iPad as a laptop replacement

[Meedoss]

I tried the Logitech keyboard case and it doesn't work well on a lap if that is important. Works great on a desk but I do use mine a fair amount on my lap so I returned it and got the Apple MKB.

11” is fine on the lap

 

[ScanTheNavian]

I may be biased, but I definitely think your combo there of an iPad for mobile and Mac Mini for desk is probably about ideal for a lot of people. 🙂👍🏻

You said lots of good stuff in your post, but especially this rang true for me. If it's possible, having an iPad for mobile use can make it much easier as it's more flexible regarding weight when traveling. Perhaps you don't need to bring a keyboard one time so you're able to shave off over half the weight from a MBA. Or you can get the 11' instead to shave off even more.

Personally I've been thinking about going from iPP to iPMini next time as I'd like to have an ultra lightweight device with me while getting a much more satisfying UX compared to my phone. I just wish there was an official keyboard folio from Apple. Not necessarily Magic, but lightweight and with a trackpad.

In the end you should focus on what apps you use and need. If they're enough then the OS doesn't really matter much on the go, unless you have to tinker with files. At home you can have a fridge and espresso machine, but while out and about cooler bags and thermoses often suffice.

 

[fatdickie]

You said lots of good stuff in your post, but especially this rang true for me. If it's possible, having an iPad for mobile use can make it much easier as it's more flexible regarding weight when traveling. Perhaps you don't need to bring a keyboard one time so you're able to shave off over half the weight from a MBA. Or you can get the 11' instead to shave off even more.

Personally I've been thinking about going from iPP to iPMini next time as I'd like to have an ultra lightweight device with me while getting a much more satisfying UX compared to my phone. I just wish there was an official keyboard folio from Apple. Not necessarily Magic, but lightweight and with a trackpad.

In the end you should focus on what apps you use and need. If they're enough then the OS doesn't really matter much on the go, unless you have to tinker with files. At home you can have a fridge and espresso machine, but while out and about cooler bags and thermoses often suffice.

I think a lot of us all have reach similar conclusions at this point.

My main setup:

Mac Mini
13" iPad Pro
iPad Mini
iPhone 13 Mini

• Mac Mini is for keyboard/trackpad-intensive tasks and rotating back ups of all my cloud data.
• iPad Pro is my main computing device.
• iPad Mini is my take with me tablet, notetaking, other Apple Pencil work, etc. I'd love 120 Hz in the next iPad Mini, like most people really, but I still love it as is.
• iPhone Mini for communication, connectivity, and access to critical apps I might need in a pinch. It's so delightfully light and small it's never a burden to carry it. My iPhone is very lightly used so the battery is never really a problem for me. Runs iOS 26 smoothly as well. I usually answer calls and texts from the iPhone on my iPad Pro.

I own Apple Watches that I rarely wear anymore. I'm back to mechanical watches for the most part.

I also have an older pre-M series iPad Pro that I use on a desk lift to stream content while I'm working on my M5 iPad Pro.