[lholden]

A few years ago, I wanted to switch my leisure time computing to a device that would basically keep me from being able to work when I'm not actually working. I'll often sit in front of a screen from the couch or whatever and I wanted to make it impossible for me to keep working.

I ended up buying an ipad for this and have been using it ever since. I will say that while the iPad has achieved the goal I set out, I do find it pretty frustrating to use at times.

- You are basically stuck with Safari in some form. You can install an alternative browser, but the "engine" behind rendering is basically Safari.

- The limited amount of system ram can become an issue while browsing. Now granted, I have the last iPad model before the M1 came out and it has a little less ram than these do. But, things can get really weird when you have multiple tabs. Some pages will even stop functioning until you reload them. Occasionally you have to restart Safari (though rare)

- Many native apps have an iPad version, but they are just a stretched out version of the iOS app and look terrible. You can mitigate this by using the "slide over" feature to dock the app to the side of the screen.

- I have the 12.9" iPad and it ends up being a weird middle ground. In landscape, especially when docked to the magic keyboard, it works pretty well. But it feels awkward and heavy (especially one handed) in portrait. When docked to the magic keyboard though, it's very back heavy and will often tip over if not supported.

I'm at a point where I am wanting to do a hardware upgrade, but having a really hard time deciding on "what". The 12.9" iPad I currently have is such a weird middle ground. A smaller device would be nice for reading technical books (or D&D stuff) in portrait. A model with more memory might sort out some of my browsing issues. A ultralight laptop would solve many issues and fit many of my use cases but not all of them. I'd love to just have one device, but I kinda feel like I'd be better off with two.

[kylebenzle]

Your issues are valid and as a never-mac user for 10 years Ive been baffled watching tech friends buy and use Apple products.

Google says your ipad is 1.5 lbs, my thinkpad X1 nano 13" is exactly 2 lbs and does everything iPad does, WITH A KEYBOARD! 1 tb, 16 gb ram, even a sim card slot. Oh, and actual PORTS, for a COMPUTER, imagine?

It honestly looks like brainwashing, I've interrogated smart friends about why they use apple and I can NEVER get a straight answer. I think it is because they don't want to say the truth, they use Apple so other people know they can afford Apple. Thats it. The products such, the marketing is hype and they have no direction as a company.

Also, the Apple VR headset is idiotic and sure to be a flop.

[lholden]

I appreciate your stance, though it's dripping with the zealotry you are complaining about. Just in the other direction. :)

I like the nano, but it suffers from the "I may find myself doing work on it when I'm trying to not be working" problem. The X1 series are great though, I've been a big fan and user of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon for several years.

I will say, my iPad had nothing to do with any kind of love for Apple. Buying the iPad was to prevent myself from being able to use it for work, and I do think it's served that purpose pretty well. It also beats the hell out of my X1 Carbon for watching movies.

But I don't really understand how people can seriously claim they use it to entirely replace a laptop. It's just too awkward of a device for that use case.

[filoleg]

> Also, the Apple VR headset is idiotic and sure to be a flop.

As someone who spent a lot of time looking into it, as well as talking to a couple friends working at Apple who use it near daily, I have a feeling that this comment is gonna age about as well as the infamous “why cloud storage, just use rsync, it is that simple” comment.

[eternityforest]

I have the opposite problem. I kind of wish you could get more work done on a phone, perhaps it would replace some of my pointless scrolling time....

To actually use anything digital for leisure, I use a TV or an e-reader to avoid going in the scroll hole, which is like counterfeit leisure.

[rawgabbit]

Which accessories would you recommend for the large iPad. Which keyboard. Cover. Pen. Docking station?

[lholden]

I have the magic keyboard, which doubles as a case. It's actually a pretty decent keyboard, though it certainly adds to the weight of the device. Pretty easy to recommend though.

I have the apple pencil and it works pretty well for drawing, but I don't otherwise use it for anything else.

I don't really have anything else accessory wise :).

[kylebenzle]

This is so funny to me and will never understand the logic in buying a more expensive stripped down laptop, then spending MORE money to upgrade it back into a laptop? Take away all the ports, then just buy a dock to add the ports back. Take away the keyboad and mouse, no problem, just buy a wireless trackpad and keyboard! Oh, speakers suck cause they are too small, just get out bluetooth speakers! They are made by Dr. Dre!!!

Are we just showing off how much money we can waste at this point?

[rawgabbit]

My wife who is allergic to all things computers loves iPads. If I let her touch a PC or MacBook it is instantly broken and full of malware.