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What are the differences between people needing and using an iPad Pro ONLY vs people needing and using a Macbook Pro ONLY?
- Thread starter KensaiMage
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I can't imagine just using an iPad Pro only. I am an engineer and there is engineering software that is only available for the MacBook Pro. That is why I am an 'only MacBook Pro' person.
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Software developer here. - My iPad is nice, but Mac is a necessity. And I don't care if iPads get Xcode, Terminal, IntelliJ and all the tools I use. macOS still is a necessity
ipad pro multi tasking is really not a true multi-tasking.
End of story.
Believe me, I’m a serious ipad user, but no they are different machines.
End of story.
Believe me, I’m a serious ipad user, but no they are different machines.
Exactly. The biggest hurdle for me going iPad only is the lack of multi-window support in the multi-tasking. It just isn't the same as a Mac.
I really like a physical keyboard. Yes, you can get one with an iPad but then you generally go between the two. If you prefer a keyboard all the time, just go with a laptop.
Lately I've been leaving one or two MacBook Pros in the living room and use those like I'd use an iPad. I still use my iPad - just a lot less. If you have a bunch of Macs, then they become more portable as you don't have to carry them around.
Lately I've been leaving one or two MacBook Pros in the living room and use those like I'd use an iPad. I still use my iPad - just a lot less. If you have a bunch of Macs, then they become more portable as you don't have to carry them around.
I need a:
- file system with complete access
- a mouse
- a real keyboard.
That's why I have no interest in iOS or iPads...
- file system with complete access
- a mouse
- a real keyboard.
That's why I have no interest in iOS or iPads...
I’m in the both needed camp. While my iPad has taken over for a lot of my needs, there are still times I need my Mac for certain tasks.
I use both. On the go it's always iPad. Writing, scribbles, code testing ideas in playgrounds and media. Love it. Instant access, instant lock.
Home though iPad is only a media device. Everything else is done on a actual computer.
Home though iPad is only a media device. Everything else is done on a actual computer.
My wife: watches random Youtube video, does not need to work on a computer, does not need to care about what goes in a computer as long as it does the job, needs the simplest interface possible, needs something to just kill time with (write notes or doodles). I gave her my old 2018 13" Pro and she still prefers the iPad Pro 12.9" by far.
Me: I'm an engineer. I need my CAD software. I need my programming tools. I need a keyboard (mouse or touch screen is whatever). I need the ability to plug into large monitors and utilize all of the resolution of said monitors. I need to be able to do screen recording at up to 4K and also view said screen recordings at 4K. My hobbies are photography and 3D printing so I need software for both. I need the ability to print, set print layouts precisely, and also control print size, etc... Needless to say, I need a MacBook Pro. I cannot stand an iPad and my iPhone is sufficient for when I need a more "simple" device than the MacBook.
So I see it from both sides of the equation. We have all of these devices at home and they serve different needs.
Me: I'm an engineer. I need my CAD software. I need my programming tools. I need a keyboard (mouse or touch screen is whatever). I need the ability to plug into large monitors and utilize all of the resolution of said monitors. I need to be able to do screen recording at up to 4K and also view said screen recordings at 4K. My hobbies are photography and 3D printing so I need software for both. I need the ability to print, set print layouts precisely, and also control print size, etc... Needless to say, I need a MacBook Pro. I cannot stand an iPad and my iPhone is sufficient for when I need a more "simple" device than the MacBook.
So I see it from both sides of the equation. We have all of these devices at home and they serve different needs.
Daily personal use- MacBook. Multitasking and having many tabs open and a proper file system.
I have an iPad Pro mainly for art where using the touchscreen is a nessecity. I don't have Apple Pencil and use a more affordable stylus with it and it's faster than my MacBook.
I have an iPad Pro mainly for art where using the touchscreen is a nessecity. I don't have Apple Pencil and use a more affordable stylus with it and it's faster than my MacBook.
I use both. The iPad Pro is great device for consumption, light editing, and coding and running programs on cloud systems. But it is not good for creating programs and running them locally, or performing serious audio or video editing.
I *need* both. It's important that I stress this fact, so that I believe it myself 
With the MBP 16", I cannot write down notes. I used to have paper notebooks. You should see how many pages I've written on my iPad Pro. The paper notebooks would've weighed several kilos together. Now I have that integrated in a device that I can also use for on-the-road mails etc. (I have the 4G version).
But with the iPad Pro, I cannot run virtual machines e.g. to run MS Project, which runs only on Windows. The MPB16 integrates that nicely into a luggable that I can take into the office.
With the MBP 16", I cannot write down notes. I used to have paper notebooks. You should see how many pages I've written on my iPad Pro. The paper notebooks would've weighed several kilos together. Now I have that integrated in a device that I can also use for on-the-road mails etc. (I have the 4G version).
But with the iPad Pro, I cannot run virtual machines e.g. to run MS Project, which runs only on Windows. The MPB16 integrates that nicely into a luggable that I can take into the office.
My iPad Pro is great for simple stuff like checking email, web browsing, watching video (Youtube, Netflix, Plex, Apple TV+, etc), Apple News, texting, etc. I find I use it more on the weekends than I use my MacBook Pro, but my MacBook Pro is how I get my work done from Monday through Friday. The iPad just can't multitask as easily or as well as the MacBook Pro, and there are things I need for work which aren't available on iPad OS at all.
Cant speak to the philosophy of using an iPad as a laptop replacement but when you start factoring in the cost it's really not worth it. You're better off just spending that money on proper Mac with a desktop grade OS
iPad Pro: $899
Magic Keyboard: $349
You're already at $1,248 and that's pre tax. The 13 inch. MacBook Pro is usually on sale, making it cheaper and more capable than the iPad.
iPad Pro: $899
Magic Keyboard: $349
You're already at $1,248 and that's pre tax. The 13 inch. MacBook Pro is usually on sale, making it cheaper and more capable than the iPad.
You might be surprised. Using an X280 (Thinkpad) and the added touchscreen ability is very handy at times.
Wish my MB had it,
Yeah - an iPad for this engineer won't cover it.
I've tried.
My typical use case is three monitors on a desk. I'm too far away to use a touchscreen.
Pretty much technical jobs vs. people/management related jobs.
An iPad does people related work just fine - communication, note taking, getting out and meeting people, etc.
An iPad struggles more if application/industry-specific software is involved - e.g., engineering, CAD, system administration, specific financial applications, etc.
A MacBook or any laptop is the reverse - they're better for technical jobs but more cumbersome in the more mobile, people oriented jobs.
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Yeah but square pegs and round holes... if you need things like note-taking, sketching, GPS, decent camera, etc. then the MacBook just won't do it.
Some people look at the iPad limitations only and forget that the Mac also has a lot of things it can't do at all (or at least as well) that the iPad can - like geotagging things, drawing freehand sketches, AR visualisation, etc.
It just depends on whether you do those things. I carry both - for different purposes. The MacBook is NOT more capable than the iPad really. It just has a DIFFERENT capability set.
I mean, take your MacBook outside and try use it for maps for example. No GPS. Totally useless.
Also has no cellular modem for that matter. Sure you can pair it to your phone... but then your phone battery gets raped. The iPad can do that un-tethered. And before you say "I can get a USB cellular modem!" don't forget to include THAT in your cost comparison... and give up your second USB port for it.
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GPS is only for the cellular models. And you theoretically have an iPhone for that too.
see my battery rape comments above. you might also have a dedicated GPS receiver - the point is that people are all too keen to say what the iPad can't do, but forget that there's a heap of stuff the Mac can't do either that they gloss over or ignore.
It depends what your use case is - and that's why (as above) different people can make it work, vs. some that can't.
the iPad isn't intended to be the device for every single person for every job on the planet. And neither is the Mac, which is why they both exist.
I have a Garmin Nuvi and even GPS and maps on my watch.
I also have an old iPad Mini 2 with Cellular which I can use for GPS but it's really slow. I could not justify the additional cost for cellular just to get GPS.
That's why a refurb iPad Pro is a great way to go. A 2018 12.9/64GB is $699, so $1048 is a much more attractive proposition. Yes, one might have to check the refurb store to find the desired model, but they ship overnight on weekdays with express shipping.
For me I can go iPad only. I’m a nurse so I deal with patient sensitive data so could never use my own devices for work purposes. I basically use my iPad/Mac for web browsing, watching videos, emails, online shopping, music, games, online banking, podcasts. All of this I can do on an iPad even though do have a MacBook.
My husband is a chemical analyst and due to the Covid 19 pandemic he’s been doing 60% of his work from home. He needs to run custom software so he needs a computer. He got an iMac. His work couldn’t be done on an iPad.
My husband is a chemical analyst and due to the Covid 19 pandemic he’s been doing 60% of his work from home. He needs to run custom software so he needs a computer. He got an iMac. His work couldn’t be done on an iPad.
I'm in the Mac camp. I had two different iPads and while they were good, they couldn't do stuff a Mac could, like run OpenEmu.