iPad How come MacRumors hate the iPad?

[ThunderSkunk]

We just shake our heads regarding these arguments.

How many heads do you have? Referring to oneself in the third person is weird enough, but referring to oneself as multiple personalities with multiple heads is really quite something else.

That wasn’t even making an argument. I have no need to convince you of anything, bc I gain nothing either way. OP asked why the iPad gets so much criticism on here, and the limitations of the OS is practically the only reason cited in every thread. That Apple still advertises it as a capable computer replacement isn’t an argument either, it’s just a fact independent from context. Your assumption that peoples disappointment isn’t coming from the device not living up to its full potential, but as coming from a place of ignorance instead, is so thoughtless it barely warrants a response, so that’s what you get.

 

[4743913]

I think you should look into the definition of a computer.

words are not the equivalent of actions.. you can call a calculator a computer. it's just as useless.

 

[4743913]

At this point, I think jailbreaking, especially for iPad Pros, should become a trend again

this is the way.

 

[tomekwsrod]

Exactly. I have 4 iPads in our house right now and no Macbooks. I want to try MacOS again, but I am not shelling out money to do so only to lose money again on staying on windows. So, I am going to take an older notebook I have and run OpenCore on it and try the basic functionality of MacOS, if I like it, then i will purchase a new Macbook.

If you like Windows, stay on it. I use three OSes almost daily, and I consider Windows great (the other two also : )).

 

[sparksd]

words are not the equivalent of actions.. you can call a calculator a computer. it's just as useless.

A calculator is hardly useless and an iPad is hardly just a calculator. You'd just as likely call the computers I used back in '71 useless.

 

[BhaveshUK]

If you like Windows, stay on it. I use three OSes almost daily, and I consider Windows great (the other two also : )).

Recently started a new job and was forced to use Windows after years. What I realised is that these operating systems do 95% the same thing, and I actually found myself feeling incredibly focussed working on Windows. It's made me consider getting a personal Windows and Android machine to get out of the Apple bubble a little bit more.

 

[4743913]

A calculator is hardly useless and an iPad is hardly just a calculator. You'd just as likely call the computers I used back in '71 useless.

computers you used back in '71 were actual computers right? not calculators. not iPads. My first computer was the commodore 64 and the iPad has never come close to being as "useful" for me. The people who say iPads are computers should put their money where there mouth is and eschew all real computers then. Let's see how far they get.

 

[sparksd]

computers you used back in '71 were actual computers right? not calculators. not iPads. My first computer was the commodore 64 and the iPad has never come close to being as "useful" for me. The people who say iPads are computers should put their money where there mouth is and eschew all real computers then. Let's see how far they get.

You imply that all computers are equal - they are not, different computers for different purposes. But they are still computers. No need to eschew one for the other to prove that point. This "iPad is not a computer" argument is tired has been hashed over and over in these forums and I have no interest in pursuing the argument. I'm a retired s/w & h/w engineer with over 50 years experience with all kinds of computers, including developing them - I know what they are.

 

[darngooddesign]

computers you used back in '71 were actual computers right? not calculators. not iPads. My first computer was the commodore 64 and the iPad has never come close to being as "useful" for me. The people who say iPads are computers should put their money where there mouth is and eschew all real computers then. Let's see how far they get.

My iPad and MacBook Pro are both useful to me in different ways, many times even in the same way, and are both more useful than my old TRS80 or even my classic and vintage PowerBooks.

It’s weird how some people get in this inflexible, either/or mindset.

 

[sparksd]

My iPad and MacBook Pro are both useful to me in different ways, many times even in the same way, and are both more useful than my old TRS80 or even my classic and vintage PowerBooks.

It’s weird how some people get in this inflexible, either/or mindset.

Yep. A Commodore 64 would not be useful to me - I know, I had one once - so it must be a universal truth that it isn't a computer, either. Could probably say the same for the PDP-8/e "computer" I used - I wouldn't eschew my iPad for it.

 

[darngooddesign]

Yep. A Commodore 64 would not be useful to me - I know, I had one once - so it must be a universal truth that it isn't a computer, either. Could probably say the same for the PDP-8/e "computer" I used - I wouldn't eschew my iPad for it.

These days a Commodore is good for nostalgic games, nostalgic apps, and writing programs in mostly dead languages like BASIC and PASCAL. I can write and run programs on my iPad.

 

[Night Spring]

computers you used back in '71 were actual computers right? not calculators. not iPads. My first computer was the commodore 64 and the iPad has never come close to being as "useful" for me. The people who say iPads are computers should put their money where there mouth is and eschew all real computers then. Let's see how far they get.

I can type up letters and business reports on an iPad just as well as I could on the commodore -- did that even have a word processing program as well-featured as Pages or iOS version of Word? Anyway, with the iPad, I could do my letters and reports while sitting on a bus during my commutes, the commodore couldn't be moved from my desk in the living room. So for me, the iPad was more useful.

 

[darngooddesign]

I can type up letters and business reports on an iPad just as well as I could on the commodore -- did that even have a word processing program as well-featured as Pages or iOS version of Word? Anyway, with the iPad, I could do my letters and reports while sitting on a bus during my commutes, the commodore couldn't be moved from my desk in the living room. So for me, the iPad was more useful.

My TRS80 had horrible battery life and it kept falling off my lap.

 

[usagora]

Exactly. From a revenue perspective, Mac is greater than the iPad.

I'm assuming this graph is supposed to be read like a stacked bar graph at any point along the x-axis (where the height of each band of color represents a portion of the total revenue from all products)? If so, it's a mixed bag--at some points the iPad had more percentage of the total revenue, sometimes the Mac, and sometimes they're neck and neck.

 

[sparksd]

My TRS80 had horrible battery life and it kept falling off my lap.

Yeah, the Trash-80 was my first computer that had a real display, it replaced my Altair 8800. Wasn't cheap, either - about $2700 in today's dollars.

 

[darngooddesign]

Yeah, the Trash-80 was my first computer that had a real display, it replaced my Altair 8800. Wasn't cheap, either - about $2700 in today's dollars.

Remember how FS1 Flight Sim was always shown banked at 45deg due to those tall pixels? LOL

 

[OW22]

I can't see how any forum members would 'hate' the iPad. I have a MBP M1, which is undoubtedly the best computer I ever owned. No matter what I throw at it, it never heats up or slows down. Paired with the ASD it's a fantastic set-up. But I also have an iPad Pro 11in and a very old iPad Mini. I had the 1st Gen iPad way back when also.

The iPads are great consumption devices and with the Magic Keyboard, if you need to do some emails or some MS Office work, it can be very good, But it will never bear the flexibility and breadth of a proper PC. The folders and files are still the big issues and being able to have multiple windows open with your apps in the windows you want and effortlessly moving between them. Simple things like cutting and pasting, moving files etc is just so much easier and better on a PC.

No doubt the iPad OSs have improved a lot and using Adobe Acrobat Pro on the iPad with the Apple Pencil and making notes and signing documents is excellent.

They're very different products. The ipad can't be beaten for reading epapers and other content but the Macs will always be the workhorse you go back to.

 

[Seanm87]

I think its kind of apples fault for marketing the pro models as being able to replace laptops.

I love my iPad but I do work on my windows laptop. I can do basic work stuff on the iPad but anything more involved a laptop is just better.

But for consumption an iPad is way better In my opinion. Sitting back in bed or the sofa with an iPad is far more comfortable. Plus it also separates the world of work and home life for me.

 

[heretiq]

I have a 12.9” M2 iPad Pro 128 GB / 8 GB. Also have a 16” M1 Max MBP 64 GB RAM.

Just now tried editing a PDF doc in the Files app on iPad with stage manager open with Safari & Teams app with a PiP Youtube video playing.
My Files app refreshed in the middle of editing & lost all my progress on the doc & I had to restart it all. Couldn’t undo. Even tho with iPadOS 16 Apple enabled memory swap up to 16 GB, my app still refreshed & lost progress.
So from my usage, the iPad Pro is a pathetic device with an overpowered M2 chip.
Not to mention the terrible & clunky stage manager experience with trying to switch between windows.
I do use it about 6 hours a day tho, due to the portability it’s more convenient than my 16” MBP. But the actual usage experience is worse.

Safari / Webkit limitation is a whole other discussion. Safari is garbage & laggy. It makes my 64 GB M1 Max feel like it’s dying. Terrible browser. Firefox for the win. Too bad all browsers on iPadOS / iOS are reskins of Safari. Another reason why iPad is worse.

I try to do school work, simple document editing with the iPad, but the experience is literally worse than the MBP in every way. Unless you’re a digital artist & require the Apple Pencil, it’s a frustrating & poorer experience every time.

Even using the iPad Pro for media consumption is not ideal, due to the aspect ratio, you get massive black bars essentially wasting your screen space. The MBP 16:10 is way better for watching videos.

Personally, in every way that I use my iPad, my MBP can do those tasks easier.

Only reason I got it was to be a MacBook Air like device with the Magic Keyboard to take on the go while leaving the 16” MBP at home, & for downloading & watching movies/shows offline for travel, & for FaceTime. Side note, the FaceTime camera on the M2 iPad Pro is so bad & grainy compared to the FaceTime camera on the iPhone 14 Pro in the same lighting environment that I tested. So another area where it fails again.
So many flaws with this device that I want to love it’s sad.

Finally, my BASE storage M2 iPad Pro 12.9” cellular was $1650 with the Magic Keyboard. That is a ridiculous price.
The M1 Pro 14” is on sale everywhere at that price, M1 & M2 MacBook Air are cheaper than that too.
The iPad is really just an enthusiast device for someone who wants a tablet or hybrid device.
iPadOS is holding it back from being a laptop replacement.

The iPad is not a Mac. It is a complement to the Mac — not a substitute for the Mac. Expecting it to do the things a Mac is designed to do as well as the Mac is a recipe for disappointment. Likewise, the Mac is not an iPad — so expecting the Mac to do the things an iPad is designed to do is, likewise, a recipe for disappointment. Why is it that folks are less likely to expect a Mac to work like an iPad, but are more likely to want/expect an iPad to behave like a Mac?

The iPad was designed for work that is best performed in a “lean back“ posture (single-focus tasks such as reading, ideating, composing, exploring, digesting, crafting thoughtful responses to touchy subjects and strong opinions expressed in MR forums, etc.). The Mac was designed for work that is best performed in a “lean forward” posture (multitasking, audio/video/graphics/writing production work, heavy analysis, serious coding, etc.). While there are recent exceptions (DaVinci Resolve, Affinity Designer, etc.), the foregoing has been the design intent of the iPad from day 1 (see Steve Jobs iPad introduction -

).

Notice the sofa on the stage — it’s there for a reason and that reason is not because Steve Jobs was tired. The demo is provided entirely while “leaning back” and demonstrating tasks that are best performed in that posture using the apps available at the time of the intro. While the iPad app landscape has exploded, the underlying “lean back” orientation for the iPad remains. This critical aspect of iPad positioning seems to have been lost and buyers today simply want the iPad to behave the way they want it to — and not the way it was designed to behave.

My expectations for the iPad were set by this video. I respected it and have been rewarded with delight in the performance of every iPad I’ve owned (from the original iPad to the 16GB RAM / 1TB storage M1 iPad Pro) — because I know when to use it and when to switch to my Mac.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

The market prefers iPad over Mac’s, as the iPad outsells all Mac’s combined. So why is it the opposite on MacRumors?

Some people enjoy drama. They get angry at not enough spec bumps. They get angry if the spec bumps are too big. They want the iPad to be more Mac-like. They want the iPad to be less Mac-like. They don’t want any new iPad models to be released since they bought in, since that somehow invalidates their current model in some way. Also they believe that Apple should release a new iPad when they specifically wish to upgrade to a new model.

People love to share their hot take which is usually copy-and-pasted from the last YouTube tech vlogger they’ve watched.

Personally I love the “iPad Pro isn’t really pro because I can’t run Final Cut Pro” hot takes. They’re hilarious.

 

[spiderman0616]

Some people enjoy drama. They get angry at not enough spec bumps. They get angry if the spec bumps are too big. They want the iPad to be more Mac-like. They want the iPad to be less Mac-like. They don’t want any new iPad models to be released since they bought in, since that somehow invalidates their current model in some way. Also they believe that Apple should release a new iPad when they specifically wish to upgrade to a new model.

People love to share their hot take which is usually copy-and-pasted from the last YouTube tech vlogger they’ve watched.

Personally I love the “iPad Pro isn’t really pro because I can’t run Final Cut Pro” hot takes. They’re hilarious.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. I believe there's a saying--you can please some of the people some of the time....

 

[4743913]

the commodore -- did that even have a word processing program as well-featured as Pages or iOS version of Word?

for the time and the small amount of $$, I would say yes.

 

[saltcityman11]

Well, i love my iPad still.

 

[The point and shoot pro]

My TRS80 had horrible battery life and it kept falling off my lap.

Mine kept pulling the TV off the stand when I tried to move!

 

[Ctrlos]

Its not that Macrumors forums hates the iPad, I think its more a combination of misunderstanding and buyers remorse.

Any thread entitled 'I wish the iPad ran MacOS' is really just a cry of 'I wish I had just bought a Macbook Air'.

There is also a wide misunderstanding of what the iPad actually means to Apple. Rather than just an accessory they market and sell the device as their $300, $500 and $700 computing lines competing with similarly priced Chrome and Windows devices. Apple's market research will tell them customers looking to buy a $300-500 computer are willing to sacrifice a percentage of user control for stability and embrace iPadOS for its simplicity. Its the epitome of the old Apple adage 'It just works'. Apple don't sell sub-$1000 Macbooks for a reason.