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Instead of downsizing the iPad, why not supersize the computer? I'd go with a 15' MBP. Currently I have a 9.7 Air 2 and a 15' 2015 MBP, going to buy the new 12.9 pro in march, planning to use it mainly as a consumption device, since I've noticed I prefer to watch netflix on the bigger screen of my computer, and then reserving the even bigger screen of my computer for when I actually need to get work done.

For me the 15"' is too big for my needs. I have a fully loaded 27" iMac as my main computer. The MBP is my 'on site' delivery and edit mac
 
Not overkill at all.

Two completely different devices, and the iPad still isn't 100% standalone. You still need a device running iTunes to setup some things such as smart playlists and such.

In the end, one is a tablet, and the other is a laptop.

Not overkill at all.
 
I just got my touch bar MacBook Pro - and it's very similar in size and weight to the 12.9 IPP.
I love and always have loved my iPads - but I can't help thinking that the IPP and smart keyboard is a bit pointless now I've got the MacBook Pro - which (no matter what people say) I think is lovely.

I'm a pro photographer and have been using the IPP for Lightroom Mobile sync a lot (can't do that on the MacBook) and obviously the cellular connection is great for watching stuff on the go.. but I could tether to my MBP.

Before I got the MacBook I had the older 13" retina and there was more of a size difference. I'm just thinking perhaps I sell the IPP and wait for the next gen IPP and get the 9.7 inch version.

Has anyone else found themselves in this situation?

I got this iPP 12.9 last month and still have 2012 rMBP 15" but I don 't plan to sell rMBP because it stay at home and take my iPP with me anywhere.
 
I got this iPP 12.9 last month and still have 2012 rMBP 15" but I don 't plan to sell rMBP because it stay at home and take my iPP with me anywhere.
I find the iPad pro is a slightly better device. The lack of ports is only sometimes a hindrance mainly because I might want files off a USB drive. I think the main issue is it requires a flat surface for typing. I can use my laptop in more "terrains".

I like the ipad for being to read textbooks and the handwriting is great.
 
I find the iPad pro is a slightly better device. The lack of ports is only sometimes a hindrance mainly because I might want files off a USB drive. I think the main issue is it requires a flat surface for typing. I can use my laptop in more "terrains".

I like the ipad for being to read textbooks and the handwriting is great.

What is wrong with cloud service like Dropbox? I use both cloud service and portable wifi hard drive with me.
 
What is wrong with cloud service like Dropbox? I use both cloud service and portable wifi hard drive with me.
So you're a medical student and a doctor just gave you a tutorial and has some slides on his USB but has to shoot off. Without a USB port, no slides in 30s-1min. They won't carry a laptop with them just a USB and using the hospital pcs to display. They don't save the slides on the hospital machines and you can't use them. All they offer is for you to copy it off their USB.

Quite a specific situation but very common. I'm sure many others in other sectors would have situations where being able to plug a usb and quickly copy a file would be good.
 
So you're a medical student and a doctor just gave you a tutorial and has some slides on his USB but has to shoot off. Without a USB port, no slides in 30s-1min. They won't carry a laptop with them just a USB and using the hospital pcs to display. They don't save the slides on the hospital machines and you can't use them. All they offer is for you to copy it off their USB.

Quite a specific situation but very common. I'm sure many others in other sectors would have situations where being able to plug a usb and quickly copy a file would be good.

And a £30 dongle with 2 USB power pass through and HDMI is a hassle because....
 
I don't think it's overkill if your pockets can afford it!
 

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Not overkill at all.

Two completely different devices, and the iPad still isn't 100% standalone. You still need a device running iTunes to setup some things such as smart playlists and such.

In the end, one is a tablet, and the other is a laptop.

Not overkill at all.
Depends

If you use both to browse a lot then it really is overkill but everybody's usage is different after all.
 
It all depends what you're using it for. I teach math for a living. I have a 12.9" iPad Pro and the 2016 non-touchbar MacBook Pro. I connect the iPad Pro to an overhead projector and use it as a virtual whiteboard, saving lecture notes and sending them to students. It's perfect for that. I also use the iPad has a digital math notebook. I use the MacBook Pro for writing exams, keeping student records, writing technical handouts, and so on. I wouldn't want to give up either device.
 
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I've said it before and I'll say it again...

I have 12.9" IPP and 13" MBP as well as 7+. All three devices have a place and time to be used. They all fit into my ecosystem excellently and compliment each other nicely depending on what I'm doing. There is no such thing as overkill lol
 
I like my iPad pro for browsing, and consuming. But the MBP is 10x better I need to do things fast under pressure, go into excel, or research things with a bunch of tabs. I am much more efficient with a touchpad, and real keyboard.

For me my iPad pro is a luxury. If one had to go it would certainly be the iPad.

Next upgrade for me will be the 15 inch machine to get a little less redundancy. There are starting to be whispers of a 15 inch MacBook which would be interesting. I don't need a lot of horsepower, and a ultra portable MacBook would be my choice. The 12 inch size is much too small for me though.
 
I have 7+, 12.9, and mbp 13". They all have their uses. 7+ is obviously my phone. 12.9" allows me to go completely digital in school, all the notetaking is done with my iPad and synced across all 3 of my devices for convenient access. My MBP handles the 'bulk' of the work, where I need to type a lot or run programs or compile my codes etc. I can't replace any of my devices, all have their use and it's completely different. At home, I use my iPad the most for video watching (that task is soon to be replaced by my new Apple TV) while I play on my iPhone, or I would sometimes hop on my MBP and do work there.

If you can afford to why not enjoy the luxury? That's my view anyway.
 
However, it's time they put a touch screen as the main screen in Mac.

Please no. Grimey screen covered in fingerprints, arthritis from wrist bending for non intuitive and reaching way forward to touch, an OS that has no business being touched and a waste of money. Apple won't ever do this and I'm 100% glad.
 
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As I wrote earlier, my MacBook Pro and my 12.9 iPad Pro serve different functions. My MacBook Pro is for editing complex documents and such, my iPad Pro is for using as a virtual whiteboard when lecturing to my students, using as a digital notebook for mathematical musings, and anything that requires the pencil.

It has occurred to me it would be nice to have a device that could do both of these at once. It would be nice to have a MacBook that I could fold backwards and start writing on with a pencil. It would give me one less device to carry around, and it would solve some issues I have getting data back and forth between my MacBook and iPad when WiFi was flaky.

And of course, some of the windows two in one devices do exactly this, particularly the surface book. But when I've researched these devices, it has seemed to me they are neither as good at being a laptop as my MacBook Pro, nor as good a writing-tablet experience as my iPad Pro. And I'd rather have two separate devices that do these tasks to perfection rather than one device that does these functions ok. In theory, a two in one device would be the best solution. Perhaps some day someone will create a two in one solution that does both tasks so well, I'll switch to it. But given I'm choosing among solutions that actually exist, the MacBook/iPad Pro combination works best for me now.
 
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I had the iPad Pro from launch. It's only now I have the new tMBP that I realise how similar in size and weight. I do however use the iPad for pro work. If anything I'm just annoyed there's not more of a workflow for pro photographers other than Lightroom via the camera roll but RAW handling has certainly been a major deal.
I had the same issue, I ultimately decided to sell my 12.9 iPad Pro while it's still the newest, and wait out for the possible 10.5/10.9 inch iPad Pro 2, if not the newer 9.7 inch.

While I love the 12.9" iPad Pro . It is a. It unwieldy for most tablet uses, and it was an 80% machine for me for my productive uses. I prefer my MacBook Pro 13" for that.
 
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Eventually, Apple should be able to make a proper 2 in 1; basically an iPad with a true detachable keyboard/trackpad dock that is as light (or lighter) than a Macbook and can incorporate MacOS and iOS features. Until then, it makes sense to have both an iPad and Macbook in varying configurations depending on your budget and workflow.
 
Eventually, Apple should be able to make a proper 2 in 1; basically an iPad with a true detachable keyboard/trackpad dock that is as light (or lighter) than a Macbook and can incorporate MacOS and iOS features. Until then, it makes sense to have both an iPad and Macbook in varying configurations depending on your budget and workflow.

Yeah, I completely agree with this. The rmb is already pretty much like this anyway. The iPad would have to be thinner to match with the current rmb chassis. The iPad would just mirror the screen for OSX and when it was detached would run IOS exclusively.

Yes people would complain it should run some other flavor of an OS that does both. However if it ran like I described all arguments about it being a good tablet but less than great computer would be rendered baseless. Absolutely no compromise would have to be made to do it this way.

Just replace the smart keyboard with a headless laptop. The only thing I can think of that is a barrier to this solution is profitability.

It does make me wonder what Apple is doing with rumors of an ARM processor in laptops. I can't believe they would go through such lengths just to use it for power nap.
 
I don't think it's overkill at all! i have a MacBook Pro 2011, that i've used on a daily basis and served me very well through my 4 years at university, i also have a 2012 27" iMac that i also use, in my opinion the Mac is the best personal computer on the market and has been for many years.
I also own a 12.9" iPad Pro that i use for watching content (Netflix, iTunes TV shows that i've brought, Youtube and so on) i also use it for drawing along with the Apple Pencil (which is a great little device) and mobile apps like Adobe lightroom and so on. It all depends on your usage, if you are happy and you have a usage for each device then it's fine, it's only if the devices are sat around doing nothing that they become a waste.

Personally i like the fact that Apple keep the iPad and the Mac separate, you have two different devices to do things differently. It's a lot better than introducing a touchscreen to the Mac or adding a full OSX to the iPad, or even creating a hybrid device.

So really you probably could say that my setup is "overkill" as well, i wouldn't worry about it if you are happy then that's great :)
 
I had the same issue, I ultimately decided to sell my 12.9 iPad Pro while it's still the newest, and wait out for the possible 10.5/10.9 inch iPad Pro 2, if not the newer 9.7 inch.

While I love the 12.9" iPad Pro . It is a. It unwieldy for most tablet uses, and it was an 80% machine for me for my productive uses. I prefer my MacBook Pro 13" for that.

This is what I'm considering right now too - especially since the 9.7 is on sale at target.

The only thing is I use my 12.9 quite a bit for note taking...but something smaller and more portable would be nice sometimes..
 
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