It is possible to use an iPad as your main computer, or at least the one you carry instead of a laptop. I have been doing this for several years, and no longer have a laptop, by using a lot of apps and techniques. I started using an iPad heavily when they first came out for anything I could possibly do. I still have a 2013 Mac Pro desktop for Lightroom and other Photography apps, and a mind mapping software I like. And at the office I have Windows 10 on an Intel NUC desktop. The iPad is my only portable computer and the one I use the most.
Here is what I use.
Hardware:
- 2018 iPad Pro 11″ (but this is about my 7th iPad).
- Apple Magic Keyboard with Trackpad (also have the Keyboard Folio). See it on Amazon.
- Apple Pencil – Works phenomenally well. I have two – one on my desk, and one in the bag. See it on Amazon.
Other hardware I use sometimes:
- Logitech Craft Keyboard – but Bluetooth with the iPad is very iffy, so I use the Logitech receiver dongle. Irritating. Also, the battery life of this backlit keyboard is measured in days, not weeks. See it on Amazon.
- Laptop Stand, Boyata Laptop Holder – I can set the iPad with the Magic keyboard on this like a laptop for a higher viewing angle and less neck strain. But I can also quickly pull the iPad off for tablet use, etc. See it on Amazon.
- USB-C Hub – I have 2-3 of these. This is the one on my desk setup now – see it on Amazon.
- HP 32″ 4K Monitor: I don’t use it a lot with my iPad. See it on Amazon.
- Apple Magic Trackpad – external – for use with the iPad in desk mode. See it on Amazon.
- Logitech MX 3 Master Mouse – But the trackpad works so much better for navigation. I do not like the side scrolling wheel. But it still is better for selecting and moving text than the Magic Trackpad, primarily because of the trackpad’s position to the right of the keyboard. See it on Amazon.
Software Apps:
First, almost all my apps are selected because they work well, and are available on other platforms (like MacOS and Windows); in case I need to use the data there for a project, etc. Here is what I use for apps.
- Microsoft OneDrive – this is the most important part, so all my files are available everywhere. It has been rock solid reliable and integrates with the Files app.
- Microsoft Office – Especially now that Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can run multiple instances. Hopefully OneNote soon.
- Microsoft OneNote – I have been using it since 2004, and while I switched to Evernote for a while and tried several other note apps like GoodNotes, etc. it just works better for me and is on all devices. I use the Apple Pencil for about 25% of my notes, the rest are typed.
- Office Lens – Allows me to photo documents and whiteboards and import to OneNote, or as a PDF or a picture, etc.
- Microsoft Teams – Works great and my company uses it.
- TickTick To Do app – I used Todoist for years and reached the highest level in Karma (Enlightened). But TickTick has a built in Pomodoro timer, a daily habit function, and calendar view. Most of the rest of the functionality is very similar to Todoist, and the price is a bit lower per year.
- Jump Desktop – to access a remote system for something specific. Usually for connecting to a Windows 10 Instance to use MindJet Mind Manger, Visio, or an advanced function in Excel.
- Spark Mail – I use the Apple Mail app a lot, but Spark has better search features and some integrations with other apps that are helpful.
- Apple Calendar app – I have tried all the calendar apps, but Apple has this well integrated into the OS. I have Fantastical which I use sometimes.
- Olive Tree Bible Software – Daily devotions and in church.
- Apple Messages – For family and business.
- Apple Safari – This has really come along way and allows me to use any website as easily as on a desktop.
- Dragon Anywhere – I have been a Nuance / Dragon user for years on the Mac and Windows for dictation. but only recently started using this on the iPad. Expensive, but working well so far. A cheaper alternative is Speechy, but it lacks some capabilities.
- Good Reader – for PDFs. Also syncs with OneDrive where I keep folders of technical documents like camera manuals.
- Amazon Kindle – I have 100s of books in Kindle. Not great in the sunlight, but otherwise works very well.
- Apple News, Twitter, Reddit – News consumption and social media.
- Lightroom CC – I prefer Lightroom Classic CC on the Mac, because it integrates with third party editors, but when traveling, Lightroom CC on the iPad is about 80% of the desktop capabilities.
Then in Slide over, I use these:
- Calendar 366 – This is very similar to Fantastical, probably better in fact. I use it in slide over mode so I always have access to my Calendar.
- Yoink – another slide over, shelf app. I used Gladys also, but this is available on Mac OS and works great! I do not use the keyboard function.
- PCalc – I use it in slide over mode for fast access to a calculator.
- Drafts – Also in Slide over mode – For entering quick notes that can be transferred elsewhere.
By selecting the right apps, and moving data into the cloud, you can use the iPad as your main computer and do almost anything!
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