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iPad The iPad is not a computer replacement
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When Googling tech issues and finding results that are on Reddit, clicking a Reddit link will bring up a prompt recommending use of the app. Similar behavior exists for many other sites/services like Youtube, YoutubeTV etc.
It's odd that you cite browsing reddit as one of those things better suited on a laptop. I personally can't stand the web interface, and iOS has quite a few excellent reddit apps which make for a better reading experience, IMO. Not least of all, Apollo.
I’m pretty much the same as you except for one difference—I need the Apple Pencil and a biggish screen to use the pencil on. Because of that, though I would prefer the 12” MacBook, I have a 12.9” iPad Pro instead (along with my iPad mini and 15” MBP for work). Thankfully, it does pretty much all I need it to do as a laptop “alternative”, but I definitely miss the clamshell form factor and the flexibility of macOS at times. I understand the draw of the iPad form factor—having one device that can be used with or without a keyboard—but for me, when I’m using a keyboard I’d rather use a device designed around the keyboard (MacBook), and when I’m not using a keyboard I’d rather use a smaller tablet that’s easier to hold (mini). So for me, it really works out best to have two devices rather than one try-to-do-everything device (though in my case, they both have to be iPads).
But as far as the idea of the iPad being a laptop replacement, I think it’s an odd question to even pose. Why does it need to be replaced? Shouldn’t one just use whichever tool best fits one’s needs? Why does that even need to be discussed let alone so hotly? Of course, people discuss it because Apple posed the iPad as a laptop replacement for “many” people. But 1) they said that to sell iPads, not because they have something against laptops, so keep that in perspective; 2) don’t mistake “many” for “most” (I don’t believe they ever said “most”), so keep in mind that “many” could mean almost any number, so it’s useless to argue over; and 3) no device can replace another device completely, otherwise they would be the exact same device.
I agree with the main idea of subjonas's post.
I think "replacement" is not a suitable word.
The iPad functions as a daily computer for many. It meets their needs (use case) or serves as a tool for certain tasks.
For others it doesn't.
I belong to the latter camp.
I prefer my laptops and in urgent cases I use my iPhone.
I think "replacement" is not a suitable word.
The iPad functions as a daily computer for many. It meets their needs (use case) or serves as a tool for certain tasks.
For others it doesn't.
I belong to the latter camp.
I prefer my laptops and in urgent cases I use my iPhone.
At the end of the day, does it really matter. I think I got bored of this site with the constant back and forth arguing about silly things. I haven't been here in ages and it is the same old thing people who don't know each other argue about things they would not argue with such vigour if they knew the person.
An iPad is a tool that meets the need of some/many people.
I use an iPad to do things if it meets my needs. I also have other needs that the iPad cannot fulfil
One uses the appropriate tool for the job at hand. When it comes time for people to replace their broken tools, they decide if the tool still meets their needs and the tool costs an amount they are willing to pay and if it does it gets replaced with a shiny new one.
agreed, reddit on my Mac is slow on safari so I actually use chrome just for reddit. There are now no apps for reddit on Mac for some reason.
I love the app on my iPhone/iPad for reddit.
Another one of these threads? Yay! /s
Everyone's usage is different. These days, I think it's great folks can use an iPad as their main machine. I still need a Mac, but I also understand -no matter how hard I try to think otherwise- I need an iPad too.
Whatever works for folks is fine by me. Know what I need, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.
Everyone's usage is different. These days, I think it's great folks can use an iPad as their main machine. I still need a Mac, but I also understand -no matter how hard I try to think otherwise- I need an iPad too.
Whatever works for folks is fine by me. Know what I need, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.
I find it funny that iPads usually cost less than laptops (and iPads are usually faster).
My iPad is my “computer”. I have my iPad and my iPhone and it’s all I need.
My usage is as follows
Internet browser
Email
Social media
Photos and organization
Video w/ Appletv+, YouTube, etc
Music w/ Pandora and Apple music
Word processing, presentations and spreadsheets (Pages/Numbers/keynote)
Light gaming
Calendar
These are the exact same tasks I did on a laptop. I enjoy the iPad usage more, ease of use, cost of devices and more. If someone gave me the option to have a free 11” iPad Pro or a MacBook Pro 13” I’d take the iPad each time. This is for my usage and preference.
My usage is as follows
Internet browser
Social media
Photos and organization
Video w/ Appletv+, YouTube, etc
Music w/ Pandora and Apple music
Word processing, presentations and spreadsheets (Pages/Numbers/keynote)
Light gaming
Calendar
These are the exact same tasks I did on a laptop. I enjoy the iPad usage more, ease of use, cost of devices and more. If someone gave me the option to have a free 11” iPad Pro or a MacBook Pro 13” I’d take the iPad each time. This is for my usage and preference.
The same old people like your post. 😋 (Including me!)
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I don’t know either what Tim Cook is smoking in Cupertino, but I’m typing this response on my iPad using my Apple B/t keyboard, better than my windows desktop or either windows laptop. Different strokes for different folks. There are many more options for computing devices than years ago, pick one that works for you.
When I had both a MBP and a iPad Air, I found myself using the iPad more for my everyday tasks. Recently bought a 12.9 iPP and sold my MBP and now the iPad Pro works as my main computer for many things.
Bought a Mac Mini as a backup for apps that still don’t exist on iPadOS (or outright suck) or that when documents just require more memory.
Bought a Mac Mini as a backup for apps that still don’t exist on iPadOS (or outright suck) or that when documents just require more memory.
This short sighted discussion needs to end. Just like every computer out there, it all depends on the task and to a degree, the user. The end.
I like this comparison, different devices suit different tasks. Just get what is best for your use case - we are lucky to have so much choice
That's school. Real music production world expectations are quite different.
My preferred word in this context is “complementary” especially as it applies to my use case.
It will always depend on the user.
For me an iPad Pro can’t replace a computer. For some it can.
For me an iPad Pro can’t replace a computer. For some it can.
I personally feel that the assertion that the ipad isn’t a computer replacement to be a red herring. The Apple Watch doesn’t replace my iPhone, but that hasn’t stopped me from using it and benefiting from it in situations where a smartphone would make for a poor alternative (or in the case of functions such as health-tracking, flat out impossible).
Each has its own use case, there is sometimes a bit of overlap here and there, but generally, you would be hard-pressed to think that one can replace the other for most people.
Same here. The ipad can’t replace my laptop (god knows I have tried), and that still hasn’t stopped me from using it for tasks that a laptop form factor would be ill-suited for.
So a tablet doesn’t need to replace a laptop to be useful, and it’s not useless just because it can’t for some people. People need to stop with these threads, and instead focus objectively on what an ipad can and does well, then let people come to their own conclusions.
”What’s a computer?” was never meant to be disparaging of computers. It does not mean that an iPad can necessarily replace a computer. It asks “what IS a computer?” The difference is subtle but obvious to anyone capable of critical thinking.
Personally I think it’s astonishing that, what amounts to little more than a ~6mm sheet of glass, can do things that not that many years ago, could not be done at all. On ANY computer. The blasé entitlement culture in this day & age is saddening.
Personally I think it’s astonishing that, what amounts to little more than a ~6mm sheet of glass, can do things that not that many years ago, could not be done at all. On ANY computer. The blasé entitlement culture in this day & age is saddening.
It’s still not a computer in the full blown sense, but ill be honest I’m enjoying the HELL out of apple Smart Keyboard and the new addition of a Bluetooth mouse with iPadOS (Microsoft 3600) on my 2017 12.9
Wish they implemented this years ago, even if its a faux Touch pointer
Wish they implemented this years ago, even if its a faux Touch pointer
When the browsers stop with the annoying tab discarding on iPad then maybe we'll talk. Until then I avoid tabbed browsing like the plague unless I'm on a Mac.
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Not just that but the site on mobile view is so limited and space consuming. Look at the mobile Wikipedia vs its desktop counterpart. Mobile wikepedia articles make you scroll down to see the actual article (the first thing you see on mobile view is a large part of the sidebar, scroll down and the article is a page or two down.)
Also a lot of functions are missing in mobile sites. The layouts don't take advantage of screen size appropriately either. All this from a device that was once proclaimed to be perfectly capable of consuming full desktop web sites a few years ago. I despise mobile sites. It's not just the nags to install Tapatalk or some app I don't need (why? I have a browser meant for this, why do I need an app for each and every site out there?) it's the ugly and simplfied mobile view. I hated it back in 2007 and I hate it today. Which is why my iPad is relegated to Angry Birds and Youtube instead of being utilized to its full potential.
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Not just that but the site on mobile view is so limited and space consuming. Look at the mobile Wikipedia vs its desktop counterpart. Mobile wikepedia articles make you scroll down to see the actual article (the first thing you see on mobile view is a large part of the sidebar, scroll down and the article is a page or two down.)
Also a lot of functions are missing in mobile sites. The layouts don't take advantage of screen size appropriately either. All this from a device that was once proclaimed to be perfectly capable of consuming full desktop web sites a few years ago. I despise mobile sites. It's not just the nags to install Tapatalk or some app I don't need (why? I have a browser meant for this, why do I need an app for each and every site out there?) it's the ugly and simplfied mobile view. I hated it back in 2007 and I hate it today. Which is why my iPad is relegated to Angry Birds and Youtube instead of being utilized to its full potential.
Safari in iPadOS 13 loads desktop webpages by default. That’s not to say that there may not be some minor formatting differences over a 16:9/10 display with a different resolution, but the behaviour you are describing no longer happens on iPad. Not for me anyway. Come to think of it, even in iOS 12 it was possible to request the desktop site.
Tab discards still happen on iPadOS 13. Try opening two tabs to Reddit or Youtube. Switch between them and they instantly refresh themselves and lose whatever place you're on and go back to the top of the page.
Oddly enough a Galaxy Tab 2 from 2011 doesn't have this problem. Apple, what happened to your quality?
Oh you can 'request' the desktop site but more often than not no site seems to conform to it any more. I would rather be capable of just defaulting to the desktop site like a Mac can. IF, the iPad is going to replace a Mac soon that is.
Oddly enough a Galaxy Tab 2 from 2011 doesn't have this problem. Apple, what happened to your quality?
Oh you can 'request' the desktop site but more often than not no site seems to conform to it any more. I would rather be capable of just defaulting to the desktop site like a Mac can. IF, the iPad is going to replace a Mac soon that is.