Dorico with iPad Air M2

Dorico
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Does anyone here have any experience working with Dorico on the 13 inch M2 iPad Air, and can tell how well it runs? I need to decide whether to get the Air M2 or the Pro M4.

(This is in addition to the Mac version - I’m not trying to get the full Dorico experience, just want to be able to make some edits when on the road).

Thanks!

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It runs on my m1pro ipad just fine, so I cannot fathom that the M2 is any worse. Don’t forget that the M series chips are desktop-level chips, so even modest ipads have more raw compute power than the intel macs of yore.

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Thanks, good to know

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I have it on mine and use it in the classroom too. It runs fine - even though I bought the base model with 8Gb RAM :sweat_smile:

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What about 1-computer scenario? Macbook pro for home and travels.
Get a thunderbolt dock.
I have display, midi, storage etc. attached to dock + bt keyboard and mouse,
Come home, connect a single cable, go.
MBP remains closed because it doesn’t add much to 43’’ sscreen.

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Using an ipad and using a computer are about as different as “chalk and cheese” IMHO. They really are different devices, used in different ways, and the form factors are not exactly interchangeable. There are many reasons to want one of each.

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Having used Mac for notation since 1990 and iPad for live performing on stage (forScore) since 2011 I can confirm that. There are many scenarios that would require different devices and form factors. Even now when forScore works on Mac too I cannot go on stage with Mac.
One has to carefully think about one’s needs. If there is no specific need for iPad otherwise, then for Dorico I would strongly discourage “chalk and cheese” scenario.
When I switched to Dorico in last days of July 2024 I was very exited, went ahead and got iPad unlock and StreamDeck profiles in addition to Dorico pro.
I have really given my iPad pro 12.9’’ a chance. But the reality is that for real work it is not qualifying yet.

  1. Dorico for iPad is not the same app as Dorico pro. Because it lacks many customisation features I had to change the way I was working.
  2. Big files and iPad- forget it. Dorico crashes are too frequent.

My personal opionon is that modern laptops are quite powerful and the best scenario for me is to invest in a fast one and use it everywhere. I work on 2 locations of my own plus travels. On those 2 locations I have Thunderbolt dock, big screen, MIDI keyboard and BT keyboard+mouse standing by. Arrive, connect a single cable to my closed MBP M4Max and continue work.

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It depends on what library you are using. I have an iPad Pro M4. I use SWAM instruments and dorico can not handle it very well. No problem in cubasis though.

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