When Apple introduced the iPad Pro in late 2015, it tried to convince consumers that their tablet can replace your work computer. That was for the most part, misleading, as iOS 9 was ultimately a mobile-first operating system. It lacked basic features like a dedicated file system for storage and organisation, and while you could run two apps at the same time, it was an extremely limited feature.
It took Apple almost two years, but iOS 11, released with the second-generation iPad Pro last summer, finally fixes that. The Files app brings a file system to iOS for the first time. Multitasking is much easier to use, and you can freely drag and drop text, pictures, URLs and more between apps. It’s a huge upgrade.
Working on an iPad
I used the iPad Pro as my work device for two weeks during this review period and came away very impressed. One of the many improvements in iOS 11 is the ability to pull up the app dock within apps, so I could jump from app to app without needing to go back to the homescreen.
While iOS has supported two apps running side-by-side on the iPad before, if you really want to push it, you can now have a third app running in a floating window that can be swiped on and off the screen. Sure, it doesn’t quite match a proper computer, which could in theory run many more different things at once before getting bogged down, but three apps at the same time is enough for productivity.
On a typical work day as a writer, I’d have Safari open alongside Google Docs in split-screen mode, with email or Twitter floating on top as a third app. Despite having only 4GB of RAM -- low by laptop standards -- everything ran smoothly without problems, because Apple’s A10X Fusion processor is so efficient. Battery life is best in-class, lasting roughly nine hours on a single charge.
To use the iPad as a computer, however, you must pair it with a keyboard. While you can use any keyboard that offers Bluetooth connectivity, the best option is probably the official Apple version -- the Smart Keyboard -- because it’s ultra-portable, doubles as a screen cover when not in use, and connects via Apple’s proprietary connector that does not require additional power or Bluetooth syncing. At US$159, it’s pricey, but that’s the case for all Apple accessories.
The Smart Keyboard offers a good, but not great, typing experience. The keys are evenly spaced but have very little travel. As a touch typer, it took a couple days to get used to. One downside of the keyboard is that it can only prop the iPad up at one angle -- about 45-degrees -- but the device’s excellent viewing angles do help.