iPad as a laptop replacement

[Cuesca]

I don't need a truck. Do you remember that I started using Macs way back in 1984? I kept upgrading until I got the first Macintosh G5.

I also thought the PowerBook 100 was powerful enough. That is, until Microsoft Teams turned the fan in my 2017 MacBook Pro into a jet engine! The iPad Pro M1 has been my go-to device ever since.

However, as our organisation uses Microsoft Office, have you ever tried to watermark a document in Word for iPad?

I've watermarked a document on an iPad before, you're not going to like the amounts of hoops you need to jump through but it's possible.

Upload the document to OneDrive > install Jump Desktop on both your MacOS/Windows running computer(prior to leaving on your trip BTW) > log into your computer via Jump Desktop app > load World on your computer and watermark the document on that.

Had to do it once because apparently a header with our company logo isn't good enough for my boss.

Edit: that being said for enterprise implementation I think most companies use Teamviewer for enhance security. However the one time I had to use Jump Desktop(not that their security is a slouch but Teamviewer was just a tiny bit more secured) was before we ever had to worry about remote work pre-COVID.

 

[Ludatyk]

I don't need a truck. Do you remember that I started using Macs way back in 1984? I kept upgrading until I got the first Macintosh G5.

I also thought the PowerBook 100 was powerful enough. That is, until Microsoft Teams turned the fan in my 2017 MacBook Pro into a jet engine! The iPad Pro M1 has been my go-to device ever since.

However, as our organisation uses Microsoft Office, have you ever tried to watermark a document in Word for iPad?

Unfortunately, it can't be done though Microsoft... but I found another alternative.

You can do it via this app below... it's free! And process seems rather simple. But it appears only PDFs can be used... whatever word document saved will need to be converted to PDF.

‎Watermark pdf and photo

‎There are 2 ways to add watermarks in the app: *Custom watermark * Template watermark CUSTOM WATERMARK Use the built-in editor, add any number of watermarks and place them on a pdf or photo the way you want. You can add text, photo or qr codes. TEMPLATE WATERMARK Use quick templates to add…

apps.apple.com

 

[Cuesca]

Unfortunately, it can't be done though Microsoft... but I found another alternative.

You can do it via this app below... it's free! And process seems rather simple. But it appears only PDFs can be used... whatever word document saved will need to be converted to PDF.

‎Watermark pdf and photo

‎There are 2 ways to add watermarks in the app: *Custom watermark * Template watermark CUSTOM WATERMARK Use the built-in editor, add any number of watermarks and place them on a pdf or photo the way you want. You can add text, photo or qr codes. TEMPLATE WATERMARK Use quick templates to add…

apps.apple.com

I think what he meant was digitally signed/certified watermarks or e-seals, basically the same technology used when you e-sign legal documents and I don't think this app offers that. My method works for that though since whatever computer connected via Jump Desktop is automatically certified and connected via VPN. The app you listed is still nice if you want to water mark stuff you want to post on social media and don't want people to just copy your work and use it as their own.

 

[Ludatyk]

I think what he meant was digitally signed/certified watermarks or e-seals, basically the same technology used when you e-sign legal documents and I don't think this app offers that.

You think? But they didn't specify that... was asking about watermark in general.

My method works for that though since whatever computer connected via Jump Desktop is automatically certified and connected via VPN.

And your method is nice... but it requires the use of another computer, whenever I try to look for solutions for the iPad... preferable it would be on the iPad itself.

 

[Cuesca]

You think? But they didn't specify that... was asking about watermark in general.


And your method is nice... but it requires the use of another computer, whenever I try to look for solutions for the iPad... preferable it would be on the iPad itself.

yes... since he did mention 'his organization,' so I am assuming he's not watermarking things for fun...

 

[Ludatyk]

yes... since he did mention 'his organization,' so I am assuming he's not watermarking things for fun...

You brought up a solution... was merely attempting to do the same. I'm aware he mention 'his organization'.. and your back with the assumptions I see.

If you are not using Word to watermark a document then you are doing things for fun, hmm... okay.

 

[sparksd]

Awesome! I haven’t ever tried watermarking a document in Word before, but I can look into it and test it out and share the results when I get a chance. 👍🏻

Not available on either the iPad app or the web version.

 

[DaniTheFox]

Not available on either the iPad app or the web version.

Thank you very much for your kind words and suggestions. I don't think iPadOS is the problem. The apps are not up to the task.

 

[sparksd]

Thank you very much for your kind words and suggestions. I don't think iPadOS is the problem. The apps are not up to the task.

Microsoft wants you to use their apps on Windows devices. Apple is just as parochial.

 

[Cuesca]

You brought up a solution... was merely attempting to do the same. I'm aware he mention 'his organization'.. and your back with the assumptions I see.

If you are not using Word to watermark a document then you are doing things for fun, hmm... okay.

Yes, I assume this was for work. In regards to the app you recommended, I have no idea what you're assuming I said. But I'm not saying the app you recommended is bad or anything. Reread my reply and stop jumping to conclusions.

 

[Kal Madda]

Microsoft wants you to use their apps on Windows devices. Apple is just as parochial.

I don’t think that latter part is quite true though… Because Apple actually provides a full version of Pages on Windows, and that Windows version supports basically all the same features as the Mac version as far as I can tell. And I would also point out that Apple’s software is free, Microsoft is charging us the same Microsoft 365 subscription whether we’re using a Windows computer or an iPad, yet they artificially and arbitrarily limit the functionality of the iPad version, even though we’re still paying just as much to access it. Microsoft really should be providing the full feature set if they’re going to charge us the same subscription price as the Windows version…

 

[Webcat86]

I don’t think that latter part is quite true though… Because Apple actually provides a full version of Pages on Windows, and that Windows version supports basically all the same features as the Mac version as far as I can tell. And I would also point out that Apple’s software is free, Microsoft is charging us the same Microsoft 365 subscription whether we’re using a Windows computer or an iPad, yet they artificially and arbitrarily limit the functionality of the iPad version, even though we’re still paying just as much to access it. Microsoft really should be providing the full feature set if they’re going to charge us the same subscription price as the Windows version…

To add to this, it was Apple that began offering Mac software updates for free, while Microsoft was charging a lot of money with different tiers of Windows, licence keys, charging for Office, etc.

 

[Cuesca]

I don’t think that latter part is quite true though… Because Apple actually provides a full version of Pages on Windows, and that Windows version supports basically all the same features as the Mac version as far as I can tell. And I would also point out that Apple’s software is free, Microsoft is charging us the same Microsoft 365 subscription whether we’re using a Windows computer or an iPad, yet they artificially and arbitrarily limit the functionality of the iPad version, even though we’re still paying just as much to access it. Microsoft really should be providing the full feature set if they’re going to charge us the same subscription price as the Windows version…

Wouldn't be surprised MS limit the iPad version due to them selling a competing tablet.

 

[Kal Madda]

Wouldn't be surprised MS limit the iPad version due to them selling a competing tablet.

That’s exactly my thought, though they do limit it on every platform other than Windows (including macOS), so probably partly platform lock-in as well. It’s really pretty silly that we pay the same for less. Hopefully they come under fire from enough users that they end up needing to improve the iPad version (and the Android version as well for that matter) to offer the same functionality and features.

 

[Cuesca]

That’s exactly my thought, though they do limit it on every platform other than Windows (including macOS), so probably partly platform lock-in as well. It’s really pretty silly that we pay the same for less. Hopefully they come under fire from enough users that they end up needing to improve the iPad version (and the Android version as well for that matter) to offer the same functionality and features.

The limitations of Excel on MacOS are more egregious for me TBQH. Ironically, I have a gaming PC running Windows 11 to work from home, and a Mac Mini for leisure.

 

[Kal Madda]

The limitations of Excel on MacOS are more egregious for me TBQH. Ironically, I have a gaming PC running Windows 11 to work from home, and a Mac Mini for leisure.

Yeah, hopefully Google’s suite will force Microsoft to change, because it seems to me an increasing number of businesses are moving to Google Docs, Sheets, etc., since it’s available everywhere with full features and easy to deploy. I’m thinking that at some point hopefully that will pressure Microsoft to have to do the same to stay competitive.

 

[Ultracyclist]

What is we still need to come to the iPad?
For me it is the support for ultrawide monitors. The scaling is so F-ed up that I’m considering a new monitor.

 

[DaniTheFox]

What is we still need to come to the iPad?
For me it is the support for ultrawide monitors. The scaling is so F-ed up that I’m considering a new monitor.

I'm not sure there's any scaling at all. I am using a 34" HP because MxChips only supports two monitors.

However, I don't think this is the problem; we need higher DPI support for an ultrawide monitor.

 

[Ultracyclist]

I'm not sure there's any scaling at all. I am using a 34" HP because MxChips only supports two monitors.

However, I don't think this is the problem; we need higher DPI support for an ultrawide monitor.

If my Mac mini M2 can handle it… my iPad should too. If it has something to do with scaling of DPI, it should be no problem for Apple to fix this.

 

[Mainsail]

Over the last decade, I have tried numerous times to make the iPad my laptop replacement. It just doesn’t work for me, which is interesting because I don’t have significant computing demands. I would characterize my use as run-of-the-mill every day computing: Productivity apps (iWork and MS office), Photos, Mail, Messages, Safari…… typical home and office stuff.

My base M2 MBA sails through daily tasks smooth as butter on the latest operating system. You can buy the latest MBA for under $800. I just don’t see trying to shoehorn my current workflow into an iPad, when everything is working so well.

Of course, YMMV, but I see myself as being a pretty typical everyday user.

 

[bktpl]

Guys, using chrome, how can i download big files on iPad? I need to download 2-4gb files and it often stops with info that file can not be downloaded. The same file on windows pc/macbook can be normally downloaded. Why it happens like that around 500mb it stops the download?

 

[Kal Madda]

Guys, using chrome, how can i download big files on iPad? I need to download 2-4gb files and it often stops with info that file can not be downloaded. The same file on windows pc/macbook can be normally downloaded. Why it happens like that around 500mb it stops the download?

I use Safari, so can’t speak to Chrome, but I’ve never had any problems downloading large files on Safari. I’ve noticed on my Mac, where I used to use Chrome and Edge, that those Chromium based browsers tend to be less reliable downloading files on a mid to spotty internet connection, where Safari is far more reliable, at least in my experience. And so since I’ve seen that performance difference, I have never even bothered with Edge or Chrome on my iPad when I switched. Perhaps try downloading the files with Safari and see if that works out better for you. 👍🏻

 

[Kal Madda]

Over the last decade, I have tried numerous times to make the iPad my laptop replacement. It just doesn’t work for me, which is interesting because I don’t have significant computing demands. I would characterize my use as run-of-the-mill every day computing: Productivity apps (iWork and MS office), Photos, Mail, Messages, Safari…… typical home and office stuff.

My base M2 MBA sails through daily tasks smooth as butter on the latest operating system. You can buy the latest MBA for under $800. I just don’t see trying to shoehorn my current workflow into an iPad, when everything is working so well.

Of course, YMMV, but I see myself as being a pretty typical everyday user.

The Mac is a better option for some people. 👍🏻. Personally, I think it’s all a matter of preferences, needs, and use-case. For me, I couldn’t replace my iPad with a Mac without major compromises and downgrades for my workflow. And if people are after a laptop experience, I think the MacBook Air is obviously a laptop hardware wise, so will likely be a better option for that. If people are after more of a hybrid type experience where they can use their device like a laptop or as a tablet, the iPad is clearly better for that. 👍🏻. I think both have their uses and that whether or not one can be used in place of the other is really going to depend on the use-case and preferences of the individual. 👍🏻

 

[Ludatyk]

I use Safari, so can’t speak to Chrome, but I’ve never had any problems downloading large files on Safari. I’ve noticed on my Mac, where I used to use Chrome and Edge, that those Chromium based browsers tend to be less reliable downloading files on a mid to spotty internet connection, where Safari is far more reliable, at least in my experience. And so since I’ve seen that performance difference, I have never even bothered with Edge or Chrome on my iPad when I switched. Perhaps try downloading the files with Safari and see if that works out better for you. 👍🏻

I use Arc on the Mac, best browser IMO. But yeah, haven’t had any issues downloading large files on the iPad… if anything large downloads cancel more on the Mac than iPad (at least for me).

And if people are after a laptop experience, I think the MacBook Air is obviously a laptop hardware wise, so will likely be a better option for that.

Something about having a traditional laptop... makes me feel stuck. And I get it from a OS standpoint, macOS has more functionality than iPadOS... especially with desktop class apps.

But solely relying on a MacBook for my workflow, not something I would do voluntarily.

 

[Kal Madda]

Something about having a traditional laptop... makes me feel stuck. And I get it from a OS standpoint, macOS has more functionality than iPadOS... especially with desktop class apps.

But solely relying on a MacBook for my workflow, not something I would do voluntarily.

Yeah, I absolutely agree, to me, a traditional laptop feels limiting. I enjoy being able to use the iPad docked to my keyboard case as a laptop when needed, and then being able to pull it off the keyboard and use it as a tablet for other things like drawing. I love the modularity of the iPad. 👍🏻. And while iPadOS is currently less capable than macOS in a few ways, I actually prefer iPadOS over macOS. 👍🏻