Which PRO Apps Are As Good As Their Mac Counterparts?

[sjleworthy]

For me comparing desktop and mobile apps is impossible (or pointless). they are non comparable. the equivalent apps are meant for 2 different platforms and 2 different life styles. Apps for mobile devices are usually stripped down/optimised for mobile use. less baggage. And i'm glad of that personally.

if i want 'the full beans' i'll sit at a desktop. if i want a more 'on the go' approach i'll use my mobile app. My ipad does me nicely for Numbers/Pages/Notability for example. Not too overboard with functions and procedures that'll clog me down. They do everything i could need for an ipad.

I'm a 'pro' illustrator, and wouldnt consider using my ipad pro for 'pro' illustrating. But, i can sketch and doodle ideas for my 'pro' life. it's fantastic in that respect. i can also do all admin for my job too.

it's all horses for courses. all 'pros' are different and have different needs. there is no definitive answer to find. for me, the ipad pro is a beautiful bit of kit, but cannot and will never be up to my professional needs. and im happy with that.

Apps are great on the ipad

 

[Beavix]

iPad Pro is so far ahead of the Mac it is almost embarrassing at this point. Go with the iPad Pro lifestyle it is the best thing you'll ever do in life.

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For me comparing desktop and mobile apps is impossible (or pointless). they are non comparable. the equivalent apps are meant for 2 different platforms and 2 different life styles. Apps for mobile devices are usually stripped down/optimised for mobile use. less baggage.

Exactly.

 

[Mathias Denichi]

Another Mac fan, hung up on the word "Pro".

I'm getting tired of seeing defense of how apple uses pro, and that the use of pro is apple "just joking guys". Could Toyota name their Prius Hybrid, and get away with not saying what it's a hybrid of?

Well soon Apple will be in the car business and able too mislabel their cars simply as selling monikers as well.

The Apple Electric Self Driving Pro with Magic Touch Bar Car, thinner than ever.

 

[sjleworthy]

The Apple Electric Self Driving Pro with Magic Touch Bar Car, thinner than ever.

if it has a coffee holder i'm there!

 

[Beavix]

I'm getting tired of seeing defense of how apple uses pro, and that the use of pro is apple "just joking guys".

By "Pro" Apple only means better hardware specs, that's all.

 

[M. Gustave]

I'm getting tired of seeing defense of how apple uses pro, and that the use of pro is apple "just joking guys".

There are Mac users who don't consider the MacBook Pro to be "pro" enough for them. Hence the "Mac Pro" desktop machines, and thousands of posts complaining about lack of a refresh. So what's your point?

I remember posts here six years ago complaining that Apple was "abandoning pro users", consumers who had "carried the brand". And this was long before anyone considered the iPad anything more than a novelty. These complaints occur with every new keynote.

 

[frank33v]

if it has a coffee holder i'm there!

There's a dongle for that.

 

[sracer]

I'm getting tired of seeing defense of how apple uses pro, and that the use of pro is apple "just joking guys". Could Toyota name their Prius Hybrid, and get away with not saying what it's a hybrid of?

Well soon Apple will be in the car business and able too mislabel their cars simply as selling monikers as well.

The Apple Electric Self Driving Pro with Magic Touch Bar Car, thinner than ever.

You act as if there is a universally accepted definition of "Pro". What is that definition?

 

[Traverse]

In an attempt to rehabilitate this thread:

SIMPLEMIND (Mindmapping)

SimpleMind for OSX and iOS are as functionally identical as I can tell. They're feature-rich and working on mindmaps on iOS is as easy and intuitive as working on them on OSX.

I wanted to thank you for this suggestion. I got MindNote for free on iOS, but the Mac app was just too expensive for my light usage. This seems like a great alternative.

-----

• Like @sracer I've had great luck with Pages for everything from 6-40 page research and graphical reports.

• I've used Apple Notes extensively since iOS 9, works great and is very flexible and lends well to all screen sizes.
• PDF Expert isn't cheap on Mac, but it's a super powerful and intuitive PDF editor/manager on iOS and OS X. I use it daily.
• Reeder hardly qualifies as a "pro" app, but works the same across both platforms.

 

[bensisko]

To the OP:
The iPad, just like the Macbook, is a tool. Odds are, if you're looking for iOS versions of desktop software, the iPad isn't going to be a complete replacement for you. If you're stuck in the "I need FULL Photoshop", then stop. Either continue with your Macbook or get a Surface Pro (it's a good machine - check it out if you NEED full versions of desktop software).

Instead of thinking about the SOFTWARE, think about the tasks that you perform on a computer. Do you edit photos? Adobe makes some very nice photo manipulation apps, such as Photoshop Fix (as do others). Do you draw? Adobe Sketch. Do you composite? Adobe Photoshop Mix. Page Layout? Adobe Comp. No, Adobe didn't make a FULL version of Photoshop, but it did make apps to cater to specific tasks that people use Photoshop for.

There's a myriad of ways to use the iPad, as others have pointed out.
Some can use it in an "iPad Only" mode - for their computing needs they found an iPad suits all of their needs.
Others use it in conjunction with their Mac - where the iPad is suitable for "on-the-go" but they do their "power" work on their Mac at home.

For some people, including myself, having more than one iPad doesn't make either the iPad or the Mac redundent - the right tool for the job is the right tool for the person.

I'm getting tired of seeing defense of how apple uses pro, and that the use of pro is apple "just joking guys". Could Toyota name their Prius Hybrid, and get away with not saying what it's a hybrid of?

Well soon Apple will be in the car business and able too mislabel their cars simply as selling monikers as well.

The Apple Electric Self Driving Pro with Magic Touch Bar Car, thinner than ever.

And I'm getting sick of people getting all bent out of shape because they can't get over a naming convention! Tell me, how does this personally harm you? Did you buy an iPad Pro expecting to be able to run OS X apps? Get over it.

 

[richinaus]

To the OP:
The iPad, just like the Macbook, is a tool. Odds are, if you're looking for iOS versions of desktop software, the iPad isn't going to be a complete replacement for you. If you're stuck in the "I need FULL Photoshop", then stop. Either continue with your Macbook or get a Surface Pro (it's a good machine - check it out if you NEED full versions of desktop software).

Instead of thinking about the SOFTWARE, think about the tasks that you perform on a computer. Do you edit photos? Adobe makes some very nice photo manipulation apps, such as Photoshop Fix (as do others). Do you draw? Adobe Sketch. Do you composite? Adobe Photoshop Mix. Page Layout? Adobe Comp. No, Adobe didn't make a FULL version of Photoshop, but it did make apps to cater to specific tasks that people use Photoshop for.

There's a myriad of ways to use the iPad, as others have pointed out.
Some can use it in an "iPad Only" mode - for their computing needs they found an iPad suits all of their needs.
Others use it in conjunction with their Mac - where the iPad is suitable for "on-the-go" but they do their "power" work on their Mac at home.

For some people, including myself, having more than one iPad doesn't make either the iPad or the Mac redundent - the right tool for the job is the right tool for the person.



And I'm getting sick of people getting all bent out of shape because they can't get over a naming convention! Tell me, how does this personally harm you? Did you buy an iPad Pro expecting to be able to run OS X apps? Get over it.

Spot on - the right tool for the right job. For me a ipad pro does not replace my macs, but compliments them in other ways. I use my ipad 12" for sketching ideas, pinterest and image searching and the odd browsing [like now].
There are many things on my mac which I cant do on the ipadpro but it also works the other way.
I wouldn't want adobe sketch on my mac, but love it on the ipad with pencil input.

The task based mentality is a great way to approach hardware and software, and I always refer to it when I am making a purchase. No compromises, just the right tool [this is for business btw so I dont limit my budget too much].

 

[Seed101]

Two different app's (doing similar stuff) but much prefer the experience of drawing in procreate with a pencil and the touch gestures than Photoshop with a Wacom and menu's/short-cut's...

 

[Badrottie]

Where is Final Cut Pro X Lite app for iOS??? iMovie app is not a Pro version.

 

[bensisko]

Where is Final Cut Pro X Lite app for iOS??? iMovie app is not a Pro version.

Probably in the same non-existent lab that's working on OS X touch, a duel-boot iPad, and a MacBook with every single legacy port and drive.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

By "Pro" Apple only means better hardware specs, that's all.

This. That is all the "pro" moniker has ever meant.

 

[Bubba Satori]

iPad Pro is so far ahead of the Mac it is almost embarrassing at this point. Go with the iPad Pro lifestyle it is the best thing you'll ever do in life.

Hi Tim.
Thanks for the heads up on the future of the Mini, iMac and Mac Pro.
Gotta love the iPad Pro super computer.
Looking forward to more dongles, emojis and watchbands.
You rock.
Thanks for the courage.

 

[tech4all]

iPad Pro is so far ahead of the Mac it is almost embarrassing at this point. Go with the iPad Pro lifestyle it is the best thing you'll ever do in life.

Well compared to the Mac Pro yeah, it is embarrassing.

 

[dumastudetto]

Hi Tim.
Thanks for the heads up on the future of the Mini, iMac and Mac Pro.
Gotta love the iPad Pro super computer.
Looking forward to more dongles, emojis and watchbands.
You rock.
Thanks for the courage.

Lol stop calling me Tim!

iPad Pro truly is the worlds thinnest and lightest super computer. It is literally perfect in terms of form and function. That said, there are still some great options for those who think they may need to use a Mac.

 

[bensisko]

Lol stop calling me Tim!

iPad Pro truly is the worlds thinnest and lightest super computer. It is literally perfect in terms of form and function. That said, there are still some great options for those who think they may need to use a Mac.

Not sure about perfect, but it IS pretty dang nice!

 

[loybond]

You are SO right!

Grabbing my iPad Pro to offload 3 of today's 128GB SD cards, take those RAW pics and edit them in Lightroom, and then take my log videos, grade, edit and deliver the work!

Oh, wait.

People are so stuck in their ways, there is nothing limiting on iPad! It is all about your work flow and your needs.

 

[Ixidor]

This is probably most applicable to students, academics and researchers but I thought I'd chip in.

In order to write research papers on my iPad, I had to make some adjustments to my workflow. I use Endnote as my referencing software but there is no way to automatically compile in-text references and bibliographies automatically on MS Word with it. Basically, you can only add temporary citations from Endnote to your manuscript on the iPad but you have to switch over to a desktop/laptop to update the references. It's not a big deal as the cross-over takes only a minute. But this means that you will still need access to a "proper" computer even it's for a minute.

I also need to do a lot of image editing for my papers. In my use case, I don't need colour accuracy but I do need to be able to accurately edit/crop the dimension of images down to individual pixels. I find this much easier to do on a laptop/desktop, but perhaps I haven't used the right App. For this particular use case, I don't see the point of paying substantially for a pro app because most pro photo/image editing apps would be overkill for what I need to do.

So bottom line, writing the majority of research papers and reports (with extensive referencing via google scholar etc) is possible on the iPad but you'd have to go back to a desktop/laptop 1% of the time. Assuming of course that you have acquired all experimental data elsewhere, where at most universities or companies, is probably tied to a Windows machine so some means of data transfer is required. As is the case for photographers and their SD cards.

I wouldn't also recommend writing a full length thesis on the ipad, seems a little risky just in case something disrupts the workflow.

That said, I very much enjoy writing/typing on the iPad, it's just much more enjoyable. The iPad is much more portable (9.7"), battery life is great and LTE connection means you can do work anywhere.

 

[tech4all]

People are so stuck in their ways, there is nothing limiting on iPad! It is all about your work flow and your needs.

Yup, and for some the iPad and iOS doesn't meet their needs and is limiting to them.

 

[M. Gustave]

You are SO right!

Grabbing my iPad Pro to offload 3 of today's 128GB SD cards, take those RAW pics and edit them in Lightroom, and then take my log videos, grade, edit and deliver the work!

Oh, wait.

I guess this is sarcasm, but all of those things are possible on the iPad. Maybe you're not aware of recent changes to iOS regarding raw files.

Speaking of the iPad and photography, I used to wirelessly tether my Canon 70D via the Canon app. Worked great.
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In order to write research papers on my iPad, I had to make some adjustments to my workflow. I use Endnote as my referencing software but there is no way to automatically compile in-text references and bibliographies automatically on MS Word with it.

I don't know what Endnote is, but maybe you just need a more open format-friendly word processor. Try an iOS markdown editor like Ulysses?

I wouldn't also recommend writing a full length thesis on the ipad, seems a little risky just in case something disrupts the workflow.

Huh? How is it more "risky" than any other computer? Please elaborate.

 

[Ixidor]

@M. Gustave

The reason I use Word is because it's a standardised word processor used in academia and its the easiest way to submit a paper to scientific journals. For papers requiring a lot of mathematical expressions, academics would probably use LaTex instead. And if you are dealing with lots of references and referencing styles (as is the case with scientific papers), you'd want a good software that handles that for you automatically (EndNote is the one I use).

A scientific journal paper is typically only 10-30 pages long with approximately 30 references (give or take, depends on the paper). That means that a scientific paper is easy to fix if something stuffs up.

A typical doctorate thesis on the other hand, could span hundreds of pages, contain hundreds of references, and lots of images. A wrong sync somewhere could mean spending countless hours trying to fix it up. Syncing from the cloud can also be a nightmare if the images in the thesis are high res. And trying to navigate a thesis on an iPad can also be tricky.

I understand that there are many writers, authors and journalists who use a variety of writing apps for their work. As I am not in that field, I can't comment on their workflow. But in my particular academic field (sciences and engineering), this is the workflow I've settled on that works but I'm still tweaking it. There might be a better workflow out there, and I'll keep exploring.

But from my experience, I know that a regular college student should have no problems going through college with just an iPad. And for the moments that they do need a proper computer, most colleges would have computers labs available for them to use anyway (or even just use a desktop computer if they have one at home). If I was attending college classes, I'd prefer an iPad over a laptop. This won't work for students who actually need a laptop when attending a class though, and I know that there are courses like that.

 

[M. Gustave]

The reason I use Word is because it's a standardised word processor used in academia and its the easiest way to submit a paper to scientific journals.

LOL, I know what MS Word is, thanks. Full featured markdown editors will export to any format you need: HTML, ePub, PDF, docx. Use what you like, but there are lots of other options out there... and unlike Word, doing all your thesis writing in markdown will leave you with a plain text source that can be opened by literally any computing device, even decades from now. How will those docx files fare?