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

[jeremiah256]

I’ve been using laptops for over 20 years but I don’t think the form factor lasts another 10 years. At least not as the main device people will be using. Slabs of glass seems the way forward, with anything else needed, keyboard, monitor, mouse, added on a case-by-case basis. It may not be macOS as we know it, but I’d be very surprised if Apple wasn’t working on some OS to offer broad computing from a tablet.

 

[dk001]

I’ve been using laptops for over 20 years but I don’t think the form factor lasts another 10 years. At least not as the main device people will be using. Slabs of glass seems the way forward, with anything else needed, keyboard, monitor, mouse, added on a case-by-case basis. It may not be macOS as we know it, but I’d be very surprised if Apple wasn’t working on some OS to offer broad computing from a tablet.

With the problems they have been having with iOS and MacOS ... I kind of doubt it.

 

[jeremiah256]

With the problems they have been having with iOS and MacOS ... I kind of doubt it.

Can you expand on what you consider iOS and macOS problems?

 

[Shanghaichica]

It all comes down to the user. For me it can replace my computer because me computing needs are quite nimble. I use the web browser, watch videos, shop and bank online, listen to music, play games etc.

That’s not to say it can only be a main computer for people like me because it’s far more capable than my simple needs. You can use it for productivity.

It’s not an either or for me because I also have a Mac but I could easily get by with only an iPad.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Well and good however I am looking at it from a productivity aspect. I do not do drawing (other than IE or PF maps). You want a "draw" or "artsy" productivity device? Great. Market it as such. The items I listed are areas I ran into personally or at work that precluded the use of the iPad as a laptop replacement.
I should have added a better browser. Safari still has issues with many websites. Still another software update.
Everything I listed would either benefit or have no effect on Zoe's workflow. It would also have little to no impact on any other aspect of the iPad functionality.

I see iOS as having great potential deliberately crippled yet marketed as a laptop replacement/alternative.

I guess it depends on how one defines "productivity."

Are any of the people in the "5 reasons iPad Pro can be your next computer" spot performing what you define as a "productivity" task?

 

[kazmac]

Depends on the work flow. An iPad with the pencil enhances my creativity. It helps with school, surfing, and allows for consumption of movies & music. The mobile aspect is very helpful at the moment.

I still need my Mac for heavy lifting though.

Others will not.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

I would love to sell my 2013 MBP and get an iMac, use my 2017 IPP as my mobile device. I think I could do that. But I’m not so sure about having only an IPP. I would have to make a lot of compromises.

With a remote desktop app you could use your iMac from anywhere if needed, with all the portability of the iPad.

 

[dk001]

Can you expand on what you consider iOS and macOS problems?

Without restarting a bug by bug list, I have used an iDevice since the 3 and a MB since 2011.
I have had more issues from both platforms, across upgrades, as we get closer to 2019.
Instead of a steady sturdy evolved platform with new / improved features added, we have platforms that remind me more of new.

Windows has been more solid.
Android has evolved and passed iOS.
[doublepost=1543778373][/doublepost]

I guess it depends on how one defines "productivity."

Are any of the people in the "5 reasons iPad Pro can be your next computer" spot performing what you define as a "productivity" task?

Productivity for me is different than some, same as others.
In actuallity, no - the 5 reasons are a spin.

1. It's more powerful than most computers.
   1. Power was never a primary issue
2. It's versatile. It's a scanner, camera, editing suite, notepad, cinema, music studio, book, and a computer.
   1. It is versatile - in a limited way. It can do these but predominately not at a professional level
3. It goes anywhere thanks to LTE.
   1. How many laptops have LTE? I can and have hotspot into my phone.
4. It's as easy as this (with a focus on gestures).
   1. So is a hybrid. What it misses is fine control and expansion.
5. It's even better with Apple Pencil.
   1. Have a pencil. It is far less than a mouse and not as good as a pad. It works but lacks the fine controls I need.

MS Office, Process mapping, coding, document review, etc.... the iPad can kind of do some of this, but can’t do it in totality. It also lacks the flexibility I have come to expect from my PCs.

 

[Bacillus]

Well, the iPad Pro certainly made a difference for this 17-year-old girl, who used it to illustrate a book. She even lists what she loves about the iPad Pro, citing how it is so light and portable, that the Apple Pencil is extremely comfortable, prefers procreate over photoshop, and how it has replaced her laptop and most of her art materials.
https://the-ipad-artist.com/dear-tim-cook-abc3fbffba1b
This is the beauty of ios - to equip your everyday man (and woman) with the tools they need to be productive, while making technology more personal, and at the same time abstracting the complexity of legacy desktop operating systems and bloated desktop software.
Maybe Apple should have used her for the iPad commercials, but given how toxic the community is towards the slightest notion that the iPad could (gasp) actually be used for creating content, I guess it's just as well that they didn't.

Great example of someone who is very vivid, authentic and not commercial at all.
I like & respect her work 10x times more than TC (who just serves his own commerical agenda with sales, turnover, enlarging markets, price increases) and then (mis-)uses some exemplary users like hers, referring to Pro use etc.
Which, in many cases (like this one) is just opportunistic marketing fluff:
This little lady, if she wants to use her iOS Mail.app, can’t even enlarge text in a message body.
It may very well be that she’s delivering Pro quality, but with a sw-crippled device.

 

[I7guy]

Great example of someone who is very vivid, authentic and not commercial at all.
I like & respect her work 100x times more than TC (who is constantly after his own agenda with sales, turnover, enlarging markets, price increases) and then (mis-)uses some exemplary users like hers, referring to Pro use etc.
Which, in many cases (like this one) is just opportunistic marketing fluff:
This little lady, if she wants to use her iOS Mail.app, can’t even enlarge text in a message body

I also respect TC's work, who has taken Apple in a different direction...he's here to stay as long as he wants.

He then capitalizes on the creativity of individuals to produce inspiring advertising. (Some people call it opportunistic marketing fluff)

 

[Bacillus]

I also respect TC's work, who has taken Apple in a different direction...he's here to stay as long as he wants.
He then capitalizes on the creativity of individuals to produce inspiring advertising. (Some people call it opportunistic marketing fluff)

Thanks for rephrasing “misusing” into “Capitalizing on”. It suddenly looks a lot better and TC will certainly appreciate the monetizing dimension.
Now tell me why a Pro would use a phone UX, that doesn’t even let him resize text (the example given)

 

[I7guy]

Thanks for rephrasing “misusing” into “Capitalizing on”. It suddenly looks a lot better and TC will certainly appreciate the monetizing dimension.
Now tell me why a Pro would use a phone UX, that doesn’t even let him resize text (the example given)

I call ‘em as I see ‘em. I can resize the text on my iPhone, no clue about the iPad. Maybe it’s your misunderstanding.

 

[Bacillus]

I call ‘em as I see ‘em. I can resize the text on my iPhone, no clue about the iPad. Maybe it’s your misunderstanding.

Of course you can resize globally which is something different than doc-specific text formatting with a palette or menu.
Anyway, having to explain that says enough about the assumed Pro-level of iOS and its more intentional users, but let’s blame my possible misunderstanding because that’s far easier

 

[I7guy]

Of course you can resize globally which is something different than doc-specific text formatting with a palette or menu.
Anyway, having to explain that says enough about the assumed Pro-level of iOS and its more intentional users, my possible misunderstanding despite

At any rate, it’s very easy to criticize. No effort required.

 

[Bacillus]

At any rate, it’s very easy to criticize. No effort required.

Thx. Likewise I’ll keep your comments in 9 point Monaco, which fits them best

 

[jeremiah256]

Without restarting a bug by bug list, I have used an iDevice since the 3 and a MB since 2011.
I have had more issues from both platforms, across upgrades, as we get closer to 2019.
Instead of a steady sturdy evolved platform with new / improved features added, we have platforms that remind me more of new.

Windows has been more solid.
Android has evolved and passed iOS.

While I disagree with macOS and iOS being more buggy than Windows and Android over the years, I will grant you that Windows and Android (and ChromeOS) development has been more amenable and responsive to consumer input.

 

[Abazigal]

Now tell me why a Pro would use a phone UX, that doesn’t even let him resize text (the example given)

What if he / she doesn’t need to resize text? I can’t recall having to do that in the six years I have owned iPads (or even iPhones for that matter).

Which brings me back to the original point - that an iPad user lives and breathes apps. Most of their time will be spent in apps, which often sport a more streamlined interface compared to their desktop counterparts. Which I find often makes for a simplified and hassle-free computing experience.

That’s one thing “pros” seem to have a hard time grasping. More isn’t always better, especially if it doesn’t give users more of what they want, but instead saddled them with more problems.

Complexity isn’t the key selling point here. Simplicity is.

 

[I7guy]

Thx. Likewise I’ll keep your comments in 9 point Monaco, which fits them best

My font family is "symbols".

 

[Detnator]

Thx. Likewise I’ll keep your comments in 9 point Monaco, which fits them best

It seems to work well for her without her needing to resize message specific text. Who are you to judge what works for someone else?
[doublepost=1543821403][/doublepost]Too many people here are obsessed with whatever specific features they want for themselves and completely miss what the ad is actually saying.

The ad says the iPP can replace a computer. It doesn’t have to be true for everyone and every computer for it to still be a true statement. For the people the ad is targeted to (not MR readers) the statement is absolutely true.

Likewise, every statement in the ad is also true (as much as any ad ever is true).

Just because all the nerds on this forum (a pretty small cross section of the market for computing devices) can’t use it for their nerd needs doesn’t make this ad any less true for many normal people.

Show me any decent ad that is significantly more accurate about its product for its target market than this one.

 

[Bacillus]

What if he / she doesn’t need to resize text? I can’t recall having to do that in the six years I have owned iPads (or even iPhones for that matter).
Which brings me back to the original point - that an iPad user lives and breathes apps. Most of their time will be spent in apps, which often sport a more streamlined interface compared to their desktop counterparts. Which I find often makes for a simplified and hassle-free computing experience.
That’s one thing “pros” seem to have a hard time grasping. More isn’t always better, especially if it doesn’t give users more of what they want, but instead saddled them with more problems.
Complexity isn’t the key selling point here. Simplicity is.

It seems to work well for her without her needing to resize message specific text. Who are you to judge what works for someone else?
[doublepost=1543821403][/doublepost]Too many people here are obsessed with whatever specific features they want for themselves and completely miss what the ad is actually saying.
The ad says the iPP can replace a computer. It doesn’t have to be true for everyone and every computer for it to still be a true statement. For the people the ad is targeted to (not MR readers) the statement is absolutely true.
Likewise, every statement in the ad is also true (as much as any ad ever is true).
Just because all the nerds on this forum (a pretty small cross section of the market for computing devices) can’t use it for their nerd needs doesn’t make this ad any less true for many normal people.
Show me any decent ad that is significantly more accurate about its product for its target market than this one.

Ah. In that context a Nokia 6110 actually is a Pro-phone, a Zastava can be used as a tank and a ballpoint as a ballistic missle.
Most of the millions of masses designated “Pro’s” by Tim wil actually need to enlarge msg text at some point of time, due to age. Just a few percent have the graphic capabilities of that kid of the example.
Go figure.

 

[Abazigal]

Ah. In that context a Nokia 6110 actually is a Pro-phone, a Zastava can be used as a tank and a ballpoint as a ballistic missle.
Most of the millions of masses designated “Pro’s” by Tim wil actually need to enlarge msg text at some point of time due to age. Just a few percent have the graphic capabilities of that kid of the example.
Go figure.

Chances are, if I need to enlarge text size in one app, I will need to do so across the entire device, which is something that only takes under a minute in the settings app, and it’s something I probably only have to fiddle with once and then never bother with again for a while.

I guess it’s a good thing that criticisms of the iPad are becoming increasingly specific and nitpicky, as it only goes to show how far the iPad has come.

 

[Bacillus]

Chances are, if I need to enlarge text size in one app, I will need to do so across the entire device, which is something that only takes under a minute in the settings app, and it’s something I probably only have to fiddle with once and then never bother with again for a while.

I guess it’s a good thing that criticisms of the iPad are becoming increasingly specific and nitpicky, as it only goes to show how far the iPad has come.

I am not criticising iPads per sé (which are great devices)
I am criticising the idea that a tablet, designed with a slightly disfunctional OS (that actually is a phone OS) gets marketed as a Pro device by a company that has real Pro devices in stock that however got lamented.
Implying a functional degradation across the line - appeased by an inner circle of Tim-followers, creating their own FaceBook myths of truth (300 mio can’t be wrong etc.)

 

[Detnator]

I am not criticising iPads per sé (which are great devices)
I am criticising the idea that a tablet, designed with a slightly disfunctional OS (that actually is a phone OS) gets marketed as a Pro device by a company that has real Pro devices in stock that however got lamented.
Implying a functional degradation across the line - appeased by an inner circle of Tim-followers, creating their own FaceBook myths of truth (300 mio can’t be wrong etc.)

Actually it’s a tablet OS.

1. When they were first designing iOS in 2005-2007 it was because Steve said he wanted a touch screen tablet. After they’d come up with most of the original iOS it dawned on him to make a phone with it first. The iPad was in Steve’s mind, and the labs, long before the iPhone.

2. It’s not just a phone OS. It’s a touch OS. Nearly every recent iOS release - especially iOS 11 - they’ve added very iPad specific features. The pencil alone and how it works with the iPad is entirely iPad specific at this point. Plenty of other features come to the iPad first and then some of those get adapted for the iPhone.

On use of the word “Pro”, I don’t believe any of Apple’s marketing specifically states that the iPP is “Pro” because it’s exclusively for “Pros” (whatever that even means). It’s simply a relative term. It’s a more capable device than the standard iPad. Get over the naming.

What, in the ad, is in any way a misrepresentation of the device, its OS, or its capabilities?
[doublepost=1543846745][/doublepost]If tech reviewers (and MR readers) reviewed Macs like they do iPads...

http://www.speirs.org/blog/2015/11/30/can-the-macbook-pro-replace-your-ipad

Says it all really.

 

[Bacillus]

Actually it’s a tablet OS.

1. When they were first designing iOS in 2005-2007 it was because Steve said he wanted a touch screen tablet. After they’d come up with most of the original iOS it dawned on him to make a phone with it first. The iPad was in Steve’s mind, and the labs, long before the iPhone.

2. It’s not just a phone OS. It’s a touch OS. Nearly every recent iOS release - especially iOS 11 - they’ve added very iPad specific features. The pencil alone and how it works with the iPad is entirely iPad specific at this point. Plenty of other features come to the iPad first and then some of those get adapted for the iPhone.

On use of the word “Pro”, I don’t believe any of Apple’s marketing specifically states that the iPP is “Pro” because it’s exclusively for “Pros” (whatever that even means). It’s simply a relative term. It’s a more capable device than the standard iPad. Get over the naming.

What, in the ad, is in any way a misrepresentation of the device, its OS, or its capabilities?
[doublepost=1543846745][/doublepost]If tech reviewers (and MR readers) reviewed Macs like they do iPads...

http://www.speirs.org/blog/2015/11/30/can-the-macbook-pro-replace-your-ipad

Says it all really.

Just like Tim Cook - you’re selectively quoting only things that suit your purpose.
If iOS was designed with tablets in mind (and I really believe someone somewhere would want people to believe that) there wouldn’t have been a special iPad-featured version necessary.
Whatever came first, iOS now has 2 distinctive development directions (iPhone and iPad) that get (artificially) degraded or upgraded => why not make iPhone iOS Pencil compatible, split-screen, picture-in-picture ? Or better: make the iPad iOS version a real Pro OS.
Sadly, I don’t have the time or the ambition to redefine the “Pro” moniker here on MR.
For me it is people doing some hefty activities such as SW Dev/AV/Engineering/Stats and not the kid or artist that can now pursuit its drawing ambitions with an electronic Pencil.
Your speirs reference has little practical following: tell me how many trade in their MacBooks to do more with an iPad. There’s classrooms full going the other way. Try some elementary spreadsheet formula or multi-reference report editing and you’ll understand why.
If you don’t believe that, go count how many people grade on Universities actively using a iPP.
Tim’s ideas despite, most use it as a consumptive device.

 

[dk001]

While I disagree with macOS and iOS being more buggy than Windows and Android over the years, I will grant you that Windows and Android (and ChromeOS) development has been more amenable and responsive to consumer input.

Over the years I will grant you. One of the reasons I included iOS/MacOS into my work flow.
Unfortunately, it hasn't held up.
[doublepost=1543854101][/doublepost]

What if he / she doesn’t need to resize text? I can’t recall having to do that in the six years I have owned iPads (or even iPhones for that matter).

Which brings me back to the original point - that an iPad user lives and breathes apps. Most of their time will be spent in apps, which often sport a more streamlined interface compared to their desktop counterparts. Which I find often makes for a simplified and hassle-free computing experience.

That’s one thing “pros” seem to have a hard time grasping. More isn’t always better, especially if it doesn’t give users more of what they want, but instead saddled them with more problems.

Complexity isn’t the key selling point here. Simplicity is.

Good points however it isn't complexity rather the ability to perform a task ... simply.

Great example of a "simple" task that I do almost daily - document review.
Two docs, side by side (vertical or horizontal), with the ability to hilite, note, cut/paste, and drop notes into email/sms/mms.

Razer (Android 8.1) - no problem
Thinkpad (Win 7) - no problem
Yoga (Win 10) - no problem
rMB 2015 (MacOS) - no problem
iPad Pro 12.9 G2 (12.1.1 b3) - complex workaround
iPhone 8+ (12.1) - complex workaround

Simple task for all other OS's except for iOS.

Same with email. Simple for all other OS's except iOS.

Simplifying a task is great! Simplifying (dumbing down) functionality is not.