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iPad Pro **Update: M4 iPad Pro fixed the problem** I was wrong .... iPad sucks ... worst Apple device by far.
- Thread starter Zest28
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Of all the use cases you could mention, you went with the FILES app? Sorry, sir, but that thing is CLUMSY. I do use it, but here just a few issues with it:
* External media storage is a pain. It requires a dock and, last time I checked, it was too slow to make it viable to use on iPadOS, discouraging you to store files externally.
* When configuring the Files app to access remote computers (which is not something a regular user will know how to do), sometimes the IP will change and this will require you to delete the setup and re-insert the new IP.
* You can't format media with it.
* File browsing is very cumbersome in general.
VERSATILE? It's a good drawing device, but VERSATILE? You can't even install apps outside the app store. If anything, the iPad is a niche, specialized device. The Macbook, which has seen better days, is a much more versatile device – just not as portable.
Not a good example. I can find alternatives in other systems in a couple of seconds (for example, Microsoft Whiteboard: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb...e-canvas-d344e700-b90f-4bdf-8fb8-81d4c60298ca).
I'm sure we can find a few more alternatives with more features if we search more carefully.
It would be dumb if there weren't new use cases for the iPad after thirteen years. One year after the original launch Apple released a keyboard dock so even back then Apple envisioned the iPad for productivity.
Weird you think all media consumption is just Youtube. Regardless, if your budget allows buying a 13" iPad to watch videos, then more power to you.
I wanted an iPad, so I bought an iPad; thats all I needed to justify my decision. Now I enjoy my iPad every day for consumption and creativity tasks.
I don't think that the $129 battery service is such a great deal... If your screen and case are not in good conditions, they'll either refuse the service or charge you additional money. And you are not getting a new device, your are getting a device that was generally used by someone else and where the battery, case and screen have been replaced, which again does not change much since your device has to be in good condition to begin with...
I wasn't talking about the software hence the "etc" at the end of my sentence. I was talking about how the iPad does something well - i.e. answering your actual question.
Please quote a few.
Of course. But the argument is how much "bang for the buck" we are getting. If we went from a purely subjective point of view, if you could spend $20,000 on a gold-plated roll of toilet paper, then it wouldn't matter.
Of course. I'm glad you enjoy your iPad. I enjoy mine for drawing too. But I'm being objective when I say it's not very useful for anything other than drawing. For example, there aren't many good Office suites on the iPad, and the Microsoft alternative, Office 365, is only offered as a subscription, with many features missing (for example, no add-ins or macros).
There are a few things the iPad does well. That's not my point. I'm talking about something ONLY the iPad can do that justifies buying it, or at least something that's achievable on other devices, but it's easy on the iPad or insanely hard on other devices.
Even if you buy the iPad pro just for video watching (which is not just Youtube, but also streaming etc), there is nothing wrong with spending $1000 on an iPad (or Galaxy Tab etc) when some people spend several thousands on TV sets just to watch videos...
So you're saying that you can't use a Microsoft Surface or a Galaxy tablet with a freeform app to scribble in online meetings? Or even screencast to Photoshop and scribble (assuming you want just to scribble with the pen)?
I very much doubt that.
Except that the monitors can be hooked to all sorts of audio and sound devices, and the iPad can't even do that without external software. Even then, it's impossible to even find software to use Windows to use an iPad as a primary monitor of a Windows PC (it's possible with MacOS if you invest in a specialized dongle called Luna).
Do I think $1000 iPad Pro is right device for media consuption like watching YouTube? Umm… no. No one should buy it for that. Yet some do. For media consumption regulat iPad at few hundred. That’s what I got (iPad 9) and use it for. I mean that Pro is for Pro use like design. Then it’s worth it. But no one should use it to replace laptop.
You have a 16” MacBook Pro and and 13” MacBook Air? Why?
I often marvel at these comments from people who have multiple versions of the (basically) same device and allegedly use them all the time. So I’m genuinely curious about your use case.
There are a ton of things that the iPad Pro does as well or better that I have listed in previous posts in this thread. Fact is, my M1 iPad Pro 11 replaced my 2019 I9 MBP in Nov. 2021 for running my real estate and property management business and I haven't looked back. My workflow was cut significantly, and it is actually fun to work on a computer again with the iPP. These are real life experiences for me, and none of your denials can change that for me or many of the others here that find productive use cases for their iPads. It is sad indeed that such a useful device and its OS intimidates you so much.
Then you probably don't know the software options well enough. I made a long post some time ago comparing all the options to use an iPad as a second screen for both Macs and Windows PC, I can find it and link it here if you want to have a look.
Having said that, Android devices do an even better job than iPads at that thanks to some superior apps like Superdisplay, but iPads do have apps too, including the Luna you mentioned (which does work with Windows) and other wireless solutions (I have virtually all of the main ones as second monitor is an important use case for my devices).
Completely disagree. I would never get the base iPad for watching videos, because the screen is too small and, more importantly, the speakers are not loud enough. Do I need to spend $1000? Not necessarily, since you can find used 12.9 iPad pros for quite a bit less, but it's just a matter of priorities and if watching videos while being mobile (at home or outside) is a priority, that $1000 (or more) is absolutely fine. I could make your argument to say that I find so stupid people that buy 4k or 8k OLED TVs for thousands of $ just to be stuck in a room to watch their videos, while with an iPad you can watch wherever you want and move around while doing other things... But who am I to judge what are other people's priorities?
Drawing, painting, photo editing, illustrating, vector illustrating, animation, creating in multimedia apps, digital scrapbooking, video editing (it didn't launch with iMovie), music editing (it didn't launch with GarageBand), DJing, writing, office productivity, apps for pilots, games, annotating PDFs, Night-sky type augmented reality astronomy apps, browser-based apps, etc. Basically, every app type which it didn't launch with in 2009 is a new use case different from its original design.
If you enjoy using an iPad, it provides enough bang for its buck.
No, you're being subjective since you are viewing it through your use cases. For example, I use MS Office daily for work and have never needed an add-in or macro so the fact that iOS Office is missing those features is irrelevant to me.
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Your original question was to name something that only the the iPad does well, which I did, you are now saying "that you can't use a Microsoft Surface or a Galaxy tablet", maybe if your original question had been "name something only the iPad can do" it would have been A. more succint B. fit your iPad hating agenda.
Without stating water is wet, there are many devices that do various things, personally, I do not know of any that have a monopoly on capabilites, so there will always been alternatives. Having used a Surface (and played with a Galaxy tablet - all be it some time ago) neither appealed to me. And before you assume I am an Apple fanboy (or anti MS) you will see from my previous posts that I actually like to be device agnostic.
You said well: as a SECOND screen. This means you already need a screen to begin with.
Unfortunately, there's nothing that can make the iPad work as a PRIMARY screen / in headless mode for Windows, as I mentioned.
None of these are done better than with a laptop. Except Procreate.
Dude, I HAVE an iPad Pro. I'm criticizing it precisely because I own one. Of course I'm aware my use case isn't all possible use cases, but based on my own personal experience combined with what I also see people talking about, it's just not that flexible, in my opinion.
Irrelevant if you enjoy doing those things on an iPad.
Goalpost moving since you asked what new use cases exist since the iPad was launched.
We are not here discussing what device we enjoy more. We're discussing bang for the buck.
The iPad competes directly with other mobile devices. It's very costly to spend money on a desktop, a mobile system and an auxiliary tablet just for content consumption when you could do with just a device or two.
Just calculate the cost of keeping everything updated very 2-3 years. It's a rat race that we never win.
Of course, I'm not counting the cellphone here, which is a staple in some places if you do online banking.
If you enjoy using your iPad then it provides enough bang for your buck. If your iPad is your only computer you aren't spending money on a desktop/laptop. If your iPad is your primary computer then your computer costs are greatly reduced because you can use a base or used computer and wont need to upgrade it very often.
Doesn't matter if your only or primary computer is an iPad or laptop. The cost is the cost and you can always buy slightly used if upgrading to new it too expensive.