For the past week, I've been enjoying my new iPad Air 5th gen. Switching to "just a tablet" after using only an M1 MacBook Air has been a breeze so far (note: this isn't my first rodeo). In the past when I was iPad Only, I would hit the tablet's limitations, feel frustration, and be lured away by "real" computers. I'm convinced (and delighted) that the iPad is a computer, but this time I'm approaching the tablet lifestyle with more pragmatism.
iPad Mainly
I'm not yet ready to declare: I'm iPad Only. It's more like I'm iPad Mostly, iPad First, or iPad Mainly. I say that to be realistic and manage expectations. I figure the iPad will easily handle 95% of my tasks; the MacBook can pick up the rest. This mindset lets me enjoy iPad for all it's worth while avoiding or mitigating any friction frustrations.
With iPad as my main computer, relying on it means I had to make practical choices for what it includes and what I want or need to add-on. So right up front, a USB-C port, instead of Lightning, was a must-have. I was very tempted by the iPad 9th gen on sale for $280, but its lack of USB-C would have been a bad compromise.
USB-C lets you connect just about anything you'd need. You can even attach hubs that convert one USB-C port into an array of commonly used ones like: HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-A, extra USB-C, and/or an SD card reader. My wife just bought one such hub by Anker; it's working great for her iPad Pro!
The right size
One practical choice any iPad user must make is about size: small, medium, or large. The mini (8.3" display) would likely be a splendid tablet for anyone yet too small for someone seeking a laptop replacement. So why did I opt for the 10.9" iPad Air to be my main computer? Why not a 12.9" iPad Pro?
First, I wasn't only wanting to replace my 13" MacBook Air; my mind was also set on a tablet. I was more concerned that a 13" size would be too big as a tablet than I was concerned that an 11" size would be too small as a laptop (remember the 11" MacBook Air was a thing).
Second, my current budget simply didn't have room for the big daddy Pro iPad (I had already checked the couch cushions for loose change 😉). I needed funds for accessories too, adding to the overall cost of making the iPad my main computer. So when I found the M1 Air on a good sale, I was sold.
The higher cost of the 13" iPad Pro is also why I think Apple should make the iPad Air in a 13" size. That way, more people could afford the bigger display, which is typically the key upgrade many want. If there was an 11" iPad Pro and a 13" iPad Air for the same price, both with an M1 chip, which would you buy?
Biometrics
Quick and easy authentication is common on Apple devices these days; the iPad Air 5 has Touch ID. It works well, matching what I used on my M1 MacBook Air. But I think FaceID would be more practical. I prefer its ease of use like on my iPhone. All I'd need to do is look at my iPad to unlock it, which is what I do to use it anyways. It's one of those iPad Pro features that may or may not trickle down to the Air.
I'll also point out an oddity: the hardware sleep/wake button (with TouchID) is a bit loose or jiggly. It irked me at first, but it's hardly noticeable now. It's just highly unusual for Apple hardware to lack a tight fit and finish.
The 64 gig question
Onboard storage is a huge practical consideration. When shopping for the iPad, I was so concerned with the paltry 64GB base storage amount in 2023 that I considered it a deal-breaker. Not even Apple's latest iPhones start so low, coming with at least 128GB. How could I use a "laptop replacement" with only 64 gigs in it? Answer: iCloud drive + external drive.
My needs are basic, so I don't have a ton of apps installed beyond the default ones. I also have few games since I play almost exclusively on Switch these days. I'm blessed that my storage needs are small (I admit my wants, though, are much bigger).
While 64GB of onboard storage is not ideal, I have a decent amount of iCloud storage since my family subscribes to the Apple One bundle. I added extra iCloud space à la carte too. And with ubiquitous wifi plus tethering to my iPhone's 5G data, I always get fast access to my stuff.
Adding to iPad's utility, I learned how easy it is to connect my old spinning HDD or a tiny flash drive via the iPad's USB-C port. With these, I can compute Local-First and have plenty of storage space. There are now affordable 1TB flash drives that clip to a keychain, so you can always have all your local files with you.
GamePad
If we're being real, then living all-work-and-no-play isn't practical. At the end of a hard work day, you've got to cut loose and enjoy entertainment. The iPad Air's 11" display and M1 chip are up to the task. Among the few games on my iPad, so far I've tried Minecraft. I wanted to know if it could be played with a mouse and keyboard instead of touch controls. I'm super happy to say it totally works!
I happened to spawn at a great place near the foot of a giant cherry blossom forest.
To test the M1 chip, I ramped up the render distance to the highest number of chunks, which is 22 in this case. It was perfectly playable, albeit at a slight frame-rate reduction. But then I set it at 16 chunks for buttery smooth motion.
Now I feel like exploring to the next biome instead of getting blog work done.
The game runs on my large external display (via USB-C to HDMI). And besides mouse/KB controls, I tried Minecraft with my Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons paired. Guess what? It totally works! So iPad Air works for both mobile gaming and desktop gaming.
Conclusion
All in all, I think tablet computing is in some ways just as practical as laptop computing. And in other ways, it's even more so because of iPad's modularity or flexibility. After a week with the iPad Air 5, I'm loving it. And while the novelty will wear off, I don't think the utility will.
The software side of things looks good. I'm exploring graphic apps like Canva and Affinity Designer. I also plan to try out Textastic with HTML coding and WebDAV for my Neocities site. On hardware, I aim to eventually try Apple Pencil 2 for hand sketching and taking notes. I'll also soon be trying out a keyboard case. So follow along for more iPad info to come.