Troll somewhere else. iOS is fully capable of this, especially once iOS 11 is available.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad iPad Pro 12.9 as laptop replacement, file management and storage
- Thread starter Synergie
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Troll somewhere else. iOS is fully capable of this, especially once iOS 11 is available.
What's going on here mate? One of the iPads is extended using duet display? You're not switching between them I didn't think the maguc keyboard had dual Bluetooth connections and I don't see a laptop or macmini there either.
Btw. The 10.5 doesn't look that small in the pic. Thought I had decided on the 12.9 but now might need to play with them in person.
Yup! But if you do it that way, just remember to use the version on the portable Drive and not a local one so if you open it on one device and edit it, you'd have to open from the portable Drive on another device and not your 'local' copy. But if you leave the Drive plugged in at home it just becomes a network Drive anyway which is always available from any device. And you can grab it and take with you when you go out.
It makes sharing files between devices (especially those using a different account) very easy.
Is there a way to replicate how one drive or gdrive works on osx? Meaning you edit one copy while offline (local on ipad) and when you get online it makes the changes to the cloud. That way the same file is accessible everywhere.
I guess you could edit either online or on the wifi HD and simply copy it over when connected but that's an extra step to remember and possibility of missing a specific file.
Remember they are two different things. One is a local network attached storage device just like your apple time capsule etc. The other is cloud storage. One is meant to be standalone and the other synced to different devices. Standalone is fine is all those devices have access to it. Network attached storage devices are fine if you save to that device and don't keep a local file because the original is saved on the Drive itself. If you open it from any device it will be the updated version because there won't be any other version. It's apples to oranges.
Most people were complaining because of relying only on cloud storage and this is for them and for keeping a hard copy backup or working in the field like photographers etc and having storage they can access even if there is no internet. And at home I keep it on all the time and plugged in so that my husband and I can file share without needing email or sharing by iCloud etc which takes longer to upload files etc plus he doesn't have paid iCloud so he only has 5Gb anyway. I have the 200 Gb plan just because I work on a lot of files but I have a ton of old photos backed up on the my passport Drive because I don't want my iCloud library to be unmanageable and huge. I already have over 1500 photos in icloud library and it's already a pain to scroll to look for something. So I back up the ones I don't need all the time but still want to keep on to that Drive.
Since I use File Browser app all of the clouds plus that Drive are all in one spot so using that app it feels seamless to move files between any of them. Just understand what NAS (local) is for vs Cloud storage.
Apple should have the same OS for all their products but not.
With the iPhone 10 year underway the concept at the time when rock was dirt, well it was just a phone and ios was single threaded. In many ways ios still just a phone because it has not kept up as tasks turned into projects and best personal effort into teams. Third party ios file managers, vpn and the mighty iCloud have been around for some time.
Seems for any project work or home your looking at 50 to hundreds of files and several active project backups. Not everything resides on an Apple device, 2 or more people may work on the same project.
Break the build a few times in a row and the team no longer likes you.
Show up at court missing documents but they have no wifi and limited cell.
File your quarterly taxes with just one forum back dated wont work well.
With the iPhone 10 year underway the concept at the time when rock was dirt, well it was just a phone and ios was single threaded. In many ways ios still just a phone because it has not kept up as tasks turned into projects and best personal effort into teams. Third party ios file managers, vpn and the mighty iCloud have been around for some time.
Seems for any project work or home your looking at 50 to hundreds of files and several active project backups. Not everything resides on an Apple device, 2 or more people may work on the same project.
Break the build a few times in a row and the team no longer likes you.
Show up at court missing documents but they have no wifi and limited cell.
File your quarterly taxes with just one forum back dated wont work well.
Sure simple. The mouse you see is the Citrix X1 mouse, I will from time to time use JumpDesktop to access a Mac (have a few tasks I still need done there). Currently the smaller iPad is used as a reference monitor. I’ll have two spreadsheets open, one for reference as I’m working in another. Any typing intensive things will be on the big iPad that has the external keyboard paired to it. (On the way is a Logitech keyboard that will work with both iPads, so that won’t be a huge concern anymore).
I’ll also work in standing desk mode and have the big iPad at eye level. I’ll be doing heavy writing or JumpDesktop work when in that mode and I’ll grab the smaller iPad to some tasks and use AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, Drafts, or Copied to work with data across both devices.
The main concept is that each iPad is just a different screen and its very handy to have a second screen to reference information and spread out my work. It’s wonderful using the Logitech stands so they can be on all the time and easily picked up for handheld work. Never have to worry about turning the screen off with the trickle charge as I’m working.
The smaller 10.5” iPad is much smaller in use. That half pound adds up and it really feels like a different device with the lack of side bezels. I’ll use that iPad much more in vertical portrait mode as that feels to be the best way to use it when holding it. Will be diving into this topic of multi-iPads in a future episode of iPad Pros (www.iPadPros.net). Happy to answer any questions about it here too.
That's one heck of a setup. Kudos! Many questions coming as soon as the keynote furor does down. I've got sucked into the madness as usual
Well I figured I would chime in with a few of the things I run. But also have a few questions I hope some might be able to help with.
Most of my work these days in the iPad Pro 12.9 is video and photo editing. I have a video recording setup that does hdmi switching between 4 cameras, 2 separate mics, into a hdmi recorded most use for recording game play that record to the External SDD drive, or usb 3.0 key.
Once I decided to go back to an iPad from the surface I relized getting video to the iPad wasn’t fun. So now I only use the 128GB UBS 3.0 key to record to.
I change the name of the video files if needed to meet the i characters, I have the lightning to USB adapter that also provided power. Now the USB key doesn’t give me that under powered message. I was gopining iOS 11 would open up the USB sata bridgenjse fkr low powered external sad hard drives. Oh well.
The USB key I use with this adapter and power can now copy over a 2GB Video file using photos app import in just under 10 seconds.
But I’m still on a search for a way to use the usb external storage for more then just videos and photos.
I downloaded file browser for buisness today, I had the regular one before. I was also using good reader before for connecting to external NAS and shares in the house. But I think file browser for buisness does this a lot more cleaner. I was debating on the sandisk to lightning before when I bight the iPad Pro until I saw you couldn’t copy files from it, just to it. Little did I know that file browser for buisness let’s you copy file to and from the sandisk USB / lightning memory key. And not just media, but any files.
Now with iOS 11 you can copy the file from the key to the “On my iPad” mapping and this seems to be a shared folder that most other apps use to let you import the files into the app that you copy into that directory.
So my only issue is a 2GB file now takes 1.5 minutes, not 10 seconds to copy onto the iPad.
From what I’ve read this has to do with the new lightning standard of 3.1 that uses faster speed, this is also what the USB 3.0 to lightning Apple adapter uses. But I guess sandisk is still using the slower 3.0 lightning.
I’ve notived a few other USB keys with USB 3.0 on one side, and lightning 3.1 for the other. I just don’t know what ones might still work with file browser for buisness. Because if it’s not compatible then I can’t copy the files onto the iPad.
Has anyone else tried any of the other lightning 3.1 /USB memory keys with file browser for buisness?
Or is this possibly a hardware issue and the 3.1 lightning keys will need more power, so you will get the power error if I try a faster one?
It might be a hardware limitation, to get the memory faster might need more power then the lightning port provides and maybe that’s why the memory is slower when using the lightning port. It fairly fast on the computer usb 3.0 port. Not the fastest I own, but much better then usb 2.0 high speed.
Either way, I guess maybe I shouldn’t complain. I can now copy files to and from the iPad Pro to the sandisk lightning USB key without the need for the Apple adapter or power. Take it from the iPad to any computer with usb and move the files onto the computer. Even rename the video files that don’t follow the standard naming format, and if I copy a video or photo from the sandisk lightning using file browser for buisness into the photo library it show up fine in the photo app.
Makes it a lot more mobile, less things to carry.
Well I hope some of this might help someone else.
Scott
Most of my work these days in the iPad Pro 12.9 is video and photo editing. I have a video recording setup that does hdmi switching between 4 cameras, 2 separate mics, into a hdmi recorded most use for recording game play that record to the External SDD drive, or usb 3.0 key.
Once I decided to go back to an iPad from the surface I relized getting video to the iPad wasn’t fun. So now I only use the 128GB UBS 3.0 key to record to.
I change the name of the video files if needed to meet the i characters, I have the lightning to USB adapter that also provided power. Now the USB key doesn’t give me that under powered message. I was gopining iOS 11 would open up the USB sata bridgenjse fkr low powered external sad hard drives. Oh well.
The USB key I use with this adapter and power can now copy over a 2GB Video file using photos app import in just under 10 seconds.
But I’m still on a search for a way to use the usb external storage for more then just videos and photos.
I downloaded file browser for buisness today, I had the regular one before. I was also using good reader before for connecting to external NAS and shares in the house. But I think file browser for buisness does this a lot more cleaner. I was debating on the sandisk to lightning before when I bight the iPad Pro until I saw you couldn’t copy files from it, just to it. Little did I know that file browser for buisness let’s you copy file to and from the sandisk USB / lightning memory key. And not just media, but any files.
Now with iOS 11 you can copy the file from the key to the “On my iPad” mapping and this seems to be a shared folder that most other apps use to let you import the files into the app that you copy into that directory.
So my only issue is a 2GB file now takes 1.5 minutes, not 10 seconds to copy onto the iPad.
From what I’ve read this has to do with the new lightning standard of 3.1 that uses faster speed, this is also what the USB 3.0 to lightning Apple adapter uses. But I guess sandisk is still using the slower 3.0 lightning.
I’ve notived a few other USB keys with USB 3.0 on one side, and lightning 3.1 for the other. I just don’t know what ones might still work with file browser for buisness. Because if it’s not compatible then I can’t copy the files onto the iPad.
Has anyone else tried any of the other lightning 3.1 /USB memory keys with file browser for buisness?
Or is this possibly a hardware issue and the 3.1 lightning keys will need more power, so you will get the power error if I try a faster one?
It might be a hardware limitation, to get the memory faster might need more power then the lightning port provides and maybe that’s why the memory is slower when using the lightning port. It fairly fast on the computer usb 3.0 port. Not the fastest I own, but much better then usb 2.0 high speed.
Either way, I guess maybe I shouldn’t complain. I can now copy files to and from the iPad Pro to the sandisk lightning USB key without the need for the Apple adapter or power. Take it from the iPad to any computer with usb and move the files onto the computer. Even rename the video files that don’t follow the standard naming format, and if I copy a video or photo from the sandisk lightning using file browser for buisness into the photo library it show up fine in the photo app.
Makes it a lot more mobile, less things to carry.
Well I hope some of this might help someone else.
Scott
Any way you can download iTunes content on to your iPad and Transfer it to an external hard drive? Would like to then be able to transfer iTunes content to and back if required directly or through streaming the content. I doubt this is possible but am looking to cut the cord with MacBook for this type of thing. Of course there is workarounds for current iTunes content bought but still relies upon a computer. Thanks.
By USB key you mean UB sticks??? Does it only work with the Sandisk one? I have an iDiskk 32 GB USB/lightning and also a leef Ibridge 128 GB stick... will those also work in the business Version?
I’m not sure, I thought about buying a Leef iBridge to try to since it looks like the sandisk version.
But when I mentioned JSB key for the video transferred under 10 second with the lightning to USB 3.0 Apple adapter, I did mean any USB key. But those only worked for video and photo importing with the Ohio Tod app.
The sandisk iXtend I think it’s called worked with the file browser business Version to copy Amy file back and forth. Just a little slower then the lightning 3.1 speeds since I think sandisk builds these with the 3.0 lightning. 3.1 lightning is based off of the USB C standard and this is why the new iPhone 8/8+, and iPads Pro 2017 versions are able to fast charge with USB C PD (Power Distribution) using the USB C to lightning cable and the usb C 29 watt MacBook Air power supply. Others have confirmed some other USB C hubs also work for less money on amazon but you have to read the reviews to see what one are following the USB C PD 2.0 or 3.0 standards and still need to buy the USB C to lightning cab,e from Apple to fast charge the 2017 IPad pros and iPhone 8’s.
Tech gets confusing, I know. Then Apple changes a standard thing like USB C PD 2.0 and call it lightning 3.1. But really is mostly the same thing. I guess they can do this since they helped create it with intel from the thunder port technology.
Scott
This is what I was wondering about. I I have both leef I ridge and an iDiskk stick. How did you get File Browser to recognize it? I tried plugging it in and clicking on network scan... that didn’t work. Did you somehow manually set it up? File Browser doesn’t have any sticks listed in the list when you try to add a new device... just wondering how you did it.
Are you transferring actual documents and files with the iDisk or just photos and videos?
I make heavy use of a Box account, which I would like to sync with a USB stick, and occasionally share files with students. Lately I’ve set up a public folder on Box and shared a link via email. That works fine, but sometimes a stick would be better.
Another stick option is the Meenova Dash-i:
http://www.meenova.com/st/p/dash_i.html
It's inexpensive as it uses microSD cards. Works great - I bought one for myself and my wife and put 256GB cards in each one (used a lot for video viewing).
Any file!!
I may switch to leef ibridge though as I found out I can use the WD My Passport Wireless Pro as a Hub. It has both SD and USB slots. When you plug a USB stick or SD card you can see the contents in the WD MyCloud app in its own directory under the Drive but I found out this also works INSIDE the File Browser app so FB is truly the all in one file management I needed! Only one problem. The leef ibridge works no problem and also any SD cards. But the iDiskk brand for some reason didn’t. It does see it but says there is some name issue with the stick. So I’d have to use the iDiskk always in its own app (hey it’s a cheap Chinese one lol). Whereas if I use the leef ibridge3 sticks, the WD My Passport Wireless Pro Drive AND File Browser both recognize it meaning I can dump the proprietary apps and use FB exclusively. Also transferring directly from USB stick to the Drive is much faster than doing it via WiFi.
My whole setup is now becoming more and more streamlined and home network-like
Both hubby and I are using the My Passport. Benefit of wireless.
Does the Files app recognize external HDDs? I'm waiting for Lightroom to add that kinda functionality. I should be able to edit RAW files off a networked RAID without having to copy them to the device itself. That's basically what I do on desktop.
No.
[doublepost=1506638786][/doublepost]
Any file!!
I may switch to leef ibridge though as I found out I can use the WD My Passport Wireless Pro as a Hub. It has both SD and USB slots. When you plug a USB stick or SD card you can see the contents in the WD MyCloud app in its own directory under the Drive but I found out this also works INSIDE the File Browser app so FB is truly the all in one file management I needed! Only one problem. The leef ibridge works no problem and also any SD cards. But the iDiskk brand for some reason didn’t. It does see it but says there is some name issue with the stick. So I’d have to use the iDiskk always in its own app (hey it’s a cheap Chinese one lol). Whereas if I use the leef ibridge3 sticks, the WD My Passport Wireless Pro Drive AND File Browser both recognize it meaning I can dump the proprietary apps and use FB exclusively. Also transferring directly from USB stick to the Drive is much faster than doing it via WiFi.
My whole setup is now becoming more and more streamlined and home network-like
I had tried the ibridge and went through a lot of issues with their support and finally got a refund. The Meenova Dash-i though works great. As for a wireless hub, I use the RAVPoer FileHub as it allows me to use any USB device with it - I usually use a 4TB WD My Passport HDD.
I think the only difference is, the My Passport Wireless Pro has the HD built in so you have to only have one device. It has the USB slot and SD slot also built in. It’s *supposed* to work with any USB devices... and it works with any generic USB sticks I have tried, other external HDD and SD cards. For the Lightning to USB sticks, I think it just doesn’t like that iDiskk brand for some reason, but those are a generic Chinese product (they work great with their own app though) but the My Passport Wireless Pro does work with Leef iBridge and Sandisk sticks with no issues. So basically the My Passport Wireless Pro is both a HDD and a Hub in one unit (and a portable battery charger for your phone and ipad as well, and it also works as a single WiFi connection as well, allowing multiple devices to connect to it, while it connects as a single device to the WiFi (good for those hotels etc that allow limited connections).
Definitely! Most wireless printers nowadays also have air print which makes it super easy. But any wireless printer will work thru your network.