Life without a desktop computer (or indeed a laptop) may sound like a step back in time, but more and more creative people are using tablets as part of their day-to-day working life. It’s easy to see why. Apple’s iPad has everything going for it: a stunning, large Retina screen with high resolution, a fast processor and a range of apps that put the focus on creativity. Being able to turn on an iPad and, within seconds, be deep in a creative app is both time-saving and simple.
“I have seen the increased use of the iPad in our environment,” says healthcare IT professional Michael Acosta. “The iPad is my ‘daily driver’, meaning I use it all day.” He also uses it at night and at weekends. In his ‘other life’ he is a digital artist and he uses the tablet to produce a range of amazing artwork. “I am part of a growing community that produces incredible iPad work on a daily basis,” he said. “Working 7am to 6pm, I use the iPad mini to take notes and access my workstations and servers. When I am at home, the iPad mini has replaced my desktop in the function as my second screen, displaying reference images for my projects as well as playing music and whatnot.”
For people like Michael, the iPad offers much in the way of versatility. “It’s perfect for anyone aiming for the simplest route to a wireless, desk-less environment,” agrees Dean Johnson, vice president of Brandwidth Innovation Lab. The portability of it opens up note-taking possibilities that desktops and laptops are not versatile enough to handle.
“Simplemind is my primary app on iPad,” says Lorne Lanning, creator of the Oddworld series of videogames. “I find it priceless for hierarchical thinking and fast mapping of complex concepts. And I love Autodesk’s Sketchbook Pro. It’s the fastest way to photo capture and retouch development images with layered art direction and notes.”
Apps such as Dropbox make syncing easy and, although the desktop is not in imminent danger of being consigned to the dustbin, “software is an issue,” Johnson argues, “and there is no professional alternative to Adobe products – but the iPad is making inroads.” Johnson also says that the iPad “needs a genuinely good stylus – not something that looks and works like a crayon,” wishing too that Apple would boost processing power and unveil something the size of an iPhone that folded out to the size of an A3 iPad. “It’s still easier to type on a keyboard and third-party options aren’t good enough yet,” he says. “An iPad is a beautiful piece of design and engineering spoilt by a crap case and dodgy keyboard.”
That doesn’t seem to have put Acosta off, though. His family has replaced the desktop computer with an iPad for the majority of tasks. “Occasionally, we will turn it on when we need to use MS Word or Excel, or when projects need multiple windows open side-by-side,” he admits. The key is how the desktop is used, though. Anyone not using proprietary software on their desktop would benefit from using the iPad, although anyone working with images will still bemoan the lack of ways to bulk edit, make scripts and work on a colour-calibrated display.
While an iPad may not be able to fully replace a desktop just yet, it does have many uses that a desktop just cannot match. Liam Brazier does not own an iPad, but he uses an iPhone for his illustration and animation work, and he says it is invaluable. “I used it constantly for photography reference material or to badly finger paint an idea and as a mobile admin machine.” With iLife and iWork apps onboard, the iPad is nevertheless proving to be a force. It’s unfortunate Apple ties people to recording video on Apple devices and limits GarageBand recordings, but whether or not the laptop or desktop is ditched depends on what you do. KeyChords is great for songwriters, iA Writer allows for clarity and iBooks is perfect for making notes. If these apps appeal to you, then an iPad is perfect. For sheer power, though, perhaps the computer has a lot of life in it yet.
Who really uses iPads instead of computers?
For some, working on iPad is not a gimmick but a tenable option There have been attempts at laying out professional magazines on an iPad. Some have tried to use it as a photography hub, but Pages is fiddly and wired peripherals support is bad. Still, journalists can tap out articles on the road, tweet, take videos and update websites. It’s a great tool for bloggers, too. Doctors can use it to show or draw patients diagrams of illnesses and estate agents can showcase homes to clients and keep up to speed with appointments. Artists can create stunning artwork using their fingers in ways a desktop or laptop could not. It’s an impressive list that’s only going to grow.
