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retta283

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Original poster
Jun 8, 2018
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I've been thinking a bit about what a larger iPad Pro would look like, and was wondering if anybody here would have any interest in the idea. Obviously it would lose some portability, but a 15" screen would be excellent for drawing or for other creative tasks. This would also make it a better laptop replacement from the standpoint of screen size, as now the iPP and MBP would be very close in screen size.

It could probably be marketed more as a prosumer device, sort of like the old 17" MBP. Not a carry around every day device, but a portable drawing workstation that you can easily get from point A to B with.
 

TheRealAlex

macrumors 68030
Sep 2, 2015
2,985
2,250
1000% No even Steve Jobs in his book says there are limits.
would you buy a 7” watch ?

Steve Jobs regarded computer as the auto mobiles there are Motorcycles, there are Garbage trucks, there are sedans, SUVs many automobiles of different sizes with different features and capabilities.

Same with computers, there are small ones and larger ones, desktops even Servers that are closet sized or bigger.
Just Like a “tablet” is handheld with one hand at 14” and 15” that defining feature is absent heck at 12.9” it’s not one hand able.
 
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ejin222

macrumors 6502a
Oct 12, 2011
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Steve Jobs regarded computer as the auto mobiles there are Motorcycles, there are Garbage trucks, there are sedans, SUVs many automobiles of different sizes with different features and capabilities.

This is not Steve Jobs' Apple. In Cook's Apple, there are 2 door SUV's that combine two classes of vehicles into one, as seen in Apple's ad of proclaiming the iPad to be a computer (which it technically is).

Would I want a 15" iPad? Yes. Do I think they'll make one? No...
 

ThisBougieLife

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Jan 21, 2016
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Starting to get into iBoard territory there:

5484b8de0a35e23d340032b730ab8f44.jpg


I would not use one that large because it would largely defeat the purpose of it being a device more portable than a laptop. That is based on how I've used iPads in the past when I've owned them (even if I don't currently have one).
 

revmacian

macrumors 68000
Oct 20, 2018
1,745
1,468
USA
I'd have to hold it in my hands first. Why? Structural integrity. A slab of any material must increase in thickness as it increases in length in order for the slab to avoid flexing/bending. The only other way to avoid flexing/bending would be to add interior walls but I don't think there would be room to do that and still have the required internals and a battery that would support sufficient battery life. And, the walls themselves are going to add weight. I just can't see it happening at a thickness or weight that won't result in complaints.
 
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JayMysterio

macrumors 68000
Apr 24, 2010
1,534
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Rock Ridge, California
Would I buy one? Sure.

Do I think Apple would make 1? I don't think so.

The 14 - 16in size is too niche. A favorite for creatives, I don't see the general consumer rushing to get it. It's a market that Wacom finds itself competing with cheaper brands, but I can't imagine Apple would see that as a big enough market to enter. I can imagine music producers and some DJs would find it interesting, but that also isn't a big enough market to justify entering.

I do think if such a thing were attempted though, it might be interesting if they could something like Microsoft's Surface Studio. If the screen is that big it might be interesting if it were a small iMac, that you could move the screen to interact with as a tablet.
 

retta283

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Jun 8, 2018
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Starting to get into iBoard territory there:

5484b8de0a35e23d340032b730ab8f44.jpg


I would not use one that large because it would largely defeat the purpose of it being a device more portable than a laptop. That is based on how I've used iPads in the past when I've owned them (even if I don't currently have one).
Ah, I still have that picture on my old hard drive, with the iMat.
[automerge]1579403158[/automerge]
Would I buy one? Sure.

Do I think Apple would make 1? I don't think so.

The 14 - 16in size is too niche. A favorite for creatives, I don't see the general consumer rushing to get it. It's a market that Wacom finds itself competing with cheaper brands, but I can't imagine Apple would see that as a big enough market to enter. I can imagine music producers and some DJs would find it interesting, but that also isn't a big enough market to justify entering.

I do think if such a thing were attempted though, it might be interesting if they could something like Microsoft's Surface Studio. If the screen is that big it might be interesting if it were a small iMac, that you could move the screen to interact with as a tablet.
Yeah, this probably wouldn't happen because it falls under the same category as products like the 17" MBP or the Xserve, very niche and not mainstream. While it might be nice for some workflows, it doesn't really fit in the line Apple is targeting right now.

It would be great if someone would make a stand for iPP that allows articulation on an arm, somewhat similar to the iMac G4, but allowing it to be at angles that make sense for drawing on a table. Perhaps as time goes on and keyboard/mouse support matures, somebody will try something like that.
 
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Strangedream

macrumors 6502a
Sep 15, 2019
661
546
London, UK
No. I would buy a 24"+ "iTable" before buying any oversized iPad. For me iPad's main appeal is portability, and I find the 12.9" Pro already hits the sweet spot. Now I can appreciated that some professionals would want/need a bigger screen and Apple needs something to compete with Microsoft's Surface Studio.
 

Caesars

macrumors 6502
May 16, 2013
318
134
I’d buy a 17 inch iPad Pro without hesitation. I loved my old 17 inch MBP, it was amazing! I have a hard time seeing the screen on the 12.9 so far away and would sell my 12.9 + Purchase a 17 in a heart beat. I actually almost bought whatever the current larger size MacBook is at Best Buy (it was just so tempting) but decided to try and hold out and see if some higher res iPads are launched this year.
 
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rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,269
Might go for 14" depending on overall size and weight. That's around two Pro 10.5 side by side and pretty close to letter size paper (8.5" x 11"). Maybe if they can get overall physical dimensions to not exceed the size of Manila folders.
 

kamikazeeMC

macrumors 6502
Aug 18, 2017
476
524
Perth, Western Australia
A giant iPad mounted to an arm that can lock into place and hold the weight of your arm would be cool. But only when iOS/apps get more capable (not expecting full desktop level/nor do I want that, otherwise you would just get a desktop + wacom).

Would be too small of a market though. As imo more people would have a smaller portable tablet for lighter workloads and/or have the desktop + tablet for heavier stuff.

Or like mentioned above, a Surface Studio competitor. I don't like monitors/laptops with touch, other than navigation and selection, I don't see a comfortable use. But with the Studio moving the screen to an angle you can lean on while you work, is a lot better.
 

Unregistered 4U

macrumors G4
Jul 22, 2002
10,612
8,634
For Apple, macOS needs to be kept around in order to do iOS development AND to run their Pro Apps. But, I think if they want to eventually discontinue macOS, they’d be required to release a larger screened iPad. I personally would be interested because I’d like the flexibility the larger screen allows. 15 inches would be too large to be my only iPad, though, so I’d probably have a 10 and a 15.
 
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MPclk2006

macrumors 6502a
Sep 20, 2013
523
364
Texas
At that point why not just make a Macbook Pro with touchscreen instead. I like the iPad but it has limitations to what it can do vs a macbook, if those were removed I'd stick with the 12.9 ipad pro.
 

AutomaticApple

Suspended
Nov 28, 2018
7,401
3,378
Massachusetts
I've been thinking a bit about what a larger iPad Pro would look like, and was wondering if anybody here would have any interest in the idea. Obviously it would lose some portability, but a 15" screen would be excellent for drawing or for other creative tasks. This would also make it a better laptop replacement from the standpoint of screen size, as now the iPP and MBP would be very close in screen size.

It could probably be marketed more as a prosumer device, sort of like the old 17" MBP. Not a carry around every day device, but a portable drawing workstation that you can easily get from point A to B with.
Maybe if I was an artist, but as of now, I probably wouldn't.
 

urkel

macrumors 68030
Nov 3, 2008
2,795
917
Wouldnt a 15” iPad most likely be a hybrid Mac?

You couldn’t really use the “thin and light” design aesthetics on such a large portable screen. So once you start reinforcing materials or thickening up the chassis then it seems that you’d be in laptop territory. And if thats the case then it might as well be a hybrid macpad. (And Yes, I would buy one of those in a heartbeat!)
 

JayMysterio

macrumors 68000
Apr 24, 2010
1,534
32,961
Rock Ridge, California
I don't really understand the insistence on if an iPad Pro grows an inch or two, that suddenly Mac OS has any relevance. It's a touch interface device, Mac OS is not, IOS is. Mac OS is for Macbooks, Pros, and whatever, but for Mac devices. IOS is for iPads with the touch/utensil interface, Mac OS is isn't necessary, they've been clearly delineated as two different formats with possible crossover. They aren't meant to be the same though.

If I want to draw on a Mac, I need a tablet. If I want to mix on a Mac, I need an external device. If I want to edit videos, I need the keyboard & trackpad/mouse. Those are an addition to an already powerful device. I don't need those external devices with an iPad, but that of course comes with limitations, that keep getting diminished as time goes on.

Just because the increase in size of an iPad means more weight & length, it doesn't suddenly make it a Mac. It does on the other hand mean we do get an even more powerful iPad with bigger internals. There are already users who don't take their iPads out everywhere, but HAVE the option to if they want to, same as Macbook users. An increase in size may not make it the most portable device, but it doesn't drastically change what the iPad is. For most it just changes what it's used for & how.

Who knows, maybe the architects, engineers, and surgeons who already use iPads for their specific uses will really appreciate the extra real estate. That professional market maybe worth Apple's time. Just because the iPad grows a few inches it doesn't mean they can't find a table to safely rest it on though, and it doesn't mean Mac OS suddenly becomes important to them.
 

Septembersrain

Cancelled
Dec 14, 2013
4,347
5,451
My IPP took the place of a television. I don't think a bigger iPad Pro would be aiming to be in the laptop market as much as it would be filling in gaps. Like myself, it could be very useful for media. Watching shows, drawing, signing documents with clients, etc. It would be a niche, sure.
 

ejb190

macrumors 65816
Well, as a technology company, there are two extremes to your product development strategy.
  • Build a single device and let the users adapt to you. This risks loosing market share to other developers.
  • Build many devices covering every size, power, option and price point. This take a huge product development budget increasing costs and risks cannibalizing sales by your own niche lines limiting the success of your own products.
Personally, the 9 inch iPad Air is fine for me. Anything larger is too big to carry and use in the field.
 

andyw715

macrumors 68000
Oct 25, 2013
1,844
1,404
Sure, if it were paired with a bottom half of a laptop. Mac Book + removable iPad screen that would be great.
 
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