iPad is iPad actually better?

[mrLucas]

The more I use the iPad, the more I like it.
recently I’ve been wondering. Is iPad actually better?

It seems to have everything be so fluent, and so much focused on the task at hand. Thats quite nice, and not distracting. Recently I turned on my huge 27” iMac and did a few things on it. Quickly I started to wonder, why do I have so many open windwos on the screen? I’ve gotten used to the iPad way, where you only have what you need - at a time, and no clunk and junk. It’s neat actually.

 

[kristalsoldier]

The more I use the iPad, the more I like it.
recently I’ve been wondering. Is iPad actually better?

It seems to have everything be so fluent, and so much focused on the task at hand. Thats quite nice, and not distracting. Recently I turned on my huge 27” iMac and did a few things on it. Quickly I started to wonder, why do I have so many open windwos on the screen? I’ve gotten used to the iPad way, where you only have what you need - at a time, and no clunk and junk. It’s neat actually.

Better than what? Your iMac? That only you can determine.

In my case, the iPad is not better than either the Thinkpad or the S21U, it’s just different and all three are very good in what they do and for what they are used for.

 

[mrLucas]

iPad experience, compared to a Mac experience, or Windows experience, since those two are more closer togeather, wheres iPad is quite further, as a different type of computing.

 

[kristalsoldier]

iPad experience, compared to a Mac experience, or Windows experience, since those two are more closer togeather, wheres iPad is quite further, as a different type of computing.

Unfortunately, I don’t seem to think that way, i.e., in terms of “experiences”. These gadgets serve a purpose (for me). Each has its strength and weakness. To compare them across their functional profiles would be setting myself up for disappointment and frustration.

 

[Shirasaki]

iPad is great when you dont need much and your focus is simple: one task only. IPadOS is still designed for single task for the most part.
For anything that is not just an app or single focus, mac or windows experience is better Imo.

 

[pdaholic]

I absolutely agree with you, Mr. Lucas. I actually feel more focused on the iPad as I’m not dragging windows around everywhere. I’ve got a windows management app on my mac, but it’s not the same. I love my iPads.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I believe I understand what you’re saying. My iPad Pro 11 has been the most used Apple device I’ve ever owned (I’ve owned a 2018 iPad Pro 11 and now an M1 iPad Pro 11). I have tried to replace this device with an M1 MBP, iPhone, and several other devices but there is just something about this device that allows me to focus that makes it the most perfect reading device I’ve ever used in my life. I can sit down and read books for 6 hours on this this thing - something I cannot do on any other device that I own (comfortably). The readability of text on this screen with an iCarez matte screen protector is just so easy on the eyes… The form factor (amount of text on the screen) makes me want to keep reading more and more whereas with my iPhone I’m constantly scrolling to the point where it becomes distracting. My MBP’s screen is too reflective to read in the environments I read in.

To answer your question? Is it better? Yes, at some things.

I still need a 4K monitor for work. I still need an iPhone when I’m out and about. I still need an Apple Watch when I’m jogging without a phone.

The iPad is a great great tool. I have used one since the iPad 3. It is my most used Apple device (outside of work).

So to mirror your post - the iPad allows me to focus wonderfully. When I’m using a MBP for work, I’ll have 20-30 windows opened so my usage of that device is usually defined by multitasking - rarely focusing on just one thing - but it’s great at that.

 

[rui no onna]

iPad is great when you dont need much and your focus is simple: one task only. IPadOS is still designed for single task for the most part.
For anything that is not just an app or single focus, mac or windows experience is better Imo.

Yep. iPad’s great for single focus tasks.

If one just sticks to the “Apple way” (basically Apple subscription services and cloud+wireless for everything), the iPad is almost appliance-like in its simplicity (particularly the Home button+TouchID models). This makes the iPad fairly easy to use for almost anyone without previous computer experience.

For personal/home use, I actually prefer/appreciate the simplicity.

For work, I still need my Windows desktop with dual monitors. Mind, I use the iPad as a 3rd display at work for instant messaging, reading emails and quick browser searches.

 

[Shirasaki]

Yep. iPad’s great for single focus tasks.

If one just sticks to the “Apple way” (basically Apple subscription services and cloud+wireless for everything), the iPad is almost appliance-like in its simplicity (particularly the Home button+TouchID models). This makes the iPad fairly easy to use for almost anyone without previous computer experience.

For personal/home use, I actually prefer/appreciate the simplicity.

For work, I still need my Windows desktop with dual monitors. Mind, I use the iPad as a 3rd display at work for instant messaging, reading emails and quick browser searches.

I use Mac and Windows PC so that I can enjoy the benefit of both worlds. iPad can't replace any of those computers, but neither of those computers can replace iPad. They fill their own unique role and I find replacing them with another is not feasible and can end up wasting time unnecessarily.

 

[TechRunner]

I use Mac and Windows PC so that I can enjoy the benefit of both worlds.

Same. It's good to be OS agnostic, especially when, like me, you're relied upon to be the family (and sometimes office) tech guy.

 

[OneGrit]

This is very subjective as it depends heavily on use case and personal preference. I considered a lot before I concluded that an iPad Mini was the right tablet for me.

 

[rui no onna]

Same. It's good to be OS agnostic, especially when, like me, you're relied upon to be the family (and sometimes office) tech guy.

Not being familiar with other operating systems gives me a very good excuse to say, sorry, can't help. ?

 

[Kobra]

It seems to have everything be so fluent, and so much focused on the task at hand. Thats quite nice, and not distracting. Recently I turned on my huge 27” iMac and did a few things on it. Quickly I started to wonder, why do I have so many open windwos on the screen? I’ve gotten used to the iPad way, where you only have what you need - at a time, and no clunk and junk. It’s neat actually.

I couldn’t agree more!

The iPad has been my primary ”computer” for years. I can’t stand the clutter on a regular Mac OS or WinPC ?‍?

 

[ericwn]

iPad is great when you dont need much and your focus is simple: one task only. IPadOS is still designed for single task for the most part.
For anything that is not just an app or single focus, mac or windows experience is better Imo.

That’s my experience as well. For anything remotely complex I pick a more suitable tool.

 

[Pakaku]

I think the single-screen experience works best on a standard size or Mini. I feel like I use my iPad Pro's screen size better with some split screen, usually Discord or something like that to the side. I'd feel extremely restricted to just one screen on a desktop, so I usually have a bunch of iPad-sized windows open all at once and hide apps I'm not using at the moment.

 

[capathy21]

I couldn’t agree more!

The iPad has been my primary ”computer” for years. I can’t stand the clutter on a regular Mac OS or WinPC ?‍?

This is what I was thinking in my head but couldn't put into words. Mac OS feels cluttered! Too many settings and options. Sometimes the operating systems just needs to get out of the way. Not that Mac OS is bad, it's quite good actually. But it's way more operating system than most users even need.

 

[TechRunner]

Not being familiar with other operating systems gives me a very good excuse to say, sorry, can't help. ?

Haha true! I was able to do that for a few years with iPads, but then I came back to them and now I'm a full-service family tech guy

 

[Kobra]

But it's way more operating system than most users even need.

Exactly! If your main use of the computer is home usage, a “fully blown” OS is probably like hunting a mosquito with a haubitz cannon. The same goes for many office users whose primary use is e-mail, Teams and company specific web apps. I will stick my chin out and say that most office Excel usage should actually been done in word or powerpoint, you don't need advanced functions and pivots to do a project plan or budget. Even though Excel is quite limited on the iPad, it's good enough for the majority of us. Still, many use the “Excel argument“ as to why they need to use a laptop.

 

[SpartaMAC]

The iPad is a wonderful device and at one point I tried using my 12.9 M1 as a laptop replacement but the more I used it the more it failed in areas I really needed it. However, it shines in places where my laptop fails so the IPad as well as my laptop, iPhone and Apple Watch all excel for what they were designed for. None of them are a jack of all trades,

 

[rui no onna]

I will stick my chin out and say that most office Excel usage should actually been done in word or powerpoint, you don't need advanced functions and pivots to do a project plan or budget.

Project plans, sure. It seems like cruel and unusual punishment to use Word/Powerpoint instead of Excel for preparing budgets though.

Mind, I've done the household budget/reconciliation on Excel for iPad (12.9") with just touchscreen in a pinch. It's just much easier to work on Excel for Windows with a 27" monitor and decades of muscle memory. And yep, I hated the switch from Office 2003 to Office 2007 with the ribbon menu.

The office budget though, too complicated to try to do on the iPad and I still get some documents in Excel 2003 xls format which I have to return as-is (can't convert to xlsx).

 

[PandaPunch]

It's better if it fits your needs. It fits mine extremely well though I want a MacBook or a Mac Mini for a desktop experience that syncs well with my iPad and iPhone.

 

[nStyle]

I found myself only using iPad with the magic keyboard (never just the iPad) and then I found myself reaching for the MBA instead because it has longer battery life, larger and more useful keyboard/trackpad, and the software is just better even for simple tasks.

 

[entropi]

better? to draw on, yes - but that's about it...

*madly in love with my M1 mba*

 

[MajorFubar]

Depends what you use it for. I've currently laid up my 2011 27" i7 3.4GHz quad-core iMac ready to sell, and I'm running my home studio on 2010 Mac Mini running High Sierra and Logic Pro 10.4 with a 512GB SSD and 8GB RAM. The sheer computing power inside a modern iPad will wipe the floor with my 11 year old Mac Mini, yet I can get more done on the Mac Mini because it has a desktop-class OS running pro-grade apps.

So, horses for courses.

 

[yabeweb]

The more I use the iPad, the more I like it.
recently I’ve been wondering. Is iPad actually better?

It seems to have everything be so fluent, and so much focused on the task at hand. Thats quite nice, and not distracting. Recently I turned on my huge 27” iMac and did a few things on it. Quickly I started to wonder, why do I have so many open windwos on the screen? I’ve gotten used to the iPad way, where you only have what you need - at a time, and no clunk and junk. It’s neat actually.

It only lacks a better os.

Not complaining about apps or filesystem, but the UI in IOS 15 fo rme is messed up, on the pro 12 lots of wasted space