iPad Pro The Perfect Hybrid Device

[SpartaMAC]

Greeting all,

First let me say this is NOT a post on can an iPad replace your laptop. That topic has been beaten to death and in my case my ipad can replace my laptop (almost). Instead I thought I’d post my thoughts on how I use my iPad Pro 12.9 5th gen daily. Second, before I begin let me start that I have been in IT/Tech industry for over 40 years. The desktop PC, cell phones etc were not invented yet. I am a Technical Support Manager and need to be able to access customer servers at anytime. My wife’s parents are in their 90s and we spend a lot of the time caring for them so I need to carry my gear where ever I go. Oh, I forgot to mention, regardless of Covid, I have been working from home for the past 18 years.

My Gear: I carry it everywhere I go

IPad Pro 12.9 5th Gen (Space Gray)
Magic Keyboard (White)
Magic Mouse (Space Gray)
iPhone Pro 13 Max (Space Gray)
Anker Mini Dual charger
USB C Braided cable
USB C/Lightning cable
Ear Pods Pro
Ear Pods Max
Waterfield Backpack (Not sure model - It been discontinued)
Waterfield small (6x9) pouch (Holds cables etc)
Meds, mask, tissues, lip balm in small interior pocket
Glasses in side pocket
Anker external Battery in other external pocket.

OK so how do I use my iPad daily.

Morning:

Carry my backpack to my office setup my iPad with Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. (in the warmer weather my deck)
Read/Reply work/personal email (Gmail App)
Check my calandear - Getting forgetful in my old age. Need to make sure I do not miss any calls (Google calander app)
Complete my tasks for the day. Tasks include the following:

Remote access customer servers - Patch system, run reports, clear alarms, check logs, install updates, upgrade system, etc

Apps used for above tasks:

FortiVPN Client
Citrix Workspace
Teamviewer
Zoom
Webex
RDC
Cisco Anyconnect
Open VPN
Filezilla
Terminus (wish teren was a Putty for ipad)

Microsoft Office 365 Tasks with OneDrive and gdrive

Personal uses:

Movies/Videos/News, etc
Diablo Immortal - game

So yes for me it is the perfect light weight hybrid. I use to carry a MacBook Air M! And ipad Air. The IPad Pro replaced both.

By now you are proban]bly asking, do I use a computer…….YES… I use my M1 14” MacBook Pro connected to a 34” Samsung Smart Monitor. If I am going to work on something more than an hour I am more comfortable sitting at my desk with the Macbook. However, I use them both for the same purposes. The only time I do not use my iPad is when I need to upload/download ISOs to remote servers. The MacBook is much better at that task.

Now I have tried the Surface pro. It is a great device and does all the remote work with ease but IT DOES NOT in m,y option work very well as a tablet.

I do have a Windows computer that I use for the rare occasions where I have to go on-site and connect to a devices serial (LOM) port. The ipad is not able to do this task as there are no apps that support a USB C to serial cable. This is my server onsite kit that I have only used once in The last four years.

Id love to hear your thoughts.

 

[NastyMatt]

I have a similar set up to you but I use my MBA charger as I can plug USB C (to USB C or Lightning or AW) directly into that and swap the connector with travel kit when I work abroad. I only ever carry my Beats Pro as they do everything I want. Plus, I don't carry a mouse, I simply use the trackpad.

The reason I prefer the iPad over the MBA (M1) is that it is more versatile - obviously with touch screen and pencil and it's footprint is smaller on a plane tray table. One thing I used to do with my MBA is plug it into my 34" monitor and use the keyboard, mouse and headset. More real estate makes it easier to be productive, now the Mx iPads can extend screen I am seriously considering getting an M2 IPP and doing the same.

The work I do is not very technical - lots of documents/meetings plus, most my apps can be used in a browser now. My main bugbear is offline files for GSuite, I can not use offline files in a browser on IPP - can only open them in the app and they are not as feature rich as a browser.

 

[culo77]

I really enjoyed reading your use case. Each year I am amazed what these things can do.

Question for you, why the 12.9 and not the 11?

 

[NastyMatt]

I really enjoyed reading your use case. Each year I am amazed what these things can do.

Question for you, why the 12.9 and not the 11?

I went for the 12.9 because it was primarily a work device (more real estate = more productive). If it had been personal I probably would have gone for the 11 as I thought the 12.9 was too big. But I was wrong, the 12.9 just became the norm - now when I pick up an 11 it feels too small, MK too cramped.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

now when I pick up an 11 it feels too small, MK too cramped.

Magic Keyboard was the deciding factor for me; the 11” is too small.

 

[culo77]

It does seem most that use it primarily with the Magic keyboard gravitate towards the 12.9. I am always curious to see the driving factors for the size decision.

Why the magic keyboard that has a track pad and a Magic Mouse?

 

[SpartaMAC]

I chose the 12.9 simply for screen size.

 

[floral]

Yes, many people are still stuck on the "iPad is/isn't a computer" debate for a long time without seeing that there's a middle ground. I personally think it's a fine computer replacement (I don't code or use desktop-level apps) but it's nice to know that some people can find a compromise. We need more things like that around here.

 

[teh_hunterer]

I've stopped trying to do the whole hybrid device thing. I had an honest look at what I actually need and then went from there.

I use a 14" MacBook Pro for work, and also for music, where the bigger 14" screen comes in handy for recording and mixing, where Logic Pro is a necessity, and the SD card slot is used.

And I have an 11" iPad in the regular folio case for when I want to relax on the couch or in bed, if I need a second display alongside the MacBook (rare but does happen) or as an extra control surface for Logic Pro. Also good for cramped travel situations like crappy economy flights (of which I took 12 last year!). I would have gone mad flying all those hours without the iPad, as a 14" MacBook simply does not mix with economy flying.

Trying to figure out which devices to use was giving me a bit of an existential crisis. Once I realised I really needed the bigger screen and the Mac software, I stopped worrying about trying to make an iPad be my main computer. And I've been happier since.

I've decided that if the iPad as main computing device future does come, I'll know, because I won't have to try to force it. It'll be obvious.

 

[prospervic]

Trying to figure out which devices to use was giving me a bit of an existential crisis. Once I realised I really needed the bigger screen and the Mac software, I stopped worrying about trying to make an iPad be my main computer. And I've been happier since.

I've decided that if the iPad as main computing device future does come, I'll know, because I won't have to try to force it. It'll be obvious.

Excellently said! The curse of Tim Cook’s unfortunate “why would you ever buy a PC?” comment (2015) is finally beginning to lift. The spell is broken.

iPad Pro is my favorite device, but I’ve accepted (with a newfound sense of relief) that it cannot be my only device.

 

[rui no onna]

Excellently said! The curse of Tim Cook’s unfortunate “why would you ever buy a PC?” comment (2015) is finally beginning to lift. The spell is broken.

I've always treated that statement as the marketing BS that it was. Particularly so back in 2015 when iPads were a lot more limited.

iPad Pro is my favorite device, but I’ve accepted (with a newfound sense of relief) that it cannot be my only device.

I can use the iPad for majority of my tasks but I know there are plenty of areas where it falls short. I guess I'm a lot more content with the iPad since I've never tried to use it to replace my computer 100%.

For one thing, I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to use the iPad to rip my purchased Blu-rays. Formatting and imaging microSD cards for Raspberry Pi projects is also iffy and may never be supported either (although that has a higher likelihood of happening vs ripping BD).

 

[teh_hunterer]

Excellently said! The curse of Tim Cook’s unfortunate “why would you ever buy a PC?” comment (2015) is finally beginning to lift. The spell is broken.

iPad Pro is my favorite device, but I’ve accepted (with a newfound sense of relief) that it cannot be my only device.

For me, the desire to make the iPad be the main computer wasn't from anything Cook said (I wasn't even aware of it) but from how much better and more futuristic the Apple Silicon iPads felt compared to the Intel MacBooks. Now that Apple Silicon has made it into the Macs, I think a lot of those who made that observation are having their long held notions update painfully in real time!

 

[JamesMay82]

great write up. I think the iPad is great but that we are just too set in our old ways to fully embrace it.

 

[prospervic]

For me, the desire to make the iPad be the main computer wasn't from anything Cook said (I wasn't even aware of it) but from how much better and more futuristic the Apple Silicon iPads felt compared to the Intel MacBooks. Now that Apple Silicon has made it into the Macs, I think a lot of those who made that observation are having their long held notions update painfully in real time!

Cook's comment was pretty influential at the time. Many of us were enchanted by the idea of a thin and light slab that could take the place of heavy & bulky laptops, while also being easy and fun to use.

It's true that Apple Silicon has removed the annoyances of overheating, fan noise and pitiful battery life from MacBooks (using my M1 Pro MacBook Pro is vastly improved experience over my former Intel model). But in my case I'm still enamored by the simplicity and beauty of iPadOS, and am intrigued whenever a major desktop app (most recently Davinci Resolve) gets ported to the iPad

 

[bondr006]

Greeting all,

First let me say this is NOT a post on can an iPad replace your laptop. That topic has been beaten to death and in my case my ipad can replace my laptop (almost). Instead I thought I’d post my thoughts on how I use my iPad Pro 12.9 5th gen daily. Second, before I begin let me start that I have been in IT/Tech industry for over 40 years. The desktop PC, cell phones etc were not invented yet. I am a Technical Support Manager and need to be able to access customer servers at anytime. My wife’s parents are in their 90s and we spend a lot of the time caring for them so I need to carry my gear where ever I go. Oh, I forgot to mention, regardless of Covid, I have been working from home for the past 18 years.

My Gear: I carry it everywhere I go

IPad Pro 12.9 5th Gen (Space Gray)
Magic Keyboard (White)
Magic Mouse (Space Gray)
iPhone Pro 13 Max (Space Gray)
Anker Mini Dual charger
USB C Braided cable
USB C/Lightning cable
Ear Pods Pro
Ear Pods Max
Waterfield Backpack (Not sure model - It been discontinued)
Waterfield small (6x9) pouch (Holds cables etc)
Meds, mask, tissues, lip balm in small interior pocket
Glasses in side pocket
Anker external Battery in other external pocket.

OK so how do I use my iPad daily.

Morning:

Carry my backpack to my office setup my iPad with Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. (in the warmer weather my deck)
Read/Reply work/personal email (Gmail App)
Check my calandear - Getting forgetful in my old age. Need to make sure I do not miss any calls (Google calander app)
Complete my tasks for the day. Tasks include the following:

Remote access customer servers - Patch system, run reports, clear alarms, check logs, install updates, upgrade system, etc

Apps used for above tasks:

FortiVPN Client
Citrix Workspace
Teamviewer
Zoom
Webex
RDC
Cisco Anyconnect
Open VPN
Filezilla
Terminus (wish teren was a Putty for ipad)

Microsoft Office 365 Tasks with OneDrive and gdrive

Personal uses:

Movies/Videos/News, etc
Diablo Immortal - game

So yes for me it is the perfect light weight hybrid. I use to carry a MacBook Air M! And ipad Air. The IPad Pro replaced both.

By now you are proban]bly asking, do I use a computer…….YES… I use my M1 14” MacBook Pro connected to a 34” Samsung Smart Monitor. If I am going to work on something more than an hour I am more comfortable sitting at my desk with the Macbook. However, I use them both for the same purposes. The only time I do not use my iPad is when I need to upload/download ISOs to remote servers. The MacBook is much better at that task.

Now I have tried the Surface pro. It is a great device and does all the remote work with ease but IT DOES NOT in m,y option work very well as a tablet.

I do have a Windows computer that I use for the rare occasions where I have to go on-site and connect to a devices serial (LOM) port. The ipad is not able to do this task as there are no apps that support a USB C to serial cable. This is my server onsite kit that I have only used once in The last four years.

Id love to hear your thoughts.

Love my M1 iPad Pro 11. I am a Realtor and Property Manager, and my iPad Pro has completely replaced my MacBook Pro as my business device since November 2021. The iPad Pro is literally the perfect computer for what I do.

It was an easy decision for me to get rid of my 2019 MacBook Pro(hated the dang ribbon bar). I got the new M1 Mac Mini with 16gb ram for desktop, and a new M1 iPad Pro 11 for my mobile needs. I chose the 11” because the screen is big enough for doing work on, but still super portable. Paid less for the two of them together than I did for just my MBP. It's the perfect setup for me. I create and work with contracts, pdf's, and documents on a daily basis. It is so much easier, convenient, and more intuitive to use the iPad for the work I do. In fact, I would go so far as to say, in my opinion the laptop is limiting and cumbersome compared to the iPad Pro for the type of work I do. Jeeze, even the camera on it is good enough to use for most of the photos I need for a property listing. It streamlined my workflow, and has definitely made my work more fun.

Cloud storage is cheap nowadays, as is fast external storage. I got the M1 iPad Pro 11 with 256gb, but have 2TB iCloud+ for $10 month, 1TB of cloud storage with MS Office 365 and OneDrive. I also have 2TB of Google Drive storage for $10 a month. On top of that, I have a couple of external 1TB USB C SSD's, and a few USB 3.1 512GB flash drives. So, storage is not a problem. It easily runs any of the realty apps I need to use, so only 8gb ram is no problem. And, it has the same M1 processor the 1TB and up models have, so power is also not a problem.

Don't have the magic keyboard but bought the Logitech Combo Touch and I love it. It fully protects my iPad front, back, and edges. I can take the keyboard off, and it is still protected, and has a fully adjustable stand. The typing experience is excellent, and the keyboard has a large, very responsive, click anywhere trackpad. And, one of the things I love the most about it is, it has a full row of shortcut keys. I also bought an Apple Magic Trackpad 2, and an Apple Pencil 2, both of which are the best. I have a few choices for carry. First, is a small traditional laptop case with many zippered compartments. Second is a nice REI sling bag with lots of pockets and storage. Last is a small REI backpack with even more pockets and storage than the sling. I can carry all the accessories I need with any of my carry choices.

Working with a product that you like to use is an important key in business. No need for a dedicated camera or scanner anymore. I also use it for handwritten and typed notes, daily planning, task management, to-do's, email, web browsing, phone calls, messages, entertainment, reading books, play an occasional game, and the list goes on. I use a bunch of realty specific web apps and services but have a few others that I really like.

For note management I use Notes, OneNote, GoodNotes, and Noteful. I also use a Paperlike screen protector and my Apple Pencil 2 for a natural writing experience. For document management I use MS Office, and PDF Expert. For file management I use Files, iCloud+, FileBrowser, Tonido, OneDrive, and Google.

Now that I have used the iPad Pro for work, there is no going back to a laptop. The Apple ecosystem is the best. Everything just talks and works with each other seamlessly. As of right now, I have the Apple TV 4K/AirPod Pros/Apple Watch Series 6 44mm/iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB/M1 iPad Pro 11 256GB/M1 Mac Mini 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD/2019 intel i9 2.3ghz 16gb 512gb 16" MacBook Pro(sold).

Really cool having an all in one that’s easy to use and light to carry for your business and personal needs, and now with iPadOS 16 and Stage Manager, I also use it as desktop setup with an external monitor. I will admit that iPad OS still has some maturing to do but has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings. Been using Apple products since the mid 90’s. My first Apple computer was a Macintosh Color Classic in Jan. 1994. In the almost 30 years I have been using Apple products, I have had to take only one one thing to the Genius Bar. My iPhone 5 had a bad battery in it, and they replaced the phone with no problem. Not bad for 30 years and dozens of Apple products.