Reviews are in... not a laptop replacement

[Cashmonee]

I think the disconnect here comes down to people's willingness to use an iPad as their main computing device. Currently, in order to replace a laptop with an iPad, you kinda really have to want it. I don't think it is a controversial statement to say doing this comes with some compromises. I do think that people's willingness to make those compromises is what is different here.

For me, there are too many annoyances. To enter grades, the webpage requires me to touch every cell on an iPad where on a computer I can arrow and tab. Files and documents are much more easily saved and reliably found in Finder than Files. Getting photos into Lightroom is far easier on macOS than iOS. The lack of a pointer when sitting at a desk is a real issue. Lapability is a concern. The list goes on, but those annoyances are enough for me to not get rid of a laptop. I simply do not have the time and patience to adapt myself to the iPad when the laptop that costs the same does the job without me adapting. For others, they are willing to work around these things.

I like the way Nilay Patel put it on The Verge: "I don’t think people should adapt to their computers. Computers should adapt to people." I think this is especially true when the device costs the same as a laptop and has Pro attached to its name.

As for why this thread exists. I think it is good for those researching the iPad Pro to see people's current opinions.

 

[George Dawes]

I've got a tricked out 5k iMac 27 and all I use it for is web browsing , email and general farting about on the net

I think a LOT of peeps meet my demography

The iPad Pro is more than enough in the mobile space for 90% of 90% of peeps imo

 

[KPOM]

Oh...you mean the one who got unceremoniously fired?

Perhaps because he didn't hew to the line that Windows 10 is meant to be all things to all people on all platforms.

 

[fokmik]

if we get at WWDC2019, support for pointer and xcode/photoshop/improved file management on ios13, then it will be a laptop replacement for most

 

[richpjr]

I think the disconnect here comes down to people's willingness to use an iPad as their main computing device. Currently, in order to replace a laptop with an iPad, you kinda really have to want it. I don't think it is a controversial statement to say doing this comes with some compromises. I do think that people's willingness to make those compromises is what is different here.

For me, there are too many annoyances. To enter grades, the webpage requires me to touch every cell on an iPad where on a computer I can arrow and tab. Files and documents are much more easily saved and reliably found in Finder than Files. Getting photos into Lightroom is far easier on macOS than iOS. The lack of a pointer when sitting at a desk is a real issue. Lapability is a concern. The list goes on, but those annoyances are enough for me to not get rid of a laptop. I simply do not have the time and patience to adapt myself to the iPad when the laptop that costs the same does the job without me adapting. For others, they are willing to work around these things.

I like the way Nilay Patel put it on The Verge: "I don’t think people should adapt to their computers. Computers should adapt to people." I think this is especially true when the device costs the same as a laptop and has Pro attached to its name.

As for why this thread exists. I think it is good for those researching the iPad Pro to see people's current opinions.

Well said. I find it annoying when the attitude of those who can adapt to the iPad work flow get the condescending tone that people are “stuck” in the old way of doing things if they can’t. I’d happily switch to the iPad if it were possible, but some things aren’t even an option (Xcode Apple!) and some things would massively slow me down. The vast majority of those are iOS limitations. Maybe someday, until then I am one of those “stuck” ones.

 

[cardfan]

I think some of you guys worry too much. The only person you should be concerned about when it comes to this laptop vs ipad stuff is yourself. I can't sit and say an ipad or laptop fits joe blow down the street. True, I think the average Joe doesn't really know any better but frankly I don't care. I meet all kinds of people with varying type of intelligence for this stuff or other subjects. No one tool is going to be best for everyone.

That said, my firm already has established ways to doing things. I don't buy a mac or ipad for work. It's personal use. For what I use an ipad for, I already know this new ipad will enhance that experience. That's all I need to know to go buy one. I'll have one tomorrow night, relaxing on the couch, surfing the forums reading about people arguing over whether they should get an ipad or not, their elite workflows as they rush to rationalize their purchases, or how much it costs..lol

 

[Cashmonee]

That said, my firm already has established ways to doing things. I don't buy a mac or ipad for work. It's personal use. For what I use an ipad for, I already know this new ipad will enhance that experience. That's all I need to know to go buy one. I'll have one tomorrow night, relaxing on the couch, surfing the forums reading about people arguing over whether they should get an ipad or not, their elite workflows as they rush to rationalize their purchases, or how much it costs..lol

So honest question, why pay the premium for the Pro over the standard $329 iPad? I don't mean that in a bad way, just genuinely curious.

 

[turbineseaplane]

So honest question, why pay the premium for the Pro over the standard $329 iPad? I don't mean that in a bad way, just genuinely curious.

Many many use cases shouldn't..

I'm just waiting for Tim to cancel the $329 iPad or jack its price

 

[jeremiah256]

This argument is as bad as the semantics of "we're saying LAPTOP not DESKTOP!"

First, laptop vs desktop shouldn't be any different from each other. For YEARS I used a laptop as my primary computer. Gaming, work, photo editing, etc. It was my computer. Let's just throw the semantics rubbish out the window.

Second, the "it can replace a computer for SOME" argument is garbage as well. A Prius can get someone to the grocery store just as well as a Lambo... Either the ipad can check the same boxes as a laptop, or it can't. It's not user specific when making statements such as "laptop replacement option!" It either is, or it isn't. It's apples and oranges at this stage in the game.

There are those of us old enough to remember when we went through this exact phase with desktop v laptop and Windows v Mac OS X. Same arguments about real v toy computers and limitations this, limitations that.

This tired argument in an age where for large portions of the world, people have skipped both laptops and tablets for smartphones as their computer.

 

[Momof9]

Many many use cases shouldn't..

I'm just waiting for Tim to cancel the $329 iPad or jack its price

I dont think he will or hope not. If it was intended for students. I bought one for my 11y for school this year. She has really shown a strong interest in drawing and is doing very well. We need to check out the schedule and start going to the classes at Apple - well after I get my new iPP tomorrow...

 

[christophermdia]

Many many use cases shouldn't..

I'm just waiting for Tim to cancel the $329 iPad or jack its price

This is why I opted to give one of my kids a hand me down 10.5" and buy a used 10.5" for the other .... I recently bought an iPad 6th Get for one of them, but will already upgrade him to give him more useable life.

 

[Mainsail]

I dont think he will or hope not. If it was intended for students. I bought one for my 11y for school this year. She has really shown a strong interest in drawing and is doing very well. We need to check out the schedule and start going to the classes at Apple - well after I get my new iPP tomorrow...

Apple might step up the base iPad a bit:

• Increase base configuration to 64GB
• Apple Pencil 2 compatible (they charge $30 more for this pencil, so why not?)
• Routine Processor update. probably go to 4GB RAM
• Get rid of the Home button and go with Face ID with smaller bezels
• Increase Screen size slightly to 10 inch
• Return to the original $499 entry iPad price.

I think the Chromebook has won the K-12 education market. But, college students and many others would probably be interested in a more capable entry level iPad with more base storage at a somewhat higher price. There would still be a big difference between $500 iPad and an $800 iPad pro.

 

[1rottenapple]

Cnet, Engadget, Techradar....

They all say the new Pro is powerful and better than almost anything out there in performance.... but due to software limitations of IOS, it cannot replace a laptop.

I have to agree. I have tried to use my 2nd Gen iPad Pro for videography/photography and the lack of a file system makes it incredibly difficult.

Photographers take hundreds to thousands of photos for photo sessions. Trying to manage that many photos by uploading onto the photos app, edit and then try to delete all the photos after the session is just ridiculous. There needs to be a way to sort photos and videos into folders at a minimum so that after an editing session the folder can be offloaded onto an external hard drive.

So when they showed the iPad hooked up to a camera during the unveiling, I’m not sure what photographer they think will legitimately be using it.

Well basically it’s the software limiting its ability. It’ll be interesting where the iPad will be in 5 yrs. I bet it will have a full file system and floating windows. And mouse support.

 

[gorkt]

I think the Chromebook has won the K-12 education market

Interesting that you say that. My kids school has a 1:1 device policy was a very early adopter of iPads. They were an Apple distinguished school. However, they never really figured out how to utilize them properly, so they went to Chromebooks last year for cost reasons. After the 2018 iPad was released, they switched back to the iPad. I think the $329 price point with the pencil was a game changer in the education market.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Perhaps because he didn't hew to the line that Windows 10 is meant to be all things to all people on all platforms.

I think it was the Surface RT disaster plus the fact that it was alleged that he was a toxic disrupter in the upper echelons of MS though that last part needs to be taken with a grain of salt as who knows what partisan interests were involved.

 

[Mainsail]

Our

Interesting that you say that. My kids school has a 1:1 device policy was a very early adopter of iPads. They were an Apple distinguished school. However, they never really figured out how to utilize them properly, so they went to Chromebooks last year for cost reasons. After the 2018 iPad was released, they switched back to the iPad. I think the $329 price point with the pencil was a game changer in the education market.

Our school district just bought chrome books for 6th-12th grades with money from a recent bond issue. I think they were under $300, plus the iPad needs accessories such as a keyboard case and Apple Pencil. The district figured 3 years useful life from the chrome books.

I don’t necessarily agree with the technology choice. But, I understand why school districts are getting sucked in to chrome books.

 

[cardfan]

Our


Our school district just bought chrome books for 6th-12th grades with money from a recent bond issue. I think they were under $300, plus the iPad needs accessories such as a keyboard case and Apple Pencil. The district figured 3 years useful life from the chrome books.

I don’t necessarily agree with the technology choice. But, I understand why school districts are getting sucked in to chrome books.

It’s unfortunate since neither one is great. Laptops work best for students.

 

[Mainsail]

It’s unfortunate since neither one is great. Laptops work best for students.

My kids feel the same way. They participated in a laptop program in middle school prior to the district buying chrome books. The laptop program was voluntary, and we bought MacBooks for each child so they could participate. We became an Apple family as a result. I must say that I was so impressed by these machines. Two white polyurethane MacBooks and one MacBook Air. The MacBook Air has been amazing. My youngest has used his MacBook Air from 6th grade to his senior year in HS. This thing was schlepped around everyday in middle school and then used for his entire HS career, and it has been flawless. That $1,000 notebook has taken 7years of torture from my ham handed teenager who stuffs his computer in the same backpack as his baseball cleats ......unbelievable.

Anyway, all three of my kids wanted to use laptops for college. When I show my youngest the new iPad Pro, he just shakes this heads and say he prefers a good ole MacBook.....probably the new MacBook Air when he graduates from HS this spring. Honestly, I don't know how much of this is based on legitimate needs or is based upon comfort with using something familiar. When I look at the iPad Pro 12.9 with keyboard case and pencil, I can't help but think this would be great for college, and the price would be about the same as a new MacBook Air. It will be interesting to see if the iPad Pro catches on at universities. If so, Apple has a clear path to a future customer base as they improve iOS, and it catch up with the hardware. But, I think they are going to encounter some resistance along the way, even from young folks that should be more adaptable and open to change.

 

[bensisko]

Honestly, I don't know how much of this is based on legitimate needs or is based upon comfort with using something familiar.

I know you were talking personally about this, but this is great for the entire thread.

When people post, I would much more respect them if they stated that their comments are based purely on their own personal preference. That’s fantastic! I would never try to argue personal preference because, in the end that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter if an iPad can or cannot, if you PREFER a laptop you don’t need anything further.

Problem is, people post based on preference, but pretend it’s based on capabilities. It shows based on bias against iOS. The basic statement is “boy, this would be great if it ran macOS! Instead they harp on capabilities of iOS because it’s not macOS and suddenly, because of their preference in OS or form factor, it’s a fact for everyone that it can’t replace a laptop and because of their bias based on comfort they refuse to think beyond what they see.

 

[Azathoth123]

I posted this link in the sticky ‘laptop replacement’ thread. Interesting comments by Steve Sinofsky and related to this discussion.

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1059663467676762112.html