, harder to manage files, and more expensive! I’m just curious what other factors people are considering.

We’ve had years of topics on the iPad as a laptop replacement. If it just had one more feature, one more feature. With the new keyboard and trackpad option it looks like we’re finally there. I like it, but now I’m wondering what everyone sees as the advantage. For me I see a few:

-Longer battery life
-IOS apps/ease of use for certain things
-Durability

But there are some disadvantages as well. It’s not really any thinner or easier to carry than a MBA, less user friendly for many things, harder to manage files, and more expensive! I’m just curious what other factors people are considering.

iPad is indeed a viable laptop alternative. Please note, an alternative not a replacement.

At least not as of now and not for everyone.

The hardware is coming together, but the software end has to pull up its socks real high!

The introduction of iPadOS and the 13.4 update, shows that things are going in the right direction.


Along with functionality, user’s needs plays an important factor in this decision. For some users, iPad+keyboard and trackpad combination offers more viability than an MBA

For instance, a designer may prefer an iPad over an MBA, majorly due to the Touchscreen and Apple Pencil.