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iPad Pro Can we finally say an iPad can replace a laptop/MacBook?
- Thread starter Mhotep
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No. I much prefer my MBA and don't own an iPad. I use my MBA in conjunction with an iMac and have no desire for an iPad, even with the upcoming changes.
Not anymore than any previous release of iOS.
This isn't a binary hard line. There is no universally acceptable definition of what requires a laptop and what can be done with a tablet.
They're two different form-factors with different strengths and weaknesses. The priorities of these strengths and weaknesses are very unique and personal to the individual person.
I see what the OP is asking...
From a “Limitation” point of view, I would say Yes in a sense of we are now ALOT closer. Many of the limitations we once face will now be removed (mouse support, desktop level browsing, file management, external drive support). So from that point of view I would say yes. I also agree with SRACER when he says that there isn’t a binary hard line. We all use our computers in so many different ways. So it will still be a user to user experience of what a laptop replacement can and will be. For me, as a developer, this will definitely help, but until I can run stacks easily then I will still carry a mbp. But as software evolves and now with desktop browsing, I can explore services like Coder.com and CodeAnywhere.com
Either Way... Exciting Times
From a “Limitation” point of view, I would say Yes in a sense of we are now ALOT closer. Many of the limitations we once face will now be removed (mouse support, desktop level browsing, file management, external drive support). So from that point of view I would say yes. I also agree with SRACER when he says that there isn’t a binary hard line. We all use our computers in so many different ways. So it will still be a user to user experience of what a laptop replacement can and will be. For me, as a developer, this will definitely help, but until I can run stacks easily then I will still carry a mbp. But as software evolves and now with desktop browsing, I can explore services like Coder.com and CodeAnywhere.com
Either Way... Exciting Times
Not at all.
With all upgrades and lifted restrictions, iPad is closer to be a laptop replacement but still far from perfect replacement.
However, if MacOS ends up being a variation of iPadOS in the future, then yes, iPad can replace Mac.
With all upgrades and lifted restrictions, iPad is closer to be a laptop replacement but still far from perfect replacement.
However, if MacOS ends up being a variation of iPadOS in the future, then yes, iPad can replace Mac.
Most content consumers don’t need a PC, so in that respect the iPad has already replaced it. However, content developers definitely do still need PCs and it’ll be a few years before iPadOs (or iPadProOS) has become sufficiently macOS like that developers can abandon PCs.
I doubt it will change anybody's minds. Sure, the changes are nice and I welcome them but it's still mostly a complementary device to a real computer. I'd still like to see proper external monitor support (i.e. be able to put any app on it as opposed to only being able to mirror the display or only working with apps that support it). I'm also not impressed by the mouse support since it's not really what we were asking for, although better than nothing I guess.
Do you have any evidence to back up this claim?
I’m glad I have both I think they work nicely together, now things will just be improved.
I don’t think my iPad could replace my laptop yet, getting closer.
I don’t think my iPad could replace my laptop yet, getting closer.
It is a known fact !! The world knows it !! What you mean by do you have any evidence to back up this claim ?? It is like asking do you think the air really exists ?? Who has seen it ? But it is still there right ??
Nowadays everyone's smartphone could be as powerful as a desktop or laptop, but nobody write essays on their phone, because screen size and software support.
iPad has the screen size (except iPad mini), some limited software support. Now with iOS 13 it can interface with external storage now, but what about file system support? NTFS r/w? Still unclear. Can it run industrial software? Probably not or never. On the other hand, handwriting on a laptop? Likely bad experience. Quickly connect to the network and look up something? Navigating? iPad can do it all easily.
As of now, even with iOS 13, iPad in my opinion, still cannot fully replace PC. It now has the potential, but the best thing it can replace is the Mac in the foreseeable future.
iPad has the screen size (except iPad mini), some limited software support. Now with iOS 13 it can interface with external storage now, but what about file system support? NTFS r/w? Still unclear. Can it run industrial software? Probably not or never. On the other hand, handwriting on a laptop? Likely bad experience. Quickly connect to the network and look up something? Navigating? iPad can do it all easily.
As of now, even with iOS 13, iPad in my opinion, still cannot fully replace PC. It now has the potential, but the best thing it can replace is the Mac in the foreseeable future.
Again, no, it can’t replace a computer. Just try this scenario yesterday I was confronted by: I had a a couple mp3’s that have wrong tags, I tried to find a way to retag them using only my ipad...was impossible. This is a really small example of the many things a iPad can’t do. Programing is another one critical for me, so I don’t believe the iPad will substitute a computer for advanced users, ever. But if your digital life was born from the beginning on an iPad and you never used a computer and you don’t need advanced tools, maybe, just maybe...
Saying something is true is one thing but using lots of exclamations marks !! and question marks ?? doesn’t make it true. Do you have any real proof?
Dude you need to do a reality check !! Are you not reading what everyone above this reply have stated ?? iPad is no ways a replacement to a full fledged Laptop !! If you want examples do a google search !!
Everyone's workflow is different. I can do about 90% of my core, non-day job stuff on an iPad. Some of that remaining 10% may never happen. I don't expect a full version of AutoCad, Tableau, or Calibre to work on iPad.
The new iPadOS does remove some of the barriers. Being able to connect to servers, USB drives, and being able to just move SD card photos to a specific app, or just offload them to a folder in Files is huge.
The new iPadOS does remove some of the barriers. Being able to connect to servers, USB drives, and being able to just move SD card photos to a specific app, or just offload them to a folder in Files is huge.
Why not google search a bit and post your reasons here instead of throwing the ball back to the other side, the asker?
This. This, all day every day. I'm so over the question...
The answer was and always will be... IT DEPENDS!
I don't own a laptop, so I guess the ipad has replaced it. It all depends on how you use the device. I have a mac mini to record TV, do some video editing and do some accounting stuff, but 95% of my computing is done with the ipad. Your mileage may differ.
If what Apple has recently added to iPad OS is not required by the person then the iPad isn't any closer than it was with iOS 12.
This is exactly why for me, iPad is not a replacement to laptop (yet). It's still missing built-in terminal, xcode, or heck, even an non/less sandboxed safari so I can actually execute HTML/Javascript files (which I code) from my Files app.
My problem with the current Safari implementation on iPad is that it cannot download any files which have a download redirect i.e. if I want to download files attached to forum posts (such as epubs, pdfs etc), the forum normally creates a redirect script which redirects to the file download. The current Safari iPad will download the redirect script as a text file which contains a URL instead of the actual downloadable file. I don't know whether iOS 13 allows this.
I love my iPad because of its portability, especially if it's possible to use for superbly boring and mundane tasks such as downloading CC0 photos for web site design while waiting for my school lectures to start. I can never do this because of the Safari's limitation of redirect scripts for file download. And of course, I cannot code on it as well. So at this time, I end up lugging my 1.3kg laptop with me just for 15-20 mins usage.
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Hmm. I'm seeing lots of coders replying to this thread. What about non-coders? I'm an academic, and interested like the OP in replacing a laptop. In terms of writing, organizing files, doing archival work (scanning/cataloguing and analyzing), writing articles... I think we are a bit closer. I'd have to try the mouse support in 'accessibility' once the iPadOS public beta hits, but it's looking more promising.
True that most of the posters mentioned coding. I am coder myself so obviously the same applies to me. That being I would not answer that question until I have used iOS 13. I am rather new to iOS so I would not play with betas and all that so for me it will be few months until I know if the iPad got close to offering laptop like experience for me or not.