Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Highly considering an iPad Pro...Worth it?
- Thread starter Sam5281
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This all depends on your seating situation where you have the tablet placed. In my classroom, the way the tables are aligned and their height affects the way I interact with my iPad. My iPad Pro is placed on the table usually; the lap is too cumbersome while sitting. When I'm using google docs or Microsoft word I sometimes have to reach to the top. Also, if I'm using safari and I need to enter a website and I'm already at the bottom of the screen that I'm reading I have to point my fingers at the top to see the website box again (is there a short cut for that???).
Last edited:
I've spent too much time and money in the last few months on getting my Apple set-up right. I've finally settled on:
1. iMac -- I've been without a desktop Mac for two years. I can't believe I survived! The new retina iMac is fantastic. No regrets.
2. iPad Pro -- Very impressive, but mostly using it as a consumption device. My old iPad Air 2 looks comically small to me now. Bought the Smart Keyboard but sent it back: I can type well enough on the virtual keyboard, and I'm not really using it for content creation so rarely need to type. Bought the Apple Pencil: I'm sure it's great but I hardly use it.
3. MacBook (new retina 12") -- I had hoped the iPad Pro would be my new "laptop" but it just didn't work out for me. I use Microsoft Excel all the time and the iOS version is too cut-down for me and clunky to use. I occasionally use Adobe InDesign and that's not available on iOS. Plus I'm just so used to using a laptop. It's so much easier to type on, especially when I'm half-working and watching tv and it's literally on my lap.
Of the three, for me the iPad Pro is the luxury which it is difficult to justify. Had I not bought it from John Lewis (in the UK) who are bloody awful at taking things back and giving refunds I might have sent it back.
But that's not to say it's not a great piece of kit. I think the iPad and the MacBook are two different things: they have individual strengths and weaknesses. Most people could probably survive with one or the other. As an Apple junkie I've gone for both. The iPad Pro is great for watching movies in bed, much better than the MacBook would be. And sometimes it's nice to interact directly with content via a touch-screen, that being limited to a trackpad.
Oh, I really like the iPad Pro in split-screen mode: that works very nicely when I'm teaching.
1. iMac -- I've been without a desktop Mac for two years. I can't believe I survived! The new retina iMac is fantastic. No regrets.
2. iPad Pro -- Very impressive, but mostly using it as a consumption device. My old iPad Air 2 looks comically small to me now. Bought the Smart Keyboard but sent it back: I can type well enough on the virtual keyboard, and I'm not really using it for content creation so rarely need to type. Bought the Apple Pencil: I'm sure it's great but I hardly use it.
3. MacBook (new retina 12") -- I had hoped the iPad Pro would be my new "laptop" but it just didn't work out for me. I use Microsoft Excel all the time and the iOS version is too cut-down for me and clunky to use. I occasionally use Adobe InDesign and that's not available on iOS. Plus I'm just so used to using a laptop. It's so much easier to type on, especially when I'm half-working and watching tv and it's literally on my lap.
Of the three, for me the iPad Pro is the luxury which it is difficult to justify. Had I not bought it from John Lewis (in the UK) who are bloody awful at taking things back and giving refunds I might have sent it back.
But that's not to say it's not a great piece of kit. I think the iPad and the MacBook are two different things: they have individual strengths and weaknesses. Most people could probably survive with one or the other. As an Apple junkie I've gone for both. The iPad Pro is great for watching movies in bed, much better than the MacBook would be. And sometimes it's nice to interact directly with content via a touch-screen, that being limited to a trackpad.
Oh, I really like the iPad Pro in split-screen mode: that works very nicely when I'm teaching.
Most of us all have laptops; I hate it when someone says get a laptop. I just hate hauling it around. That's not my full definition of productivity but Tim Cook did say this was a laptop replacement; I expect excellent productivity too.
"The iPP is the lightest, highest resolution portable computer available."
Let's be real clear here ... it is nothing more than an oversized iPad ... bears absolutely no resemblance to a portable computer.
Let's be real clear here ... it is nothing more than an oversized iPad ... bears absolutely no resemblance to a portable computer.
Command+up arrow.
Command+down arrow jumps to bottom of page.
Alt+up/down to scroll up or down a page.
Command+L to enter the url bar
Ctrl+tab to switch to next tab
Shift+Ctrl+tab to go back to previous tab
Last edited:
Still doesn't win the argument that this device lacks in the area of productivity...that's all I was trying to say. Yes, you can do it but is it as convenient. I never said I could not complete a task on the iPad pro; it's just the workarounds to completing the tasks that I had a issue with. This may not affect you but some of us have different needs or feel that things can actually be improved. If you let Apple slap you in the face with what they want you to have, you will never get what you really want. Some of you guys just put up with what iOS has to offer like you.
I always thought John Lewis were great at returns/refunds? I've never had a problem. I bought my iPad Pro from them and got a 3 year guarantee.
Btw, do you use your ipp with a case or "naked"?
I am thinking of getting it without the ASK as I already have the Bluetooth but curious, how do you prop it up, or just rest it on a book? Guess I will have to get the rip off Smart Cover to protect it (or try bubble wrap LOL).And I'm using the iPP with no Pencil, and Apple's new Magic Keyboard. I did grab a Pencil while picking up the Magic Keyboard, but I'll be returning it. As fun as Pigment is, I can't justify keeping the Pencil for a coloring book.
Perhaps because I first learned computers back in the days of DOS, but yes, I find working from the keyboard quite convenient. In fact, every time I have to take my hands off the keyboard to use the mouse, *that* feels inconvenient.
Technology is always going to change, and there will be times when you have to get used to new ways of doing things. This time it's Apple not giving you mouse support, but tomorrow it could be Google or Microsoft taking away some thing or other that you felt was essential for your productivity. After going through this quite a few times, I've learned its better to just roll with the way things are going. Complaining about them almost never puts things back the way you liked them, and wastes time and energy you could be spending looking for alternate solutions.
[doublepost=1454106577][/doublepost]
Got a cheap TPU case for the back, and a fold out stand to prop it up, both from Amazon. But about 80% of the time, I'm using my iPP on my lap while sitting on sofa or bed, where I sort of just prop it up on my knees. The stand and keyboard are only used when I'm working on long documents at a desk.
In December I bought both a MacBook (from Apple) and an iPad Pro 32GB (from John Lewis). On 4th January, I sent them both back for a refund. The next day I got an e-mail from Apple to say the MacBook had been safely received. Three days after that the money was back in my account. It took endless phone calls and e-mails to John Lewis and 24 days for me to finally get the money back in my account.
(I sent the iPad back because I traded up to the 128GB cellular, and I sent the MacBook back because I thought the iPad was going to be my new laptop. I re-bought the MacBook a few weeks later.)
I shelled out the vast amount demanded by Apple for the back and front covers for the iPad Pro.
I've got the back case and the keyboard. Yes. Stupid expensive. I also had the smart cover but sent that back.
Forgot to say. I had to return my first iPad Pro to JL as it kept turning itself off after being charged overnight. I took it back and the girl there did a full reset. This worked and it came back on but as she handled it it slipped out of her hand and "only gently" knocked against the side of the display counter. When I got back home I noticed, well felt really, a tiny "dink" on the side of the iPad. I tried to take photo's of this but it was hard to show up but it was definitely there. This was after only 2 days of butting. Anyway, I emailed the blown up photo to customer services and received an exchange the next day. I didn't mention the incident in the shop, I just said there was a dint on the casting. I could of lived with it but for the money (it was the 128gb) I knew it would always be on my mind..
I pretty much agree with you on all counts. The iPad Pro is definitely a luxury and I could probably get along just fine without it especially since I already have an iPad Air 2. What I'm running into though is the fact that as a consumption device and tool I use at work, it's becoming part of my workflow. It's would be hard to give it up now.
The other thing is that although the smart keypad is not necessary, I must admit I'm loving it and can type quite fast on on it. I will probably keep it.
The iPad Pro also makes an awesome second screen for the Macboook using Duet. That darn app is stable as hell and just works.
Yeah I type very quickly on the smart keyboard. Love this case and works great with the silcone case.
Is the logitech create better though in terms of protection, and also no back cover needed, so 109 GBP instead of 139 + 65 (204)?
I am getting the pro next week but cannot decide on kbd and the apple store do not have the create on display (of course)!
I am getting the pro next week but cannot decide on kbd and the apple store do not have the create on display (of course)!
I think either choice is a good one, if you look at the comparisons on youtube a lot like the smart keyboard but the tech keyboard works very well too. Keyboard plus the silicone case is very costly but I have one for my 6S plus and I’m sad that I wanted it to match.
It will depend on each person.
But as a macbook replacement it is not - but it has been a very good substitute for a lot of things I do on my laptop.
It's been actually pretty fantastic. I used it for a lot of my travel and it's been absolutely great. I also use it for work as a digital notebook and it's been fantastic for that.
But as a macbook replacement it is not - but it has been a very good substitute for a lot of things I do on my laptop.
It's been actually pretty fantastic. I used it for a lot of my travel and it's been absolutely great. I also use it for work as a digital notebook and it's been fantastic for that.
- Used it for web browsing.
- Use it for work email - with 20 dollar bluetooth keyboard.
- Use it for digital notebook - Notes app + One note transfer for cloud documentatio.
- Use it to watch movies (.mkv) movies using infuse app.
I agree. The silicone case definitely completes the package. It's a bit pricey for both however. Luckily I had some gift cards to use.
Depends how many applications you use that make use of or can benefit significantly from the pen or touch.
if the answer to that is zero or not many you're likely better off with a Macbook.
if you need or would like to run bootcamp or Parallels or similar, the iPad is a non-starter.
if the answer to that is zero or not many you're likely better off with a Macbook.
if you need or would like to run bootcamp or Parallels or similar, the iPad is a non-starter.
Yes thanks for that, I did take a look but without trying them both next to each other it is hard to choose. I like the extra keys on the logitech (I have an ultra-thin on my mini), especially the first on left which shows me the running apps, but guess I can live without it. The other special keys would not be of that much use, whereas the lightness and simplicity of the ASK to setup and remove makes it more appealing, just trying to decide or postpone because I still have my Apple BT kbd. On the ultra-thin, there are some issues like going into CAPS lock and staying there unless I disconnect, not sure if the new one has these problems.