I want an Apple Surface Pro alternative.
The iPad could be that but, the lack of mouse/trackpad support and a proper file system is preventing that from happening.
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Dave2D has NAILED the new iPadPro
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The iPad could be that but, the lack of mouse/trackpad support and a proper file system is preventing that from happening.
Adding mouse support would not distract in any way from the core functionality of the device. This isn’t about just getting a laptop - I have a laptop, but I still like my iPad - I just want the iPad to be able to do a little bit more. Mouse support would make complex workflows much more manageable. Instead we are left in this limbo where Apple, who once made fund of touch screen laptops because they force the user to reach over the keyboard - is making us do just that. They’ve given us a passable keyboard, but now we have to do all this awkward reaching over it to interact with the screen.
Same with a decent file manager. They have managed to secure MacOS even with full file access. The iOS experiment with restricted file access has gone on long enough. On my phone? Fine. But if they want the iPad to turn into a real power user’s tool, we need direct file access instead of these complicated work-arounds they are forcing on us.
I say this as someone who has owned nearly every iPad since the original model. I’ve owned multiple Surface Pros. I don’t expect the iPad to completely replace my laptops for my full work environment, but they could be doing a lot more - without having any negative impact on what makes an iPad an iPad.
Same with a decent file manager. They have managed to secure MacOS even with full file access. The iOS experiment with restricted file access has gone on long enough. On my phone? Fine. But if they want the iPad to turn into a real power user’s tool, we need direct file access instead of these complicated work-arounds they are forcing on us.
I say this as someone who has owned nearly every iPad since the original model. I’ve owned multiple Surface Pros. I don’t expect the iPad to completely replace my laptops for my full work environment, but they could be doing a lot more - without having any negative impact on what makes an iPad an iPad.
You want that stuff, get a mac, ipad and iOS was never ment for that.
The concept of a computer replacement in apples eyes is for the young generations that are growing up with ipads/iPhones and have no clue what PCs or a mouse is. Yes a lot of people currently can get away with using an ipad as their computer source, if you are doing heavy video editing or grew up using desktops/laptops, iPad is not for you as a replacement and you are not on apples radar.
Apple is playing the long game and knows PCs are a dying breed. The are determined to stay alive for the next 10-50yrs, grooming the young folks with using their ipad for their computing needs. By then, iOS will have pro apps for them.
Apple makes a hybrid device! Do you guys not undertand this?
OS X has all of the multi-touch of iOS. I’m pinching and zooming right now. Swiping back in the browser. Swiping to bring up all of the App icons.
These discussions are so confused. Multi-Touch will never be as precise as a mouse, and each has their advantages.
A mouse makes zero sense in iOS: it’s completely designed for touch.
OS X has all of the multi-touch of iOS. I’m pinching and zooming right now. Swiping back in the browser. Swiping to bring up all of the App icons.
These discussions are so confused. Multi-Touch will never be as precise as a mouse, and each has their advantages.
A mouse makes zero sense in iOS: it’s completely designed for touch.
Why don’t you, then, define what you think an iPad’s purpose is instead of snarking at the post and asking the OP to explain himself to YOU.
And it’s ludicrous to even silently suggest that the OP was arguing the merit of a mouse. Of COURSE it is a “superior form of input” and has been for about 40 years—but only so FOR THE DEVICE OF WHICH A MOUSE IS INTENDED. An iPad doesn’t need a mouse because an iPad already has a GUI that is built for touch interaction, therefore a mouse is not detrimental to an iPad’s functionality. Conversely, one could argue a MacBook needs touch input to make it a “far more superior device,” which would suck.
This is accurate. Apple is just marketing to people who the iPad is good enough for. It doesn’t mean Apple actually believes the iPad replaces the Mac.
If Apple really thought that... for real... they’d kill the Mac.
Apple has also addressed iOS mixing with OS X and having touch screens on laptops many times: they will not mix the two and they view them as two separate realities. And thank the lord for that because they are, but with OS X we get the best of both worlds: point and click and power with multi-touch!
If by nailer you mean didn’t say anything that zillions of others have said, then, sure. I guess.
I just want to compliment you on how you put forth your question. No hyperbole. No judgement. You described your needs and the reasons the iPad doesn’t work you you....which is fair enough.
There are some things the iPad does very well, and some things that are more difficult. For example, I would much rather take notes with an iPad because, during a meeting, I often draw rudimentary diagrams to help me understand issues and problems. Also, reading books and journals on an iPad is a much better experience than reading on a laptop. Finally, I prefer to markup and annotate PDFs on an iPad. I don’t have an Apple Pencil....just a cheap Capacitive Stylus.....but it is way easier to cross out, highlight, circle and markup content using an iPad + stylus than a traditional computer with keyboard/mouse.
I can create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without much difficulty on an iPad. However, there are certain limitations that can be frustrating. For me, the three most frequent limitations are:
- When you need several windows open to quickly access different apps and documents, a traditional computer is much better than an iPad.
- When you need two documents from the same app open, the iPad simply can not handle this.
- When you want to copy a file to a thumb drive, the iPad cannot handle this.
I agree! I’ve owned a couple Surface Pros and have used HP Spectre and Envy and I never found they they worked well as either Laptops or Tablets. Not that they are not usable, just somewhat compromised at both function. I have to have a laptop for my work, but an iPad Pro is a very useful tool. I use mine to view and markup drawings using Bluebeam and to make small edits in AutoCAD. I don’t throw my hammer out because I have a really big ratchet that can drive a nail.
An iPad with a mouse and keyboard is a $200 option over the 12.9 iPad Pro called a “Macintosh”.
A Mac is not simply an upgraded iPad, and it isn’t the mouse and file system that make up the key differences. The iPad could remain the unique device it is even if those features were added. They would not negatively affect the experience in any way. Just like adding the Smart Keyboard and Pencil has only improved, not detracted from, the overall experience of using an iPad.
I understand and agree with this concern but Apple owns the iPad in a way neither Microsoft nor Google own their devices. You don’t build an iOS app without taking into consideration Apple’s usability rules, which they can and do enforce.
Mouse support will not make the iPad a Surface.
With regard to iOS and full access to the file system, if the trade off is less security, then I’d vote for them keeping paranoid for a while longer. We are at the point where nations are putting their focus on accessing iOS and I’m all for seeing how some of this shakes out before we let down our guard.
How interesting it is that the target is the most naive users... go after the people who've never had the chance to know what it's like outside the walled garden. Come kids, let Apple decide what software you can use, and what version, and enjoy the permanent iOS updates. Don't worry about things like RAM, all that technical non-sense... just trust us to give you the best "experience". And if one of those updates ruins your workflow or slows down your device, just buy a new one.
Creativity on the iOS side has been meh, it’s been a while since iOS wowed me, they need to rethink things and make it better.
I agree with the OP, the file system needs to be implemented, especially when people are spending a fortune buying these devices. Apple needs to add basic bread and butter, otherwise the iPad will never replace a work place environment products.
I agree with the OP, the file system needs to be implemented, especially when people are spending a fortune buying these devices. Apple needs to add basic bread and butter, otherwise the iPad will never replace a work place environment products.
Or you know the non cynic would look at it as apples attempt to reach a market that is new and adaptable and won't constantly be whining about how this new product doesn't work exactly like their old one that they have known forever.How interesting it is that the target is the most naive users... go after the people who've never had the chance to know what it's like outside the walled garden. Come kids, let Apple decide what software you can use, and what version, and enjoy the permanent iOS updates. Don't worry about things like RAM, all that technical non-sense... just trust us to give you the best "experience". And if one of those updates ruins your workflow or slows down your device, just buy a new one.
It really has nothing to do with that. Lack of file access makes normal workflows pretty much impossible unless your needs are very basic. It forces you into awkward work-arounds that are inefficient, and in some cases just don’t work at all. The lack of mouse support means we are reaching across our keyboards in an extremely awkward manner when a touchpad is so elegant and natural. I have tried for years to make my iPad my primary computer. It’s not due to lack of flexibility or imagination that it has never been successful.
O. M. G.
MODS: Can we combine this thread here as well?
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-as-a-laptop-replacement-discussion-merged.2111432/
MODS: Can we combine this thread here as well?
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-as-a-laptop-replacement-discussion-merged.2111432/
Agree, not sure why many folks are up in arms when people mention mouse and trackpad support on an iPad. Nobody's forcing them to use it nor will it take away from the experience. Apple has the best touch interface on smartphones and tablets, why not also support the best trackpads from their Macs on their iOS devices?
Imagine an iPad that features the best touch interface, the best stylus, and the best trackpad on the market? This would be amazing.
I have a Mac and I love it. But the lack of a mouse/trackpad on the iPad prevents it from being taken seriously. It'll always be a passive device.
Snarking at the post? What...? If you think that my post was in the slightest bit rude, then you must be easily offended.
An iPad is a glorified iPhone without* phone capabilities. Sure you can somewhat be productive on it, but in the end it will always be a frustrating experience because of its gimped design and software decisions. It can be used as a computer with limited capabilities, or it can be used as an expensive paperweight. The choice is yours.
My wife who has gone full iPad at her work, is writing press releases and devising communication strategies for a large multinational. She has no need for a laptop. So yes, she is going work.
So many of these reviewers are asking and answering questions from their viewpoint which obviously is a viewpoint shared by many on this thread. But is that the viewpoint of the masses?
Just once example: In the video he says the USB-C port makes charging easier. Really? To him and others maybe that have other USB-C devices, but I’m sure many people who don’t would have preferred to stick with lightning like their phones.
Just once example: In the video he says the USB-C port makes charging easier. Really? To him and others maybe that have other USB-C devices, but I’m sure many people who don’t would have preferred to stick with lightning like their phones.
Hmmm... less than 1% of the world uses Photoshop on their Macs, less than 0.1% of the world uses Final Cut Pro and/or XCode, and another 0.001% uses Terminal for command-line prompts. If those 1.11% of the world find that so important, get a dedicated device for those purposes. For the other 98.89% of the world, the iPad works just frickin’ fine. So if that qualifies the iPad a “paperweight,” bring on the gale. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Apparently you have no idea what an iPad’s purpose is or else you would’ve explained that instead of spending your time with this pointless drivel. No offense taken, dude.
And this argument just keeps going, and going, and going... “the iPad should serve the miniscule needs to serve the billions...” LOL!!!
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In theory I do believe that the iPad Pro (especially the new ones) are not far away. In practice they are. Now have in mind that I care a lot more about the laptop features than the tablet ones. iPad shines as a tablet and offers (for me) mediocre experience as a laptop. The thing is that this mediocre performance is what I care more about than the tablet experience.
As a device an iPad shines because it's powerful and portable. It offers awesome tablet experience, but I don't care about this that much. What I care about is having portable laptop like device that I could use for notes taking, annotating documents etc and drawing/coloring from time to time. However I do need the laptop features like trackpad, sturdy keyboard, visible cursor, multi tasking, supporting of multiple monitors, headphone jacks and all that.
I still have not found such a device. iPad is great for coloring, drawing, annotating but lacks trackpad, multiple monitors, proper file system (where I can see my files, see storage size etc), proper multi tasking (having open two documents of the same type in the same program is something I do often). Surface Pro has trackpad, keyboard, the Windows features for multitasking but it's not so good in drawing/coloring and the artist stuff.
Like I said the device I want still does not exist. We will see how long I will wait for it and who will be the first one to do it (Microsoft or Apple).
Work = imessages, browsing the web for research, and maybe some emails.
I agree with this review. I don't think Apple understands their customers. They may understand a small subset, but clearly not the majority.[doublepost=1542001422][/doublepost]
the many pro's of a MB/MBP outweigh the very few con's of the new iPad Pro.
Also, how frequently must you absolutely have touch on your laptop?
Nope it's not lack of mouse and trackpad support.
It's Apple clinging onto the MacBook, MacBook Air lineup. Apple needs to seriously realize that iOS is for the iPhone, that the 2018 iPad Pro should run MacOS or it's own OS entirely and kill the MacBook lineup there is no need for it any longer.