iPad Pro Is iPad Pro capable of being my one device?

[CaptainAmerica95]

Hi there,

I imagine there are a lot of threads on here with similar needs so apologies if this is repeating information which is already available on these forums.

At the moment, my tech life consists of a Surface Pro 6, iPad Air 2, and iPhone Xs. Suffice to say, I regret getting the Surface Pro — on paper, it perfectly meet my needs, but the thing is... I really hate using the device! The device is not ideal as either a tablet or laptop, delivering an incredibly compromised experience on both fronts. Instead, I use the iPad Air for 95% of my workflow.

My workflow on iPad consists of (a) writing documents, (b) sketching out ideas, (c) calendar, (d) podcasts, (e) managing finances, (f) FaceTime and messaging, (g) creating illustrations using Affinity Designer. The 5% that the iPad Air 2 struggles with are —

• I scan A4 paper drawings at 600dpi before sending them to the iPad to complete the illustrations. Because my old scanner only works with Windows, I currently have to use the Surface Pro for this part of the workflow. However, I recently came across the Doxie Go, which I believe could be a good iPad-only solution. Does anyone have experience of using compatible scanners on an iPad Pro that will scan at 600dpi?

• I like to keep back ups of my files for peace of mind on an external drive. My current workflow is to organise everything in iCloud through the Files app using iPad. From there, I switch to the Surface Pro to attach the USB drive to copy the files over. From my understanding, iOS 13 added the ability to attach a USB-C drive directly to the iPad Pro and use the Files app to copy documents over. Would this be a workable solution, or is the data transfer slow on a tablet device?

• My plan is to launch a website and online store within the next year centred around my illustrations. The platform which has been suggested to me is wordpress.org. Would I be able to create a website/ online store using the iPad? From my very limited understanding of Wordpress and website creation, I would be using pre-designed themes, plug-ins, publishing content, and analytics.

For me, the major advantage I can see of moving to the just released iPad Pro 11” is that it would be my sole device (so no moving back and forth), will last a couple of years given its processors, and has the Apple Pencil for illustration work. In addition, I already have a buyer for the Surface Pro and iPad Air which would cover the costs of purchasing the new iPad Pro.

If you do not think the iPad is yet ready to be a one-device solution, what other set up might you recommend?

All my best!

 

[secretk]

Hi there,

I imagine there are a lot of threads on here with similar needs so apologies if this is repeating information which is already available on these forums.

My plan is to launch a website and online store within the next year centred around my illustrations. The platform which has been suggested to me is wordpress.org. Would I be able to create a website/ online store using the iPad? From my very limited understanding of Wordpress and website creation, I would be using pre-designed themes, plug-ins, publishing content, and analytics.

Hey, I cannot answer the first two question as I have no experience scanning files and still have not tested properly file transfer through USB-C. I think that I have read somewhere that it is slower than what you would get on laptop but I might be wrong.

In terms of Wordpress wanted to say that there is iOS app that maybe you can install and test to see if it would fit your needs. I personally have not tested it as my forte is not the design of the web application but the business logic, the database and overall the architecture of the application so I spend most of my time there when I do codding. That being said IMO just playing around with the app can show you what it is being offered.

 

[rowspaxe]

I personally wooulld keep the surface pro.

 

[Shirasaki]

Personally i would always keep a windows device around just “in case something only supports windows”, which is not something that is “rare” imo. But based on your use, if Affinity has iPad version or there is good alternative, iPad Pro could potentially be your only device.

 

[secretk]

Personally i would always keep a windows device around just “in case something only supports windows”, which is not something that is “rare” imo. But based on your use, if Affinity has iPad version or there is good alternative, iPad Pro could potentially be your only device.

This is good point about needing Windows machine . As far as I know there is Affinity app for iOS. I have not used it as I have no talent but I know that such exists.

 

[AutomaticApple]

based on your use, if Affinity has iPad version or there is good alternative, iPad Pro could potentially be your only device.

As far as I know there is Affinity app for iOS. I have not used it as I have no talent but I know that such exists.

Here is a review of the Affinity app.

 

[rowspaxe]

This is good point about needing Windows machine . As far as I know there is Affinity app for iOS. I have not used it as I have no talent but I know that such exists.

Just making a note about iCloud for windows. It has made my ipad a very integrated into my pc workflows, esp with
ios/pc apps like sketchbook and affinity designer. If you find iCloud is not updating at times, just reset your wifi setting on your pc and it will update immediately.

 

[zhenya]

Can you do it? Probably. Is it ideal? IMO, no. There is still far too many places where the iPad‘s workflow is simply not optimized or simply not possible without a major work-around. It would be very inefficient.

Even assuming that everything would work, I would avoid it for two primary reasons. One, file management is still a pain on iOS. Two, and most importantly, you cannot reliably know that whatever you are working on in the background is not going to be suddenly re-loaded with iOS/iPadOS. This would be a major deal breaker with Wordpress where you will be working in a web browser much of the time.

I would get rid of the Surface Pro and buy a Mac laptop. A newer Mac paired with a newer iPad wipes the floor with a Surface Pro for productivity. Yes, it’s more expensive. Oh well, many people already own multiple device (as do you) and two screens is always going to be better than one. Especially when that one is small.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Since creating illustrations is one of your main things, did you also consider the 12,9" iPad Pro?

 

[one more]

I use iPad Air 2 for most of my “computing” needs and also use Wordpress for my website. From my experience, it is doable on an iPad, but very cumbersome. So much, in fact, that for some Wordpress tasks I just use my MacBook. Making a simple adjustment to your site once it’s up & running is easy on an iPad, but setting it up, testing, tweaking some code, etc. is still much easier on a “proper” computer.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Can you do it? Probably. Is it ideal? IMO, no. There is still far too many places where the iPad‘s workflow is simply not optimized or simply not possible without a major work-around. It would be very inefficient.

Even assuming that everything would work, I would avoid it for two primary reasons. One, file management is still a pain on iOS. Two, and most importantly, you cannot reliably know that whatever you are working on in the background is not going to be suddenly re-loaded with iOS/iPadOS. This would be a major deal breaker with Wordpress where you will be working in a web browser much of the time.

I would get rid of the Surface Pro and buy a Mac laptop. A newer Mac paired with a newer iPad wipes the floor with a Surface Pro for productivity. Yes, it’s more expensive. Oh well, many people already own multiple device (as do you) and two screens is always going to be better than one. Especially when that one is small.

Personally, if it's not absolutely necessary to get a laptop, I would opt for a desktop Mac in conjunction with an iPad.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Personally, if it's not absolutely necessary to get a laptop, I would opt for a desktop Mac in conjunction with an iPad.

That’s what I have. Headless Mac mini coupled with iPad Pro 12.9 2018. I love it, it’s not remotely limiting once you get your head around it, and it feels very much like the future, the iPad being the primary interface. The Mac is only there for a single specific task which I can’t do on the iPad due to lightroom being the limiting factor. If it wasn’t for that I could easily cope with only and iPad. I like the Mac so I wouldn’t want to, but I could.
(I must add have a nas for mass file storage though).

I honestly havent been this excited for the future potential of personal computing since the era of 8/16/32 bit computing in the 80’s and 90’s.
It’s been stale and ‘samey’ for so long - I really don’t know what’s coming or how it will be but it’s going to be refreshing and different.

It’s new territory really, like in the old days.

 

[CaptainAmerica95]

Personally i would always keep a windows device around just “in case something only supports windows”, which is not something that is “rare” imo. But based on your use, if Affinity has iPad version or there is good alternative, iPad Pro could potentially be your only device.

That’s a good point about some software being Windows only. iPad does have Affinity Designer, and its what I’ve been using consistently so I know that the app can meet my needs.

I personally wooulld keep the surface pro.

Is there a specific reason you’d personally keep to the Surface Pro?

Can you do it? Probably. Is it ideal? IMO, no. There is still far too many places where the iPad‘s workflow is simply not optimized or simply not possible without a major work-around. It would be very inefficient.

Even assuming that everything would work, I would avoid it for two primary reasons. One, file management is still a pain on iOS. Two, and most importantly, you cannot reliably know that whatever you are working on in the background is not going to be suddenly re-loaded with iOS/iPadOS. This would be a major deal breaker with Wordpress where you will be working in a web browser much of the time.

I would get rid of the Surface Pro and buy a Mac laptop. A newer Mac paired with a newer iPad wipes the floor with a Surface Pro for productivity. Yes, it’s more expensive. Oh well, many people already own multiple device (as do you) and two screens is always going to be better than one. Especially when that one is small.

That’s true, safari tabs do seem to refresh constantly on my iPad so perhaps not the most ideal and efficient way to get things done around Wordpress if it comes down to that. I had considered getting a MacBook, my only concern is that there would be so much overlap with an iPad. How do you differentiate your use of both devices?

Since creating illustrations is one of your main things, did you also consider the 12,9" iPad Pro?

Back when Apple Stores were open, I had a play around with the 12.9 iPad. I found that the 11 felt better in the hand, and given I’m already working from the iPad Air screen size, would be more than sufficient for my needs.

 

[zhenya]

That’s true, safari tabs do seem to refresh constantly on my iPad so perhaps not the most ideal and efficient way to get things done around Wordpress if it comes down to that. I had considered getting a MacBook, my only concern is that there would be so much overlap with an iPad. How do you differentiate your use of both devices?

The Macbook would be the workhorse where you do most of your actual work. It’s simply far more capable in terms of file management, the programs offered, multi-tasking, ability to work connected a larger monitor, and so on.

The iPad, especially a newer ipad that is Pencil compatible, functions great as an accessory device. Use it next to the Macbook, connected with Sidecar, and you have a second screen which flips out of the way at a moment’s notice like any other app. You can then use the iPad for note taking, sketching, editing, drawing, etc. with the Pencil. The two work wonderfully together - little things like copy/paste from one device working immediately on the other, and so on. My iPad is also my main personal device day in and day out, but every time I try to do even a simple portion of my real workflow on it, it’s frustratingly limited. This is improving, and will continue to now that we have trackpad support, but it’s not there yet.

FWIW, I owned several Surface Pro’s over the years and have found that splitting the functions into a great laptop and a great tablet is worth every penny.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Can you do it? Probably. Is it ideal? IMO, no. There is still far too many places where the iPad‘s workflow is simply not optimized or simply not possible without a major work-around. It would be very inefficient.

Even assuming that everything would work, I would avoid it for two primary reasons. One, file management is still a pain on iOS. Two, and most importantly, you cannot reliably know that whatever you are working on in the background is not going to be suddenly re-loaded with iOS/iPadOS. This would be a major deal breaker with Wordpress where you will be working in a web browser much of the time.

I would get rid of the Surface Pro and buy a Mac laptop. A newer Mac paired with a newer iPad wipes the floor with a Surface Pro for productivity. Yes, it’s more expensive. Oh well, many people already own multiple device (as do you) and two screens is always going to be better than one. Especially when that one is small.

Sorry, but that’s a nonsensical statement. ANY newer laptop paired with a newer iPad will wipe the floor with a single device (be it a Surface Pro or an iPad with the Magic KB) subject to one‘s needs/ workflow.

 

[sananda]

The Mac is only there for a single specific task which I can’t do on the iPad due to lightroom being the limiting factor.

What’s the single specific task?

 

[zhenya]

Sorry, but that’s a nonsensical statement. ANY newer laptop paired with a newer iPad will wipe the floor with a single device (be it a Surface Pro or an iPad with the Magic KB) subject to one‘s needs/ workflow.

No, it really comes down to how the iPad works as an accessory to the Mac. That’s a very different paradigm that Apple is pushing vs. Microsoft who wants you to integrate into one device. An iPad as an accessory to a PC is good. It’s a whole lot better as an accessory to a Mac. Microsoft offers essentially no facility at all to use a Surface as an accessory device to another PC.

 

[NickYanakiev]

I am finding that the Magic Keyboard has turned my new iPad Pro 12.9 (I previously had the 11“) into a standalone 2 in 1 device. I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting this to be the case when I was thinking about buying the MK.

 

[kristalsoldier]

No, it really comes down to how the iPad works as an accessory to the Mac. That’s a very different paradigm that Apple is pushing vs. Microsoft who wants you to integrate into one device. An iPad as an accessory to a PC is good. It’s a whole lot better as an accessory to a Mac. Microsoft offers essentially no facility at all to use a Surface as an accessory device to another PC.

I‘m not sure I am following you here. The point I was trying to make is that you can combine an iPad and a Windows laptop where the former functions as a highly capable accessory. I do it every day. I combine my IPP 10.5 Pro with my Thinkpad (and my Android phone). The ”connective tissue”, in a manner of speaking, is OneDrive and OneNote. You could do the same thing with a Mac (and an iPhone) using apps from within the Apple ecosystem. I don’t see any significant difference between these combinations.

 

[secretk]

I‘m not sure I am following you here. The point I was trying to make is that you can combine an iPad and a Windows laptop where the former functions as a highly capable accessory. I do it every day. I combine my IPP 10.5 Pro with my Thinkpad (and my Android phone). The ”connective tissue”, in a manner of speaking, is OneDrive and OneNote. You could do the same thing with a Mac (and an iPhone) using apps from within the Apple ecosystem. I don’t see any significant difference between these combinations.

The only thing as a difference is I guess sidecar that is rather specific to the mac/iPad combo.

I agree with you that cloud services (no matter which you decide to use) can help you sync between devices of different platforms. Btw I also use OneDrive and OneNote for that purpose.

 

[cupcakes2000]

What’s the single specific task?

Lightroom library management that’s not forced to the cloud. Lightroom classic manages local libraries, lightroom cc does not.

 

[zhenya]

I‘m not sure I am following you here. The point I was trying to make is that you can combine an iPad and a Windows laptop where the former functions as a highly capable accessory. I do it every day. I combine my IPP 10.5 Pro with my Thinkpad (and my Android phone). The ”connective tissue”, in a manner of speaking, is OneDrive and OneNote. You could do the same thing with a Mac (and an iPhone) using apps from within the Apple ecosystem. I don’t see any significant difference between these combinations.

I did the same for years. Yes, that’s also better than a stand-alone Surface. However used as an accessory to a Windows computer, the two devices often feel rather siloed - the integration that is limited to OneNote and Onedrive expands to a wider ecosystem when paired with a Mac instead. The iPad that’s sitting next to my work computer already now becomes a truly functional second monitor on which touch and the Pencil both function. Yet the “second screen” is simply another app on the iPad - I can switch between iPad apps and the Mac screen instantaneously. Copy and paste work seamlessly between the two devices, etc. etc.

IMO this is the direction that Apple is taking with the move to ARM. Eventually apps will become identical between the two devices, further tightening device integration.

 

[kristalsoldier]

I did the same for years. Yes, that’s also better than a stand-alone Surface. However used as an accessory to a Windows computer, the two devices often feel rather siloed - the integration that is limited to OneNote and Onedrive expands to a wider ecosystem when paired with a Mac instead. The iPad that’s sitting next to my work computer already now becomes a truly functional second monitor on which touch and the Pencil both function. Yet the “second screen” is simply another app on the iPad - I can switch between iPad apps and the Mac screen instantaneously. Copy and paste work seamlessly between the two devices, etc. etc.

IMO this is the direction that Apple is taking with the move to ARM. Eventually apps will become identical between the two devices, further tightening device integration.

If you refer to the original post I was referring to - specifically the section I highlighted in bold - you will perhaps appreciate better the point I was trying to make. And, for the record, my Thinkpad has a touch screen and till date I have no idea why I opted to buy that as I have not used it in that ways single time. As for screen mirroring, that’s application (or task) specific. In my case, I do use the iPad as a second screen but one in which I have one or two reference texts with my Thinkpad being the primary Device.

But that said, with the IPad and the Mac being a part of the Apple line up, its a given that the degree of seamless interaction between the two would be much higher than a situation where three different OSs are involved (if you include my phone operating on Android’.

 

[sananda]

Lightroom library management that’s not forced to the cloud. Lightroom classic manages local libraries, lightroom cc does not.

Ah! I’m still using Lightroom 6 and, from time to time, I think about whether I could have less devices (currently a MacBook, Mac mini, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch).

I looked at Lightroom CC and liked the idea of the photos being in the cloud (so I don’t have to worry about backups and having a lot of storage) but it seems there’s no soft proofing or ability to have photos side by side to decide on a sequence). So I don’t think it would work out for me.

Plus like @CaptainAmerica95, I scan. In my case negatives. I suspect I need a Mac or PC to operate my scanner so I think I could just have an iPad (and iPhone).

 

[cupcakes2000]

Ah! I’m still using Lightroom 6 and, from time to time, I think about whether I could have less devices (currently a MacBook, Mac mini, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch).

I looked at Lightroom CC and liked the idea of the photos being in the cloud (so I don’t have to worry about backups and having a lot of storage) but it seems there’s no soft proofing or ability to have photos side by side to decide on a sequence). So I don’t think it would work out for me.

Plus like @CaptainAmerica95, I scan. In my case negatives. I suspect I need a Mac or PC to operate my scanner so I think I could just have an iPad (and iPhone).

I‘m a photographer by trade, and to try to manage 1000’s of RAWS per shoot in Adobes cloud... I’m getting a headache just thinking about it! Lightroom classic works well, and atm I just cull on there (Sidecar with Ipad) then send smart previews to Lightroom CC and edit on iPad. They’re instantly update in Classic ready for export, or I can upload directly from CC to my website. Works well, but that is the limiting factor I was referring to. Means I cant just take my ipad and a separate ssd with an empty lightroom library on a shoot away and just work on that. It’s a bummer. I use adobes cloud for that though.. it’s a rare occurrence professionally anyway.

I dont need print so much, professionally, anymore - in fact I sold my 3880, as much as I loved it. So soft proofing is not critical to my work these days.