Yup, also my experience. Although the lower end iPads do most of that stuff easily too these days.
Last edited:
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.
All iPads Is the iPad dying?
- Thread starter bitsstrongbrands
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yup, also my experience. Although the lower end iPads do most of that stuff easily too these days.
I totally agree with this. I still use my phone a good bit for the usual phone things, texting, and typically for social media (which I’m trying to avoid right now as much as possible), but the iPP is my go-to for everything else.
“Navigate better through life easier”? What the hell does that mean? Double entendre?
No. Whilst some people need a computer for work or other purposes there are a vast number of people that use a computer for simple tasks like web browsing, shopping, social media, email and casual gaming. For those people a laptop is wasted and they would be much better suited to an iPad/tablet.
It depends. I could tell you that as a person that had not used iOS device until 2 years ago (no phone or iPad) I did not find iPads easy to navigate. I still do not find them easy or intuitive. Of course I have learnt the things that matter to me now (it is normal) but I still find the UI weird and sometimes even counter intuitive. Now it might be just me (and what are my expectations and understanding of intuitive UI) or it might be because I am almost 34 years old and I have spent enough of my life not using those devices. What I can tell you is that I do not find them easy to use.
My mother is using Android phone (no tablet) and she does not find easy or intuitive her phone either so there is that. I cannot test her against iOS as she does not know English and iOS cannot be translated in our language. My father (63 years old) avoids tech gadgets like the plague. We are now trying to teach him smartphone and he is like on the basic (answer or decline phone call). And his mother (who is like 94 years old) uses a flip phone and even this is complex for her.
What I am trying to say is that iPads are easy and intuitive for people that have used the system enough, but they are not that intuitive for others like my parents who have never been exposed to an Apple device.
Must say when I first picked up an iPad 9 years ago what I found unintuitive was having to press the home button to go back to the home screen. I expected to be able to do everything on the screen. I think the FaceID iPad Pro are a lot more intuitive with swipe gestures, although Apple should implement help prompts for new users. The multitasking I grant is non-intuitive and my guess is only a small percentage of more ‘power-users’ actually ever use.
I dropped off an iPad with Cellular at my mother's house many years ago. I showed her how to use it.
She never used it herself. When someone was in her home, she asked them to do things on it for her. We've tried laptops, mobile phones and tablets and she doesn't use anything. She would rather call us to ask a question or have us find something and mail her printouts or bring it to her house. I do not know if it is hard for her to learn how to use things or if she is just used to a people-based service model. It is rather frustrating for us as I'm one hour away, one sister is three hours away and the other two are on the other coast. Her using an iPad would make our lives easier as we otherwise have to drive there if we can't get a hold of her.
[automerge]1594653772[/automerge]
The iPad was easy for me as I got the iPod Touch Gen 1 so I was used to the model. I have used Android as well and it was more flexible but more complex as well.
Interesting! I had no issues with the Touch ID. I found the Settings menu itself rather fragmented and weird. First of all there are way too many settings and I can never remember where what it is. Second I cannot understand why I have Setting for Wallpaper and separate ones for Brightness and Display when both are Display.
Third I cannot understand why some Camera settings are to be changed in the Camera app and others in the Settings menu. I cannot even remember which apps have their settings in the app itself and which need me to go to Settings. It is really fragmented.
Last example are trackpad and mouse settings. Half of them are in General and half in Accessibility. It really is confusing and I found those features thanks to nice people here (sparksd) that guided me to them. I would have never seen them on my own.
On the gestures yes. I quite often trigger open apps view instead of dock appearing. It is the same gesture and there is no indication for me when I should stop. I quite often want to open apps in split screen and end up opening as a whole the new app. It really is not as easy as ads make it. At least not for me.
[automerge]1594654071[/automerge]
Any idea why she does not want to use it? I mean is there something specific that she finds difficult or she is just afraid to learn something new. My dad honestly sometimes just does not want to bother to learn those new machines. He also claims that he wants to be taught, but when I start he spends 1 hour to tell me how the old technology is better. I end up being frustrated and telling him that my time is money
and that he will either listen to me and pay attention or I would not bother at all. We end up with me not bothering.Any idea why she does not want to use it? I mean is there something specific that she finds difficult or she is just afraid to learn something new. My dad honestly sometimes just does not want to bother to learn those new machines. He also claims that he wants to be taught, but when I start he spends 1 hour to tell me how the old technology is better. I end up being frustrated and telling him that my time is money
My suspicion is that she wants us to drive over to her house so that there's someone there with her. I ask my daughter to call her three times a week to see what she needs and to chat and have asked the other grandkids to do the same. I have a niece that calls her asking about medical issues (she's a doctor) and another niece that sometimes visits and brings things (it's an hour on the rapid transit for her). If she would use the technology, it would be far easier to get in more communication but she may worry that people wouldn't come over as often.
I'm dropping off groceries once a week and she was used to my sister dropping off groceries three times a week. Two sisters will be in from the West Coast this month and next month so she'll have more people in the area for a few weeks. But we just cobble things together as best we can.
This totally makes sense. I can see this with my dad too. I am not that far away (just 3 hours travelling because I need to switch two buses and I do not own car) and I go home like 4-5 times a year. However for him interaction is face to face. He would rarely call me on the phone to talk to me because that for him is not interaction. It is either face to face or nothing. And by face to face I do not mean video calls.
He also feels the same about say photos. He highly dislikes these new cameras because in his view he never sees the photos printed. He does not want to see them on the computer or on the screen of the device, he wants to touch them, to see them in physical form.
My grandmother (94 years old) also craves real interaction - physical touch and face to face. Luckily for her my parents and my father's brother live close to her so for now she gets that.
Dang, I'm older than your father ...
My Mom surprised me when she started using an iPad given to her when she was 93 years old (RIP now). Though I was a S/W engineer (retired now), I never really liked them as I was an Android guy. But helping my Mom with hers got me interested and I'm on my third one now.
And you know iPads more than me :lol: .
Ah RIP indeed for your mother! So interesting how you got into iPads!
My mother would potentially use an iPad if it was not the language issue. She uses her smartphone more than me :lol: . Like seriously. She is currently unemployed and she tends to browse on her phone for an hour while taking her morning coffee. Tablet would make much more sense for her as she already some presbyopia you know. Honestly I would love to pass to her my regular 6th gen iPad with the Logitech keyboard and the pencil. She would not use the multitasking features but she could browse while taking her coffee in the yard. The language is the only thing that stops me from this plan.
My mother is a person that has really basic needs - phone calls, browsing in internet, emails and viber. Tablet could definitely work for her and based on what I saw iPads (even basic one) are more responsive than Android tablets. So tablet works for her ideally as she can carry it around in the house.
We simplified the iPad for my Mom, just putting the icons of the few apps she would use on the home screen and moving everything else to a second page. I think the app she used most was a photo viewer that we filled with family pictures. But she did try some others. The iPad was the first - and only - tech device that she ever owned.
Hm, good advice. Indeed I could put all Apple apps (that she would not use) in a separate folder and put the ones she would use on the dock and basically teach her based on the app icons. I mean she has those apps on her Android phone and icons are usually similar between iOS and Android. I might try something like this and see if she could get used to such approach.
I haven't read every post in this thread, but I've not seen anyone ask a slightly different question: Is the tablet category dying? I have an Android tablet and an iPad and use both every single day, a lot. But I'm an old chap and we're definitely a dying category, I'm not part of the future. Now I have two grandchildren, age 18 and 16. Both have all the toys, iPhones, iPads, and MBAs. Both also have separate locked-down as hell iPads issued by their expensive private schools, only those iPads can access the school VPN so they have to use them for course work . At their house, or in mine, do I ever see them by choice using anything but their iPhones? I do not. Visiting friends, do I see their children using anything but their phones? I do not. In cafés, when I was able to visit them, did I ever see youngsters using any type of tablet? I did not. The kids use their phones for everything, just everything, that's how they've grown up and I'm guessing the sheer awkwardness of tablet use will never seduce them. As for an iPad with a keyboard cover so it becomes a crippled laptop, the size, weight, and cost without the utility, that's a product group that baffles me, but whatever, it can't be counted as a tablet. So whereas I don't see the iPad dying out, at least not while profitable for Apple, I do think it will become even more a niche product mainly for education and specific commercial applications. All IMHO, of course, just how this old boy sees things.
I see your point and agree with what you see when it comes to kids. Same around me. However I also would not be surprised if those kids later on start using tablets. They are now kids and for them the phone as a device works. However once you get older, you realize that watching on a small screen for long periods of time is not the healthiest thing. Some grow up to really appreciate music so they want good and bigger speakers. Others get interested in art and turn to tablets with some digital pencil usage.
It would still be interesting on how note taking would look like in few years - meaning paper or paperless. What I am trying to say is that for me is not surprise that a tablet does not have a place in kids' life. I do think that they would start use iPads/tablets a bit later in life once they refine their needs and interests.
So, I’ve always had a MBP and an iPad, dating back to the iPad OG with no camera. Traditionally I’ve always found it hard to reach for my iPad, unless it was just for simple browsing. I upgraded every couple of years because I’m a nerd. Earlier this year I bought the 2020 12.9 inch iPad Pro. That, with the new iPadOS...my MBP rarely leaves my desk now. My four-year-old loves the AR apps. I primarily use it to write and edit short videos on LumaFusion. When I’m working I use it as a second screen or for taking notes.
I think it is only a matter of time before the pro apps make their way to the iPad. With Apple using the A12Z chip in the developer kits for the new Macs...I think they are laying that groundwork. I know there is a RAM issue...and I totally may be wrong.
I am for sure not knocking anyone that thinks the MBP is all around better. It does most things better, honestly. But the iPad does a lot of great things easier. I think, like someone above said, the younger generation, for the most part, will not care about the power or the cores or the processors. They want to have their device with them wherever they are. The future, I believe, will be mobile. Also, the cost. You can get a pretty good iPad for...what, $329?
Just my two cents!!
I think it is only a matter of time before the pro apps make their way to the iPad. With Apple using the A12Z chip in the developer kits for the new Macs...I think they are laying that groundwork. I know there is a RAM issue...and I totally may be wrong.
I am for sure not knocking anyone that thinks the MBP is all around better. It does most things better, honestly. But the iPad does a lot of great things easier. I think, like someone above said, the younger generation, for the most part, will not care about the power or the cores or the processors. They want to have their device with them wherever they are. The future, I believe, will be mobile. Also, the cost. You can get a pretty good iPad for...what, $329?
Just my two cents!!
I have three MacBook Pros so I can leave two of them around the house. I prefer the MacBook Pros over my iPad Mini. But most people aren't going to have $2K machines scattered around the house for convenience. It's a lot easier to have one or more iPads or to carry them around from place to place.
It's not going away just yet, it's the future of computers if done right...it will eventually replace desktops and will be a hybrid design which can be tethered to a monitor/television or used portable...a 21st century device while desktops are 20th century tech.I think the iPad is lost between the iPhone (mobility+power) and the new Macs (real pro apps, usability and productivity). If Apple launch a MacBook Pro with 5G, Catalyst may be the salvation for the iPad app developers.
Mac Pro
Mac Pro with M2 Ultra combines our most capable Apple silicon yet with PCIe expansion for the ultimate in workstation-class performance.www.apple.com
I use iPad as a big clock.
It's the way technology will lead consumers in the future until another form of computing device occurs.
I did a trial run of a video of me using a desktop from 2008 showing how much work it can get done at low cost and without the thermal issues that MacBook Pros have when running flat out. The ability to add RAM, storage and PCIe cards is something sorely lacking in MacBook Pros. That Apple makes it difficult in the iMac and Mini and impossible in the iPad is a big downside. Further, Microsoft has done a fantastic job of maximizing the performance of older hardware. Newer versions of macOS obsolete Macs much faster than does Windows.
It’s an interesting question. The stats weren't entirey what I was expecting so I thought I'd reproduce them here -
Worldwide Tablet Sales
https://www.statista.com/statistics...s-by-operating-system-since-2nd-quarter-2010/
Global Shipment Forecasts for Tablets, Laptops and Desktop PCs
www.statista.com
Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet Worldwide Market Share
https://gs.statcounter.com/platform...obile-tablet/worldwide/#monthly-201208-202006
A few comments on the above chart -
It runs from August 2012 as that’s when tablet sales first started being documented.
I assume that desktop refers to computers and that it includes laptops.
Tablet Vendor Market Share
https://gs.statcounter.com/vendor-market-share/tablet/worldwide
I don’t think the iPad is dying, but it does appear to have been stagnating. That probably explains why Apple decided to expand the line-up, refocus on the education market, and move into the ‘professional’ market. I think this was the right move, but it’s an ongoing process and it will take time before they see results.
In terms of the education market, it’s easy to base it on what you see where you live, but I suspect the iPad is still too expensive to compete in a lot of countries. That probably explains why there hasn't been a significant increase in sales in the last few years.
Positioning the iPad as a laptop replacement is a sensible move, a lot of people no longer require a traditional computer.
Questions regularly come up on here from people who’ve either bought or who are considering buying an iPad, but they’re not sure what they will use it for. That should be concerning for Apple. It suggests they’re not getting their message across.
I’ve always thought the iPad experience depended on the apps. If you do everything through the browser then it can be underwhelming. That does mean that you have to invest some time to find the apps which work best for you.
When the iPad first launched, I knew I wanted one, but I wasn't sure what I'd use it for. I decided to hold off getting one. By the time the iPad 2 was released, I knew exactly what I would use it for and it became an indispensable device.
Worldwide Tablet Sales
Global Shipment Forecasts for Tablets, Laptops and Desktop PCs
Personal computing devices shipments 2024-2028 | Statista
In 2024, notebook PC unit shipments are expected to amount to 186.68 million, while detachable tablet shipments are set to reach 74.02 million.
www.statista.com
Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet Worldwide Market Share
https://gs.statcounter.com/platform...obile-tablet/worldwide/#monthly-201208-202006
A few comments on the above chart -
It runs from August 2012 as that’s when tablet sales first started being documented.
I assume that desktop refers to computers and that it includes laptops.
Tablet Vendor Market Share
I don’t think the iPad is dying, but it does appear to have been stagnating. That probably explains why Apple decided to expand the line-up, refocus on the education market, and move into the ‘professional’ market. I think this was the right move, but it’s an ongoing process and it will take time before they see results.
In terms of the education market, it’s easy to base it on what you see where you live, but I suspect the iPad is still too expensive to compete in a lot of countries. That probably explains why there hasn't been a significant increase in sales in the last few years.
Positioning the iPad as a laptop replacement is a sensible move, a lot of people no longer require a traditional computer.
Questions regularly come up on here from people who’ve either bought or who are considering buying an iPad, but they’re not sure what they will use it for. That should be concerning for Apple. It suggests they’re not getting their message across.
I’ve always thought the iPad experience depended on the apps. If you do everything through the browser then it can be underwhelming. That does mean that you have to invest some time to find the apps which work best for you.
When the iPad first launched, I knew I wanted one, but I wasn't sure what I'd use it for. I decided to hold off getting one. By the time the iPad 2 was released, I knew exactly what I would use it for and it became an indispensable device.
Last edited:
I’m 62 years old and don’t like to scroll from screen to screen. Easier to look for an app in a folder. I then name each folder.
Very interesting data, although some charts do not match, but this is probably because they are based on very different type of stastistics...It’s an interesting question. The stats weren't entirey what I was expecting so I thought I'd reproduce them here -
Worldwide Tablet Sales
View attachment 934352 https://www.statista.com/statistics...s-by-operating-system-since-2nd-quarter-2010/
Global Shipment Forecasts for Tablets, Laptops and Desktop PCs
View attachment 934354
Personal computing devices shipments 2024-2028 | Statista
In 2024, notebook PC unit shipments are expected to amount to 186.68 million, while detachable tablet shipments are set to reach 74.02 million.
Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet Worldwide Market Share
View attachment 934353
https://gs.statcounter.com/platform...obile-tablet/worldwide/#monthly-201208-202006
A few comments on the above chart -
It runs from August 2012 as that’s when tablet sales first started being documented.
I assume that desktop refers to computers and that it includes laptops.
Tablet Vendor Market Share
View attachment 934355 https://gs.statcounter.com/vendor-market-share/tablet/worldwide
I don’t think the iPad is dying, but it does appear to have been stagnating. That probably explains why Apple decided to expand the line-up, refocus on the education market, and move into the ‘professional’ market. I think this was the right move, but it’s an ongoing process and it will take time before they see results.
In terms of the education market, it’s easy to base it on what you see where you live, but I suspect the iPad is still too expensive to compete in a lot of countries. That probably explains why there hasn't been a significant increase in sales in the last few years.
Positioning the iPad as a laptop replacement is a sensible move, a lot of people no longer require a traditional computer.
Questions regularly come up on here from people who’ve either bought or who are considering buying an iPad, but they’re not sure what they will use it for. That should be concerning for Apple. It suggests they’re not getting their message across.
I’ve always thought the iPad experience depended on the apps. If you do everything through the browser then it can be underwhelming. That does mean that you have to invest some time to find the apps which work best for you.
When the iPad first launched, I knew I wanted one, but I wasn't sure what I'd use it for. I decided to hold off getting one. By the time the iPad 2 was released, I knew exactly what I would use it for and it became an indispensable device.
I would have expected ipads to spike with the great hardware of the latest couple of years. Instead it would seem ipad air and air 2 were the biggest hits, and even the OG pro.... Maybe ipad mini explains part of the difference (mini 2 in 2013, mini 2 with lower price in 2014 and mini 4 in 2015). The cheaper ipads don't seem to have been massive hits.. The 2018 pro helped a bit but not a lot, and the mini 5 doesn't seem to have made miracles... Well with their OS updates Apple is making even the air 2 and the mini 4 still relevant today... So that might explain the stagnation too...
Anyway a breakdown per device, that only Apple has, would have given a much clearer picture...
I’m 62 years old and don’t like to scroll from screen to screen. Easier to look for an app in a folder. I then name each folder.
Yeah this is a good point as well. Thanks for sharing your inputs and preferences! Indeed I will have to check only what is really relevant for her in terms of apps. Hide all other apps and then organize the apps she uses in a way where they are easily accessible for her.