Watch apps and widgets expand on the Home Screen as you move over them.
The best 2-in-1 laptops for 2023
But throughout last year, companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google continued to improve their operating systems for machines that do double duty. Plus, with the rise of ARM-based chips for laptops, especially Apple’s impressive M series, prospects for a powerful 2-in-1 with a vast touch-friendly app ecosystem is at an all-time high. It features speedy 12th-gen Intel CPUs and all of the major upgrades from last year, including a 120Hz display and a more modern design. Don’t confuse this with the similarly named Surface Pro 9 with 5G, though, which has a slower ARM processor and inferior software compatibility. Microsoft offers a variety of Type Covers for its Surface Pros ranging from $100 to $180, depending on whether you want a slot for a stylus. You can also get the Surface Slim Pen 2 ($130) for sketching out your diagrams or artwork, which features haptic feedback for a more responsive experience.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard provides a satisfying typing experience, and its touchpad means you won’t have to reach for the screen to launch apps. The iPad also lacks a headphone jack and its webcam is awkwardly positioned along the left bezel when you prop it up horizontally, so be aware that it’s still far from a perfect laptop replacement.
Still, with its sleek design and respectable battery life, the iPad Pro 12.9 makes it a good 2-in-1 choice for Apple users. We only reviewed the S9 Ultra, but that tablet had solid battery life when running multiple apps in Dex mode, up to about seven hours. Just pick your preferred screen size and one of the keyboard covers Samsung sells and you’ve got a solid productive device that’s thin, light and powerful. Adaptability is the biggest strength of a 2-in-1, with devices like the Yoga 9i capable of transforming into a number of different modes at a moment’s notice.
Even though it’s got a relatively portable 14-inch OLED display, Lenovo still found room on the Yoga 9i for three USB-C ports, a fingerprint scanner and a clever rotating soundbar to ensure audio sounds good in any position. Lenovo also includes a free stylus in the box but, unlike previous models, there isn’t a dedicated storage slot for it on the machine anymore.
It’s also worth noting that, while its general design hasn’t changed much for 2023, Lenovo has improved the Yoga 9i’s performance with updated 13th-gen Intel processors.
The best iPad to buy
I’ve spent years using various iPads for both entertainment and work and have tested all of the current and recent models to know what they are best suited for. Out of the box, any iPad provides an excellent portable video or movie-watching experience; access to a wide array of apps and games through the App Store; the ability to read ebooks, documents, and web articles on a bright comfortably sized screen; and communicate via email, messaging services, or video calls. Apple also has a strong track record of supporting the iPad for many years with software updates, so even older models can benefit from the majority of new features. That means you can often find excellent options on secondhand, open-box, and refurbished iPads that save a lot of money and still offer an up-to-date, performant experience.
The refurbished market changes too frequently for me to make specific recommendations in this guide, so everything here is based on the new, full retail cost. But I’ve personally bought multiple refurbished iPads over the years and have never regretted not having the latest and greatest model. Released in 2022, the fifth-generation iPad Air offers a bright 10.9-inch high-resolution display, extremely fast performance thanks to its M1 processor, a modern design with even bezels around the screen, and excellent speakers. It’s compatible with the same keyboard and stylus accessories as the iPad Pro, so it can work well as a small laptop-like device or digital notepad / drawing tablet.
The Air comes in a variety of colors, including blue, pink, purple, gold (which Apple calls “Starlight”), and a dark gray.
The iPad Air can be paired with Apple’s Magic Keyboard to turn it into a small laptop replacement for productivity work. It’s significantly larger than a phone and provides a better video-watching, reading, and multitasking experience, but it’s not nearly as large as a laptop display, so it’s easier to carry around or hold when lounging on the couch. The size makes it easy to transition from reading in portrait orientation to knocking out an email in landscape mode.
The jump to 256GB costs $150 (at Apple’s regular retail price), but it’s worthwhile if you plan to hang on to this iPad for multiple years. If you are a frequent traveler and plan to use an iPad outside of your home a lot, however, a built-in cellular connection is often faster, more reliable, and easier than using your phone’s hotspot.
I’ve used an iPad Pro with built-in cellular during a long train commute for years, and it’s been worth the cost every time.
The Air’s design is the same as that of the iPad Pro, with a squared-off aluminum back and sides and evenly proportioned bezels around its whole display.
But when you’re holding the iPad Air in landscape orientation, the camera feels like it’s in the wrong spot, and Apple’s software tricks to correct it are not always the most convincing. (Apple has addressed this problem with its lower-tier 10th-gen iPad by moving the camera to the longer edge, but it has not yet done so for the rest of the lineup.)
The Air’s stereo speakers (one on the left and right side, when held in landscape orientation) are loud and clear and work great for movie or video watching. The Air also supports Apple’s latest Pencil ($129 retail, sometimes on sale for less) for writing and drawing, and it can magnetically snap to the side of the tablet for charging and storage. You, as a parent, will still want it to be updated to current software and security patches, so it’s important to avoid something that isn’t supported anymore.
The ninth-gen model has the traditional iPad look, with larger bezels around the screen and a home button (with Touch ID biometric authentication). It’s clear that even Apple realizes the 10th-gen iPad isn’t quite a direct replacement for the ninth-gen model due to its significantly higher price and different features. So as long as Apple continues to sell the ninth-gen model, that is our recommendation for budget shoppers and an iPad for kids.
It works fine as a stylus for writing and drawing on the screen, but there’s nowhere to store it when you’re not using it unless you buy a third-party case, and charging it requires plugging it into the iPad’s Lightning port, which is awkward and clumsy. In my testing, it never lagged or slowed down when I was using it, the screen is sharp and colorful, and it’s comfortable to hold for long stretches of time. The 12.9-inch Pro rewards you with a more expansive display for juggling multiple apps, especially if you use the new Stage Manager windowing feature.
It also has the best screen on any iPad, with its Mini LED technology, providing searing brightness, deep blacks, and rich colors.
As a result, many iPad Pro 12.9 owners find they don’t end up taking it out of the Magic Keyboard case very often. A new feature introduced with the 2022 model allows you to preview line strokes or selections with the Apple Pencil before you put them onto the screen.
Most people do not need all of the features of the latest iPad Pro, which makes buying an older version a compelling option. At full prices, the iPad Air is a better option than the 11-inch Pro, but if you’re able to find a prior-year model refurbished or on sale, then it might be the one to go with.
The Mini provides access to many more reading sources than a Kindle, though it can’t match the battery life of Amazon’s e-reader. This is the only iPad that Apple doesn’t make a keyboard accessory for, and it’s obvious why: it’s just too small to really be comfortable to type anything of length on.
Do you need an iPad if you already have a laptop?
In situations where a laptop would be too big or cumbersome, you can position your iPad with a special case so that it’s out of the way or mounted on a wall. Mastering Siri shortcuts can help you complete a task in less time than it takes to boot up your laptop. Thousands of free games are also available in the App Store, while an Apple Arcade subscription lets you play even more favorites.
For an even better call experience, the newest iPads feature self-adjusting cameras that keep the subjects in the center of the frame no matter where they are.
Adding an iPad into the mix bridges the gap between a small, highly portable iPhone and a more powerful but mostly stationary desktop or MacBook. However, if you don’t mind losing a handful of connectivity features, using an iPad in addition to a Windows laptop can still help with taking notes, catching up on social media, reading and more.
You should be able to update your iPad’s OS for at least 5 years, and its battery can last for more than 1,000 charge cycles while maintaining 80% of its original capacity. The classic (and most affordable) iPad now features the A14 Bionic chip, which gives the tablet faster browsing, better multitasking and lower power consumption. This iPad features USB-C compatibility and a magnetic side attachment for the second-generation Apple Pencil, but it doesn’t work with the Smart Keyboard. Plus, its powerful A-15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity and top-of-the-line security features make it a great pick for portability and productivity. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
Whoa! Apple could be working on MacBook and iPad hybrid with 20-inch foldable display
In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman discussed that such hybrid device could possibly work similar to the already existing Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold. Gurman appeared to have backed Ross Young’s earlier claims about Apple allegedly working on “a foldable notebook.” We hear there is interest at the largest size yet,” Young said in a recent report that highlighted potential foldable and rollable devices in the industry.
The Best 2-in-1 Laptops for 2023
There are two ways to achieve this: Convertible 2-in-1 designs that rotate between notebook and slate modes with 360-degree hinges, or detachable models that let you remove the keyboard entirely to become a standalone tablet. Its high-res touch screen delivers vibrant and vivid visuals, while the comfortable keyboard and touchpad enhance the overall user experience. Moreover, the Yoga 7i’s touch screen sets a new standard with its exceptional brightness and sharpness, making it a standout option in its price range. Whether you prize the classy design, the vibrant display, or the flexible form factor, the Yoga 7i 14 Gen 7 provides the best 2-in-1 experience for most people right now. Robust port selection Solid performance and battery life CONS Integrated graphics limit gaming and media creation potential Integrated graphics limit gaming and media creation potential Active pen is supported but not included SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Convertible 2-in-1, Ultraportable Processor Intel Core i7-1255U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 14 inches Native Display Resolution 2240 by 1400 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Graphics Memory Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 Dimensions (HWD) 0.68 by 12.47 by 8.67 inches Weight 3.2 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Home Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:59 All Specs GET IT NOW $1,299.00 Amazon Learn More Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 Gen 7 (2022) Review
The 14-inch display is the right size for portability and convertible use; the 13-hour battery life will carry you through a full day; and the Intel Core i5-1335U offers power for both projects and entertainment. Display’s color coverage is lacking Gray keys clash with deep blue chassis SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Convertible 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i5-1335U Processor Speed 1.3 GHz RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type Hard Drive Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 14 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1200 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Memory Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Dimensions (HWD) 0.78 by 12.3 by 8.9 inches Weight 3.5 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Home Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:32 All Specs GET IT NOW $584.99 Lenovo $849.99 Walmart Learn More Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i 14 (2023) Review The latest model of the class leader merges the iconic Surface Pro design, honed over many generations, with up-to-date hardware and improved battery life. With a sleek design, upgradable storage, and two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, the Surface Pro 9 is easily the most capable tablet-style 2-in-1 on the market, and our favorite Windows detachable. The tablet’s superb digital inking will appeal to pen and stylus fans, while the excellent keyboard accessories and docking solutions make it a practical laptop replacement, too—though those bits cost extra. 5G only available with SQ3 processor High starting price SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i7-1255U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 256 GB Screen Size 13 inches Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1920 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Memory Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Dimensions (HWD) 0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches Weight 1.9 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Home Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:12 All Specs GET IT NOW $799.99 Amazon $999.99 Microsoft Store $799.99 Best Buy Learn More Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Review
Naturally, even with the advanced Intel Core i3 processor option over the Pentium entry-level variant, this tablet’s performance won’t blow you away. However, it comes with so many pros—including a shiny and vivid display, a sturdy metal kickstand in a lightweight build, an SD card reader, and a long-lasting battery—that it’s no surprise Microsoft’s still selling this version. Optional extras pump up price quickly Disappointing computing performance, even with Core i3 upgrade SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1, Budget Processor Intel Core i3-10100Y Processor Speed 1.6 GHz RAM (as Tested) 8 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 128 GB Screen Size 10.5 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1280 Touch Screen Panel Technology LED Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel UHD Graphics 615 Graphics Memory Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.33 by 9.7 by 6.9 inches Weight 1.2 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 11:34 All Specs GET IT NOW $399.99 Microsoft Store $519.99 Amazon $529.99 Best Buy Learn More Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review
Who It’s For The Yoga 9i Gen 8 is a premium swivel-hinge 2-in-1 perfect for anyone who needs touch-input, handwriting, and drawing features but doesn’t want to compromise on the laptop experience.
Battery life is decent, but not long Extra function keys aren’t customizable SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Convertible 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i7-1360P Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 14 inches Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1800 Touch Screen Panel Technology OLED Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 90 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Graphics Memory Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1 Dimensions (HWD) 0.6 by 12.5 by 9.1 inches Weight 3.09 pounds Operating System Windows 11 Home Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 14:05 All Specs GET IT NOW $1,258.00 Lenovo Learn More Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 Review But the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is substantially different, welding powerful hardware to a unique pull-forward folding display with 120Hz refresh rate that’s ideal for drawing and drafting in comfort.
Under the hood is a potent combination of the latest Intel and Nvidia hardware, complete with dedicated AI processing for accelerating a host of creature-comfort features in video calls. Who It’s For Anyone who wants to draw, note, or get hands-on with their digital media will appreciate the Surface Laptop Studio 2 for its three-mode, touch-and-pen-friendly design, not to mention the high-performance hardware inside.
Long battery life Cleverly located, charging magnetic stylus holder CONS Surface Pen still sold separately
Just-okay Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color coverage AI boosts only Windows Studio Effects, for now SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Convertible 2-in-1, Desktop Replacement Processor Intel Core i7-13700H Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 64 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB Screen Size 14.4 inches Native Display Resolution 2400 by 1600 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support Manual Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz Graphics Processor Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU Graphics Memory 8 GB Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Dimensions (HWD) 0.86 by 12.72 by 9.06 inches Weight 4.18 pounds Operating System Windows 11 Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 15:23 All Specs GET IT NOW $2,153.19 Amazon $1,999.99 Microsoft Store Learn More Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 Review
Toy-like mini stylus Expensive when individually priced SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Business, Convertible 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i7-1355U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 14 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1200 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Graphics Memory Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.61 by 12.4 by 8.8 inches Weight 3.04 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Pro Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:57 All Specs GET IT NOW $1,241.99 Lenovo Learn More Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 Review The addition of 4G or 5G mobile broadband ensures seamless connectivity where Wi-Fi is absent; the smart 1080p webcam enhances videoconferencing capabilities; and the Zoom shortcut keys right on the touchpad make managing meetings easier.
Who It’s For If you need a compact laptop that’s best for office dwellers, remote workers, and frequent flyers alike, the Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 earns our recommendation. No 4K or OLED screen option C-suite price SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Business, Convertible 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i7-1260U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 13.3 inches Native Display Resolution 2560 by 1600 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Graphics Memory Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.55 by 11.7 by 8.2 inches Weight 2.8 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Pro Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 12:21 All Specs GET IT NOW $2,049.00 Dell Learn More Dell Latitude 9330 2-in-1 Review With features like a full HD webcam and helpful connectivity options including Wi-Fi 6 and an HDMI monitor port, this versatile Chromebook easily handles everything from web browsing to Google Workspace productivity, and is even up to some modest web-based media creation and editing. Its peppy AMD CPU and impressive battery life make it a sure bet to convert anyone who’s been burned by a cheap, low-end Chromebook. Rugged MIL-STD 810H construction with sturdy aluminum Decent connectivity with Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, and HDMI out CONS Uses cheaper eMMC storage No Thunderbolt 4 port No stylus included SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Chromebook, Convertible 2-in-1 Processor AMD Ryzen 5 5625C Processor Speed 2.3 GHz RAM (as Tested) 8 GB Boot Drive Type eMMC Flash Memory Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 128 GB Screen Size 14 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1080 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics Graphics Memory Wireless Networking 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.1 Dimensions (HWD) 0.68 by 12.7 by 8.8 inches Weight 3.3 pounds Operating System Chrome OS Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:21 All Specs GET IT NOW $439.00 Amazon $699.99 Acer Learn More Acer Chromebook Spin 514 (2023) Review It delivers just enough in the way of features and performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, email, and media streaming, making it an ideal choice for students and casual users alike. Pen sold separately Short battery life SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Chromebook, Detachable 2-in-1 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 Processor Speed 2.55 GHz RAM (as Tested) 4 GB Boot Drive Type eMMC Flash Memory Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 64 GB Screen Size 10.95 inches Native Display Resolution 2000 by 1200 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Qualcomm Adreno GPU Graphics Memory Wireless Networking 802.11ac, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.31 by 10.2 by 6.5 inches Weight 2.09 lbs Operating System Chrome OS Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 6:01 All Specs GET IT NOW $354.99 Lenovo $269.00 Best Buy Learn More Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook Review This corporate choice combines a sleek, lightweight design with a beautiful 3:2-aspect-ratio touch screen, swift Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, an extra-sharp webcam, and solid sound. The backlit keyboard, paired with a haptic touchpad, provides a snappy typing experience, and the inclusion of a fingerprint reader and a magnetically attached stylus pen adds convenience and versatility. Who It’s For Too costly for casual use by consumers, the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is a standout option for enterprise deployment, providing an exceptional user experience and Google Workspace environment with top-shelf security and manageability. Great performance, connectivity, webcam, and sound Fingerprint reader and magnetic pen CONS High price only makes sense for business use
High price only makes sense for business use Windows users will have to learn new keyboard shortcuts SPECS Name Value Laptop Class Chromebook, Business, Convertible 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i5-1245U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 8 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 256 GB Screen Size 13.5 inches Native Display Resolution 2256 by 1504 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Graphics Memory Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.65 by 11.6 by 8.7 inches Weight 2.8 lbs Operating System Google Chrome OS Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 10:32 All Specs GET IT NOW $1,346.62 Amazon $1,369.00 HP Learn More HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook Review (Typing the Great American Novel or even an ordinary business report on the hard, flat surface of a virtual onscreen keyboard is an experience you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.) Simpler keyboard cases usually lack niceties such as extra battery cells or USB ports, and most will be noticeably physically flexible. The rest of the specs (screen size, storage space, the processor used, and so on) for convertibles and detachable hybrids generally follow the same lines as more standard laptops and Windows tablets, which means you’ll have to pay more if you want additional speed, fancier features, or a thinner, flashier design.
Gurman: Apple’s mysterious 20″ foldable could be MacBook/iPad hybrid with touchscreen keyboard
Earlier this week, 9to5Mac noted a new analyst report that indicated Apple is working on a foldable device with around a 20-inch screen. According to Young, Apple is in discussions with suppliers about this category, and while a product is still several years away, its interest is in a 20-inch foldable of some sort. Now, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman also corroborates with this report saying Apple has indeed been exploring a dual-screen, foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid.
With iPadOS 17, the iPad becomes a true laptop replacement
Even with an excellent keyboard (and sometimes a mouse), tasks that revolve around typing or multi-tasking have generally gone to my MacBook Air. This is usually more an issue about the limitations of iPadOS or available apps than about processing power (the iPad Pro and Air now sport the same M1 and M2 processors as today’s Macs) or form factor. As did a good many Apple customers, I downloaded and installed the developer betas of both iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma when they became available in June. I started using iPadOS 17 first, mostly because it downloaded faster (and I wanted to install Sonoma onto a clean drive partition).
Apple launched the multitasking feature on both iPadOS and macOS last year but it was pretty much a mess — particularly on the iPad. Stage Manager now delivers much more freedom and flexibility when working with multiple apps in a single workspace. These limitations are fairly minor annoyances, since you’re generally able to resize and reposition windows as you want; they simply snap to a grid close to where you put them. This makes the entire multitasking experience something that’s truly useful compared to the somewhat gimmicky split screen and slide over options of the past. It feels and behaves like a full-blown desktop, and working with multiple apps at once is finally a real capability for the iPad.
Since iPads have smaller screens than most Macs or PCs, the usability of multiple apps decreases as you open more of them (for me, anything beyond four becomes too cluttered to use effectively, though your preferences may vary). that require you to scroll or don’t position controls such as buttons or text boxes properly in windows; Amazon is an example of the former and Facebook can be one of the latter. While iPadOS 17 doesn’t change the dot-style cursor or make it behave more like the pointer on a Mac or PC, I (and several people I’ve spoken with) noticed that mouse tracking feels more accurate to the movement of your hand.
Universal Control is a Continuity feature designed to make shifting between a Mac and an iPad frictionless by letting the same keyboard and mouse work with multiple devices. The shifting of mouse performance when switching is a point of friction in that system, making things not quite so universal. Notes gains useful features across all Apple platforms this year, but they feel most significant on the iPad.
The effect is similar to laying out a personal website of data that links together ideas, information, media, checklists, contacts and anything else.
This may not seem like a major change, but if you use Notes extensively and add features like checklists, bulleted lists, formatting and media, you can now leverage all of that when you need to produce a document. You don’t need an external app to view, edit, highlight, cross off, or markup PDFs.
AirDrop is having a big year across Apple devices as well; it’s the basis for NameDrop and new gestures for sharing content. It gets speed improvements, a bit more streamlined interface and the ability to finish transfers using the internet (so two users or devices don’t need to be in close proximity to one another).
While there isn’t a lot new for keyboards (beyond Shift-click/tap with Stage Manager), they’re a crucial part of making the iPad a true laptop replacement. There are a variety of options from Apple and third-party vendors, since any bluetooth or USB keyboard (with the appropriate dongle) will work with any iPad. Today’s iPads are capable of doing pro-level work that until recently required a Mac or PC (sometimes a rather powerful one). Apple has always built a wall between a user’s personal apps, data, and accounts and work apps, data and accounts whenever a device is managed by the user’s employer, provided the employer uses some form of mobile management.
With iOS and iPadOS 17 (along with Sonoma), iCloud sync is now supported across any devices or Macs connected to their work Apple ID. It’s also important to note Apple will now support all Continuity features on all devices and Macs affiliated with a work Apple ID, including Handoff, Universal Control, and Continuity Camera (which allows a Mac to use another device’s camera for video chats).
The iPad Pro and Air models that share the same processors with Apple Silicon Macs are spectacular examples of this potential. Apple seems to have finally gotten the message a lot of its customers have long known: the iPad is a serious tool that needed serious software to unlock its potential.
iPad Pro vs Surface Pro: Can a tablet-laptop hybrid really replace your PC?
At its June 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple unveiled some significant changes to the iPad operating system, even christening the revamped version with a new name all its own: iPadOS. Both devices make the same promise: You can have a tablet when you want a simple surface for reading or sketching, or snap on the keyboard to get something closer to a classic clamshell PC form factor. The Surface Pro took a similarly halting path to its current state, stumbling from its initial “brilliant, quirky, flawed” debut more than six years ago through multiple iterations. The Surface Pro 6 is filled with tiny but meaningful improvements over its predecessors, and the company seems at last to have ironed out the reliability problems that plagued the entire line in its early years.
There’s finally support for external pointing devices, so you aren’t forced to swipe the screen to make a selection. It’s hard to imagine a creative professional voluntarily giving up her Mac for an iPad Pro, although there are certainly circumstances where the lighter, more portable device will come in handy. In the office, you can attach a docking station and use a full-sized monitor, keyboard, and mouse; on the road, it’s remarkably lightweight. But it doesn’t offer the simplicity of the iPad, and the experience of using the Type Cover is still off-putting for many users who prefer the solid feel of a clamshell keyboard.
iPad Pro vs. Microsoft Surface Book 3: Which tablet-laptop hybrid is best?
For an industry fixated on constant change, the traditional “clamshell” laptop design — from the MacBook Pro to the Dell XPS 13 to many, many others — has endured for a long time. But the past few years have seen imaginative hybrid devices that act as both tablets and laptops , become increasingly viable alternatives.
These two luxe devices encapsulate the two different major types of hybrid, and are both viable choices in a year when work has been upended and you may be in the right frame of mind of invest in a singular work and home (and often work-from-home) device that’s more than a laptop and also more than a tablet.
iPads have long been able to connect to keyboards, but this year Apple upped the ante. But it helps make the iPad Pro a legitimate laptop replacement, in most ways, at least. Other Windows hybrids, such as Lenovo’s Yoga line, are laptops in which the display can swivel behind the keyboard to form a tablet. Instead, the Surface Book line lets you press a button and separate the fully featured laptop base from its display, which then acts as a standalone tablet. That’s a step beyond the original Surface Pro, which is much closer to an iPad — a component-packed screen with a simple sold-separately clip-on keyboard accessory.
The base 13.5-inch Surface Book 3 model costs $1,599, while the 11-inch, Wi-Fi-only iPad Pro starts at $799. The most tricked-out iPad Pro — 12.9-inch display, 1TB storage, cellular service and including the $349 Magic Keyboard — adds up to $2,000. A 15-inch Surface Book 3 peaks at $3,400 and, with its Nvidia Quadro graphics, offers a much more PC-like level of power. Microsoft Surface Book 3 Apple iPad Pro Display size, resolution 13.5 in, 3,000×2,000 11 in, 1,668×2,388 pixels Pixel density 267 ppi 265 ppi Operating system Windows 10 iPadOS 13 CPU Intel Core i7 Apple A12Z Bionic GPU Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU Apple A12Z Bionic RAM 16GB 6GB Storage 256GB 1TB Cost $1,999, £1,999, AU$3,399 $1,299, $1599 with Magic Keyboard; £1,269/£1,569; AU$2,169/AU$2,669
Despite their different aims, the iPad Pro and Surface Book 3 compete over the same territory in that they’re alternatives to traditional laptops. Productivity is added on top via accessories: Artists can buy the Apple Pen; office types can add a Magic Keyboard.
Introduced last year, iPadOS is an acknowledgement from Apple that the iPad has grown out from iOS, the iPhone’s operating system, into something more robust and versatile.
It added proper multitasking, a more desktop-like Safari browser and improved Apple Pen functions.
As a result, the iPad Pro offers a more consistent experience than the Surface Book. Microsoft’s hybrid runs on Windows 10, which works exceptionally well as a laptop but relatively poorly as a tablet.
For all of the iPad Pro’s strengths, there are a few weaknesses that hold it back from being easy to recommend as a work device to everyone. Apps like Photoshop are being improved, and there are rumors of Final Cut Pro heading to iPadOS, too.
But one of the Surface Book 3’s strengths is that, unusually for a laptop of its size, it can be configured with a dedicated graphics card.
(The 15-inch version is a bit of a harder sell, since it’s actually a little underpowered compared to competing laptops.) Both devices are marketed to creatives, and indeed the Apple Pencil is fabulous and the Microsoft Pen is also excellent. But this CPU and graphics power allows you to do far more with the Surface Book than the iPad Pro, which is equipped with Apple’s A12Z Bionic processor.
Apple Continues Its Slow March Toward the MacPad Future
The M1 might already be aging by Apple’s speedy standards, seeing how the company is already putting M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips into its high-end hardware. For years now, tech pundits and consumers alike have wondered whether Apple’s iOS devices and its MacBooks would somehow merge.
The company’s software chief, Craig Federighi, told WIRED in a 2018 interview that “lifting your arm up to poke a screen is a pretty fatiguing thing to do.” Message received: Touchscreen laptops are bad (despite the millions of Windows touchscreen laptops that have sold).
According to CCS Insight chief analyst Ben Wood, the chasm between the MacBook and the iPad is still wide, but the two could grow closer together as both products continue to evolve.
Catalyst allowed developers to build one version of their apps that could be easily ported to iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS, essentially nudging mobile and desktop toward holy matrimony.
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