Should I Stick with iPad or MacBook?

[jeremiah256]

Well that "toy" perception would actually die when 'people like you' actually chime in stating what you use it for.

I'm VERY curious, honestly because Unless these MBP's just announced allow for 4 TB3 ports in the 13" and or Quad Core CPU's in the 13" the 15" is super expensive. I'm really eyeing the iPad Pro ... but I need to create music starting next month ... a love of mine for decades yet the equipment always escaped the capability of my pockets. This year big changes will kill all the roadblocks.

I'm ideally looking for something as modular and powerful as Logic and not undermined like GarageBand (Guitar Tutor seems to be gone).

Differing types of professionals have differing needs and requirements, and individually have to decide whether an iPad Pro can be used as their main device, but perhaps, not their only device. You seem to need a device as a technical professional. You may find the iPad Pro limiting if you only want to use one device.

A business/admin professional (like myself) may need a device that allows you to review and annotate PDFs and Office documents, take notes, connect to SharePoint, and use Outlook for email, taskers and the calendar. In this use case, the iPad Pro works great as the main device, with the office laptop offering advantages such as multiple screens and software not available to the iPad.

In the old days, my desktop was my main device, where I did my work. My Blackberry clone was my secondary device, where I mainly concentrated on communicating. And my laptop was only broken out for travel. Now, the way I work my laptop, iPad, and smartphone are so intertwined, I reach for the one that has the best GUI for the work I'm about to perform.

That said, with the cloud and web apps, by 2020, I expect to not use a laptop.

 

[Ghost31]

Well that "toy" perception would actually die when 'people like you' actually chime in stating what you use it for.

I'm VERY curious, honestly because Unless these MBP's just announced allow for 4 TB3 ports in the 13" and or Quad Core CPU's in the 13" the 15" is super expensive. I'm really eyeing the iPad Pro ... but I need to create music starting next month ... a love of mine for decades yet the equipment always escaped the capability of my pockets. This year big changes will kill all the roadblocks.

I'm ideally looking for something as modular and powerful as Logic and not undermined like GarageBand (Guitar Tutor seems to be gone).

I'm not familiar with music production apps because I just don't need them. I'd suggest asking this very question in the apple Reddit.

But for me, I edit videos, spread sheets, write and mark up documents, do research and study. That doesn't feel very toy like to me when this very device has made me a smarter more capable and productive person

 

[DeepIn2U]

Thanks guys for the replies, much appreciated.

I work in I.T. And I also perform admin work:
Altiris - PC imaging, tickets
Word, Excel document creation and editing (keeping MS Fonts and Formatting is key)
Browsing - access card terminal management, servers (RDP but head office uses Citrix), remote PC control both inside firewall and remote (outside - will be challenging), troubleshooting etc
mobile device support (PIM, networks etc - thank GOD no more BB10!)
SharePoint access (I'll have to look around for native iOS tools that can parse check-in/out documents and edit within MS iOS apps, save and update. Versioning support would be great.

Personally Spanish learning, iTunes U for Swift just begun (iPhone only currently), flash cards browsing pictures music playback all the time, looking up cooking recipes reading (this alone is why I'll not leave iOS) music creation.

Everything is doable even ADUC mgmt is possible natively but against policies. Audio production is decent but limited as I'll get more advanced later in the year. I'll check appropriate threads.

@jeremiah I'm in agreement either a desktop at home always on as a private server or Citrix into Apple or Amazon hosted environment as a service for more intensive desktop like needs. It's here already. The key is how to have a full iPad screen switch to another "space" like having a different screen yet still include and use content between the two not app restricted. Or will we need Apple TV to an LCD to do this?!

 

[jeremiah256]

Thanks guys for the replies, much appreciated.

I work in I.T. And I also perform admin work:
Altiris - PC imaging, tickets
Word, Excel document creation and editing (keeping MS Fonts and Formatting is key)
Browsing - access card terminal management, servers (RDP but head office uses Citrix), remote PC control both inside firewall and remote (outside - will be challenging), troubleshooting etc
mobile device support (PIM, networks etc - thank GOD no more BB10!)
SharePoint access (I'll have to look around for native iOS tools that can parse check-in/out documents and edit within MS iOS apps, save and update. Versioning support would be great.

Personally Spanish learning, iTunes U for Swift just begun (iPhone only currently), flash cards browsing pictures music playback all the time, looking up cooking recipes reading (this alone is why I'll not leave iOS) music creation.

Everything is doable even ADUC mgmt is possible natively but against policies. Audio production is decent but limited as I'll get more advanced later in the year. I'll check appropriate threads.

@jeremiah I'm in agreement either a desktop at home always on as a private server or Citrix into Apple or Amazon hosted environment as a service for more intensive desktop like needs. It's here already. The key is how to have a full iPad screen switch to another "space" like having a different screen yet still include and use content between the two not app restricted. Or will we need Apple TV to an LCD to do this?!

iCloud is the glue that links everything together. I've been thinking the first step is for an updated 'Back To My Mac' service. And the Mac I want to go back to is an iPad dock sized Mac Mini with a few USB-C ports.

 

[DeepIn2U]

iCloud is the glue that links everything together. I've been thinking the first step is for an updated 'Back To My Mac' service. And the Mac I want to go back to is an iPad dock sized Mac Mini with a few USB-C ports.

Hmmm. With PCIe M2 storage, Quad Core i5/i7 at the top end, 802.11AC, Giabit CAT5e/6, 2x TB3, BT4/5 snd HDMI (just to keep the TB ports free, this maybe what the MacMini in an ATV3 shell becomes ?! MacOS Server implemented daemons at startup? Connect a Drobo Mini??

Hmmm

 

[capathy21]

not really. ever buy a car? i understand apple caters to this practice, but I find it selfish and wasteful. I am considering buying an ipad. I have made a couple of visits to the apple store, and i am considering how
this product might help with my work. When I feel I am ready I will make an informed decision.

I understand your perspective but some people need to actually try the product. There's only so much simulation that can be done at an Apple Store. As much as Apple charges for their products, we as customers should absolutely be able to return or exchange within the given time frame. Apple isn't hurting for profit and the pricing is going to be astronomical anyway, returns/exchanges have very little impact on that. Returned devices are sold as refurbished units where the profit is still more than healthy for Apple.

 

[bensisko]

Well that "toy" perception would actually die when 'people like you' actually chime in stating what you use it for.

I'm VERY curious, honestly because Unless these MBP's just announced allow for 4 TB3 ports in the 13" and or Quad Core CPU's in the 13" the 15" is super expensive. I'm really eyeing the iPad Pro ... but I need to create music starting next month ... a love of mine for decades yet the equipment always escaped the capability of my pockets. This year big changes will kill all the roadblocks.

I'm ideally looking for something as modular and powerful as Logic and not undermined like GarageBand (Guitar Tutor seems to be gone).

Congrats on the Big Changes upcoming! Sounds exciting! =)

 

[3N16MA]

Get rid of iPad and Windows laptop and get a decent MacBook. MacBook (or any mac laptop) + iPhone is a great combo. My whole family used to have iPads, but after the novelty wore off, we sold them all except the one that my youngest daughter is using and got ourselves mac laptops. Together with iPhones, you can't beat the portability, functionality, and versatility.

Good advice.

At one point I thought the best setup would be a Mac desktop, iPad, and, iPhone. The iPad bridging the gap between the two in terms of size and portability. Also it probably had something to do with me briefly having that setup.

However that thought was short lived. Mac notebook and an iPhone is a great combo as long as you don't need the power of a Mac Pro or would rather have an iMac rather than maxing out a 15" MBP. Gives you both macOS and iOS without being redundant. Also the notebook can plug in and act as a desktop.

 

[bensisko]

Good advice.

At one point I thought the best setup would be a Mac desktop, iPad, and, iPhone. The iPad bridging the gap between the two in terms of size and portability. Also it probably had something to do with me briefly having that setup.

However that thought was short lived. Mac notebook and an iPhone is a great combo as long as you don't need the power of a Mac Pro or would rather have an iMac rather than maxing out a 15" MBP. Gives you both macOS and iOS without being redundant. Also the notebook can plug in and act as a desktop.

Yep.

... as long as you don't mind lugging a boat anchor.

 

[M. Gustave]

Yep.

... as long as you don't mind lugging a boat anchor.

And slogging around in Mac OS. Every time I have to help my in-laws with their MacBook, I'm like god I do not miss using this operating system at all.

 

[iSheep5S]

Mac is just an iPad with a keyboard. I have done all my RAW photo editing on iPad Pro 12.9 since i got it. I have two decent laptops for half the price of bouncy icons. The iPad Pro is my main device. Ex rMBP & MBA 13 owner.

 

[ericwn]

Mac is just an iPad with a keyboard.

Yes, apart from the fact they are different classes of devices they run different operating systems. But apart from their different hardware and software they are identical as you and I.

 

[iSheep5S]

Yes, apart from the fact they are different classes of devices they run different operating systems. But apart from their different hardware and software they are identical as you and I.

We do 98% of the same shizz on both. MacOs and iOS are more similar each year. I experienced iPad before Mac and thought many things are like iOS.

That's all justification talk as most of what i do doesn't require anything more than my phone. Just a big screen is nice.

 

[ka-spot]

forget about macbook & ipad!

just get the new maxed 15" MBPr + LG 5k!
the rest is....

...compromis