The "Laptop Replacement" Debate

[Chancha]

100% agreed. I've debated it quite a while on here as well.

The key points:

-iOS/iPad will not replace Laptop/PC/Windows/Mac (whatever you want to call it) for some people.

-iOS/iPad could be the ideal computing device for most (not all) consumers.

I don't think many people are confused to think that the iDevice and its simplicity does not serve a majority of users. The "complainers" obviously understand that. The key to this issue is Apple used to serve both crowds, perhaps even more so the earlier crowd than the latter, since Macs as user-friendly as they have been, are still considered unintuitive by some average Joes. The multitouch interface of iOS and its advantage of starting from scratch, having sandboxed and monitored Appstore etc all contributed to iDevices being well embraced by a larger population.

On the flip side, there is the "traditional" computing crowd, who chose to use Macs due to its ease of use *on top of* its solid foundation as a flexible and open platform. Software development, creative arts, music and video etc all sorts of productivity centric workflows thrived on Macs because the experience was both powerful and trouble free. The iPads may excel at certain tasks, especially with Pencil related apps since the same experience is unfound in other venders' products. But for many creative workflows that involve lots of data sharing that demands collaboration between multiple apps or even multiple users, the iPad needs serious improvement. Apple seems to finally comes to terms with this and let's hope the Files.app can at least solve the issue partially.

The issue now is that, with the compromising state of iPad usability, when Apple or the media taunting the iPad as a computer replacement, they are essentially alienating that former crowd of users, because lets face it, the iPad is severely limited by the sandbox nature of iOS when it comes to certain tasks, and as such it is largely unjustifiable to call it a PC replacement, *to this specific crowd*.

 

[alecgold]

Well worded!

 

[MartyCan]

People are using web browsers as their laptops (Chromebooks). Many people in the emerging markets are using their phones as their first and only computer.
So yes, an iPad can be a laptop replacement.
Whether it matches with what you want to do on a laptop or not, that's a different story.

Excellent answer. For me my iPad cannot be a laptop replacement. But there are times I am able to use the IPP instead of lugging out the MBP.

But for work I must use a laptop. Even though I can use Jump desktop to access and work on the Windows 2012 Server or any of my Macs it is terribly inefficient way to do it. I really only use it when I have no other option.

 

[skaertus]

I don't think many people are confused to think that the iDevice and its simplicity does not serve a majority of users. The "complainers" obviously understand that. The key to this issue is Apple used to serve both crowds, perhaps even more so the earlier crowd than the latter, since Macs as user-friendly as they have been, are still considered unintuitive by some average Joes. The multitouch interface of iOS and its advantage of starting from scratch, having sandboxed and monitored Appstore etc all contributed to iDevices being well embraced by a larger population.

On the flip side, there is the "traditional" computing crowd, who chose to use Macs due to its ease of use *on top of* its solid foundation as a flexible and open platform. Software development, creative arts, music and video etc all sorts of productivity centric workflows thrived on Macs because the experience was both powerful and trouble free. The iPads may excel at certain tasks, especially with Pencil related apps since the same experience is unfound in other venders' products. But for many creative workflows that involve lots of data sharing that demands collaboration between multiple apps or even multiple users, the iPad needs serious improvement. Apple seems to finally comes to terms with this and let's hope the Files.app can at least solve the issue partially.

The issue now is that, with the compromising state of iPad usability, when Apple or the media taunting the iPad as a computer replacement, they are essentially alienating that former crowd of users, because lets face it, the iPad is severely limited by the sandbox nature of iOS when it comes to certain tasks, and as such it is largely unjustifiable to call it a PC replacement, *to this specific crowd*.

That is it.

I am not sure, though, that the majority of users is fully served by the iPad. Perhaps that comes with the (false) perception that most users, being not technical nor sophisticated, would be happy just to browse the web and perform simple tasks. That may not be exactly the case. And even if it is, any productivity task that requires a keyboard (even simple word processing, which is performed by even the most basic users) is better performed in a traditional laptop.

My impression is that there is not a huge market for tablets as people may have thought when the iPad wowed the world back in 2010. There is a market for the iPad because it is such a great product, and even it is shrinking.

I think most companies realized that. Apple released a keyboard for the iPad, and markets it as the future of computing now; it also released a larger version and is not paying too much attention to the smaller one. Microsoft now markets its tablet as a real laptop, and has discontinued the smaller version, in addition to releasing a traditional laptop. Even Samsung is releasing a Surface-styled tablet/laptop.

Perhaps a tablet was not such a great idea after all.

 

[Altis]

People are using web browsers as their laptops (Chromebooks). Many people in the emerging markets are using their phones as their first and only computer.
So yes, an iPad can be a laptop replacement.
Whether it matches with what you want to do on a laptop or not, that's a different story.

They're tools. Choose the best tool for the job at hand.

 

[BarracksSi]

Any post-WWDC keynote opinions now that iOS 11 has a Finder-style UI?

 

[sracer]

Any post-WWDC keynote opinions now that iOS 11 has a Finder-style UI?

While the inclusion of a "Files" app is welcomed, I'm reserving my judgment until I can actually try it out. It may be nothing more than Apple's version of Documents by Readdle.

 

[alecgold]

While the inclusion of a "Files" app is welcomed, I'm reserving my judgment until I can actually try it out. It may be nothing more than Apple's version of Documents by Readdle.

Serious curious what they packed into files.

 

[Chancha]

Some key features were not mentioned during the Files demo which I assume are not available: external storage device access, direct connnection to Macs/PC to transfer files. If true then it means workflows will still be limited in smaller sized files which are easier to be handled by wireless connections, and if it works as well as iCloud Drive sync between macOS and iOS then it probably answers most questions raised here in this thread.

 

[Vivian125]

Its simple...

iPhone replaces iPad for 35% but only 25% as a desktop replacement. because it is big enough especially for kids and other people who still have perfect eyesight. Thats it!!! However, most websites are CRAMPED due to its smaller screen even its an iPhone 6/7 Plus model. No matter you do you cannot force yourself to read on iPhone for several hours, surf the net unlike iPad and Macbook

Now for iPad.. well the iPad already replaces about 75% of what macbook and other desktop can does, iPad can run most desktop sites unlike the iPhone. Since iPad size is closer to the laptop and monitor than phones it is obviously big enough even for those people who have poor eyesight, it is programmed well. The only 25% of iPad cannot replace desktop is for those who are Programmers, gamers, Needs a lot of storage, full functionity of OS amd usb dongles.

For those who are saying that iPad cannot run Microsoft word, movie editing, and presentation. Well duh, dont pretend to be a blind person there is called appstore and you CAN download Microsoft word, and iMovie if you want to edit videos.
[doublepost=1496738469][/doublepost]

Its simple...

iPhone replaces iPad for 35% but only 25% as a desktop replacement. because it is big enough especially for kids and other people who still have perfect eyesight. Thats it!!! However, most websites are CRAMPED due to its smaller screen even its an iPhone 6/7 Plus model. No matter you do you cannot force yourself to read on iPhone for several hours, surf the net unlike iPad and Macbook

Now for iPad.. well the iPad already replaces about 75% of what macbook and other desktop can does, iPad can run most desktop sites unlike the iPhone. Since iPad size is closer to the laptop and monitor than phones it is obviously big enough even for those people who have poor eyesight, it is programmed well. The only 25% of iPad cannot replace desktop is for those who are Programmers, gamers, Needs a lot of storage, full functionity of OS amd usb dongles.

For those who are saying that iPad cannot run Microsoft word, movie editing, and presentation. Well duh, dont pretend to be a blind person there is called appstore and you CAN download Microsoft word, and iMovie if you want to edit videos.

Truelaley sister, so true
[doublepost=1496738753][/doublepost]It is telling you need some glasses

iOS is too limited to call it a laptop replacement. Dumbed down OS. USB dongles which can't be used for let's say card readers because Apple brought the ampere allowance down from 100 to 20. It's just not all that Pro. If your profession only demands casual web browsing, simple emailing, cloud based document sharing and the likes then yea sure it's a nice device. But, again, it is simply too limited compared to a laptop.

And for us naysayers, we are posting here, because if you would read the title of this topic it says: "iPad as a laptop replacement" and some of us simply state that it does not suffice to replace a laptop.

Some of us naysayers like our iPad, but are realistic enough to admit that it is a limited device and are posting here in the hope apple makes it better and more versatile and opens up some of its capabilities by expanding certain features and stop dumbing down the OS. That to me seems to be a good reason to be posting in the iPad fora. Thank you.

It is obviously that you have poor eyesight, for me even an iPhone can replace Desktop because it is more portable for students.

Well, sister... If you have an iPhone you can download iMovie if you want to edit videos. And microsoft word or excel if you need something to present in your work or classes. Bringing an iMac is hassle for me.

iPad might not be a laptop replacement for you, it is obvious that you are an Programmer, or something like that . And needs a lot of storage...
[doublepost=1496738861][/doublepost]

Its simple...

iPhone replaces iPad for 35% but only 25% as a desktop replacement. because it is big enough especially for kids and other people who still have perfect eyesight. Thats it!!! However, most websites are CRAMPED due to its smaller screen even its an iPhone 6/7 Plus model. No matter you do you cannot force yourself to read on iPhone for several hours, surf the net unlike iPad and Macbook

Now for iPad.. well the iPad already replaces about 75% of what macbook and other desktop can does, iPad can run most desktop sites unlike the iPhone. Since iPad size is closer to the laptop and monitor than phones it is obviously big enough even for those people who have poor eyesight, it is programmed well. The only 25% of iPad cannot replace desktop is for those who are Programmers, gamers, Needs a lot of storage, full functionity of OS amd usb dongles.

For those who are saying that iPad cannot run Microsoft word, movie editing, and presentation. Well duh, dont pretend to be a blind person there is called appstore and you CAN download Microsoft word, and iMovie if you want to edit videos.
[doublepost=1496738469][/doublepost]
Truelaley sister, so true
[doublepost=1496738753][/doublepost]It is telling you need some glasses


It is obviously that you have poor eyesight, for me even an iPhone can replace Desktop because it is more portable for students.

Well, sister... If you have an iPhone you can download iMovie if you want to edit videos. And microsoft word or excel if you need something to present in your work or classes. Bringing an iMac is hassle for me.

iPad might not be a laptop replacement for you, it is obvious that you are an Programmer, or something like that . And needs a lot of storage...

Hahaha Truelaley.. Correct sister she needs to consult her optalmologist doctor, to know if her eye prescription suddenly gets high

 

[Essaux]

]It is telling you need some glasses


It is obviously that you have poor eyesight, for me even an iPhone can replace Desktop because it is more portable for students.

Well, sister... If you have an iPhone you can download iMovie if you want to edit videos. And microsoft word or excel if you need something to present in your work or classes. Bringing an iMac is hassle for me.

iPad might not be a laptop replacement for you, it is obvious that you are an Programmer, or something like that . And needs a lot of storage...

Is your post satire? Or have you had some of that good stuff last night?

How can one argue with someone who says iPhone is a laptop replacement for students? Haha. I want to see a student write his final thesis on an iPhone, anywhere at anytime.

Let me call Hollywood and tell them they can throw their Mac Pro and all super computers in the bin, they can now professionally edit video and film with iMovie on an iPhone nonetheless.

 

[Mainsail]

If you keyboard and mouse around a lot to create and edit text, build and manipulate spreadsheets, perform research, and develop presentations, then you are probably better off with a laptop that has software designed and optimized for keyboard and mouse input. On the other hand, if most of your interaction with the device can be done via touch, then an iPad can replace your need for a laptop.

I think the big paradigm shift is that very few people need to purchase a computer for their personal use. Most people have employer provided laptops/computers for work, and yet, they still own traditional laptops/computers for home. I think this trend will end soon. There is very little reason for most people to own a traditional laptop/desktop for purely home and personal computing needs.

 

[BarracksSi]

I think the big paradigm shift is that very few people need to purchase a computer for their personal use. Most people have employer provided laptops/computers for work, and yet, they still own traditional laptops/computers for home. I think this trend will end soon. There is very little reason for most people to own a traditional laptop/desktop for purely home and personal computing needs.

I'm very near this point today, in fact. I telework via two work-issued Dell laptops; one has Win10 and the other has Ubuntu. I just started at this job last year, but if it works out, I might never need to buy my own computer for work.

I've reconsidered what to buy when it comes time to upgrade from my non-retina mid-2012 MBPro -- do I get another Pro laptop, or just a plain MacBook? Or maybe only an iPad?

The wild card is, in a conversation with one of the property managers (the people who issue laptops and other hardware), he said that they were looking to move away from issuing complete laptops and just having us VPN remotely into the system network.

 

[roccobladr]

I'm very interested in this conversation as well. With the past iPad releases, I wasn't sold on it being a viable option to replace my laptop. I travel to different locations every day and basically just need email, a web browser, word processesing and the occasional webex meeting. There was a time when my MacBook needed to be fixed and I was able to get most of my work done with an iPad 4th gen with a bluetooth keyboard, but it was far from ideal.

I feel like iOS 11 is the key here. I have a 2011 MacBook Air 11" that needs to be replaced and the 10.5" iPP couple with iOS 11 might make sense. I need it for the work reasons as stated above, as well as transporting all of my pictures, movies and files. 256GB option would be plenty and the multitasking and file system would mimic the things I would do with my MacBook.

The price seems right as well comparing it to a base model MacBook or 13" MBP. I'll be eagerly waiting reviews but I'm hoping this can replace my laptop!

 

[Synergie]

Apple's 30% tax is easily avoided. There are many companies, such as Amazon, that provide apps to use their services (Audible, Kindle, Amazon Prime Video, Comixology, etc), but you don't purchase the service or product through the iOS App Store, but via a browser on you iOS device. Same with many other apps, especially streaming services.

That's different from providing a full expensive app vice a lite version though. It's the app we are talking about and not a service. Unless they implement some serial number thing where you can't use the app until you go to the browser and purchase a serial number. But then it becomes clunky.

 

[Synergie]

If an iPad has external keyboard with usb socket, flash drive storage, mouse, true multi tasking, and used for editing videos. What will happen to Macbook sales if iPad can replace it? Of course if iPad becomes like a Microsoft Surface Pro, then Macbook would dissapear on sales.

Whats the point of selling of a Macbook And macs if iPad already gives you everything? That is why it can never ever replace desktop completely. Especially windows PC

For editing videos? Hmm, both iPad and iPhone can edit video since 2013, its called iMovie. And its waaaay easier to use than a Macbook. But an iPhone editing videos ?? No it is not a substitude for iPad and Macbook because of smaller display of an iPhone even its iPhone 6/7 Plus.

I also laughed when you say macbook is faster thna iPad, well i have macbook pro retina with touch bar 2016, it is faster when booting up obviously. But when browsing the web, playing games, actually both my iPad Mini 4 and iPad Pro is faster than Macbook!! And for your information... macbook is not for gaming, its for the people who wants to backup their iPhone and iPads and to use in front of class. As i rarely bring my Macbook in school, and work since my iPad Mini 4 together with my iPhone 7 plus. Since thye can already read PDF files though

It's got most of that now!

External keyboard yup! Apples bt magic keyboard
USB slot? yup! Get a leaf iBridge or similar with lightning on one side and reg USB on the other
Card reader yup! Hugh speed too!
Mouse? Who needs one when your finger works better!
Editing videos get the app LumaFusion. It's a full featured multi track video / audio editor with tons of effects and all the controls found even in the software I was using at the actual tv station (the only limitation I found is video which has more than one audio channel)
Multitasking, ask what you use multitasking for that you absolutely require all apps open at once vice in a frozen state? Playing music in background? Already capable? Watch a video while working on something? Already capable. You can easily copy and Paste between apps already.

Can workflow be better streamlined? Of course. I'd like to see better way to manage files than through the clunky share menu and then open in a different app. But using iCloud instead of local storage actually solves that mostly.

 

[richpjr]

Mouse? Who needs one when your finger works better!

Not when using the smart keyboard - it's awful to have to reach up and touch the screen. You can do some things with keyboard shortcuts but it does not come close to the precision or speed of a mouse.

 

[alecgold]

Not when using the smart keyboard - it's awful to have to read up and touch the screen. You can do some things with keyboard shortcuts but it does not come close to the precision or speed of a mouse.

Often arrows/space bar works perfectly for me on the apps that need that.
Otherwise the app-maker could be told to implement this.

 

[kazmac]

I will know exactly how much more I can do with iOS11, but I still need a Mac: video rips and conversions, and stupidly, Grammarly is not available for mobile devices.

Not keen about MS Office subscription, but I will think about that bridge when I need to cross it.

I can say as someone who has owned many iPads in the past, these new pros are exciting.

 

[Chancha]

Both the Lightning card reader and Lightning USB3 adaptor are already confirmed to not work with Files.app. Granted iOS 11 is still in beta, but doesn't look like the ability to access external storage is there yet. Currently Only Photos.app work with them, or selected peripheral makers who also publish their own apps, it is still not "open".

 

[rulymammoth]

The issue now is clearly the software. The hardware is awesome. Hopefully developers will get on board with these latest updates and start creating full featured apps that aren't handicapped versions of their desktop counterparts. To that end, I think the suscription based model will incentivize developers and it's good that that's sort of being adopted large scale by many developers. Kind of sucks for the consumer, but unless theres significantly money to be made in iPad apps, we won't see the features we need.

And really I'm looking at you Adobe and Microsoft. You're in the best position to create full featured versions of your most popular apps. Do that and I never need a desktop.

 

[mrklaw]

Not when using the smart keyboard - it's awful to have to read up and touch the screen. You can do some things with keyboard shortcuts but it does not come close to the precision or speed of a mouse.

I definitely think the should add mouse support. Just support bluetooth mice, the hardware is already there.

They added an expensive stylus which is great for creatives and note takers, but for plenty of basic workflows - word/excel for example it can be very helpful to be able to move a cursor to select/move text or change input locations quickly and easily. touch often isn't accurate enough and if I'm typing I don't want to reach up to the screen.

Seems to me they could even support mice in the main OS - just let you click on icons as though its your finger. Could be entirely transparent to apps.

I don't see why they'd avoid it. I can see why some wouldn't use it - I don't use a pencil - but that doesn't mean I think others should be prevented from using one.

 

[funnyboy88]

Multitasking, ask what you use multitasking for that you absolutely require all apps open at once vice in a frozen state? Playing music in background? Already capable? Watch a video while working on something? Already capable. You can easily copy and Paste between apps already.

Just to play devil's advocate here, on the iPad, you can't edit 2 Word documents side by side. You can't compose 2 emails side by side. A lot of times, multitasking doesn't mean using more than one app. It means doing multiple things inside 1 app. I love my iPad, but this is a major pain point for me. I can't tell you how often at work I need to jump from email window to email window, Excel sheet to excel sheet, etc. It's constant.

 

[Chancha]

Just to play devil's advocate here, on the iPad, you can't edit 2 Word documents side by side. You can't compose 2 emails side by side. A lot of times, multitasking doesn't mean using more than one app. It means doing multiple things inside 1 app. I love my iPad, but this is a major pain point for me. I can't tell you how often at work I need to jump from email window to email window, Excel sheet to excel sheet, etc. It's constant.

I came up with a solution to this. One email on iPad, another on iPhone, when needed to copy something use universal clipboard over Bluetooth. Damn it Apple should show off this workflow in their iPad ads.

 

[richpjr]

Just to play devil's advocate here, on the iPad, you can't edit 2 Word documents side by side. You can't compose 2 emails side by side. A lot of times, multitasking doesn't mean using more than one app. It means doing multiple things inside 1 app. I love my iPad, but this is a major pain point for me. I can't tell you how often at work I need to jump from email window to email window, Excel sheet to excel sheet, etc. It's constant.

Great point. I do things like this all the time and while you can find work arounds, it is definitely not very convenient.