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I got a max-specced iPad Pro after returning my top spec 2016 MBP... It's now become my main work machine. I still need my 2012 MBP at home for tasks that can't

I got a max-specced iPad Pro after returning my top spec 2016 MBP... It's now become my main work machine. I still need my 2012 MBP at home for tasks that can't be done on iPad, but those are rare and quite specialised (music production, dj library management, bits of programming, and some more advanced document preparation). It's working well. I love the lightness (with the Apple keyboard case it's a fair bit lighter than an MPB), the quasi-infinite battery (though some apps like Slack and, weirdly, Notes, can, without announcing it, suddenly go into battery draining mode... I'd love a more battery-friendly replacement), and the freedom of not needing wifi in most countries that I'm likely to travel too (thanks to the UK network "Three"'s "Feel At Home" feature that allows me to continue using my phone and iPad data as if I was in the UK). It feels really liberating. Worth adding a disclaimer: I no longer do much or any programming. Most of the "value adding" work I do consists of talking to people, preparing the odd document and sending emails.

pavlov 9y ago
Did you consider the 12" MacBook? It's nearly as light as a tablet, has a full operating system, and the top of the line is plenty fast to run macOS even for programming. (Just curious to know what swayed you to the iPad rather than the lightest Mac.)
- rahoulb 9y ago
  For me, SIM card, battery life, automatic backups (with easy restore on new devices), general simplicity - and surprisingly important - separation of keyboard and display.
- swombat 9y ago
  I did consider that. It didn't seem like a valid upgrade path from a functioning 2012 MBP. I don't want to be having to use two laptops, and the MB lacks ports and power to be the fallback machine I think. I also don't like the keyboard (worse than the new MBP). In short, if I was going to get an MB, instead I would just keep my 2012 MBP. iPad was enough of a change to be worth trying (knowing I could return it in 2 weeks). I ended up keeping it!
dvcrn 9y ago
I tried the same as a programmer. I used Prompt to SSH into a EC2 machine and did all my coding there. I loved the size but had problems with multi-tasking, debugging and especially spotty WiFi in cafes. Also tried the route of jailbreaking and using Prompt to connect to a local SSH server but that didn't work so well either because of missing software. The thing that then really pissed me off was that iOS9 changed all of the keybindings so my bluetooth iPad keyboard with it's function keys all of a sudden became almost-useless. I still don't know how to switch the input language. Something with space? If I click the switch-language-key it just opens Spotlight. Now I just degraded it to my media tablet that Airplays stuff to my TV, write scripts and documents and just organize my day-to-day. Though I wouldn't absolutely care if I wouldn't have it anymore. It's a 'extra' that makes certain things slightly more convenient but by no means do I think of it as a necessary tool. I'm going to buy the next 12" MBP to replace it but I do hope for a better blend between iPad and Mac. If I could program on that thing more reliably I would.
- swombat 9y ago
  I'd recommend trying out the Apple Smart Keyboard case. You can always return it in 2 weeks if you don't like it. It is currently, imho, the best keyboard Apple makes.
deleted 9y ago
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anjc 9y ago
> bits of programming, and some more advanced document preparation If you can't do them on an iPad then you simply can not consider it a "work machine", in the general sense. You can do those on a 15 year old laptop with ease.
- mcphage 9y ago
  > If you can't do them on an iPad then you simply can not consider it a "work machine", in the general sense. You can do those on a 15 year old laptop with ease. If it's something you can do on a 15 year old machine, which is otherwise nearly unusable (last week I turned on my 2001 Titanium Powerbook G4 for the first time in years; it could see my WiFi network, but not connect), then maybe that's not a very useful definition for "work machine".
- rahoulb 9y ago
  My work involves advanced document preparation that includes a lot of sketching. That must mean most laptops aren't work machines either.
- freehunter 9y ago
  I can't code from my work-issued iPhone, but I wouldn't leave the house without it. I can't make calls from my work-issued Thinkpad, but I'm not sitting down in the morning next to my iPhone. You see how silly your line in the sand is? That being said, I actually can do everything from my iPhone with the magic of Citrix.

pavlov 9y ago

Did you consider the 12" MacBook? It's nearly as light as a tablet, has a full operating system, and the top of the line is plenty fast to run macOS even for programming. (Just curious to know what swayed you to the iPad rather than the lightest Mac.)

rahoulb 9y ago
For me, SIM card, battery life, automatic backups (with easy restore on new devices), general simplicity - and surprisingly important - separation of keyboard and display.
swombat 9y ago
I did consider that. It didn't seem like a valid upgrade path from a functioning 2012 MBP. I don't want to be having to use two laptops, and the MB lacks ports and power to be the fallback machine I think. I also don't like the keyboard (worse than the new MBP). In short, if I was going to get an MB, instead I would just keep my 2012 MBP. iPad was enough of a change to be worth trying (knowing I could return it in 2 weeks). I ended up keeping it!

dvcrn 9y ago

I tried the same as a programmer. I used Prompt to SSH into a EC2 machine and did all my coding there. I loved the size but had problems with multi-tasking, debugging and especially spotty WiFi in cafes. Also tried the route of jailbreaking and using Prompt to connect to a local SSH server but that didn't work so well either because of missing software. The thing that then really pissed me off was that iOS9 changed all of the keybindings so my bluetooth iPad keyboard with it's function keys all of a sudden became almost-useless. I still don't know how to switch the input language. Something with space? If I click the switch-language-key it just opens Spotlight. Now I just degraded it to my media tablet that Airplays stuff to my TV, write scripts and documents and just organize my day-to-day. Though I wouldn't absolutely care if I wouldn't have it anymore. It's a 'extra' that makes certain things slightly more convenient but by no means do I think of it as a necessary tool. I'm going to buy the next 12" MBP to replace it but I do hope for a better blend between iPad and Mac. If I could program on that thing more reliably I would.

swombat 9y ago
I'd recommend trying out the Apple Smart Keyboard case. You can always return it in 2 weeks if you don't like it. It is currently, imho, the best keyboard Apple makes.

deleted 9y ago

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anjc 9y ago

> bits of programming, and some more advanced document preparation If you can't do them on an iPad then you simply can not consider it a "work machine", in the general sense. You can do those on a 15 year old laptop with ease.

mcphage 9y ago
> If you can't do them on an iPad then you simply can not consider it a "work machine", in the general sense. You can do those on a 15 year old laptop with ease. If it's something you can do on a 15 year old machine, which is otherwise nearly unusable (last week I turned on my 2001 Titanium Powerbook G4 for the first time in years; it could see my WiFi network, but not connect), then maybe that's not a very useful definition for "work machine".
rahoulb 9y ago
My work involves advanced document preparation that includes a lot of sketching. That must mean most laptops aren't work machines either.
freehunter 9y ago
I can't code from my work-issued iPhone, but I wouldn't leave the house without it. I can't make calls from my work-issued Thinkpad, but I'm not sitting down in the morning next to my iPhone. You see how silly your line in the sand is? That being said, I actually can do everything from my iPhone with the magic of Citrix.