Got a tip for us?
Let us know
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?
- Thread starter luqtotheman
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Analog devices only. I’m posting this from an abacus
I have to use my
MacBook Pro for work, an iPhone alone is impossible. I do however do small edits with the iPhone where possible.
You can with iOS 13
[automerge]1570954668[/automerge]
I do own a MacBook, an iMac, and an iPad. I find that I use my iPhone and iPad for pretty much everything. You can now even plug in flash drives into the iPad. This is finally getting there. I really do not need the powers of a Mac to be honest.
I thought this was just an ipadOS feature, I didn't know it was also on iphone.
You can do it on iPhone as well, though it requires the powered lightning to USB adapter, where on iPad if you have a USB-C flats drive you can just plug it directly.
I know people who only have a phone, but then all they need is a phone, access to the internet, banking apps and the like and that is it. So entirely possible. For others, a phone and a tablet are a better option.
Is it entirely possible to not have a laptop or desktop device? Totally, it all comes down to what you actually need the devices for.
Is it entirely possible to not have a laptop or desktop device? Totally, it all comes down to what you actually need the devices for.
So what would it take for the iPhone to really serve as an all-in-one device? What's still missing?
- USB-C port
- Split-Screen multitasking
- Picture-in-picture video (similar to iPad)
- Bluetooth mouse support
- Improved landscape mode: Home screen recognition of landscape mode (icons rotate again)
I’d love to only use use my phone (currently XR) for everything. One major roadblock is ergonomics if I need to sit down and write something for a while. Aiming for an iOS/iPadOS only setup, hoping that my 2017 MacBook is the last Mac I need to buy...
If you have a Bluetooth keyboard
then that works really well for extended sessions of writing.This, apple could easily give us dex like experience, but wont do that
ipad and mac sales would be lower...It does, I tried it with my 8plus, but was neck straining. Then added an external monitor, but lack of mouse support was an issue. Happy to use my iPad for that now.If you have a Bluetooth keyboardthen that works really well for extended sessions of writing.
Yep
I hear you. But if someone wants to go with only one device, it’s possible. Of course there are drawbacks.Wanted to believe that Dex on samsung was the way to go, so I bought the S9+ just to discover that I was extra limited, first the apps ain't working as well as the counterparts on Mac or Windows, second when I wanted to access to our company server the problem escalated quickly.
I did have the lightning to hdmi - usb and it was fine but aint enough yet.
The dock station on samsung is something unique (vents, hdmi, usb, RJ45) and if samsung would have push it further with some heavy marketing perhaps the market would have acted differently but they didn't, Dex was a feature that people hardly knew that existed and now is just a lil gadget that works within your windows environment (instead of the full os that used to be)
Its everybodys dream, specially for those who travel a lot due to work or have to work in different places every day.a
I did have the lightning to hdmi - usb and it was fine but aint enough yet.
The dock station on samsung is something unique (vents, hdmi, usb, RJ45) and if samsung would have push it further with some heavy marketing perhaps the market would have acted differently but they didn't, Dex was a feature that people hardly knew that existed and now is just a lil gadget that works within your windows environment (instead of the full os that used to be)
Its everybodys dream, specially for those who travel a lot due to work or have to work in different places every day.a
iPhone's are strong, but not strong enough to make me give up my computers. As my computers approach a decade of use, more on my x58.. they are still stronger than my phone. A workmate built a Hackintosh with modern hardware, if anything I would lean that way. I wouldn't waste my money on a mac though. I do like iPhone, and iOS, and Apple TVs, but that's about it. Could I make do with just my phone? Maybe. But I wouldn't do it willingly.
I don’t think that I would ever try to use my iPhone for anything else than basic stuff. For serious work I use my two Macs and sometimes my iPad (for less demanding tasks though).
The iPhone is just too small and lacks the software I use. Maybe in 100 years we will have auto expanding devices that transform according to the required use, but I don’t believe that I will see that in my lifetime.
Even using an iPad Pro as a productivity tool is something I don’t unless I have no other option.
The iPhone is just too small and lacks the software I use. Maybe in 100 years we will have auto expanding devices that transform according to the required use, but I don’t believe that I will see that in my lifetime.
Even using an iPad Pro as a productivity tool is something I don’t unless I have no other option.
Yep, I think Samsung has the right idea with Dex. Let me plug my phone into a docking station and use a full size kb/mouse/monitor and it would be all I need.
I wouldn't say my iPhone is my only computing device, but it is my primary. I always go to it first before ever reaching for my iPad or my Mac.
I've always been fascinated by this idea, especially since finding Justin Blanton's blog post on the subject:
justinblanton.net
I've done a lot of experimenting with input devices, external displays, and Remote Desktop solutions to fill in the gaps. Even if the iPhone is not my only computer per se, it can be the only device I interact with directly and keep at hand.
I think the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus were better for this than the X generation, since the home screen rotates and there isn't a notch getting in the way while in landscape mode. Remoting into a desktop is much better without the rounded corners. Also I don't think FaceID works when the phone is on its side.
If you can keep a Mac or PC powered on and connected to a network, then connecting an iPhone to an external display, a bluetooth keyboard, and Citrix mouse can be a very convincing substitute for a local machine, since Jump Desktop can adjust the resolution on an external display independently. It's pretty neat, but I would caution that it is fiddly.
Nowadays, I would posit that the ultimate one-device is the cellular iPad mini, provided you wear pants or coats with large enough pockets to accommodate one. I might consider a Brydge keyboard to attach to it, or maybe one of those bluetooth keyboard and trackpad combinations. This way you'd have real mouse or trackpad support, Pencil support, and iPadOS multitasking. Even better would be if they gave the mini a USB-C port for better connectivity to a display. You wouldn't have native phone functionality, but there are ways around that, and the slightly larger display is useful in a lot of ways.
The iPhone 7 Plus is my only computer
OK, that’s not entirely true — my non-work MacBook Pro is an amazing machine for backing up my pocket computer. Yes, I’m being sardonic, but not entirely. I really don’t use the MBP for much of anything these days, and frankly, I’m not sure I’ll ever
justinblanton.net
I've done a lot of experimenting with input devices, external displays, and Remote Desktop solutions to fill in the gaps. Even if the iPhone is not my only computer per se, it can be the only device I interact with directly and keep at hand.
I think the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus were better for this than the X generation, since the home screen rotates and there isn't a notch getting in the way while in landscape mode. Remoting into a desktop is much better without the rounded corners. Also I don't think FaceID works when the phone is on its side.
If you can keep a Mac or PC powered on and connected to a network, then connecting an iPhone to an external display, a bluetooth keyboard, and Citrix mouse can be a very convincing substitute for a local machine, since Jump Desktop can adjust the resolution on an external display independently. It's pretty neat, but I would caution that it is fiddly.
Nowadays, I would posit that the ultimate one-device is the cellular iPad mini, provided you wear pants or coats with large enough pockets to accommodate one. I might consider a Brydge keyboard to attach to it, or maybe one of those bluetooth keyboard and trackpad combinations. This way you'd have real mouse or trackpad support, Pencil support, and iPadOS multitasking. Even better would be if they gave the mini a USB-C port for better connectivity to a display. You wouldn't have native phone functionality, but there are ways around that, and the slightly larger display is useful in a lot of ways.
The main issue you are likely to run across using only an iPhone is limitations in various websites. I’m not just talking about pinch and zoom sites that haven’t gone mobile responsive. There are sites that hide entire sections and limit the content you can see on a phone. Some services will hide bill payment options that you would otherwise find on a desktop web browser. Some shopping sites will only show higher priced items. It just depends on the site and service.
you can mostly get along fine with an iPhone, especially if you’re living a simple life alone or with one partner. But having a tablet or cheap computer for desktop browsing can be very handy even for the basics.
you can mostly get along fine with an iPhone, especially if you’re living a simple life alone or with one partner. But having a tablet or cheap computer for desktop browsing can be very handy even for the basics.
I have a 12“ MacBook that I use for work (project management, work systems don’t fit well with iOS). Tried to use my iPad for that, wasn’t compatible enough...sadly. So not sure what to use my iPad for...I have noticed that I am always drawn to my phone. May just sell the iPad.
Can’t forget to mention my Apple Watch, great computer to have on your wrist!
Can’t forget to mention my Apple Watch, great computer to have on your wrist!
I’ve had this thought multiple times as well but my iPad is so cheap that selling it at this point would just be a waste for me. I might as well just use it when I can.
I actually am the opposite, I primarily use my iPad Pro for everything. At home I barley touch my iPhone, I answer calls, text, emails, work stuff all on my iPad Pro. In the field for work I mainly using my iPad Pro.
For fun. Worked like a charm.
[automerge]1586802605[/automerge]
I have three of these sitting on my desk right now... insane:
Laptops, Gaming PCs, Desktops, Mobile & Motherboards | ASUS Store USA
Shop laptops, computers, gaming pcs, desktops, mobiles, motherboards, IoT, servers, accessories and more at the Official ASUS Store for all of your needs.
Last edited: