iPad Pro Will you buy another iPad or go laptop?

[Cheffy Dave]

I'm selling my iPad Pro M1 11 inches after getting a great deal. I wasn't really thinking of selling it, since I'm extremely happy with it with the MK alongside.

But with the money I'll get back I'm now thinking which route to go next: new iPad Pro 11 or 12.9 with M3 or a MBA M2/M3. I have an iMac as my main medicine, but sometimes I want a more desktop OS experience, although when I'm in the couch a touch screen is the best experience.

Curious to hear what others are planning to do after their current iPad expires (whether selling it and upgrade or it breaks).

My M1,12.9 iPAD PRO, IS my laptop. I do everything on it. Fits my needs entirely. Would i get another, YEPPER’s, as long
as it’s a OLED, 15” M3 or M4 iPAD PRO with LOT’S of RAM, and a 2TB SSD

 

[joeblow7777]

Well, then, what devices do you have? Anyway, on an iPad, you can attach any file that’s accessible via the Files app (whether that be via third party extensions like Dropbox or somewhere that’s in iCloud Drive). On a Mac, your Desktop and Documents folders are in iCloud (similar to OneDrive integration in Windows). So your documents can be attached to an email on your iPad even if they’re technically on the Mac because they’re actually in the cloud. If you install the OneDrive app on an iPad and connect it to Files, you can then add documents from your PC. And the iPad and iPhone both have a local file system that can be accessed in the Files app, this isn’t 2010 anymore. I’m pretty sure you can even hook up USB mass storage now and use it in the Files app.

With respect, I think you're missing the point. The conversation was about whether an iPad is a viable laptop replacement. I'm well aware that these tasks can be performed on an iPad, but it's not the best tool for many jobs. I don't think that anyone would disagree that iPadOS is not as versatile as Windows or MacOS. So for me, it's not a viable replacement. It might not make my workflow impossible, but it would make it harder.

 

[joeblow7777]

All true and yet somehow I can still relate to @joeblow7777’s sentiment. For certain things including compiling a detailed email response that requires multiple attachments I’ll never feel compelled to work on one of my iPads to do it vs my laptop or Surface - not because it’s not possible to do it but just because I find the interfaces, window management and worflow preferable on my other machines. In a pinch I’ll use an iOS device though, they’re definitely more capable now days. We’re all different - right tool for the right job is a subjective thing.

That's what I'm saying.

 

[kc9hzn]

With respect, I think you're missing the point. The conversation was about whether an iPad is a viable laptop replacement. I'm well aware that these tasks can be performed on an iPad, but it's not the best tool for many jobs. I don't think that anyone would disagree that iPadOS is not as versatile as Windows or MacOS. So for me, it's not a viable replacement. It might not make make workflow impossible, but it would make it harder.

While that may be the case, the particular cited workflow works pretty much the exact same way on iPadOS (and iOS, for that matter) as it does on desktop operating systems. Even drag-n-drop does. It’s all too common for people to levy criticisms against the iPad that aren’t actually true anymore, all because they actually aren’t up to date with the features iOS and iPadOS support. Also, some people seemingly can’t be bothered to learn a slightly different but equivalent workflow. Are there areas where there aren’t parity between desktop OSes and iPadOS? Sure, but people need to make sure that the use case they’re asking about is one of them instead of just assuming it is because it used to be.

 

[teh_hunterer]

I'm holding on to my M1 11" iPad Pro for the foreseeable future. I am using my 14" MacBook Pro more these days. Even when having to do some unexpected travel the last couple of weeks, I wanted to play some WoW, which meant the iPad just wasn't going to be the main device anyway.

 

[Tsepz]

Like the Vision Pro? 😮

I am currently not thoroughly convinced by the Vision Pro to be honest, it seems like a cool device, just not quite convincing in its current execution, I think it will be a few years and many revisions before I jump into that, lol!

I jumped into iPad ownership on the iPad 4. 😄

 

[kc9hzn]

I am currently not thoroughly convinced by the Vision Pro to be honest, it seems like a cool device, just not quite convincing in its current execution, I think it will be a few years and many revisions before I jump into that, lol!

I jumped into iPad ownership on the iPad 4. 😄

That’s fair. I’ve warmed up a little to the idea of Vision Pro (not by a whole lot, but a little), mostly because Apple isn’t pursuing Metaverse applications with it. I don’t plan on buying one and not just because of the price point, but I think it has a raison d’etre, that Apple has some idea of where to go with it (like they had some idea of where to go with the Apple Watch, even if they didn’t nail the execution immediately). At the very least, it’s not Apple’s most expensive display! Maybe if it eventually comes down to $1500 and gets some more tempting features, it would be on my radar more.

 

[Devyn89]

I’ll probably get another iPad. I plan to get a desktop at some point as well though.

 

[Mainsail]

Right now, I am sitting at a large coffee shop that is the favorite hang-out for remote workers in my town. Essentially, 100% laptops....mainly MacBooks. Not an iPad in sight. I am sure there are a few somewhere, but I don't see anyone working on them.

I have an iPad 10. It is good for reading. Makes a nice secondary screen. Convenient to take on vacation. But, I don't use it very much. I am not sure if I will replace it when it eventually fails.

 

[FranApple]

Right now, I am sitting at a large coffee shop that is the favorite hang-out for remote workers in my town. Essentially, 100% laptops....mainly MacBooks. Not an iPad in sight. I am sure there are a few somewhere, but I don't see anyone working on them.

I have an iPad 10. It is good for reading. Makes a nice secondary screen. Convenient to take on vacation. But, I don't use it very much. I am not sure if I will replace it when it eventually fails.

I've noticed this trend as well. I used to see way more iPads in coffee shops, in the library, on flights. Now the numbers have dwindled dramatically. I see people using their phones the most and lots of people on their MacBooks.

 

[bondr006]

Right now, I am sitting at a large coffee shop that is the favorite hang-out for remote workers in my town. Essentially, 100% laptops....mainly MacBooks. Not an iPad in sight. I am sure there are a few somewhere, but I don't see anyone working on them.

I have an iPad 10. It is good for reading. Makes a nice secondary screen. Convenient to take on vacation. But, I don't use it very much. I am not sure if I will replace it when it eventually fails.

I've noticed this trend as well. I used to see way more iPads in coffee shops, in the library, on flights. Now the numbers have dwindled dramatically. I see people using their phones the most and lots of people on their MacBooks.

Stopped in Starbucks for a meeting with a client yesterday around 3:30pm. I saw two iPad Pros, 2 Windows PC's, and several smartphones.

 

[Digitalguy]

Stopped in Starbucks for a meeting with a client yesterday around 3:30pm. I saw two iPad Pros, 2 Windows PC's, and several smartphones.

I find this fascinating (observing the evolution of what people use on the go). In the university where I teach I sometimes takes the stairs (6th floor) instead of the lift, and I watch what students use. I have to say I have seen the number of iPads pro increase in the last couple of years, although MacBooks and PCs remain dominant. Of course this is not Starbuks so people here can't work with a smartphone

 

[stanza.richi]

Honey-moon period for new M chip on macboook?

 

[nnoble]

My current IPP will live on for a few years. My Mac mini will become obsolete and be replaced by a MacBook Air which will eventually replace the other two devices. There are times when travelling I wish the iPad would magically turn into a laptop. No concrete reason, just preference.

 

[MacRazySwe]

This iPad Pro 11" will do its job for the foreseeable future. Will probably keep it until it breaks, and I won't be buying a new one until we see some real innovation in terms of what you can do with it.

I find MacBooks way more fun and usable at this stage.

 

[TPadden]

Always another option: I haven't picked up either my iPad or MBA since I got an Android Samsung S9 tablet. Maybe just tired of Mac and iPad OS, has OLED and 12 gb RAM...

 

[Rafterman]

Always another option: I haven't picked up either my iPad or MBA since I got an Android Samsung S9 tablet. Maybe just tired of Mac and iPad OS, has OLED and 12 gb RAM...

It's natural to get burnout. I often think about dabbling in Surface Pros or Dell XPS's and Fold phones. But in the end, I always end up back at Apple.

 

[Mainsail]

Different strokes for different folks. There are lots of options and many combinations can work well together.

That said; when buying for our family members, the first two priorities are a reliable phone and laptop. If there is room in the budget for a third device, we can explore the desktop (iMac or Mac mini), iPad, iPhone combo. But, our go to set-up is MBA + iPhone. Also, we often add an inexpensive $100 23" 1080p monitor for greater screen real estate and more desktop productivity. These are college students and working folks that spend most of their time on productivity apps (i.e. MS office), on-line data base systems, email, and zoom.

 

[WC7]

I've noticed this trend as well. I used to see way more iPads in coffee shops, in the library, on flights. Now the numbers have dwindled dramatically. I see people using their phones the most and lots of people on their MacBooks.

I think the iPad is mostly a home device. Didn't Steve Jobs demonstrate that at the presentation sitting in an 'easy chair'?

 

[Tsepz]

That’s fair. I’ve warmed up a little to the idea of Vision Pro (not by a whole lot, but a little), mostly because Apple isn’t pursuing Metaverse applications with it. I don’t plan on buying one and not just because of the price point, but I think it has a raison d’etre, that Apple has some idea of where to go with it (like they had some idea of where to go with the Apple Watch, even if they didn’t nail the execution immediately). At the very least, it’s not Apple’s most expensive display! Maybe if it eventually comes down to $1500 and gets some more tempting features, it would be on my radar more.

100% agreed!
You pretty much summed up my thoughts better than I could, lol!

It’s exciting to have it around though, the pessimist in me says:
Vision Pro was announced early to ensure it is not axed. It seems a few projects at Apple have had an axe hovering over them, one of them being the internal Apple 5G Modem project. I believe the Vision Pro team rushed to ensure they get it out, create hype and make it harder to kill it off, that way they can grow budget for it and keep it alive.

 

[rulymammoth]

I'm holding on to my M1 11" iPad Pro for the foreseeable future. I am using my 14" MacBook Pro more these days. Even when having to do some unexpected travel the last couple of weeks, I wanted to play some WoW, which meant the iPad just wasn't going to be the main device anyway.

That's what's happening to me. I'm still going to hold on to my iPad, but I use my MBP way more.

 

[Abazigal]

I've noticed this trend as well. I used to see way more iPads in coffee shops, in the library, on flights. Now the numbers have dwindled dramatically. I see people using their phones the most and lots of people on their MacBooks.

I still spot a number of iPads being used at my local Starbucks. Roughly equal split between laptops and tablets. Some students even have both in front of them, and I wonder how they actually get any studying done with all the table space taken up.

 

[subjonas]

I think the iPad is mostly a home device. Didn't Steve Jobs demonstrate that at the presentation sitting in an 'easy chair'?

I think Apple pivoted the iPad to being for productivity after phones got huge.

 

[RSB96]

In my case the needs have changed (or are going to change in a short time).

Right now I have two iPads and only one Mac desktop (Mac Studio). I love the Mac Studio and it has more than enough power for everything I do (more than I need without a doubt).

The iPad Pro 12.9" 5G I have as a laptop and I am very satisfied with it, except for the autonomy, when you demand it in photography (USB-C + editing), it barely reaches 4 hours with 5G.

The iPad Air I have it for an "iPad" use, to move around the house, surfing the web at breakfast/dinner and talk by FaceTime around the house, since I'm usually moving around the house and I talk a lot with my relatives through FaceTime.

However, I will soon no longer need two iPads, and will be getting a MacBook Air M2. So my intention will be to sell the two iPads and buy the future iPad Pro 11" OLED, perhaps only with the Apple Pencil, if they renew it, and not buy the Magic Keyboard.

I am very happy with the iPad Pro 12.9", but for purely "touch" use it gets tiring. The case does not seem to me to be of sufficient quality to justify the price it has. I take care of it a lot and it already has wear and tear from sweat on the trackpad area and the hinge, without being a problem or much less, after 3 years of use if it has some slack.

I really like the iPad for a purely personal use, for social networking, surfing the internet and for me, drawing and editing photos, which I like to do more on the iPad than on the Mac, especially with the Apple Pencil.

 

[WC7]

I think Apple pivoted the iPad to being for productivity after phones got huge.

Yes, you're correct .... however, I'm just one that sits in an easy chair to use the iPad.