iPad Pro 10.5 - it’s a trap

[alecgold]

Let's all get this thing very clear the iPad is a very good gadget for media consumption but any real productivity and it has its limitations !

No thats not clear.
I do productivity on it. Daily.
A laptop has its limitations, as does a desktop and even server farms have their limitations (spoiler: they score very badly at portability).
[doublepost=1499613567][/doublepost]

After using both the 10.5 and the 5th gen it's clear to me that an iPad still can't replace my MacBook so the 10.5 is going back to the store. It is not a device that's worth 350 dollars more than the new iPad.

It's a pity it didn't work out for you.
But very understandable to return it. It is rather expensive to just have lingering around.
What kind of things do you do?

 

[Max Your Macs]

After reading these posts and following this thread for a few days, one thing is extremely clear: everyone's use case is different. However, those saying that you can't get 'real work' done are absolutely wrong and they must have not spent time analyzing their work flow and how to use it on a different device.

I am an independent Apple consultant with nearly two decades experience working with clients of all types. I specialize in working with lawyers and legal professionals as a CLE instructor conducting technology training courses nationally - with a heavy focus on mobile devices. While it is true that traditional computers can do some things that an iPad cannot, the exact inverse is also true. The ringer here is that we are seeing greater and faster app development for mobile devices such as iPad and even Android than we are for macOS and Windows. To an ever greater extent, cloud services and SaaS are rising incredibly fast which levels the playing field between desktop computers and mobile devices even more. Lastly, in the real world of professional users, their time is consumed with the task at hand. Lawyers are busy working on their cases. Medical pros with their patient records and files. Sales and other mobile professionals on their products and management. Mobility and portability trumps many of the differences between a laptop and iPad. In almost all the cases that I have been involved with, iPad was chosen for mobile productivity tasks well ahead of a conventional laptop. Major players such as Office 365, OneDrive, Dropbox and particularly what iOS 11 is bringing to the table make iPad perfectly suitable. I use my 12.9" gen 1 and new 10.5" iPads for 90% of my work and if need be, I could do everything on iOS. This includes course creation, presentations, hundreds of documents, writing articles for publishing and many other professional level tasks. I rarely use my 27" iMac anymore unless I am tethered to my desk in the office, but mostly it's for the larger screen size. I don't quite see a 27" iPad coming down the line!

To use an old metaphor about photographers - the best camera is the one you have with you.

We are going to continue to see the focus in productivity development come to mobile devices first, computers second. Just look at the path Apple has taken over the last few years with minimal upgrades to Macs across the board. Compare a three year old iPad to a three year old Mac and see which one has evolved more. Mobile is the future but not the end of traditional computers. They both have a place just like Steve Jobs said, there will always be a need for pick up trucks, but most people will want the mobility of a car.

 

[pika2000]

The point is obvious. Buy a laptop if you need a laptop. Don't buy an iPad if you need a laptop. I bought the iPad because I need a tablet. I have my MacBook Pro if I need a laptop. Seems like a simple concept that seems to zip through most people, simply because it's a new and shiny thing from Apple.

This is what usually happen.
1. Apple launched a new shiny product
2. People bought it just because it's shiny
3. Then they complain because it doesn't do things it wasn't designed to do in the first place
4. Yet they ignored the fact that Apple does sell another device that matched their needs, but it wasn't "new new and shiny"

:shrug:

 

[wba1990]

Those on iOS 11 beta, how do you find the dock on the 10.5

I've got it on my Air 2, and it's brilliant, but the dock is a little cramped with the apps on it (have about 12 apps). Doe the 10.5 make use of that space and make things a little less cramped?

 

[alecgold]

I hav 8 plus 3 apps on the dock. More was too cramped for my liking.

 

[OneSon]

Before retiring a couple of years ago, the favorite combination of most senior managers at my organization was iPhone + iPad + iMac. The iPad was a great device for reviewing documents, replying to email, taking notes, etc.. So, a lot of managers preferred to take an iPad to meetings or business travel. They didn't want to lug around a laptop, because they were not doing large scale content creation when mobile. Strangely, they wanted a mobile operating system for when they were......you know.....mobile.

Anyway, I missed an opportunity to tell these people; "Hey, you aren't doing real work. Sure you manage hundreds or thousands of people and large complex projects, but let's face it, without a laptop you can't possibly do any real work. Your device requirements must be absolutely identical to everyone else's needs, so you must get rid of that iPad and use the same laptops used by our folks in the system administration department." Would have loved to see the look on those manager's faces.....I almost regret retiring.....almost.

Where did you work? A kindergarten?

 

[Mainsail]

Where did you work? A kindergarten?

Ha! Nice try. Very snarky.

I retired from one of the DOE funded National Research Laboratories after 33 years. $1.5 Billion annual budget. About 6,000 FTEs.

I don't understand why it is so difficult to understand that people can have technology needs that differ from your own, and folks on this forum need to berate others for their technology choices......it is a weird form of elitism.

 

[canesalato]

- A lot of the negative reviews the iPad (with iOS11) gets are from people using it vertically, with a smart keyboard. Try going without it. It won’t be perfect but it will be much better. After a while touch typing is not so bad, especially with the 12.9 and, as a bonus, you get a trackpad.

- Also, I suggest you try the ProType app (no affiliation of any sort with the devs). It’s an alternative keyboard with arrow keys and trackpad support and it’s just great.

Get rid of the damn smart keyboard, keep your tablet flat and your iPad experience will instantly become SO much better.

BTW: apple should definily implement arrow keys in the touch keyboard. The iPhone has them in landscape, the iPad doesn’t. Madness.

 

[thadoggfather]

- A lot of the negative reviews the iPad (with iOS11) gets are from people using it vertically, with a smart keyboard. Try going without it. It won’t be perfect but it will be much better. After a while touch typing is not so bad, especially with the 12.9 and, as a bonus, you get a trackpad.

- Also, I suggest you try the ProType app (no affiliation of any sort with the devs). It’s an alternative keyboard with arrow keys and trackpad support and it’s just great.

Get rid of the damn smart keyboard, keep your tablet flat and your iPad experience will instantly become SO much better.

BTW: apple should definily implement arrow keys in the touch keyboard. The iPhone has them in landscape, the iPad doesn’t. Madness.

How does one use a Smart Keyboard with iPad vertically ?

 

[canesalato]

How does one use a Smart Keyboard with iPad vertically ?

When you use a smart keyboard, the iPad is vertical, it doesn't lay flat on a surface. Forgive my bad English...

 

[thadoggfather]

When you use a smart keyboard, the iPad is vertical, it doesn't lay flat on a surface. Forgive my bad English...

Oh. It sounded like portrait mode

Of course there’s,only one way to use iPad with Smart Keyboard

Are people really complaining tho? It’s an optional detachable accessory. With my 9.7 Pro sometimes I use it sometimes I don’t

I don’t feel I have to use it just because I have it but that’s just me I use it when I feel like it

 

[canesalato]

Oh. It sounded like portrait mode

Are people really complaining tho? It’s an optional detachable accessory. With my 9.7 Pro sometimes I use it sometimes I don’t

A lot of people I know (and more, judging from youtube videos) buy the iPad pro + smart keyboard and basically always leave it with the keyboard attached. I'm not blaming them, but I think it leads to a very poor experience

 

[Max Your Macs]

- A lot of the negative reviews the iPad (with iOS11) gets are from people using it vertically, with a smart keyboard. Try going without it. It won’t be perfect but it will be much better. After a while touch typing is not so bad, especially with the 12.9 and, as a bonus, you get a trackpad.

- Also, I suggest you try the ProType app (no affiliation of any sort with the devs). It’s an alternative keyboard with arrow keys and trackpad support and it’s just great.

Get rid of the damn smart keyboard, keep your tablet flat and your iPad experience will instantly become SO much better.

BTW: apple should definily implement arrow keys in the touch keyboard. The iPhone has them in landscape, the iPad doesn’t. Madness.

I absolutely agree with this. I have had the ASK with my first gen 12.9" iPad Pro almost since the day I bought it and while it is nice, I got tired of the extra weight and the flopping around when I didn't need to use it. I ended up using my Apple Magic Keyboard only when I need it and since the weight is about the same as the ASK, I don't feel any weight difference in my bag. Also, as pointed out in the above post, you also get a trackpad using the software keyboard and the one thing I haven't seen anyone mention, is that you get an keyboard that is always lit, negating the problem with the ASK not being backlit. The software keyboard is great if you give it a little time to get used to it!

 

[macdragonfl]

Interesting review. As I mentioned elsewhere in this sub forum, I bought the 12.9 iPP knowing it would not replace my iMac.

I use it for the reasons I bought it: drawing and writing in conjunction with my iMac.

Everyone's usage case is different, whatever works best for you.

Yes, I agree. I use one with a Mac Mini, it seems more logical as when I do real work, self employed interior designer. So real work is better than even a laptop experience. Then eliminated MacBook Pro for the IIP. It works better in the field and for around the house.

 

[thadoggfather]

I absolutely agree with this. I have had the ASK with my first gen 12.9" iPad Pro almost since the day I bought it and while it is nice, I got tired of the extra weight and the flopping around when I didn't need to use it. I ended up using my Apple Magic Keyboard only when I need it and since the weight is about the same as the ASK, I don't feel any weight difference in my bag. Also, as pointed out in the above post, you also get a trackpad using the software keyboard and the one thing I haven't seen anyone mention, is that you get an keyboard that is always lit, negating the problem with the ASK not being backlit. The software keyboard is great if you give it a little time to get used to it!

I am hesitant to buy an ASK for gen2 12.9 even at a discount

It added a lot of bulk last I tried it on gen1 12.9

9.7 Pro i don’t feel the same

 

[OneSon]

I retired from one of the DOE funded National Research Laboratories after 33 years. $1.5 Billion annual budget. About 6,000 FTEs.

Never heard of it. And if you're doing your work on iPads that's probably why.

 

[bcaslis]

Never heard of it. And if you're doing your work on iPads that's probably why.

Really? Are you serious?

 

[Mainsail]

Never heard of it. And if you're doing your work on iPads that's probably why.

Well, without getting into too many specifics. The Department of Energy is the successor to the Atomic Energy Commision, which took over the National Laboratories from the military after the Manhattan Project. Los Alamos NM was the most notable (I worked at a different Lab), but Laboratories are located all over the US.

Today, DOE Labroatories have broader mission responsibilities, including; National Security, Renewable Energy, Environmental Research, and Office of Science. Reallly, they are amazing facilities..... worlds largest Laser, some of the most powerful supercomputers, etc. Just type "United States Department of Energy National Laboratories" in Wikipedia.

And yep, some folks use iPads on the job. I am not saying it is the right device for everyone or the only device people use. But, it can be effective for the right tasks.

 

[bensisko]

Well, without getting into too many specifics. The Department of Energy is the successor to the Atomic Energy Commision, which took over the National Laboratories from the military after the Manhattan Project. Los Alamos NM was the most notable (I worked at a different Lab), but Laboratories are located all over the US.

Today, DOE Labroatories have broader mission responsibilities, including; National Security, Renewable Energy, Environmental Research, and Office of Science. Reallly, they are amazing facilities..... worlds largest Laser, some of the most powerful supercomputers, etc. Just type "United States Department of Energy National Laboratories" in Wikipedia.

And yep, some folks use iPads on the job. I am not saying it is the right device for everyone or the only device people use. But, it can be effective for the right tasks.

That's pretty awesome!

I love reading about the various ways people use technology to work. When you free up people from having to concentrate on what device they're using, they become more productive and focus on the task they need to perform rather than focusing on the equipment because, for one reason or another, it's not letting them get done what they need to get done.

I'm also fascinated with the idea that one device (or platform) has to "win out" over another. Why should anybody care how other people are working beyond your own specific needs? If you do what you need to do on a desktop with quad cores and 42" monitors, why would you feel the need to dictate that setup to anyone else?

I love that the DoE doesn't dictate mandatory platforms in a one-size-fits-all deployment.

Never heard of it. And if you're doing your work on iPads that's probably why.

This particular user must work in IT Support.

 

[Eric5273]

I've said this before, but for some reason people who are in IT or programming think that most jobs are in IT and/or programming. That is NOT the case. For most people, the computer is a tool that is used to help with their jobs, the computer is NOT the reason for the job itself. If your entire job revolves around the computer, please understand that you are in the minority and most jobs are not like this.

 

[off_piste]

Never heard of it. And if you're doing your work on iPads that's probably why.

Damn, that is an amazing post fusing equal amounts of arrogance and ignorance.

JFC

 

[davidholliday]

Love the new IPP, but for me it will never replace a proper computer.

Half my work is done in the Adobe Suite, which won't run on iOS.

I have a 15" and a 13" MacBook Pro, but my main working machine is a Surface Pro 4. I pimped out the specs (it's a company computer) and since I got it 6 months ago, the MacBooks have been in a drawer at home.

In the office I connect it to the Surface Dock and two 26" monitors.

So for me, my new IPP 10.5 (I think my 4th iPad) doesn't come close.

For a super-light traveling device though, it is brilliant. For weekend traveling it just can't be beat. Love the iPad, but until it runs MacOS it can't totally replace a laptop. A Surface Pro on the other hand can - at least for me.

 

[Cashmonee]

Where did you work? A kindergarten?

Are you implying teaching isn't "real work"? That is kind of harsh.

I have used a 12.9" iPad Pro in my classroom for the last year and a half and have had great success with it. Using the combination of GoodNotes, and Apple TV, and LCD TVs makes it a great solution for presenting to class. Then with GoodNotes, it auto-updates the notebooks and posts them to Google Classroom for student access after class. I tried using the iPad exclusively, but found it lacking, especially when trying to create documents with equations (I am a math teacher). For that side of my job, the "administrative" side, it was less than great, and I use a laptop instead, but for my lessons, it has been fantastic. As you said though, it is questionable if that applies as "real work".

 

[bensisko]

Are you implying teaching isn't "real work"? That is kind of harsh.

I have used a 12.9" iPad Pro in my classroom for the last year and a half and have had great success with it. Using the combination of GoodNotes, and Apple TV, and LCD TVs makes it a great solution for presenting to class. Then with GoodNotes, it auto-updates the notebooks and posts them to Google Classroom for student access after class. I tried using the iPad exclusively, but found it lacking, especially when trying to create documents with equations (I am a math teacher). For that side of my job, the "administrative" side, it was less than great, and I use a laptop instead, but for my lessons, it has been fantastic. As you said though, it is questionable if that applies as "real work".

Have you tried OneNote? OneNote has an equation editor!

 

[Cashmonee]

Have you tried OneNote? OneNote has an equation editor!

I didn't know that! Thanks! I will definitely check it out.