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

[antonis]

You’re saying ‘turn it into a laptop and it can replace my laptop’.

Actually, I'm saying 'before apple claims that it can replace my laptop, they should give to it the same basic features'. It's common sense.

 

[haruhiko]

Apple Highlights Five Reasons the iPad Pro Can Be Your Next Computer
MacRumors users Highlight Five Thousands Reasons Why They Need a Mouse Cursor

 

[Bacillus]

I’ve only seen Apple state that an iPad can replace a laptop for a lot of people. Not everyone and ever use case. That’s still true. The vast majority of reasons people own a computer today are to browse, email, photos, video, stuff like that. The iPad can easily replace a laptop for people that need it for such uses. It’s grown over the years and has now replaced traditional PC’s for some people in the work environment. That will only continue as Apple develops and adds more productivity features. I’d suggest trying again at some point, but not forcing it if it doesn’t make sense for your workflow.

It should be used for CAD. Use AutoDesk Inventor Professional for five minutes and you can see it’s a perfect CAD & Modeling application for a tablet. No CLI in sight, you can do everything on it in a couple taps and an on-screen ten-key keyboard. Unfortunately for the world, CAD software is not new. These are giant, old programs hogging the best IP everyone else needs to infringe upon to build new CAD systems. A few companies have had CAD software pretty well tied up for half a century. Hoping for some new upstart to come along and compete against their mature products right out of the gate is unlikely enough, but forget development costs, you’ll never get enough legal capital to defend your company from AutoDesk & Dassault. And both of those companies have looked long and hard at Apples platform, their fickle nature, their tiny user base, the App Stores pricing expectations, and added up the cost of rewriting 60 years worth of CAD development for a new Apple platform (in one case, after having attempted it and regretted it long ago already), and realized a vanilla AutoCad, useful as a simple dwg viewer, and a web app of the beginners Inventor Fusion 360, are as far as it makes sense to go. Dassault bought & made a limited & unstable acad dwg competitor for Mac as a side project over a number of years, but just gave it away free with an explanation that that’s it, and that the experience taught them it makes no sense to attempt recreating industry behemoths Solidworks & Catia to Mac. That leaves what, entry level Rhino as iOSs only hope of getting a decent local modeler, and I don’t even think that was parametric, and then Siemens NX if your pockets are lined with gold, but I’ll belive they’ll rewrite NX and put a $20,000 program on the App Store when I see it.

Then there’s the matter of CADs tie-in to CAM systems, machining software, and automation software, and PLM software, plus an entire world of machines running on their own proprietary windows or unix software that’s customized for every other job. These are enormous programs we rely on, with clear roadmaps years ahead preparing us for Surface ui’s etc, and the big change in human creativity, upcoming design assistance from machine learning.

If Apple wants the iPad to be a creative device that finally makes 3D printers and AR worth their weight in gold, they and they alone will have to do a total 180, and put their resources into creating a CAD app that democratizes design, viz, and manufacturing, or it will continue to not happen. And I don’t see Apple getting more into pro apps at this point, sadly.

While I agree 99.9% with you, this goes far beyond the Cookette Apple ambitions.
The guy found out that lowering Pro standards gives access to a thousandfold bigger market and goes after the lowest hanging fruit. He’s gotto hate the CAD world as you only see him in boutique style design shops using Pencils to avoid the risk being interrogated about a Mac Pro, and now all sort of artists suddenly have become Pro’s, a flattering label targeting their limited self-image.
Now the market “needs to make the transition” which means that my office people instead of having a decent keyboard on their laptop, should grab Pencils to get their work done.
That won’t work - while a TouchMac certainly would have had benefit - so that’s exactly where he lost us with his miserable product strategy.

 

[jinnyman]

Funny thing is that if you are one of those people who can use an iPad as their only computer, then you are overspending for what you do.

With the current price level, the apple defenders' justification on what iPad is capable of is not acceptable. It has to do more. Otherwise, keep the cost lower and continue pretanding as punny computer for right people.

 

[Bacillus]

Funny thing is that if you are one of those people who can use an iPad as their only computer, then you are overspending for what you do.

With the current price level, the apple defenders' justification on what iPad is capable of is not acceptable. It has to do more. Otherwise, keep the cost lower and continue pretanding as punny computer for right people.

Essentially, it’s the new “Pay more, do Less” direction for FaceBook Pro’s that tell themselves how great they are.

 

[Applemaniac7]

Seems you have difficulty reading so let me highlight the part you missed in my original comment:



Notice how I used the word "many", rather than the world "all"?

My comment was still correct which is that for many, the current iPad Pro could be used as a laptop replacement. There will ALWAYS be special use cases where a tablet or even a laptop won't cut it. That will always be the case. But more and more, the general tasks involved in the daily jobs of the majority of our workforce can be taken care of using tablets and don't necessarily require laptops or desktops.

And yes, the iPad Pro can do the task you described also.

Maybe you sir have difficulty not responding in a pretentious patronising manner... all I asked was.. can it do this task? Not once did I say ALL user cases need this function, or indeed a few. Just me, so please maybe consider learning to read what folk have put first, then answering in a non offensive mannner.
[doublepost=1542791101][/doublepost]

You missed the point where he stated depends on the use case.

For myself, I do all of what you outlined, with the exception of copying all the pics to desktop (why would you do that?), or to an external drive. I find the iPad to be a great system with obvious limitations. It is brilliant for attaching my camera, batch image processing (light edits), Export, upload, and embedding into editorial I am working on.

Drive support would be AWESOME, and I have sent in quite a few feature requests direct to Apple for this. I am hoping request #65 will finally get someone’s attention over there .

Where have I missed any point? I'm asking a specific question about MY usage, I don't give two hoots what other folk might use it for...
[doublepost=1542791252][/doublepost]

Sure. Import files (USB-C or SD card reader) and then transfer to an iOS external drive. They make them for either lightning or USB C.

So simple DSLR with a usb connector won't work out of the box, then my simple external hard drive with a usb connector, the sort that's on 99% of computer hardware won't work without having to buy extra bits. Cool, thanks for clearing that up...

 

[Abazigal]

Jonathan Morrison’s impressions on editing on his iPad (spoiler alert - he likes it).

And the kicker.

https://twitter.com/tldtoday/status/1064909078663557122

 

[tromboneaholic]

If Apple wants the iPad to be a creative device that finally makes 3D printers and AR worth their weight in gold, they and they alone will have to do a total 180, and put their resources into creating a CAD app that democratizes design, viz, and manufacturing, or it will continue to not happen. And I don’t see Apple getting more into pro apps at this point, sadly.

It will be interesting to see what moves Apple does eventually make in this space.
[doublepost=1542803474][/doublepost]

I know that ive heard Samsung does this!!!

Qualcomm has hired a PR firm as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to fuel anti-Intel modem rhetoric at times.

 

[DNichter]

It's more the arrogance of ignorance demonstrated by people such as yourself that keeps baiting people to respond, myself included.

It's also fun too.

It’s a touchy subject for many on here, I get that, but there’s nothing ignorant about seeing that the iPad has a bright future. You don’t feel on any level that it’s reminiscent of the early OS X days?
[doublepost=1542804297][/doublepost]

Maybe you sir have difficulty not responding in a pretentious patronising manner... all I asked was.. can it do this task? Not once did I say ALL user cases need this function, or indeed a few. Just me, so please maybe consider learning to read what folk have put first, then answering in a non offensive mannner.
[doublepost=1542791101][/doublepost]
Where have I missed any point? I'm asking a specific question about MY usage, I don't give two hoots what other folk might use it for...
[doublepost=1542791252][/doublepost]
So simple DSLR with a usb connector won't work out of the box, then my simple external hard drive with a usb connector, the sort that's on 99% of computer hardware won't work without having to buy extra bits. Cool, thanks for clearing that up...

It can be done, that was the question. If you expect old peripherals to be utilized forever, I guess that’s on you. If you wanted to complete the task, adopt a new USB C standard, and be better suited for the future, you can. Ultimately up to the individual.

 

[sitharock123]

The iPad Pro currently sits atop apple line of great tab, and with two large screen sizes, I don’t expect it to go anywhere in the near future. Still, like any device, it’s not for everyone.

 

[MacBH928]

I came back to say this is so wrong... iOS is so incapable that there are many websites that I just have to use a proper full desktop OS to view the page properly. Websites on iOS are still the "mobile" version and we all know what that means.

If it can't even load websites correctly... it will never replace a PC.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Websites on iOS are still the "mobile" version and we all know what that means.

As a web developer, I know what that means; however, I wonder if you do.

 

[gpatrick95]

As long as apple steadfastly refuses to develop mouse/touchpad support, this assertion is patently false, even for most casual users.

 

[840quadra]

Where have I missed any point? I'm asking a specific question about MY usage, I don't give two hoots what other folk might use it for...

Nor do I care about your use case to be honest. I just find it comical that you are attacking posts that essentially outline that different individuals have different use cases.

Is there a reason why you are so crass and dismissive over the subject of people having different use cases for this device?

 

[Mac 128]

No they wouldn't. You, and the other two people quoted below, are missing the point completely. Personally, I don't think there's anything bad about Surface or Apple moving in that direction. I'm expressing my opinion on why Apple will not add mouse/trackpad support to the iPad. I'm not saying they shouldn't, or that they can't, just that I don't believe they will for a very obvious reason. It is contrary to their overall vision for the product. The pencil is a natural extension of that vision. A mouse/trackpad and a cursor on the screen is not. Period. End of story. They can add mouse support no problem - anytime. They just won't do it.



I never said they can't. I said they won't. You completely miss the point. The iPhone and iPad are devices we touch directly. The computer disappears and we just carry this thin little sheet of glass around. There's no keyboard. No mouse. This has been the philosophy from day one and I don't think that will change.

Certain things make sense. A physical keyboard, for example. It's not necessary, but if you type a lot, it's nice to have. And it doesn't fundamentally change the iPad experience. The same goes for the Pencil. You're still touching the screen directly, not controlling a pointer on the screen. Apple could add mouse support anytime, but I don't think they will. As I've said before, if Apple added mouse support, the iPad would be no different from the Surface and Apple has made it very clear that they don't believe in such a device.



No argument on the mouse being superior. That's why I still have a MacBook. There are things I prefer to do on my iPad. I love Good Notes, for example. Writing, sketching, brainstorming. I'd much rather do that on the iPad. But when it comes to other tasks, I prefer a Mac and a mouse. Different use cases. Apple has made it pretty clear that they don't believe in converging the two.

Also, who said anything about Apple wanting to move outside the walled garden? They don't want that. It sounds like you and certain other folks just want them to turn the iPad into a Mac. The iPad isn't meant to replace the Mac for people who REALLY need a computer. Not even close. I make my living on a Mac and I could NEVER do what I do on an iPad. Adding mouse support wouldn't magically turn the iPad into a "real" computer for me. By the time they got through my list of needs, the iPad would just be a Mac.

But the iPad does replace the computer for many people and those are the people Apple is trying to reach with this kind of marketing. That's pretty much no one who reads this site. Adding mouse support isn't going to sell more iPads. It would just compromise the user experience.

But Apple already has added a virtual trackpad to the onscreen keyboard, and has even touted it on their website as a compelling feature to purchase it. So your argument is moot.

It works like a computer. And in ways most computers can’t.

iPad Pro works with a keyboard when you need one. The full‑size onscreen keyboard lets you respond to an email or write a paper, and it even acts as a trackpad. And if you want a full‑size physical keyboard, just attach the Smart Keyboard Folio for a great typing experience and front and back protection.

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/11/3d-touch-iphone-6s-keyboard-trackpad/

https://www.imore.com/how-use-trackpad-mode-iphone-and-ipad

 

[DNichter]

But Apple already has added a virtual trackpad to the onscreen keyboard, and has even touted it on their website as a compelling feature to purchase it. So your argument is moot.

I expect some form of trackpad support here soon, but I think they want it to be handled a little differently than we are used to. My guess is that you can use an iPhone as a trackpad, or when you connect an iPad to an external screen, it mirrors and turns into a full keyboard and trackpad combo. Something like that, but it will only be available within productivity apps.
[doublepost=1542815969][/doublepost]We can all go back and forth on whether or not iPad is a viable alternative to a Mac, but I think everyone agrees that the iPad could be much more than it is today. Apple needs to take this to heart and really start to transform the iPad into the Mac replacement it should be. Trackpad support, storage support, windowed or tabbed apps, external display support, dock support, and better Files app are just a few ways they could instantly improve the experience for a lot of people. I want an iPad that I can dock and have a larger screen experience that incorporates all of these things. Jobs had this vision years ago and if they really want to transform computing again, this is the way to go. The potential is much greater than even the Mac.

 

[LordVic]

It can be done, that was the question. If you expect old peripherals to be utilized forever, I guess that’s on you. If you wanted to complete the task, adopt a new USB C standard, and be better suited for the future, you can. Ultimately up to the individual.

I think you've missed something somewhere with this comment.

we're not talking about old peripherals. We're talking new ones. iOS is actively blocking USB-C based 3rd party storage devices. regardless of camera, hard drive, memory stick etc. none of these are "old peripherals" and aren't going away anytime soon.

again: Apple in iOS is actively blocking even NEW peripherals that fall under a certain use case (storage devices). there's nothing "OLD" about that.

 

[DNichter]

I think you've missed something somewhere with this comment.

we're not talking about old peripherals. We're talking new ones. iOS is actively blocking USB-C based 3rd party storage devices. regardless of camera, hard drive, memory stick etc. none of these are "old peripherals" and aren't going away anytime soon.

again: Apple in iOS is actively blocking even NEW peripherals that fall under a certain use case (storage devices). there's nothing "OLD" about that.

I understand that, we were talking about cameras, not external storage. You can connect a camera in multiple ways, via a $6 cable, a $12 SD card reader, or wirelessly to import your photos and then export to a $26 iOS thumb drive. If you are going to buy and use an iPad for such a task, I would think you would buy the supported peripherals and use them opposed to stomping your feet, trying to jam unsupported peripherals into the USB C drive, and complaining to the internet about it. Links below if you need to do such a thing with your computer.

https://www.amazon.com/USB-C-Cable-...a117318e74b6c800635727455f1c43&language=en_US

https://www.amazon.com/Reader，AVOTC...b8da182e7d01f714b3c5588a6ee651&language=en_US

https://www.amazon.com/External-Sto...2816999&sr=8-3&keywords=ios+usb+c+thumb+drive

 

[dk001]

These conversations seem to fall on one of these extremes (only half-joking)
1: People who can do work on an iPad probably have the type of job a robot will be doing in the future.
2: People who don't use an iPad are computing neanderthals that need to get with the times.

Obviously, neither of these are completely true. The iPad is a tool that excels at some areas and is deficient in others. My MacBook is a great tool that excels in some areas and is deficient in others.

People who switch to an iPad have to adjust their workflows. This is normal, but somehow with the iPad is a bad thing. If I switch cameras, the controls are different, the menu choices are different, and the camera may not end up doing something I need to as part of my workflow. When I switched from Windows to Mac, I had to change my workflow because I was used to the Start menu and things like that.

You missed a big piece: those of us with workstreams / workflows that the iPad does not support due to a lack of hardware support or a lack of software support.

Update: left out the word "not:"

 

[BarbaricCo]

Really, really, really...

In times where pro (omg did I just used this word?) users every day are struggling with missing bits of hardware and software in Mac ecosystem, Apple declared this?!

Should we end this charade?
Where is dislike button!!!

 

[groove-agent]

Only 4GB of magic ram that some people are claiming is equivalent to 16GB on Mac/PC unless you pay $1550 to $1750 for 1TB storage tier which will get you 6GB of magic ram equivalent to 32GB on Mac/PC.

. How is it equivalent?

 

[dk001]

At some point in the the next 5-7 years, you will end up eating those words.

The 2018 iPad Pro is incredibly overpowered for the limitations inherit in iOS 12, which is as Captain Obvious as it gets. Apple knows this and while iit may take until iOS 16, but Apple will address more than enough to make the iPad most users main computing platform.

We are all using trucks right now, some of us know it, some do not and some refuse to see how it can happen, but it will, even if slowly, and right under their noses. Punch cards gave way to magnetic tape, which gave way to the floppy disk, which gave way to the hard disk, which is giving way to solid state storage. Mainframes were replaced by the mini-computer, which was replace by the workstation, which was replaced by the PC, which will be replaced by the tablet and the phone. History marches on and things change.

For many businesses they use hybrids or a device like the Surface. At this point I have real doubts that Apple will allow the iPad to fall into this group without a major OS overhaul. iOS 50.0?

 

[groadyho]

Am i the only one who thinks an IPad with 512gb costing over $1300 is a waste for what it can do?, not including the pencil. If you're video editing 256gb won't work that'll be gone quick, you need atleast 512gb.
And 64gb just wow, my phone has 128gb and already ive used 90gb of it.
Am I missing something here?

 

[groove-agent]

I think touch screens are inefficient because your hands are constantly in the way of the screen so you have to remove them in order to see. Ergonomically it’s easier to place a mouse where it’s comfortable compared to balancing the view of the screen with the placement of your hands.

No one says it doesn't matter. They're saying that the display itself acts as a trackpad. That is absolutely true. It's a different paradigm. And to the people these ads, and that marketing, is targeted to, will get it, and to them it isn't inconsistent or confusing. The problem here is people are trying to project their preconceive notions onto Apple's direction.

The real issue here is Apple isn't talking to us long time computer users who are set in our ways. Apple is talking to everyone else. And those people understand and appreciate it, and buy the products, because they solve their problems.

And do you really think someone is going to buy the keyboard folio without actually looking at it? One cursory glance shows it obviously doesn't include a trackpad. And the marketing very clearly says the display acts as the trackpad. The only reason you don't get it, is because you're projecting your old school notions into it. But normal people without those notions won't read it the way you are, and won't be confused.

You see the absence of a trackpad as a deficiency, because you're used to a trackpad (or mouse) and can't do without one. It's reasonable that you can't do without one because of your use case. It's unreasonable to describe the absence of a trackpad/mouse as a deficiency for all use cases, when there are plenty of people that don't have your background etc. and would find this new paradigm much more natural than the old school paradigm you're used to.

I stand by my point that the problem here is not Tim, or Apple, or these ads, or the marketing. The problem is all the people who these ads are not targeted to, coming here and complaining about how these ads don't fit their paradigms, when there are still plenty of people around for whom these new paradigms fit much better than the old ones.

 

[LordVic]

I understand that, we were talking about cameras, not external storage. You can connect a camera in multiple ways, via a $6 cable, a $12 SD card reader, or wirelessly to import your photos and then export to a $26 iOS thumb drive. If you are going to buy and use an iPad for such a task, I would think you would buy the supported peripherals and use them opposed to stomping your feet, trying to jam unsupported peripherals into the USB C drive, and complaining to the internet about it. Links below if you need to do such a thing with your computer.

https://www.amazon.com/USB-C-Cable-...a117318e74b6c800635727455f1c43&language=en_US

https://www.amazon.com/Reader，AVOTC...b8da182e7d01f714b3c5588a6ee651&language=en_US

https://www.amazon.com/External-Sto...2816999&sr=8-3&keywords=ios+usb+c+thumb+drive

except this is asanine.

you're assumption for Camera's for example is that the iPad should be the centre / focus of the workflow and that everything else is a peripheral that should be tossed to meet the iPad's limitations.

This is backwards. Cameras, especially profesional cameras can cost thousands of dollars. Sometimes Tens of thousands. That can last years if not decades.

your mindset is "Apple doesn't want to support them, so throw out your camera and rebuy everything that works with the new iPad Pro".

this is the big limitation. Apple is trying to tell users that this new iPad can replace their laptops. While there are fundamental limitations that Apple have purposely injected into their software/iOS in order to limit that. There is absolutely zero reason why iOS cannot read from a standard USB based camera, or a standard USB hard drive. none. Zero. There is zero technical hardware limitation in these devices. this is purely intentional by Apple for absolutely zero reasons other than someone in their offices was looking at a spreadsheet, and a line item probably showed they can earn more money by limiting 3rd party peripherals that worked

in the case of storage and external storage devices, Apple wants you to buy their internal upgrades. Not use external storage options. This is because the margins on the upgrades are massive from Apple. They don't want you using a 3rd party camera, they want you using your iDevice and importing everything trhough their cloud, so they can sell you more cloud storage.. They don't want you buying a $5 cheap mouse for precision input. They want you buying the $129 stylus.

this iPad pro is such a damn nice tablet, with great potential for a 2-in-1 device. it could easily be their "low cost" computer, even at the current price point. But for some reason, iOS limitations still plague it and Apple will not budge on that.