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

[DNichter]

The qualified people that are next in line to the old people. They would have been trained by their old bosses appropriately. The ones to take their place won’t be some random young person with inexperience.

I am probably considered old in my company, with plenty of experience and plenty of opportunity still left in front of me. I use an iPad Pro exclusively. This shift may sneak up on you with that old way of thinking.

 

[ipponrg]

And that's totally fine. There are absolutely use cases that an iPad won't be the best tool, there always will be. It's just that the majority of computer users won't need a traditional Mac or PC. Mobile already dominates today.

I think you need to break your statements into 2 categories of people: recreational and professional (incl prosumer)

For recreational consumers I agree with you. But you are heavily undervaluing professional use cases and why it’s important to satisfy professionals

 

[d4rkc4sm]

marketing to replace lack of innovation, truly a sad time for apple

 

[DNichter]

Last I checked you still can't develop software directly within iOS. So you can't actually develop software for the iPad, on the iPad.

Sure you can remote into another system, but that just makes the iPad a terminal, not a computer.

On my rMBP, and Surface Pro 3, I'm able to run Eclipse and do work when I don't even have an Internet connection. I can compile Java code, and then test it in a local copy of Tomcat. I can't do any of that on my iPad Pro. I can even run a light VM for testing (yeah, even on the Surface.. could use more ram of course).

So I'm sorry but the platform isn't dying. Just as there is a group that can perform their tasks on a limited function tablet, there is a group that needs a real computer to get their work done. You can even go as far as saying that the platform you claim is dying, is needed to keep the platform you see as the future, alive.

Yes, plenty of use cases where an iPad isn't ideal. That doesn't discredit all of the use cases where an iPad is ideal. Mobile is already dominating, traditional PC's have run their course and will be used less and less.

 

[tromboneaholic]

But do the majority of computer users need to spend $1,000 on an iPad? Also, why is it called an iPad PRO if very few professionals can do their jobs with it? Just call it the iPad "Max" or iPad "Deluxe" for people with ample disposable income?

The premise of your question is false. There are plenty of pros who already use the base 2018 iPad for work, so I don't think the more powerful pro models are any less suited.

 

[theChristopher16]

I’d love to! I can’t code on it though.

 

[ipponrg]

I am probably considered old in my company, with plenty of experience and plenty of opportunity still left in front of me. I use an iPad Pro exclusively. This shift may sneak up on you with that old way of thinking.

That’s because you are doing management work that does not require multiple screens, complex screen sharing, VMs, terminal, file management, and more.

It’s not going to change in my industry for the foreseeable future

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

OSX is being held back by middling hardware. iPad hardware is being held back by a middling OS. Only Apple Tim Cooks Apple can achieve both end members of this mediocrity.

 

[DNichter]

But do the majority of computer users need to spend $1,000 on an iPad? Also, why is it called an iPad PRO if very few professionals can do their jobs with it? Just call it the iPad "Max" or iPad "Deluxe" for people with ample disposable income?

No, definitely not (I paid $799 for mine). The $329 is perfect for a lot of people. I could use it also, but I like the features and design of the Pro much better. It's called Pro because of the added features, similar to the difference between a MacBook and a MacBook Pro.

 

[tromboneaholic]

That’s because you are doing management work that does not require multiple screens, complex screen sharing, VMs, terminal, file management, and more.

It’s not going to change in my industry for the foreseeable future

That's why Apple is still marketing and selling Macs.

 

[DNichter]

That’s because you are doing management work that does not require multiple screens, complex screen sharing, VMs, terminal, file management, and more.

It’s not going to change in my industry for the foreseeable future

I couldn't be happier about that. I totally get your perspective, for some tasks, the iPad isn't the best tool right now (why they sell Mac's too). That could certainly change over time though. Apple could do it tomorrow if they wanted to.

 

[ignatius345]

Apple's message is that it can be an alternative to a laptop.

Those who argue about iPad not being a 1:1 replacement to a laptop are doing so because they can't argue with the actual message, so they pick an argument they can win.

I think what we're arguing is that in the real, getting-****-actually-done world, a touch device with a very limited OS is a weak alternative to a laptop. Can it be used? In many cases for standard email / web / Word doc type stuff, sure. Is it as easy and efficient and well integrated as a Mac or PC? Nope! Is it capable of more advanced stuff? Absolutely not.

 

[citysnaps]

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.

Absolutely. And there's nothing wrong with that. That's likely a large chunk of computer manufacturer's customer base and needs.

Not everyone is searching for the next prime number, sequencing DNA, engaged in skyscraper structural analysis, mining Bitcoin, editing a feature documentary film, designing/simulating complex integrated circuits, decrypting intercepted Top Secret encrypted messages from foreign adversaries, engaged in AR research, modeling/simulating digital signal processing algorithms, engineering process control systems, and on and on and on.

 

[tkatz]

Yes, plenty of use cases where an iPad isn't ideal. That doesn't discredit all of the use cases where an iPad is ideal. Mobile is already dominating, traditional PC's have run their course and will be used less and less.

I never said there aren't use cases for the iPad. I just think the downplaying of traditional PC's is misguided and potentially dangerous. iPad's shouldn't be seen as a replacement for traditional computers in general, they should be seen as a supplement. While it is definitely becoming more powerful and the variety of software is growing, there is still a lot missing and there are many industries that need what a real PC brings to the table.

 

[citysnaps]

Apple's message is that it can be an alternative to a laptop.

Those who argue about iPad not being a 1:1 replacement to a laptop are doing so because they can't argue with the actual message, so they pick an argument they can win.

Spot-on assessment.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I think what we're arguing is that in the real, getting-****-actually-done world, a touch device with a very limited OS is a weak alternative to a laptop. Can it be used? In many cases for standard email / web / Word doc type stuff, sure. Is it as easy and efficient and well integrated as a Mac or PC? Nope! Is it capable of more advanced stuff? Absolutely not.

Does a laptop fit in a lab coat?

Is a laptop a better tool than an iPad for therapists to take client notes during a session?

Would you rather be tethered to a desk with a Wacom tablet or editing photos directly on the iPad screen?

Scientists, therapists, and photo editors (among many others) already get things done using iPads. There is no argument that for many professions the iPad is already more than a replacement; it has proven itself to be a better tool.

 

[jonnyb098]

I couldn't be happier about that. I totally get your perspective, for some tasks, the iPad isn't the best tool right now (why they sell Mac's too). That could certainly change over time though. Apple could do it tomorrow if they wanted to.

But Apple doesn't want to. I think thats a lot of peoples frustrations. If Apple allowed USB C drives on iPad Pro then there would never be a reason to pay their obnoxious premiums for the 1TB model. Its not hard to figure out a lot of this comes down to pure money. Apple wants you to BUY MORE STUFF!!

But in all seriousness. As a creative professional the fact the iPad is missing a few very easy key things like a file system means it just wont work. Doing graphic design would involve an entirely new and half broken workflow for me. Most people in a similar field will understand....I'm connected to networked drives that house all my files and back them up. Constant dragging and dropping between apps and the finder. Its years and years of muscle memory. Right now the iPad pro is too much of a compromise aside from the SINGULAR tasks of editing a video or photos. But when time is of the essence and time is money, half baked workflows don't cut it. And the first remedy to this is to have a file system.

Now at home.....doing some random creative stuff and basic computing I am 100% iPad Pro and I love it. But once again....Apple is pushing this as a REPLACEMENT for creatives, which its not. It's a nice accessory to have and a very important one.

I challenge Apple to prove me wrong.

 

[jjhny]

They must have lost their collective minds in Cupertino to even float this nonsense.

Mostly it is for content consumption - and as far as creation is concerned it is quite limited. We'd be out of business in about a day if we used iPads as the sole machine.

Also, I imagine Apple will put their money where their mouths are and start running server farms made up of 1,000's of iPad chained together. And I'm sure engineering will use it for chip design. Ha!! Most ridiculous BS Apple has tried to push in a long while.

 

[John Purple]

Does a laptop fit in a lab coat?

Is a laptop a better tool than an iPad for a Therapists to take client notes during a session?

Would you rather be tethered to a desk with a Wacom tablet or editing photos directly on the iPad screen?

Scientists, therapists, and photo editors (among many others) already get things done using iPads. There is no argument that for many professions the iPad is already more than a replacement; it has proven itself to be a better tool.

Maybe you are right. But I still don't get the point of a Ferrari engine on a Toyota Corolla chassis (iPad Pro with iOS).

 

[tromboneaholic]

But Apple doesn't want to. I think thats a lot of peoples frustrations. If Apple allowed USB C drives on iPad Pro then there would never be a reason to pay their obnoxious premiums for the 1TB model. Its not hard to figure out a lot of this comes down to pure money. Apple wants you to BUY MORE STUFF!!

Profit aside, using an iPad tethered to a hard drive is less than ideal. That's why Adobe has cloud syncing, so you can easily collaborate with people working on a desktop, or can finish working on your own desktop.

 

[DNichter]

But Apple doesn't want to. I think thats a lot of peoples frustrations. If Apple allowed USB C drives on iPad Pro then there would never be a reason to pay their obnoxious premiums for the 1TB model. Its not hard to figure out a lot of this comes down to pure money. Apple wants you to BUY MORE STUFF!!

But in all seriousness. As a creative professional the fact the iPad is missing a few very easy key things like a file system it just wont work. Doing graphic design would involve an entirely new and half broken workflow for me. Most people in a similar field will understand....I'm connected to networked drives that house all my files and back them up. Constant dragging and dropping between apps and the finder. Its years and years of muscle memory. Right now the iPad pro is too much of a compromise aside from the SINGULAR tasks of editing a video or photos. But when time is of the essence and time is money, half baked workflows don't cut it. And the first remedy to this is to have a file system.

Now at home.....doing some random creative stuff and basic computing I am 100% iPad Pro and I love it. But once again....Apple is pushing this as a REPLACEMENT for creatives, which its not. It's a nice accessory to have and a very important one.

I challenge Apple to prove me wrong.

Well, it is a business - so we have to consider that and obviously that plays a factor. I'd imagine a lot of people would still want high storage options (even with the possibility to attach external storage, likely coming in iOS 13). People don't want to be attaching storage for things, I haven't done it in years.

Your point is fair - it's not the right device for everyone and every task. That's why they still offer many other computers. That doesn't discredit the iPad though and the people who can use it as their main computer.
[doublepost=1542728358][/doublepost]

I never said there aren't use cases for the iPad. I just think the downplaying of traditional PC's is misguided and potentially dangerous. iPad's shouldn't be seen as a replacement for traditional computers in general, they should be seen as a supplement. While it is definitely becoming more powerful and the variety of software is growing, there is still a lot missing and there are many industries that need what a real PC brings to the table.

Agreed, plenty of room to grow. The future is bright for iPad. The traditional PC as we know it has run its course.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Also, I imagine Apple will put their money where their mouths are and start running server farms made up of 1,000's of iPad chained together. And I'm sure engineering will use it for chip design. Ha!! Most ridiculous BS Apple has tried to push in a long while.

What part of Apple's marketing material indicated any of your suggestions were part of iPad's value proposition?

 

[DNichter]

I think you need to break your statements into 2 categories of people: recreational and professional (incl prosumer)

For recreational consumers I agree with you. But you are heavily undervaluing professional use cases and why it’s important to satisfy professionals

There is still value in professionals that need a traditional PC, they won't be going anywhere, they will just become more and more niche over time. I think we also need to stop acting like professionals/tasks that do use an iPad are somehow not as valued or important as ones that need a traditional PC. This is the distinction I see constantly on this site.

 

[ipponrg]

I couldn't be happier about that. I totally get your perspective, for some tasks, the iPad isn't the best tool right now (why they sell Mac's too). That could certainly change over time though. Apple could do it tomorrow if they wanted to.

No. Even if Apple wanted to, they can't do it. The limitations of iOS is the first factor that prevents it from being used. You can't do a lot of things that are needed on desktop. The second major thing is the inherent design of a tablet. Let's say the iPad supported MacOS. The small screen real estate is a major issue given I stare at code all day with multiple windows and panes. You might say you can hook it up to the monitor, which I would respond that's what a laptop is for.

We both agree the iPad has its use cases. But to think it will take over laptops in my industry in the foreseeable future is nothing short of absurd.
[doublepost=1542728912][/doublepost]

As the iPad becomes more powerful, why is it so inconceivable that it couldn't be used for CAD? Even today I can think of uses where it could be utilized in a mixed environment when working with clients in the field at remote locations.

You wouldn't be asking this question if you had done CAD or modeling before. Power is not the issue.

 

[Mac 128]

Grammatically Apple is right. It can be your next computer which implies it can be a replacement or an alternative. Their marketing is clever in that people will forget the meaning of the word “can” and start a debacle.

Right, but the average customer is not pausing to think about the meaning of “can” and the message it may convey under different constructs. They’re relying on implied use, and most common inference derived from it. And that’s what Apple is counting on, despite how clever they may be in splitting hairs with their marketing semantics.