iPad Pro The end of the iPad era for me, the dawn of M1 era

[Kostas3000]

Over the last 4 years I really tried hard to go iOS (mainly iPad) 100%. Main uses: video/photo editing, word/excel/powerpoint, pdf studying, web browsing. I have available all iPad sizes, iMac, MacBooks, so all pieces of equipment are available to try them.
I reached a 95% of my workflow being done on iOS. I was proud of that, but I realized that many functions were unnecessarily more complicated on iOS than they need to be. Try to tag files, load external drives, edit powerpoint etc, and I think most would get the message here.
The M1 chip brought to Macbook what I really enjoyed on iPad: long battery, instant on, fanless. That came without the annoying limitations of iOS software. It also came in a more compact package with much better keyboard and track board (not software- and hardware-wise). I say more compact because if you try to move around the iPad Pro12.9 with the keyboard case you realize that it has the same portability as the Macbook Air. However, the stability of the IPP on the keyboard case is worse than that of Macbook.

Granted, you can use the Pencil on iPP and not on Macbook, but very few times I found myself wanting to draw something.

So I am transitioning to Macbook Air M1 and I am excited about it. I plan to instal first class software to do my job instead of the half baked software I was forcing myself to use in the previous years in order to stay on the iPad.

A side note here. I tried the Macbook 16in but felt too big to carry around, not an option even if it came with an M1 chip.
I also tried the Macbook pro 13in M1 which felt heavier, more bulky and less convenient for typing than the Air. There was no appreciable difference in the screen brightness or the trackpad size (higher/larger on Pro). I did not like the touch bar because it doesn’t allow you to use the muscle memory and it requires extra steps to do what you need to. Battery performance on Pro is better but I am not convinced that it translates to a meaningful advantage: if I plan for such long working sessions, I don’t think I would risk not taking with me the charger. Fanless performance is a potential issue but I cannot think of a task that would be demanding on the chip for more than 10 minutes to really need the fan.

 

[blurryvision]

The dawn of M1 in Macbooks also mean its probably going to be a new and just as exciting era for the iPad. Give it a couple years

 

[rui no onna]

The dawn of M1 in Macbooks also mean its probably going to be a new and just as exciting era for the iPad. Give it a couple years

True. I prefer tablets for personal use (mostly consumption while lying down in bed, couch, etc) but there’s still that 5% use case that I need to switch to a desktop OS. Whenever I go on long overseas vacations, I still bring both laptop and iPad. It sure would be nice to get a hybrid that excels at both tablet and desktop usage.

 

[max2]

True. I prefer tablets for personal use (mostly consumption while lying down in bed, couch, etc) but there’s still that 5% use case that I need to switch to a desktop OS. Whenever I go on long overseas vacations, I still bring both laptop and iPad. It sure would be nice to get a hybrid that excels at both tablet and desktop usage.

Agree!

 

[ericwn]

Thanks for sharing. I guess this could easily be merged into the I going thread about using iPad as a laptop replacement.

As a pure tool, the main differentiation is the iPad’s form factor and the ability to get that hybrid experience with MKB and of course touch and pencil input.
If you can comfortably live without these, a traditional Mac workflow will likely suit you well.

 

[1240766]

I just jumped into the bandwagon and cannot be happier. The ipad pro 2020 with the magic keyboard is an amazing computer, I get lots of what I need done on it... now with the macbook pro, my other systems are turning into linux servers for K8s clusters.

 

[ejin222]

The case for me is that my iPad Pro can do 90% of what I need to do on it, and my MacBook Pro can also do 90% of what I need to do on it. Neither gives me 100% of what I need...

If the iPad Pro had better software, or if the MacBook Pro had a detachable touch screen, then I could go all in on one system. But until that day, I need two devices.

OP: Keep us updated on how things go on the M1 MacBook Air!

 

[hovscorpion12]

The A series chip that is expected to ship in 2021 for iPads is supposed to be at or equal to the M1. With rumors swirling that Final Cut Pro and Logic will be available on iPadOS, I'm excited to see what Apple does.

iPadOS is still in early stages. I strongly believe Apple has reflected on user reviews and will improve on them next year.

 

[AutomaticApple]

equal to the M1.

In such a thin chassis with no cooling fan?

 

[ericwn]

In such a thin chassis with no cooling fan?

They managed that fan-less approach so far even on the MacBook Air m1 and every iPad in existence. The next one will have more performance, if it’s just a m1 with a different name remains to be seen.

 

[rui no onna]

The case for me is that my iPad Pro can do 90% of what I need to do on it, and my MacBook Pro can also do 90% of what I need to do on it. Neither gives me 100% of what I need...

If the iPad Pro had better software, or if the MacBook Pro had a detachable touch screen, then I could go all in on one system. But until that day, I need two devices.

OP: Keep us updated on how things go on the M1 MacBook Air!

Purely for getting tasks done, a laptop+iPhone combo can do 100% of what I need it to do (at least for personal use).

Alas, tasks like reading ebooks and comics, annotating PDFs, etc. are just far, far, far more comfortable and convenient to do on the iPad than on laptop so I use the iPad majority of the time. I only switch to phone or laptop for the stuff I either can't do or are highly inconvenient to do on iPad.

I like the flexibility of the Surface. I just think Microsoft's execution sucks and available software options tend to be not touch-optimized. I'd be very interested in a hybrid iPad/Mac or really, an iPad with a more open file system and can run Mac apps (full alternative web browsers and Calibre are my main non-iPad use).

 

[stanza.richi]

If the iPad Pro had better software, or if the MacBook Pro had a detachable touch screen, then I could go all in on one system. But until that day, I need two devices.

I think that apple know it very well and this is THE reason because we will never see an IPad Pro with MacOS or a MacBook Pro with a detachable touch screen

 

[rowspaxe]

I like the flexibility of the Surface. I just think Microsoft's execution sucks and available software options tend to be not touch-optimized. I'd be very interested in a hybrid iPad/Mac or really, an iPad with a more open file system and can run Mac apps (full alternative web browsers and Calibre are my main non-iPad use).

Big Sur seems to be moving in this direction.

 

[rowspaxe]

I think that apple know it very well and this is THE reason because we will never see an IPad Pro with MacOS or a MacBook Pro with a detachable touch screen

Two years ago this forum was full of posts about how the iPad would never have mouse support.
I would say things are trending towards convergence.

 

[seadragon]

Apple typically says no... until they say yes.

 

[Isamilis]

will the M1 drop iPad sales? Just a thought.

 

[KittyKatta]

True. I prefer tablets for personal use (mostly consumption while lying down in bed, couch, etc) but there’s still that 5% use case that I need to switch to a desktop OS. Whenever I go on long overseas vacations, I still bring both laptop and iPad. It sure would be nice to get a hybrid that excels at both tablet and desktop usage.

The iPad is 90% there, but whats frustrating is that Apple seems to be working AGAINST allowing it to claim that last 10%.

It really wouldn’t take much, but I guess if Apple intends to sell two “computer” products then they have no incentive to finish the iPad journey (Which is why the iPad “Pro” been so stale and stagnant that the Air and even the most basic iPad have caught up in power, ability and accessory options.)

 

[rui no onna]

The iPad is 90% there, but whats frustrating is that Apple seems to be working AGAINST allowing it to claim that last 10%.

It really wouldn’t take much, but I guess if Apple intends to sell two “computer” products then they have no incentive to finish the iPad journey (Which is why the iPad “Pro” been so stale and stagnant that the Air and even the most basic iPad have caught up in power, ability and accessory options.)

With the release of ARM-based Macs, I actually think they're slowly getting there. The Macs have to come first before they hybridize the iPad or the hybrid will be dead on arrival.

There's also the issue of memory size and management, as well as entry level storage size on the iPad. 4-6 GB RAM without storage-backed virtual memory isn't going to cut it. Neither will 64-128GB of storage.

 

[PilotWoo]

I tried the 12.9 inch iPad Pro to replace my old MBP13.

I tried for 3 months, but it just isn't a laptop replacement. It's not even halfway there. The interface is too awkward and the apps just cutdown versions of what you can do ion the Mac versions. Just sold it and bought an M1 Air. It feels good to be back to a Mac, especially as one as special as this.

 

[The Game 161]

Got my M1 air today and truely love it but I’m still using my iPad now on the sofa for me I will want both iPad and MacBook...do I need both? no but I think I have a use case for different situations

 

[drumcat]

I wonder if iPadOS goes away, and new iPads have BigSur on them.

I mean, why not?

 

[Zazoh]

I wonder if iPadOS goes away, and new iPads have BigSur on them.
I mean, why not?

Came here for this. I hope, because of the convergence in Big Sur, we see the Mac OS migration to a tablet. Or, just one OS in general.

While they are allowing iOS apps to run on a laptop, it will never replace the interactive intimate use of holding it in your hand. Not to mention the technical limitations of accelerometers, ability to rotate the device, etc.

The iPad is still the superior device for most use cases out there. There are a handful of cases where it just can’t keep up, with time, those will go away.

 

[Richard8655]

The latest Mac Mini is also fitted with the M1 chip, and am looking forward to upgrading from a late 2012 I7 Mac Mini. In the meantime, I'm fine with the current iPad processors across all models.

 

[QCassidy352]

Good post, OP. I’ve also thought about making the move to primarily iPadOS (I have a 256 GB A12 iPad Air), but there’s really just no good reason for it now that we’ve seen what AS is going to do for the Mac platform. I see myself keeping an iPad around for consumption, but the advantages of iPadOS as a main computing platform just went way down, and if I were buying an iPad today, it would be a low-storage model.

 

[xxray]

I want the 12.9” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Pencil to be sole computer and tablet so bad. The modularity of it, being able to have it as a workstation on your desk and a portable tablet on the go, is really the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, there are still so many small things that I took for granted on the Mac that make some workflows on the iPad a much less enjoyable, and sometimes annoyingly difficult, experience.

I’m glad that the power and efficiency of the iPads and iPhones are finally coming to Mac, but the modularity and other features of the iPad still aren’t there. I don’t want to have to buy 2 new devices (an iPad and a Mac) when it’s time for me to upgrade again, but it looks like I have to since they each have certain things they fulfill for me that the other can’t.

This is my main thinking behind the theory that Apple won’t merge the iPad and Mac lines soon. Apple benefits by having 2 separate devices that you can buy. If you have an iPad/Mac hybrid that does it all, it’s less money for Apple. I guess they could still sell Macs and iPads separately, alongside a hybrid, for those only want those certain experiences only, but idk ?‍♂️