Ask HN: Is there a way to use the iPad Pro as a desktop PC?

1 pointswysiwyg382610y ago2 comments

Thinking of buying the new 9.7" iPad Pro for my wife to replace her old iPad. I'm wondering if it could also replace her old Windows PC. For "lean-back" tasks (email, reading, etc) she loves the iPad. For web surfing, online shopping, web videos and occasional spreadsheet, she prefers the PC's 22" screen and a physical keyboard.

Is there a way to send the iPad's screen to a 4K monitor via the Lightning connector, and turn the iPad's screen into a multi-touch trackpad. I know iOS doesn't support mouse cursor so the GUI would be a problem. Does anyone have a creative workaround (without jailbreak)? Thanks for reading.

2 comments

2 comments · 1 top-level

smt8810y ago· 1 in thread

This is like asking if it's possible to use a screwdriver as a multitool. It is possible (casting the iPad screen to a monitor, for example), but why not just buy the multitool? A Macbook Air is close to the same price as an iPad Pro and does everything you want, and I'd argue that a Surface Pro 4 does the split-personality thing even better than any Mac product.

wysiwyg3826OP10y ago

Wife really likes the big 4K monitor we have, and the Macbook Air's 13" screen is too small for her. To be honest, I really don't feel like buying a new PC to do what the iPad Pro could already do. Besides, she could use a new iPad and the 9.7" iPad Pro is only $599 vs the 13" MBA at $999. I wish iOS had a setting to drive a 4K monitor and turn the iPad into a multi-touch trackpad with mouse/cursor support.

Yes, I have the Surface Pro 3 w/Win 10 for work and the split-personality works pretty well for me.

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