iPad Pro as Mac Replacement

[Brammy]

I am not sure it will ever work in your profession. I know you likely need certain formats, but have you ever tried some iPad alternatives for the software you mentioned?

I'm in the same boat as him. Even the best cases only get about 20% there:

• Photoshop: Affinity Photo is pretty good for this.
• In Design: Until Affinity releases Publisher for the iPad, there is no Indesign-style app that does what we need. They haven't even released the macOS app so this is a long road
• Sketchup: no suitable replacement. Format 360 does some of it, but not all of it, and if you need those formats you're out of luck
• CAD: As I mentioned in my post, AutoCad mobile isn't a production-quality app. It's just good for noting documents in the field.

 

[DNichter]

I'm in the same boat as him. Even the best cases only get about 20% there:

• Photoshop: Affinity Photo is pretty good for this.
• In Design: Until Affinity releases Publisher for the iPad, there is no Indesign-style app that does what we need. They haven't even released the macOS app so this is a long road
• Sketchup: no suitable replacement. Format 360 does some of it, but not all of it, and if you need those formats you're out of luck
• CAD: As I mentioned in my post, AutoCad mobile isn't a production-quality app. It's just good for noting documents in the field.

Yea I was looking some up, but Affinity was the only one I felt was good enough for your use. I think the examples you are looking for aren't too far off though. The power is there, it just comes down to developers. I think the merging of the app stores and the tools Apple provides with iOS 12 should help make this push for everyone. Thankfully, we aren't too far off.

 

[jmarttu24]

I am not sure it will ever work in your profession. I know you likely need certain formats, but have you ever tried some iPad alternatives for the software you mentioned? A lot are just as capable, but just a bit different, and much more cost effective. I agree though, the software has to come. I would bet that Apple is working on creating iOS versions of some of their more full features apps such as X Code and Final Cut, that could potentially jump start what you are looking for. Unfortunately, I don't see any merging in the future. They will likely build on the strong foundation iOS 11 brought and keep adding more and more desktop-like features.

I haven't tried an alternative yet. To be honest I haven't even looked. I think I am going to end up buying the new iPad pro when they come out later this year. I'm sure there is an app that works side by side with photoshop and InDesign on a desktop. That's mainly the big one for me. I do a lot of renderings and if I could have the ability to add hand graphics using the tablet then I would be sold immediately.

 

[Brammy]

I haven't tried an alternative yet. To be honest I haven't even looked. I think I am going to end up buying the new iPad pro when they come out later this year. I'm sure there is an app that works side by side with photoshop and InDesign on a desktop. That's mainly the big one for me. I do a lot of renderings and if I could have the ability to add hand graphics using the tablet then I would be sold immediately.

Depending on what you need, Affinity Photo and Procreate might do the trick. Depends on the renderings and how you do them.

What’s going to be a problem is any sort of library you use, like AutoCad blocks.

 

[The Game 161]

I think I could get away with having my iPad Pro as my computer but I just enjoy the laptop experience too much

I think my

iPhone X
MacBook Pro
iPad Pro 10.5

Works perfectly for my needs

 

[DNichter]

I think I could get away with having my iPad Pro as my computer but I just enjoy the laptop experience too much

I think my

iPhone X
MacBook Pro
iPad Pro 10.5

Works perfectly for my needs

Yea I am certainly not saying it needs to work for everyone, just that it can. There is always this negative vibe across the forums when it comes to those who use an iPad as their main computer and I was trying to bring together a group that does and share some workflow ideas. It's great we have choices and I say - use what works for you.

 

[Brammy]

I’m going to keep pushing the boundaries of architectural drawing on the iPad. Graphic can do scale drawings, but not with the accuracy of AutoCad. Even a few changes to AutoCad, like being able to copy and paste elements from one drawing to another would help with this.

 

[The Game 161]

Yea I am certainly not saying it needs to work for everyone, just that it can. There is always this negative vibe across the forums when it comes to those who use an iPad as their main computer and I was trying to bring together a group that does and share some workflow ideas. It's great we have choices and I say - use what works for you.

I tried it by selling my MacBook Pro and getting the iPad Pro 12.9 as my computer but felt I couldn’t take the 12.9 iPad to work like I can with the 10.5 and wanted a bigger screen for at home and to do certain tasks

 

[DNichter]

I tried it by selling my MacBook Pro and getting the iPad Pro 12.9 as my computer but felt I couldn’t take the 12.9 iPad to work like I can with the 10.5 and wanted a bigger screen for at home and to do certain tasks

Yea I tried the 12.9 for a week and just couldn't do it. To me, it's a much better device for use on a desk, where the 10.5 can be both. Tradeoffs for sure.

 

[eVolcre]

I hope they continue to make Intel based Macs for a while, as iPad Pros may be good enough for some creative and design people, but there is nothing like a desktop Mac in my opinion. I really like the new iMac Pro. I hope they also release an updated "Mac Pro" desktop unit soon.

I’d still love an iMac as a desktop. It’s iconic. iPads keep adding functionality and let’s face it there really is no competition in the field. Laptops , however, there is no real innovation coming out of Apple. Sure some of the windows addons are gimmicky but they’re trying. Hybrids, convertibles, screens they are seriously pushing the envelope. I can go back and forth between operating systems quite easily. With my files in the cloud all I really live in is what? Browser, office, mail? A year ago my trusty 11” MacBook Air was getting long in the tooth but this time NOTHING from Apple interested me. It was boring. Ended up going with a thinkpad yoga 260 and it’s been quite brilliant.

I still have a desktop Mac, iPhone (but I also carry a blackberry) watch etc and the thinkpad has been a good buy.


I’m done with that too very soon. Tired of tinkering and now just want things to work get my job done and let me have fun. iPad Pro will be my next portable machine and I’m looking forward to it. Simple for writing , seems like I can make my YouTube channel videos even easier on it. I like the digital notepad idea (though I’m pretty sure I’ll still carry a moleskine) and is use it even more than my current thinkpad.

Less devices simplify life and get offline more. In a year like the poster above I can totally see myself downsize even more and just keep one iMac , one iPad Pro and one phone. I’m past the age of tinkering and being a techie ‍

 

[masotime]

It may replace a MacBook, but it's not going to replace an iMac. The screen is way too small - expectation of any desktop computer is at least 27" IMO. 12.9", even at 4:3 ratio, is going to have more than double the area of the iPad Pro.

 

[DNichter]

It may replace a MacBook, but it's not going to replace an iMac. The screen is way too small - expectation of any desktop computer is at least 27" IMO. 12.9", even at 4:3 ratio, is going to have more than double the area of the iPad Pro.

Well yea, if you have the need for a large screen, it won't work. It ultimately just depends on the user.

 

[Synergie]

Well yea, if you have the need for a large screen, it won't work. It ultimately just depends on the user.

Well except that you can get a lightning to HDMI connector and connect to a larger screen when the need arises, while still having the portability when you want it.

 

[canesalato]

2. Keyboard? I’ve tried the magic keyboard and man, not sure I can get used to it. That’s the deal maker. I even picked up a thinkpad yoga as my main writing machine JUST for the keyboard. I’m reading good things about the zagg slim book. What do you use ?

Thanks in advance

I hate the magic keyboard but the old apple wireless keyboard is pretty good for me =)

 

[eVolcre]

I hate the magic keyboard but the old apple wireless keyboard is pretty good for me =)

I actually meant the Smart Keyboard not magic. That little flimsy thing paired with an iPad Pro. Can’t imagine typing more than 300 words on it.

If I go this route I’ll have to go with the IPP 10.5 and add the zagg slim book and simply deal with the bulk. If Apple actually made a semi decent backlit Smart Keyboard that was portable I could see myself dealing with the 12.9. Thing is with a good external kb the 12.9 simply becomes too large and heavy. At that point I’d rather get a laptop.

 

[canesalato]

I actually meant the Smart Keyboard not magic. That little flimsy thing paired with an iPad Pro. Can’t imagine typing more than 300 words on it.

If I go this route I’ll have to go with the IPP 10.5 and add the zagg slim book and simply deal with the bulk. If Apple actually made a semi decent backlit Smart Keyboard that was portable I could see myself dealing with the 12.9. Thing is with a good external kb the 12.9 simply becomes too large and heavy. At that point I’d rather get a laptop.

makes sense. That's why I use the apple bluetooth keyboard with my Pro. I only bring it with me when needed. Sometimes I leave it at my desk in the office, so that it's ready when I go there. It gives a lot of flexibility that a normal bulky keyboard case cannot have.

 

[DNichter]

Well except that you can get a lightning to HDMI connector and connect to a larger screen when the need arises, while still having the portability when you want it.

Didn’t even know this existed. Thanks!

 

[canesalato]

Didn’t even know this existed. Thanks!

Uhmmm...kinda. It’s just mirroring and just 1080p...not really amazing. Good enough for a presentation, but not much more, at least in my opinion. Once more I think lightning is the real hardware limit of the iPad pro.

 

[DNichter]

Uhmmm...kinda. It’s just mirroring and just 1080p...not really amazing. Good enough for a presentation, but not much more, at least in my opinion. Once more I think lightning is the real hardware limit of the iPad pro.

Yea that’s a good point. I likely wouldn’t find much use for it anyway. If I want to mirror, I’ll just use AirPlay.

 

[Brammy]

So, I tried doing some architectural drawing on my iPad. It didn't really go very well. I'm working on a longer blog post about it, but here are the highlights:

• AutoCAD mobile is too limited. I can do some work on it, but not all of what I'd need to create a basic drawing. The biggest limits are:
  • I don't have all the drawing tools I need, like chamfer. They are actually pretty good with offset, trim and extend which are the bare minimum.
  • It cannot create blocks (grouped elements). It can understand them if the drawing already has them, but I cannot create them
  • I cannot copy elements from another drawing into the current drawing.
  • I can't adjust any layer properties for line weights and line types. Again, it does support them if the drawing exists.
  • I cannot move the drawing around the Layout Viewport where you lay out how the drawing will look when printed.
• Using Graphic I was able to create a floor plan that didn't completely offend my sense of elegance, but Graphic isn't made for the type of precision cad drawings need. I got there, but there was a lot of aggravation.

Until AutoCAD makes some improvements, CAD just isn't feasible for production work on an iPad. It's just an area right now I have to use my Mac.

 

[subjonas]

So, I tried doing some architectural drawing on my iPad. It didn't really go very well. I'm working on a longer blog post about it, but here are the highlights:

• AutoCAD mobile is too limited. I can do some work on it, but not all of what I'd need to create a basic drawing. The biggest limits are:
  • I don't have all the drawing tools I need, like chamfer. They are actually pretty good with offset, trim and extend which are the bare minimum.
  • It cannot create blocks (grouped elements). It can understand them if the drawing already has them, but I cannot create them
  • I cannot copy elements from another drawing into the current drawing.
  • I can't adjust any layer properties for line weights and line types. Again, it does support them if the drawing exists.
  • I cannot move the drawing around the Layout Viewport where you lay out how the drawing will look when printed.
• Using Graphic I was able to create a floor plan that didn't completely offend my sense of elegance, but Graphic isn't made for the type of precision cad drawings need. I got there, but there was a lot of aggravation.

Until AutoCAD makes some improvements, CAD just isn't feasible for production work on an iPad. It's just an area right now I have to use my Mac.

Thanks for the in-depth breakdown. Interesting to note.

iPad apps haven’t made any inroads into professional animation either. There are some very elementary 2D animation and storyboard apps—for entertainment and hobbyists. And last I checked there were no CG animation apps at all. Animation film/tv production software requires a lot of hardware power, sometimes more than Apple even offers in their MacBook Pros, so I don’t think I’ll be able to use an iPad exclusively for work for a long time, if ever. But for now it makes a great supplementary device.