8 Months with M4 iPad Pro: My Computer

Let's talk about the M4 iPad Pro and how I have been using it for the last eight months.

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[jon]

I have tried using this as my only computer but it has so many limitations. On the other hand, it is an incredibly versatile device. I recently got the Mac Mini M4 Pro and was blown away by how I could automatically connect my iPad as an additional display (either in iPadOS or MacOS) and use it with the same mouse and keyboard I use with the Mac. I also discovered you can do this with the iPad on the Magic Keyboard. It's still two separate UI's but these quirky features are game changing.

[brian_voll]

I switched back to using an iPad as my main computer again. I just prefer everything about it. I like that it is a tablet, a laptop and a desktop. I like that it runs the same OS as my iPhone (I can keep control center settings, widgets, etc all the same on each device).

The M4 iPad Pro's screen is of course much better than my old M2 MacBook Air's screen. Which is great for my photography and other art works.

[AlexFundedWatson]

Having cellular and super easy to whip it out at a cafe are game changers!

[vlkhvan]

I thought about cellular version, but tethering from iPhone works so seamlessly for iPads that other than slower overall speed (that is not noticeable when doing normal stuff) that it feels pretty much like having a cellular. This is because tethering between iPhone and iPad works differently compared to iPhone and MacBook. Once you joined iPhones hotspot (and it offers to do it automatically when you are not on WiFi) iPad stays connected to it even when it is locked. The annoyance with using tethering with MacBook is that whenever it goes to standby it gets disconnected and you need to re-join every single time. But this is not the case with iPad, as long as it stays within range, it stays connected. So in practice I do not feel any inconvenience with not having cellular. When I get to the office in the morning I connect my iPad Pro to my iPhone’s hotspot and it just stays connected until I get home in the evening, this is when it automatically switches to my hoe WiFi network. I understand that hotspot drains iPhone battery a little bit faster, but typically I don’t use my iPhone heavily during the day, so I do not experience any problems with it, no anxiety at all

[danieldeleon]

Holy smokes that wall of keyboards. Something I could only dream up. Sweet set up

[Pyngwieee]

If you somehow manage files and file workflows, in NO WAY an iPad is more efficient than a desktop/laptop

[jackwong]

I recently switched back to Mac OS X as my main PC instead of my iPad Pro. I’ve been trying to use my iPad Pro as my main PC since 2018, but I haven’t been as productive as I was with my MacBook.

[PPP-vu]

After buying a 16 inch MBP M4 I got a 13 inch IPad to use it for sidecar and have a second monitor on the go. Really like it, works pretty well. I also find myself picking up the IPad on its own from time to time especially to consume media etc. Had an IPhone and MacBook for ever and as a kid I had the first gen IPad but after that I never felt like the was much innovation for the IPad and it lacked features. I can assure now it is definitely way more capable than back then. Would I replace it with my Mac? No, some people for sure could especially if you mainly do more basic tasks, but for me it is more an additional device to a Mac then a replacement. I didn’t get the keyboard for the IPad since I found it quite expensive, but it looks like a nice solution to make it more of a working device, if it wasn’t so expensive I would get one for sure. Overall I would definitely recommend the IPad, but know what you get and if you wanna use it for work I would advice anyone to pick up a MacBook Air for the same price.

[willhelliwell]

I have the 2024 Air and I love it.

I get what you mean about being more productive on the iPad. You can just focus better. And I'm not sure why.

Only thing I'm missing now is a proper keyboard. I want to be able to use the iPad on my lap.

[loredo]

You can click anywhere on the old magic keyboard, perhaps yours was faulty? Thanks for the video! :D

[budgetaudiophilelife-long]

THANKS CHRIS 🤗 we see why you are so enthusiastic about the M4 chip and the OLED display💚💚💚

[kevinlopota]

This year I switched to apple full on. First time ever, used old Mac stuff that was never relevant at the time I had access. But this time I started with the iPhone 16 pro max then the Mac mini m4 base and just last night the iPad Pro m4 11 and then the Magic Keyboard this afternoon. I have a 5tb repurposed Xbox seagate external setup for time machine backups and a thunderbolt 3 saberent 1tb ssd external for additional storage connected to the mini. I’m hoping to be able to use this setup for a long time .

[elgaen]

Hearing you describe why the iPad Pro works for you, helps me decide between the MacBook and the iPad Pro. Largely for the exact reasons you describe the iPad works better for you. I can see why it would work better for me as well.

[chanvongnget]

While an iPad can handle many of the same tasks as a computer, its flexibility is still limited compared to a full computer. Computers offer full-featured software that is far more versatile, allowing you to work more efficiently and extensively. I see the iPad more as a complementary device—great for checking or making quick edits without the need to power up your computer. This adds convenience, but relying solely on an iPad for serious work can be time-consuming and less efficient.

[mattpipes]

I love my M4 iPad pro… I updated from a 2018. My only regret is that I went with the Logitech keyboard case, which (for me at least) has had weird issues with typing… other than that it’s incredible!

[ChrisLawley]

Do you have one of the new iPad Pro's?

[chrisnielsen]

I have been moving everything I do to the iPad steadily. Plan to upgrade my 2017 iPad Pro to whatever is released next later this year. It is an incredibly versatile machine, hard to believe all my computer is inside that thin slab! Regular computers seem so outdated to me now

[josealvarez]

An iPad with cellular is the best on the go computer. You don’t think you’ll need it but once you have it you wouldn’t go back.

[vladimiro.]

Thank you for the video. I have a hard time understanding why you can focus better on iPadOS, macOS has good full screen support and Stage Manager.

[sustainablewww]

I would switch full-time to iPad (I have both iPad Pro M2 and Macbook), but there are some things that needs to get fixed first:
1. It is very difficult to code from an iPad on a professional plan.
2. For many apps you are forced to use iCloud because of the restrictions. I use Obsidian which is stored on a Synology NAS and synced via Synology Drive. Works flawlessly on macbook, but cannot work for iPad.
3. They fix the slight screen lag when connected to an external screen (When using a mouse). Moving the mouse around will have a slight lag that is just enough to be annoying and noticeable.