iPad Can I use an iPad just for its processor?

[robkeaton]

You can probably tell from the subject that I'm not a computer guy, so forgive me if this is a dumb question...

What I am is a photographer and, more recently, a videographer (hobbyist level). I was looking at upgrading my slow pc to better run programs like Davinci Resolve while editing video and Lightroom while editing (45mp RAW) files without bogging down. I came across a video of a Scandinavian YouTuber raving about how insanely fast the iPad pro is at things like Lightroom and for editing video (he was using some app called Luma Fusion). So it got me wondering....

Instead of upgrading my pc (and I'm looking for low-budget options here) could I just buy a used iPad pro and somehow connect my monitor, mouse and keyboard to it? I am not interested in the full tablet or even laptop experience. I'm old school, and I have a little home office with a desk, upon which sits my desktop computer, and I do not want to change that general setup. But I was thinking if there was some way I could utilize the powerful "brains" of an iPad for my photo and video editing then it might be worth trying to cobble together some hybrid system. I'm also well aware most editors prefer Mac.

So is this even doable or am I off track here? Feel free to speak to me as if I were a two-year-old.


Thanks - Rob

 

[Basic75]

You might be able to replace your PC with an iPad but you can't connect an iPad to your PC in any useful manner. Also remember that the software on the iPad can be quite different from what you are used to on the PC, and that the iPad is severely limited in some very basic areas like file management possibilities.

 

[sparksd]

You could use the iPad for photo processing with Lightroom and use Adobe's cloud scheme for sharing and transferring files across to the PC. The iPad can connect to a monitor (fuller support is coming in iPadOS 16.2 soon). Also, you can use Logitech Bluetooth mice and keyboards that can switch between devices with a single button press (e.g., I use the Logitech K380 keyboard and MX Master 3 mouse between my 12.9" iPad and docked laptop). Sharing files between the PC and iPad over a wireless SMB connection is also pretty straightforward. So I believe you can accomplish what you're looking to do but there will be a learning curve to get your workflow nailed down.

 

[Madmic23]

Technically yes, but it might not work the way you want it to. You would need to buy an iPad Pro with the M1 or M2 chip, which means this years model or last years model. I'm sure there are some used models from last year floating around now from people who upgrade every year, but the prices will not be cheap.

Pretty much any iPad can be connected to an external mouse, keyboard and monitor now, but the screen would be mirrored. Using an M1 or M2 iPad Pro lets you use Stage Manager, which basically lets you use your second monitor as a second screen, and makes everything look and feel more like a desktop computer.

Having said all of that, if you primarily want to sit at a desk, you could buy a cheap Windows PC that would hook up to your existing monitor, mouse and keyboard for a fraction of the cost. If you wanted to spend a little more, you could get the M1 Mac Mini which will still be really fast and still use all of your existing accessories.

If you're doing video editing and photography, you'll need a large amount of storage space. On an iPad, that means buying a more expensive model to get more space. With a Mac Mini or PC, that means buying a large external hard drive and just plugging that in.

Hope that helps, here's a video of what an iPad Pro desktop setup can be like.

 

[GMShadow]

You can also just look at an M1 Mac Mini, which is cheaper than the iPad Pro.

 

[PauloSera]

I am not interested in the full tablet or even laptop experience.

What is that supposed to mean? You want to use a keyboard, mouse and display to edit photography. That is as literal as it gets.

An iPad Pro is not cheap, and is not any better at photo and video processing than even the lowest low end Mac.

Since you already have a display, keyboard and mouse...just get an M1 Mac mini. Base model. Can probably find some really good discounts on it, making it probably half the cost of the iPad Pro.

 

[Basic75]

Since you already have a display, keyboard and mouse...just get an M1 Mac mini. Base model. Can probably find some really good discounts on it, making it probably half the cost of the iPad Pro.

Make that a 16GB model instead of base and I agree.

 

[robkeaton]

Thank you all very much

 

[robkeaton]

What is that supposed to mean? You want to use a keyboard, mouse and display to edit photography. That is as literal as it gets.

It means that I want to continue using a desktop-style setup and not be actually working on a tablet.

 

[BrettApple]

I’d also argue for the M1 Mac Mini. M1 iPad power for less than an M1 iPad would cost and a direct drop in for your existing desktop.

Can be had for $500 range. Sold mine for $575 virtually brand new last November so I’d imagine base models could be had for $500 or so by now. Even better if you can grab one with more memory.

 

[HDFan]

I was looking at upgrading my slow pc to better run programs like Davinci Resolve while editing video and Lightroom while editing (45mp RAW) files without bogging down.

I was looking at upgrading my slow pc to better run programs like Davinci Resolve while editing video and Lightroom while editing (45mp RAW) files without bogging down.

I’d also argue for the M1 Mac Mini.

Don't see the viability of using an iPad Pro for more than light Lightroom work, although I confess I have never tried it.

1. The app is optimized for touch, not a keyboard. Don't have a keyboard to test it but if you are using Lightroom on a desktop you might find it very limiting.

2. The iPad app doesn't have all of the features of the Desktop App.

3. How large is you Photo Library? Since the maximum memory size is 2 TB and you have to leave ~30% free you would likely have to use an external thunderbolt device for your photo storage.


The best option would be to get a replacement system. The apple refurbished store is a great way save some $. There is a MacMini there for $589 whereas the cheapest 12.9" iPad Pro is $689. Might not be the best as only has 8 GB of memory and a 256 GB SSD. There are other options though, such as a notebook which might be able to run your existing display or an iMac.

 

[profcutter]

Yeah I’d certainly think that rather than reinvent the wheel, get a M1 mini with 16gb and some storage.

 

[JokoWidodo]

iPad cant replace a PC until it runs a desktop OS

 

[Shirasaki]

All above sums pretty well.
ipados in essence, is ios, a system designed for mobile devices. It’s utterly unfit for desktop usage without massive sacrifice. (Yes YMMV but for most people it is true)
I also second Mac mini. M1 still good, although not as good as YouTuber tend to insist. But content Creation is apple silicon’s strong suite, No doubt about that. Also Mac mini gives you macOS, enabling desktop usage without those mobile OS shenanigans.

 

[Isamilis]

iPad is an expensive option if you want to replace PC. If I were you, I would get M1 MacBook Air. It’s best for the buck (even cheaper with refurbished), similar mobility with iPad and can do more than the PC for photo editor.

 

[Krypton Deer]

Buying refurbished/used M1 Mac mini to replace the pc is what I would do. It’s the same chip as in the iPad Pro.

I don’t think a tablet with Apple Pencil is what you need.

 

[CraigJDuffy]

You can probably tell from the subject that I'm not a computer guy, so forgive me if this is a dumb question...

What I am is a photographer and, more recently, a videographer (hobbyist level). I was looking at upgrading my slow pc to better run programs like Davinci Resolve while editing video and Lightroom while editing (45mp RAW) files without bogging down. I came across a video of a Scandinavian YouTuber raving about how insanely fast the iPad pro is at things like Lightroom and for editing video (he was using some app called Luma Fusion). So it got me wondering....

Instead of upgrading my pc (and I'm looking for low-budget options here) could I just buy a used iPad pro and somehow connect my monitor, mouse and keyboard to it? I am not interested in the full tablet or even laptop experience. I'm old school, and I have a little home office with a desk, upon which sits my desktop computer, and I do not want to change that general setup. But I was thinking if there was some way I could utilize the powerful "brains" of an iPad for my photo and video editing then it might be worth trying to cobble together some hybrid system. I'm also well aware most editors prefer Mac.

So is this even doable or am I off track here? Feel free to speak to me as if I were a two-year-old.


Thanks - Rob

You’re way off track here - the iPad is way more expensive and not able to run programs like Davinci Resolve. Get a Mac Mini (wait for the M2 refresh if you can) which is what would be ideal for your needs.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Yes. It's powerful enough, and it works. But it may drive you crazy.

I'd just get an M1 Mac Mini for this purpose. Same processor, but the software is far better for a desktop computer.

 

[Kal-037]

In every case, anything with an M1 or M2 will handle your workflow without an issue but all Apple devices will have a learning curve and also just work much differently than you current set-up.
I’d check out Apple’s refurbished store for an M1 Mac Mini or iPad (I suggest iPad as you can actually throw any kind of task at it and it will have no issue) but you also can edit more accurately too, with the pencil support.

 

[Boil]

You can probably tell from the subject that I'm not a computer guy, so forgive me if this is a dumb question...

What I am is a photographer and, more recently, a videographer (hobbyist level). I was looking at upgrading my slow pc to better run programs like Davinci Resolve while editing video and Lightroom while editing (45mp RAW) files without bogging down. I came across a video of a Scandinavian YouTuber raving about how insanely fast the iPad pro is at things like Lightroom and for editing video (he was using some app called Luma Fusion). So it got me wondering....

Instead of upgrading my pc (and I'm looking for low-budget options here) could I just buy a used iPad pro and somehow connect my monitor, mouse and keyboard to it? I am not interested in the full tablet or even laptop experience. I'm old school, and I have a little home office with a desk, upon which sits my desktop computer, and I do not want to change that general setup. But I was thinking if there was some way I could utilize the powerful "brains" of an iPad for my photo and video editing then it might be worth trying to cobble together some hybrid system. I'm also well aware most editors prefer Mac.

So is this even doable or am I off track here? Feel free to speak to me as if I were a two-year-old.

You would want a hub to connect your PC KMV gear to...

You would want to drop nearly two grand for the 12.9" M2 iPad Pro with 1TB storage, because that model has 16GB of RAM rather than the 8GB of RAM in the models with lower storage options...

You would definitely want to use the tablet as a tablet, otherwise you should just get a Mac mini...

You’re way off track here - the iPad is way more expensive and not able to run programs like Davinci Resolve. Get a Mac Mini (wait for the M2 refresh if you can) which is what would be ideal for your needs.

Actually, there is an iPadOS variant of DaVinci Resolve planned for release before the end of this year...

 

[Ashbash75]

Get a pc, great prices for last or 2 generation. Also you can expand and upgrade as when needed with much better port selections too.

 

[DoghouseMike]

I do love my ipad, but it does sound like you’d be better served by a Mac mini or similar if you don’t need the mobility of an ipad too. Here’s a pretty crappy proof of concept video of my setup:

Shared Photos

share.icloud.com

For what it’s worth, I think I head Davinci resolve is on its way to ipad, but not there yet, and darkroom/Pixelmator/affinity are probably better options for photo editing

 

[CraigJDuffy]

You would want a hub to connect your PC KMV gear to...

You would want to drop nearly two grand for the 12.9" M2 iPad Pro with 1TB storage, because that model has 16GB of RAM rather than the 8GB of RAM in the models with lower storage options...

You would definitely want to use the tablet as a tablet, otherwise you should just get a Mac mini...



Actually, there is an iPadOS variant of DaVinci Resolve planned for release before the end of this year...

You would want a hub to connect your PC KMV gear to...

You would want to drop nearly two grand for the 12.9" M2 iPad Pro with 1TB storage, because that model has 16GB of RAM rather than the 8GB of RAM in the models with lower storage options...

You would definitely want to use the tablet as a tablet, otherwise you should just get a Mac mini...



Actually, there is an iPadOS variant of DaVinci Resolve planned for release before the end of this year...

planned for release is not a current product…

OP also said they’re looking for low budget options here the M1 Mac Mini is much cheaper than an iPad Pro.

 

[msackey]

I would say that since you don’t need the cost of portability (portable items tend to be more expensive than non-portable or less portable items) just replace the PC with a desktop type like Mac Mini or another PC.

 

[msackey]

Get a pc, great prices for last or 2 generation. Also you can expand and upgrade as when needed with much better port selections too.

Agreed. If user doesn’t need item to be portable, you get more bang for buck by getting desktop versions