iPad Pro The iPad Pro vs. Laptop discussion comes down to this: Am I more of a designer / artist or not

[cyberone]

Been following this "Does the iPad Pro finally replace my Macbook" for a while. Was eagerly looking forward to the day when I can ditch the laptop and buy a shiny new spectacular iPad. Look at those specs! Now, with the cursor-enabled and trackpadded new Magic Keyboard, why wait any longer! But wait.

Actually... do I need a touchscreen? Do I need a Magic Pen? Going over my usual tasks, and I'm truly use my hardware, that's probably a clear no. Am not a designer and not an artistic person. For whatever creativity I need Photoshop or document apps. That's it.

Multitasking: I usually have a bunch of screens and apps open on the MBP. Switching in-between them is a breeze. Limited open tasks on the iPad? Hmm.

Also the missing function keys on the Magic Keyboard. ESC, volume, brightness... stuff I use regularly, and having to dive into System Preferences, oh well...

Somehow it seems to me as if Apple wants to forcefully keep the two lineups different from each other. Even though it would make a whole lot more sense to run the iPad Pro on a touch-enabled Mac OS. I guess many keep on waiting for this day in vain.

 

[Spinning Fan]

This is just on my personal needs but, for me, lack of a file management system / file manipulation across multiple apps is the biggest reason why I can't go "iPad Only".

I don't draw, so definitely not an artist.. but I do see the benefit in touch screens and app based environment, especially on defined work streams, or non-input intensive tasks (helped by the keyboard / trackpad now). If I could go all iPad, I would really like to, as I prefer the mobility of an iPad.

Although everything else, at least the stuff I use, has a workaround / app on each platform that can be better / worse depending on preference, the file management .. where I work with a lot of different office files and distribute different versions within the organization.. it is simply easier to handle with a "Traditional" file manager, that does not seem to exist in iOS, when going back and forth between apps.

Seeing that Google Apps (which is used by my work) helps, I installed my Office 365 license apps on my iPP 12 to see if I could do something similar natively, but getting files into the office apps (and managing them), zip/encrypting, attaching to emails (or uploading to slack..) .. I am sure there is a better way to do it, and I am willing to modify work flows, but I gave up pursuing further as I ran out of time.

I think some sort of a file manager as a means to connect the separate apps to work better together would be the final push. At least for me.

 

[muzzy996]

My view on the matter:

We are not all built the same and thus neither are computing devices. Simple as that IMO.

Find the best tool or tools to do the jobs one needs them to. Make compromises when one can't justify having many different tools at once. That's all there is to it. If a laptop satisfies most or all of one's needs then great, if it's an iPad then great. For some of us it's a multitude of devices. I certainly own my share, and I'm satisfied with them all since they each fill a void that I intended them to when I bought them.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't long for improvements in each platform that I own, but I certainly don't long for a one device to rule them all - because my observation has always been with regards to tech that there is no one device that does everything better than all others.

 

[ct2k7]

I’m a type of person who keeps the cogs turning at work, and for me, it doesn’t fully replace my needs.

I need access to a terminal where I can run some commands (mainly kubectl and vi) and a good IDE with support for intellisense or code prediction.

Aside from my job, it seems nearly good for my masters study, but again, I need an laptop for that because I will need to code.

 

[kazmac]

It depends on the user and their needs. I bought this cellular iPad Pro to use for as a backup for work during this time.
Sadly, I cannot use it for work due to lack of proper file system and Citrix not playing nice. So it is Now a back up for my 2019 iPad for art and media consumption. Yep, a back up > the extra ram is great and screen is fine, but I prefer drawing on the non Pro models.

If folks can use an iPad for their jobs, that is great. I am not one of those people.

Does this really matter though? Use what works for you.

 

[cyberone]

Does this really matter though? Use what works for you.

Well it does if one cares about buying hardware that in the end doesn't fit the purpose.

 

[zhenya]

Well it does if one cares about buying hardware that in the end doesn't fit the purpose.

This is no longer a hardware problem. It’s all software. If Apple chooses to enable ipados to support everything needed to bring full feature parity from Mac apps to ipados, there will soon be no functional difference between working on a Mac or an iPad. One device will simply have a more flexible form factor.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Been following this "Does the iPad Pro finally replace my Macbook" for a while. Was eagerly looking forward to the day when I can ditch the laptop and buy a shiny new spectacular iPad. Look at those specs! Now, with the cursor-enabled and trackpadded new Magic Keyboard, why wait any longer! But wait.

Actually... do I need a touchscreen? Do I need a Magic Pen? Going over my usual tasks, and I'm truly use my hardware, that's probably a clear no. Am not a designer and not an artistic person. For whatever creativity I need Photoshop or document apps. That's it.

Multitasking: I usually have a bunch of screens and apps open on the MBP. Switching in-between them is a breeze. Limited open tasks on the iPad? Hmm.

Also the missing function keys on the Magic Keyboard. ESC, volume, brightness... stuff I use regularly, and having to dive into System Preferences, oh well...

Somehow it seems to me as if Apple wants to forcefully keep the two lineups different from each other. Even though it would make a whole lot more sense to run the iPad Pro on a touch-enabled Mac OS. I guess many keep on waiting for this day in vain.

Until iPadOS gains user accounts and Final Cut Pro, I won't replace my 16" MacBook Pro.

 

[ct2k7]

Until iPadOS gains user accounts and Final Cut Pro, I won't replace my 16" MacBook Pro.

I don’t think iPad OS will gain user accounts In the short term. I haven’t been wrong before, nor have I made such a prediction.

 

[MacManTexas56]

We all have different needs so that question isn't the same for every single person. For me, I literally only use a laptop to backup my files as a secondary backup to iCloud/dropbox. So now that we have the ability to download everything to my iPad Pro and can also back up to my external hard drive, there is really no need for me to have a laptop. I'm currently typing on my 2020 MBA with 1tb ssd and 16gb ram....but I'm honestly not impressed with the machine at all and it will be going back to apple. It's super hot and the fan won't stop running. So I've decided I'm just gonna go with my iPad Pro only. I keep 350gb of mostly photos in iCloud as well as in One Drive, plus I also store them on my iPad and my external drive. So I don't see a real need for a laptop. Everything I do can be done via an app. But my situation is more unique than others I'm sure.

 

[marty1980]

iOS was a complete rethinking of how a user interacts with their device. Coming from a touch-first, mobile perspective.

iPadOS is, of course, the extension of that where desktop-class software and features are slowly being rolled into it to make a more powerful machine capable of doing more but maintaining that touch-first, mobile concept.

Microsoft has come up with a decent solution for turning Windows into an OS that can do it all, but it still has some big downsides in a few areas when it comes to serving touch and mobile. And it took a lot of time and some bad decisions to get where they are.

I don’t necessarily see a need for Apple to walk the same path as MSFT. It’s taking a long time, but iPadOS is getting there. I’m not sure macOS should ever be on an iPad.

 

[cyberone]

This is just on my personal needs but, for me, lack of a file management system / file manipulation across multiple apps is the biggest reason why I can't go "iPad Only".

What's the drawback of FILES? The app allows to manage and edit files. What are you missing?

 

[AdamNC]

For certain professions yes. Realtors, doctors, I could see mechanics using them. Just need more software support.

 

[zhenya]

What's the drawback of FILES? The app allows to manage and edit files. What are you missing?

It has gotten better, but Apple has still not rigidly enforced that every app must support one single file interface. So how you interact with files, what the interface looks like, and what its capabilities are somewhat depends on what app you are using and what cloud file service you are using. If you are a single user, using primarily iCloud, with relatively limited needs, it’s probably fine. If you need to integrate with a variety of 3rd parties using a variety of apps and cloud services, it breaks down very quickly - whereas this all just works in MacOS/Windows.

Alas, even the Office apps, as far as they have evolved, are still incredibly limited, and at least for my build of Excel right now, so buggy I can’t even use it. It locks up after just a couple of actions with every file...

 

[cyberone]

I'm currently typing on my 2020 MBA with 1tb ssd and 16gb ram....but I'm honestly not impressed with the machine at all and it will be going back to apple. It's super hot and the fan won't stop running.

Happened with the the relaunched MBA 2019, wasn't up to any task. Got an old office MBP 2017 which works like a charm in comparison.

So what you prefer about daily task on the iPad? Isn't it cumbersome sometimes trying to position the tablet? I mean with the laptop that's a no-brainer.

You use an attached keyboard mainly or on-screen keyboard?

 

[Spinning Fan]

What's the drawback of FILES? The app allows to manage and edit files. What are you missing?

Pretty much what zhenya said above. Simple things like zipping, or attaching to a browser based email client, converting to pdf, all these things can be done separately in their apps, but when combined as a workflow, FILES (as far as my knowledge of how to use it, which admittedly is not much) becomes cumbersome .. meaning, I can't seem to use it as a central point of file management for the number of and frequency with which files are edited, sent etc.

I am sure we are getting there, so this is not a hard NO on iPad as a laptop replacement argument.
This was my buying cycle for computing products, so I actually bought both the 2020 iPad 12 and the MBA recently.
Each serve their purpose for now, but MacOS, as with any other PC-*NIX based modern OS, comes from a "File based" world, whereas iOS/iPadOS seems to come from a UI? App based? .. don't know how to express this, except to say that it probably did not start out as a "File Based" concept.

Now, the Office apps on iPad .. a problem on its own that I hope gets fixed for the sake of compatibility..
Not the at the core of the "Laptop vs. iPad" argument, but one of the reasons why I still need (and feel more comfortable on) a computer, and even have to go to a Windows machine every now and then..

 

[rui no onna]

What's the drawback of FILES? The app allows to manage and edit files. What are you missing?

For me, it randomly stops working (shows empty folder) requiring a hard reset to fix. Any data I care about, I send to Dropbox asap because I just can't trust the Files app not to lose or corrupt files.

 

[Adelphos33]

Not for me - I had an Apple Pencil for my first generation iPad Pro. I never used it, ended up losing it and not replacing it. When I bought my current iPad Pro, I decided a pencil was not necessary, and I don’t own one. For me a Magic Keyboard case, stand, and magic Trackpad are much more important accessories than the pencil. For me, the iPad is a great combination of strong app ecosystem, improving multitasking support, and adaptability (can become a media tablet in a snap).
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For me, it randomly stops working (shows empty folder) requiring a hard reset to fix. Any data I care about, I send to Dropbox asap because I just can't trust the Files app not to lose or corrupt files.

I agree - the FILES app is the worst aspect of the iPad and continues to be crippled. They should just add real (but simple) local file management to the iPad. It can be a chore to simply download a file from a website on the iPad.

 

[secretk]

It has gotten better, but Apple has still not rigidly enforced that every app must support one single file interface. So how you interact with files, what the interface looks like, and what its capabilities are somewhat depends on what app you are using and what cloud file service you are using. If you are a single user, using primarily iCloud, with relatively limited needs, it’s probably fine. If you need to integrate with a variety of 3rd parties using a variety of apps and cloud services, it breaks down very quickly - whereas this all just works in MacOS/Windows.

Alas, even the Office apps, as far as they have evolved, are still incredibly limited, and at least for my build of Excel right now, so buggy I can’t even use it. It locks up after just a couple of actions with every file...

To add to this at least for me the Files app is rather buggy. It freezes (and in a way crashes) quite too often on both the iPad and the iPhone. That does not happen on Windows (I assume also on macOS). File management for me is like building block of any device that I would use and I expect it to always work. It is one thing for a RAM using app to crash from time to time or same game, but it is completely different when such integral app like the Files app (which for me is part of the system) is unstable and non reliable.

 

[muzzy996]

Adding to the shortcomings in Files my list includes being able to see folders for all app storage (no sandboxing), progress reporting while doing file operations and the ability to determine folder tree sizes.

 

[joeblow7777]

For me, as long as it runs a mobile OS (which iPadOS still is), there’s always going to be some things that I can simply just do on a more traditional computer that require extra steps or some work around for me to do on an iPad.

Don’t get me wrong, iPads certainly come with some advantages, but that’s why I prefer to have one to supplement my laptop, not try to replace it.

 

[kamikazeeMC]

I use to be a somewhat power user on my desktop and also use big design apps (AutoCAD, 3ds etc), but over time with interests changing I find my self doing less. Before iPadOS I never looked at it more than a complimentary device. No doubt a traditional computer is better for many tasks, I have been going back and forth reflecting on my usage and think I could get by without going out of my way to get things done. Yes some compromises will be made but overall I feel I would gain.

Currently I'm rocking a desktop with a 34" UW (3440x1440), day to day I mainly just read stuff on the web, little bit of photo editing, gaming here and there and watching videos. Pretty much the whole time I have a browser window on the right half of the screen playing a video while working on the left side.

Today I finally pulled the trigger on a 11" iPP, I did think of going the 12.9" for better mulitasking but I plan to use it away from a desk 99% of the time and think the 11 would be better. As I have a video playing most of the time, that will be offloaded to my Apple TV and just work full screen with slide over to multitask the little things. Even though 50/50 split view has an iPhone UI, it's still there if I need.

My main use will be learning digital illustration, but will be looking at transitioning to it as my main/only compute device. Other tasks photo editing, maybe some video editing (really hope LumaFusion gets a propper way to speed ramp, or if FCPX makes its way), transferring photos from a memory card to external drive and cloud.

 

[cyberone]

Guess trying to settle on an iPad as the main computing device requires a whole new mindset - but especially with the pending switch from Macbooks' Intel to ARM one might try to avoid the 1st-gen models, so it could be a while until the transition is over and I start living with the thought to better get used to tablet computing

 

[petvas]

Basically it comes down to this: Are all apps that I require to do my job available for the iPad, offering at least the same features as their desktop counterparts? If the answer to this is yes, then you can consider the iPad as a laptop alternative. If not, then the iPad stays a great tablet that can also be used for some productivity tasks.

 

[secretk]

Basically it comes down to this: Are all apps that I require to do my job available for the iPad, offering at least the same features as their desktop counterparts? If the answer to this is yes, then you can consider the iPad as a laptop alternative. If not, then the iPad stays a great tablet that can also be used for some productivity tasks.

This is one factor for sure. For me the other is the time I need to do something on an iPad and on a laptop. If it takes me significantly more time (in terms of percentage) on one device I would prefer the other one as the main device. Or if it is less increase but for something that I do regularly. For example I can do sort of multitasking on the iPad but it is less efficient than doing it on laptop with external display.