Using an M4 iPad Pro for work has its limitations, yet it offers numerous advantages. Here are some standout features of iPadOS that enhance my productivity when working full-time with an iPad.
#1: iPadOS Home Screen
The Home Screen of the iPad has evolved significantly and serves as more than just an application launcher.
Since the introduction of iPadOS 13 in 2019, the Home Screen has transformed into a dynamic dashboard with the inclusion of widgets. These widgets soon gained further capabilities, allowing resizing and flexible placement. Now, users can customize app icons, arrange objects freely on the screen, and much more.
I enjoy customizing my iPad Home Screen with the tools I need: frequently used apps, varying sizes of widgets that display critical information, and shortcuts from Apple’s Shortcuts app, all in one place.
This feature once gave the iPad a significant edge over the Mac, although macOS has recently incorporated desktop widgets as well. Nonetheless, I still favor iPadOS for its superior customization and flexibility. It’s also incredibly convenient to simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return Home.
#2: One app by default
While some may view this as a disadvantage when compared to the Mac, I personally appreciate the iPad’s focus on a single app at a time.
In iPadOS, launching an app occupies the full screen, allowing you to concentrate solely on one task without distractions.
This design principle has played a crucial role in my decision to work from an iPad for the past decade.
The heightened mental clarity and focus afforded by the iPad’s app system is a stark contrast to my experience on a Mac, where multiple resizable windows and the visible desktop detract from my concentration.
#3: Slide Over multitasking
Although I am fond of focusing on one app at a time, the Slide Over feature enhances this capability significantly.
Slide Over lets me swiftly access a compact version of an app by pulling it from the edge of the display. It acts like a mini-iPhone app window that overlays on the main iPad application.
Similar to the app switcher on iPhone, Slide Over enables quick transitions between multiple apps, making it one of my favorite features in iPadOS.
Typically, I’ll have Safari, Ulysses, or NetNewsWire as my primary app on the iPad, while using Slide Over to toggle between Slack, Messages, Files, Photos, and Reminders.
This capability allows me to incorporate another app when I need it, then easily tuck it away when it’s not in use.
iPadOS features for getting things done: wrap-up
iPadOS may not be the ideal platform for everyone’s work needs, but it has been my primary device for quite some time. If you’re considering replacing your laptop with an M4 iPad Pro, you can read more about why it works so well for my needs here.
What iPadOS features do you find most helpful for your productivity? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
