I love my iPad Air, but I barely use it. I know that’s probably a bit of a bizarre opener when I’m saying I love a device that I don’t use very often, but it’s the truth.
I have the M2 iPad Air, which was released in 2024, and despite it being a couple of generations old, it still works extremely well. I just wish I could find more reasons to bring it into my everyday life.
Maybe I’m not thinking creatively enough about how it could fit into my daily routine, or perhaps there are opportunities I’m missing. Either way, it’s got me questioning why it isn’t a device I reach for more regularly.
The awkward middle ground
I’ve got the iPad, I’ve got the Apple Pencil, but I also have an iPhone nearby pretty much all the time.
I know not everyone runs their own Substack, but whenever I’m preparing an article, I usually research things on my phone and type up my thoughts on my laptop. This unfortunately means that my iPad is missing from that workflow.
I should point out that I’ve tried using the iPad to write articles in the past, but even though it offers multitasking, I still find a laptop easier to work with. Especially when some of my content requires me to research things in between typing.
I feel as though my iPad sits somewhere in the middle of this workflow. If I’m going to use it as part of my blogging routine, it needs to fit in seamlessly rather than making things more complicated.
What I do find myself using my iPad for, well, for the couple of times a month that I pick it up, is browsing the web and gaming.
Sometimes it’s easier when you’re sitting on the sofa to browse holidays on a bigger display without the hassle of getting your laptop out. You can properly see the images, zoom in with your fingertips and show your other half that discounted summer trip you’ve just found.
Gaming is another good use case. There are some games that are specifically designed for the bigger screen and are genuinely fun to play on the iPad. I definitely don’t game on my laptop, so it’s something I enjoy using the iPad for. But I’m a casual gamer, so it’s not something I do all the time.
Travelling is another occasion when the iPad comes in handy. If I’m on a long train journey, you best believe I’ve got Apple TV and Netflix programmes downloaded beforehand to help pass the time. Especially when the Wi-Fi on trains isn’t particularly reliable!
I guess there’s nothing wrong with using the iPad occasionally, but I like to get the best use out of my technology. And let’s face it, an iPad isn’t cheap.
It’s not that I regret buying it. I just feel frustrated that I haven’t found more reasons to use something I genuinely like.
Searching for a reason to use it
Rather than just writing about why I’m not using my iPad more, I thought I’d share what I’ve been doing to find some inspiration.
Like many people, I turned to TikTok.
I searched for things like ‘best iPad use cases’ before being met with lots of creators showing you how to make your iPad aesthetically pleasing, along with suggestions for planning, taking notes and generally boosting your productivity.
This got me thinking. Has the iPad become a device that’s primarily used for productivity rather than gaming and media? Or is that just the type of content I’m coming across?
I’m certainly not against using my iPad for productivity, but it does seem to be one of the main recommendations whenever I look for inspiration.
Maybe the Apple Pencil plays a part in that too. Taking notes and planning things arguably feels more natural when you can replicate the experience of writing on paper, just on a digital screen.
While the TikTok suggestions are useful, I do wonder whether I should really need to be searching for ways to use a device I already own.
I guess these tips are helpful, but are they more useful for people who are deciding whether to buy an iPad in the first place?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m always interested in discovering new apps and features. If there’s something that could genuinely improve my routine, I’d happily give it a go.
But I don’t particularly want to start using a digital planner just to give myself another reason to pick up my iPad.
Maybe that’s part of the problem. I’m trying to find a reason to use it rather than naturally reaching for it when I need something.
Does everything need to be an everyday device?
Firstly, I don’t want to sell my iPad. Well, not unless I’m replacing it later with a newer model!
I like having it, and it’s there whenever I want to use it. I just feel as though I’m not getting the best use out of it, and perhaps there are occasions when I could be using it more.
On another note, maybe it’s okay that my iPad isn’t an everyday device.
How we use technology is constantly evolving, and I can’t believe how much I now rely on my phone for things I would previously have done on a bigger screen.
Obviously, there are still things where I’d rather use a more capable device. Imagine trying to design a website on your phone? Even with AI, I think that would still be challenging.
But perhaps that’s where the iPad struggles to find its place in my routine. My phone handles most of the everyday stuff, and my laptop is there when I need to get something more substantial done.
That leaves my iPad somewhere in between.
I sometimes feel like I should be using it more, particularly when I think about how much it cost. But it’s not really about the money. It’s more that I enjoy technology, and I know the iPad is capable of so much more than what I’m currently using it for.
Maybe I don’t need to justify having an iPad. Maybe it’s become a device that’s useful at certain times, convenient for browsing and shopping, great for the occasional game and ideal when I’m travelling.
And maybe that’s perfectly fine.
I’m still keen to explore other ways of using it, and I’d love to find something that makes me reach for it more often. But I’m also starting to wonder whether I’m trying too hard to make it part of my everyday routine.
Perhaps the iPad doesn’t need to replace anything in my life. It just needs to be useful when I actually want to use it.
Do you own an iPad that you rarely use? Were you in the same position as me but have since found a great use for yours? I’d genuinely love to hear how you’re using it, so let me know your thoughts in the comments.