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If the iPad let me stick in a usb drive and copy over comics, and load open source software from outside the Apple store - yes. Since that will never happen in

If the iPad let me stick in a usb drive and copy over comics, and load open source software from outside the Apple store - yes. Since that will never happen in our lifetime, probably not. For what it's worth, the iPad feels great in terms of size and construction, it has a fantastic screen and the overall UX/UI is pleasant. Unfortunately, it's not usable as a short term laptop replacement and basic computer tasks are just not possible, especially not offline.

snalty 7y ago
For what it's worth, you might be able to copy over comics using a USB drive now. You can definitely copy comics over a network share as an alternative, as the Files app supports mounting samba shares. EDIT: of course that doesn't help with the loading of open source software on the device.
- evilduck 7y ago
  You can even use your USB floppy drive in iOS's Files app now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH8EJutmmT4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH8EJutmmT4
- lstamour 7y ago
  You can also compile your own open source software from outside the Apple App Store, there are some limitations to long-term use that might require a $99/year developer account, but it’s still possible. And the $99/year is not per user but per company, so if you know somebody with a dev account, you can split it with them by starting a company instead. Not to say that the iPad Pro is a Windows tablet replacement, to me they’re still very much distinct products right now. iPad OS isn’t (yet?) a macOS replacement for developers and power users.
givinguflac 7y ago
FWIW since iOS 13 usb drives work fine on iPad. I use mine for work, but most of what I do can be covered with a browser and video editor.
dangoor 7y ago
I haven't tried using USB drives with the iPad, but they have been building out the Files app and there are more ways to work with external storage than before. Loading software from outside the App Store is not going to happen, but they are, slowly but surely, expanding to support other tasks.
paulcole 7y ago
> load open source software from outside the Apple store - yes. Since that will never happen in our lifetime, probably not. If that was non-negotiable why did you even consider an iPad Pro in the first place?
awmartin 7y ago
You can do both. For OSS software though, it would need to be iPadOS apps built with Xcode or some cross-platform framework like Xamarin, but some time ago, Apple enabled anyone to install apps without a developer account.

snalty 7y ago

For what it's worth, you might be able to copy over comics using a USB drive now. You can definitely copy comics over a network share as an alternative, as the Files app supports mounting samba shares. EDIT: of course that doesn't help with the loading of open source software on the device.

evilduck 7y ago
You can even use your USB floppy drive in iOS's Files app now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH8EJutmmT4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH8EJutmmT4
lstamour 7y ago
You can also compile your own open source software from outside the Apple App Store, there are some limitations to long-term use that might require a $99/year developer account, but it’s still possible. And the $99/year is not per user but per company, so if you know somebody with a dev account, you can split it with them by starting a company instead. Not to say that the iPad Pro is a Windows tablet replacement, to me they’re still very much distinct products right now. iPad OS isn’t (yet?) a macOS replacement for developers and power users.

givinguflac 7y ago

FWIW since iOS 13 usb drives work fine on iPad. I use mine for work, but most of what I do can be covered with a browser and video editor.

dangoor 7y ago

I haven't tried using USB drives with the iPad, but they have been building out the Files app and there are more ways to work with external storage than before. Loading software from outside the App Store is not going to happen, but they are, slowly but surely, expanding to support other tasks.

paulcole 7y ago

> load open source software from outside the Apple store - yes. Since that will never happen in our lifetime, probably not. If that was non-negotiable why did you even consider an iPad Pro in the first place?

awmartin 7y ago

You can do both. For OSS software though, it would need to be iPadOS apps built with Xcode or some cross-platform framework like Xamarin, but some time ago, Apple enabled anyone to install apps without a developer account.