iPad vs MacBook: Can the iPad Truly Replace Your Laptop? (2023)

The iPad is always seen as a versatile piece of hardware. It works wonders as a multimedia or productivity tool and has conquered the hearts of many digital artists over the years. But can it be more than that? The short answer is YES! But there is more to it than that...

❕❕This video was shot using an iPad Air (5th Generation) running on iPadOS 16.5 ❕❕

#paperlike #ipad #notetaking

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[weston]

I think iPad OS needs a MAJOR overhaul and they should start making move toward letting real computer software being run on iPads and allow you to easily drag and drop files from an external physical source - I get that it's a tablet and not a computer but at the same time they're marketing it as a "Pro" device and are hamstringing it with half-baked software. It's amazing for a tablet but I feel like it's ultimately held back by the operating system for truly pro performance.

[Maiima]

I just realized this channel is paperlike

[craigpatterson]

Nope. Doesn't replace it, no matter how many screens, keyboards, and other plug-ins you want to add. MacBook and iPad are both very useful to me, but for very different things.

The file management interface is set up completely different on the MacBook (or windows). In MacOS, I have a series of folders (all of which back up automatically to the service of my choice, whether GoogleDrive or MS OneDrive or whatever), and the current versions of my documents are there--excel, word, pages, numbers, whatever. I click on the document and the correct app opens up and I edit the document as needed. Click the Save button and it's automatically backed up to the online service, and to all of my other devices set to sync.

iPadOS doesn't do this at all. Watching it over the last few years, doesn't look like it's making any move to doing it. This makes it a complete non-starter. I'd love to use only my iPad (more storage space, lighter, if nothing else) for everything.

But most of my work-related activities cannot be done on an iPad, and Apple doesn't look like they want to make it possible. So every day, I carry both my MBP and my iPad to work.

[Msal]

I have given many shots to the iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard. Unfortunately, it just doesn't cut it. I love my 16-inch MacBook Pro too much! It's a beast that can get anything done and no monitor is needed.

[Bruceneuman]

My computer needs are rather mundane: email, texting, internet, note taking, etc. So I end up using my iPad and Magic Keyboard 90 % of the time. But, not having room for a full desktop arrangement, when I simply want a larger screen and keyboard and the greater flexibility of a Mac, I also own a 13” MacAir. I suppose I could have simply gotten the larger iPad, but the 11” is much more portable, which is what IPad is all about.

[janenmarelia]

Always funny to read the reactions of professionals or would be professionals about the Ipad.
I only use my Ipad professionally for music on stage, and it works perfect, for years now.
For the most people, like 95% of the people that are not using office programs photo editing programs etc. like a pro and for me the Ipad works perfect, since my first brand new Ipad (3) I have hardly looked back to my computers so you can say it has replaced my computer for years now.
And probably for a lot of other people too, and not just the Ipad, some Android tablets are good too.

Actually, for a lot of young people their phone has even almost replaced the computer.

[sebastiangeis]

Last time I tried using the iPad as main device, I gave up after 30min lol. Will give it another shot!

[robertmaxey]

My iPad 10 replaced my laptop and desktop. I use a keyboard case and stylus. To me, my iPad and case combo is no different than a laptop. Just better battery life and less weight. Great video

[ozlemd.]

7:56 not supporting an external storage is a no no for me. Thank you for the video.

[kamilandrew]

I use my iPad 4 for my main computer. I had a laptop but i got it a bit too big since i use it for school and take it around a lot. So i use my laptop more when I need to do serious work but i mostly use my iPad for school work. In school we used chromebooks anyway so using a iPad with a keyboard didn’t feel like i was missing out on anything. So i mainly choose my iPad 4 as my laptop replacement because better portability. It didn’t have a loud fan and didn’t have to update as constantly and started up faster than my laptop. Can use it in more settings like when im outside aswell. As a highschool student it was perfect for me. (It can’t do everything but i would say about 90% of what i need.) i also carry a portable charger with works fine.

I plan on upgrading because i really want stage manager. But I don’t think i will be upgrading right away as it doesn’t feel as necessary right now. Ill probably keep it for a couple more years. Maybe when i get to college as what i may be doing might get more demanding.

[dpyjgef]

That sounds great and I would love to use just an iPad, but I have the most problems with Office or Numbers/Pages/… it’s hard to find things there and on the Mac you have more options

[andrewmachleid]

I had an ipad air 2 for the longest time but during quarantine I noticed how bad the battery had gotten, so I traded it in for an iPad Air 4 and it has bean my main computer for high school. with the luxury of hine-site I should have waited for iPad Air 5 for that M1 chip, but I actually like how difficult it is to multi task. I put Canvas on the left next to Word with Zoom or notes in the background, or just use OneNote to make it a little whiteboard for math. I never realized how helpfull not having distractions was until I tried to write an essay on my computer, it was way to easy to "take a break" or put something on in the background so I end up hardly getting any work done. My computer is basically just for leisure now (except for fusion360) and I use my ipad for everything work and school related. 10/10

[doctorsora]

I traded in my 2018 MacBook Pro for the 2021 11" iPad Pro, and although I've adapted to it quite well, thanks in large part to the ORlbox stylus, it doesn't provide me with the sense of fulfillment I was hoping for. Despite the option to connect a keyboard and a mouse, it still falls short in comparison to the freedom I experience with a Windows laptop or a MacBook. The process of attaching and detaching the keyboard can be quite frustrating, and the keyboard integration feels unnatural. It's like there's a missing piece, roughly about 25% of what I need, and I often feel restricted, almost like being in a cage. I'm eagerly looking forward to replacing it with a laptop

[nategerwitz]

Super glad you think iPads can replace laptops. You get a subscription from me!

[YourMajestyTheKing]

Yeah. Love my iKea wood ipad stand too. But i love the iKea keychain iphone stand much more. I plan on grabbing a bunch when i go back to iKea to have it all over house and as backup

[andrewsauter]

Hi, thanks for the video, nice job👍
Would be good if you can do an update video once iPadOS 17 is out. Thanks again 👌

[DariusHOward]

I survived senior year of college with an iPad mini gen 2, so an iPad can definitely replace a laptop if you’re a student. However now that I’m further in my working life, an iPad can replace most of what I need from an laptop but definitely not everything

[JBoya]

Good review, but I would the comments be the same without an external monitor. I can actually do coding and documentation work on my MacBook Pro. This is not as easy with my MBP M1 even with the keyboard and it’s trackpad.

[anaraneta]

I’m curious about your video equipment (mic, camera) and whether you still need to hook them up to a laptop for recording or if the ipad is able to take care of that. When I tried a condenser mic with my ipad before I ran into an issue with powering the mic, even with a powered hub, so I went back to my laptop. Though I’m hoping that technology progresses fast enough that my ipad can support my workflow perfectly by the time my laptop eventually expires hahaha!

[marcello]

He will obviously say the iPad can replace the Mac. This is a paper like Chanel, if they say no then they will sell less paper like covers since the Mac doesn’t not use that only the iPad.