How many Apple devices do you own in
total? I’ve a few myself, including an
iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone
(along with some other smart home
devices, but let’s just call these the
“bread and butter” of Apple products).
If I needed to work remotely, I’d pick
up the MacBook every single time
without giving it a second thought,
but you know what? It’s kind of big,
somewhat heavy (especially when it’s
sat in your backpack all day long) and
it’s not the easiest thing to use in a
conĽned space, like a train, for
instance. In that sense, the smaller,
more portable iPad should be better suited to the job — at least
when we’re talking about personal comfort on the move. But what
of its ability to be a decent tool for productivity? I like to work fast
and with a wide variety of Ľles and apps, so would using one just
be a hinderance for day–to–day tasks?
That’s exactly what we set out to explore this issue (page 32).
With iPadOS now available across the majority of modern iPads
(even as far back as the iPad Air 3rd generation), you get the kind
of functionality that you’d expect from a MacBook, such as
support for external drives, a much–improved Files app, and
strong multi–tasking. And there are loads of great accessories out
there which give you a very similar feel to that of a MacBook. Our
expert in the Ľeld test–drives the concept of working on an iPad
over the course of a regular (as far as a media journalist is
concerned) working day.
It’s an interesting experiment, and here’s a sneak preview
before you start reading: depending on how you classify “working
on the go”, you’ll probably Ľnd yourself somewhere between
sticking with your MacBook for really heavy duty work, or using
an iPad when you don’t need to be quite as productive, but you
want the ľexibility of the smaller, lighter device.
I’d love to get your feedback on this feature, as it seems many
of you love the idea of working on an iPad — drop me a line at
[email protected] if you decide to give it a try!CAN YOU WORK ON AN iPAD?
NICK ODANTZIS, Editor
Twitter: @maclife
THE TEAM
Adam Banks
Contributor
Our star pupil works on
an iPad for a day (p32)
and then fixes your Mac
for you (p16). Phew.Matt Lochrie
Art Editor
When Nick suggested
laying out a 16–page
feature on an iPad this
issue, Matt cried a little.Iain Noble
Production Editor
After reading “6 apps
to write a book” (p66)
Iain is dusting off his
half–finished novel!6 MAR 2020 maclife.com