Large screen tablet to function as both mobile and desktop PC?

[WillyMcG]

I am a remote worker but when I retire in a couple months I will have to return both my iPad Pro and my work desktop to my employer, leaving me with no home PC. I'll also have to get a new iPhone but that's relatively straightforward to replace (I'll use Mint). I still want a large screen device like an iPad Pro as I use it daily and it is what I bring when we travel.

I still want to be able to sit at my desk and use a traditional keyboard/mouse/monitor for some of my computing as certain things just feel easier this way. I'm hoping whatever new tablet I get can easily dock or otherwise connect (Bluetooth?) to my keyboard/mouse/monitor and serve dual purpose. I feel like I can use apps going forward as once I retire the only thing I use that requires a PC install would be TurboTax and I think I can figure out how to work around that.

Plan B would be to get a traditional desktop - either an small form factor PC, a laptop or possibly something like a chromebook?

Any suggestions for a dual-function tablet?

[jebmke]

I recently tested my regular iPad with a BT keyboard and mouse. Works fine. I have an inexpensive stand that I use to prop the iPad to function as a display. I am considering going that way when I ditch my old Win desktop this year. If so, I'll probably upgrade my iPad.

[ThePenGuy]

I use the iPad Pro with the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad. The keyboard is terrific and is backlit. Once you learn the keypad gestures, you won't need a mouse for navigation. Highly recommend the combo.

[mrmass]

I use the iPad Pro with the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad. The keyboard is terrific and is backlit. Once you learn the keypad gestures, you won't need a mouse for navigation. Highly recommend the combo.

Definitely this. I got my boss this setup. It's his main driver now for Teams meetings.

[WillyMcG]

I'll need a new monitor too. Can the Ipad connect automatically to each of these devices via bluetooth or will I need some kind of hub? I'll also be buying a new monitor, keyboard and mouse so assume whatever i get will have all the latest and greatest connectivity tools built in.

[mrmass]

I'll need a new monitor too. Can the Ipad connect automatically to each of these devices via bluetooth or will I need some kind of hub? I'll also be buying a new monitor, keyboard and mouse so assume whatever i get will have all the latest and greatest connectivity tools built in.

You buy the Magic Keyboard for the iPad. You won't need another mouse keyboard-monitor connects to the ipad with usb-c to hdmi

[Kagord]

For me this works...

Very lightweight laptop with USB thunderbolt dock, great for at the desk at home, or undocking for on the couch.

Cheap Fire tablet, mainly just for media consumption on the airplane, treadmill...etc. I've had high end tablets in the past with keyboard/mouse/screen attachments, never really liked that setup or the experience it provides.

I also have a work laptop, I never do anything personal on it.

[bltkmt]

For a very lightweight laptop, I am looking at the upcoming Asus Zenbook A. Just over 2lbs so should be great for travel.

My son just bought the newest iPad Pro with the M4 chip and the smart keyboard. It is very slick, fast and tempting. However, I still have some need for Windows based OS.

[WillyMcG]

You buy the Magic Keyboard for the iPad. You won't need another mouse keyboard-monitor connects to the ipad with usb-c to hdmi

Thanks, I'll look into the keyboard. I will need another mouse and monitor and these belong to work. I haven't shopped for any of this yet so not sure how they would connect. I'm hoping they can remain connected whenever the iPad is within range and all I have to do is sit down at the desk and do whatever without how to manually connect things with cables or bluetooth.

[02nz]

If the iPad serves your needs, you could use it with a USB-C display (something like the Lenovo ThinkVision P24h-30, but many monitor makers offer similar ones). This does everything with one cable - power to the iPad, display signal to the monitor, even USB peripherals like mouse and keyboard (although you could of course also use Bluetooth).

[avenger]

If you’re in the apple ecosystem, an iPad and magic keyboard do the trick. I don’t have another computer. I’m able to do my consulting business entirely on my iPad.

[the_wiki]

If you are willing to switch to Samsung, they have a pretty great desktop mode for their tablets and phones. It is called Dex.

[walkabout]

If you do get an iPad Pro, or probably any tablet for that matter, I’d strongly recommend that you get a good protective (shock absorbing) case for it. I had an iPad Pro that I loved. 90% of the time, it stayed at home. A little over a year ago, started taking it to my wife’s doctor appointments (monthly) so that I could use it while waiting. I had a nice enough case with a magnetic cover, but it actually provided pretty much zero protection from drops. As bad luck would have it, I dropped it in the parking lot (twice - different times), and shattered the screen. Ugh. I replaced it with a much cheaper iPad Air and bought a nice protective case, which has an integral stand. The case does not have a cover, which I wish it did, but is very rugged.

I can’t speak to peripherals like keyboard and mouse.

[mrb09]

I have an iPad air with USB-C. When I was working, I shared the desk monitor, keyboard and mouse with it and my work laptop.

For the display, I used a standard USB-C DisplayPort adapter for the iPad and a A/B DisplayPort switch for the laptop and ipad. Laptop had a simple thunderbolt to DisplayPort cable. My monitor supports multiple HDMI inputs, but switching (on my specific monitor) is a pain, so the A/B DisplayPort switch worked fine.

For keyboard and mouse, I used a logitech keyboard and mouse that supports three different bluetooth connections each, there's a button to press that switches the connection.

I think IOS 18.2 for the iPad was a regression in terms of external monitor support (seems to be more anomalies now), but it still works.

[WillyMcG]

If you’re in the apple ecosystem, an iPad and magic keyboard do the trick. I don’t have another computer. I’m able to do my consulting business entirely on my iPad.

Went to Costco to look at the iPads and keyboards. They want over $300 for that Magic Keyboard. What is so magic about it that I would get it over a standard bluetooth keyboard?

[avenger]

If you’re in the apple ecosystem, an iPad and magic keyboard do the trick. I don’t have another computer. I’m able to do my consulting business entirely on my iPad.

Went to Costco to look at the iPads and keyboards. They want over $300 for that Magic Keyboard. What is so magic about it that I would get it over a standard bluetooth keyboard?

Magic is their marketing. It is great though - it turns your iPad into a laptop. But you’re right, it’s expensive.

[jebmke]

Went to Costco to look at the iPads and keyboards. They want over $300 for that Magic Keyboard. What is so magic about it that I would get it over a standard bluetooth keyboard?

Magic is their marketing. It is great though - it turns your iPad into a laptop. But you’re right, it’s expensive.

What does it do that I cant do with my $50 iClever keyboard?

[avenger]

Magic is their marketing. It is great though - it turns your iPad into a laptop. But you’re right, it’s expensive.

What does it do that I cant do with my $50 iClever keyboard?

I don’t know anything about your iClever keyboard, but here’s a helpful link: https://www.apple.com/ipad-keyboards/

[WillyMcG]

I read that Apple page and they do a poor job explaining the magic keyboard value. It does have a stand that makes it function more like a traditional laptop, but in my case I'm not looking for that as I intend to use a large monitor. The iPad can simply be close enough for bluetooth connections to the keyboard/monitor/mouse. I'm assuming all 3 bluetooth devices will work concurrently as I've never tried to do more than I bluetooth device on any device (usually just earpods or a speaker).

It also mentions something about the finger pad on the keyboard working for haptic gestures and I don't even know what that is or if I would use it. I'll need to read up on that.

The one thing that I'm realizing I also want is the ability to log in to the iPad when I sit at my desk. For example my iPad may be sitting across the room by the sofa but I want to sit at my nearby desk and do something typing intensive with the keyboard/mouse. In that case I hope I can find a way to log in to the ipad (touch? face?) without having to go get it and login.

[MtnTravel]

This is a timely thread as I am considering the same thing.

Has anyone tried using a new iPad with Microsoft Remote Desktop and an external monitor?

My work computer is a Microsoft Azure virtual desktop that is accessed via Remote Desktop. I currently use a MacBook Air and plug it into a LG 5k screen in my office and home office.

As I understand it, the iPad Pro can support these large, high-res screens, but what about the Remote Desktop app? Does it show up in full screen on a 5k monitor like it would on a laptop? And can you use an external keyboard and mouse?

It would be a game changer to be able to use an iPad as a primary computing device.

[ThePenGuy]

I have an iPad air with USB-C. When I was working, I shared the desk monitor, keyboard and mouse with it and my work laptop.

For the display, I used a standard USB-C DisplayPort adapter for the iPad and a A/B DisplayPort switch for the laptop and ipad. Laptop had a simple thunderbolt to DisplayPort cable. My monitor supports multiple HDMI inputs, but switching (on my specific monitor) is a pain, so the A/B DisplayPort switch worked fine.

For keyboard and mouse, I used a logitech keyboard and mouse that supports three different bluetooth connections each, there's a button to press that switches the connection.

I think IOS 18.2 for the iPad was a regression in terms of external monitor support (seems to be more anomalies now), but it still works.

An interesting variant is that if you travel with your laptop and iPad, you can use a Luna Display dongle to convert your iPad into an external display for your laptop. Works nicely to extend your laptop screen.

[ThePenGuy]

I have an iPad air with USB-C. When I was working, I shared the desk monitor, keyboard and mouse with it and my work laptop.

For the display, I used a standard USB-C DisplayPort adapter for the iPad and a A/B DisplayPort switch for the laptop and ipad. Laptop had a simple thunderbolt to DisplayPort cable. My monitor supports multiple HDMI inputs, but switching (on my specific monitor) is a pain, so the A/B DisplayPort switch worked fine.

For keyboard and mouse, I used a logitech keyboard and mouse that supports three different bluetooth connections each, there's a button to press that switches the connection.

I think IOS 18.2 for the iPad was a regression in terms of external monitor support (seems to be more anomalies now), but it still works.

An interesting variant is that if you travel with your laptop and iPad, you can use a Luna Display dongle to convert your iPad into an external display for your laptop. Works nicely to extend your laptop screen.