iPad Pro iPad Pro + Pencil + Mac mini + Jump Desktop + Parrallel = Nice setup...for me.

[adamfozzy]

Thought I would post my findings after a year of indecision of trying to find the best device for my needs. I am a Primary Computing Teacher, lecturer and also create a website about Primary Computing. Because my job is to support teachers across multiple platforms, I need access to Windows, Mac and iOS but mainly iOS.
This year my purchases (and returns) have been a MacBook 12 inch (nice but too small for working for long periods), a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (I really like this initially but found the Touch bar unnessary as your eyes don’t naturally look at it), Surface Pro (nice idea but not a laptop as stand kept slipping off my knees and a poor tablet having used iPad for past 6 years) and finally iPad Pro 10.5.
I am very much an iPad fan but on its own it doesn’t do some things I need, such as editing my website and accessing desktop software for my tutorials. So this is now my setup which works for me:
iPad Pro 10.5
Pencil
Mac mini
Parallels
Jump Desktop app
Monitor, mouse, keyboard
HDMI dummy plug.

With this setup I use the Mac mini at my home desk but when I am using iPad elsewhere I can access the Mac mini through jump desktop on my iPad. I can’t speak highly enough of Jump Desktop which even supports 2 Bluetooth mice but the great pencil support means I don’t need one. I also tried the Apple Smart Keyboard but didn’t like it as I don’t like using the iPad in a laptop position. The other key to jump desktop is to have hdmi dummy plug which I plug in when I leave my desk which tricks the Mac mini into thinking a display is connected otherwise the graphics card would switch off, meaning jump desktop would be much slower. Finally, i have just started using parallels on the Mac mini which works great also supports the Apple Pencil really well.

This all means that for the same price as a MacBook Pro with touch bar I have iPad iOS, Mac, Windows (in a desktop and surface pro form). I put “for me” in the title of this post as a both an iPad lover and also someone who needs access to many different OS then this is the best bang for the buck.

 

[adamfozzy]

It’s worth adding to this, one reason why I didn’t like the Smart Keyboard was not because the keyboard was bad, I just don’t like interacting with the iPad in a laptop mode - continually raising my hand to touch the screen. Also, Jump Desktop adds another line of keys with lots of functionality that I find useful. This way also allows me to use the screen as a trackpad in Jump Desktop or the Apple Pencil. It just makes a more versatile device without the keyboard for me. Others would disagree.

 

[sracer]

Welcome aboard the Jump Desktop train. I use it on my 12.9 iPad Pro + Citrix X1 mouse to access my iMac. Interesting that you prefer to use the Pencil rather than a mouse, but hey, it seems to work great for you so rock on!

Using the 12.9 iPP + ASK + Citrix X1 mouse to access my iMac is like having a Macbook-in-a-pinch. And in an instant, pop off the iPad from the Smart Keyboard and pick up the Pencil and start writing/sketching away.

 

[adamfozzy]

Welcome aboard the Jump Desktop train. I use it on my 12.9 iPad Pro + Citrix X1 mouse to access my iMac. Interesting that you prefer to use the Pencil rather than a mouse, but hey, it seems to work great for you so rock on!

Using the 12.9 iPP + ASK + Citrix X1 mouse to access my iMac is like having a Macbook-in-a-pinch. And in an instant, pop off the iPad from the Smart Keyboard and pick up the Pencil and start writing/sketching away.

Yes, I’ve read your posts about Jump Desktop. I’ve used it for about 8 months sporadically but now have taken the full time plunge. I did not find a use for the ASK, as when I’m using the jump desktop it is invariably on the sofa in tablet mode and pencil works better for me. I’ve had a few of the Citrix x1 mice which is a great option but it’s not needed. I sold mine but may get one next year. Have you tried the Swift Point mouse?

 

[mofunk]

Nice set up!

 

[eyeseeyou]

The other key to jump desktop is to have hdmi dummy plug which I plug in when I leave my desk which tricks the Mac mini into thinking a display is connected otherwise the graphics card would switch off, meaning jump desktop would be much slower.

Genius