tbissonn Loc: Boston

I use an 2018 IPad Pro more now than I use my MacBook Pro. The IPad Pro is more convenient when I am shooting in the field and traveling. Also, I make sure that my photos are uploaded to the cloud so they are not taking up space on the iPad or the laptop. I use Adobe Lightroom and Photo Shop on both my IPad Pro and my laptop.

cdayton

If you don’t do serious editing on the move, then the iPad will be much preferable. Plenty of power for quick edits (native editor, stripped down PS, etc.), great screen (I use an older Air II) and LIGHT. Plus, you can carry it anywhere and backup your images. I also have an MS Surface with detachable screen but highly prefer the iPad due to size and weight. Sometimes I use the Surface for longer stays in one location but am never without the iPad.

dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL

I use a laptop at home (Dell Inspiron 17), and a Microsoft Surface Pro for traveling. That way, I don't have to learn a totally different operating system. My wife and I both have the MS Surface Pro tablets. VERY pleased with them.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I have a laptop iPad and chromebook. Laptop needed for photo editing I shoot raw and while an iPad is ok for minor tweaks more memory and power is needed for editing. Plus when I am editing I connect it to a 28 inch monitor. My iPad is great for everyday tasks like email internet music reading etc. however I find my everyday carry has become the chromebook. It can do everything the iPad can do with the added benefit of a physical keyboard. It’s light it’s fast, versatile and inexpensive. Because it is internet based just about everything I do on it is available on my laptop too as well as on the iPad. The only thing it is not great for is photo editing. However it can run lightroom cc and a version of photoshop but they are both pretty watered down. So you can’t do heavy editing. So to answer the OP’s question directly. We now live in a world where It makes sense to have multiple devices. But if I were going to pick just one it would be the laptop. The other two choices come with compromises. If you are looking for simplicity and ease of use with laptop functionality ie a keyboard a chromebook. To me an iPad is nothing more than an oversized iPhone that can’t make phone calls. Not a knock on the iPad at all it’s just where it’s functionality fits in.
I am traveling to Florida for the next week and will need photo editing capabilities so my laptop Is coming with me and my iPad will be my everyday carry. The chromebook is sitting this one out.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

How about something like the Lenovo Flex, combine laptop and tablet, runs Windows , That's now my travel computer now smaller and lighter than my laptop.

wmontgomery Loc: Louisiana

I have a 10 inch iPad Pro with 512GB about 2 years old before introduction of USB C port model. I do 80% of my work on the iPad. Laptop or iMac are used for genealogy research where I need multiple windows or desktops open or the iPad version of a program is not as well implemented i.e., tax work, day trading.
Had need to extract individual photos from a video last week. Rather than fire up Final Cut Pro on the Mac I used a $3 iPad program, worked great.
Things have really progressed. The first computer I programmed on had 4K of memory. Can’t wait for what’s next.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

I would stay with what is the most compatible with the desktop. Fewer software issues.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I’d go lap top because the iPad is just too limited for my needs.

David Taylor

Buy laptop. IPad does not have "any" key.

Vlemasters

iPad no question. Get the most memory and the best one they have and you will never look back. Only thing I use laptop for is printing and it sounds like you have your desktop for that.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

My opinion: Go with the laptop.
Me, I have an iPad Pro, Lenovo laptop, a couple of other tablets not worth mentioning.
When on a trip I take the laptop for photo work. It is easier to use, works better. I bought it as a refurb.
NOT a super dooper laptop but LR works good on it even though it does not have the video resolution of the iPad, it is easier to use for me. I use the iPad every day, every morning I open the new UHH site with it. You have received many very well written replies from other members with excellent information.
bruce

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

You are comparing a laptop COMPUTER to a TABLET. Not apples to apples :-).

First determine if a tablet give you all the usefulness you would want.

Then decide if you want to switch from the PC/Windows platform to Mac. Microsoft offers a very nice tablet line called Slate.

CaptainBobBrown

Each kind of device has its own benefit and reward. I use my iPad for reading, quick lookups of topics of interest at mealtimes, backup for password manager, calendar lookup and editing, occasional email, etc. where small screen, limited functionality for file management, etc. isn't a problem. I use my 3 screen 27" iMac for everything including photo editing and photo browsing where I want the full impact, Chrome browsing cuz the desktop is just much easier to use AND has a UNIX based operating system which I occasionally get down in the weeds with.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I have both. A 17" laptop with a 1Tb hard drive that I use for photos and an 10" Android tablet for reading and portable pictures with 32 GB additional memory. Also use the tablet to display Word documents that I write on the laptop (better keyboard). The tablet has a keyboard in the case, but it is small. The laptop is an I7 processor using Win 10 and PSE 15.