All iPads Anyone bored to tears with iPads after WWDC 2024?

[Webcat86]

The product line that advertised as a general computer, but in fact is either a drawing device or YouTube player.

Which advertisement said it was "a general computer"? If you're referring to the advert that asked "what's a computer?" then that's a wholly different proposition to being "a general computer."

The iPad clearly and objectively is more than "a drawing device or YouTube player." You will find members on this very forum who run their businesses from it, work from it, and know other people in their lives who use it as a primary work device.

Apple pitching the question of "what's a computer" was never designed to suggest that the iPad is a Mac or can do all things that Macs can do, but to underscore how computing has changed.

Not everyone needs a Mac or full-blown desktop OS. That is a fact. The era of personal computing as it used to be was one where everyone had access to a computer with equal features, but home use barely consisted of more than consumption and emails anyway. But the features were there for those who wanted or needed them.

What more modern computing allows is for people to more accurately choose the functionality they need. Such that if you need a Mac or full PC then you can buy one. If you need that in a portable function then you buy a laptop. If you need less, you can buy an iPad. You can use the iPad and Mac in wonderful and unique ways together — we love deriding Apple for "not innovating anymore" but Universal Control, Sidecar, Handoff, cut-and-paste across devices are truly excellent innovations that make multi-device use not only a joy but also genuinely useful and intuitive.

 

[johnsc3]

‘Bored’, pfft. As a kid, I remember using that word brought on chores and things to do that you couldn’t even imagine…and the responses to be ‘bored’ are classic.

 

[sparksd]

The product line that advertised as a general computer, but in fact is either a drawing device or YouTube player.

If that's all you can think of doing with it then it is clearly not the device for you. Doesn't apply to others, though - just you.

 

[aevan]

No.

 

[progx]

No. Still use my iPad Air 5 for work every day with no issues. Choose my tunes from the Music app and AirPlay it to my HomePod, along with some light web surfing. It’s doing the job I bought it for.

Just wish OneNote wasn’t so limited compared to Notes with its drawing function. That’s a Microsoft problem.

 

[TracerAnalog]

So i watched WWDC and the Apple Intellegence bit and all that, having just recently bought the 11 inch iPad Pro 256 Gig with OLED, and since its still within its return window...its going back.

Heres the thing...WWDC killed any lingering enthusiam i had for iPads in general. I've been using iPads since the first generation and i got to tell you, the magic for me is long dead.

Oh don't get me wrong, they are marvels of technology, considering growing up as a kid, I was a huge Star Trek The Next Generation fan and the idea of a touch screen computer device for real i never actually thought I'd live to see the day it became real, but low and behold, the early Iphones and the first Gen Ipad proved me wrong and even though those products have evolved so much since then, they feel so...Borning.

No matter what tier of iPad you buy, you still cant get as much work done on them as a laptop or desktop...and they really feel to me after all these years like half of what could be a fantastic computer but apple's own stubborness wont let it be what it truly can be.

Like if apple just blended the Ipads and Touch Screen Technology with their mac line, you would have perfect devices. Imagine an Ipad Pro that worked like a laptop when you needed it, then you took it off the keyboard stand and it was a tablet, or a desktop simular to the Imac 4G sunflower with a adjustable rotatable OLED Touch Screen yet still came with a standard keyboard and mouse when you wanted to use it as a desktop machine then it folded down to be used as a drawing/touch interface machine for various projects.

Problem is...APPLE WONT DO THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR STUBBORNESS with the Ipads...they NEED to sell ipads alongside Laptops, desktops and the Phones....

Imagine a iPhone pro that opens into a ipad mini for on the go use...Samsung and other companies have devices like that, its a phone when you need it that opens to a portable tablet! Yes they are expensive and not without their issues, but its possable.

I doubt apple will ever do that because they don't want to canabalize the sales of their Ipad minis....

Why have a Macbook/Ipad Pro device when you can sell two seperate devices.

Honestly, its apple's stubbornness in not putting in touch screen into their computers that just ruins the whole experence for me because now you have a tablet that apple will only let go so far, and Laptops that could be much more but they wont because they need two product lines so they sell more volume.

Ipads are borning now...so are the phones cause their is only so much you can do with them in their current form. I wasn't expecting much from WWDC but they really nurffed the Ipad Pro....

It has a M4 chip in it, no other computer they make has that...and yet, outside of the OLED Screen it does the exact same stuff the older pros did for the past 6 years.

I've tried so hard to tell myself i still love Apple products, but after this WWDC i just cant do it. They are still playing catchup with Android at this point!

I cant be the only one that feels this way. Its so fustrating cause these devices could do so much more, be so much more, yet apple doesnt let them!

I’m actually bored with these ‘returning my iPad’ posts. Who buys such expensive electronics on a whim?? If you don’t like iPads don’t buy them in the first place 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Webcat86]

I’m actually bored with these ‘returning my iPad’ posts. Who buys such expensive electronics at a whim?? If you don’t like iPads don’t buy them in the first place 🤷🏻‍♂️

Right?!

"I bought my iPad on Monday, and then Apple didn't completely reinvent it on Wednesday so I took it back"
🤯

 

[richpjr]

Bored is the wrong word (for me). Disappointed because the iPad could be so much better with a little attention to the frequently pointed out pain points that get addressed at a glacial pace. I use my 11 and 12.9 daily for certain tasks but I could do so much more with them with a little love from Apple.

 

[Richard8655]

I'm not quite understanding the use of "bored" in this sense with the iPad. It does everything I need to do very well, and essentially all my previous models have too. For more sophisticated or complicated tasks, I have my Mac Mini.

My expectations and needs might be low, but I'm not one to pile on the iPad because it doesn't do everything in life instantaneously. It's an elegant tablet and to me should keep its functions to its original design goals. Adding desktop functions is not needed by a majority of users, and really requires making it a top-heavy tablet in terms of software and hardware to run it on. Perhaps iPadOS should be separated into business and consumer versions tailored for specific iPad models to satisfy each set of user needs.

 

[G5isAlive]

I wasn't bored with it before WWDC, why would I be bored with it after? I think the last time I was 'disappointed' was when I found out the original iPad was neither multi user, nor did it run MacOS. But I got over it, and accepted the design limits and have enjoyed using it ever since. It just keeps refining that experience, faster, lighter, why would I be bored now? And I wasnt one of those holding my breath for the keynote to change everything lol

 

[ThunderSkunk]

No, they are still just as nice as the first Generation (although Battery life was better back then). But they haven‘t evolved a lot, except for pencil support.

The iPad is my primary device for surfing the web, playing casual games and doing light photo-editing in Lightroom. My Kid loves it for watching youtube-videos. I find the notion of lugging around a huge phone ridiculous - those are imho still too small for doing that stuff.

But I can understand your frustration. So much power in such a crippled OS. I was hoping for some real changes too (e.g. make the files-app better)

Same. I run everything, work & home from one, the way most people use a phone. It makes a fine PDA with the bonus of the stylus for drawing, notes & redlining others work. But using it for mostly everything also made me wish they made a more powerful model, (call it a "Pro" version hmmm) with more ventilation for bigger CPU + Mac OS, to handle the remaining everything beyond what iOS & mobile apps were designed to do. So not instead of, but in addition to. ...that need was apparent back in 2009, and we've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ill-fitting products to meet that obvious need in the time since.

Thing is, I'll admit, if they did make such a thing as a "Pro iPad", we'd never lug around another computer modeled after a typewriter ever again, since word processing is nowhere near most of what we do anymore, so MBP's are out. from a design standpoint, Final Cut Pro runs on an old OS tailored to a typewriter? Is that the best way to interact with a visual NLE you can think of? Because I can think of a dozen better ways to do it and it's not even my job to do so. It was fine when laptops were all anyone made, so creative apps had to be shoehorned into that form because everything had to be done on that form, but now the more sophisticated iPad gets, increasingly the tail is wagging the dog as word processing can easily be done by dictation & ai on light, easy, mobile iPads, whereas the heavy creative apps like FCP are increasingly what are keeping the MBP relevant. The MBP and OS makes less and less sense being locked into typewriter form.

BUT, on the biz side, losses due to cannibalization by having such a powerful full featured Mac tablet, iOS tablets would be redundant & pointless too. On the other hand, with a Surface handling windows apps, putting all our budget into a professional-level Mac tablet would mean we'd willingly spend a lot more on each, rather than splitting it among 3 or 4 products to get the same work done. To me, I'd rather sell fewer customers more expensive products, because even if costs scaled & annual profits were made to be equal, less product out there = less potential support & liability cases I'll lose money on, and at Apples numbers is as good as a profit boost. When Apple weighed these scenarios, they obviously have a lot more variables and real numbers on them, and ruled differently. Yet I think if you asked the design team what they think the Mac looks like in 10 years, 25 years, 100 years, & 1000 years, one of those early stages is going to see the end of the physical typewriter stand-in and something that resembles an iPad. ...before the entire concept of OS's & applications we have to see and interact with is just replaced with an Ai OS that just does everything for you and calls armed guards to haul you away if you cross any secret lines. I'm sure I'll be a beet farmer by then.

Lunch thoughts. There you go.

 

[madat42]

For those looking for MacOS on an iPad-sized device, were you fan of the 12” MacBook back in the day? One of the best computing devices ever made imo, and it truly met that need for folks who loved the size of the iPad with keyboard, but wanted MacOS. However, too few people like me raved about it so Apple effectively killed it in 2017. I wonder if we’d have that crossover device today if the 12” had succeeded. Could be the reason why we don’t.

 

[Yourbigpalal83]

Wow…a lot of harsh reactions. I’m just saying if they just blended both MacOS and IpadOS you would have a perfect computer….I don’t get the defensive backlash Some of you are on.

I’m going to keep the IPad because when it comes to drawing and handwriting, NOTHING and I mean NOTHING short of a super expensive and very stationary WACOM device comes close.

In no way shape or form am I hating on the IPad. I just wish apple would finally blend both Touch Screen Ipad Style devices with the Macs.

It just feels so inconsistent having to remember, oh yeah I can do this on the IPad but I can’t do it on the Mac, but I can do this on the Mac but not on the IPad.

That to me is Super Frustrating when other companies blend the two devices into hybrid like laptops and desktops (Microsoft Surface line is a prime example) but the software is lacking.

Thats the only point I’m trying to make here, and everyone comes jumping down my throat but some of you do get where I’m coming from so thank you for that!

I just want to live in a world where apple is consistent across the board and uses all their technology in one place to make what to me would be the perfect computer and Phone/Tablet!

Its just slight improvements year after year after year when you can blend both devices together and make an amazing all in one device!

 

[Webcat86]

Same. I run everything, work & home from one, the way most people use a phone. It makes a fine PDA with the bonus of the stylus for drawing, notes & redlining others work. But using it for mostly everything also made me wish they made a more powerful model, (call it a "Pro" version hmmm) with more ventilation for bigger CPU + Mac OS, to handle the remaining everything beyond what iOS & mobile apps were designed to do. So not instead of, but in addition to. ...that need was apparent back in 2009, and we've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ill-fitting products to meet that obvious need in the time since.

Thing is, I'll admit, if they did make such a thing as a "Pro iPad", we'd never lug around another computer modeled after a typewriter ever again, since word processing is nowhere near most of what we do anymore, so MBP's are out. from a design standpoint, Final Cut Pro runs on an old OS tailored to a typewriter? Is that the best way to interact with a visual NLE you can think of? Because I can think of a dozen better ways to do it and it's not even my job to do so. It was fine when laptops were all anyone made, so creative apps had to be shoehorned into that form because everything had to be done on that form, but now the more sophisticated iPad gets, increasingly the tail is wagging the dog as word processing can easily be done by dictation & ai on light, easy, mobile iPads, whereas the heavy creative apps like FCP are increasingly what are keeping the MBP relevant. The MBP and OS makes less and less sense being locked into typewriter form.

BUT, on the biz side, losses due to cannibalization by having such a powerful full featured Mac tablet, iOS tablets would be redundant & pointless too. On the other hand, with a Surface handling windows apps, putting all our budget into a professional-level Mac tablet would mean we'd willingly spend a lot more on each, rather than splitting it among 3 or 4 products to get the same work done. To me, I'd rather sell fewer customers more expensive products, because even if costs scaled & annual profits were made to be equal, less product out there = less potential support & liability cases I'll lose money on, and at Apples numbers is as good as a profit boost. When Apple weighed these scenarios, they obviously have a lot more variables and real numbers on them, and ruled differently. Yet I think if you asked the design team what they think the Mac looks like in 10 years, 25 years, 100 years, & 1000 years, one of those early stages is going to see the end of the physical typewriter stand-in and something that resembles an iPad. ...before the entire concept of OS's & applications we have to see and interact with is just replaced with an Ai OS that just does everything for you and calls armed guards to haul you away if you cross any secret lines. I'm sure I'll be a beet farmer by then.

Lunch thoughts. There you go.

The more I think about it, the less convinced I am that cannibalization is the primary factor holding Apple back.

As you’ve pointed out, there’s a good chance that revenue roughly balances out in such a scenario - and that’s before considering the various accessories Apple would sell.

And we can also already see iPads outstripping sales of Macs (all Macs, not just laptop versions) by a significant margin. Why wouldn’t that tell Apple that making even more capable iPads would replace the MacBook product entirely, with potentially no revenue loss? Especially factoring in the supply chain costs of making all the different MacBook versions.

And iPads wouldn’t replace all Macs to become a singular Apple computer. They aren’t replacing any of the desktop computers that Apple makes.

It seems to me that we are watching the gradual evolution to the scenario you’ve suggested here. Not so much AI and not writing anymore (speaking as someone who writes a lot for work), but the iPad becoming the portable device.

What I don’t think Apple wants to do is jump the gun and decimating public confidence in the iPad to the extent that it’s hard to recover. When we look at its popularity, it’s hard to imagine that there wouldn’t be strong public backlash if suddenly this thing ran MacOS instead - not because MOS is bad but because it’s a massive and sudden departure.

But we can see Apple gradually bringing the two systems more in alignment. And we can see Apple testing the waters of iPads being in the same, or higher, price range as MacBooks of all variety.

If the response to that tells Apple that the market will spend large sums on an iPad and wants them to be ever-more capable, I see no reason Apple won’t make them the primary mobile device over the MacBooks.

Although this scenario begs the question of what OS the desktop Macs have.

Regardless, I consider Apple to be playing the longer game here, and not making hasty decisions to put a full blown desktop OS on a tablet that is supposed to be the future. And the sales figures will affirm to Apple that they’re on the right path.

 

[Webcat86]

Wow…a lot of harsh reactions. I’m just saying if they just blended both MacOS and IpadOS you would have a perfect computer….I don’t get the defensive backlash Some of you are on.

I’m going to keep the IPad because when it comes to drawing and handwriting, NOTHING and I mean NOTHING short of a super expensive and very stationary WACOM device comes close.

In no way shape or form am I hating on the IPad. I just wish apple would finally blend both Touch Screen Ipad Style devices with the Macs.

It just feels so inconsistent having to remember, oh yeah I can do this on the IPad but I can’t do it on the Mac, but I can do this on the Mac but not on the IPad.

That to me is Super Frustrating when other companies blend the two devices into hybrid like laptops and desktops (Microsoft Surface line is a prime example) but the software is lacking.

Thats the only point I’m trying to make here, and everyone comes jumping down my throat but some of you do get where I’m coming from so thank you for that!

I just want to live in a world where apple is consistent across the board and uses all their technology in one place to make what to me would be the perfect computer and Phone/Tablet!

Its just slight improvements year after year after year when you can blend both devices together and make an amazing all in one device!

Perhaps it’s not so easy to “just blend them together.” Microsoft had various problems going that route and had to backtrack to some degree.

But if it’s so easy, apply for a job at Apple and tell them what’s needed.

 

[Ludatyk]

But we can see Apple gradually bringing the two systems more in alignment. And we can see Apple testing the waters of iPads being in the same, or higher, price range as MacBooks of all variety.

If the response to that tells Apple that the market will spend large sums on an iPad and wants them to be ever-more capable, I see no reason Apple won’t make them the primary mobile device over the MacBooks.

Although this scenario begs the question of what OS the desktop Macs have.

Regardless, I consider Apple to be playing the longer game here, and not making hasty decisions to put a full blown desktop OS on a tablet that is supposed to be the future. And the sales figures will affirm to Apple that they’re on the right path.

I don't see a convergence taking place... Macs are going to exist for mouse/keyboard input for users who prefer it while iPads will be available for users who wants a touch-first device (along with Apple Pencil support).

I don't envision Apple ever allowing BetterTouchTool or Alfred for iPadOS (or a more open system) ... those are going to be catered for Mac users. I think Apple likes the position they are in... having the best tablet OS with no compromise, yeah... we can attach a keyboard and use it as a laptop.

But it's a tablet-first device... while the Surface Pro can be use as tablet, however it doesn't have the same experience as an iPad using it as such.

 

[aurora_sect]

My feelings about iPad are driven by my own user experience. So, no.

 

[GMShadow]

For those looking for MacOS on an iPad-sized device, were you fan of the 12” MacBook back in the day? One of the best computing devices ever made imo, and it truly met that need for folks who loved the size of the iPad with keyboard, but wanted MacOS. However, too few people like me raved about it so Apple effectively killed it in 2017. I wonder if we’d have that crossover device today if the 12” had succeeded. Could be the reason why we don’t.

I think Apple killed it for various reasons, but sales had to be okay to do three revisions of it and to keep the last on sale for 2 years. Ultimately it feels like the peak of 'wrong time' for an Apple product - it had the double whammy of the bad keyboard and Intel crapping the bed on thermals and power draw at the same time.

Perhaps it’s not so easy to “just blend them together.” Microsoft had various problems going that route and had to backtrack to some degree.

But if it’s so easy, apply for a job at Apple and tell them what’s needed.

The Surface Pro feels like it still exists more from inertia than anything - they focus more on the traditional laptop models now.

 

[Webcat86]

I don't see a convergence taking place... Macs are going to exist for mouse/keyboard input for users who prefer it while iPads will be available for users who wants a touch-first device (along with Apple Pencil support).

I agree Macs are going nowhere but Macs are more than MBA and MBP options.

I don't envision Apple ever allowing BetterTouchTool or Alfred for iPadOS (or a more open system) ... those are going to be catered for Mac users. I think Apple likes the position they are in... having the best tablet OS with no compromise, yeah... we can attach a keyboard and use it as a laptop.

I generally agree for the time being. But the gradual alignment will continue, perhaps to a point where the iPad really can do almost everything a MacBook can. As has been said elsewhere, this isn’t entirely down to Apple either - at some point the devs need to step their game up.

But it's a tablet-first device... while the Surface Pro can be use as tablet, however it doesn't have the same experience as an iPad using it as such.

Agreed. All the complaints about giving the iPad MacOS keep overlooking that this hasn’t yet been done without either or both being compromised. Then everybody is slightly frustrated. Right now, Apple’s approach makes the most sense to me.

 

[Webcat86]

The Surface Pro feels like it still exists more from inertia than anything - they focus more on the traditional laptop models now.

It’s pretty interesting watching Microsoft and Samsung because they’re typically happy to throw a lot of mud at the wall and see what sticks. When I had a Samsung phone it drove me mad because there was so much bloatware and various features that were buggy or didn’t work. Now we see how the market reacts to the flip phone again. And we saw Microsoft treat a tablet more like a computer, and design the desktop OS to resemble the tablet experience, then have to walk that back.

Apple may be slower with these kinds of decisions but as is cliche to say now, they typically know what they’re doing and don’t rush something bad just to be first.

The tablet market from other manufacturers doesn’t show that Apple is on the wrong path - albeit yes we’d all appreciate some extra functionality.

 

[madat42]

I think Apple killed it for various reasons, but sales had to be okay to do three revisions of it and to keep the last on sale for 2 years. Ultimately it feels like the peak of 'wrong time' for an Apple product - it had the double whammy of the bad keyboard and Intel crapping the bed on thermals and power draw at the same time.

The Surface Pro feels like it still exists more from inertia than anything - they focus more on the traditional laptop models now.

All true, but even with the flaky butterfly keyboard and it sometimes getting hot if you did some sustained task, it nailed it when it came to the daily routine and being on the go. The new M4 11-inch comes close, with the exception of not being able to play some Mac/Windows VM games and other outlying apps. It gets stuff done and then some, so to answer the OP, no not bored yet.

 

[sarcasticgamer]

It’s entirely possible you’ll be happier with a Surface. Time to switch.😏

 

[Yebubbleman]

So i watched WWDC and the Apple Intellegence bit and all that, having just recently bought the 11 inch iPad Pro 256 Gig with OLED, and since its still within its return window...its going back.

Heres the thing...WWDC killed any lingering enthusiam i had for iPads in general. I've been using iPads since the first generation and i got to tell you, the magic for me is long dead.

Oh don't get me wrong, they are marvels of technology, considering growing up as a kid, I was a huge Star Trek The Next Generation fan and the idea of a touch screen computer device for real i never actually thought I'd live to see the day it became real, but low and behold, the early Iphones and the first Gen Ipad proved me wrong and even though those products have evolved so much since then, they feel so...Borning.

No matter what tier of iPad you buy, you still cant get as much work done on them as a laptop or desktop...and they really feel to me after all these years like half of what could be a fantastic computer but apple's own stubborness wont let it be what it truly can be.

Like if apple just blended the Ipads and Touch Screen Technology with their mac line, you would have perfect devices. Imagine an Ipad Pro that worked like a laptop when you needed it, then you took it off the keyboard stand and it was a tablet, or a desktop simular to the Imac 4G sunflower with a adjustable rotatable OLED Touch Screen yet still came with a standard keyboard and mouse when you wanted to use it as a desktop machine then it folded down to be used as a drawing/touch interface machine for various projects.

Problem is...APPLE WONT DO THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR STUBBORNESS with the Ipads...they NEED to sell ipads alongside Laptops, desktops and the Phones....

Imagine a iPhone pro that opens into a ipad mini for on the go use...Samsung and other companies have devices like that, its a phone when you need it that opens to a portable tablet! Yes they are expensive and not without their issues, but its possable.

I doubt apple will ever do that because they don't want to canabalize the sales of their Ipad minis....

Why have a Macbook/Ipad Pro device when you can sell two seperate devices.

Honestly, its apple's stubbornness in not putting in touch screen into their computers that just ruins the whole experence for me because now you have a tablet that apple will only let go so far, and Laptops that could be much more but they wont because they need two product lines so they sell more volume.

Ipads are borning now...so are the phones cause their is only so much you can do with them in their current form. I wasn't expecting much from WWDC but they really nurffed the Ipad Pro....

It has a M4 chip in it, no other computer they make has that...and yet, outside of the OLED Screen it does the exact same stuff the older pros did for the past 6 years.

I've tried so hard to tell myself i still love Apple products, but after this WWDC i just cant do it. They are still playing catchup with Android at this point!

I cant be the only one that feels this way. Its so fustrating cause these devices could do so much more, be so much more, yet apple doesnt let them!

At this point, I am fine with Apple's products being boring. That just means that I don't find myself always wanting to buy them.

I think the iPads are probably the most interesting product line Apple has. Macs are boringly formulaic as are iPhones. iPads are less predictable and the product strategy is less clear, making it actually exciting to follow, even if the direction that Apple takes is less than optimal.

Even beyond that, I am wanting to simplify my Apple device ecosystem (partially to make more room for Android and Windows, both of which have an increased presence in my life and especially my career).

How iPads factor into this is that the only iPad that I find to be indispensable and not just a convenient and stripped down alternative to a Mac is the iPad mini. The size difference between a Max/Plus iPhone and an iPad mini is still significant and still prompts use cases for the latter that the former wouldn't be great at (especially since the former is always going to have worse battery life than the latter). I wield my cellular iPad mini like the versatile swiss-army knife that it is. I have zero problem with iPadOS as it is today on the iPad mini (other than the fact that iPadOS 17 was one of the buggiest iPadOS releases since the original iPad). It doesn't need to change radically on that device.

For the other larger iPads? Whole different story. I particularly struggle to figure out which things one prefers a 12.9-inch or 13-inch iPad Pro or iPad Air for, outside of drawing or anything involving the Apple Pencil, over a proper MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro. But the larger iPads are Apple's best sellers, so what do I know?

 

[GMShadow]

I agree Macs are going nowhere but Macs are more than MBA and MBP options.


I generally agree for the time being. But the gradual alignment will continue, perhaps to a point where the iPad really can do almost everything a MacBook can. As has been said elsewhere, this isn’t entirely down to Apple either - at some point the devs need to step their game up.


Agreed. All the complaints about giving the iPad MacOS keep overlooking that this hasn’t yet been done without either or both being compromised. Then everybody is slightly frustrated. Right now, Apple’s approach makes the most sense to me.

It’s been long enough that I think many have forgotten, but the first half of last decade was filled with people complaining about the “iOSifcation” of OS X - things like Launchpad had people positively screaming that they were ruining the Mac, to say nothing of the unified Calendar/Reminders apps, or notifications, or a dozen other things like changing icons to be consistent across platforms.

If Apple were to actually give macOS a go on iPad with all the changes it would require, the volume of those old complaints would look hilariously quaint in comparison.

I also think the group calling for macOS on iPad isn’t a monolith - it’s really two groups. The first just wants a touchscreen Mac. The second just wants more functionality added to iPadOS. Apple is slowly trying to please the second while firmly ignoring the first (for now at least).

 

[sparksd]

At this point, I am fine with Apple's products being boring. That just means that I don't find myself always wanting to buy them.

I think the iPads are probably the most interesting product line Apple has. Macs are boringly formulaic as are iPhones. iPads are less predictable and the product strategy is less clear, making it actually exciting to follow, even if the direction that Apple takes is less than optimal.

Even beyond that, I am wanting to simplify my Apple device ecosystem (partially to make more room for Android and Windows, both of which have an increased presence in my life and especially my career).

How iPads factor into this is that the only iPad that I find to be indispensable and not just a convenient and stripped down alternative to a Mac is the iPad mini. The size difference between a Max/Plus iPhone and an iPad mini is still significant and still prompts use cases for the latter that the former wouldn't be great at (especially since the former is always going to have worse battery life than the latter). I wield my cellular iPad mini like the versatile swiss-army knife that it is. I have zero problem with iPadOS as it is today on the iPad mini (other than the fact that iPadOS 17 was one of the buggiest iPadOS releases since the original iPad). It doesn't need to change radically on that device.

For the other larger iPads? Whole different story. I particularly struggle to figure out which things one prefers a 12.9-inch or 13-inch iPad Pro or iPad Air for, outside of drawing or anything involving the Apple Pencil, over a proper MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro. But the larger iPads are Apple's best sellers, so what do I know?

I prefer the 12.9 (now my wife's) & 13" Pro over a Mac-anything because I like a large screen in a tablet form factor and don't want a Mac laptop.