iPad Pro How would you use a Thunderbolt iPad Pro?

[Mistercharlie]

I wonder what use the rumored Thunderbolt port might be on the iPad Pro?

For music, USB-C get most things done. Maybe photographers and video editors could hook up lots of extra fast storage?

Or maybe proper external monitor support could be added. Then you could use the iPad as a kind of touch-tablet input device for the main screen, like a Wacom Cintiq, but for all kinds of apps, not just graphics.

In short, what can Thunderbolt bring to the iPad that we can’t do with USB?

 

[nidmjayanagar]

In short, what can Thunderbolt bring to the iPad that we can’t do with USB?

 

[ofarlig]

I am more interested in what it means for the software if Apple decides to add the cost of thunderbolt to the device.

I would think it increases the possibility for a better external display support, maybe even multiple screens with a docking station.

I also think it will make it more likely the rumours of things like Xcode, Final Cut and other Apple software coming to the iPads are true.

 

[JPack]

Support for 5K monitor. Support for dual external 4K monitors.

Right now, it doesn’t have enough bandwidth to do either. A real “computer” needs an external monitor with enough bandwidth to support external drives and Ethernet.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Run more than one display, and perhaps also dongle other things on it where an USB connection wouldn't suffice, such as external drives, etc.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Support for 5K monitor.

It already does that.

 

[JPack]

It already does that.

At sub-5K resolution, from what I understand. USB 3.1 Gen 2 only offers half the bandwidth required for 5K.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

At sub-5K resolution, from what I understand. USB 3.1 Gen 2 only offers half the bandwidth required for 5K.

Indeed you are correct. I just noticed someone writing 5K monitor support, but didn't realize it wasn't full resolution.

 

[TomOSeven]

Run more than one display,

So you can mirror the iPad to two external displays?
Maybe we can get proper external display support first?

 

[HerbertDerb]

Maybe we can get proper external display support first?

No point in thunderbolt if it cant do this. OR atleast mirror it properly to 16:9 monitor....

 

[AutomaticApple]

In short, what can Thunderbolt bring to the iPad that we can’t do with USB?

Improved external monitor support? ?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

So you can mirror the iPad to two external displays?
Maybe we can get proper external display support first?

Now now there, no need to push Apple too much. They have much on their hands, like emojis and everything, on not much money to pay for developers!

 

[sparksd]

Now now there, no need to push Apple too much. They have much on their hands, like emojis and everything, on not much money to pay for developers!

But those emojis look so nice mirrored in 4:3 on a 4K monitor ...

 

[loybond]

Thunderbolt means much faster external storage, which would be needed if pro apps will be a thing (really hope they will). More monitors, multiple accessories etc. Basically much closer to replacing a computer.

 

[KittyKatta]

Thunderbolt means much faster external storage, which would be needed if pro apps will be a thing (really hope they will). More monitors, multiple accessories etc. Basically much closer to replacing a computer.

It all comes back to the hardware being so far ahead of the software. I’m all for every spec bump they can fit in here, but my biggest worry is that they’ll finally give us Pro apps but it will come as a subscription model.

 

[loybond]

It all comes back to the hardware being so far ahead of the software. I’m all for every spec bump they can fit in here, but my biggest worry is that they’ll finally give us Pro apps but it will come as a subscription model.

Can't disagree with you, the hardware is amazing, but the software has been so crippled for so long. We finally have a desktop browser and a file system, and you can plug in external storage, but you can't format it lol. What are we supposed to do with all that power?

I really do hope we see an amazing final cut product soon, because even iMovie is so simplistic compared to an already simplistic desktop app. Subscription? You never know, but Apple hasn't utilized this model yet for software afaik.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Full screen 4k external display support - replacing a laptop for many?

 

[Flabasha]

Seems like a spec improvement without much point, other than as a sales pitch.

 

[macdogpro]

I’m looking forward for a very basic simple thing on thunderbolt: way better transfer speed.

Current USB-C on iPad Pros weirdly only giving USB 2.0 transfer speed alike, some suspect the chip controller is the culprit. This is very annoying for transferring huge files, enough for me to use LAN cable instead. Wireless option is not something I would rely on my work flow.

 

[Scarboose]

The day iPad has full monitor support, I will go all in and never own another Mac..... maybe this is the year ??

 

[Akela_A]

I think they need to massively improve the OS for thunderbolt to be worth it. The fact that the only thing you can do with external monitors at the moment is mirror the 4:3 display makes it pretty useless outside of doing a PowerPoint presentation or something. And file handling is still a massive pain making it annoying to work off a portable hard drive.

I hope the thunderbolt rumor means that they’re actually going to address that.

 

[ericwn]

No point in thunderbolt if it cant do this. OR atleast mirror it properly to 16:9 monitor....

It IS currently properly mirrored- in its native aspect ratio as we expect from display mirroring. But external displays should have the same functionality as on the Mac or Windows.

Fingers crossed that comes one day.