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This is not about you either. I don’t care if you say it a computer or not. What I care is Tim Cook said it can replace a computer. I didn’t argue with you. I argued with him. You just happened to repeat him.

You’ve conveniently misquoted Mr. Cook. I wonder why...

Tim Cook: “Yes, the iPad Pro is a replacement for a notebook or a desktop for many, many people.”
 
If only this claptrap was true. The iPad will never replace a laptop or a desktop
The truly unfortunate thing is that the iPad could totally be a legit laptop replacement if it weren't for the limitations set forth by the operating system...

The thing is just an absolute powerhouse now, why not let the user harness all that power that they're paying so much for? Personally I'm just holding out for iOS 13. If Apple drops the ball AGAIN this summer by not giving the iPad the OS it deserves, then I think I'll really begin questioning my allegiance to Apple. Something I never thought I'd do :(
 
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Apple today shared a new short video focused on the recently released 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, listing five reasons why the tablets can be your next computer.


Apple's list of reasons why the iPad Pro can replace a computer are as follows:
  1. It's more powerful than most computers.
  2. It's versatile. It's a scanner, camera, editing suite, notepad, cinema, music studio, book, and a computer.
  3. It goes anywhere thanks to LTE.
  4. It's as easy as this (with a focus on gestures).
  5. It's even better with Apple Pencil.
This is Apple's first ad for the new iPad Pro models, but it has long advertised the iPad Pro as an alternative to a computer. Apple uses the tagline "like a computer unlike any computer," in this ad, which is something new the company has been trying out.

Apple's 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models were first introduced in late October and shipped out in November. The new iPads feature edge-to-edge displays with Face ID and no Home button, powerful A12X processors with performance on par with many Mac notebooks, USB-C to connect to 4K monitors and USB-C accessories, and thinner bodies.

The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 for 64GB of storage, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $999, also for 64GB of storage.

Article Link: Apple Highlights Five Reasons the iPad Pro Can Be Your Next Computer

There are exactly two reasons I keep a computer other than my iPad Pro around (just today I replaced my first gen 9.7 iPad Pro with a new 11 inch iPad Pro). First, to stream media files to a couple of Apple TVs. Second, once a year I have to log onto Windows using VM to produce a booklet for a non profit I’s associated with.

If it wasn’t for those two things I could be perfectly happy with my iPad Pro, my iPHone, and my Apple Watch.
 
You’ve conveniently misquoted Mr. Cook. I wonder why...

Tim Cook: “Yes, the iPad Pro is a replacement for a notebook or a desktop for many, many people.”
Even more absurd, replace desktop? No way man. You have no idea when your Mac Pro failed.
 
Stop whining about whiners.

Jokingly aside, the article and video states that it "can" be your computer. It means there's a possibility, but there's no guarantee. Some forget what the word "can" means here, but often times Apple's messaging is subjectively misconstrued due to their pompous marketing.

For most users who just surf the net, watch movies or casual tasks, the iPad is more than sufficient. For people that do more serious work (i.e. complex workflows or desire more of a desktop experience), the iPad falls very short.
This has been true for many years then. It is not clear how the iPad Pro, specifically, is much more capable than the iPads of previous years. Raw horsepower for the same basic functionality.
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Even more absurd, replace desktop? No way man. You have no idea when your Mac Pro failed.
It depends on what that desktop was being used for. And iMac used solely to surf the internet and send email? An iPad could replace that. For pro users who need a desktop for specific apps and power, definitely not.
 
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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.

We must do very different kinds of work. I'm an attorney, and I need to organize files by case, then by folders and sub folders within each case. A given folder might have .doc files, PDFs, photos, video, audio, and other types of file (some of which only open with windows apps, so I have to be able to dual boot, but I digress).

Long story short, how is it "ancient tech" to be able to organize files in a way that's logical to the user rather than in a way that Apple (or some app developer) deems logical?

OMG...

This highlights the point most of you don’t get. You’re focused on features and specs like mice and folders and don’t understand that it’s a tool to get real life stuff done.

You want to manage your photos with a file management app and you think it’s not a computer because you can’t. You’re old school and can’t accept that other ways to manage photos are better for some other people.

I like managing my photos with a photo management app. The great thing there is I don’t need to rename the file and put it in a sub folder. That makes it better.

You're unnecessarily angry about this... maybe take a breath.

Please see my example above. That's not a hypothetical, it's my real-world work. Organizing photos from 20 different cases in a single photo management app would be highly illogical and confusing. So I'd have to open Photos (or whatever) to see photos from Case A, then VLC to see videos from Case A, then Adobe to see PDFs from Case A... rather than just having all of Case A's files in a folder titled "Case A."

Now, I still like photo management apps. That's how I organize my personal photos, and it's a great tool.

But even there, not all of them. For example, when I sell something online, I like to keep photos of the item in case an issue ever comes up. But I don't want those photos in my photo management app, with my family vacation photos. I want them cabined off in a sub folder, out of sight and out of mind unless I need them later. A file system is the logical way to do that.

So, you're right in the sense that all computers should be seen as tools to accomplish what you want to accomplish. But for my money, a Mac is vastly better at accomplishing real world tasks than an iPad is because macOS is vastly more flexible than iOS. A Mac has dedicated apps to manage photos/videos/PDFs if you want to use them, but the flexibility that a file system provides vastly exceeds what's possible on iOS.
 
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We're not asking for anything complicated here, Apple:

1. Unlocked thunderbolt/type-C capability. Make it work with peripherals like mice and external storage.
2. When I plug in external storage/camera, allow me to open the volume/drive in the Files App. Like this should be a minimal for PRO.
3. Make said USB-C work with your dongles so we can connect multiple things at once.
4. Safari to access desktop versions of websites.

Like the iPad Pro is a wonderful device. As much as intel is scrambling their noodles trying to figure out what next-gen personal computing looks like, I believe Apple might've effortlessly almost-delivered it with a combination of iPad Pro and a bit more powerful iOS. Like the Files App is a simple, yet powerful leap forward to this.

Like implement type-Cs and all the four points mentioned above to iPads and iPad Pros and you've got a computer MOST people would love to use.
 
My girlfriend is an example of a casual PC user. She got an iPad Pro 12.9 for her birthday last year. She loves it, BUT she asks me about 2 times per week this question: how do I do ... on my iPad? And my answer is usually: well you can't, but maybe we will find an app for it. Sometimes we do find an app (paid of course), sometimes not...

Damn, you can't even download a zip file, unzip it, remove some files, zip it, rename it without using 3rd party apps. My AirPrint printer settings are just few basic options. I can't import raw files directly to the Lightroom. And the list goes on and on...
 
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Gotta do that to tell people. Some people think the pond is the ocean.

No, you don’t.

If an iPad handles all of someone’s computing chores, why would you tell that person they must instead buy and use a laptop or desktop? That’s none of your business.

If a bicycle handles all of your transportation needs, would you want someone to rant that you really need to own a car? That’s none of their business.
 
Uggh!!!! All of this hyperbole.

Recently, I used my inexpensive 2017 base iPad to:
  • Create a Flyer for an apartment rental
  • Develop a 10 slide Keynote presentation for our local school board
  • Update an Income & Expense spreadsheet with 7 tabs for different properties
  • Reply to business emails
  • Take meeting notes
  • Annotate and markup an income property prospectus
No problem.

But, this is a toy that can’t be used as a productivity tool. I must have imagined this stuff. All of the other people using their iPads for productivity must also be hallucinating. We need more Flat Earthers to set us straight on the reality of our delusions.
Are we supposed to be amazed at iPad capabilities with these examples? Even the first personal computers 40+ years ago could do all this. And now 40 something years later Apple tablet can do this too. Wow!
 
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No, you don’t.

If an iPad handles all of someone’s computing chores, why would you tell that person they must instead buy and use a laptop or desktop? That’s none of your business.

If a bicycle handles all of your transportation needs, would you want someone to rant that you really need to own a car? That’s none of their business.
Sigh. If all those people do are browsing the web, playing some games, checking email, a bit of photo editing, one-document editing, two-apps ‘productivity’, watching movies and drawing, then by all means go get it. Enjoy your iPad.
 
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Are we supposed to be amazed at iPad capabilities with these examples? Even the first personal computers 40+ years ago could do all this. And now 40 something years later Apple tablet can do this too. Wow!

No, I am amazed at the ridiculous hyperbole of people that say an iPad can't be used for productivity. So, I rattled off some quick examples from this week. If people want to describe how an iPad can't meet their needs, that's fine. But, these blanket generalizations are so tiresome.
 
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Can I write my own software on it? Nope.

Can I install my own software on it? Nope.

Can I pick my own web browser as the default web browser? Nope.

So can it be my next computer? Absolutely not.

The hardware is great, but it’s crippled by iOS. I’m willing to bet that, just like Apple always had an x86 build of Mac OS X since day one, they also have a build of macOS that runs on their A12X chips. I’d gladly buy a machine with Apple’s chips if it ran an actual “pro” operating system.
 
Uggh!!!! All of this hyperbole.

Recently, I used my inexpensive 2017 base iPad to:
  • Create a Flyer for an apartment rental
  • Develop a 10 slide Keynote presentation for our local school board
  • Update an Income & Expense spreadsheet with 7 tabs for different properties
  • Reply to business emails
  • Take meeting notes
  • Annotate and markup an income property prospectus
No problem.

But, this is a toy that can’t be used as a productivity tool. I must have imagined this stuff. All of the other people using their iPads for productivity must also be hallucinating. We need more Flat Earthers to set us straight on the reality of our delusions.
So productive. A 10-slide keynote. I guess we can call typing iMessage productive too if you chat with business partners.
 
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And I can list 50 reasons why it can´t

True

It can't because it does not have a mouse
It can't because does not have a floppy disk
It can't because it does not have a DVD drive
It can't because it does not have SD card slot reader
It can't because does not have an ancient 3.5mm headphone jack.
It can't because it does not have several USB ports.
It can't because it does not come with an in build keyboard.
It can't because....
It can't because...
It can't because...
Does not run a full version of Mac OS
It can't because is not bulky enough to look serious enough and appeal to the "old school" computer users.

But ..
I can also find hundreds of reasons why a MacBook can not replace iMac for many people. I can find just as many reasons why iMac cannot replace MacPro for many people. I can find just as many reasons why an iPhone can't replace the iPad for many people. I can also find many reasons why the cellular Apple Watch cannot replace the iPhone for many people. And for many other people, all on the arguments above can be replaced by the alternative one. For many people, the iPad Pro is the next computer (I realize it can't for you) Not all people have the same needs or use their devices the same way as you do. Time has changed a bit since 90's.
 
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Can it remote into a computer or terminal server? Can I use a mouse while remoting?


This might sound very 80s, but to me the main issue is not being able to connect a mouse. At some point I thought, ok, no more Macbook; I will get an iPad, remote into my work computer and then... how am I going to navigate that work computer without a mouse?

Umm... with your finger and/or the pencil. It’s a touch screen. Duh.
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I get it Apple. You want to marginalize the [real] computer market because by market share you've always been and always will be but a relatively small player there. You want to convince the world that the future is your iToys because you dominate that market.

But look at all the people here posting everyday examples of things your precious iPad cannot do.
Take note, stop making these silly advertisements and get back to work.*


*Yes, Apple Defense Force foot soldiers, I know iOS engineers don't do the marketing.

Yeah, no. Most of the things people are posting that it cannot do are only everyday things for some people. Most everyday things for most normal people (not us nerds) this precious iPad can do.

The problem is everyone here thinks they’re normal. Hardly. We’re computer nerds. That’s why we hang out here and argue about this stuff. We are not normal people.

The magnitude of narrow mindedness and lack of understanding of the real world here is astounding.
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Never. iOS is a toy. macOs is a computer.

Really? See here: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ur-next-computer.2155909/page-9#post-26823796


Apple should make a Mac tablet.

Because that approach has worked out so well for Microsoft hasn’t it... /s
 
So productive. A 10-slide keynote. I guess we can call typing iMessage productive too if you chat with business partners.

My post was in response to the absolutely ridiculous proposition that an iPad is just a toy and can not be used as a productive tool.

Hey, if you want to take this position and engage in gross generalizations and hyperbole then you should defend it. So, if your position is that an iPad can't be used for productivity, then defend it. I gave some quick examples. I'll bet there are folks that can give many more examples that involve drawings, sketches, note taking, reading, annotating, marking up, etc... You need to demonstrate that this is not the case. That productive work does not occur on an iPad. That it can not be done. This is the bar that you set when you engage in condescending exaggeration. Otherwise, drop the exaggerations and make a more lucid, specific and intelligent argument about how the device might not work for you. Or, that you find it easier to do certain things on a traditional computer. That would be reasonable and rational.
 
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Umm... with your finger and/or the pencil. It’s a touch screen. Duh.
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Yeah, no. Most of the things people are posting that it cannot do are only everyday things for some people. Most everyday things for most normal people (not us nerds) this precious iPad can do.

The problem is everyone here thinks they’re normal. Hardly. We’re computer nerds. That’s why we hang out here and argue about this stuff. We are not normal people.

The magnitude of narrow mindedness and lack of understanding of the real world here is astounding.

Well of course you can use a finger or a pencil. The question is, is it easier to use a trackpad or a mouse, or a finger or pencil when typing on an attached keyboard? Is it easier to lift your hand off the keyboard to touch something on the screen? Or is it easier just to move a thumb to a trackpad, or move your hand slightly to one side and use a mouse? Is it easier to pick up a pencil, and hover it in midair with no physical support for your hand to touch the screen, then put it down and resume typing? Or just shift the hand to a mouse or trackpad? Is it easier to plug in an external monitor and continuously shift your gaze from the iPad to monitor and back, so you can select and navigate, or keep your eyes focused on the larger display and merely move a pointing device next to the keyboard you’re also using?

Maybe using the iPad with your finger or pencil is easier for you in these very common computer uses, but for most people it’s not likely going to be. And keep in mind, these are the exact examples which Apple says makes giving the Mac a touch screen impractical as being ergonomically counterproductive to use — yet somehow it’s no problem on an iPad being marketed as a computer replacement?
 
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