All iPads Those with M1 Macs and iPads, what do you use an iPad for?

[benobi]

Honest question. I recently purchased (and then returned) an iPad Air. I wasn't thrilled with TouchID or the 60hz display.
The larger issue I had, however, was figuring out how to integrate it into my life. I purchased it for a very specific work use-case, but outside of that, didn't find myself reaching for it as often as my M1 MacBook Air or phone.

With all of the rumors of the new iPad Pros, I am considering trying it out again. For those who have an iPad (especially an Air or Pro Model), what kind of things do you use your iPad for? In what ways do you find it better than the other two devices?

 

[Oreon]

I got a 12 Pro MAX, M1 MacBook Pro and am looking to buy a 11 iPad Pro cellular, considered air but decided against due to your reasons.

Use the MacBook for work stuff at home, watching videos, finance, iPad will be used for work stuff in the office, travelling, sitting on the sofa downstairs in front of the tv, pretty pointless having all 3 but want sometimes overules justification ?

 

[satchmo]

Well, the obvious attribute the iPad has is it's touch capabilities. So if your needs involve hand written notes, sketching or anything that requires a stylus, you won't be able to do that with your MBA.

If you mainly use a keyboard, your needs are probably met with the MBA.

The iPad however is being able to do both, by simply adding a keyboard case. Although a Magic keyboard /Air will set you back to cost as much as your MBA. But again, you'll have touch enabled capabilities.

 

[2ilent8cho]

I don't use my iPads much at all, i really should stop getting them. The iPad i use the most is my 1st Gen Mini as a Kindle. I've got a Mini 2, 1st Gen Air, 6th Gen, 7th Gen and they mostly gather dust. I would use them when going on holiday as they were good to pass the time on the plane or for using to research places to visit whilst away, but not been doing much of that recently.

I just prefer to use a laptop form factor, it's easier to just rest it on your lap and angle the screen. Though i'm not touching my M1 Mac that much, i've used my 2019 13" Pro more as i prefer the Butterfly Keyboard, its faster to type on and feels better, or if i feel like playing a game i use my 16" Macbook Pro.

Must resist getting an 8th Gen iPad... i don't need it, infact i dont think i really need an iPad at all bar 1 mini for reading as i could just use my small 2017 Macbook for travelling.

 

[MisterMillz]

What’s so special about the upcoming iPad Pros that lead you to want to try them when you didn’t like the iPad Air? Quad speakers and 120hz won’t fundamentally change anything you do on the iPad. As someone else said, touch input is the big difference. If you don’t do anything that requires touch input or is benefited by touch input, there’s no point for you.

I think the bigger iPads and a laptop are a bit redundant, but they still have their places. That is why I currently have a MacBook Air M1, iPad Mini 5 and an iPhone 11 Pro. Mini is much more portable than my laptop, but enjoyably bigger than my iPhone for web browsing, media, gaming and note taking. I also think a nice combo would be the 11 or 12.9 iPad Pro with a Mac Mini. I may go that road sooner or later.

 

[dazzer21-2]

I use my iPad as an extended desktop for my MacBook Pro using Sidecar.

 

[benobi]

What’s so special about the upcoming iPad Pros that lead you to want to try them when you didn’t like the iPad Air? Quad speakers and 120hz won’t fundamentally change anything you do on the iPad. As someone else said, touch input is the big difference. If you don’t do anything that requires touch input or is benefited by touch input, there’s no point for you.

I think the bigger iPads and a laptop are a bit redundant, but they still have their places. That is why I currently have a MacBook Air M1, iPad Mini 5 and an iPhone 11 Pro. Mini is much more portable than my laptop, but enjoyably bigger than my iPhone for web browsing, media, gaming and note taking. I also think a nice combo would be the 11 or 12.9 iPad Pro with a Mac Mini. I may go that road sooner or later.

I work as a film writer and director. Previously during production, I would have to print out hundreds of pages of scripts, make my notes by hand, and take these notebooks to set (where pages often fell out, rain would soak the pages, bleed the ink etc.) Then whenever a new draft of the script was sent out, I'd have to print out all the new pages and transfer all my notes by hand - often literally hundreds of pages. This would take hours and hours. I purchased the iPad Air and Apple Pencil 2 to aid in this... and for this specific use case, along with the app Scriptation, it performed brilliantly. However, I felt the handwriting experience was still a bit... off. Also reading and scrolling through script pages on on a 60hz display created unpleasing text blur. The experience was just not exactly what I had hoped for.

This is why I am now looking at the Pros... and trying to justify the added expense (yes I will write off the expense, but still). Days on set still represent a relatively small percentage of my year, so I'd love to find other ways to integrate it into my life.

 

[StellarOdin]

Honest question. I recently purchased (and then returned) an iPad Air. I wasn't thrilled with TouchID or the 60hz display.
The larger issue I had, however, was figuring out how to integrate it into my life. I purchased it for a very specific work use-case, but outside of that, didn't find myself reaching for it as often as my M1 MacBook Air or phone.

With all of the rumors of the new iPad Pros, I am considering trying it out again. For those who have an iPad (especially an Air or Pro Model), what kind of things do you use your iPad for? In what ways do you find it better than the other two devices?

I use my iPad Air 3rd Gen for school mostly; the pen use and highlighting, etc, is incredibly beneficial. I am hoping to upgrade to one of the new Pro models when they come out, or if nothing else one of the current generations if they have a reasonable sale.

 

[MisterMillz]

I work as a film writer and director. Previously during production, I would have to print out hundreds of pages of scripts, make my notes by hand, and take these notebooks to set (where pages often fell out, rain would soak the pages, bleed the ink etc.) Then whenever a new draft of the script was sent out, I'd have to print out all the new pages and transfer all my notes by hand - often literally hundreds of pages. This would take hours and hours. I purchased the iPad Air and Apple Pencil 2 to aid in this... and for this specific use case, along with the app Scriptation, it performed brilliantly. However, I felt the handwriting experience was still a bit... off. Also reading and scrolling through script pages on on a 60hz display created unpleasing text blur. The experience was just not exactly what I had hoped for.

This is why I am now looking at the Pros... and trying to justify the added expense (yes I will write off the expense, but still). Days on set still represent a relatively small percentage of my year, so I'd love to find other ways to integrate it into my life.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I’ve owned a ridiculous amount of iPads through the years—including the newer Pros and Air 4. 120Hz is definitely smoother, but I couldn’t care less about it. They all function the same for me. The Pros only remain relevant for me because of 512GB storage options. I would pay a storage premium to avoid buying a “Pro” device that includes features and price hikes I don’t care for. If 120Hz is your actual reason, then you don’t need a future model. You can go all the way back to 2017 models to get ProMotion. Sounds like you just want the latest and greatest—which is totally valid. We want what we want.

 

[Lotuskid]

i used to have a 15 inch macbook pro that would stay docked to an external monitor 99% of the time, and I used my ipad pro throughout the house as my portable device for watching videos, imessage, and other mostly consumption tasks.

Now I have since moved to an m1 mac mini desktop to the same monitor, sold my laptop, and use the ipad pro as my 'laptop'. My computing needs are very casual though, occasional photo jobs + editing, and other around the house tasks.

But for me the ipad serves as a bigger iphone, and once a week i attend a language class that i use the ipad to write notes and do homework on notability.

Its an extremely expensive pen and paper replacement but it also has tremendous functionality in that space that is hard to replicate.

 

[rui no onna]

Apart from taxes and parts of my credit union's website that doesn't work on iOS, I do most finance/banking stuff on the iPad (via just touchscreen + onscreen keyboard).

Clamshell is actually a form factor I dislike most albeit the M1 MacBooks actually solve two of its annoyances (noise and heat). For the most part, I'd rather go with iPad for leisure + desktop for work. I mostly just use the laptop when I need to travel or when I'm too lazy to get off the bed to use the desktop.

 

[AutomaticApple]

If you mainly use a keyboard, your needs are probably met with the MBA.

The MacBook Air isn't detachable though. I think that's the main appeal.

 

[ThatSandWyrm]

I work as a film writer and director. Previously during production, I would have to print out hundreds of pages of scripts, make my notes by hand, and take these notebooks to set (where pages often fell out, rain would soak the pages, bleed the ink etc.) Then whenever a new draft of the script was sent out, I'd have to print out all the new pages and transfer all my notes by hand - often literally hundreds of pages. This would take hours and hours. I purchased the iPad Air and Apple Pencil 2 to aid in this... and for this specific use case, along with the app Scriptation, it performed brilliantly. However, I felt the handwriting experience was still a bit... off. Also reading and scrolling through script pages on on a 60hz display created unpleasing text blur. The experience was just not exactly what I had hoped for.

This is why I am now looking at the Pros... and trying to justify the added expense (yes I will write off the expense, but still). Days on set still represent a relatively small percentage of my year, so I'd love to find other ways to integrate it into my life.

I mostly use my 1rst Gen iPad Pro for reading books, watching videos, and web browsing. When I was getting my Masters I found Notability invaluable because it would automatically mirror my notes to all of my devices, and I could export PDFs of my notes to other people. I'm also a 3D artist, and sometimes use it for sketching because it's more precise than a Wacom tablet.

What I have an increasingly hard time justifying to myself is having a laptop. Since all of my casual consumption is done on the iPad Pro, and I have both an iMac Pro and a PC for serious work. I'm typing this on a MacBook Pro that rarely gets pulled out unless I'm doing an "in the nice looking room" zoom meeting. It'll probably get handed down to one of my kids next year, since I can't even use it as a portable VR machine due not to its specs, but its lack of the right kind of USB-C port. So I can't even use it for showing high-end work to clients.

 

[teksurv]

My use case is fairly casual. M1 MBP downstairs for remote work and general browsing. 2020 iPad Pro 11 for reading on my nightstand. <-- overkill excepting I DO appreciate ProMotion (have a Note 20 Ultra as my phone with 120 refresh rate) and I really like the form factor.

 

[benobi]

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I’ve owned a ridiculous amount of iPads through the years—including the newer Pros and Air 4. 120Hz is definitely smoother, but I couldn’t care less about it. They all function the same for me. The Pros only remain relevant for me because of 512GB storage options. I would pay a storage premium to avoid buying a “Pro” device that includes features and price hikes I don’t care for. If 120Hz is your actual reason, then you don’t need a future model. You can go all the way back to 2017 models to get ProMotion. Sounds like you just want the latest and greatest—which is totally valid. We want what we want.

I may find that 120hz is not the game changer I hope it is. As you suggested, I am considering picking up a 2018 Pro and seeing how I like it. As I am not in immediate production, I figured I would wait around a few weeks and see what 2021 offered or if there would be discounts on previous models I could take advantage of.

 

[tops2]

Now, my iPad mini 4 is my general media consumption/web browsing device when unwinding at the end of the day. My 11" Pro is mostly used for quick/light remote work. I've finally given up (trying to replace laptop with iPad) and just use my 15.6" Windows laptop during the day for work as its much more efficient (without the iPadOS limitations). Since the pandamic, I barely use my phone anymore unless I leave home.

I got my 11" Pro middle of last year. I had the idea it can mostly replace my laptop to remote log into work. After jumping through more hoops than I'd like to just accomplish basic things, this year, I'm back to my laptop. Personally, the 120hz makes no real difference to me. I don't use Apple pencil (clone) outside of the honeymoon period so I don't notice if it writes smoother. And my mini 4 and iPhone XR's screen is still pretty awesome when I scroll through text. The size, battery life and heat is much better than my windows laptop. But in my opinion, the MacBook Air and Pro now have much better battery life and runs cools as well. I tried out the Magic keyboard for a few days and its nice (but too expensive for me) for casual use. But once I try to use it for work, the iPadOS limitations keeps cropping up.

For the op's experience, I'm not sure if a "Pro" ipad will serve any better purpose unless you really like the ipad form factor and will realistically write/draw on the screen.

 

[antipodean]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned portrait orientation. Combined with an Apple Pencil, the iPad is a great tool for reading and marking up PDFs.

I've seen people putting laptops on their side for reading PDFs (i.e. screen in portrait orientation, balanced with the keyboard sticking out sideways), which frankly looks ridiculous and very unstable.

The iPad solves that problem.

 

[Seanm87]

I mostly use my 11 inch pro when lying down in bed or on the sofa. For that use case the iPad is far far better and less/awkward cumbersome than a laptop. I could use a cheaper iPad but I like the form factor and 120hz screen.

I also use it as my portable computer away from home with the magic keyboard. The smaller size is awesome as a mini laptop that i can carry around. Doing this less now due to COVID obviously.

I actually like my iPad more than the M1 MacBook tbh.

 

[mdwsta4]

For me one device is a computer, the other is more of a toy. I edit/store photos, store/create music playlists, and use my M1 for traditional computing tasks. My iPad pro I use for internet, some email, youtube, stuff like that

 

[Apple_Robert]

I use my iPad Pro mostly in Sidecar mode when at home. I also use it at work part time.

 

[CSBBody]

I run my own business, the MBA M1 drives my office and external monitor, and i play guitar and my wife enjoys singing and piano, so a mini audio “studio” for our hobby, edit some video content for SM and such.

The 12.9” i use 90% of the day with A MKB, answering mails, doing research , which forms a large part of my day, media consumption,

It may seem weird, but i just cant work well on a laptop on the couch, or in the garden, even on a desk.i wish i could , it would make the iPad redundant potentially. My whole working life, i have never been a regular on a laptop, so this is all personal preferences and biases to familiarity.

Even in my film industry days, digitizing rushes from HDCam to HDD all night, or data wrangling the rushes that night, would rather work on our iMac and similar set up with the older 17” MacBook.

I usually have an iMac, but there are a few instances where the macOS is needed When I travel, otherwise i would have done the Mac mini M1.

I love my iPad, cant imagine living without it, even have the 11 pro which i gave to the wife, which she now lives on 24/7. The older 10.5 pro lays around the house for a quick google, web surf etc, look up a recipe. Overkill but cant get much for it.

M1 - Server / spreadsheets / hobby music recording / video editing / some traveling. 1 hour a day average use some days 7-8 hours.

Ipad 12.9 - Emails, media consumption, research, hobby music with guitar recording. General day to day running of business. Average daily use 9-12 Hours.

iPad 11” - wife’s - photo editing, work, recording vocals and keyboard, clearly online shopping.

10.5 - floater for the house, used naked, don't care if gets damaged, but useful to grab and search something. Or watch a video.

iPad mini 5 - Ereader only, it just works ,as i have tons of textbooks, fiction, and everything in between, the iPad mini just does it all, hence no kindle version.

Some overkill for sure, some redundancy, some old ones not worth selling.

 

[Zazoh]

The M1 is an amazing laptop. It’s a laptop. The hardware is a dated format. It doesn’t support pencil, doesn’t have a camera worth a damn, only works in landscape mode, hard to use on the sofa or in bed.

I really don’t get the appeal. I use my iPad for 90 % of what I do.

The M1 will be my last laptop. Apple Computers dropped computers from their name in 2007. Like electric cars, we are on the cusp of change. My 16 year old son started driving. When he is my age, he likely won’t be using gasoline in a car or remember a laptop for computing.

 

[benobi]

The M1 is an amazing laptop. It’s a laptop. The hardware is a dated format. It doesn’t support pencil, doesn’t have a camera worth a damn, only works in landscape mode, hard to use on the sofa or in bed.

I really don’t get the appeal. I use my iPad for 90 % of what I do.

The M1 will be my last laptop. Apple Computers dropped computers from their name in 2007. Like electric cars, we are on the cusp of change. My 16 year old son started driving. When he is my age, he likely won’t be using gasoline in a car or remember a laptop for computing.

Do you use your iPad with a Magic Keyboard or some other keyboard alternative?

 

[CSBBody]

The M1 is an amazing laptop. It’s a laptop. The hardware is a dated format. It doesn’t support pencil, doesn’t have a camera worth a damn, only works in landscape mode, hard to use on the sofa or in bed.

I really don’t get the appeal. I use my iPad for 90 % of what I do.

The M1 will be my last laptop. Apple Computers dropped computers from their name in 2007. Like electric cars, we are on the cusp of change. My 16 year old son started driving. When he is my age, he likely won’t be using gasoline in a car or remember a laptop for computing.

had a similar discussion with my brother in law, he is far more educated and computer literate than i, he does IT infrastructure for a large corporation. We usually have good fun needling each other as he is 100 % windows / Android and i Apple.

He also feels laptops are reaching the end of their lifespan, and new tech will eventually replace it, with what, who knows, i know i use MKB with my 12.9 IPad, its still doesn’t feel like a laptop, even though on paper, it very much is when attached.

Maybe some sort of iPad iteration, with no physical keyboard but rather some sort of laser ? That pops a keyboard display on the desk when needed. Saving space and weight. I have no skin in the game, or the knowledge, but i love tech and following it, even if i only understand half of it.

 

[The Game 161]

basically all media/web browsing/twitter and apps. I use my M1 air for work so e-mails/documents and files. I use my iPad with MK