iPad Pro iPad has become quite useless and I regret purchasing it

[MajorFubar]

Lots of valid arguments in here, including the very valid argument that iPadOS probably shouldn't be changed beyond all recognition making it unusable for those totally currently happy with it.

There is such a lot to like about the iPad, and if you only ever need to do what it (and the apps currently available) excel at, you'll have a really smooth ride with great handling, and you'll be scratching your head at those of us who complain that it's bumpy as f**k and we spend our time trying to keep it out of the ditch. Pages and pages back, a wise person (who wasn't me) said 'it depends', and that's sums-up the rest of this thread IMO.

But I'll stick by my belief that with the M1 processor inside, iPadOS and the apps available are woefully under-engineered. We weren't having these conversations (much) when Macs and iPads ran different processors and we kind of just assumed iPadOS and the apps available for it were doing the best they could with limited resources. That argument doesn't hold true now.

 

[Pezimak]

Are you sure you mean miles per hour, and not kilometers per hour? Because the maximum speed limit on US highways, I believe is 85mph. So it doesn't really matter if your car can achieve 130mph or 150mph, because you aren't supposed to go anywhere that fast anyway.

And that's been kind of how computer speed feels to me nowadays. I mean, there's very few things I do where I feel like my device is too slow or not powerful enough. Having more powerful chips feels like buying a car that goes 150mph to drive on a highway with 85mph speed limit.

100% certain, people do drive cars outside the US. AMG is a German company selling cars internationally including Germany with de-restricted autobahns and drivers take their AMG cars on track days too.

New Mercedes-AMG EQE: hot EV saloon packs up to 677bhp | Autocar

EQE 43 and EQE 53 duo are set to rival the Porsche Taycan

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It is a perfect analogy to use when explaining the M1 processor in an iPad Pro.

And I think you’ll find the maximum speed limit in the US is 65 or 55 mph, one or the other.

A car with tons of power and performance potential artificially limited by software, probably so it doesn’t cannibalise sales of more expensive AMG models.

 

[ajaan]

I sympathise with the OP as I find myself in a similar situation. Main use case now is to have my iPad with no work related stuff on to separate work from home. Although I feel like I’ve got another device for the sake of it. And would rather reach for my M1 Air.

However, the greatest point and benefit I’ve seen is for older people, typically aged 65-90, who never owned a computer, nor used one at work, then when you showed them how to use a computer OS they just didn’t get it. Or, had a rubbish cheap machine infected with viruses and malware.

That generation have really taken to ipad. It’s enabled communication for them. But also things like booking cheap hotels on Expedia or doing their banking. Services that are gradually moving from the real world onto online. iPad is facilitating this access.

And they seem to enjoy it too. My mum, family, and their older friends go everywhere with their iPad despite not previously being interested in computers or laptops.

 

[George Dawes]

I have to agree , my iPads are great for browsing the web , very basic emails and messaging , for anything even vaguely approaching actual work , forget it . Thank goodness I’ve still got a mac !

I tried doing a big spreadsheet and I was very close to smashing the thing over my knee recently

My parents are in their 80s and both have iPads they use them all the time , but that’s for surfing the web , they can’t even work out how to do emails ?

 

[Fraserh02]

I have had a complicated relationship with iPads.

My first iPad was the iPad 3 in 2012. I was just finishing school and this was cutting edge at the time. I used to love it for games, reading etc and it basically replaced my laptop. At the time, I had no needs for any special software, it was simply just a media consumption device that was decently portable and did this well.

Fast forward a year or so and I decided to go to college (not university but the education between the age of 16-18) and quickly realised that I need a computer. At the time the iPad was positioned as an in between device and I didn’t have a laptop, so I bought a laptop (a new one, my old one was ancient by now). I then realised that when I was using my laptop more for things, I just didn’t bother to use my iPad as a consumption device all that often anymore as I would either be mobile using my phone or sat using my laptop. It basically because a glorified travelling media player.

Fast forward to 2018. I was well into my first course at university and I’d had a MacBook Pro for a while now alongside my studies. I decided to try the iPad 2018 12.9.. it had been a while since I’d had one and they had matured a lot to no longer be an in between decide but a ‘full computer’. I tried it out got the pencil etc and quickly found that I had no use for it. It was good for writing notes (but I preferred typing notes) and again I just used my laptop for 95% of the things. I decided to give it to my sister!

Now this is where it gets complicated and I’ve recently started to find an appreciation for them. So my attitudes towards tech generally has changed.. I’ve always been into tech and would be stupid when I was younger buying all the latest products just to have them and hopefully enjoy them or have a use, but quickly realised I didn’t need them at all. Now I view all items as tools, and this is a way better attitude to have. I am more conscious with purchasing decisions and need to find value and use case in them.

So anyway, 2021 comes around. My laptop needed to be replaced as it had finally giving up and I was due to start another university course in September. I had many options, buy a MacBook of some kind, buy a iMac (as of covid it’s 50% online and 50% in person so I thought just bring paper and pen in), buy an iPad, or a combination of the above. So I decided that after having a home office now due to covid, I would actually get an iMac as the new ones came out and I had been spending the majority of the time working from home and using a desk with a laptop. I did consider getting a MacBook and a monitor, but wanted a more elegant and sound solution so I went with the iMac.

Then came the decision for portability. I could go without anything which wouldn’t of been a massive deal at uni because I can just pen and paper, but what about long term if I needed to type stuff up away, Watch lectures online when not local, record lectures and also write notes and research. So I decided on getting an iPad. I settled on the 12.9 as I wanted the magic keyboard for typing as I cannot stand typing on a touchscreen for full document typing, and I wanted the full size magic keyboard. I got an Apple Pencil for making notes, annotating documents and now occasionally drawing during downtime. I knew it would work great in conjunction with the iMac (though I couldn’t have an iPad on its own because full desktop OS is way more intuitive for normal work loads, but iPads are more intuitive as note taking devices, research, an sometimes media consumption) especially with side car which was my big thought process. My iPad can work in conjunction with the mac and vice versa, instead of a laptop that would not be needed at home when I got the iMac, or only a laptop at all times which is fine for portable but wasn’t great at home (as I wanted a bigger decent home monitor, keyboard, speakers - an all in one, and something that was always there incase people at home used it).

The first few months I felt I had buyers remorse and wanted to return it - I had carefully thought about what I’d wanted to buy (an iMac and iPad as opposed to MacBook and monitor) and watched countless videos, but I just couldn’t get used to it. The problem was is that I just didn’t allow myself to get used to it naturally and see how it would fit into my work flow and use cases. But the more I used the device the more I found it was better at doing some key things.. it was great for writing up notes, great for reading my E books, great for research (both on the go and whilst using my mac as well), great as a second display for side car on the mac and I cannot understate how good this has been (and I’ve just been testing universal control and that seems very useful as well), great for watching videos on the go (when a laptop isn’t viable such as back of car). To me it was better in certain circumstances at some key things than another device can be. I don’t need full Mac OS when not home so for me it’s worked out well. I’d suggest by the way anyone who wants to type documents and use it as a laptop style at times get the 12.9 for full size screen and keyboard, but get a 11 if you want it as a tablet as I find the 12.9 isn’t portable in the sense you walk around with it in hand. I mainly use it sat down and rest it on my leg!

That’s my point that I’ve slowly realised. I’ve found over time it’s actually good at some key things in my use case that I’ve found I couldn’t live without. But if I didn’t have these needs then I wouldn’t have this iPad, at least a top end pro anyway. Maybe the base model normal iPad for reading and occasional on the go media. But that’s the thing, I actually now don’t have in my use case any need for a laptop. So to me a laptop would become useless… unless things change as they do. If I needed access to certain software on the go then of course I’d then need the tool for the trade. It’s about seeing what tools you need for what. I’ve learnt to reduce buyers remorse by reducing my number of purchases to only those that I ‘need’.

Sorry for the long winded. But thought I’d share my thoughts! My recommendation to yourself is see if you can find a use case for it seeing as though now you already have it. It took me a little to fully realise the potential - and I’m aware this has worked out for me but I’m sure other people even in similar situations it hasn’t, and there are issues with the iPad that could easily be addressed but apple just aren’t giving it the software optimisations it could do with to expand the use cases for some people. Or I’d suggest selling it if you can get a decent amount for it. In the future though I’d suggest seeing these devices as tools and making purchasing decisions that way. Trust me, I used to buy stupid amounts of things years ago. Right now I’d probably have the Display XDR connected to an iPad mini if I still had my old mindset ?!

 

[Pezimak]

I have to echo others in here. I bought my mother a MacBook, the plastic white one, and she really didn't get in with it, still have it actually but it hasn't been used for years. I gotta her an iPad and it's still going strong and she uses it every single day, does emails on it and video calls my sister. It's been a great success for her connecting to the digital world. I still have to help her with the banking app or online shopping though.

I may get a new iPad Pro next week yet instead of the Mini, it's screen size and longevity is enticing. Although it is a bit limited to need an Apple M processor, it's still IMO a fantastic piece of kit and possibly Apples best ever device. For some it can definitely be your only device with ease.

I would add though if Apple do decide to follow Samsung and introduce an even bigger tablet, I feel they will need to offer something more in iOS to make it worth existing.

I had an iPad Mini 2 or 3 briefly, for some reason I didn't like the build quality and sold it to my sister for my nephews present and he still uses it, shows how much I knew lol.
So my iPad Pro has been my only iPad since new. Use it every day. I cannot really argue against that much usability.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

My thoughts regarding tablets whether it’s an iPad or a Samsung is that they do a really good job for what they were intended for and that is a portable device that you can do the basics with. Such as web browsing, email, watching videos or listening to music. You can use it while lying in bed or on a couch. They excel at that to this day. I’ve read some comments that buying a $1000 plus iPad Pro is a waste of money but that really depends on the person. If someone spends that money and gets to use the device everyday and gets enjoyment from it without having to deal with something they feel is more complex like a PC then bravo to them. To that person it’s not wasted money.

What I like about tablets to this day is that they were created to be simple devices to have access to things that some might feel intimidated about using. It’s when Apple realized that you can only do so much with a tablet that they began talking about how it will replace a computer. That’s right around the time people began to expect more from a tablet.

Samsung has tried that with DEX and have had mixed results. OTOH, Chromebooks have surged in popularity.

 

[Mackilroy]

I wrote a much longer post but I'll leave it at this:

People should be allowed and encouraged to express their wishes for the future of the OS, yes and apple as any other company who values customer feedback should listen to it And incorporate the changes.

Thanks but no thanks for the suggestion. It’s not an “if”, Comments on the internet do ruin people’s day and twitter is the biggest example of that. and I admit it’s my fault that i am still replying to your posts. I was better off when I didn’t used to post anything.

I see no one here claiming that people should be forbidden or discouraged from expressing wishes for iPadOS. However, just because people wish something doesn't mean Apple should include whatever they wish for.

The general tone of this thread has been polite, if occasionally heated. If disagreement ruins your day, you should ask yourself why it bothers you so much. Nothing here has been anywhere near so vile as Twitter or Facebook.

 

[igauravarora]

I wrote a much longer post but I'll leave it at this:


I see no one here claiming that people should be forbidden or discouraged from expressing wishes for iPadOS. However, just because people wish something doesn't mean Apple should include whatever they wish for.

The general tone of this thread has been polite, if occasionally heated. If disagreement ruins your day, you should ask yourself why it bothers you so much. Nothing here has been anywhere near so vile as Twitter or Facebook.

Don't beat around the bush. No one here said that apple should incorporate "whatever" wishes we have but they should "listen to it" and then implement the changes. The most popular feature(s) gets implemented and I am sure there's a proper criteria of how they judge it which neither you or I know of.

The general tone is polite which I actually mentioned in one of my previous posts as well but you deliberately try to misconstrue arguments and when rebutted with actual annoyances in the apps (files app) described, you completely ignore the damn thing with rather vague claims that the software is not crippled and is actually "good".

If something works for you and it doesn't for someone else then it doesn't make you or me right but you insistence on how "good" the software is when it's clearly not is your deliberate attempt to downplay someone's annoyances. If everything is hunky dory for you then why do have this urge to get in between the posts of others to claim that it's a really "good" software? Do you have any problems when others say that the software isn't on par? Be happy with your iPad and it's OS that you so cherish but for me, again, IT HAS POTENTIAL TO BE MUCH BETTER THAN IT IS IN ITS CURRENT STATE and I backed up what my specific quarrels are with it multiple times.

Please don't tell me what bothers me or not. If you need to know the effects of social media and comments then you can read books on it, Steven Pinker comes to mind.

I have disagreements with half the people here and I have politely disagreed with them because they aren't deliberately trying to misconstrue other's arguments.

 

[igauravarora]

I’d probably have the Display XDR connected to an iPad mini if I still had my old mindset ?!

That gave me a good chuckle haha. I agree with most of what you have said. It's extremely dependent on the use case. My only disappointments are with the software side of things. I think now with the M1 chips, it has the potential to be so much better like including Pro apps etc. I would disagree on the reading part as well but that's because I am biased towards my kindle ?

 

[igauravarora]

I have to echo others in here. I bought my mother a MacBook, the plastic white one, and she really didn't get in with it, still have it actually but it hasn't been used for years. I gotta her an iPad and it's still going strong and she uses it every single day, does emails on it and video calls my sister. It's been a great success for her connecting to the digital world. I still have to help her with the banking app or online shopping though.

I may get a new iPad Pro next week yet instead of the Mini, it's screen size and longevity is enticing. Although it is a bit limited to need an Apple M processor, it's still IMO a fantastic piece of kit and possibly Apples best ever device. For some it can definitely be your only device with ease.

I would add though if Apple do decide to follow Samsung and introduce an even bigger tablet, I feel they will need to offer something more in iOS to make it worth existing.

I had an iPad Mini 2 or 3 briefly, for some reason I didn't like the build quality and sold it to my sister for my nephews present and he still uses it, shows how much I knew lol.
So my iPad Pro has been my only iPad since new. Use it every day. I cannot really argue against that much usability.

I think you'll love the 120hz display, going back to my Air 2 feels awfully sluggish. If it suits your needs on the software front then it can be a great device.

 

[Mackilroy]

I have disagreements with half the people here and I have politely disagreed with them because they aren't deliberately trying to misconstrue other's arguments.

You have repeatedly projected your attitude onto me, misconstrued my comments, and misunderstood what I write. I am deliberately not replying to everything you write - not because I'm completely ignoring it, but your increasingly defensive attitude is only going to make discussion between the two of us impossible. I've deleted large sections of my comments specifically because you don't respond well.

In an effort to be reconciliatory, I'll say this: I sympathize with your desire for iPadOS to support the software you want how you want. I've felt that way about macOS a few times (regarding CAD and games). What I would like now is for you to recognize that the simplicity you object to (that ends up making some things more complicated for you) is precisely what attracts some people to the platform.

 

[igauravarora]

You have repeatedly projected your attitude onto me, misconstrued my comments, and misunderstood what I write. I am deliberately not replying to everything you write - not because I'm completely ignoring it, but your increasingly defensive attitude is only going to make discussion between the two of us impossible. I've deleted large sections of my comments specifically because you don't respond well.

In an effort to be reconciliatory, I'll say this: I sympathize with your desire for iPadOS to support the software you want how you want. I've felt that way about macOS a few times (regarding CAD and games). What I would like now is for you to recognize that the simplicity you object to (that ends up making some things more complicated for you) is precisely what attracts some people to the platform.

I never misconstrued your points. I give credit where credit is due in regards to the good points raised by others. You have misconstrued multiple arguments of mine which I never even said like "Turning iPadOS to be like macOS" etc. I have been defensive against you, yes, because I have to be careful against people who misconstrue arguments. I backed my arguments with very specific things, down to the apps which your think are flawless.

and lastly, I have nothing against you. and if the iPad is working for you in its current state then I cannot be more happy for you because at least you didn't have the buyers remorse that I have now however, my annoyances and arguments with regards to the software remain as they were before and apologies if I offended you in any way, wasn't my intention.

 

[igauravarora]

I tried doing a big spreadsheet and I was very close to smashing the thing over my knee recently

Hahaha my imagination ran wild playing this scenario ?

and Yes, it's great at basic things and sometimes it's much better to have touch input rather than just the keyboard and mouse.

 

[Mackilroy]

I never misconstrued your points. I give credit where credit is due in regards to the good points raised by others. You have misconstrued multiple arguments of mine which I never even said like "Turning iPadOS to be like macOS" etc. I have been defensive against you, yes, because I have to be careful against people who misconstrue arguments. I backed my arguments with very specific things, down to the apps which your think are flawless.

and lastly, I have nothing against you. and if the iPad is working for you in its current state then I cannot be more happy for you because at least you didn't have the buyers remorse that I have now however, my annoyances and arguments with regards to the software remain as they were before and apologies if I offended you in any way, wasn't my intention.

This is you misconstruing me; I'm not saying the apps are flawless. Please don't put words in my mouth.

I have nothing against you. I hope you either find another table that suits your needs better, or another device in general, or that Apple finds a way to add features you hope for while keeping the simplicity I enjoy.

 

[rui no onna]

I think now with the M1 chips, it has the potential to be so much better like including Pro apps etc. I would disagree on the reading part as well but that's because I am biased towards my kindle ?

The potential has been there since A12X/Z. The Mac mini DTK came with A12Z + 16GB RAM so one could even consider that as the "M0". I guess for me, I always saw the M1 as the Macs getting an evolved version of the iPad Pro chipset rather than the iPad Pro getting a Mac chipset.

I've got a bunch of Kindle Paperwhites but they really suck for comics and A4/letter-size PDF.

I've been using iPads since 2011 and have become very familiar with Apple's limitations on iPads. I'm actually (pleasantly) surprised when they add features like Files and mouse support. I buy iPads because it's the form factor I like best (when I'm not slaving away at my work desktop) and the OS/apps work just fine 90% of the time for my personal use. If new useful features are introduced, then great. However, I don't buy them based on their future potential or with any expectation of Apple porting over MacOS apps. I don't use Final Cut, Logic or Xcode anyway. What I most are alternative web browsers that don't use WebKit.

 

[MajorFubar]

I'll give Apple credit that there probably isn't another device out there capable of polarising opinion so much.
Depending on your use the iPad might be everything you ever need.
Or the limitations of its OS and apps might leave you exasperated at every turn.
But if it's everything you ever need, it probably also was everything you ever need before they shoved a giant-slaying M1 processor in it, selling it for the price of a Macbook Air which has a desktop-class OS with desktop-class apps available for it, and also has the same processor.
For me, that's when my expectations changed.

 

[igauravarora]

This is you misconstruing me; I'm not saying the apps are flawless. Please don't put words in my mouth.

I have nothing against you. I hope you either find another table that suits your needs better, or another device in general, or that Apple finds a way to add features you hope for while keeping the simplicity I enjoy.

"Files app has been extremely robust for me", your words, now, idk if you meant it was flawless or not but it's far from robust which I can say for certainty.

Thanks, I will hope for apple to add the features that will make the iPad more capable as I love my apple products and I also hope they keep the simplicity in the areas where you among other people who share your thinking like it to be at.

 

[rui no onna]

I'll give Apple credit that there probably isn't another device out there capable of polarising opinion so much.
Depending on your use the iPad might be everything you ever need.
Or the limitations of its OS and apps might leave you exasperated at every turn.
But if it's everything you ever need, it probably also was everything you ever need before they shoved a giant-slaying M1 processor in it, selling it for the price of a Macbook Air which has a desktop-class OS with desktop-class apps available for it, and also has the same processor.
For me, that's when my expectations changed.

Apple already raised the prices to $1K with the 2018 iPad Pros. The A12X was most likely faster than the Intel mobile CPU on the entry level MacBook Air at the time. Hence, the release of the M1 didn't really change my expectations for the iPad.

I was more intrigued on the Mac-side since the M1 enabled the release of a fanless and completely silent MacBook Air. Alas, for dealing with Excel, etc, I still ended up preferring my $600 15.6" ThinkPad to the 13.3" M1 MBA (when I'm not at my work desk with dual monitors).

 

[MajorFubar]

Apple already raised the prices to $1K with the 2018 iPad Pros. The A12X was most likely faster than the Intel mobile CPU on the entry level MacBook Air at the time. Hence, the release of the M1 didn't really change my expectations for the iPad.

I was more intrigued on the Mac-side since the M1 enabled the release of a fanless and completely silent MacBook Air. Alas, for dealing with Excel, etc, I still ended up preferring my $600 15.6" ThinkPad to the 13.3" M1 MBA (when I'm not at my work desk with dual monitors).

You're right.

I've said up to now in this thread that when Apple put the M1 chip in the iPad, that's when I personally began to expect more from it (the iPad) because until then I kind of just assumed its OS and apps were limited by the power of the chip. But I've come to realise I was wrong. What actually made me re-assess what an iPad should be capable of is when Apple put what is basically an iPad chip (M1) into a Mac and showed us what it was capable of when strapped to a desktop-class OS running pro-grade apps.

 

[kc9hzn]

That's not entirely true. Just depends on what you use the iPad for. For reading books, watching movies and that sort of consumption activity, an iPad works much better than most laptops.

Yes, and I agree, but I was mostly just generalizing based on this thread and several of the other “iPad doesn’t work for me” threads. Generally, people who go iPad+desktop really like that setup, while people who try to go iPad+laptop find themselves using the laptop more, even if the iPad form factor is better for some things (like reading, I wish portrait mode monitors were more common, for reading and writing both, which are still major things I do on a computer). The iPad is a laptop replacement, but people who are super wedded to the macOS/desktop workflow who attempt to go iPad+laptop will largely find themselves nearly laptop exclusive. iPad+desktop people are more likely to put effort into making the iPad work for them (ie developing new workflows and adopting a new way of doing things) than iPad+laptop people, since they’re away from their macOS workflow at least part of the time. iPad+laptop people can just put their MacBooks in their bags instead of their iPads, which makes them less likely to develop an iPad workflow. Or, at least, that’s my theory for why iPad+laptop people seem to be more likely to ditch the iPad.

 

[kc9hzn]

Actually, given its many unique artistic, drawing, handwriting, photography, music creation and performance, kiosk, medical diagnostic, piloting, real estate and other uses, I would say that seeing the iPad Pro as merely a laptop replacement is a “mental model failure”.

That’s fair. It’s just that there’s something of a Venn Diagram of things an iPad can do and things a MacBook can do, and there’s a pretty big overlapping area. I’d even argue that the section of the diagram of things an iPad can do that a MacBook can’t is larger than the section of the diagram of things a MacBook can do that an iPad can’t, especially if you add the qualifiers “easily” and “while maintaining portability”. For example, you could attach a graphics tablet to a MacBook Pro, but you’ve just added a lot of weight and bulk to your bag. With an iPad, you just need the Apple Pencil.

 

[kc9hzn]

Seems like you’re hung up on the M1 chip. Just because it’s in there doesn’t mean it MUST run pro apps. It also runs consumer apps really, really fast. I see a big improvement in video and photo editing speed compared to my previous iPad (and even my older laptop) and all of that in a much more convenient form factor. I have a feeling all the griping in this thread is by people who saw the M1 chip and assumed it’s the equivalent of an M1 based laptop, which it’s clearly not.

I’d go so far as to say that most users of M1 based MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros primarily use them for running consumer apps very well, too. Hardware fast enough to run pro software well is fast enough to run consumer software well, too.

Plus, there’s a bit of snobbery in the “pro/consumer” dichotomy. The Internet has opened up the creative and content creation spaces in a huge way. 30 or 40 years ago, prosumer gear basically didn’t exist, outside of a new niche subjects. Now, at home studios have equipment (and audio quality) professional studios would have killed for in the early 2000s. A lot of prosumer gear (and software) has gotten to the point where it’s good enough for some pro workflows (look at the films filmed on an iPhone, for instance), at a price up to a tenth of the price of pro gear. And the iPad Pro fits right into this prosumer space.

 

[Pezimak]

I think you'll love the 120hz display, going back to my Air 2 feels awfully sluggish. If it suits your needs on the software front then it can be a great device.

I shall certainly be trying it out next week when I go to the Apple store. I haven't owned an Apple device with a 120HZ screen before.
I plan to buy a new Mac at some point, it think I'll get a desktop. So it makes sense for me to replace my old iPad Pro as iOS will do what I need it for, I want to try out 3D drawing too with the Apple Pencil. Tempted by a cellular model but it is expensive.

 

[Isamilis]

I sympathise with the OP as I find myself in a similar situation. Main use case now is to have my iPad with no work related stuff on to separate work from home. Although I feel like I’ve got another device for the sake of it. And would rather reach for my M1 Air.

However, the greatest point and benefit I’ve seen is for older people, typically aged 65-90, who never owned a computer, nor used one at work, then when you showed them how to use a computer OS they just didn’t get it. Or, had a rubbish cheap machine infected with viruses and malware.

That generation have really taken to ipad. It’s enabled communication for them. But also things like booking cheap hotels on Expedia or doing their banking. Services that are gradually moving from the real world onto online. iPad is facilitating this access.

And they seem to enjoy it too. My mum, family, and their older friends go everywhere with their iPad despite not previously being interested in computers or laptops.

I had similar experience. My father in law on his 80s is very happy to use iPP. With 4 speakers and better display compensate his slightly low vision and hearing.