The iPad line these days is more and more powerful than you might imagine. Sometimes you even wonder if you should prefer an iPad over a computer. Depending on your needs, the iPad can actually be well suited to replace your laptop.
If the iPad has now become very powerful, it is mainly because Apple continues to position it as a potential replacement for a laptop computer.
If you don’t have major needs like working on a big photo or video montage in your day-to-day life, an iPad can be a great machine for you. On the flip side, if you need five apps open at once, an iPad just can’t replace a laptop. So how do you know if an iPad is right for you as a laptop replacement? Let’s find out.
Can the iPad replace a laptop?
There is an application for that
For many computer users, their laptop or desktop is primarily a way to explore the web with one or two browsers, use Facebook, or check email. If this is your case, the iPad can absolutely replace a laptop.
With millions of apps available, the iPad has become an incredible productivity machine. There are apps for almost every bank, making it easy for you to manage your finances. All the major retailers have apps available, so you can shop until you drop without ever leaving your couch.
What if you want to work? The iPad is also ready for this. The release of iPadOS 13 led to the release of a desktop version of Safari. This means that any website you visit has fewer compatibility issues and you will see a lot less mobile websites. There is even a download manager to retrieve files that can go directly into the Files app, similar to Finder or File Explorer.
Office suite and accessories
The combination of Apple’s iWork suite of desktop-grade applications with Microsoft Office applications makes it easy to duplicate work at the laptop level. You can design a PowerPoint document, fill out an Excel spreadsheet, or write a Word document for any need, all from your iPad.
And with dozens of Bluetooth keyboards and cases available, it’s easy to connect a keyboard to your iPad for easier typing. The release of the iPadOS 13 even made it easier to connect a mouse. That alone makes it even more believable that an iPad can function as a replacement for a laptop.
Multitask
What about multitasking? One of the most useful features of laptop users is the ability to open multiple applications simultaneously. You can open Outlook alongside Chrome while watching Netflix. While it doesn’t work exactly the same on an iPad, you can absolutely achieve the same goal.
Multi-window apps allow two apps to run side by side. This means you can open one side with a browser and the other side open with the Notes app … Netflix can also play in a smaller window in a corner of the screen, so you don’t miss any of your shows. favorite. Instead of Netflix, you can open another app, such as Photos, which will slide to the side as needed.
If an iPad can do all of this more conveniently for you on the go, then it can replace a computer, and better yet, you get more battery life than a laptop.
When the iPad can’t replace a computer?
While the idea of using an iPad as a laptop would be super handy, not everyone shares this approach, there are specific groups of people that come to mind first.
Undernourished for professional applications
The easiest to identify are those who need professional photo or video editing software. The iPad has a number of great photo and video editing apps and they come very close to desktop-like support. Unfortunately, they don’t always come close enough and in order to get them to work on an iPad, tradeoffs have to be made. For millions of professionals, this simply won’t be enough.
No proprietary software
If your desktop uses some type of proprietary software, that can also make it a big hurdle for an iPad to replace a laptop. Too many companies still use their own software to make things happen. Even with the millions of apps available, there may not be any to replace this particular software.
Even without proprietary software, some presentations require office-level Office software. PowerPoint for the iPad is really great, but it’s not so much on the desktop. If you are heavily dependent on the Office suite for work, the iPad as a laptop might not be for you.
Not (as) customizable
The idea of a desktop operating system is that you can easily customize it to your liking. This is not really the case for the iPadOS. While it comes with a dock that looks like macOS, its internal is still fairly locked down with limited customization options.
Can an iPad Really Replace a Laptop? The answer to this question depends on how you use your laptop. It’s not that black and white. It really depends on your needs.
Can the iPad Replace a Laptop for Most People? Of course, but in this case the same goes for a smartphone. For those who really only need a few critical apps and a web browser, a smartphone does a great job.
A Mixed relationship
Whether or not an iPad replaces a computer does not prevent these two devices from complementing each other largely. Right now, an iPad can allow you to quickly perform some tasks that you can later complete on your computer to save a lot of time.
It goes without saying that anyone who needs professional software should consider the iPad as an entertainment device more than a productivity machine, but also at the same time as a complementary tool for its productivity.
