iPad Pro Does the iPad Pro make sense anymore?

[AnthonyHarris]

The iPad Pro still makes sense because it is a completely different product with features the new MacBooks don't offer.

 

[kristalsoldier]

The MacBook Air isn’t a hybrid device. The iPad is!

Well, technically, the iPad isn’t an authentic hybrid device, Microsoft’s Surface is though.

 

[joecatz1]

Well, not everyone uses a Mac or it’s derivatives. I use a Thinkpad X Series and dock it when I need additional screens. The iPad Pro 11” 2020 has its very specific (and indispensable) role in my context. I see no advantage with the newly announced AS MacBook Air.

Sure. But in reference to the question in the post I don’t see many reasons to choose an iPad Pro right now OVER an IPad Air or a MacBook with AS unless you’re going for the 13 inch iPad and need pro motion. I’d wait.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Sure. But in reference to the question in the post I don’t see many reasons to choose an iPad Pro right now OVER an IPad Air or a MacBook with AS unless you’re going for the 13 inch iPad and need pro motion. I’d wait.

In my reading, the question was a generic one. I still maintain under specific conditions and requirements, the IPP offers a number of advantages over either the iPad Air and/ or the AS Mac.

 

[one more]

I wonder though if this isn’t the start of the merging of Mac OS and iOS for the iPad. If the SoC designs are so power efficient and M1 can run iOS, what prevents Apple from putting the Mac OS on the iPad?

Now, this would be my dream come true! ? At this stage I guess this would imply tweaking macOS some more to be easier to use with touch input, but not impossible.

 

[Abazigal]

With the release of AS Macs, do the iPad Pros still make sense?

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFi 6GB RAM, 128GB A12Z + magic keyboard: $1348. Only runs iOS apps.

Base MacBook Air, M1, 8Gb RAM, 256GB: $999. Can run both Mac and iOS apps.

The iPad Pro is still the choice if you need Apple Pencil usage or if you only want it as a tablet, but if you’re looking at a laptop replacement, the new MacBook Air seems to counter Apple’s own argument about iPads as replacement for PC. The line is blurred even more with AS Macs being able to run iOS apps with better performance. Thoughts?

In a way, the iPad Pro with magic keyboard feels like the spiritual successor to what a touchscreen Macbook might have looked like.

You have a laptop form factor which can be detached from the keyboard to get a tablet. Replete with stylus support. Heck, you even get 4g connectivity outdoors as well.

Now, imagine a 27" iPad Pro with a reclining stand that basically mimics the Microsoft surface studio form factor...

 

[joecatz1]

In my reading, the question was a generic one. I still maintain under specific conditions and requirements, the IPP offers a number of advantages over either the iPad Air and/ or the AS Mac.

Oh for sure, where discussing very specific task needs (larger screen, slightly brighter display, Pro motion, better camera) but for the majority of iPad users and likely those who use it as a laptop type device the upgraded chip for the 11 inch new air trumps most of those and it’s now compatible with all the pro accessories etc. they’ve essentially shown their hand on the “air” turning into the consumer “pro” version and I personally think that within a few years the 13 inch pro and the laptop pro are one item.

 

[driftless]

For me, the iMac + iPad Pro combo still works best. A desktop with an awesome display for the heavy lifting at home, a great tablet with awesome native apps for my teaching in the day.

I find myself needing a laptop less and less these days.

This is me as well.

 

[007p]

At this point I see no reason to get another iPad Pro. I don’t care if it gets new display technology, faster CPU, more ram. I can’t really take advantage of any of that because of the software.

On the Mac side, I don’t want a laptop. It’s keyboard is permanently attached making it less ideal for ‘use on the go’ / media consumption.

The problem is, when I get to a desk or something, it would be great to dock the iPad and use it as a laptop. Oh great, the magic keyboard! But wait... the software is still pathetic in comparison to macOS. All I end up doing is remoting into a real computer for my needs.

At this point, I have no need for any of the new hardware on an iPad if all I end up doing is remoting into another machine to get around the OS limitations. And I have no need or want to carry yet another device (a laptop) if the iPad is always going to be with me, and it will. So until iPadOS gets ALOT better, or Apple decides to try new form factors for Mac, I see no reason to get another of either.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

So far, the comments have been focused on choices for existing Mac users (although there has been some mention of Surface Pro). Makes sense, as that's mostly who we are. However, Apple is also trying to bring more users into the Apple fold.

I think much of both the iPad-as-laptop-replacment argument and now, AS Macs' performance argument is aimed at converting Windows users. Some will be interested in switching from laptop to tablet for mobile use. Others have new reasons to consider swapping a Windows laptop for a Mac laptop.

I think iPad Pro will not be hurt at all by AS Macs. Those who prefer/need a desktop OS and keyboard-centric UI are, at best, reluctant adopters of iPad Pro - mostly, they're still in the Resistance. iPad Pro is for those who can embrace iOS as their mobile computing solution, and there are plenty of those to go around.

 

[KittyKatta]

Cynical Take: Apple is intentionally preventing the iPad from growing up

As an iPad Pro 12.9 user then I'm rooting for the iPad to take that leap into adulthood, but I spent the last 5 years frustrated that this incredibly powerful product never got a proper OS update or Apple apps. Looking at the M1 MacBooks and it now makes sense. Apple never wanted the iPad Pro to replace a MacBook because they'd rather sell you two products separately.

So, as for the question of if an iPad Pro makes sense. Sure it does. The iPad can do several things that the Mac still can't. (Pencil, form factor, versatility). That said, the M1 MacBook will definitely take away Pro sales because if the iPad Pro will not be permitted to capitalize on its power and run Apple apps then why are we spending more for an accessorized iPad when you could just buy a Mac.

 

[Tsepz]

With the release of AS Macs, do the iPad Pros still make sense?

iPad Pro 12.9 WiFi 6GB RAM, 128GB A12Z + magic keyboard: $1348. Only runs iOS apps.

Base MacBook Air, M1, 8Gb RAM, 256GB: $999. Can run both Mac and iOS apps.

The iPad Pro is still the choice if you need Apple Pencil usage or if you only want it as a tablet, but if you’re looking at a laptop replacement, the new MacBook Air seems to counter Apple’s own argument about iPads as replacement for PC. The line is blurred even more with AS Macs being able to run iOS apps with better performance. Thoughts?

I still plan on getting an AS based MBA.

The iPad Pro will be used for chilling on the couch or in bed,as well as a companion when using my work laptop to do my work, while the MBA will be primarily more of a desk based device for my own personal work and admin.

 

[007p]

I still plan on getting an AS based MBA.

The iPad Pro will be used for chilling on the couch or in bed,as well as a companion when using my work laptop to do my work, while the MBA will be primarily more of a desk based device for my own personal work and admin.

Is it not frustrating for you that they’ll both be running the same chips (albeit maybe with different names to try and cover it up) and the only reason you have to have two products is because Apple wants to sell you two things instead of one and a magic keyboard?

As absurd as it is, I’d rather pay $999 for the magic keyboard if it meant I only needed one device for everything and not have to carry two

 

[sparksd]

I have a laptop and an iPad Pro and "never the twain shall meet". Each has its place neither will replace the other.

 

[Septembersrain]

For someone like me, the iPad Pro is simply a smaller television. It's essentially only used for watching media. Which is why I've got an older first gen iPad Pro 12.9. I bought a newer one but didn't like Face ID, no headphone jack, and the screen was yellow so it was returned.

 

[Semiopaque]

For someone like me, the iPad Pro is simply a smaller television. It's essentially only used for watching media. Which is why I've got an older first gen iPad Pro 12.9. I bought a newer one but didn't like Face ID, no headphone jack, and the screen was yellow so it was returned.

What did you not like about Face ID? I love it on my iPad. Super frustrating on my phone though, especially due to the whole mask situation.

 

[yurc]

Artist perspective :

iPad Pro still relevant for me, even I had full size Cintiq Pro, but for on the go sketching, iPad Pro is joyful to use with Apple pencil. The most lightweight drawing tablet, compared with my other portable drawing tablet fleets (Wacom MSP, Surface, HP Spectre)

Full finished artworks still done in desktop though.

 

[Abazigal]

Cynical Take: Apple is intentionally preventing the iPad from growing up

As an iPad Pro 12.9 user then I'm rooting for the iPad to take that leap into adulthood, but I spent the last 5 years frustrated that this incredibly powerful product never got a proper OS update or Apple apps. Looking at the M1 MacBooks and it now makes sense. Apple never wanted the iPad Pro to replace a MacBook because they'd rather sell you two products separately.

So, as for the question of if an iPad Pro makes sense. Sure it does. The iPad can do several things that the Mac still can't. (Pencil, form factor, versatility). That said, the M1 MacBook will definitely take away Pro sales because if the iPad Pro will not be permitted to capitalize on its power and run Apple apps then why are we spending more for an accessorized iPad when you could just buy a Mac.

The simple reality is that the iPad has replaced laptops for a large number of people. To use an analogy, these are the people who were trying to drive in screws using a hammer because the screwdriver hadn't been invented yet. The ipad is that screwdriver which allows us to perform tasks that were previously ill-suited on a conventional PC form factor.

I remember a quote from somewhere that the heaviness of the Mac is what allows the ipad (and iOS) to be as light as it currently is.

The ipad was never intended to become another Mac. It is precisely because we have the Mac that the ipad doesn’t have to work too hard to replicate it, because all that legacy desktop functionality would only serve to make iOS more bloated and slow it down.

So the answer to your last question is, and always will be, that there will always be a group of people (including myself) for whom the ipad is a unique fit for our workflows, and which the macbook cannot replicate.

And I am thankful for this.

 

[Strangedream]

I have a 3rd gen 12.9” iPad Pro and don’t see myself going to a smaller iPad Air. I love the form factor, and I use this device whenever I travel abroad To edit my photos, watch movies etc.

 

[Septembersrain]

What did you not like about Face ID? I love it on my iPad. Super frustrating on my phone though, especially due to the whole mask situation.

I keep mine in landscape mode. I setup the Face ID multiple times but it kept not catching my face. It's probably just a me issue but having to buy dongles for headphones and charging, plus the yellow screen, I was just over it within hours.

 

[Kjs100]

I keep mine in landscape mode. I setup the Face ID multiple times but it kept not catching my face. It's probably just a me issue but having to buy dongles for headphones and charging, plus the yellow screen, I was just over it within hours.

Was that recently? Curious to know if they're still shipping iPad Pros with yellow screens. I just returned my Air because of the warm screen.

 

[Semiopaque]

I keep mine in landscape mode. I setup the Face ID multiple times but it kept not catching my face. It's probably just a me issue but having to buy dongles for headphones and charging, plus the yellow screen, I was just over it within hours.

I can see the issue with it in landscape. I’ve run across that a few times where I have to rotate the screen or move it closer. I don’t often use it in landscape though.

 

[Septembersrain]

Was that recently? Curious to know if they're still shipping iPad Pros with yellow screens. I just returned my Air because of the warm screen.

I want to say it was in January. I'm hoping they've improved them since then but I didn't try again. I just got a first gen off Swappa instead.

 

[macdogpro]

Here’s my real world example why an iPad Pro still matters for me as laptop replacement:

• I always bring my 11” iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard Case with me incase I need to work on the go (PORTABILITY versus 13” laptop, fits inside my tote bag easily).
• Was at tyre shop last week and waiting for my GF at a hair salon yesterday, opening my IPP and MKB doesn’t feel awkward in tight spaces or on top of my lap (ERGONOMIC vs wider laptop screen aspect ratio).
• When I’m done working, I continue use my IPP without the MKB to casually browse, reading emails, using social media apps, even catching up to TV series, again without being too much as using laptop in public places (PRACTICALITY without hardware keyboard).
• On offline meetings, I pull up my IPP to jot down minutes with the Pencil, this is way more polite compared taking notes by typing behind stand up screen in front of the clients (FLEXIBILITY).
• On the car passenger seat, when I need to annotate a design work or some document, the 11” touch screen with Pencil is the right amount of media I need (PENCIBILITY, I‘m running out of self made-up word here LOL).

All this can be done with the cheaper iPad Air 4 of course, I would mostly suggest to do so, but some people still appreciate the 120hz screen, quad speakers and better microphone to some extend.

 

[mannyvel]

For me, the iMac + iPad Pro combo still works best. A desktop with an awesome display for the heavy lifting at home, a great tablet with awesome native apps for my teaching in the day.

I find myself needing a laptop less and less these days.

I lent my MBP 15" to my daughter for school, and now I use my 5,1 and an IPP 1st gen with a keyboard & mouse. I just got a used Brydge and it's surprisingly nice. Plus I can "convert" it into an IPP when I go to bed.

I actually found myself trying to scroll my wife's MBP with my finger the other day, which was really weird. But for the stuff I do now, which is basically a lot of thinking and writing,/designing the IPP + keyboard + mouse is great. I have to look for a good VNC client and terminal at some point; I'll pay money for those.