iPad Apple's Forgotten Purpose: What Happened to the iPad's Original Intent?

[Kahnforever]

Except the iPad has plenty of use by professionals, so…

People understand you fine, you’re just wrong.

This again. No he’s not wrong. The professional applications of an iPad of any variety are limited compared to laptops and desktops. The iPad is very limited in its power because of a poor thermal envelope and requirement to run on battery with all day battery life. It throttles to hell and has a ton of software limitations, including extremely limited multi-tasking (e.g., max 4 windows on a screen), can’t drive multiple monitors, etc.

The iPad is good at being portable, but cannot match the power and input precision of laptops and desktops that many professional applications require: the iPad’s software is designed for meaty fingers and even the mouse pointer is fat… laptops and desktops running a desktop operating system with a bitmap screen have mouse point precision to just 1 pixel.

It’s not to say that the iPad can’t be used for professional purposes but that is a short list from my experience and what I have seen people do.

 

[Webcat86]

This again. No he’s not wrong. The professional applications of an iPad of any variety are limited compared to laptops and desktops. The iPad is very limited in its power because of a poor thermal envelope and requirement to run on battery with all day battery life. It throttles to hell and has a ton of software limitations, including extremely limited multi-tasking (e.g., max 4 windows on a screen), can’t drive multiple monitors, etc.

The iPad is good at being portable, but cannot match the power and input precision of laptops and desktops that many professional applications require: the iPad’s software is designed for meaty fingers and even the mouse pointer is fat… laptops and desktops running a desktop operating system with a bitmap screen have mouse point precision to just 1 pixel.

It’s not to say that the iPad can’t be used for professional purposes but that is a short list from my experience and what I have seen people do.

You lost me at the start. Until you realise something can be used on its own merit without the comparisons to a laptop, this debate is pointless.

Let’s see some integrity in your position - start belittling the uselessness of the iMac and MBP range because they don’t hold a candle to the power of a Mac Pro.

Different devices for different people with different needs. It’s as simple as that.

 

[Kahnforever]

You lost me at the start. Until you realise something can be used on its own merit without the comparisons to a laptop, this debate is pointless.

Let’s see some integrity in your position - start belittling the uselessness of the iMac and MBP range because they don’t hold a candle to the power of a Mac Pro.

Different devices for different people with different needs. It’s as simple as that.

If ever there was a non-value added post. The iMac and MBP comparatively don’t throttle their processor much, and have the same benefits as a Mac Pro (precision input, robust multi-tasking, desktop class software, etc.).

 

[Webcat86]

If ever there was a non-value added post. The iMac and MBP comparatively don’t throttle their processor much, and have the same benefits as a Mac Pro (precision input, robust multi-tasking, desktop class software, etc.).

It's not a non-value added post at all, it's a clear indication of your bias — you're saying the iPad isn't good enough, in part, because it doesn't match the capabilities of a different product class. But that other product class is exempt from similar criticism of their shortcomings against a more powerful machine.

Why is it such a difficulty to understand that the iPad was not designed to be a MacBook without a fixed keyboard? That isn't its purpose. You seem to want to be the arbitrator of what defines "professional" use and apparently that definition can only include processes that involve powering multiple monitoring and running applications that would result in the device being throttled.

This conversation simply isn't worth the energy, you have made your mind up and are here to lecture rather than discuss.

 

[H_D]

While the iPad (Pro) does not nearly live up to what it could be with a better OS and the limitations are frustrating, to put it mildly, when you consider the price tag, the lower-end iPads absolutely live up to the original idea of media consumption. light browsing, reading, watching a movie etc. The iPad mini and the Air are perfect for this. And so is the M4, if you can afford it. All of the iPads are still great idea-memo-machines, good enough for writing texts or a (very little) bit of image-editing. If Adobe ever chose to offer Indesign and Ai for iPad, this would also work neatly and close the gap a bit (IF you could finally install your own fonts *cough*). I still love the iPad as a notepad, as a newspaper, book, magazine, comic, video player, browser, for eMail, for handwriting, for scribbles, for ... and the real work happens on the Mac. It would be cool to use Adobe CC or the Slate+Ash-Kontakt-Plugins on iPad, but it is what it is and what it is still sums up to one of the most unique and personal computing devices you could imagine – a slate of thin glass that transforms into anything, a ghost of «old» media and a promise of future media. That's not a small feat.

 

[iPadified]

This again. No he’s not wrong. The professional applications of an iPad of any variety are limited compared to laptops and desktops. The iPad is very limited in its power because of a poor thermal envelope and requirement to run on battery with all day battery life. It throttles to hell and has a ton of software limitations, including extremely limited multi-tasking (e.g., max 4 windows on a screen), can’t drive multiple monitors, etc.

The iPad is good at being portable, but cannot match the power and input precision of laptops and desktops that many professional applications require: the iPad’s software is designed for meaty fingers and even the mouse pointer is fat… laptops and desktops running a desktop operating system with a bitmap screen have mouse point precision to just 1 pixel.

It’s not to say that the iPad can’t be used for professional purposes but that is a short list from my experience and what I have seen people do.

You mixup professional use with performance. The majority of jobs do not require high performance nor pixel precision. On the go computing like teaching, piloting air and sea, field work (maintenance etc), hospital bedside, cash registers, waiters... needs meaty finger input, not very high performance computing and software to assist the professional. No programming, no 3D modelling or CAD, no simulations are done when flying an aircraft or while helping customers. Or at least I certainly hope not!

Placing a laptop on a fashionable coffee table downtown is not on the go computing, it is stationary computing as the portable Mac is on the table. Here the computer is moved from one desk to another.

 

[Melbourne Park]

You mixup professional use with performance. The majority of jobs do not require high performance nor pixel precision. On the go computing like teaching, piloting air and sea, field work (maintenance etc) ....

Fact is the iPhone is far more suitable for sea and field work, because the iPad is not even weatherproof or dust proof.

The phones and watches are.

In many years, it appears Apple's iPad division has not found out about dust and water ingress protection. The Galaxy Tab S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra are all rated as IP68. That means completey dust proof and can be submerged in 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. So those are suitable for wet environments, and dusty ones. Galaxy Pads are far more suitable for field work.

The iPad simply IS NOT suitable for field work.

Why? For the same reason as Apple's keyboards cannot handle a coffee spill while business lap tops can. Apple want their devices to fail so they can sell replacements.

 

[monstermash]

Hey everyone,

I've been pondering over something lately, and I couldn't help but notice how Apple seems to have lost sight of the original purpose behind the iPad. Remember when it was positioned as the perfect middle ground between a computer and a laptop? A companion device, ideal for light work, school tasks, or on-the-go productivity?

But now, take a look at the current iPad lineup. The prices have skyrocketed, putting them in the range of high-end laptops, yet they can't even run a basic macOS. It's perplexing. Why invest in an iPad when you can get a more versatile and capable laptop for less?

Think about it: for illustrators, photographers, writers, and professionals alike, the iPad falls short in comparison to laptops. It lacks the flexibility and power needed for intensive tasks. Sure, it's great for consuming content or casual browsing, but when it comes to serious work, it just doesn't cut it anymore.

I miss the days when the iPad was a budget-friendly option for those who didn't need all the bells and whistles of a full-fledged computer but still wanted something more substantial than a smartphone. It's disheartening to see Apple prioritize profit margins over the original vision of the iPad.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you believe Apple should refocus on the iPad's roots and offer more affordable options that cater to productivity needs? Let's discuss.

The purpose is a convenient form for consuming info produced by others....email....maybe Teams.

Could not care less about running MacOS on a tablet. Wouldn't want to. Won't.

I think my wife's iPad Pro is 5 years old now. Works like a champ. Absolutely zero need to upgrade it in the foreseeable future. Long lasting hardware, zero complaints.

I also think Apple should continue to focus on profits. The more, the merrier.

 

[monstermash]

I want to share my perspective with you so that you can better understand where I'm coming from. My daughter uses an iPad 9, while I have an iPad Pro 12.9 2020. The primary disparity lies in the screen quality and size; otherwise, both devices operate on the same iOS and support identical apps. Among the applications I utilize are LumaFusion, Cubasis 4, Affinity Suite, Textastic, Procreate, Nomad 3D Sculpt, along with Office 365 suite and various productivity tools like Gladys, Notability, Documents, and Timemator.

These apps perform reasonably well on both the iPad 9 and the Pro. Occasionally, I do experience some lag on the iPad 9, particularly when handling audio and 3D tasks, but it's not significant enough to hinder my workflow. Charging $2000 solely for a larger screen feels disrespectful, especially when considering that the internal specifications, such as processors or GPU performance, aren't fully leveraged without macOS. It's akin to putting an airplane engine in a Prius—impressive on paper, but impractical in practice. So, what does "Pro" stand for in this context? It seems to denote features that professionals may theoretically need but can't effectively utilize in this environment.

It's a bit of a stretch, isn't it? Just to clarify: I invested $1500 in my iPad Pro and $500 in the iPad 9 (mainly for additional storage), while its standard price was $329. Frankly, I fail to see the advantages of my iPad Pro purchase. It seems like they've overlooked the fundamental purpose of the iPad. If they're going to label it as "Pro," they might as well include macOS functionality.

Fail to see the advantages, but bought it anyway. Whose fault is that? Kudos to Apple for extracting maximum value from those willing to pay more for something called "pro". Marketing really does work!

 

[iPadified]

Fact is the iPhone is far more suitable for sea and field work, because the iPad is not even weatherproof or dust proof.

The phones and watches are.

In many years, it appears Apple's iPad division has not found out about dust and water ingress protection. The Galaxy Tab S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra are all rated as IP68. That means completey dust proof and can be submerged in 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. So those are suitable for wet environments, and dusty ones. Galaxy Pads are far more suitable for field work.

The iPad simply IS NOT suitable for field work.

Why? For the same reason as Apple's keyboards cannot handle a coffee spill while business lap tops can. Apple want their devices to fail so they can sell replacements.

Good point for dirty field work but it depends on how you use it and which cases you use.

The fact that Galaxy pads are robuster does not change that these are also having a "thick finger" interface for field work which was the main point.

So from SJ "away from the desk computing" illustrated by an arm chair position, iPad is still true to its intent but it has moved from mainly the sofa use to other and very divers set of work places.

 

[Webcat86]

Fact is the iPhone is far more suitable for sea and field work, because the iPad is not even weatherproof or dust proof.

The phones and watches are.

In many years, it appears Apple's iPad division has not found out about dust and water ingress protection. The Galaxy Tab S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra are all rated as IP68. That means completey dust proof and can be submerged in 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. So those are suitable for wet environments, and dusty ones. Galaxy Pads are far more suitable for field work.

The iPad simply IS NOT suitable for field work.

Why? For the same reason as Apple's keyboards cannot handle a coffee spill while business lap tops can. Apple want their devices to fail so they can sell replacements.

The comparison in this particular comment chain isn't with other tablets, it's with Macs. How weather and dust proof are MacBooks in comparison to the iPad?

 

[Ctrlos]

The iPad Air and Pro are largely just nice-to-haves. As others have said there isn't much you can't do with the base model and thats around £$300, incredibly competitive vs similarly priced Chrome and Windows machines.

Apple have never lost sight of what the iPad was supposed to be. The fault lies with users who spent over £$1000 on a tablet and didn't exchange it for a Macbook when they had the chance.

 

[I WAS the one]

I learned my lesson, so next year I will get an M1 iPad Pro, it will be fantastic and will last a long time by my side.

 

[I WAS the one]

It’s not to say that the iPad can’t be used for professional purposes but that is a short list from my experience

Exactly. Thank you.

 

[Webcat86]

I learned my lesson, so next year I will get an M1 iPad Pro, it will be fantastic and will last a long time by my side.

If your aim is a device to last as long as possible, the M4 is the most future-proofed option.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

If your aim is a device to last as long as possible, the M4 is the most future-proofed option.

True. Get a model with 16GB of memory and you're golden till the batteries give out most likely.

 

[I WAS the one]

If your aim is a device to last as long as possible, the M4 is the most future-proofed option

Regarding the performance of Apple products. I understand I have the experience. In my studio, I have two 2012 Macs that are working well and are used successfully for production and work. There's still a U2 Edition iPod providing music in the offices, and iPads, with the newest one from 2019. All the devices are used for work and are functioning well. That's not the point of my comment.

 

[nottorp]

The iPad has some niche uses. I know an artist who does a lot of 2d drawing on it. I use it for browsing, reading and netflix in bed and that's all.

Other than the niches, for most people it's just a content consumption device and the absolute cheapest model will do. For years at a time without replacement, so it ends up pretty cheap if you don't break it.

Same for the watch tbh. It has a niche with people who want all that tracking and/or the notification spam on their wrist. Wife has one, I don't see the point.

 

[Webcat86]

Regarding the performance of Apple products. I understand I have the experience. In my studio, I have two 2012 Macs that are working well and are used successfully for production and work. There's still a U2 Edition iPod providing music in the offices, and iPads, with the newest one from 2019. All the devices are used for work and are functioning well. That's not the point of my comment.

I'm not sure experience comes into it — I was highlighting an unassailable fact that if you want the most longevity, the M4 is the better option not because of what the M1 can do today but what the M4 will be able to do that the M1 can't at some point in the future.

I'm not saying these devices need replacing all the time, rather that I'm not sold by the idea of getting a previous-gen product if the goal is to keep it until it no longer functions. All you're doing is bringing forward the date at which you'll need to replace it.

Other than the niches, for most people it's just a content consumption device and the absolute cheapest model will do. For years at a time without replacement, so it ends up pretty cheap if you don't break it.

This is also true of Macs and, really, pretty much any phone and computer.

 

[Melbourne Park]

Same for the watch tbh. It has a niche with people who want all that tracking and/or the notification spam on their wrist. Wife has one, I don't see the point.

My wife is hardware software phobic. But her Apple watch has the electronic sim, and she uses the watch for receiving phone calls a lot more than she uses her phone. The watch is a lot more convenient. Downside is its poor battery life, which is why I have an Ultra. And also, the Ultra's face is protected. The sim based watches are great IMO.

 

[nottorp]

This is also true of Macs and, really, pretty much any phone and computer.

Sure, but there are a lot more niches for general purpose computers.

 

[Webcat86]

Sure, but there are a lot more niches for general purpose computers.

Of course, but you said "other than the niches."

Outside of work (where most people have company-issued computers anyway), the vast majority of people use their personal computers for consumption. Banking apps, Netflix, social media, email, web browsing etc. And for those purposes, the primary difference between an iPhone and iPad is screen size. My wife uses her phone for 99.9% of things despite also owning an iPad and MBA, because she can do everything she needs and it's the most convenient.

This is why I've never agreed with people criticising the iPad on the basis it's a consumption device. First of all, it isn't solely a consumption device (and is far less of one than an iPhone), but mostly because most people are not building empires from their powerful MBPs either. It's the minority of people using their computers for more than a fraction of their capabilities, much less things like Terminal.

 

[sjebleu]

Fact is the iPhone is far more suitable for sea and field work, because the iPad is not even weatherproof or dust proof.

The phones and watches are.

In many years, it appears Apple's iPad division has not found out about dust and water ingress protection. The Galaxy Tab S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra are all rated as IP68. That means completey dust proof and can be submerged in 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. So those are suitable for wet environments, and dusty ones. Galaxy Pads are far more suitable for field work.

The iPad simply IS NOT suitable for field work.

Why? For the same reason as Apple's keyboards cannot handle a coffee spill while business lap tops can. Apple want their devices to fail so they can sell replacements.

What?

The iPad is excellent for field work. Even if it was IP68 certified I would not have used it naked in the field.
There are third party waterproof cases out there, and I have one my self. Not just for water and dust, but most importantly; kinetic protection
I use it on all kinds of weater, and on my little boat as navigator. It's IMO a way better expirence as boat navigator than these multi thousand dollar systems.

So the flipside is that the iPad excel for field work, while a macbook is not. It's actually one of the reasons I got a ipad.

 

[Webcat86]

What?

The iPad is excellent for field work. Even if it was IP68 certified I would not have used it naked in the field.
There are third party waterproof cases out there, and I have one my self. Not just for water and dust, but most importantly; kinetic protection
I use it on all kinds of weater, and on my little boat as navigator. It's IMO a way better expirence as boat navigator than these multi thousand dollar systems.

So the flipside is that the iPad excel for field work, while a macbook is not. It's actually one of the reasons I got a ipad.

Totally different situation but I remember years ago being at a local gig and the security guy was using an iPad to control his security system, see all the cameras etc. The portability was a huge benefit over a computer

 

[Melbourne Park]

What?

The iPad is excellent for field work. Even if it was IP68 certified I would not have used it naked in the field.
There are third party waterproof cases out there, and I have one my self. Not just for water and dust, but most importantly; kinetic protection
I use it on all kinds of weater, and on my little boat as navigator. It's IMO a way better expirence as boat navigator than these multi thousand dollar systems.

So the flipside is that the iPad excel for field work, while a macbook is not. It's actually one of the reasons I got a ipad.

Your using it as a screen. Use a phone, they are weatherproof. And their cases protect them, plus their touch screens can function.

There' also the charging issue. Put it in a waterproof case and you cannot charge it. Plus the battery life on an iPad is the same as the early ones - unlike all other Apple portable products, the iPad's battery endurance has not improved.

For ocean work the cheap way out is a used NEC rugged notebook. They're dogs but do the job and can be dropped, waterproofed, etc. If your life depends on it, you cannot depend on an iPad. Apples phones and watches to a much greater extend one can.

You're not being serious.