iPad Pro Thinking of going Ipad pro vs Macbook pro

[jimmyhearts]

So all I use my Macbook Pro for is the following:

Emails
Word/Excel
Adobe Acrobat
Watching videos online
Downloading stuff and transferring files to external hard drive

I like speed. Thats why I have macbook pro.
However I have been transporting it around all day and thinking I could benefit from the Ipd pro.
Also about $3,000 price difference.

3 questions:

Basically can I use it to download and then transfer those files onto a hard drive?

Also when I want to attach something I can simply drag and drop it into an email will I have that option?

Is there a downloads folder like there is on my MacBook

 

[jimmyhearts]

oh and i plug in stuff often to print via USB cable

 

[AutomaticApple]

Is there a downloads folder like there is on my MacBook

Yes, in the Files app.

Find files on your iPhone or iPad in the Files app - Apple Support

Learn how to find and edit your files with the Files app.

support.apple.com

 

[ericwn]

Check your printer’s compatibility. I think the technology required for iOS devices to print is called AirPrint.

Other than that the Files app should be a good starting ground. Remember Apple provides 2 weeks return window, hence my recommendation to test it with your use tasks.

A more affordable iPad will likely be almost as fast at those basic tasks btw.

 

[macdogpro]

So all I use my Macbook Pro for is the following:

Emails
Word/Excel
Adobe Acrobat
Watching videos online
Downloading stuff and transferring files to external hard drive

I like speed. Thats why I have macbook pro.
However I have been transporting it around all day and thinking I could benefit from the Ipd pro.
Also about $3,000 price difference.

3 questions:

Basically can I use it to download and then transfer those files onto a hard drive?

Also when I want to attach something I can simply drag and drop it into an email will I have that option?

Is there a downloads folder like there is on my MacBook

all your needs should be sufficient with an ipad pro.
some notes tho:
- word / excel app is watered down version, unless you use the web based version.
- writing files to external media is significantly slower, so you better have an SSD external drive
- drag and drop attaching to mail app is no problem
- there is a download folder inside the Files app (similar to Finder)
- printing via usb cable is not possible, iOS / iPadOS only support AirPrint enabled printers

you should only get ipads with usb C connections for your needs.
other ipad with lightning ports is not file transfer friendly.

 

[jimmyhearts]

you should only get ipads with usb C connections for your needs.
other ipad with lightning ports is not file transfer friendly.

I would have thought the opposite. Thanks for this update.

 

[Ray2]

I replaced my MacBook Pro with a bread and butter Gen 6, 9.7” iPad. I do photography on it (Lightroom CC) as well as all that you mentioned. AirPrint to an old HP printer. iCloud is my common ”drive” location. All local storage is on a 24/7 media server. I can easily read/write to all files.

I much prefer a mouse interface (Mac) to a touch interface. But on all other counts, the iPad wins big time.

 

[jimmyhearts]

I replaced my MacBook Pro with a bread and butter Gen 6, 9.7” iPad. I do photography on it (Lightroom CC) as well as all that you mentioned. AirPrint to an old HP printer. iCloud is my common ”drive” location. All local storage is on a 24/7 media server. I can easily read/write to all files.

I much prefer a mouse interface (Mac) to a touch interface. But on all other counts, the iPad wins big time.

My main concern is the ability to down load torrents

 

[Ray2]

all your needs should be sufficient with an ipad pro.
some notes tho:
- word / excel app is watered down version, unless you use the web based version.
- writing files to external media is significantly slower, so you better have an SSD external drive
- drag and drop attaching to mail app is no problem
- there is a download folder inside the Files app (similar to Finder)
- printing via usb cable is not possible, iOS / iPadOS only support AirPrint enabled printers

you should only get ipads with usb C connections for your needs.
other ipad with lightning ports is not file transfer friendly.

That is not at all the case. See my above response. That’s with a Lightning port.

 

[macdogpro]

My main concern is the ability to down load torrents

There’s no torrent app on the app store (Apple won’t ever allow this for piracy concerns), unless you use web based torrent downloader service.

 

[macdogpro]

That is not at all the case. See my above response. That’s with a Lightning port.

Lightning port requires special cable for harddrive storage, not to mention larger capacity hardrives requires USB type C class transfer rate and power supplying (unless the harddrive it self has power supply input).
Yes we can do file transfer to external harddrive too with lightning ports, but with limitations and inconvenience.

I much prefer a mouse interface (Mac) to a touch interface. But on all other counts, the iPad wins big time.

iPadOS supports pointer / mouse, I use both mouse and trackpad on magic keyboard for ipad pro, never miss my macbook pro pointing experience.

 

[Ray2]

My main concern is the ability to down load torrents

I run them remotely. bt client/vpn/drives are on server. The last time I looked it was not obvious the established client developers have embraced iOS. Or perhaps Apple has not embraced them. As noted, web interfaces exist. I know nothing about them.

Perhaps I’m viewing your install wrong. Do you envision your entire computing inventory to be an iPad, printer and local storage? Network connected storage? Another computer?

If you’re thinking about relying only on an iPad for all your needs, I can’t help. As I mentioned, I much prefer a mouse interface and, for that reason, I keep a mini around for those times I refuse to deal with the iPad’s interface and it’s limitations. Many which may be self-imposed as I refuse to learn all the various ways of touch with multiple fingers. What I can say is the iPad has gotten closer and closer. I/O is the current story with USB-C. iPads are happy in a wireless world. But all the chatter overlooks the fact there's serious limitations in the basic interface and apps. A simple drag and drop being an example.

 

[Ray2]

Lightning port requires special cable for harddrive storage, not to mention larger capacity hardrives requires USB type C class transfer rate and power supplying (unless the harddrive it self has power supply input).
Yes we can do file transfer to external harddrive too with lightning ports, but with limitations and inconvenience.

iPadOS supports pointer / mouse, I use both mouse and trackpad on magic keyboard for ipad pro, never miss my macbook pro pointing experience.

The OP did not mention how he plans to access storage. Wireless has generally been the go-to/default method for iPad storage. It’s well established and works, though slow relative to usb3 speeds. Cable, hubs, power supplies, drives also work.

LOL regarding the mouse replacing a finger with the same apps (assuming the apps have mouse support). That is not a mouse interface. That’s a mouse doing the same thing a finger can, and cannot, do. If you’re happy with using a mouse instead of a finger on an iPad, that’s great. I'm not. The limitation is in the interface, not a piece of hardware or body part.

I’ve been laying on a sofa all morning with an iPad held over my chest. Not obvious how a mouse with limited functionality fits in. Nor is it obvious how I would connect it to storage when the cables, hubs, power supplies and drives are on the other side of the house. Instead I opt to use the iPad in a manner it was designed for. Use the cloud as an intermediary or my WiFi network to reach local storage. You have chosen to use the iPad in a manner I believe a Mac is a much better tool. I have chosen not to. As you point out, it’s inconvenient to use a Lightning port. I consider it an inconvenience to hook up a myriad of bits an pieces every time I want to access storage. As long as we're both happy, we've made the right decisions for ourselves. The OP now has 2 approaches, plus MacOS, to consider.

 

[cardfan]

Sounds like you need to stick with a MacBook but you hardly need one that is 3000 more expensive than an iPad Pro for your stated use.

What’s stopping you from just getting a cheap iPad and using both? It doesn’t have to be either or. Trying to use an iPad by itself with no Mac or pc at all is just asking for problems.

 

[macdogpro]

The OP did not mention how he plans to access storage. Wireless has generally been the go-to/default method for iPad storage. It’s well established and works, though slow relative to usb3 speeds. Cable, hubs, power supplies, drives also work.

LOL regarding the mouse replacing a finger with the same apps (assuming the apps have mouse support). That is not a mouse interface. That’s a mouse doing the same thing a finger can, and cannot, do. If you’re happy with using a mouse instead of a finger on an iPad, that’s great. I'm not. The limitation is in the interface, not a piece of hardware or body part.

I’ve been laying on a sofa all morning with an iPad held over my chest. Not obvious how a mouse with limited functionality fits in. Nor is it obvious how I would connect it to storage when the cables, hubs, power supplies and drives are on the other side of the house. Instead I opt to use the iPad in a manner it was designed for. Use the cloud as an intermediary or my WiFi network to reach local storage. You have chosen to use the iPad in a manner I believe a Mac is a much better tool. I have chosen not to. As you point out, it’s inconvenient to use a Lightning port. I consider it an inconvenience to hook up a myriad of bits an pieces every time I want to access storage. As long as we're both happy, we've made the right decisions for ourselves. The OP now has 2 approaches, plus MacOS, to consider.

I agree. It’s all a matter of preference.
The more options the more suiting alternative for everybody

 

[Mainsail]

Sounds like you need to stick with a MacBook but you hardly need one that is 3000 more expensive than an iPad Pro for your stated use.

What’s stopping you from just getting a cheap iPad and using both? It doesn’t have to be either or. Trying to use an iPad by itself with no Mac or pc at all is just asking for problems.

I agree with this. You can get the base iPad for $329, or wait for them to go on sale for as low as $250. If your MBP is overkill, you can sell it and get a MBA on sale for $900.

From the OPs post, if you do a lot of work with documents in Excel and Word and often have numerous files open, I would not go iPad only. MacOS is just plain better than iPadOS for multitasking and handling numerous documents. Under those conditions, you’ll quickly get frustrated quickly with an iPad only.

PS - I do think that an iPad is much better than a Mac for reading and marking-up/annotating documents. The iPad is also generally better for note taking and diagraming stuff. I am still trying to get the hang of Scribble, but that could also be promising.