The release of the 5th Generation iPad Pro in Spring 2021 generated a lot of excitement. People speculated whether this iPad would finally be the one to entirely replace PCs.
The iPad Pro features cutting-edge technology that makes it even more powerful than some PCs. We can also add a magnetic keyboard and trackpad to give it a laptop-like appearance.
To some extent, the iPad Pro could replace a laptop. It’s capable of handling simple office activities as well as more complex design and animation projects. The iPad’s operating system, iPadOS15, is the biggest limitation that prevents it from entirely replacing a laptop.
Apple’s products are built with the idea of data sharing between devices in mind. Currently, the iPad Pro serves as a gadget that facilitates transferring work between mobile and stationary devices much easier and more convenient for consumers.
Although Apple may someday want iPads to replace laptops, it appears that the iPad’s design is currently geared toward compatibility with MacBooks, iMacs, and other Apple devices.
How Does an iPad Pro Compare to Laptops?
The release of the 5th Generation iPad Pro in Spring 2021 generated a lot of interest. People speculated if this iPad would be the one to entirely replace PCs.
The iPad Pro is even more powerful than some computers thanks to the latest technology. A magnetic keyboard and trackpad can be attached, giving it a laptop appearance.
To some extent, the iPad Pro can take the place of a laptop. It can perform simple office chores as well as more complex design and animation jobs. The iPad’s operating system, iPadOS15, is the biggest disadvantage that prevents it from completely replacing a laptop.
Apple’s products are built to allow data to be shared between devices. Currently, the iPad Pro serves as a gadget that facilitates transferring work between portable and stationary devices much easier and more convenient for consumers.
Although Apple may someday want iPads to replace laptops, the iPad’s current design looks to be geared for compatibility with MacBooks, iMacs, and other Apple devices.
How does an iPad Pro compare to a laptop computer?
When we look at the iPad Pro, we can see that it has a lot of similarities to traditional laptops.
To begin with, the iPad Pro’s horizontal posture appears to be identical to that of a typical laptop screen. The new iPad Pros have 11-inch and 12.9-inch panels, which are the same sizes as smaller laptop screens.
As long as the mouse is compatible, we can use Apple’s magnetic keyboards and connect a computer mouse to the iPad Pro.
We will be able to locate an app to assist us complete all types of job assignments and projects in the Apple App Store, which offers over a million apps for iOS powered devices. Both Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams include iPad apps that allow us to collaborate and communicate with our colleagues.
The iPad Pro also features 5G and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, allowing us to access the fastest mobile internet possible. We can also obtain up to 2TB of storage, which is comparable to what laptops offer.
The iPad Pro has a touchscreen, whereas MacBooks do not. The iPads, like other touchscreen laptops, come with a stylus, which works best with the Apple Pencil.
The Apple Pencil improves the iPad’s user experience. Its pressure sensitivity is incredibly exact, making it ideal for drawing and sketching.
The Apple Pencil 2nd Generation, which is compatible with the new iPad Pro, also boasts a double-tap feature that allows us to swiftly move between tools.
12.9-Inch Display on the 5th Generation iPad Pro
One of the most significant technological leaps between iPad generations was the 5th Generation iPad Pro, which included a 12.9-inch display. This iPad Pro model comes with the strong M1 chip, which is also found in MacBooks and iMacs.
The M1 chip allows the iPad Pro to run for an entire day on a single charge and perform more effectively. We can use the iPad Pro to edit videos, play games, and create AR models thanks to the M1 chip.
Why an iPad Pro Won’t Be able to Take the Place of a Laptop
The iPad Pro has incredible capabilities, and depending on the application, it can partially replace laptops. However, because of the operating system’s limitations, it won’t be able to totally replace a PC or laptop just yet.
iPadOS
While MacBooks use the macOS operating system, iPads have their own operating system called iPadOS. Although the most recent versions of both operating systems are closely connected, they nevertheless contain significant variances.
For the most part, iPadOS behaves like a smartphone rather than a laptop or desktop computer. The difference in operating systems will be most noticeable in the apps. On the iPad, mouse and keyboard functions and shortcuts work differently.
Apps for the iPad work in a similar way to apps for the iPhone. They’re usually more constrained than programs made for Mac.
Garageband, for example, is compatible with both iPad and Mac OS X. The iPadOS, on the other hand, is more user-friendly but has fewer controls. Meanwhile, macOS provides more detailed operations options.
Because iPad apps rarely have as many capabilities as MacOS apps, we may need to alter our use of them depending on the application.
Many iPad Pro users have shared their experiences using workarounds for Google’s office apps.
For iPad Pros, Google Docs and Google Sheets are both available. However, the functions are limited, similar to Garageband. The Google Sheets tool, for example, does not allow us to enter complex calculations.
These limits have been circumvented by users. We may usually access these programs by using a web browser software like Safari or Google Chrome. We can use the full versions of Google Docs and Google Sheets when we visit Google Drive through these browsers.
Sidecar
We can easily use our iPad as a second screen that either expands or replicates our MacBook or iPad screen if we’re utilizing a MacBook and iPad Pro with Sidecar capabilities.
Transferring work from the iPad Pro, iPhone, MacBook, and iMac is a breeze with this capability. As a result, we can use an iPad Pro to continue working outside of our desk. We can simply convert and shift to a MacBook or iMac with Sidecar once we’re ready to settle down or perform more extensive work.
Apple has designed the iPad Pro to replace laptops, based on features like Sidecar and the upgrades made to the most recent iPad Pro. It is, however, intended to replace PC laptops rather than MacBooks.
The iPad Pro is currently another Apple product to add to one’s inventory. When linked and utilized with a MacBook, it performs admirably. As a result, having both an iPad Pro and a MacBook makes sense for some consumers.
Is it possible for students to use an iPad Pro instead of a laptop?
College students can use the iPad Pro to replace some laptops if they don’t need to use programs that are developed for desktop and laptop operating systems.
The iPad Pro can be an excellent alternative to a bigger laptop if a student only needs a laptop to take notes and perform general coursework and projects.
Is it possible for other iPads to take the place of laptops?
I don’t recommend using earlier iPads to replace laptops, especially those that aren’t compatible with the Magic Keyboard. These iPads will still have a tablet feel about them, with limited storage and processing capability.
However, as we evaluate our need for a laptop, we may discover that the type of job we do does not necessitate one. We might be able to get by with a powerful tablet like the iPad Pro.
The type of job that we do determines a large part of the potential of replacing a laptop. So, while iPads can replace some laptops, they can’t yet completely replace a MacBook.
