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What would make your iPad a real Pro?
- Thread starter El_Capitan
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We all know that people here only consider a device to be a "Pro" device if they can download torrents on it. /s
That is actually a very very valid point. WTF can't I have a torrent client on a so called REAL pro Computer?
A desktop grade web browser - particularly so we can scroll on web parts that we should be able to scroll on. Currently this prevents me from uploading uni assignments. But all the customisable/settings of desktop Safari would be really welcome.
Mouse support - for remoting into Windows PCs.
Time Machine like backups/version control of iCloud Files. I’ve lost significant amounts of work due to Word freezing as I was highlighting text to do a wordcount, only to have all the highlighted content erased and then auto-saved.
I bought my iPad Pro for uni assignments and for working from home. The above three things prevent me from doing that as much as I’d like. With that said the iPad Pro is probably one of my favourite Apple devices that I’ve ever owned, I love it and use it for 95% of tasks. My MacBook Pro sits there unused most of the time.
EDIT: Also it’s really annoying not having an Escape key! Especially in Excel.
Mouse support - for remoting into Windows PCs.
Time Machine like backups/version control of iCloud Files. I’ve lost significant amounts of work due to Word freezing as I was highlighting text to do a wordcount, only to have all the highlighted content erased and then auto-saved.
I bought my iPad Pro for uni assignments and for working from home. The above three things prevent me from doing that as much as I’d like. With that said the iPad Pro is probably one of my favourite Apple devices that I’ve ever owned, I love it and use it for 95% of tasks. My MacBook Pro sits there unused most of the time.
EDIT: Also it’s really annoying not having an Escape key! Especially in Excel.
For me it would be universal access to a common file system on par with MacOS. Having each app allow you to save to and retrieve from the local file system. Basically think of Finder for the iPad.
First, a question for everyone asking for “a proper file system”. What specific functionality is it you find lacking?
My top gripes:
1. Audio control! My pulse rises every time my music or podcast stops because I take a quick glance at a security camera app or a YouTube video. What’s worse, it doesn’t even start again automatically when I’m done.
2. Editing of multiple files at once, side by side, in for example Word or Pages. How a “pro” machine can lack this beats me.
3. Text handling that works, by adding mouse support if there is no other way.
4. Support for virtual machines.
5. Mouse support for virtual machines and VNC.
6. Xcode.
My top gripes:
1. Audio control! My pulse rises every time my music or podcast stops because I take a quick glance at a security camera app or a YouTube video. What’s worse, it doesn’t even start again automatically when I’m done.
2. Editing of multiple files at once, side by side, in for example Word or Pages. How a “pro” machine can lack this beats me.
3. Text handling that works, by adding mouse support if there is no other way.
4. Support for virtual machines.
5. Mouse support for virtual machines and VNC.
6. Xcode.
Photoshop. Enough said.
And don't tell me about how small interface is for fingers, pros use hotkeys on a keyboard.
And don't tell me about how small interface is for fingers, pros use hotkeys on a keyboard.
Honestly, the iPad already does what I need it to do.. The only times I ever need a mouse is when I'm removing into a Windows/Mac machine, and Jump Desktop allows that.. As for the nitpicky things I'm seeing in people's lists, it's sad that that is what you think it takes to make a computer a computer..
Part of me wants Apple to basically build a hybrid machine.
Have the tablet run iOS. And have something like a USB C port *on the side*. Make a dock it can hook into using magnets or something, at which point the tablet becomes a monitor for the macOS computer embedded in the keyboard. Make the iOS storage in the tablet available to the macOS computer. You could allow the touchscreen to be a macOS input or not (although it’s silly not to).
They will never actually make this, of course...
Have the tablet run iOS. And have something like a USB C port *on the side*. Make a dock it can hook into using magnets or something, at which point the tablet becomes a monitor for the macOS computer embedded in the keyboard. Make the iOS storage in the tablet available to the macOS computer. You could allow the touchscreen to be a macOS input or not (although it’s silly not to).
They will never actually make this, of course...
I see this idea for a Mac keyboard base a lot in these forums. At first I thought it was interesting, but then I thought, the base is basically another computer, only without a monitor, so basically I’d be back to carrying two devices. Except that one device would be unusable without the other. So what would I be gaining other than saving the pretty much insignificant weight of a MacBook display? And I know Apple would make this hybrid device almost as expensive as the combination of a MacBook and an iPad. At that point I’d rather just have the MacBook and the iPad, and have two fully functioning independent devices that also sync together. Syncing and Continuity make it pretty much like using a unified computer anyway. In theory anyway, it still has a ways to go.
Forgot .dmg files. I have lots of image archives that I have no way to access from iOS.
It would take a proper file system for me, but Apple is not going to let the iPad be near as good as it could.
I love my 12.9 iPad, but I use it mostly in landscape mode with Apples smart keyboard. I really wish Apple would move the camera to to "side" instead of the portrait "top". Even after years of using the camera for live teaching, FaceTime and such the angle still looks weird in its current placement. Theres a reason laptop cameras are located where they are. The camera position is the only thing that makes me want to reach for my MacBook.
For the files app to work as a user would expect it to. I know the app centric model is an important fundamental to iOS, but I believe there’s some kind of middle ground that Apple can reach with a document centric model and Apple isn’t there yet for me.
Also Xcode. I can understand the security and commercial reasons behind not having third parties run unsigned code or full IDEs on iOS, but I think there is a case to be made for at least a good first party one. A tough challenge to balance but I can’t see myself in a full time iPad without those two. So for now I still need a “truck”
Also they should let the
pencil invoke 3D Touch commands, seen as it already has pressure sensitivity.
Also Xcode. I can understand the security and commercial reasons behind not having third parties run unsigned code or full IDEs on iOS, but I think there is a case to be made for at least a good first party one. A tough challenge to balance but I can’t see myself in a full time iPad without those two. So for now I still need a “truck”
Also they should let the
pencil invoke 3D Touch commands, seen as it already has pressure sensitivity.
For me the iPad Pro is my favourite device and the one I use for the majority of my work running an international business as well as for a lot of my leisure. I see nothing wrong with the filing system and don’t need mouse support. Touch screen is much better (IMHO) than controlling remotely by mouse and Apple Pencil can be used for precise work when needed.
However what I would like is;
1) Be able to have multiple tabs for apps such as Pages and Numbers (much like Safari) with option for split screen
2) IOS apps having all the same facilities available as their Mac counterpart - like being able to set up rules in mail
Apart from those, my iPad Pro suits me perfectly and does all I need. I like the more structured interface than a Mac where I can too easily have numerous windows scattered all over the screen. In fact often not mentioned is the iPad Pro can do some things that a Mac can’t. How much better to take screenshot, annotate with pencil and email than on a Mac. Invaluable having LTE and not being dependant on Wifi when out and about like a MacBook - and having great camera built in for scanning documents - and being able to display portrait as well as landscape - and can be used without keyboard when desired, or required. In short the iPad Pro is the ultimate flexible device for general use. I know it will not do everything for everybody (like a number of technical people on this forum), but for what a lot of people use a computer, even professionally, it can do the job if they are adaptable to a different way of working.
However for people who cannot, or do not want to use an iPad then fine. Use a Mac if you prefer. It is great we have a choice.
However what I would like is;
1) Be able to have multiple tabs for apps such as Pages and Numbers (much like Safari) with option for split screen
2) IOS apps having all the same facilities available as their Mac counterpart - like being able to set up rules in mail
Apart from those, my iPad Pro suits me perfectly and does all I need. I like the more structured interface than a Mac where I can too easily have numerous windows scattered all over the screen. In fact often not mentioned is the iPad Pro can do some things that a Mac can’t. How much better to take screenshot, annotate with pencil and email than on a Mac. Invaluable having LTE and not being dependant on Wifi when out and about like a MacBook - and having great camera built in for scanning documents - and being able to display portrait as well as landscape - and can be used without keyboard when desired, or required. In short the iPad Pro is the ultimate flexible device for general use. I know it will not do everything for everybody (like a number of technical people on this forum), but for what a lot of people use a computer, even professionally, it can do the job if they are adaptable to a different way of working.
However for people who cannot, or do not want to use an iPad then fine. Use a Mac if you prefer. It is great we have a choice.
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Yeah, I love love love my 12.9, but I’d like that change, too. I also teach online and also think the angle is a bit weird.
Random aside: do you have any good platform/apps that you use? About 2/3 of mine is through a company I contract with, so I use their app, but I’m moving more and more to a side business with a law school friend of mine (we teach people to take the LSAT), and I just use FaceTime/Skype/Google Hangouts with a free web whiteboard. But I feel like there should be something awesome and integrated out there that I just don’t know about.
Also full compatibility with Apple’s own files on OS X.
You can’t even open.webarchive .webloc files (links saved from safari on Mac) in iOS at all...
- try dragging a URL from safari into dropbox or iCloud or something then try opening it on iOS. effectively this means Safari (iOS) can't open a link made by... Safari.
EDIT: meant .webloc instead of .webarchive (but i don't think iOS can open webarchives either)
You can’t even open
- try dragging a URL from safari into dropbox or iCloud or something then try opening it on iOS. effectively this means Safari (iOS) can't open a link made by... Safari.
EDIT: meant .webloc instead of .webarchive (but i don't think iOS can open webarchives either)
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What is that? I have never heard of before.
Links saved to favourites in Safari automatically sync across devices using iCloud, but you must be talking of something else
That does sound like a technical thing most people would not use.
I think the idea of the iPad is an easy to use device for regular use. My guess is the iPad will never have all the back-room facilities that IT techs want in the course of their work. Like the car techs need a van, the IT techs will always need a Mac for their job.
I accidentally meant .webloc instead of .webarchive (but i don't think iOS can open webarchives either). updated above.
Of course not, but ”most people” are not “pros”.
I use webarchives (and lots of the other features mentioned in this thread) all the time, and I cannot consider any iPad a pro tool without them.
I think by the term "Pro" Apple means designed for business use. Most equipment of all sorts labelled "Pro" means for business use. There are Professionals working in many fields outside of IT where the iPad Pro will do what they require.
Yeah... this must be it... this must be the fundamental misunderstanding between anti- and pro-iPad people. Those of us who like it just think... people an use it professionally, in various professions. Maybe anti- people are thinking pro means for people who do techie things.
The school I teach for is located in the Philippines. Because of my travel schedule they set up private FaceBook groups for each of my courses. I go live in the group and the students comment and ask question throughout the lesson. It's a very simple approach but has actually worked out really well. I can attach my notes and course work in the group as well. We are researching more permanent solutions but so far so good. We used ti use Google hangouts but I just never really liked it. I use FT or Skype for staff meetings once a week.