All iPads Should the iPad become a Mac Replacement?

[Unregistered 4U]

In addition, I suspect that Apple is working on some Mac-specific silicon to propel Mac desktops into ultra-high performance workstation / super computer territory. If/when this happens I hope/expect some of it to trickle down to the iPad Pro to unlock some use cases that are currently not feasible.

Understanding that it remains to be seen, I really don’t think they’re putting much more effort into desktops. Everything for desktops now, and in the future, is/will be some permutation of what’s available for mobile (which, by extension, is some modification of iPhone/iPad designed cores). Creating something unique for less than 100,000 units a year… they’d have to charge more than most folks that WANT desktops would likely be willing to pay (especially considering that many folks that WANT desktops don’t even want to pay today’s prices!)

 

[AppZ.Zero]

An iPad Pro with Mac OS would be favourite device. Since Apple doesnt produce anything like that and is artificaly choking the iPad, they wont get money for Macbooks or ipads from me.

 

[MallardDuck]

So, given that background, do you think the iPad should become a Mac replacement or stay true to its original design intent?

Hardware-wise they'd have to add full accessory and peripheral support including multi-monitor capability. Then they'd have to port MacOS to it so we have a real file system and full application support, as well as the ability to run non-app store apps.

At that point, it's a Mac, so why bother? It'd actually be easier to add touchscreen capabilities to the Mac, than turn a tablet into a computer.

 

[JTK Awesome]

That is my point. That is a metric for those who need that function. If you do, then an iPad can’t replace a Mac… but if you don’t, then ir can.

I'm venting my frustration that the iPP is this --><-- close to being my one and only computer.

 

[monstermash]

Any way to make my lawnchair a replacement for my livingroom
recliner sofa?

Oh, wait...you mean they're different things for different purposes? Ooooooooh, I get it. Thanks!!

 

[kazmac]

I use both. I'd rather draw on a Mac and leave it at that, but I'm okay with both right now.

 

[RinkDinkus]

To be honest, I would have been in the camp of “The iPad needs to not replace the Mac” but to be honest I really don’t know (or care) anymore.

Most general day to day computing can be done on our phones even. I was originally going to sell my MacBook and just have my 2020 iPad and my XS. Then I decided to meet in the middle and get a 14 Plus and sell my iPad. Big enough screen that it could do everything my iPad could do plus the basics of my MacBook.

“BUT WHAT ABOUT (specific workflow app)” idk then use it on what you’re used to. Use the right tool for the right job. I honestly think I’m just going to keep my MacBook for audio related tools since all the iOS/iPadOS audio production software is still iffy.

 

[currocj]

I continue to be puzzled by this idea that there is a single all-encompassing universal use-case for Macs.

The iPad is already a Mac replacement for some/many people. That has been true since the first day of the first gen. For others, the iPhone is a Mac replacement.

The added functionality and features to the iPad since that first gen have done nothing to impede the use of the iPad for those first gen use cases.

The day my mom got her ipad 1st gen, she never needed a computer. She is still barely able to comprehend and master it.

 

[currocj]

Walled garden, that alone make the ipad not suitable.

 

[iPadified]

Wasn't the tag line "Perhaps you next computer is not a computer" or similar. I think that very precisely describes the iPad and the distinction to a traditional computer. "Maybe iPadOS can replace MacOS for you" or "Maybe a modular computing device can replace the clamshell computer for you" are more correct statements but hardly have the same ring to it.

 

[gpat]

Wasn't the tag line "Perhaps you next computer is not a computer" or similar. I think that very precisely describes the iPad and the distinction to a traditional computer. "Maybe iPadOS can replace MacOS for you" or "Maybe a modular computing device can replace the clamshell computer for you" are more correct statements but hardly have the same ring to it.

That tagline was obviously meant to mess with people's minds while Apple had no clear idea about what to do with the product line itself.
As a long-time Mac user, I see the only utility of the iPad in its Pencil apps (note-taking, artistic, whatever).
I think it's pretty obvious that the iPad would've been dead as a platform if Cook didn't decide to implement the Pencil on it, also the best implementation on the market by far.
Jobs was raving about the "post-PC era" and PCs (and Macs) didn't go anywhere 12 years later.
Sure, there are people that can't be bothered to learn about the ins and outs of a traditional computer, but you could never sustain iPad sales with them alone.
They're good with the $300 base model anyway and most of the time they just rely on their smartphone only and see a second device as an hassle.

 

[singleshard]

I love my M1 iPad Pro. I use it everyday for work.

Today, I thought iPad OS was about to crash after I doodled a forest with hundreds of leaves in Notability during a long meeting. The iPad got really, really hot. Then I wanted to move my doodle down a little to make room for a sunset ... the lag on this was horrendous. It reminded me of moving an application window in Windows 95 where the dragged window would disappear; it was hard to see how far you moved it, then the window would draw itself back onto the screen in fat, janky lines while you unwrapped a piece of gum and put it in your mouth.

The M1 should not have choked like this. Notability is most likely the problem, but iPad OS also shares blame. 8GB should be more than enough to display the screen, have Notability and Chat open, and draw a few hundred vector shapes with a 4 color palette ... alas, this was too much for such a "powerful" device. That is sad and this is why Macs still exist.

Later, I repositioned the forest on an M1 Mac (Studio) in the same version of Notability (universal app). There was a lag rendering the freehand lasso line around the forest just like on the iPad, but moving the forest was buttery-smooth. So not really a Notability problem.

This is what the limitations of an OS looks like. iPad OS is just sh*t.

Apple can make the hardware powerful, but if iPad OS is not able to leverage that hardware in a meaningful way, then this is as far as the iPad will go.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Later, I repositioned the forest on an M1 Mac (Studio) in the same version of Notability (universal app). There was a lag rendering the freehand lasso line around the forest just like on the iPad, but moving the forest was buttery-smooth. So not really a Notability problem.

This is what the limitations of an OS looks like. iPad OS is just sh*t.

No, it’s what an app not being used for its intended purpose looks like. If the devs thought that was a use case that ranked high among their users, it’d be designed to cover that on the iPad. Do the same thing in, say, Vectornator, and you can have thousands of vector shapes + layers and effects, no problem.

 

[madat42]

…Additionally, the iPad is highly portable and has a longer battery life compared to most Macs.

This doesn’t sound right (the longer battery life, that is)…

 

[teh_hunterer]

I love my M1 iPad Pro. I use it everyday for work.

Today, I thought iPad OS was about to crash after I doodled a forest with hundreds of leaves in Notability during a long meeting. The iPad got really, really hot. Then I wanted to move my doodle down a little to make room for a sunset ... the lag on this was horrendous. It reminded me of moving an application window in Windows 95 where the dragged window would disappear; it was hard to see how far you moved it, then the window would draw itself back onto the screen in fat, janky lines while you unwrapped a piece of gum and put it in your mouth.

The M1 should not have choked like this. Notability is most likely the problem, but iPad OS also shares blame. 8GB should be more than enough to display the screen, have Notability and Chat open, and draw a few hundred vector shapes with a 4 color palette ... alas, this was too much for such a "powerful" device. That is sad and this is why Macs still exist.

Later, I repositioned the forest on an M1 Mac (Studio) in the same version of Notability (universal app). There was a lag rendering the freehand lasso line around the forest just like on the iPad, but moving the forest was buttery-smooth. So not really a Notability problem.

This is what the limitations of an OS looks like. iPad OS is just sh*t.

Apple can make the hardware powerful, but if iPad OS is not able to leverage that hardware in a meaningful way, then this is as far as the iPad will go.

I'm not an iPad evangelist, but claiming this is the iPad's fault is a bit of a stretch. It could be purely that Notability haven't put as much effort into their iPad app.

 

[JamesMay82]

Just watched Lewis capaldi doc on Netflix and was surprised he uses a iPad for all his initial song writing and records himself on the iPad voice app.

 

[heretiq]

Just watched Lewis capaldi doc on Netflix and was surprised he uses a iPad for all his initial song writing and records himself on the iPad voice app.

That’s so cool to know @entropyfl ; but I’m not surprised that an iPad could be used that way. I’m watching the documentary now. What an extraordinary human being. Thanks for posting this!

 

[JamesMay82]

That’s so cool to know @entropyfl ; but I’m not surprised that an iPad could be used that way. I’m watching the documentary now. What an extraordinary human being. Thanks for posting this!

Enjoy! It’s refreshing to see someone with his fame stay so down to earth!

 

[heretiq]

Enjoy! It’s refreshing to see someone with his fame stay so down to earth!

Yes it is. He is the real deal. Talented. Smart. Humble.

 

[chrono1081]

Some can use it as their sole device and others can’t. Why do so many here focus so much trying to force a device in a one size fits all compartment?

This.

I have many friends who can use an iPad as their computer just fine, great for them but I can't. I do too much that would just be cumbersome on an iPad.

But I also have an iPad and I love it for what I need to use it for, it's just not the same as what I use my laptop for.

 

[monstermash]

If I didn't have a job....I could probably get by with just an iPad 99% of the time.

 

[Choco Taco]

Until it can run macOS, or they drastically improve the way iPadOS functions, it will never be a replacement for me.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The iPad is already a Mac replacement for some people. People should just get whatever suits their needs best.

 

[eicca]

Here’s another point. What are they thinking, selling a $300 keyboard+trackpad setup? By the time you buy that and the iPad itself, you’re in the hole WAAAAAY past a MacBook.

And yet they won’t put a touchscreen on the MacBook.

Why? Other than the money. There’s no reason for this other than the money.

 

[sparksd]

Here’s another point. What are they thinking, selling a $300 keyboard+trackpad setup? By the time you buy that and the iPad itself, you’re in the hole WAAAAAY past a MacBook.

And yet they won’t put a touchscreen on the MacBook.

Why? Other than the money. There’s no reason for this other than the money.

Of course they'd do it for the money - they're a for-profit business.