Can an iPad replace your laptop?
It's a question that's been asked may times before. I think the answer is now yes.
It has been ten years since Steve Jobs launched a product that would change the landscape of mobile computing.
The iPad now has more features than ever before. There are now four different models: the standard 10.2” iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro.
An iPad is can do everything most people want to do. It can open PDF’s, create Word Documents, make PowerPoint slideshows, and, thanks to iMovie, even be used to edit videos into high quality masterpieces. For those who love the “Apple ecosystem”, an iPad is a more affordable primary computer than a MacBook. You can handle your iMessage’s directly from your iPad.
Both the iPad Air and Pro now have USB type C ports. This means that they can be charged with a non-proprietary lead. They can also use most modern USB memory sticks. IPad's now have a file manager to allow for easy access to your documents.
IPad's are also ideal for students. I replaced my aging MacBook Air with an iPad Air. The optional smart keyboard and Apple pencil are must-have accessories. I would recommend any students to use Notion and Notability. Both are great apps for taking notes and have massively increased my productivity.
However, an iPad is not perfect for everyone. Many desktop and professional applications will not run on an iPad. Examples include Microsoft Publisher and Adobe InDesign. Gaming on an iPad is a completely different experience to gaming on a PC. Whilst there is a massive catalogue of mobile games, many of these suffer from feature limitations compared to their desktop counterparts. An example is Minecraft Pocket Edition, which is inferior to the desktop Java edition.
These compatibility issues are caused by the iPad’s X64 ARM-based architecture, which is different to the X86-based Intel and AMD processor found in most Windows PC’s. Whilst new Macs are switching over to ARM based processors, iPad OS is still limited in its functionality.
An iPad is better than a laptop for most casual users. It can do most tasks with ease. Most casual tasks are a joy to complete. A touchscreen is ideal for watching videos and reading books. I would recommend anyone in the market for a school laptop to get an iPad.
