iPad Why can’t people use iPad as iPad and Computer as computer

[Mainsail]

Why can’t we just use iPad as iPad and use PC as PC. Why should we have to choose between one but not use both?

Well, I guess some of us might be minimalists, liking doing as much as we can with a minimal number of tools or devices involved. This is the reason for the whole debate of an iPad as a PC/laptop replacement and more recent hopes that with M1 iPads Apple might allow us to use MacOS in some form. By tweaking and optimising my workflows over the years I can do almost everything with an iPad/iPhone combo, but every now and again there are some awkward oddities that require me to boot up my old MBP. I guess my current device use is distributed as this: 70% - iPhone (it goes everywhere with me), 25% - iPad and 5% - MacBook. Considering that minuscule amount of time spent with a MacBook, it kind of makes sense to me to try to out-phase it altogether. It’s similar to keeping a car which you would use once a year to go for a road trip, while using the public transport every day. ??‍♂️

I agree. Some of us like the idea of taking more of a minimalist approach. I experimented with iPad only for this reason, but I kept running into things that were just inefficient or awkward to do on the iPad. It could be done, but it was more time consuming and frustrating. And, my use case is pretty simple; Mail, Safari, Photos, iMessage, iWork, Finder, Notes, Calendar, and creating an occasional simple video on iMovie. So, for me, the MBA is really the best minimalist solution. It certainly is less expensive than an iPad Pro with comparable screen size and storage.....add the Apple keyboard case and pencil, and the MBA is significantly less expensive.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[pdoherty]

Why can’t people use iPad as iPad and Computer as computer​

Mostly because it has all the same parts as a computer and it costs the same or more as one. So people get annoyed at artificial limits put on it.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Mostly because it has all the same parts as a computer and it costs the same or more as one. So people get annoyed at artificial limits put on it.

What you say is true. However, I can see people being annoyed if they would like to buy the iPad but don't due to the so called artificial limits. One should not be annoyed if one does buy the iPad expecting it to do things that it is not currently made or permitted to do. The cause of the annoyance is down to the lack of research prior to giving Apple the sale. Apple has not fooled the customer or pulled a fast one. What the iPad can and cannot do is publicly available information.

I can see someone being annoyed after purchasing the very expensive Magic Keyboard and seeing the material tear and fray after a short time. That annoyance is justified as it was sold as a well made and quality product.

 

[spiderman0616]

What you say is true. However, I can see people being annoyed if they would like to buy the iPad but don't due to the so called artificial limits. One should not be annoyed if one does buy the iPad expecting it to do things that it is not currently made or permitted to do. The cause of the annoyance is down to the lack of research prior to giving Apple the sale. Apple has not fooled the customer or pulled a fast one. What the iPad can and cannot do is publicly available information.

I can see someone being annoyed after purchasing the very expensive Magic Keyboard and seeing the material tear and fray after a short time. That annoyance is justified as it was sold as a well made and quality product.

I truly hate that stuff Apple uses for the outside of the keyboard cases. I shouldn’t have to wipe grime off of my devices daily to keep them from looking disgusting. Logitech uses the same kind of material, but theirs doesn’t show smudges and fingerprints—I don’t get it.

 

[Rafterman]

I truly hate that stuff Apple uses for the outside of the keyboard cases. I shouldn’t have to wipe grime off of my devices daily to keep them from looking disgusting. Logitech uses the same kind of material, but theirs doesn’t show smudges and fingerprints—I don’t get it.

I have the Logitech Combo, the material on it is awesome. I also love the removable magnetic keyboard, a la Microsoft Surface Pro, and the full time back and sides protection.

On a side note, what is peoples' obsession on what we get (e.g., storage: "why do anyone need x GB of storage, etc) or how we use our stuff? Computer, tablet, who cares. Use your stuff how you see fit.

 

[SteveManila1960]

I agree. Some of us like the idea of taking more of a minimalist approach. I experimented with iPad only for this reason, but I kept running into things that were just inefficient or awkward to do on the iPad. It could be done, but it was more time consuming and frustrating. And, my use case is pretty simple; Mail, Safari, Photos, iMessage, iWork, Finder, Notes, Calendar, and creating an occasional simple video on iMovie. So, for me, the MBA is really the best minimalist solution. It certainly is less expensive than an iPad Pro with comparable screen size and storage.....add the Apple keyboard case and pencil, and the MBA is significantly less expensive.

Of course, YMMV.

This was exactly my experience. I tried an iPad Pro and a 15" MacBook Pro combination back in 2017 ish I think. For my minimal use I came to the conclusion that for me the iPad was not quite enough and the Mac Pro was overkill. An 11" MBA was the sweet spot for me so that is what I have been using to this day, early 2015 1.6Ghz i5 4MB RAM 120GB SSD.

 

[macsound1]

Two words: Windows RT

Microsoft was seven or so years early to the game. They had a perfect product back then, but it just wasn't recognized at the time. This was at a time when Chromebooks had just been released and netbooks were on the decline.

Microsoft was also many years early to this amazing idea. People didn't recognize how great Windows 10 Mobile was.

Experience the Power of AI with Windows 11 OS, Computers, & Apps | Microsoft Windows

Experience the latest Microsoft Windows 11 features. Learn how our latest Windows OS gives you more ways to work, play, and create.

www.microsoft.com

Microsoft built a great ecosystem almost immediately, but it crumbled due to a lack of interest at the time.
View attachment 1785695

I don't believe it crumbled due to lack of interest, it crumbled because they called it Windows but you couldn't install any "regular" Windows software. I believe if they just didn't try and make it look the same as Windows 10, it would've been obvious to users that it was a different device, much like how the iPad is clearly differentiated from the Mac.

Apple solved the lack of clarity of which apps can be installed where by creating the App Store where device owners knew if the app appeared in the app store, they knew it would run on their device. Since they built in device ID checking before showing search results you knew you only got pertinent results. And Apple clearly prevented installs from anywhere but the App Store, minimizing confusion even more.

 

[subjonas]

Why can’t we just use iPad as iPad and use PC as PC. Why should we have to choose between one but not use both?

Well, I guess some of us might be minimalists, liking doing as much as we can with a minimal number of tools or devices involved. This is the reason for the whole debate of an iPad as a PC/laptop replacement and more recent hopes that with M1 iPads Apple might allow us to use MacOS in some form. By tweaking and optimising my workflows over the years I can do almost everything with an iPad/iPhone combo, but every now and again there are some awkward oddities that require me to boot up my old MBP. I guess my current device use is distributed as this: 70% - iPhone (it goes everywhere with me), 25% - iPad and 5% - MacBook. Considering that minuscule amount of time spent with a MacBook, it kind of makes sense to me to try to out-phase it altogether. It’s similar to keeping a car which you would use once a year to go for a road trip, while using the public transport every day. ??‍♂️

I think the problem is, unless Apple makes iPad and Mac functionality completely on par (which I don’t think is likely since they have different focuses), there will always be people who need “just a little more” functionality from their iPad in order to replace their Mac. The iPad can completely cover some people’s needs now, and I believe Apple is trying to improve the iPad to cover more people’s needs (trying to do so without significantly altering its focus), but since people have such a wide-spanning range of needs, there will always be people who will need or benefit from having both devices.

 

[subjonas]

Mostly because it has all the same parts as a computer and it costs the same or more as one. So people get annoyed at artificial limits put on it.

I don’t think it’s as artificial as some people think, if artificial means arbitrary in this case. iPad and Mac software have two different focuses—ease of use and versatility—of which the extremes are incompatible, though they have a ton of overlap. Making the iPad and Mac have all the same functions would make one or both of the focuses lose out.

 

[subjonas]

I don't believe it crumbled due to lack of interest, it crumbled because they called it Windows but you couldn't install any "regular" Windows software. I believe if they just didn't try and make it look the same as Windows 10, it would've been obvious to users that it was a different device, much like how the iPad is clearly differentiated from the Mac.

Apple solved the lack of clarity of which apps can be installed where by creating the App Store where device owners knew if the app appeared in the app store, they knew it would run on their device. Since they built in device ID checking before showing search results you knew you only got pertinent results. And Apple clearly prevented installs from anywhere but the App Store, minimizing confusion even more.

Very interesting thought and quite possible.

 

[rui no onna]

I don’t think it’s as artificial as some people think, if artificial means arbitrary in this case. iPad and Mac software have two different focuses—ease of use and versatility—of which the extremes are incompatible, though they have a ton of overlap. Making the iPad and Mac have all the same functions would make one or both of the focuses lose out.

At least some of it is arbitrary. e.g. No torrents, no alternate browser engines, etc.

The iPad is pretty locked down unless one goes through the hassle of jailbreaking.

 

[Lategamer]

That's why today we have $2000 iPads that barely do more than a $300 basic iPad, despite having the hardware that is ahead by leaps and bounds. They had no idea they where they were going with the iPad pro and are trying to figure it out as they go.

I respectfully disagree.

It's true one thing though - the software on iPad is still the same basic consumption vision that Jobs had. The iPad has grown way beyond that now. We have app developers who are literally throwing that all away and giving us super amazing apps in spite of what Apple is limiting us with (the media layers especially).

My iPad Pro opened up to a whole new set of possibilities when they added the second charging port. Yeah. On the Magic Keyboard. Now I can charge it AND attach devices? Heck. that's as good as a Macbook.

 

[spiderman0616]

I respectfully disagree.

It's true one thing though - the software on iPad is still the same basic consumption vision that Jobs had. The iPad has grown way beyond that now. We have app developers who are literally throwing that all away and giving us super amazing apps in spite of what Apple is limiting us with (the media layers especially).

My iPad Pro opened up to a whole new set of possibilities when they added the second charging port. Yeah. On the Magic Keyboard. Now I can charge it AND attach devices? Heck. that's as good as a Macbook.

I have been doing some amazing graphic design, photo editing, and video editing projects over the last few years with the iPad Pro. It’s an amazing device for things like that. But Apple is so careful about when/how they point those capabilities out to people. I think they walk a fine line with the iPad as far as marketing—they don’t want to alienate the vast majority of users who never needed the iPad to do anything more than what the original model did, but they don’t want power users to be left in the cold so they only talk about those more advanced apps and features at WWDC keynotes. And the majority of iPad developers are still ignoring multitasking features the iPad got 2 years ago, so it often feels pointless.

I hope this year is different but it seems like a lot of people are expecting more from iPadOS than what we’re actually going to get.

 

[kingtj1971]

It’s not your call to say what people should or should not do or say, and you don’t get decide for other people what the best tool for the job is.

All I want to say about this is... threads like this aren't attempts to dictate what other people should do or say. IMO, this is mostly about calling out Apple's decision to go this direction with its hardware products. Apple started down this road of marketing iPads as "computer replacements" with its recent advertising and marketing. And that has a real, negative impact for those of us who wish to use Apple laptops or desktops as our primary computers for the tasks we want to do with them.

The amount of innovation put into new OS X releases has dropped off a cliff ever since the focus was redirected to the iOS devices. Apple is a far smaller company than Microsoft. They have to pull developers from one project in order to get another done promptly. These decisions have consequences for the user-base.

 

[rui no onna]

The amount of innovation put into new OS X releases has dropped off a cliff ever since the focus was redirected to the iOS devices. Apple is a far smaller company than Microsoft. They have to pull developers from one project in order to get another done promptly. These decisions have consequences for the user-base.

They're just following the money.

iPhone sales: ~200+ million per year

iPad sales: ~40 million per year

Mac sales: ~20 million per year

 

[Michael Scrip]

The amount of innovation put into new OS X releases has dropped off a cliff ever since the focus was redirected to the iOS devices. Apple is a far smaller company than Microsoft. They have to pull developers from one project in order to get another done promptly. These decisions have consequences for the user-base.

Could one reason be that MacOS is a mature operating system?

I'm not sure how much more they need to add to a desktop operating system. We're in a good place.

I use Windows and I haven't exactly been excited about new "innovations" there either. I just need it to work.

The purpose of an operating system is to get out of the way so I can use apps and programs.

 

[pdoherty]

The WWDC info today on iPadOS was pretty good. No mention of encapsulating Mac-level apps but the info that was shown is very good and I’m looking forward to using the enhanced features.

 

[rui no onna]

I use Windows and I haven't exactly been excited about new "innovations" there either. I just need it to work.

And really, I'd rather do without the new Big Brother "innovations".

 

[JM91Six]

They market ipad as a computer replacement, make the ipad overkill spec wise for what it needs to be, and provide accessories to make it feel more computer like. It’s very much apple doing this as well as other people. Apple is also limiting Ipad which is more furious, so it cannot become that true replacement

 

[joykin]

The purpose of an operating system is to get out of the way so I can use apps and programs.

I think this is the crux of the issue - with the aside that everyone has their own idea of what should be required, and there it is.

Some prefer it to be on a handy device like the tablet, some the laptop and some the desktop - because in the end, that is all they are - devices.

It seems Apple goes either one way or the other - mad scientist superwow or student versions; so add a middle version and make one of each for merged OS in all device categories and I think they would get a lot more business.

 

[Surfman]

They market ipad as a computer replacement, make the ipad overkill spec wise for what it needs to be, and provide accessories to make it feel more computer like. It’s very much apple doing this as well as other people. Apple is also limiting Ipad which is more furious, so it cannot become that true replacement

Your true is not everybody’s

 

[spiderman0616]

They market ipad as a computer replacement, make the ipad overkill spec wise for what it needs to be, and provide accessories to make it feel more computer like. It’s very much apple doing this as well as other people. Apple is also limiting Ipad which is more furious, so it cannot become that true replacement

I'm not sure Apple thinks of it that way though. There is a small group of users in the iPad install base that is convinced, despite Apple saying otherwise just about every year, that the only path forward is to gradually turn iPadOS into macOS. We can argue for the next 10 years on sites like this if that's the best way forward or not (it's not), but there's a large gulf between what the techy-er users think Apple ought to do with the iPad and what Apple knows is the best way forward for the iPad. Their only goal is to make the iPad better every year, not turn it into a MacBook.

After years of swearing off the Mac and considering iPadOS to be the "new way" I want to do everything from now on, I have given up on that dream. Multitasking on Mac is already a well ingrained paradigm for most users, and a good deal of the other new software features they announced for iPadOS today are either also coming to Mac and iPhone or were already there. (I'm also not sure the new multitasking on iPad is going to do much to shut the haters up--it's kind of the macOS style with the same iPadOS functionality.)

For me, it's time to admit that while I still believe iPad is the future, Mac is still the more viable option for my workflows NOW.

 

[JM91Six]

Very well said

 

[JM91Six]

Your true is not everybody’s

Ehh. I dont use the ipad for anything besides media consumption, web browsing and some emails. I have never been the one to think they would merge the operating systems.. But I do feel they push heavily how your ipad can replace a lot of what you need for some peoples workflows. maybe replacement is the wrong word, maybe companion… but to say they haven’t marketed this as some sort of computing replacement is wild to me IMO

 

[Surfman]

Ehh. I dont use the ipad for anything besides media consumption, web browsing and some emails. I have never been the one to think they would merge the operating systems.. But I do feel they push heavily how your ipad can replace a lot of what you need for some peoples workflows. maybe replacement is the wrong word, maybe companion… but to say they haven’t marketed this as some sort of computing replacement is wild to me IMO

Working for me 2 weeks in, sold my 2015 27” iMac. M1 12.9” only.