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

[Niklas_nick]

I've had a 10.5" iPad Pro for some months now and I have to say it is a genius computing addition and it has become my main device for everyday low-computing tasks like browsing the web, checking mails, listening to music. It's just much more effortless and it handles some "professional" tasks better than a Mac through different apps and workflows, especially digital drawing, picture editing, concept planning, note taking. It's genius as a carry-around-computer, wholly sufficient for university or when you want to show data on-site.

It's not quite replacing macs and I doubt it ever will completely, because it is for different uses. The Apple Watch or the iPhone isn't going to replace your desktop and neither does my my MacBook Pro replace my Mac Pro, it's my go-to device for heavier computing. But iPad Pro and iOS 11 have come close enough to be sufficient enough for most consumer computing activities and I am using my macs much less because for most everyday tasks, you don't need the mac. I chose the right tool for the right job and that's where the iPad Pro is a genius complementation to your computer lineup.

 

[Regime2008]

Pro

I know many proffesionals who use iPad Pro!
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It can.

So its a computer then!

Sorry, but no. Far from a computer. And no, it cannot do more than my phone, and my phone isn't a computer. Again, this has to do with iOS vs Android, which is off topic.

 

[lordofthereef]

if its an option. if its required then I am done. because I've used OS X for years and it's a frakking piss poor choice for tablet work.

My thought would be to allow mouse and keyboard use. I’m sort of in the opposite end of the fence. I find the iPad to be a pointless waste of money when I have a a phone for everything I need iOS to do for me.

 

[Benjamid]

I seriously considered using an iPad pro as a computer replacement for development but iOS is still way too restricted for my needs. No CLI and not being able to open the same app twice... Great devices but still a long way to go!

Not using the same app twice (except spitview in Safari) is tough and a deal dealbreaker when it comes to iOS only life but I use my 10,5 pro a ton for work. Wish I could make the switch to iOS only. Maybe with iOS 12?

 

[MacBH928]

but... the iPad Pro is a computer. It just has a very limiting OS

 

[sdz]

It does “files” what more do you want?
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Rubbish, back up to iCloud through WiFi and restore, (no infrastructure liability)
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You still use USB’s???, does your car still have a tape player??

P.s .....there are apps that solve your problems mentioned

Yeah give Apple, hackers and the government all your private data...

 

[where is it]

If everyone just used iPad Pros there wouldn't be any developers making apps.

Kids would become bored and move on.

Apple needs the next generation to be interested in computers to keep the cycle going?

Short sighted ad (no pun intended, well maybe a little).

 

[spazzcat]

yes ipad sales might be up now due to cheaper models but the overall picture is not rosy...i bought an ipad and for me it was the biggest mistake ever...i should ve invested in macbook air rather..for any uni student ipad's productivity sucks!

They are up because of the pro. I just talked someone out of buying MS Surface and getting a pro. They are very happy. My pro with pencil is the most useful iPad I have ever owned...
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Until an iPad can do basic things like restore another iPad it's not even close to being a computer replacement.

Why does it need to do this? Why does this make it computer?

 

[iamtheonlyone4ever]

A computer runs OS X.

No but seriously. I’d be the first in line for an iPad that runs OS X. Dual boot is fine too.

your first comment is not a joke, is at real as it gets, have you ever heard of a hackintosh? in the other hand yes it will be nice to have an iPad running Mac OS

 

[Dave245]

I think some people are missing the point, the advert shows a child using an iPad Pro because that simply fits his needs, no an iPad Pro can't replace a full desktop which is why Apple still make desktops and laptops but a lot of people can still use an iPad to get things done and with IOS 11 it got even better. Personally i love my iPad Pro 12.9" but i also still use a Mac (my iMac at home) for editing. A lot of people out there who just use apps search the internet and email can do that on an iPad.

 

[Jonathantuba]

There are some things an iPad Pro can do, that a Macbook Pro cannot such as;

• Drawing with the Apple Pencil - which is also perfect for note taking (even on the move) and annotating photos
• Connect using built in LTE to internet without Wi-fi
• Really good camera for taking photos - or in business situation scan documents even with built in flash if light is poor
• Use on air flights when laptop is not permitted, or not sufficient room in Economy
• Display in Portrait format where that is better for viewing
• Be put on music stand to play music (my personal reason for originally getting an iPad)

I also like the fact that the iPad is more structured and simplified. That enables me to concentrate on my work with less distraction.

I know some people must have a Mac for their particular job (such as programer), or prefer that way of working - but that does not mean the iPad is not a real computer - just a different sort of computer.

Everyone to their own. If you prefer, or must have a MacBook Pro, then that is fine - but an iPad Pro does all I need for my work and I personally more enjoy using.

PS My MacBook Air has not been used for 6-months and I am just about to donate to my nephew

 

[DNichter]

But wouldn't that be a big downgrade in performance? You wont get near the performance of an Intel chip in an A-series processor. I'd imagine there is a reason Apple uses Intel processors in their laptop and desktops, and A-processors in their phones.

Maybe, it depends. Benchmark scores now are close to their current MacBook line. Now I know it's not an apples to apples comparison, but imagine what they could do with much more space to work with and an OS optimized for their chip.

 

[Rogifan]

If everyone just used iPad Pros there wouldn't be any developers making apps.

Kids would become bored and move on.

Apple needs the next generation to be interested in computers to keep the cycle going?

Short sighted ad (no pun intended, well maybe a little).

When has Apple ever said Macs don’t need to exist? all Apple is doing is saying iPads are computers too. iPads are for more than just watching video and checking email. If iPad isn’t a real computer why the heck did Microsoft develop Office apps for it?

 

[DNichter]

It's really a silly argument. I am sure everyone can come up with one particular use case where an iPad may not work for them, but not every computer works for every situation. It doesn't make the iPad any less of a computer. I manage a logistics team of 23 people with nothing but my iPad and smart keyboard. People management, budgeting, sales, account management, carrier management, and project management. All just fine from an iPad. I am not sure what you would call it if not a computer, but that's okay with me too. For me, it's better than any other computer I have owned. macOS is dead to me, but it will live on for very specific intensive tasks.

 

[vtrautia]

I can't do things that i need to do with iPad Pro. Yet

 

[makitango]

A computer does not crash your app(lication) when the RAM is full or resprings, but rather stores it in the page file so multitasking is also not compromised, nor is work progress. It is vital that things REALLY run simultaneously, and not just music in Control Center.
A computer also allows the user to install all the software they need and organize the files in a way they want to get **** done, no matter if the manufacturer finds them suitable or not.
Saying that computing elevates a device to a computer may be true in a dictionary, but else you can call any pocket calculator or TAN generator a computer as well, competing with the iPad.
...whilst a calculator would actually win when compared to the iOS 11 calculator. ;D

 

[DNichter]

Computer: a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. I think the iPad does this.

 

[spazzcat]

A computer does not crash your app(lication) when the RAM is full or resprings, but rather stores it in the page file so multitasking is also not compromised, nor is work progress. It is vital that things REALLY run simultaneously, and not just music in Control Center.
A computer also allows the user to install all the software they need and organize the files in a way they want to get **** done, no matter if the manufacturer finds them suitable or not.
Saying that computing elevates a device to a computer may be true in a dictionary, but else you can call any pocket calculator or TAN generator a computer as well, competing with the iPad.
...whilst a calculator would actually win when compared to the iOS 11 calculator. ;D

Computers crash all the time losing your data. You can multitask with iPad, Word auto saves on the iPad. I've never had an issues organizing my files on my iPad, that apps for that, several of them and best part is they sync files and organizing to my other devices. You clearly have never used an iPad...

 

[MacBergin]

I like the ad but FYI about your description, that was not the kids mom at the end it was a neighbor. She was on the other side of the fence.

 

[spac3duck]

Computer: a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. I think the iPad does this.

In fact, the first computers were actually humans before we created electronic devices that could store, retrieve and process data but I'm in total agreement with you, the iPad is certainly a capable computing device. Anything else is just semantics.

 

[Jonathantuba]

I have just been working on my iPad Pro closing technique as shown in the video. It does work, although ends up with the keyboard behind the iPad and not protecting the screen

 

[jonnysods]

It's a fine piece of tech. Just don't call it a computer...

 

[Brammy]

May I ask for details on your writing and reference management setup? I haven’t found a good option for automatic bibliography insertion and smart quotations yet.

I use EasyBib's web page. Even if I am writing on my Mac I've come to prefer it more than a standalone app like EndNote. I've never really been a big fan of "Cite While You Write" anyway. I've always had the habit of entering in the citation in a manager and then just manually putting (Author, p666) where I need to.

You can export the EasyBib references in an easy manner to put in Word and Pages.
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Did the ad depict a day in the life of this kid? If so, the kid spends way too much time in front of a screen! Is this the future? Hopefully not.

heck, this is the present. I don't know about you, but I probably spend 12+ hours a day starting a darn screen.

 

[oneMadRssn]

THAT is the idea. We are at the beginning of the post PC era.

How long is this beginning going to last? We've been seeing that term thrown-around since 2011, maybe earlier (according to Google trends, there was a substantial uptick of this term in 2005 and 2006). So far, it looks like we're in a computer-accessories era.

I just find it absurd that a kid wouldn't know what a computer is, and say it in such a smartass way. I knew what a telegraph was, even though I never used one. "What's a computer?" "That think your parents use to make money and buy you nice creative toys like your ipad."

 

[tkermit]

Did the ad depict a day in the life of this kid? If so, the kid spends way too much time in front of a screen! Is this the future? Hopefully not.
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Agreed, didn’t Steve Jobs’ kids not have iPhones or iPads...? I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that a lot of the tech bosses ensure their kids go to schools that severely restrict screen time etc. Maybe I dreamt it...

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/fashion/steve-jobs-apple-was-a-low-tech-parent.html


https://www.theguardian.com/teacher...s-traditional-education-silicon-valley-london