We have a MacBook Air 2013 that is on its last legs and we need to replace it. My wife also wants an iPad so that she can read our Apple News+ subscription and watch movies in bed. I feel like the most cost effective solution is to get a keyboard case for the iPad and use it as the laptop replacement. The only thing we use the MacBook Air for is normal web browsing, ordering pictures prints via the web, some home office work using Google Docs, and I use it to remote to my PC when I don’t feel like going to my basement office.
I don’t see why a keyboard case wouldn’t suffice in this scenario. The Magic Keyboard trackpad entices me, especially potentially not having to rewire any muscle memory with normal web usage, using google docs, or when I remote to my PC. But is the web browsing experience nerfed enough by iPadOS that its not worth spending $300 on the Magic Keyboard? Is it better to get the cheaper Smart Keyboard Folio case and try to use the Apple Pencil for the same workflow instead?
Just curious what this community’s experience with these accessories are. Thanks in advance for the input.
Only thing to note is that the trackpad doesn’t give you a real mouse cursor, so it’s not all that useful for remote desktop.
Personally think it’s very overpriced, I’d get the cheaper keyboard folio.
That’s a very helpful thing to note. I don’t know how useful the trackpad is going to be for me then without an actual cursor.
Unsure what the other user is running but I’ve used my iPad Pro + MK as a Remote Desktop for my PC and my Mac (I’m traveling now and left the PC at home and I’ve been using it remotely Ike the iPad was a windows laptop); I’m using the Microsoft Remote Desktop app and (my personal favorite, no sponsorship 😃) Jump desktop app to do it. I have a regular cursor in Windows and macOS
hey friend, I’ve been using team viewer for many years and HATE it!! I was looking into alternatives like anyConnect but jump desktop looks great!
I was looking for pricing and found their app store entry (black friday, 50% off!)
The description says:
Does this mean if I buy it in the mac app store I can use it on windows as well without another license? Is it one-time purchase?
There is a cursor homie it’s just not the triangle pointer, it’s a small circle with which you can adjust the size and color via Settings>Accessibility>Pointer Control.
I love my magic kb! Replaced my laptop with my iPad Pro + MK combo. If I need anything more serious I can remote in to any of my other machines and have a desktop in my office if it comes to it.