Is the iPad actually useful?

[Mainsail]

When used with a keyboard case and pencil, the iPad is a pretty versatile device. I have the 5th gen iPad (paid $300 on sale last year), Logitech Slim Folio Keyboard case ($80 on sale), and the Adonit Dash 3 pencil ($40 on sale). So, for $420, I have a nice portable setup that takes care of 80% of my daily computing, such as:

• Email
• Messaging
• Calendaring
• Note Taking and Planning with Reminders
• Scanning Documents
• Creating simple sketches and diagrams
• PDF review and annotation
• Photo edits and annotation
• Document creation and Review (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote)
• Read Books
• Watch Movies and TV
• Browse Web
• Track Personal Finances

The remaining 20% of my computing is primarily done on my iPhone; calls, texts, camera, directions, weather, etc..

Rarely, I encounter tasks that require numerous windows and more screen real estate. We have a family Mac Mini with a good size monitor, so I can Airdrop or Dropbox documents to this computer if I get in a bind. Frankly, this almost never happens. My wife has an iPad too, so there is really no need for us both to have our own desktop computer.

 

[TinaBelcher]

My 10.5 iPad Pro is my everything. I consume everything on it. It’s just so fast, light and easy. There’s no long or draining process when turning it on or off, opening or closing apps, speed when using multiple apps at once, heating when watching videos, charging time and so on. It’s literally become my personal computer, while I still use my mbp 2013 13-inch for school. I cannot imagine myself using an iPad for studying, I tried and it’s not great for multitasking, iOS is faulty to blame, because their writing tools are limited. I actually plan on getting the 2018 mbp with 15-inch screen because I need more screen while doing my assignments. However, I cannot imagine myself using a mbp that much when I get my degree.

I loved using my mbp until the last 2 years when I started using my iPad more, and iOS 11 really changed my experience. The 10.5 iPad Pro is such a comfortable and light experience, that the thought of using my laptop has become a drag... unless it’s for studying! But yeah, that warm mbp on your lap, making you feel like you’re in a heatwave after 2 hours of use, then trying to sit on the side, but your shoulder hurts while trying to type... bad experience. I may add that I sit a lot on my couch or bed, when I use my iPad or mbp at home due to a bad back. I avoid chairs and desks unless I’m at school or work due to comfort.

 

[MacScott]

I find it handy for what I want. I go to bed, read books or get on the internet for an hour or so every night.

 

[Mainsail]

My 10.5 iPad Pro is my everything. I consume everything on it. It’s just so fast, light and easy. There’s no long or draining process when turning it on or off, opening or closing apps, speed when using multiple apps at once, heating when watching videos, charging time and so on. It’s literally become my personal computer, while I still use my mbp 2013 13-inch for school. I cannot imagine myself using an iPad for studying, I tried and it’s not great for multitasking, iOS is faulty to blame, because their writing tools are limited. I actually plan on getting the 2018 mbp with 15-inch screen because I need more screen while doing my assignments. However, I cannot imagine myself using a mbp that much when I get my degree.

I loved using my mbp until the last 2 years when I started using my iPad more, and iOS 11 really changed my experience. The 10.5 iPad Pro is such a comfortable and light experience, that the thought of using my laptop has become a drag... unless it’s for studying! But yeah, that warm mbp on your lap, making you feel like you’re in a heatwave after 2 hours of use, then trying to sit on the side, but your shoulder hurts while trying to type... bad experience. I may add that I sit a lot on my couch or bed, when I use my iPad or mbp at home due to a bad back. I avoid chairs and desks unless I’m at school or work due to comfort.

I am not a student, but I can see how a laptop would be preferable to an iPad for multi-tasking and other things students have to frequently do. My son is going to be a senior at University, and he told me that a lot of people use the campus computers and don’t have laptops. This surprised me. Do you think you could get by as a student using your IPP plus campus desktop computers or would this be impractical? It seems like it might work for people that live on or near campus, but could be a hassle for commuting students.

BTW - My son goes to a university that is almost 100% on campus undergrads.....so, this might explain why it works for them.

 

[ericwn]

I find that even if I do take it travelling it’s much easier just to use the iPhone. At home, the MacBook is easy enough to use. So I find the iPad a bit useless. How do you use the iPad compared to your iPhone and MacBook?

I am not sure why you need to know if the iPad is useful for others. There are countless topics in this forum that answer that question.

For me, it’s the device I use the most at home.
Only you can decide if it fits into your use case scenario or if it makes no sense in your household. Just use what you enjoy most.

 

[thisismyusername]

How do you use the iPad compared to your iPhone and MacBook?

I used to feel the same way as you until I got an iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard. Now, my iPad Pro has completely replaced my personal MacBook (I have a MBP for work). It's my go to device and gets used every day.

I use it for all the typical things one uses a tablet for... watching movies, email, reading, catching up on the news, basic spreadsheets/documents, etc. It's also just good enough for me to my job when I'm traveling. This means that, unless it's a work trip, I no longer bring a laptop with me which I love. It makes me never want to buy another laptop again although I do have a PC for when I need a "real computer". I do all kinds of things I never thought I'd ever do on an iPad (e.g. remotely logging into my home and work servers). Again, having the Smart Keyboard is what really opened me up to doing so much more with it; I love that I can easily attach and detach it.

My iPhone hardly gets used when I'm at home. I much prefer my iPad due to the big screen.

 

[TinaBelcher]

I am not a student, but I can see how a laptop would be preferable to an iPad for multi-tasking and other things students have to frequently do. My son is going to be a senior at University, and he told me that a lot of people use the campus computers and don’t have laptops. This surprised me. Do you think you could get by as a student using your IPP plus campus desktop computers or would this be impractical? It seems like it might work for people that live on or near campus, but could be a hassle for commuting students.

BTW - My son goes to a university that is almost 100% on campus undergrads.....so, this might explain why it works for them.

I couldn’t imagine myself using the campus’ computers, I have a hard time enough studying in a public place. I believe the environment plays a huge part of your concentration. Sometimes you may not feel motivated or inspired at day, so it’s nice to have your laptop with you and study at night to the early morning before the madness begins. (Not during deadlines though, lol)

 

[Jonathantuba]

For me my iPad Pro is my main device. I would say my use is 20% iphone, 10% iMac and 70% iPad. The iPad does most of what I require for my business and leisure - there is little for which I must use the Mac and I prefer using the iPad for most tasks. The iPhone is most useful for calls and taking photographs with some browsing, short emails and messaging on the move.

 

[t.portis]

I am not a student, but I can see how a laptop would be preferable to an iPad for multi-tasking and other things students have to frequently do. My son is going to be a senior at University, and he told me that a lot of people use the campus computers and don’t have laptops. This surprised me. Do you think you could get by as a student using your IPP plus campus desktop computers or would this be impractical? It seems like it might work for people that live on or near campus, but could be a hassle for commuting students.

BTW - My son goes to a university that is almost 100% on campus undergrads.....so, this might explain why it works for them.

At the campus where I work I see a lot of Chromebooks and iPads, especially in the classroom. The open labs are very heavily used.

 

[rui no onna]

I am not a student, but I can see how a laptop would be preferable to an iPad for multi-tasking and other things students have to frequently do. My son is going to be a senior at University, and he told me that a lot of people use the campus computers and don’t have laptops. This surprised me. Do you think you could get by as a student using your IPP plus campus desktop computers or would this be impractical? It seems like it might work for people that live on or near campus, but could be a hassle for commuting students.

BTW - My son goes to a university that is almost 100% on campus undergrads.....so, this might explain why it works for them.

I don't see why not. When I was going to uni, personal laptops were cost-prohibitive for most students. We just used regular pen and paper for note taking and labs for computer work. Kinda needed the labs anyway for circuit design software, oscilloscopes, etc.

Funnily enough, all-nighters were frequent enough in our department (EEE) especially for seniors and grad students that there are actually a couple of shower rooms in the top two floors of the building. It's not unusual that we'd see folks walking around in pajamas for those of us with really early morning classes (6-7am).

 

[CrystalQuest76]

I was issued a desktop at work but often have to attend meetings. I use my iPad with a bluetooth keyboard to take notes in meetings with Pages that I can then view on my desktop using iCloud in a browsers. I teach adults and load my lesson scripts that I converted to ePub and view on the iPad. I also use applications like Affinity Photo and LumaFusion that my employer has not purchased (he does not think apps like Photoshop and video editing is necessary).

I also use the iPad to read library books since my local library subscribes to Overdrive. Its cheaper than buying digital books from Amazon or Apple (I already give them enough money). I watch cooking videos in the kitchen when trying something new and watch Netflix when cooking something I already know how to.

It is an incredibly useful item for both entertainment, work and education.

 

[sparksd]

I don't see why not. When I was going to uni, personal laptops were cost-prohibitive for most students. We just used regular pen and paper for note taking and labs for computer work. Kinda needed the labs anyway for circuit design software, oscilloscopes, etc.

Funnily enough, all-nighters were frequent enough in our department (EEE) especially for seniors and grad students that there are actually a couple of shower rooms in the top two floors of the building. It's not unusual that we'd see folks walking around in pajamas for those of us with really early morning classes (6-7am).

Showing my age - "When I was going to uni, personal laptops were cost-prohibitive for most students." When I started at university, the simplest calculators were cost-prohibitive for students so their use was not allowed in class as they provided an unfair advantage for the well-to-do.

 

[Clix Pix]

Sitting out on my deck right now, I’m reading (and participating on) this thread on my iPad Pro 12.9 (second generation)..... I love this thing! It suits me well for certain tasks, and that is enough to make me state that, yes, indeed, it is quite useful. I use it a lot of the time with an Apple BT keyboard so that typing goes much faster and easier, and I have the Apple Pencil for using as a stylus or for doing more creative things. This iPad is the one which stays at home, though; my 10.5 iPad Pro is the one which travels with me and which also seems to be the one which, when at home I grab to do a quick lookup of something on the internet or to check the current weather, etc. Since the very first iPad back in 2010, iPads have become firmly ingrained in my way of doing things online, and I cannot imagine life without them.

That said, yes, there are certain things which I still do need and want to do with other devices: phone calls and texts on my iPhone, various projects and photo image editing on my MBP........

 

[akash.nu]

Showing my age - "When I was going to uni, personal laptops were cost-prohibitive for most students." When I started at university, the simplest calculators were cost-prohibitive for students so their use was not allowed in class as they provided an unfair advantage for the well-to-do.

Lol.. I remember those days!

 

[jaduff46]

iPad Air works well for most everything I do. In the process of moving, so packed up the iMac and put into storage until we find a new home. Miss it for spreadsheet stuff and big word docs, and the wonderful screen, but can do most everything else I need with the Air.

 

[throAU]

I hardly use my phone when I’m home, and my MBP when I need a desktop application.

Yup.

When at home, my phone generally stays on charge somewhere and most non-desktop work is done via either the ipad or the watch (calls, reminders, etc.).
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It makes me never want to buy another laptop again although I do have a PC for when I need a "real computer". I do all kinds of things I never thought I'd ever do on an iPad (e.g. remotely logging into my home and work servers). Again, having the Smart Keyboard is what really opened me up to doing so much more with it; I love that I can easily attach and detach it.

My iPhone hardly gets used when I'm at home. I much prefer my iPad due to the big screen.

My thoughts exactly.

Unless something big happens in the notebook/laptop space, for me they are irrelevant.

For things i can't do on the ipad, and need to sit down at a desk with more screen real-estate to do - a desktop does a far better job.

For the portable on the go stuff, the ipad is just so much more convenient than the laptop.

I'm sure there are niche use cases where people need the power of a laptop on the go, but they're becoming fewer.

I don't think i'll buy another laptop again, certainly not a 13" or smaller, because the iPad has that covered.

My regular "computing" set up is an ipad, 13" Macbook Pro and a desktop PC. The iPad pro has killed any sort of desire i have to get a Macbook Pro, and Apple's hardware choices on desktop have killed any sort of desire i have to get one of their desktops.

 

[M5RahuL]

I absolutely cannot be without my iPad Pro ! My PC usage is less than 10%

For my use case, my Samsung Note 8 and iPad Pro (LTE) are a perfect combo!

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

I find that even if I do take it travelling it’s much easier just to use the iPhone. At home, the MacBook is easy enough to use. So I find the iPad a bit useless. How do you use the iPad compared to your iPhone and MacBook?

iPad is my training device. Books and videos are the best on it. The iPhone screen is far too small for serious reading. Flash and Silverlight on the web ruin video for me on the Mac. I prefer to watch technical videos in apps.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

I tried every kludgey way to squeeze iPads into my workflows, but none of them stuck. Ultimately I ended up keeping only one iOS device, the iPad mini 4, which running skype, I use as my phone. It's a snug fit into the back pocket of most of my pants, and fits in a jacket/coat pocket just shy of being obtrusively large or heavy. It's got a display that's just big enough that sketching on anything smaller seems impossible, and it's small enough to be maneuverable in the car as a gps device, but still big enough to read without taking your focus off the road. It's the perfect size. I tried iOS 11 on it and found it performed as well as a garbage scow on the high seas. 4-6 second delays to touch inputs, multitasking ruined, etc. Luckily, I downgraded back to ten and there it will stay. Now it's just a matter of Apple having not upgraded the hardware in about 5 years & increasingly heavy OS's or whatever. They'll probably drop it, expecting people to not know the difference between it and a plus sized phone.

 

[rui no onna]

I'm sure there are niche use cases where people need the power of a laptop on the go, but they're becoming fewer.

Or maybe not even power but just browser and other software. JavaScript-based navigation geared towards mouse usage often sucks on an iPad and for some reason, official app developers don't incorporate all features of the desktop site in their iOS/Android apps. After more than 10 years of mobile OSes, this shouldn't still be an issue but unfortunately it is.

A lower-end or older PC built within the last 10 years will run nearly all the software (barring games or those with similar restrictions) that higher end PCs do. They'll be slower but they'll still run the programs. Heck, iirc VirtualBox will run on an Atom 330 (yech). It ain't pretty but it works in a pinch.

I don't think i'll buy another laptop again, certainly not a 13" or smaller, because the iPad has that covered.

Lol, I actually bought an 11" laptop off ebay recently for bringing on long vacations (off-lease ThinkPad X131e i3-3227u). It was cheap (~$100) and quite snappy after SSD upgrade. I found that I don't really do anything particularly intensive with the heavy 15" quad-core laptop I was lugging around. Figured I'd grab something a bit smaller and lighter while still being capable of running full x86/64 Linux or Windows (7) decently. Preferably one that's user serviceable.

 

[akash.nu]

Or maybe not even power but just browser and other software. JavaScript-based navigation geared towards mouse usage often sucks on an iPad and for some reason, official app developers don't incorporate all features of the desktop site in their iOS/Android apps. After more than 10 years of mobile OSes, this shouldn't still be an issue but unfortunately it is.

Depending on the project, this might not be as much a technical issue as it is a UX nightmare.

 

[throAU]

Or maybe not even power but just browser and other software. JavaScript-based navigation geared towards mouse usage often sucks on an iPad

Then don't use javascript based navigation geared towards mouse usage? Touch based alternatives exist. Square peg, round hole - of course it won't work well.

A lower-end or older PC built within the last 10 years will run nearly all the software (barring games or those with similar restrictions) that higher end PCs do. They'll be slower but they'll still run the programs. Heck, iirc VirtualBox will run on an Atom 330 (yech). It ain't pretty but it works in a pinch.


Lol, I actually bought an 11" laptop off ebay recently for bringing on long vacations (off-lease ThinkPad X131e i3-3227u). It was cheap (~$100) and quite snappy after SSD upgrade. I found that I don't really do anything particularly intensive with the heavy 15" quad-core laptop I was lugging around. Figured I'd grab something a bit smaller and lighter while still being capable of running full x86/64 Linux or Windows (7) decently. Preferably one that's user serviceable.

Thats cool for your use case. Most people don't need to run virtualbox on the go, and if you are running virtualbox, a desktop will do a far better job. I have a desktop back at home/work with 64 GB in it for running VMs. You can RDP to the desktop from a tablet if required.

Your laptop still can't scan things, still can't sign documents with handwriting, etc. The speakers, screen, battery life, weight and performance of an iPad Pro (or even current entry level iPad) are far superior to that laptop.

 

[rui no onna]

Then don't use javascript based navigation geared towards mouse usage? Touch based alternatives exist. Square peg, round hole - of course it won't work well.

I'm referring to commercial websites I've had to switch to desktop/laptop in order to use because there's no other option. I have no control over how they're designed. If it were up to me, these would all have mobile-friendly navigation or at least the mobile sites/apps would have all the features of the desktop/full website.

Thats cool for your use case. Most people don't need to run virtualbox on the go, and if you are running virtualbox, a desktop will do a far better job. I have a desktop back at home/work with 64 GB in it for running VMs. You can RDP to the desktop from a tablet if required.

Your laptop still can't scan things, still can't sign documents with handwriting, etc. The speakers, screen, battery life, weight and performance of an iPad Pro (or even current entry level iPad) are far superior to that laptop.

Remote VPN, RDP or VNC may not always be possible depending on internet reliability and speed. I'm just saying even a crappy CPU that's maybe the same speed as the much lambasted iPad 3 might suffice simply by virtue of software available.

I love my iPad. Like I mentioned earlier, I use it ~85% of the time. For ~5%, though, I still need a computer capable of running a full desktop OS. If I'm within the US (or some other developed nation) for 1-2 weeks vacation, I don't bring the laptop. iPad + remote desktop works. A month long stay in the Philippines (often on crappy 3G), that 5% is a "when" not an "if" and the laptop is my portable desktop/server. I bought the used 11" laptop (downgrade to my current one actually) because I got tired of carrying a heavy 15-incher for that 5% of usage. I leave the Pro 12.9 at home though and just bring the 9.7.

I don't actually have VirtualBox on the laptop but I do have:

• Dropbox: with current full folder sync prior to travel
• iTunes: need it for device backups when we give away older devices since connection to iCloud's unreliable
• Plex Media Server: my local "Netflix" which serves content to 4x iPhones/4x iPads
• Plex Media Player: HDMI to TV
• Microsoft Office: iOS version isn't as comprehensive and forces conversion to 2007 format when 2003 may be required for interoperability
• Calibre: ebook library manager and converter
• PortableApps

We rarely use the laptop as a laptop when we travel. It just sits in the living room permanently connected to AC and HDMI while we lounge around the condo with iPhones and iPads. Considered getting a NUC for the task but the laptop's more flexible and less expensive thanks to wide availability of off-leased machines used in business.

 

[AlexJoda]

Sitting out on my deck right now, I’m reading (and participating on) this thread on my iPad Pro 12.9 (second generation)..... I love this thing! It suits me well for certain tasks, and that is enough to make me state that, yes, indeed, it is quite useful. I use it a lot of the time with an Apple BT keyboard so that typing goes much faster and easier, and I have the Apple Pencil for using as a stylus or for doing more creative things. This iPad is the one which stays at home, though; my 10.5 iPad Pro is the one which travels with me and which also seems to be the one which, when at home I grab to do a quick lookup of something on the internet or to check the current weather, etc. Since the very first iPad back in 2010, iPads have become firmly ingrained in my way of doing things online, and I cannot imagine life without them.

That said, yes, there are certain things which I still do need and want to do with other devices: phone calls and texts on my iPhone, various projects and photo image editing on my MBP........

Agreed to that very much but using only my 12.9 because I don’t like to charge and maintain two iPads. Tried the iPad 6 for some weeks after giving my first generation 12.9 to my brother and getting a used second generation 12.9 again after apple did not release a new 12.9 at WWDC. I can’t work with the smaller iPads any more after getting used to the 12.9. The 12.9 is indeed lighter than the first iPad and only 25 grams (about 3%) heavier than the iPad 4. So this mobility thing is a non issue for me.....

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

Slightly off-topic, but I find it rather ironic that Apple pushes the iPad for teaching children how to write code, yet there is (currently) no way to create actual apps on an iPad. Then if a child’s family can’t afford a Mac? Well of course, they can get a PC. (Microsoft appreciates Apple's efforts at recruiting future coders! )