Apple Explains Why Stage Manager is Limited to M1 iPads in New Statement

[Tubamajuba]

Did I say supported or did I say “fully” supported?

This is the crux of the issue. Apple could push out an update that contains nothing but a few bytes of gibberish and people around here would call that "supported".

What it boils down to is a "**** you I got mine" mentality from fanboys with M1 iPads that are indignant over the fact that others are withholding money from Apple.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Yep, who can forget all those core LIDAR-reliant features?

Just saying, this is nothing that’s new for Apple. Anyone that’s been paying any attention knows that

 

[wbeasley]

So why didnt they make the latest Mini a M1 chipped device?
One year old and wont get these features even though USB C enabled.

Someone either cheaped out and didnt think far enough ahead
And surely some people would have liked a Smart Connector for keyboard.
Another missed op.

Hopefully a revamped version will arrive later this year enabled for the iPadOS release...

 

[sorgo †]

Hopefully a revamped version will arrive later this year enabled for the iPadOS release...

I’d wager next year at the earliest.

 

[4jasontv]

Good is a relative term and depends on the criteria.

For example, I need my iPad for illustration and I need as much space as possible. So, I could say: "the 12.9" is the only good tablet Apple makes." I don't care if you can or can't hold it one handed above my head - because I don't need that.

See? It's really relative. The truth is - Mini is an awesome iPad.... for certain use cases. It's the same for every iPad out there. Sadly - the Mini currently doesn't have the hardware capabilities to run Stage Manager. Probably the next one will.

The pro is an awesome computer, but it’s to large and heavy to qualify as a tablet.

 

[darngooddesign]

…

This is the crux of the issue. Apple could push out an update that contains nothing but a few bytes of gibberish and people around here would call that "supported".

What it boils down to is a "**** you I got mine" mentality from fanboys with M1 iPads that are indignant over the fact that others are withholding money from Apple.

**** you I got my 2016 iPad Pro. 😛

FWIW, no-one actually cares if you don't buy an iPad.

 

[UltimateSyn]

So why didnt they make the latest Mini a M1 chipped device?

Thermal constraints and profit margins.

 

[smulji]

Old iPads can definitely run stage manager without external display support

Speculation. You don't know if you haven't tried it.

 

[smulji]

What was the point of Selling these as pro devices when they couldn’t do any more than the entry level iPad.

Fair statement and that gets to the heart of the matter. If you're an iPad user that only cares about the basics (for lack of a better term), get the entry level iPad. Otherwise, if you want to push the limits of an iPad, make sure your next iPad has an M* SoC.

 

[smulji]

Meanwhile, a regular computer can run windows with just 4GB of RAM.

Windows runs like crap on 4GB RAM. One would be crazy to buy a Windows machine, in today's time, with such little RAM.

 

[smulji]

All the window management features introduced in OS X over the past 20 years ran in less than 512 MBs using slow hard disks for i/o. There is even a leaked copy of OS X Leopard showing something similar to Stage Manager for the desktop.

Apple just wants us to spend more on our iPads. You are not gonna get me to upgrade from my 2017 iPad Pro though. I’m waiting until M4.

Wait till M3 and OLED iPads

 

[smulji]

So…a weather app? Thrilling

More than just a weather app

OS - iPadOS 26

iPadOS 26 delivers a fresh design, an intuitive, new windowing system and a more helpful Apple Intelligence, so you can flow through work and play.

www.apple.com

 

[smulji]

Which comes with 8Gb RAM and has a low resolution of 1440 by 900 pixels.

iPad models with 8+GB of RAM:

• iPad Pro 12.9" (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11" (3rd generation)

You forgot iPad Air 5

 

[smulji]

I think Apple has dropped the ball with this feature. It is so close to being something amazing and extremely functional. When plugged into an external display why can't we run a full MacOS like any other Apple computer? Unplug from the monitor and back to running in iPadOS mode. You can already use a keyboard and mouse, this stage manager is like a tease of what is so close to being something really usable. Regarding the hardware, I don't buy that stage manager is just too much for anything but an M1, just more Apple being Apple.

Obviously, the version of Stage Manager shown off on Monday was just step 1. I have no doubt it will be improved upon over time. Be patient

 

[citysnaps]

Again. Sigh. There is no m1 mini.

It’s to heavy and while a good computing device a terrible tablet.

Dude. Pay attention. I have a every iPad. It’s not a good tablet.

The mini is the only good tablet apple makes. The pro is to heavy. You can’t hold it one handed above your head for a few hours, it’s basically a MacBook with a touch screen.

"Again. Sigh. There is no m1 mini."

Again sigh, I've never disputed that. Why you continue to state the obvious is bewildering. Nice obfuscation, though.

That you're not strong enough to work with an iPad Pro is on you. I don't have that problem (along with millions of others using an iPad Pro). And will soon be using Stage Manager.

While you continue to whine and stomp your feet about purchasing the wrong tablet for using Stage Manager. Embarrassing.

 

[Karma*Police]

To sell more iPads. Let’s be real. It’s Siri all over again.

It’s obvious to anyone who isn’t a fanboy and/or follows their financials. iPad sales were down an eye opening 14% while every other category was up YoY.

Apple really screwed up the iPad line on several levels. People aren’t stupid… the iPad has become a horrible value compared to the Mac after it got the M series chips.

 

[alien3dx]

They don't have to prove that it won't work.

Usually decisions like these are very simple to do:

Manager: Can these feature be implanted on older iPads?
Developer: Maybe, but it would require a lot of engineering resources and we're pretty sure it's going to be problematic due to little memory on older iPads. We're not sure we can guarantee a fast experience.
Manager: Are there are any other reasons to not support older iPads?
Developer: Yes, M1 has faster IO to both storage for swapping which can delay slowdown if running low on memory and communicating with the external screen
Manager: How about testing?
Developer: We can save a lot of testing resources and time by not having to test old iPads at all
Manager: Sounds good. I'm going to recommend we drop old iPads for this feature

Upper level manager: You make good technical arguments, but how about sales?
Manager: Worst case, they will still use their old iPad and pay for apps and services where we get a cut, best case: people will buy a new expensive iPad.
Upper level manager: Approved!

Since apple env like nobody know anything.

Upper manager - we need something to get sales ipad pro , hmm multi tasking
Manager - multi tasking
Upper manager - approved
lower staff - wt .. we doing .? We just doo lah.

 

[smulji]

But if users want them to change, they must let corporations know.

I do. With my wallet. With this specific case, I have no issue with Apple's decision.

 

[smulji]

There are many other users – people with "proper" technical background, that also feel that way.

Feelings are not facts or evidence. If those people with "proper" technical background think Apple is wrong, let them prove it. Apple is not wrong because these people feel Apple is wrong.

 

[dk001]

I bought the first generation M1 iPad Pro with cellular and 2TB SSD when it was first available. The cell capability and size of the SSD were the only two operational choices. I added a Brydge keyboard with trackpad. The total cost was obviously higher than the M1 MBAir. But I have primary connectivity anywhere in the USA there is Verizon cell service. (Meaning not attempting to use my iPhone 13 Max Pro 1TB as a hotspot but as a phone). The M1 will have successors with more speed and other features, but this iPad will not be obsolete for many years as it has the proper architecture to run the future iPad OS systems needing "M" series processors.

The hand writing is very plain in bold letters on the wall.... M series is in and Intel is out for the entire Apple product line. What is there to argue about? They also did this leaving Motorola and PowerPC behind.

No one is being forced to buy anything made by Apple. The older stuff still does what it was purchased for originally with perhaps a few positive tweaks in the operating system over the years that add a feature or two. My 2013 MacPro still does what is was designed to do in 2013. I added OWC memory and SSD that improved performance but that did not change the capabilities of the CPUs and video cards. The system lacks the components to run the new OS to be released this fall. Looking to get a Mac Studio to replace my vintage MacPro.

My 2019 16" Intel fully loaded laptop is last week's newspaper. My M1 MacBook Air has more power than that $6,000+ computer. I bought a fully loaded 14" M1 Max as primary machine for now.

The complaints sound like folks who want their 56 Ford to have all the features of a 2022 Ford. Ain't going to happen.

As John Wayne said years ago "Suck it Buttercup!" You want to play, get the latest toys in the play ground or stay home. The old toys still work as designed.

You don't like what Apple is doing, buy Android or any other products that you fancy. No need to blow hot air based upon personal perceptions not based upon actual knowledge of the engineering, specifications or designs (insider data) that Apple is actually using.

Sorry but that is a pretty poor boo-how justification in my book. The car analogy doesn’t work.
I bought the iPad Pro 11 with goodies looking into Apples’ challenge on using the iPad Pro as your “laptop”.
Many of us did. We looked forward to the “Pro” apps and functionality. That never happened.
We did not know that Apple at that point had already mapped out the M1 and the path forward pretty much dumping us.

As for other tablets, other than Samsung at this point there really isn’t much out there. Maybe Google when they drop the Pixel 7 and other items Next year? Maybe.

What I suspect, maybe wrong, but it appears Apple is using the M1 as the cutoff point.
Pre M1, sorry folks but you be SOL. Don’t care if it can run on your hardware, we ain’t offering it.
Means there is likely more of this in the pipeline.

 

[4jasontv]

"Again. Sigh. There is no m1 mini."

Again sigh, I've never disputed that. Why you continue to state the obvious is bewildering. Nice obfuscation, though.

That you're not strong enough to work with an iPad Pro is on you. I don't have that problem (along with millions of others using an iPad Pro). And will soon be using Stage Manager.

While you continue to whine and stomp your feet about purchasing the wrong tablet for using Stage Manager. Embarrassing.

How could I buy the wrong tablet?

 

[smulji]

Or there are growing number of us (IMO) who are getting more and more tired of promises or possible promises

WTF is a possible promse? Either you were promised something or you weren't. Most of these "promises" people on this forum were basing their buying decisions on were rumors, not promises by anybody.

 

[rui no onna]

Thermal constraints and profit margins.

Battery life, too.

 

[dk001]

I just tried it on 11” and even there, I found it too small to be practical. I reckon SM is more suited for 12.9” or even bigger external monitors.

Perhaps in line with a bigger iPad Pro next year?

 

[Tubamajuba]

Feelings are not facts or evidence. If those people with "proper" technical background think Apple is wrong, let them prove it. Apple is not wrong because these people feel Apple is wrong.

For anyone outside of Apple to "prove it", Apple would have to let them dig through the iPadOS 16 source code. That will never happen, so Apple is the only one that can prove their side of the argument. Doing so would be a waste of time for them as long as they have millions of fans that see a product with an Apple logo and instantly develop an emotional attachment to it.