But here are the reasons why I think people should ask themselves if they really do need or want an iPad at this time - and also the reasons why I am simply done after trying to make it a laptop alternative through years.
I'd say this is your main mistake. It is not a suitable laptop alternative yet for many people including me. It either does not run the software I need or is not something you can use comfortably on a desktop all day long with a physical keyboard.
1. iPad is in my opinion a very bad consumption experience except for reading - and for reading e-ink is better. Regarding browsing see p. 5 below. Even for videos I miss infinity angle as a laptop and even the screen size on iPad Pro 12.9 is a little small for video with 4:3 ratio. BLACK BAR HELL HELLO. And then again the 12.9 is bad for many for reading and provides gorilla arm for desktop use.
I disagree. While e-ink is better for reading something like a book or paper, for short term reading tasks like a website it is pretty bad due to slow transitions etc. I don't see much point complaining about the aspect ratio when it's a lot better for anything but watching 16:9 videos. I don't know why people are so bothered by black bars on screen when a display itself typically has bezels that introduce "black bars" around the image even if it filled the whole screen.
2. It is a third device to maintain and upgrade once in a while.
This is true for any device or appliance. I don't think anyone buys a dishwasher without being aware that it needs its filters cleaned every now and then.
3. Since release of iPad we've had some great fanless laptops with great battery as well as bigger phones which negates the need for iPad
This I can agree with. After buying a phone with a 5.5" screen I have used the phone a lot more for quickly browsing the web etc because it's smaller so more convenient to carry even around the house.
4. Things take too long on an iPad except maybe photo editing.
I don't really get this repeated point. Do you mean it is too slow to operate the UI or is the device too slow to process things? Download things? Because I don't find either to be true especially with the iPad Pros.
5. Browsing experience is very bad if you - like me - hate mobile optimized websites. And NO, I won't use some third party browser.
In landscape view most websites should default to a desktop view of the page. In portrait it depends on the site, some are lazy and don't optimize separately for phone and tablet sizes but you can always request the desktop version of a site.
6. You have to hold it. No really. Think about it. If you are not holding it, it is even more a pain to use. Kickstand anyone? (though I will not buy a Surface either)
The Surface Pro kickstand is a great feature I would love to see on the largest iPad Pro. The Apple foldable covers are nowhere near as versatile. Holding the tablet is fine in my experience.
8. You still need a laptop and if you really think of it, you may not also need an iPad
This depends on your use cases. For me hauling my 15" MBP for anything but work is a no go. It's too big and heavy and most of the time I would only need it to look up things, maybe book some tickets or something. The iPad serves that function well at a more compact size and weight.
9. New models are very expensive
They are. They are also about as powerful as Apple's Macbook laptops so it's no wonder they are similarly priced.
17. On screen keyboard covers much of the screen
This is a negligible issue on iPads compared to phones.
18. iPads are in my opinion not great for work except drawing
I agree but other's might find it is a good fit for what they do.
19. Even office apps - the most basic personal computer apps from way back - are not comparable to full PC versions and a pain to use with external keyboard and no trackpad
There is nothing basic about office apps. They are actually hugely complex even if most people don't ever use their complex features. It will take time to port all those features.
21. Multitasking is so bad compared to a laptop
22. Connectivity is bad and USB C should be the port
23. The mouse/trackpad is a big missing part for anything work related
24. Charging is slow and the quick charger should come with it
25. The camera bump is not a sensible disposition
21. Multitasking is acceptable. I rarely need more than two apps to work with at the same time and I understand the screen space limits how many you can use. iOS 11 should improve the usability of multitasking.
22. I agree. Connecting anything to the iPad is dongle hell and they seem to prefer devices connected over WiFi and Bluetooth instead. Which is sensible for many things but it means not being able to use what you may already have for your desktop.
23. I agree. It is a simple thing that would work easily with iOS already as discussed in other threads.
24. I again agree. It's ******** that Apple includes a barely sufficient charger with their flagship tablets.
25. It's not desirable but it's a minor annoyance best. I'm sure they have figured that they can reduce the size and weight of the devices significantly with this compromise.[/quote][/quote]
