The iPad Pro 12.9" has replaced my Mac.

[cynics]

So let's sidestep all the snark and nonsense and get to the heart of the matter. Why wouldn't it be an adequate Mac replacement for you...? What do you do with your Mac that you can't do with an iPad?

It wouldn't work for me because I do a lot of stuff with videos, transcoding and encoding, VM, I need USB hosting for quite a few devices from a BD player to merely updating other devices like GPS's and cameras, media center to host my media via plex and iTunes, like I mentioned above a place to connect to iTunes when a device decides to misbehave and yes it's happened to me. This is a post from me from back from October 2013 when I was between computers....

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/is-my-apple-tv-bricked.1652709/

The tons of propriety software that comes with other devices, like Logitech remote controllers. Plus I prefer (almost need) more screen real estate for video editing.

 

[masotime]

It wouldn't work for me because I do a lot of stuff with videos, transcoding and encoding, VM, I need USB hosting for quite a few devices from a BD player to merely updating other devices like GPS's and cameras, media center to host my media via plex and iTunes, like I mentioned above a place to connect to iTunes when a device decides to misbehave and yes it's happened to me.

Sounds perfectly reasonable. But let's just focus on the video editing aspect.

Transcoding, encoding, any kind of hardcore video editing is most definitely beyond the capabilities of the iPad Pro at the moment. I do not pretend that even the A9X can do what Final Cut Pro can do on a fully specced Mac or Mac Pro. It's clear this cannot be the expectation. Replacement of your main desktop or laptop is not possible for these use cases.

What you can look into is what the iPad Pro can do, while at the same time maintaining portability. Let's say you want to showcase your work to your clients, but don't want to carry a lot of stuff around. I think it is reasonable to get an iPro Pro for this purpose.

• Some iOS apps allow for basic video editing, such as Pinnacle studio.
• There are even some apps that allow on-the-fly video stabilization such as Emulsio.
• You can get something like nPlayer or Infuse to easily upload videos.

Completely hypothetical situations I am spinning up, but to me the iPad Pro could be an excellent companion device, one that could afford you more options in the field where portability is critical, and being able to demo your portfolio to clients on an iPad can be more convenient than the typical laptop.

In the worst case scenario, you could use FileBrowser to upload files to your FTP server, then use TeamViewer to access your main workstation and perform operations remotely.

True, I am spinning up my own interpretation of your work, but what I want to demonstrate here is that instead of bickering about whether the iPad Pro is really a desktop replacement, focus on what it enables you to do, find a workflow that makes sense, then start using it within that workflow.

It will almost certainly not apply to everyone. But for those to whom it does apply, it could be a very powerful new tool. It's a matter of app discovery, and also ongoing improvements in existing iOS apps.

I believe managing expectations can actually empower you if you take the right attitude.

Yes this thread is about "replacing the Mac", but really all it ends up in is the usual mudslinging. There is obviously no black and white, but there is always a grey area, and embracing that grey area I think is the game changer that Apple is going for.

 

[cynics]

Sounds perfectly reasonable. But let's just focus on the video editing aspect.

Transcoding, encoding, any kind of hardcore video editing is most definitely beyond the capabilities of the iPad Pro at the moment. I do not pretend that even the A9X can do what Final Cut Pro can do on a fully specced Mac or Mac Pro. It's clear this cannot be the expectation. Replacement of your main desktop or laptop is not possible for these use cases.

What you can look into is what the iPad Pro can do, while at the same time maintaining portability. Let's say you want to showcase your work to your clients, but don't want to carry a lot of stuff around. I think it is reasonable to get an iPro Pro for this purpose.

• Some iOS apps allow for basic video editing, such as Pinnacle studio.
• There are even some apps that allow on-the-fly video stabilization such as Emulsio.
• You can get something like nPlayer or Infuse to easily upload videos.

Completely hypothetical situations I am spinning up, but to me the iPad Pro could be an excellent companion device, one that could afford you more options in the field where portability is critical, and being able to demo your portfolio to clients on an iPad can be more convenient than the typical laptop.

In the worst case scenario, you could use FileBrowser to upload files to your FTP server, then use TeamViewer to access your main workstation and perform operations remotely.

True, I am spinning up my own interpretation of your work, but what I want to demonstrate here is that instead of bickering about whether the iPad Pro is really a desktop replacement, focus on what it enables you to do, find a workflow that makes sense, then start using it within that workflow.

It will almost certainly not apply to everyone. But for those to whom it does apply, it could be a very powerful new tool. It's a matter of app discovery, and also ongoing improvements in existing iOS apps.

I believe managing expectations can actually empower you if you take the right attitude.

Yes this thread is about "replacing the Mac", but really all it ends up in is the usual mudslinging. There is obviously no black and white, but there is always a grey area, and embracing that grey area I think is the game changer that Apple is going for.

Well I certainly appreciate your post and respect your opinion. For me personally, it just doesn't the cut it. I'm not debating that it couldn't work for you or anyone else, I clearly see it could and I totally understand that. And yes on some large scale there is a lot of grey area. But for individuals it's very much black and white, you can either use it as a computer replacement (per the definition of replacement) or you can not.

Like you mention, the iPad Pro and other iDevices are excellent companion devices to Apples ecosystem (I maybe taking what you said out of context so correct me if I am), they compliment the ecosystem exceedingly well.

I would be so inclined to use an Android tablet as a computer replacement more than any iDevice for a laundry list of reasons I'm hoping to not get into. And I'm trying not to point at the elephant in the room when it comes to tablets that actually replace computers because there is a device that can do everything I listed, but I think that is getting too far off topic.

 

[lchlch]

My iPad would replace my iMac if I were able to download torrents and transfer files. I probably can't discuss what I get, but that's the only thing I can do with a computer that I can't do with an iPad.

BitTorrent sync?

 

[480951]

BitTorrent sync?

That works for transferring files to and from my computer, thanks for the recommendation. Now if only I can do the first thing.

 

[Osty]

That works for transferring files to and from my computer, thanks for the recommendation. Now if only I can do the first thing.

VPS in the cloud acting as a seedbox and BitTorrent sync node.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Well I certainly appreciate your post and respect your opinion. For me personally, it just doesn't the cut it. I'm not debating that it couldn't work for you or anyone else, I clearly see it could and I totally understand that. And yes on some large scale there is a lot of grey area. But for individuals it's very much black and white, you can either use it as a computer replacement (per the definition of replacement) or you can not.

Like you mention, the iPad Pro and other iDevices are excellent companion devices to Apples ecosystem (I maybe taking what you said out of context so correct me if I am), they compliment the ecosystem exceedingly well.

I would be so inclined to use an Android tablet as a computer replacement more than any iDevice for a laundry list of reasons I'm hoping to not get into. And I'm trying not to point at the elephant in the room when it comes to tablets that actually replace computers because there is a device that can do everything I listed, but I think that is getting too far off topic.

If you are able to get an android tablet to have robust tablet-capable apps on a high-res tablet screen, please tell us what apps you have and how you did it. I really do want to know.

 

[seggy]

"The iPad Pro 12.9" has replaced my Mac."

I think this is really testament to just how little you do with your Mac as opposed to how awesome the iPad Pro is as a laptop / hybrid replacement (It's not. It really isn't.)

 

[eltoslightfoot]

"The iPad Pro 12.9" has replaced my Mac."

I think this is really testament to just how little you do with your Mac as opposed to how awesome the iPad Pro is as a laptop / hybrid replacement (It's not. It really isn't.)

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT. Sure it is.

Or it could be a testament to how much the iPad Pro (and it's apps) can do in mid-2016 if you were to give it a chance.

 

[lightmyway]

I still have my 2012 11" MacBook Air around for a handful of tasks where I need it (about an hour a week), and I HATE having to use it. Feels so clunky, slow, and the screen and speakers are terrible. The iPP is not without its faults, but overall it is such a giant improvement for me and my work over my MBA. I am a heavy user and have to charge it at the end of every workday. (Yes, I have the 12.9" with the Smart Keyboard. Pencil too, though I rarely use that.)

 

[seggy]

I still have my 2012 11" MacBook Air around for a handful of tasks where I need it (about an hour a week), and I HATE having to use it. Feels so clunky, slow, and the screen and speakers are terrible. The iPP is not without its faults, but overall it is such a giant improvement for me and my work over my MBA. I am a heavy user and have to charge it at the end of every workday. (Yes, I have the 12.9" with the Smart Keyboard. Pencil too, though I rarely use that.)

I have to assume this is the reason most people feel it's superior:

"My clapped out computer which I think still represents a standard non-tablet computing experience is a lot worse than my brand new tablet with a SoC that's faster than said computer (and costs pretty much the same as a new laptop)".

Cognitive dissonance is a heck of a thing

 

[Night Spring]

I have to assume this is the reason most people feel it's superior:

"My clapped out computer which I think still represents a standard non-tablet computing experience is a lot worse than my brand new tablet with a SoC that's faster than said computer (and costs pretty much the same as a new laptop)".

Cognitive dissonance is a heck of a thing

It's not just about the hardware, though, it's also about the UI.

For instance, I find I prefer the email, browsing, and ebook reading experience on my iPad over the experience on desktop/laptop, I find myself stepping away from the desktop and switching to my iPad to do those tasks. That is, I prepare a spreadsheet and Word document for work on the desktop, but email them from my iPad. Buying the latest iMac won't change this workflow.

 

[seggy]

It's not just about the hardware, though, it's also about the UI.

For instance, I find I prefer the email, browsing, and ebook reading experience on my iPad over the experience on desktop/laptop, I find myself stepping away from the desktop and switching to my iPad to do those tasks. That is, I prepare a spreadsheet and Word document for work on the desktop, but email them from my iPad. Buying the latest iMac won't change this workflow.

Yes, no-one disputes that the things that the iPad is good at, the iPad is good at.

 

[cynics]

If you are able to get an android tablet to have robust tablet-capable apps on a high-res tablet screen, please tell us what apps you have and how you did it. I really do want to know.

I was mostly referring to the basics like plugging in a USB mouse and a cursor popping up on the screen, charging other devices that are plugged in and having access to that device and all the other things USB hosting can do. Or universal user accessible file system in a standard format (EXT4). Things like that.

Apps....tomato tomato... Clearly you'll need to use whatever OS supports the apps you need. That can boil down to needing to pick a specific desktop OS (OSX vs Windows vs Linux).

As far as resolution specifically both Android and iOS devices have screens with high PPI, android a little more so. Although in my experience I prefer iDevices.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Which tablet has high res? All the Samsungs have gone the other direction. And the tomato tomato app argument shouldn't be dismissed that easy. Look, if we are talking phones, I agree that there isn't much difference these days. Tablet apps though? Tablet hardware though? Huge. I'll give you the mouse and the cursor. That's about all though. Hey, I wish there was high end tablet competition, but wishing for it doesn't make it so.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I have to assume this is the reason most people feel it's superior:

"My clapped out computer which I think still represents a standard non-tablet computing experience is a lot worse than my brand new tablet with a SoC that's faster than said computer (and costs pretty much the same as a new laptop)".

Cognitive dissonance is a heck of a thing

Or it could be that they like having a gaming PC, and don't want to carry around a laptop also. Or a bunch of other reasons they don't want a laptop and a desktop.

Making huge erroneous assumptions about others is a heck of a thing.

 

[Osty]

Question for the switchers...

I was editing a post on this very forum on my iPad mini and was having a pig of a time selecting text with my enormous fingers.

My question is, does the pencil make for a good text-selection tool?

I'm a writer, so I live and breath text editing. If the Pro + pencil could give me that kind of precision, I could easily see it replacing my paper-based edits.

 

[M. Gustave]

Question for the switchers...

I was editing a post on this very forum on my iPad mini and was having a pig of a time selecting text with my enormous fingers.

If you were on a 6s/6s+ phone, you could use 3D Touch with one finger on the keyboard to move the cursor, and highlight words. It's very effective.

 

[masotime]

Question for the switchers...

I was editing a post on this very forum on my iPad mini and was having a pig of a time selecting text with my enormous fingers.

My question is, does the pencil make for a good text-selection tool?

I'm a writer, so I live and breath text editing. If the Pro + pencil could give me that kind of precision, I could easily see it replacing my paper-based edits.

On your iPad mini, press two fingers on the on-screen keyboard. Then move both fingers to move the cursor. When text is already selected, move both fingers right to drag the right handle, left to drag the left handle. The initial direction fixes which handle moves.

On an iPad Pro, get the Apple Smart Keyboard which has arrow keys and a Shift key....

 

[Osty]

If you were on a 6s/6s+ phone, you could use 3D Touch with one finger on the keyboard to move the cursor, and highlight words. It's very effective.

Alas though, I don't have a 3D touch device.

On your iPad mini, press two fingers on the on-screen keyboard. Then move both fingers to move the cursor. When text is already selected, move both fingers right to drag the right handle, left to drag the left handle. The initial direction fixes which handle moves.

On an iPad Pro, get the Apple Smart Keyboard which has arrow keys and a Shift key....

Thanks for the tip

I currently use a Bluetooth keyboard for writing and it is mostly sufficient - though it does drop out on occasion. I would definitely get the smart keyboard if I decide get an iPP.


EDIT - that worked really well thanks!

 

[Steve J0bs]

WD MyCloud EX2 will do that "out of the box" without much tinkering.

How? I'm quite curious.

 

[Osty]

How? I'm quite curious.

Without owning one personally, I imagine it has a built in torrent client with a web UI and DLNA or some other streaming protocol to feed content to iOS devices.

Basically an out-of-the-box product for my cheap-arse DIY solution. Pick whatever solution meets your needs/knowledge/budget/time.

In Australia, an 8TB model retails for $900.

 

[rui no onna]

Without owning one personally, I imagine it has a built in torrent client with a web UI and DLNA or some other streaming protocol to feed content to iOS devices.

Basically an out-of-the-box product for my cheap-arse DIY solution. Pick whatever solution meets your needs/knowledge/budget/time.

In Australia, an 8TB model retails for $900.

Interestingly enough, in the US, the My Cloud Mirror and EX2 Ultra with WD Red HDDs cost around the same as just the internal HDDs alone. External USB 3.0 desktop HDDs cost less than internal HDDs.

 

[Osty]

Interestingly enough, in the US, the My Cloud Mirror and EX2 Ultra with WD Red HDDs cost around the same as just the internal HDDs alone. External USB 3.0 desktop HDDs cost less than internal HDDs.

Economies of scale. I imagine being a hard drive company, WD can subsidise their own disks in the product.

 

[rui no onna]

Economies of scale. I imagine being a hard drive company, WD can subsidise their own disks in the product.

Nah, I'm thinking more a difference in warranty support.