All iPads Is anyone else happy with IpadOS as it is?

[Seanm87]

I'll be honest I'm getting quite bored of the constant theme that the iPad isn't good enough and it needs to do more. For me it does everything I need it to and I can't think of anything I really want it to do that would make the experience better. The iPad operates between the iPhone and Mac and Apple is happy to have it there. If you're looking for it to replace a laptop then for people with relatively simple and straightforward needs it can do that. For others it can't. And that's why the Mac exists for those people.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying it can't improve, just like any other OS can make improvements. I think they should bring pro level apps over now it has M1 but that will take time but it's probably on its way. I don't need a ton of floating windows, and if I did I'd just use a Mac. Is it overpowered? Well yes but so is the iPhone but no one ever complains about that.

I think people on tech forums forget that these are aimed at people with much simpler needs, and that's why the iPad exists for simplicity and for people that don't want or need big desktop style OS's. Pro now just means the model with the most features, not really professional like the old days.

Surely I'm not alone in this thought process? I never hear anyone I know personally complaining their iPad doesn't do enough.

 

[perezr10]

Count me as another happy iPadOS user. I’ve been happy since they added side-by-side windowing and mouse support. I rarely ever need to see more than 2 or 3 apps at once. And most people don’t spend half their day moving data from one app to another.

I would still like better extended monitor support, but If I’m realistic, I wouldn’t use it very often.

I’m also amused at all the bloggers and YouTubers who insist that the iPad can’t be a main computer. They sound like idiots when millions of us are already using the iPad as our main device. Maybe their next video should be about why the Earth is flat.

I think some of the consternation is that people who have complex needs can’t use the iPad Pro but they really want to. And it’s easy to see why. Compared to an M1 MacBook Air the iPad Pro has a much superior display and way better front camera. And the MacBook Air is completely missing a good rear camera, touch support, pencil support, and a cellular modem.

In terms of hardware, the iPad Pro to the MacBook Air is like a Corvette Stingray next to a Honda Odyssey minivan. One is small nimble and light and much better hardware. And people with 5 kids are yelling at the maker because they can’t fit their family into it. Sorry, it’s not for you.

 

[Spock]

I have the low end $329 iPad and for what I do on the iPad, iPadOS works just fine. Nothing against people that use the iPad professionally, but aside from taking notes in a meeting I don't think its as useful as a MacBook Pro.

 

[0128672]

I'm generally happy with my iPad Air 4 and iPadOS 14, and don't have much time to contribute to the general gnashing of teeth over certain features. That said, I've seen some good suggestions, and I'm looking forward to 15.

 

[darngooddesign]

I just upgraded from my 2016 9.7” iPP to a new 11” iPP and I’m happy with it because its a great iPad. I primarily use it for Lightroom, illlustrations, drawing, games, email/messaging, surfing, and media consumption.

 

[sparksd]

I'd use my iPad more if there were better monitor support. My preference is working on a large screen and the iPad is just totally inadequate for this. As a result, I use my docked laptop a majority of the time and just use the iPad for casual consumption.

 

[Rafterman]

If they didn't make big changes, I wouldn't be angry. But more MacOS-like functionality, especialy in the file system, would be welcome.

 

[spiderman0616]

Millions and millions and millions of iPad users are happy with iPadOS just like it is and probably wouldn't care if they never messed with it again. The armchair analysts on the Macrumors forums are a very tiny sliver of a percentage of iPad owners, so I wouldn't take anything said here with much more than a grain of salt.

 

[sparksd]

Millions and millions and millions of iPad users are happy with iPadOS just like it is and probably wouldn't care if they never messed with it again. The armchair analysts on the Macrumors forums are a very tiny sliver of a percentage of iPad owners, so I wouldn't take anything said here with much more than a grain of salt.

A sliver? Yes, but that does not invalidate a number of criticisms of iPadOS posted on the forum, many of which are quite legitimate.

 

[Johnny907]

I'll be honest I'm getting quite bored of the constant theme that the iPad isn't good enough and it needs to do more. For me it does everything I need it to and I can't think of anything I really want it to do that would make the experience better. The iPad operates between the iPhone and Mac and Apple is happy to have it there. If you're looking for it to replace a laptop then for people with relatively simple and straightforward needs it can do that. For others it can't. And that's why the Mac exists for those people.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying it can't improve, just like any other OS can make improvements. I think they should bring pro level apps over now it has M1 but that will take time but it's probably on its way. I don't need a ton of floating windows, and if I did I'd just use a Mac. Is it overpowered? Well yes but so is the iPhone but no one ever complains about that.

I think people on tech forums forget that these are aimed at people with much simpler needs, and that's why the iPad exists for simplicity and for people that don't want or need big desktop style OS's. Pro now just means the model with the most features, not really professional like the old days.

Surely I'm not alone in this thought process? I never hear anyone I know personally complaining their iPad doesn't do enough.

Nope, and the two weeks I spent with the M1 Pro made me hate it even more. It's like buying a Ducate and sticking bicycle tires on it. Apple has lost its mind.

 

[Minerbot360]

I am a very happy user, it is powerful enough for all of my school work, while also being easy enough to use, that my grandfather can also use it.

 

[rui no onna]

There are some bugs that need fixing particularly in terms of exFAT USB handling. Otherwise, I'm quite content with iPadOS.

Certainly, I find iPadOS more usable as a pure tablet compared to Windows 10. I buy tablets because I want to use them as tablets. Not because I want a 1:1 laptop replacement.

 

[darngooddesign]

Nope, and the two weeks I spent with the M1 Pro made me hate it even more. It's like buying a Ducate and sticking bicycle tires on it. Apple has lost its mind.

It's more like buying a Ducati when what you needed was an SUV.

 

[KittyKatta]

I think people on tech forums forget that these are aimed at people with much simpler needs, and that's why the iPad exists for simplicity and for people that don't want or need big desktop style OS's. Pro now just means the model with the most features, not really professional like the old days.

I think think people on tech forums know exactly who these iPads are aimed for:

Low End iPad: Aimed at people with much simpler needs
High End iPad: Aimed at rich people with much simpler needs

Seriously though, people out here do know exactly what the product is and often recommend it accordingly. But at the same time, these same people also know that we had the AX/MX series chips for years before the Mac yet there is so little (especially directly from Apple) that utilized that power.

So, if our understanding of its limitations hasn’t stopped us from still buying high end models then what exactly is wrong with wanting a powerful device to actually reach its potential?

 

[Apple_Robert]

While there are some things I would like to see with iPadOS, I am happy with the stability and usability of the current iPadOS.

 

[cupcakes2000]

For the third iteration of a fork of iOS which itself is a fork of macOS, it’s not to bad at all. It needs refining in a few areas, but that’s happening quite quickly in reality.
Really the main thing is that more devs need to utilise the power - not the os. Plenty do- there are some great pro apps. But a lot are just poor mobile versions of full apps. This is the real shame, but also getting better and better.

This is the only true tablet with anywhere close to the power of a traditional computing system, but with an input system which came from phones primarily. This is the hurdle, it’s a learning curve that needs to be surmounted. The answer definitely isn’t wedging in a legacy baggage laden mouse and keyboard based os. The answer is for app devs to be innovative.
The reality is that ipados is by far the most innovative tablet os, in fact it’s really the only tablet os. It’s just young.

 

[I7guy]

Just bought an ipad pro and magic keyboard for my better half. And whilst Mrs. I7 really loves the thing...especially the magic keyboard. But for me on my 7th gen, I like it as well.

 

[sparksd]

While there are some things I would like to see with iPadOS, I am happy with the stability and usability of the current iPadOS.

Yeah, and coupled with setups that be very simplistic they can make great devices for technically-challenged people - my 95-year-old Mom was a great example of that user profile.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yeah, and coupled with setups that be very simplistic they can make great devices for technically-challenged people - my 95-year-old Mom was a great example of that user profile.

I think a lot of people on here forget that the typical user base wants things to stay simple and easy to use. Good on your mom for not being afraid to learn new tech. My mom is basically scared of tech so much, she can't seem to remember basic tasks even with the phone.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Yeah, and coupled with setups that be very simplistic they can make great devices for technically-challenged people - my 95-year-old Mom was a great example of that user profile.

I think a lot of people on here forget that the typical user base wants things to say simple and easy to use. Good on your mom for not being afraid to learn new tech. My mom is basically scared of tech so much, she can't seem to remember basic tasks even with the phone.

To add to these sentiments, the ‘dumbing down’ to cater for these groups is such a misnomer. They’re giving these groups of people access to some of the most powerful computers in existence, and they wouldn’t know or care if they did. They just use them. This has always been apples goal.
The fact that I can also use [it] for my power usage is actually bordering on amazing.

Admitted- if *your* power usage involves dev work or terminal stuff, then the iPad is not a main device for you, yet. Or software that is unavailable or limited on the os, which to be fair, as mac users we have suffered with for decades, then the iPad is not yet for you. Aside that, this is the very definition of computing for the masses.

 

[sparksd]

I think a lot of people on here forget that the typical user base wants things to say simple and easy to use. Good on your mom for not being afraid to learn new tech. My mom is basically scared of tech so much, she can't seem to remember basic tasks even with the phone.

She's moved on to the Great Applebee's in the Sky but it was nice seeing her using an iPad given to her by a grandkid. With six Android tablets and an Android phone myself, I was impressed by that iPad's (1st or 2nd gen) ease of use and stability to the extent that I bought an Air 2 for myself. I'm on the 2021 12.9 iPP and 12 Pro Max now ...

 

[sparksd]

To add to these sentiments, the ‘dumbing down’ to cater for these groups is such a misnomer. They’re giving these groups of people access to some of the most powerful computers in existence, and they wouldn’t know or care if they did. They just use them. This has always been apples goal.
The fact that I can also use [it] for my power usage is actually bordering on amazing.

Admitted- if *your* power usage involves dev work or terminal stuff, then the iPad is not a main device for you, yet. Or software that is unavailable or limited on the os, which to be fair, as mac users we have suffered with for decades, then the iPad is not yet for you. Aside that, this is the very definition of computing for the masses.

Yeah, definitely not dumbing down but rather being versatile enough to work for a wide range of capabilities.

 

[Abazigal]

I'll be honest I'm getting quite bored of the constant theme that the iPad isn't good enough and it needs to do more. For me it does everything I need it to and I can't think of anything I really want it to do that would make the experience better. The iPad operates between the iPhone and Mac and Apple is happy to have it there. If you're looking for it to replace a laptop then for people with relatively simple and straightforward needs it can do that. For others it can't. And that's why the Mac exists for those people.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying it can't improve, just like any other OS can make improvements. I think they should bring pro level apps over now it has M1 but that will take time but it's probably on its way. I don't need a ton of floating windows, and if I did I'd just use a Mac. Is it overpowered? Well yes but so is the iPhone but no one ever complains about that.

I think people on tech forums forget that these are aimed at people with much simpler needs, and that's why the iPad exists for simplicity and for people that don't want or need big desktop style OS's. Pro now just means the model with the most features, not really professional like the old days.

Surely I'm not alone in this thought process? I never hear anyone I know personally complaining their iPad doesn't do enough.

As a teacher, I am happy with the simplicity and touch centric nature of the iPad. For context, I bought and subsequently returned the magic keyboard because it simply did not fit in my use case. My use case typically involves using the iPad on the move, so I love that the UI is based on iOS and not macOS.

This doesn’t mean that the iPad is perfect and in no need of improvement, but in general, the changes being proposed have either zero impact on the way I would interact with my device, or would actually represent a step back for me.

 

[Seanm87]

Admitted- if *your* power usage involves dev work or terminal stuff, then the iPad is not a main device for you, yet. Or software that is unavailable or limited on the os, which to be fair, as mac users we have suffered with for decades, then the iPad is not yet for you. Aside that, this is the very definition of computing for the masses.

Agreed. To add to that I don’t think Apple wants it to replace the Mac. They’re happy with it being the in between device. I don’t think it ever will get to the stage where you can do dev work or terminal stuff and that’s fine.

 

[rui no onna]

Agreed. To add to that I don’t think Apple wants it to replace the Mac. They’re happy with it being the in between device. I don’t think it ever will get to the stage where you can do dev work or terminal stuff and that’s fine.

I think Xcode Cloud is what Apple's aiming towards as far as development goes. Dunno if/when it gets to the iPad but I think it's feasible.

Terminal and under the hood access to the file system, though? I doubt we'll ever get that.