Traditional computer tasks, though, are more like email, messaging, internet, games, and maybe productivity applications. Photoshop didn’t come about until after years of the Mac. Final Cut came even later than that.
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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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Apple says it wasn’t good enough.
It is still very much a horses for courses thing here.
I totally agree in that the iPad is the perfect machine for the majority in that their computing requirements are web browsing, email, messaging etc.
The simplicity of the iPad environment is also a draw to many - my elderly parents for example can cope with an iPad but not with MacOS - this is why I believe that apple will not merge the two as they are aimed at different users. iPad should never become a windowed environment to match MacOS - this is not what the device should be for. Center Stage is a decent compromise and its good that its not the 'default' view - but it goes far enough and is great for external display support - this appeases many that want the iPad to be more and to use that additional processing power afforded by the M1.
I enjoy using an iPad but totally appreciate its limits and use case differences.
I run my business using a MacBook - main reasons being the version of my accounting software that I currently use isn't available on iPadOS... and my business' computer system is browser/cloud based BUT many of its functions open up temporary additional small browser windows which are not suitable for 'full screen' and also with additional pop up informational windows that appear when hovering over a field with a cursor. Although I technically can use that system on iPadOS it is far too clunky in that environment and the hover over windows do not function at all even when using a mouse...
I might be in the minority, but I thought iPadOS 15 took care of all my major iPad gripes (inconsistent multitasking behavior and the OS losing track of/closing windows against my will)--to the point where I un-abandoned the device again and bought a mini 6.
I'm 100% aware that my mini 6 is not compatible with any of the new features, but I don't think I need it to be. I'll still get them on Mac. The only thing that stings a little bit is that the mini 6 has USB-C and I already sometimes use it like an iPad Pro by docking it on my workstation. It would have been REALLY cool to be able to use the iPad version of Center Stage in that environment. On the other hand, that's not really the kind of stuff I use my iPad for regularly anymore, so no real loss.
I'm 100% aware that my mini 6 is not compatible with any of the new features, but I don't think I need it to be. I'll still get them on Mac. The only thing that stings a little bit is that the mini 6 has USB-C and I already sometimes use it like an iPad Pro by docking it on my workstation. It would have been REALLY cool to be able to use the iPad version of Center Stage in that environment. On the other hand, that's not really the kind of stuff I use my iPad for regularly anymore, so no real loss.
My iPad Pro is a tablet computer that has fully replaced my MBP for running my Real Estate businesses.
A computer like anything else consists of the components that makes it what it is. In the case of a modern computer the list consists of:
1. CPU
2. GPU
3. Motherboard
4. Memory(RAM)
5. Storage
6. Power Supply
7. I/O - USB, SD and Micro SD cards, external HD's and SSD's
8. The ability to use keyboard and mouse
9. Operating System
The iPad has all these and is fully a computer by any definition of computer..
A.) From Dictionary.com
Computer
1. a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones are some of the different types of computers.
Definition of computer | Dictionary.com
Computer definition, a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones are some of the different types of...www.dictionary.com
B.) From Techtarget.com
From their list of computer types.
Smartphone - a cellular telephone designed with an integrated computer
Tablet Computer (tablet PC) - a wireless personal computer with a touch screen
C.) What is computer? - Definition from WhatIs.com
The modern computer began as a machine the size of a room that used vacuum tubes, punched cards and magnetic drums to generate an output, and has since evolved into a collection of devices ranging from the tablet PC to the smartphone to the quantum computer.www.techtarget.com
D.) From gcfglobal.org
Tablet computers—or tablets—are handheld computers that are even more portable than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation. The iPad is an example of a tablet computer.
Computer Basics: What is a Computer?
After reading this Computer Basics lesson, you will be able to answer the question, what is a computer?edu.gcfglobal.org
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Apparently, if it can't replace everybody's Mac and/or laptop, it's not a computer. Save your breath, this one isn't worth the effort.
Yes that’s my problem as well. my work can be done on an iPad but it’s just long winded. We are a fitness business with 300 members and we have to invoice and then manually mark off the invoices via our banking app. When we come off our banking app on the iPad it logs us out every time so we literally have to do it on a traditional computer. My pref is a 27 inch iMac because I can have both windows side by side.
We are also moving premises so I’ve been a project manager on the new build and I’ve just been doing all my work for this on my iPhone. Mainly because it’s easy to carry onsite and also because I worry about my laptop or iPad getting damaged onsite. I’m literally spending 8 hours a day on my iPhone pro max. This has also changed my computer use because I’ve just gotten use to using my iPhone for all my web browsing and personal use at home now which I never thought would happen.
I think no matter what happens in the future, I will always have a iMac or laptop just for physically managing my photos and video on external storage. I don’t trust the cloud enough for this.
Translation:
- RAM is the main issue and even 8GB might not be always enough so we use swap, but you will barely feel any slowdown as M1 SSDs are extremely fast (and you probably won't need swap often)
A12X/Z and A14 iPads only have 4 to 6 GB RAM, and their SSD is not as fast so you would have to use more swap and with slower storage.
[Sidenote: would owners of those iPads trade some slowdown to get either less reloads and/or external monitor support? Probably most would, especially if the feature can be turned on and off (as is possible on Samsung tablets).
Alternatively, would they be ok with a solution where you can use less apps at the same time and no swap? Absolutely, still better than no support]
- It's not just RAM and storage speed, but also what resolution each SOC and its USB C port can support. M1 can support 6K. A12X/Z can't (how do I know? The DTK, running MacOS with A12Z, could not run monitors with resolutions of 5k/6K)
[Could Apple make a version of Stage Manger that only goes up to 4k or even just 1440p? Yes, even 1080p would be better than nothing]
Conclusion: can Stage Manager run on A12X/Z or A14? No, RAM is not enough, storage is not fast enough to provide the same swap experience (especially as you would need more swap) and the Apple Studio and Pro display would not be supported.
Could Apple have made a down-sized version of Stage Manager for those iPads? Yes, with less apps running at the same time, some swap or even no swap, and a limit to the resolution. But this would have meant dedicating resources the the creation of stripped-down version and, let's be honest, would have incentivized owners of those iPads to stay longer on those devices instead of upgrading... (and remove any incentive to get an Apple display).
On good lord we have kids here copying text from first day of computer science class well bald professors teaches that a car has a computer, rocket engine has computer system, stove has a computer, calculator is a computer and smart watch is computer and so on. Than get class to work on logic gates and come up with basic crude computer well professor goes on teaching advance computers and future of quantum computers and optical computers.
These intellectual walking phd computer science class professors or Tim Cook or Bill Gates insight on explaining what computer is or is not will not impressive old time boomers growing up using commodore 64, Amiga, DOS and later Unix, Windows NT and Linux .
None of those system had a terrible file manger like iPadOS, none of those systems had limits on computers IO, no scripting, no bash, no shell or command line, no install limits or side loading they call it now.
Remember people had sound cards, all in one cards and hooked up TVs, VCR , sound mikes, stereos, boat load speakers, music instruments, video taping, sound systems so on. None of this is possible with iPadOS. But still possible using Windows and to a degree Linux with limited driver support.
Windows 95 did not put a cap on the number of apps you can run or multitask cap by the software limits or OS limits it was tied to RAM.
All Unix, Linux and Windows NT base systems have user accounts, file permission and file system.
Tell me how to run business using iPad where the marketing team cannot access files of the sales department or deign team. Where are the group polices that windows has? Where is Active directory?
How can I give work to team B with only read and no write permission to the file but team C can have read and write permission.
These all things Windows has done using old CRT that kids only see now watching old movies.
How can you work with TB of files on servers or NAS using Apple file app?
If I have million files called vacation as example to the UK and the file is in different folders how can I copy the file to back up folder not using command line but GUI mostly Apple limited files app? How can I work with different drives?
How can I get OS to do a back up every day on a server and put it in folder base on key words not run by human but by script.
How can I control many computers and servers in my small businesses using an iPad?
Where is full photoshop clone or full Microsoft office or Open Office/ Liberal Office clone?
All of these thing people had in 90s and 2000s. And Windows and Linux still has better external monitor support than MacOS that alone iPad and don’t get me started on workspaces.
Nice. I was gonna go for it but just laughed and stopped. Literally quoting me a Wikipedia page lol.
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I don’t know why Apple just does not use NVMe drives they are really fast. And fact windows is more bloated.
Very fast boat time for older acer gaming laptop.
Even Macbook has longer boot time even older less bloated iOS.
That was all very lovely and articulated. No one said the iPad was a laptop or desktop replacement for everyone. No one is even forcing anyone to buy one let alone forcing them to replace their laptop or desktop with an iPad. Besides that not a thing you said makes a difference to those of us who can replace our laptops and even love using our iPads. Most people love using their iPads whether it is for personal or business use. You don't see or hear people who treat their opinion like politics or religion except on tech enthusiast forums like this. Just because you don't think the iPad or iPadOS measures up, means very little to nothing in Apples mind or to the vast majority of iPad users, nor does it negate the fact that iPad is a tablet computer that a crap ton of people buy and enjoy using. Doesn't negate the fact that many people have either replaced their laptop or greatly reduced the need to always take a laptop with them. The only thing true about the argument stating the iPad is not a computer is that it is frivolous, ignorant, and unsupported. Same arguments when GUI replaced DOS, when laptops took the place of desktops, or any time new tech replaces or enhances old tech. You don't ever have to admit it but the truth is that iPad is a success and huge hit that just keeps getting better.
Thinking you are technically advanced and more intelligent when you don't even get the iPad, its OS, or the people who do get it, just makes you look silly.
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The people that complain here spend $1,000 and some $2,000 on an iPad pro after seeing Apple running ads you don’t need a PC but iPad will replace it. They see Apple give you keyboard after much pushback, they see Apple give you mouse pointer support after much pushback, they see Apple give you slide over and split view after much pushback, they see apple give you file app even being sloppy and worse than windows 95 file manager after much pushback and see Apple give you external monitor support after much pushback.
Every year it is baby steps well people spend $1,000 to $2,000 on a iPad. And yet Windows tablets and Android has had this for years. For past three years iOS got features than it took Apple year yes a year just to give you those feature. Next year is going to be a boring year for the iPad just to port those features over. The priority is iPhone not the iPad and you can see it with Apple being so dirt cheap not hiring enough programmers but barely playing catch up to android and windows and hack they now are playing catch up to iOS.
Apple is billion dollar company they are playing catch up now and not leading the industry. At the rate Apple is going it may be 5 or 10 years before people take the iPad pro seriously.
Now I know most of the things I talked about above is for for businesses and corporations but if Apple wants to increase the market shares why not bring out iPadOS pro version for businesses like Microsoft has windows home for home use and windows pro and windows enterprise.
But Apple has to stop being so dirt cheap and hire enough programmers to not only catch up but lead the industry. And 5 years just to port widgets over to iOS and iPadOS is just beyond unexceptionable and they are still working on it.
After Steve Jobs left Apple lacks wow factor but playing catch up to android and windows.
Great points! (Only you forgot to include "digital cameras aren't REAL cameras" in your list. >smile!<)
The above post reflects woeful ignorance of Apple's position in the tablet market (they lead by a mile - First, Apple: 31.5%, next Samsung: 21.1%) and Apple's value (they are a $2 trillion corporation, not a "billion"). Apple has over 154,000 employees worldwide, with 47,000 in the US. This includes many thousands of engineers. Those in Silicon Valley reportedly earn from $150k - $300k (including stocks and bonuses), with some top-tier rumored to be earning $500k in total compensation. Can't really say they don't know how to make and sell iPads, or that they're "dirt cheap."
Research before pontificating makes one sound intelligent.
Well damn it, you should be running Apple! Then maybe you could fix that measly 2.22T market cap.
If I learned any thing about capitalism small to medium companies innovate but large companies do not. Look at Microsoft they got stuck never did much later on than now thanks to Android and Apple now Microsoft is trying really hard now.
Look at Apple before iPhone when Apple was smaller and under Steve Jobs was leading the industry.
The only reason people are using iOS and iPadOS is not because of OS but better quality apps than Android and Android CPU are about 4 years behind the M1 when it comes to speed. So the iPhone and iPad are much faster than Android. But with lack of pro apps for Android like photoshop and Final Cut for Android in 4 years or so Android will catch up to the speed of M1 and where the speed will not be factor any more. If you just do email, internet, movie watching, light gaming, social media, basic note note app so on it is alway not problem on high in Android devices.
And Windows 11 is bringing out new and interesting things. Apple really needs to get their act together.
Than tell me why a company like system 76 can bring out new laptop every year and Apple struggles to bring out laptop every year? Why can company like system 76 bring out desktop computer and you lucky to get desktop computer every 6 years or more. It be M3 chip or M4 chip or may be M5 chip before the Mac pro comes out.
How can small company like system 76 have better external monitor support and better workspace than MacOS? Why do you need third party app to get better workspace for MacOS?
Why does it take 5 years to port widgets over to iOS and iPadOS? It be year or two before there is interactive widgets.
This not innovation and I don’t care what the market shares are for the company and out side apps and hardware Android and Windows are light years ahead of Apple.
It only Intel that got big and have monopoly and got stuck on the 14nm for 6 years and not spend the money to worry about AMD and Apple. That PC market Intel is year behind M1 chip with the desktop chip for tower and threes years for the laptop. I think fire is set for Intel now with Apple and AMD and so I think Intel is going get of the chair and spend the money now to get to the 1nm or better.
Funny you should mention MS. Looks like they are hurting just about as bad as Apple. Shoot, the way they are going, nobody will even remember either of them a week from now.
I miss Steve just as much as anybody. I even shed tears when he died. He is my number one business hero of all time. He came back and saved Apple from falling off the edge of the world. Believe me when I say I have no love for Tim Cook, but he is the successor that Steve picked.
Just wanted to post this graphic for those that don't know just how bad Apple is doing, with poor MS right behind them in their ever so woeful and sad state of affairs. Serious, a week from now it's gonna be Apple and MS who?
The public speaks!
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Saw that this thread popped up again. I just replaced my M1 Mac with an M1 iPad Pro…and it has been working amazing. Especially now that the contacts app is desktop class and I have Luma Fusion…It is everything I need…I also went and got the 2TB option…even thought most of my stuff is on the cloud, I went and downloaded most of it so I have it with me even if it is offline. I seriously could not be happier.
Yes and that is why Microsoft is getting of the couch and bringing out windows 11 that seems new and fresh and more touch user friendly. Well it interesting to see where Microsoft takes windows 11 in coming years.
But Microsoft like Android still needs good mobile apps before many people think of switching.
System 76? Who? Seriously? No need to argue with your well-researched and logical comparisons and conclusions. Carry on then!
Not a kid, but thanks for thinking so. Never took computer science but have an MBA and am one of the boomers you speak of, and have used all those things you mentioned in reference to boomers. I just really get and love the iPad. Simple, intuitive, fun, easily replaced my MBP and took over taking care of my Real Estate businesses back in 11/2021. Still loving my M1 iPP 11. Cut my workflow and reduced the number of devices I carry.
Will state this again so there is no mistake that I realize that the iPad cannot replace a laptop or traditional pc if you will for everyone, and it never will. Just like a Chrome Book or Linux machine will never be able to replace MacOS or Windows for everybody, but they, like iPads are viable alternatives to many. Congrats to the ones who can. Happy, happy to the ones whos traditional computer experience is enhanced because of their iPad tablet computer.
Open the mind! Traditional is not always best, and new is not always inferior. Different is not bad, but a welcome addition to what has come before. A new computing experience that is not meant to be the same as the previous. I get it, and have come to really appreciate not only what it is now, but the potential of what it can and will become. Unless something drastically changes, the iPad and its OS have a secure place in the computing future.
Edit...Those devices you mentioned in green don't have multiple simple and intuitive ways to interact with them. The iPad does.
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Love this post - thanks, from a guy who replaced his PC with a faster M1 iPad Air. Not everyone can, because eberyone’s computing needs are different - but the iPad is quite capable.