iPad iPad Pro Going Back to MacBook Pro

[vi2867]

I purchased the iPad 11 M5 to replace my MacBook Air 13 M4. I thought with the new updates in iPad OS 26, we can now use the iPad with an extended monitor. I have had a hard time using Apps on the extended screen. The experience is very frustrating. I thought I can work through the challenges, but I just do not like the experience. I am a casual user now, but I want a great experience. I do not want to be fiddling around trying to make an app work on another screen and realize it just does not work. I am pretty sure it is not the iPad hardware that is limited. I think the main cause are the Apps and the current OS. Unfortunately, it is still a problem for me. I’ll continue to use my iPad as a casual device and the MacBook for core things I do.

I am planning to buy the MacBook Pro 14 M5 with Nano texture. I wonder if other people have tried using iPad as main device and eventually have to go back to a MacBook.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I think a quick search of the forums here will find many, many people who tried to use the iPad as their main device only to run into OS limitations and frustrations that eventually pushed them back to a Mac or PC. Apple’s marketing has always been ahead of the actual capabilities of iPadOS. While version 26 has improved the situation, at the end of the day, it is still an OS that was based on the original iPhone OS and comes with an inherent set of limitations and behaviors as a result.

It all depends on what you use your computer for. For those who mainly do web browsing/media watching/social media, iPadOS has been more than fine for several years. There is a middle group for whom it is possible to get their work done on an iPad, but the limitations of iPadOS make doing a task harder than it would have been on a Mac. It comes down to personal preference in that case. Then, there is a third group that relies on specialized software that isn’t available on an iPad or requires more computing resources than an iPad Pro can provide. The iPad is obviously a non-starter as a main computer for that group.

I have accepted some time ago that my iPad will always be a sidekick device to my work laptop and personal Mac. It excels for taking handwritten notes (that I can then search later) and also can get light office tasks (email, messaging, light document review and editing) done really efficiently when connected to a keyboard. For anything more, I want my Mac or work laptop. I can probably do more on my iPad, but it inevitably is more difficult than just using a more full featured computer.

 

[vi2867]

You’re so right.

I was working on a numbers spreadsheet, and I was trying to delete a column. I highlighted the column and pressed delete. It just would not delete. Finally, I did research and found out I had to touch the column header and select delete with my finger. This is great, buy why can’t iPad OS do both.

 

[AlumaMac]

I work from home so I tried to use an 12" iPad Pro to allow me to do some work while not at my desktop computer. After 18 months I finally gave up because of all the limitations and workarounds required to accomplish even basic tasks. I sold it and bought a MBP....haven't missed it.

 

[ScanTheNavian]

The iPad is excellent as a comfortable document reader combined with the functionality of a small and slick laptop you only use for simpler apps and web-based stuff like Chrome. Anything beyond that is like trying to fit a donkey into your KIA.

 

[CSAppleFan]

I have tried this before too and went back to a Mac as my main device. There are always weird limitations like not being able to open a PDF from my mortgage company….why?

It is a great companion device. I use it a lot for work…note taking, answering emails, etc.

 

[Meedoss]

I purchased the iPad 11 M5 to replace my MacBook Air 13 M4. I thought with the new updates in iPad OS 26, we can now use the iPad with an extended monitor. I have had a hard time using Apps on the extended screen. The experience is very frustrating. I thought I can work through the challenges, but I just do not like the experience. I am a casual user now, but I want a great experience. I do not want to be fiddling around trying to make an app work on another screen and realize it just does not work. I am pretty sure it is not the iPad hardware that is limited. I think the main cause are the Apps and the current OS. Unfortunately, it is still a problem for me. I’ll continue to use my iPad as a casual device and the MacBook for core things I do.

I am planning to buy the MacBook Pro 14 M5 with Nano texture. I wonder if other people have tried using iPad as main device and eventually have to go back to a MacBook.

100% I have just been through this, read my post on last few pages here, they don't agree though lol big iPad defenders. Was even abused and they are now suspended, good start to new year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-as-a-laptop-replacement.1937134/page-344

 

[Meedoss]

I am planning to buy the MacBook Pro 14 M5 with Nano texture. I wonder if other people have tried using iPad as main device and eventually have to go back to a MacBook.

I have a ASD been using with a MacBook Air 15" M4, got a new iPad and tried for a week with it but nope.
so got a Mac mini M4 and will sell the MacBook Air.
iPad is a great consumption device around the house etc but not a desktop replacement even with apple's big screen.
Very frustrating.

 

[PlayUltimate]

You’re so right.

I was working on a numbers spreadsheet, and I was trying to delete a column. I highlighted the column and pressed delete. It just would not delete. Finally, I did research and found out I had to touch the column header and select delete with my finger. This is great, buy why can’t iPad OS do both.

IMO, spreadsheets are awful on any mobile device.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Most of the time problems arise when people (generally speaking) try and make the iPad Pro a Mac with the same actions and abilities. In my opinion, that is setting yourself up for a lot of needless frustration. Treat the iPad as an iPad and there will be a lot less trouble.

To a lesser extent, some of the frustration is simply caused by some apps not designed for dual screen / cross platform use.

 

[Nikhil72]

It’s funny. Because my professional workflow is iPad OS first, when I try and use my Mac to get my work done, I run into so many frustration points I quickly retreat back to my iPad Pro. Same experience but in reverse.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I tried it with M1 iPad Pro for a while, but there’s Mac software I can’t replace on iPad. I tried all manner of using or remoting into my Mac mini but finally threw in the towel & got a MacBook.

 

[leifp]

My workflow and that of the iPad are insufficiently compatible. I wanted to reduce the encumbrance of travelling with a 16” MBPro but instead all I feel half the time is supreme frustration. Lesson learned. Finally… been trying this trick since the OG iPad!

For those who can succeed at it, through perseverance or compatible workflow: congrats!

 

[NastyMatt]

Most of the time problems arise when people (generally speaking) try and make the iPad Pro a Mac with the same actions and abilities. In my opinion, that is setting yourself up for a lot of needless frustration. Treat the iPad as an iPad and there will be a lot less trouble.

To a lesser extent, some of the frustration is simply caused by some apps not designed for dual screen / cross platform use.

That is exactly my findings when I first trialed the iPad Pro 2020 for work. My conclusion was we should not use them, yes, it could work and fulfil our requirements but I just knew that as some things are a different sequence it would just cause too many headaches for people. A lack of professional curiosity.

e.g. the OP’s deleting columns, it’s right click on the column/row to bring up other options. To me that is simple but because it’s “different” people will complain.

I had someone complain about using Google Mail because the dustbin icon was too close to the browser edge (and yes, they were accidentally deleting emails) so using a new OS….. no chance.

 

[cjsuk]

iPad is good for staring at films on and mediocre at writing on. Everything else it's terrible at. I really have to wonder how people think it's a good idea as a laptop replacement in the first place.

My own way of finding this out was travelling with an iPad Pro for a week. My god it was pain and misery. I threw away every useful years old skill I had to pick up substandard ways of doing everything to lose 1kg of weight, which I wouldn't have even noticed anyway. Decided not to bother carrying anything but a phone when travelling now. Read a (real actual) book or listen to music on the plane instead.

 

[Kal Madda]

It’s funny. Because my professional workflow is iPad OS first, when I try and use my Mac to get my work done, I run into so many frustration points I quickly retreat back to my iPad Pro. Same experience but in reverse.

Same here. 👍🏻.

 

[maflynn]

Laptops have a number of advantages over a tablet. While there are people successfully transitioned over to a tablet, I think they're largely in the minority.

 

[Kal Madda]

Laptops have a number of advantages over a tablet. While there are people successfully transitioned over to a tablet, I think they're largely in the minority.

And tablets have a number of advantages over a laptop… It depends on one’s needs and preferences. I have absolutely nothing against those who prefer laptops over tablets. But many of us prefer the iPad over the Mac for very good reasons too. 🙂👍🏻

 

[Kal Madda]

100% I have just been through this, read my post on last few pages here, they don't agree though lol big iPad defenders. Was even abused and they are now suspended, good start to new year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-as-a-laptop-replacement.1937134/page-344

And as people were saying in that thread, nobody is saying you’re wrong for having your opinion/preferences. Different people have different opinions and preferences. That’s completely to be expected. Just because people disagree and push back against your opinions stated as if they’re universal truths doesn’t mean people don’t respect your opinion. I respect your opinion as just that, an opinion…

Call me a “big iPad defender” if you want, but the fact of the matter is, for me, the iPad suits my needs, preferences, etc. better than a Mac. I don’t hate the Mac, but it just isn’t as good for my use case and preferences. That’s my opinion/preference. The iPad is better for my workflow, that doesn’t mean it’s better for everyone’s workflow. Just as the Mac being better for some people’s workflow doesn’t mean it’s better for everyone’s workflow.

The issue people repeatedly pointed out in that thread wasn’t your opinion. I have nothing against you or your opinion and I respect your opinion. The problem people took issue with in that thread (myself included), was that you were speaking as if your opinion/experience were universal truth, as if it were the only “correct” opinion. It isn’t. Many people have different experiences/opinions than you. This is a highly subjective issue, there is no “correct” opinion here in terms of whether the Mac or iPad is better for everyone… Because different people have different needs and preferences that will factor into their decisions…

People just didn’t agree with your opinion, didn’t agree that your opinion was some kind of universal truth, and said as much…

 

[one more]

It all depends on your workflow and priorities. iPad is essentially a large iPhone with much improved multitasking.

I can do about 95% of my computing tasks on it and really enjoy its compact profile and virtual on-screen keyboard, as I need to use three different languages with different alphabets. I also travel for work and like to keep my work bag as light as possible, so it checks all of my boxes.

Occasionally I do boot up my old MBP to flush the iOS or iPadOS installation with IPSW files or to just to tweak my WP site quickly, however this is very rare.

 

[sparksd]

iPad is good for staring at films on and mediocre at writing on. Everything else it's terrible at. I really have to wonder how people think it's a good idea as a laptop replacement in the first place.

My own way of finding this out was travelling with an iPad Pro for a week. My god it was pain and misery. I threw away every useful years old skill I had to pick up substandard ways of doing everything to lose 1kg of weight, which I wouldn't have even noticed anyway. Decided not to bother carrying anything but a phone when travelling now. Read a (real actual) book or listen to music on the plane instead.

Guess the iPad just isn't the device for you.

 

[Nikhil72]

iPad is good for staring at films on and mediocre at writing on. Everything else it's terrible at. I really have to wonder how people think it's a good idea as a laptop replacement in the first place.

My own way of finding this out was travelling with an iPad Pro for a week. My god it was pain and misery. I threw away every useful years old skill I had to pick up substandard ways of doing everything to lose 1kg of weight, which I wouldn't have even noticed anyway. Decided not to bother carrying anything but a phone when travelling now. Read a (real actual) book or listen to music on the plane instead.

My MacBook is booted up once monthly. I’m a healthcare worker and all my work is done on my iPad, and consuming and reading medical journal articles and taking notes is much more pleasant on my iPad than on a laptop. I edit my raw photos on my iPad as well. I don’t edit video, I don’t code, I don’t work with spreadsheets. My bet is there are plenty of folks for whom the iPad is more than enough for their professional endeavors and whenever someone tries to minimize that utility case, it’s incredibly myopic in my estimation.

 

[Kal Madda]

Things like this are highly subjective and dependent on personal preference/needs. For some, the Mac will better suite their preferences/needs, and for others, the iPad will better suite their preferences/needs. Much like with any other computer comparison, like Mac vs Windows, or laptop vs desktop… All computers have pluses and minuses, and individuals will have to decide which balance of pluses and minuses works best for them. 🙂👍🏻

For me, I heavily prefer the iPad and iPadOS over a Mac and macOS for my workflow. Part of this is just abilities the iPad provides that the Mac doesn’t so much, like Apple Pencil support. I do graphic design and digital art work, so the iPad with Apple Pencil support and many digital art and graphic design apps that are either only available on the iPad and not on the Mac, or that are better on the iPad makes it more compelling for my use-case on that front. But for me, it also goes deeper than that. Even if Apple added those things onto a Mac, I would still prefer the iPad and iPadOS. I have nothing against macOS, it’s not that I hate it or anything, but iPadOS and the way it handles some of these things is just so much more efficient for many of my workflows.

I also find myself hardly ever using my M1 Mac Mini. I do have it, but when I want to work at my desk, I nearly always use my iPad docked rather than bothering with it. This has been the case for a while, though some of the changes in macOS 26 like the removal of the Launchpad have pushed me even further away from wanting to use the Mac. It’s getting to the point where when my Mac Mini drops off support, I am seriously considering replacing it with another iPad in addition to my portable one, and just keep it docked there as a “desk iPad” for the occasions I forget my portable iPad, and want to do something real quick at my desk. We’ll see, I do like macOS and tinkering with it occasionally, but at this point, my Mac Mini isn’t providing any mission critical utility for my workflow.

But that’s my preferences and opinion. Others disagree, and I fully respect that. Because as I said, there is no “correct” opinion on a matter like this that is very subjective and individual preference/need based… 👍🏻🙂

 

[thmsnt]

I too have tried the replace-a-computer-with-iPad experiment and came right back to using a MacBook.

Now I just alternate between my Mac and iPhone, and life is easy and smooth.

 

[jagooch]

I purchased the iPad 11 M5 to replace my MacBook Air 13 M4. I thought with the new updates in iPad OS 26, we can now use the iPad with an extended monitor. I have had a hard time using Apps on the extended screen. The experience is very frustrating. I thought I can work through the challenges, but I just do not like the experience. I am a casual user now, but I want a great experience. I do not want to be fiddling around trying to make an app work on another screen and realize it just does not work. I am pretty sure it is not the iPad hardware that is limited. I think the main cause are the Apps and the current OS. Unfortunately, it is still a problem for me. I’ll continue to use my iPad as a casual device and the MacBook for core things I do.

I am planning to buy the MacBook Pro 14 M5 with Nano texture. I wonder if other people have tried using iPad as main device and eventually have to go back to a MacBook.

I played around with it a few times, but I always come back to my Macbook. I do a lot of command line work and programming, so the iPad is a non-starter for me.

It is a great consumption device , and I use it daily for playing youtube videos and podcasts...mostly youtube videos.