So, I bought an iPad Pro 10.5 and it is ok, but...

[hakr100]

...I don't see how Apple and others can position it as a "replacement" for a real laptop.

1. You can't easily download files directly to it from websites and other sources with Safari, Firefox, or Chrome. At least, there is no easy way I have found. Suggestions?

2. Cut and paste, copy and paste, et cetera, seems clumsy with just fingers to use as a "pointing device." I haven't tried an Apple Pencil, but I have read that it only seems to work with apps that are designed for its use, and even then it isn't as usable for the purposes I mentioned as a mouse or even a trackpad.

3. The iPad does work nicely with my Apple "Magic" Keyboard.

 

[Metalpython]

Yeh you really can't position it as a laptop at all. I have the 12.9 inch model but the only reason I bought it was to use it just like my iPhone but with a bigger screen. iPads have an arm processor which means it is completely different from a laptop and will not be able to run the same programs that a normal amd64 laptop will be able to run. Sure you can write letters on the arm version of pages but you could do that on your phone. The processor types are completely different and there is no way to do tasks such as proper app development or play full games on the iPad. In no way is it a laptop and it shouldn't be. The surface pro is a real 'laptop' though. It can run all laptop apps. This should make it seem like a better choice than the iPad but no. When I had one a few years back I realised that it had no real use. You couldn't really use it as a tablet like the iPad as mobile apps don't support it and the screen was pretty small for a laptop. When I got a proper laptop later it became completely useless xD.

 

[strategicthinke]

Wait for iOS 11. Or download the beta. It’s a game changer.

...I don't see how Apple and others can position it as a "replacement" for a real laptop.

1. You can't easily download files directly to it from websites and other sources with Safari, Firefox, or Chrome. At least, there is no easy way I have found. Suggestions?

2. Cut and paste, copy and paste, et cetera, seems clumsy with just fingers to use as a "pointing device." I haven't tried an Apple Pencil, but I have read that it only seems to work with apps that are designed for its use, and even then it isn't as usable for the purposes I mentioned as a mouse or even a trackpad.

3. The iPad does work nicely with my Apple "Magic" Keyboard.

 

[Spaniel95]

Wait for iOS 11. Or download the beta. It’s a game changer.

I agree, iOS 11 on my basic iPad 5th Gen (2017) is so much better than ten for functionality, and from my limited usage on a iPad Pro it was so much better as well.