As I have described in detail previously, I use a 12.9 iPad Pro as my primary computer. I have participated in many of the threads arguing what would transform the iPad from primary computer to only computer. The concept of a mac/pc-like filesystem invariably comes up as a core requirement. I am in the middle of an experiment where I am trying to move off my iMac entirely, shut it off, and force myself to see where my remaining pain points are with the iPad. And in doing this, I have refined my opinions about iOS filesystems.
In day-to-day use, I actually don't have a significant problem with how iOS manages files. There are some flows that are more awkward than they could be, but functionally, between iCloud Drive, Open In..., and a smattering of useful apps, I am able to do my work. I also continue to discover 'hidden' features, like the ability to save PDFs from the print dialog, that have helped with this. But I have spent decades using computers and accumulating hundreds of thousands of files that I have dutifully migrated from each system to the next.
In trying to move off the iMac, those files have to go somewhere. So far I have split them into the 5% that I use/need on at least a semi-regular basis; those files I have moved to iCloud Drive. The 95% I have moved to an external 4TB hard drive. If my iMac disappears, I will essentially have no access to those files. There are kludgy solutions today (like network file systems, paying significant fees for cloud storage, etc...), but none are optimal. Until iOS provides a way to mount an external hard drive -- even if in a limited way through some iCloud Drive-like app -- I will not be able to really let go of my desktop system.
The only other thing so far preventing me from selling my iMac are the remaining ties iOS still has to desktop iTunes. Those ties have to be severed for the iPad to be considered any form of traditional computer replacement.
In day-to-day use, I actually don't have a significant problem with how iOS manages files. There are some flows that are more awkward than they could be, but functionally, between iCloud Drive, Open In..., and a smattering of useful apps, I am able to do my work. I also continue to discover 'hidden' features, like the ability to save PDFs from the print dialog, that have helped with this. But I have spent decades using computers and accumulating hundreds of thousands of files that I have dutifully migrated from each system to the next.
In trying to move off the iMac, those files have to go somewhere. So far I have split them into the 5% that I use/need on at least a semi-regular basis; those files I have moved to iCloud Drive. The 95% I have moved to an external 4TB hard drive. If my iMac disappears, I will essentially have no access to those files. There are kludgy solutions today (like network file systems, paying significant fees for cloud storage, etc...), but none are optimal. Until iOS provides a way to mount an external hard drive -- even if in a limited way through some iCloud Drive-like app -- I will not be able to really let go of my desktop system.
The only other thing so far preventing me from selling my iMac are the remaining ties iOS still has to desktop iTunes. Those ties have to be severed for the iPad to be considered any form of traditional computer replacement.
