iPad as a laptop replacement

[arc of the universe]

iPad as a laptop replacement?

it would not ever happen until apple's profit margin on such an iPad OS device could be at least as much as it earns on its average laptop, and, that somehow it would be able to actually sell more total devices.

the progression towards this has been:

→ iPadOS was split from iOS
→ the average retail price across all iPads has increased
→ apple finally added trackpad "support"
→ the Magic Keyboard was revolutionary and at a premium price

i think apple has been building up to this.

recent rumours claim:
→ new keyboard coming
→ new frame surrounding iPad that makes it function more like a laptop (maybe not top heavy: maybe angles improved)

if it is coming, expect it to cost an arm and a leg. both arms and both legs.
people who dont need the functionality will be just as content as ever with lower end GUI iPads that dont have the power and input flexibility as the new devices.

apple iOS/iPadOS app store revenue vs. moribund macOS app store sales? hmmm...
driving "laptop type" users to an iOS/iPadOS app store seems to me to tap into lot of potential revenue, let alone stop the insanity of trying to say that there is still potential in macOS as a long term platform going forward.

 

[bondr006]

iPad as a laptop replacement?

it would not ever happen until apple's profit margin on such an iPad OS device could be at least as much as it earns on its average laptop, and, that somehow it would be able to actually sell more total devices.

the progression towards this has been:

→ iPadOS was split from iOS
→ the average retail price across all iPads has increased
→ apple finally added trackpad "support"
→ the Magic Keyboard was revolutionary and at a premium price

i think apple has been building up to this.

recent rumours claim:
→ new keyboard coming
→ new frame surrounding iPad that makes it function more like a laptop (maybe not top heavy: maybe angles improved)

if it is coming, expect it to cost an arm and a leg. both arms and both legs.
people who dont need the functionality will be just as content as ever with lower end GUI iPads that dont have the power and input flexibility as the new devices.

apple iOS/iPadOS app store revenue vs. moribund macOS app store sales? hmmm...
driving "laptop type" users to an iOS/iPadOS app store seems to me to tap into lot of potential revenue, let alone stop the insanity of trying to say that there is still potential in macOS as a long term platform going forward.

My M1 iPad Pro 11 replaced my 2019 i9 16" MBP back in Nov. 2011 for my real estate and property management business and I have never looked back. I realize that the iPad cannot replace the desktop or laptop for everyone, but the number of people realizing it can for them is many and growing.

Also...

Time Magazine: “I think if you’re looking at a PC, why would you buy a PC anymore?” Cook said in an interview with The Telegraph. “No really, why would you buy one? Yes, the iPad Pro is a replacement for a notebook or a desktop for many, many people. They will start using it and conclude they no longer need to use anything else, other than their phones.”

Macworld: Cook said: “Will the tablet displace the PC market? Today there are a lot more believers in that. I’d bet there are a lot of people in the audience who use their iPad a lot more than their computer. I know I do that. And I love the Mac, but I find myself spending more and more time on my iPad. As time goes on, I think it will get more and more like that. I don’t see the tablet replacing the need to replace all PCs or Macs. I don’t mean to imply that at all. What I see is that the tablet for some people takes over what their PC was for them."

 

[prospervic]

Time Magazine: “I think if you’re looking at a PC, why would you buy a PC anymore?” Cook said in an interview with The Telegraph. “No really, why would you buy one? Yes, the iPad Pro is a replacement for a notebook or a desktop for many, many people. They will start using it and conclude they no longer need to use anything else, other than their phones.”

These Tim Cook comments are what started this whole discussion/debate. Re-reading them now makes me realize how many people (including myself) took them out of context. Cook wasn’t speaking in absolutes, but was talking specifically about the average PC user (note - he didn’t say ”Mac”) with simple needs and little technical sophistication. Given the headache that Windows 8 was at the time (and Windows 11 still eludes most folks — I do PC support so I see this every day) an iPad Pro, with its far simpler interface and operation, was a relief for these users.

Clearly Cook wasn’t addressing power users, and even today the Mac better suits their needs, although creative artists, photographers, writers, YouTubers (check out Christopher Lawley) and entrepreneurs have successfully made iPad Pro their main device.

 

[bondr006]

These Tim Cook comments are what started this whole discussion/debate. Re-reading them now makes me realize how many people (including myself) took them out of context. Cook wasn’t speaking in absolutes, but was talking specifically the average PC (note - he didn’t say”Mac”) user with simple needs and little technical sophistication. Given the headache that Windows 8 was at the time (Windows 10 had not yet been widely adopted) an iPad Pro, with its far simpler interface and operation, was a relief for these users.

Clearly Cook wasn’t addressing power users, and even today the Mac better suits their needs, although creative artists, photographers, writers, YouTubers (check Christopher Lawley) and entrepreneurs have successfully made iPad Pro their main device.

The second statement he made clears that question up pretty well. In the Macworld quote, he clearly is talking PC's and Macs. Looks to me that he is using PC to generically refer to computers in general whether PC or Mac.

"I’d bet there are a lot of people in the audience who use their iPad a lot more than their computer. I know I do that. And I love the Mac, but I find myself spending more and more time on my iPad. As time goes on, I think it will get more and more like that. I don’t see the tablet replacing the need to replace all PCs or Macs."

 

[sparksd]

These Tim Cook comments are what started this whole discussion/debate. Re-reading them now makes me realize how many people (including myself) took them out of context. Cook wasn’t speaking in absolutes, but was talking specifically the average PC user (note - he didn’t say ”Mac”) with simple needs and little technical sophistication. Given the headache that Windows 8 was at the time (and Windows 11 still eludes most folks — I do PC support so I see this every day) an iPad Pro, with its far simpler interface and operation, was a relief for these users.

Clearly Cook wasn’t addressing power users, and even today the Mac better suits their needs, although creative artists, photographers, writers, YouTubers (check out Christopher Lawley) and entrepreneurs have successfully made iPad Pro their main device.

Really agree on the relief for users aspect. It's been interesting for me to see my older sister (76) and brother (82) switch to iPads as PCs have become too technically painful for them to use (I should know - with over 45 years professional experience, I'm their IT guy). Even my mother (who has passed on), was regularly using an iPad at the age of 95. For a lot of people, it encompasses all of the computing services they need in a simple, easy-to-use device.

 

[prospervic]

Really agree on the relief for users aspect. It's been interesting for me to see my older sister (76) and brother (82) switch to iPads as PCs have become too technically painful for them to use (I should know - with over 45 years professional experience, I'm their IT guy). Even my mother (who has passed on), was regularly using an iPad at the age of 95. For a lot of people, it encompasses all of the computing services they need in a simple, easy-to-use device.

Not doubt your “support” work for them has gotten hugely easier since they switched.

 

[sparksd]

Not doubt your “support” work for them has gotten hugely easier since they switched.

lol - I wish. They still use their PCs off and on and I'm quite amazed at some of their problems. And my wife runs into her share of them. As do her friends. I do feel for people for whom a computer is a black box and are screwed when something goes wrong. There is nothing inherently intuitive about them and they need outside help to get back on track. I've often wondered how many personal computers and/or peripherals are sitting out there unused because their owners were stymied by problems with them.

 

[Surfsalot]

My 83 year old father replaced his PC with a iPad when he retired 15 years ago.
Pretty much the demographic that do.

 

[Populus]

My 83 year old father replaced his PC with a iPad when he retired 15 years ago.
Pretty much the demographic that do.

My mom never touched anything remotely similar to a computer, the most complex electronic communicating device she ever touched was a walkie-talkie.

I bought her an iPad when she was still on her 50s so she would be able to learn, and nowadays on her 60s she uses her iPad 9 every day to watch movies, browse the web, read the digital newspapers and play games. And, of course, to communicate through iMessage. She would have never touched anything remotely similar to a computer, even a Mac.

That’s why I think the iPad must retain a simple UI like the current one; at least the option to enable it, if Apple changes the UI of iPadOS and brings it closer to macOS.

 

[rachislenska]

iPad, even the pro model cannot replace a MacBook completely for me. Its not that iPad is lacking in power, the multitasking still leaves lot to be desired. Open multiple word documents, pdf, and safari and try to write an article. It is possible, but an unnecessary headache when you can do the same thing in a Mac much easier.

iPad was my default media consumption device which I took almost everywhere. The battery life and lightweight. But with M2 air having far superior battery life and much lighter than my old MacBook Pro I am thinking about whether I should actually get a new iPad to replace my old one! For me it's like MacBook Air is replacing the iPad. only thing I miss is the touch screen.

 

[Antoniosmalakia]

I really like my iPad Pro, but it has to be said, like many others, the programs I use just haven't been developed for it, namely because of the OS's limitations.

Since the use case of iPad has clearly changed over the years, its OS needs a major overhaul!

 

[secretk]

My mom never touched anything remotely similar to a computer, the most complex electronic communicating device she ever touched was a walkie-talkie.

I bought her an iPad when she was still on her 50s so she would be able to learn, and nowadays on her 60s she uses her iPad 9 every day to watch movies, browse the web, read the digital newspapers and play games. And, of course, to communicate through iMessage. She would have never touched anything remotely similar to a computer, even a Mac.

That’s why I think the iPad must retain a simple UI like the current one; at least the option to enable it, if Apple changes the UI of iPadOS and brings it closer to macOS.

This is an interesting point. I used to not believe those stories in the past btw. I switched from Android to iOS/iPadOS and for me it was a struggle to get used to the iOS gestures so I did not find it intuitive at all. And as a result I could not believe it is.

However December last year I gave my dad my old iPad (6th gen). He wanted to use to watch youtube. He has not worked on a computer, he does have Android phone but he does not use it a lot. I only showed him how to activate the home screen and where the youtube app is. Nothing else. And surprisingly he never asked me for something more. He uses it on daily basis (granted only for youtube) and does not ask me anything. He is asking me much more about his phone.

So I confirm it seems iPadOs is intuitive enough for people like him. I can't tell you how because it is not for me, but it is for him.

 

[bondr006]

This is an interesting point. I used to not believe those stories in the past btw. I switched from Android to iOS/iPadOS and for me it was a struggle to get used to the iOS gestures so I did not find it intuitive at all. And as a result I could not believe it is.

However December last year I gave my dad my old iPad (6th gen). He wanted to use to watch youtube. He has not worked on a computer, he does have Android phone but he does not use it a lot. I only showed him how to activate the home screen and where the youtube app is. Nothing else. And surprisingly he never asked me for something more. He uses it on daily basis (granted only for youtube) and does not ask me anything. He is asking me much more about his phone.

So I confirm it seems iPadOs is intuitive enough for people like him. I can't tell you how because it is not for me, but it is for him.

Same with my 87 year old mom. She never used a computer or smartphone in her life. 7 years ago, I got her her first iPad(5th gen). Spent a couple days with her showing her how to email and message, watch YouTube, Facebook with her friends and family, and she took right to it. 2 years ago, I got her an iPhone SE, and she loves it. Last year, I upgraded her to an iPad 9 so she could keep the home button. Once in a great while I have to help her with this or that, but otherwise she is good to go.

 

[Populus]

Going back to the topic, my use of the iPad Pro attached to an external display has improved. It’s not perfect, but has improved and I’m gonna keep using it that way.

The reason why I feel it more comfortable now, is the Magic Trackpad 2.

I have a Magic Mouse 2 and a Magic Trackpad 2, and up until now I used the trackpad with my mac and the mouse with the iPad.

However, pairing the trackpad to the iPad Pro has improved a lot my usability with an external display and keyboard.

At the same time, after getting used to the mouse on my Mac, it feels better than expected. The double touch to invoque Mission Control, and other gestures such as the tap to zoom are really useful. I still prefer the trackpad but I’m not getting two trackpads (and no, my current Mac doesn’t support Universal Control).

I’m pretty happy with the recent changes, to be fair, and I expect myself using less and less the Mac. Maybe for things I cannot do on my iPad, such as managing torrent files or using Handbrake to compress video files, maybe play some retro games occasionally (emulator), but that’s it. I use GeForce Now sometimes but now the native app is coming to the iPad as well. Hopefully with full screen support on the external display.

 

[bondr006]

Going back to the topic, my use of the iPad Pro attached to an external display has improved. It’s not perfect, but has improved and I’m gonna keep using it that way.

The reason why I feel it more comfortable now, is the Magic Trackpad 2.

I have a Magic Mouse 2 and a Magic Trackpad 2, and up until now I used the trackpad with my mac and the mouse with the iPad.

However, pairing the trackpad to the iPad Pro has improved a lot my usability with an external display and keyboard.

At the same time, after getting used to the mouse on my Mac, it feels better than expected. The double touch to invoque Mission Control, and other gestures such as the tap to zoom are really useful. I still prefer the trackpad but I’m not getting two trackpads (and no, my current Mac doesn’t support Universal Control).

I’m pretty happy with the recent changes, to be fair, and I expect myself using less and less the Mac. Maybe for things I cannot do on my iPad, such as managing torrent files or using Handbrake to compress video files, maybe play some retro games occasionally (emulator), but that’s it. I use GeForce Now sometimes but now the native app is coming to the iPad as well. Hopefully with full screen support on the external display.

That is what I've been using for my M1 iPad Pro 11 desktop setup since August 2022. In my opinion, the Magic Trackpad 2 is the perfect device for controlling the iPad. Seems perfectly natural controlling an Apple touch based device with an Apple touch based device.

 

[Populus]

That is what I've been using for my M1 iPad Pro 11 desktop setup since August 2022. In my opinion, the Magic Trackpad 2 is the perfect device for controlling the iPad. Seems perfectly natural controlling an Apple touch based device with an Apple touch based device.

View attachment 2344877

While I prefer to have the iPad closer to me, and below the big screen, your setup is pretty nice. Also, the Magic Trackpad 2 looks great in black. I have all my peripherals in white because it was easier to find them on sales, so I made that decision.

 

[Populus]

You know what? Lately I’ve been thinking that if I could find a cheaper 1TB 11” M2 iPad Pro, I’d buy it. However, even on Amazon, the cheapest I can find is 1750€, and that’s too much for an iPad (for me at least). Especially having one already even if it’s a 128GB one.

At 1400€ or maybe even 1500€ I’d sell mine and get it. Not only for the storage but for the 16GB of RAM.

I’ll wait until the M3 iPad Pro is released, I’ll give a chance to it’s OLED screen, and if PWM bothers me, I’ll look for a good sale on the 1TB M2 11” iPP.

 

[prospervic]

You know what? Lately I’ve been thinking that if I could find a cheaper 1TB 11” M2 iPad Pro, I’d buy it. However, even on Amazon, the cheapest I can find is 1750€, and that’s too much for an iPad (for me at least). Especially having one already even if it’s a 128GB one.

At 1400€ or maybe even 1500€ I’d sell mine and get it. Not only for the storage but for the 16GB of RAM.

I’ll wait until the M3 iPad Pro is released, I’ll give a chance to it’s OLED screen, and if PWM bothers me, I’ll look for a good sale on the 1TB M2 11” iPP.

Can you do with M1? Or MUST you have M2 which, from most accounts, provides little if any experiential-ly significant performance improvement over M1? If so, there are some great deals on the Apple Refurbished site.

Refurbished 11-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi+Cellular 1TB - Silver (3rd Generation) - Apple

The Liquid Retina display on the 11‑inch iPad Pro is not only gorgeous and portable, it also features incredibly advanced technologies. Like ProMotion, True Tone, P3 wide color, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything feel responsive and look stunning.

www.apple.com

For those unfamiliar, Apple restores these models to fully sell-able condition, backed by the same warranty as brand new models.
I've purchased Apple refurbished products for years and never once got a lemon.

 

[Populus]

Can you do with M1? Or MUST you have M2 which, from most accounts, provides little if any experiential-ly significant performance improvement over M1? If so, there are some great deals on the Apple Refurbished site.

Refurbished 11-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi+Cellular 1TB - Silver (3rd Generation) - Apple

The Liquid Retina display on the 11‑inch iPad Pro is not only gorgeous and portable, it also features incredibly advanced technologies. Like ProMotion, True Tone, P3 wide color, and ultralow reflectivity, which make everything feel responsive and look stunning.

www.apple.com

For those unfamiliar, Apple restores these models to fully sell-able condition, backed by the same warranty as brand new models.
I've purchased Apple refurbished products for years and never once got a lemon.

I've set it to only WiFi, and wow, $1220 seem seems like a great deal!

Unfortunately, here on Europe, prices are much higher, I'm afraid. But I'll take a look at the refurb store (or even Amazon) once the M3 has been released. Maybe I am lucky, who knows?

The 11" M1 iPad Pro on the refurb store is currently 1400€, but honestly I don't want to "downgrade" the SoC, because even tho it is not a very noticeable change, the iPadOS updates for the M2 will probably be a bit longer. And also, I want Bluetooth 5.3 to future-proof it, as I use Airdrop and AirPods a lot.

 

[prospervic]

I've set it to only WiFi, and wow, $1220 seem seems like a great deal!

Unfortunately, here on Europe, prices are much higher, I'm afraid. But I'll take a look at the refurb store (or even Amazon) once the M3 has been released. Maybe I am lucky, who knows?

The 11" M1 iPad Pro on the refurb store is currently 1400€, but honestly I don't want to "downgrade" the SoC, because even tho it is not a very noticeable change, the iPadOS updates for the M2 will probably be a bit longer. And also, I want Bluetooth 5.3 to future-proof it, as I use Airdrop and AirPods a lot.

M2 would probably get you about 1 year (or a little more) of additional updates, but for real future-proofing you’ll want to step up to the M3 model when it‘s released (hopefully you’ll find a great sale on Amazon). The 3 nanometer architecture is a much bigger advance than the relatively minor M1 to M2.

 

[Populus]

M2 would probably get you about 1 year (or a little more) of additional updates, but for real future-proofing you’ll want to step up to the M3 model when it‘s released (hopefully you’ll find a great sale on Amazon). The 3 nanometer architecture is a much bigger advance than the relatively minor M1 to M2.

I know, I know. Believe me, I would love to get an M3 iPad Pro, but I can’t work comfortably with OLED screens for extended periods of time. And I use my iPad a lot.

That’s why I aimed for the most advanced LCD iPad, and I wish it gets many years of support and good performance.

 

[JayDomK]

I've set it to only WiFi, and wow, $1220 seem seems like a great deal!

Unfortunately, here on Europe, prices are much higher, I'm afraid. But I'll take a look at the refurb store (or even Amazon) once the M3 has been released. Maybe I am lucky, who knows?

The 11" M1 iPad Pro on the refurb store is currently 1400€, but honestly I don't want to "downgrade" the SoC, because even tho it is not a very noticeable change, the iPadOS updates for the M2 will probably be a bit longer. And also, I want Bluetooth 5.3 to future-proof it, as I use Airdrop and AirPods a lot.

1400 € for a used M1 seems very expensive. But your $1220 purchase seems like a bargain. How old is it?

Hello, everyone!

 

[Elusi]

M2 would probably get you about 1 year (or a little more) of additional updates, but for real future-proofing you’ll want to step up to the M3 model when it‘s released (hopefully you’ll find a great sale on Amazon). The 3 nanometer architecture is a much bigger advance than the relatively minor M1 to M2.

3nm is lithography not architecture.

The performance jump between M2 and M3 is about as big as M2 was to M1.

 

[Populus]

1400 € for a used M1 seems very expensive. But your $1220 purchase seems like a bargain. How old is it?

Hello, everyone!

No, not my purchase. It’s a link that the previous user shared on the previous message.

Welcome to the iPad subforum!

 

[secretk]

Same with my 87 year old mom. She never used a computer or smartphone in her life. 7 years ago, I got her her first iPad(5th gen). Spent a couple days with her showing her how to email and message, watch YouTube, Facebook with her friends and family, and she took right to it. 2 years ago, I got her an iPhone SE, and she loves it. Last year, I upgraded her to an iPad 9 so she could keep the home button. Once in a great while I have to help her with this or that, but otherwise she is good to go.

Yeah I don't know what it is but it works for them. Now for my mother who does spend a lot of time on her Android phone, it did not happen like that. She did struggle much more to get used to her iPad Mini. Then again her Mini is 6th generation so no home button. This might be the reason why it is not so intuitive for her.