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

Hardware wise it can replace a computer, software wise at a bare minimum it needs the following 3 items:

1. External Harddrive support.
2. Robust File Management
3. Mouse/Trackpad support.

I think if that were to show up for IOS 13 I would have to think about if I would need the MBP.

To be used for development. would require a little bit more.

IPad Pro 12.9 256, MBP 2016, iMac
 
Number 41 said:
Does the iPad have support for a robust file system / download manager and the ability to use a mouse when required?

No?

Than it isn't going to replace a computer. Ever.
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Do modern computer users want or even need support for a robust file system / download manager and the ability to use a mouse when required? Most do not.

Only people convinced they need these things are either working professionals with an established workflow or people who refuse to change preconceived notions. Everyone else is flexible and not stuck in their ways.
 
I wish Apple would stop trying to make the iPad replace the computer.

When Apple introduced the iPad in 2010, Steve Jobs positioned it as a "better netbook". There was a graphic where it was shown in between an iPhone and a MacBook. It was better than a phone, if for no other reason than the larger screen, but it was never discussed as replacing the laptop.

The reasons Apple tries to push don't even pan out well in many cases:
  1. It's more powerful than most computers. It is more powerful than most cheap sub-$300 laptops with Celeron processors. It's on par with ultrabooks. But there are still plenty of laptops out there that beat it by far. And it certainly has a price to match. And since they said "computers" and not "laptops", you also have to include desktops. And in any case, how powerful the computer is does not definitely define how good it is. A slow tablet that does well at what its user wants is better than a fast tablet with a frustrating UX.
  2. It's versatile. It's a scanner, camera, editing suite, notepad, cinema, music studio, book, and a computer. At all of these things though, it's subpar. The best scanners are dedicated devices, and if you're not as concerned with quality, your phone camera may actually be better. The form factor isn't actually well suited for photography. The "editors" and "music studio" apps are hobbled and limited mostly thanks to iOS's limitations. In short, the iPad does absolutely do very well at some tasks, but not all or even most tasks a computer can perform.
  3. It goes anywhere thanks to LTE. Many laptops can be outfitted with built in LTE, and it's obviously possible to have an iPad without LTE. Admittedly this is one thing laptops had to "catch up" on, but nonetheless, it's only basically on par, not ahead.
  4. It's as easy as this (with a focus on gestures). Except typing on the display never has been and never will be as good as typing on an honest-to-goodness keyboard. And once you've put your iPad in a Smart Keyboard stand, isn't it just a laptop anyway?
  5. It's even better with Apple Pencil. Maybe. Styli do exist and have existed for laptops for a long time however. I'm not going to argue this one as much though since the pencil is actually a sleek product, albeit overpriced.
My whole point is, the iPad might replace a laptop for certain use cases, but it actually has been doing that since it was introduced. If the main thing you wanted to do on the go was browse the Web, type off a few short Emails, watch movies, read books, etc. all of that has been possible since the iPad 1. I'm hard-pressed to find a creative task, other than drawing maybe, that actually is improved on an iPad versus a standard laptop, possibly with a touch screen.
 
Rather than the constant “Can the iPad Pro replace your laptop” mantra, the question not only should, but need to be “Should iOS be constantly be mistaken as a laptop os”. There’s not a damn thing wrong with the iPad Pro. There’s everything wrong with installing an iPhone os on it. It’s like having a Ferrari, putting discount gas in it and driving stop sign to stop sign. The Pro line of iPads, especially the latest generation are beast and need its os, much like tvOS and watchOS. Hell, call it ProiOS. Only then the iPad Pros will realize it’s pro potential, leaving the regulat line of iPads to consumers and education.
 
I can post 10 reasons or more why it can't replace a computer.

here are some:
1- Price
2- Not able to connect external storage
3- Limited OS
4- Limited file/storage management.
5- Computers "DO NOT BEND".
 
Manatee said:
Is Apple completely ignorant of people who work in STEM fields? It’s getting popular, you know. And there’s still some room for growth. Oh, and we tend to use apps that work better with a mouse/trackpad-driven cursor. We also like some control over the file system. And that’s before we even talk about us content *creators*, who need to create our own directory structures, and test on a local web server.

I love the arts, and artists... but until Apple is ready to make iOS suitable for business and engineering, I’ll be hauling my MacBook Pro along with my otherwise-excellent iPad Pro.
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I don't know what STEM fields are, but I am assuming one of their other computers is better suited, right? An iPad is just another one of their computers that they offer, not sure why this concept is so wild for people to understand. For some tasks, a MacBook ins't the best tool. For some, a Mac Pro is overkill. Use the tool that is best for you and the task at hand.
 
840quadra said:
Please for the love of everything holy. APPLE PLEASE enable external storage via USB-C .

I love my 11, but just having that feature (and maybe Mouse support) would make it a Laptop killer for many more than just myself.
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Don't count on the iPad supporting external storage... ever! Apple would rather charge you for iCloud storage.


sonicrobby said:
How can I create a playlist with mp3 files Apple?? Why can I STILL not open music in the music app without a computer to put them on there?!
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Because Apple would rather sell you a subscription to Apple Music.

Apple is morphing into a services company that sells hardware.
 
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DNichter said:
It's a great option for a lot of people. I don't think people need to look into it as deeply as they typically do. It's another computer in Apple's lineup, just like the iPhone, iMac, and Mac Pro. Choose the tool that works best for you. We don't need to list out all of the reasons why one or the other isn't good for you. Just buy what you prefer.
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I think in 5 yrs or so tje IP can be a comp killa, if anyone other than the top10% can afford an IP.
Tbh, I'll still be rocking my currently 9yr old HP and SP5 in 5yrs.
 
DNichter said:
I don't know what STEM fields are, but I am assuming one of their other computers is better suited, right? An iPad is just another one of their computers that they offer, not sure why this concept is so wild for people to understand. For some tasks, a MacBook ins't the best tool. For some, a Mac Pro is overkill. Use the tool that is best for you and the task at hand.
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Amen !
 
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