That's the problem - Apple is pushing the iPad as a 'real' computer that is capable of replacing a laptop, and it is priced higher than many laptops, so people are expecting it to perform as such.
You’re too late as it already has. Both my parents have given up desktop and notebook computers in favor of iPads. Same use cases.
A computing device doesn’t need to be capable of all possible use cases to remain a computing device. Dunno why so many struggle with this simple fact.
That's the problem - Apple is pushing the iPad as a 'real' computer that is capable of replacing a laptop, and it is priced higher than many laptops, so people are expecting it to perform as such.
In what sense do you mean it isn’t capable of replacing a computer? It most definitely is a real computer and can replace a laptop for many tasks (I rarely travel with a laptop anymore unless I know I need a specific function the iPad can’t accomodate in any way). However, one of them is not using it as depicted in the Lack of Mouse Support section above. Without an ergonomic pointing/selection device, using it with an external keyboard and especially with an external monitor is a bit silly.
My wife has used her iPad Air 2 as her primary ‘computer’ for several years. It’s works perfectly for what she needs it for - surfing, light e-mail, blogging on wordpress. If that’s all you need an ipad for, it works fine. But then you have no need to pay $1500+ for an iPad Pro, Smart Keyboard and pencil, and the performance of the A12x is a huge amount of overkill.
When I say an ipad isn’t capable of replacing a laptop, I speak from my personal experience using a 12” iPad Pro, Logitech keyboard and pencil. I could do most things I needed to do, with enough effort, but frequently things took significantly more work than on my MacBook Pro. The main issue is the file system, or lack there of. A MacBook Pro stores everything on the hard drive. An ipad routinely dumps things from memory when it things you dont’ need them, assuming you can download them from web. I found this out the hard way at 30,000 feet when the e-mail attachments I though I had downloaded were unavailable.
As for getting a wifi hard drive, I agree with the other commenters. That seems to be a way of ‘making it work’ rather than it just working. I have an ipad with 256 GB of memory, more than enough memory for all my apps and files, but I need to get a separate device, make sure it’s charged, and make sure I have it with me just to use my $1300 tablet. And I’m just supposed to be ok with this.
Dont’ get me wrong- I like my iPad for a lot of things, and I’m truely impressed with the new A12x and the new ipad Pros’ processing abilities. I just wish Apple would do some more work on ios to make them more usable. iPads have matured to the point that they deserve their own, more capable version of ios, not a glorified version of the iphone OS.
It should just work. If you have to do a work around, the concept is compromised. Then add the escalating prices on anyone wanting anything other than base config. Well, TBH the base config has no doubt impressive margins already, so it is galling. Like far too many Apple products, the iPad Pro has become too expensive to recommend.
i honestly can’t recommend the iPad Pro. Very regretfully. The basic iPad with the old pencil, with its stupid charging solution, is the iPad I have had my workplace switch to from iPad pros. The constant war I have with the Apple Hating IT department to have iPads at all, means I really don’t need the extra lead in the saddle bag of the iPad Pro price. Actually, rather than lead in the saddle bag, maybe it’s plutonium in the saddle bag. Apple product prices is always the first weapon IT use against my use case.
Then IT moves to file management arguments (I have no answer here), and connectivity to local printers and presentation hardware. The day Surface comes with built in GPS it’s game over.
Yeah, prices. IT depts hate Apple products because their practices (& so jobs) become largely redundant which actually reduces price per seat - those salaries/services contracts ain’t cheap.
All arguments (& most across the web on iPad Pro) are down to people not getting that you don’t employ the same practice to different products, not Windows PCS, not Macs, iPads. If you do, you either spend too much money or beak the service & productivity workflows built on it. You shouldn’t need to change these, just the practice-layer/people.
Files; I use iPad Pro with OneDrive for Business +SharePoint. Done. Printers; I use a modern, AirPrint compatible printer. Don. Presentations; I use AppleTV (the most robust wireless solution) for KeyNote, PowerPoint & best of all - iBooks (as the contain reference material which you can duck into professionally) Cost; no IT involvement means huge savings.
Good luck.
Work does not enable AirPrint, work does not purchase Apple tvs, I need a way to work around IT, I am seriously thinking of using my own money to beat them. One drive is an option. I will have to buy office 365 for iPad with my own coin though. IT only want MS stuff, but office 365 is not on the corporate list, just bog standard MS office, which of course doesn’t work on the iPad. I will nite that even though they pushed Surface as a replacement laptop for a while, they have gone back to HP and Dell. Nobody wanted Surface, not robust enough for field work and a crap tablet compared with the iPad, which I had pushed out quicker than IT could stop it. That everyone has iPhones helped screw IT’s plans.
You’ll need an exec/senior leadership sponsor to back a business case showing how IT is a bit stuck/staid and how it’s hurting productivity which is meant to be one of the key justifications for having IT in the first place
Luckily, IT know nothing about productivity (they think it’s Microsoft Office) but they won’t go down without a fight and a lot of plausible referencing. You could cite IBM as demonstrating lower cost per seat but create a more local case and ask IT why they specifically disallow Apple tech when it’s so prevalent. If you have a Digital team they’ll be useful allies.
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. That slows my files transfers to the speed of the WiFi connection. And I get another device that needs to be kept charged. Yay.
2. Use a pencil while the iPad is positioned semi-vertically on the keyboard, and/or while viewing the image on that external monitor the iPad now supports? I wish you luck making it work in either of those obvious scenarios.
3. If I use a dongle to feed the sound system, where will I connect the cable for the projector?
1. I use a Verbatim Media Share device connected to an old Iomega hard drive for backing up from my phone works fine imo. There are also suitable flash drives if you need faster transfer, I have a Greendisk lightening flash drive for my phone, again this works very well. 2 Grapic designers use a Wacom Tablet instead of a mouse, the iPad makes a great Wacom replacement. 3 USB C hubs are easily available and inexpensive. Not sure how many USB C ports you can chain together but imagine it will be more than you will ever need.
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. That slows my files transfers to the speed of the WiFi connection. And I get another device that needs to be kept charged. Yay.
2. Use a pencil while the iPad is positioned semi-vertically on the keyboard, and/or while viewing the image on that external monitor the iPad now supports? I wish you luck making it work in either of those obvious scenarios.
3. If I use a dongle to feed the sound system, where will I connect the cable for the projector?
1. I use a Verbatim Media Share device connected to an old Iomega hard drive for backing up from my phone works fine imo. There are also suitable flash drives if you need faster transfer, I have a Greendisk lightening flash drive for my phone, again this works very well. 2 Grapic designers use a Wacom Tablet instead of a mouse, the iPad makes a great Wacom replacement. 3 USB C hubs are easily available and inexpensive. Not sure how many USB C ports you can chain together but imagine it will be more than you will ever need.
1. Glad your system is working out well for you. Neither of the solutions you mention address the fundamental issue, but I appreciate the pointers anyway.
2. Read my comment again. Using a stick as a pointer isn't the problem. Using a stick as a pointer on a VERTICAL SURFACE is a problem. Graphic designers are not standing their Wacom tablets on their edges. Neither are they trying to work with no cursor on their monitor.
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. That slows my files transfers to the speed of the WiFi connection. And I get another device that needs to be kept charged. Yay.
2. Use a pencil while the iPad is positioned semi-vertically on the keyboard, and/or while viewing the image on that external monitor the iPad now supports? I wish you luck making it work in either of those obvious scenarios.
3. If I use a dongle to feed the sound system, where will I connect the cable for the projector?
1. I use a Verbatim Media Share device connected to an old Iomega hard drive for backing up from my phone works fine imo. There are also suitable flash drives if you need faster transfer, I have a Greendisk lightening flash drive for my phone, again this works very well. 2 Grapic designers use a Wacom Tablet instead of a mouse, the iPad makes a great Wacom replacement. 3 USB C hubs are easily available and inexpensive. Not sure how many USB C ports you can chain together but imagine it will be more than you will ever need.
1. Glad your system is working out well for you. Neither of the solutions you mention address the fundamental issue, but I appreciate the pointers anyway.
2. Read my comment again. Using a stick as a pointer isn't the problem. Using a stick as a pointer on a VERTICAL SURFACE is a problem. Graphic designers are not standing their Wacom tablets on their edges. Neither are they trying to work with no cursor on their monitor.
3. Good point.
I do agree with you on two and wish Apple would introduce mouse/trackpad support. However it is not a deal breaker for me as the alternatives are workable although not the best solution. There are also things that the iPad can do that the laptop can’t that I use that need to be given consideration, such as scanning documents, taking photos and videos.
If I hear another “where’s the mouse” article, I’m going to scream, iOS should never have a mouse. I really don’t get the external screen, I just don’t.
If you don’t see the benefits of a mouse in precision and control or a large screen for viewing so much more, your family must be eating with their fingers whilst looking TV on their phones
lowededwookie said: [...] I can edit video on an iPhone just as easily as using iMovie on the Mac
"Easily," yes. Accurately, no. Fine adjustments are difficult using a finger on a small screen.
There is Pencil for that.
He said he can edit video on an IPHONE. Did you just overlook that or the iPhone actually support the Pencil now?
Although the iPhone does not support the Apple Pencil, you can use a fine point digital capacitive stylus. I got a cheap one to try and use it for accurate selection in iMovie, Pages, Numbers etc as well as making hand written notes and simple sketches in the Notes app and Noteability.
The only problem with the new iPad Pro’s (apart from their very high purchase price) is Apple’s current refusal to implement the software required to let them reach their full potential...a marketing decision taken to protect sales of their Macs, the laptops in particular...stating the obvious here. Just rename them the MacPads and take the plunge Apple
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. I agree. Or the cloud. 2. Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute I can imagine, as not only must one move their hands from the keyboard to touch the screen, but then they have to pick up and put down a pencil, with no support to stabilize it in mid-air.
But the mouse causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I haven’t heard of anyone getting carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the pencil usage.
Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute when playing Call of Duty. But on that, the mouse is not the best input device neither, there are game controllers for that. Yet I don't see people discussing "mouse or game controller" in gaming forums, why are we into such a pointless discussion here?
Pencil can do everything that a mouse can do and even more. The mouse is a mechanical pointing device of the 1960s. Pencil is a 21st century technology and there is state of the art engineering in it, encompassing both the display and the device. Pencil is not a stylus, a stylus is a stick compared to Pencil. What the mouse interface provided and the touch interface couldn't provide was the precision data selection. With Pencil, precision data selection is possible even better than the best mouse or trackpad can provide.
You’re taking my response out of context of the article to which we’ve all been replying. The Pencil is great for fine tuned selection and editing directly on an iPad laying flat on a table. It’s terrible for an iPad propped up on a keyboard stand. It’s terrible when using an external monitor. Heck, even if the iPad is laying flat and the user is merely typing on it, having to take their hands of the keyboard to pick up and put down a Pencil is still worse than using a mouse. And forget about using it while sitting on a couch as one might with a MacBook. That’s where a trackpad rules the day. Apple has added a virtual trackpad, but that’s far from ideal, even on native Apple apps, but still better than the Pencil which you’d have to pull off its magnetic docking perch, holding the iPad with one hand, and then reattaching it, before continuing with the typing. So in general I’d say a mouse or trackpad would still be better for most everything in daily computer use, aside from drawing, editing, and taking notes.
Besides, even putting all that aside, the iPad Pro's marketing includes using the keyboard stand and an external monitor. Both make touch a less effective control method than using a mouse.
If you'd watched the Keynote you'd know or you already know that the reason to attach a 4K monitor to iPad Pro is to follow iMovie edits in real time 4K, since the iPad's own display is not 4K. The actual iPad page on Apple's site mentions only "USB-C for ... external display" and says nothing about that external display. There is no point to present it as the main "computer display" of iPad.
So the user has to continually shift his eyes back and forth from the iPad to the screen, as well as take their hands off the keyboard, to lift a Pencil to the vertical screen, and hover it unsupported in midair to make detailed selections, then put the pencil down to continue using the keyboard; all the while shifting their eyes from the iPad to the 4K monitor and back as they make the fine adjustments and make sure the Pencil is where they think it’s supposed to be on the iPad? Doesn’t really sound more efficient than a mouse ... in fact it sounds a lot worse, even if Apple only intended the external monitor to be used solely as a 4K reference display and not a workspace.
All your long anecdotal narration is irrelevant. The iPad is not for desktop usage. If you don't want to leave your comfy desk get a laptop. Neither the folding keyboard nor the 4K display are main components of iPad Pro. The monitor is there only to watch 4K iMovie edits. Besides that there is absolutely no point in buying a 4K monitor for the iPad Pro.
OK if your point is to get a trackpad on that foldable keyboard, then this is not possible: 1) How will you power it? 2) What if people with disabilities or long fingernails want to attach a mouse to that keyboard? How will you power both? 3) There is no pointer in iOS. Your request requires the whole UI to be re-written for the mouse interface. That won't happen, buy a Surface it has both touch and mouse. I am off that mouse discussion.
1) It's not anecdotal. Its reality. But it is true that the iPad is obviously not capable of desktop usage -- thus this discussion triggered by Apple's contention that it is a laptop/desktop replacement. Most agree that it COULD be, but isn't.
2) Your second paragraph is just throwing out objections that have no basis in reality.
- How will you power it? The same way bluetooth keyboards and mice are powered now. Or, via the smart connector. That problem was solved years ago.
- What about people with long fingernails? -- They will do the same as they do today
- The entire UI needs to be rewritten: That just isn't true. Not by a long shot. iOS already has a multiple pointers -- the finger is one, the two finger touch on the iPad works as another.
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. I agree. Or the cloud. 2. Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute I can imagine, as not only must one move their hands from the keyboard to touch the screen, but then they have to pick up and put down a pencil, with no support to stabilize it in mid-air.
But the mouse causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I haven’t heard of anyone getting carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the pencil usage.
Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute when playing Call of Duty. But on that, the mouse is not the best input device neither, there are game controllers for that. Yet I don't see people discussing "mouse or game controller" in gaming forums, why are we into such a pointless discussion here?
Pencil can do everything that a mouse can do and even more. The mouse is a mechanical pointing device of the 1960s. Pencil is a 21st century technology and there is state of the art engineering in it, encompassing both the display and the device. Pencil is not a stylus, a stylus is a stick compared to Pencil. What the mouse interface provided and the touch interface couldn't provide was the precision data selection. With Pencil, precision data selection is possible even better than the best mouse or trackpad can provide.
You’re taking my response out of context of the article to which we’ve all been replying. The Pencil is great for fine tuned selection and editing directly on an iPad laying flat on a table. It’s terrible for an iPad propped up on a keyboard stand. It’s terrible when using an external monitor. Heck, even if the iPad is laying flat and the user is merely typing on it, having to take their hands of the keyboard to pick up and put down a Pencil is still worse than using a mouse. And forget about using it while sitting on a couch as one might with a MacBook. That’s where a trackpad rules the day. Apple has added a virtual trackpad, but that’s far from ideal, even on native Apple apps, but still better than the Pencil which you’d have to pull off its magnetic docking perch, holding the iPad with one hand, and then reattaching it, before continuing with the typing. So in general I’d say a mouse or trackpad would still be better for most everything in daily computer use, aside from drawing, editing, and taking notes.
Besides, even putting all that aside, the iPad Pro's marketing includes using the keyboard stand and an external monitor. Both make touch a less effective control method than using a mouse.
If you'd watched the Keynote you'd know or you already know that the reason to attach a 4K monitor to iPad Pro is to follow iMovie edits in real time 4K, since the iPad's own display is not 4K. The actual iPad page on Apple's site mentions only "USB-C for ... external display" and says nothing about that external display. There is no point to present it as the main "computer display" of iPad.
So the user has to continually shift his eyes back and forth from the iPad to the screen, as well as take their hands off the keyboard, to lift a Pencil to the vertical screen, and hover it unsupported in midair to make detailed selections, then put the pencil down to continue using the keyboard; all the while shifting their eyes from the iPad to the 4K monitor and back as they make the fine adjustments and make sure the Pencil is where they think it’s supposed to be on the iPad? Doesn’t really sound more efficient than a mouse ... in fact it sounds a lot worse, even if Apple only intended the external monitor to be used solely as a 4K reference display and not a workspace.
All your long anecdotal narration is irrelevant. The iPad is not for desktop usage. If you don't want to leave your comfy desk get a laptop. Neither the folding keyboard nor the 4K display are main components of iPad Pro. The monitor is there only to watch 4K iMovie edits. Besides that there is absolutely no point in buying a 4K monitor for the iPad Pro.
OK if your point is to get a trackpad on that foldable keyboard, then this is not possible: 1) How will you power it? 2) What if people with disabilities or long fingernails want to attach a mouse to that keyboard? How will you power both? 3) There is no pointer in iOS. Your request requires the whole UI to be re-written for the mouse interface. That won't happen, buy a Surface it has both touch and mouse. I am off that mouse discussion.
1) It's not anecdotal. Its reality. But it is true that the iPad is obviously not capable of desktop usage -- thus this discussion triggered by Apple's contention that it is a laptop/desktop replacement. Most agree that it COULD be, but isn't.
2) Your second paragraph is just throwing out objections that have no basis in reality.
- How will you power it? The same way bluetooth keyboards and mice are powered now. Or, via the smart connector. That problem was solved years ago.
- What about people with long fingernails? -- They will do the same as they do today
- The entire UI needs to be rewritten: That just isn't true. Not by a long shot. iOS already has a multiple pointers -- the finger is one, the two finger touch on the iPad works as another.
On the UI "issue", the appleTV has a trackpad interface and no pointer.
It should just work. If you have to do a work around, the concept is compromised. Then add the escalating prices on anyone wanting anything other than base config. Well, TBH the base config has no doubt impressive margins already, so it is galling. Like far too many Apple products, the iPad Pro has become too expensive to recommend.
i honestly can’t recommend the iPad Pro. Very regretfully. The basic iPad with the old pencil, with its stupid charging solution, is the iPad I have had my workplace switch to from iPad pros. The constant war I have with the Apple Hating IT department to have iPads at all, means I really don’t need the extra lead in the saddle bag of the iPad Pro price. Actually, rather than lead in the saddle bag, maybe it’s plutonium in the saddle bag. Apple product prices is always the first weapon IT use against my use case.
Then IT moves to file management arguments (I have no answer here), and connectivity to local printers and presentation hardware. The day Surface comes with built in GPS it’s game over.
Yeah, prices. IT depts hate Apple products because their practices (& so jobs) become largely redundant which actually reduces price per seat - those salaries/services contracts ain’t cheap.
All arguments (& most across the web on iPad Pro) are down to people not getting that you don’t employ the same practice to different products, not Windows PCS, not Macs, iPads. If you do, you either spend too much money or beak the service & productivity workflows built on it. You shouldn’t need to change these, just the practice-layer/people.
Files; I use iPad Pro with OneDrive for Business +SharePoint. Done. Printers; I use a modern, AirPrint compatible printer. Don. Presentations; I use AppleTV (the most robust wireless solution) for KeyNote, PowerPoint & best of all - iBooks (as the contain reference material which you can duck into professionally) Cost; no IT involvement means huge savings.
Good luck.
While it's true Apple devices are more reliable that Windows, when they do have an issue they're a nightmare to deal with. I do the Mac support for my company and when there's a problem none of the tools Windows has exist. At best there are poor third party solutions like JAMF. I've used Apple since the 80's but there are days when a simple issue makes me want to throw the whole bunch out and make everyone use Windows. Apple is very business unfriendly.
Totally agree. Apple products have become increasingly consumer, single user centric. They simply aren't designed for use in a corporate environment of shared resources, private data sharing, corporate applications and internal security -- as well as in a cost managed environment (why spend $1,500 on a laptop when a $500 one will do?).
I suspect that that same limitation is partly responsible for their lack of popularity in schools. Google on the other hand has a well developed ecosystem for grade school, middle school and high school that supports both the IT staff and the educators. Apple said they want in with their Gen 6 iPad -- but we will see if they can break Google's near strangle hold on it. But, so far, they don't support even individual students all that well -- their "student discounts" only apply to college level and above.
Having spent over eighteen years working in IT the one thing I’ve noticed about the way people use computers is that they would be far better suited to using an iPad. And that’s including office workers. The writer of this very strange article decries that most people won’t use the power of the new iPad Pro but then 99% of people don’t use the full power of a desktop and laptop.
In the past I needed a desktop/laptop simply because the software I needed to use wasn’t on iOS but now that I’ve left the drudgery of IT this isn’t a problem except for two pieces of software, Flux and Fusion360 but I can work around Flux and AutoDesk are going to bring the AutoCAD engine to iOS so Fusion360 might not be far away.
To say the iPad Pro is not a real computer simply because of the input methods proves that you don’t actually know what the definition of a computer is and therefore should not be writing for a computer based site. That might seem rude but an iPhone is literally by definition a computer. Are you going to tell me the ECU in a car is not a computer simply because there’s no way a human can interact with it directly? It’s absurd to think that way and absurd to think that an iOS device can’t be used to replace a desktop or a laptop when as I’ve already mentioned 99% of computer users would be better served with an iPad given their computing needs. That leaves the 1% who genuinely do and that seems to include the writer of this article.
To say the iPad can’t be used as a computer simply because it can’t do what you want/need is a pathetic view of computing that is not grounded in reality. Apple knows this. Apple developed a computer in the iPad that is more powerful than 92% of the laptops on the market. Just let that sink in for a second. That means the iPad is capable of handling massive spreadsheets, and 3D rendering, and music composition because it’s power is amazing. The only thing that stops it doing so is not a lack of mouse but a lack of software.
A mouse is cumbersome and not very accurate despite the claims. There’s nothing about file transfer that warrants a mouse at all. Hell, I can edit video on an iPhone just as easily as using iMovie on the Mac so the lack of mouse does not hold the iPad Pro back as a serious computing device.
It should just work. If you have to do a work around, the concept is compromised. Then add the escalating prices on anyone wanting anything other than base config. Well, TBH the base config has no doubt impressive margins already, so it is galling. Like far too many Apple products, the iPad Pro has become too expensive to recommend.
i honestly can’t recommend the iPad Pro. Very regretfully. The basic iPad with the old pencil, with its stupid charging solution, is the iPad I have had my workplace switch to from iPad pros. The constant war I have with the Apple Hating IT department to have iPads at all, means I really don’t need the extra lead in the saddle bag of the iPad Pro price. Actually, rather than lead in the saddle bag, maybe it’s plutonium in the saddle bag. Apple product prices is always the first weapon IT use against my use case.
Then IT moves to file management arguments (I have no answer here), and connectivity to local printers and presentation hardware. The day Surface comes with built in GPS it’s game over.
Yeah, prices. IT depts hate Apple products because their practices (& so jobs) become largely redundant which actually reduces price per seat - those salaries/services contracts ain’t cheap.
All arguments (& most across the web on iPad Pro) are down to people not getting that you don’t employ the same practice to different products, not Windows PCS, not Macs, iPads. If you do, you either spend too much money or beak the service & productivity workflows built on it. You shouldn’t need to change these, just the practice-layer/people.
Files; I use iPad Pro with OneDrive for Business +SharePoint. Done. Printers; I use a modern, AirPrint compatible printer. Don. Presentations; I use AppleTV (the most robust wireless solution) for KeyNote, PowerPoint & best of all - iBooks (as the contain reference material which you can duck into professionally) Cost; no IT involvement means huge savings.
Good luck.
Work does not enable AirPrint, work does not purchase Apple tvs, I need a way to work around IT, I am seriously thinking of using my own money to beat them. One drive is an option. I will have to buy office 365 for iPad with my own coin though. IT only want MS stuff, but office 365 is not on the corporate list, just bog standard MS office, which of course doesn’t work on the iPad. I will nite that even though they pushed Surface as a replacement laptop for a while, they have gone back to HP and Dell. Nobody wanted Surface, not robust enough for field work and a crap tablet compared with the iPad, which I had pushed out quicker than IT could stop it. That everyone has iPhones helped screw IT’s plans.
You’ll need an exec/senior leadership sponsor to back a business case showing how IT is a bit stuck/staid and how it’s hurting productivity which is meant to be one of the key justifications for having IT in the first place
Luckily, IT know nothing about productivity (they think it’s Microsoft Office) but they won’t go down without a fight and a lot of plausible referencing. You could cite IBM as demonstrating lower cost per seat but create a more local case and ask IT why they specifically disallow Apple tech when it’s so prevalent. If you have a Digital team they’ll be useful allies.
You apparently believe that IT is some separate, unrelated entity or vendor.
In most large organizations, the CIO is part of the "exec/senior leadership" you suggest appealing to. And, that CIO, with support from that team, is charged with far more than making a single user happy. It is responsible for managing enterprise level demands such as: cost managment, shared resources, enterprise level applications, data security, etc, etc., etc.....
The only problem with the new iPad Pro’s (apart from their very high purchase price) is Apple’s current refusal to implement the software required to let them reach their full potential...a marketing decision taken to protect sales of their Macs, the laptops in particular...stating the obvious here. Just rename them the MacPads and take the plunge Apple
That is one possible explanation for "Apple’s current refusal to implement the software required to let them reach their full potential".
But Apple has never been shy about cannibalizing a product for a better product. Historically they have been forward looking rather than defensive.
But, particularly in the past 5-10 years, they have become more protective of one thing: Their reputation as the best of the best. They have become gun shy at releasing products that may not achieve the ultra high standards people have come to expect. So, it may be that they are developing the iPad software step by cautious step and, one day, will surprise us.
As many have pointed out, the limitations are not with the hardware but with the software. And, while people maybe expected more out of iOS 12, it was said months ago that iOS 12 was to be a consolidation and stability release more than a functional improvement release. For instance, the older iPhones now run quicker rather than slower.
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. I agree. Or the cloud. 2. Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute I can imagine, as not only must one move their hands from the keyboard to touch the screen, but then they have to pick up and put down a pencil, with no support to stabilize it in mid-air.
But the mouse causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I haven’t heard of anyone getting carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the pencil usage.
Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute when playing Call of Duty. But on that, the mouse is not the best input device neither, there are game controllers for that. Yet I don't see people discussing "mouse or game controller" in gaming forums, why are we into such a pointless discussion here?
Pencil can do everything that a mouse can do and even more. The mouse is a mechanical pointing device of the 1960s. Pencil is a 21st century technology and there is state of the art engineering in it, encompassing both the display and the device. Pencil is not a stylus, a stylus is a stick compared to Pencil. What the mouse interface provided and the touch interface couldn't provide was the precision data selection. With Pencil, precision data selection is possible even better than the best mouse or trackpad can provide.
You’re taking my response out of context of the article to which we’ve all been replying. The Pencil is great for fine tuned selection and editing directly on an iPad laying flat on a table. It’s terrible for an iPad propped up on a keyboard stand. It’s terrible when using an external monitor. Heck, even if the iPad is laying flat and the user is merely typing on it, having to take their hands of the keyboard to pick up and put down a Pencil is still worse than using a mouse. And forget about using it while sitting on a couch as one might with a MacBook. That’s where a trackpad rules the day. Apple has added a virtual trackpad, but that’s far from ideal, even on native Apple apps, but still better than the Pencil which you’d have to pull off its magnetic docking perch, holding the iPad with one hand, and then reattaching it, before continuing with the typing. So in general I’d say a mouse or trackpad would still be better for most everything in daily computer use, aside from drawing, editing, and taking notes.
Besides, even putting all that aside, the iPad Pro's marketing includes using the keyboard stand and an external monitor. Both make touch a less effective control method than using a mouse.
If you'd watched the Keynote you'd know or you already know that the reason to attach a 4K monitor to iPad Pro is to follow iMovie edits in real time 4K, since the iPad's own display is not 4K. The actual iPad page on Apple's site mentions only "USB-C for ... external display" and says nothing about that external display. There is no point to present it as the main "computer display" of iPad.
So the user has to continually shift his eyes back and forth from the iPad to the screen, as well as take their hands off the keyboard, to lift a Pencil to the vertical screen, and hover it unsupported in midair to make detailed selections, then put the pencil down to continue using the keyboard; all the while shifting their eyes from the iPad to the 4K monitor and back as they make the fine adjustments and make sure the Pencil is where they think it’s supposed to be on the iPad? Doesn’t really sound more efficient than a mouse ... in fact it sounds a lot worse, even if Apple only intended the external monitor to be used solely as a 4K reference display and not a workspace.
All your long anecdotal narration is irrelevant. The iPad is not for desktop usage. If you don't want to leave your comfy desk get a laptop. Neither the folding keyboard nor the 4K display are main components of iPad Pro. The monitor is there only to watch 4K iMovie edits. Besides that there is absolutely no point in buying a 4K monitor for the iPad Pro.
OK if your point is to get a trackpad on that foldable keyboard, then this is not possible: 1) How will you power it? 2) What if people with disabilities or long fingernails want to attach a mouse to that keyboard? How will you power both? 3) There is no pointer in iOS. Your request requires the whole UI to be re-written for the mouse interface. That won't happen, buy a Surface it has both touch and mouse. I am off that mouse discussion.
1) It's not anecdotal. Its reality. But it is true that the iPad is obviously not capable of desktop usage -- thus this discussion triggered by Apple's contention that it is a laptop/desktop replacement. Most agree that it COULD be, but isn't.
2) Your second paragraph is just throwing out objections that have no basis in reality.
- How will you power it? The same way bluetooth keyboards and mice are powered now. Or, via the smart connector. That problem was solved years ago.
- What about people with long fingernails? -- They will do the same as they do today
- The entire UI needs to be rewritten: That just isn't true. Not by a long shot. iOS already has a multiple pointers -- the finger is one, the two finger touch on the iPad works as another.
Do not hold your breath. Apple won't make a Surface clone, do not try to sell a Surface to the Mac community. TC is very resolute about that: no toaster-fridges.
With all the battery enclosed in that mouse-trackpad-keyboard with F keys combo, and the power supply required to recharge it, and the headphone/micro jack (you cannot omit that) and the associated DA converter, keyboard lights (otherwise how will you know Wi Fi is on or off?) palm rest (your wrists must get support from somewhere, you cannot hold them raised too long) you get half a netbook. Continue with your creative mind exercises but I am done with that.
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. I agree. Or the cloud. 2. Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute I can imagine, as not only must one move their hands from the keyboard to touch the screen, but then they have to pick up and put down a pencil, with no support to stabilize it in mid-air.
But the mouse causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I haven’t heard of anyone getting carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the pencil usage.
Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute when playing Call of Duty. But on that, the mouse is not the best input device neither, there are game controllers for that. Yet I don't see people discussing "mouse or game controller" in gaming forums, why are we into such a pointless discussion here?
Pencil can do everything that a mouse can do and even more. The mouse is a mechanical pointing device of the 1960s. Pencil is a 21st century technology and there is state of the art engineering in it, encompassing both the display and the device. Pencil is not a stylus, a stylus is a stick compared to Pencil. What the mouse interface provided and the touch interface couldn't provide was the precision data selection. With Pencil, precision data selection is possible even better than the best mouse or trackpad can provide.
You’re taking my response out of context of the article to which we’ve all been replying. The Pencil is great for fine tuned selection and editing directly on an iPad laying flat on a table. It’s terrible for an iPad propped up on a keyboard stand. It’s terrible when using an external monitor. Heck, even if the iPad is laying flat and the user is merely typing on it, having to take their hands of the keyboard to pick up and put down a Pencil is still worse than using a mouse. And forget about using it while sitting on a couch as one might with a MacBook. That’s where a trackpad rules the day. Apple has added a virtual trackpad, but that’s far from ideal, even on native Apple apps, but still better than the Pencil which you’d have to pull off its magnetic docking perch, holding the iPad with one hand, and then reattaching it, before continuing with the typing. So in general I’d say a mouse or trackpad would still be better for most everything in daily computer use, aside from drawing, editing, and taking notes.
Besides, even putting all that aside, the iPad Pro's marketing includes using the keyboard stand and an external monitor. Both make touch a less effective control method than using a mouse.
If you'd watched the Keynote you'd know or you already know that the reason to attach a 4K monitor to iPad Pro is to follow iMovie edits in real time 4K, since the iPad's own display is not 4K. The actual iPad page on Apple's site mentions only "USB-C for ... external display" and says nothing about that external display. There is no point to present it as the main "computer display" of iPad.
So the user has to continually shift his eyes back and forth from the iPad to the screen, as well as take their hands off the keyboard, to lift a Pencil to the vertical screen, and hover it unsupported in midair to make detailed selections, then put the pencil down to continue using the keyboard; all the while shifting their eyes from the iPad to the 4K monitor and back as they make the fine adjustments and make sure the Pencil is where they think it’s supposed to be on the iPad? Doesn’t really sound more efficient than a mouse ... in fact it sounds a lot worse, even if Apple only intended the external monitor to be used solely as a 4K reference display and not a workspace.
All your long anecdotal narration is irrelevant. The iPad is not for desktop usage. If you don't want to leave your comfy desk get a laptop. Neither the folding keyboard nor the 4K display are main components of iPad Pro. The monitor is there only to watch 4K iMovie edits. Besides that there is absolutely no point in buying a 4K monitor for the iPad Pro.
OK if your point is to get a trackpad on that foldable keyboard, then this is not possible: 1) How will you power it? 2) What if people with disabilities or long fingernails want to attach a mouse to that keyboard? How will you power both? 3) There is no pointer in iOS. Your request requires the whole UI to be re-written for the mouse interface. That won't happen, buy a Surface it has both touch and mouse. I am off that mouse discussion.
1) It's not anecdotal. Its reality. But it is true that the iPad is obviously not capable of desktop usage -- thus this discussion triggered by Apple's contention that it is a laptop/desktop replacement. Most agree that it COULD be, but isn't.
2) Your second paragraph is just throwing out objections that have no basis in reality.
- How will you power it? The same way bluetooth keyboards and mice are powered now. Or, via the smart connector. That problem was solved years ago.
- What about people with long fingernails? -- They will do the same as they do today
- The entire UI needs to be rewritten: That just isn't true. Not by a long shot. iOS already has a multiple pointers -- the finger is one, the two finger touch on the iPad works as another.
On the UI "issue", the appleTV has a trackpad interface and no pointer.
1 External Drive support - use a WiFi Drive 2 Lack if mouse - use the Apple Pencil 3 Headphone jack - use a dongle or a device with a usb c jack. 3.5 headphone jacks have gone from mobile devices 4 Overpowered - come on, rendering a video in less than half the time is a problem. It will also future proof the iPad. 5 Storage - see 1
1. I agree. Or the cloud. 2. Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute I can imagine, as not only must one move their hands from the keyboard to touch the screen, but then they have to pick up and put down a pencil, with no support to stabilize it in mid-air.
But the mouse causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I haven’t heard of anyone getting carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the pencil usage.
Pencil is the worst possible mouse substitute when playing Call of Duty. But on that, the mouse is not the best input device neither, there are game controllers for that. Yet I don't see people discussing "mouse or game controller" in gaming forums, why are we into such a pointless discussion here?
Pencil can do everything that a mouse can do and even more. The mouse is a mechanical pointing device of the 1960s. Pencil is a 21st century technology and there is state of the art engineering in it, encompassing both the display and the device. Pencil is not a stylus, a stylus is a stick compared to Pencil. What the mouse interface provided and the touch interface couldn't provide was the precision data selection. With Pencil, precision data selection is possible even better than the best mouse or trackpad can provide.
You’re taking my response out of context of the article to which we’ve all been replying. The Pencil is great for fine tuned selection and editing directly on an iPad laying flat on a table. It’s terrible for an iPad propped up on a keyboard stand. It’s terrible when using an external monitor. Heck, even if the iPad is laying flat and the user is merely typing on it, having to take their hands of the keyboard to pick up and put down a Pencil is still worse than using a mouse. And forget about using it while sitting on a couch as one might with a MacBook. That’s where a trackpad rules the day. Apple has added a virtual trackpad, but that’s far from ideal, even on native Apple apps, but still better than the Pencil which you’d have to pull off its magnetic docking perch, holding the iPad with one hand, and then reattaching it, before continuing with the typing. So in general I’d say a mouse or trackpad would still be better for most everything in daily computer use, aside from drawing, editing, and taking notes.
Besides, even putting all that aside, the iPad Pro's marketing includes using the keyboard stand and an external monitor. Both make touch a less effective control method than using a mouse.
If you'd watched the Keynote you'd know or you already know that the reason to attach a 4K monitor to iPad Pro is to follow iMovie edits in real time 4K, since the iPad's own display is not 4K. The actual iPad page on Apple's site mentions only "USB-C for ... external display" and says nothing about that external display. There is no point to present it as the main "computer display" of iPad.
So the user has to continually shift his eyes back and forth from the iPad to the screen, as well as take their hands off the keyboard, to lift a Pencil to the vertical screen, and hover it unsupported in midair to make detailed selections, then put the pencil down to continue using the keyboard; all the while shifting their eyes from the iPad to the 4K monitor and back as they make the fine adjustments and make sure the Pencil is where they think it’s supposed to be on the iPad? Doesn’t really sound more efficient than a mouse ... in fact it sounds a lot worse, even if Apple only intended the external monitor to be used solely as a 4K reference display and not a workspace.
All your long anecdotal narration is irrelevant. The iPad is not for desktop usage. If you don't want to leave your comfy desk get a laptop. Neither the folding keyboard nor the 4K display are main components of iPad Pro. The monitor is there only to watch 4K iMovie edits. Besides that there is absolutely no point in buying a 4K monitor for the iPad Pro.
OK if your point is to get a trackpad on that foldable keyboard, then this is not possible: 1) How will you power it? 2) What if people with disabilities or long fingernails want to attach a mouse to that keyboard? How will you power both? 3) There is no pointer in iOS. Your request requires the whole UI to be re-written for the mouse interface. That won't happen, buy a Surface it has both touch and mouse. I am off that mouse discussion.
1) It's not anecdotal. Its reality. But it is true that the iPad is obviously not capable of desktop usage -- thus this discussion triggered by Apple's contention that it is a laptop/desktop replacement. Most agree that it COULD be, but isn't.
2) Your second paragraph is just throwing out objections that have no basis in reality.
- How will you power it? The same way bluetooth keyboards and mice are powered now. Or, via the smart connector. That problem was solved years ago.
- What about people with long fingernails? -- They will do the same as they do today
- The entire UI needs to be rewritten: That just isn't true. Not by a long shot. iOS already has a multiple pointers -- the finger is one, the two finger touch on the iPad works as another.
Do not hold your breath. Apple won't make a Surface clone, do not try to sell a Surface to the Mac community. TC is very resolute about that: no toaster-fridges.
With all the battery enclosed in that mouse-trackpad-keyboard with F keys combo, and the power supply required to recharge it, and the headphone/micro jack (you cannot omit that) and the associated DA converter, keyboard lights (otherwise how will you know Wi Fi is on or off?) palm rest (your wrists must get support from somewhere, you cannot hold them raised too long) you get half a netbook. Continue with your creative mind exercises but I am done with that.
With any luck then Apple will stop marketing the iPad as a Surface, or at least a laptop/desktop replacement.
By the way, you do realize the iPad has a DA converter in it to power those four speakers, even without the headphone jack, right? But thanks for the amusing, nonsensical rants.
That's the problem - Apple is pushing the iPad as a 'real' computer that is capable of replacing a laptop, and it is priced higher than many laptops, so people are expecting it to perform as such.
You’re too late as it already has. Both my parents have given up desktop and notebook computers in favor of iPads. Same use cases.
A computing device doesn’t need to be capable of all possible use cases to remain a computing device. Dunno why so many struggle with this simple fact.
That's the problem - Apple is pushing the iPad as a 'real' computer that is capable of replacing a laptop, and it is priced higher than many laptops, so people are expecting it to perform as such.
In what sense do you mean it isn’t capable of replacing a computer? It most definitely is a real computer and can replace a laptop for many tasks (I rarely travel with a laptop anymore unless I know I need a specific function the iPad can’t accomodate in any way). However, one of them is not using it as depicted in the Lack of Mouse Support section above. Without an ergonomic pointing/selection device, using it with an external keyboard and especially with an external monitor is a bit silly.
My wife has used her iPad Air 2 as her primary ‘computer’ for several years. It’s works perfectly for what she needs it for - surfing, light e-mail, blogging on wordpress. If that’s all you need an ipad for, it works fine. But then you have no need to pay $1500+ for an iPad Pro, Smart Keyboard and pencil, and the performance of the A12x is a huge amount of overkill.
When I say an ipad isn’t capable of replacing a laptop, I speak from my personal experience using a 12” iPad Pro, Logitech keyboard and pencil. I could do most things I needed to do, with enough effort, but frequently things took significantly more work than on my MacBook Pro. The main issue is the file system, or lack there of. A MacBook Pro stores everything on the hard drive. An ipad routinely dumps things from memory when it things you dont’ need them, assuming you can download them from web. I found this out the hard way at 30,000 feet when the e-mail attachments I though I had downloaded were unavailable.
Again, it doesn’t need to be serve all use cases for all people for it to be true that ipads can and have replaced more traditional computers for many people. And nobody said you need the top-tier iPP plus all accessories to do this. You don’t, of course.
A notebook is a lousy replacement for my desktop development environment, but that’s my use case, and not being a good replacement for my use case doesn’t make a notebook not a computer or not a desktop replacement for many, many other people.
The only problem with the new iPad Pro’s (apart from their very high purchase price) is Apple’s current refusal to implement the software required to let them reach their full potential...a marketing decision taken to protect sales of their Macs, the laptops in particular...stating the obvious here. Just rename them the MacPads and take the plunge Apple
Ignorant nonsense, you must be new to Apple. They don’t worry about cannibalizing their own products and have said and demonstrated this numerous times. If you buy anything from them they’re happy about it. Nope, they sincerely believe the use case for tablets and notebooks is different.
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My wife has used her iPad Air 2 as her primary ‘computer’ for several years. It’s works perfectly for what she needs it for - surfing, light e-mail, blogging on wordpress. If that’s all you need an ipad for, it works fine. But then you have no need to pay $1500+ for an iPad Pro, Smart Keyboard and pencil, and the performance of the A12x is a huge amount of overkill.
When I say an ipad isn’t capable of replacing a laptop, I speak from my personal experience using a 12” iPad Pro, Logitech keyboard and pencil. I could do most things I needed to do, with enough effort, but frequently things took significantly more work than on my MacBook Pro. The main issue is the file system, or lack there of. A MacBook Pro stores everything on the hard drive. An ipad routinely dumps things from memory when it things you dont’ need them, assuming you can download them from web. I found this out the hard way at 30,000 feet when the e-mail attachments I though I had downloaded were unavailable.
As for getting a wifi hard drive, I agree with the other commenters. That seems to be a way of ‘making it work’ rather than it just working. I have an ipad with 256 GB of memory, more than enough memory for all my apps and files, but I need to get a separate device, make sure it’s charged, and make sure I have it with me just to use my $1300 tablet. And I’m just supposed to be ok with this.
Dont’ get me wrong- I like my iPad for a lot of things, and I’m truely impressed with the new A12x and the new ipad Pros’ processing abilities. I just wish Apple would do some more work on ios to make them more usable. iPads have matured to the point that they deserve their own, more capable version of ios, not a glorified version of the iphone OS.
Luckily, IT know nothing about productivity (they think it’s Microsoft Office) but they won’t go down without a fight and a lot of plausible referencing. You could cite IBM as demonstrating lower cost per seat but create a more local case and ask IT why they specifically disallow Apple tech when it’s so prevalent. If you have a Digital team they’ll be useful allies.
2 Grapic designers use a Wacom Tablet instead of a mouse, the iPad makes a great Wacom replacement.
3 USB C hubs are easily available and inexpensive. Not sure how many USB C ports you can chain together but imagine it will be more than you will ever need.
2. Read my comment again. Using a stick as a pointer isn't the problem. Using a stick as a pointer on a VERTICAL SURFACE is a problem. Graphic designers are not standing their Wacom tablets on their edges. Neither are they trying to work with no cursor on their monitor.
3. Good point.
There are also things that the iPad can do that the laptop can’t that I use that need to be given consideration, such as scanning documents, taking photos and videos.
With all the battery enclosed in that mouse-trackpad-keyboard with F keys combo, and the power supply required to recharge it, and the headphone/micro jack (you cannot omit that) and the associated DA converter, keyboard lights (otherwise how will you know Wi Fi is on or off?) palm rest (your wrists must get support from somewhere, you cannot hold them raised too long) you get half a netbook. Continue with your creative mind exercises but I am done with that.
Yes, just to move between buttons.
By the way, you do realize the iPad has a DA converter in it to power those four speakers, even without the headphone jack, right? But thanks for the amusing, nonsensical rants.
A notebook is a lousy replacement for my desktop development environment, but that’s my use case, and not being a good replacement for my use case doesn’t make a notebook not a computer or not a desktop replacement for many, many other people.
See how that works?
Ignorant nonsense, you must be new to Apple. They don’t worry about cannibalizing their own products and have said and demonstrated this numerous times. If you buy anything from them they’re happy about it. Nope, they sincerely believe the use case for tablets and notebooks is different.