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MacOS and iPadOS technically are running on the same kernel and have different kernel extensions. Theoretically, it should be entirely possible to instantly switch between iPadOS and MacOS on the same device running the M1 chip.

I suspect that's what Apple is heading toward, but... let's be realistic: if I can run MacOS with a complete touch interface on my iPad, and have perfect external monitor support, there would be absolutely no reason for me to own any MacBook at all.

It can be done easily. It takes very little work for Apple to add touch support to OSX.

But you know they will never do it, because now Apple can sell you a MBP + iPad Pro.

Something has to pay for these Apple commercials of Mission Impossible.
 
They are still stingy when it comes to RAM for any other iPad or iPhone besides the new iPad Pros

Please explain
 

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The M1 move is a surprise to me as I suspected the chip was custom designed for the underpinnings macOS. I thought M stood for Mac. I wonder if it is altered for ipados or if there really is zero difference at the hardware level (I always thought hardware-software integration was beneficial even at the processor level).
This also makes me wonder where Apple is going with this. Will previous gen M chips make its way into lower end iPads? Flagship iPhones and flagship iPad have historically shared the same chip. Is this the divergence or will all Apple’s devices eventually share the same M series chips (probably saving the costs of maintaining two separate series)?
And if there really is no need for different SoCs for macOS and ipados respectively (and even iOS since it’s the same as ipados), then what barriers are left to stand in the way of a dual boot iPad Pro? Other than maybe Apple thinking it would be too jarring for the UX or just not wanting to for profit reasons.
 
From a purely commercial point of view you are obviously correct, and this is probably the line Apple will take for the foreseeable future.

From a technical point of view the new iPad Pro can run MacOS as well as any other M1 powered Mac.
From a technical point of view, of course they can, years ago. It’s just that I think (and Apple thinks too) it would be a make the iPad a bad product.
 
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Not saying Apple is going to do this but 16 GB of RAM on an iPad Pro is ridiculous unless they do something like this.

And it will continue to be ridiculous. I highly suspect this is just supply chain consolidation, and nothing more. It makes sense for Apple to just make 2 different M1 chips (with 8GB and 16GB RAM) and use them for everything that fits the use case. Note that the M1 is now in: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, Mac Mini, iMac 24.

Also, Apple doesn't have to keep MacOS virtualized. Note that the new partition scheme locks down the system partition and you cannot unlock it easily within MacOS. Also, it'll be doubly weird if MacOS is virtualized and then you try to use Xcode to develop for the iPad on MacOS. Is that like... virtualization within virtualization? Why do that when you're running on an iPad in the first place?

But history already refutes this when Apple moved ipad to iPadOS instead of keeping it on iOS. They already stated that iPad is a separate line and required it’s own OS. I can’t see them not changing anything with iPadOS 15.

They will improve iPadOS. I can agree with you on that. They are not going to make iPadOS much more amazing by doing something like merging it with MacOS. That's not their MO.
 
The M1 move is a surprise to me as I suspected the chip was custom designed for the underpinnings macOS. I thought M stood for Mac. I wonder if it is altered for ipados or if there really is zero difference at the hardware level (I always thought hardware-software integration was beneficial even at the processor level).
This also makes me wonder where Apple is going with this. Will previous gen M chips make its way into lower end iPads? Flagship iPhones and flagship iPad have historically shared the same chip. Is this the divergence or will all Apple’s devices eventually share the same M series chips (probably saving the costs of maintaining two separate series)?
And if there really is no need for different SoCs for macOS and ipados respectively (and even iOS since it’s the same as ipados), then what barriers are left to stand in the way of a dual boot iPad Pro? Other than maybe Apple thinking it would be too jarring for the UX or just not wanting to for profit reasons.

And now you and everyone now know M doesn’t stand for Mac😁
 
I’m not saying this in a negative way jist being honest - hardware boost is nice but hardware hasn’t truly been the issue

I have an iPad Pro and love it, but I still find myself needing a MacBook from time to time due to OS limitations. I’m hoping they truly unlock the potential
 
They’ve had years already. You don’t get to restart the development clock every time someone mentions running OS X on an iPad is possible.
Creating some professional apps designed for touch is difficult. Creating a multitasking system is difficult. But in the end it’s worth it. Maybe there are things you will never be able to do on an iPad — that’s fine, there are better devices for that, and the same the other way around, there are things an iPad can do that a Mac can’t.
 
I think it will be some time before the benefits of M1 in an iPad are felt. As already pointed out, there is not much out there (yet) which could utilise such power, but I would imagine that xcode is definitely on the horizon. Maybe not until the other iPads have M series chips.

I still have my first gen 12 inch iPad pro (4GB ram !!) and 6 years old this November.

I think the 4GB made this possible, a revelation back in 2015, but I will be upgrading this time around!
 
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Mini LED costs more than OLED to manufacture.

You don't seem to realize this iPad Pro 12.9" has more dimming zones than a big 2021 Samsung TV.
Not sure about it costs more OLED are still expensive to make especially smaller size. LG Mini LED has over 30,000 led how is ipad more? if you compare screen size to number of LEDs than yes ipad may have more for it's size hence more dimming zones. I rarely watch movies on iPad so I can't justify purchasing 12.9". Brightness should be amazing though.
 
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I thought for sure Apple would segment the 12.9” Pro and reserve the better display for the most expensive model. I hope the 16GB RAM isn’t limited to the 1&2 TB storage options but my guess is it will be. Still at least the base models now get 8GB RAM. 👍🏻
 
I think that this opens the door for truly universal apps (one’s that run on a M1 or higher) to run on iPadOS or MacOS making it easier for you to use the iPad as a real desktop replacement. For instance I would imagine that the full universal version of Microsoft Office apps will work on the new iPad and can be run on an external display just like you could with a Mac. The current scaled down more touch friendly versions would run when not attached to a keyboard or connected to an external display. The same thing should be true for all Mac apps and Adobe apps. I don’t think that MacOS as a full blown operating system will run on the iPad (Finder, the Dock, etc.) but you will be able to run the apps themselves on the iPad or on an external monitor which would make the iPad not only a computer replacement but a true one of a kind hybrid.

This would leave the Mac for more “traditionalists“ and those running apps that are more centered around a mouse while the iPad Pro could function on the go and as a workstation for creatives when attached to a monitor.

Just my two cents.
 
I just bought an Air 4th gen so I’ll be more than content for many years yet but the new Pro does look like a beast for those who will be purchasing one.
 
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I thought for sure Apple would segment the 12.9” Pro and reserve the better display for the most expensive model. I hope the 16GB RAM isn’t limited to the 1&2 TB storage options but my guess is it will be. Still at least the base models now get 8GB RAM. 👍🏻

The 12.9" iPad Pro is already $1,099 for the base model. Apple charges an arm for storage, so they get your money regardless.
 
I've seen too many jokes made about boomers using their iPad cameras that I don't think they'll ever be accepted by 'pro iPad users' - I think that ship has sailed.

I'd be self-conscious using the iPad to take pics :) - and I'm not a boomer.
 
The iMac powers a bigger screen, and maybe MacOS requires more power to run?
Though the 12.9 will have over 1,000 more nits than the iMac.
I don't know if that's any particular reasoning, but MacOS absolutely requires more power to run. Simple- virtually unrestricted background apps...
 
Creating some professional apps designed for touch is difficult. Creating a multitasking system is difficult. But in the end it’s worth it. Maybe there are things you will never be able to do on an iPad — that’s fine, there are better devices for that, and the same the other way around, there are things an iPad can do that a Mac can’t.

Given Apple is laying the framework for a universal binary, it’s entirely possible that the app could choose the UI most suitable for a given task. Say you’re using Word, it’ll present the touch interface until you connect a mouse and keyboard, where it will transition to that UI complete with menu bar and smaller UI elements. I think that’s where the convergence lies…in the individual apps, not in running MacOS on the iPad.
 
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