Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 11 Pro iPhone as only computing device?

L

luqtotheman

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 14, 2012
198
3
Hi all,

with the advancement of the iPhone and phones in general, I was wondering if anyone on this forum strictly uses their iPhone as their only computing device.

I’m sure this doesn’t apply for specific population of programmers, video editors, large data analyst, etc. but might be practical for many others.
 
  • Like
Reactions: arfbsantoso
luqtotheman said:
Hi all,

with the advancement of the iPhone and phones in general, I was wondering if anyone on this forum strictly uses their iPhone as their only computing device.

I’m sure this doesn’t apply for specific population of programmers, video editors, large data analyst, etc. but might be practical for many others.
Click to expand...
I have an iPhone XR and an iPad Air 3.. I don’t own any other devices. I was using just my iPhone 8, prior to the XR, and it worked great. I suppose it depends on the size of the screen that you feel is comfortable.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: macintoshmac
revmacian said:
I suppose it depends on the size of the screen that you feel is comfortable with.
Click to expand...
I would agree with that. Even if I were not part of that 'specific population' that OP mentions, I prefer consuming my media on appropriate devices with screens as large as I can get them.

For games that's computers with large(er) monitors. For video/tv/movies, etc that's a 55" HDTV.

Really not into consuming media on iPhone/iPad size screens. What's the point?
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire, timeconsumer and revmacian
Really depends on what you need to do and how often you need to do it. Use to only have an iPhone and an iPad. I would use the iPhone more just because it pe what was on me. When I bought my house I used my iPhone for virtually all the paperwork that was 99% digital. Had to scan a bunch of documents and email them. WiFi printer/scanner came in handy and could scan right to my phone. Wasn’t the easiest process but it worked. For comparison I just did the same process helping my dad with buying a house and I now have an iMac. Much faster and easier. But the iPhone was still very capable. Only thing I found lately that my needs/families needs couldn’t be fulfilled by the iPhone was my fiancé’s pharmacy tech license couldn’t be renewed on her iPhone. They wanted it done on a computer. I still do a lot on my iPhone, pay all my bills using my iPhone...but for bigger jobs or more complicated jobs I use my iMac just because it’s there and easier. As far as videos go, depending on the situation. You tube videos I don’t mind watching on my phone. If I’m watching some sort of tutorial on how to do something I’ll usually grab the iPad for the bigger screen. Easier to see. iPhone will work for me though. I watch quite a bit of movies/tv on my phone when I’m out and about and have time. Only because of the ease of portability of the phone though. It’s always with me and easier then hauling an iPad around along with the phone. If I know I’m going to be in a situation where I’ll be watching a lot of videos, I’ll bring the iPad with me. General browsing I usually do on my iPhone. Haven’t touched my iPad in weeks, however it’s due to having the new 11 pro max. The newness hasn’t wore off yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kataran, revmacian and luqtotheman
Yes, I did... went from laptop+dumbphone > smartphone+tablet > phablet+BT keyboard.

Personal/pleasure use only and averaging ~7hrs/day SOT.

48671771051_8904a65d91_k.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: rumbletum, PlayUltimate, Kataran and 5 others
jimmy_uk said:
If only you could also use a mouse to avoid "gorilla arm syndrome".
Click to expand...

Haha... straight content consumption is easy, straight content creation (keyboard dump) is also easy. Editing and the rest of the in-between sucks a bit. Still the advantages seem worth it.... for now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jimmy_uk
eyoungren said:
I would agree with that. Even if I were not part of that 'specific population' that OP mentions, I prefer consuming my media on appropriate devices with screens as large as I can get them.

For games that's computers with large(er) monitors. For video/tv/movies, etc that's a 55" HDTV.

Really not into consuming media on iPhone/iPad size screens. What's the point?
Click to expand...

We don’t like hearing each others’ shows and watch in various places. Most of my tv time is on the road anyway. It’s iOS or nothing.
 
Jimmy James said:
We don’t like hearing each others’ shows and watch in various places. Most of my tv time is on the road anyway. It’s iOS or nothing.
Click to expand...
Both my wife and I are loners so usually she's in one room and I am in another. That said, we are both of the Gen-X generation where the TV was on at home to provide company because no one but ourselves were there. It's easy to tune-out, especially when you have it on as background noise.

If she doesn't like what I am watching or I don't like what she is watching, we leave. But we have a lot of overlap.

Just a different situation than yours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire
I have been using my iPhone as my main computing device for a few years now. Although I do have a Macpro, I use my iPhone most of the time for everything.
 
I like this topic--I'd love to be down to one device.

Not there yet, though.

Anyone have a good setup for outputting iPhone video to a monitor? I did this with Apple TV for awhile, and it worked pretty well.

A more robust landscape mode in the Pro Max would definitely help. Apple seemed to go the other way with the XS Max, removing rotating app icons, for example.

Also, split screen / multitasking. So annoying we don't have this on the phone yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: luqtotheman
I like the idea of going to one device but I don’t think that will happen for me. Not soon. I use a download manager. I also manage a lot of offline content and move things around between drives. iOS is simply incapable or inferior. Thankfully, an old laptop suffices.
 
I mostly use my iPhone as my only computing device for work and leisure. If the task is complicated, I will complete it on my Mac, but this happens very rarely.
 
luqtotheman said:
Hi all,

with the advancement of the iPhone and phones in general, I was wondering if anyone on this forum strictly uses their iPhone as their only computing device.

I’m sure this doesn’t apply for specific population of programmers, video editors, large data analyst, etc. but might be practical for many others.
Click to expand...
Majority of people in emerging markets do only have smartphones as their only (and for many, first) computing device. It’s not something that’s too far fetched. Even a small business owner today can run his/her business completely on a smartphone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zoga
No, not happening. The iPhone cannot be the only computing device for me. I need to have access to a laptop for more specifics/desktop sites. Not everything is supported on the mobile platform, there are various tasks/access points that my iPhone cannot replace that my laptop/desktop can.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRoDDz
This has been my dream, but I think it will only be realized once Foldable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X become more robust and start coming with Stylus and IP68 Protection along with larger 4500-5000mAh batteries.

For now my iPhone XS Max 256GB does a great job, but I cannot watch movies and series on it for too long, I prefer to do that on my iPad Air 2 which works more as my Netflix/YouTube machine.

With the above said I have done a lot of document editing, scanning and filling out on my iPhone and it has been a great experience, but not the most optimal.

IowaLynn said:
DeX. Samsung Note 10+ 12/256GB with pen, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, HDMI and USB ports - we’re getting there. But not fully yet.
Click to expand...

Indeed, the Galaxy Note series is the closest to this, especially with the SPen and strong Microsoft support with DeX and the SPen.

I think iOS 13 has brought iPhone closer though, it’s part of the reason I was happy to make the jump.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kataran
I use an iPhone 7/7+ and a 2018 iPad. I have a laptop for work but that's for work so never gets used at home except for work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back