iPad iPad + keyboard and trackpad advantages over laptop?

[filmbuff]

We’ve had years of topics on the iPad as a laptop replacement. If it just had one more feature, one more feature. With the new keyboard and trackpad option it looks like we’re finally there. I like it, but now I’m wondering what everyone sees as the advantage. For me I see a few:

-Longer battery life
-IOS apps/ease of use for certain things
-Durability

But there are some disadvantages as well. It’s not really any thinner or easier to carry than a MBA, less user friendly for many things, harder to manage files, and more expensive! I’m just curious what other factors people are considering.

 

[c14nhl]

Does Apple Pencil count?

 

[Jonathantuba]

What about;

1. LTE Connectivity
2. Good Cameras with 4K video capability, with excellent microphones too
3. Can be used landscape or portrait as tablet in situations where a MBP could not be used, including during take of and landing flying
4. Touch screen
5. Apple pencil
6. Immediate response (no waiting to boot)
7. Many more available apps
8. Slide over for more flexibility (great for reference apps)
9. Lighter and easier to carry
10. Just feels the future

Against: Software limitations, although they are disappearing with each update

 

[QCassidy352]

iPad advantages: touch interface (not quite as essential now), FaceID (on iPad Pro), pencil support, LTE, can detach keyboard

MacBook advantages: bigger screens (optional), more ports, fully robust file system, ability to dual boot (windows/linux), better multitasking (unlimited instances of any app is really big)

I'm sure I'm missing a few but those are the main ones that come to mind.

FWIW I have an (older) MBP and an iPad Air 3. Both are great, but I don't intend to make my iPad my main computing device.

 

[KittyKatta]

Less heat
Instant On
No fan noise
LTE option
App Store
Modular Configurations (Keyboard. Cover. Naked.)
Video Chat: iPad >Garbage 720p MacBook Cam
Fun
Fun
Fun


The iPad Pro is amazing but the problem is that so much of the Pro software is inferior or just doesnt exist. But the hardware is there to make this a legitimate platform once Apple takes software seriously.

 

[Lucifer666]

Face recognition, that I sort of like. And it it's tidier. Less muss.

 

[RevTEG]

For me the iPad/iCloud backups basically retired my 2015 MacBook Pro. It’s the reason I haven’t update my MacBook.
I really enjoy my iOS app workflow, always connected LTE, Apple Pencil and the ASK. For me, it just fits.
I run a small business and not a single employee requested a MacBook from the options we made available. All have iPads. The versatility is great.

 

[zinacef]

For me the iPad/iCloud backups basically retired my 2015 MacBook Pro. It’s the reason I haven’t update my MacBook.
I really enjoy my iOS app workflow, always connected LTE, Apple Pencil and the ASK. For me, it just fits.
I run a small business and not a single employee requested a MacBook from the options we made available. All have iPads. The versatility is great.

Forgive my naïveté, what’s an “ASK”?

 

[richpjr]

Forgive my naïveté, what’s an “ASK”?

Apple Smart Keyboard

 

[JamesGoodman]

We’ve had years of topics on the iPad as a laptop replacement. If it just had one more feature, one more feature. With the new keyboard and trackpad option it looks like we’re finally there. I like it, but now I’m wondering what everyone sees as the advantage. For me I see a few:

-Longer battery life
-IOS apps/ease of use for certain things
-Durability

But there are some disadvantages as well. It’s not really any thinner or easier to carry than a MBA, less user friendly for many things, harder to manage files, and more expensive! I’m just curious what other factors people are considering.

Because I have had so much trouble (an individual thing, and a hardware thing) with the keyboard post 2015, I have tried to make the move to the iPad Pro, 12.9, with ASK and Logitech bluetooth keyboards. I love all sorts of things about the iPad -- some programs and websites work better on it, it should be mentioned -- but I can't live with the file system (or absence of a robust file system) all the and I can't live without being able to search the entire "hard drive" and in seconds come up with files and text from fifteen years ago that has stuff in it that I need.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Does Apple Pencil count?

I would like to say so.

 

[servenvolley]

iPads are great for many things but Apple needs to give owners the ability to have more than one person sign into their own account on the device (as with Macs).

 

[filmbuff]

I definitely see the advantage of LTE, that's one I didn't think about much. Also being able to use it during takeoff and landing/keep it in the seat back pocket would be nice. I don't think instant on or fanless are much of an advantage though. Who shuts down their Macbook Air? The fans rarely come on on modern Macbooks anyway, they just get roasting hot like every Apple device including the iPad.

 

[cambookpro]

I read an article on The Verge about the iPad and Surface similarities, and one line really stood out for me. I'm paraphrasing, but the author says how the fact that touch doesn't belong on a Mac is increasingly feeling like a rationalisation for a shortcoming than a justification of a choice.

I can see what they mean: when a task can be performed on an iPad, often it is far better than a Mac. For example, signing documents you are emailed, or reading a book, or making a FaceTime call. Tasks that can't yet be completed is down to a lack of adequate software (I know this is a well-trodden path, but the point holds). Touch input - now with the addition of the precision of a cursor when required - makes a lot of things easier.

Hopefully in the future we can dock our iPads into an external monitor, use them to build apps and cut films, but then take them with us to read and sketch. I'm sure this day will come. I don't see it as a convergence of the iPad and the Mac, rather the supersession. (I'm sure this would anger many people, but as more and more people learn tablets/phones first, traditional computers second, I think it's the natural path.)

I realise I've gone off on a bit of a tangent re: OP's original question. I still don't think an iPad is an adequate Mac replacement, but I'd be highly surprised if that was still my view in 5 years time.

 

[sracer]

We’ve had years of topics on the iPad as a laptop replacement. If it just had one more feature, one more feature. With the new keyboard and trackpad option it looks like we’re finally there. I like it, but now I’m wondering what everyone sees as the advantage. For me I see a few:

-Longer battery life
-IOS apps/ease of use for certain things
-Durability

But there are some disadvantages as well. It’s not really any thinner or easier to carry than a MBA, less user friendly for many things, harder to manage files, and more expensive! I’m just curious what other factors people are considering.

It's nice to see that many are finally coming around to the benefits of mice/trackpads on the iPad. A few of us diehards had been banging the drum for years for the need, only to face significant opposition. But as predicted, as soon as Apple provided the capability, those detractors "found religion". 😆

Support for mice/trackpads is a major step but not the only step needed to make the iPad a viable alternative to laptops for a majority of people.

Two major hurdles remain....

First, sandboxed storage. This greatly impedes workflows.... even those workflows that have been modified to accommodate the nature of iOS.

Second, lack of support for peripherals. Every Android-based device supports a wide range of USB accessories... including things like wireless presentation remote controls. Yet Apple continues to be tight-fisted over what is supported via USB-C / lightning port.

Having said that, it's terrific that iOS now properly supports mice/trackpads. And it is going to help a large percentage of iPad owners use them to replace their laptops. They just have a little bit more to go to widen the appeal.

ETA: But I have a selfish motive for identifying those two major hurdles... it'll allow me to finally switch to an iPad to replace my laptops.

 

[sparksd]

It's nice to see that many are finally coming around to the benefits of mice/trackpads on the iPad. A few of us diehards had been banging the drum for years for the need, only to face significant opposition. But as predicted, as soon as Apple provided the capability, those detractors "found religion". 😆

Support for mice/trackpads is a major step but not the only step needed to make the iPad a viable alternative to laptops for a majority of people.

Two major hurdles remain....

First, sandboxed storage. This greatly impedes workflows.... even those workflows that have been modified to accommodate the nature of iOS.

Second, lack of support for peripherals. Every Android-based device supports a wide range of USB accessories... including things like wireless presentation remote controls. Yet Apple continues to be tight-fisted over what is supported via USB-C / lightning port.

Having said that, it's terrific that iOS now properly supports mice/trackpads. And it is going to help a large percentage of iPad owners use them to replace their laptops. They just have a little bit more to go to widen the appeal.

Opposition to a mouse? Here, in these forums? Oh yeah, now I remember ...

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I'll never understand, why someone would get an iPad, if he so desperately needs and wants a cursor and mouse/trackpad.

 

[sparksd]

I'll never understand, why someone would get an iPad, if he so desperately needs and wants a cursor and mouse/trackpad.

Because we also want a tablet.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Because we also want a tablet.

Really? May I ask what you do with it and how often you use it as a tablet?

 

[sparksd]

Really? May I ask what you do with it and how often you use it as a tablet?

I use it hours/day, a lot as a replacement for my laptop. Reading, writing, lightweight spreadsheets, multimedia, etc. What I don't understand is why some people get so worked up about what other people want to do. Don't like a mouse or trackpad with your iPad? Then don't use one and let others do as they please. No justification is needed.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

I use it hours/day, a lot as a replacement for my laptop. Reading, writing, lightweight spreadsheets, multimedia, etc. What I don't understand is why some people get so worked up about what other people want to do. Don't like a mouse or trackpad with your iPad? Then don't use one and let others do as they please. No justification is needed.

So then you have basically two laptops?

 

[sparksd]

So then you have basically two laptops?

No I have a laptop and a tablet. I sometimes use a mouse with my tablet. I'm done addressing this - as I said, I have no need to justify my preferences to anyone. If you fell the need to dwell on this issue, go back and read the many threads already covering it. (One other thing - I have essential tremors and sometimes using a touch interface is difficult and a mouse can help as I can apply downward pressure on it to steady my hand.)

 

[sracer]

So then you have basically two laptops?

This is not complicated. Some of us use a laptop during the day and also use a tablet as a digital notebook/journal. It would be nice to be able to use a single device. I currently use a Lenovo Yoga Book (Android edition) and Google Pixelbook for those two purposes in a single device.

I much prefer an iPad-based solution.

 

[KittyKatta]

I'll never understand, why someone would get an iPad, if he so desperately needs and wants a cursor and mouse/trackpad.

Mouse/Trackpad is an option.
Keyboard is an option.
Pencil is an option.

Options are optional. No options is a restriction.

 

[ingambe]

iPad are not computer replacement
It's computer complement

Only really basic usage of a computer can be fully replaced by an iPad