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Can I Replace My Mac Book Pro With an iPad Pro?

Tim Cook claimed that most people could use an iPad Pro as their primary computer. I have bee experimenting to determine if I can actually do that. Are there things that you just can’t do on a tablet? In my experimenting I thought Pixelmator was a show stopper because you could not outline accurately with your finger. I bought a pencil and now outlining actually works better on the tablet than on the Mac Book Pro. Another item was printing. Seems pretty limited on the tablet. Found a cheap app that solved that problem. I am in IT professional and am intrigued with the concept of not owning a laptop. I think this might be a great topic for you to cover. Thanks again. Great work.
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Jim Symington

Comments: 8 Responses to “Can I Replace My Mac Book Pro With an iPad Pro?”

    7 years ago

    Thanks for the topic idea.
    For me, the reason it cannot replace my MacBook comes down to apps. Some professional-level apps just aren't available for tablets and probably won't be in the near future. Things like Xcode and Adobe Animate.
    Another problem I come across occasionally are websites that refuse to allow a "desktop mode" even on iPads. So you get a mobile version whatever you do, even if you choose to request the desktop site. Some pro-level sites are still lacking here.
    Also, for writing, you just can't match the speed of a full-sized physical keyboard. Even the iPad Pro physical keyboard falls short of the MacBook keyboard for writing.
    On a recent trip I opted to leave the iPad at home and took 2011 MacBook Air instead. The keyboard and better multitasking of macOS meant that I could get my work done faster so I could spend more time enjoying my trip. I could have done it all on an iPad, but not as quickly.

    Jim Symington
    7 years ago

    I am a developer also. I didn't even mention Xcode. Remember Mr. Cook said MOST people. You and I are not part of that subset. Can the other 99% survive?
    Cheers!

    7 years ago

    I think most casual users can do just fine with just an iPad. But it only takes one thing, like a writer needing a real keyboard, to spoil that. Everyone needs to make a judgement call based on their own case.

    Eric Acevedo
    7 years ago

    Regarding keyboards, I own three full sized blue tooth keyboards for my 9.7" iPad Pro. Two are from Apple and one Logitech. I keep one upstairs in my home office, one downstairs in my home, and one at work. No one said you must buy the small keyboard cover that Apple sells for the iPad. I simply carry my iPad to and from work without needing to carry any external accessories. I love it.

    LenTaylorWrites
    7 years ago

    I use a MacBook Pro at work, have an iPad Pro 9.7 and the new MacBook. There are many times when I think I could sell the MacBook, until I want to sync my own tv shows or movies on my iPad. I can't understand why iTunes and iCloud don't support this one important feature. As an instructional designer there are a few specific programs that won run on an iPad, so that's an issue. Another issue? When posting on this site, I have to type in landscape mode to see the comment box...

    7 years ago

    Eric: Good point. I wasn't thunking about external keyboards. That would certainly help many more people use an iPad as a full computer replacement.

    7 years ago

    Len: Interesting. I'll have to examine the site code and see what I can do about that.

    Bhavik
    7 years ago

    An iPad Pro can replace a macbook for most people, but if you have doubts then you're probably like me where an iPad Pro is suffice for on the go, but a desktop is required for home where you work long hours and need professional apps. Only a few people actually need their professional software on the go, because they actually just take notes, use office and email etc. on the go, but at work is home where there are desktops, then you can do what you want. An iPad isalso really nice second monito

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