I think you and I are very similar. I've emboldened what you wrote "does almost everything". That's where my frustrations are ultimately coming from. Like yourself, I bought the iPad Pro 2 years ago when I was at that enthusiast level and didn't have too many big workflows. Where the iPad has become a bottleneck for me is when I moved to a professional level + suddenly having more extensive travel needs.
I understand Apple would love to sell me a MacBook as well but it doesn't work like that Apple ? I do think my situation is quite unique. I have a bad back (and had a spinal surgery) so when travelling I take weight and space very seriously. Taking two devices (MacBook and iPad) on the go is a non-negotiable - I need one device that weighs at most 3 pounds or so, and will do everything I need.
I'm considering all my needs very carefully. Where I am is this: I essentially need a full computer for my work tasks which also enables direct drawing input on screen for illustration purposes and will weigh between 2-3 pounds. Apple unfortunately doesn't sell that and I think you're on the money that they're not changing that anytime soon. I absolutely love iPad but I can't wait years for iPad OS to reach the professional levels I need right now.
I think they should start making your post required reading before anyone buys an iPad or any other device! ?
I'm in agreement with everything you've said. I'm waiting until after Monday to make any decisions for sure. I'll definitely keep my iPad Pro regardless and not sell it as I'm sure it will get updates for years to come (and then I don't need to shell out money for a new iPad in the future).
The main selling point you mentioned of draw, illustrate or annotate with a Pencil is exactly what I need. But I need a full computer behind that as well when travelling because my needs have grown to become more complex than what they were 2 years ago. Equally, as mentioned before, I have a bad back so I need to be realistic about weight meaning one fully-capable device makes much more sense.
We have different workflows. I’m an assistant manager and bartender at a bar, so I use my iPad for note taking during meetings, going over training documents and taking notes for each trainee’s shift, doing inventory, and ordering. That’s about where using my iPad as a work tool ends.
For personal use, the most demanding thing I’ve done with it is building my next apartment in Sketchup to figure out where to put all the furniture or designing posters for a swing dancing club I’m part of. I also use it in conjunction with my laptop while playing Cities Skylines as a second monitor or to draw on screenshots to plan out new communities. Otherwise, it does normal tablet things like messaging, email, reading books, web browsing, watching video, etc. The Pencil has been great for drawing out bike ride paths and taking notes for chores and stuff.
But when I’m honest with myself, I know I don’t need an iPad Pro, and I could have gotten a cheaper device to do all of this, but I’m glad I got this one. I still remember the original iPad unveiling and seeing the Surface around the same time and knowing that was the computing future for me. I’ve had so many iPads over the years (1, 3, 4, Air 1, Pro 9.7, and now Pro 11) that I knew this would suit my needs perfectly.
If your needs have changed, it may be time to look outside the walled garden into machines like the Surface Pro or any of the many 2-in-1 Windows laptops on the market.
