iPad Pro iPad will never run macOS (and it shouldn’t)

[MBX]

Maybe iPad’s don’t even need to run MacOS.

Maybe Apple will find a way to run full pro Apps on iPadOS in “desktop mode” as now it’s all done via Apple Silicon CPU’s.

Just like MacOS can run iOS apps maybe iPadOS will run MacOS apps. That would be neat.

 

[Digitalguy]

Maybe iPad’s don’t even need to run MacOS.

Maybe Apple will find a way to run full pro Apps on iPadOS in “desktop mode” as now it’s all done via Apple Silicon CPU’s.

Just like MacOS can run iOS apps maybe iPadOS will run MacOS apps. That would be neat.

Not maybe, it will happen and soon. Apple has every incentive to do it... Desktop mode or not... But for a lot of people it will mean nothing. I am convinced most people don't use final cut and logic, unless you mean any other Mac App, which is entirely another story... In this case that's what I said previously, they would only allow Mac Store apps and probably just on a external monitor to avoid touch, which makes it a home only solution (better than nothing for sure...)

 

[rui no onna]

Maybe iPad’s don’t even need to run MacOS.

Maybe Apple will find a way to run full pro Apps on iPadOS in “desktop mode” as now it’s all done via Apple Silicon CPU’s.

Just like MacOS can run iOS apps maybe iPadOS will run MacOS apps. That would be neat.

The apps are what I'm after even if they're sandboxed and require keyboard/mouse to be connected.

I want full Firefox or Chrome on the iPad. Rosetta 2 would certainly be appreciated, as well. I'm okay running everything fullscreen or with the iPad's limited split-view options.

 

[iRock1]

This is going to be long, but I think it’s necessary given that so many people ask for something that, if you know Apple’s philosophy and the history of the iPad, is clearly not going to happen.

First of all, many people forget that the iPad was born against the classic tablet PC concept, which was never a hit because it wasn’t a real tablet. Many people thought by that time that Apple was going to release a mac tablet, but they didn’t. Because a tablet is a device that does certain functions of phones and computers much better. It’s designed with a finger’s precision as base input, you can properly do everything with your finger (that’s important when people argue that the magic keyboard or the pencil prove anything), in a particular form factor.

When some comparisons are made between a MacBook Air and an iPad Pro at the same price level, they usually forget that browsing is a pleasure and provides much more direct UX on the iPad compared to the Mac. As with Photos, Books, Notes, etc. This is not only a checklist competition, some of us wouldn’t consider a MacBook because it doesn’t provide the experience of an iPad. The iPad can also do (besides doing many stuff better) things the MacBook can’t, like live analysis of the posture of a player or provide the best experience in drawing.

And macOS wouldn’t provide that great experience, because it’s an OS based on windows with small buttons, a bar on the top and an interface based on indirect manipulation designed for the mouse. Sorry for the Apple marketing language, but if you’ve tried Windows with touch, you can clearly feel the lack of the tablet magic. You also cannot switch to macOS depending on whether the MK is connected. First, that’s not instantaneous. But most importantly: what happens when you’re in a macOS app and detach the iPad? You can’t continue if there’s no equivalent in iPadOS? How is it handled if it exists? Do we disable touch support in macOS mode? That’s strange. Apart from that: partitions, API (camera works on iPad, not on other Macs?), duplicated versions... It just feels wrong to have two operating systems in one devices, sending the message that you don’t have a clear propuse in mind.

Another point is that Apple wants to sell you two devices instead of one. They probably want, but they would even prefer to sell one killer device that the competence couldn’t match. Apple is known to cannibalize many of its products. But, contrary to what you think, I don’t think Apple would sell tons of them — in fact, it would be just a slightly better device than the current tabletPCs that would sell slightly better (worse than the current iPad).

Then “at least give me the option”. Many other companies do, they throw every possible option they can. And that’s fine, but Apple isn’t like that, and something is only worth it if it provides a great experience. You know: installing a toggle, even if you hide it, is in the end allowing the option, it means you’re fine with that happening in one of your devices.

So what’s the solution? iPad is evolving in two ways: first, (underestimated here) creating new profesional use cases not possible with a traditional computer, like mentioned above. And the second, yes, bringing features and apps from macOS. And that’s the reason of Catalyst, SwiftUI... but making porting apps and adapting for touch easier is a totally different approach than throwing macOS. There are also some really difficult points, like multitasking. What do you exactly propose to improve multitasking in a touch environment. I can’t think how the current one could be improved. Maybe just things will never be optimal on an iPad (CAD?, Logic?)...

...that’s fine: a Mac is a better device for that. Let iPad be iPad and evolve in the iPad way.

I'd buy your argument if we were talking about the original iPad, under Jobs's intended philosophy.

However, it's been more than 10 years now and the newest iPad 'Pro' is a totally different kind of beast. It has the same processor than Apple's desktop/laptop computers, external display's image quality and even supports a keyboard and a mouse. And every year users want a new feature to make it more like an actual computer (be it decent multitasking, real professional software, an usable usable file system, better copy/pasting options, etc., etc., etc.).

Following the ongoing trends, Apple will totally transition to a more integrated experience (call it a new OS that combines macOS and iPadOS, a Surface-like iPad, etc.).

It's coming whether you like it or not, but it'll take a few years.

 

[Surne]

Can you please link to Apple’s admission of defeat towards the design of the Surface?

That's quite the strawman you came out with there, as I didn't say Apple said Microsoft defeated them, and while Apple didn't verbalize that Microsoft was right about tablets, the admission came in the form of Apple's copying of Surface, with detachable keyboards and stylus after they mocked Microsoft's Surface for those features and were adamant that the iPad was going to remain a touch only device.

I personally hope they continue copying Surface to the point of having a full desktop capable OS that I can run all my Mac/Windows applications on, so I can get rid of the laptop and just bring one device around with me that can be both my tablet and my laptop.

 

[Digitalguy]

That's quite the strawman you came out with there, as I didn't say Apple said Microsoft defeated them, and while Apple didn't verbalize that Microsoft was right about tablets, the admission came in the form of Apple's copying of Surface, with detachable keyboards and stylus after they mocked Microsoft's Surface for those features and were adamant that the iPad was going to remain a touch only device.

I personally hope they continue copying Surface to the point of having a full desktop capable OS that I can run all my Mac/Windows applications on, so I can get rid of the laptop and just bring one device around with me that can be both my tablet and my laptop.

Surface (pro) was Microsoft response to the iPad. The first iPad pro was Apple response to the success of the Surface pro 3.... Since then Microsoft hasn't done much software-wise, they have gone back if anything and the hardware has been evolutionary at best, unfortunately. Since then Apple hardware has improved massively, software very slowly, overall quite a bit, but the starting point was very low and the improvements have come only every other year (IOS 9, 11, 13).
They haven't copied Microsoft after they launched the pro, maybe for the better... And at this point whatever they do, it will have little to do with Surface... I doubt they see Surface as a threat. Whatever they do is what (they think) will generate most profits in the long run....

 

[AutomaticApple]

That's quite the strawman you came out with there, as I didn't say Apple said Microsoft defeated them, and while Apple didn't verbalize that Microsoft was right about tablets, the admission came in the form of Apple's copying of Surface, with detachable keyboards and stylus after they mocked Microsoft's Surface for those features and were adamant that the iPad was going to remain a touch only device.

Can't forget how Windows RT worked and how many of its features were basically copied by Apple. The former failed, but the latter succeeded. Copying Microsoft might've been a good thing in the long run for Apple.