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Can the iPad Pro be used effectively as your main mobile computer?

C

ccf

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 14, 2011
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I'm assuming it wouldn't be a good hardcore business machine, but what about general needs? Would it give me similar usefulness as a decent laptop? What about the regular iPad?

I know just enough to be dangerous so looking for those more technically gifted than me to offer an opinion.
 
As my main mobile computer, no. As something I can do some general purpose email, surf the web, edit a document, sure. But I can't use it to program, split screen doesn't work with more than one instance of a program (I regularly have 2 or more Word or Excel documents open at one time), and the lack of mouse support prohibit it as my main mobile computer (which is a MBP). It may work for others as it depends on how you use your device.
 
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Depends on what you're doing. As you said, general purposes, yes. With the ASK, you can type out sizeable emails and letters, read books, surf the web, play games, and use split screen for most things. I went iOS only last year and was mainly satisfied, but there were and are a few things I need my MacBook for. I love my 10.5 though and can't wait to see what iOS 11, 12...etc does to utilize its potential.
 
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I could easily see this taking care of at least 75% of my computing when iOS 11 comes out. If I forgot to take my MacBook to work with me for a day, it would not be as devastating as it may had been before the iPad Pro came along. It's really getting that good. Still couldn't go 100% though.
 
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I’ve been able to adapt it into my main mobile computer pretty easily, but I wouldn’t say that I do heavy work when I’m on the go. Having LTE has been a lot more convenient then tethering to my iPhone and the battery life is easily double of what I’d get on my MacBook Pro. My biggest annoyance right now is that it’s not sturdy enough to use on your lap with the Smart Keyboard.
 
The regular iPad doesn't compete with the Pro Series, as it's lacking the 120 Hz display, processor, Ram and smart connector for the keyboard, Pencil support, which I would take advantage of most of those features all the time.

The 12.9 Pro is primarily used with Apple Smart Keyboard. I still have uses for my laptop, but it's stationary, where the 12.9 Pro would be with me when I need it most often, which completes the majority of my tasks. My laptop does still have its needs where necessary, however, doesn't really compete with my iPad.
 
VPN into your work desktop or virtual machine with (RDP) Jump Desktop and buy a Citrix X1 mouse.

Jump Desktop: https://jumpdesktop.com/
Citrix X1 mouse: http://store.citrix.com/store/citrix/en_US/pd/ThemeID.37713000/productID.317779200

Article on set up: https://taoofmac.com/space/blog/2016/11/06/1930
Video:

Multiple excel docs open within program (within RDP) jump desktop can run split with excel app on iPad to give you both options touch/pencil side by side with work docs on work pc - so tight.

This is all legit - no jailbreak.
 
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There have been several threads about this recently, so I suggest you try looking up some of those. They're well worth a read. But I always walk away from those concluding that it depends on what your needs are for a mobile system.

When you say "main mobile computer," well for me my laptop serves as a desktop replacement. At work I connect to multiple displays, then I take it home and do the same. So when I read that question, it morphs into "can you go iPad only?" But then there's my mom, who's retired, has a Toshiba from 2011 that she never even turns on. She does everything on her iPhone 5S. The iPad can absolutely satisfy all of her mobile computing needs.
 
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If you are a typical computer user; email, web, e-commerce, communications (Skype, messaging), and even casual office work - from spreadsheets to documents, presentations and both... create and consume - maybe some light gaming etc... absolutely, I watch my wife and have watched her, since the 12.9" release... completely abandon her 2014 15" MacBook Pro/family iMac ;)
She's been with the FAA for a couple decades and - obviously, she's mandated to use the systems at work provided by the government, but here at home - all iPad all the time and she has not touched the home Computer in a year or longer.

With $100 AirPrint printers, incredible continuity between devices and using iCloud and Dropbox... her 'everything's' protected redundantly.
I've yet to help her with workflow if something isn't as streamline as the 'old days' (we're both late 40'somethings;))

J
 
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iPad has been my main computer going on for three years and it has done everything exceptionally, that's a lie the big things that stand out to me are Safari has a few quirks compared to the Mac version, and opening certain files depending on the type or format they won't open or convert although that may be a app specific issue idk
 
ccf said:
I'm assuming it wouldn't be a good hardcore business machine, but what about general needs? Would it give me similar usefulness as a decent laptop? What about the regular iPad?

I know just enough to be dangerous so looking for those more technically gifted than me to offer an opinion.
Click to expand...

Really depends on your needs. What kind of functionality are you looking for in a computer?
 
For my needs, no, it would be a poor fit. I can see the IPP (and iOS 11) being an evolutionary step in that direction but not yet. For one thing the apps are not there yet. Desktop apps are still more feature rich and can do more, but also the lack of mouse is a major inhibitor, at least for me.
 
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My first iPad was an iPad 2 that I got shortly after it's release. Since then I have been 95% iPad with our other computers only being used for very specific things (which, thanks to cloud storage, also can mostly be done on iPads but we have chosen not to). Our workflow is not at all intensive though, mainly being internet, email, games, basic word processing, etc. The kids can also do all of their schoolwork on the iPads, at least what doesn't need to be handwritten.
 
spiderman0616 said:
The fact that so many people are asking this these days tells you that people are genuinely interested in giving it a try. Pretty big deal for the product line.
Click to expand...

A lot of iPad users have found ways that The iPad can do most of there tasks required on an iPad. However, the transiton will never be that in full, as there are some programs that still require a desk top. iOS 11 is a solid transiton to Apple's Ultimate goal or Tim Cooks vision with the iPad replacing a laptop.
 
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Apple sees iPP sale declines, so maybe one day Apple is going to kill iPP line and people will go back to MacBook over again to replace iPP.
 
Love the iPad. Only thing which holds me back going totally iPad is firstly, some of my main apps that I use still lack some features that their desktop versions have. For example, you still cannot create a table of contents in ios word. And secondly, have a lot of content through iTunes but don't want to be streaming it over the internet if required but locally. You as far as I know cannot transfer iTunes movies from an iPad to a hard drive. This limits things for me. Document management is totally fine though.
 
Since my wife got her first iPad--see hasn't turned on her HP desktop----uses air print for her printing needs
 
Relentless Power said:
A lot of iPad users have found ways that The iPad can do most of there tasks required on an iPad. However, the transiton will never be that in full, as there are some programs that still require a desk top. iOS 11 is a solid transiton to Apple's Ultimate goal or Tim Cooks vision with the iPad replacing a laptop.
Click to expand...
"Computers will never have more than 32 MB of RAM."
 
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