Apple Reportedly Planning to Release Larger 16-Inch iPad Next Year

[smulji]

I’m thinking it’s not a “mode”, it could just run macOS and apps from outside the Mac App Store. For folks that like the iPad form factor, but want to install stuff from outside the App Store.

I'd be shocked if Apple lets side-loading on iPads. I'll bet money iPhones and iPads will remain App-store only with respect to how one purchases and download apps.

 

[rubaxter]

I don’t think I would mind the weight of the 16” iPad itself, but I wonder/fear what the keyboard/stand solution would be. A Magic Keyboard scaled up to that size would weigh a ton. They’d need to figure something else out. They might need to go back to a thin keyboard cover and a kick stand of some kind.

So, basically a MacBook?

 

[ggx12]

I hope it's an entirely new form factor...

 

[Mr. Dee]

The issue is iPadOS 16 and Stage Manager robs too much screen real estate, so you need a bigger screen.
Also, its obvious that are variant of macOS optimized for touch is coming to this new model.
But, I think I will wait until rev 2 though.

 

[subjonas]

So, basically a MacBook?

Well, you can’t draw on a MacBook unfortunately.

 

[subjonas]

And then they will be frustrated when the iPad throttles under MacOS load due to its thin body.

Yep. Likely one of the reasons Apple doesn’t put macOS on iPad.

 

[UnbreakableAlex]

Without more pro software features it won’t help productivity a lot. I hope the weight won’t be too much.

 

[subjonas]

Would be awkward to hold. Thats is something you almost need a separate stand to support for long periods.

For an input screen at that size, this (see pic) is the ideal form factor in my opinion. You can type/draw/touch/trackpad in any scenario, no separate stand needed. It brings the screen toward you when resting on a surface and at any angle, while allowing you to access the keyboard for shortcuts with one hand while using the stylus in the other hand, for applications that support keyboard shortcuts. The only thing is the secondary hinge on this has no friction, so if you’re drawing and using keyboard shortcuts, it needs something to keep the display fixed. I just rest the bottom of the display on the wrist of my keyboard hand for now, but I’m going to 3D print a solution soon. But so far, it’s been a dream form factor for me.
(It’s a 14” Surface Laptop Studio, but I wish it was 16” and a Mac.)

 

[Realityck]

Yep. Likely one of the reasons Apple doesn’t put macOS on iPad.

This still brings back memories of how they could use a Mac Mini DTK A12Z to run macOS 11 Big Sur Developer Beta and yet here we are with A15, M1, and now M2 and the same old iPadOS 14/15/16 GUI (aside from stage manager) puttering along.

 

[deebinem]

It wont even with most backpacks at that rate, hell I always have a hard time trying to fit my 12.9” while traveling, nope no 16” for me lololol

How light are you trying to go? I found This Targus backpack on Craigslist and I swear this thing is bottomless. I can fit my MBP (work), MBA 11" (DJing), iPad 12.9 (movies and games), my Midi Controller, Headphones (non-collapsable, thanks Audio Technica 🙄), Kindle, snacks, extra clothes AND it still fits under the seat in Basic Economy (😭).

Do I use all this stuff on travel? Not really but what's adage? It's better to have and not need than to need and not have. Sure, I'll go with that.

 

[Jim Lahey]

To my mind this would be almost pointless without a fully featured desktop class OS, and frankly I’m not confident that New Apple has the programming chops to be able to implement a touch interface into macOS without breaking it beyond repair.

 

[Stiksi]

Oh God, have you actually looked at what a Cintiq costs? 🤣 I think the current Cintiq that uses Windows runs you around $4,500.

I have 2 Cintiqs. You can get a 22” display for well under 1000€, 13” is around 500€. Huions are even cheaper. Buy the computer separately. Unless you don’t have any permanent space for work, it’s a better solution. If you really want a system-in-one Cintiq, the smaller one is under 2000€.

 

[cupcakes2000]

So, basically a MacBook?

No. An iPad. I’m really not sure why so many people here can’t seem to grasp this.

 

[eicca]

You don’t need keyboard and mouse but would like to multitask in a PC way on an iPad? Good luck.

I don’t need a mouse and keyboard to run simultaneous audio and video feeds, but apparently that’s too much to ask for a $1000+ “computer” intended for “creators.”

 

[subjonas]

This still brings back memories of how they could use a Mac Mini DTK A12Z to run macOS 11 Big Sur Developer Beta and yet here we are with A15, M1, and now M2 and the same old iPadOS 14/15/16 GUI (aside from stage manager) puttering along.

Yes so the chip clearly isn’t holding it back. But thermal capacity might be (thin device with hot screen). As well as UX philosophy, financial motivation, etc.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I hope it's an entirely new form factor...

Entirely new? What, like round or something?

 

[cupcakes2000]

To my mind this would be almost pointless without a fully featured desktop class OS, and frankly I’m not confident that New Apple has the programming chops to be able to implement a touch interface into macOS without breaking it beyond repair.

Are all iPads already almost pointless to your mind, or is it just the couple of extra inches that would make it almost pointless?

 

[subjonas]

At that size, they might as well create a Macbook "Ultra" where the screen can either be opened and locked to standard laptop position or rotated 180 degrees and flipped back down to use as a 16" tablet with Apple Pencil (or mouse).

Throw in an M3 Max or an M3 Ultra, give it a smudge proof OLED screen and you'd have the ultimate artist laptop! I'd definitely buy one.

People would claim it copied the Microsoft SurfaceBook at that point, which is a fantastic computer... but I'm pretty sure Apple doesn't want to be seen as the copy.

Best form factor imo is Surface Laptop Studio (see my post #308), much better than Surface Book.
But yeah, Apple likely won’t copy it. Sadly.

 

[aevan]

at that size it's just a laptop without the keyboard. unsure the need? I'm sure they'll sell many but the product lines seem to be encroaching.

It’s a drawing tablet. Macs don’t support Apple Pencil. I’m sure this would be geared towards creative professionals who need the Pencil to work. And maybe you could use it as a graphics tablet for the Mac, too.

I’m really excited and would buy it day one.

 

[Deadnaut]

As someone whose primary use of the 12.9 iPad pro is for digital art (mostly Procreate and Nomad)....YES PLEASE.

However, now comes the hard choice: Do I sell my left or right kidney on the black market...

 

[Pakaku]

Probably the first rumor in years that actually made me excited. Though I think last time I felt this way was hearing about the 12.9" iPad...

Still tempering expectations, though. There's always a catch with Apple lately

 

[subjonas]

Austin Powers would say: and it will cost...One Billion Dollars!

You mean Dr. Evil! And it’s one hundred billion lol

 

[subjonas]

Another gimped product because of iPadOS. Instead of adding pencil support for MacBooks or MacOS to iPads.

Put me down for Pencil support in MacBooks.

 

[Logic368]

Wrong. This will be the next iMac.

 

[ACG12]

What about cellular capability on a MacBook?

That would be nice, but if Apple hasn’t done it by now, I doubt they ever will.