Technically, you don't need an expensive MacBook for complex documents and spreadsheets, either. Reckon most users are probably fine with Windows despite its occasional annoyances in exchange for much cheaper pricing.
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iPad The iPad is not a computer replacement
- Thread starter Fried Chicken
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I would agree that an iPad is best at consumption type activities. The exception would be drawing or sketching diagrams, which the iPad does much better than a MacBook.
Also, I sometimes think the term “consumption” can be misleading, in the sense that it might imply that you can’t be productive while consuming content. This is completely false. For example, some people don’t need to do a lot of document creation while away from their office, but they do need to read, review, annotate/markup documents. These ”consumption” type activities can be very productive.
I agree. Actually 90 % of my reading is pure productivity activity. I rarely read just for fun. Most of my reading is either work related or for self improvement. In that sense using Books on an iPad is quite the productivity action for me.
I agree with others that say it depends on your needs. I was iPP only for a couple years. I only bought an iMac last year after some work from home opportunities arose that would either be impossible with the iPad, or require more work around than I wanted to do. That and making truly custom photo books are the only things that keep me needing an iMac (and yes, if I liked laptops, a laptop would work as well).
Other than that, my needs could easily be met with an iPP, and if they ever come up with a good app or other option for truly customizing photo books, I will definitely give up my iMac (the working from home isn't something that will last terribly long, so I wouldn't keep an iMac only for that reason).
Other than that, my needs could easily be met with an iPP, and if they ever come up with a good app or other option for truly customizing photo books, I will definitely give up my iMac (the working from home isn't something that will last terribly long, so I wouldn't keep an iMac only for that reason).
You meant “most people” as in the ones you work/hang out/forum pal with, right?
Because I’m pretty sure that if we would be talking about “most people” as in the majority of the world’s population, than the exact opposite would be true.
No only an iPad can satisfy all their computing needs, but even a budget smartphone would do absolutely fine.
I have a 16" MBP and an iPad mini 5.
Honestly, while I like the mini for what it is, it's just not a small computer like a 12" Macbook.
And I literally use my mini for NOTHING but browsing and occasionally watching Netflix.
And I decided I'd still personally rather have a tiny ultraportable, full computer, like a 12" Macbook. No interest in an iPad with a keyboard attached to it.
I get tired of propping the iPad up, and it sucks to type on. It's fine for what it is, but I'd rather drop the coin on an ultraportable Macbook, even for my needs. I have tried two in the last week from Costco, but both had quality control issues, so for the moment, I'm still on the iPad, but hoping to change that soon.
Honestly, while I like the mini for what it is, it's just not a small computer like a 12" Macbook.
And I literally use my mini for NOTHING but browsing and occasionally watching Netflix.
And I decided I'd still personally rather have a tiny ultraportable, full computer, like a 12" Macbook. No interest in an iPad with a keyboard attached to it.
I get tired of propping the iPad up, and it sucks to type on. It's fine for what it is, but I'd rather drop the coin on an ultraportable Macbook, even for my needs. I have tried two in the last week from Costco, but both had quality control issues, so for the moment, I'm still on the iPad, but hoping to change that soon.
Works for me as a computer replacement more than not. I have an iMac and MacBook Pro and grab my iPad 99% of the time, just for the ease of use. So kindly don’t speak for me. Thank you.
This is a sweeping statement that can in no way account for every iPad owner's use case. For some, they can easily replace a computer with an iPad and never look back. For some, it is completely incompatible with their workflows. It's a case by case answer, you can't say this for everyone.
As time goes by and more features are added to iPadOS, the gap will shrink.
As time goes by and more features are added to iPadOS, the gap will shrink.
Most people I know don't have either. They just use their smartphone for everything. If a smartphone can replace a computer for people then an iPad sure as hell can.
I think running an international business as owner is a real productivity job and for me the iPad Pro is the perfect device. I do have an iMac in my office, but go days without using, as I prefer working on my 12.9” iPad Pro. While travelling the world I just take my iPad Pro and have long abandoned my MacBook. Why? If you take the time to learn all the iPad capabilities and how to use it is a very capable device for everything I need in running the business. I prefer the touch interface, the more orderly set up, slide over, the instant opening, built in LTE, camera for scanning and pencil for annotating documents. Being able to use virtually anywhere, with or without keyboard, being able to use in portrait or landscape and the quick response and reliability - which I find better than a Mac. I know the iPad will not suit you tech sorts as cannot support lots of the software for those tasks, but for me as a company owner, and I expect a lot of other people in non-IT roles it is the perfect device. For me the iPad is the future, and when I do use a Mac, having to manipulate a pointer with a mouse seems dated - but everyone to their own - whatever works best for you.
Of course it's not a computer replacement. Nevertheless most things you can do on a MBA you can do on an iPad (Pro). That is if you take the time to bother learning how to use an iPad properly. Apple nerfs iPadOS (e.g. no windows for multitasking, no Adblock on YouTube, no file manager) on purpose so that people would more likely buy iPads and MB together.
If you're not satisfied with the iPad alone you can still return it. But I can tell you that I'm not a "dumb consumer who bought into the marketing hype", my iPad Pro is very useful for when I'm on the move and I just wanna keep my laptop home.
If you're not satisfied with the iPad alone you can still return it. But I can tell you that I'm not a "dumb consumer who bought into the marketing hype", my iPad Pro is very useful for when I'm on the move and I just wanna keep my laptop home.
With all the Apple marketing hype about it being a computer replacement I was surprised it's actually gotten dumb and dumber compared to previous iPads. Got the 2019 iPad 7th gen for Xmas and background multitasking time limit on iOS 13 has been reduced even further to ~20 secs. Down from 3 minutes for iOS 7 through 12 and 10 minutes for iOS <=6. That means tools like Termius SSH dies after 20 secs when put in the background. Until they fix iPadOS/iOS it's at best a blown up toy iPod. Even a $50 Raspberry Pi 4 is more useful since it runs the full Linux OS.
Are you sure this isn’t controlled in the settings? I used Termius on my iPad Pro with the latest OS and never experienced this issue.
It's a dumb limitation of iPadOS/iOS. I have no issue with Linux, Windows, Android, BSD, ChromeOS, etc. Even a $5 Raspberry Pi Zero W background multitasks fine.
https://docs.termius.com/faq/troubleshooting/cant-run-in-the-background
"Termius, like most of other apps, can’t run in the background due to a restriction of iOS. The latest version of iOS stops the app’s background processes almost immediately (in 20 or 30 seconds), while older versions would allow them to run for 2 - 3 minutes."
Define ”computer” because my iPad pro 100% replaces a laptop.
I am not sure when consumption got such a bad rep.
On my iPad, I am running YouTube and notes side by side. I can be watching a video for ideas on how to teach a particular math topic while taking notes for reference later. Am I consuming or creating?
This is also precisely why I don’t have a laptop (except for the one my school issues me), and have gotten by pretty comfortably with an iMac / iPad combination.
So an iPad can’t replace a laptop. Well, it’s the inverse for me. I use an iPad precisely because a laptop can’t replicate what my iPad does for me.
I agree. Before the digital age, consuming contents primarily involved reading, which often required some critical thinking and understanding. So, not sure why this would be viewed negatively.
It isn't always about how fast you can type a paper or how quickly you can process data. I used to have financial analysts that worked for me. Some would rapidly dump huge databases into spreadsheets and quickly produce results. Then, they would bring it to me and by inspection I could tell the result was off by a factor of two. So, I got lots of content creation without proper understanding of the problem in the first place.
Instead of thinking about a device as a replacement to another device, I think about how it to fits into specific workflows, accommodates particular needs (and desires).
Sure, a GT3RS is a poor replacement for an F150, if your primary goal is hauling 2500 lbs of hay ...
Sure, a GT3RS is a poor replacement for an F150, if your primary goal is hauling 2500 lbs of hay ...
All I ever use any tablet for, be it an iPad or some random Android tablet, is watching video or playing mobile games. that's it.
My Macbook I use for everything. Weather, web browsing (much better without the constant tab discarding--especially viewing extremely long reddit threads), server/file management, podcasts, playing long movies with it just sitting on my lap vs balancing an iPad (I know there's keyboard cases--no I'm not spending more on one).
A tablet is neat but in my old fashioned lifestyle will never replace a laptop. I haven't really used a traditional desktop (as in tower config) in years aside a small one I made into a gaming console for PC games. Everything that resembles a desktop in my home is a laptop basically connected to a PC monitor and keyboard/mouse. the laptop in those cases is just a teeny little slimline desktop.
One reason I prefer the laptop is I HATE MOBILE SITES WITH EXTREME PASSION!!! I cannot count the times where 'show desktop site' doesn't work. I hate mobile sites. One of the things I remember from the original 2007 iPhone keynote is how it can view full desktop and not garbage mobile (or WAP) pages. What happened?
My Macbook I use for everything. Weather, web browsing (much better without the constant tab discarding--especially viewing extremely long reddit threads), server/file management, podcasts, playing long movies with it just sitting on my lap vs balancing an iPad (I know there's keyboard cases--no I'm not spending more on one).
A tablet is neat but in my old fashioned lifestyle will never replace a laptop. I haven't really used a traditional desktop (as in tower config) in years aside a small one I made into a gaming console for PC games. Everything that resembles a desktop in my home is a laptop basically connected to a PC monitor and keyboard/mouse. the laptop in those cases is just a teeny little slimline desktop.
One reason I prefer the laptop is I HATE MOBILE SITES WITH EXTREME PASSION!!! I cannot count the times where 'show desktop site' doesn't work. I hate mobile sites. One of the things I remember from the original 2007 iPhone keynote is how it can view full desktop and not garbage mobile (or WAP) pages. What happened?
Go to most any site in Safari on an iPad and you'll see plenty force mobile garbage on you. Reddit in particular is darned annoying.
What do you mean, "force mobile garbage on you"? What specifically are you seeing that's an issue?
