iPad The iPad has stagnated and that's not by accident

[Retskrad]

Let’s consider Apple’s hardware hierarchy: The iPhone reigns supreme, its significance is unquestionable. The Mac secures the second spot, pivotal for developers to create applications across Apple’s ecosystem. Without it, Apple’s software for both the iPad and iPhone would be non-existent. Then, we have the iPad. Circa 2016, whispers of the Mac’s demise began as Apple championed the iPad. However, the introduction of Apple Silicon to the Mac in 2020 put all doubts to rest. The MacBook Air now boasts a battery life double that of the iPad Pro, and the MacBook Pro offers tons more power than the more powerful iPad coupled with decades of software heritage in MacOS.

Apple recalibrated, much like their approach with the Apple Watch, taking a step back to redefine the iPad’s role in an era where the Mac remains pivotal. The focus has settled on leveraging the Pencil for drawing and note-taking, alongside the functionalities familiar to iPhone users. Yet, we find ourselves poised for disappointment, harboring expectations of the iPad one day transcending its makers goals, while Apple consistently illustrates its intent: the iPad is, at its core, an enlarged iPhone, augmented by the Apple Pencil. It's now a device to be used alongside the Mac. I think we should appreciate the iPad for what it is, rather than what we might wish it to be. It has great note taking and drawing apps and it's a killer device for students and consuming media. There's no signs that Apple is suddenly changing course.

 

[NastyMatt]

Define “we”.

 

[ericwn]

I don’t see the slightest hint the apple markets the iPad as a secondary product to a Mac. That might be us here in the forum but I doubt that’s the intent for the majority. I doubt the majority even uses the pencil for anything more than 20% of their iPad screen time.

id also like to add that apples opinion on recalibration are merely their marketing output. Tablets seem a mature product, a few seen in production environments, most seeming at home on the couch, that is not going to see any more of the dramatic growth the phone category did. The success of the platform will be delivered value to those existing users

 

[Webcat86]

Whispers of the Mac's demise were nonsensical, so shouldn't factor into thinking about why their improvement means the iPad has stagnated.

 

[jb310]

I think iPads were made as an answer to netbooks (and later, Chromebooks). If you want something more powerful than a phone, but cheaper and more convenient than a laptop, and you want to stay in Apple's ecosystem, the iPad is the perfect device, and it fills that product segment very well.

 

[Webcat86]

I think iPads were made as an answer to netbooks (and later, Chromebooks). If you want something more powerful than a phone, but cheaper and more convenient than a laptop, and you want to stay in Apple's ecosystem, the iPad is the perfect device, and it fills that product segment very well.

I think so too. I remember netbooks being all the rage, but they were infuriatingly bad to use. You could make and drink a cup of tea just waiting for Word to open.

 

[sparksd]

I think so too. I remember netbooks being all the rage, but they were infuriatingly bad to use. You could make and drink a cup of tea just waiting for Word to open.

Yeah, I had a Samsung netbook - terrible buy.

 

[MTShipp]

I think the only thing holding back iPad is iPadOS.

 

[iPadified]

Stagnant? Not more than iPhone and Macs. I would use the word "mature" at this stage.

I am quite tired of thread after thread that end up in Mac vs iPad debate.

Two classes of devices with some overlap. Choose the device that fits you (or use both). End story.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Same post different day 🤷‍♂️

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I don’t see the slightest hint the apple markets the iPad as a secondary product to a Mac. That might be us here in the forum but I doubt that’s the intent for the majority. I doubt the majority even uses the pencil for anything more than 20% of their iPad screen time.

id also like to add that apples opinion on recalibration are merely their marketing output. Tablets seem a mature product, a few seen in production environments, most seeming at home on the couch, that is not going to see any more of the dramatic growth the phone category did. The success of the platform will be delivered value to those existing users

iPad Marketing VP: iPad and Mac are Complementary Devices, Not Competing Devices

For her review of the new M4 iPad Pro, The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern spoke with Tom Boger, Apple's vice president of iPad and Mac marketing. Stern focused on comparing the iPad Pro to a MacBook, and asked some targeted questions about the way Apple views the two devices. According to...

forums.macrumors.com

ehehe

 

[ericwn]

iPad Marketing VP: iPad and Mac are Complementary Devices, Not Competing Devices

For her review of the new M4 iPad Pro, The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern spoke with Tom Boger, Apple's vice president of iPad and Mac marketing. Stern focused on comparing the iPad Pro to a MacBook, and asked some targeted questions about the way Apple views the two devices. According to...

forums.macrumors.com

ehehe

Secondary is a bit different than complementary though. But sure, they always focus on the best strategy to maximize both product line revenue streams.