I have had a few computers over the years. Everything from Thinkpads to Optiplexes to Surfaces and iPads. This iPad Pro M2 11″ is the best computer I’ve ever owned.
So right now, in my home office, I have an M2 Mac Mini, Surface Go, Inspiron laptop with a 6th gen i5, and a Dell Optiplex tower which I’ve turned into a Frankenstein machine over the last 5 years.
But above all of my current client machines, the iPad is the best. Why is that?
iPad OS vs Desktop OS
iPad OS is better than any desktop OS. I said it. Lets talk about why I’m right.
Multitasking on the iPad is soo much easier. This is due to a few factors:
- No running app management
- Default full screen
- Multitasking view
- Stage manager
Having to manage running apps is “shit work.” Work the system creates that has no other purpose than to manage the system.
On a desktop you have to manage what programs are running. In MacOS, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, if you don’t close things you’re not using the OS will slow down or even crash. So we all spend valuable time managing what is and isn’t running so that we can balance having what we need open with what the computer can handle.
What if the state of an application in RAM was saved to the disk, so that opening the program again doesn’t cause any work to be lost? Well that is what iPad OS does. It is kind of like swap, but for apps in the background that aren’t being used.
So if we can close apps without worrying about losing work, why manage running applications at all? Can’t the computer do it? Yes, and better than a person can. This is what iPad OS does – it closes things for you when it needs to. And you might not even notice something was closed, because when you open it you’re right back where you left off.
So in this way, iPad OS saves you time compared to other operating systems, where a considerable amount of time is spent managing the system itself.
Tiling window managers are generally seen as more efficient in both interaction and use of screen real estate.
Apps opening full screen by default makes sense. You’re going into that app to do something – don’t waste a small screen. Obviously desktop OS’s don’t have to worry about wasting screen space most of the time. But even in MacOS I try and configure everything to open full screen by default.
The human brain can only focus on one thing at a time. So it makes sense for our tools to only function in one way at a time, so that we can apply our focus to that. Desktop OS’s default everything to a stack of floating windows.
That stack of floating windows gets messy fast. Have you ever seen the average person’s desktop? They have a dozen windows open all on top of each other, or they have to spend time minimizing things. More advanced users might make use of virtual desktops, but even that is time consuming.
The default behavior of each app going full screen keeps things organized. And split screen functions as a tiling window management system allowing you to use two apps at once when needed for a single task.
Basically, window behavior in any desktop OS creates a mess that the user spends a lot of time managing and sifting through.
The multitasking view functions as both a way to switch apps, but also a record of what you had open.
The multitasking view in iPad OS is often compared to mission control in MacOS or the task view in Windows. All of these function to show you the apps you have open. But the multitasking view in iPad OS has more going on.
Because you don’t have to manually close applications in iPad OS, the multitasking view functions as a way to see a historical record of what you had open for the last few days. And when you open an old app from this view it loads right where you left off in just a second!
Desktop OS’s are sorely missing an app history function. It is just logical that the multitasking view doubles as a history rolodex.
Stage manager fixes the issues with the floating window metaphor.
So lets say you need more than 2 apps open at once to do something. Stage manager enters the stage.
Stage manager is a floating window implementation that solves the issue with the traditional metaphor. By default, each app window has its own “stage.” You can drag and drop windows between stages to have multiple open at once.
This behavior makes you logically create stages based on tasks. So instead of having to manually arrange virtual desktops or get lost in a sea of floating windows, you organically create the stages as part of the workflow and as much is automated as possible.
Also, it is impossible to have a window completely covered by other windows in stage manager. It will always make sure at least a little bit of it is visible. This greatly increases the usability.
The iPad is a better multitasking tool than MacOS or Windows
Overall, getting things done is easier on an iPad than on a desktop. It keeps you focused on the task at hand in a way that traditional desktops can’t replicate.
The iPad Pro’s Hardware is out of this Word
Lets talk about the iPad Pro’s hardware.
This ultra thin slate packs an M2 processor, and it – without a fan – out performs desktop class processors from the same release year. The performance per watt of energy is unmatched in anything else you can buy with this much horsepower.
And this iPad has 8GB of RAM. I know, 8GB isn’t a lot, but it is for an iPad. iPad apps are all generally much lighter than their desktop counterparts while still packing a respectable amount of the functionality. 8GB of RAM on an iPad is basically future proofing at this point.
The cameras – best tablet cameras you can get. The LiDAR sensor is excellent for when you need to measure something.
My model only has 128GB of storage – the default should be 256GB if you ask me for how much this thing costs. But again, apps on the iPad use much less space than their desktop counterparts. Where on my Mac I have 80GB free out of 256, on my iPad I have 66GB free of the 128. My iPad is geared up to do anything my Mac does and more – and it uses far less space.
So basically incredible hardware + super light software means outstanding performance for anything you can throw at it.
Apps
Most apps on the iPad that have desktop counterparts are sadly less feature rich. But this is changing over time, as 3rd party developers put more effort into their offerings.
We now have great creative options like the Affinity suite and Davinci Resolve, Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, all of which offer impressive functionality. There is very little that you can’t do on an iPad at this point.
However, those “very little” things add up. 99% of the time it can get the job done, but then you run into a site that doesn’t work in mobile Safari. Or an app that is missing some functionality for what you do. Most of the time there are work arounds, but it is frequent enough that you can’t just own an iPad.
And that is the thing about it, the app situation makes it so that you can’t own just an iPad and no other computers. Sadly due to limitations of the OS there are some things that apps just can’t do – like virtualization.
In exchange for this reduced functionality, you get a higher quality selection of the apps and features that are available.
Luckily for me, everything I need to do from armature video editing and music production to writing code on the Magic Keyboard and managing remote servers – all great on an iPad.
Basically, if you can do what you need to do in the apps available you’re going to have a better time than you would with a desktop. But you still probably need to own a desktop OS computer.
Did I mention it is a Tablet too?
On top of being a better desktop computer than desktop OS’s, this thing is also a tablet! And the Apple Pencil is an excellent stylus that really excels on the iPad. The hover feature is legitimately useful even for someone like me who isn’t an artist.
Editing video on the touch screen is such a good experience. I prefer it to my desktop Mac Mini.
You have all this functionality and smart engineering of the system, and you can use it while standing up and walking around!
When it comes to a tablet that can get real work done, this is it chief.
Final Thoughts
The iPad is the best computer – for me. That last part is highly important. The best tool for the job you’re trying to do depends on what that job is. For me, as a cyber security professional with a little youtube channel, works perfect. For you, maybe you’re a student taking classes or an engineer making 3D CAD designs – maybe you’re better served with a desktop.
Leave a Reply