Apple Launches New Twitter-Based Ad Series Promoting iPad Pro

[trifid]

The other day my dad was frustrated at spending hours trying to complete an online form for healthcare on his $800 iPad Pro, turned out the site was failing on the iPad, but worked fine on a Macbook. He spent hours on the iPad trying to make it work. Is this "it just works" "better than a computer"? This is not isolated incident, it's common and even happens on PCs/Macs and requires one to try a different browser.

There are hundreds of use cases where the iPad keeps failing and a PC is needed to save the day. This will continue to be the case until Apple opens up the iPad and stops limiting its potential both hardware and software-wise.

 

[NY Guitarist]

'Better than a computer'?

Apple is training customer's expectations with these ads. MacPad and MacPad 'Pro' are coming, one way or another.

 

[Appleaker]

UMM - an iPhone is faster than a Mac Pro: http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/16/12939310/iphone-7-a10-fusion-processor-apple-intel-future

No, that's really not true since:
a) your looking at single core performance - 2 core vs 12 core
b) there will be a difference in the geekbench system for iOS because of it's an ARM processor and because of the OS.
Along with a bunch of other reasons. Not a good comparison to make in my opinion.

 

[Thunderhawks]

'Better than a computer'?

Apple is training customers expectations with these ads. MacPad and MacPad 'Pro' are coming, one way or another.

Summary of all they posts/

Depending on what one has to do an iPad is fine and only a Mac will do for a given task.

Anybody who wants get frustrated, play NUMBRIX on the iPad vs. on an MBP.

 

[thekeyring]

We're never getting new Macs are we?

Yes - if iPad was going to replace the Mac any time soon, why would Apple have spent so much time working on the MacBook? Just let the Airs stagnate and point people towards iPad who want an ultra thin device.

 

[profets]

Right, and the Mac does things an iPad cannot do. They don't replace each other. Ideally, for Apple, they should augment each other. I don't see the iPad ever replacing a real computer. It's geared towards different uses. I think the market is already deciding, though.

While I agree that currently they augment each other for many of us, it doesn't negate the fact that for the majority of every day users the iPad is or can be their real computer. Do most users do anything beyond browsing the internet, Facebook, email and consume media? While the iPad may not be for everyone as their only computer, it definitely could be for the majority of users.

The iPad will be relegated to specialized duty while phones and computers will bracket it.

Well, technically iPads and phones are computers as well. Come to think of it, for the majority of people, smartphones are very likely their primary and most used computer. One that is likely augmented by a computer with a larger screen, which for most people, could easily be an iPad, but for many, who are price sensitive, will likely end up with a $300 laptop.

 

[Appleaker]

"faster than most laptops".

The best of the best ARM chips only scrape the bottom of the worst Intel chips. Unless the vast majority of laptops are using Core M's, then the hardware is hardly faster.

I'm guessing their definition "faster" is that since the iPad Pro uses a less resource intensive mobile OS, that it can complete tasks "faster". Hardly a fair comparison though. If you could put Mac OS on an iPad Pro the iPad Pro would probably lose to every single Mac in the lineup.

So faster for basic tasks maybe, but the moment you need to do something even remotely intensive that ARM chip is not going to be happy. But then again, the iPad Pro runs iOS instead of an actual operating system anyways, so I doubt you can even find anything on iOS that would max out an ARM chip.

While I hate the message in the ads, "faster than most laptops" is somewhat true due to the number of low cost laptops there are relative to higher end laptops, as well as the long upgrade cycle for most people.

Apple view this as the replacement for a traditional computer for most people, and I think they're partly right because there are a lot of people out there who only use a computer for web surfing, content consumption, and communication.
But they have always viewed the iPad this way, and it's always been a great replacement for those people and in many ways their phone has too. But due to their limited usage, they're likely to have a long upgrade cycle. This is the people they should be targeting, and likely people that would buy a low end laptop.

The problem is that they are now pushing it towards content creation people and students who are very unlikely to give up their computer for an iPad at this point.

Despite the iPad Pros very poor sales compared with other iPads and the constant decline in overall sales, they are still pushing this and it's getting painful to watch now.

 

[rumorsdan]

I watched one ad. That was enough.

 

[Hym tix]

Really? Skype can not do it. Hangout can not do it? What purpose - simply to show what I am working on. For example if I'm working in Photoshop with another designer and simply want to share it to work live with each other. I will kiss your feet if you have a solution but I'm pretty certain Apple has restricted this.

Please don't kiss my feet but look into https://zoom.us/

 

[imronburgundy]

Jesus

I'm sick of whinging Apple fans. Go get a bloody pc if that make you happy.

Wierd that Apple are only allowed to make MacBook adverts, nothing else.

I did, and it's spectacular.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I think these ads are part of the new "courage" theme...it takes A LOT of courage to say some of the things they say about the iPad Pro vs computer and make people think you actually believe it!!

It really makes me wonder about the other things Apple says...I guess take it all with a grain of salt, as they say...

 

[Asarien]

Apple's out of their damned minds.

 

[Bacillus]

You don't have to be an amateur to denounce a tablet a Pro device (running a phoneOS w/o multiple active windows, cursor accuracy, file mgt, ⌘ keys etc. etc.)
But it certainly helps...

 

[Appleaker]

That's really not true. The ARM chips in Apple products are ludicrously powerful. Doubling the benchmarks of their nearest mobile competitor. Benchmarks comparable, or exceeding, a lot of laptops.

Yes, you can say benchmarks don't matter; and sure, you can argue that as iOS is less resource intensive, the benchmarks will look higher anyway. But surely there has to be a point when you'll say that ARM chips are comparable. Maybe it's when Microsoft ship W10 for ARM (hopefully later this year) and the real-world performance speaks for itself. Perhaps it's when Apple ship their own chips in their Macs. Regardless, saying that Apple's chips can't lick the boot of anything less than the worst mobile Intel chip is completely disingenuous.

Besides, most of the recent mobile Intel Celeron line doesn't even outperform an 8-year-old Core 2 Duo. Passmark scores of under 1000. CPU maxed just when copying a large folder. Intel are shipping a lot of junk recently.

Intel are in a serious situation when it comes to processors. Not only do they now have real competition from AMD, but also from increasingly powerful ARM chips.

Windows 10 for ARM will actually be slower than X86 for a while. This is due to the fact that right now, there is still a performance difference, especially due to the OS. But also the majority of Applications won't support it and will run in the 32-bit emulator. Microsoft beat Apple when it comes to ARM PCs, but there will be a point where ARM chips are capable enough that they outweigh the downsides and can emulate X86 software at the same or better performance than Intel chips. I think Apple will step in before that point, but it will eventually reach that point unless Intel change the game with future lineups.

 

[Johnny907]

Their stock just hit an all time high, chill.

Yeah, for no reason aside from the market is up in general and people are excited about the iPhone 8. When that bubble bursts after a stagnant Q2, it's going to fall hard just like last year unless they announce something really special in the next couple of months.

 

[dugbug]

I have to admit these ads are pretty good. I still prefer a macbook

 

[sdz]

How on earth can they promote it being better than a computer when you can not even share your screen? That is a fundamental function in any serious business. I can basically not use my iPad for work since a lot of our work is remote and screen-sharing. A devoted apple fan since 1993. This is bad Apple. Shape up. Why on earth should it not be possible to share my screen?

THIS!

And also why the hell can't I use Shell Tunnels in a unix-based device?

 

[macTW]

Weak adverts. But Tim Cook seems to love the iPad Pro more than the Mac.

Strange time to make new iPad Pro adverts when the line up of iPads should be refreshed soon. Unless they are trying to get rid of excess old supply.

I actually found these adverts nice. Rather than Apple pull a Samsung and squish unasked for and unnecessary features into devices, Apple is proving people wrong about their perception on the iPad Pro.

 

[dugbug]

Yeah, for no reason aside from the market is up in general and people are excited about the iPhone 8. When that bubble bursts after a stagnant Q2, it's going to fall hard just like last year unless they announce something really special in the next couple of months.

What does 'fall hard' mean? be the second largest company ever?

 

[Johnny907]

Intel are in a serious situation when it comes to processors. Not only do they now have real competition from AMD, but also from increasingly powerful ARM chips.

Windows 10 for ARM will actually be slower than X86 for a while. This is due to the fact that right now, there is still a performance difference, especially due to the OS. But also the majority of Applications won't support it and will run in the 32-bit emulator. Microsoft beat Apple when it comes to ARM PCs, but there will be a point where ARM chips are capable enough that they outweigh the downsides and can emulate X86 software at the same or better performance than Intel chips. I think Apple will step in before that point, but it will eventually reach that point unless Intel change the game with future lineups.

I'm sorry, what competition does AMD present at this point to anything but the lowest segment? As for ARM, since that same lowest segment is where it is trying to compete right now, it's more of a threat to AMD than Intel as well. Let those two fight over the bargain bin like Android clones battling it out for the sub-200 dollar handset market. No love lost there whatsoever from Intel.
[doublepost=1487362738][/doublepost]

What does 'fall hard' mean? be the second largest company ever?

You have google, look it up.

 

[sdz]

For what purpose? Every web meeting product I've used has the ability to share a web site or PowerPoint Presentation. Do you want people to see your springboard?

No? But I'd like to share them my Remote Desktop Application for example.
Or my Numbers Document, where I make live changes?
Or or or.

 

[ArcaneDevice]

If people are still getting viruses that's not a hardware thing, that's a user thing.

You don't even need to buy third-party AV protection either. Being smart is the only protection you need and the last time I had a virus on any of my computers or devices it was at least a decade ago.

 

[H2SO4]

UMM - an iPhone is faster than a Mac Pro: http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/16/12939310/iphone-7-a10-fusion-processor-apple-intel-future

Is the iPhone running exactly the same OS as the Mac pro with the same number of background processes? If not the comparison is not that valid.
[doublepost=1487363043][/doublepost]

If people are still getting viruses that's not a hardware thing, that's a user thing.

You don't even need to buy third-party AV protection either. Being smart is the only protection you need and the last time I had a virus on any of my computers or devices it was at least a decade ago.

Whenever I hear that I always wonder how the person making that claim knows. If you don’t have a metal detector how do you know there is no metal?

 

[ArcaneDevice]

I actually found these adverts nice. Rather than Apple pull a Samsung and squish unasked for and unnecessary features into devices, Apple is proving people wrong about their perception on the iPad Pro.

Yeah, because nobody wants more features at the same price point that add options if you want to use them!

The Apple way is much better.

"Here, because only a few hundred thousand of our users actually use this feature we've made improvements for everyone and removed it completely! Now the phone costs the same, has barely any functionality improvement and has less features!"

 

[Since1987]

So both arguments are right. It just depends on what type of user you are.

99% of people would be totally cool with that... IF Apple still cared about making actual computers. Which they DON'T. There is no dedicated team working on MacOS, so that's not an opinion. It's a fact. They are the biggest company in the world with BILLIONS in the bank. But they can't hire to people to work full time on MacOS ??? There is no way to misinterpret what Apple's priorities are.

That's why people get worked up about Tim Cook's love of iPad, and disdain for computers. And Ive's insistence on form over function. One upon a time, Apple did BOTH quite easily. Now they only make computers under protest.

Edge to Edge to screen??? So you hold it HOW exactly??? That's why the original ( and BEST ) iPad had a consistent border on all four sides. Steve Jobs understood software interface and hardware interface. Cook and Ive can't be bothered. They only care about ONE type of user. No filesystem, iPad, and wireless everything. If you used the word "Choice" in Cupertino... they would make you wash your mouth out with soap.

Coming soon. The iGlove, it attaches to the back of the iPad so you can hold it with one hand. Like you USED to be able to do.
[doublepost=1487363337][/doublepost]

The Apple way is much better.

"Here, because only a few hundred thousand of our users actually use this feature we've made improvements for everyone and removed it completely! Now the phone costs the same, has barely any functionality improvement and has less features!"

Sir Ive believes the best feature, is one that has been REMOVED.