iPad picks up the slack

[0989383]

Since my MacBook Pro is gone due to a faulty keyboard and other degenerating factors I went and bought a Windows laptop to take over... Windows 10 is awful. I'm selling it on one day in.

I've been handed an iPad Mini for the next week, something that isn't ideal but I'm grateful for.

Then I'll be given an iPad Air from 2014 I think from my dad. Hopefully, that'll be a good main computer for the next few months!

The way I see it is, I can enjoy and add to my iCloud Photo Library on a great display.
I can create and edit Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote documents.
Have access to my iCloud Drive filesystem.
Email, Contacts and Calendar via iCloud too.
All day battery life.
Nice retina display and colour depth.
Etc.

The only thing I'm worried about it whether or not iOS Office can hack the pace. But i'm sure it's getting better every month?

I'm not sure how the iPad Air 1 performs these days on the latest iOS, or how long it will be supported for. Any advice on that?

Am I crazy to think that at the end of this all my next device might actually be an iPad Pro? I'm definitely not going to Windows and another Mac is a serious investment.

p.s. anyone recomment any cheap ipad keyboards from eBay?

 

[keeper]

What exactly was wrong with windows, hardly a lot of time to become accustomed to a new OS.

 

[0989383]

What exactly was wrong with windows, hardly a lot of time to become accustomed to a new OS.

I can't find a worthy replacement to Photos. Anytime I tried to migrate my contacts, calendar and mail the new Windows 10 apps - whilst they look great - are really slow and terrible when you try to use them. The interface is incredibly oversized and poor for a point and click system. Then, there's the non Windows 10 version of apps, desktop apps, they dont integrate at all. These apps are creating all sorts of folders and calendars across my online account it's been one huge headache and mess. And iCloud Mail keeps asking for constant password authentication.

There seems to be two control panels.. a Windows 10 one and a desktop one again... two Windows Updates both searcihng for updates which after an hour still didnt seem to populate a list.

I've been trying to move files over from my Mac HDD to the Windows filesystem and no matter what I copy I get an error saying 'File not found in this folder' .. I go to the folder manually, copy the contents manually, it WORKS which makes me wonder what the problem is.. and I mean EVERY transfer is like this.

Then OneDrive appears to have marked some of my local folders to be shared to the cloud on a continual basis.. all fine, but how do I add/remove them or control which Microsoft Account the files have come down from ... BLAH

That's just some of my issues :-(

 

[spook]

I put Linux on my windows laptop,

 

[0989383]

I considered this but then I'm giving up the only real fruit of Windows: Full-fat Office suite of apps.

 

[AltecX]

I can't find a worthy replacement to Photos. Anytime I tried to migrate my contacts, calendar and mail the new Windows 10 apps - whilst they look great - are really slow and terrible when you try to use them. The interface is incredibly oversized and poor for a point and click system. Then, there's the non Windows 10 version of apps, desktop apps, they dont integrate at all. These apps are creating all sorts of folders and calendars across my online account it's been one huge headache and mess. And iCloud Mail keeps asking for constant password authentication.

There seems to be two control panels.. a Windows 10 one and a desktop one again... two Windows Updates both searcihng for updates which after an hour still didnt seem to populate a list.

I've been trying to move files over from my Mac HDD to the Windows filesystem and no matter what I copy I get an error saying 'File not found in this folder' .. I go to the folder manually, copy the contents manually, it WORKS which makes me wonder what the problem is.. and I mean EVERY transfer is like this.

Then OneDrive appears to have marked some of my local folders to be shared to the cloud on a continual basis.. all fine, but how do I add/remove them or control which Microsoft Account the files have come down from ... BLAH

That's just some of my issues :-(

The important question is what is the system you bought? I have none of the issues, and also do NOT find it slow in any shape and the apps you are using are the Metro Apps, they are designed with Touch first.

It sounds like you have some very messed up permissions from whatever you are copying from.

If OneDrive is syncing it's because you agreed to that on setup, when YOU logged in with a Microsoft account, so obviously they are syncing with that one. You can also edit what syncs and not in the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.

This whole post to mean just reads as "I'm not familiar with Windows or moving from Mac to Win, so Windows sucks." Some of this even sounds like "I blindly agreed to things in setup and now I don't know what's going on".

With so many Windows users that make the SAME complaints about macOS it's no wonder most IT acts like users are stupid. Most these posts are just solved with google searches, reading what your screen says, and taking the time to learn a new system.

Hell, when I first got a mac(10.5) it took me 3 weeks to not hate the living hell out of it. Apparently, what I should have done is just kept it for 1 day, got frustrated and dubbed it total ****.

Your iPad is taking up the slack for you. Not Windows.
[doublepost=1489976977][/doublepost]

I considered this but then I'm giving up the only real fruit of Windows: Full-fat Office suite of apps.

Wait, if you have the full suite why the hell are you using the basic Mail app instead of Outlook?

 

[Coolpher]

What exactly was wrong with windows, hardly a lot of time to become accustomed to a new OS.

I get where the OP is coming from I only use Windows for Windows games other than that it's my iPad Pro 12.9 w/cellular or maybe I mean maybe my MacBook Pro 2015 that is been gaining dust over the past few weeks

 

[iPadDad]

Since my MacBook Pro is gone due to a faulty keyboard and other degenerating factors I went and bought a Windows laptop to take over... Windows 10 is awful. I'm selling it on one day in.

I've been handed an iPad Mini for the next week, something that isn't ideal but I'm grateful for.

Then I'll be given an iPad Air from 2014 I think from my dad. Hopefully, that'll be a good main computer for the next few months!

The way I see it is, I can enjoy and add to my iCloud Photo Library on a great display.
I can create and edit Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote documents.
Have access to my iCloud Drive filesystem.
Email, Contacts and Calendar via iCloud too.
All day battery life.
Nice retina display and colour depth.
Etc.

The only thing I'm worried about it whether or not iOS Office can hack the pace. But i'm sure it's getting better every month?

I'm not sure how the iPad Air 1 performs these days on the latest iOS, or how long it will be supported for. Any advice on that?

Am I crazy to think that at the end of this all my next device might actually be an iPad Pro? I'm definitely not going to Windows and another Mac is a serious investment.

p.s. anyone recomment any cheap ipad keyboards from eBay?

You are not crazy, there are tons of people on Macrumors that run solely from iPad. The advantages to moving to iOS from any laptop are (in my opinion) HUGE! - providing your work doesn't involve using a program/app that isn't available on iOS.

As an iOS only person, I work from an iPad Air 2 and am going to upgrade to the new 12'9 Pro on day one.

- My concern for you is that iPad Air 1 doesn't have the horse power to run; split screen and slide over which are very nice iOS features.

- Also one of the attractive things about working on iOS is the speed at which you can do things. For example quickly chop and change between apps in a heartbeat using multi-gestures, open and close programs instantly, quickly search for things using spotlight search or iCloud Drive, receive group messages and notifications while you work in a manageable manor presented to you how you like. - now I realize people are reading this thinking "but I can do these things on a Mac" it's the way your options are presented to you on iOS and the speed you can select them because it's all touch.

- iOS 10.2.1 is very powerful when you learn how to use it effectively, however on iPad Air 1, which is what my dad has (My dad the CEO of a company, uses it with his MacBook Air side by side for work and is actually also getting the new 12'9 inch pro day one when it comes out), because he says he far prefers iOS to OSX.

The other area with iOS that also requires the horsepower is; when you want to run everything at once. I.e I am often running, FaceTime picture in picture in a little window on the bottom left of the screen whilst split screening Pages and email or email and numbers etc, at the same time receiving and responding to incoming iMessages from my team, whilst receiving other notifications following behind it - (again people are reading this and thinking "but my mac does this" again it is the way everything is presented to you on iOS.)

I would strongly recommend going for the Pro Models because that's what is going to give you the best experience and ultimately confirm your discussion to go iPad only. Otherwise you will not be giving yourself a fair chance at running on iPad only if you go with a device that can't do what iOS is designed to do or doesn't give you a great experience.

Do it right the first time and you won't have to wrongfully shelve out more money for a Mac because you didn't trial iPad only route properly.

Invest in a Pro,

 

[EnderBeta]

I can't find a worthy replacement to Photos. Anytime I tried to migrate my contacts, calendar and mail the new Windows 10 apps - whilst they look great - are really slow and terrible when you try to use them. The interface is incredibly oversized and poor for a point and click system. Then, there's the non Windows 10 version of apps, desktop apps, they dont integrate at all. These apps are creating all sorts of folders and calendars across my online account it's been one huge headache and mess. And iCloud Mail keeps asking for constant password authentication.

There seems to be two control panels.. a Windows 10 one and a desktop one again... two Windows Updates both searcihng for updates which after an hour still didnt seem to populate a list.

I've been trying to move files over from my Mac HDD to the Windows filesystem and no matter what I copy I get an error saying 'File not found in this folder' .. I go to the folder manually, copy the contents manually, it WORKS which makes me wonder what the problem is.. and I mean EVERY transfer is like this.

Then OneDrive appears to have marked some of my local folders to be shared to the cloud on a continual basis.. all fine, but how do I add/remove them or control which Microsoft Account the files have come down from ... BLAH

That's just some of my issues :-(

The programs you mention on Windows 10 run just fine.

In your other thread when you where talking about the Windows Laptop you mentioned you paid $400 for it. This means you purchased a very low end POS machine. Don't blame the OS for the shortcomings of the hardware.

The oversized you speak of was probably the resolution of the display. Keeping in mind that there is a way to control the scale of the resolution in Windows. It's possible the OEM bumped the scale of the UI up beyond 100%.

Your Mac HD is not the same format as the Windows HD. Microsoft at least tries, but if the format of the drive on Apple's end changes then issues happen.

One Drive controls which files are synced from the cloud icon in the dock. Now this is the area I agree with you on. One Drive sucks. Instead I suggest Dropbox. It's much better.

 

[0989383]

The programs you mention on Windows 10 run just fine.

In your other thread when you where talking about the Windows Laptop you mentioned you paid $400 for it. This means you purchased a very low end POS machine. Don't blame the OS for the shortcomings of the hardware.

The oversized you speak of was probably the resolution of the display. Keeping in mind that there is a way to control the scale of the resolution in Windows. It's possible the OEM bumped the scale of the UI up beyond 100%.

Your Mac HD is not the same format as the Windows HD. Microsoft at least tries, but if the format of the drive on Apple's end changes then issues happen.

One Drive controls which files are synced from the cloud icon in the dock. Now this is the area I agree with you on. One Drive sucks. Instead I suggest Dropbox. It's much better.

Yes, cheap POS it may have been but I could deal with lag and slow performance.

I'm blaming Windows for Software problems. On a Dell XPS my problems would still persist!!!

It's not the hardware I had a problem with otherwise I'd be conplainung about lag and screen resolution etc. . .

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

The important question is what is the system you bought? I have none of the issues, and also do NOT find it slow in any shape and the apps you are using are the Metro Apps, they are designed with Touch first.

It sounds like you have some very messed up permissions from whatever you are copying from.

If OneDrive is syncing it's because you agreed to that on setup, when YOU logged in with a Microsoft account, so obviously they are syncing with that one. You can also edit what syncs and not in the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.

This whole post to mean just reads as "I'm not familiar with Windows or moving from Mac to Win, so Windows sucks." Some of this even sounds like "I blindly agreed to things in setup and now I don't know what's going on".

With so many Windows users that make the SAME complaints about macOS it's no wonder most IT acts like users are stupid. Most these posts are just solved with google searches, reading what your screen says, and taking the time to learn a new system.

Hell, when I first got a mac(10.5) it took me 3 weeks to not hate the living hell out of it. Apparently, what I should have done is just kept it for 1 day, got frustrated and dubbed it total ****.

Your iPad is taking up the slack for you. Not Windows.
[doublepost=1489976977][/doublepost]
Wait, if you have the full suite why the hell are you using the basic Mail app instead of Outlook?

As a former (and current) Windows and Mac user, I loathed the first month of using Apple computers. Now I speak both fluently, and it's like using a wine glass vs. a Dixie cup: Both hold water well, but one may not be appropriate while the other is. However, 99% of the time I'm not out at the lake or at a formal dinner, so either will do.

 

[AltecX]

As a former (and current) Windows and Mac user, I loathed the first month of using Apple computers. Now I speak both fluently, and it's like using a wine glass vs. a Dixie cup: Both hold water well, but one may not be appropriate while the other is. However, 99% of the time I'm not out at the lake or at a formal dinner, so either will do.

Exactly. if you aren't going to take actual time to learn the new environment (longer than the 1 day OP did) then you have 0 ground to stand on with me when it comes to anti-Windows or macOS rants.

A lot of posts around here about Windows I find read more like: "I don't like/never used Windows and gave it almost 0 time but it wasn't 100% like a Mac and I didn't understand it in 35 seconds, so, therefore, it's junk, Hail Apple!" All that does is make the posters look like idiots.

If you don't like Windows, fine, but don't spend 0 time with it then blame it for you inability to use it.

 

[EnderBeta]

Yes, cheap POS it may have been but I could deal with lag and slow performance.

I'm blaming Windows for Software problems. On a Dell XPS my problems would still persist!!!

It's not the hardware I had a problem with otherwise I'd be conplainung about lag and screen resolution etc. . .

Are you sure? Unlike Apple machines Windows PCs will use very low end chipsets. If you are complaining about speed that is the hardware. If you are complaining about the interface itself that is platform differences. The later falls into personal opinion and if it didn't work for you then it didn't work. I just want to make sure you know your experience with Windows 10 was tainted by using a budget machine.

For reference the apps run fine in a VM running on my MacBook Pro in my signature. The VM in question has two threads and 4GB of RAM dedicated to it. To me that seems like a fairly well scaling platform. On my iMac and Mac Pro with 4 threads and 8GB f RAM Windows 10 runs even better. On my gaming machine with 6 cores and 12 threads and 32GB of RAM Windows 10 is absolutely butter smooth just like macOS. I will grant that the UI is not quite as well thought out. There are remnants like the control panel that still exist but they are moving away from that and towards a more Mac like platform. I commend Microsoft for their progress.

Personally I do prefer the office software to what Windows 10 comes with and I acknowledge that I like Apple's mail and calendar programs a lot better then what Microsoft comes with. However I don't think you gave Windows 10 a fair shot.

 

[AltecX]

There are remnants like the control panel that still exist but they are moving away from that and towards a more Mac like platform. I commend Microsoft for their progress.

Personally I do prefer the office software to what Windows 10 comes with and I acknowledge that I like Apple's mail and calendar programs a lot better then what Microsoft comes with. However I don't think you gave Windows 10 a fair shot.

Two thing's I'd like to comment on here. While I agree the new Settings is more "mac-ish" that is mostly due to them trying to make it more touch friendly. Honestly, I really wish I could run full OSX on an iPad Pro like device. I think that would be rather interesting.

Second I think that Apple's Mail is more robust because it's App suite doesn't include an Outlook replacement. Microsoft on the other hand I believe takes the angle that most people are using WebUI's for email, or are using Outlook. They have been regularly updating the Mail/Cal app, but I think this is the first time they have included a Mail app since Outlook Express in Windows XP, so it is still a very much growing/evolving product.

 

[EnderBeta]

Two thing's I'd like to comment on here. While I agree the new Settings is more "mac-ish" that is mostly due to them trying to make it more touch friendly. Honestly, I really wish I could run full OSX on an iPad Pro like device. I think that would be rather interesting.

Second I think that Apple's Mail is more robust because it's App suite doesn't include an Outlook replacement. Microsoft on the other hand I believe takes the angle that most people are using WebUI's for email, or are using Outlook. They have been regularly updating the Mail/Cal app, but I think this is the first time they have included a Mail app since Outlook Express in Windows XP, so it is still a very much growing/evolving product.

I would be interested in a iPad that as an accessory included the base that looks like a MacBook Pro base with the keyboard trackpad and additional USB-c ports. Then it could be a mix of touch based macOS and laptop based macOS. Since Apple seems to be moving that direction in the build style of the devices themselves I think this could be feasible. In that regard I think you are into a very interesting idea.

As long as this device can run VMeare fusion and emulate Windows I'm on board.

I also agree with what you are saying about the Windows 10 apps. I personally don't like web UI interfaces because I like clean go to one area for that task. Mac's mail program is perfect and comes with the OS at no additional cost. Microsoft I too think is coming back to that but it is a pain to switch between accounts with it. Maybe they will improve it in time but the Op is right about that area in terms of usability not being quite up to snuff when compared to Apple's offering. Although it isn't as bad as the app makes it out to be. I attribute that to an overaction from the stress of trying to move to another platform too quickly.

 

[Dave245]

I've also found that the iPad Pro has been taking over tasks I would of otherwise been doing on my iMac or MacBook 2011, i know a lot of people don't see them as laptop replacements but I do think they are for people who do simple day to day tasks. I think the future of the iPad will get more Pro but I think it will be in terms of the software. This is a good post about the iPad Pro and its potential as a laptop replacement

https://televisionmagnets.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/ipad-pro-as-a-laptop-replacement/

I hope that iOS 11 has more Pro features and we see it expand into that area more.

 

[AltecX]

I've also found that the iPad Pro has been taking over tasks I would of otherwise been doing on my iMac or MacBook 2011, i know a lot of people don't see them as laptop replacements but I do think they are for people who do simple day to day tasks. I think the future of the iPad will get more Pro but I think it will be in terms of the software. This is a good post about the iPad Pro and its potential as a laptop replacement

https://televisionmagnets.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/ipad-pro-as-a-laptop-replacement/

I hope that iOS 11 has more Pro features and we see it expand into that area more.

My parents use an iPad Air2, and iPad Pro 9.7in exclusively. All they need is a web browser, email, and YouTube.

 

[0989383]

Well, I used to wish that OSX was on the iPad but to be honest now I'm glad it's not.

Microsoft with Windows have destroyed the interface trying to cater for touch and to compete with the iPad by getting it on more tablet devices. It's a real headache. Especially when the whole system is fragmented between touch interface and pointer interfaces. Terrible. At least today.

Apple might be going about 2mph in make iOS and the iPad more 'Pro', but you've got to give it to them, it's a far better experience. And when we get those features we really want from the Mac on there... Microsofts Windows 10 15 minutes of fame will be over and most users will probably go for an Android or iPad tablet.

Let's appreciate whilst iOS is simple and today the hardware ability exceeds the potential software, in the future of iOS updates for the latest devices they'll be added to and hopefully run better even when the devices age more noticeable performance will be sustained.

 

[LotusLord]

Increasingly more things can be done in a browser. So depending on the OPs needs if the iPad works for them great. I use Windows and iOS daily myself, and don't see that changing any time soon. I manage a fleet of iPads, iPhones and now iPod touches used in a variety of contexts, but back end infrastructure (and the office staff equipment) is still Windows. That said I'm pretty fluent on Mac OS as well and prefer it in many ways. Different strokes for different folks as they say. However as many have said I can't recommend any Windows device that sells for that price. Admittedly my corporate budget for computers is higher than many, but even my own personal devices would range in the 1200-1500+ tier configured as I'd like, and honestly for most people that's what I'd suggest. Sure you can get cheaper stuff, but it's either going to have poor performance, poor support, or other defects if not multiple of those things.

I will agree wholeheartedly with the OP that there are aspects of Windows, especially recent versions that piss me off. I've gotten used to the push towards touch but the settings menu versus control panel... Duplicates options in some areas but eliminates options in others (windows update specifically).

 

[M. Gustave]

The Air 1 is still a nice machine. Mine is running 10.2.1 fine, with Reduce Motion turned on.

I don't know what you consider cheap, but the Logitech K811 is still the best Bluetooth keyboard out there, IMO. They go for $50 or $60 on eBay.

 

[0989383]

The Air 1 is still a nice machine. Mine is running 10.2.1 fine, with Reduce Motion turned on.

I don't know what you consider cheap, but the Logitech K811 is still the best Bluetooth keyboard out there, IMO. They go for $50 or $60 on eBay.

Is it noticeably laggy? I'm fine wiTh the fact that side by side obviously the newer devices will be quicker.

But compared to the gen1 Mini I'm using ATM I'm guessing it'll feel like a Ferrari

 

[lambertjohn]

Since my MacBook Pro is gone due to a faulty keyboard and other degenerating factors I went and bought a Windows laptop to take over... Windows 10 is awful. I'm selling it on one day in.

I've been handed an iPad Mini for the next week, something that isn't ideal but I'm grateful for.

Then I'll be given an iPad Air from 2014 I think from my dad. Hopefully, that'll be a good main computer for the next few months!

The way I see it is, I can enjoy and add to my iCloud Photo Library on a great display.
I can create and edit Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote documents.
Have access to my iCloud Drive filesystem.
Email, Contacts and Calendar via iCloud too.
All day battery life.
Nice retina display and colour depth.
Etc.

The only thing I'm worried about it whether or not iOS Office can hack the pace. But i'm sure it's getting better every month?

I'm not sure how the iPad Air 1 performs these days on the latest iOS, or how long it will be supported for. Any advice on that?

Am I crazy to think that at the end of this all my next device might actually be an iPad Pro? I'm definitely not going to Windows and another Mac is a serious investment.

p.s. anyone recomment any cheap ipad keyboards from eBay?

My other computer is a Windows 10 machine, and I absolutely love it. Windows 10 is a joy to use in my opinion...as is OS X. Both excellent operating systems.

 

[LotusLord]

Is it noticeably laggy? I'm fine wiTh the fact that side by side obviously the newer devices will be quicker.

But compared to the gen1 Mini I'm using ATM I'm guessing it'll feel like a Ferrari

I feel the lag on the original Air versus the Air 2. We have a few Airs which were a pilot program, but far more Air 2s. My wife's personal iPad is an original Air and for her uses (reading, browsing, shopping) it's fine. She doesn't play games on it, but could, and doesn't edit any documents on it. More important to me is the lack of touch ID on the original Air. As soon as I got my 6+ I felt funny entering passcodes and it's only exacerbated in iOS 10 with the press to unlock.

 

[0989383]

Today I used the iPad mini with its lag to type up a set of revision notes on Word. Despite it saving the document very often and crashing once when I tried to put the music app on in the background I must admit the keyboard is excellent and I'm not making too many errors. Certainly not at frustration levels. If I had a keyboard this could only improve.

So far a good experience. The iPad Air next week should improve this a bit more I hope.