Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Pro iPad will never run macOS (and it shouldn’t)
- Thread starter AlexESP
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I would agree the keyboard and mouse is the exception because the display is only capable of showing iPadOS, and the keyboard and mouse for such a gimped OS is fairly useless. Keyboard only is fairly common. I see it quite a bit.
If the display was able to show MacOS, everyone would have the keyboard and mouse.
iPad hardware with iPadOS is like a Ferrari with a rev limiter at 3k RPM that can't go above 80 MPH. The iPad is maybe the best piece of tech hardware that exists, but it has a **** OS on it and people defend it by saying the "iPad experience" is touch based. The iPad is now an incredible display with an incredible CPU/GPU combo, let it run anything it can.
Bootcamp has been around for a long time. That's all I want on an iPad. 99% of people would probably never use it, but let it be an option.
Any of those would worsen my iPad experience. I may work on a laptop, but my personal computer usage is 100% iPad and has been for many years. And a big part of that is that I specifically don't have to contend with the extra hassle and tediousness of...
multi-user: This is solved. Everyone gets their own iPad. This isn't a family desktop you leave sitting on the community table. It is a high usage, personal computing device. Kids get last year's budget model cause I'm not letting them touch my expensive pro. Wife has her own cause chances are we'd otherwise be in contention over whose turn it is anyway. And I don't need the space wasted for profiles or confusion of logging in. You pick it up. It is tailored to you. It shows you your things.
file-system: Ug please no. Never. There is absolutely no reason I should ever have to look at or even know about any files whatsoever except for the content I created/downloaded. Yeah the Files app needs some tweaking, but its one job is and should only ever be the sharing of said content between the different apps that create/download/edit it. The sole thing related to files that would be a valid ask is accessing external drives. And those should be 100% viewed through the lense of the Files app interface. Not for offloading apps or anything like that. Just yet another directory in the Files app.
proper multitasking: Maybe the giant iPad Pro should enable 4x apps on screen at once, but otherwise, 2x apps is fine. And with how fast the iPad lets you switch back and forth between apps, I fail to see what it's even lacking here. I love the app centric interface of iOS. It is the top reason, alongside portability, that iOS is my 100% home operating system. Lots of open windows to manage would absolutely ruin the experience. Using an iPad would be a chore. Honestly my single beef with multitasking is just that it's inconsistent. The approach is great, but I don't get why literally every app doesn't work in every mode (full screen, side by side, floating overlay); that should be a requirement to be on the app store.
background services: No! I don't want to have to manage closing apps or worry about battery life, memory, or processor power being sucked up by rogue background apps. That ruins the way I interact with a tablet. I expect it to only be running what I'm actively using and giving that experience full power. That is its job. Videos in a pip or background music make sense only because I'm still in effect actively using those even if they aren't full screen. Seriously, what kind of background crunching do I need my tablet doing? That is literally the kind of thing you should instead connect to a server for or just be using a laptop for. And the real issue with making this available to those who want it is that then rogue apps will abuse it, and I will have to manually kill everything all the time to protect myself from it. I don't want to have to analyze Activity Monitor on my tablet every time it seems slow.
Very good post, well written!
I’m in the camp of wishing iPadOS was more robust. I would LOVE to be able to use it with Final Cut Pro X, I would love to have access to the file system the same way I have my my Mac. I would love to customize the desktop on my iPad Pro similar to how I can my Mac. I do a lot of computing on my iPad. I love the tablet features, and am really hoping for some more desktop type features that would created a more complete hybrid of the 2.
I’m in the camp of wishing iPadOS was more robust. I would LOVE to be able to use it with Final Cut Pro X, I would love to have access to the file system the same way I have my my Mac. I would love to customize the desktop on my iPad Pro similar to how I can my Mac. I do a lot of computing on my iPad. I love the tablet features, and am really hoping for some more desktop type features that would created a more complete hybrid of the 2.
I don’t really agree with those points at all.
- Multi-user support? Why would it need that?
- What is it from “true file-system access” you are missing? Sure the current implementation isn’t perfect but why do you need to be able to delete system files from a file browser=
- What is proper multitasking? What I am lacking is the ability to launch multiple instances of the same app, say 2 spreadsheets. And i‘d also like to put 4 apps on the screen. I don’t see how resizing windows in any shape or form you want would be beneficial though.
- Background services is exactly why I want the iPad over Mac. Because I can actually get notifications from a range of apps on it while the apps aren’t running.
- multi-user sells less devices, so unlikely
- for me the big deal about the file system is let me use default apps from the file app...(so that I can open all files from there and not have to open the app first), other than that, not currupt file opened from external storage and read NTFS
- multiple instances is an app issue, not an OS issue... big issue for me with Office... resizing windows is not a big advantage on iPadOS, what could help is having horizontal split, especialy in portrait mode (or, maybe on the 12.9 only, 3 app split, mixing horizontal and vertical to achieve that)
multitasking could also benefit from a better taskbar, that could take more recent apps than just 3, and from pegging to RAM some apps that you don't want the system to close at some point, at least for a given time, like a day, a week...
Also heavier multitasking could be possible with an external monitor (having some apps open on the iPads and others on the monitor)
- background services is a powerful but dangerous thing... even now, some poorly coded iPad apps won't close and use battery even if you set them to not run in the background, unless you manually close them... (I have the issue with some music creation apps). The M1 is more than capable of handling it with no slowdowns, but my guess is it's too risky for the promised 10 hours of battery life, so they won't go this path...
I have a different theory here.... I think that maybe, when you plug your iPad into a monitor, then it will run Mac OS. When you unplug it will run iPad OS. Currently, plugging in an iPad into a monitor is a horrible experience. And iPad OS is not optimized for that use case. So it will always be.
What if you could plug in an iPad to a monitor and suddenly it's a Mac, and when you unplug it. It's an iPad.
Star this post. You heard it here first.
What if you could plug in an iPad to a monitor and suddenly it's a Mac, and when you unplug it. It's an iPad.
Star this post. You heard it here first.
Last edited:
they have actually already done this successfully with iPhone 11 a year ago.... (some rumors reported them being very excited by this...). If they actually implement this in iPadOS or even IOS at some point it's another story...
Until it can run all my desktop apps and dual boot Windows 10 for ARM, it's of no use to me.
So yeah, it should run a proper OS that can do those things. Doesn't need to be called MacOS, but it sure as hell has got to be as functional as it is for my uses. For me right now the iPad Pro is an extremely underwhelming underpowered (software wise for my uses) and uninteresting product. A proper desktop-like OS though would reverse that completely and turn it into the single most interesting product for me.
Apple acknowledged and admitted that Microsoft was right about tablets with the Surface, they certainly were! This should be a learning experience for Apple to compete on that front against the Surface with a proper full OS/tablet, not the half baked iPad in it's current form.
So yeah, it should run a proper OS that can do those things. Doesn't need to be called MacOS, but it sure as hell has got to be as functional as it is for my uses. For me right now the iPad Pro is an extremely underwhelming underpowered (software wise for my uses) and uninteresting product. A proper desktop-like OS though would reverse that completely and turn it into the single most interesting product for me.
Apple acknowledged and admitted that Microsoft was right about tablets with the Surface, they certainly were! This should be a learning experience for Apple to compete on that front against the Surface with a proper full OS/tablet, not the half baked iPad in it's current form.
Last edited:
I think they will keep on moving slowly in converging the OS’s, until one day, a long ways down the road, there will be one OS to run them all, AppleOS.
Multi-user support - so my SMS/email notifications don't chime while my son is playing games on my iPad. He's not old enough to justify his own, but he uses mine about 15 minutes per day. Sometimes my wife takes it to watch Netflix too. Not enough usage to justify her own for just that, but still would be nice if my alerts were not occurring when she's using it.
True-file system access - sounds like you agree when you say "the current implementation isn't perfect." Let's make it perfect.
Proper multitasking - sounds like you agree when you say "i'd also like to put 4 apps on the screen." The issue isn't windows or number of apps, it's how the OS handles it. On iPadOS, if the app isn't in the forefront, it's not running after a short amount of time. Proper mutlitasking means you can have an app running for hours even if its not on the forefront of the screen. For example, some apps take a long time to render something. Why shouldn't I be able to browse the web or catch up on email while an app takes a long time to render something or run a simulation in the background?
Background services - the one I want to be able to run a VNC server on iPadOS. When my grandparents had a Windows computer, it was so convenient to just remote into it and fix any issues they had. Today with an iPad, this is impossible. If my grandparents run into an issue or accidentally move an icon, I have to be physically present to fix it. Apple offers no way to remote into an iPad, it's crazy. Tons of companies also rely on VNC for inhouse tech support.
I think each platform will share apps. As this has happened already with iOS apps on the Mac, it seems likely the other side of the equation may happen sooner or later.
Vmware and Parallels are probably looking into this also.
Vmware and Parallels are probably looking into this also.
We will be lucky if it can run a limited amount of macOS apps in iPadOS 15. Full fledged macOS? Never. It will be the toaster fridge situation.
Well, I would like iPadOS to support floating windows of any size. Running 3 or 4 windows simultaneously would be fine for me.
The thing is, they’d have to reimagine the iPad to be more like the Surface. AFAIK, the Surface only runs Windows, not some alternating OS like most people are proposing. So Apple would basically have to abandon iPadOS in order to replace it on the iPad with MacOS. Then again, only the M1-equipped iPad Pro would probably be capable of properly running MacOS, so there goes the idea of replacing iPadOS. It’s too convoluted for Apple to change now.
I want iPadOS to remain the main OS for iPad’s. But all I’m asking is a dual boot with MacOS when i want to hook up the powerful iPadPro to an external screen and do more pro work stuff. You know kinda like Samsung Dex but turning the iPad Pro into a “Mac Mini” when booting into MacOS and using external monitor.
Why not give this option to pro’s when the new iPad Pro’s with M1 are so powerful?
Why not give this option to pro’s when the new iPad Pro’s with M1 are so powerful?
I prefer iOS to macOS tbh , much more stable , no bizarre unix commands when it all goes awry etc , just a hard restart , sorted .
They wouldn't have to re-imagine the iPad. It's already 50% a Surface, it's got a touchscreen, detachable keyboards, a stylus (Pencil) etc, all that's missing is a no compromise OS like the Surface has. The Surface right now is literally the best most functional usable tablet money can buy due to the superior app compatibility. The iPad could be even better than Surface with a full OS. They now have the super battery efficient M1 and Rosetta 2 which puts Apple in a unique position to be able to usurp the Surface, as an iPad running a full OS would have it's own competing OS in that form factor that could run desktop apps and could now run Windows for ARM too, through Paralells.
That is a trump card, and they really oughtta use it. I want it, most people would want it, even those who don't realize it yet.
Last edited:
Yeah with that clarification we can at least agree on the two points. I still don’t see the need for background services or multi user support personally, I’d never share a device.
Although I never had a problem with apps quitting in the background while I do something else. Can also be controlled in the settings to let apps not shut down for battery reasons.
Sorry but the Surface is just terrible, I can’t believe Microsoft released it the way it was back then. They shouldn’t look at the Surface for what the iPad to become, they should use that as a warning. The surface is one of the worst tablets on the market and a mediocre laptop.
Apple should keep the iPad a tablet first, mixing in Mac OS degrades that. People who want Mac OS on the iPads should just by a MacBook Pro instead, it will be a far better experience.
Last edited:
You literally have no clue what you're talking about. After this nonsense, I can no longer take anything you post seriously, ever again.
1. iPad will never run macOS nor should it - The iPad Pro is not the iPad. It looks like the iPad Pro is being differentiated from the regular iPad line. That said, as others have pointed out, the M1 chip, even without macOS, may encourage developers to bring many more professional apps (Logic, Final Cut are always mentioned) to iPadOS, and allow capabilities people have wanted like background tasks, full external monitor support, ability to have multiple accounts, and maybe virtualization.
2. Apple wants to sell you multiple devices - Of course. But too many people assume the deciding factor is the chip, when it may actually be something else you might want/need...like multiple ports. It's more likely I'd buy a M1 iPad Pro (single port) and a M1 Mac (multiple ports) than a MBP (multiple ports) and a desktop Mac (multiple ports).
3. Even adding certain features (multitasking, background tasks, etc.) would ruin the experience - I have no doubt that those features would be turned off by default. The maximum tablet experience would be available out the box. No need to attach anything, no need to turn-on or allow background tasks, etc.
2. Apple wants to sell you multiple devices - Of course. But too many people assume the deciding factor is the chip, when it may actually be something else you might want/need...like multiple ports. It's more likely I'd buy a M1 iPad Pro (single port) and a M1 Mac (multiple ports) than a MBP (multiple ports) and a desktop Mac (multiple ports).
3. Even adding certain features (multitasking, background tasks, etc.) would ruin the experience - I have no doubt that those features would be turned off by default. The maximum tablet experience would be available out the box. No need to attach anything, no need to turn-on or allow background tasks, etc.
Sure, live in your own bubble. It is literally the number one complaint of the Surface, that it is terrible as a tablet. I can tell you this, Apple will never release a tablet that is as clunky as the Surface. So if that is what you are wishing for you should just go get the Surface.
I think using that with fingers would be terrible (in fact, in my opinion is already terrible in tablets that have it). You would need a small bar at the top, because you don’t want to take too much space, with a small close button. Then you need a way to resize it. That’s easy with a video, not with an app.
On top of that, iPadOS has different defined viewports, if you resize an app in the way you want, everything can happen (remember, we have the precision of a finger, not a mouse).
And size matters. I have a MBP 13 and MBP 16. On the 13 inch, even with an OS designed for windows and mouse, windows in my case are only used to change files and quick checks. Since Apple introduced full screen mode, I usually have Photoshop, FCP and Finder fullscreen and drag and swipe between them.
The problem with the Surface is that I think it’s not a tablet, and also it’s not a good computer. When you see people with a Surface, they almost always use it in computer mode, in which case it’s worse than a computer - not comfortable on the lap, small screen, bad battery life, etc. As I said, this is not only a checklist... app compatibility is worthless if it doesn’t provide a viable use case in real life.