iPad is iPad actually better?

[ericwn]

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.

Well said. In fact, the iPad as laptop replacement thread with thousands of posts on this same board has plenty of additional examples where one just cannot replace the other.

Plenty of the PDF documents I need from the Canadian government can only be downloaded or edited on a Mac or PC with Acrobat, as an easy example. So in my life even though iOS is the platform for most things I do outside of work, I’d still need to have a conventional Mac or PC in order to get basic things done.

 

[Bodhitree]

It’s very good when you stay within the bounds of what it is supposed to do. For me, the iPad definitely has a role in the home, reading books and surfing the web on the couch.

 

[ssledoux]

It's certainly better for my simple use case. I have an M1 iMac sitting on my desk right next to my iPP, and I have to make myself use it. For a couple months I didn't even turn it on. I purchased it mainly to have some solid storage for photos while I worked on making photo books and getting all that in order, but I have yet to do that, and even though the screen is big and gorgeous, I still use my iPP for everything 98% of the time. I WANT to have a need for my iMac, because it's such a beautiful device, but I just really don't. The iPP I wouldn't want to do without.

 

[ericwn]

It's certainly better for my simple use case. I have an M1 iMac sitting on my desk right next to my iPP, and I have to make myself use it. For a couple months I didn't even turn it on. I purchased it mainly to have some solid storage for photos while I worked on making photo books and getting all that in order, but I have yet to do that, and even though the screen is big and gorgeous, I still use my iPP for everything 98% of the time. I WANT to have a need for my iMac, because it's such a beautiful device, but I just really don't. The iPP I wouldn't want to do without.

Well the fact that creating photo books already often times requires a traditional desktop or laptop is an indicator how far the iPad still has to go after more than a decade. It’s not that it’s technically not capable but it’s lacking software features.

 

[mrLucas]

Well the fact that creating photo books already often times requires a traditional desktop or laptop is an indicator how far the iPad still has to go after more than a decade. It’s not that it’s technically not capable but it’s lacking software features.

Wow you completley missed what she wrote.

 

[darngooddesign]

...The readability of text on this screen with an iCarez matte screen protector is just so easy on the eyes… My MBP’s screen is too reflective to read in the environments I read in.

Have you tried adding a matte screen protector to your MBP?

 

[darngooddesign]

Well the fact that creating photo books already often times requires a traditional desktop or laptop is an indicator how far the iPad still has to go after more than a decade. It’s not that it’s technically not capable but it’s lacking software features.

I literally created a photo book a decade ago on my iPad 2; it had photos, text and graphic overlays, and a nice hardcover with dust cover which I also designed on my iPad2. Was easy and fun to do.

 

[ericwn]

Wow you completley missed what she wrote.

You could rephrase what you think I don’t get instead of making condescending statements.
It’s exactly the niche cases where time and time again I have to switch to a different platform to get the job done, be it photo books, getting certain documents from the government, copying and pasting not just text but formatting in certain apps, the no-show of the Apple Preview app, the list goes on.

 

[ericwn]

I literally created a photo book a decade ago on my iPad 2. Was easy and fun to do.

Nice, which vendor did you pick? I used to do this on a Mac for a long time too, especially via Aperture, due to the layout options it provided. Unfortunately Apple gave up on Aperture and on its own photo book service a while ago.

 

[darngooddesign]

Nice, which vendor did you pick? I used to do this on a Mac for a long time too, especially via Aperture, due to the layout options it provided. Unfortunately Apple gave up on Aperture and on its own photo book service a while ago.

It was so long ago I really don't remember. It's possible the app no longer exists, but googling iPad photobook apps yields a lot of results. There is zero reason to think that you cant create nice photobooks on an iPad.

Back then storage was so small that I transferred the photos over from my Mac. Obviously with cloud and large local storage that no longer is the case.

 

[ericwn]

It was so long ago I really don't remember. It's possible the app no longer exists, but googling iPad photobook apps yields a lot of results. There is zero reason to think that you cant create nice photobooks on an iPad.

Back then storage was so small that I transferred the photos over from my Mac. Obviously with cloud and large local storage that no longer is the case.

I’ll look further into this again for sure. The few apps I checked on the App Store so far seemed to have a relatively low feature set when it came to fonts, design and layout but if anyone knows of a vendor that either via app or browser offers anything remotely as feature rich as Aperture photo books, do let me know.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Have you tried adding a matte screen protector to your MBP?

I have a box of 3 protectors sitting next to me but some of the reviews on Amazon says it destroyed their screen so I'm too afraid to apply it to my MBP. But I was fully intended to - and still may if I summon the courage.

Supershieldz (3 Pack) Designed for MacBook Pro 13 inch (2016-2022 / M1, M2) Touch Bar Screen Protector, Anti Glare and Anti Fingerprint (Matte) Shield

Our screen protectors are made from optical grade crystal film which are custom cut to ensure a perfect fit every time. Constructed in five layers; a scratch resistant surface polymer, a hardened protective mask to prevent deep cuts damaging your device and finally a patented silicone Gel that cr...

www.amazon.com

 

[Cashmonee]

As others have said, for relatively simple tasks or relaxation or when you need single focus, the iPad is fantastic and potentially better than a desktop OS. The minute you want to do more than one thing, it starts to fall apart pretty quickly for me. Even something like texting people while web browsing does not feel as comfortable on an iPad as my Mac. I think it is for the exact reason the OP gave, singular focus. Even while in split screen I "feel" myself switching between apps way more than on a Mac. Having said that, it is my preferred device for evenings relaxing and of course it is the only device that will allow me to project note taking for students.

 

[Saturn007]

I agree with the OP and others that the iPad is wonderful — you are working on one thing at a time — although you can also easily switch among apps and copy and paste text & photos among them. That’s much easier than on the Mac where photo formats vary greatly — and you can't simply copy a photo from Photos and paste it into Word, but have to go through Preview first.

I've never quite understood the need for a full-blown OS with a Finder. Even on a Mac, most documents are linked to a particular app. But I realize uses and needs vary.

Yet, as to having the singular focus, that's easy to accomplish with a Mac! Simply launch your app, say, Word. Then just work in it. Done! If you want to work on a different document, close that one, and pick another — just like Pages on an iPad!

For a more focused or sophisticated approach, switch Word into full screen mode. That'll take over the entire screen. Do the same with other “apps”. Switching between them can be done with a three-finger gesture, slide left or right.

Reminiscent of Switcher from the early Mac days!

Or, hide the dock, so you're not seeing other options and can concentrate on the app you're in.

You can also park the dock on the right, with it set to only show on mouse over, if you'd rather switch that way or if an app doesn’t have full screen mode.

 

[rpmurray]

I find my iPad to be rather frustrating. Things popping up on screen with no obvious way to return to where I was. Telling me I need to set something but no link to where that is. Needing to learn all kinds of arcane swipes and other rigamarole that don't seem to be documented anywhere and aren't obvious to get around. My iMac is much easier to work with. Touch is a PITA.

 

[rui no onna]

I find my iPad to be rather frustrating. Things popping up on screen with no obvious way to return to where I was. Telling me I need to set something but no link to where that is. Needing to learn all kinds of arcane swipes and other rigamarole that don't seem to be documented anywhere and aren't obvious to get around. My iMac is much easier to work with. Touch is a PITA.

I expect that has to do with familiarity. I'm coming from Windows and half the time, I have to Google to find out how to do things on the Mac.

The iPad was easier to learn for me. Of course, I had the benefit of using an iPad since 2011 and learning most gestures as they got introduced, and the Home button was an easy to remember method to exit apps and go back to the Home screen. Granted, I never did get the hang of split screen/slide over for iOS 11 to 14.

 

[CloudChief]

I’ve used an iPad going on four years now for university. Throughout that time I watched WWDC and each time Apple drip fed the most basic desktop features like they were revolutionary and slowly wore me down into despair.

No, an iPad isn’t better than a Mac. It isn’t as capable and you will hit limits a lot sooner.

Don’t get me wrong, many people can use an iPad as their main computer and that’s perfectly fine. My father certainly does and, from what I’ve read, they’re great for graphic design.

But, I think people ask whether an iPad can replace a laptop because they know its OS is inferior. For example, I study a STEM subject at university which involves running basic statistical tests. Even the desktop Excel can’t run what I need it to so access to SPSS or R is needed. Can’t do that on an iPad.

Similarly, whilst multitasking has improved on iPad, it’s still superior on Mac. I cannot imagine what it would be like trying to have all of my coursework notes, drafts, and webpages open on my iPad- I don’t think it would cope. Hell, I wish I had 16gb of ram because I’m getting into yellow/red memory pressure these days.

That said, I like my iPad. I use it all the time to browse the web, watch tv, and use it as a second monitor with sidecar. Writing lecture notes with my Apple Pencil is cool too.

However, if I had to get rid of one, it’d be the iPad.

Edit: Web browsers are better on Mac too because they aren’t forced to use WebKit.

 

[mlody]

Yesterday, my wife sold her iPad Air 3. iPad is still mostly very frustraiitng to use for any productivity work. She also had 2015 MBP 15" and got iPad to do the work on the go, but most of the time she was forced to bring her big MBP. We got to the boiling point and got rid both her old MBP 15 and iPad and got MBA M1 to replace both.

so to anser the question, no iPad, is not better, unless you need media consumption device.

 

[chrono1081]

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 all depends on your use case. For my Dad, an iPad is absolutely better than a computer (along with many of my friends). For me, it's great, but only really a supplemental device for light work when I want to travel.

I do prefer keeping one task on the screen at a time when possible, human minds are not meant to multitask (nor are they good at it).

 

[MajorFubar]

It frustrates me that the functionality of the iPad is held back by the quality of the available apps. Apple needs to lead the way in bringing pro-grade apps to the device, like Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro. It's absurd I can do more on a twelve year old Mac Mini than a modern iPad. Not that I'd choose to run my home studio on a 12" iPad screen, it's just the principle of the thing. A modern iPad will wipe the floor with my ancient kit in terms of benchmark specifications, but is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard for the kind of work I do.

 

[Lotuskid]

I see a lot of comments about what iPads can't do that a dedicated mac/PC can, but the one thing the iPad can do that those devices can't as comfortably is note taking! I sometimes wish i could consolidate my tech and have just my iphone and macbook but i'm currently taking a language class and having the ipad is invaluable to write notes directly onto the textbook that i have in PDF. I also take notes in notability and use quizlet to make flashcards to memorize words.

If i look back on my last 10 years of personal device use i've used my ipads way more than my computers. I guess i'm just a fairly casual user. I don't need a computer for work related stuff, i work in healthcare and we use windows computers at work.

What i can't use the ipad for is to log into work from home on the few occasions i'm wfh. So i'm debating whether i even need the macbook pro 14 i just got or whether i can make do with a much much cheaper mac mini.

the ipad though is indispensable for me. its also just more fun to use

 

[BigMcGuire]

I see a lot of comments about what iPads can't do that a dedicated mac/PC can, but the one thing the iPad can do that those devices can't as comfortably is note taking! I sometimes wish i could consolidate my tech and have just my iphone and macbook but i'm currently taking a language class and having the ipad is invaluable to write notes directly onto the textbook that i have in PDF. I also take notes in notability and use quizlet to make flashcards to memorize words.

If i look back on my last 10 years of personal device use i've used my ipads way more than my computers. I guess i'm just a fairly casual user. I don't need a computer for work related stuff, i work in healthcare and we use windows computers at work.

What i can't use the ipad for is to log into work from home on the few occasions i'm wfh. So i'm debating whether i even need the macbook pro 14 i just got or whether i can make do with a much much cheaper mac mini.

the ipad though is indispensable for me. its also just more fun to use

Agreed here. Over the last 4-5 years, nothing has come close to the note taking ability of the iPad. Notability with PDF marking and recording audio while you write.... indispensable. I use it as a thought / planning tool as well. While most of my work meetings prefer typed notes, sometimes in in-person conferences, I'll use my iPad for note taking - taking photos of whiteboards and/or dropping slides into my notes - etc.

My work provides me with a MBP - but I've been running on an iPad for my primary personal computing device for awhile now. I think too that working with computers all day = the last thing I want to do on my off time is ... sit in front of a computer. The iPad provides that mobility and flexibility that I don't quite get with a laptop.

What bugs me is that I can't replace one device with the other. I need a full MBP, I need an iPad, and I need an iPhone. Really would like to trim down the devices I carry. (If I really need to, I can leave the iPad behind but it is so convenient reading/watching on the plane and taking notes at work destination).

I think Apple has put a lot of thought into what markets their devices meet and it's a good balance. I just wish I could have 1 device instead of having to carry around 3 (for work, etc). Granted, a MBP 13', iPad Pro 11, and an iPhone weighs about 1/10th of those Dell "engineering" laptops that we use.

 

[CloudChief]

Agreed here. Over the last 4-5 years, nothing has come close to the note taking ability of the iPad. Notability with PDF marking and recording audio while you write.... indispensable. I use it as a thought / planning tool as well. While most of my work meetings prefer typed notes, sometimes in in-person conferences, I'll use my iPad for note taking - taking photos of whiteboards and/or dropping slides into my notes - etc.

My work provides me with a MBP - but I've been running on an iPad for my primary personal computing device for awhile now. I think too that working with computers all day = the last thing I want to do on my off time is ... sit in front of a computer. The iPad provides that mobility and flexibility that I don't quite get with a laptop.

What bugs me is that I can't replace one device with the other. I need a full MBP, I need an iPad, and I need an iPhone. Really would like to trim down the devices I carry. (If I really need to, I can leave the iPad behind but it is so convenient reading/watching on the plane and taking notes at work destination).

I think Apple has put a lot of thought into what markets their devices meet and it's a good balance. I just wish I could have 1 device instead of having to carry around 3 (for work, etc). Granted, a MBP 13', iPad Pro 11, and an iPhone weighs about 1/10th of those Dell "engineering" laptops that we use.

I think that’s he problem I have. I want my iPad to do everything. And I know it’s not because it can’t: Apple just want me to buy both (fair play I guess though they are a business). But it frustrates me to see so much potential wasted on what is still a big iPhone.
Edit: typo

 

[TechRunner]

But it frustrates me to see so much potential wasted on what is still a big iPhone.

If Apple would put MacOS on iPad Pros (à la Microsoft Surface), I know two people who would dump their MBP and rely solely on their iPads and iPhones. For now, they have all three. I get the cannibalization argument, but confining it to Pro models would slow that down some.