iPad Pro vs Laptop

[topcat2006]

I’m looking for some experience of others that have tried to swap their laptop (be it PC or Mac) with an IPad Pro or similar.

What do you use your laptop for?

Was it a success?

Why?

Thanks

Tom


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[stever1]

I have an iPad and a MacBook . The MacBook only comes out on a Sunday morning to do invoices, record costs etc. If I didn’t have work related stuff to do I’d never use it. I think I could do it all on the iPad anyway.
As for the iPad, it’s great.
Save photos as well as all the usual stuff. I also use it with TV catch up services, Netflix, music etc.
It travels with me on holidays and working away.
I suspect most folk could manage with an iPad , just more intensive work needing the extra capabilities of a laptop.

 

[siwhite]

I have both - an older iPad Pro which I bought and an older MacBook Pro which I inherited after a family member upgraded.

I probably use the iPad for 99% of the time, only firing the MacBook up on rare occasions. I think that unless you are doing loads of photo or video editing, creating heavy spreadsheets or things like creating or moving file directories or in depth projects like 3D Printing - an iPad will serve your purposes nicely.

TLDR: daily use iPad, heavy tech MacBook.

 

[sparkplug]

What do you use your laptop for?

That's the key question.

If you're not going to go beyond web browsing, office 365 and that sort of thing then the iPad Pro (with a keyboard) could be convenient in terms of portability etc. They're actually pretty powerful and will do 'proper' tasks like video editing etc.

There are a decent amount of apps for iPad but that's potentially a limitation. Other tablets have fewer apps available because there are too many variables and constant changes whereas iOS is stable and so developers are happier to invest time and money into iPad apps.

Where you might start to get frustrated is connecting to peripherals. Is your printer AirPrint compatible? Do you really want to use the audio on your webcam (mine has audio but it's terrible) - because when you connect to one with an iPad you don't get the option to keep the audio from the iPad and send the video to the webcam. It's all or nothing.

I seriously considered one when my old MacBook was on its last legs, but in the end I decided to go for the MacBook Air as much for cost as anything else. I'm now considering getting an iPad Mini because I still have a second gen one which is starting to struggle now, but it's been such a convenient thing to carry around for work as well as to watch films on planes etc.

 

[EPG_19]

The best is both.

If you can only have one, you need to list what you need it to do well. That will make the decision for you.

Can an ipad replace a laptop? No.
Can it do most daily tasks well? Yes.

I use a Samsung tablet and a mac laptop for the best of both.

 

[sparkplug]

I'd agree with most of what EPG_19 said, however, I do think that the iPad can be a laptop replacement for a lot of people.

It really all depends on what you need it to do. My brother has only had iPads at home for about ten years but I'd struggle.

In a typical day I'll use several devices so it wouldn't work for me.

 

[steve hughes]

I have both - an older iPad Pro which I bought and an older MacBook Pro which I inherited after a family member upgraded.

I probably use the iPad for 99% of the time, only firing the MacBook up on rare occasions. I think that unless you are doing loads of photo or video editing, creating heavy spreadsheets or things like creating or moving file directories or in depth projects like 3D Printing - an iPad will serve your purposes nicely.

TLDR: daily use iPad, heavy tech MacBook.

This is me too. I go out cycling with a group and do a ride report afterwards, I use my MacBook for that. Occasionally I may recreate a spreadsheet to cost something out, again the MacBook. 99.5% of everything else the Ipad can do it.

When I was training in customers premises I used the MacBook to hook up to their hdmi or wireless projectors, likewise I used it for meetings minutes. Since Ipacked that it its an expensive door stop

 

[Berin]

If you splash out on the Magic Keyboard then the iPad is close, but it’s pricey - my iPad Pro with pencil and keyboard was the thick end of £2k.

I use the MacBook Pro for spreadsheet and office work, IPad for most other stuff.


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[sparkplug]

my iPad Pro with pencil and keyboard was the thick end of £2k.

I've always had MacBook Pro's but given the specs of the new Air's with the M series chips I couldn't justify it.

Entry level MacBook Air is half that cost and even the 512GB M3 chip one is 'only' £1,500.

That's why, for my use, an Air at £1k plus an iPad Mini with Apple Pencil 2 at £700 gives me the best of both worlds for less than a fully featured iPad Pro.

It's a tricky choice TBH

 

[EVskiy]

I’m looking for some experience of others that have tried to swap their laptop (be it PC or Mac) with an IPad Pro or similar.

What do you use your laptop for?

Was it a success?

Why?

Thanks

Tom


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What do you intend to use if for as a primary requirement?

iPad Pro (£899) is lovely, but, it comes bare, without a case (nor does MacBook, natch), but if you wanted to add keyboard, for example rather than using inbuilt OS keyboard (taking up ⅓ of the screen) then you looking at another £319 (£199 without a mouse track pad) for the genuine Apple article. Logitech is probably a bit cheaper. Anyhow, I digress.
Do you actually need an iPad Pro? a 256gb, 10th Generation iPad with Keyboard Case will set you back £958.00

If tasks you wish to use a device for, being fairly low power consumers, then it might be worth looking at an 13" MacBook Air with M2 processor at a knock down price of £999, since apple have just released M3 MacBook Air, starting from £1099. Only suggesting this, in case you can't be bothered with a separate keyboard buying options and simply wish all in one device.

 

[topcat2006]

Thanks all, this is useful and confirmed my thoughts.

I’m mainly using Xero, web browsing, reading, emails and some word and excel but not huge amounts.

I struggle as my job is really hands on and currently in order to use my laptop I need a flat surface and then it takes time to boot etc and connect to a hotspot.

I work outside a lot so my ultimate would be a device I can carry with me and do everything on - but a big phone won’t fit in my overalls pocket.

I think the iPad will help a lot - and then just leave the laptop for the odd Sunday afternoon….


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[EVskiy]

If you know of anybody with a Costco membership, under £880.00
More than good enough for doing your Xero paperwork and is lightweight.


LinkyLink to Costco Website.



iPad 10th gen

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I used to have a iPad but more recently been using a MacBook 13" bought from here a few years ago - small and light enough to sit it on my knee for internet browsing. Just got one of the 2024 MacBook airs, it's really quick and very lightweight compared to 2019 MacBook Pro it replaced. The laptop was handy when dealing with a lot of paperwork recently and the in built keyboard is an obviously a big plus point.

 

[adventuredon]

you could get a lenova yoga laptop. They work as a normal laptop, but as needed they can fold over flat as a tablet. The later models don't take ages to boot either. Cheaper than an Apple product and can be specced to be almost as quick.

 

[Pukmeister]

We are a family of Apple fanboys, just bought the Mrs a nice outgoing model iPad 10 64Gb WiFi model for a reasonable £349 to replace her old Samsung tablet, I still use my iPad 8 after a few years of happy ownership and it’s still very capable.

Still got an old i7 MBP and a 23” iMac that both run fine but are now so old they are unsupported, plus I got my son a MacBook Air M1 when new which he still lives on daily. We all use iPhones.

The kit just works without dramas.

 

[Wapping]

I work outside a lot so my ultimate would be a device I can carry with me and do everything on - but a big phone won’t fit in my overalls pocket.

I think the iPad will help a lot

It will, for sure. Use something like a Targus case, which doubles as a stand. The advantage is that you can then rotate the iPad, from landscape to portrait.

 

[llotse]

I have both and decided to carry the iPad as an only device. Its the big screen one quite new and better specs than my MacBook, has the apple keyboard. I have to say its been a frustrating experience in some ways and I have decided go back to my MacBook. The iPad is ok until it comes to some serious work with office, the iPad versions are no as good as the MacBook experience. I am actually thinking of going down the Microsoft surface route or Samsung tablet which can use Dex mode as a future single carry computer. Both MacBook and iPad are great as stand alone machines and if you are consuming the iPad wins, if you are producing then its the MacBook for me. I just don't understand why they produce something like a Microsoft Surface, perhaps they force us to buy two computers instead of one. Getting tired of Apple after being a user since 2002.