So... why buy an iPad?

[Mainsail]

You can use a Bluetooth keyboard with a Mac. It’s cumbersome but you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard if the keyboard on your MacBook stops working.

Ummmm.....that’s kind of absurd. A laptop that needs a separate BT keyboard to perform its basic operation as a mobile computing device is just plain ridiculous. Sure, you can use it in clamshell mode, but if you needed a desktop computer then you would have bought one rather than a laptop.

This is what I mean by a false equivalence. An iPad can function perfectly without a physical keyboard.....in fact, it was designed primarily to work with an input interface that is touch without separate keyboard. A faulty keyboard on a Laptop is a disaster.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Ummmm.....that’s kind of absurd. A laptop that needs a separate BT keyboard to perform its basic operation as a mobile computing device is just plain ridiculous. Sure, you can use it in clamshell mode, but if you needed a desktop computer then you would have bought one rather than a laptop.

This is what I mean by a false equivalence. An iPad can function perfectly without a physical keyboard.....in fact, it was designed primarily to work with an input interface that is touch without separate keyboard. A faulty keyboard on a Laptop is a disaster.

Yep it is. The keyboard on my last windows laptop stoped working after a year and a half so I had to use an external keyboard and an external mouse as the track pad also failed. By 2 years it was having problems booting up and by 2.5 years I’d thrown it in the trash and got a MacBook.

 

[Boyd01]

By 2 years it was having problems booting up and by 2.5 years I’d thrown it in the trash and got a MacBook.

Well the trackpad on my MacBook Air is failing, but it's five years old. Boots fine and the keyboard still works great though.

 

[AJsAWiz]

If you read reviews or go to Apple's product page for iPad, all they focus on is what's new and better compared to previous or other iPad models.

But no one seems to be talking about why one would buy an iPad.

Personally, I've had several iPads in the past but I mainly used them for watching videos and browsing the web. That need kinda went away when bigger sized phones showed up.

The new $329 iPad, however, grabs my attention. Relatively low price and iOS seems much improved when looking at stuff like multitasking.
Still not convinced I'm going to buy one. Also considering the 2017 iPad which is $30 cheaper.

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

Because I wanted one.

 

[macfacts]

I find it interesting that no one mentioned "tablet optimized apps" for picking the iPad over a iPhone or Android tablet. Almost as if it isn't a high priority.

Imo, the only reason to get an iPad is cause you want a bigger viewing area, not because apps are easier to use because of a different ui. ( why buy a 65" tv vs a 32")

 

[Fthree]

basically a larger screen for clash of clans............ oh and the wall st journal

 

[Boyd01]

I find it interesting that no one mentioned "tablet optimized apps" for picking the iPad over a iPhone or Android tablet.

Exactly. Two specialized audio apps were a tipping point for me. The Zoom F8 Control app provides a mixing control surface for their 8 track field recorder and the Logic Remote app does the same (plus a lot more) for Logic Pro running on a Mac. Neither of these is available on Android. There are iPhone versions of these apps, but the user interface is different on the small screen and has fewer features.

 

[ssledoux]

I use my iPad for almost everything. I believe I have had every single one ever released. Of course initially, I just used them for playing games and entertainment.

However, I gave up my Mac a couple years ago when I got my 1st gen 12.9. With all the great apps for work and play, there was just nothing I do on a regular basis that I couldn’t do on the pad. I have recently given up my 12.9 to downsize for portability, so I’m using a 2018 iPad, and still doing everything I need to do, plus I have this portable entertainment device as well.

I can’t imagine NOT having an iPad.

 

[JagdTiger]

Ummmm.....that’s kind of absurd. A laptop that needs a separate BT keyboard to perform its basic operation as a mobile computing device is just plain ridiculous. Sure, you can use it in clamshell mode, but if you needed a desktop computer then you would have bought one rather than a laptop.

This is what I mean by a false equivalence. An iPad can function perfectly without a physical keyboard.....in fact, it was designed primarily to work with an input interface that is touch without separate keyboard. A faulty keyboard on a Laptop is a disaster.

The iPads have those separate keyboard cases which are nice!
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I find it interesting that no one mentioned "tablet optimized apps" for picking the iPad over a iPhone or Android tablet. Almost as if it isn't a high priority.

Imo, the only reason to get an iPad is cause you want a bigger viewing area, not because apps are easier to use because of a different ui. ( why buy a 65" tv vs a 32")

If one purchased a rear projector they could have variable size screens.

 

[kipwheeler]

If you read reviews or go to Apple's product page for iPad, all they focus on is what's new and better compared to previous or other iPad models.

But no one seems to be talking about why one would buy an iPad.

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

Because it is small enough to carry with me on the go, using one hand, when I'm in the classroom teaching. It can hold all my textbooks as PDF files, so I can consult and point students toward relevant bits during discussion. I can link it to the smartboard and draw on it with the apple pencil to make diagrams and charts on the fly.

Because I like using the apple pencil to mark up student essays as I walk down the hall (I am a pacer, and I pace as I grade.)

Because I can use it when I run D&D games as a replacement for rulebooks, pull up battle maps on it, and access a Filemaker database of the stats for various monster encounters.

Many of these are things you could do individually with a laptop. However, the ability to carry them all in one hand with a screen big enough for others to see, and simultaneously access a writing /drawing surface large enough to be useful, even while you are standing or mobile? That's priceless. It would be incredibly awkward to do all that while trying to carry a laptop as you stand.

 

[Prof.]

porn and low budget websites

Kinda cumbersome in the bathroom tho
_________

I see myself one day only having an iPad Pro and an iMac, no MacBook Pro.

 

[trevlawson]

https://www.duetdisplay.com/

not necessarily a reason for buying an ipad, but definitely a "pro" for buying one

 

[Fthree]

so im kind of the opposite from alot of the responses.... I typically use my iPad for outside the house uses and when i come home use the 15 inch MacBook for media etc.

 

[AJsAWiz]

I use my iPad for almost everything. I believe I have had every single one ever released. Of course initially, I just used them for playing games and entertainment.

However, I gave up my Mac a couple years ago when I got my 1st gen 12.9. With all the great apps for work and play, there was just nothing I do on a regular basis that I couldn’t do on the pad. I have recently given up my 12.9 to downsize for portability, so I’m using a 2018 iPad, and still doing everything I need to do, plus I have this portable entertainment device as well.

I can’t imagine NOT having an iPad.

Great! I can see the 12.9 iPad as a substitute for a desktop computer. For me, there is software, and other tasks that can not be duplicated, currently, on the iOS platform. That is why I utilize both. I recently ditched my 12.9 for the 10.5.

 

[AJsAWiz]

Because it is small enough to carry with me on the go, using one hand, when I'm in the classroom teaching. It can hold all my textbooks as PDF files, so I can consult and point students toward relevant bits during discussion. I can link it to the smartboard and draw on it with the apple pencil to make diagrams and charts on the fly.

Because I like using the apple pencil to mark up student essays as I walk down the hall (I am a pacer, and I pace as I grade.)

Because I can use it when I run D&D games as a replacement for rulebooks, pull up battle maps on it, and access a Filemaker database of the stats for various monster encounters.

Many of these are things you could do individually with a laptop. However, the ability to carry them all in one hand with a screen big enough for others to see, and simultaneously access a writing /drawing surface large enough to be useful, even while you are standing or mobile? That's priceless. It would be incredibly awkward to do all that while trying to carry a laptop as you stand.

Those are good reasons

 

[ssledoux]

Great! I can see the 12.9 iPad as a substitute for a desktop computer. For me, there is software, and other tasks that can not be duplicated, currently, on the iOS platform. That is why I utilize both. I recently ditched my 12.9 for the 10.5.

Yeah, I certainly realize not everyone has the option of giving up computers/laptops and going iPad only. I just don’t happen to do anything regularly that I can’t do on a pad. The thing I was most worried about when giving up my computer was photo/video storage. I realized though, that back in those old film photography days, we wouldn’t have 10,000 pictures (probably 100 of the same thing), so I have just been more diligent about keeping less and uploading them into Shutterfly. At that point, I either print them or put them into books.

Other than my photos, there was really nothing else holding me back, so I took the leap. I really haven’t looked back.

 

[BenTrovato]

iPads are great. Definitely not a dekstop replacement for me but there’s lots I can do on a tablet when I don’t need full power and the big screen.

 

[charlituna]

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

anyone else answering that question is bunk in terms of whether YOU should buy an iPad. what we do with our devices is not the same as what you would do. and only you can answer that question. if you didn't see the answer right in front of you the moment you looked at an iPad that a zillion folks telling you what they do isn't going to make a good reason for YOU to buy appear.

so the answer to 'why should I buy an iPad' is that you shouldn't.

 

[labyrinth153]

I use my iPad for work.

I use the document scanner to scan paperwork - I turn large yellowish carbon legal paper into clear easy to read pdfs. CAD/Design. Documenting customer claims with photos and notes. Note taking, reminders, alarms. Conference calls.

Everything.

 

[TechZeke]

After graduating college, I've found that the iPad Pro 10.5 makes for excellent mobile machine with a desktop computer like an iMac or Gaming PC at home. I don't use my 2013 15" rMBP at all anymore.

I'd love the huge screen of the 12.9, but it'd just be too unwieldy for anything other than desktop situations. The 10.5 provides a nice balance of screen size. I've never found my 10.5" screen lacking. The 12.9 is definitely geared more for someone who uses it at as their one and only computer.

 

[Koh Phi Phi]

For me, I never quite managed to successfully utilize my iPad for productivity. Too many compromises: obscure file system, limited multi tasking, challenging ergonomics due to no mouse cursor, etc. Most times, I felt like I was trying too hard to justify the severe compromises, and I would ultimately simply reach out for my laptop to get **** done.

In the other hard, for content compsumpsion the iPad is unbeatable: web browsing, reading/comic, Netflix. That is where the iPad sees most of the action from me.

 

[labyrinth153]

challenging ergonomics due to no mouse cursor, etc.

I agree the software is currently very lacking. There was a time where I need to to edit a bunch of clips with some simple cut some transitions and I got frustrated doing it on my computer. It only took 10 minutes or so to do it on my iPad. If anything the video renders faster on the iPad pro compared to my iMac.

 

[Amplelink]

For me, I never quite managed to successfully utilize my iPad for productivity. Too many compromises: obscure file system, limited multi tasking, challenging ergonomics due to no mouse cursor, etc. Most times, I felt like I was trying too hard to justify the severe compromises, and I would ultimately simply reach out for my laptop to get **** done.

In the other hard, for content compsumpsion the iPad is unbeatable: web browsing, reading/comic, Netflix. That is where the iPad sees most of the action from me.

This is exactly why I ended up just dumping my iPad for a MacBook. It's too much of an in-between device. The MacBook is just as light and I can use it for both productivity and consumption. Granted, using the MacBook for certain things like reading isn't quite as comfortable. But, I'd rather have a more capable machine than something where I have to spend time trying to figure out how to overcome its limitations.

And the most frustrating thing is that most of the limitations are software based. The hardware is clearly there. But either Apple or app developers aren't incentivized to go in that direction.

 

[Shanghaichica]

This is exactly why I ended up just dumping my iPad for a MacBook. It's too much of an in-between device. The MacBook is just as light and I can use it for both productivity and consumption. Granted, using the MacBook for certain things like reading isn't quite as comfortable. But, I'd rather have a more capable machine than something where I have to spend time trying to figure out how to overcome its limitations.

And the most frustrating thing is that most of the limitations are software based. The hardware is clearly there. But either Apple or app developers aren't incentivized to go in that direction.

Why does it have to be one or the other.

 

[Koh Phi Phi]

The most frustrating thing is that most of the limitations are software based. The hardware is clearly there. But either Apple or app developers aren't incentivized to go in that direction.

I agree is that it is indeed a software limitation. The latest generations of iPad Pros are beasts hardware-wise as they are.

I have been saying this for at least a couple of years: if Apple gave us an "iOS Pro" with the following 3 features, the iPad Pro could truly become a laptop replacement with hardly any compromise:

• Fully fledged file management/navigation app.
• A bit more of flexibility to multi-tasking.
• Mouse/trackpad cursor compatibility.

That would make the iPad Pro the ultimate hybrid device for every household, every student, and even every office desk in the world.