iPad iPad Pro Going Back to MacBook Pro

[vi2867]

I purchased the iPad 11 M5 to replace my MacBook Air 13 M4. I thought with the new updates in iPad OS 26, we can now use the iPad with an extended monitor. I have had a hard time using Apps on the extended screen. The experience is very frustrating. I thought I can work through the challenges, but I just do not like the experience. I am a casual user now, but I want a great experience. I do not want to be fiddling around trying to make an app work on another screen and realize it just does not work. I am pretty sure it is not the iPad hardware that is limited. I think the main cause are the Apps and the current OS. Unfortunately, it is still a problem for me. I’ll continue to use my iPad as a casual device and the MacBook for core things I do.

I am planning to buy the MacBook Pro 14 M5 with Nano texture. I wonder if other people have tried using iPad as main device and eventually have to go back to a MacBook.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I think a quick search of the forums here will find many, many people who tried to use the iPad as their main device only to run into OS limitations and frustrations that eventually pushed them back to a Mac or PC. Apple’s marketing has always been ahead of the actual capabilities of iPadOS. While version 26 has improved the situation, at the end of the day, it is still an OS that was based on the original iPhone OS and comes with an inherent set of limitations and behaviors as a result.

It all depends on what you use your computer for. For those who mainly do web browsing/media watching/social media, iPadOS has been more than fine for several years. There is a middle group for whom it is possible to get their work done on an iPad, but the limitations of iPadOS make doing a task harder than it would have been on a Mac. It comes down to personal preference in that case. Then, there is a third group that relies on specialized software that isn’t available on an iPad or requires more computing resources than an iPad Pro can provide. The iPad is obviously a non-starter as a main computer for that group.

I have accepted some time ago that my iPad will always be a sidekick device to my work laptop and personal Mac. It excels for taking handwritten notes (that I can then search later) and also can get light office tasks (email, messaging, light document review and editing) done really efficiently when connected to a keyboard. For anything more, I want my Mac or work laptop. I can probably do more on my iPad, but it inevitably is more difficult than just using a more full featured computer.

 

[vi2867]

You’re so right.

I was working on a numbers spreadsheet, and I was trying to delete a column. I highlighted the column and pressed delete. It just would not delete. Finally, I did research and found out I had to touch the column header and select delete with my finger. This is great, buy why can’t iPad OS do both.

 

[AlumaMac]

I work from home so I tried to use an 12" iPad Pro to allow me to do some work while not at my desktop computer. After 18 months I finally gave up because of all the limitations and workarounds required to accomplish even basic tasks. I sold it and bought a MBP....haven't missed it.

 

[ScanTheNavian]

The iPad is excellent as a comfortable document reader combined with the functionality of a small and slick laptop you only use for simpler apps and web-based stuff like Chrome. Anything beyond that is like trying to fit a donkey into your KIA.

 

[CSAppleFan]

I have tried this before too and went back to a Mac as my main device. There are always weird limitations like not being able to open a PDF from my mortgage company….why?

It is a great companion device. I use it a lot for work…note taking, answering emails, etc.

 

[Meedoss]

I purchased the iPad 11 M5 to replace my MacBook Air 13 M4. I thought with the new updates in iPad OS 26, we can now use the iPad with an extended monitor. I have had a hard time using Apps on the extended screen. The experience is very frustrating. I thought I can work through the challenges, but I just do not like the experience. I am a casual user now, but I want a great experience. I do not want to be fiddling around trying to make an app work on another screen and realize it just does not work. I am pretty sure it is not the iPad hardware that is limited. I think the main cause are the Apps and the current OS. Unfortunately, it is still a problem for me. I’ll continue to use my iPad as a casual device and the MacBook for core things I do.

I am planning to buy the MacBook Pro 14 M5 with Nano texture. I wonder if other people have tried using iPad as main device and eventually have to go back to a MacBook.

100% I have just been through this, read my post on last few pages here, they don't agree though lol big iPad defenders. Was even abused and they are now suspended, good start to new year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-as-a-laptop-replacement.1937134/page-344

 

[Meedoss]

I am planning to buy the MacBook Pro 14 M5 with Nano texture. I wonder if other people have tried using iPad as main device and eventually have to go back to a MacBook.

I have a ASD been using with a MacBook Air 15" M4, got a new iPad and tried for a week with it but nope.
so got a Mac mini M4 and will sell the MacBook Air.
iPad is a great consumption device around the house etc but not a desktop replacement even with apple's big screen.
Very frustrating.

 

[PlayUltimate]

You’re so right.

I was working on a numbers spreadsheet, and I was trying to delete a column. I highlighted the column and pressed delete. It just would not delete. Finally, I did research and found out I had to touch the column header and select delete with my finger. This is great, buy why can’t iPad OS do both.

IMO, spreadsheets are awful on any mobile device.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Most of the time problems arise when people (generally speaking) try and make the iPad Pro a Mac with the same actions and abilities. In my opinion, that is setting yourself up for a lot of needless frustration. Treat the iPad as an iPad and there will be a lot less trouble.

To a lesser extent, some of the frustration is simply caused by some apps not designed for dual screen / cross platform use.

 

[Nikhil72]

It’s funny. Because my professional workflow is iPad OS first, when I try and use my Mac to get my work done, I run into so many frustration points I quickly retreat back to my iPad Pro. Same experience but in reverse.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I tried it with M1 iPad Pro for a while, but there’s Mac software I can’t replace on iPad. I tried all manner of using or remoting into my Mac mini but finally threw in the towel & got a MacBook.