The Apple Beat: iPad Pro's post-PC evolution

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple’s iPad has always been positioned as the next evolution of personal computing and the replacement of notebooks and desktops. It wasn’t until the release of the iPad Pro line that this ideal really had the foundation to stand on.

Aside from desktop-level processing power, a number of operating system tweaks to improve multitasking and multi-app usage plus an expanding ecosystem of accessories that help bridge the gap between tablets geared for content consumption  and content creation devices like notebooks and 2-in-1’s, we’re starting to see the realization of this Post-PC ideal.

For this article, we will look at some of the accessories and applications that can extend the iPad Pro’s range as a better PC replacement as well as a variety of use cases that show how the iPad Pro and similar 2-in-1 devices can successfully replace more traditional computers.

What makes a PC ?

Traditional PCs have displays, keyboards and various ports to connect peripherals and accessories. They have a file system that allows users to place files in specific folders and access them later on. PCs can multi-task, run two or more programs or apps simultaneously, and easily have multiple windows or apps open.

The iPad Pro does have a display and a keyboard but it only has two ports (if you include the Smart Connector, which connects to the keyboard). The Lightning  port and a variety of add-on adapters and dongles serve as substitutes for the various ports and I/O that we get on a PC. 

iOS does not have a traditional file system composed of folders and subfolders but each app manages to store the necessary files within the storage. Cloud computing and storage are a big factor for the success of the iPad Pro as a post-PC solution. If it wasn’t for Microsoft OneDrive, Google Docs or iCloud and similar services, which push the file system on to the cloud, the concept of making these devices replace PCs would be quite difficult to pull off. 

Accessories: The Basics

Without the proper accessories, the iPad Pro would just be an expensive and overpowered iPad. As a standalone tablet, it is possibly the best version of the iPad ever made and in two sizes as well but it is the accessories that really put the PC in post-PC for the iPad.

The Smart Connector may seem like a small feature but is actually key. Aside from being a connector which all other iPads don’t have, it also opens up the iPad Pro into added functionality. 

Aside from Apple’s Smart Keyboard, which is a slimline cover and keyboard combo for the iPad Air, there is a Logitech CREATE keyboard case that’s thicker but which offers a more traditional backlit keyboard.

I’ve also I used the Logitech BASE which is a charging dock made of sturdy aluminum, not unlike the iPad Pro itself and which uses the Smart Connector to charge the iPad Pro while it props it up.

The Logi BASE makes it possible to use a third-party Bluetooth keyboard and mounts the iPad Pro just like a desktop. I’ve connected an old  Apple Bluetooth Keyboard to the iPad Pro while it was mounted on the Logi BASE and it made for a great desktop replacement, at least for word processing, working on presentation decks and also for watching videos.

 

I’ve installed a Phantom Glass screen protector on my iPad Pro, this adds an extra layer of protection which protects the display from scratches or possible shattering in the event that it is dropped.

The iPad Pro becomes a very versatile tool for various professional when combined with specific accessories. Here are some that we’ve tried.

iPad Pro for Artists

 

The iPad Pro is designed for artists and creative people. When bundled with the  Apple Pencil and apps like Procreate and Notes, there’s simply no limit to what one can achieve with this device.

Other valuable artist tools include the Fujitsu ScanSnap IX100, a portable and battery powered scanner that makes it easy to scan photos and documents  which can then be imported into various apps for tracing, inking and colouring.  Using the LOGI Base dock gives artists an easel that places the iPad Pro at an angle for when they need to draw or paint on screen. 

There are many ways to preview artwork created or modified on iPad Pros. You can use an Apple TV and AirPlay to project images to a nearby HDTV or projector or use a wired connection to do the same. For printing, consider connecting the iPad Pro to a professional quality printer that can bring life to artwork accurately on a large scale. 

iPad Pro for Photographers

 

The iPad Pro is an ideal companion for photographers. They can edit and interact with photos like never before thanks to multi-touch and can use Apple Pencil to make more surgical alterations as needed. The high-resolution Retina Displays on the iPad Pro (and the true tone capabilities of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro) ensure accuracy like never before.

Using Photos or Pixelmator on the iPad Pro makes it possible to add layers of edits, effects and filters to make each photo a unique work of art. The ability to quickly share and output photos to social media or email on LTE connected iPad Pros is also unparalleled.

More than just a post processing tool, iPad Pro can even remotely control connected cameras through their specific apps and makes for a great studio tool as well as a monitor for capturing time-lapse photography 

The best thing about the iPad Pro is that it is also the best portfolio for showing off photos in all their backlit glory, simply flip open the iPad Pro and you can generate slideshows on the fly and really show and sell a concept.

To carry your camera equiptment, iPad Pro, dongles and various accessories, consider Peak Design's Everyday Messenger 13 bag.

Designed around a phtographer's work needs, the Everyday Messenger is compact yet manages to carry a lot of accessories including camera bodies and various lenses. It accepts a 13-inch MacBook Pro or MacBook Air as well as a 9.7-inch iPad Pro or even a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, dongles, keyboard accessories and other necessities.

iPad Pro for Writers

This is the one application of the iPad Pro that interests me the most. As someone who is writing multiple hours every day, using the iPad Pro and the various accessory keyboards makes it possible to consider this a go-to mobile writing tool.

I’m a long time user of Microsoft Word, have used Pages and have now switched most of my draft writing to Ulysses since it offers an efficient, uncluttered and reliable way to write directly to cloud services. The iPad versions of these apps are as good as their macOS versions and yet manage to fit the limitations of the iPad quite well.

For the journalist, the iPad Pro isn’t just a great writing tool, it is also a very good information gathering tool. It has a built-in camera that can be used to take photos when another camera is not available, the built in microphone is ample for interviews but can be enhanced by using an external microphone like the Blue Snowball omnidirectional microphones. I also recommend the Sennheiser Clip-Mic Digital, which plugs directly into the Lightning port and enables super clear audio capture via pro-level apps.

iPad Pro for Recording

 

Technology has made recording and mixing high quality audio affordable and accessible to consumers. The iPad Pro offers a great solution for recording when combined with a good microphone, audio recording app and various accessories.

Podcasting and voice recording can be done on an iPad Pro with a good microphone like the Blue Snowball omnidirectional microphone which can be connected via a Lightning to USB adaptor. This mic gets great audio and music quality with various presets and, with a little tweaking, can be a great solution for voice over work on videos. 

For more intimate voice recording to accompany a video, I like to use Sennheiser’s Clip-Mic Digital, which plugs in directly to the Lightning port. 

Conclusion

The iPad Pro, its solid array of pro-level applications and the growing list of professional grade accessories and peripherals are making the case for the iPad as the ideal PC-substitute for many professions. It is already an accomplished communications tool and now a viable content creation and editing tool that's compact, highly portably and eminently versatile.