This will never happen for the 9.7 inch Ipad but maybe for the 12/13 inch Ipad Pro because it make more sense if it's just a bigger ipad with IOS then it will fail.
But PLEASE keep IOS on the 9.7 inch Ipad and the Ipad Mini!
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When will the iPad be our main computer?
- Thread starter ShaneBunting
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But PLEASE keep IOS on the 9.7 inch Ipad and the Ipad Mini!
Since the 6 Plus broke the 5" barrier, I wonder if Apple is going to make the iPad Pro the standard tablet. With a bigger screen, a proper dock, a little more connectivity, and more memory and horsepower, it could replace my laptop. But I'd also need either Windows or OSX, at least at the time being.
Then again, the new Macbook kind of contradicts such hopes.
Then again, the new Macbook kind of contradicts such hopes.
It has already no? I haven't actually synced my iPad to my laptop ever since owning it
I hardly do it too, but there are situations that require you to connect to a computer with iTunes, such as adding non-iTunes Store Music and Videos.
Ah but that's a case no matter which kind of phone you have and probably going to be the norm until we have ways to do data transfers wirelessly at a good enough speed between devices.
As much as I prefer the higher quality of ripping your own music to your device like FLAC I prefer to save some money and pay for a service like Google music all access for $7.99 a month with all music I want . Haven't ripped music in years so I forgot about that
Most media player apps do this already. Speed would depend on your wifi network speed, but on my home network, transferring a CD of music in mp3 format takes less than 10 minutes.
Its already the main computer for some of us, but it will never be the main computer for all of us. Also, the iPad, or tablet market in general, will eventually fade. Technology moves so fast that the day will come where the tablet will be a thing of the past.
I got my first computer in 1984, an Amstrad CPC, and my first laptop in 1993 (provided by an employer), and fundamentally little has changed since then.
Yes, computers are faster, there's more memory, displays have high resolution (and color, though the CPC 6128 also had a color monitor), and there's more storage space, but the workflow isn't much different: there's still a monitor, still a "box" with the actual computer inside, and still a keyboard with an almost identical layout. I still interact with the machine through hitting keys and using a mouse (my first mouse came with an Atari ST in 1986). The perhaps biggest change was multitasking, but that's been around for many years now also.
Tablets with touchscreens were a much bigger change than anything else in those thirty years. One day they will go away, and I do predict hybrid devices will be the standard in 5-10 years, but their fundamental workflow attributes will stay for quite a while.
The iPad Pro with keyboard to me feels like the first iPad you could legitimately use to develop apps on (iOS apps at least), with a rethought-from-the-ground-up iOS version of Xcode. And run right on the device at native iOS speed instead of very slowly and with limited functionality in the iOS simulator.
A lot of developers will scoff at the idea, but I no longer find it a ridiculous proposition.
A lot of developers will scoff at the idea, but I no longer find it a ridiculous proposition.
Like some have said, the filing system is something of an issue. I know there's dropbox and iCloud, but speaking for me, a larger screen and OSX still works better.
All that said, I do think the iPad Pro might change things despite the lack of a filing system. I am still seriously considering iPP since the iPad Mini 4 is more of a consumption device for me.
All that said, I do think the iPad Pro might change things despite the lack of a filing system. I am still seriously considering iPP since the iPad Mini 4 is more of a consumption device for me.
I would say... never. Its not a matter of time or technology. Its a matter of Apple making a fundamental change to the way it operates, which it has no reason to. Until Apple plays nice with other 3rd party gadgets and they loosen control over the Appstore (never going to happen), there will always be someone developing an app or a gadget that doesn't play nice with Apple, and whoever wants to use that app or gadget cannot use the iPad as their only computing device. Its that simple.
I never see this happening. I regularly have people telling me that the next generation is using iPads almost exclusively because of schools but more and more schools are opting for Chromebooks over iPads.
I think the real question is when will the iPhone be our main computer and the answer is now.
I think the real question is when will the iPhone be our main computer and the answer is now.
Naturally this is a highly subjective topic, that being said, many people have been using the iPad as their only "computer" for years already.
For most of us, the iPad is becoming a device capable of replacing a computer (it's probably closer than most people think).
If I am honest about the Apps that I use on my Mac, there are very few that I have not found/chosen a great solution for... I use (I'll underline, and turn red, the Apps that the iPad already does pretty darn good job at for me): Safari, Mail, Messages, iTunes, Calendar, Notes, FaceTime, Photo, Maps, Numbers, Pages, iBooks, System Preferences, App Store, Calculator, Spotlight, Contacts, MacTracker, Paprika, ToDoist, Unit Conversion Widget, Weather Widget, Preview, Dictionary, Finder, Squirrel, SketchUp
- Finder is always a big call-out regarding the current short-comings of the iPad... and while I get it... TO ME, it's not an issue. I've become perfectly comfortable letting the Apps store/manage their own files (I personally have no reason to obsess over looking at the organization of my files; micro-managing that mundane task is not on my todo list).
- Squirrel is a Financial Forecasting App. I haven't found a replacement for this yet, THAT I LIKE.
- SketchUp... Well, you know what this is, and I enjoy it, but it's not a requirement for me. I know that there are plenty of Apps that can replace MY USES for this App.
iPad is already my main computer
Think it should depends on the individual. For me I have absolutely no use for a laptop its complete overkill for me. Same for my dad who has a laptop he never uses.
Think it should depends on the individual. For me I have absolutely no use for a laptop its complete overkill for me. Same for my dad who has a laptop he never uses.
It's my main computer, I've been thinking of grabbing an iPad Pro and that would REALLY be my main machine. My needs can all be met with an iPad. I do like to keep around a desktop or something for the times I feel like surfing with a mouse and keyboard but I think having the keyboard case with the Pro and the screensize of the Pro will be enough.
We will see what happens in November, but for now my Mini 4 is my main machine..
We will see what happens in November, but for now my Mini 4 is my main machine..
I've found this thread really interesting because I've found myself questioning my own tablet/computer demands over the past week.
My iPad Air contract is expiring. Like many, I was disappointed that there was no Air 3 and I think the Pro is too big (it would require buying a whole new raft of handbags for a start...). I was unwilling to go to the Air 2 because it's 'last year's tech' and by the time the standard 2 year contract is up it would be 3 years old. So ... I took advantage of a great contract deal on the Surface 3. I spent years on Windows, I know it extremely well, I knew I could make it do what I wanted and I liked the idea of a tablet that could be a laptop (or vice versa, depending on your priorities). It would be great! A full file system, an OS capable of running 'proper' apps ...
It hasn't worked out that way. My main computer is a 2013 rMPB and I have an iPhone. Even my work computer is a 2012 rMBP. The Surface stuck out like a sore thumb. I liked some elements of it (the hardware, some parts of the tablet interface, OneNote, handwriting recognition) but before long I was reminded of everything that has ever annoyed me about Windows. The scaling of desktop apps wasn't great, even at over 200%. I could get by in Explorer but almost everything else was nearly unusable for me on that tiny screen. The 'touch' apps are lacking and even in tablet mode there's little of the touch-screen precision that makes the iPad such a pleasure to use. I know there's the pen (and I do have a stylus) but I personally don't think that a tablet should need a keyboard or pen to function well. The Surface really does need either or both, as many reviews will testify. In essence, it's a fabulous device for specific use cases but does not perform brilliantly either as a laptop or a tablet.
By contrast, most iPad apps are designed to be highly functional through touch and the interface scales incredibly well. Yes, editing video, massive images or huge and complex spreadsheets may be difficult if not impossible—but isn't the same also true of any low powered computer, including the 'proper' computer that is the Surface 3? Even my rMBP has balked at some of the very large images I've occasionally had to juggle in work.
Most of the traditional objections to the iPad-as-computer have been rendered nearly void by iOS 9. We now have split screen, even three screens if you consider 2 split apps plus PIP. iCloud Drive offers a smidgeon of file control. We can upload to Safari and download to third party apps. We can forward attachments of files other than (and in addition to) pictures. We can draw, paint and edit images to a reasonably high standard in apps such as Pixelmator and Procreate (in fact, I personally prefer image editing on the iPad these days; it feels more natural). There's Microsoft Office for traditional productivity needs. Scrivener is hopefully coming soon and in any case the iPad is well supplied in the writing line. It would be nice to have more flexibility in terms of the OS but in terms of actual apps ... well, we're very fortunate. The iPad Pro will hopefully spur developers to new heights and we may see apps that push the envelope much further for both the Pro and the Air 2. A computer is a tool and any computer, any OS, is only as good as the apps you run on it.
The iPad even a level of video editing and granted, iMovie is not Premiere Pro or Final Cut—but it's as good as most of the low-cost, low-featured video editors that the vast majority will use on low to mid-range Windows laptops for churning out YouTube videos. General media for consumption can increasingly be handled in the cloud; my own choices for music are Google Play plus Deezer—I don't have any actual media files on my iOS devices at all—and StreamNation for video.
Specialists (note I do not say 'professionals' because it is insulting to imply that one particular use-case is 'professional' and another by implication is not, even though both are used for professional purposes) and power users will always require more power and flexibility than the tablet—arguably any tablet—can provide, but iOS has now matured sufficiently that for the vast bulk of the population the iPad can be their main computer. Even iTunes has become largely optional with backup in iCloud. In two years I can count on one hand the number of times I've had to link an iOS device to iTunes and even then it was more often than not a precaution. I think we'll see that umbilical cord being cut completely sooner rather than later. In many ways the post-pc era is already here. We just haven't completely realised it.
And whoops, I seem to have written a mini-essay. I do apologise.
My iPad Air contract is expiring. Like many, I was disappointed that there was no Air 3 and I think the Pro is too big (it would require buying a whole new raft of handbags for a start...). I was unwilling to go to the Air 2 because it's 'last year's tech' and by the time the standard 2 year contract is up it would be 3 years old. So ... I took advantage of a great contract deal on the Surface 3. I spent years on Windows, I know it extremely well, I knew I could make it do what I wanted and I liked the idea of a tablet that could be a laptop (or vice versa, depending on your priorities). It would be great! A full file system, an OS capable of running 'proper' apps ...
It hasn't worked out that way. My main computer is a 2013 rMPB and I have an iPhone. Even my work computer is a 2012 rMBP. The Surface stuck out like a sore thumb. I liked some elements of it (the hardware, some parts of the tablet interface, OneNote, handwriting recognition) but before long I was reminded of everything that has ever annoyed me about Windows. The scaling of desktop apps wasn't great, even at over 200%. I could get by in Explorer but almost everything else was nearly unusable for me on that tiny screen. The 'touch' apps are lacking and even in tablet mode there's little of the touch-screen precision that makes the iPad such a pleasure to use. I know there's the pen (and I do have a stylus) but I personally don't think that a tablet should need a keyboard or pen to function well. The Surface really does need either or both, as many reviews will testify. In essence, it's a fabulous device for specific use cases but does not perform brilliantly either as a laptop or a tablet.
By contrast, most iPad apps are designed to be highly functional through touch and the interface scales incredibly well. Yes, editing video, massive images or huge and complex spreadsheets may be difficult if not impossible—but isn't the same also true of any low powered computer, including the 'proper' computer that is the Surface 3? Even my rMBP has balked at some of the very large images I've occasionally had to juggle in work.
Most of the traditional objections to the iPad-as-computer have been rendered nearly void by iOS 9. We now have split screen, even three screens if you consider 2 split apps plus PIP. iCloud Drive offers a smidgeon of file control. We can upload to Safari and download to third party apps. We can forward attachments of files other than (and in addition to) pictures. We can draw, paint and edit images to a reasonably high standard in apps such as Pixelmator and Procreate (in fact, I personally prefer image editing on the iPad these days; it feels more natural). There's Microsoft Office for traditional productivity needs. Scrivener is hopefully coming soon and in any case the iPad is well supplied in the writing line. It would be nice to have more flexibility in terms of the OS but in terms of actual apps ... well, we're very fortunate. The iPad Pro will hopefully spur developers to new heights and we may see apps that push the envelope much further for both the Pro and the Air 2. A computer is a tool and any computer, any OS, is only as good as the apps you run on it.
The iPad even a level of video editing and granted, iMovie is not Premiere Pro or Final Cut—but it's as good as most of the low-cost, low-featured video editors that the vast majority will use on low to mid-range Windows laptops for churning out YouTube videos. General media for consumption can increasingly be handled in the cloud; my own choices for music are Google Play plus Deezer—I don't have any actual media files on my iOS devices at all—and StreamNation for video.
Specialists (note I do not say 'professionals' because it is insulting to imply that one particular use-case is 'professional' and another by implication is not, even though both are used for professional purposes) and power users will always require more power and flexibility than the tablet—arguably any tablet—can provide, but iOS has now matured sufficiently that for the vast bulk of the population the iPad can be their main computer. Even iTunes has become largely optional with backup in iCloud. In two years I can count on one hand the number of times I've had to link an iOS device to iTunes and even then it was more often than not a precaution. I think we'll see that umbilical cord being cut completely sooner rather than later. In many ways the post-pc era is already here. We just haven't completely realised it.
And whoops, I seem to have written a mini-essay. I do apologise.
Mini 4 user: what a game changer 2GB of Ram is. What a huge relief to open your iPad in the morning and to experience no Safari reloads.... videos and games will remain paused where you left them. Slide over is very useful in order to check sth quiuckly....copy n paste on iOS9 has gone to another level (not only trackpad style...the general actions seems more solid)....now everything can be done a lot smoother and with split screen (believe it or not even on Mini fonts are readable on safari with no issues) its a joy to post on forums and paste stuff from Notes app simultaneously. Its the first time i split my usage on both ipad and MBA when i am home... in the past my iPad was mainly to read books but now with 2GB i dont have the feeling of compromise of the old iPads. What i want next?.... a slimmer and even lighter iPad Air 3 cause i miss the bigger screen but in the other hand if bezels will not reduced i dont think anything will come close to the typing form factor of mini.... we will see. I dont know what Apple will bring for productivity on iOS10 (except 3d touch,physican keyboard and pen on smaller ipads)..... everything seems fine to me as it is... maybe a file system....?
ps. Speakers are not loud as iPad Air 2 but zero vibrations from the chassis. Screens are similar to my eyes... maybe you get the wow factor of the bigger size on Air 2 but except that colors are both very lively and popped out.
ps. Speakers are not loud as iPad Air 2 but zero vibrations from the chassis. Screens are similar to my eyes... maybe you get the wow factor of the bigger size on Air 2 but except that colors are both very lively and popped out.
I'm not sure about how far die shrink can and will go, or what might happen in battery technology, and Apple is being extremely sluggish to improve and expand iOS.
If the battery technology can double capacity/space...
If the die shrink goes down to 7nm or lower...
If Apple puts in a file system to iOS and allows the iPad to expand outward to drives and hardware ...
It is here.
I'm guessing 2020, but Apple could attempt it TODAY. I doubt they will, since they have their other computers to sell, and doing this would neuter the Mac line. Perhaps the Mac line SHOULD be neutered soon; one version of each computer, aside from iMacs and Mac Pros, and the laptops should be consolidated and diminished.
The iPad Pro will probably have the processing capacity of a 2006 MacPro, if not close. It will probably be more powerful than a new MacBook. The problem is that Apple doesn't allow the user to access that power and they don't let users expand outward from their tablet.
I think never.
iPhone, iPad and Mac/PC all have very different usage scenarios where they are good at. What I want is a great computer, great tablet and a great smartphone. Not all of them together. Even I have to say that 85% of the time I use either my iPhone and iPad. My Mac gets very little usage but when it's used it's absolutely essential to have proper computer environment with big screen, keyboard, trackpad and Wacom tablet.
Personally I use my devices for:
iPhone:
Social media
Listening music
Web browsing
Taking photos
Minor photo editing
SMS/Calls
iPad:
Watching videos and movies.
Web browsing and doing research (better than iPhone)
Content creation (Keynote presentations and other light stuff.)
Most of my photoediting needs are fullfilled with iPad (Pixelmator, Adobe iOS apps etc.)
Social media.
MacBook Pro:
Photoshop
Illustrator
In Design
As you can see, most of my usages are covered by iOS devices and I need my Mac absolutely only for full Adobe CC apps.
iPhone, iPad and Mac/PC all have very different usage scenarios where they are good at. What I want is a great computer, great tablet and a great smartphone. Not all of them together. Even I have to say that 85% of the time I use either my iPhone and iPad. My Mac gets very little usage but when it's used it's absolutely essential to have proper computer environment with big screen, keyboard, trackpad and Wacom tablet.
Personally I use my devices for:
iPhone:
Social media
Listening music
Web browsing
Taking photos
Minor photo editing
SMS/Calls
iPad:
Watching videos and movies.
Web browsing and doing research (better than iPhone)
Content creation (Keynote presentations and other light stuff.)
Most of my photoediting needs are fullfilled with iPad (Pixelmator, Adobe iOS apps etc.)
Social media.
MacBook Pro:
Photoshop
Illustrator
In Design
As you can see, most of my usages are covered by iOS devices and I need my Mac absolutely only for full Adobe CC apps.
The iPad will not 'become' your main computer.
When you sit at your desk you want a screen in front of you
when you are walking you want a screen in your hands
when you are outside you want a screen in your pocket
your main computer is not a 'physical' item anymore, it's a common experience and real time updates over all your devices. Pick the screens for your needs and that's it. It doesn't matter if there is a file system or not, and the OS running is not that important.
So the question itself is moot. For me, the question is more, how will this work out eventually on an architectural level? Are we going to connect our iPhones to screens? Is it gonna stream via Apple TV? Or is the screen still a laptop/imac?
Apple is pretty specific about this. Every device can work on its own and a common experience is the responsibility of the app developers (besides the standard apps of course). MS sees the common experience as a device independent software solution.
So maybe you have to change your question to: 'how does the iPad fit your entire computing experience?
When you sit at your desk you want a screen in front of you
when you are walking you want a screen in your hands
when you are outside you want a screen in your pocket
your main computer is not a 'physical' item anymore, it's a common experience and real time updates over all your devices. Pick the screens for your needs and that's it. It doesn't matter if there is a file system or not, and the OS running is not that important.
So the question itself is moot. For me, the question is more, how will this work out eventually on an architectural level? Are we going to connect our iPhones to screens? Is it gonna stream via Apple TV? Or is the screen still a laptop/imac?
Apple is pretty specific about this. Every device can work on its own and a common experience is the responsibility of the app developers (besides the standard apps of course). MS sees the common experience as a device independent software solution.
So maybe you have to change your question to: 'how does the iPad fit your entire computing experience?
This has less to do with better functionality for chrome books and more to do with lower price and a physical keyboard. As for the main question here, the answer is highly subjective and will be different for everyone. For me, an iPad replaces 99% or more of what a laptop does. I could literally go weeks without using our laptops and not miss a beat. iOS 9 has only enhanced my lack of need for the laptop by adding the ability to attach files to emails.