Pros and Cons: iPad Pro as only device. Possible?

Well,

Right off the hop, you give up Final Cut X.

You would need to seek out an approximate, thrid party iOS video editing app.

Very limited multitasking when compared to full blown computer running a full computer OS, like OS X/macOS.

No way to use standard computer peripherals and hard drives.

Limited RAM, Your 9.7 inch iPad Pro only has 2 GBs of RAM, which is NOTupgradeable.

No mice or trackpads, just touch and the Apple Pencil or other third party stylii.

If you need external storage, you are limited to “cloud” offsite data storage services or wireless, WiFi hotspot transmitter built-in external storage devices.

Since no real file system access, moving files around to use in different apps is a litle more tedious to handle.

I have been using iPads as cheaper portable laptop replacements since the first iPad, but I still own a desktop iMac that I will never give owning,

iPads, even an iPad Pro, are not a replacement for a much more powerful computer, despite Apple’s claims to the contrary.

Based on your computer usage, though, you could, most likely get by fine with your iPad Pro.

You lose the ability to do local backups of your iPad to iTunes on a computer and to other externallyexternal backup drives.

So, you would need to rely on iCloud and other “cloud” offsite data storage services and/or external wireless storage solutions.

What is the storage size of your 9.7 inch screen iPad Pro?

Note that storage capacity has nothing to do with RAM. iPads, relative to a computer, have minimal RAM for advanced photo or video editing and other RAM intensive tasks with large files. I know I work with large files on my 16GB RAM MacBook Pro that won’t even open on my newest iPad (current model 10.5” iPad Pro).

Also note that without a computer, certain troubleshooting, if it ever became necessary, would be impossible to perform (e.g. restoring a disabled device).

Also, if you have a lot of data, having a computer for backup and archive (with the computer in turn being well backed up) is one way to safeguard your own data without relying on third party online companies.

I would get a larger storage iPad Pro model.

The new 10.5 and 12.9 inch screen, second gen iPad Pros go from 64 GBs to 256 and 512 GBs.

There is no 32 or 128 GBs storage models any longer.

I love my 1st gen, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro.

It's a 128 GBs (117 GBs actual storage) I still have approx. a full 32 GBs of free data storage space left.

It's really no heavier than a 1st gen original iPad and I like the size for many things, as I am an artist, but some users simply do not like the large screen iPad.

You get used to the weight, But holding it with one hand for prolonged periods may prove to be an issue.

I use the Apple backcase in the taller viewing mode in a comfortable chair and sort of cantilever it on my lap to type and to help with holding it with one hand when needed.

It is still plenty portable. Mine goes with me wherever I go.

Still fits in my briefcase or a laptop carry case.

You might want to consider the 256 GBs, 10.5 inch screen iPad Pro w/Apple Pencil.

The extra 3/4 of an inch on the diagonal is significant.

Configuration-wise the flash storage would be on par with a laptop storage capacity.

Do what you will.

Good Luck to You!

Not for the kinds of things I still need a Mac for.

But YOU aren't doing the types of work and projects I still need a Mac to do.

You're the one who wants to do away with a full blown Mac and downside/minimise/de-clutter your life.

For the digital art I create, I still need the large 27 inch screen size and computing power a full blown computer/Mac affords.

I use my iPad Pro though, exclusively, as a portable digital drawing/painting canvas,sketchbook, ideation book/creation and writing journal book.

I, also, consume various online video content and online image content in the form of an image scrapbook-like device.

But I am NOT going to give up using my Mac.

iPads are not on the same computing level, as yet.

If you want to simplify your computing experiencd and use an iPad, exclusively, you should purchase a newer, larger storage iPad to be able to more “approximate” as close to a laptop-like experience, as possible for this device.

Plenty of iOS Apps in the iOS App Store for just about anything you want to do or try to do on an iPad.

You just need to understand that iPads, ANY iPads, are downgrades from a laptop/MacBook

Have you given any consideration to looking at Microsoft Surface tablets?

These are more expensive, but DO a lot of what the iPad can't do.

Microsoft Surface tablets are a full blown laptop replacement.

These combine a touchscreen tablet with a full blown windows OS laptop experience!

These are around the same size as iPads, come standard with the Surface Pen, can use all input peripherals like keyboards, trackpads or mice and have lots of connectivity ports.

The Microsoft Surface tablets are just as light and portable.

Something to consider, as well!

Simply Dave wrote:

But nothing else feels as premium and light as a naked iPad.

You’re absolutely correct about that, but I wouldn't advise using something as expensive as an iPad Pro without some sort of protective case, anyways.

So, there is going to be some extra weight added to the iPad Pro, anyways, depending on the type of protective iPad case/cover being used.

I wanted my 12.9 inch iPad to stay a light as possible, so I am using Apple's silicone smart cover and silcone backcase which has a nice protective microfiber material inside the cover and there is some nice protective material on the inside of the silicone back case.

In addition, Apple's silicone back case is a very stiff and rigid back case unlike many third party silicone back covers that aren't nearly as stiff.

Simply Dave wrote:

Yeah, I have the zagg keyboard and while it’s awesome for longer typing sessions, I may get another case with different angles for when I want to go without the keyboard.

If I understand Carbon Copy Cloner correctly, I’m going to backup my entire rMBP to an external, sell it and try this iPad only experiment. If I can‘t get things done, I’ll buy an iMac and put back all my programs and data from Carbon Copy Cloner.

Is this how CCC works?

Yes, this exactly how CCC works!

Great idea!

Hey!

If you wish, when you start using your iPad Pro as your only computer, if you would post back here to let us (and me) know how it goes.

I'd be very interested in how this works out for you!

In the meantime, you might want to watch some YouTube videos on exactly what you are wanting to do to see how it went for others.

Here's the search terms I used to find YouTube videos on the subject.

using ipad pro as only computer

CCC is great for restoring entire drives along with the OS, but depending upon the vintage of your old and new computers that might not work. You might need to end up using Migration Assistant to migrate from theCCC backup to your new machine so it can pick and choose what will work. In addition, many high-end apps really need to be installed to each machine and have protection to prevent their simply being copied from place to place.

Simply Dave wrote:

Yeah, I have the zagg keyboard and while it’s awesome for longer typing sessions, I may get another case with different angles for when I want to go without the keyboard.

A case I recommend and thinking about getting myself (they are a tad heavy, but really flexible and durable and have lots of typing and viewing angles) are cases from Zugu.

http://www.zugucase.com/