All iPads Would you want a 14+” iPad?

[cupcakes2000]

That's absolutely NOT the issue. What's holding back the iPad is Apple's refusal to give iPadOS more capability. I think Apple really did themselves a disfavor by putting the M1 into the device. Now we can see that chip driving external displays, handling real file systems, apps being allowed to use more than 12GB of RAM (previously limited to 6GB), running Apple's Pro apps, running X-Code, and so much more on Macs. Literally the ONLY thing stopping iPads from being a truly productive device is that Apple simply doesn't want it to be that way. Until they change that mentality it won't matter what size the screen is.

And no, I would NOT consider a larger iPad. Espcially at the price Apple would charge for it.

Who is it holding back though? People that use Xcode? Apples pro apps? Or are people just trying to wedge their own use case into an unsuitable tool, and then blaming Apple?

First- I’m not sure any programmer would choose a tablet over a computer for Xcode.

Second - there are more pro apps in the world than Apples, many more actually. And better ones. And there are some excellent iPad examples all over the AppStore.

Third - I’m not sure what you do with the file system that warrants an issue. It’s accessible, you can do all basic actions. There are apps that allow a bit more than the stock apps if you need. What else do you want?

It boils down to buying the right tool for the job at hand. If you want to use a tablet for productivity, you first need to learn whether it fits your usage for productivity.

Whinging incessantly that Xcode isn’t on it, for example, whilst seemingly missing the entire point that no one in their right mind would by a touch first tablet and then programme on it - isn’t a good look.

I think Apple promoting the iPad as ‘your next computer’ has confused some of you, although even watching the ads and the sort of thing they’re promoting should clear stuff up for you.

As you stated in the last part of your statement, indeed, Apple don’t probably want it like that. It’s not suited to everything a traditional computer is good at, but it excelles at almost everything that a traditional computer is bad it.

I’m not sure why it’s seems so complicated to understand.

 

[phrehdd]

It would be an interesting item for some folks. Consider of course those who do art. This would be very 'handy.'

My thoughts would lean more towards the fact one could use it with a keyboard and have it also connect to a desktop Mac so that the desktop Mac is portable around the house akin to being a laptop set up.

 

[Digitalguy]

That's absolutely NOT the issue. What's holding back the iPad is Apple's refusal to give iPadOS more capability. I think Apple really did themselves a disfavor by putting the M1 into the device. Now we can see that chip driving external displays, handling real file systems, apps being allowed to use more than 12GB of RAM (previously limited to 6GB), running Apple's Pro apps, running X-Code, and so much more on Macs. Literally the ONLY thing stopping iPads from being a truly productive device is that Apple simply doesn't want it to be that way. Until they change that mentality it won't matter what size the screen is.

And no, I would NOT consider a larger iPad. Espcially at the price Apple would charge for it.

You are right that the only thing stopping Apple is that they don't want to, and the reason is obvious, except for some people leaving in dreamland, Apple wants to sell both iPads and Macs to the same client.
And as long as competition is not too strong, that's the most profitable strategy for them.
But let me disagree on 2 things.
Apple not allowing apps to use all the RAM is a good thing. Even the 5GB (now 10GB on request, not by default) limit is a positive thing, and those think otherwise do not understand how memory works on iPad (which is different from MacOS).
Many people would absolutely buy a 15in iPad with iPadOS as it is now, with no need for MacOS, pro apps, or windowed apps, because they are not trying to replace a laptop with such a device.

 

[rui no onna]

Apple not allowing apps to use all the RAM is a good thing. Even the 5GB (now 10GB on request, not by default) limit is a positive thing, and those think otherwise do not understand how memory works on iPad (which is different from MacOS).

Yep. Letting apps hog all memory would result in app reloads, crashes and general system glitches/instability. Some of the reasons I switched from a 4GB RAM 2017 Pro to a 16GB RAM 2021 Pro.

 

[parseckadet]

Who is it holding back though? People that use Xcode? Apples pro apps? Or are people just trying to wedge their own use case into an unsuitable tool, and then blaming Apple?

First- I’m not sure any programmer would choose a tablet over a computer for Xcode.

Second - there are more pro apps in the world than Apples, many more actually. And better ones. And there are some excellent iPad examples all over the AppStore.

Third - I’m not sure what you do with the file system that warrants an issue. It’s accessible, you can do all basic actions. There are apps that allow a bit more than the stock apps if you need. What else do you want?

It boils down to buying the right tool for the job at hand. If you want to use a tablet for productivity, you first need to learn whether it fits your usage for productivity.

Whinging incessantly that Xcode isn’t on it, for example, whilst seemingly missing the entire point that no one in their right mind would by a touch first tablet and then programme on it - isn’t a good look.

I think Apple promoting the iPad as ‘your next computer’ has confused some of you, although even watching the ads and the sort of thing they’re promoting should clear stuff up for you.

As you stated in the last part of your statement, indeed, Apple don’t probably want it like that. It’s not suited to everything a traditional computer is good at, but it excelles at almost everything that a traditional computer is bad it.

I’m not sure why it’s seems so complicated to understand.

Whining incessantly? My last post was the first time I've ever even mentioned X-Code and iPad on this site. So one, since when is mentioning something one single time "incessant"? Two, I wasn't "whining". The question I was responding to mentioned that the size of the iPad was the only thing holding it back from "being a truly productive device." Sorry, but just slapping a bigger screen on the thing isn't going to eliminate the restrictions that Apple has placed on the iPad. That was my only point. I just bought an 11" Pro and I love it. It's great for lots of things, including productivity tasks like using Numbers, OneNote, the rest of the Office products, and for doing my taxes. Personal productivity tasks. But I can't use it for my job, and I have no desire to shoehorn it into such a role as it currently exists.

Again, I was responding to a comment about improving the iPad's use for productivity. Until I actually can use it for my job, there will be room for improvement. And a larger, and presumably more expensive, iPad would have to justify its existence in MY life with improved capabilities. Not just for cost reasons, but portability reasons, or rather the lack thereof, as well. But that's me, it might be a different answer for you.

As for watching the ads I do watch them. The "What's a computer" ad in particular. When I think of improving the productivity of the iPad that's the ad I reflect on most, and what informs my thought process on what Apple needs to do to live up to the gauntlet they themselves thew down.

Finally, what do I personally want to use the files app for? Mounting disk images sure would be nice, as would expanding zip files. These are features that should be built into the system. Saying that a third-party app can do it is admitting that you're working around a limitation that I feel shouldn't be there.

 

[ArkSingularity]

That's easy: Put MacOS on it.

Never gonna happen (for obvious reasons), but one can always dream.

 

[darngooddesign]

All a 16" iPad would give you is even larger home screen icons. ?

 

[MisterSavage]

Hell no. I exchanged my 12.9" for an 11".

 

[phrehdd]

I advocate for a larger "graphics" iPad to be used with something like this akin to Wacom.

 

[RickTaylor]

I'd buy one. I'm a math teacher. I use my 12.9" iPad as a virtual whiteboard for lecturing. My handwriting is not great; the larger I can make my characters, the easier it is for me to write neatly.

 

[subjonas]

Maybe they’ll call it iPad Studio.

 

[ArkSingularity]

Maybe they’ll call it iPad Studio.

That, or the iPad Pro Max.

 

[jinnyman]

Yes. I'm already using my ipad pro primarily to consume contents. Why not go for bigger screen?
For me to use it more productively, iPadOS needs to be improved.

 

[Analog Kid]

I love everything about the 12.9", but the weight. It's right at the limit for me-- I wouldn't buy anything heavier, or anything that feels heavier because the size adds leverage.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Whining incessantly? My last post was the first time I've ever even mentioned X-Code and iPad on this site. So one, since when is mentioning something one single time "incessant"? Two, I wasn't "whining". The question I was responding to mentioned that the size of the iPad was the only thing holding it back from "being a truly productive device." Sorry, but just slapping a bigger screen on the thing isn't going to eliminate the restrictions that Apple has placed on the iPad. That was my only point. I just bought an 11" Pro and I love it. It's great for lots of things, including productivity tasks like using Numbers, OneNote, the rest of the Office products, and for doing my taxes. Personal productivity tasks. But I can't use it for my job, and I have no desire to shoehorn it into such a role as it currently exists.

Again, I was responding to a comment about improving the iPad's use for productivity. Until I actually can use it for my job, there will be room for improvement. And a larger, and presumably more expensive, iPad would have to justify its existence in MY life with improved capabilities. Not just for cost reasons, but portability reasons, or rather the lack thereof, as well. But that's me, it might be a different answer for you.

As for watching the ads I do watch them. The "What's a computer" ad in particular. When I think of improving the productivity of the iPad that's the ad I reflect on most, and what informs my thought process on what Apple needs to do to live up to the gauntlet they themselves thew down.

Finally, what do I personally want to use the files app for? Mounting disk images sure would be nice, as would expanding zip files. These are features that should be built into the system. Saying that a third-party app can do it is admitting that you're working around a limitation that I feel shouldn't be there.

I quoted you because you were the last person to mention it - apologies if you thought I was referring specifically to you about the whining incessantly- I was not necessarily, I have not been following your posts to judge how incessant you have personally been. But please realise that in general there IS an incredible amount of incessant whining in the subject - especially on this site and yet I don’t know of a single programmer that would choose an iPad over a trad system for programming. Why on earth would they?

I can just tap on a zipped file in the files app and it unzips. Or (like with Finder if you want - there are plenty of things Finder can’t do that a third part equivalent can do) you can use a different app to manage your files which may have more flexibility - file browser pro springs to mind.

The beauty of an iPad and of iPadOS over a traditional system is it’s simplicity- and I mean also the fact you don’t need to care about what’s happening underneath to just get what you need done. Of course, what you need to get done must fit in to apples idea of what they want their product to be. But that’s ok. Every tool has its benefits over other similar tools. I could put my clothes on the dishwasher if I wanted to, but why wouldn’t I just get a washing machine?

It’s just not necessary to worry about what you can or can’t do on an iPad if what you want to do isn’t going to be made any easier by using one.

Hence - incessant whining about things which are basically irrelevant.

 

[Dealmans]

Q. Would you want a 14+” iPad?
A. Not with the current state of iPad OS and support for peripherals.

If Apple were to enhance iPad OS to support a DeX-like mode and an accessible system-wide filesystem, I would definitely be interested.

What do want it to do make coffee lol

Bring on the 14”

 

[ArkSingularity]

iOS and iPadOS do have some fundamental limitations that MacOS doesn't. Once they started putting M1 chips into iPads, I expected them to support background processes so that if I wanted to do something computationally expensive in the background, I wouldn't have to literally keep the app on the screen to do so. But iOS still kills apps in the background (unless they are actively playing audio, using location data, or using the camera).

Definitely not a bad thing for the iPhone (means that we have much better battery life and applications can't just decide to run in the background for no reason). But on some of the more powerful iPads, it's more limiting in terms of what can be done.

I keep waiting for the day that they bring Logic Pro X to the iPad. It's most certainly powerful enough for it.

 

[kazmac]

It would entirely depend upon build quality and price. Realize that I need more storage and screen real estate, but am equally happy with the base iPad. I either go big or basic for any future iPad.

 

[sracer]

What do want it to do make coffee lol

Bring on the 14”

I understand that there are people who are happy with a 14" smartphone. I'm not one of them.

 

[BotchQue]

When Sidecar was introduced the light bulb flickered, and I could see a great way to edit photos, on a larger iPad with the Pencil, while watching the overall effect on my bigger iMac screen, just by mirroring the iMac's screen on the iPad. I had tried using a Wacom tablet before but, without visual cues on the editing surface I never really took to it. I ended up getting the 12.9" Pro.

Well, for some reason I couldn't get Sidecar on my iMac; it's a 2014 and was updated to Big Sur, but doing a bit of digging I learn that, along with Big Sur, Sidecar also requires 2015 hardware. Sigh.

Well, my 8-year-old iMac couldn't be updated anymore, and it is giving me the occasional "spinning beachball", so I decided to get the new iMac Pro when it was announced a couple weeks ago. Surprise, there isn't one! I looked long and hard at the new Studio gear, the Mac Mini (which would've been enough), started looking at other monitors, joined this forum(!), and did a lot of pacing. Ended up ordering the Studio setup; sometime in May I'll know if my idea works or not.

Would I like an even bigger iPad? Sure, if this idea works. Would I buy one? Not for awhile, I've dropped an awful lot of coin on new iToys these last two years, I need to give the Visa a break for awhile.

 

[DeepSix]

14” is pointless, but I would predict a 27” iPad is coming,

 

[cupcakes2000]

When Sidecar was introduced the light bulb flickered, and I could see a great way to edit photos, on a larger iPad with the Pencil, while watching the overall effect on my bigger iMac screen, just by mirroring the iMac's screen on the iPad. I had tried using a Wacom tablet before but, without visual cues on the editing surface I never really took to it. I ended up getting the 12.9" Pro.

Well, for some reason I couldn't get Sidecar on my iMac; it's a 2014 and was updated to Big Sur, but doing a bit of digging I learn that, along with Big Sur, Sidecar also requires 2015 hardware. Sigh.

Well, my 8-year-old iMac couldn't be updated anymore, and it is giving me the occasional "spinning beachball", so I decided to get the new iMac Pro when it was announced a couple weeks ago. Surprise, there isn't one! I looked long and hard at the new Studio gear, the Mac Mini (which would've been enough), started looking at other monitors, joined this forum(!), and did a lot of pacing. Ended up ordering the Studio setup; sometime in May I'll know if my idea works or not.

Would I like an even bigger iPad? Sure, if this idea works. Would I buy one? Not for awhile, I've dropped an awful lot of coin on new iToys these last two years, I need to give the Visa a break for awhile.

This idea does work, it's exactly my usage when editing in my studio with my Mac Mini and my iPad. It will be even better with the all new hardware you're getting.

 

[BotchQue]

This idea does work, it's exactly my usage when editing in my studio with my Mac Mini and my iPad. It will be even better with the all new hardware you're getting.

Excellent, thanks for the info!
Do you connect your Mini to your iPad wirelessly, or use a cable?

 

[Solomani]

Rumors suggest Apple is exploring larger iPad options. I’m curious, what do the rest of you think about this? Personally, I would love a bigger iPad! I currently have the 3rd gen 12.9 and wish it were bigger. I believe if Apple did make a larger iPad, it would be at least 14”. I think they would add more multitasking possibilities onto a larger version and move the camera to the long edge (finally).

I don’t think this is too far fetched of an idea either, especially with Samsung releasing its Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. A few Apple focused tech channels have looked at the 14.6“ size and have had a lot of good things to say about it.

I firmly believe that is what holds the iPad back from being a truly productive device is its size. While the 12.9 is “big”, it is smaller than any MacBook sold today. A 13.3“ display is not the best to have multiple windows or apps open side by side. The new Pros, like the 14.2”, does though. I imagine if you ran iPadOS on a 14.2 display, this would allow for much larger windows side by side and I think you could comfortably Multitask with 4 corner windows AND still do slide over from the side too. 5 possible apps/windows!

Final thought - I also believe Apple would greatly benefit from this. Creating a “Studio“ sized iPad would prompt a lot of people to get 2 iPads. A lot of users already do this, but I don’t currently. I think I would then! A 14+” desk iPad and then a mini or air for on the go.

I could see how it would have some appeal to dedicated digital artists. It would essentially be a gloriously large and spacious digital easel.

 

[Duncan-UK]

Too heavy and would be cursed with the awful face-id which doesn't work if the iPad is flat on a desk.