Replace Macbook Pro with Mac mini and iPad pro?

[5425642]

Hi,
I do have the iPad Pro 12.9" 2020 model and I'm wondering now when the Magic Keyboard with trackpad is released to sell my Macbook Pro and replace it with a Mac mini as workstation and server.

Do you think that's a good plan? Ofc I'll try the iPad Pro out with the magic keyboard etc first but as far as I can tell it will work perfectly.

And if I need to work with my mac Mini when I'm out I can just remote in to it from the iPad Pro.

 

[Stephen.R]

That depends entirely on the nature of your work, including your non-office/home work locations (i.e. is the 'remote in from the iPad' practical given the type of mobile/cell coverage where you are).

 

[5425642]

That depends entirely on the nature of your work, including your non-office/home work locations (i.e. is the 'remote in from the iPad' practical given the type of mobile/cell coverage where you are).

I'm a IT-Infrustructure specialist / SystemAdmin. So basically I work with remote desktops all the time.
And sometimes I'm writing some powershell scripts etc.

 

[recoil80]

If you're able to do most of the work on the iPad, why not?
I'm an iOS developer, so I really need a Mac to work and the iPad is just a test device for my apps, but I couldn't use it to code. Macbook Pro is great for me as I can use it as a desktop replacement all the time but still have a laptop if I need to visit a customer or work away from my desk.
The new keyboard on the iPad is good, I'd miss macOS more than having a real laptop. But if you work all the time with remote desktop the iPad should do just fine

 

[Stephen.R]

I'm a IT-Infrustructure specialist / SystemAdmin. So basically I work with remote desktops all the time.
And sometimes I'm writing some powershell scripts etc.

Ok. I've done Linux server ops from a beach on an iPad mini before (and that was probably 5 or 6 years ago) - but I wouldn't really call it 'ideal', for me. Maybe the iPad Pro + keyboard is enough of a change to make it workable.

Personally I would try it with the iPad - there's no reason the laptop you have no can't do what the Mac mini would do - it just has the benefit of built in battery backup, and a screen. If you find it works ok, then see what the cost/benefit is on swapping the laptop to the mini.

I wouldn't necessarily tie trying the iPad, to getting rid of your 'fallback' option.

 

[profcutter]

Yeah, you haven’t mentioned how old your mbp is. If it’s ready to upgrade, then a mini might be the cheaper way to go. If it’s relatively new, why not just keep it and try out the iPad for on the go work while you leave the MBPro at home?

 

[5425642]

Yeah, you haven’t mentioned how old your mbp is. If it’s ready to upgrade, then a mini might be the cheaper way to go. If it’s relatively new, why not just keep it and try out the iPad for on the go work while you leave the MBPro at home?

I got the mbp15 2018 but only whit 16gb of ram and I need to upgrade to 64gb

 

[profcutter]

If you’re really running out of RAM, then I suppose you don’t really have a choice, your current machine won’t cut it. In that case, keep in mind that the mini doesn’t have a discrete GPU, it also requires an external monitor. Truthfully, I think a 27 inch iMac is a more usable machine, but that’s because in addition to writing I do a great deal of video and photo work. It has a discrete GPU, ram upgrades are simple, and can be quite powerful, much more so than a mini. A mini is much cheaper, but if you’re already running into resource problems an iMac may be a better choice.

 

[PeterJP]

I'm using an iPad Pro in addition to my old MBP. I got it because I have a long commute (2 hours every day by train) and I can get some serious work done with the iPad Pro. It's much easier to carry around than a laptop. I actually liked it so much I really tried doing as much as possible on it, with the eye on getting a mac mini to replace my MBP as well. But I just find it too limiting. Once you start doing a couple of things at the same time (ProxMox management open, a few servers open, trying to access those servers, ...) the iPad becomes cumbersome. It's good enough to do large parts of the office work after that sort of infrastructure heavylifting (documenting, mails, brainstorming with the pen in a note app, maybe some budgets). But it's not a laptop replacement.

 

[5425642]

I'm using an iPad Pro in addition to my old MBP. I got it because I have a long commute (2 hours every day by train) and I can get some serious work done with the iPad Pro. It's much easier to carry around than a laptop. I actually liked it so much I really tried doing as much as possible on it, with the eye on getting a mac mini to replace my MBP as well. But I just find it too limiting. Once you start doing a couple of things at the same time (ProxMox management open, a few servers open, trying to access those servers, ...) the iPad becomes cumbersome. It's good enough to do large parts of the office work after that sort of infrastructure heavylifting (documenting, mails, brainstorming with the pen in a note app, maybe some budgets). But it's not a laptop replacement.

I understand, but have you tried it with the new magic keyboard with the trackpad?
And also, you can use some Remote Desktop app to access in my case mini and work in that machine only then it’s like your working on a computer.

 

[PeterJP]

I understand, but have you tried it with the new magic keyboard with the trackpad?
And also, you can use some Remote Desktop app to access in my case mini and work in that machine only then it’s like your working on a computer.

Well, it may work for you, which is great. For portability, I use the regular folio without keyboard. I do have the regular Magic Keyboard without numeric for when I am at a desk. I've tried the mouse and I'm sure it'll work great with RDP. But I have the 11" and I find the small screen great for lots of on the road tasks, but hard to replace a laptop with. If I was in doubt between a 13" iPad with a keyboard-trackpad cover to use with RDP or a laptop, I would personally pick the latter any day.