iPad as a laptop replacement

[Starscape]

I am happy to see the M1 in an iPad, however that just makes it more important that Apple provide iPadOS with real multitasking capabilities. For the incredible power the iPad Pro has, this is long, long overdue.

Just yesterday I was using my iPad Pro at a press event and I quickly wanted to transfer and edit video from my GoPro Hero 9 to my iPad Pro 11 for quick editing. The iPP is still unable to encode video in the background while you’re using another app (using either Premiere Rush or Lumafusion). That’s ridiculous, even more so with the M1 iPad. So in situations like that, it’s incredibly frustrating to have to stop all work and wait for the iPad to finish encoding video, especially when you’re trying to get work finished very quickly. I think that is a ‘pro enough’ basic feature that such a device should have.

 

[Starscape]

wonder if it could run macOS apps (perhaps app store only ones) but inside iPadOS - like Mac’s can with iPad apps

I doubt Apple would ever permit that to happen, even if the iPad M1 could do it.

 

[jrichards1408]

I doubt Apple would ever permit that to happen, even if the iPad M1 could do it.

Why not?

 

[ericwn]

I doubt Apple would ever permit that to happen, even if the iPad M1 could do it.

I think this is more likely to happen rather than macOS coming over. They’ll find a way for the so called pro apps to work non both platforms.

 

[slplss]

I think this is more likely to happen rather than macOS coming over. They’ll find a way for the so called pro apps to work non both platforms.

And make plugins/extensions work. Starting with Safari.

 

[PennHunter]

I didn’t have any choice but to switch to iPad entirely. I became a quadriplegic last September. When I arrived at the rehabilitation hospital the first thing they asked was if I had an iPad. They had my daughter bring it to me and I had to bring it to therapy every day. At first it was very difficult to use but as my fingers came back a little bit things became easier. It wasn’t until the Spring Loaded event that I realized the iPad is everything to me now. I watched the event hoping for updated AirPods and today I ordered a maxed out iPad Pro. I’m having major surgery again in June and my month long hospital stay will be much better with the iPad. I’m hoping to get back into photography and making drone videos as a part of my recovery.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I didn’t have any choice but to switch to iPad entirely. I became a quadriplegic last September. When I arrived at the rehabilitation hospital the first thing they asked was if I had an iPad. They had my daughter bring it to me and I had to bring it to therapy every day. At first it was very difficult to use but as my fingers came back a little bit things became easier. It wasn’t until the Spring Loaded event that I realized the iPad is everything to me now. I watched the event hoping for updated AirPods and today I ordered a maxed out iPad Pro. I’m having major surgery again in June and my month long hospital stay will be much better with the iPad. I’m hoping to get back into photography and making drone videos as a part of my recovery.

Thanks for this post. It brings things into perspective. Your attitude will certainly assist in adapting. You do not have to respond but I am wondering how old you are.

 

[PennHunter]

Thanks for this post. It brings things into perspective. Your attitude will certainly assist in adapting. You do not have to respond but I am wondering how old you are.

It actually happened on my 52nd birthday. I agree with you attitude is everything. They said my next surgery will assist in my recovery. I’m very grateful for everything that I have, including my son-in-law and daughter that have taken care of me.

 

[Expos of 1969]

It actually happened on my 52nd birthday. I agree with you attitude is everything. They said my next surgery will assist in my recovery. I’m very grateful for everything that I have, including my son-in-law and daughter that have taken care of me.

Stay positive and all the best. Hearing your iPad progress would be very interesting.

 

[Starscape]

Why not?

Running MacOS apps on the iPad Pro? I think that would make the iPad just a bit too much like a MacBook. Don't get me wrong, I think it would be awesome if the iPP could run MacOS apps, but I don't think there has ever been any indication that this could be a possibility.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

Why not?

Because than Apple would take away the distinction between a laptop and an iPad. There would be no reason to make separate laptops and iPads anymore.
In other words Apple can't sell you an iPad AND a laptop anymore. This would mean a substantial drop in sales for Apple.

 

[rui no onna]

Because than Apple would take away the distinction between a laptop and an iPad. There would be no reason to make separate laptops and iPads anymore.
In other words Apple can't sell you an iPad AND a laptop anymore. This would mean a substantial drop in sales for Apple.

Not necessarily. Plenty of customers they can poach from Microsoft/Windows. Also, form factor preference.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

Not necessarily. Plenty of customers they can poach from Microsoft/Windows. Also, form factor preference.

No maybe not. But why would Apple have an incentive to take away the difference between an iPad and a Macbook if they sell them both?

 

[rui no onna]

No maybe not. But why would Apple have an incentive to take away the difference between an iPad and a Macbook if they sell them both?

In terms of units, I believe Apple sells far more iPads than they do Macs. Granted, most iPads sold are likely lower end.

You're assuming that increasing the capabilities of the iPad Pro will steal sales from MacBooks. As someone who doesn't use Macs, I see allowing, for example, full Firefox and Chrome with extensions on the iPad as increasing the iPad's appeal.

I rarely buy official Apple accessories. However, if things improve on the software front so I can actually use the iPad to replace the laptop while traveling, that's a huge incentive to buy pricey accessories such as the Magic Keyboard and pay more for storage upgrades.

 

[Digitalguy]

Knowing Apple they will not contradict themselves and let MacOS run on a touch device... (while they refuse to optimize MacOS for touch, and no, the little things they have done to BigSur are no clear step in that direction). So I highly doubt it, at least for the next few years.
As I have mentioned already, they could solve the issue by creating a MacOS mode that would only run on external displays, but then the appeal of MacOS on iPad would be somewhat reduced since it would no longer be the iPad that can easily work as an on the go laptop. But again, it's still better than no MacOS at all.

 

[C. Robert]

I could more easily replace my Mac with an iPad compared to replacing my iPad with a Mac.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

I could more easily replace my Mac with an iPad compared to replacing my iPad with a Mac.

Exactly. My dad was like, "but you can get a Mac for the price of an ipp!" But I would rather have an iPad Pro! I spend hours a day writing on a zoom white board.

 

[C. Robert]

Exactly. My dad was like, "but you can get a Mac for the price of an ipp!" But I would rather have an iPad Pro! I spend hours a day writing on a zoom white board.

I use mine as paper, computer, communication device, camera, and gaming. The screen is also light years ahead of any MacBook in every comparison. I think its hard for people to adjust to what we have.

 

[jeremiah256]

Because than Apple would take away the distinction between a laptop and an iPad. There would be no reason to make separate laptops and iPads anymore.
In other words Apple can't sell you an iPad AND a laptop anymore. This would mean a substantial drop in sales for Apple.

Different people like/need different form factors, but even if we were all the same, our jobs are not. Some jobs need sustained, high levels of performance from their computer.

A M1 iMac can churn at a higher level, for longer, than a M1 MBA, which beats an iPad Pro.

 

[subjonas]

Knowing Apple they will not contradict themselves and let MacOS run on a touch device... (while they refuse to optimize MacOS for touch, and no, the little things they have done to BigSur are no clear step in that direction). So I highly doubt it, at least for the next few years.
As I have mentioned already, they could solve the issue by creating a MacOS mode that would only run on external displays, but then the appeal of MacOS on iPad would be somewhat reduced since it would no longer be the iPad that can easily work as an on the go laptop. But again, it's still better than no MacOS at all.

I doubt it too. And I think you’re right in that if the iPad is going to be a capable device, Apple wants it to be because the iPad is capable, not because it momentarily turns into a Mac. Running macOS or even just Mac apps would be a quick fix for us users, but that would sort of undermine the progress Apple wants for the iPad, because what motivation would developers have to make very functional (touch) iPad apps if their already existing Mac apps can just run on it? So I think that’s at least part of the reason Apple likely won’t allow macOS or Mac apps on the iPad.

 

[The Game 161]

I’m sure WWDC could change the mindset but will see what it brings

 

[Digitalguy]

I doubt it too. And I think you’re right in that if the iPad is going to be a capable device, Apple wants it to be because the iPad is capable, not because it momentarily turns into a Mac. Running macOS or even just Mac apps would be a quick fix for us users, but that would sort of undermine the progress Apple wants for the iPad, because what motivation would developers have to make very functional (touch) iPad apps if their already existing Mac apps can just run on it? So I think that’s at least part of the reason Apple likely won’t allow macOS or Mac apps on the iPad.

Absolutely. And people should not forget that making MacOS touch friendly (and convincing Mac developers to do that too...) is very hard and risky (Microsoft will confirm), and it's probably easier to make iPadOS more functional... As for getting developers onboard, they have now given them the incentive with top hardware, the second incentive should come from their Final Cut, Logic and Xcode... (competition is a big incentive, take some Mac only developers who are now starting to move to Windows too once Apple stepped on their toes with Sidecar etc.)
But that's not enough. Apple should come with touch versions of all their full Mac software (full Safari, full Apple office suite) to create some competition that can push people to the iPad and push developers to follow them on that platform....

 

[Never mind]

iPad Pro has everything for me except triple AAA gaming, which I would enjoy from time to time, but however, iPad can’t do that, but I wish I could. Apple only gives you simple games. Now doesn’t Microsoft offer a tablet that is also a PC that can do both (Surface)? and they have strictly PCs as well. So I think Apple can sell both with a real iPad Pro with the functions of macOS.

 

[Digitalguy]

iPad Pro has everything for me except triple AAA gaming, which I would enjoy from time to time, but however, iPad can’t do that, but I wish I could. Apple only gives you simple games. Now doesn’t Microsoft offer a tablet that is also a PC that can do both (Surface)? and they have strictly PCs as well. So I think Apple can sell both with a really iPad Pro with the functions of macOS.

Problem with Surface is that it's more a like a Mac with touch and removable keyboard than like an iPad that can do both... It doesn't have the battery life of the iPad and can run hot because it runs on Intel or on an underpowered ARM chip...And it can barely play any game... So no, it's a different thing...

 

[Ludatyk]

Running macOS or even just Mac apps would be a quick fix for us users, but that would sort of undermine the progress Apple wants for the iPad

I listened to Rene on MacBook Weekly... and I think he sums it up best. With Apple it's a fight within their own lineup.. each device pushes the other device to be better. Eventually one is going to win out in the end... I have a feeling it will be the iPad (maybe because I'm bias).

But, I don't think it's one of those cases where developers just port Mac apps to the iPad. Similar to how Photoshop iPad app experience is different from macOS, over time Photoshop features will be added to make it comparable to the desktop version.

it's probably easier to make iPadOS more functional... As for getting developers onboard, they have now given them the incentive with top hardware

Developers has always been on board, that's why the iPad has such a rich app library compared to Google Play Store and Windows Store. But you are right about iPadOS, it needs to be a bit more functional. The developers are there, but it's the consumers reluctant to make the iPad their primary computing device.