I Switched From my MacBook to iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard for a Month

For the longest time, I’ve used a laptop as my personal choice for entertainment, answering emails, getting work done, editing videos, and the most important one, watching YouTube videos. That’s why for the most part, my ordinary base model ipad, was nice but was left collecting dust for periods at a time. But, this isn’t your grandma’s ipad. This is the 11in iPad Pro with magic keyboard, and it replaced my precious MacBook for over a month. Learning curve aside, was it worth the switch?

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Using only the iPad Pro and magic keyboard as my go-to device was really interesting. And you would think, the iPad would be less comfortable than a laptop to use on a desk, but for the most part it feels exactly the same. And because the iPad is “floating”, if you compare the iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard, with a 13in MacBook at the iPad’s max tilt, you’ll find the screen reaches the same height, meaning it wouldn’t add any extra strain on your neck or back to look at it. I also found that in some areas it was more comfortable to use the iPad Pro, such as in bed, and just using it in a chair or sofa, because, while the magic keyboard provides you a decent writing experience, you may forget this is an iPad + a case, so you can still remove it and use it like an iPad.

Writing on the iPad Pro and Magic keyboard is fine. The last 3 videos I’ve put up on my channel have all been scripted and written on this setup. And it did it just fine. Thanks to the extra port provided by the magic keyboard, you can charge the iPad and plug in your SD card to import your clips straight onto the iPad. From there. I used LumaFusion, a robust NLE for ios. This could get the editing job done for most YouTubers. Editing 4K video is smooth with no hitches, it has most of the bells and whistles I had when I was using Final Cut Pro, it supports external monitors, and it even has the ability to export the current project you’re working on into a FCPX project file. Meaning you can start your project in Lumafusion, and finish it off on any Mac. Just note that that’s an additional paid add-on, there are some limitations with it, and I do feel like I’m a bit slower editing on LumaFusion. But that may be because I’m so used to where everything is in FCPX and not LumaFusion. It’s highly do-able, and in my opinion, surpasses the 4K editing experience I had on the 2020 i5 MacBook Air, and overall very useful.

As for making thumbnails, the Apple Pencil in Affinity Photo, a photoshop alternative, gets the job done better than if I was doing it on my MacBook with the Trackpad using the same app. Using the Apple Pencil made editing my thumbnails a breeze, that just couldn’t be done well with a trackpad. Some apps work great with iPad OS’s splitview and slide over such as Apple’s built in apps or most of Google’s suite of software. But some apps just plain don’t work with that functionality meaning you’re forced into only full screen mode with those apps. When split view and slide over does work the other 90% of the time? It’s comparable to a laptop multitasking experience.

But, IPad OS doesn’t have as many professional grade apps that Windows or Mac OS has. I think the iPad Pro and magic keyboard could replace laptops for 90% of people. For many people around me, who aren’t as tech savvy, it already has. The truth is, it’s pretty easy to learn iPad OS for many people because it’s so similar to another thing that already sits in our pockets. But for people who need specialized software that runs only on desktop operating systems this isn’t it. The price of an iPad Pro and magic keyboard is pricier than apple’s MacBook Air. And if you opt for the 12.9in iPad Pro and magic keyboard, you could easily afford a MacBook Air and a new basic ipad.

The iPad Pro is a fantastic tablet. But if you already own a laptop you can buy a regular iPad or a Pro, and skip the $300 keyboard altogether, since you already have a device to get your typing-required tasks done. This is for someone who wants ultimate portability and doesn’t mind the minor trade offs. Personally, I’m now using it for work trips so I can get some YouTube work done, without overloading my luggage. Overall, I’m really impressed with how suitable of a laptop replacement it can be. But do understand by going this route, there are some minor trade-offs that can make or break the experience.

[paulm]

As a student, I found making the switch purely beneficial. One of the main factors was something you didn’t mention - the ability to take notes and do all kinds of schoolwork on the iPad using the Apple Pencil!

[urbanesportsreport]

Can't wait to get my iPad Pro in a few weeks. I really was torn between that and a 13" MBP. But the versatility and power in that form factor is something I've really been drawn in by. I read a comment that really resonated with why I loved the iPad Pro: "I'd rather have a device that's 90% laptop and 100% tablet than a device that's 100% laptop and 0% tablet". I'm not dissing laptops because there is DEFINITELY a place for them. For some people, I'd definitely tell them go the traditional route. But to pack that much power in the form factor of a spiral notebook... That's crazy.

[therealewangaming]

What the... NO ONE talked about being able to charge the iPad with the Magic Keyboard. Thanks for mentioning it!

[XkenX]

Dude, Your conclusion is spot on.! I accidentally broke my MacBook so I picked up the Magic keyboard. The iPad Pro+magic keyboard combo is well worth it if it’s your only device.

[Eagle]

As someone who travels constantly for work... I’ve been carrying a iPad mini and a MacBook around for years... this seems to be the perfect crossover to cut down on the devices I carry and chargers needed as well. Seems a versatile platform that could serve the perfect niche for a constant on the go lifestyle

[jaehokim]

Really appreciate your different perspectives when describing tech products! How you go into detail about how one might use the keyboard (eg 6 different positions people might actually use the product in) is very helpful !

[somberpaw]

I previously used a smart phone and laptop as my main devices, and I was gifted an iPad exclusively for the purpose of drawing. It took about a month for me to literally abandon my smart phone and laptop and transfer all of my day to day activities to my iPad. I just find it such a useful product, it’s got everything that I need.

[khiryshank]

I ended up getting an iPad Pro 12.9 and a MK. I have a 15’’ MBP from 2018, but what makes the price of the iPad worth it to me is the versatility. Sometimes it’s just more convenient using the iPad instead doc a large laptop.

[Sajirah]

As an artist, I actually can vouch that the drawing experience is leagues better than using a traditional computer and drawing tablet.

[jbivphotography]

Solid vid! I love using my iPad as a laptop replacement. I have a desktop so my iPad Pro is doing all of the other work I need to do when I’m away from my desktop.

[teddywetts]

I’d also ad that i prefer the 11” to the 12.9. I use my iPad in my truck, at job sites, as well as on the couch, and at the kitchen table. Ive had a 12.9 before, and its a little less convenient to maneuver in those situations.

[brightnwabueze]

This is just an honest reviews. It’s really interesting. I appreciate 😊

[jeremyholder]

I love my 11in iPad Pro and MK, I have a 27in iMac AND a asus gaming laptop(I ONLY use it for gaming, VR, and streaming) and I had the iPad Pro 2017, iPad Air 2, iPad 3, and I was there for the launch of the first iPad... I have always been a major iPad fan, but it was mostly used when I’m not home... but this new 2020 11IPP with Mk and Apple Pencil has for the first time been my “every” Device! I use it for video editing, web browsing, media viewing, and MORE! I still use my iMac but iPad is now used 95% of the time! I use it as a tablet, laptop, and desktop with a HUB- it’s so amazing! it’s not perfect(needs thunderbolt 3, and 2 of them like iMac air), and so on. 9.5 out of 10! I super recommend it especially if you are out and about more, it’s way more portable then my laptop 👨🏾‍💻

[BRBallin]

As a software developer, I no longer needed my personal 15 inch MacBook Pro and am using iPad Pro for the general web browsing and other media consumption to the iPad Pro 11 in. So far I feel like it’s able to hold up pretty well

[Obytc]

This is the best review video I have seen for ipad pro vs laptop. Thank you 👏

[gabrielsousa]

"This isnt your grandma ipads" ouch :(

[squandr]

I really want to know more about the little hidden benefits and quality of life improvements. Using apps instead of programmes, the ability to use simultaneously, the battery life, the ease of use in bright and non-laptop friendly environments, the quick synchronisation with iphones, takings pictures and put them asap into documents… there are infinite tiny things that speak for using the iPad Pro professionally. And honestly those are the actual things that I want an opinion on

[annakhalifa]

i like how u don’t force the videos to be longer than u need them to be. authentic & honest, ima fan!!

Very informative review! I switched from a MacBook Air to iMac and iPad mini last year, but miss the portability of my Air. I’ve been debating between another laptop or an iPad Pro. After watching your video and several others I’m convinced I can do my work on an iPad Pro, with the added bonus of having 5G connectivity if I’m not in range of WiFi. Game changer!

[thebat]

I really like my iPad Pro just wish that some of the Pro apps from Mac OS would come to it mainly logic Pro X