iPad Pro: will it work for me?

[wayland1985]

My 2008 MBP has been collecting dust in my basement.

I use it once in a blue-moon when I need to type long emails, or print something (my printer is equally as old... and doesn’t offer air-print). It also comes in handy for those few websites out there that STILL don’t behave well with safari on IOS.

She’s been good to me over the years: but since my first iPhone Plus, I’ve really never needed it, or my old iPad for that matter. The large-enough screen, and great power of the iPhones have really rendered the big devices useless to me.

However: recently I’ve been having to turn to my laptop a bit more. Longer emails too difficult to type... and a few work-related websites that don’t view on my phone. Plus: I was given a drone for Christmas, so I’ll likely need something larger to edit/manage video!

I’m starting to look for a replacement. The iPad Pro does seem it’ll fit the bill; but I have reservations:

1: I use my MacBook Pro to backup my media. Besides the cloud: is there a way to backup photos/video locally from an iPad/iPhone?

2: Does an iPad Pro handle file management all that well? (Word documents? Music files?)

3: Does Pages/numbers on iOS stack up to their Mac counterparts? Are they as powerful?

4: Is PowerPoint available on iOS? And is That as powerful?

5: Is there a browser on iOS that would give me real web pages when needed, not just mobile versions? (For example, my company sends only paperless paycheck stubs. On my iPhone, no matter how many times I ask for the desktop site, it loads a watered down mobile version of my stub.... which is missing half the pertinent info I want!)

 

[Mac-lover3]

1: I use my MacBook Pro to backup my media. Besides the cloud: is there a way to backup photos/video locally from an iPad/iPhone?

Yes. You can use any back-up solution (iCloud Photo Library, Google Photos, Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.). Just install the app and import what needs to be backed-up.

2: Does an iPad Pro handle file management all that well? (Word documents? Music files?)

Difficult one the File.app that apple introduced isn't entirely what we expected I would say. This article lays out it out quite well: https://www.imore.com/files-app

3: Does Pages/numbers on iOS stack up to their Mac counterparts? Are they as powerful?

As powerful I would not say but they are decent it also depends on what you use them for. They streamlined the Mac counterparts after iWork '09 to have better compatibility with iOS. There is still the Office suit for iOS as well and it's completely free as far as I know.

4: Is PowerPoint available on iOS? And is That as powerful?

It's on the App Store, get regularly updated. I don't know if it's as powerful as the desktop app but it's decent the reviews are good as well. Check it out: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-powerpoint/id586449534?mt=8

Is there a browser on iOS that would give me real web pages when needed, not just mobile versions? (For example, my company sends only paperless paycheck stubs. On my iPhone, no matter how many times I ask for the desktop site, it loads a watered down mobile version of my stub.... which is missing half the pertinent info I want!)

Safari is always available but it will load the page for iPad. That's because of the site you use it uses responsive design. Often sites for iPad are different than those on iPhones. Maybe there are third party browsers that work better for that but I don't use any.

For editing your videos I would recommend iMovie.

 

[IowaLynn]

I use Google Docs, MS Excel, connect my Apple Extended Bluetooth keyboard. Safari most of the time but Chrome also - build 64 or later.

I would be surprised if there are not new MacBook and iPad Pro model this year, June into fall.

Manipulating and editing video pushes into the need for storage. iCloud and Google Drive are nicely integrated. OneDrive is also good but doesn’t seem fully integrated. Gives me 1TB of storage with Office subscription.

 

[Abazigal]

5: Is there a browser on iOS that would give me real web pages when needed, not just mobile versions? (For example, my company sends only paperless paycheck stubs. On my iPhone, no matter how many times I ask for the desktop site, it loads a watered down mobile version of my stub.... which is missing half the pertinent info I want!)

There's a third party browser called iCab. I haven't personally used it, but it comes with a number of desktop features which may be what you need.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

My 2008 MBP has been collecting dust in my basement.

I use it once in a blue-moon when I need to type long emails, or print something (my printer is equally as old... and doesn’t offer air-print). It also comes in handy for those few websites out there that STILL don’t behave well with safari on IOS.

She’s been good to me over the years: but since my first iPhone Plus, I’ve really never needed it, or my old iPad for that matter. The large-enough screen, and great power of the iPhones have really rendered the big devices useless to me.

However: recently I’ve been having to turn to my laptop a bit more. Longer emails too difficult to type... and a few work-related websites that don’t view on my phone. Plus: I was given a drone for Christmas, so I’ll likely need something larger to edit/manage video!

I’m starting to look for a replacement. The iPad Pro does seem it’ll fit the bill; but I have reservations:

1: I use my MacBook Pro to backup my media. Besides the cloud: is there a way to backup photos/video locally from an iPad/iPhone?

2: Does an iPad Pro handle file management all that well? (Word documents? Music files?)

3: Does Pages/numbers on iOS stack up to their Mac counterparts? Are they as powerful?

4: Is PowerPoint available on iOS? And is That as powerful?

5: Is there a browser on iOS that would give me real web pages when needed, not just mobile versions? (For example, my company sends only paperless paycheck stubs. On my iPhone, no matter how many times I ask for the desktop site, it loads a watered down mobile version of my stub.... which is missing half the pertinent info I want!)

When I find a website that doesn’t work well on iPad (not often), I use Puffin.

Re backups, I just use the cloud for everything, so I can’t answer. And re file management and productivity apps, they all work well for my needs. No complaints at all. But people are very particular about these things, so YMMV.

I sold my MBP 2015 a couple months after getting my 12.9 because I never touched it, and it was worth too much money still to be gathering dust.

 

[mofunk]

I have a 2008 MBP thats in rotation. Its not running the current OS, maybe the last before High Sierra. The only thing I find problematic is that now I can't communicate with any of the newer MBP and of course the hand off feature which it only worked with iPhone. If you need more and want your Mac and iOS device on the same platform, its best to have all devices using the same OS so that you can use Pages and other apps smoothly.

Pages works well as needed. Its nice that I can put documents on my iOS folder and edit them on iPad. If you have a business you can save them as a PDF and have clients sign the documents by moving them to an Adobe app.


Video is a hog. I haven't used it as much but I've heard that you are limited to editing.


I would say for now yes, you can get the iPad Pro but at some point you might have to use a MBP. If you need one, maybe try a 13in MBP or something small. I'm using my MBPs as my workhorse and my iPad Pro as a mobile device that subs for my MBP.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Right now, I have an old, somewhat malfunctioning MBAir could use if I need to, though I haven’t had need. If it does turn out I need a traditional computer, I plan to get a Mac mini.

 

[Synergie]

For file management use File Browser and it will allow you to access any SMB / NAS drives via WiFi. Then you effectively have normal or very near desktop normal file management. You can pick up wireless media hubs / travel routers which will allow you to have a hub where you can connect USB drives, SD cards, or USB sticks as NAS. Search for IO Gear Mediashair 2 or Ravpower Filehub Plus.

The iOS versions of pages etc are more than adequate for most unless you are he type of person who needs macros and advanced things. There are third party apps too like mobisystems Office suit pro.

 

[Mainsail]

Right now, I have an old, somewhat malfunctioning MBAir could use if I need to, though I haven’t had need. If it does turn out I need a traditional computer, I plan to get a Mac mini.

Yes, I think this is rapidly becoming the alternative setup for a lot of people: iPad for mobile productivity and desktop for office/home productivity. So, if you really have some heavy lifting to do, there is a full sized keyboard, monitor and desktop operating system available.

That said; I think the iPad shines at what I will call "lighter productivity" tasks, such as: responding to email, scheduling meetings, taking notes, reading and annotating PDFs, editing documents, web research, etc. The iPad would not be my tool of choice for creating a large complex spreadsheet or for tasks requiring multiple windows open with the same app. If you rarely run into these more complex tasks while mobile, then the iPad is an excellent choice. Like I said....save the heavy lifting for back at the office desktop computer.

Frankly, I think a lot of people overestimate what they need to be productive when mobile. Of course, there are folks that need a powerful rig while away from their office. But, a significant amount of business activities are really light productivity tasks well suited for the iPad.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Yes, I think this is rapidly becoming the alternative setup for a lot of people: iPad for mobile productivity and desktop for office/home productivity. So, if you really have some heavy lifting to do, there is a full sized keyboard, monitor and desktop operating system available.

That said; I think the iPad shines at what I will call "lighter productivity" tasks, such as: responding to email, scheduling meetings, taking notes, reading and annotating PDFs, editing documents, web research, etc. The iPad would not be my tool of choice for creating a large complex spreadsheet or for tasks requiring multiple windows open with the same app. If you rarely run into these more complex tasks while mobile, then the iPad is an excellent choice. Like I said....save the heavy lifting for back at the office desktop computer.

Frankly, I think a lot of people overestimate what they need to be productive when mobile. Of course, there are folks that need a powerful rig while away from their office. But, a significant amount of business activities are really light productivity tasks well suited for the iPad.

Yeah, except I am self-employed (I’m a lawyer, but taking a break from practice and teaching online instead), so I’ve been truly ipad only since November! Open to the idea of a Mac Mini, but just haven’t had the need yet.

 

[mk313]

I’m starting to look for a replacement. The iPad Pro does seem it’ll fit the bill; but I have reservations:

1: I use my MacBook Pro to backup my media. Besides the cloud: is there a way to backup photos/video locally from an iPad/iPhone?

2: Does an iPad Pro handle file management all that well? (Word documents? Music files?)

3: Does Pages/numbers on iOS stack up to their Mac counterparts? Are they as powerful?

4: Is PowerPoint available on iOS? And is That as powerful?

5: Is there a browser on iOS that would give me real web pages when needed, not just mobile versions? (For example, my company sends only paperless paycheck stubs. On my iPhone, no matter how many times I ask for the desktop site, it loads a watered down mobile version of my stub.... which is missing half the pertinent info I want!)

I’d have some concerns about going to an iPad, based on your questions.
2. In my experience, the iPad is not good at managing music files. You can buy songs from iTunes, but that’s about it. I tried to import a few mp3’s Into iTunes this week & coudln’t figure out how to do it. I ended up just using my Mac & it worked fine.
4. PowerPoint is available, but if you want to do anything more than just view slide decks (and you are buying an iPad with a screen larger than 10.0”, you’ll have to either buy an Office 365 subscription, or else use a subscription that your work or school provides. Apple does give you a copy of keynote, which is better than PowerPoint in a lot of ways, but if you are looking for PowerPoint specifically, then it could be an issue.
5. Several people have given alternative browser suggestions. My only other suggestion is to see if the company has an app you can use. I had some issues using ADP for my paycheck info, but they have an iOS app that works great & it uses TouchID, so I can log in with my fingerprint. Obviously not all companies have apps, but in many cases where the website isn’t iOS friendly, they do have an app that will work.

Good luck either way!