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Uses for the iPad?

V

vaio_v

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 22, 2016
8
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So I consider myself an apple fanboy ()and recently, in fact for my birthday, I wanted to buy myself one of apple's new products. I was between the new appple watch and the ipad, but since I am a student, opted for an iPad Air 2, instead of the iPad Pro 9.7 (I have a MBP 13 inch 2014 so no need for 12.9). The Air 2 handles iOS 10 buttery smoothly and I have seen that the pro just surpasses it in speed tests.
Almost a month after my purchase, I seem to have regretted buying an iPad. I dont know, but for some reason it seems like a "Macbook Pro vol.2" but a bit powered down. Can you point out some great things to do with my iPad? It is great for watching movies; in fact I just finished watching the first episode of a new series. I love typing on it landscape and checking my email. But all of that I can do on my Macbook and now I have rendered my MBP pertty useless, something I do not want to happen :)
How can I balance the use before my favourite MBP and my lovely iPad Air 2? (First time using a iPad)

PS. ❤️Apple
 
Make no mistake: regardless of whatever Apple ads tell you, the iPad (pro, standard or mini) is 90% a content consumption device: couch browsing, movies, email, facebook, etc. Sure, some people use it for LIGHT content creation, but there are very few scenarios where an iPad is better than an actual laptop to create/manage content.

So... as long as you realize and accept that the iPad is a 90% consumption and 10% creation, you will enjoy your iPad.
 
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KohPhiPhi said:
Make no mistake: regardless of whatever Apple ads tell you, the iPad (pro, standard or mini) is 90% a content consumption device: couch browsing, movies, email, facebook, etc. Sure, some people use it for LIGHT content creation, but there are very few scenarios where an iPad is better than an actual laptop to create/manage content.

So... as long as you realize and accept that the iPad is a 90% consumption and 10% creation, you will enjoy your iPad.
Click to expand...
Pretty much this. I haven't turned my PC on at home other than to play with Linux for a good few weeks. Browsing, light gaming, email etc are now all done from the IPP on my couch.

I did have an Apple Watch for a bit but the novelty wore off after not very long and I sold it
 
martint235 said:
Pretty much this. I haven't turned my PC on at home other than to play with Linux for a good few weeks. Browsing, light gaming, email etc are now all done from the IPP on my couch.

I did have an Apple Watch for a bit but the novelty wore off after not very long and I sold it
Click to expand...

Would it be fine for note taking with a pen using an app like Notability? Just like with the iPP. Its a shame the Apple Pencile doesnt work on the Air 2
 
vaio_v said:
Would it be fine for note taking with a pen using an app like Notability? Just like with the iPP. Its a shame the Apple Pencile doesnt work on the Air 2
Click to expand...
Yep I use it when I'm travelling to meetings rather than using my work laptop. I'm not much of an artist but I've also used the pencil for sketching out systems diagrams and business processes. I use something I've forgotten the name of but it has + at the end. Note+ (??)
 
As a student in college, the ipad was perfect for class. I got ebooks and pdfs of my texbooks, so instead of lugging all of those big books, I just took my ipad (note - this may hinder you on open book tests tho). I also scanned all my notes and kept them on the ipad. The only thing I couldnt really do on my iPad was typing up reports and such, MS word on the computer has an equation builder feature that is just beautiful; and I still havent seen this on word for iOS or Pages either.

Im not going to lie, the iPads do great replacement of most of the basic computer tasks, especially if your uses are simply documents and emails. The only reasons I still have my computer around is because 3D CAD software hasnt been too developed in iOS, and I still need iTunes to restore my device (and jailbreak it).

But if you are able to do everything you normally do on your mac, on your ipad, then you may even want to consider which one you like better, and returning/selling the other. My only other personal complimentary combination between the iPad and Macbook is using the app "Duet Display" to make my iPad another monitor for my PC when I need additional workspace.
 
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The true is I used mostly my iPad Pro 9.7 for everything and my iMac sits a home just as a backup for my iPad. The only reason I have the iMac is because I need the iTunes and as a main hub for all my iCloud and One Drive info. It sits there connected 24/7 and pretty much I do everything on the iPad. Simply you can't beat the simplicity and comodity of having thounsand apps to access all your media, news, music and work needs. Still I'm keeping my iMac, but I will not buy a MacBook, not need it for me. But of course I don't use any complex programs like video editing, code writing and such.
 
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An iPad is a tool. One acquires tools when there is a task that calls for its use. You doing it the wrong way; you are trying to find a problem for a solution.

Would you buy a skilsaw if you have no need to do carpentry?

If you really love Apple that much, why don't you buy some AAPL stock? In the long run, it will generate money which is useful because it can be used to buy actual Apple products that you have a need for.

Your apparent conundrum is not that you don't have enough uses for the iPad, but your expensive MacBook Pro is now the dust gatherer. Clearly, you do not have enough differentiating tasks that require both. That's fine, there's no requirement as a human being that says you must.

Buy the tools that will help you do what you need in your life. You may be one of those people who don't need to have every single Apple product. Plus, you're a student, you probably don't have the budget for that at this time.
 
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KohPhiPhi said:
Make no mistake: regardless of whatever Apple ads tell you, the iPad (pro, standard or mini) is 90% a content consumption device: couch browsing, movies, email, facebook, etc. Sure, some people use it for LIGHT content creation, but there are very few scenarios where an iPad is better than an actual laptop to create/manage content.

So... as long as you realize and accept that the iPad is a 90% consumption and 10% creation, you will enjoy your iPad.
Click to expand...

That's your view only, not everyone's reality. For me it's easily 70% content creation, 30% consumption.
 
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We use our cellular iPad Pro 9.7 units in the field to bid jobs with images and get them right to the customer. So that iPad is used for just about all "creation".

But the 9.7 that sits next to the Lazyboy is for Internet consumption, answering emails, etc.

They do both nicely, it is really what YOU want to do with them. I do know that if you use your laptop for Internet consumption mostly, you will not after getting a iPad. To me it is far superior in that respect. I know others will not agree but it is great we have a choice.
 
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sonicrobby said:
As a student in college, the ipad was perfect for class. I got ebooks and pdfs of my texbooks, so instead of lugging all of those big books, I just took my ipad (note - this may hinder you on open book tests tho). I also scanned all my notes and kept them on the ipad. The only thing I couldnt really do on my iPad was typing up reports and such, MS word on the computer has an equation builder feature that is just beautiful; and I still havent seen this on word for iOS or Pages either.

Im not going to lie, the iPads do great replacement of most of the basic computer tasks, especially if your uses are simply documents and emails. The only reasons I still have my computer around is because 3D CAD software hasnt been too developed in iOS, and I still need iTunes to restore my device (and jailbreak it).

But if you are able to do everything you normally do on your mac, on your ipad, then you may even want to consider which one you like better, and returning/selling the other. My only other personal complimentary combination between the iPad and Macbook is using the app "Duet Display" to make my iPad another monitor for my PC when I need additional workspace.
Click to expand...
My situation is similar to yours. I'm also a student in college. I have physical textbooks that I keep in my room and ebooks/pdfs that I can reference on campus and in class. In my opinion, this is the best of both worlds. I can limit my exposure to electronic screens while at home and thus reduce eye strain, and I have the physical textbook that I can use for open book exams.
 
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martint235 said:
Update notepad+ is what i use and it's perfect for my needs
Click to expand...
Seens a pretty good app. I might as well give it a try since it's free.
[doublepost=1487919652][/doublepost]Thank you everybody for helping me out. I cannot reply to everyone seperately but I got the answers I needed. My verdict is this: although I may not have a lot of uses for my iPad at the moment, I am pretty sure it will come in handy sometime, especially with my books in digital form. I also understand that it cannot be compared to, say, a Macbook or an iMac, simply because it lacks a little (maybe a lot!) in software. I will be using my iPad for note-taking and content consumption. When at home and for more heavy tasks the Macbook Pro would be the ideal (productivity).
 
vaio_v said:
Seens a pretty good app. I might as well give it a try since it's free.
[doublepost=1487919652][/doublepost]Thank you everybody for helping me out. I cannot reply to everyone seperately but I got the answers I needed. My verdict is this: although I may not have a lot of uses for my iPad at the moment, I am pretty sure it will come in handy sometime, especially with my books in digital form. I also understand that it cannot be compared to, say, a Macbook or an iMac, simply because it lacks a little (maybe a lot!) in software. I will be using my iPad for note-taking and content consumption. When at home and for more heavy tasks the Macbook Pro would be the ideal (productivity).
Click to expand...
It's quite expensive (£10 or £15 can't remember) for the full version but well worth it
 
M. Gustave said:
That's your view only, not everyone's reality. For me it's easily 70% content creation, 30% consumption.
Click to expand...

Please define:

1) what type of content do you create from your iPad

2) would it be more efficient to do it from a macbook?
 
KohPhiPhi said:
Please define:

1) what type of content do you create from your iPad
Click to expand...

I'm a writer, and I also edit photos and compose music on iPad. I also manage my task lists and scheduling, use Excel, manage our finances, and do genealogy in the Ancestry app. To me, that stuff all falls under GTD: getting things done.

Reading, watching movies, listening to music, playing games, surfing the net, are all consumption.

KohPhiPhi said:
2) would it be more efficient to do it from a macbook?
Click to expand...

Dunno, I haven't owned a Mac since 2011, and I have no desire to buy one ever again. I know that for many things, I would be forced to use the website rather than an app, which is often inferior, and most definitely less secure.
 
vaio_v said:
But all of that I can do on my Macbook and now I have rendered my MBP pertty useless, something I do not want to happen :)
Click to expand...
Is your iPad the cellular model? If yes, then there are applications that simply cannot work in a MBP.

I have a cellular iPad mini 4 and I use in every travel its GPS in digital maps and other applications also. As a bonus, you can take some great photos and videos with geotagging, with almost instant visualization on a map of the location where the photos have been taken.

The cellular capabilities will let you to use the carrier's data for any application needing internet when you are away from Wi-Fi networks. For example, to read and write e-mails or to transform your iPad into a phone by using Skype with really low call rates, while you are on the road - of course you don't have the convenience of use of a normal phone, but you cannot beat the price.
 
Another use that comes into my mind is that, under iOS, you have some very nice weather applications that do not exist under macOS. They let you check the weather, in your place or around the world, very quickly and receive alerts when severe weather is developing near your location. They are very user-friendly with nice graphics, maps, animations, videos, etc.
 
I am a computer programmer (Windows) and I have a MacBook Air 11. I got an iPad Air 2. What do I use my iPad for? Reading books, playing battery intensive games so my iPhone only has to be charged once every few days.

Then... Buy an Anker Bluetooth keyboard and an Anker tablet stand. Bam. I can Google Remote Desktop into any computer if I need. I can do my college homework via repl.it (provided by class). I can spend hours typing doing homework. It's great. I'm typing this in my class right now using a Bluetooth keyboard. I actually prefer to do my journaling this way too (daily logs) - because the battery life is so insane on an iPad Air 2.

Granted, laptop is better because it has a mouse, but my iPad has many uses and I use it all the time.
 
I don't want to rub salt in the wound, but you should have bought the Watch. Or even better the AirPods if you can only afford one new Apple product. At least they both bring something new to the table.
 
with the touch screen, it's more like a consumption devices rather than a productive ones.

I have ipad mini 4 and it's been great for me so far. I have mobile data and having data plan is perfect for ipad. The larger screen really makes the device much more useful than iphones.
I use it for:
-reading books
-surfing pages
-social media
-games
-metronome
-google maps
-reading sheet music during my gigs
-showcasing my portfolio during interview
-playing around with garageband. checking notes using the virtual keyboard
-watching videos
-checking mail (really much easier with bigger screen)
-internet messaging
-photoshop?
-reading comis/manga
-note-taking, spreadsheet, MS word

Practically the only things my iPad does not do well are Whatsapp and taking calls. There is actually a workaround for whatsapp but it's not robust.
 
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