All iPads iPad worth it

[Ludatyk]

Thank you for chiming in. I’m still with Steve on this. iOS/iPadOS was built from the ground up to be focused based and as you mentioned, to be slotted between iPhones and Macs. Steve was a Maverick and bucked many trends.

First let me bring this to your attention… Tim mention this at an All Things D interview about Steve below.

He would flip on something so fast that he would forget he was the person taking a 180 degree different position the day before. It was a gift. It was an art […] This is a gift, because things do change. It takes courage to admit that you weren’t right. It takes courage. And he had that.

I’ve worked in product development and believe Steve had it right. I don’t mind the iPad evolving, just not into a MacBook which it appears that you and many others want despite the degradation in the overall.

You don’t mind the iPad evolving? So… let me ask you, what direction would you have the iPad go in? Because it appears to me you would rather go back to 2010 and keep the iPad as is.

 

[bondr006]

First let me bring this to your attention… Tim mention this at an All Things D interview about Steve below.

You don’t mind the iPad evolving? So… let me ask you, what direction would you have the iPad go in? Because it appears to me you would rather go back to 2010 and keep the iPad as is.

Exactly! Steve was a brilliant visionary for sure, but he was not always right. He would change his mind often as he saw things change. If he was here today, he might feel differently about where computers are going.

People are looking for more mobile ways to bring their full computing experience with them, and the tablet form factor is just the natural progression in that direction. Why wouldn't the iPad evolve in a way that makes it a much more complete computing experience? It is already a computer with the hardware to run desktop apps for pity's sake. Why not make iPadOS the Pro OS it should be on Pro hardware and let people decide how they want to use it?

Just like now, there are features that the M1 iPad Pros and Airs have that can be switched on and off, that either keep them as a simple tablet, or let them be more like a laptop. There are still also models of the iPad that are just geared toward the tablet experience only. I don't get why some people want to control everybody's experience when choice is a good thing. You want the easy, simple tablet experience? Go for it! I don't care how you use your devices. If I want more from my expensive iPad Pro, I should be able to use it the way I want to. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a "Pro" device, in a "Pro" manner, and there would be absolutely nothing wrong with the iPad Pro's being able to handle those "Pro" needs.

I wish we could run a virtual software like Parallels on the iPad Pro's, then we could run any OS we wanted to. The iPads are the most versatile device Apple has ever made, and I am looking forward to them becoming even more so. As it stands, my iPad Pro has already fully replaced my MBP for all things in my real estate and property management business. It can only get better from here.

 

[koelsh]

Thank you for chiming in. I’m still with Steve on this. iOS/iPadOS was built from the ground up to be focused based and as you mentioned, to be slotted between iPhones and Macs. Steve was a Maverick and bucked many trends. The problem I see, is that what’s evolving is peoples expectations. I would like a flying car but it’s not practical and I would hope that despite the demand for such a thing that none of the major car manufacturers indulge such silliness. Nor would any govt sanction such a venture. Steve led. This current Apple is following. Samsung had Dex for many moons now, MS introduced the Surface Pro and the Apple base began to envy and demand for an analog to these features on iOS/iPadOS. Sure iPads can split screen but now with 4 screens on iPadOS 16, they have gone against the mission statement. The Macbook Air is just as light and portable and currently fills that segment. So why does the iPad need to evolve out of its slot again? What’s happening is Apple is creating clunky software that offers features that was never intended for this segment. I think Tim C. knows this. How else can you explain having the exact same chips in iPad pros as are in the MacBook line-up yet we have none of Apples own “pro” software/app. They’re trying to satiate the demand of the loudest segment who have now hijacked the mission statement and created a new narrative via social media with bad arguments, not bad faith arguments because many truly misunderstand how and why products are created. Steve J. understood. I’ve worked in product development and believe Steve had it right. I don’t mind the iPad evolving, just not into a MacBook which it appears that you and many others want despite the degradation in the overall experience. Thats how I felt on a PC for decades and it was acceptable. Apple raised the bar when it came to customer experience when using their products and it seems that his efforts are lost on so many. Thank you for your ear. Just MHO.

p.s. - the docked iPad Pro feature in iPadOS 16 is nice. But stage manager on iPad undocked is clunky and cramped. Steve would have never approved this. Once again this Apple has given in to the masses. Steve gave you what you didn’t know you wanted or needed. That’s all but gone.

Do you think Apple should stop calling the iPad "a computer" then? (I'm genuinely asking and not intending to be snarky) Because Apple has been presenting the iPad as something to replace your laptop instead of a 3rd device for years now.

Even then, that's how Steve presented it at the time, that's what the hardware was capable of at the time. We can't be certain of what his plans would be a decade later. I've been looking for a video of Steve from the 70's or 80's where he's standing in front of a bank of computer screens and says something to the effect that one day we will hold these in our hands and use touch screens and in context it feels like he was meaning that all computers would be that way. I get the feeling he tolerated the mouse because it was necessary for a time.

The MacBook Air is indeed light and portable but nowhere near the degree the iPad is. The MBA is still a clamshell that requires a stable platform while the iPad can be held with one or two hands whether standing or laying back and still be used quite effectively..

 

[HiDEF]

I spend a lot of time on Social Media, SSH’ing into my ASUS RT-AX88U router, on forums, reading the news and general email, web surfing, youtube, marking up pdf’s, watching news, taking notes and so on. I can accomplish all this now with my new iPad Air 5th Generation. I was unsure whether I’d actually use an iPad all that much as I mainly used my Macbook Air, I couldn’t be happier tbh.

Curios, how are you holding up with 64GB? any tips to get by with so little storage? I’m still within my return period for my IPP 11 M2 128GB and I’m trying hard to justify keeping it. Maybe it‘s my eyes, but I don’t see a huge difference in ProMotion. In fact, I see it more on my iPhone 14 Pro compared to the IPP. Mind you, I’m a creative (mostly video) but I don’t see myself editing video on an ipad.

 

[AppleNooble]

Curios, how are you holding up with 64GB? any tips to get by with so little storage? I’m still within my return period for my IPP 11 M2 128GB and I’m trying hard to justify keeping it. Maybe it‘s my eyes, but I don’t see a huge difference in ProMotion. In fact, I see it more on my iPhone 14 Pro compared to the IPP. Mind you, I’m a creative (mostly video) but I don’t see myself editing video on an ipad.

I've got a 64Gb 4. I use it purely for two reasons, content consumption (requires no HDD) and taking notes (cloud), so I don't see myself ever eating up the HDD. I bought the thing with this use pattern in mind. So I knew when buying that 64Gb would be plenty.

 

[HiDEF]

I've got a 64Gb 4. I use it purely for two reasons, content consumption (requires no HDD) and taking notes (cloud), so I don't see myself ever eating up the HDD. I bought the thing with this use pattern in mind. So I knew when buying that 64Gb would be plenty.

Thanks for the feedback! The iPad is just an extension to my day-to-day; I have a PC for gaming/editing and a Macbook Pro Max for my serious editing. I’m currently using 20GB out of 128 and it’s nice knowing I have wiggle room. But, I do wonder if I can get by with the base IPA and save money.

With that said, it would mostly be used for media consumption, light photo editing, productivity, etc. I don’t game on ios so don’t see myself using it as a gaming tablet—although, its nice knowing I have the space to do so.

 

[Mainsail]

First of all, to each their own. I can’t really judge what is right for others. For me, I have never understood using my iPad as anything other than the wonderful tablet that it is. I just don’t get trying to turn it into a laptop, when I can buy an MBA + base iPad for less than an iPad Pro + MK.

edit: To clarify, for me, the iPad is totally worth it as long as I keep it in the tablet lane and don’t spend big $$ on expensive Pro devices and Apple accessories that attempt to make it into something it is not.

 

[Mark Stone]

In the question whether an iPad can replace a PC, it has been hashed over and over in the sticky thread on this subject. It depends completely on the needs of the end user. For many people, yes it can; for many others, no it can’t. For me personally? I haven’t touched my HP Notebook Computer in months, thanks to my Air 5th Gen. 😊

 

[Skeptical.me]

Curios, how are you holding up with 64GB? any tips to get by with so little storage? I’m still within my return period for my IPP 11 M2 128GB and I’m trying hard to justify keeping it. Maybe it‘s my eyes, but I don’t see a huge difference in ProMotion. In fact, I see it more on my iPhone 14 Pro compared to the IPP. Mind you, I’m a creative (mostly video) but I don’t see myself editing video on an ipad.

It's a shame I didn't get the256GB, but I don't actually require a lot of space I use about 30 GB, mainly apps, and keep most other stuff off the device in iCloud (200GB iCloud+).

 

[rui no onna]

First of all, to each their own. I can’t really judge what is right for others. For me, I have never understood using my iPad as anything other than the wonderful tablet that it is. I just don’t get trying to turn it into a laptop, when I can buy an MBA + base iPad for less than an iPad Pro + MK.

edit: To clarify, for me, the iPad is totally worth it as long as I keep it in the tablet lane and don’t spend big $$ on expensive Pro devices and Apple accessories that attempt to make it into something it is not.

Same with the “tablet lane” except I happen to enjoy the premium tablet experience (lotsa storage, built-in cellular, etc). Some folks have a 1TB iPhone Pro Max. I prefer to have an iPhone SE + 1TB iPad Pro 5G.

It’s hard for me to get by with just the base iPad with 64GB storage. Even back when I had an iPad 3, I found 64GB to be insufficient. I always get 0MB free messages whenever I update apps.

On the laptop side, I use a $600 ThinkPad E15 more often than not (for built-in numpad and comfiest keyboard amongst the laptops I’ve owned/used).

 

[koelsh]

For me, I have never understood using my iPad as anything other than the wonderful tablet that it is. I just don’t get trying to turn it into a laptop, when I can buy an MBA + base iPad for less than an iPad Pro + MK.

edit: To clarify, for me, the iPad is totally worth it as long as I keep it in the tablet lane and don’t spend big $$ on expensive Pro devices and Apple accessories that attempt to make it into something it is not.

Not everyone wants to afford, charge, and carry 2 separate machines. Apple keeps presenting the iPad as your next computer.

In the question whether an iPad can replace a PC, it has been hashed over and over in the sticky thread on this subject. It depends completely on the needs of the end user. For many people, yes it can; for many others, no it can’t. For me personally? I haven’t touched my HP Notebook Computer in months, thanks to my Air 5th Gen. 😊

I think it's that the waters have been muddied. Before the iPad when someone looked at Apple and said "I want one of those and I can afford one machine" the answer was reasonably simple. Does it need to be portable, how much processing power, do you require a big screen?

With the iPad being as capable as it is, yet not actually able to replace a laptop for the vast majority of people it means when someone looks at Apple and says "I want one of those and I can afford one machine" they have to delve deeply into what they're doing and anticipate what they will be doing in the future. Because when someone needs to do something even 1% different from what the iPad is intended to do then they absolutely cannot do it. It's the exact opposite with the Mac.

 

[Mark Stone]

Not everyone wants to afford, charge, and carry 2 separate machines. Apple keeps presenting the iPad as your next computer.



I think it's that the waters have been muddied. Before the iPad when someone looked at Apple and said "I want one of those and I can afford one machine" the answer was reasonably simple. Does it need to be portable, how much processing power, do you require a big screen?

With the iPad being as capable as it is, yet not actually able to replace a laptop for the vast majority of people it means when someone looks at Apple and says "I want one of those and I can afford one machine" they have to delve deeply into what they're doing and anticipate what they will be doing in the future. Because when someone needs to do something even 1% different from what the iPad is intended to do then they absolutely cannot do it. It's the exact opposite with the Mac.

Good post, and I appreciate your depth of thought. I’m retired, and have lost the need for anything complicated in a PC. When I was still working, there was no way an iPad could have kept up with my needs. Now, however, I research and document the histories and architecture of late 1800s and early 1900s buildings in my area of the country, and keep a number of simple spreadsheets (check register, certain health-tracking workbooks, etc.) along with personal recordkeeping. My needs are simple enough that the iPad, especially in concert with a Magic Keyboard, is an ideal PC.

 

[Mainsail]

Not everyone wants to afford, charge, and carry 2 separate machines. Apple keeps presenting the iPad as your next computer.

I agree. The only exception being the “afford” part, since there is not much difference in cost between owning an MBA + base iPad and an iPad Pro (equivalent size and storage to an MBA) + MK.

Again, to each their own.

 

[koelsh]

I agree. The only exception being the “afford” part, since there is not much difference in cost between owning an MBA + base iPad and an iPad Pro (equivalent size and storage to an MBA) + MK.

Again, to each their own.

I mean afford in more ways than the price tag. There's the mental load that one has to afford to maintain two separate devices with the data, software, and accessibility settings is on each.

I'm not defending purchasing the more expensive models of iPad. For that matter I have a 1TB 11 inch M1 iPad Pro largely because work paid for half of it but I would not do the same thing again.