Can't run a full version of Visual Studio on a Mac either, so that ties a lot of programmers/coders to Windows too.
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What do you still need your laptop for?
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Can't run a full version of Visual Studio on a Mac either, so that ties a lot of programmers/coders to Windows too.
Yes, what I'm saying is, you can't run Visual Studio on a Mac out-of-the-box. You'd still need to be running Windows in some capacity.
For many, mentioning capabilities is efficient shorthand to describe the use case.
If I say that I need a laptop for iMovie, that is shorthand for: "I need a laptop to be able to create videos from a variety of sources and the supporting tools to modify those source materials. The iOS version of iMovie lacks the functionality that I use that is present in the desktop version."
I'm a huge proponent of "think differently". I've posted countless times of how by taking a step back to determine WHAT needs to get done (and not get stuck on HOW one currently does that task) that it is possible to do MORE with an iPad than one might initially think was possible.
A prime example: I've been tinkering with chromebooks to determine how close a 2-in-1 touchscreen chromebook w/Android support can get to a dual-purpose device... and more specifically, does it get closer than an iPad Pro for the things I need to get done?
I took a document template (with advanced formatting) that I have created and use with Pages and attempted to recreate it in Google Docs. My initial attempt was... meh. I spent a little time re-thinking what I was trying to accomplish, and by taking a slightly different approach, I was able to get things looking and working much closer than the first attempt. The result could actually be usable if I were inclined to go that way.
But having said that, "think differently" has limitations. Sometimes taking an alternative approach is not possible or not feasible. (The Google Docs example resulted in more manual steps than working with Pages and didn't have the precision of Pages) So rather than being a complete replacement, something like the iPad can be used to supplement or provide an alternative for individual steps within a workflow.
Lol, true. My iOS devices get daily iTunes backups when traveling. I find fast, free wifi to not be nearly as ubiquitous as a lot of people claim so iCloud backup/sync is fairly hit and miss.I need my laptop for itunes
Illustrator for now, working on replacing that with possibly Affinity Design - but that isn't on the iPad right now. Fonts - ugh, each app that accepts them on my iPad wants you to install them in different ways... that is a pain. I'll probably never have the font collection on the iPad that I have on my MBP. I find myself using Ultimate Character Map to pick what will work for my project - then install that one.
And space. 15" MBP and 24" External monitor - my eyes need that a lot of days.
And then photo management - they are on externals, and I am certainly not moving them to the iPad. I'd like to end up using the iPad Pro around 75% of the time, but that might be pushing it. I need iOS 11 and files. That will be my true test of what I can do.
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This is where i'm at, looking at my needs and going at them different ways to the same end result.
I also print with profiles, and have a vinyl cutter that needs the laptop - for now that won't change.
And space. 15" MBP and 24" External monitor - my eyes need that a lot of days.
And then photo management - they are on externals, and I am certainly not moving them to the iPad. I'd like to end up using the iPad Pro around 75% of the time, but that might be pushing it. I need iOS 11 and files. That will be my true test of what I can do.
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Exactly.
This is where i'm at, looking at my needs and going at them different ways to the same end result.
I also print with profiles, and have a vinyl cutter that needs the laptop - for now that won't change.
About a month ago, I bought a base iPad 2017 and mothballled my MBA so I could experiment with using an iPad as my primary computing device. My wife and I share a Mac Mini, so I have an option for heavy lifting. Frankly, I have only used this desktop option a couple of times.
Now, in fairness, I am retired, so my computing needs are pretty simple. However, I do some work on the family real estate business, which includes document creation and simple investment analysis with spreadsheets. The iPad has proven to be pretty capable for this type of work, and when necessary, I will sometimes use a separate Bluetooth keyboard to enhance the experience.
Nevertheless, I have run into situations when the desktop is superior. For example, I can easily markup a PDF on an iPad, but if the document is large and requires precision pointing, the desktop is a much better solution. Also, I use Numbers for my spreadsheets, and for the most part the iPad has been fine for the basic real estate investment analysis and cost tracking that I am doing. Unfortunately, there are some features missing in the iOS version. For example, filtering columns is only available in the desktop version of Numbers, so I have to use the Mac for that purpose. BTW - this limitation is not hardware driven, since Excel for iOS has filtering....so, it's just a software feature that Apple hasn't included in the iOS version of Numbers thus far.
Overall, I would say the experiment with moving to an iPad as my primary computing device has been successful. For example, it was really nice to not drag my laptop around this summer as we traveled with my son's baseball team to various tournaments and colllege recruiting venues. I look forward to seeing how iOS 11 will enhance the productivity and usefulness of my iPad.
Now, in fairness, I am retired, so my computing needs are pretty simple. However, I do some work on the family real estate business, which includes document creation and simple investment analysis with spreadsheets. The iPad has proven to be pretty capable for this type of work, and when necessary, I will sometimes use a separate Bluetooth keyboard to enhance the experience.
Nevertheless, I have run into situations when the desktop is superior. For example, I can easily markup a PDF on an iPad, but if the document is large and requires precision pointing, the desktop is a much better solution. Also, I use Numbers for my spreadsheets, and for the most part the iPad has been fine for the basic real estate investment analysis and cost tracking that I am doing. Unfortunately, there are some features missing in the iOS version. For example, filtering columns is only available in the desktop version of Numbers, so I have to use the Mac for that purpose. BTW - this limitation is not hardware driven, since Excel for iOS has filtering....so, it's just a software feature that Apple hasn't included in the iOS version of Numbers thus far.
Overall, I would say the experiment with moving to an iPad as my primary computing device has been successful. For example, it was really nice to not drag my laptop around this summer as we traveled with my son's baseball team to various tournaments and colllege recruiting venues. I look forward to seeing how iOS 11 will enhance the productivity and usefulness of my iPad.
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I only need my Macbook Air anymore for literally one thing: a piece of conference call software I'm required to use for work that only runs on Flash capable devices. Other than that, a full blown Mac or PC is not necessary in my life anymore, and since my Mac is supplied to me by my employer, I definitely don't need to own a personal one. If I were to (god forbid) lose this job and have my Mac taken away, I would still not buy one of my own. Macs and PCs, to me, are the past. I do all my work and play on the iPad Pro now.
And just in anticipation of people telling me that I'm probably not doing any "real work" on my iPad Pro, I use it for art, podcast recording/syncing/editing/publishing, recording and creating music, note taking, document creation, document markup, photo editing, and a bunch of other stuff I'm probably not thinking of. I am far beyond a "casual consumption" type of user, and I still would not miss my Mac for one second if it were gone.
And just in anticipation of people telling me that I'm probably not doing any "real work" on my iPad Pro, I use it for art, podcast recording/syncing/editing/publishing, recording and creating music, note taking, document creation, document markup, photo editing, and a bunch of other stuff I'm probably not thinking of. I am far beyond a "casual consumption" type of user, and I still would not miss my Mac for one second if it were gone.
You are one of the lucky ones that can live with the "limitations" others can't in an iPad. I wish I could get down to a single device like that. The hardware is certainly capable, perhaps someday the software will mature enough that I can too.
Maybe using Panic's Prompt app to SSH into the server and download the file directly? I don't have a QNAP but I manage several servers directly using this method.
I don't consider it "living with limitations" as I don't feel the iPad limits any of my personal workflows. I'm not making a compromise by being mostly iPad-only. I'm just using the tool I feel is easiest/most enjoyable for me, and gives me the best results in my final products.
Completely agree. And you've succinctly nailed it. People are too attached to the workflow instead of the end result.
The problem is that others do see limitations in the iPad (lack of certain apps, mouse support, full file system support, etc.). My comment about you being lucky is that none of those appear to be limitations for how you use your device.
- File management
- Localized storage/access of all data
- Working screen space that can change sizes and dimensions exactly as I want it to (this is still a big productivity thing)
- Music notation (Finale, Sibelius)
- Music recording, mixing, mastering (Pro Tools, Logic)
- Managing large image libraries
- Video editing (Final Cut Pro)
- Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook for work
- Being able to downgrade the OS if needed
- Being able to install 3rd party software if needed
- Managing anything wrong with our home network
- Use of ports for peripherals
- Computers are still faster for most things
- A mouse and a keyboard are still the best interface for creation
I use a laptop to build specific use case apps requiring the provisioning of Linux servers and web apps. I build them out in Fusion or use Vagrant for deployment. Some of my VMs are big 200GB because they are media asset management apps. So I copy terabytes of data over thunderbolt raids. I can do this via Remote Desktop to a Mac Tower. It is easier to do it on my MacBook Pro. I currently have about 500GB of Virtual Machines on my laptop.
But once everything is up. I can SSH from my iPad. So 10% of my work requires a laptop. 90% , I can use anything. My other needs is photography.
I love using Affinity Photo and I'm using it quite a bit now. But it is much more convenient to copy the files over to the MacBook Pro and import into Lightroom. That drive on the new 15 is like 1800 MB sec read/write. So I can cull thousands of images faster. Then I export out to Google Drive or Cloud and I can do the rest on the iPad.
I tried image culling on the iPad and it was messy. No file organization, I need to be able archive by YYYY-MM-DD and sort out RAWs from end jpegs. I tried wifi transfer from camera, send card import. It was just messy. And there are no tools to sort files by ranking (for deletion/review).
A lot of the other stuff can be done on the iPad but it requires more work and my time is suited to be doing something better. Having said that, iPad Pro 90% use case scenario is good for me. It is just that extra 10% that needs to be overcome.
In terms of workflow, it is about getting the work done faster. The laptop/ipad are just tools. Right now
But once everything is up. I can SSH from my iPad. So 10% of my work requires a laptop. 90% , I can use anything. My other needs is photography.
I love using Affinity Photo and I'm using it quite a bit now. But it is much more convenient to copy the files over to the MacBook Pro and import into Lightroom. That drive on the new 15 is like 1800 MB sec read/write. So I can cull thousands of images faster. Then I export out to Google Drive or Cloud and I can do the rest on the iPad.
I tried image culling on the iPad and it was messy. No file organization, I need to be able archive by YYYY-MM-DD and sort out RAWs from end jpegs. I tried wifi transfer from camera, send card import. It was just messy. And there are no tools to sort files by ranking (for deletion/review).
A lot of the other stuff can be done on the iPad but it requires more work and my time is suited to be doing something better. Having said that, iPad Pro 90% use case scenario is good for me. It is just that extra 10% that needs to be overcome.
In terms of workflow, it is about getting the work done faster. The laptop/ipad are just tools. Right now
This is the heart of the issue for me. For certain tasks, the iPad is fantastic and works great. For other tasks it is downright clunky and much slower.
xcode
mouse/pointer support (no touch is not great for everything)
multiple documents in the same app at same time. e.g. side by side email and write a reply, copy and paste between word or excel files, etc.
mostly it
mouse/pointer support (no touch is not great for everything)
multiple documents in the same app at same time. e.g. side by side email and write a reply, copy and paste between word or excel files, etc.
mostly it
Primary use case: Keeping up with computer science grad school course work while traveling. [file management, C++/python, occasional virtual machine]
Secondary use: internet, gaming, photo sharing while traveling. [this could probably be replaced by tablet w/ keyboard]
Ternary use: Backup against desktop failing.
Secondary use: internet, gaming, photo sharing while traveling. [this could probably be replaced by tablet w/ keyboard]
Ternary use: Backup against desktop failing.
There is no "problem"--the people who do see limitations have other options as far as what hardware to use. I also don't really consider it "luck" that I can live without a laptop. I put in the effort about a year ago to figure out all my workflows on the iPad. They're not all the same as they were on my Mac but for the most part they are just as easy if not easier. The ones that aren't are going to be once iOS 11 drops. I think the difference between me and a lot of people is that I bothered figuring out what those different workflows are and decided to change my habits to fit them.
At this point, you're probably feeling the compulsion to tell me all the specific limitations specific types of users see with specific tasks. Or that some workflows are easier on Mac. Don't bother spending time doing that. I realize those situations exist and I don't really care. Use what makes you happy. What I'm saying is that I have a theory that a lot of people don't even know that their workflows exist in iOS because they haven't looked.
The long and short of it is that the audio quality of my podcast files is worlds better than I ever got it to sound on the Mac. (That could be due to my lack of skills in Mac software, but that just strengthens my case for using the iPad instead.) I'm creating art again, which is something I never bothered with on a laptop. My handwritten notes and Office/iWork documents are all created and organized nice and neatly on a thin and light device. Same with the music I write/record. iPad Pro is my dream computer--the one I've been wishing for since I was a kid.
In an interesting twist, it was my efforts to see how much of my work can be done with an iPad Pro that allowed me to give chromebooks a serious 2nd look.
Most of the iOS/desktop apps that I rely on have Android versions. Reworking my document formats to be workable on the iOS versions of MS Word and Pages opened the door for it to be possible to do comparable work with Google Docs (with a few caveats, see above).
This experiment confirmed to me that any mobile solution for me must have: touchscreen, trackpad, physical keyboard, ports, and removable media support. Some of those things I believe are coming to the iPad, but some will never.
The iPad Pro has evolved to a point that i feel like i could use it in my classrooms and step away from the laptop. However, there’s one catch still: dealing with zip files. I’ve yet to find a decent app to uncompress zip files which contain multiple folders and multiple files within those folders. I need to unzip those files and batch move them either to cloud or local storage. Usually zip apps want to recompress files before moving, or they sandbox unzipped files inside the unzip app. I think this is the only instance where i still need to use a desktop OS to move files around....
At home, my only limitation is lack of a full-featured financial app. I use Quicken and they dont offer a full iOS app. Their app only syncs with their desktop app. I used Mint once but still didnt work as well as Quicken desktop.
At home, my only limitation is lack of a full-featured financial app. I use Quicken and they dont offer a full iOS app. Their app only syncs with their desktop app. I used Mint once but still didnt work as well as Quicken desktop.
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In an interesting twist, it was my efforts to see how much of my work can be done with an iPad Pro that allowed me to give chromebooks a serious 2nd look.
Most of the iOS/desktop apps that I rely on have Android versions. Reworking my document formats to be workable on the iOS versions of MS Word and Pages opened the door for it to be possible to do comparable work with Google Docs (with a few caveats, see above).
This experiment confirmed to me that any mobile solution for me must have: touchscreen, trackpad, physical keyboard, ports, and removable media support. Some of those things I believe are coming to the iPad, but some will never.
Having those things doesn't make it a laptop replacement. On my desk right now is a Microsoft Surface 3 with the works - pen,docking station and I have another Lenovo Tablet. I like the fact I could add 256 GB microSD to my Surface. Sure great but reading/writing RAW camera files is PITA. USB 3 dock and Ethernet is cool but when I type on the Surface keyboard, I felt like I was trying to hard to make it work for the sake of making it work.
I tried to make those things work. I am platform agnostic. I really tried my best. They simply just failed for me. apps are not optimized so you can't really use them as a mobile consumption creation device. As a desktop, a MacBook Pro suited me better (for me). Windows HiDPI was a mess with apps like Photoshop/Lightroom. I tried to use them for daily tasks and they were under powered. The new iPad Pro 10.5, gives me a different workflow. I used it more in 1 week than I used the Surface all last year. The workflow is different but I know what it excels at and can work with that. I know it wont be a laptop replacement. It is a companion device and works so well in that regards.
Trying based on past threads once again to see what I can do with an iPad Pro 12 LTE, Smart Keyboard and Pencil. If it doesn't work out this become the "family" iPad.
Biggest challenges I have yet to find a way around;
I will say the use of my rMB dropped significantly. However the use of my Thinkpad, iPad Mini4, and iPhone 7 has not changed.
I can do about 30% of my day to day work on my iPad Pro. I can accomplish about 90% of my personal consumptive on the iPad Pro.
It is not as portable as my rMB but the use of touch is an off set.
No, it is not as good as my Surface Pro. They behave totally different at this point.
Still, I am looking at alternate way that allow me to accomplish my daily tasks without making it more complex or requiring a work-around that adds risk. I am running this trial till month end.
Biggest challenges I have yet to find a way around;
- Full Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio, Project, Sharepoint, One Note, etc...) - used for work and clients
- Full pdf functionality (like Adobe Acrobat Pro XI)
- Some of my financial sites will not load the full desktop view even with "Request Desktop Site"
- Visual Studio
- SAP (development, abap, etc...)
- Large data sets
- Peripherals - not everything comes via the cloud
- Multiple monitors
- Collaboration sessions
- Encrypted iDevice backups via iTunes
- File Management
- Cloud use - I have Dropbox, Google, Box, iCloud - have found iCloud is the least dependable of the bunch
I will say the use of my rMB dropped significantly. However the use of my Thinkpad, iPad Mini4, and iPhone 7 has not changed.
I can do about 30% of my day to day work on my iPad Pro. I can accomplish about 90% of my personal consumptive on the iPad Pro.
It is not as portable as my rMB but the use of touch is an off set.
No, it is not as good as my Surface Pro. They behave totally different at this point.
Still, I am looking at alternate way that allow me to accomplish my daily tasks without making it more complex or requiring a work-around that adds risk. I am running this trial till month end.
For me it's now about what could you do on an iPad instead of an MacBook, but how well and how easy it is to do it.
I live close to my work and I could walk or ride a bike to get here, but I usually drive. All three will get me from A to B. but if I have have stuff to bring, walking would not be good with an arm full of stuff and I could connect a trailer to my bike, but a car just makes it simple and easy to do all of that.
Back to the question, I can use MS Excel on an iPad, but that is the equivalent of walking to work with an arm full of stuff. It's painful compared to just using a keyboard and trackpad.
I had access to an IPP for a few weeks and I would just get frustrated at how much more cumbersome it was to use the tools I use on that platform compared to the MacBook. So, I can, but I don't want to.
I live close to my work and I could walk or ride a bike to get here, but I usually drive. All three will get me from A to B. but if I have have stuff to bring, walking would not be good with an arm full of stuff and I could connect a trailer to my bike, but a car just makes it simple and easy to do all of that.
Back to the question, I can use MS Excel on an iPad, but that is the equivalent of walking to work with an arm full of stuff. It's painful compared to just using a keyboard and trackpad.
I had access to an IPP for a few weeks and I would just get frustrated at how much more cumbersome it was to use the tools I use on that platform compared to the MacBook. So, I can, but I don't want to.