While I’m really tired of the “can an iPad replace my laptop” debate, it continues to rage on. The iPad may or may not be able to replace your laptop and that’s okay. The world will continue to turn.
What I think the argument really boils down to is: Can the iPad replicate my workflow.
Some people say they can’t replace their laptop with an iPad probably don’t want to change or even investigate if they can change the way they do things. And they shouldn’t have to.
It all boils down to personal choice, like I said in my post about the iPad and the laptop
It’s picking the right tool for the job. Only you can tell if you can, or even should, replace your laptop with an iPad.
https://jswordsmith.com//ipad-pro-vs-macbook-air-diary-day-7/
But this article isn’t about that.
Today, 9to5mac had a great article that goes through some of the workflows that professionals are using on their iPad. Some use the iPad solely, while some use them “in concert” with Macs.
From digital illustration to managing a business, the vast range of ways people are working on iPads proves there’s no one right way or wrong way to use them. Some have embraced iOS as their platform of choice for every task. Some use a Mac and an iPad in concert to create powerful workflows that highlight the capabilities of each device. Others are developing entirely new ways of working that simply couldn’t exist before.
https://9to5mac.com/2018/11/29/ipad-pro-creative-workflows-tips-stories/
I implore you to read through the article and see how some of these professionals have made workflows that work for them.
My Workflow
I’ve talked about my workflow before, but my setup is evolving.
Since I bought the new iPad Pro, I’ve found that I use it much more often than my Mac. It seems to handle my website’s backend better when I’m typing long pieces.
Currently, I usually just sign in to WordPress in safari and type out my posts. I run into problems when I’m trying to link to images from Amazon or other sights. On the Mac, I could always select the image, right-click, and then get the image URL. So sometimes I switch to my mac, but usually after I’ve already written the piece on my iPad.
When I’m quoting a page, like in the story today, I usually have two safari tabs open in split screen.
Using the Apple Pencil, I’ll select the text and then drag it over to my writing.
To make a split screen safari tab, tap and hold on a tab and then drag it over to the edge of the screen. To go back, close the tab, or drag it back over to the main window you want.
Making videos
I’ve only really used iMovie on the Mac to compare, but using LumaFusion to make a video is pretty easy for me. In fact, I prefer it to iMovie. I really like using my fingers and the Apple Pencil to adjust frames.
The iPad handles everything pretty easily for the most part. My only struggle right now is getting the videos downloaded onto the iPad. If you rely on iCloud photos to sync movies you shot with your iPhone it could take forever to transfer if you shot in 4K. Also, once the videos show up in your photos app, that doesn’t mean that they are downloaded and when you put them in your timeline one LumaFusion, it takes forever to download sometimes.
Wrap up
More things are doable on the iPad than ever before, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. I still would like some changes made to the software side. I look forward to the future as it evolves.
The thing about it is, we need to evolve with it as well. If you want to embrace the iPad as technology, you need to experiment and adjust as it grows.
Or you can just make fun of it for not having a mouse, but that doesn’t really do anything.
What are your workflows like on the iPad? What do you find lacking?
Let me know in the comments on hit me up on social media.