iPad Pro Who else uses their iPad truly as a tablet/no keyboard?

[Aoligei]

I brought iPad 11” last year during my family travel. I use it for work (checking emails, review office docs and Ms Team), take family selfie pictures (I use Magic Keyboard), reading while waiting for plane or train, listening music & watch Netflix (so I don’t have to drain my iPhone battery) plus I feel safer because I can charge my iPhone using iPad (no need to bring power-bank separately).

Having said that, I would say, iPad can do things more comfortably compared to iPhone or Mac. It’s not mandatory device but it can be very useful especially when traveling. Also, it looks like the build quality of magic keyboard (mine is still the old one) is better than macbook air which made it more suitable for mobile usages.

1. When you add a Magic Keyboard, the thickness and weight is not much difference between bring in a 12 inch MacBook or 13 inch MacBook Air.

2. Waiting for plan or train, listen to music etc is better suited with phone usage. Watching Netflix on bigger screen on Mac is much better experience.

3. Since you are going to use the Magic Keyboard anyway, then doing office work, checking emails and MS teams is much more efficient on MacOS. I don't need to juggling between different apps nor I don't need to use awkward stage manager to managing multiple different apps.

4. MacBook Pro has much larger battery than your iPad, doesn't it make more sense to charge your iPhone with MacBok instead of iPad?

 

[Aoligei]

I do! My 11” iPad Pro replaced my laptop back in 2018, and I haven’t looked back. I’ve NEVER used an external keyboard with it. I always use the virtual one and type with my fingers. Or I take hand written notes with my Apple Pencil. I have fully adapted to an iPad only workflow. I don’t use a laptop anymore or a computer. And I am so used to using the touchscreen on my iPad that whenever I am near a regular computer, I always try to tap the screen. 😂

So you prefer to use a much limited OS and doing things in more complicated way. Good to hear!

 

[sparksd]

So you prefer to use a much limited OS and doing things in more complicated way. Good to hear!

Where did you get "doing things in more complicated way" from his comment? It's pretty clear that you hate the iPad - don't expect to get much agreement on your opinions here. For many of us it works great and you need to accept that.

 

[TgeekB]

The on screen keyboard is there to use for sure, but it takes up half the screen which i find annoying. The best part is i can choose how to type as i see fit thats where the versatility is.

It’s not there all the time, only when you’re typing.
I did just purchase a Logitech keyboard to see how I like it (got it used, cheap). It’s nice but makes the whole thing much larger and heavier. Might be good for traveling. Maybe I’ll get used to it more. Who knows?

 

[Aoligei]

Where did you get "doing things in more complicated way" from his comment? It's pretty clear that you hate the iPad - don't expect to get much agreement on your opinions here. For many of us it works great and you need to accept that.

The iPad workflow is more complicated than MacOS. This is an undeniable fact.

From multitasking to managing multiple apps. All it take on Mac is keyboard shortcut or three finger to swipe between apps. More virtual desktop to managing different set of app. Where on iPad, you use awkward stage manager.

Want import files? Good luck with plug in external drive which requires power and good luck on successful file transfers.

Want type more on iPad? Typing on flat glass when you lying iPad down is pain in the ass, blind typing is almost impossible.

Trying to set different default apps? Dislike Safari rendering engine? and what use different one? Not a chance. I found Brave's ad blocking capabilities works lot better than Safari, without installing different add ons. Guess what? Brave browser sucks on iPad, preciously because it was force to use Safari's rendering engine.

Trying to opening PDF on iPad? Default is the QuickView, and if I want to use different apps, I have to use share sheet. This is purely stupid.

iPadOS is beyond annoying. iPad Pro is better with macOS.

 

[sparksd]

The iPad workflow is more complicated than MacOS. This is an undeniable fact.

From multitasking to managing multiple apps. All it take on Mac is keyboard shortcut or three finger to swipe between apps. More virtual desktop to managing different set of app. Where on iPad, you use awkward stage manager.

Want import files? Good luck with plug in external drive which requires power and good luck on successful file transfers.

Want type more on iPad? Typing on flat glass when you lying iPad down is pain in the ass, blind typing is almost impossible.

Trying to set different default apps? Dislike Safari rendering engine? and what use different one? Not a chance. I found Brave's ad blocking capabilities works lot better than Safari, without installing different add ons. Guess what? Brave browser sucks on iPad, preciously because it was force to use Safari's rendering engine.

Trying to opening PDF on iPad? Default is the QuickView, and if I want to use different apps, I have to use share sheet. This is purely stupid.

iPadOS is beyond annoying. iPad Pro is better with macOS.

Stick to a Mac then and leave us poor fools to our iPads.

 

[geta]

The iPad workflow is more complicated than MacOS. This is an undeniable fact.

From multitasking to managing multiple apps. All it take on Mac is keyboard shortcut or three finger to swipe between apps. More virtual desktop to managing different set of app. Where on iPad, you use awkward stage manager.

Want import files? Good luck with plug in external drive which requires power and good luck on successful file transfers.

Want type more on iPad? Typing on flat glass when you lying iPad down is pain in the ass, blind typing is almost impossible.

Trying to set different default apps? Dislike Safari rendering engine? and what use different one? Not a chance. I found Brave's ad blocking capabilities works lot better than Safari, without installing different add ons. Guess what? Brave browser sucks on iPad, preciously because it was force to use Safari's rendering engine.

Trying to opening PDF on iPad? Default is the QuickView, and if I want to use different apps, I have to use share sheet. This is purely stupid.

iPadOS is beyond annoying. iPad Pro is better with macOS.

Each device has its place and use, and it’s clear that iPad is not for you because you’re stuck in a certain way of working pattern, which is fine, however to say that they are useless while many people find them useful to their needs is quite petty.

 

[Aoligei]

Each device has its place and use, and it’s clear that iPad is not for you because you’re stuck in a certain way of working pattern, which is fine, however to say that they are useless while many people find them useful to their needs is quite petty.

I already said iPad has its usefulness, it is a great tablet. It is a glorified Netflix machine, that's about it.

The whole thread is about iPad being iPad, as a tablet. From every beginning, iPad was designed as a devices between iPhone and Mac.

And yet, Apple is keeping pumping out Pro level with pro level chips. Selling it for more than a Mac, yet functional wise much worse than Mac. And somehow some people like using a devices that wasn't designed for a PC replacement.

I cannot understand and will not understand. iPad Pro is such a wasted opportunity for Apple, it can be a truly mobile power house if Apple put touch enabled macOS.

 

[sparksd]

I already said iPad has its usefulness, it is a great tablet. It is a glorified Netflix machine, that's about it.

The whole thread is about iPad being iPad, as a tablet. From every beginning, iPad was designed as a devices between iPhone and Mac.

And yet, Apple is keeping pumping out Pro level with pro level chips. Selling it for more than a Mac, yet functional wise much worse than Mac. And somehow some people like using a devices that wasn't designed for a PC replacement.

I cannot understand and will not understand. iPad Pro is such a wasted opportunity for Apple, it can be a truly mobile power house if Apple put touch enabled macOS.

Yes, somehow some of us like using an iPad as a replacement for a laptop or PC.

You're right on one thing - you will not understand.

 

[Aoligei]

Yes, somehow some of us like using an iPad as a replacement for a laptop or PC.

Sure, if you like to complicate things that is fine. It is like pretending a e-bike to be an electric car. At least, they have have wheels and electric motors.

You're right on one thing - you will not understand.

Yes. Why complicate things? Everything on iPad is subpar experience.

I loath iPadOS as much as iOS. Good thing is I have Android on phone side and Mac/Windows on computer side. I will use iPad as its intended, to do table things,

 

[sparksd]

Sure, if you like to complicate things that is fine. It is like pretending a e-bike to be an electric car. At least, they have have wheels and electric motors.



Yes. Why complicate things? Everything on iPad is subpar experience.

I loath iPadOS as much as iOS. Good thing is I have Android on phone side and Mac/Windows on computer side. I will use iPad as its intended, to do table things,

Whatever. This is going nowhere, You loath iPadOS & iOS and most of us like it. We won't change your mind and you certainly won't change ours. Enjoy your Android - I went through 6 Android tablets and many Android phones, from its initial release. I even built custom ROMs. And I loath it.

 

[Aoligei]

Whatever. This is going nowhere, You loath iPadOS & iOS and most of us like it. We won't change your mind and you certainly won't change ours. Enjoy your Android - I went through 6 Android tablets and many Android phones, from its initial release. I even built custom ROMs. And I loath it.

I still use iPhone along side with Android. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

iOS, if an app is not available on the App Store or not available in my region, I have to switch between two different Apple IDs. I would just download the APK file on my Android and use on my Android. (i.e. TikTok)

For most scenarios, which mobility is important, iPhone 14 Pro Max or Android is sufficient to me. Whether it is waiting for plan or train, listen to music on the go, recording video or audio, view quick documents and sign some documents, iPhone is sufficient enough.

For serious work that mobility isn't as important, Mac is way better than iPad.

Problem with iPad it is awkward position. Apple want it to replace PC, so Apple shelves more features to iPadOS. And Apple doesn't want loss sales on Mac, so it restricting iPadOS. It is like Apple want everything, but half delivers on everything.,

 

[nottorp]

I have laptops and desktops for doing things.

We have iPads in the family but they're used just for "content consumption". Mine sits on my nightstand and is used mostly for reading (not only books, but web stuff and other formats that an ebook reader can't handle).

What I don't get about the tablet+flexible keyboard combo is how you can use it without a flat, stable surface. You can throw a laptop on top of a crumpled blanket on the couch and adjust the screen angle so you can see and quickly type something into it. With the tablet combo you'd need to make space on the coffee table or find some way to prop both components into a semi stable position.

Also I have 50+ browser tabs open, ides, text editors, email, and I quickly cross reference across applications. Again, I don't see how you can do that on ios.

If you only use one application at a time, and your niche is covered by what's available in the app store, sure. Otherwise, for general purpose computer usage, nope.

 

[subjonas]

I still use iPhone along side with Android. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

iOS, if an app is not available on the App Store or not available in my region, I have to switch between two different Apple IDs. I would just download the APK file on my Android and use on my Android. (i.e. TikTok)

For most scenarios, which mobility is important, iPhone 14 Pro Max or Android is sufficient to me. Whether it is waiting for plan or train, listen to music on the go, recording video or audio, view quick documents and sign some documents, iPhone is sufficient enough.

For serious work that mobility isn't as important, Mac is way better than iPad.

Problem with iPad it is awkward position. Apple want it to replace PC, so Apple shelves more features to iPadOS. And Apple doesn't want loss sales on Mac, so it restricting iPadOS. It is like Apple want everything, but half delivers on everything.,

It just comes down to trade offs and focus and differences between people. Simplicity/portability/power/flexibility/battery life—these are things we all want if no strings were attached, but every product has to choose its focus. You have your idea of what is a good set of trade offs, and while there is some universality to humanity, there is also a lot of diversity, so it’s good that there are different products with different focuses to hit different groups of people. Apple doesn’t expect the iPad to replace everyone’s laptop—I believe they’ve said this explicitly.

Many people in MR seem to want iPadOS to have the flexibility of macOS, but that would result in a different product with a different focus. And while that product with its trade offs may appeal to them (though I suspect some of them haven’t thought the trade offs all the way through), it may not appeal to as many people as the current iPad does. As a separate additional product, sure why not, more choice is welcome—but as a replacement for iPad, or even specifically iPad Pro, it’s far from clear that a touch Mac tablet would have greater appeal. A touch Mac tablet’s trade offs would be either a thin light tablet like the iPad with more throttling and worse battery life than a MacBook Air (13” M4 iPad Pro has 40% less volume than 13” M4 MacBook Air base, plus a built-in heat-producing display)—or a significantly bigger, heavier tablet. And touch software and tablet hardware have trade offs that make them less conducive to productivity in some ways, especially for long work hours. So it’s not clear that even a touch macOS tablet would be able to replace a laptop (if that was the goal), and certainly not for everyone—and of course nor could it replace the current iPad Pro for everyone because for some that is the set of trade offs they prefer. Also dual OS isn’t a great UX so I don’t think that’s the answer for all but a small niche.

 

[geta]

Also I have 50+ browser tabs open, ides, text editors, email, and I quickly cross reference across applications. Again, I don't see how you can do that on ios.

You can switch between your open tabs, email and any other app very easily on the iPad.

 

[geta]

I already said iPad has its usefulness, it is a great tablet. It is a glorified Netflix machine, that's about it.

The whole thread is about iPad being iPad, as a tablet. From every beginning, iPad was designed as a devices between iPhone and Mac.

And yet, Apple is keeping pumping out Pro level with pro level chips. Selling it for more than a Mac, yet functional wise much worse than Mac. And somehow some people like using a devices that wasn't designed for a PC replacement.

I cannot understand and will not understand. iPad Pro is such a wasted opportunity for Apple, it can be a truly mobile power house if Apple put touch enabled macOS.

You are right, iPad is a tablet which is a tool with different workflow, and for my daily use I find it much more convenient to use compared to my desktop/laptop.

Sure, if you like to complicate things that is fine. It is like pretending a e-bike to be an electric car. At least, they have have wheels and electric motors.



Yes. Why complicate things? Everything on iPad is subpar experience.

I loath iPadOS as much as iOS. Good thing is I have Android on phone side and Mac/Windows on computer side. I will use iPad as its intended, to do table things,

if it was complicated you were right, but it’s not. 🤷‍♂️

 

[TechRunner]

I don't use a keyboard with my current iPad, but it's a Mini7, so that makes sense.

Before the Mini I had both a clear, thin case and an inexpensive keyboard one for my 7th gen, but I only used the keyboard case when the iPad left the house to create a laptop-like experience.

 

[SYCAMOREGRAD]

My 13” M4 iPP is my daily driver. I don’t have extensive productivity needs, so for me, it’s a fine laptop replacement.

 

[TgeekB]

I already said iPad has its usefulness, it is a great tablet. It is a glorified Netflix machine, that's about it.

You would do better if you stopped mocking it. A glorified Netflix machine? Now you’ve lost all credibility.

 

[TgeekB]

I have laptops and desktops for doing things.

We have iPads in the family but they're used just for "content consumption". Mine sits on my nightstand and is used mostly for reading (not only books, but web stuff and other formats that an ebook reader can't handle).

What I don't get about the tablet+flexible keyboard combo is how you can use it without a flat, stable surface. You can throw a laptop on top of a crumpled blanket on the couch and adjust the screen angle so you can see and quickly type something into it. With the tablet combo you'd need to make space on the coffee table or find some way to prop both components into a semi stable position.

Also I have 50+ browser tabs open, ides, text editors, email, and I quickly cross reference across applications. Again, I don't see how you can do that on ios.

If you only use one application at a time, and your niche is covered by what's available in the app store, sure. Otherwise, for general purpose computer usage, nope.

There’s no doubt there’s sacrifices. I do not believe it’s a full fledged laptop replacement because it can never be. It can be darned close though.
I bought a Logi keyboard for mine and am finding it cumbersome. It makes the device a lot heavier. It’s much harder to use it in my lap.
Being a middle device we will find people on both fences. Is it this or is it that? Find what you like best.

 

[Andy_2341]

The iPad workflow is more complicated than MacOS. This is an undeniable fact.

From multitasking to managing multiple apps. All it take on Mac is keyboard shortcut or three finger to swipe between apps. More virtual desktop to managing different set of app. Where on iPad, you use awkward stage manager.

Want import files? Good luck with plug in external drive which requires power and good luck on successful file transfers.

Want type more on iPad? Typing on flat glass when you lying iPad down is pain in the ass, blind typing is almost impossible.

Trying to set different default apps? Dislike Safari rendering engine? and what use different one? Not a chance. I found Brave's ad blocking capabilities works lot better than Safari, without installing different add ons. Guess what? Brave browser sucks on iPad, preciously because it was force to use Safari's rendering engine.

Trying to opening PDF on iPad? Default is the QuickView, and if I want to use different apps, I have to use share sheet. This is purely stupid.

iPadOS is beyond annoying. iPad Pro is better with macOS.

I use an iPad mini 6th gen everyday for school work. I have typed entire multipage papers on it using the onscreen keyboard because it’s faster for me. I open pdfs of lessons all the time. And recently, I imported 150 GB of photos from my mom’s computer to the iPad’s ssd and then in batches onto a thumb drive using a usb-a to usb-c adapter. It handled it just fine.

I will agree on the multitasking. You can’t rival Mac on that point, especially with the smaller screen of the mini. But I still use split view and slide over all day long to get assignments done.

The iPad is still an efficient machine especially when you need features that Mac doesn’t have, like cellular connection built in, or the Apple Pencil for notes.

 

[Andy_2341]

Also I have 50+ browser tabs open, ides, text editors, email, and I quickly cross reference across applications. Again, I don't see how you can do that on ios.

Well, if by iOS you mean like iPhone, it is a bit more difficult cause you can’t split screen, but on both iOS and iPadOS, you can swipe on the home bar to jump through your most recent pages in the app switcher. Combine that with split screen and slide over on iPadOS and you can multitask fairly well. Not like a true desktop, but decently.

 

[rui no onna]

I use an iPad mini 6th gen everyday for school work. I have typed entire multipage papers on it using the onscreen keyboard because it’s faster for me.

Kudos to you. 👍

My limit for the OSK is lengthy forum posts. 😅

 

[Aoligei]

I use an iPad mini 6th gen everyday for school work. I have typed entire multipage papers on it using the onscreen keyboard because it’s faster for me. I open pdfs of lessons all the time. And recently, I imported 150 GB of photos from my mom’s computer to the iPad’s ssd and then in batches onto a thumb drive using a usb-a to usb-c adapter. It handled it just fine.

Faster than typing on a keyboard? What is your WPM when typing using on screen keyboard?

Open PDFs is suppose to be a strength for iPad, along with styles support. Guess what, a $100 Amazon fire tablet can also open a PDF. The job I do, I constantly open more than 50+ PDFs daily on macOS. I put all my PDFs on a separate screen on different virtual desktop. Four finger swipe up, I get preview of PDFs and I can switch between PDFs easily. This is almost impossible to achieve with iPad.

So you task flow is importing 150GB worth of photos from your mom's computer to iPad's SSD then transfer to a thumb drive? Why you couldn't just copy the photo directly to the thumb drive? Guess what, you can insert SD card on a MacBook Pro, without shelling out extra money for higher storage.

I will agree on the multitasking. You can’t rival Mac on that point, especially with the smaller screen of the mini. But I still use split view and slide over all day long to get assignments done.

The iPad is still an efficient machine especially when you need features that Mac doesn’t have, like cellular connection built in, or the Apple Pencil for notes.

Split View on such small screen is asking for bad eyesight. The only thing I use my iPad is watching videos, read some PDFs and using Apple Pencil to take note.

Other than that, all other computing tasks are done at computer. I hate apps and have to bouncing between different apps for different tasks. On computers, I can watch video, write documents, view PDF etc with either Google Chrome or Apple Safari.

 

[Aoligei]

There’s no doubt there’s sacrifices. I do not believe it’s a full fledged laptop replacement because it can never be. It can be darned close though.

It is not even close. iPadOS is like a ebike and macOS or Windows is like EV. It is miles ahead.

I bought a Logi keyboard for mine and am finding it cumbersome. It makes the device a lot heavier. It’s much harder to use it in my lap.
Being a middle device we will find people on both fences. Is it this or is it that? Find what you like best.

iPad with keyboard and mouse, will increase iPad's usefulness. But if you are going to attach a keyboard and mouse, you'd better getting a Mac. MacBook Air is more cost effective than iPad Pro will ever be.