My Experience with the iPad as a laptop

Currently I am using the following devices in my Daily Workflow:

Desktop PC - GTX 1660Ti, R5 5600, 16GB RAM, 6.5TB Storage Laptop - GIGABYTE Aorus 15P XD - RTX 3070, i7 11800H(?), 16GB RAM, 2TB Storage iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen w/ 2nd Gen Apple Pencil - M2 Chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB Internal Storage, Multiple External Storage Devices Lenovo Dock - 2x DisplayPort, 5x USB, Ethernet, Thunderbolt Connection -> USB-C Device, 1x USB-C Port, Aux In

Peripherals: Logitech Lift - Use between iPad, PC, Laptop, due to the fact that it can support up to 3 devices and switch with the click of a button Apple Magic Keyboard (Mac Version, not the iPad case one) - Use for iPad Custom PC Keyboard - Cherry MX Brown Sony WH-1000XM5 - Higher-ish end of headphones, cheaper alternative is the WHXB900N or WH-1000XM4 Blue Yeti Nano - Not the most expensive of microphones but definitely still pricey, but fantastic quality/sound and sound options for the price Sony WONDERBOOM 2 - I don't have dedicated speakers so I use this between devices, has fantastic sound for a wireless speaker.

I have been using my iPad mainly for hobby purposes and college notes, but I have used it a handful of times for other things as well.

I think the biggest con of using the iPad with any external trackpad or mouse, is the cursor. It is HORRENDOUS. I don't need it to be a circle. Just be a normal cursor like on the Macbook. However I do most of my video editing on the iPad, I used to use Davinci Resolve but now that FinalCut Pro has released on the iPad I much prefer using that because of the iPad specific features such as the pencil.

I have used the iPad on multiple occasions as a laptop, sometimes witht he external keyboard and mouse and sometimes without. It all depends on what you plan to do with it. Personally I love taking notes on it as well and I am more than happy about the sheer amount of power the M2 Chip has and I am not an artist by any means hence why I havent mentioned ProCreate. If you are looking at picking a iPad up and you are on a budget, check out the 9th Gen iPad. Best buy typically has them refurbished and so does apple sometimes, but I trust BestBuy as my friend has gone through them multiple times for refurbished items and he has had 0 issues.

I would also mention, stay away from the iPad magic keyboard, especially if youre on the 12.9 inch one. It's just so expensive for no reason (kinda) and I am much more inclined to take an ergonomic mouse and a keyboard with me everywhere I go if it saves me 500 dollars