The Apple A12Z Bionic is an updated version of the A12X, adding an additional GPU core, and was unveiled on March 18, 2020 as part of the iPad Pro (4th generation)
The DTK A12Z was different from the iPad A12Z; it was customized and enhanced so it would be capable of running MacOS.
Pretty subjective, I don't need any of those apps, but I would need full Office, full Chromium browser with extensions (you have that on Android, although it's not Chrome itself unfortunately), full Dropbox with background sync and Whatsapp desktop.
Oh yeah I agree 100% on the "subjective" part. I just listed the apps I'd like to have. Likewise the apps you've mentioned aren't necessary for me. Maybe, just maybe Excel.
I have never paid for iCloud so I don't know it enough, but on Windows and Android it's a no go (my main phone is Samsung and my main computer is Windows). I need a could service that syncs in real time in the background locally, not just on the cloud on all my devices. This does not work on mobile devices. As for Dropbox vs other services, I also have the business version of Onedrive (free with my work) and I pay for SugarSync. They are complementary but Dropbox is the quickest and most reliable. If I find more time I could make a comparison between the 3, but I guess people here are more interested in the difference with iCloud.
I have similar needs for software as you, and for that very reason I own both an iPad (actually two, a mini and a 12.9") and a Surface Pro 9. What device I carry varies by what I intend to do when I'm out and about. The 12.9 is a 2017 model and I rarely use it. I use the mini mostly these days and the Surface I'll use periodically (only because I'm on my windows laptop for 10 hours a day during the work week).
darngooddesign is also correct that the DTK had various custom chips that the 2020 iPad Pro did not have.
Good point. I think that's exactly why the two will be combined under a different interface.
Agreed. 👍🏻. I’ve tried macOS on my iPad via VNC, and it isn’t nearly as good as iPadOS. And it isn’t about limitations of VNC such as latency (I didn’t experience much latency at all), it‘s about the design of the UI. When using an iPad this way, it becomes incredibly clear why iPadOS exists for iPads and macOS is for Macs with bigger screens and cursors. All of the buttons are super tiny to try to tap. It’s just a nightmare trying to interact with macOS on a touchscreen tablet. It’s doable, but it’s not a great experience.
Agreed using macOS with touch is far from ideal, and I don’t think Apple will ever enable it (doesn’t Apple even only enable touch scrolling with Sidecar, no pointing?), but I think most people who want macOS on iPad want to use it with a mouse and keyboard/trackpad.
Before all these feasibility consideration there is the lack of financial incentive for Apple to even consider this. I am still convinced that a setup that would make financial sense for Apple would be a desktop Mac in the form of a keyboard, that could work as a regulary Mac with a monitor, but could also dock an iPad and automatically launch Sidecar. That would solve all the feasibility issues and the financial incentive (they would sell Mac and iPad at the same time).
I agree financial incentive is the first hurdle. But I’ve never been convinced that a Mac keyboard base is that great of an advantage to a user. It’s basically a MacBook without the display, which means you can’t just open the clamshell and start using it—you have to manually connect the iPad (or monitor) or else the base is useless. But then once connected, the iPad can’t be used (in tangent or with Sidecar). Having to disconnect to use the iPad is another chore. When connected it’s heavier than a MacBook and possibly top heavy. With a Mac keyboard base you still have two devices. Total carrying weight is negligibly lighter—just minus the weight of the MacBook display which is thin/light. And total price will probably be similar (plus like we said, no financial motivation in trying to save the customer money for the sake of it). The idea of modularity, consolidating the MacBook and iPad screen is alluring, but in practice I just don’t see any significant upside.
When I say Mac Keyboard I mean something made by Apple to dock an iPad. That is, no manual connection needed, you dock and Sidecar is ready on you iPad. That should be obvious if Apple ever does such a thing. Docking an iPad would be like plugging in a monitor, no other messing around. It shouldn't be an issue to use the iPad when connected, jast as you can use the iPad with Sidecar, which is basically an app like the others. It wouldn't be hard to even use the keyboard as just a Magic Keyboard when not using Sidecar.
It also could sweeten the deal of the extra weight by adding additional data ports for the iPad when docked. So it’s essentially a keyboard and hub accessory that can Sidecar into macOS. Perhaps even provide additional battery power so that the combo lasts longer on a charge. Personally, I wouldn’t mind a Magic Keyboard accessory that just adds more ports and battery power to the iPad, and doesn’t bother with adding macOS at all.
While a better Magic Keyboard is indeed desirable, I think it's important not to forget the this would be a standalone Mac, priced half way between a Mac mini and a Macbook, that would be as thing as Macbook, with keyboard and trackpad built in but no monitor. So it would have ports etc. I think it should have a battery since the iPad cannot power it when not plugged in, but at the same time a Macbook battery would have more room than on a Macbook since it wouldn't need to power the screen.
In essence, the user has the ability to carry a Mac and iPad in one device… losing the potential sales of Mac Mini and MacBook (Air) sales.
That’s true you could use the iPad while docked. But my real point is if getting rid of the display of a MacBook and making it dependent on the iPad, then it needs to gain a big advantage. I wouldn’t count losing the MK weight as an advantage because if you have the MacBook with you anyway, the MK wouldn’t be needed—because the MacBook should be better at all the keyboard/vertical display tasks which it was designed for, and the iPad should be there to do all the tablet (held in hand)/Pencil tasks, which it was made for.
I don't think that losing the Mac Mini sale is a consideration, as this device would simply be more expensive, it would be like losing the iPod to the iPhone, not an issue, although they can coexist for some time because of different price points... Losing MacBook air sales? I don't know, maybe, but only to some limited extend. Those who only want a Mac would find this solution clunky. This would be more more for iPad pro enthusiasts who want more.
I don't think people see things this way. People want a versitile device, they don't want to do all the typing on the Mac and use the tablet only as Jobs intended. This is a solution for enthusiasts not for the average person. Just like the pro iPads (especially the large ones, or even future ultra ones) are more targeted to enthusiasts. I can see a lot of entusiasts preferring this to having a Mac + a naked iPad. Let alone the large number of people that don't even have Macs and use Windows PCs, this could push some of them to Macs.
It wouldn’t necessarily be a iPad Pro enthusiast type of device… it would be those who want to consolidate and have the best of both worlds. And of course, Mac Mini will be in the discussion… given I’ll be able to plug my iPad/Mac into a monitor and get desktop experience.
Again, I’m not denying the product is a cool idea. But there’s no doubt that it will take some of the Mac sales… let me propose a question to you.
