Sunday, November 14, 2021

Can an iPad Replace a Laptop? Where It Falls Short

Even with latest tablets, dependability on Laptop persists

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I used a new iPad alongside my ageing 2012 MacBook Pro and found two limits: no way to clear app cache files, and multitasking that closed apps when switching. I have rewritten it with how the iPad has changed and where it still falls short of a laptop.

I added a current iPad as a second device to take pressure off my old MacBook Pro. After a few weeks, two frustrations stood out. Apps built up large cache files, and the only built-in remedy was offloading the whole app. And multitasking, although available, often reloaded apps when I switched back, losing my place.

Can you clear app cache on an iPad?

Not system-wide. iPadOS manages cache files itself and removes them when storage runs low. You can see how much space each app uses in Settings, General, iPad Storage, and either offload the app, keeping its documents, or delete and reinstall it to clear everything. Some apps, such as browsers and streaming apps, have their own option to clear cache or downloads inside their settings.

Has iPad multitasking improved?

Considerably. iPadOS 26, released in 2025, introduced a windowing system with freely resizable windows, a menu bar and a closer resemblance to how a Mac works. Apps staying in memory still depends on how much memory the iPad has, so models with more memory handle heavy multitasking better.

Where does an iPad still fall short of a laptop?

  • Some professional software is available only on Mac or Windows, or in reduced versions on iPad.
  • File management through the Files app is better than before but less flexible than a desktop.
  • Company tools: some corporate VPNs, browser extensions and internal apps do not support iPad.
  • Cost: an iPad with a keyboard case and enough storage can cost as much as a laptop.

Who can replace a laptop with an iPad?

People whose work is mostly email, documents, browsing, video calls and media, and whose company tools support iPad. Students and people who draw or annotate often find an iPad better than a laptop. Anyone who needs specific desktop software, or spends long hours in spreadsheets and multiple windows, is usually better served by a laptop.

Is it better as a second device?

For most people, yes, which is how I used it. An iPad handles reading, calls, notes and entertainment well, while the laptop remains the tool for heavy work. As the iPad has become more capable, the list of tasks that need the laptop has shrunk, but it has not disappeared.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

OneDrive vs Google Photos: Which Is Better for Photos?

Photos features required for OneDrive

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I used both Google Photos and OneDrive, and listed photo features OneDrive lacked compared with Google: automatic animations, effects and memory videos. I have rewritten it with how the two compare now and which to use for what.

I kept my phone photos in both services. OneDrive offered a generous 1 TB with a Microsoft 365 plan and Office apps; Google Photos offered no bundle, but had smarter photo features. My wish list for OneDrive was the things Google did automatically: animations from similar photos, special effects on selected shots, and memory videos built from photos taken at the same place.

How do Google Photos and OneDrive differ for photos?

Google Photos is built around photos first: fast search by people, places and things, automatically created memories and collages, and editing tools that include AI features. OneDrive is built around files first, with photo features added on top. It backs up photos reliably and has gained more photo features over the years, including memories and a redesigned photos view, but it remains less feature-rich than Google Photos for browsing and creating.

Which is better for backup?

Both are reliable for automatic camera backup on Android and iPhone. The difference is storage value. A Microsoft 365 family plan gives each person 1 TB, while Google One plans share a single pool across the family. For large families with many photos, OneDrive's per-person storage is hard to match.

Which is better for enjoying and finding photos?

Google Photos. Its search, automatic albums and memories are more polished, and its editing features are stronger. If the pleasure of rediscovering photos matters to you, as it did to me, Google Photos does more with less effort.

Can you use both?

Yes, and many people do. Back up everything to OneDrive for the storage, and use Google Photos with a smaller plan or selected albums for browsing and sharing. Be aware that running two backup apps uses more battery and data, so set them to back up on Wi-Fi and while charging.

What should you check before choosing one?

  • How much storage your family uses today, and how fast it grows.
  • Whether you need Office apps anyway.
  • How much you use search, memories and editing.
  • Whether you keep a separate offline copy of irreplaceable photos, whichever service you choose.

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Monday, August 9, 2021

Windows 365 Cloud PC: Should Apple Offer a Cloud Mac?

Updated September 2026: when Microsoft launched Windows 365 in 2021, I argued Apple should respond with a unified operating system across its devices and a cloud version of macOS. I have rewritten it with what Windows 365 turned out to be and where Apple has and has not moved.

Windows 365, launched in August 2021, puts a full Windows PC in the cloud that you can open from a browser or an app on almost any device. I saw it as a warning for Apple: if your computer can live in the cloud, tying macOS to Mac hardware could become a weakness. My suggestions were a single operating system across iPhone, iPad and Mac, and macOS available in the cloud.

What is Windows 365?

It is a Cloud PC service sold mainly to businesses. Each user gets a personal Windows desktop running in Microsoft's data centres, with their apps and files, accessible from Windows, Mac, iPad, Android or a browser. Companies use it to give contractors and remote staff a managed PC without shipping hardware.

Has it changed the laptop industry?

Not as dramatically as I expected in 2021. Cloud PCs have found a solid place in businesses, but most people still use a physical laptop for everyday work. A cloud desktop depends on a good internet connection and costs a monthly fee, which limits it for home users.

Has Apple moved towards a unified operating system?

Partly, in its own way. Apple has kept iOS, iPadOS and macOS separate, but brought them much closer: the same chips run across iPad and Mac, iPhone and iPad apps can run on Apple silicon Macs, and iPadOS 26 introduced a windowing system much closer to the Mac's. Apple also gave its 2025 releases a shared design language and version numbers across devices.

Is there a cloud version of macOS?

Not from Apple for consumers. Businesses can rent Mac hardware in the cloud from providers such as AWS, mainly for building and testing apps, but there is no Apple equivalent of Windows 365 for everyday users. Apple's approach remains that the Mac experience runs on Apple hardware.

Does that matter for Mac users today?

For most, no. Apple silicon Macs are fast and efficient, and iCloud keeps files in sync across devices. It matters for people who switch between Windows and Mac at work: the Windows App on a Mac lets them open a Windows 365 Cloud PC, but there is no route the other way. That asymmetry is the part of my 2021 argument that still stands.

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Friday, July 2, 2021

Wearing Noise-Cancelling Earbuds All Day: Is It Safe?

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I wrote that I had become "addicted" to my AirPods Pro, their noise cancellation, comfort and sound, and that it was starting to make me nervous. I have rewritten it into a look at wearing noise-cancelling earbuds for long hours, and how to do it sensibly. This is general information, not medical advice.

I used AirPods Pro as my main headphones every day. The noise cancellation, the in-ear comfort and the sound quality, especially with spatial audio, made them hard to take out. By mid-2021 I had started to wonder whether that much use was a good thing.

Is noise cancellation harmful to hearing?

Noise cancellation itself does not damage hearing; loud volume does. In fact, cancelling background noise can help, because it lets you listen at lower volume in noisy places. The risk comes from long hours at high volume, whatever the headphones.

How loud is too loud?

A common rule of thumb is to keep volume at around 60 percent or less and take regular breaks. On an iPhone, the Health app shows your headphone audio levels over time, and the Sound and Haptics settings let you set a limit that reduces loud audio automatically. If sound seems muffled or you notice ringing after listening, that is a signal to cut back and, if it persists, to see a doctor.

What about ear comfort and hygiene?

  • Take earbuds out regularly to let your ears rest.
  • Clean the tips and the mesh with a dry, lint-free cloth.
  • Replace worn tips and use the size that seals without pressure.
  • Stop using them and seek advice if your ears become sore or itchy.

Is it safe to use noise cancellation outdoors?

Use transparency mode when walking near traffic, cycling or anywhere you need to hear your surroundings. Full noise cancellation is best kept for indoors, travel and focused work. Being unable to hear a vehicle is a more immediate risk than anything to do with hearing over time.

Why do people feel they cannot stop wearing them?

Because silence and good sound are pleasant, and noisy environments feel worse by comparison once you are used to quiet. That is a comfort habit more than a problem. A few earbud-free hours each day, and quiet time without any audio, keep it in balance.

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Sunday, June 13, 2021

Dolby Atmos in Apple Music Not Working? How to Check

Updated September 2026: in June 2021, just after Apple launched Dolby Atmos in Apple Music, I could not get it to work in India despite updating, resetting and toggling settings. I have rewritten it into a guide to checking and enabling Dolby Atmos and spatial audio in Apple Music.

When Apple announced Dolby Atmos and spatial audio for Apple Music in 2021, I tried everything to make it work: a software update, resetting settings and network settings, and switching every music setting off and on. Nothing helped, because at that moment the feature had not been made available to me. Apple has since expanded where it is offered, but many people still find it confusing to set up.

What do you need for Dolby Atmos in Apple Music?

  • An Apple Music subscription; Dolby Atmos is included at no extra cost.
  • A supported device running a recent version of iOS, iPadOS, macOS or tvOS.
  • Songs available in Dolby Atmos. Not every track is; look for the Dolby Atmos badge on the album or song page.
  • Compatible playback: any headphones work, with the best results on AirPods and Beats models that support spatial audio; or Atmos-capable speakers.

How do you turn it on?

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Music, then Dolby Atmos, and choose Automatic or Always On. Automatic plays Atmos versions on supported Apple and Beats headphones and speakers; Always On uses it on other headphones too. Then play a track with the Dolby Atmos badge and look for the Dolby Atmos label on the Now Playing screen.

What if it still does not work?

Check that the track actually has an Atmos version, that your device software is up to date, and that you are signed in with your Apple Music account. Downloaded songs may need to be downloaded again to get the Atmos version. If the badge does not appear on any songs, check whether the feature is available in your country or region on Apple's support site.

Is Dolby Atmos music worth it?

It depends on the recording. Some Atmos mixes sound genuinely wider and more detailed; others feel like a stereo mix with added echo. Try both versions of a few songs you know well and decide by ear. You can switch the setting to Off if you prefer the stereo originals.

What was the lesson from 2021?

Sometimes a feature that will not work is simply not available yet, and no amount of resetting changes that. Checking Apple's feature availability page first would have saved me an evening of troubleshooting.

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Monday, May 17, 2021

Using AirPods Pro Through a Long Workday

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I described how I used AirPods Pro through a working day: long morning calls with transparency mode on, music for focus before lunch, and a recharge in the case by the afternoon. I have rewritten it into practical tips for using earbuds across a long workday.

I listen to something for much of the day, whether calls, music or videos, so I wanted earbuds comfortable enough for hours. My day with AirPods Pro followed a pattern: long calls with the onsite team in the morning with transparency mode so I could still hear home around me, music while working before lunch, and by the time I had used them for more than four hours with transparency on, the battery was running out and they went back in the case.

How long does the battery last in real use?

Earbud battery figures are quoted per charge, with the case providing several extra charges. With noise cancellation or transparency switched on, and on calls, you get less than the headline figure. Plan for a few hours per session, and put the earbuds in the case during breaks rather than waiting for the low-battery tone. A short top-up during lunch covers most workdays.

Which mode is best for calls at home?

Transparency mode, if you need to hear the doorbell or family around you, as I did. Noise cancellation, if you are in a noisy space and want to concentrate on the call. Newer AirPods Pro models add adaptive modes that switch between the two automatically, and features that lower media volume when you start speaking.

How do you stay comfortable for hours?

  • Use the right ear tip size. The fit test in your iPhone's Bluetooth settings for AirPods Pro helps.
  • Take them out between calls, even for a few minutes.
  • Keep the volume moderate; noise cancellation lets you hear clearly at lower volumes.
  • Clean the tips and mesh regularly with a dry cloth.

Should you use one earbud at a time?

For calls, it is a practical way to double battery time: use one, charge the other, then swap. Microphone quality is fine with a single earbud. For music and focus, both earbuds with noise cancellation work better.

Are there better options for all-day calls?

For very long call days, a wired or over-ear headset avoids battery limits altogether and can be more comfortable for some people. Many people keep both: earbuds for flexibility, and a headset for days with back-to-back meetings.

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Thursday, April 15, 2021

Was Waiting for the Second Apple Silicon Mac Worth It?

Updated September 2026: in April 2021 I explained why I was not buying the first Apple silicon MacBook: worries about long-term reliability, about Apple restricting which software could run, and a belief that the second generation would be better. I have rewritten it with how those concerns played out.

I had wanted to replace my laptop for a long time and waited for Apple's move to its own chips. When the M1 MacBooks arrived in late 2020, reviews were excellent, but I held back. I worried whether the chips would prove reliable, whether Apple would lock Macs down so that only approved software could run, and whether, as with many Apple products, the second generation would be the one to buy.

Did Apple silicon Macs prove reliable?

Broadly, yes. M1 Macs from 2020 have held up well, with strong battery life and performance that still covers everyday work comfortably. They continue to receive current macOS releases. The first-generation risk I worried about turned out to be small.

Did Apple restrict which apps you can run?

No, not in the way I feared. Apple silicon Macs run apps from outside the Mac App Store, as before, with Gatekeeper warnings for unidentified developers. Rosetta 2 translated older Intel apps smoothly during the transition. What Apple does restrict is installing modified or pirated software that bypasses security, which is not something to rely on anyway.

Was waiting for the second generation worth it?

Only partly. The M2 arrived in 2022 with modest gains, and the design refresh of the MacBook Air mattered more than the chip for many buyers. Apple has since moved through M3, M4 and M5 generations. For most people, the performance difference between generations is small in daily use; the bigger factors are memory and storage, which cannot be upgraded later.

What should you look for when buying a Mac now?

  • Memory: 16 GB is a sensible minimum today, and newer base models ship with it.
  • Storage: buy enough for several years, since it cannot be expanded internally.
  • Software support: Apple has said macOS Tahoe, released in 2025, is the last version for Intel Macs, so any Mac bought now should be Apple silicon.
  • Price over generation: a discounted previous-generation model is often better value than the newest chip.

What would I tell myself in 2021?

The concerns were reasonable for a brand-new architecture, but the M1 answered most of them. Waiting meant more time on an ageing laptop. For anyone in a similar position now, the rule is simpler: buy an Apple silicon Mac with enough memory and storage, and do not wait for a future chip.

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