iPad Poll: iPad can be the main computer for __% of the population.

[iPadified]

Why would someone want to inconvenience themselves by only using an iPad? Life is too short to compromise.

For some and growing population, keyboard and mouse is a compromise for interacting with a computer. Some work processes are faster or just more fun to do in "iPad mode" compared to "mouse and keyboard mode". Bring a cMP or even and MBP to bed or sofa for some gaming, watching movies, e-mailing, paying the bills, shopping, creative work is cumbersome compared to an iPad.

The taste is different and the ability to chose computer after preference (iPhone, iPad, laptop and desktop) and user requirements is welcome. We have been force-fed with ill fitting, one size fits all idea of what a computer is for decades. An idea often dictated by the tech savvy without any thought of a wide user base.

Remember that 30 years ago a PC was considered a toy for those who program and run mainframes. Those where the days when an "app" was called a "program" and I do not miss it one bit.

 

[nouveau_redneck]

Bring a cMP or even and MBP to bed or sofa for some gaming, watching movies, e-mailing, paying the bills, shopping, creative work is cumbersome compared to an iPad.

I feel the complete opposite regarding the quoted statement. An iPad is cumbersome under those circumstance. A laptop's utility, comfort, and it's ease of accomplishing the tasks you outline is superior to an iPad. It's superiority comes from, the built in keyboard, build in stand, fully functioning OS with cool things like local storage, multi-tasking, flexibility, etc.

Watching movies in bed or on the couch - The laptop is better for its hand free operation. The iPad needs to be held or propped up somehow. If an event occurs, requiring some multitasking, no problem, put the movie in a window, take care of it and go on.

E-mail. - Really, you would chose a device with a screen based keyboard? Or a device that requires connecting to an external keyboard, resulting in an awkward stand that really requires a table for usage?

Paying the bills. - I can see the iPad equaling a laptop in some cases. Although it is limited by the lack of a built in stand, requiring holding it.

Shopping - Same as bills.

Creative work - iPads do well for specialized tasks, so there are some where it would be useful.

Overall, iPads are not very good at general tasks compared to good old computers. These continuous "are we there yet threads" prove the point. We are not there, and likely won't be until humans no longer require physical input devices. No, voice does not count - talking out all interaction is not practical.

 

[kamikazeeMC]

I mainly use a desktop PC for general/heavy tasks and gaming and have an ultrabook for use in bed/couch (rarely, just use my phone) and also take it when travelling so I can back up my camera each day. Also have an iPad Mini 2 which has been reduced to an ebook/manga reader.

I was thinking of getting a laptop as my next (only) computer depending on where my career change and living arrangements goes. But with iPadOS bringing more functionality I find my self really wanting an iPad Pro as my primary device for consumption on the web and a little creation (to get into illustration), then having a desktop for heavy lifting.

My uncle is somewhat in need for a new computer, currently using a desktop, laptop and iPad Mini. I'm going to try convince him to just use an iPad Pro only. Hopefully I wont need to play the role of tech support every month or so. His uses are very basic but needed a computer to transfer pictures from a camera to hard drive and he has gotten into torrenting (though somewhat paranoid about it.. so will try get him on a streaming service)

 

[ericwn]

Why would someone want to inconvenience themselves by only using an iPad? Life is too short to compromise.

One could also argue that some people don’t want clutter and the annoyance of having to learn multiple computer platforms. Life is too short for clutter and annoyances.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Why would someone want to inconvenience themselves by only using an iPad? Life is too short to compromise.

You’re making the presumption that this would inconvenience everyone. I actually greatly prefer using the iPad (in combo with Smart Keyboard) for 95% of tasks. You say life is too short to compromise, but why would you spend over $1,000 on any device that you might use once a month or so, especially if you could still do that task on something you already own (even if it might be a little be more difficult for that particular task)?

Plus “Only” and “primary” are different. As I described in my previous post, I have a 2013 MBA which, while aging, works wonderfully for the random/occasional Mac use. My current plan is to continue to use it for as long as possible, but as it stands now, I have no plans to replace it. When it dies I’ll expect to stay 100% iOS/iPad (but who knows what might change in the future).

 

[bunce66]

I feel the complete opposite regarding the quoted statement. An iPad is cumbersome under those circumstance. A laptop's utility, comfort, and it's ease of accomplishing the tasks you outline is superior to an iPad. It's superiority comes from, the built in keyboard, build in stand, fully functioning OS with cool things like local storage, multi-tasking, flexibility, etc.

Watching movies in bed or on the couch - The laptop is better for its hand free operation. The iPad needs to be held or propped up somehow. If an event occurs, requiring some multitasking, no problem, put the movie in a window, take care of it and go on.

E-mail. - Really, you would chose a device with a screen based keyboard? Or a device that requires connecting to an external keyboard, resulting in an awkward stand that really requires a table for usage?

Paying the bills. - I can see the iPad equaling a laptop in some cases. Although it is limited by the lack of a built in stand, requiring holding it.

Shopping - Same as bills.

Creative work - iPads do well for specialized tasks, so there are some where it would be useful.

Overall, iPads are not very good at general tasks compared to good old computers. These continuous "are we there yet threads" prove the point. We are not there, and likely won't be until humans no longer require physical input devices. No, voice does not count - talking out all interaction is not practical.

Totally agree with all of this. iPhones are great and indispensible. Laptops are as well. I never understood why anyone would need an in-between device. Bought iPads on 2 occassions thinking I would use it, and it never made sense... either for work or leisure.

Yes, and laptops are way easier to hold for all the reasons you've explained. iPads are actually more cumbersome. If you want portability, go for the small Macbook and have an iPhone.

 

[Kendo]

You’re making the presumption that this would inconvenience everyone. I actually greatly prefer using the iPad (in combo with Smart Keyboard) for 95% of tasks.

How much of the greatly prefer is due to the "cool/fun" factor? I prefer watching movies on my iPad and paying bills on an app, but emails and MS Office/Excel are much better on a laptop. I don't get the same giddy feeling opening a laptop as I do firing up an iPad with Smart Keyboard but for most tasks outside videos/Facebook/apps, the laptop is much more efficient.

 

[jeyf]

I am still going to mortgage the house and buy a Mac Pro

 

[Stephen.R]

Why would someone want to inconvenience themselves by only using an iPad? Life is too short to compromise.

It entirely depends what you want to use it for.

My wife had a 2013 MacBook Air. She didn't use it a lot, but occasionally. Last year the battery expanded and damaged the mainboard, so it's useless.

She's currently using a 2019 iPad mini with the series 1 Pencil, and absolutely loves it. We'll likely upgrade her to a iPad Pro and v2 pencil later this year, (bigger screen, nicer pencil) and relegate the Mini to an entertainment device for our son (we planned ahead for this and bought the 256GB model to be able to fill it with video content).

A new MacBook of any variety is going to be as expensive, if not more than a 12.9" iPad Pro, and it won't give her the same ability to draw/write by hand etc.

So, to quote you: why should she compromise and get a laptop when an iPad does what she wants, better?


I have almost no use for an iPad personally, but that doesn't mean I assume others would prefer to use a desktop OS with a keyboard and mouse/trackpad, when what they want to do works better on a piece of glass they can draw on.
[doublepost=1560957179][/doublepost]Oh and I answered "0-24%" because I can see it works well for some use-cases (e.g. my wife) but e.g. my parents (in their 70s) have used a Mac desktop since the 90s, and definitely would struggle with some stuff on an iPad, like the multi-finger gestures. A menu tree, or buttons on a toolbar they can manage. Remembering which edge to swipe while doing which gang-sign would not be a fun thing to teach them.

 

[alphaswift]

I would sell my MBP if I could figure out how to run MS Project on my Ipad. It is now the only piece of software I use on a regular basis that has no equivalent.

 

[nouveau_redneck]

I wonder if a significant portion of the people that prefer using iPads can't touch type. Could that be a factor? I can see losing the utility of a proper keyboard not being an issue to those that type with a couple pecking fingers while looking at the keyboard.

 

[iPadified]

I feel the complete opposite regarding the quoted statement. An iPad is cumbersome under those circumstance. A laptop's utility, comfort, and it's ease of accomplishing the tasks you outline is superior to an iPad. It's superiority comes from, the built in keyboard, build in stand, fully functioning OS with cool things like local storage, multi-tasking, flexibility, etc.

Watching movies in bed or on the couch - The laptop is better for its hand free operation. The iPad needs to be held or propped up somehow. If an event occurs, requiring some multitasking, no problem, put the movie in a window, take care of it and go on.

E-mail. - Really, you would chose a device with a screen based keyboard? Or a device that requires connecting to an external keyboard, resulting in an awkward stand that really requires a table for usage?

Paying the bills. - I can see the iPad equaling a laptop in some cases. Although it is limited by the lack of a built in stand, requiring holding it.

Shopping - Same as bills.

Creative work - iPads do well for specialized tasks, so there are some where it would be useful.

Overall, iPads are not very good at general tasks compared to good old computers. These continuous "are we there yet threads" prove the point. We are not there, and likely won't be until humans no longer require physical input devices. No, voice does not count - talking out all interaction is not practical.

Your post is filled with subjectivism and opinions and you know, that is fine - mine was as well, which also is fine.

It´s about choice and preferences and not what is best because there is no "best". You can just as well try to tell people which car is best or which shoes is most comfortable.

But to answer you use cases: I like to sit in bed with my knees bended forming a natural stand for an iPad but it is a very uncomfortable stand for a laptop. Actually I do not like sitting with flat outstretched legs required for laptop use. Same goes for sofa use but there the laptop work better. At home, I do not write much privately so a software keyboard is fine - I am in no hurry. I also like the software keyboard and it is more fun to write on but it gets in the way of a viewing area which is a drawback. Multitasking, external storage, and stuff like that is work for me and iCloud is sufficient privately.

How long have you been using keyboard and mouse - several decades? How long time have you used iOS devices in comparison? 1/10:th of the time (in the best case). There is a risk you are biased.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

How much of the greatly prefer is due to the "cool/fun" factor? I prefer watching movies on my iPad and paying bills on an app, but emails and MS Office/Excel are much better on a laptop. I don't get the same giddy feeling opening a laptop as I do firing up an iPad with Smart Keyboard but for most tasks outside videos/Facebook/apps, the laptop is much more efficient.

It’s 0% due to the cool/fun factor. I’ve had an iPad in some capacity for over 8 years. I lost that long ago. For the first 1-2 years the cool/fun factor was in play... then I got really tired of it when I realized how much of a compromise it was... then I got the mini 2 (new form factor) which re-sparked things a bit. Then I went a couple years in the desert, where I would only rarely use my iPads. Everything, and I mean everything, changed with iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard. It’s so fast, simple, and provides a default stand where I can easily type anything if/when I need to. Plus some keyboard shortcuts. I’m on it now and my MBA is tucked away in my computer nook.

That being said, it’s extremely rare that I need to do word/excel. That’s still better on a mac, but is improving on iPad. I’m only a light email user which is fine on iPad. I do wish apple would allow trackpad support on their keyboard... then it would be the perfect device.

 

[subjonas]

Totally agree with all of this. iPhones are great and indispensible. Laptops are as well. I never understood why anyone would need an in-between device. Bought iPads on 2 occassions thinking I would use it, and it never made sense... either for work or leisure.

Yes, and laptops are way easier to hold for all the reasons you've explained. iPads are actually more cumbersome. If you want portability, go for the small Macbook and have an iPhone.

I have two personal examples in which an in-between device (ipad) makes good sense.

I would actually prefer to just own a small macbook and an iphone as you suggested, but I am compelled to own an ipad mini because I do a lot of casual reading—and while I love my small iphone se while I’m out and about, it isn’t great for long sessions of reading on the couch (neither is a laptop of course). The mini is much more ideal, even more ideal than phablets. If I could tolerate phablets, then one might be “good enough” and I’d forego the mini, but I’ve found that I cannot deal with carrying phablets around everywhere. So I can attest that the mini makes sense for small phone users who enjoy a lot of casual reading at home.

And as someone who needs to draw a lot for work, of course I am also compelled to own the larger 12.9 ipad pro. But really, ipads make sense for anyone who wants to draw or write digitally.

So while I generally prefer macos and the clamshell form factor, I’ve found that these two important needs in my life (long casual reading and big digital drawing) can really only be filled adequately by ipads, and two separate ipads at that.

 

[Stephen.R]

And as someone who needs to draw a lot for work, of course I am also compelled to own the larger 12.9 ipad pro. But really, ipads make sense for anyone who wants to draw or write digitally.

This is interesting. Do you find the iPad Pro too large to read on, comfortably? My wife tried one briefly in a store the other day, I hadn't realised (never really thought about it) until then how much bigger/heavier they are to hold than a 'traditional' iPad.

 

[jmarttu24]

love that it supports external drives, however it won't be a replacement for me personally until I can install some 3d software like sketch up and use autocad. the ipad pro is more than capable of doing it and it would be great to have those options while away from my computer. I understand most cases though, the ipad can be sufficient

 

[The Game 161]

It is for me. I ditched my MacBook and not looked back since and it will only get better with IpadOS

 

[Mainsail]

This is an interesting thread, and I can definitely see both sides to the discussion. I suppose it is a bit like cars. Some people need a big mini van or truck to haul kids and stuff around. Other people just need a Hybrid compact for commuting and parking in the city. Some people live in the city, and don’t want to own a car at all. They take the metro and Uber around (this is what my daughter and son have done for a few years in DC).

It seems to me that increasingly people are looking at their personal computing needs and saying I can get by just fine with an iPad, especially when iPadOS is released. Most people have employer provided computers, and they have little or no say in what that device is......probably a desktop or laptop Windows PC. They spend most of their computing day using a corporate database, MS Office, and Outlook. The iPad offers freedom from this world for their personal computing needs away from work. Also, back at work, there are people that want to mix up their devices a bit for variety rather than spend countless hours hunched over a laptop. For example, they might take their iPad to meetings to access documents, take handwritten notes, annotate slides, and make diagrams/sketches. They use the iPad for light productivity and as a personal digital assistant.....the iPad is much more convenient than lugging a 5 lbs employer provided PC to meetings and frankly much better at the things I mentioned.

It is telling that the survey shows that about 70% of the respondents believe that over 50% of users could make an iPad their main computer. This survey would have been a much smaller percentage a few years ago. There is no doubt about the direction of the trend line....we can argue rate of change, but probably not direction. Finally, I would say that since 2010 there has been far more advancement, innovation and development in the iPad platform than the Mac. This trend will likely continue for awhile.

 

[subjonas]

This is interesting. Do you find the iPad Pro too large to read on, comfortably? My wife tried one briefly in a store the other day, I hadn't realised (never really thought about it) until then how much bigger/heavier they are to hold than a 'traditional' iPad.

Yeah because of its larger size I wouldn’t want to use it for casual reading on a regular basis. But that’s me, others might enjoy it, not sure. I’m one of those people who likes extremes. For drawing (work) I want as big of a screen as I can handle, and for leisure reading I want as comfortable/small of a device as I can get away with before it starts to diminish the experience—which for reading is pretty small. For video, I prefer my tv anyway.

 

[RudySnow]

How much of the greatly prefer is due to the "cool/fun" factor? I prefer watching movies on my iPad and paying bills on an app, but emails and MS Office/Excel are much better on a laptop. I don't get the same giddy feeling opening a laptop as I do firing up an iPad with Smart Keyboard but for most tasks outside videos/Facebook/apps, the laptop is much more efficient.

I suspect that if Apple ever puts a glowing Apple logo on the back of iPads, we’ll see more of them in use at Starbucks.

 

[rui no onna]

How much of the greatly prefer is due to the "cool/fun" factor? I prefer watching movies on my iPad and paying bills on an app, but emails and MS Office/Excel are much better on a laptop. I don't get the same giddy feeling opening a laptop as I do firing up an iPad with Smart Keyboard but for most tasks outside videos/Facebook/apps, the laptop is much more efficient.

No "cool/fun" factor here. It's mostly the laziness factor.

MS Office/Excel and writing long emails is something I do primarily on work provided Windows desktops and laptops. Not much call for it in my personal life.

My personal computing is mostly comprised of reading ebooks and comics, forums, online shopping, online banking, and checking emails. Honestly, without the iPhone/iPad, I'd probably check my personal email once in a blue moon. I've got some tasks that absolutely require a PC (e.g. Blu-ray ripping, Calibre ebook management, etc). For majority of my personal computing though, I find the tablet form factor much more convenient especially when lazing around in bed or a lounge chair.

I voted 75% to 99%. Why? Because, there are plenty of countries where the smartphone is already the primary/main computing device of the population. Perhaps even the first and only personal computing device. Really, for folks with simple computing needs, I expect the question is why bother getting an iPad/tablet when the smartphone already suffices.