Hello all. Thinking about buying my first iPad. I currently don’t have a computer and I don’t really need a lot of features a computer offers. I was thinking about getting an iPad Pro for fun also some productivity. I was just wondering how we’ll desktop sites run on the iPad Pro. That is the main thing I need from a computer itself is full websites. Otherwise I just want it for fun/the pencil for messing around. Would you guys recommend an iPad Pro for someone like me? Thanks guys.
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iPad Pro iPad Pro vs computer?
- Thread starter Davidhedge
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Hi, this topic has been discussed a few times. For fun, great, loads most sites (at least that I visit well) gams are ok, I'm not a hardcore gamer though. For productivity it depends what you are doing? I am currently traveling for work and left my MBA at home and I have been able to respond to emails, check attachments, minor MS office stuff. If you are a power office user, say pivot tables and such in excel the ipad is lacking. Thats my .02, there are some fantastic people on here who do some amazing things, I'm sure they will be along shortly!
I'm looking to see if Apple brings in kind of mouse support with iOS12 or the new iPad Pros. I would assume they could do it via software update that way the current iPad Pros would get it as well.
using a 12.9 ipad for web is the same experience (only better imo) as using any similarly sized computer
Wether an ipad can replace a computer is totally subjective depending on who you talk to. Right now in my life,
It has. I use it for all the things you mentioned and more...and i dont even have an ipad pro yet! So i would say yes, i believe in your case, an ipad pro could definitely suffice. But again, you can ask a hundred people, but in the end, only YOU can answer this question. The main thing you seemed concerned about is loading desktop versions of websites. I've never found this to be a problem, but i suggest you go to an Apple store, and see for yourself. The Apple store near where i live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan has tables set up with an ipad pro next to macbooks and macbook pros. You can load the same websites on both and compare them.
It has. I use it for all the things you mentioned and more...and i dont even have an ipad pro yet! So i would say yes, i believe in your case, an ipad pro could definitely suffice. But again, you can ask a hundred people, but in the end, only YOU can answer this question. The main thing you seemed concerned about is loading desktop versions of websites. I've never found this to be a problem, but i suggest you go to an Apple store, and see for yourself. The Apple store near where i live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan has tables set up with an ipad pro next to macbooks and macbook pros. You can load the same websites on both and compare them.
I’ve been able to use a full size Apple Extended BT keyboard. But then the iPad assumes all input will be from kB. Not nice. Also not everything is pen input friendly.
Rarely use my 2016 MacBook except banking with one site. Sometimes if I want to use Chrome, disappointed that the beta and dev builds are not available, they do have some improvements.
I tried the latest MS Surface Pro 2017 but then dealing with Win10 and not a great tablet, but is full desktop. The MacBook is not tablet but has great touchpad, easy to use mouse/kB and ~2lbs. For what 12” iPad Pro almost.
Rarely use my 2016 MacBook except banking with one site. Sometimes if I want to use Chrome, disappointed that the beta and dev builds are not available, they do have some improvements.
I tried the latest MS Surface Pro 2017 but then dealing with Win10 and not a great tablet, but is full desktop. The MacBook is not tablet but has great touchpad, easy to use mouse/kB and ~2lbs. For what 12” iPad Pro almost.
Given your requirements, desktop website surfing, I cannot recommend any iPad. Some site might not load at all (very, very few would do that), but many will have some features disabled or unavailable because of the mobile browser in the iPad.
On the iPad (or Android tablet for that matter), the web browsers don't support extensions, adblocking and tracker blocking are cumbersome.
For what you described, I'd recommend a 2-in-1 chromebook that supports an active stylus. With a chromebook you'll get a full desktop-strength browser AND with Android support, you'll have the capabilities for art, sketching, drawing, writing apps for use with the pen. For LESS the price of the iPad Pro alone, you could get something like the Samsung Chromebook Plus that includes the keyboard and S-Pen. Something to consider... you might do your research and determine that it's not a good fit for you, but at least you will have made an informed decision.
I always suggest purchasing a laptop first and having the iPad as a supplementary device. I don’t do a lot of gaming, video editing, photo editing, etc. I’ve always been more “productive” when I needed to using a laptop. Selecting/highlighting text, multitasking, mouse support, USB-C connection for any peripherals, easier to use on laptop.
It really is preference. I also like to think of a laptop (or desktop - Mac OS) as the “home base,” of my ecosystem. I’m comfortable with the 256GB of storage and house all of my photos, videos, music, etc. on here and distribute it to my iPad and iPhone accordingly. Born in the early 90s so that probably has something to do w/ it.
It really is preference. I also like to think of a laptop (or desktop - Mac OS) as the “home base,” of my ecosystem. I’m comfortable with the 256GB of storage and house all of my photos, videos, music, etc. on here and distribute it to my iPad and iPhone accordingly. Born in the early 90s so that probably has something to do w/ it.
Full website experience, the iPad works fine on most sites. Still, I do encounter the occasional site here and there that are hard coded for mouse navigation that I still need a PC for.
Just got me a iPad Pro 10.5 and I'm the one who at least in the past couple years went against Apple. As a tablet, it works...but its not a laptop or computer replacement at all. I don't care how you see it but I do like having multiple devices and I needed at least one Apple Product to keep me out of the blue and stop the threats I get from people on this forum. Full websites or hit or miss on a ipad but its good enough. I browse better on a chromebook honestly.
iPads works fine on most websites, sure, but you will eventually run across some that require a desktop browser, and unfortunately many times those sites are the important government or financial sites, as those big organizations are slow to adopt modern tech. So for your case, I have to agree with those advising against iPad if it’s to be your only device, and if access to all websites is your main requirement. Go laptop.
An iPad Pro can be a replacement laptop or computer for some people. For myself, it's a replacement laptop, while my 5yo MacBook Pro is now a replacement desktop. Most of my personal computing needs are performed on my iPad now, while my MacBook still hangs around to handle iPad backups for myself and my family, convert video for our iPads, backup photos and store files on external media. I am a programmer, but use a work provided laptop for that. Some extended family members of mine use an iPad as their sole computer, but I am the technical go to family member and I'm the one who needs the laptop to help them with their iPads from time to time, so I'd probably always have a Mac of some kind. For now, my MacBook Pro still performs, but when I upgrade it, I might go with a desktop version rather than a laptop since it no longer needs to be portable.
Thanks for all the replies guys! I went ahead and order the 10.5 Pro last night. I’m pretty pumped and have high hopes iOS 12 makes it almost a computer replacement.
To be honest I haven’t seen any website that doesn’t work on an iPad for many month. Except Google Music, where you need a desktop if you want to unsubscribe.
I don’t use my laptop anymore, only switch it on for printing, as my printer has no wifi.
The iPad can be used as a replacement for a computer as long as you don’t need mouse support. Everything that needs a mouse sucks on the iPad.
I don’t think mouse support will ever come to the iPad, as 99% of all MacBook users would have no reason left to buy one anymore.
I don’t use my laptop anymore, only switch it on for printing, as my printer has no wifi.
The iPad can be used as a replacement for a computer as long as you don’t need mouse support. Everything that needs a mouse sucks on the iPad.
I don’t think mouse support will ever come to the iPad, as 99% of all MacBook users would have no reason left to buy one anymore.
You won’t regret it. It’s a wonderful device and even if you rare situations you need a PC (Win or Mac), it is a lot better, efficient and modern to do things “differently”. At least that is how I feel with my iPad on 80% on my work and personal life.
With my 10.5 Pro, I’ve gradually migrated from my MacBook Air, and my 10.5 is now my preferred device. As one of the other posters mentioned, there are occasionally sites that don’t work well, but for the most part I can do everything I want. As websites get updated to be more mobile friendly, I think it’s only a matter of time when there will no longer be any issues.
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In my experience, most websites that don’t play well with the iPad offer an iPad app instead. The iPad is the best selling computer in the world, so no major company is going to want their website or services to be blocked from such a large percentage of the public.
When I used a MacBook as my main computer, I had installed Firefox as a secondary browser for those occasional websites that didn’t play well with Safari. With the iPad Pro now as my main computer, I have not found the need to install a second browser. The few sites I need to access that do not play well with Safari have apps. And whenever there is an app, you will most likely want to use it instead of a website anyway as they are usually more functional.
When I used a MacBook as my main computer, I had installed Firefox as a secondary browser for those occasional websites that didn’t play well with Safari. With the iPad Pro now as my main computer, I have not found the need to install a second browser. The few sites I need to access that do not play well with Safari have apps. And whenever there is an app, you will most likely want to use it instead of a website anyway as they are usually more functional.
That is all you should expect from an iPad Pro, 75% Fun and 25% Productivity usage.It is a great Media Consumption device, but productivity, it has its limitations. For me as of this date nothing can replace a Computer. If you think you need a fancy, luxury device which can be fun to use for web surfing, watching videos, photos, games iPad will keep you glued all day long. But for serious productivity work nothing can beat a computer. Period !!
I'd second this post. I don't use Google's apps, but using their web based tools (logging in from the web) in iOS11 has been atrocious. I do not use too many apps across the board, so anything I cannot do (and that's a lot in Blogger), I just log into my iMac.
I pretty much use my iPad Pro for drawing, PDF reading and mark up and light web surfing. I know some use their iPPs as their main computer which is great, but I think @sracer gives some good advice here in regards to a 2-in-1.
“Android tablet for that matter, the web browsers don't support extensions, adblocking and tracker blocking are cumbersome.”
AdGuard.com is good on Android, and Samsung Internet supports 5 extensions like ad blockers. I was turned on to it here. And it is fast, not bothered by junk. Better than Chrome. Samsung S3 tablet $500 includes pen.
It’s not like when sites required Internet Explorer. Without examples it’s shooting in the dark, anyone’s guess.
iOS Safari has limited support for extensions but doesn’t extend to 3rd party browsers.
AdGuard.com is good on Android, and Samsung Internet supports 5 extensions like ad blockers. I was turned on to it here. And it is fast, not bothered by junk. Better than Chrome. Samsung S3 tablet $500 includes pen.
It’s not like when sites required Internet Explorer. Without examples it’s shooting in the dark, anyone’s guess.
iOS Safari has limited support for extensions but doesn’t extend to 3rd party browsers.
I have 2 iPad Pro (one for me and one for my wife) and two 2017 iPad 9.7 inch.
I setup my iPad Pro like how I setup my computer. I have a wired keyboard attached with the lightning to USB adaptor for better keyboard experience (I liked wired keyboard).
Web experience is awesome with iPad. I don’t have problem Safari. I do have backup browser installed on my iPad if there is any problem. If I need desktop site, i can always user request desktop site feature. I just want Safari extensions.
I also use my iPad view PDFs, taking notes, listen to audio lectures etc. Using Google Doc and Google Drive for back up purposes. Gmail works great with iOS as well.
I still wish there is trackpad or mouse support. I need something that allows me scroll up and down, select text without need left my arm and operate with screen.
I setup my iPad Pro like how I setup my computer. I have a wired keyboard attached with the lightning to USB adaptor for better keyboard experience (I liked wired keyboard).
Web experience is awesome with iPad. I don’t have problem Safari. I do have backup browser installed on my iPad if there is any problem. If I need desktop site, i can always user request desktop site feature. I just want Safari extensions.
I also use my iPad view PDFs, taking notes, listen to audio lectures etc. Using Google Doc and Google Drive for back up purposes. Gmail works great with iOS as well.
I still wish there is trackpad or mouse support. I need something that allows me scroll up and down, select text without need left my arm and operate with screen.
I’ve used a 12.9 as my computer since November—sold my MBP because I wasn’t using it. 99.9% of the time I use Safari for websites. Occasionally I select the desktop version when I need to. For the very rare website where I can’t get the desktop version to work, I use Puffin.
With regard to mouse support, I wasn’t sure whether I’d miss that, but it turns out I don’t. Basically, when I got the IPP, I took a couple days to look more closely at iOS 11 features that I hadn’t really been using, keyboard shortcuts, etc. It didn’t take long to get used to a new way of doing things.
With regard to mouse support, I wasn’t sure whether I’d miss that, but it turns out I don’t. Basically, when I got the IPP, I took a couple days to look more closely at iOS 11 features that I hadn’t really been using, keyboard shortcuts, etc. It didn’t take long to get used to a new way of doing things.
Why do you even use an iPad when all you want to do is laptop type work? It is definitely a lower level user experience if desktop type setup is what you need.
I’ve been giving my 12.9” iPad Pro an honest effort lately to see how it compares to my MacBook Pro for most tasks. Video editing is something that I only do in MacOS, but aside from that I can do most things on my IPP...but it’s not quite the same.
Some things I’ve noticed that annoy me are webpages with dead links, keyboard lag, and multitasking issues, especially since I listen to music a lot in the background.
I use keyboard shortcuts often, which is one reason the touch bar on the MBP is 99% worthless to me despite giving it a chance. It’s just faster to use keyboard shortcuts. I type around 110 wpm, or so, but on that butterfly thing I can’t even get over 95 and have errors. On the IPP I use the Magic Keyboard and find that there is lag when I try to tab between apps and open stuff with spotlight (or whatever it’s called on the IPP). I can still get stuff done it just takes some getting used to.
What I really like about the IPP is having a Safari window and YouTube or music in a window next to it so I can browse the MR forums and listen to my synthwave. What I don’t like is switching to another app and the music stops on YouTube. What is more maddening is having music stop when I open some page with videos. Maybe there’s a way to avoid that and I don’t know about it.
It’s not the same experience for me but I can still make it work. In short my opinion of the 12.9” IPP is that I love it. Sure, I can’t use my 6 spaces like in MacOS and fly around them like I’m used to, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s a different tool and I’ll adapt to using it differently.
I love the pencil and use it to write at meetings and sketch out ideas for sets or scenes, or whatever I need.
I’ve submitted some of the quirks and feature suggestions to Apple and I’d suggest if you have any to do the same since they do actually read that stuff.
Some things I’ve noticed that annoy me are webpages with dead links, keyboard lag, and multitasking issues, especially since I listen to music a lot in the background.
I use keyboard shortcuts often, which is one reason the touch bar on the MBP is 99% worthless to me despite giving it a chance. It’s just faster to use keyboard shortcuts. I type around 110 wpm, or so, but on that butterfly thing I can’t even get over 95 and have errors. On the IPP I use the Magic Keyboard and find that there is lag when I try to tab between apps and open stuff with spotlight (or whatever it’s called on the IPP). I can still get stuff done it just takes some getting used to.
What I really like about the IPP is having a Safari window and YouTube or music in a window next to it so I can browse the MR forums and listen to my synthwave. What I don’t like is switching to another app and the music stops on YouTube. What is more maddening is having music stop when I open some page with videos. Maybe there’s a way to avoid that and I don’t know about it.
It’s not the same experience for me but I can still make it work. In short my opinion of the 12.9” IPP is that I love it. Sure, I can’t use my 6 spaces like in MacOS and fly around them like I’m used to, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s a different tool and I’ll adapt to using it differently.
I love the pencil and use it to write at meetings and sketch out ideas for sets or scenes, or whatever I need.
I’ve submitted some of the quirks and feature suggestions to Apple and I’d suggest if you have any to do the same since they do actually read that stuff.