I replaced my MacBook with an iPad. Here’s what happened.

When my MacBook finally broke, I replaced it with an iPad Pro. Over the past 18 months, I've been putting it through its paces as my main portable device for productivity and creative tasks.

But can an iPad ever truly replace your laptop?

#tech #iPad #apple
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[GTayanes]

The secret to enjoy the beauty of an iPad Pro is not to think of it as a macbook replacement.

[Xiallaci]

Honestly, it depends on the user case. I got a laptop from my company for work, so the ipad is enough for all my private endeavors and is actually nicer than using a laptop

[caioobessa]

I've spent 3 years going iPad Pro Only. Last month I gave up on waiting iPadOS to get more "pro" and bought a MacBook Air M2. Couldn't be happier

[howardeastin]

I find that using an iPad over a desktop laptop its just fun. The iPad is just more portable, functional, and powerful. Using an iPad over a laptop also means you can take advantage of the cellular versions of the iPad which allows you to use the iPad anywhere and everywhere. Granted you can get away with the wifi only versions of the iPad or Laptops, just for me I won’t be going back. I also find that the iPad file system utilizes cloud storage more conveniently.

[chasescomedyshow]

As a high school student, my iPad has made my workflow when it comes to school so much easier but I can completely understand when it comes to professionals and why it doesn’t work the greatest for them. But when it comes to kids in high school or some parts of university I think the iPads perfect but I definitely understand why people need a MacBook

[autumnrose_tv]

I plan to go iPad only, because it’s more versatile and convenient for my needs. It can be a notebook when I need it to be and it can be a laptop to complete assignments when I need it to be. Not only that, but it’s a more portable device for content consumption and gaming

[brentstwocents]

My "journey" was similar to yours. I knew my Macbook Pro 2012 was nearing the end of it's life. I wanted to get a Mac Mini as my office computer with an iPad as a mobile device (aka laptop replacement). I bought an iPad Pro first and then about 5 months later my Macbook Pro got zapped by lightening! Being in Belize it took about 6 weeks to get a Mac Mini delivered, so for that time I only had my iPad Pro. I used it in my office with an external keyboard, mouse and monitor, and for the most part it got the job done. I'd say about 90%. Just not as quickly or easily as I was used to with my Macbook Pro. Now that I have a Mac Mini, that is my daily driver and I use the iPad as a companion with universal control. It's really the best of both worlds. When I need to be away from the office, I take my iPad and I don't really miss a Macbook, most of the time. Plus I enjoy the peace of mind of travelling with a $800 iPad vs. a $2, 000 Macbook Pro.

[dineshsherpa]

For the price of 1 new latest ipad pro have got a mac mini (M2) and an ipad air (2022). Seems to be a wise move so far.

[JohnArcycle]

I use my iPad with a wireless printer through my Wi-Fi. I use my IPad with external video and audio when needed.I don’t need to type much and I just can’t stand going back to a mouse or track pad after being used to a fully functioning touch screen.

[deadiemeyers]

What a thoughtful and realistic, yet positive review. Thank you! 😊 And enjoy the journey of parenthood! Nothing in life is better! ❤

[TechYourNeeds]

iPad is my all time favorite tech device. Lately, I have been using with an external monitor, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil.

[portman]

iPad could never be a full on replacement for my Windows desktop due to work requirements and the fact I have a huge Steam library of games I like to play.

But as a device that I can use in my bed, on the couch, out in a cafe, or as an alarm clock. There's no better device for that imo.

[Murkwiththemouth]

Last fall, my MacBook Pro 2015 died, I had no iPad at the time either. I ended up buying the iPad Air 5th gen 256gb 8gb ram. I use it for all of my pc needs. I have a work laptop for my job.

[ajfromca]

I could use my iPad for about 95% of my work. The last 5% are simply app gaps, I am a software engineer and there are not IDE’s for iPadOS for example. However what holds the iPad back the most for me, is the UI/UX; Apple is actively holding the interface back.

Most of your software issues are more to do with Apples design language, how difficult multi tasking is, is not Google holding their product back but rather Apple. As far as Teams being slow to optimize for Apple Silicon, that would be a macOS thing not iPadOS. iPads have been running Apple Silicon this entire time. Teams is a bit CPU intensive on desktop platforms but I have not had issues with it on iPadOS beyond Apples UI/UX design language.

The iPad could be a lot more, but Apple must allow the UI/UX to evolve more.

[wendellrider]

Thank you for this ! I had one of the early iPads and now I am going to get a new one! Nice job.

[Terminal_Apotos]

Just got the Deal of the Decade on a M2 512 gig 12.9” iPad Pro + Apple Pencil 2, Plus Apple Folio Case, Plus Magic Keyboard Case for $700. Can’t wait push this Beast to its limits.

[davidhughes]

Depends on personal use, , , I consider my iPad with Magic Keyboard its own device and my MacBook its own device, I don't feel either truly could replace the other for me at least.

[MrJerkfaceKevin]

If i didnt have a work MacBook and a desktop PC, i would probably want one of those in either form, but between those and an iPad mini, that takes care of all my current computing needs.

[orangeofmars]

Yeah, the unfortunate thing is one still needs the Mac Mini to go along with the iPad Pro since the iPad Pro is still not a laptop replacement. It could be easily but Apple chooses otherwise.

[sigiligus]

iPad is fully capable of consuming content. But as an actual computer, you have to jump through so many hoops to get it to do the most basic tasks. If your laptop needs are "playing music, looking at memes, watching movies and youtube vids, reading news articles" and other such things, it's great. If you need Excel, want to torrent stuff, do multitasking, and do old fashioned computer stuff, the iPad just doesn't cut it.

The other thing is that the iPad Pro is explicitly meant to be an artist tablet. It's a competitor to Wacom, not to a Macbook Air. It's kind of a waste of money to even own one if you're not an artist, unless you're well off enough to afford luxury devices.