Apple Shares New 'What's a Computer' Ad Focused on iPad Pro Features

[thewhitehart]

I hope Tim makes good on the promise of a new Mac mini. Having the peripherals already, I find that a new Mac mini and a 9.7-in. iPad would be a great price wise combo for those having a hard time deciding what a computer is to them.

Because after 12 pages of posts, it’s pretty obvious that it’s a matter of what you need to do.

Would anyone who regularly posts on this forum say he or she felt deceived by this ad? 😀

 

[Nikhil72]

Delightful Advertisement.

As for wether or not an iPad is better than a traditional laptop for a young person (middle school & high school), I have my doubts. All three of our kids went through the laptop program at our middle school. They used laptops throughout high school and eventually college. Hands down, a laptop is better than a tablet at creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations. The laptop OS & UI (Keyboard & trackpad) are just better suited toward this type of activity.

*was* better suited. Dragging and dropping text and images into a keynote with a finger now is so much more intuitive than using a mouse or trackpad.

 

[koobcamuk]

My real question, what was that move she did with the keyboard up to collapse it. Need to practice that one handed keyboard collapse.

It's simple... have someone else buy your iPad and then you can practice bouncing it off a table. Or anything, because you're a spoilt kid.

 

[Mainsail]

*was* better suited. Dragging and dropping text and images into a keynote with a finger now is so much more intuitive than using a mouse or trackpad.

The whole computer UI was designed around precision document/spreadsheet navigation and operation using a mouse or trackpad. The trackpad is far superior control mechanism for things like highlighting, drag and drop, etc. The touch UI is optimized for a different more consumption oriented use case, which is fine.

As for the OS, on an laptop, you can have multiple windows of any variety open with which to work. On an iPad, you can’t even have two Pages or Word docs open side by side to Copy/paste or drag/drop.

The proof is in the pudding.. Go to any college library or student union and count laptops and iPads. I guarantee the most common device will be a MBA. You will find very few iPads.

 

[Brammy]

Would anyone who regularly posts on this forum say he or she felt deceived by this ad?

No. You can swap out Word for Ulysses and Goodnote for OneNote and that's a pretty good estimate for my average day with an iPad. I don't think the ad is deceiving at all.

The trackpad is far superior control mechanism for things like highlighting, drag and drop, etc. The touch UI is optimized for a different more consumption oriented use case, which is fine.

I feel the canonical iPad Pro setup is as shown in the video: iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard and Pencil. Almost all text highlighting I do via the ASK keyboard commands. It's very easy to do this way. I use the Pencil when marking up PDFs and drawing.

The proof is in the pudding.. Go to any college library or student union and count laptops and iPads. I guarantee the most common device will be a MBA. You will find very few iPads.

I don't feel this is a good metric since it depends on what major you are doing. For a lot of majors, the software may not be there for them to even use a Mac. By the arguments raised in the thread, the Mac would not be considered a "computer."

I'm in an MBA-lite program (I know you meant MacBook Air; it's just the acronyms lined up so I'm clarifying). I am doing 99% of the coursework on my iPad Pro. So far the only hang-up I've seen is a specific use case in the last class where the software we use wouldn't let me view a marked-up copy of the teacher's comments on a paper. This course is a lot of PowerPoint and Word work. The iPad versions of these packages are fine for this. The only real limitation for research papers I've run into is not being able to adjust or create document styles and that's pretty minor.

Even in my day job I use the iPad Pro a lot. Managing email, taking notes in meetings, and stuff like that. I haven't tried updating the Table of Contents in a Word doc. I know you can't create them, though. Near document completion, we run a macro for some formatting. These are two, minor, roadblocks where I can do a lot on the iPad Pro. I don't know about getting files on and off SharePoint.

These devolve into something akin to "well, the iPad can't do (x), therefore it's useless" and ignore the areas it does a good job. I work in Word and Excel a lot and it's not often I need to copy and paste between documents. I don't often even have two Word files up a lot. I work as a Business Analyst, so my Office usage is pretty heavy. The limitations people raise here, I just don't run into them a lot. I use my iPad for "real" productive tasks a lot during the day. For my personal projects (writing, drawing) it's my go-to device over my MacBook Pro.

 

[Mainsail]

Brammy, You make some good points, and I believe the iPad has made some significant steps forward with iOS 11 and the Pro+Pencil+ASK. Time will tell. I have a MBA and 2017 iPad, and I tend to use them as complementary devices. If I had a iPad Pro plus accessories, I might feel differently about it. I have 3 kids in HS and College, and they are definitely not interested in using an iPad for their school work. Believe me, I have asked.

My concern about starting a kid on an iPad is that it might make the transition to a regular computer more difficult when they enter college or the Work world. If they start with a laptop then get a smartphone in HS, they will have substantial exposure to both operating systems. So, when they get to college, internships, summer jobs, and eventually professional careers the transition is seemless to the more corporate work environment.

Most people do not make a living as a creative professional using an Apple Pencil. Most of us are office slaves toiling away at corporate databases, spreadsheets and PP presentations. Sad....but true.

 

[Brammy]

Yeah, I agree on most of that. I wouldn't recommend going iOS-only in University right now mainly because there are a lot of variables that the iPad might not be able to cover. That said, I went to school twice: Once for architecture, and once for technical communications.

While there are a few architects out there I know use the iPad Pro as a close-to-main device, AutoCad on iOS is a poor substitute to the desktop version, I think the iPad is great for sketching up designs thought. The tech comms degree with the exception of the aforementioned table of contents issue, I could do on an iPad.

I think there is a transition inherent in any computing platform someone out of college goes through. Went to school using a Mac and now have to work in Windows -- get ready for a transition. Used Windows 10 and the place is still on Windows 7, or worse, still on XP, well, you need to learn the system.

That said, changes in systems come about from what end users require. IS used to just say, "Here are the tools we provide, suck it up." But, with the iPhone they started to have to support systems they didn't want to. I worked in IT during the iPhone transition and the IS shop was very reluctant to let users use them. Many places now have a form of BYOD. Who knows what kind of computing environment the kid in the video will see when she hits the workforce in 10+ years. Probably not the one we think of today.

 

[flowave]

Now apple, tell me why it is called iPad "Pro" when a teenager uses it. There is nothing Pro about this device in this ad. Sure it has great versatility, but that is not how Pros uses their devices.

 

[PizzaBoxStyle]

The reality is that Apple is aggressively pushing iPad Pro as a mainstream laptop replacement. And it’s working, with sales figures prove it.

I can't wait for everyone to realize how valuable open systems (unlike the iPad) and open software actually are.

Open systems are the future. Locked down crap like the iPad is just going to be a phase.

All of these iPhones, iPads and glued-together Macs are just environmental waste - if we're being intellectually honest with ourselves. I'm willing to admit it - I've been a fool for buying into this ecosystem instead of custom building a Windows/Linux box.

I mean, seriously. Graphics card die in your windows box? Swap it out for $300 for a high-end card. Graphics card die in your iMac? Buy a whole new freaking computer and throw the old one away. Want more RAM in your Windows box? Grab some new RAM sticks for $60. Want some more RAM in your MacBook Pro? Buy a whole new freaking computer and throw old one away.

This is ridiculous.

Apple lost their way in this after the PowerMac days, and they really lost their way after the last of the tower Mac Pros.

This commercial unfortunately does signal the intents and thinking of Apple leadership. For me, the question is not going to be "whats a computer?" It's going to be "What's a Mac?" Next year, I'm going to replace this laggy old MacBook Pro with a custom-built box as my main machine.
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Now apple, tell me why it is called iPad "Pro" when a teenager uses it. There is nothing Pro about this device in this ad. Sure it has great versatility, but that is not how Pros uses their devices.

Notice how they didn't actually show any pro grade software on-screen.
[doublepost=1511240772][/doublepost]

I don't think Apple has crippled the Truck - the MacOS has a series set of under the hood upgrades and enhancements. The hardware line was refreshed. Not sure what you mean about crippling the Truck.

Man, you must have missed it when Apple finally admitted the trashcan Mac Pro was a failure.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Apple knows what they're doing. There are plenty of people in the world that would drop $800 on their elementary school kid.

Plus, some elementary schools give iPads to kids. My daughter, in a public school, is going to be given one next year, in the second grade. I think for the first couple years they have to keep them at school but then in fourth grade get to start taking them home. Like it or not, this is the introduction to computers for a lot of kids. This is going to shape the way they see what a “proper” computer is, and that is, in turn, going to shape the future of computing.

(And, frankly, my daughter has had her own iPad since she was 4. That was when my ex and I got divorced, and we bought her one so that she could FaceTime either parent whenever she wanted. She’s never damaged it.)

 

[falcn]

"What's a computer" - the thing mom used to earn money to pay for iPad Pro.

 

[Nikhil72]

I can't wait for everyone to realize how valuable open systems (unlike the iPad) and open software actually are.

Open systems are the future. Locked down crap like the iPad is just going to be a phase.

All of these iPhones, iPads and glued-together Macs are just environmental waste - if we're being intellectually honest with ourselves. I'm willing to admit it - I've been a fool for buying into this ecosystem instead of custom building a Windows/Linux box.

I mean, seriously. Graphics card die in your windows box? Swap it out for $300 for a high-end card. Graphics card die in your iMac? Buy a whole new freaking computer and throw the old one away. Want more RAM in your Windows box? Grab some new RAM sticks for $60. Want some more RAM in your MacBook Pro? Buy a whole new freaking computer and throw old one away.

This is ridiculous.

I believe the future you’re describing is exclusively for a small % of techies. Normal customers could care less about modularity; when it’s time, they’ll upgrade. And it’s all tech companies. So no, the future isn’t modularity. Open vs closed software, with how system security is going, my bet is on closed or semi closed

 

[JM]

Plus, some elementary schools give iPads to kids. My daughter, in a public school, is going to be given one next year, in the second grade. I think for the first couple years they have to keep them at school but then in fourth grade get to start taking them home. Like it or not, this is the introduction to computers for a lot of kids. This is going to shape the way they see what a “proper” computer is, and that is, in turn, going to shape the future of computing.

(And, frankly, my daughter has had her own iPad since she was 4. That was when my ex and I got divorced, and we bought her one so that she could FaceTime either parent whenever she wanted. She’s never damaged it.)

And iPads (or any pad device) are certainly less unwieldy than laptops. As training wheels, the iPad seems to work, and when kids are ready to step up to full computing power they'll get a laptop or desktop for professional grade coding, video editing, music production, etc. (which means that's all I can think of... haha).

 

[Brammy]

Notice how they didn't actually show any pro grade software on-screen.

They showed Procreate which Kyle Lambert uses as part of his process to create the Stranger Things posters. If that's not a pro app, or pro work, we have a vastly different description of "Pro" work.
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And iPads (or any pad device) are certainly less unwieldy than laptops.

I do a lot of work in construction. They are great to have the floor plans on for a job site and mark up areas that need attention.

 

[PizzaBoxStyle]

They showed Procreate which Kyle Lambert uses as part of his process to create the Stranger Things posters. If that's not a pro app, or pro work, we have a vastly different description of "Pro" work.

Hmmm. Apparently I missed that then!
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I believe the future you’re describing is exclusively for a small % of techies. Normal customers could care less about modularity; when it’s time, they’ll upgrade. And it’s all tech companies. So no, the future isn’t modularity. Open vs closed software, with how system security is going, my bet is on closed or semi closed

Closed-source software has proven to be just as full of security holes as open source software. All. The. Time.

I would never argue that open source is better than closed source software - a lot of OSS is crap. But it's so much better than being mandated on what you can/can't do by a corporate platform vendor.

As time goes on, if we let things continue to get locked down like they have been, it's going to make computing oppressive and miserable.

Also, at some point, normal customers will start to care about modularity when they're getting price-gouged to upgrade their hardware and software and dealing with constant platform restrictions. Except by then, it may be all too late to change course.

 

[Brammy]

Hmmm. Apparently I missed that then!

One of the things I've noticed in these discussions -- and I'm not targeting you -- is the definition of Pro apps can be nebulous. I've half-seriously said that "the definition of real work (or pro work) is this thing that I do, that you don't do, that can't be done on the device we are talking about."

Word on iOS is a good example. It can read and write desktop Word docs without a big worry of compatibility. As I mentioned before, I could do a lot of my day job on Word for iOS. Near the end of creating it, I need to adjust the ToC and run a few macros for formatting. This restriction doesn't make it less of a pro app for me since it's maybe 2% of the effort I need. On the other hand, if every day you need to run Macros, or do things that Word iOS can't do, then it's fair that someone thinks the app is a blight on humanity.

 

[jujufreeze]

It’s the cars vs trucks analogy all over again.

Nobody is saying that we don’t need trucks. They have their uses, and will remain indispensable for the purpose they were built for, but most people won’t ever get one. For them, a car more than suffices.

The people who need to use a PC for tasks like app development or some other complex task will still continue to use them, but they will not be the majority.

OK, an ipad can perform some basic tasks for the average user. Same way a pocket knife can peel oranges and slice a banana, just like a tactical self-defense knife, but it's still ultimately a pocket knife and doesn't have the same utility as a tactical knife. An ipad or ipad "pro" is still a tablet, not a computer, it will never be a computer, and doesn't need to masquerade as one.

 

[SlowX]

until iPad has a proper filing system, it will never replace my laptop

It is awkward, isn't it. Many apps seems to store files differently too.
[doublepost=1511289317][/doublepost]I still see a difference between a tablet and a computer, but I also believe YMMV.
[doublepost=1511289369][/doublepost]PS The kid in the ad is adorable.

 

[Brammy]

Gabe Weatherhead wrote up some good thoughts on his experiment switching to the iPad. Spoiler: he preferred the Mac but illustrated some ways the iPad works better.

OK, an ipad can perform some basic tasks for the average user

I'm going to challenge this with four apps: Procreate, a pro-level drawing tool; Affinity Photo, a near-complete crossover of their macOS app; and Paint Studio Pro,a near-complete crossover of their macOS app; and Ulysses -- stop me if you've heard this before, a near complete crossover of their macOS app. Omnifocus and Things are honorable mentions.

I'm not going to try and proclaim that everyone using a Mac or Windows device can or should immediately dump it for an iPad. I also don't think this means Apple is going to stop selling Macs, or that Tim Cook is going to come for everyone's Mac and hand them a tablet. I'm a pretty heavy iPad user and I still need, and want to use a Mac. My iPad is my primary choice for drawing and writing, but some photo editing tools I use (specifically filters) do not have an iOS counterpart.

However, I consider basic tasks to be email and web surfing. The iPad can do that from day one. I don't consider creating pro quality art on an iPad, or using a photo editor like Affinity Photo to be anything close to a basic task.

 

[Abazigal]

OK, an ipad can perform some basic tasks for the average user. Same way a pocket knife can peel oranges and slice a banana, just like a tactical self-defense knife, but it's still ultimately a pocket knife and doesn't have the same utility as a tactical knife. An ipad or ipad "pro" is still a tablet, not a computer, it will never be a computer, and doesn't need to masquerade as one.

I believe the iPad will become something better. It will be a way more intimate and personal means of computing. More than the “personal computer” ever could.

So maybe you are right. An iPad shouldn’t be considered a computer. But instead of being a negative, I would see this as a positive. I find the iPad to be way more attractive than a computer because it breaks down barriers that would otherwise prevent technology from becoming more personal. To me, the iPad sheds the bad memories and connotations associated with computers.

There is more to a great personal computing experience than just raw computing power, and this is something I just don’t see being addressed in any of the earlier comments. Maybe that’s what Apple gets that the people here don’t?

 

[icanhazapple]

None of that is in the definition of a computer.

Edit: A computer doesn't even require local storage.

everything I described is what I spend my money on, and that's the only thing that matters.

 

[spazzcat]

everything I described is what I spend my money on, and that's the only thing that matters.

Still doesn’t change the fact that isn’t the definition of a computer.

 

[Brammy]

Still doesn’t change the fact that isn’t the definition of a computer.

So, now his definition of a computer isn't one, yes.

But this is Webster's:
Definition of computer
: one that computes; specifically : a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data

By that definition, the iPad is a computer.

 

[JM]

 

[cmaier]

A computer is a device where a user can modify the bios, boot loader, and has read/write access to any file at the raw disk level.

No it’s not. A computer doesn’t even need to have a bios, doesn’t need to have a boot loader, and, in fact, doesn’t even need to boot. A computer doesn’t need to have a disk, either.