Sure. But then PDA can also replace a laptop for most of those people so it does not say much.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Highlights Five Reasons the iPad Pro Can Be Your Next Computer
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
For all those people who -could- replace their laptop with an iPad, all of the people who only use email, look at recipes and the like, why would you need a Pro or a Pencil?
Apart from maybe some graphics artists, I can't think of any reason why you'd want a pencil. It's a crap input device.
And those same people could probably replace their laptop with a $400 laptop, let alone a $800 tablet that needs another $400 worth of accessories tacked on
Apart from maybe some graphics artists, I can't think of any reason why you'd want a pencil. It's a crap input device.
And those same people could probably replace their laptop with a $400 laptop, let alone a $800 tablet that needs another $400 worth of accessories tacked on
Yeah, well, look at any iPad advertisement and Apple thinks everyone is an artist or a professional photographer. That's who they target the iPad for.
There’s plenty of good comments in this forum! For both sides of the argument.
Again, I’m for the iPad Pro taking on replacing a laptop.
But as others have pointed out, it’s the OS that limits it.
Basically all 5 of those reasons apple gave in that commercial can also be said about my iPhone.
Again, I’m for the iPad Pro taking on replacing a laptop.
But as others have pointed out, it’s the OS that limits it.
Basically all 5 of those reasons apple gave in that commercial can also be said about my iPhone.
because adding mouse support wouldn't be innovative, it would be giving in to proven technology of which they can't make a buck on since computer mice last forever and are cheap.
But why would anyone buy a tablet that costs more than a laptop and then waste their time trying to find a solution for what is a non-issue on a laptop? Of course there are some masochists out there but other than that...
Yes, the main reason - other than the underlying OS - that tablets can't supplant laptops: they can't support adequate peripherals. Need a mouse, need a nice backlit keyboard, need not only USB-C but USB 2/3 for support of thumb drives, etc. The current mac line of laptops perhaps almost CAN be replaced by an iPad, as they offer so few ports and have sub-par keyboards. And to top it all off, the latest iPad Pro has no phone jack. I have the 2017 Pro, and constantly use the phone jack for sound feedback for my musical pursuits, combining sheet music and sound feedback simultaneously with available music applications. The new Pro condemns me to bluetooth, is so thin as to be fragile, and doesn't satisfy my music needs anymore. Picky, picky ... AND, it costs a lot more and has no touch id.
If only Apple was as nuanced as you are. No, they go all in with their stupid commercials.
Well, and with iOS rather than MacOS, even your mouse would have limited function. The iPad needs ports, USB C/2/3, phone jack with internal DAC support, and a new OS to replace the Mac/PC.
It seems to me that you’re deliberately missing the point. Nobody is saying that an iPad is “not a computer” by some textbook definition. We’re saying that it can’t replace a computer running macOS (or windows, for that matter) because of the limitations of iOS.Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie)
11/19/18, 3:56 PM
A Mac Pro is a computer.
An iMac is a computer
A MacBook Air is a computer
An iPad Pro is a computer
An iPhone is a computer
Apple Watch is a computer.
Different incarnations for different people with different needs at different times.
And the reason this keeps coming up on the forums is that Apple is deliberately pushing the idea that an iPad CAN replace a PC or Mac with the sort of advertising in this and the infamous “what’s a computer” ad. Nobody pushes back against iPhone or Apple Watch as “computers” because Apple doesn’t market them as replacements for a mac the way they do iPad.
To put it another way... we’ll stop when they stop.
I tried it.
I honestly tried using the iPad Pro along with Apple’s keyboard and pencil. In the end, it’s really not a laptop replacement. Here are some reasons:
- Lack of proper file management — Unless you’re working with an Apple native file (pages, keynote, etc.) you cannot simply open a document, edit and save as you traditionally would on a Mac. Try working with an excel file. It sucks, plain and simple. Even when working with Apple’s own documents, it still sucks. Try opening a keynote, for example, then command tab to another app — say email to perhaps look up something for your presentation. Guess what... that presentation just closed back and you have to re-open it from “files” folder. It’s ridiculous.
- Adding Fonts — There is no way to just install new fonts to use in your presentation, for example. You have to buy an app to do that and even then it’s a complicated mess and doesn’t always work. I installed a new font, same as one used in Pages on the Mac, but still got the “missing font” message upon opening it on the iPad.
- Adding photos — You have to import into photos app. There is simply no way to add to a folder. I don’t need product photos in my photos app. I just want them to be used in other applications and to happily live in a folder.
- Skype — You cannot send files by Skype. Photos? Sure. Location? Sure. Your presentation for tomorrow’s meeting? Nope. This is true for other apps. They are simply not as complete as their desktop cousins.
These are just issues I can think of at the moment. There are some pluses, like having WeChat on the device. No need to look for a phone to connect with someone. I like how compact the device is and how easy it is to use for basic functions, but anything more complicated and this whole idea of “iPad as laptop replacement” falls apart pretty quickly.
Just my two cents. I’m back to using a MacBook for any trip longer than 1-2 days.
I honestly tried using the iPad Pro along with Apple’s keyboard and pencil. In the end, it’s really not a laptop replacement. Here are some reasons:
- Lack of proper file management — Unless you’re working with an Apple native file (pages, keynote, etc.) you cannot simply open a document, edit and save as you traditionally would on a Mac. Try working with an excel file. It sucks, plain and simple. Even when working with Apple’s own documents, it still sucks. Try opening a keynote, for example, then command tab to another app — say email to perhaps look up something for your presentation. Guess what... that presentation just closed back and you have to re-open it from “files” folder. It’s ridiculous.
- Adding Fonts — There is no way to just install new fonts to use in your presentation, for example. You have to buy an app to do that and even then it’s a complicated mess and doesn’t always work. I installed a new font, same as one used in Pages on the Mac, but still got the “missing font” message upon opening it on the iPad.
- Adding photos — You have to import into photos app. There is simply no way to add to a folder. I don’t need product photos in my photos app. I just want them to be used in other applications and to happily live in a folder.
- Skype — You cannot send files by Skype. Photos? Sure. Location? Sure. Your presentation for tomorrow’s meeting? Nope. This is true for other apps. They are simply not as complete as their desktop cousins.
These are just issues I can think of at the moment. There are some pluses, like having WeChat on the device. No need to look for a phone to connect with someone. I like how compact the device is and how easy it is to use for basic functions, but anything more complicated and this whole idea of “iPad as laptop replacement” falls apart pretty quickly.
Just my two cents. I’m back to using a MacBook for any trip longer than 1-2 days.
The latest one is a fail for "the fine arts" as well. It doesn't even have a phone jack with DAC sophistication, for use with high quality headphones/speakers. The thing needs PORTS. USB/sound/mouse/keyboard, etc. -- oh yeah, stuff a good laptop comes with. Meh.
Exactly. By their definition my dishwasher is a computer. It even had to be re-booted the other day.
You're assuming Apple would design iOS to use a normal computer mouse. Shame on you! You should know that Apple would design iOS to use ONLY a special Apple mouse, designed by Apple JUST for the iPad! Of course, it would take them 3 years to develop the mouse, so it may be some time before we see one. The Apple Mouse for iPad -- $129.99 with Apple Care an extra $59.
Let me put it this way, if I could only have one, the iPad Pro or the MacBook Air, I would take the MacBook Air every time.
Except none of that is needed for millions and millions of computer users. I, for one would love to never, ever use a mouse again. And a file system. Bah. Ancient tech. Not needed.
For those who say iOS will never work with a mouse.
It does in the Xcode simulator. Why can’t they do something like that? (Though it is rather crude for what I think many people want, which is to quickly and accurately select text, which I still can’t do with my fingers, no matter how hard I try.)
It does in the Xcode simulator. Why can’t they do something like that? (Though it is rather crude for what I think many people want, which is to quickly and accurately select text, which I still can’t do with my fingers, no matter how hard I try.)
Security. An iPad is immune to viruses and hacking, for the most part. There's also a lot less things that can go wrong.
If iPad is a computer then it has the same security issues as all other computers. There is nothing special about iPad that would make it special as far as viruses are concerned.
And, "instant on" for another. There's something about tapping the power button and the device is instantly on.
Here’s what annoys me the most. Apple says that iPad is more powerful and faster than most laptop computers on the market. Sure, that may be true... but that is like saying that a motorcycle is faster than a pick up truck, so it can replace the truck. Sure, if you need to go from point A to point B, that’s true. But try to do real work and you’ll realize it’s all complete non-sense.