We have all been there. You buy an iPad thinking, ‘This is going to change my life; I will be so productive!’
Fast forward a few months, and there it is — just chilling in a drawer or sitting idly on your desk, silently judging you while you type away on your MacBook or scroll endlessly on your iPhone.
Trust me, I get it. I have been that person, with a shiny, barely-touched iPad collecting dust while my other devices do all the heavy lifting.
But, the iPad does not deserve to be ignored. It is an extremely powerful and versatile device, and in fact, it does a bunch of things better than your laptop or your phone.
After some trial and error (and the occasional guilt trip from seeing my extremely expensive iPad and Apple Pencil combo lying there unused), I have discovered ways to make the iPad not just useful but downright enjoyable.
So, if your iPad has been playing hide-and-seek with your productivity, let’s change that.
In this post, I am going to dive into what makes the iPad shine and how you can make it a key part of your daily workflow — without letting your other devices feel too left out.
Let’s get started!
Why Your iPad Ends Up Sitting Idle
Let’s be honest — you had some grand plans when you bought your iPad.
Maybe you imagined yourself taking handwritten notes like a digital artist, using your brand new Apple Pencil, watching Netflix on a bigger screen, or turning it into your personal productivity powerhouse.
But somehow, after the initial excitement wore off, it slowly started spending more time sitting on your desk or in your drawer than in your hands.
The reason? You already have other devices that do the job.
Your Mac or whatever laptop you have is probably handling all your work tasks, your iPhone is always within reach for quick browsing, and if we are really being real — sometimes the iPad just feels like a ‘nice-to-have’ device rather than a ‘must-use.’
I have been in the same boat. I love my M1 iPad Pro as much as I love my other Apple devices (yes, I have them all), but when I already have a MacBook Pro for serious work and an iPhone for everything else, it sometimes just feels redundant.
There is this weird limbo the iPad falls into — too big to be as convenient as the iPhone, but not quite as powerful as a laptop with an attached keyboard and desktop-grade apps.
So, it ends up sitting idle in the order, becoming the most expensive paperweight money can buy.
But here’s the thing — your iPad isn’t the problem (wait, let me finish). It is just that we are not using it to its full potential, and yes, the iPad has too much potential for a device of its size.
But, once you find those sweet spots where the iPad truly excels, you will realize it is not just a fancy tablet but a tool that can actually make your life easier (and more fun).
What the iPad Does Better Than a Mac or iPhone (or any laptop or phone for that matter)
While the iPad may sometimes feel like it is stuck in tech limbo, there are actually several things it excels at — things that neither your Mac nor your iPhone can quite compete with.
→ Sketching and Drawing
If you have got even a hint of creativity, the iPad paired with the Apple Pencil is an absolute dream for sketching and drawing.
The Mac just can’t give you that hands-on feel, and trying to draw on your iPhone feels like scribbling on a sticky note.
Whether you are into doodling or full-on digital art, apps like Procreate or Concepts make the iPad a go-to for creative work.
The experience of drawing directly on the screen is something neither the Mac nor the iPhone can replicate.
→ Note-Taking That Feels Natural
Sure, you can type notes on a MacBook or tap them out on your iPhone, but nothing beats the sensation of handwriting your notes on the iPad.
Whether it is jotting down ideas in apps like Notability or OneNote, or even Apple’s very own Freeform, or keeping an organized digital notebook in GoodNotes or Apple Notes, the iPad shines when it comes to handwritten note-taking.
Plus, with features like searchable handwritten text, it is like having the best of both worlds — an analog feel with digital convenience.
→ Media Consumption Heaven
Movies and TV shows? Way better on the iPad. The iPhone screen is just too small for those cinematic moments and sure, the MacBook’s great, but who wants to lug a laptop to bed or curl up on the couch with it?
Not to mention, you can’t even imagine watching a movie on your laptop on your flight, plus you can’t download offline movies from Netflix on your Mac.
The iPad hits the perfect sweet spot — it is big enough to make content pop but portable enough to carry from the living room to the bedroom (or the kitchen if you are watching while cooking).
→ Digital Reading and Annotating
I must admit that I prefer reading a physical book over an eBook, but when I have to settle for an eBook, the iPad is, hands-down, an excellent device.
Whether I am filliping through an eBook, browsing an article on Safari, reading your newsletter, or annotating PDFs, the iPad nails it.
It is more comfortable than staring at a MacBook screen, and the larger display compared to an iPhone makes reading so much more enjoyable.
Apps like Apple Books, Kindle, Substack, Medium, or PDF Expert make reading and annotating a breeze on the iPad — you get that close-to-paper feeling that just isn’t the same on other devices.
→ Multitasking Made Easy
iPadOS has come a long way with multitasking features like Split View and Slide Over and the recent update with the Stage Manager.
These updates make it easy to have a YouTube video playing while you draft an email or let you check your calendar while jotting down notes.
While the Mac handles multitasking well, the iPad’s touch interface makes it feel smoother and more intuitive for lightweight productivity tasks. Plus, you have to admit that it is way more fun swiping between apps with your fingers.
Making the iPad a Part of Your Daily Workflow
The key to unlocking your iPad’s full potential is figuring out how to integrate it into your everyday life. Once you get the hang of it, the iPad can seamlessly fit into your workflow in ways your Mac or iPhone just can’t.
Here’s how you can make your iPad a must-have tool rather than a forgotten device gathering dust.
→ Use It as a Second Screen
If you have a Mac, you have a perfect setup for using your iPad as a second screen. Thanks to Apple’s Sidecar feature, you can extend or mirror your Mac’s display with your iPad, creating extra space for your work.
It is excellent for keeping chat windows or reference materials open on one screen while you focus on a project on the other. It is especially useful if you want to multitask on the go and don’t have your external monitor with you (for obvious reasons).
→ Quick, On-the-Go Tasks
Sometimes, grabbing your MacBook for small tasks feels like overkill, and your iPhone’s screen might be too cramped for comfort. Enter the iPad, which hits the sweet spot for handling tasks.
Whether it is drafting a quick email, making a to-do list in TickTick (my favorite to-do list app right now), checking your calendar, or catching up on your newsletters, the iPad offers just the right amount of screen real estate without the bulk of a laptop (especially if you have the Air or the Mini).
→ Meetings and Presentations
If you regularly jump into FaceTime or Zoom calls or give presentations, the iPad makes it a lot easier — and more portable. Apps like Keynote, Google Slides, or Canva allow you to create, edit, and present slides straight from your iPad.
And if you also have an Apple Pencil, things like annotating or highlighting points during a presentation feel much more natural than fiddling with a laptop.
→ Apps that Shine on the iPad
There are some apps that were made to be used on the iPad — apps that take full advantage of the bigger screen and intuitive touch controls.
Craft for note-taking, organization, and personal knowledge management, Affinity Designer for graphic design, Final Cut Pro, or LumaFusion for video editing all feel smoother and more immersive on the iPad.
If you have not tried out these types of apps yet, you are seriously missing out on one of the iPad’s biggest advantages: combining power of a laptop with the simplicy of touch.
→ Handwritten Notes and Mind Mapping
The iPad, paired with the Apple Pencil, is the perfect companion for brainstorming and mind mapping. Apps like GoodNotes, Freeform, and MindNode let you express your ideas naturally and visually—something that can feel clunky on a traditional keyboard and mouse setup.
Whether you are taking notes in a meeting, planning a project, or just doodling out ideas, the iPad can add some creative flair to your workflow.
The iPad Experience — Fun and Enjoyment
While the iPad is great for productivity, let’s not forget that it is also seriously fun to use. Some activities feel better on the iPad than on your Mac or iPhone.
Whether you are unwinding after a long day or diving into a creative project, the iPad makes the experience more immersive and enjoyable.
Gaming That Feels Just Right
Gaming on the iPad is a sweet spot between the console-quality visuals of Apple Arcade games and the portability of your iPhone.
It is the perfect device for games that are too cramped on a phone screen but don’t require the full power of a gaming console.
Titles like Genshin Impact, Asphalt 9, Angry Birds Reloaded, Outlanders 2, Smash Hit, What The Golf, Sneaky Sasquatch, Leo’s Fortune, Badlands, and Alto’s Odyssey are some of my favorite games, and they all look stunning on the iPad’s larger display, and touch controls feel more natural on this device.
Plus, if you have an Xbox or a PS controller lying around, you can also connect it to your iPad and use it to play any of the games in the Apple Arcade library that are specifically designed for Apple devices and work beautifully on iPad.
If you enjoy playing games with friends or family, the iPad is ideal for digital board games. Its large display and touch interface make classics like Monopoly and more niche titles like Catan feel interactive and fun.
You can even try party games like Jackbox — everyone can gather around the iPad and join in with their phones for a great time.
Giving Your iPad a Purpose
At the end of the day, your iPad is much more than a device gathering dust. It is not just a bigger version of your iPhone or a less powerful laptop — it is a tool that can truly shine when used for what it does best.
From creative projects to boosting your productivity and helping you relax, the iPad has a unique place in your tech lineup, and it is time to start giving it the attention it deserves.
Whether you have been neglecting it because you already have other devices or simply haven’t figured out where it fits into your routine, the tips and apps I have covered today can help you rethink how you use your iPad.
Try out some of these features, apps, and ideas — chances are, you will find a whole new application for the device you once ignored.
So, go ahead, dust off that iPad, explore its potential, and give it a real place in your daily life. Trust me, once you start using it for what it is meant to do, you will wonder why you ever let it sit idle in the first place!
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Source: Useful Tech
