All iPads What do you love about your iPad?

[vanilla_prison]

It seems to be the theme that the typical person doesn’t come onto the forums to talk about their device unless there’s a problem they need solved. Because of this, a lot of negative posts get made. While this does seem to be a very helpful and knowledgable community, sometimes it’s also nice to just chill and talk about things we enjoy about our hard-earned toys.

Any iPad is welcome! Come let everyone know your favorite parts of your device, what you like to do with it day-to-day, or anything else you feel like sharing! I’ll start:

I recently upgraded from an iPad 3rd gen to an iPad 8th gen. I love browsing the web on it, pages load so fast and the form factor is perfect for it. It feels so light too. Crazy to think that a whole ass computer exists within this thin little machine. I also enjoy wasting some time with classic games (8ball pool, solitaire, sudoku, Minecraft, whatever). Productivity feels fluid and less daunting than trying to do it on my phone. Things like taking notes, organizing passwords and calendars, and using Remote Desktop to my MBA makes it feel like I really do have a Mac in my hand. Media consumption is beautiful. Watching YouTube videos or geeking out over new Mandalorian episodes while comfortable on the couch or up doing random house things is easy. The smart keyboard I got with it is apparently no MK, but I’ve got no complaints. I’m typing on it now and its easy to type with and the keyboard shortcuts are intuitive and useful.

Let’s hear yours now!

 

[akash.nu]

I don’t like anything specific about my iPads to be honest. Just use it when I’m too lazy to use my phone sometimes.

 

[AutomaticApple]

It seems to be the theme that the typical person doesn’t come onto the forums to talk about their device unless there’s a problem they need solved. Because of this, a lot of negative posts get made. While this does seem to be a very helpful and knowledgable community, sometimes it’s also nice to just chill and talk about things we enjoy about our hard-earned toys.

Any iPad is welcome! Come let everyone know your favorite parts of your device, what you like to do with it day-to-day, or anything else you feel like sharing! I’ll start:

I recently upgraded from an iPad 3rd gen to an iPad 8th gen. I love browsing the web on it, pages load so fast and the form factor is perfect for it. It feels so light too. Crazy to think that a whole ass computer exists within this thin little machine. I also enjoy wasting some time with classic games (8ball pool, solitaire, sudoku, Minecraft, whatever). Productivity feels fluid and less daunting than trying to do it on my phone. Things like taking notes, organizing passwords and calendars, and using Remote Desktop to my MBA makes it feel like I really do have a Mac in my hand. Media consumption is beautiful. Watching YouTube videos or geeking out over new Mandalorian episodes while comfortable on the couch or up doing random house things is easy. The smart keyboard I got with it is apparently no MK, but I’ve got no complaints. I’m typing on it now and its easy to type with and the keyboard shortcuts are intuitive and useful.

Let’s hear yours now!

I like how it has a large enough screen for reading and video editing.

 

[Amplelink]

The main thing is the form factor. It’s so thin and light. I’m optimistic that at some point we’ll have laptops that can be around the size of an iPad and just as portable. I think Apple’s M1 chips and beyond will get us there.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I like the power, portability, form factor, integration with other Apple devices, and battery life.

 

[Magoo1979]

I guess I would say I am an iPad fan. I would rather use my iPad than computer for most tasks. I have a work IPP which I use the pencil for teaching Maths. It has become my whiteboard, my mark-book and everything in between.

I mainly joined this forum to learn how to make it the only device I use.... still working on that as some of my work systems require windows programs.

The thing I like most is the fact that I can do so many things that feel write. I can use he same device for email, media consumptio, and teaching with out issues... seem less to switch apps.

 

[Jonathantuba]

My iPad Pro is my favourite computer device ever. It is so adaptable and a pleasure to use. I love having touch interface and its format and beautiful fast response. I use for everything from work as entrepreneur running my own business using the magic keyboard, to note taking and designing with Apple Pencil, as tablet to play music and read books, as scanner to scan documents, as photo and video editor, for video conferencing - and as general entertainment centre for anything from web browsing to watching films. It goes with me virtually everywhere and I use on average more than 10 hours a day. I guess I am a bit of an iPad addict, always researching its capabilities and new ways to use. It is rare with the right App that I can’t use the iPad.

 

[three]

iPad mini 5. I love two major things about the iPad! Firstly, I love the form factor and size of the iPad mini. It's small but it's not too small. Secondly, I love the fact I can pretty much "replace" my iPhone with the iPad mini while I'm at home. Text messages, call notifications, emails, internet browsing, YouTube videos? Perfect for the iPad mini. I'd love to be more productive with the iPad, but that's another discussion for another day.

 

[Del Martes]

I picked up a 4th gen iPad Pro 12.9” yesterday from Apple. As I've said in my own thread, I love the fact that it is a GREAT book reader in the portrait mode. With a huge screen like that, the font is displayed large enough, so no need to zoom in or out. To those who wear reading glasses, this is a great boon.

Also, in the portrait mode, with such a tall screen, more text is displayed. No need to constantly scroll. Modern day laptops are made for watching movies, not for reading books. Their screens are too short.

With such a tablet in hand, I feel like transported to the old Roman days when students played with their primitive clay(?) tablets and styluses.

I also love the fact that it’s instant on. If you need to check up something on the net, it’s just super convenient.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I should mention that without the Magic Keyboard, I wouldn’t be using my iPad Pro as much as I do. The keyboard increases the productivity and enjoyment factor two-fold.

 

[seadragon]

As a photographer hobbyist, I absolutely love processing photos on my iPad Pro 12.9 using Lightroom. I‘ve been doing this for a few years now in fact. Being able to draw local adjustments directly onto a photo using the Pencil is simply amazing. iPads let you literally touch and interact with content which is a dream come true for me.

I have a 2020 iPad Pro and a 2020 iPad Air 4, both with Magic Keyboards. I use both extensively.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

I love how comfortable it is to use in your lap or hands. It feels way more fluid than a Mac and way more powerful than an iPhone. I have the Magic Keyboard, and my problem is that I never take it off the keyboard. I forget how fun it feels to use the iPad on its own.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Firstly, I have always liked the very idea of a tablet. This made me experiment with various kinds like the kindle, a variety of Android tablets and finally I settled on the iPad. Why? Because of the form factor, particularly the aspect ratio, and secondarily, the available apps (relative to my use).

Secondly, the iPad allows me to fulfil a dream of mine, namely, to carry my library (in a manner of speaking) with me wherever I go. I have been converting my personal library over the years into digital formats, which I keep stashing in the cloud. The iPad is my instrument to access it and, as such, it is indispensable to me. This is also connected intimately to the kind of work that I do. Edit: I should add that my library - physical and digital - numbers in the thousands, literally. So you can imagine the convenience factor that the iPad affords in this context.

Thirdly, and specifically now about the iPad, I like the screen (I prefer the 11” screen - I had the 10.5” previously). This is important for me because I read a lot. I like the ease of using the Pencil since I usually mark up what I read. Promotion makes the reading experience pleasant. The iPad’s svelte form factor is both a pleasure while handling and addresses the convenience factor while being mobile(whether that be travelling or just walking down to the cafe to spend a few hours reading and writing). The battery life - at least in my experience thus far across the various iPads that I have had - has been excellent for my purposes. I should note that I rarely use a keyboard with the iPad, but when I do it’s an external BT keyboard. I am, generally speaking, resistant to using a keyboard with the iPad.

And fourthly, there is something “futurist” about the iPad. Of course, this is all in my own head and imagination. Nevertheless, it’s a feeling I can’t shake off. I feel this every time I use it and, frankly, I am glad for it - illusory though it may be.

 

[Magoo1979]

I should mention that without the Magic Keyboard, I wouldn’t be using my iPad Pro as much as I do. The keyboard increases the productivity and enjoyment factor two-fold.

This is one of things I like best about the IPP, at work the Magic Keyboard is a god send for word processing etc. but you can leave it behind, use the tablet and pencil without the keyboard when required.
The form factor is adjustable for the needs of the user at the time.

 

[1240766]

The magic keyboard ?

 

[vanilla_prison]

Firstly, I have always liked the very idea of a tablet. This made me experiment with various kinds like the kindle, a variety of Android tablets and finally I settled on the iPad. Why? Because of the form factor, particularly the aspect ratio, and secondarily, the available apps (relative to my use).

Secondly, the iPad allows me to fulfil a dream of mine, namely, to carry my library (in a manner of speaking) with me wherever I go. I have been converting my personal library over the years into digital formats, which I keep stashing in the cloud. The iPad is my instrument to access it and, as such, it is indispensable to me. This is also connected intimately to the kind of work that I do. Edit: I should add that my library - physical and digital - numbers in the thousands, literally. So you can imagine the convenience factor that the iPad affords in this context.

Thirdly, and specifically now about the iPad, I like the screen (I prefer the 11” screen - I had the 10.5” previously). This is important for me because I read a lot. I like the ease of using the Pencil since I usually mark up what I read. Promotion makes the reading experience pleasant. The iPad’s svelte form factor is both a pleasure while handling and addresses the convenience factor while being mobile(whether that be travelling or just walking down to the cafe to spend a few hours reading and writing). The battery life - at least in my experience thus far across the various iPads that I have had - has been excellent for my purposes. I should note that I rarely use a keyboard with the iPad, but when I do it’s an external BT keyboard. I am, generally speaking, resistant to using a keyboard with the iPad.

And fourthly, there is something “futurist” about the iPad. Of course, this is all in my own head and imagination. Nevertheless, it’s a feeling I can’t shake off. I feel this every time I use it and, frankly, I am glad for it - illusory though it may be.

I 100% agree with the feeling of it being futurist. It’s like we truly do live in the digital age thanks to iPad. And carrying my library everywhere? YES. I love to read and having all the books I could possibly want in the palm of my hand is amazing.

 

[Hadron]

I'm generally reluctant to use "ecosystem" features, because vendor-specific inter-operability is clearly intended to lock the customer in (in my opinion if you have confidence in your products you'd have no problem with letting them work with open standards, something Apple are weak at). But I'll confess that when teaching classes over Zoom this year the ability to share my iPad's screen from my MBP's Zoom session has been much nicer than the alternatives.

And the "flick" gesture to select alternative characters on the keyboard! So much the best way of entering symbols on a soft keyboard I've ever met.

So little things, but really it's getting the little things right that is the trick.

 

[MisterSavage]

I have a 2018 IPP and it's by far my favorite Apple device. I use it for news, gaming, videos, etc. Love the addition of Face ID.

I do get very frustrated by iPadOS limitations/omissions that differ from iOS.

 

[Abazigal]

I switched to the iPad 3 in 2012 for its portability, ease of use and battery life, and those factors are still as true today.

For context, I am a primary school teacher and the iPad is amazing for use in the class. The basic setup is my iPad mirrored to an Apple TV (that's connected to a projector), which frees me up to move around the classroom.

4g allows me to have internet access anywhere. The battery life is excellent compared to many other laptops, and iOS apps are simple but get the job done for me. Shortcuts have also been another great convenience that I don't get on macOS (for example, I have a shortcut that lets me search a website for articles with a keyword).

The Smart Keyboard means I have laptop setup for when I want to type, while still allowing me the flexibility of detaching it for when I just want a tablet form factor.

I recently got the M1 MBA, and I am more certain than ever that no laptop will ever replace my iPad. While my Mac was necessary to prepare the slides necessary for my department meeting, I fielded the entire two hours by presenting from my iPad. The documents I had to reference was in pdf form on my iPad, I was again able to roam around the meeting room (my colleagues are used to it) thanks to my Apple TV tucked discreetly in the corner, and I am annotating left and right thanks to the Apple Pencil.

The iPad just fills a unique need in my workflow that no other PC currently can.

 

[Runs For Fun]

I love my iPad mini 5 for its size. It's incredibly portable while still being big enough to be useful for more advanced tasks. It's also the perfect size for reading books. It's great for media consumption.

 

[Magoo1979]

I switched to the iPad 3 in 2012 for its portability, ease of use and battery life, and those factors are still as true today.

For context, I am a primary school teacher and the iPad is amazing for use in the class. The basic setup is my iPad mirrored to an Apple TV (that's connected to a projector), which frees me up to move around the classroom.

4g allows me to have internet access anywhere. The battery life is excellent compared to many other laptops, and iOS apps are simple but get the job done for me. Shortcuts have also been another great convenience that I don't get on macOS (for example, I have a shortcut that lets me search a website for articles with a keyword).

The Smart Keyboard means I have laptop setup for when I want to type, while still allowing me the flexibility of detaching it for when I just want a tablet form factor.

I recently got the M1 MBA, and I am more certain than ever that no laptop will ever replace my iPad. While my Mac was necessary to prepare the slides necessary for my department meeting, I fielded the entire two hours by presenting from my iPad. The documents I had to reference was in pdf form on my iPad, I was again able to roam around the meeting room (my colleagues are used to it) thanks to my Apple TV tucked discreetly in the corner, and I am annotating left and right thanks to the Apple Pencil.

The iPad just fills a unique need in my workflow that no other PC currently can.

Totally agree and I would like to know what sort of workflows you are using. IE. Are your students all on iPads or other devices etc.
I am very similar, but in a secondary setting, I move rooms so the Apple TV is in my bag. Always looking for ways to improve my teaching practice!

 

[Del Martes]

I have a 2018 IPP and it's by far my favorite Apple device. I use it for news, gaming, videos, etc. Love the addition of Face ID.

I do get very frustrated by iPadOS limitations/omissions that differ from iOS.

I'm hooked on the Face ID as well.

Talking about limitations/omissions, I can't believe that they did not include a Calculator!

Would also like Translator on the pad as well.

 

[KittyKatta]

1) Bigger than phone
2) Smaller than laptop

 

[vanilla_prison]

I'm hooked on the Face ID as well.

Talking about limitations/omissions, I can't believe that they did not include a Calculator!

Would also like Translator on the pad as well.

I never realized how much I used a calculator on my iPhone until I started using my iPad as my main device and it wasn’t there in the control center. VERY surprised that after a decade this hasn’t been added.

 

[Traverse]

Originally, I was drawn to the iPad because it was the same low maintenance and lightweight experience I had on my phone, but on a larger scale. I essentially wanted a "portable TV" in 2012.

As I started using the iPad more and more, I began to appreciate its versatility. While it likely won't ever replace my Mac for certain niche nerd things (particular file manager, external drives, file/media server), it has taken over as my personal computer. I find it's clunky, but usable as a laptop, and the versatility of the tablet form factor,  Pencil, and lightweight OS make it a joy to use.

I work a lot in PDFs and reading PDFs on a digital piece of paper and marking it up with the Pencil is a better experience than any Mac can provide currently. When I was a teaching assistant (and hopefully in the future a teacher) I used Notability to make hand-written solutions to accounting problems with color coding for my students.

I enjoy the iPad, but if I could only have one device forever it would be the Mac because it can do 100% - even if it's not suited for it.