iPad Pro, 64GB - Laptop Replacement

[James.K.Polk]

With iOS apps tending towards smaller sizes, and me doing no video or photo editing, whatsoever - the extent of my 'technical use,' beyond document drafting, is looking into CAD files for clients - could I get away with a 64 GB iPad Pro as the main computer?

I know there are endless threads on the replacement, but none seem to focus on storage size - I'm wondering if anyone has an adept comparison on Mac vs. iOS apps in that regard. For reference, I've used ~40 GB on my Macbook Pro 15" - including the system.

 

[AFEPPL]

64GB for a main computer would be a real challenge in my view, 128 maybe, if apple deemed it worthy to offer.
Remember you have cloud services too if things get tight. 50GB is cheap.

Personally I could not use either of the 2 IPPs as a main device, iOS is just not close yet.
Consumption will depend on apps. From memory the 12.9 had around 200GB left by the time I'd loaded everything. I didn't look at the 512GB device, but I did realise it was over kill.

 

[James.K.Polk]

64GB for a main computer would be a real challenge in my view, 128 maybe, if apple deemed it worthy to offer.
Remember you have cloud services too if things get tight. 50GB is cheap.

Personally I could not use either of the 2 IPPs as a main device, iOS is just not close yet.
Consumption will depend on apps. From memory the 12.9 had around 200GB left by the time I'd loaded everything. I didn't look at the 512GB device, but I did realise it was over kill.

Thanks for the response. I have a 15" Macbook Pro, and I'm so enamored with the iPad that I feel like I could get rid of it (I actually tried to before, but the deal fell through). I suppose maybe I should give it a few months, likely my Macbook won't have lost tons of value, and I can evaluate then.

I got the LTE model so cloud storage shouldn't, by and large, present a huge problem. Honestly a reason I would prefer not to switch is because I already applied a screen protector on this one, but I know I shouldn't make the choice based on a $20 piece of glass...

 

[blaine07]

Personally 64gb wouldn't be viable as a phone replacement for me much less laptop.

 

[Chevyguy2021]

With my iPhone 6 I bought the basic 16gb model. I thought I could save $100. I had like 20 apps and photos over time and iMessage added up. I said never again after weekly having to delete stuff. I will always buy the middle size now going forward

 

[ectospheno]

Games and video downloads are what kills your space. If you are light on both of those and use iCloud heavily then 64 GB is enough for a lot of people. If you are allergic to iCloud then the additional space may be worth it.

 

[AFEPPL]

I'm not sure how accurate "64 GB is enough for a lot of people" is
Look at your workflows and base it on what you do now. Remembering one thing, if you are in doubt go for the next one up as you can't upgrade.

 

[blaine07]

I'm not sure how accurate "64 GB is enough for a lot of people"
Look at your workflows and base it on what you do now. Remembering one thing, if you are in doubt go for the next one up as you can't upgrade.

I made this mistake buying my first rMBP. It cost me a lot of money lol

 

[ectospheno]

Partial quoting has plagued our feeble earth for far too long...

 

[Darkashnet]

256gb+ is a must for iPad Pro. iPad Pro is such a well specced and future proof machine, don't hinder it by getting the 64gb model.

 

[44267547]

256gb+ is a must for iPad Pro. iPad Pro is such a well specced and future proof machine, don't hinder it by getting the 64gb model.

And 64 GB tends not to be that much once you factor in software updates, media, photo's/video'/s and other additional applications. I tend to vouch for the higher storage amounts. Better to have more storage than less.

 

[Dunbar]

And 64 GB tends not to be that much once you factor in software updates, media, photo's/video'/s and other additional applications.

It works out to around 53-54GB remaining once you load iOS 10. I got the 64GB models on both my 12.9 and 10.5 because I don't plan to store many files locally. I stream all my audio and video and only occasionally download videos to the device which get deleted once I watch them. My nearly 2 year old 64GB iPhone 6S+ still has 28GB left and I have probably 10GB of photos on my phone (I don't take photos with my tablets.) Honestly, you need some sort of device you can use as a reference point to figure out how much storage you need.

I do not think that 32GB is enough (21-22GB usable once iOS is loaded) but now that 64GB is standard I think it's more than adequate for most users.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

The difference between 64GB and 256GB is a paltry $100. That's $100 for 4x the storage. To me the 64GB model is even worth considering unless you are just going to use it to browse the web. But if that is one's use scenario better off just buying last year's iPad Pro 9.7 on the cheap or even a Mini 4.

As a laptop replacement 256GB is the minimum. (Notice Apple doesn't make any laptops these days, even the Air, with 64GB. The lowest storage is 128GB. That should tell you everything you need to know about how useful, or not, 64GB is in a machine that is suppose to replace a laptop for productivity purposes).

 

[sparksd]

I have never ended up regretting buying too much storage but I have regretted buying too little. Too little can be a very costly mistake while the price for excess is much smaller.

 

[mk313]

Personally id get a larger sized iPad, but if you're only using 40 gigs on your
Mac, including the software, os, etc and you aren't storing a bunch of stuff on external drives, the yes, I think the 64 gig iPad would be large enough for
You.

 

[David58117]

You know - you sound like I did.

I don't play games, download videos or keep music on my iPad.

I had the 32GB 12.9 iPP and was fine with it.

I just used it for viewing pdfs and taking notes.

You'll be fine with 64GB

 

[JohnnyGo]

From the majority of responses I think it’s clear that 64GB is sufficient for the OP’s use case but others may benefit from having more storage.

Secondly, more storage (going from 64 to 256) is “only” a $100 add on cost, similar to other add ons (case, backpack, external battery packs,etc). In terms of hedging your bets, it’s not a bad investment.

I’m also in the camp of always going for the LTE model. A $130 investment that is not required as I could just use the hotspot function on my iPhone, but I like the flexibility and the battery savings when traveling.

In summary, 256GB is not required but may be a good investment. Again, always, YMMV and all depends on one’s use case.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Secondly, more storage (going from 64 to 256) is “only” a $100 add on cost, similar to other add ons (case, backpack, external battery packs,etc). In terms of hedging your bets, it’s not a bad investment.

Well, storage is not really "similar" to any of those add-ons you mention. Storage can only be bought when you purchase the device. All of those other items can be purchases when you buy the device or years later. If you don't like a case you bought you can buy a different case. If your storage turns out to be too meager then you have to buy a whole new device or suffer with managing the storage or depend on the cloud and hope dependable WiFi is around (and allows VPNs, of course).

I wouldn't call storage an "investment" it's not going to grow. It will determine how you can use your iPad. As I mentioned above, no Apple laptop comes with anything less than 128GB these days. So if one is going to use their iPad as a laptop then it makes sense to equip it similarly to the extent it can be done. 64GB is fine if it's just a casual use tablet, not a main device. But again, we are talking $100 difference so I'm really not sure why anyone would consider the 64GB model. Seems like money spent unwisely. Yes, its the least expensive, but it's not the best value.

 

[AFEPPL]

While i agree it's not an investment, it's investment protection.
If you change your workflows and need to either micro manage the space or sell the device and get a new

 

[Booch21]

I bought the 128GB iPad Pro when it came out. I generally get a newer iPad every other model. I'm pleased with using an iPad as a "remote" device, but I'm not sure I'd call it a laptop replacement. It does what I need it to do, but still find that some things do require I go use the iMac. Overall, 95% of what I would use a laptop for, the iPad has it covered.

 

[roccobladr]

Photos are the main storage killers on my IPP, as well as GarageBand files. You could use the 50GB iCloud option for 1$ per month if either of those things are an issue. If you haven't used that much on your MacBook then I think 64GB is probably fine.

 

[labyrinth153]

I have a 10.5 inch iPad with 64gb I am using as my main computer. I think iOS 11 and files app solves any storage problems I'll ever have. I rarely store anything "on the iPad" unless it is temporary.

 

[richpjr]

I have never ended up regretting buying too much storage but I have regretted buying too little. Too little can be a very costly mistake while the price for excess is much smaller.

I made this expensive mistake once and regretted it a lot. I always make sure I buy something with room for expansion, even if it seems a bit overkill.

 

[sacha_g88]

I got the 64gb to start as my main computer, but exchanged it for the 256gb. I do have a number of movies and comics on it which is what takes up most of the space. So if you don't plan on having large files like that stored locally then I'd think you could get by with 64gb.

 

[Ixidor]

I've used an iPad Pro together with a Macbook for more than a year now. Never filled past 64 GB, so when I upgraded from the 9.7 to 10.5, I went for the 64 GB (the higher storage options were not in stock with my carrier but the 64 GB hasn't been a problem). I do use iCloud/Onedrive a lot and since I have really good wifi speeds at my workplace, I don't have to store most documents locally.

If I don't have frequent access to wifi, and stopped using the Macbook, then I'd have to go for the higher storage options. I also have a Sandisk lightning/USB stick that I've used to transfer files to and from computers so while not ideal, that would work too.