Anyone given up their desktop computer/laptop and got an ipad/tablet to replace it?

[wtfhigo]

Had a desktop computer since 2003, not the same one, various ones over that time and have become so used to using them.

Been thinking lately of getting rid of it and getting an ipad.

Has anyone done this? Do you regret it?

I would need a proper keyboard and mouse. Have you tried typing on a tablet keypad for longer letters/emails? I can't stand it, myself

I use an iPad Pro in a case with a full size keyboard so I can touch type. I haven’t had a laptop for over five years and really don’t miss one at all.

@wtfhigo if you're used to a Microsoft Windows desktop, why not get a Microsoft Windows laptop instead? Desktop computers went out with the ark. 🙂

If you want something tablet-sized then something like a Microsoft
Surface Laptop Go 3 might suit you. It's what I got my son for using at university.

You'd need a higher budget for an iPad, and would need to get used to a completely different operating system. iPads are trendy, and favoured by 'creatives' but if you're just using your computer for browsing and admin then you really don't need one.

If you tell us what your budget is, and what you use your computer for, someone will suggest something that fits.

P.s. Windows laptops start at about £180 at John Lewis (which price matches to Amazon and various other retailers).

I don't think I've had a proper desktop/laptop for about 10 years.....

My work kit is a surface pro with an additional monitor and wireless mouse.

Home set up is an iPad Pro.

Both have keyboard covers, I prefer a flat keyboard, old style raised keyboards hurt my wrists.

I love being able to use a stylus to write in work meetings, no carrying paper and pens around!

I use a Surface Pro with a type case, best of both worlds. Last time I used an iPad the mobile versions of some apps, Word for instance really annoyed me, although they might have full apps now. Also the lack of Procreate for Windows is a shame.

I have an iMac and iPad Pro, I much prefer to use the iMac for shopping and banking, I like that I can have my emails, other pages and Safari easily visible at the same time, iPad is ok but when I get back from holiday and a week or two of using it for everything I am glad to use the iMac, everything is connected to each other so all OTCs come through to my iMac. iMac is a older one (2017) and I am replacing it when Apple hopefully brings out an M4 in the near future.

I went from laptop to desktop.
It reduced the amount of time I was online, and, having watched my dh use his laptop, saw how poor his posture was.
Also prefer a proper keyboard.
Never regretted it.

I only have an iPad, I don’t need a laptop as I don’t do much typing and emails etc are always done on my phone and I can do letters on my iPad if I need to but that’s quite rare.
i suspect job applications will be a pain as I don’t like doing loads and loads of typing on the ipad but I could probably borrow someone’s or go to the library. I don’t move around jobs much so I don’t foresee that as an issue

Laptop all the way for me. I do a lot of typing - admin and minutes for the charity I volunteer with.

I use excel spreadsheets a lot and simply prefer working on a Windows laptop.

DH has a windows laptop and seems to use that a lot for excel and word and sorting out his night sky photos and making videos from them.

Without being pedantic, aren't we talking about 2 different things here?
Apple vs Microsoft and laptop/tablet vs desktop?

If you go for a Surface Pro make sure you take out extended warranty. Notoriously flaky, DC had his less than a year and needed new keyboard, just over a year and the pen stopped working. His friends have experienced similar.

OP hasn't said what her desktop is, if its Microsoft and her phone is Android then the iPad might be a bit in the wilderness from them and can't take advantage of using them together. A lot depends on what OS her phone and desktop is, a Microsoft surface may be a good choice if Android and Windows.

My son only uses an ipad with a magic keyboard - strongly resists the idea of a laptop, and doesn't really need one since it's only for schoolwork (and leisure)

I have everything, but rarely use my ipad, mainly just use phone, Mac Air when out and about, and a Mac Mini is my workhorse at home (I am a programmer though, so I do need some oomf).

I've been considering dropping the laptop and switching to an ipad, but there's too many things that need an actual computer for me (and whilst I can remote to my mini in the house easily enough, I'm reluctant to open it to the world/don't always have a decent internet connection when I'm out and about)

So I guess it comes down to what the op uses it for.

But you can still use a laptop on a desk.🙃

Some definitions ...

A desktop computer is one that can only be used at a desk due to its size.

A laptop is portable enough to go on your lap and can be carried around easily. It has its own keyboard and screen, but you can easily plug in peripherals like monitors and a larger keyboard and your preferred mouse to make the experience comfortable for regular use at a desk.

A 'tablet' is a computer that can be used in your hands, free of peripherals. The 'keyboard' is usually on screen. iPads are a type of tablet which use the iOS operating system, but you can get other types of tablet too. A 'Chromebook' is a tablet that uses the Chrome operating system rather than Windows or iOS. They are usually cheaper.

You can get tablet-sized laptops, which are very small and light, sometimes called 'notebook computers'. They can be more expensive. People who are issued with a device from work for 'hybrid working' are usually given one of these.

Yes, I know.
Everyone has their reasons for doing things, yes?
Seeing my dh crouched over his laptop, on his desktop, was a wake up call for me.
And, personally, I don't want a PC I can take everywhere, as I spend far too much time online.
(Typing this on my phone in bed)

Seeing my dh crouched over his laptop, on his desktop, was a wake up call for me.

I don't that is a laptop issue, rather a desk/chair/monitor issue. Maybe he would benefit from a free standing monitor?

I'm not sure a keyboard and pen would be worth the extended warranty. My Surface is a 7, so not current and a few years old, it's been very reliable (touchwood!). I've got a couple of pens of different makes, they do need new nibs and batteries periodically. The keyboards can get tatty on the edges, mine is fine DH's is a bit scruffy, but his Surface gets slung about with no case (the kid's iPad pro keyboards have peeled too and they are a ridiculous price).

We got ours from John Lewis, so they had a 2 year warranty (though they still tried to sell accidental damage insurance on top). As they're so portable, most damage will not be covered by warranty - just make sure you carry it around in a padded case.

The pens aren't a necessity unless you often use it in tablet mode and want it to e.g. translate your handwriting or capture drawings.

Definitely worth clarifying. For too many people iPad is to tablet as Hoover is to vacuum cleaner ... i.e. a misused word. 😁

It depends on what you are wanting to use it for.

I have a Samsung tablet that I use for reading such as news, mumsnet, articles. I play small games on it such as a farming game and play card games. I use it to go down rabbitholes and play music on it (I could watch tv but I prefer the actual tv for that). Basically what others use their phones for but with a larger screen.

For responding to emails or ordering online/banking or indepth searching I use the laptop which lives permanently on a small section of the dining table.

I have an ipad pro. Does everything I need and is still going strong at 8 years old. I wfh with a work laptop so tbh I generally send any emails from that or my phone so don't really type much on the ipad.

It really depends what you use a computer for. DS has a desktop still but he's a gamer so he needs a machine that can handle it. I do play games on the ipad but smaller app based games.

@wtfhigo if you have a child who doesn't have their own device, it's worth thinking about their needs too. As they move into secondary school they will need to learn to use a keyboard and mouse, and to use Office applications to help prepare them for further education and/or employment. Don't assume they will be taught all this at school - in this post-lockdown world, teachers who set homework often assume that all children have access to a computer at home and already know how to do the basics. At school they will learn how to write computer programmes, not how to use single sign-on, manage passwords or use word processing software.

Most major employers use Microsoft technologies, fewer use Google (cheaper) or Apple (more expensive, but often favoured by creative industries).