A Week with the iPad Pro: A Creative Professional’s Test Drive
Introduction
The iPad Pro is often marketed as a game-changer for creative professionals, but can it truly replace a laptop for a week of intense, varied work? As a designer, I decided to put this claim to the test. For seven days, I relied exclusively on the iPad Pro for everything—sending emails, researching, finding inspiration, reading books, editing videos in LumaFusion, and creating designs in the Affinity Suite. No laptop. No shortcuts. Just me, the iPad Pro, and a few essential accessories.
This wasn’t just about testing the device’s raw power but exploring its potential as a true all-in-one creative workstation. Whether you’re a graphic designer considering switching to an iPad, a video editor curious about LumaFusion, or a photographer weighing its photo-editing capabilities, this blog will take you through the highs, lows, and surprises of working exclusively on an iPad Pro for one full week. Spoiler alert: the results might just surprise you.
Why Choose the iPad Pro for Creative Work?
The iPad Pro has cemented itself as more than just a sleek tablet; it’s a powerhouse built to handle demanding creative workflows. Whether you’re sketching designs, editing high-resolution videos, or juggling client emails, the iPad Pro boasts features that make it a serious contender for digital professionals. But what exactly sets it apart?
Portability Without Compromise
Carrying around a traditional laptop setup, complete with a charger and accessories, can feel like a burden (if you’re not equipped with a MacBook though…)—especially for creatives on the go. The iPad Pro offers unmatched portability, weighing less than most laptops while packing enough power to run professional-grade apps. Whether you're working from a coffee shop, traveling to meet clients, or simply moving between your desk and the couch, its lightweight design ensures you stay a huge-damn productive without the bulk.
A Beast in Performance
Powered by Apple’s M-series chips, the iPad Pro handles demanding tasks effortlessly. Apps like LumaFusion for video editing or Affinity Designer for graphic design run smoothly, delivering desktop-grade performance on a device you can hold in one hand. Whether rendering video clips or managing layers in a complex illustration or design file, the iPad Pro rises to the challenge, making it an ideal choice for professionals who need reliability. It just works!
Multitasking Redefined
For digital professionals, multitasking is non-negotiable. The iPad Pro’s iPadOS takes multitasking to the next level with features like Split View and Stage Manager (although I’m still not a huge fan of it… lol), allowing you to run multiple apps side-by-side. Switch seamlessly between editing a design, referencing notes, and replying to client emails—all on one screen. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard or any of the best iPad keyboard cases for an experience that rivals traditional laptops. I’ve decided to pair my iPad with a Logitech Folio Touch keyboard.
Perfect for Designers, Editors, and More
All graphic designers will appreciate the iPad Pro’s stunning Retina display, offering unparalleled color accuracy and a responsive experience with the Apple Pencil. Video editors can take advantage of apps like LumaFusion, which transform the iPad Pro into a portable editing studio. And for digital professionals managing photo edits, Affinity Photo and Procreate offer powerful tools with intuitive touch-based interfaces.
No matter your niche—graphic design, video editing, or general productivity—the iPad Pro doesn’t just meet expectations; it challenges them. It's not just a tablet. It’s one hell of a powerhouse waiting to redefine how you work.
Breaking Down the Tasks
For one week, the iPad Pro became my one and only tool for everything from mundane tasks like emails to high-stakes creative work. Here’s how it handled each challenge—and where it exceeded (or fell short) of my expectations.
Emails and Admin Work: Keyboard Cases and Quick Replies
Let's face it—typing on a screen isn’t anyone's idea of productivity bliss… it’s a nightmare.
Enter the best iPad keyboard cases, which turn the iPad Pro into a hybrid productivity machine. I used Logitech Folio Touch for iPad Pro 11-inch to fire all those emails, draft proposals, organize feedback, and seek design and creative inspiration. Thanks to the iPad’s fluid multitasking, switching between the Numbers App for iPadOS (I manage my contact list there) and the native Mail App was smooth and fast. For those who live in their inbox, this setup is a winner—but fair warning, it’s still not as comfortable as a laptop for marathon sessions. It can make you nervous… and I would not recommend this to everyone. If you’re open-minded and if you want to try this, you’re more than welcome to do so. You may be so positively surprised.
Video Editing with LumaFusion: A Portable Editing Suite
Editing videos on the go has always been a pain point for me and other creatives—until a few years ago. LumaFusion transformed the iPad Pro into a legitimate mobile editing station. With its intuitive layout and surprisingly deep toolkit, I was able to cut and color-grade videos as quickly as I would on my desktop. The M-series chip flexed its muscle here, ensuring zero lag even when handling 4K footage. If you’re serious about video editing on iPad with LumaFusion, this app alone makes the iPad Pro so, so, so much worth considering.
Graphic Design with Affinity Suite: A Designer’s Dream
Switching to the Affinity Suite on iPad felt seamless. Affinity Designer handled vector work beautifully, while Affinity Photo proved its mettle with complex edits. The Apple Pencil, paired with the iPad’s touch-friendly interface, offered unparalleled precision—perfect for crafting detailed graphics. I designed everything from social media posts to intricate client projects without missing a single thing. While desktop diehards might miss a few keyboard shortcuts, the iPad Pro showed it’s no slouch when it comes to professional-grade design work. However… Affinity Suite still (unfortunately) lacks behind Adobe’s suite for creative professionals. I sincerely hope that this will not be the case in the near future.
The Verdict on Multitasking with the iPad Pro
Throughout these tasks, the iPad Pro flexed its versatility and power, proving that it’s much more than a tablet. Whether you’re editing videos, designing graphics, or managing your day-to-day, it doesn’t just keep up—it often leads the way. Follow it, it knows the damn way.
Would you trade your laptop for an iPad Pro? That depends on your workflow, but for me, this week showed just how much this device has to offer. But… I would not trade it. I love my MacBook and my iPad both. LOL!
Pros and Cons of the iPad Pro for a Week
After seven days of relying solely on the iPad Pro for everything from graphic design to video editing, the verdict is clear: it’s a remarkable device, but not without its limitations. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right tool for your creative workflow.
Pros: The iPad Pro Shines Bright
Portability Meets Power - The iPad Pro’s lightweight design and incredible performance make it the perfect companion for creative professionals on the go. Whether I was editing videos in LumaFusion or designing intricate graphics in the Affinity Suite on iPad, the device handled everything with ease, all while slipping (almost) effortlessly into my bag. And you know what… my device is from 2021. There is no need for me to make an update, yet!
Unparalleled Display Quality - The Liquid Retina display is a dream for anyone working with visuals. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the clarity makes every detail stand out—whether you’re sketching designs or editing photos. If you’re considering the best iPad for photo editing, the iPad Pro deserves your attention.
Accessories that Transform the Experience - The best iPad keyboard case and the Apple Pencil were game-changers for productivity. The keyboard provided a laptop-like typing experience, while the Apple Pencil’s responsiveness made creative work feel more natural and precise. My choice is the Logitech Folio Touch for iPad Pro 11-inch.
App Ecosystem Built for Creatives - With apps like Procreate, LumaFusion, and Affinity Designer, the iPad Pro is equipped to handle professional-grade tasks without missing a beat. Unlike traditional laptops, the touch-first interfaces made these tools feel more intuitive, turning tedious tasks into creative adventures and a lot of ‘eureka’ moments.
Battery Life That Doesn’t Quit - From early-morning emails to late-night editing sessions, the iPad Pro’s battery life was a constant ally. Even with demanding tasks like rendering video, the device kept going long enough to outlast my demand.
Cons: Where the iPad Pro Falls Short
The iPadOS Learning Curve - For all its power, iPadOS occasionally felt like a roadblock. Tasks that are seamless on a laptop—like managing multiple file types or navigating complex folder structures—require workarounds on the iPad. While the multitasking features were helpful, they weren’t always as intuitive as I’d hoped. Sometimes… it’s ugly.
Accessory Costs Add Up - To unlock the iPad Pro’s full potential, accessories are a must—and they’re not cheap. A good iPad keyboard case or Apple Pencil adds significant costs, turning a 1,000€ tablet into a 1,500€+ investment.
Software Limitations for Certain Workflows - While apps like Affinity Designer and Procreate were outstanding, some professional workflows—like complex video editing or 3D rendering—still felt easier on a desktop setup (at least in my case). The iPad Pro is an incredible creative tool, but it’s not always a one-size-fits-all solution.
Lack of Native Ports & the final weight - With only a USB-C port, connecting peripherals like external hard drives or additional monitors require adapters, which adds extra expense and clutter to an otherwise sleek setup. And… come on Logitech… iPad Pro with your Folio Touch keyboard is heavy. It’s a fact.
The Verdict
The iPad Pro is a powerhouse that can revolutionize your creative workflow—if you’re willing to embrace its quirks. It’s perfect for tasks like video editing, graphic design, and photo editing, making it an excellent choice for professionals seeking portability and performance. However, if your workflow depends on traditional desktop capabilities, the iPad Pro might feel like an accessory to your main setup rather than a replacement.
If you’re ready to explore what the iPad Pro can do for you, make sure you’ve got the right tools in hand: apps like Affinity Suite on iPad, the best iPad keyboard case, and an Apple Pencil can turn this sleek device into a creative powerhouse.
