Interesting spreadsheet. If I had to add my own numbers in there, the iPad would get very low marks for multitasking, large/multi-monitor support and expandability. Obviously it also just can't run a lot of development apps or command line tools and scripting that are essential for my work, but everyone is different on that front.
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iPad Pro Seriously, why not just get MacBook?
- Thread starter LovingTeddy
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Here’s a table I find describes the use case of the iPad vs the Mac rather well.
It’s not necessarily a knock against the iPad though. Not everyone needs a computer for complex spreadsheets, CAD drawings or huge xCode projects and that’s just the nature of work.
My computing uses are:
Web browsing
Spotify
Microsoft Word
Photo Storage
Everything I do is now done just as easily, and in some cases better, on an iPad. and I get the bonus of the plethora of awesome iOS apps. Add a mouse and keyboard w/trackpad for Word Processing and there's no reason for me to look back.
Also, you say MacOS is an easier to use OS? I don't know if that's true for many people. You also said faster machine. For a Macbook Pro yeah, maybe, but the iPad Pro at least outpaces the Macbook Air, and that's a big deal, especially for your average user.
Web browsing
Spotify
Microsoft Word
Photo Storage
Everything I do is now done just as easily, and in some cases better, on an iPad. and I get the bonus of the plethora of awesome iOS apps. Add a mouse and keyboard w/trackpad for Word Processing and there's no reason for me to look back.
Also, you say MacOS is an easier to use OS? I don't know if that's true for many people. You also said faster machine. For a Macbook Pro yeah, maybe, but the iPad Pro at least outpaces the Macbook Air, and that's a big deal, especially for your average user.
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I would make task duration and complexity much lower on iPhone. If something takes more than 10 minutes I would not attempt on that small screen and interface. For me the iPhone is for quick reference on the go, and no more, while the iPad Pro with keyboard I will happily use all day (do on average 10 hours per day - more during lockdown). The only reason I ever use a Mac is for tasks where the software is not available for iPad - but find myself dis-satisfied on the Mac against the iPad - I find myself forever reaching for the screen and nothing happens. Shows we are all different!Here’s a table I find describes the use case of the iPad vs the Mac rather well.
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It all depends.
For us who are already using traditional laptop and desktop programs, getting an iPad Pro + keyboard to replace our laptops might not make sense as we probably have some programs specific to macOS/Windows that cannot be replicated on the iPad yet. Plus we will need to adjust our workflow.
However, let's consider many people who practically use their iPhone as their primary computing device. I have met young photographers who literally use their iPhones to import and edit photos straight from their DSLR. Many SMB people are also more and more reliant on their phones. For these group of people, having and iPad Pro + keyboard might make sense as the programs (apps) they use are already within the iOS ecosystem itself, so the iPad is more of an extension providing a larger screen/canvas and better typing experience than their phones.
For us who are already using traditional laptop and desktop programs, getting an iPad Pro + keyboard to replace our laptops might not make sense as we probably have some programs specific to macOS/Windows that cannot be replicated on the iPad yet. Plus we will need to adjust our workflow.
However, let's consider many people who practically use their iPhone as their primary computing device. I have met young photographers who literally use their iPhones to import and edit photos straight from their DSLR. Many SMB people are also more and more reliant on their phones. For these group of people, having and iPad Pro + keyboard might make sense as the programs (apps) they use are already within the iOS ecosystem itself, so the iPad is more of an extension providing a larger screen/canvas and better typing experience than their phones.
I second this. Macbook air with lighter and more solid form is clearly better than combo iPad + keyboard plus more weight and limited functionality. I agree this is personal choice. I can understand if the usages are lot of drawing, sketching etc (which I know only few of people have that), but I still hard to believe that still lot of people think that ipad combo is more suitable for them.
If we need apps which exist on iPad only (which are few), likelihood is that app also have iPhone version (which most of have).
I am not against iPad vs laptop. I have iPad with Apple Pencil which I use everyday to clip and highlight news and paper every morning. It’s just ipad + keyboard combo vs laptop which hard to understand.
It‘s our own money anyway, nothing is wrong from this perspective.
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I don’t blame them. Desktop and laptop computers are a commodity market - largely easily-replaceable by a competitor’s product. Apple pretty much owns the tablet space and probably would like to maintain that position, hence they invest more in that arena.
Overall, I can't see spending more money for an iPad Pro, and a keyboard then a MBA, especially when the combined weight of iPad and its keyboard will be heavier and thicker.
Yet with that said, the iPad brings a functionality that cannot be matched with the laptop. Two different tools for two different purposes. I do think think a laptop offers more functionality and power, but that's not to take away the benefit of the iPad.
Yet with that said, the iPad brings a functionality that cannot be matched with the laptop. Two different tools for two different purposes. I do think think a laptop offers more functionality and power, but that's not to take away the benefit of the iPad.
Plus I am not sure how much innovative you can be in the laptop/desktop market. I mean aside from what they did. There are things that I would wish Apple does with their laptops but they would not as it contract their business strategy. Namely the ability to upgrade SSD, RAM, CPU etc or to offer both HDD and SSD. With desktop machines I think that they started this with the mac Pro but I might be left with the wrong impression.
Anyway as a whole I would say that there is nothing revolutionary new in terms of laptops/desktops markets. Yes other brands have 2 in 1 laptops but Apple would not do it as this would affect their iPad market.
This question will resolve itself eventually as the iPad gets ever better and the older generation get replaced by young people who have grown up with touch screen devices and see traditional computers with mouse as antiquated. Like I don’t expect my six month old son will ever use a MacBook - by the time he’s grown up the iPad and other touch devices will have completely replaced. They’re just more intuitive to use.
Maybe. I think you’re overly optimistic.
The iPad and Macbook really serve two different purposes regardless of what Apple is marketing them as. For many applications, touch interfaces are counter productive. The iPad would need more feature/hardware parity to fully capable PCs/Macs in order to completely replace them. We know in the short term that is not going to happen even though some devs are converting their desktop apps into tablet apps for iPad Pros.
It all depends on what you need. Till today I used 3 devices: MacBook Air, iPad (content consumption only) and an iMac 27”. This time (after several years) I will try to replace the old MacBook Air with an iPad Pro 12.9” both for work (mainly Word, PowerPoint, .pdf, mails etc) and free time.
Agree
The prices of some of it are getting absurd though. Not that I think $999 for a 12.9" 120hz screen, powerful processor near what Intel pushes out, and 128g of storage in the form factor it is in, is a ripoff. The REALLY need something between the $300 and $800 iPads though; an "R" model iPad. 12" screen in between what's out now, maybe 60hz, older chip like an A11 or regular A12. It would sell a crap ton at say $599.
The accessories are a TOTAL rip though. $199 for the keyboard folio is insane; thats 20% of the whole iPad cost for some plastic and a PCB. The $350 for the new keyboard is just nuts. Over 1/3 the iPad cost and for some plastic; no screen, battery, RAM, chips, etc.
It makes the whole package just not attractive when you have to spend a minimum $1350 for an iPad if you want the trackpad feature which Apple is pushing hard. Thats nuts, more than my refurb XPS 13 i7, 16gb, 512gb 9360 cost that I got a year ago- I think it was $1100-1200.
Even the third party accessories are expensive.. the bridge pro+ is $230 for the 12.9" model and that connects over bluetooth. Adding in the smart connector, charging port, magnetic hold, etc. Would surely put the magic keyboard as more expensive than the brydge another company would be about %20-30 more, but of course apple has to push it to %50 more.. lol
I have the Magic Keyboard since Monday and now, after the honeymoon phase, I can say that the Magic Keyboard really makes the iPad a better device. It makes productivity tasks easier and it maintains the iPad's nature. Having said that, it cannot replace my MacBook Pro, at least not yet. It is not as good with Remote Desktop, and Citrix Workspace also doesn't work as well as on macOS. It would be possible for me to do real work with it, but with my MacBook Pro these two apps I use a lot for my customers, are just not as good on the iPad. I am sure this will change at some point in the future, but for now I would use my iPad for remote management of Windows Servers only when I don't have another choice, when I don't have my Macs around. Maybe I would go on vacation without my MacBook Pro, or maybe on small trips, but not more than that.
The iPad though is a joy to use and is becoming increasing useful. When the quality of the apps I am using catches up with the desktop equivalents, then it will be an interesting time..
The iPad though is a joy to use and is becoming increasing useful. When the quality of the apps I am using catches up with the desktop equivalents, then it will be an interesting time..
I can’t detach the MacBook screen to read a book, watch movies or play with it.
While i can’t run some desktop software on my iPad.
But considering that i can do 90% of my work on an browser, i will use more and more my iPad rather than my MacBook pro.
Maybe I’ll prefer my mbp only for long, extensive work sessions thanks to the bigger display (15“).
But for contents consumption + 90% of my work (browser based) my iPad with a Magic Keyboard is the def solution.
My 2c
While i can’t run some desktop software on my iPad.
But considering that i can do 90% of my work on an browser, i will use more and more my iPad rather than my MacBook pro.
Maybe I’ll prefer my mbp only for long, extensive work sessions thanks to the bigger display (15“).
But for contents consumption + 90% of my work (browser based) my iPad with a Magic Keyboard is the def solution.
My 2c
In my case, even tho i have a Macbook Pro as well, when I do not do 3d modelling or 3d rendering , for all the rest, my iPad Pro 12.9 1st gen is used much more. When I update my iPad Pro, I would not buy the Magic Keyboard because I do not type a lot, so, I'd rather need an occasional typing cover with a detachable keyboard. But the reason I would buy in iPad Pro 12.9 + Apple Pencil instead of Macbook Pro:
- Drawing experience on the iPad is fantastic, no lag, no latency even with huge brushes, and drawing directly on the screen without parallax.
- Being able to use it as a sketchpad outside. I can go to a cafe, bar, park or even to a client and sketch ideas, make paintings..etc easily and in a very portable way whereas with a Macbook Pro, I would also need a graphic tablet and it already become cumbersome and "impossible" to use it on your lap to sketch some ideas when a table is not always available.
- Using while having a trip is more fantastic in my opinion, more portable than a Macbook Pro. I love watching netflix on it when I want to have a break.
- I love the battery life of my iPad Pro (actually not so much anymore since it is old but still it is acceptable if you use for media consumption but when i am drawing, it lasts less.)
- Simpleness of the iPad. It doesn't have fan..etc, it doesn't get worm when i use it on my lap..etc and I think that they age better than the normal computers/laptops. My iPad still works fantastic on almost any app, especially on drawing apps. May be a bit less on image processing apps or 3d apps compared to the newer models but it is still very usable.
- I love being able to annotate on PDF files or Screenshots easily.
- Even tho it is not a kindle (for the ease of eyes) , I like it to read some books..etc as well. The matte screen protector that i use on it, does not help neither unfortunately for reading. But again, a Macbook is as good (minus the practicality since it does not have a tablet mode) or as bad for reading compared to iPad.
Obviously it also has downsides compares to the Macbooks. Like certain applications that I would need, are not available on iPad:
- Keyshot ( may be in future could be nice to have an iPad App with an on cloud render engine in case the hardware is not enough )
- Alias Studio or Rhino
- Adobe Indesign / Affinity Publisher
- Secondlife
But I think that sooner or later, they will arrive or will have alternatives. And when they do, I can finaly and completely replace my Macbook with iPad Pro. At most I can have a desktop PC at home for more power hungry modelling and rendering and keep "only iPad mode" for all the on the go things.
So if i have to choose one, I enjoy using iPad Pro more than the Macbook no matter the price.
- Drawing experience on the iPad is fantastic, no lag, no latency even with huge brushes, and drawing directly on the screen without parallax.
- Being able to use it as a sketchpad outside. I can go to a cafe, bar, park or even to a client and sketch ideas, make paintings..etc easily and in a very portable way whereas with a Macbook Pro, I would also need a graphic tablet and it already become cumbersome and "impossible" to use it on your lap to sketch some ideas when a table is not always available.
- Using while having a trip is more fantastic in my opinion, more portable than a Macbook Pro. I love watching netflix on it when I want to have a break.
- I love the battery life of my iPad Pro (actually not so much anymore since it is old but still it is acceptable if you use for media consumption but when i am drawing, it lasts less.)
- Simpleness of the iPad. It doesn't have fan..etc, it doesn't get worm when i use it on my lap..etc and I think that they age better than the normal computers/laptops. My iPad still works fantastic on almost any app, especially on drawing apps. May be a bit less on image processing apps or 3d apps compared to the newer models but it is still very usable.
- I love being able to annotate on PDF files or Screenshots easily.
- Even tho it is not a kindle (for the ease of eyes) , I like it to read some books..etc as well. The matte screen protector that i use on it, does not help neither unfortunately for reading. But again, a Macbook is as good (minus the practicality since it does not have a tablet mode) or as bad for reading compared to iPad.
Obviously it also has downsides compares to the Macbooks. Like certain applications that I would need, are not available on iPad:
- Keyshot ( may be in future could be nice to have an iPad App with an on cloud render engine in case the hardware is not enough )
- Alias Studio or Rhino
- Adobe Indesign / Affinity Publisher
- Secondlife
But I think that sooner or later, they will arrive or will have alternatives. And when they do, I can finaly and completely replace my Macbook with iPad Pro. At most I can have a desktop PC at home for more power hungry modelling and rendering and keep "only iPad mode" for all the on the go things.
So if i have to choose one, I enjoy using iPad Pro more than the Macbook no matter the price.
I think you are missing the point of having choices.
I have the new 12” pro and love it ordered a smart kB for it. May only use it once or twice but I still like to have it with me rarely use the pencil.
I have a 12” MacBook which is perfect and I could use it for media consumption when travelling; but I prefer to use it for work and my iPad for my media consumption and FaceTime.
My 16” MacBook Pro is more of a desktop replacement but I can take with me when I need to.
Now the iMac is the family machine which sits and is very pretty and I should use it more.
I have the new 12” pro and love it ordered a smart kB for it. May only use it once or twice but I still like to have it with me rarely use the pencil.
I have a 12” MacBook which is perfect and I could use it for media consumption when travelling; but I prefer to use it for work and my iPad for my media consumption and FaceTime.
My 16” MacBook Pro is more of a desktop replacement but I can take with me when I need to.
Now the iMac is the family machine which sits and is very pretty and I should use it more.
It’s all about choices and what you want to achieve.
You could argue for the price of a 12” iPad Pro and keyboard you
could have a MPA and IPad Air for roughly the same cost.
For me having a year old 11” iPad Pro and wanting a larger screen and keyboard it seems to be more logical to add an i5 upgrade MBA at just over £1k which gives me full flexibility in mobile apps and desktop apps.
Had the keyboard been a realistic price i would have took a punt on one.
I’m sure Apple will change the design on the IPad to also force the converted to also get a new keyboard.
You could argue for the price of a 12” iPad Pro and keyboard you
could have a MPA and IPad Air for roughly the same cost.
For me having a year old 11” iPad Pro and wanting a larger screen and keyboard it seems to be more logical to add an i5 upgrade MBA at just over £1k which gives me full flexibility in mobile apps and desktop apps.
Had the keyboard been a realistic price i would have took a punt on one.
I’m sure Apple will change the design on the IPad to also force the converted to also get a new keyboard.
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I want an iPad and a MacBook, they are useful in different situations.
For coding and development, I use the MacBook, for doing emails, notes and many other tasks outside of general browsing and media consumption I use the iPad, it is perfect for these tasks and more flexible as well as portable.
When I take time out to do some tasks like emails during the day I grab the iPad and go away from my desk to get a break away from it. And of course, no matter what I do, both devices are completely and naturally in sync with each other.
Actually considering dropping the MBP and getting another Mac Mini as the iPad just fills every need I have in a portable device these days.
For coding and development, I use the MacBook, for doing emails, notes and many other tasks outside of general browsing and media consumption I use the iPad, it is perfect for these tasks and more flexible as well as portable.
When I take time out to do some tasks like emails during the day I grab the iPad and go away from my desk to get a break away from it. And of course, no matter what I do, both devices are completely and naturally in sync with each other.
Actually considering dropping the MBP and getting another Mac Mini as the iPad just fills every need I have in a portable device these days.
I think with the updates done with the iPad software-wise and now accessory wise with trackpad/mouse support, we’ve come to what Steve Jobs originally envisioned for the iPad during his keynote presentation which is the true ‘middle’ between an iPhone and the MacBook.
I prefer the iPad because the times I owned a MacBook/Macbook Pro, I never full utilized the potential of the hardware. I mostly used it for school-work, browsing, media consumption, and other lightweight tasks. Gaming wise, I built a Windows desktop for that so I’m covered in that spot. I love to draw and in time the iPad eventually came to support a stylus. At this point the iPad Pro alongside the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard fulfill everything I’ve wanted from a capable and lightweight device. I do not foresee myself getting a laptop in the future as I do not think I would ever use what is offered, especially at their higher price points. If anything, I might invest in a Mac Mini just to have access to the Mac OS environment.
I prefer the iPad because the times I owned a MacBook/Macbook Pro, I never full utilized the potential of the hardware. I mostly used it for school-work, browsing, media consumption, and other lightweight tasks. Gaming wise, I built a Windows desktop for that so I’m covered in that spot. I love to draw and in time the iPad eventually came to support a stylus. At this point the iPad Pro alongside the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard fulfill everything I’ve wanted from a capable and lightweight device. I do not foresee myself getting a laptop in the future as I do not think I would ever use what is offered, especially at their higher price points. If anything, I might invest in a Mac Mini just to have access to the Mac OS environment.