Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The thing that makes this plausible is that both Apple and TSMC might want to move to N3E ASAP for reasons of cost/yields.
Yes, this is the exact reason why I can see this happening. Now that N3E is ready for mass production I can see Apple wanting to transition away from N3B manufacturing fairly quickly. I don't think there will be any new A17 based products, and Apple will start transitioning the M3 products to M4 later this year and there won't be any products lingering with the M3 chip (so they can get away from using N3B altogether).
 
I just dropped my first gen Apple iPad Pro. So I am due for an update. I could only hope for the M4.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Surf Monkey
Yes, this is the exact reason why I can see this happening. Now that N3E is ready for mass production I can see Apple wanting to transition away from N3B manufacturing fairly quickly. I don't think there will be any new A17 based products, and Apple will start transitioning the M3 products to M4 later this year and there won't be any products lingering with the M3 chip (so they can get away from using N3B altogether).
Yep. My theory has also been that "A17 Pro" was named that because it would be a short production run and not something to be inherited by the base iPhone 16 next year anyway, so might as well slap on a "pro" to build hype.

In turn the "A17 base" can be a completely different chip based on perhaps a cut "A18 Pro" on N3E.
 
Hello everyone,

Like many of you, I've been eagerly anticipating the possibility of running Mac OS on an iPad. It seems like this might only be a practical reality with the introduction of the speculated 14" iPad Ultra, especially if Apple pairs it with a robust operating system to complement an M4 or M3X chip. Otherwise, we shouldn't even be calling it an iPad "Pro". Simply adding lightning-fast M3X or M4 chips would only make sense if Apple either completely revamps the current iPad OS or introduces a lite version of Mac OS tailored for the iPad. From my personal experiments using Mac OS on my 12.9" iPad Pro via Sidecar, it's clear that the current setup is not quite suitable for touch inputs.

There have been rumors that Apple is developing a streamlined version of Mac OS specifically for the iPad Pro. This adaptation seems necessary to manage the significant battery drain and overheating issues that the full version would likely cause on a tablet.

Interestingly, there’s also been a leak about a trademark for a keyboard that could potentially allow the iPad to run Mac OS when connected, akin to how Samsung's DeX works. With Apple's upcoming announcement for their "Pro" line of iPads, we're all on the edge of our seats to see what’s in store.

The limitations of the current iPad OS are quite apparent, as it doesn't fully harness the hardware's capabilities. Simply adding AI or an OLED screen doesn't truly meet the 'Pro' standards expected by many of us in the professional community. Additionally, while having Thunderbolt support or the capability to output to a 5K screen is impressive, many of us already possess M-chipped MacBook Pros. It's time to reconsider the very existence of the iPad Pro in its current form, and whether it really serves the needs of professionals or just overlaps with existing technology.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1627.jpg
    IMG_1627.jpg
    149.1 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_1626.jpg
    IMG_1626.jpg
    240.3 KB · Views: 41
I still have ipad air 4 and ipad mini 6…. Both amazing tablets.

I could never describe them as slow, for anything ive done… which is typical consumer tablet use.

Id probably hope for an upgraded magic keyboard for my ipad air, than a new tablet with more AI features. But I'm quite sure a new magic keyboard wouldn't be compatible with my ipad air:/
 
Hello everyone,

Like many of you, I've been eagerly anticipating the possibility of running Mac OS on an iPad. It seems like this might only be a practical reality with the introduction of the speculated 14" iPad Ultra, especially if Apple pairs it with a robust operating system to complement an M4 or M3X chip. Otherwise, we shouldn't even be calling it an iPad "Pro". Simply adding lightning-fast M3X or M4 chips would only make sense if Apple either completely revamps the current iPad OS or introduces a lite version of Mac OS tailored for the iPad. From my personal experiments using Mac OS on my 12.9" iPad Pro via Sidecar, it's clear that the current setup is not quite suitable for touch inputs.

There have been rumors that Apple is developing a streamlined version of Mac OS specifically for the iPad Pro. This adaptation seems necessary to manage the significant battery drain and overheating issues that the full version would likely cause on a tablet.

Interestingly, there’s also been a leak about a trademark for a keyboard that could potentially allow the iPad to run Mac OS when connected, akin to how Samsung's DeX works. With Apple's upcoming announcement for their "Pro" line of iPads, we're all on the edge of our seats to see what’s in store.

The limitations of the current iPad OS are quite apparent, as it doesn't fully harness the hardware's capabilities. Simply adding AI or an OLED screen doesn't truly meet the 'Pro' standards expected by many of us in the professional community. Additionally, while having Thunderbolt support or the capability to output to a 5K screen is impressive, many of us already possess M-chipped MacBook Pros. It's time to reconsider the very existence of the iPad Pro in its current form, and whether it really serves the needs of professionals or just overlaps with existing technology.
But the interesting thing is, my Macbook Air M2 is stone cold most the time. Mac OS is super efficient, and if they capped the energy consumption to avoid crazy temps, im sure it would still run most software fine.
 
Yep. My theory has also been that "A17 Pro" was named that because it would be a short production run and not something to be inherited by the base iPhone 16 next year anyway, so might as well slap on a "pro" to build hype.

In turn the "A17 base" can be a completely different chip based on perhaps a cut "A18 Pro" on N3E.
There won't probably be a base A17, or an A17 Bionic. They will be called both A18, although they will probably differentiate between the A18 Bionic and the A18 Pro, with the latter having maybe one or two more GPU or NPU cores. That's at least my guess.
 
But the interesting thing is, my Macbook Air M2 is stone cold most the time. Mac OS is super efficient, and if they capped the energy consumption to avoid crazy temps, im sure it would still run most software fine.
Absolutely, fingers crossed! With Apple’s track record and their team of top-tier hardware and software engineers, the potential to adapt either a lite or full version of Mac OS to the iPad Pro is definitely within reach. If Apple decides to go down that path, it’s clear they have the capability to execute it effectively. Ultimately, it boils down to business strategy, sales performance, and shareholder satisfaction. If introducing Mac OS to the iPad Pro aligns with their goals and proves to be a lucrative move, there’s a good chance we’ll see them take action. It’s an exciting prospect, and one that could significantly alter how we view and use iPads in professional settings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fuzzball84
I'll go with M3X as opposed to a proper M4 that shows up in Macs later. In the end though it doesn't matter with the same ole iPadOS limitations.
Apple is trying to trick consumers and make them believe Siri sucks because of lack of proper hardware (neural engines) but the r1 rabbit is a "android" device, the iOS SDK is not worth the apple tax so a whole new device was made, sidestepping the 15%
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Tagbert
What I care about most is actually… idle battery use. My A12z iPad Pro is dead within a week of non-use, especially with the Magic Keyboard attached. I want the old experience of picking up my iPad after 3 days and seeing it only lost 1%, not 55%.
More battery life! Stop the leakage! I don’t need more power…
 
  • Like
Reactions: raybo and xxray
Hello everyone,

Like many of you, I've been eagerly anticipating the possibility of running Mac OS on an iPad. It seems like this might only be a practical reality with the introduction of the speculated 14" iPad Ultra, especially if Apple pairs it with a robust operating system to complement an M4 or M3X chip. Otherwise, we shouldn't even be calling it an iPad "Pro". Simply adding lightning-fast M3X or M4 chips would only make sense if Apple either completely revamps the current iPad OS or introduces a lite version of Mac OS tailored for the iPad. From my personal experiments using Mac OS on my 12.9" iPad Pro via Sidecar, it's clear that the current setup is not quite suitable for touch inputs.

There have been rumors that Apple is developing a streamlined version of Mac OS specifically for the iPad Pro. This adaptation seems necessary to manage the significant battery drain and overheating issues that the full version would likely cause on a tablet.

Interestingly, there’s also been a leak about a trademark for a keyboard that could potentially allow the iPad to run Mac OS when connected, akin to how Samsung's DeX works. With Apple's upcoming announcement for their "Pro" line of iPads, we're all on the edge of our seats to see what’s in store.

The limitations of the current iPad OS are quite apparent, as it doesn't fully harness the hardware's capabilities. Simply adding AI or an OLED screen doesn't truly meet the 'Pro' standards expected by many of us in the professional community. Additionally, while having Thunderbolt support or the capability to output to a 5K screen is impressive, many of us already possess M-chipped MacBook Pros. It's time to reconsider the very existence of the iPad Pro in its current form, and whether it really serves the needs of professionals or just overlaps with existing technology.

Absolutely agree. In fact, I've been elucidating in my mind some excuses Apple could make to restrict this new OS interface to the newest M4 iPad Pro, like "only the power and efficiency of the new M4 architecture allowed us to implement this more complex UI (or macOS like system) without suffering from overheating", or something along the lines. Which could be true, because the iPad Pro has less room to evacuate heat than a MacBook Air.

Also, we're expecting a big UI redesign for iOS 18, right? How could that be reflected on the iPad? I'm actually expecting it to take more advantage of the device.
 
What I care about most is actually… idle battery use. My A12z iPad Pro is dead within a week of non-use, especially with the Magic Keyboard attached. I want the old experience of picking up my iPad after 3 days and seeing it only lost 1%, not 55%.
More battery life! Stop the leakage! I don’t need more power…
Ive noticed that a lot more lately, on both my ipads. Even if airplane mode is enabled and bluetooth and wifi off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: xxray
M3, M4... its not going to matter. They need something better than iPad OS
Yeah yeah, we know by now. Can someone at MacRumors count the number of times this remark is made when discussing anything related to the iPad?

And yes, please improve iPad OS. My pet peeve: I have to keep the device ‘awake’ when transferring big files from iCloud or from a website via my iPad to my Synology. If it falls asleep, boom, I can start over again. I can’t believe the number of times this has happened to me! Also: let me save files directly to my Synology like on my MacBook without iCloud (as my personal default) please 🙏🏼
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Tagbert
My m1 ipad pro needs WAY more charge than my old air.

I would like a new OLED screen and beefy performance... but battery would be nice for once.
 
Based on these rumors my guess is they are going to differentiate the chips used inside the pro models and air models. Same as they started doing with the iPhone lineup. Put latest and greatest in the pro models and then a lesser chip in the other models.
 
If I were working on trying to get an IOS feature with AI onboard, and it wasn't supported by the newest pro device, I'd be pretty bummed. All those M3s could find a home in new apple TVs and iPad minis for gaming :)
 
My m1 ipad pro needs WAY more charge than my old air.

I would like a new OLED screen and beefy performance... but battery would be nice for once.
Good news: the new OLED screens are supposed to be more efficient.

Bad news: Apple is supposedly making the iPads thinner, so it's possible battery life will just remain the same.

I'm just hoping the OLEDs are a lot more efficient. The 12.9" mini-LED drained battery so fast past 50% brightness and especially if using the Apple Pencil.
 
The M4 would certainly make Safari faster 🤣
You spelled Siri wrong.
Apple’s AI stuff is rumored to be announced in June with a release in Q4. It doesn’t make sense to release an M4 iPad Pro if it won’t use any of the advanced AI functionality for half a year. My guess is that this will be an M3 Pro or Max in an Ipad instead of the expected base M3.
Free beta testers.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.