iPad Pro for work. (Update)

[spiderman0616]

I will start with my usual disclaimer when I post about iPad Pro: I fully realize that I am a former detractor of this device. When the 12.9" model was launched back in the fall, I was NOT pleased with it as a product. I wrote a few things here about my non-understanding of its existence, and I even started to wonder if Apple was going nuts.

I bought the 9.7" Pro back when it launched and also included the Smart Keyboard Cover and Apple Pencil in my purchase. After a few weeks I realized that while the quad audio and blazing fast processor were nice, the keyboard and pencil were what made this device "Pro" for me. I began using it as my personal laptop/sketch pad/notebook and ditched my 13" rMBP. This sounds crazy to some people, but it has worked out beautifully for me.

But even then, I didn't realize how amazing this device would be for my actual job too. We are allowed to use our Office 365 logins on up to five personal devices, and when I added that suite of apps to my iPad Pro, I figured out exactly how great this device is for office tasks. Now, I am by no means a power user in Excel or Word--I realize there are shortcomings in those apps that need to be remedied for some users. But for what I do with them, they're wonderful. But the BIG adaptation I have made is using OneNote for all my meetings. I have grown fond of taking handwritten notes in meetings on my iPad instead of on a legal pad or spiral notebook. (In fact, I even make the paper yellow in OneNote so it looks like a legal pad.)

I've also started to use the iPad Pro as a sort of desk phone. Our work phone lines come through Skype for Business, so I can take those calls on my iPad, triage email while I'm doing other things on my work computer, answer texts and personal calls, deal with personal emails, etc. Basically all my communication needs are handled by the iPad Pro if I'm not in a meeting with it.

And after doing all that with it all day long, it's also nice to fold it up and take it with me so I can relax with a book or Netflix or whatever.

A lot of people say, "Yeah, well I can do all that on my iPhone too." And they're right. But the more I use this iPad Pro, the more I think that the ONLY advantage it doesn't have over my iPhone is that I can't put it in my pocket. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone too. But I think I love my iPad Pro even more. Maybe up to twice as much. Maybe even more than that. This thing is everything I've ever wanted in an iPad and is getting very close to everything I ever wanted in a laptop as well.

 

[TheRealAlex]

I will start with my usual disclaimer when I post about iPad Pro: I fully realize that I am a former detractor of this device. When the 12.9" model was launched back in the fall, I was NOT pleased with it as a product. I wrote a few things here about my non-understanding of its existence, and I even started to wonder if Apple was going nuts.

I bought the 9.7" Pro back when it launched and also included the Smart Keyboard Cover and Apple Pencil in my purchase. After a few weeks I realized that while the quad audio and blazing fast processor were nice, the keyboard and pencil were what made this device "Pro" for me. I began using it as my personal laptop/sketch pad/notebook and ditched my 13" rMBP. This sounds crazy to some people, but it has worked out beautifully for me.

But even then, I didn't realize how amazing this device would be for my actual job too. We are allowed to use our Office 365 logins on up to five personal devices, and when I added that suite of apps to my iPad Pro, I figured out exactly how great this device is for office tasks. Now, I am by no means a power user in Excel or Word--I realize there are shortcomings in those apps that need to be remedied for some users. But for what I do with them, they're wonderful. But the BIG adaptation I have made is using OneNote for all my meetings. I have grown fond of taking handwritten notes in meetings on my iPad instead of on a legal pad or spiral notebook. (In fact, I even make the paper yellow in OneNote so it looks like a legal pad.)

I've also started to use the iPad Pro as a sort of desk phone. Our work phone lines come through Skype for Business, so I can take those calls on my iPad, triage email while I'm doing other things on my work computer, answer texts and personal calls, deal with personal emails, etc. Basically all my communication needs are handled by the iPad Pro if I'm not in a meeting with it.

And after doing all that with it all day long, it's also nice to fold it up and take it with me so I can relax with a book or Netflix or whatever.

A lot of people say, "Yeah, well I can do all that on my iPhone too." And they're right. But the more I use this iPad Pro, the more I think that the ONLY advantage it doesn't have over my iPhone is that I can't put it in my pocket. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone too. But I think I love my iPad Pro even more. Maybe up to twice as much. Maybe even more than that. This thing is everything I've ever wanted in an iPad and is getting very close to everything I ever wanted in a laptop as well.

Same here on mostly all accounts. Why carry around a Laptop with Limited battery life when a 9.7 Pro can get the job done and have 10 hours.

My. Guess is Apple is targeting Enterpise buyers why buy 50 Laptops for company executives when you can buy 25 Laptops and or 25 iPad Pros 9.7 which most executives will pick anyways.

 

[spiderman0616]

Same here on mostly all accounts. Why carry around a Laptop with Limited battery life when a 9.7 Pro can get the job done and have 10 hours.

My. Guess is Apple is targeting Enterpise buyers why buy 50 Laptops for company executives when you can buy 25 Laptops and or 25 iPad Pros 9.7 which most executives will pick anyways.

For sure. I am what you would probably call a power user at this point. I'm even recording, editing, and publishing a podcast from the Pro. At this point, there is only one piece of software I use that is keeping me from being able to do 100% of everything on the iPad, and that is a piece of proprietary conference call software that my company uses--it's still Flash based.

Even after about 5 years of owning iPads, I'm still blown away that I can use it for all these "productivity tasks" during the day, and then have it act as my book, magazine, TV, newspaper, etc. when I'm in relax mode at night and on weekends. It's gotten to the point where I barely touch my iPhone when I'm at home or when I'm out and about with my iPad Pro. I even added a non-keyboard Smart Cover to my arsenal so I can remove some weight if I know I won't need to be typing for awhile.

 

[sracer]

I will start with my usual disclaimer when I post about iPad Pro: I fully realize that I am a former detractor of this device. When the 12.9" model was launched back in the fall, I was NOT pleased with it as a product. I wrote a few things here about my non-understanding of its existence, and I even started to wonder if Apple was going nuts.

I bought the 9.7" Pro back when it launched and also included the Smart Keyboard Cover and Apple Pencil in my purchase. After a few weeks I realized that while the quad audio and blazing fast processor were nice, the keyboard and pencil were what made this device "Pro" for me. I began using it as my personal laptop/sketch pad/notebook and ditched my 13" rMBP. This sounds crazy to some people, but it has worked out beautifully for me.

Welcome aboard.

If the 9.7 Pro was able to do that for you, the 12.9 would've done even more. Especially with the different way that split-window works with the 12.9 Pro vs the 9.7 Pro (and Air 2).

I encourage you to continue to "think differently" about your current workflows with the Pro in mind. If you do that, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what other things it can do that on the surface didn't seem possible or feasible.

 

[spiderman0616]

Welcome aboard.

If the 9.7 Pro was able to do that for you, the 12.9 would've done even more. Especially with the different way that split-window works with the 12.9 Pro vs the 9.7 Pro (and Air 2).

I encourage you to continue to "think differently" about your current workflows with the Pro in mind. If you do that, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what other things it can do that on the surface didn't seem possible or feasible.

I really thought hard for a long time about the 12.9" and for now, I just don't want an iPad that big. It's a great machine though. I might consider it for the next upgrade since using this one as a laptop has been such a success.

 

[Night Spring]

I really thought hard for a long time about the 12.9" and for now, I just don't want an iPad that big. It's a great machine though. I might consider it for the next upgrade since using this one as a laptop has been such a success.

For me, the extra screen space provided by the 12.9 has made a huge difference in productivity. I spent maybe the first week with the 12.9 thinking "this is so big!" Now when I pick,up a 9.7 size iPad, I think "this is so tiny!"

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I will start with my usual disclaimer when I post about iPad Pro: I fully realize that I am a former detractor of this device. When the 12.9" model was launched back in the fall, I was NOT pleased with it as a product. I wrote a few things here about my non-understanding of its existence, and I even started to wonder if Apple was going nuts.

I bought the 9.7" Pro back when it launched and also included the Smart Keyboard Cover and Apple Pencil in my purchase. After a few weeks I realized that while the quad audio and blazing fast processor were nice, the keyboard and pencil were what made this device "Pro" for me. I began using it as my personal laptop/sketch pad/notebook and ditched my 13" rMBP. This sounds crazy to some people, but it has worked out beautifully for me.

But even then, I didn't realize how amazing this device would be for my actual job too. We are allowed to use our Office 365 logins on up to five personal devices, and when I added that suite of apps to my iPad Pro, I figured out exactly how great this device is for office tasks. Now, I am by no means a power user in Excel or Word--I realize there are shortcomings in those apps that need to be remedied for some users. But for what I do with them, they're wonderful. But the BIG adaptation I have made is using OneNote for all my meetings. I have grown fond of taking handwritten notes in meetings on my iPad instead of on a legal pad or spiral notebook. (In fact, I even make the paper yellow in OneNote so it looks like a legal pad.)

I've also started to use the iPad Pro as a sort of desk phone. Our work phone lines come through Skype for Business, so I can take those calls on my iPad, triage email while I'm doing other things on my work computer, answer texts and personal calls, deal with personal emails, etc. Basically all my communication needs are handled by the iPad Pro if I'm not in a meeting with it.

And after doing all that with it all day long, it's also nice to fold it up and take it with me so I can relax with a book or Netflix or whatever.

A lot of people say, "Yeah, well I can do all that on my iPhone too." And they're right. But the more I use this iPad Pro, the more I think that the ONLY advantage it doesn't have over my iPhone is that I can't put it in my pocket. Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone too. But I think I love my iPad Pro even more. Maybe up to twice as much. Maybe even more than that. This thing is everything I've ever wanted in an iPad and is getting very close to everything I ever wanted in a laptop as well.

Amen, you speak for you and I, BEST iPAD EVAH!

 

[eoblaed]

While I don't have the time to write as detailed a post as the OP, I've gotten a tremendous amount of functionality out of my IPP (12.9") that I hadn't anticipated before.

And, as it turns out, new projects that are starting soon in my life will benefit from it greatly.

All in all, very happy with it and the pencil.

 

[spiderman0616]

While I don't have the time to write as detailed a post as the OP, I've gotten a tremendous amount of functionality out of my IPP (12.9") that I hadn't anticipated before.

And, as it turns out, new projects that are starting soon in my life will benefit from it greatly.

All in all, very happy with it and the pencil.

The Pencil...something I originally only bought for my iPad Pro because I had $100 worth of gift cards to spend.

I use it EVERY DAY.

And it's not just for note taking. It has also rekindled my love for creating sketches, drawings, and paintings. I have even been using Pigment when I feel the need to decompress.

At this point I feel it's not truly an iPad Pro without the pencil.

 

[mikzn]

My. Guess is Apple is targeting Enterprise buyers why buy 50 Laptops for company executives when you can buy 25 Laptops and or 25 iPad Pros 9.7 which most executives will pick anyways.

I think most "company executives" would like to have both = 50 macbooks and 50 iPads - even better for Apple

I don't see many comments about using the iPad as a second screen - that would be huge for travel. Anyone with a 12.9 using the Duet Display App? I am guessing the larger display has more lag issues? But a very cool option!

 

[spiderman0616]

I think most "company executives" would like to have both = 50 macbooks and 50 iPads - even better for Apple

I don't see many comments about using the iPad as a second screen - that would be huge for travel. Anyone with a 12.9 using the Duet Display App? I am guessing the larger display has more lag issues? But a very cool option!

I'm not familiar with Duet Display, but I do have some different things I do as far as broadcasting the iPad display to other displays. On our TVs I just use AirPlay, but I also have a dedicated 3rd monitor on my desk that I hook up to the iPad via the VGA adapter--it comes in handy in certain situations.

I am kind of a sucker--I have all the Lightning-to-whatever adapters available because I always want to have them handy if I ever need them.

 

[mikzn]

I am kind of a sucker--I have all the Lightning-to-whatever adapters available because I always want to have them handy if I ever need them.

LOL - I have a bag full of those too - cables that I bought and used once! Like a "not very useful" iPad 2 (30 pin) to HDMI cable - don't think I ever used it, although the lightning to HDMI is a little more useful.

 

[spiderman0616]

LOL - I have a bag full of those too - cables that I bought and used once! Like a "not very useful" iPad 2 (30 pin) to HDMI cable - don't think I ever used it, although the lightning to HDMI is a little more useful.

I have an entire set of 30 pin adapters from my iPad 2/3 days as well. I never bought any new ones when I got the Air 1, but for the Pro I have gone off the rails. I want the full setup.

 

[TrueBlou]

For me, the extra screen space provided by the 12.9 has made a huge difference in productivity. I spent maybe the first week with the 12.9 thinking "this is so big!" Now when I pick,up a 9.7 size iPad, I think "this is so tiny!"

I'm pretty much the same. I was never productive on an iPad (and I've had them all bar the 9.7" Pro) but since investing in the 12.9" and Apple Pencil I've gotten a ton of work done on it, I'll never go back to a small iPad for as long as I can help it. Even my wife who hates anything bigger than an iPad Mini keeps pinching my Pro to draw on.

 

[Richdmoore]

I don't see many comments about using the iPad as a second screen - that would be huge for travel. Anyone with a 12.9 using the Duet Display App? I am guessing the larger display has more lag issues? But a very cool option!

When I tried to use the duet app on my iMac, it disabled the ability to use AirPlay on the iMac to use an Apple TV as a monitor. I had to uninstall DUET on the Mac to restore AirPlay screen sharing.

As far as I know, they have not figured out a fix or work around. I would love to use the app again if they correct the problem.

 

[Retops]

I was using my IPad Pro 9.7 to review, edit and comment on a 400 page manuscript. At one point I decided to open the document in Word so that I could do a major comment. After highlighting a bunch of text and typing in some comments, the IPad slipped from my hand and I grabbed it before it fell on the floor. In making that grab and the concurrent fumbling, I managed to delete a big chunk of the manuscript. The sensitivity of the touch screen requires a steady hand. I had to wait until I was back on land to reload the original document and fix everything.

Still love this device for my work, but I will be very careful using it on a bumpy aircraft from here on out. The convenience of the touch screen is also a potential problem.

 

[Night Spring]

I was using my IPad Pro 9.7 to review, edit and comment on a 400 page manuscript. At one point I decided to open the document in Word so that I could do a major comment. After highlighting a bunch of text and typing in some comments, the IPad slipped from my hand and I grabbed it before it fell on the floor. In making that grab and the concurrent fumbling, I managed to delete a big chunk of the manuscript. The sensitivity of the touch screen requires a steady hand. I had to wait until I was back on land to reload the original document and fix everything.

Still love this device for my work, but I will be very careful using it on a bumpy aircraft from here on out. The convenience of the touch screen is also a potential problem.

Could you not have just hit "undo"?

 

[nightlong]

I've been using iPads for work for a long time now . Love the combination of iPad Pro 12.9, wifi only and mostly used at home, and cellular Air2, with keys to go keyboard when on the move.

And now there is Scrivener for IOS, I probably won't replace my MBPr when it dies.

 

[spiderman0616]

Could you not have just hit "undo"?

I was wondering the same thing. Also--dropping the iPad and screwing something up is really no different from dropping your laptop and hitting the keys against something and screwing something up. In both situations, the only real solution is to quit dropping your stuff. Hardly something you can blame specifically on the iPad.

 

[Defender2010]

Returned my iPad Pro 9.7 today for a 12.9 one. :didn't feel he 9.7 was a big upgrade from my Air 2. New one is great. Love the larger size. True tone is not a deal breaker at all.

 

[mikzn]

When I tried to use the duet app on my iMac, it disabled the ability to use AirPlay on the iMac to use an Apple TV as a monitor. I had to uninstall DUET on the Mac to restore AirPlay screen sharing.
As far as I know, they have not figured out a fix or work around. I would love to use the app again if they correct the problem.

Thanks - good to know - that pretty much agrees with comments on the app store - great idea if they can get it working.

I am going to wait for the news in September on the 12.9 - have iPad air that works fine - but am itching to have a larger screen and the dual screen use would be very cool - hopefully Duet Display gets the bugs worked out soon!

 

[rahulda1]

Hey,

Creator of duet here. Just wanted to say - the Airplay bug is actually not us, but OS X. It is an issue with a small percentage of Macs that are affected by any USB display (i.e. DisplayLink). Not trying to pass the blame here, but talked to a couple Airplay guys at WWDC and they are hoping to fix it soon. The best way to move that along is to file a radar with Apple and upload any information they need.

 

[stlredbird]

I think most "company executives" would like to have both = 50 macbooks and 50 iPads - even better for Apple

I don't see many comments about using the iPad as a second screen - that would be huge for travel. Anyone with a 12.9 using the Duet Display App? I am guessing the larger display has more lag issues? But a very cool option!

I use Duet with my macbook pro when i travel. I havent had any lag issues thus far on my 12.9.

 

[mikzn]

Hey, Creator of duet here. Just wanted to say - the Airplay bug is actually not us, but OS X. It is an issue with a small percentage of Macs that are affected by any USB display (i.e. DisplayLink). Not trying to pass the blame here, but talked to a couple Airplay guys at WWDC and they are hoping to fix it soon. The best way to move that along is to file a radar with Apple and upload any information they need.

Downloaded Duet from the web site (version 1-5-8-4) to try with iPad air on iOS 10 and can't get it to install on Sierra. So seems to be more than just a USB issue.

 

[rahulda1]

Hey, that is a different issue - Sierra is not allowing many 3rd party drivers to load at all until the OS is more stable (which is why our installer is looping, we can't detect it has installed correctly). Apple did the same thing for 10.10.2 (which was coincidentally around our launch). There is a way to load them I believe, but it is not recommended.