iPad Three things that would 'fix' the iPad

[playtech1]

So I realise the iPad doesn't need 'fixing' in the sense that everyone reading this forum will already own and enjoy one (myself included), but there's no getting away from the fact that the iPad is in a weird place, with a confused line-up, limited software support and a stagnant OS. It's good, but it could be so much more. Here's my ideas for changing that:

1. Ditch the App Store only approach

Apple is addicted to its 30% cut, but what works when you are in a phone duopoly doesn't really translate to a niche device like the iPad. There simply isn't the size of market and thus developer support for Apple to eat 30% (or even 15%) of revenue. The App Store will have it's place for many and the EU has shown that allowing other App Stores doesn't lead to the apocalypse. Right now iPad is just not a desirable dev platform unless you have a piece of software that can support gacha like subscription revenues or Apple is bankrolling the port to sell hardware.

2. Get MacOS apps on the iPad

If Apple can cross the Rubicon by allowing outside apps, then the main barrier to allowing MacOS goes too. Ideally get MacOS entirely, interface and all, but with a touch mode for MacOS apps within iOS. This might seem like a last resort, since arguably it could kill native iPad app development, but I think this is a key new value proposition to tempt non-iPad owners and upgraders. It's much like how (when Macs were more niche) the ability to run Windows on Macs removed a key barrier for many buyers. Boot Camp didn't kill MacOS, it drove Mac sales and ultimately MacOS usage. I think MacOS on iPad could be the same.

3. Sort out the product line-up

The iPad market does not seem big enough to support four product lines (Pro, Air, 'regular', Mini). Plus the two sizes for Pro and Air, cellular and non-cellular, multiple colours and four storage sizes. Then you also have multiple accessory ranges in terms of pencils, keyboards and cases.

I think all this variety dilutes the message from Apple about what an iPad is 'for' and makes it harder for devs to target a consistent platform. A Nintendo Switch would not be helped by adding a model that is marketed to run Excel (or Photoshop). I'm equally not convinced that Apple having specific 'Pro' models is all that helpful, when Pro use is a niche use-case for a niche product. Cut the hardware choices in half (at least) and make the accessory range more consistent. Only segment the market to the same degree as an iPhone when the iPad gets to be as ubiquitous.

Personally I would suggest a basic iPad coming in standard and mini variants (since the Mini largely tracks the base iPad specs), marketed as the iPad for everyone. Then the upsell is to a merged Air/Pro range marketed to both enthusiasts and pros. In practice that probably leaves the Air being killed and Apple having to lower the entry price for the Pro line-up.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

And after all that, you can just get rid of the upper tier of iPad, by making a convertible touch-screen MacBook that a few people have been asking for. Then you only have the iPad, and the iPad mini. Easy!

And all of us who like iPads will be terribly upset.

 

[Global_traveler]

I’d be happy if Apple just tested updates prior to releasing them. Numbers 14.4 for iPad & iPhone released on 3/3/25 is partially borked for me. I spoke with an Apple support person about it and shared my iPad screen to demonstrate. If I tell a cell that it “=“ and then highlight several cells above, it used to sum them. Now it gets confused. I use my iPad frequently M-F and it’s really annoying. Same issue in Numbers on my new iPhone with this release. 😡

 

[whitestar27]

I don't want Mac apps on an iPad. They're not optimised for touch for one thing. How do I use the Edit menu with my fat finger? They'd have to completely redesign the interface of every app. That's already been done and it's called iPadOS apps. I wouldn't mind if iPad apps were feature equivalent to the Mac versions though

 

[neutrino17]

I like the App Store. I’m too busy to worry about wonky apps trying to steal my info.

I’m OK with iPadOS. If I needed macOS I would get a MacBook. I use the Mac Studio when I need macOS. I value the iPad for the portability and the intimacy of the touch screen. Mostly I use it for reading, sometimes for sketching or note taking. I also use it for presenting things that are mostly created on the Mac Studio

As I’ve gotten more familiar with the Files App I’m happier with iPadOS.

Freeform is really nice on the iPad. We use it in the family to collaborate on trips.

 

[Global_traveler]

I don't want Mac apps on an iPad. They're not optimised for touch for one thing. How do I use the Edit menu with my fat finger? They'd have to completely redesign the interface of every app. That's already been done and it's called iPadOS apps. I wouldn't mind if iPad apps were feature equivalent to the Mac versions though

Exactly. With the huge increases in processing power (M series) there is no reason that some iPad apps like Numbers, should be so limited when compared to the Mac versions. Numbers has had only tiny, incremental changes over the years. It could be so much better. And of course now it’s broken. Apple charges a premium for the M4 Pro, but you get very little for it. I will keep my original IPP another year or two. No real reason to upgrade. Very disappointing.

 

[StoneJack]

So I realise the iPad doesn't need 'fixing' in the sense that everyone reading this forum will already own and enjoy one (myself included), but there's no getting away from the fact that the iPad is in a weird place, with a confused line-up, limited software support and a stagnant OS. It's good, but it could be so much more. Here's my ideas for changing that:

1. Ditch the App Store only approach

Apple is addicted to its 30% cut, but what works when you are in a phone duopoly doesn't really translate to a niche device like the iPad. There simply isn't the size of market and thus developer support for Apple to eat 30% (or even 15%) of revenue. The App Store will have it's place for many and the EU has shown that allowing other App Stores doesn't lead to the apocalypse. Right now iPad is just not a desirable dev platform unless you have a piece of software that can support gacha like subscription revenues or Apple is bankrolling the port to sell hardware.

2. Get MacOS apps on the iPad

If Apple can cross the Rubicon by allowing outside apps, then the main barrier to allowing MacOS goes too. Ideally get MacOS entirely, interface and all, but with a touch mode for MacOS apps within iOS. This might seem like a last resort, since arguably it could kill native iPad app development, but I think this is a key new value proposition to tempt non-iPad owners and upgraders. It's much like how (when Macs were more niche) the ability to run Windows on Macs removed a key barrier for many buyers. Boot Camp didn't kill MacOS, it drove Mac sales and ultimately MacOS usage. I think MacOS on iPad could be the same.

3. Sort out the product line-up

The iPad market does not seem big enough to support four product lines (Pro, Air, 'regular', Mini). Plus the two sizes for Pro and Air, cellular and non-cellular, multiple colours and four storage sizes. Then you also have multiple accessory ranges in terms of pencils, keyboards and cases.

I think all this variety dilutes the message from Apple about what an iPad is 'for' and makes it harder for devs to target a consistent platform. A Nintendo Switch would not be helped by adding a model that is marketed to run Excel (or Photoshop). I'm equally not convinced that Apple having specific 'Pro' models is all that helpful, when Pro use is a niche use-case for a niche product. Cut the hardware choices in half (at least) and make the accessory range more consistent. Only segment the market to the same degree as an iPhone when the iPad gets to be as ubiquitous.

Personally I would suggest a basic iPad coming in standard and mini variants (since the Mini largely tracks the base iPad specs), marketed as the iPad for everyone. Then the upsell is to a merged Air/Pro range marketed to both enthusiasts and pros. In practice that probably leaves the Air being killed and Apple having to lower the entry price for the Pro line-up.

its not only these three things, there are much more things needed to fix the iPadOS. Hardware wise it is not that bad, it is OS that transforms that capable hardware into a toy

 

[AdamHarbour]

It’s a tablet. With a tablet os 🤷‍♂️ ! Your want Mac OS or Mac apps buy a Mac ! You may want to have a touch screen MacBook ……. But you need iPad OS on your tablet …

 

[muzzy996]

And after all that, you can just get rid of the upper tier of iPad, by making a convertible touch-screen MacBook that a few people have been asking for. Then you only have the iPad, and the iPad mini. Easy!

And all of us who like iPads will be terribly upset.

Yup and I don't think the few of us who've been asking for a touch-screen MacBook ever wanted to ruin iPadOS or iPads in general for the many who already enjoy using them.

Personally all I've ever wanted was a 2-in-1 version of a MacBook Air similar to a Surface Pro or Yoga type machine. I gave up waiting long ago though and got a Surface Pro 9. No regrets other than battery life, and I still enjoy my iPad Mini daily and 13" MacBook Pro periodically. It would be great to reduce the number of tools in my toolbox but its fine for me for now.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

Yup and I don't think the few of us who've been asking for a touch-screen MacBook ever wanted to ruin iPadOS or iPads in general for the many who already enjoy using them.

Personally all I've ever wanted was a 2-in-1 version of a MacBook Air similar to a Surface Pro or Yoga type machine. I gave up waiting long ago though and got a Surface Pro 9. No regrets other than battery life, and I still enjoy my iPad Mini daily and 13" MacBook Pro periodically. It would be great to reduce the number of tools in my toolbox but its fine for me for now.

Although it’s a product that is, in my experience, clunky and useless, I recognise that it’s a niche that is very useful to some. I’m happy for Apple to fill that niche. They’ll keep making iPads and MacBook Pros.

I don’t understand why people think Apple needs to make fewer options, and not cater to niches, if that niche is worth pursuing.

 

[muzzy996]

Although it’s a product that is, in my experience, clunky and useless, I recognise that it’s a niche that is very useful to some. I’m happy for Apple to fill that niche. They’ll keep making iPads and MacBook Pros.

I don’t understand why people think Apple needs to make fewer options, and not cater to niches, if that niche is worth pursuing.

Same here. I'm not the target market for an AR headset but I appreciate the fact that the Vision Pro exists, if nothing else to test the boundaries of software development and coordination of workflows across various platforms.

 

[Macalway]

It doesn't make a whole lot sense at this point not having an alternate OS for the iPad Pro. Windows has a perfectly good Arm, tablet friendly OS already, and Mac OS could run on it like any other convertible.

 

[Dallas-Star-202504]

Maybe less longivity the more sales

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

The iPad doesn’t need “fixing”.
Is there room for improvement? Of course.
But at the end of the day, it’s one of Apple’s most successful products. They sell about double as many iPads every quarter as they do Macs.
This idea that “ to fix the iPad it just needs to become a Mac” also ignore so many (completely intentional) differences between the platforms.
Why does the original post act like the iPad is on its technological deathbed?

1. Ditch the App Store only approach

Apple is addicted to its 30% cut, but what works when you are in a phone duopoly doesn't really translate to a niche device like the iPad. There simply isn't the size of market and thus developer support for Apple to eat 30% (or even 15%) of revenue. The App Store will have it's place for many and the EU has shown that allowing other App Stores doesn't lead to the apocalypse. Right now iPad is just not a desirable dev platform unless you have a piece of software that can support gacha like subscription revenues or Apple is bankrolling the port to sell hardware.

I have absolutely no moral opposition to sideloading on the iPad or even on the iPhone, but… it’s not going to happen, and it’s not just because of the 30% cut. It’s also because of the inherent simplicity that comes with one single App Store.
I have already had the conversation with people who have never used a Mac in their life about how “ you can’t just go to the App Store to download everything.” You would be shocked the number of average consumers who are so used to app stores that they think that that’s how things are supposed to work. And for a product like the iPad, that *should* be how it works. I also don’t think developer support is anything that the iPad is lacking.

2. Get MacOS apps on the iPad

If Apple can cross the Rubicon by allowing outside apps, then the main barrier to allowing MacOS goes too. Ideally get MacOS entirely, interface and all, but with a touch mode for MacOS apps within iOS.

This one I actually agree with, and it appears that it’s actually happening as touchscreen will be coming to the Mac in 2026. According to Gurman, iPadOS should have the capability of running Mac apps by 2028, although you are absolutely out of your mind if you think these are going to be apps that are available outside of the Mac AppStore.

Apple's giant foldable iPad could be crease-free and run macOS apps, new report claims

But we'll likely have to wait till 2028

www.techradar.com

3. Sort out the product line-up

The iPad market does not seem big enough to support four product lines (Pro, Air, 'regular', Mini). Plus the two sizes for Pro and Air, cellular and non-cellular, multiple colours and four storage sizes. Then you also have multiple accessory ranges in terms of pencils, keyboards and cases.

The problem with this argument is that all four iPad lines are wildly successful.
Apple sold around 57 million iPads last year, and pretty much all four lines contributed to the success.
The OLED iPad Pro apparently sold around 10 million units, and it was only available for half the year.
Then throughout the second half of the year, the new mini and air helped push their tablet marketshareeven higher.
And of course, the regular iPad, while being the best ecosystem introduction at its low price, is also massive and education, retail and other markets. Why would they ever get rid of any of them? They are all successful, they are all name brand, they all have a purpose for existing.
This is just from February…
iPad‌ sales grew 15 percent, and “Cook said it was largely driven by the iPad Air and the low-cost ‌iPad‌ rather than the iPad Pro. Over half of sales in the December quarter went to customers who were new to ‌iPad‌.”

Apple's Q1 2025 Earnings Call Takeaways

Apple today held an earnings call to report results for the first fiscal quarter of 2025 (fourth calendar quarter of 2024), with Apple CEO Tim Cook...

www.macrumors.com

And of course the iPad Pro is Apple‘s highest margin tablet, and if it’s selling over 10 million units in seven months at $1000 why on earth would they get rid of it? We can sit here and argue if an iPad is worth that much money, but at the end of the day, people are spending their money on it. It would literally be against Apple‘s best interest to get rid of any of the iPads, if they are all this successful.
Also, it’s not like the iPad lineup is *that* complicated, I mean… cmon. It’s four tablets, each at a very deliberate price bracket. There are more iPhones in that lineup then there are iPads, there are more Macs, there are the same amount of AirPods in the current AirPods lineup as iPads.
Apple has literally had the same four iPads (regular, mini, air, Pro) as the line-up since march 2019. It’s been over six years since they’ve changed it. Clearly it’s working, or else they would have shuffled it around a bit, but they haven’t.
Arguing that the iPad Pro or the iPad mini should be discontinued is basically like arguing the Mac Mini or the MacBook Pro should be discontinued, why? Just because… Vibes I guess? No. That’s not how things work.

 

[StoneJack]

dp
btw i am not for MacOS on iPad
I am for more capable iPadOS if it is not clear. I already have MacOS on 3-4 Macs in our household.
iPadOS needs more capabilities but it should stay touch oriented

 

[AlexESP]

1. Ditch the App Store only approach

The iPhone App Store succeeded. The iPad App Store succeeded - to a lesser extent. The Apple Watch one didn’t, because apps don’t make much sense on the watch. The Vision Pro one hasn’t yet, because volume is very low. Games on the Mac haven’t succeeded, even if you can install outside the App Store, because the volume of Mac gamers is very low. I just think it’s not a factor: the volume of apps depends on the volume of potential users and whether the device is suitable for that kind of apps.

2. Get MacOS apps on the iPad

Besides the obvious technical challenges to make this happen, it would result in a terrible user experience. First of all, the windowed experience: I can’t imagine how people who hate Stage Manager would like to interact with the traffic light UI, which is even harder to manage with touch input. Then, Mac apps are designed for mouse and keyboard interaction, which in some cases can’t be replicated with touch, and in all cases are based on target elements that need the precision of a mouse. They’re designed with a landscape orientation in mind, while the iPad is versatile. And many more reasons.

It’s just a huge effort in order to achieve something with a really bad user experience that almost no one would use in practice.

3. Sort out the product line-up

The iPad sales volume is much bigger than the Mac, and there are more Mac than iPad models.

 

[playtech1]

I realise that there are many people who are happy with the iPad as-is and there are also narratives where it's a success story, but I don't see a healthy iPad software development ecosystem which will support long term success and sales of the iPad do not seem to be enough to convince Apple to invest that much into it.

I'm not sure whether articles like these tell the full story, but they don't speak to unalloyed success:

Apple's ultra-thin OLED iPad Pro fails to spark sales surge

Apple's OLED iPad Pro, hailed for its display and ultra-thin design, is reportedly struggling to capture consumer interest as sales plummet well below expectations.

appleinsider.com

iPad is still Apple's second biggest device despite long term decline

A new report claims that despite overall sales declining, Apple's iPad continues to sell steadily, and is second only to the iPhone.

appleinsider.com

I think you can also see a lack of success being perceived by Apple when you consider the lacklustre pace and scale of hardware and software updates. The 2018 iPad Pro was only mildly updated until 2024 - which update was still pretty minor beyond a screen tech change. The iPad Mini has also only had very infrequent updates beyond the minor spec bumps (Gens 1 to 5 were basically the same bar updating the SoC). The Air is now made from 2018 Pro parts bin.

iPadOS development is not much better in terms of progress, except to the extent it takes features developed primarily for iPhone.

 

[playtech1]

2. Get MacOS apps on the iPad

Besides the obvious technical challenges to make this happen, it would result in a terrible user experience. First of all, the windowed experience: I can’t imagine how people who hate Stage Manager would like to interact with the traffic light UI, which is even harder to manage with touch input. Then, Mac apps are designed for mouse and keyboard interaction, which in some cases can’t be replicated with touch, and in all cases are based on target elements that need the precision of a mouse. They’re designed with a landscape orientation in mind, while the iPad is versatile. And many more reasons.

It’s just a huge effort in order to achieve something with a really bad user experience that almost no one would use in practice.

Don't worry - Apple has a product to help with this!: https://www.apple.com/uk/ipad-keyboards/

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I realise that there are many people who are happy with the iPad as-is and there are also narratives where it's a success story, but I don't see a healthy iPad software development ecosystem which will support long term success and sales

The iPad has existed for 15 years. I think it’s laughable to worry about its “long term success”.
Also, if we are just going to cherry pick articles to fit narratives…

Shipments of iPads grew along with tablet market in Q2 2024

Apple's iPad helped the global tablet market grow in Q2 of 2024, with the iPad Pro and iPad Air upgrades prompting an increase in shipments for the quarter.

appleinsider.com

Just like every computing platform, it has quarters where it’s slightly more successful than others. For example, 2022 wasn’t exactly the best year ever for the Mac. It underperformed in comparison to both 2020 and 2021. But does that mean that they need to start worrying about the long-term success of the Mac? Of course not, it bounced right back.
The iPad is the same, like I said they sold 57 million units last year, 10 million of which were the new super expensive iPad pros with OLED displays.
It’s long-term success is quite assured, this is all a bit silly.

 

[AlexESP]

Don't worry - Apple has a product to help with this!: https://www.apple.com/uk/ipad-keyboards/

Sure, it can help when you have to write long texts, etc. but the iPad is a touch-first device. You attach and detach the MK, and it works exactly the same. Something that only worked when the keyboard is attached wouldn’t make sense.

 

[Global_traveler]

For those truly interested in running MAC OS on an iPad, check out Luna Display. A tiny USB-C device I plug into my Mac mini. In my own WiFi bubble at home, I can elect to “run” my mini on the iPad screen. On the road, at coffee, I use a USB cable to connect iPad to mini. The ONLY thing I can’t do is type on the iPad - so I use a Bt keyboard. I use my Apple keyboard, so I get full utility. While the screen displays my Sequoia screen, I can use a stylus (or finger) to access Mac drop-down menus, select or deselect choices, move windows around, etc. At the same time, I can access the iPad control menu and all of its controls. I can even swipe up from bottom right for the small iPad Notes screen. So, I get a sort of combination of features. Yeah, and a mouse works great with it as well. With my Mac in my office, I can sit in my living room and write code, or use any other Mac app. So if you really want Mac on iPad, here you go. And with the new mini, it’s totally portable. I power the Mac from a “brick” shaped battery that has a 3-prong outlet on top, and it can keep my M2 mini going for 15 hours straight. Questions? $89.99. I don’t work for the Luna Display people. (Astropad)

 

[Ctrlos]

The iPad is often seen as an accessory but is actually Apple’s sub-$1000 computing lineup. Each device has its place on the market in your standard Good/Better/Best lineup:

- The Regular model is a competitive $300 computing platform for technophobes (not a jibe), teenagers and bulk purchase business/education buyers. They probably sell more of these than anything else.

- The Mini model, whilst niche slots into luggage and industry in so many ways a larger device cannot. It’s also crucially not a phone.

- The Air device is for buyers who want to pay a bit more and get a bit more.

- The Pro model is actually closest to an accessory of the lot, often purchased as an additional device for creatives who already have a beefy desktop and want portability coupled with the Pencil.

As far as the OP, three things that would fix their faults with the iPad:

1. List iPad on ebay

2. Sell iPad

3. Buy a Macbook Air