Is the new 10.5 iPad Pro really an alternative to a Macbook?

[canesalato]

An iPad Pro has more power than most laptops (see link below), flexibility and versatility depend on the user. It all really depends on the user.

https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/14/ipad-pro-versus-macbook-pro-speed-tests/

I know very well those benchmark. The specs of the iPad pro are indeed amazing. It has a lot of (wasted?) power. Still I have to say that my MacBook Air from 2013 runs High Sierra, after multiple OS updates, as smooth as the day I bought it. Sadly, more smoothly than how my iPad Pro runs iOS11. And I’m curious about performance in 5 years. Will my iPad Pro be as fast as today? Will it be fast at all or will it struggle to run the basic operating system? I hope past trends are not an indicator here.

Also, I strongly disagree that flexibility and versatility depend on the user. A user may or may not need them, but they are an intrinsic part of the system. I can go with my mac around the world and even in areas with no signal at all i can share massive amount of data with anyone, in a few seconds and in a simple way. In these kinds of situations, with an iPad you cannot get a simple PDF file from a usb drive. You have your iPad pro, you have your 50$ usb adapter, you have a usb drive and you also need a power plug, for some reasons. And it still won’t work! Depending on iCloud bugs you might not even be able to access your own files (somehow iCloud drives keeps deleting my files from the devices, probably to optimize space, but i have 150GB of free space). It kind of defeats the purpose of an ultralight, ultraportable device if I also have to bring around my heavy mac just to be sure that if internet is not present, or slow, I can still get my work done with a silly hard drive or usb pen.

If you need a car to get you to work, because the car is the only device that will take you there then yes that sucks for you. But if you worked across there street and didn’t require the car, then why would you own the car?

Sure. I agree. That’s my point. I would love to be able to live with just my bicycle, but I cannot, because some people needs cars and a bicycle is not a car replacement, although totally adeguate, even perfect for people who don’t need cars. Now, what bothers me a little is that, unlike a bicycle with a car, an iPad could easily be a laptop replacement, without damaging people who are already happy with it. Hopefully, in a few years. It’s sure taking its time.

 

[va1984]

But you cannot say that a bicycle is a car replacement.

A bicycle absolutely IS a car replacement — as long as you live in a civilised place which means a dense city which also has good public transport!!!

 

[canesalato]

A bicycle absolutely IS a car replacement — as long as you live in a civilised place which means a dense city which also has good public transport!!!

Oh my gosh...I give up

 

[MPclk2006]

Hey everyone!

I'm trying to figure out if I should get an iPad Pro or not.

My story:
I bought the 1st gen iPad 2 months after it came out. I was more than satisfied for about one year. But then it grew old and more and more I had to admit to myself that there were plenty of things I couldn't do with it.

But I fell in love with Apple products and so I bought a 13" Macbook Pro in 2011.
From the day I had the Macbook the iPad wasn't used for anything else than reading news on the toilet, watching movies on Netflix and showing vacation pictures to my Mom and Dad.

Then the one update came that made surfing on the iPad 1 impossible... it keeps crashing on every website since then.
So I just kept it for watching Netflix now and then.

Now my Macbook is getting old. I upgraded it with a SSD, but it has its problems. (now a bad SATA cable)
I was looking for a new one when I read about the new iPad pro and several tech sites are calling it a almost perfect laptop replacement...

What do you think about that?

I would use it for composing coloring pages for kids (I'm a teacher), writing, surfing, watching Movies while in bed...

I bought a used 2011 MacBook about two years ago and still find it to work great, in saying that I also went out and bought an iPad Pro 10.5 to replace an iPad mini I rarely used. I find myself using the iPad more now, but I have not started taking college classes again, so we will see once I start working on my MBA again.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Oh my gosh...I give up

I think the poster forgot to put /s

 

[klemsaba]

Hey everyone!
Now my Macbook is getting old. I upgraded it with a SSD, but it has its problems. (now a bad SATA cable)
I was looking for a new one when I read about the new iPad pro and several tech sites are calling it a almost perfect laptop replacement...

BTW the SATA cable is inexpensive and fairly easy to replace. I've done it several times on various 2011/2012 MacBook Pros in our family. Never really understood how that cable goes bad.

Get the iPad and fix the MacBook for those times you need it.

 

[coachingguy]

This has been a very interesting thread to read thru... There seems to be 2 camps here... The "No, the iPad Pro 10.5 is not and never will be a Laptop replacement; not matter what you say." and the "Yes, to each his or her own, if it works for them, then yes it is."

IMHO, informed or uninformed as it may be... Apple is going to drop the MBA and replace it with the iPad Pro... Screen size is your choice. Microsoft has the surface w/ Keyboard and Pen etc... It's not a bad idea... But Apple is planning on doing it better. If we think about what MOST people do, an iPad Pro 10" or 12" w/ Keyboard is perfect...

This is the same argument people had with the first laptops versus desktops... PC or Mac...

As a teacher, I've got multiple iPads - no Pro yet - and my favorite is the Mini 4. My work computer was a 15" MBP... When it died and was replaced with a 13" MBA, I was devastated... It'll never be able to keep up... I was wrong... All of my teaching "stuff" and editing Photo's and Video's etc... The only thing I wish often, watching friends, family and students who have non-mac devices use their "pens/pencil". There are times, that kind of input is the best... If I could use a "pen/pencil" with my mini... or even my MBA, I'd be set.

So, I'll conclude this soliloquy with this: OP, replace the cable, klemsaba is right, it's a cheap and easy fix, so you'll have this laptop as a back up... Then get the iPad Pro/keyboard and pencil and I'd bet you use that more and more and your laptop starts accumulating dust...

Enjoy your new toy OP!

Coachingguy

 

[PKoz]

Hey everyone!

I'm trying to figure out if I should get an iPad Pro or not.

My story:
I bought the 1st gen iPad 2 months after it came out. I was more than satisfied for about one year. But then it grew old and more and more I had to admit to myself that there were plenty of things I couldn't do with it.

But I fell in love with Apple products and so I bought a 13" Macbook Pro in 2011.
From the day I had the Macbook the iPad wasn't used for anything else than reading news on the toilet, watching movies on Netflix and showing vacation pictures to my Mom and Dad.

Then the one update came that made surfing on the iPad 1 impossible... it keeps crashing on every website since then.
So I just kept it for watching Netflix now and then.

Now my Macbook is getting old. I upgraded it with a SSD, but it has its problems. (now a bad SATA cable)
I was looking for a new one when I read about the new iPad pro and several tech sites are calling it a almost perfect laptop replacement...

What do you think about that?

I would use it for composing coloring pages for kids (I'm a teacher), writing, surfing, watching Movies while in bed...

I’m using my MacBook Pro for my daily job but when I get home I tend to use only the iPad Pro. I don’t think it is a replacement, but for personal Uses it is getting closer and closer. Files works well if you also use things like Pages. They make it so you’ll want both me thinks. If I were going to travel for a few weeks, I’s just take the iPad Pro.

 

[mofunk]

Apple is very smart at bringing features back and taking them out. Our MacBooks has always had ways for us writing on the screen. Back then it was called Ink. Now Apple is putting a lot of the features into the iPad Pro which is cool because now our backpacks are lighter. Now we're not able to burn to a disc but all the other features are close. Its a win win situation.

 

[jeremiah256]

It's not only about the hardware. You'll be going from the macOS way of doing things to the iOS way. So, even though you might be able to do everything you want or need on an iPad Pro, you might not enjoy the different workflow. If you're a keyboard shortcut person, you may find shifting to an iPad not that difficult. If you are a heavy mouse/track pad user, I'd recommend buying a MacBook (new or refurbished) instead.

 

[Eric5273]

This has been a very interesting thread to read thru... There seems to be 2 camps here... The "No, the iPad Pro 10.5 is not and never will be a Laptop replacement; not matter what you say." and the "Yes, to each his or her own, if it works for them, then yes it is."

IMHO, informed or uninformed as it may be... Apple is going to drop the MBA and replace it with the iPad Pro... Screen size is your choice. Microsoft has the surface w/ Keyboard and Pen etc... It's not a bad idea... But Apple is planning on doing it better. If we think about what MOST people do, an iPad Pro 10" or 12" w/ Keyboard is perfect...

This is the same argument people had with the first laptops versus desktops... PC or Mac...

As a teacher, I've got multiple iPads - no Pro yet - and my favorite is the Mini 4. My work computer was a 15" MBP... When it died and was replaced with a 13" MBA, I was devastated... It'll never be able to keep up... I was wrong... All of my teaching "stuff" and editing Photo's and Video's etc... The only thing I wish often, watching friends, family and students who have non-mac devices use their "pens/pencil". There are times, that kind of input is the best... If I could use a "pen/pencil" with my mini... or even my MBA, I'd be set.

So, I'll conclude this soliloquy with this: OP, replace the cable, klemsaba is right, it's a cheap and easy fix, so you'll have this laptop as a back up... Then get the iPad Pro/keyboard and pencil and I'd bet you use that more and more and your laptop starts accumulating dust...

Enjoy your new toy OP!

Coachingguy

I agree with everything said here. When I first switched to the iPad Pro as my main computer, I kept my old MacBook Pro for more than 6 months as a backup. During the first 2-3 months, I used it often. As time went on, I used the MacBook Pro less and less, and eventually 2 months went by without using it at all. Then I knew it was time to sell it.

I suggesting keeping the MacBook. Changing from Mac to iPad for all tasks you do is not something you want to do overnight. It should be a slow and gradual shift. Otherwise it will be frustrating.

 

[DNichter]

It depends on the user, but it can absolutely be a replacement for a MacBook. My iPad Pro 10.5 and iPhone X are my only computers and I love it. iOS has a far brighter future than macOS in my eyes so I would suggest making the change. Looking at your uses, the iPad Pro is perfect.

 

[ggibson913]

I'll be honest, for the things you are talking about I would not recommend the 10.5 iPad Pro. I have an iMac at home and I use my iPad as sort of my shuttlecraft for it. That is what it would be well suited for. Though 10.5 is fine for that purpose if I were attempting to replace a laptop I would go with the 12.9 in version. The bigger screen would benefit you greatly and would be better for writing. My recommendation overall though is to get one of the new Macbook computers, it is still portable and quite usable. Plus you have the added benefit of being able to attach an extra monitor if you need it.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

It depends on the user, but it can absolutely be a replacement for a MacBook. My iPad Pro 10.5 and iPhone X are my only computers and I love it. iOS has a far brighter future than macOS in my eyes so I would suggest making the change. Looking at your uses, the iPad Pro is perfect.

How is the typing on the ASK for 10.5? I’m really pleased with it for 12.9 and I wondered if it was more cramped on 10.5 or not... because there is about an inch of extra space on the edges of my keyboard that I could see them doing away with for the 10.5.

 

[The Game 161]

It can but not for me. I need both personally.

 

[DNichter]

How is the typing on the ASK for 10.5? I’m really pleased with it for 12.9 and I wondered if it was more cramped on 10.5 or not... because there is about an inch of extra space on the edges of my keyboard that I could see them doing away with for the 10.5.

I have no problems with it and do a good amount of emailing and note taking throughout my day. I haven’t used the larger ASK but I would imagine a little bit of space would be nice to have. I originally wanted the 12.9 but I just found it a little too big for couch/bed use. I’d consider it with a x-like revision so I’m looking forward to next year. The 10.5 will likely stick around due to its mobility.

 

[eyeseeyou]

I think for most users, iPads can replace 75-85% of what a laptop can do, but unfortunately the 15% to 25% a laptop provides is critical. The solution, IMO, is to split up your budget between the two devices.

This is pretty accurate.

Need to confirm the desktop apps you use are also available in IOS.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

I have no problems with it and do a good amount of emailing and note taking throughout my day. I haven’t used the larger ASK but I would imagine a little bit of space would be nice to have. I originally wanted the 12.9 but I just found it a little too big for couch/bed use. I’d consider it with a x-like revision so I’m looking forward to next year. The 10.5 will likely stick around due to its mobility.

Eventually, when my Air 2 slows down, I will replace it with something. I don’t know if I really need something as nice as the 10.5 for a second iPad (which I use for bed and for books/PDFs while teaching/video conferencing on the 12.9). But on the other hand, if I am going to get a second... I will likely want the shiny, pretty 10.5 that also works with my Apple Pencil. At any rate, I suppose I will see what they come out with next year.
[doublepost=1513296450][/doublepost]I am super happy with the dual-iPad/no more heavy MBP setup.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I prefer to have my MacBook Air around too but I could get by with just my iPad Pro these days.

 

[ackmondual]

That’s a sore spot. It’s currently around 60k but it has to grow to about 100k over the spring term. It’s for a humanities PhD at Columbia.

Wow! That's 200 to 400 pages according to Google! I'd hate to type out that much on a virtual keyboard! For me, my Ipad Air is almost exclusively for games. Chromebook is where it's at for me for on-the-go, but not as mobile internet. My phone is on-the-go and very convenient for checking things out. I still have a desktop PC b/c it's quite nice to do some stuff there, while others, it's required.

One school pretty much had their high school students on Chromebooks since it was too cumbersome to type out up to 20 pages on Ipads. They have keyboards, but the iPad was already twice the price of a Chromebook, which comes with a keyboard. They've even adapted a mantra that "Chromebooks are for work. Ipads are for play"

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Wow! That's 200 to 400 pages according to Google! I'd hate to type out that much on a virtual keyboard! For me, my Ipad Air is almost exclusively for games. Chromebook is where it's at for me for on-the-go, but not as mobile internet. My phone is on-the-go and very convenient for checking things out. I still have a desktop PC b/c it's quite nice to do some stuff there, while others, it's required.

One school pretty much had their high school students on Chromebooks since it was too cumbersome to type out up to 20 pages on Ipads. They have keyboards, but the iPad was already twice the price of a Chromebook, which comes with a keyboard. They've even adapted a mantra that "Chromebooks are for work. Ipads are for play"

I do wonder if it will change over time, as current elementary school kids who are getting iPads get older. It seems to me that Apple is doing better in the elementary education market and Google is doing better in the high school market (but this is based purely on anecdotal evidence). I just wonder if working on the iPad will be so natural to those kids that there won’t be so much “need” for something that more closely resembles a laptop.

My first grader gets an iPad from her school next year, I believe, but she’s had her own at home for coming up on three years (and has also never damaged it, which I think is pretty impressive... better track record than her mom). My ex- is upgrading her to the 2017 iPad for Christmas, so that she can use it with a little piano and hopefully learn to play.

 

[jeremiah256]

I do wonder if it will change over time, as current elementary school kids who are getting iPads get older. It seems to me that Apple is doing better in the elementary education market and Google is doing better in the high school market (but this is based purely on anecdotal evidence). I just wonder if working on the iPad will be so natural to those kids that there won’t be so much “need” for something that more closely resembles a laptop.

My first grader gets an iPad from her school next year, I believe, but she’s had her own at home for coming up on three years (and has also never damaged it, which I think is pretty impressive... better track record than her mom). My ex- is upgrading her to the 2017 iPad for Christmas, so that she can use it with a little piano and hopefully learn to play.

I believe, eventually, most school systems will use a combination of Chromebooks and iPads, with the balance of school being done on Chromebooks, and iPads used for special projects, and kept on campus.

 

[kjvmartin]

Not at all. Apple has done a wonderful job marketing the iPad, but if you have a MacBook Pro it's really not needed.

It's a total luxury item for almost everyone that buys it. Nice? Yes. Useful? Yes. MacBook Pro replacement? No.

 

[Atimix]

Hey everyone!

I'm trying to figure out if I should get an iPad Pro or not.

My story:
I bought the 1st gen iPad 2 months after it came out. I was more than satisfied for about one year. But then it grew old and more and more I had to admit to myself that there were plenty of things I couldn't do with it.

But I fell in love with Apple products and so I bought a 13" Macbook Pro in 2011.
From the day I had the Macbook the iPad wasn't used for anything else than reading news on the toilet, watching movies on Netflix and showing vacation pictures to my Mom and Dad.

Then the one update came that made surfing on the iPad 1 impossible... it keeps crashing on every website since then.
So I just kept it for watching Netflix now and then.

Now my Macbook is getting old. I upgraded it with a SSD, but it has its problems. (now a bad SATA cable)
I was looking for a new one when I read about the new iPad pro and several tech sites are calling it a almost perfect laptop replacement...

What do you think about that?

I would use it for composing coloring pages for kids (I'm a teacher), writing, surfing, watching Movies while in bed...

90% of people can replace their MacBook with an iPad. There’s only a handful of major software that’s yet been unable to be fully replaced by apps. Unless you’re making video games or needling crazy software an iPad IS the new computer. I’d invest as early as you can.


Apple intends the iPad to replace the computer, and the user experience of basically everything on an iPad is significantly better than macOS from UI navigation and manipulation to multitasking; it’s by far the most human centered computer ever.

 

[kis]

I gave the 12.9" 6 months. I used it most of the days at work, heavily relied on iCloud etc. I've now given up and have switched to an Surface Pro. While the iPad Pro does quite a lot of things, it still falls miserably short in others:

- only one Word document can be open at any time
- anything involving Files is slow and weird (files getting copied to and fro between iCloud drive and the app in use, every time you change them etc.)

So in short: still no decent file system, still no real multi-tasking, still a big iPhone.

I like it for PDF markup, but that's something the Surface Pro does equally well. So in conclusion (and this is coming from someone who relies heavily on the Apple ecosystem), if you need a laptop replacement, go for a Surface Pro. If you're a graphics artist, go with the iPad Pro.