Your first point isn’t a limitation of iOS/iPadOS though. No amount of new features, save for emulation, is going to allow the iPad to run an application that just wasn’t built for it.
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iPad Apple's Forgotten Purpose: What Happened to the iPad's Original Intent?
- Thread starter I WAS the one
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Here's Apple's way of thinking...
They have a product at every price point for people who are willing to pay.
Yes, some are expensive, relatively speaking, but there are also more affordable ones.
If you don't see the value in expensive models, then get the cheaper ones.
They have a product at every price point for people who are willing to pay.
Yes, some are expensive, relatively speaking, but there are also more affordable ones.
If you don't see the value in expensive models, then get the cheaper ones.
I kind agree with you. It was started when Apple introduced iPad Pro (which in the end I knew that it has no “Pro” capabilities at all except just slightly better hardware). I was also shocked with price of Apple Vision Pro, which also out of mind and not worthy. I am aware Apple is profit oriented company, but keep selling something not worthy will slowly drop their reputation.
In 2010 the first iPad cost $499. Based on the CPI, in 2024 that would now cost $749. In fact, it is now cheaper to buy an iPad as a percentage of one's income than it was in 2010.
For arranging and sketching I just love the touch screen interface. Which surprised me. I tried other DAWs on the iPad such as Cubase but that didn’t work for me. It is indeed the touch interface that does it for me.
For sketching out compositions I use the stock Logic software with all the Moog stuff and a few other cross platform plug-ins. Plus a few plugins to stand in for my outboard equipment such as synths (which match up surprisingly well). Can’t take those with me when mobile 😊
The CPU in that iPad is now 4 years old... when I bought my last iPad(the 9) in 2021 the CPU in it was "only" 2 years old.
I don't know about you but I'm not paying "new" pricing for something with 4 years old tech in it.
The first iPad also had the latest tech. Nowadays you have to pay 2000+ for that.
So no, it's definitely not cheaper. Quite the opposite.
When I started buying Apple products back in 2006 there was "value" in the product range. Today that's gone. I haven't bought Apple stuff for years and likely will not buy new from them again, at least at these price points. I'll be getting used stuff instead.
The Air’s story got lost in all the news about the Pro. The Air is the best choice for the majority of the users here on these forums and in the wild. I replaced my 12.9” 2017 iPad Pro with a 12.9” M1 that I got a great price on, but if I was on the market for a new iPad Pro, the 12.9” Air would be my choice. I don’t get all giddy about OLED, so I’m not really phased by the Pro at this point, especially with the cost. Perspective is everything.
I think it’s easy to explain the iPad and iPad Air. And the mini (though I think it’s too expensive). For a lot of people who just want a good device for content consumption, email, viewing photos etc. the iPad/mini is perfect. For those who want that plus some light productivity the Air is perfect. It’s the iPad Pro which is harder to explain. Right now it seems like the Pro exists to showcase technology that’s too expensive to bring to the Air.
Nope.
The first iPad had half the RAM of the iPhone 4, despite having the same processor and coming out the same year.
The original iPad lacked the retina display, again introduced on the iPhone the same year.
The original iPad had no cameras, despite that years iPod touch and the previous years iPod nano having cameras.
The original iPad launched in April 2010, and received its last update in May 2012.
Meanwhile the iPhone 4 continued receiving the latest software updates until 2014, again, despite the fact that it had the same processor as that first generation iPad.
So the original iPad had *some* of the latest tech at the time, but mostly not.
Even the June 2009 iPhone 3GS continued being supported on iOS for a year after the original iPad was discontinued.
I do see the point about original intent. The standard iPad models are all I ever needed or wanted from day 1. They've always done everything at the base price I thought they were worth. Over the years I've watched with amazement the incredible bells and whistles Apple added to their models and lineups along with sky high prices, and wondered if people really needed them. Apparently so (or they think so).
Personally, I'd rather invest in something that doesn't depreciate in value and functionality so rapidly. Create a market, sell it as a must have, and watch the profit flow. As another post mentioned, the iPhone led the way in this strategy. To me it's all about marketing and psychology. Much of it solutions looking for needs.
Personally, I'd rather invest in something that doesn't depreciate in value and functionality so rapidly. Create a market, sell it as a must have, and watch the profit flow. As another post mentioned, the iPhone led the way in this strategy. To me it's all about marketing and psychology. Much of it solutions looking for needs.
From the Archives:
The first Mac (1984) had all the latest tech. Nowadays you have to pay $8969 (Mac IIfx) for that. So no, it’s definitely not cheaper. quite the opposite.
When I started buying Apple products back in 1989 there was "value" in the product range. Today that's gone. I haven't bought Apple stuff for years and likely will not buy new from them again, at least at these price points. I'll be getting used stuff instead.
All of this happened before and all of this will happen again. In other words, your argument is not new and really doesn’t hold up well as the first iPad was a moment in time and time doesn’t stop for anything or anyone.
With iPad Pro Apple is basically testing new stuff but with very very small steps. Apple can’t just launch 2in1 device because it may fail and that is unthinkable because Apple is perfect. So iPad Pro evolves gradually as they add new small feature bumps that are more or less validated to be successful. It will be interesting to see what the iPad Pro will be like in 5 years.
Your wish is granted. Apple just lowered the price of the base iPad 10 to $349.
They also doubled the storage of the iPad Air to 128gb while still keeping the price at $599. Even the new 13 inch iPad Air is decently priced at $799.
It’s only with the so-called “pro” iPads that the pricing becomes outrageous for what you get. That’s MacBook money.
Pro doesn't mean for Professionals. Pro in Apple-speak indicates the "Best you can buy."
MacBook Pro doesn't have anything to it to make it more "Professional" than MacBook Air. It has more power, and a better screen, and more ports. It's the best MacBook you can buy.
iPhone Pro is probably the best example of this. What is a phone for Professionals? We all agree the name is a little silly because Pro means something different to us. iPhone Pro is simply the best iPhone you can buy.
iPad Pro has always been the best iPad you can buy. The insides are better, the screens are better, the design is debatably better, even the accessories are better.
All this to say - If you need a laptop, buy a laptop. Apple still makes those just for you.
MacBook Pro doesn't have anything to it to make it more "Professional" than MacBook Air. It has more power, and a better screen, and more ports. It's the best MacBook you can buy.
iPhone Pro is probably the best example of this. What is a phone for Professionals? We all agree the name is a little silly because Pro means something different to us. iPhone Pro is simply the best iPhone you can buy.
iPad Pro has always been the best iPad you can buy. The insides are better, the screens are better, the design is debatably better, even the accessories are better.
All this to say - If you need a laptop, buy a laptop. Apple still makes those just for you.
The just announced M4 iPad Pro with the latest tech starts at $999. Where are you getting this “$2000+” from? Do you live in Australia and use Australian dollars?
Didn't iPad Pro first get ProMotion, and MiniLED? These would later come to the MacBook Pro. Same with A12Z - a chipset they later shoehorned into a Mac Mini ahead of M1.
Seems like Apple likes to test tech out in an iPad Pro before making changes to the Mac.
What you’re describing is a watered down version of the current expensive iPads. Apple makes that in the entry level iPad. iPads have become immensely more capable over the years and nobody is complaining about that. They are closer than ever to being able to replace a Mac for individuals with certain somewhat narrow workflows, but this scope has been increasing over time. iPad is better than it’s ever been and addresses the needs of a broad range of users across its lineup.
As others said, the 10th Gen and IMO the Air does exactly that and are fantastic values. For those who want more they now offer options there too.
My personal bigger issue is that they don't offer a more complete line of iPhones with the removal of the iPhone mini. (Yes I know it wasn't a big seller in comparison with the other iPhones but any other vendor would have LOVED those sales numbers for one of the tertiary products). When I'm out and about I'm pretty active and don't really want a large phone and when I'm home I grab my iPad(s) 95% of the time which is way better than any large iPhone anyway. I'm going to hate it when the 13 mini is no longer viable for me. But I digress...
My personal bigger issue is that they don't offer a more complete line of iPhones with the removal of the iPhone mini. (Yes I know it wasn't a big seller in comparison with the other iPhones but any other vendor would have LOVED those sales numbers for one of the tertiary products). When I'm out and about I'm pretty active and don't really want a large phone and when I'm home I grab my iPad(s) 95% of the time which is way better than any large iPhone anyway. I'm going to hate it when the 13 mini is no longer viable for me. But I digress...
The original purpose of the iPad was to create an insanely great product with great profit margins, and that is the same today. Get over it man — they are a for-profit company, and the only reason we get such great products out of them is because of the r&d behind them. And what funds that r&d? Take a wild guess.
So don't buy one. Or if you do, don't spend more than $500 on your "in between" device.
Plenty of people are willing to spend over $1000 for the best iPad Apple can possibly produce. I watch a lot of video on iPad, and to get one with a 13" OLED display makes it a no brainer.
Plenty of people are willing to spend over $1000 for the best iPad Apple can possibly produce. I watch a lot of video on iPad, and to get one with a 13" OLED display makes it a no brainer.
Before I replaced my iPad Pro 10.5-inch with iPad Pro 11-inch M2 this January, I even thought of iPad 9th. I use my iPad to do some complicated illustrations and I may want to head towards that profession. I still don't have related jobs.
I choose Pro mainly because of ProMotion and the attached Apple Pencil 2nd generation. Storage is also my concern and that's why I got 256GB.
With my new iPad I can bring it out more often even I can take it for my early running and then do illustrations in the cafe I like without needing to go back home. My M2 iPad Pro does have longer battery life on Procreate (5-6 hours at least compared to 2-3 on my old iPad even when it was new) and can create more layers when drawing.
If you say original, revisit the keynote. iPad was originally positioned in between iPhone and Mac, for example, that it's easier to read email and read something. Apple does keep this option on the basic iPad, and even provide a better option on iPad mini. But Apple is unlike other tech companies, they can provide hardware that just works for some uses like content consumption so they dare to include old tech on a device. I know that iPad still has reflective screens and not fully laminated.
I choose Pro mainly because of ProMotion and the attached Apple Pencil 2nd generation. Storage is also my concern and that's why I got 256GB.
With my new iPad I can bring it out more often even I can take it for my early running and then do illustrations in the cafe I like without needing to go back home. My M2 iPad Pro does have longer battery life on Procreate (5-6 hours at least compared to 2-3 on my old iPad even when it was new) and can create more layers when drawing.
If you say original, revisit the keynote. iPad was originally positioned in between iPhone and Mac, for example, that it's easier to read email and read something. Apple does keep this option on the basic iPad, and even provide a better option on iPad mini. But Apple is unlike other tech companies, they can provide hardware that just works for some uses like content consumption so they dare to include old tech on a device. I know that iPad still has reflective screens and not fully laminated.
I often wonder what would be different if Steve was still around.
The 13" iPad Air starts at $799, and probably will be often discounted at Amazon/Best Buy