iPad optimization: Bosting productivity and fun

When it comes to shelling out over $1,000 for Apple’s newest iteration of the iPad, it’s understandable that the first question that occurs to most people is, “will I actually use it enough to make it worth the price tag?” I had that question myself when I bought my first iPad way back when the tablet was a brand new piece of equipment.

I’ll admit that when I got the first ever iPad, there was an argument that the answer to the question was much closer to “no” than it is today. With the launch of the 13-inch iPad Pro, there’s just so many different ways to use the iPad that it’s well worth the money. So what can you actually us an iPad for? The answer is multiple.

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Using the iPad to help with work

The iPad Pro does what it promises

It’s not a mystery that the IPad Pro has been billed as a tablet that can help people get their work done. It was released, after all, as Apple’s answer to the Microsoft Surface Tablet. I’m happy to report that alongside the Apple Pencil, this is a device that can do exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Since I got my first iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, I’ve used the tablet as a portable filing cabinet. I use the notes app to take notes and file those notes away and don’t honestly remember the last time I used a pad of paper or regular old pen to do so. This way when I go to a meeting I always have all my notes with me and I don’t have to worry about keeping track of where I put a small sticky note that had important information.

Beyond using the iPad Pro as a note-taker, there are also some great apps that allow me to focus on what I need to get done on a day-by-day basis (my go-to is Trello). There’s also a focus app that breaks out my tasks into manageable time and breaks and then there’s the slack app to stay in contact with my coworkers. Having all of this on one device makes it just a bit more useful than my laptop alone, especially with how light the new M4 iPad Pro is compared to its predecessors.

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Using the iPad to watch movies and television shows

A mini-tv right on my desk

Peacock/Pocket-Lint

As a writer, I spend a ton of time writing different articles. One way I’ve found to make sitting at my desk for hours and hours less of a chore is to use my iPad as a second screen where I can watch movies or television shows while I’m working.

Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)

Brand

Apple

Storage

256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

Battery

38.99-watt-hour battery. Up to 10 hours of surfing the web using Wi-Fi.

Display type

Tandem OLED, 2420-by-1668-pixel resolution at 264 ppi

Connectivity

WiFi or 5G

Colors

Silver or Space Black

Weight

1.28 pounds

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Some might find this distracting but I throw on my AirPods Max headphones, turn on Netflix, or Peacock or Hulu and get into my own little world while I work. With the upgraded screen that comes with the 13-inch iPad it’s really like having a portable 4K TV. Obviously it’s not just for work either. I can keep binging when I’m done for the day on my couch or in my bed.

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Using the iPad to read

Lighter model makes this much more enjoyable

When I’ve had my fill of movies and television shows, the iPad can also turn into a very nice e-reader. While this is the one area where the 13-inch tablet isn’t always the most enjoyable, it’s certainly become easier to do with how much lighter it is than some of the earlier models.

Comics through the Kindle app (though I miss the standalone Comixology app) look pretty darn good when I’m reading in portrait mode. Regular books look pretty good as well and the larger screen is easier on my aging eyes.

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Using the iPad to play games

Bigger and better games are coming all the time

There was a time when Cut the Rope and Veggie Ninja were the top iPad games. While some mobile games like these are still plenty fun, gaming on the iPad has gotten quite a bit more involved.

There are more AAA games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage coming to the tablet every day. There are also games like Diablo Immortal which look like console titles but are in fact, specifically for mobile users. There are a ton of different options out there for those who want to spend hours or just a few minutes gaming.

The bottom line is that there has never been a better time to get an iPad because Apple seems to understand that it needs to justify its hefty price tag. This is truly a multi-use device that comes in handy when using it to get through the workday or just spending a little time with your feet up.

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