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. 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 and videos 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 most about it is, it has a full row of shortcut keys. I also bought a Logitech MX Anywhere 2s mouse, 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. I work with contracts, forms, docs, take a huge amount of notes, sketch house dimensions, take pics and vids, communicate(messages and email), and do a bunch of scanning. The iPad also reduced the amount of hardware devices I needed, and condensed them all into on really portable device that actually makes my work more easy and convenient. No need for a dedicated camera or scanner anymore. Working with documents, pdf’s, contracts, and forms is so much easier for me. Editing, marking up, and then sending to clients is all done within the app, and reduces the amount of steps it takes to communicate. 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, and 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 12 Pro Max 512GB, 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. It is my main go to computer that does more, does it easier, does it faster, and does it in less steps. I really look forward to grabbing my iPad computer when I head out the door to work, and feel great relief that I don’t have to deal with a clunky and cumbersome laptop computer anymore. I will admit that iPad OS is still maturing 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.
