Q: Ipad inplace of laoptop

if you need to share network based servers and hardware assets the iPad is a show stopper, you will need to use cloud based storage for files and if the applications you use does not support this you will be in a difficult place. While air print is nice it can be very limited when you need to present clients with printed work. If your work needs are very limited then a pad can be a legitimate replacement but depending on your business structure you could end up investing in an iPad and realizing a few weeks down the road you don't have adequate flexibility. If you work for a company and they have an IT department I suggest running it up the flagpole and seeing what their response is, if you do this for yourself and you're not sure you should speak with a business analyst.

The free version of MSO for iOS is also capped in it's abilities and you will need a subscription to MSO 365 to use all the Office features, but otherwise it's MS Office.

Many businesses today have deployed iPads for their employees and they have become integral tools in the work force. Why don't you pop into an Apple Store and play around with an iPad for a while. I am certain that one of the employees there would be happy to answer questions for you.

I Would say no. THe iPad was originally conceived to be a large screened portable portal to iTUnes content. Over the years it has been made to be more and be very like a computer, however it has limitations. the biggest of which is file access/transfers. The iPad is based on the protocol of the user having always on Internet to access everything via the cloud. ANd for some that works, for other it's not realistic to always have Internet access.

There is zero support for file transfer via USB drives/flash drives. There are some drives out there that have a tiny wifi hotspot in them that can be used to transfer files, but it's back to that 'always on Internet' issue. And file transfers using these USB devices requires the use of an app that you then use to get the files into the app that you will use to read or alter them.

In addition, printing is problamatic. The iPad will print natively to air print enabled printers that are on the same wifi network as the iPad....back to that Internet issue. And while a user may be able to control that at home, they can't always on the road. There is zero support for 'plug it in and print'.

If you use your iPad for presentations, you must have your own adapter to port the screen to a projector.

The iPad has been adapted to be a good portable computer, but I find the challenges in printing and file transfers to possibly be an issue and I feel that the iPad is not a computer replacement....a great accessory to a computer, but not a computer.

Hi. I'll let others comment on Office. But you should remember that an iPad is a mobile device. It runs iOS, which is a trimmed-down mobile operating system. It doesn't offer a normal file system; file objects are stored by the apps that access them. So you cannot, for example, create a folder for a project or proposal and stuff it with documents, spreadsheets, graphics, etc. The only programs you can use are apps from the official Apple app store. To conclude, I believe that an iPad can be a handy device while traveling, but it's not really suitable as a primary computing resource. By the way, this is not a rant; I love my iPad and use it every day.

Shoney24 wrote:

 

I'm wanted to know if Ipad can be used for business purposes in place of a laptop.

Maybe I should have added more context to my response. My added context comes in the form of a question. Aside from using the MS Suite of apps, for what purposes would you be using the iPad in a business setting?

Even more context ..... iPads can be purchased with cellular capabilities and with the purchase of a data plan, that will pretty much solve internet needs no matter where you are. There are portable printers that create their own WiFi networks that can be used on the road. It all depends on how you plan to use the iPad.

I agree that the iPad is not a full blown computer and still lacks many of the basic functions that many computers still have. On the other hand, new Macs no longer have CD drives and Apple's business model is relying more and more on Wifi and wireless solutions. That's really not much different than what an iPad has to offer.

Once again, how will you be using the iPad?

Your MacBook Air is far more capable than any iPad, plus the iPad and iOS work in a completely different fashion.

Plus no access, with some exceptions of some apps, have no file/folder system or access to one.

iOS makes you work in a way where you may need to use many more apps to accomplish something that only needed one or two apps to do running full OS X and your MacBook Air.

Your MacBook Air is a more capable and flexible mobile device than an iPad.

iOS (after 6 years and nearly 10 iterations and various updates) is STILL not as close or on par with a laptop computer.

I really can't believe this! I think Apple is purposely crippling iOS and iDevice so they will NOT compete with Apple's MacBook lineup!

iOS should be a more capable operating system by now!

Maybe with SJ and SF still here, maybe it would have been. Who knows for sure.

And with all of the social media garbage I see in the upcoming iOS 10, I am NOT going to upgrade to iOS 10 at this early stage.

That garbage IS NOT going to make iOS OR my iPad Pro PRO anything, at all!

I didn't like anything about iOS 7 and waited almost 4 months to upgrade my iDevices to it and I totally hated iOS 8 and completely let every iOS 8 version go by! Never upgraded/updated any of my iDevice to iOS 8.

So, until Apple does something more substantial with iOS 10, once again, I am opting out and saying "no thank you" to upgrading any of my qualifying iDevices.

I see no point.

Anyhoo, you have a great mobile device with you MacBook Air.

If you want to supplement your MacBook Air with an iPad, that is fine. Just don't sell your MacBook Air to get an iPad.

You would be moving a step DOWN in performance and flexibility.

Good Luck!

While my iPad Pro is a nice complement at times for my work, it is not a replacement for my MacBook Pro.  Others have already hit on the main limitations of iOS for complex work pipelines (no user accessible central file system, no true multi-tasking (split window mode is nice, but hardly a replacement for a laptop/desktop multi-application work session, the inherent limitations and trade-offs in mobile versions of desktop programs, including MS Office programs, etc).

There times when an iPad as your sole work device would be horribly frustrating and limiting.