iPad Why can’t people use iPad as iPad and Computer as computer

[jonnyb098]

An iPhone isn't a PC either but guess what? The vast majority of people now use their phones for things they used to use a computer for. Habits change, tech changes. Computers are now trucks exactly like Steve predicted. Most people only need a computer for very specific things. Every other general purpose task can be easily done on a phone or tablet. Which is exactly what happened. I know very few people who have a traditional computer and those that do barely use it.

Also as others have pointed out there are things that are WAY easier to do on an iPad than a computer. In the old days to scan a document....buy a scanner, set it up, wait wait wait. Then no easy way to mark it up. Now you take a picture with an iPad , mark it up right away and then send it off in an email....saving loads of time.

I dont get why people are so upset the iPad has become a computer replacement for so many. Its not like the Mac is going away anytime soon. You still need it to develop apps!. If you need a mac , get one! But stop getting pissed that tons of people don't feel the need for one anymore.

 

[kazmac]

However people use their iPad is their business; I can only speak for myself. My iPad Pro compliments my iMac. I use it to read, mark up and annotate PDFs, write preliminary answers to coursework, check email, post in a forum, draw and watch a movie or two.

I think it is great that people can be iPad only, I am not one of those people. This does not bother me.

This is different than the OP’s topic, but where I think Apple have been wrong is presuming the multitudes would adopt an iPad over a Mac. Some have, some have not. I also think they are way off base with pricing, but going forward I will buy the iPad Pro on sale. There is room for both and I am glad Apple are beginning to realize this. I will continue to use both.

 

[spiderman0616]

An iPhone isn't a PC either but guess what? The vast majority of people now use their phones for things they used to use a computer for. Habits change, tech changes. Computers are now trucks exactly like Steve predicted. Most people only need a computer for very specific things. Every other general purpose task can be easily done on a phone or tablet. Which is exactly what happened. I know very few people who have a traditional computer and those that do barely use it.

Also as others have pointed out there are things that are WAY easier to do on an iPad than a computer. In the old days to scan a document....buy a scanner, set it up, wait wait wait. Then no easy way to mark it up. Now you take a picture with an iPad , mark it up right away and then send it off in an email....saving loads of time.

Totally agree. And I actually look at it more like macOS vs. iOS rather than iPad/iPhone vs. Mac. 99.99% of the time these days, I prefer iOS. Even for my more power hungry, complicated tasks. There's an iPad app for all those now! So since I vastly prefer iOS, then the only decision I have to make most of the time is "Do I want big screen iOS or small screen iOS for this task?" I have always thought of my iPhones as small screen iPads rather than my iPads being big iPhones.

If I'm going to be out and about somewhere and I have something I need to get done, I will always choose the smallest possible device that still effectively allows me to do that job. Going out on my bike and just need to listen to music and track my calorie burn? Apple Watch and AirPods are all I need. Going to go sit at my kid's soccer practice for an hour and answer a couple of emails and texts while I listen to a podcast? iPhone is good enough in that situation. Am I going to be doing a lot of long form typing, maybe working on a document in Office 365 for my boss? iPad Pro wins that one every time. For the things I do, macOS isn't necessary in ANY of those situations anymore.
[doublepost=1523986503][/doublepost]

However people use their iPad is their business; I can only speak for myself. My iPad Pro compliments my iMac. I use it to read, mark up and annotate PDFs, write preliminary answers to coursework, check email, post in a forum, draw and watch a movie or two.

I think it is great that people can be iPad only, I am not one of those people. This does not bother me.

This is different than the OP’s topic, but where I think Apple have been wrong is presuming the multitudes would adopt an iPad over a Mac. Some have, some have not. I also think they are way off base with pricing, but going forward I will buy the iPad Pro on sale. There is room for both and I am glad Apple are beginning to realize this. I will continue to use both.

Apple always realized this. It's just that their messaging tends to make people a little uncomfortable. You're witnessing that in this thread.

The world is going to move on from the Mac/PC paradigm eventually. What we're seeing now is simply the start of that.

 

[Richard8655]

An iPhone isn't a PC either but guess what? The vast majority of people now use their phones for things they used to use a computer for. Habits change, tech changes. Computers are now trucks exactly like Steve predicted. Most people only need a computer for very specific things. Every other general purpose task can be easily done on a phone or tablet. Which is exactly what happened. I know very few people who have a traditional computer and those that do barely use it.

Also as others have pointed out there are things that are WAY easier to do on an iPad than a computer. In the old days to scan a document....buy a scanner, set it up, wait wait wait. Then no easy way to mark it up. Now you take a picture with an iPad , mark it up right away and then send it off in an email....saving loads of time.

I dont get why people are so upset the iPad has become a computer replacement for so many. Its not like the Mac is going away anytime soon. You still need it to develop apps!. If you need a mac , get one! But stop getting pissed that tons of people don't feel the need for one anymore.

Bingo. I have a Mac sitting on a desk off by itself. Occasionally, I sit in front of it to upgrade OSX, and to sync/upgrade my iPhone, Nano, and other iPad when necessary. It’s main function is as data warehouse of music/movies and device backups. Otherwise, the iPad has become the de facto “computer” around here.

I think this is where we’re heading with this technology. One portable device performing most functions.

 

[kazmac]

Apple always realized this. It's just that their messaging tends to make people a little uncomfortable. You're witnessing that in this thread.

The world is going to move on from the Mac/PC paradigm eventually. What we're seeing now is simply the start of that.

Vaid points; what I meant was are realizing they seriously dropped the ball on the Mac and are scrambling to make things right. That tells me that -yes, I agree-it will be sometime yet before Macs and PCs go the way of the dodo (thank goodness) . As long as I have access to a Mac, I am good. And I am also good with complimenting that experience with an iPad.

Who cares how anyone else uses their stuff. If it works for the person, great. So I stand by my first post, it is great that Apple provides both.

 

[s2mikey]

Ive always liked the separation of the tablets and computers. When you try to make one of them too much like the other it ends up making the device kind of suck at BOTH. Ya know? I love how Apple has two operating systems, one for tablets/phones and one for its laptops/PCs. Thats the right way to do it, IMO.

I say keep them separate. Let tablets be the best they can be and let laptops or whatever be the best they can be. Stop trying to replace one with the other. No need for it.

 

[D.T.]

Instead of labeling the device, just define the tasks, determine what type of device best handles it (in the context of use case).

 

[spiderman0616]

Ive always liked the separation of the tablets and computers. When you try to make one of them too much like the other it ends up making the device kind of suck at BOTH. Ya know? I love how Apple has two operating systems, one for tablets/phones and one for its laptops/PCs. Thats the right way to do it, IMO.

I say keep them separate. Let tablets be the best they can be and let laptops or whatever be the best they can be. Stop trying to replace one with the other. No need for it.

I actually agree with you, but I think for slightly different reasons. Here's the best example I can think of:

I sometimes do side jobs arranging music. For those of you who don't know, that means I take a piece of music that was written for one group of instruments or in one range, and sort of rewrite it so that it's performable by a different set of instruments or in a different range, etc.

In the past, I always did this kind of work on a PC with either Sibelius or Finale. Both pieces of software are great as far as creating music that looks like it was professionally published and printed. It's a far cry from back in the old days when I would have been giving these projects to clients handwritten because there was really no other way to do it.

But this software can also be SUPER clunky, because far easier and faster to just handwrite the notes on staff paper. Enter the iPad. With Apple Pencil and a piece of software called Notion, I get the best of both worlds. I can handwrite the music just as fast as I used to be able to in the old days AND have the end product look like professionally published and printed music.

So this is an example of what can be accomplished when you "let a tablet be a tablet". I would never go back to the old way now--it takes too long! This is a super niche use for a computer that has been completely replaced by my iPad Pro. And the beauty part is that one minute I can be working on music and using my iPad and Pencil as a sheet of staff paper, the next minute flipping the Apple Smart Keyboard out and sending that music out in an email to a client along with some comments, the next minute reading a book, and the next creating a spreadsheet. All on the same device.

When you let a tablet be a tablet in 2018, you'll be amazed at how many things it excels at.

 

[Mahasamatman]

I tried using my 2017 iPad with a bluetooth keyboard for a week. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Was it a viable replacement for a computer? LOL.

And you know what? I find none of the limitations you cite to be problematical. Does that make you right or me?

 

[rowspaxe]

... I always did this kind of work on a PC with either Sibelius or Finale. Both pieces of software are great as far as creating music ..But this software can also be SUPER clunky, because far easier and faster to just handwrite the notes on staff paper.

Not in my experience. Sebelious with its cut and paste, transposition, editing, and vst playback is far more efficient and professional for most uses. I would never score anything on a 12.9" screen. Corrections and additions? Puhlease.
I love my ipad, but its a complementary device.
[doublepost=1523995127][/doublepost]

The world is going to move on from the Mac/PC paradigm eventually. What we're seeing now is simply the start of that.

Not really. See you in ten years!

 

[LovingTeddy]

Again, it’s not your decision what I “should accept” when using my iPad. The things I need to do daily are not the same as the things you need to do daily.
In the last two years, even the niche power user type things I have traditionally done on a Mac can now be easily done on my iPad Pro and often in ways that make MUCH more sense to me than they ever did on my Mac or PC. That’s a dream come true for me. I couldn’t care less if it isn’t for you.

Good for you then?

 

[rowspaxe]

If I can get something done on an iPad, I will, and I will go out of my way to rethink my workflows to make said task possible and feasible.

OK, so your a tablet evangelist--willing to take on work arounds to work on your tablet.

 

[BigMcGuire]

And you know what? I find none of the limitations you cite to be problematical. Does that make you right or me?

Me of course because I'm always right and I'm better than you and I have a real job and ..... ok ok ok I'll stop. (kidding, fyi)

If a tablet works for you - awesome! The power requirements for a tablet are a lot less than a PC/laptop. You could run your tablet off of solar panels ($60 on Amazon) and be 100% renewable for your work. Awesome!

 

[UBS28]

People just swallow the marketing department of Apple. There is no way the iPad Pro replaces a laptop, not a million years.

And yes I do own the 12.9 iPad Pro (along with other older iPads).

The iPad Pro is just a bigger iPad for me (which is exactly what I wanted as I found the display of the iPad Air 2 and 10.5 iPad Pro too small).

 

[spiderman0616]

Not in my experience. Sebelious with its cut and paste, transposition, editing, and vst playback is far more efficient and professional for most uses. I would never score anything on a 12.9" screen. Corrections and additions? Puhlease.
I love my ipad, but its a complementary device.
[doublepost=1523995127][/doublepost]
Not really. See you in ten years!

And again, people continue to miss the point. I don't CARE why you don't use an iPad for these things any more than you want to do things my way. Threads like this always devolve into that kind of conversation. What's even worse about this particular one is that it freaking STARTED that way. This is the last comment I'm going to make here--as a rule, I almost never participate in these. I just felt it was important to comment on this one, since the OP is ridiculous.

 

[Mahasamatman]

Me of course because I'm always right and I'm better than you and I have a real job and ..... ok ok ok I'll stop. (kidding, fyi)

To be fair, some of these threads could do with a bit more and a bit less ego...

If a tablet works for you - awesome! The power requirements for a tablet are a lot less than a PC/laptop. You could run your tablet off of solar panels ($60 on Amazon) and be 100% renewable for your work. Awesome!

And even in a field...

 

[Abazigal]

OK, so your a tablet evangelist--willing to take on work arounds to work on your tablet.

Yup, because the other benefits of working on a tablet still outweigh the drawbacks, so it’s a tradeoff I am willing to make.

 

[Falhófnir]

If that’s what you wish, then you can - indeed that is what the iPads (5th and 6th generation) are for - people who just want an iPad for ‘iPad things’. Similarly, there are plenty of options for Macs or Windows computers to satisfy a conventional PC demand (and contrary to popular commentary from the early part of this decade, they seem to be going nowhere). Now there is also a category that mixes the two experiences and that is catered to (in the case of Apple’s lineup) by the iPad pros. Isn’t having the choice better than not?

 

[Florpy]

What ever do you mean, use an iPad "as an iPad?" What is it that an iPad should be used for, exactly? Are you saying that Apple shouldn't attempt to increase iPad's capabilities? That people shouldn't ask for such? I don't get your point at all?

 

[LovingTeddy]

What ever do you mean, use an iPad "as an iPad?" What is it that an iPad should be used for, exactly? Are you saying that Apple shouldn't attempt to increase iPad's capabilities? That people shouldn't ask for such? I don't get your point at all?

I mean if you choose iPad as your primary computing devices, then you accept the pro and con with iPad. You also accept the limitation of one devices. Of course Apple should attempt to increase iPad capabilities, but iPad was never designed to be full PC replacement. It will never be. Therefore, if you choose one over other, you should accept the convinces and limitations assocaited with the devices. For example, you should complain iPad can’t direct connect to your wired printer or you can’t connect your external hard drive to iPad. If you choose iPad, then you should invest into iPad’s ecosystem, buy wireless printer and setup NAS drive.

 

[Altis]

The world is going to move on from the Mac/PC paradigm eventually. What we're seeing now is simply the start of that.

To what? Tablets?

Personally, I far prefer having large monitor(s) and an ergonomic setup with keyboard and mouse (+graphics tablet). Connectivity and software flexibility are essential (ie. ports and OS that isn't completely locked down).

 

[s2mikey]

I actually agree with you, but I think for slightly different reasons. Here's the best example I can think of:

I sometimes do side jobs arranging music. For those of you who don't know, that means I take a piece of music that was written for one group of instruments or in one range, and sort of rewrite it so that it's performable by a different set of instruments or in a different range, etc.

In the past, I always did this kind of work on a PC with either Sibelius or Finale. Both pieces of software are great as far as creating music that looks like it was professionally published and printed. It's a far cry from back in the old days when I would have been giving these projects to clients handwritten because there was really no other way to do it.

But this software can also be SUPER clunky, because far easier and faster to just handwrite the notes on staff paper. Enter the iPad. With Apple Pencil and a piece of software called Notion, I get the best of both worlds. I can handwrite the music just as fast as I used to be able to in the old days AND have the end product look like professionally published and printed music.

So this is an example of what can be accomplished when you "let a tablet be a tablet". I would never go back to the old way now--it takes too long! This is a super niche use for a computer that has been completely replaced by my iPad Pro. And the beauty part is that one minute I can be working on music and using my iPad and Pencil as a sheet of staff paper, the next minute flipping the Apple Smart Keyboard out and sending that music out in an email to a client along with some comments, the next minute reading a book, and the next creating a spreadsheet. All on the same device.

When you let a tablet be a tablet in 2018, you'll be amazed at how many things it excels at.

Great example of a tablet doing its thing! The music editing you do sounds interesting. Also shows that te pencil can come in handy too which gives the 2018 model a nice plus over the 2017 model.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

All I’m getting from this thread is that LovingTeddy is still really, really hung up on what the word “replace” means.

 

[Kal-037]

I am sorry to add yet other thread about iPad vs PC. This has been debated several times, but i still don’t get why. All these debate started with Apple’s famous statement that iPad can be PC replacement. But I think this is just flat out none sense.

I mean iPad is iPad, it is not designed to be PC replacement. In functionality wise, there are overlaps. There are things that both can be done. But there are also things PC can do things better and more efficient and there are other things iPad can do things better and more efficient.

iPad was never designed to be PC replacement. Steven pushed iPad out as middle ground of smartphone and PC. It never designed to replace PC, so why there is such debat that iPad can be full PC replacement?

Most of us who was born before 90s, were grew up with Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and so on. Some people were grew up with Mac. I still remember i was running DOS commends and loading Windows 95 from DOS. We grew up with PC interface, mouse and keyboard operations, transfers files back and forth, navigating files from different folders, downloading files to one location and open files from there, we are familiar with grab a USB drive and transfer files that way. PC until this day were still base on these operation and negviation logics.

iPad on other hand is totally different. It has different way to negaivate system UI, it has different way to store files, it has different way to get files transferred, it has different way to install software, it has different way to do almost everything. It is designed completely different way with PC. For lots of us, iPad requires lots of relearning and purchasing whole new set of accessories. And most of us unwilling to do that.

So what am I saying. iPad is different, it is not designed to be full PC replacement nor it serves purpose as full PC replacment. If one try to focus PC mentality to iPad, it will hit the wall hard. We should really draw a line between iPad and PC. Both have its reason to exist and both serves different purpose.

If someone foud that they can do everything on iPad, then good for him/her. But iPad will not be PC replacement nor it should be. Why can’t we just use iPad as iPad and use PC as PC. Why should we have to choose between one but not use both?

No offense towards your view, but my iPad IS MY computer, why is it so hard for people to see that an iPad is so very close computers and even superior in many people’s eyes (including my own)



Kallum. Sorry

 

[burgman]

You don’t make a decision for me if I want make a thread or post as opinions on other thread. You are criticizing me making decision for me and then you make decision for me to not start a thread.

Rapidly losing interest as you repeatedly make the same point about decisions . The central point to your post is this:

Most of us who was born before 90s, were grew up with Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and so on. Some people were grew up with Mac. I still remember i was running DOS commends and loading Windows 95 from DOS. We grew up with PC interface, mouse and keyboard operations, transfers files back and forth, navigating files from different folders, downloading files to one location and open files from there, we are familiar with grab a USB drive and transfer files that way. PC until this day were still base on these operation and negviation logics.

That is dinosaur language for most born after that with it being more foreign after 2000. People learned those skills because it was state of the art back then and looking back with rose colored glasses is common.. That is no longer the case and news flash even Microsoft knows that and put a stake in Windows old heart recently.
How are people defining a computer today vs a tablet? The ability to run .exe files? That leaves out MacOS. The lines are blurred as IOS and Android have evolved, and developers create apps the are true replacements for programs. Too me a computer is whatever you have with you wherever you are and need to do work or play. Capabilities vs size vs method of working is what defines modern devices. Not tablet vs phone vs computer.