All iPads What do you love about your iPad?

[Septembersrain]

I got a first generation iPad Pro 12.9 to replace my original 9.7 because I needed a bigger screen. I really only use it to watch shows. I've never had cable television. Nor have I had a TV in my bedroom. So my iPad is like a TV for me.

I got the iPad Pro 12.9 that was more recent but the screen was yellow and I couldn't adjust to no headphone jack. It's going to be a nightmare when I have to eventually replace this iPad.

Maybe I'll try the second generation 12.9. That one still has all the same features.

 

[MisterSavage]

I'm hooked on the Face ID as well.

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

I see some people complain about FaceID on iPad threads and I just can't relate at all. It's almost flawless for me. The other night my iPad was sitting next to me and a notification went off. I leaned over to look at the screen and realized it had already authentication (which makes the notification visible) when my head was still off to the side.

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.

Calcbot is a good free calculator. You can also do calculations in spotlight search. I also think it's strange they include a calculator on iPhones but not iPads.

 

[DougFNJ]

Great thread!!

I have always found the iPad to be generally a great in between device from my MacBook Pro and the iPhone. The more functions they add, the more valuable it becomes during my days.

When the iPhone screen feels too small, and the task is not too large, my iPad comes in perfect! For example, I like reading in bed. The iPhone is too small, not enough screen real estate to give me a good reading experience. The MacBook Pro would be too inappropriate for bed of course. My iPad fills that in perfect. Books, magazines, internet, movies, streaming, its perfect.

Same with work. I use it with a lot of mobility on the job when walking around. A lot of times the iPhone is way too small, and the MacBook is impossible to work with in those circumstances.....the iPad once again comes in perfect. And with the Apple Pencil, I have found it is so much easier to work with. I get an email with a doc that needs a signature, I open it, sign it and reply back in seconds. Drawing on the screen, quick spreadsheet edits, great for when I need to type out long emails and the MacBook isn’t as convenient.

My MacBook Pro is my go to for Final Cut Pro, many spreadsheets, and the heavy work I need the power for. My iPhone is for most tasks during the day, camera, phone calls, texts, emailing, so many things. An iPad will always be in my arsenal for everything that is too small for an iPhone, and too mobile for the MacBook, and there are MANY uses.

 

[Astonish_IT]

I love my iPad too and like certain people stated in the forum, it is my favourite Apple Device and If I could 3d model, 3d render and use the game secondlife on it, and with the upcoming (hopefully soon) Affinity Publisher, It would officially be my only device.

I have a 1st gen, 12,9 iPad Pro that I bought brand new in 2016. It is the 128 GB model with Cellular connection. I also own an MSI Dominator 62Q 17" laptop that I bought around the same period of time for about 3000 euros and a 2017 15" Touchbar almost maxed specced Macbook Pro, which cost me around 3600 euros. On all of those devices, the who aged the best is the iPad Pro even tho it cost considerably less and the one who aged worse is the 2017 Macbook with keyboard issues ( E letter came off, Repeating letters, Battery is around 69 capacity even tho I use it like my all other devices, saying that it needs service, and when it is too hot the weather outside, I have some screen ghosting issues on the bottom of the screen when the computer is on load like 3d rendering. ) So what I like about my 2015 iPad Pro:

- As I stated, it aged very very well, it is crazy that it is 5 years old and other than small lag that I experience sometimes while drawing or video editing, it is lovely!!

- The battery life after 5 years is still pretty good, very acceptable for it's age!

- Drawing with Apple Pencil on it, I LOVE it! It is the most fluid, less laggy, drawing experience that I have ever had on a computer.

- Portability, love how portable it is, lighter than my other two laptops, and it was very powerful when new and today, it still is amazing on power work such as video editing, photo manipulating, drawing and even gaming.

- I love that I can game on it with a controller.

- I love it for media consumption too but in my case, obviously, it is not as awesome as other people's iPad as I have put a paperlike style matte screen protector which unfortunately degrade the quality of the screen.

- I love that it has cellular connection so I do not use my phone as a mobile hotspot to connect to the internet.

What I hate about it:

- Lightning port, which is solved with the new iPads and their usb-c thankfully.

- When using a mouse, the assistive touch ring always being visible and no way to hide it. (as far as I know)

- File management. It came a long way with the arrival of iPad Os 13, but it is still not there in my opinion. So there is some room of improvement there.

What I would like to see in the future:

- Instead of Mac OS, a samsung Dex like interface the way they use on the Samsung Tab S6 - S7 models for the iPad OS, that could be toggled on and off between tablet and dex styled mor ecomputer mode.

- Better File Management.

- Better Split window experience, with more options rather than two fixed positions and also the ability to use split window on the portrait mode as well.

- Usb 4 support. Well, it would be better if they had 2 usb 4 ports even tho I suppose that it will never happen.

- A Surface Pro like kickstand would be amazing.

 

[Whoakapi]

The 10-11 inch size is just big and light enough to be used anywhere in the house. The couch, the bed, the toilet (I wash my hands, I’m not a beast), the kitchen table, living room table, walking around, etc.

It’s just a very enjoyable touch screen experience to use an iPad. It’s hard to go back to sitting at a desk or using a laptop unless I need to do some serious typing (which the iPad+Keyboard can handle in most cases as well).

 

[rui no onna]

What I hate about it:

- Lightning port, which is solved with the new iPads and their usb-c thankfully.

- When using a mouse, the assistive touch ring always being visible and no way to hide it. (as far as I know)

The Lightning port is actually convenient for me at the moment since all current iPhones still use Lightning. I could use the same cable to fast charge both iPad and iPhone.

As for the icon, you can hide it:

Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch > Pointer Devices > Always Show Menu (disable)

 

[AppleSmurf]

Great thread. Thank you for being so many positive aspects to the iPad. I needed this as I’m debating on and IPP

 

[vanilla_prison]

Great thread. Thank you for being so many positive aspects to the iPad. I needed this as I’m debating on and IPP

I was hoping this thread would help some people who are considering an iPad see the great things about them. Like I said, a lot of forum posts (not just here, basically anywhere) get started because of a problem. But generally, these problems are localized and I like to see the good in things every now and again. If you end up buying an IPP, I hope you enjoy the hell out of it!

 

[The Game 161]

certainly a king for media certainly the 12.9 model and jut general browsing so much easier viewing.

 

[stanza.richi]

12.9 2018 pro: the big screen. I love and prefer it over a big iphone screen.

 

[Nhwhazup]

I have a 9.7 original iPad Pro that gets heavy daily use. What I love is that everything still works like a Pro, including accessories. ??

 

[hotr32]

I use my 11” iPad Pro mainly for a multi media device, I also don’t have cable but have many streaming services I utilize, so mostly it acts as my tv, I also have the usb c-hdmi adapter that I plug into my tv as well. I also have the magic keyboard, so my 11” Pro is mainly my tv/laptop.
I still have my Mini 5 that I love using and that is my “main” iPad I use (obviously because my 11 Pro is being used with the Magic Keyboard or plugged into my tv......lol), it also gets used in my car for GPS and music, which frees up my iPhone......I have way too much going on.........lol.

 

[max2]

How portable it is.

 

[nburwell]

Media consumption is key, especially during the pandemic. I can have Netflix/Hulu/HBO Max playing on my iPad while I'm working and not in meetings. It's also nice to lightly web browse on my iPad when I don't want to pull out my MBP.

Honestly the majority of what I do on my Air 3 is media consumption. Whether I'm cooking dinner, feeding our son, or working it's awesome to be able to take my iPad wherever I go. Plus, it serves as a nice second screen on Saturdays during college football season.

 

[NastyMatt]

Versatility.

I can use it for work as (just about) a laptop, take it off the MK and draw on it, next watch a movie on it. I can even work on it and watch a movie at the same time. Walk around with it in my hand and consume media - track stars - see what furniture looks like in a room.

There are devices that function better at specific tasks but nothing comes close to doing it all.

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

It’s form factor. Apple Pencil compatibility. iPadOS apps. How smooth it runs. All day battery life. I love Face ID as well, it‘s so convenient on the iPad.

 

[Astonish_IT]

The Lightning port is actually convenient for me at the moment since all current iPhones still use Lightning. I could use the same cable to fast charge both iPad and iPhone.

As for the icon, you can hide it:

Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch > Pointer Devices > Always Show Menu (disable)

Hello, thank you for your reply and the tip! I did not know about it and it looks like a sweet feature! I am sure that it works wonderful if you have Magic Keyboard or a cover with built-in trackpad. But when I was checking the option, what I found out is that, it hides the Assistive Touch menu only when the mouse is connected. So in my case, when I leave the mouse at home and want to use it as a tablet, once the connection to the mouse is off, the assistive touch circle will come back. Am I wrong? Right now I don’t have a bluetooth mouse with me to test. If it works/disables even the mouse is disconnected, then it would be perfect.

Obviously I can turn on and off the assistive touch when I want to use the mouse, but it would be nice if there was a toggle for us to hide always the assistive touch menu button for those who does not need it.

For the lightning, I get you, and the reason that I hate is because I use Android ( Samsung S20 with usb c ) and 2017 Macbook Pro ( only usb c ) , so I hate it for a similar reason, to be able to use only one charger when I am on the go, at least for the phone and the iPad Pro. :=)

Thank you again!

 

[Isamilis]

I like the storage, the screen, the simple form factor and its long lasting battery. I have iPad Air 3.

 

[Digger148]

I love the size and performance of my Mini 5. I wish only for an upgraded rear camera setup and front firing speakers.

 

[Feyl]

I use my iPad less and less but I keep having it because I love editing photos on it. It somehow feels better and easier on it than on my MacBook or Desktop.

 

[MisterSavage]

For the lightning, I get you, and the reason that I hate is because I use Android ( Samsung S20 with usb c ) and 2017 Macbook Pro ( only usb c ) , so I hate it for a similar reason, to be able to use only one charger when I am on the go, at least for the phone and the iPad Pro. :=)

That makes sense. For me the USB-C has been a PITA. My 11" IPP is the only device is my house that uses it. Having lightning cables everywhere else (and when I used to travel) is very annoying.

 

[ssledoux]

I pretty much love everything about the iPad. I’ve had one since the first generation, and I’ve had/used pretty much every generation and size. I currently have the 2020 11” pro with the MK, and it’s a fantastic device. I like that I can use it at the table like a laptop, but then grab it off the keyboard and take it to the couch (which, admittedly, I rarely do, but nice to know I can).

It fits 95-98% of my needs, which I know are few compared to most people on the forums. I would prefer a laptop/desktop to handle certain photo things (mainly design of photo books), but I’m currently working to address those issues on the iPad.

 

[tops2]

I hardly use my laptop anymore since the iPad. I’m continuously finding ways to work around the limitations of iPadOS and it’s becoming more exciting the further I get (after initial frustrations and adjusting my expectations.) I use the iPad for RSS and general browsing. I used to game a lot on the iPad (but not so much anymore).

I do feel like the 11” Pro may be the last one for me for a long while. It does everything I need with extra nice to have features over my mini 4 (which I actually still use daily and prefer over the 11 Pro when I unwind).

 

[rui no onna]

Hello, thank you for your reply and the tip! I did not know about it and it looks like a sweet feature! I am sure that it works wonderful if you have Magic Keyboard or a cover with built-in trackpad. But when I was checking the option, what I found out is that, it hides the Assistive Touch menu only when the mouse is connected. So in my case, when I leave the mouse at home and want to use it as a tablet, once the connection to the mouse is off, the assistive touch circle will come back. Am I wrong? Right now I don’t have a bluetooth mouse with me to test. If it works/disables even the mouse is disconnected, then it would be perfect.

Obviously I can turn on and off the assistive touch when I want to use the mouse, but it would be nice if there was a toggle for us to hide always the assistive touch menu button for those who does not need it.

I added an Accessibility shortcut to the Control Center so I can easily toggle Assistive Touch and Reduce White Point on and off. I believe it's the same icon/button behavior regardless of whether you use MKB/trackpad or mouse.

Curious, why do you have Assistive Touch enabled? You don’t need it anymore for normal mouse/trackpad usage. Only reason I still need to enable it is because I customized the extra buttons on my Logitech trackball.

 

[Digger148]

I love the size and performance of my Mini 5, and, Sidecar. I wish only for an upgraded rear camera setup and front firing speakers.