iPad Poll: Will Apple ever offer MacOS iPad?

[cyberone]

It would work like Windows OS: Whether on a laptop, desktop or tablet, you can use the same OS.

Guess for Apple it's mostly marketing and monetizing reasons to offer these oversized phones or limited laptops, whatever way you want to call an iPad.

But an iPad MacOS: wouldn't hesitate to buy a lot for the whole family.

Guess though it's pointless to expect any, even though it would be THE killer devices.

 

[007p]

Highly doubt it. Only plausible way I loosely see it is via vm/hypervisor framework. But that wouldn’t be native.

Few years we may see something similar to how windows works, but it won’t be called macOS, and probably not iOS/iPadOS either.

I guess there’s potentially a third option, which is a new product line for macs that is similar to an iPad, I.e a MacBook with a detachable keyboard. Sure cannibalisation etc but it would technically be a Mac running macOS.

I at least hope to see macs in new form factors at some point, even if it’s just a raspberry pi sized Mac mini type of thing. I could almost accept carrying something that sized with Luna display to use on the iPad on the go if it could be powered via battery/the iPad somehow ? I prefer that to an entire laptop at least.

While touch on macOS is very controversial, I find it odd that they haven’t even attempted to utilise the Apple Pencil yet on macOS. Maybe they just have plans for a stationary massive sized iPad instead ?‍♂️

 

[KennethS]

With things migrating to the M chipsets, my expectation is that this is on the horizon but could be some years away. I know Apple claims it is not being planned and it would blur the distinction between iPads and Macs (particularly MacBooks) but it makes sense to migrate to a single OS platform. AppleOS would have a nice ring to it....

 

[cupcakes2000]

At least for the foreseeable future, MacOS is the OS for a Mac, and iPadOS is the OS for an iPad. iPadOS will continue to get macOS like features and be more ‘complete’ when comparing it to a traditional computer OS, but even without Apple saying time and time again that it won’t happen, it’s actually pretty clear to see that it wont happen.

I’m not sure why people are so obsessed about it. I use macOS on my iPad via jump desktop regularly- its actually pretty much the only way I use my mac. It’s a terrible experience without a keyboard and mouse.

What no one seems to be able to work out is that iPadOS is macOS on the iPad. It’s just way less mature. The concept people people seem unable to grasp (especially tech types on sites like this), is that you need to look at using the OS without traditional concepts barring your vision.
There are things iPadOS is terrible at compared to macOS, many of these things are changing for the better. There are things iPadOS is better at than macOS - some of these things will always be that way.

Me, I still need both for the moment, but that doesn’t mean I want the iPad bogged down with a 20+ year old desktop OS designed for mouse and keyboard input. Those that do really either havent thought it through or are stuck in their ways.

 

[007p]

or are stuck in their ways

Or Apple is forcing them to be stuck there. Programming on a iPadOS is still more or less impossible natively.

As good as remoting is, you still can’t connect to an iphone and install an app to it during the session, as an example. Unless anyone has managed to do so via vpn somehow!?

 

[Falhófnir]

No, iPad OS will likely continue to develop though and may pick up more MacOS features in time. For the iPad Pro’s in particular now we have the magic keyboard that opens up options in terms of floating window support (when connected to a mouse or trackpad) and in turn Mac app support. The full Mac safari (or as close to it as possible) would be a very welcome step soon, and I think a lot of people would welcome an implementation of Finder or a more powerful files app.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Or Apple is forcing them to be stuck there. Programming on a iPadOS is still more or less impossible natively.

As good as remoting is, you still can’t connect to an iphone and install an app to it during the session, as an example. Unless anyone has managed to do so via vpn somehow!?

Well, as I said, if you need a Mac you need a Mac. Some things are not yet possible/practical/feasible on an iPad. Considering programming relies primarily on a keyboard, I’m not sure what the rush would be to get the relevant apps or in fact, OS onto a primarily keyboardless device.

 

[AutomaticApple]

It would work like Windows OS: Whether on a laptop, desktop or tablet, you can use the same OS.

Guess for Apple it's mostly marketing and monetizing reasons to offer these oversized phones or limited laptops, whatever way you want to call an iPad.

But an iPad MacOS: wouldn't hesitate to buy a lot for the whole family.

Guess though it's pointless to expect any, even though it would be THE killer devices.

No, I don't see it happening.

 

[cupcakes2000]

opens up options in terms of floating window support (when connected to a mouse or trackpad)

There is no way Apple will make it so the iPad operates differently when a keyboard or mouse is attached. Would you really want that? What would happen to all the floating windows if you wanted to just pick up the ipad and use it on its own?
I would like floating windows too, but not only when attached to a keyboard or mouse.

The OS needs to remain consistant and usable on an iPad in its most barest form. This is why they will never add macOS as we know it, and especially wont add certain features only whilst certain accessories are attached or anything Dex-like, as some seem to want.

 

[007p]

Well, as I said, if you need a Mac you need a Mac. Some things are not yet possible/practical/feasible on an iPad. Considering programming relies primarily on a keyboard, I’m not sure what the rush would be to get the relevant apps or in fact, OS onto a primarily keyboardless device.

Because creating an app on the actual device its suppose to run on is much better/easier. Maybe not for large, widespread apps, but certainly for the hobbyists.

I think the iPad will forever be held back if it requires touch for everything. It supports a keyboard and mouse now, let the software embrace it fully.

Games on the App Store can require a controller. Some apps pretty much require the pencil to be of any use. Why other than Apple purposefully holding the iPad back couldn’t apps require a keyboard/mouse now.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Because creating an app on the actual device its suppose to run on is much better/easier. Maybe not for large, widespread apps, but certainly for the hobbyists.

I think the iPad will forever be held back if it requires touch for everything. It supports a keyboard and mouse now, let the software embrace it fully.

Perhaps. I don’t agree, I do see the attraction, but I still think that if you want that stuff, get a Mac - it’s way better suited. You will lose the essence of an iPad if you change it from a fundamentally touch first device. Perhaps what you want is a touch screen Mac.

 

[itsmeaustend]

It would work like Windows OS: Whether on a laptop, desktop or tablet, you can use the same OS.

Guess for Apple it's mostly marketing and monetizing reasons to offer these oversized phones or limited laptops, whatever way you want to call an iPad.

But an iPad MacOS: wouldn't hesitate to buy a lot for the whole family.

Guess though it's pointless to expect any, even though it would be THE killer devices.

Problem is, Windows is a mess no matter which configuration you use. It can’t seem to pick whether it’s a computer or a tablet and as a result it’s bad at both.

 

[Rafterman]

Surprised at all the "no's", considering all the times Apple said they would never do something, only to do it a few years later. There's a reason they put the Mx in the iPad, a reason beyond simply wanting to make their own chips.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Surprised at all the "no's", considering all the times Apple said they would never do something, only to do it a few years later. There's a reason they put the Mx in the iPad, a reason beyond simply wanting to make their own chips.

I agree to a point- but the end goal isn’t to put macos on the iPad. It’s much more feasible to expand iPados to be more macos like, in my opinion.

 

[CTHarrryH]

If they did people would not buy one of them - probably the desktop.

 

[Jonathantuba]

I hope not! I much prefer the iPadOS interface over MacOS. Got no objections to more professional apps on iPad and the capabilities being increased to match the Mac - in fact hope that happens, but please never MacOS on iPad. To me iPad is the future and Mac just seems the past.

 

[thisismyusername]

Nope. Apple's made it very clear that the iPad is a touch-first device and thus everything can be done with your finger and, optionally, a keyboard/mouse. Having MacOS on it, or even a MacOS-like UI when an external monitor is connected, implies some things have to be done with a keyboard/mouse and can't be done well (if at all) with your finger. This is why I don't even think the iPad will see the type of external monitor support that so many, myself included, have been hoping for (i.e. a windowed UI on the external monitor like you get on MacOS).

I think Apple will continue to slowly trickle in features from MacOS to iPadOS like they have been but iPadOS will always be sort of like it is now.

There's a reason they put the Mx in the iPad, a reason beyond simply wanting to make their own chips.

It could have been as simple as saving on R&D and manufacturing costs. Why go through the trouble of developing and manufacturing another processor when you already have one that will work perfectly well, even if it is overpowered for the product? It's a smart business decision, even if nothing can take advantage of the extra power. While I have no doubt Final Cut and Logic will eventually come, I don't think it should be seen as a sign that Apple's going to make huge radical changes to iPadOS in the future.

 

[Feyl]

No, just because Apple will never actually call it macOS.

 

[Falhófnir]

There is no way Apple will make it so the iPad operates differently when a keyboard or mouse is attached. Would you really want that? What would happen to all the floating windows if you wanted to just pick up the ipad and use it on its own?
I would like floating windows too, but not only when attached to a keyboard or mouse.

The OS needs to remain consistant and usable on an iPad in its most barest form. This is why they will never add macOS as we know it, and especially wont add certain features only whilst certain accessories are attached or anything Dex-like, as some seem to want.

If floating window was workable with a touch interface I'm sure it would already be part of iPad OS. The current split screen multitasking is what they came up with as a touch alternative, so I really don't expect to see that change. I do think it will need to be implemented if they want MacOS apps to run on iPad, which also necessitates having a menu bar as Mac apps rely on that, and that's inevitably cursor centric. One implementation that might work is a 'desktop' home screen becoming available on the springboard when docked, allowing the use of mac apps in resizable windows, and something like handoff when undocked to pass the document/project being worked on across to the iPad version of the app.

Surprised at all the "no's", considering all the times Apple said they would never do something, only to do it a few years later. There's a reason they put the Mx in the iPad, a reason beyond simply wanting to make their own chips.

I think it's as simple as economy of scale. Why waste resources designing a near identical A14X when using the M1 allows them to amortise the design costs across a huge number of devices and maximise Apple Silicon's cost savings over Intel?

 

[Surfer13134]

We may see Mac OS on the iPad pro models in years to come to combat the surface tablet. However what I strongly believe we are going to see is Apple allowing M1 apps for the mac to run on the iPad. Hypothetically apps like Photoshop and illustrator already have M1 native apps, nothing really is stopping it from running on the new iPads now. Now to mention the iPads support mouse inputs and the Magic Keyboard with a trackpad, these are all just signs pointing that we will see native M1 apps running on iPads, Just like how the M1 macs can run iOS apps.

 

[tranceking26]

I doubt it, it was only the other day somebody at Apple said they wouldn't.

Things change, of course, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.