iPad Pro Will the next Ipad Pro replace my laptop?

[kittur]

I'm torn.... I have an ipadAir 4 on order, but I know I'll need a laptop replacement next year.

Would I be able to replace my macbook air with the Ipad Pro?

Should I get the Macbook Air now, and the Ipad Pro?

Or keep the Ipad Air and add the Ipad Pro later?

I use it for Work ops now, but I want to start taking video and editing it, which I should be able to do on the IPad Pro?

Decisions Decisions.... I'm in a position that everything needs replaced at the same moment...!

 

[Apple_Robert]

I use my iPad Pro for most everything. Depending on your work flow, you may be able to do the same with the new iPad Air, unless it is too small for your needs. I would take delivery of the iPad Air, test it to see if it meets the need, before considering returning for a iPad Pro or purchasing a laptop.

 

[ericwn]

The iPad Pro is probably due for an update. If you need an iPad now the air is a good buy. If you need another iPad next year really depends on you. All iPads do the same thing at the end of the day.
See how far you get with the Air.

 

[kittur]

Thanks Robert, it would be great if the Ipad Air could do everything. A major duty is that I have to manage Zoom Breakouts and I'm not sure I can do that on the IPad.

If I can edit movies on the Ipad Air 4 and do my work using my magic keyboard and mouse then it's really a perfect solution.

I have a larger screen for multiple spreadsheets

 

[AutomaticApple]

If I can edit movies on the Ipad Air 4 and do my work using my magic keyboard and mouse then it's really a perfect solution.

Yes, you could use LumaFusion to edit movies.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I use my IPad Pro 12.9 for almost everything now. I no longer use or even own a laptop, although I have a Mac Mini I use via jump desktop for the few things that the ipad cant manage (Running lightroom classic, for example).

Video editing is a breeze on it, with luma. Photo editing is awesome - fast and responsive with lightroom and affinity. There is very very little I have found you cannot do with it, unless what you want requires specialised software.

There is a certain learning curve for this route though. It can replace your laptop, but you need to be open to different ways of doing things. It’s not less straight forwards, per se, but some operations/workflows need to be accomplished in a very different manner to MacOS, or even traditional computing methods as a whole. It’s still a work in progress, iPadOS - its only in its first implementation - especially when you consider the maturity of MacOS. This has to be borne in mind - especially if you’re a power user of MacOS features, so as not to get frustrated with what you may perceive as the iPads ‘limitiations’.

 

[cupcakes2000]

As a side note, I cant believe this thread hasn’t been trolled by the iToys brigade yet. Has to be some sort of record, it’s been online for hours!

 

[cardfan]

Just needs macOS and it could be a laptop replacement.

 

[kittur]

I use my IPad Pro 12.9 for almost everything now. I no longer use or even own a laptop, although I have a Mac Mini I use via jump desktop for the few things that the ipad cant manage (Running lightroom classic, for example).

Video editing is a breeze on it, with luma. Photo editing is awesome - fast and responsive with lightroom and affinity. There is very very little I have found you cannot do with it, unless what you want requires specialised software.

There is a certain learning curve for this route though. It can replace your laptop, but you need to be open to different ways of doing things. It’s not less straight forwards, per se, but some operations/workflows need to be accomplished in a very different manner to MacOS, or even traditional computing methods as a whole. It’s still a work in progress, iPadOS - its only in its first implementation - especially when you consider the maturity of MacOS. This has to be borne in mind - especially if you’re a power user of MacOS features, so as not to get frustrated with what you may perceive as the iPads ‘limitiations’.

Thank you! this is such good news! It's really too much to have to replace macbook too. Fingers crossed ipad Air 4 is my saviour

 

[cupcakes2000]

Just needs macOS and it could be a laptop replacement.

It’s pretty subpar using macOS on a touch first machine like an iPad, you can try it with an app like Jump Desktop. I do it daily, I wouldn’t want to do it full time. iPadOS is a much more pleasurable experience. If you want macOS you should get a new M1 based mac which has the same benefits the ipad gets using arm. You’ll gain macOS, but lose pencil touch screen awesomeness.

 

[kittur]

Yes, you could use LumaFusion to edit movies.

Thank you. Phew!

 

[muzzy996]

Whether or not an iPad can replace a laptop for someone all depends upon their workflow preferences so the advice to try out one for a while is great advice. One can certainly do a lot on an iPad but whether or not the workflows involved to do things is a good fit for someone is a subjective thing. For some, myself included, iPads are fantastic devices to supplement other computing devices but not necessarily replace them entirely. Since you haven’t noted how much experience you have with an iPad thus far its best to try one for yourself and see.

 

[dasjati]

It’s pretty subpar using macOS on a touch first machine like an iPad, you can try it with an app like Jump Desktop. I do it daily, I wouldn’t want to do it full time. iPadOS is a much more pleasurable experience. If you want macOS you should get a new M1 based mac which has the same benefits the ipad gets using arm. You’ll gain macOS, but lose pencil touch screen awesomeness.

Isn't it the same experience as a Mac as long as you use a keyboard and touchpad/mouse with your iPad?

 

[cupcakes2000]

Isn't it the same experience as a Mac as long as you use a keyboard and touchpad/mouse with your iPad?

Well yes! But then you may as well get a laptop! The point is is macos isn’t optimised for touch first

 

[dasjati]

Well yes! But then you may as well get a laptop! The point is is macos isn’t optimised for touch first

I am aware that macOS is not optimized for touch first. But for me it could be interesting to have macOS at least as a possible fallback.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I am aware that macOS is not optimized for touch first. But for me it could be interesting to have macOS at least as a possible fallback.

I use jump desktop into my Mac mini, it’s about the same thing. Other than that, Apple isn’t gonna let iPad run macos anytime soon as much as you want them too!

 

[dasjati]

Other than that, Apple isn’t gonna let iPad run macos anytime soon as much as you want them too!

Yes, I also don't find it likely. It's just not an Apple thing to do. I know that company a little bit, too. Have been using Macs since 1994 and iPads since the first one.

And I didn't say that I wanted it badly in any way. I said that it "could be interesting". Big difference.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Yes, I also don't find it likely. It's just not an Apple thing to do. I know that company a little bit, too. Have been using Macs since 1994 and iPads since the first one.

And I didn't say that I wanted it badly in any way. I said that it "could be interesting". Big difference.

Ok. I’m not putting any words in your mouth, sorry if it seemed that way. I never mentioned you wanting it badly, for example. I too have been a Mac user since forever, not sure of the relevance.

Just saying my thoughts on the OP’s question.

My iPad is the hub of all my tech. I run my Mac mini, my nas, my VM’s all through it, as well as using iPados. iPados is by far the best experience for touch.