Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Definitely a consumption device, but I think that's the problem. It needs more enterprise application. I believe, you should be able to walk into work, plug in your iPad (like a laptop/dock) and be able to do your whole job, on an iPad. Access full fledged Salesforce for an example, access network drives, Oracle services, and be able to quickly multitask via multi screen support.

I realize I just described a laptop and the iPad can do some of these things already, but in it's current state, it's not enough. Something is missing. With more of an enterprise focus, I believe IT and education customers are going to gobble it up in volumes. But, in order to get there, I think iOS for iPad needs a fundamental change in terms of how it can be managed by IT folks, and how easily it can integrate with customers' existing enterprise programs and operations.

The iPad doesn't need more consumers, it needs enterprise and education customers. iOS for iPad needs to change to attract these types of customers.

There already is a lot of enterprise activity with the iPad. IBM has built a business unit around the iPad using their enterprise software. Other companies as well for targeted applications. It will never be a general purpose computer, like a desktop or laptop.
 
it's a great productivity machine if you dont mind adapting to new workflows.

I think this is the biggest mental block people have when they say they can't get work done on iPads. The same work can be done much of the time, but breaking decades of muscle memory slows people down so they feel unproductive because it really does take them longer. If they pressed through that though they'd be just as productive on a platform that's easier to use, bring with you, maintain, etc.

I think of people like my mother and how much less tech support I have to provide her now that her primary system is an iPad instead of a Windows laptop. For people like her especially this is truly the perfect platform. For other people (probably more tech oriented like those in this forum) they need to re-think their workflows a bit, but can stilL be productive. I will admit, there are simply some jobs that cannot be done on an iPad, but for a larger number of users the iPad really can be their only device.

Reminds me of my time on the Amiga

My favourite computer was the Amiga. Had a 500, 3000, and 1200. Loved those machines, even to this day. What a machine ahead of its time.
 
Apple and their customers are eternally grateful that you're not making design decisions at Apple.

Don't speak for me! macOS sure would work great for ME on an iPad Pro. Beautiful design, great capable hardware, great software, and an OS with possibly the best multi-tasking capability of any modern OS, integrated with advanced touch features. For others, iOS might be a better fit than macOS for their individual needs...I can't speak to the needs of others. But, if I could have purchased an iPad Pro with macOS, I would not have purchased a Surface Pro 3 as I would have gladly stayed in the Apple ecosystem.
 
When they release a version that lives up to it's Pro branding then I will gladly hand over my hard earned cash. I can live without a pencil until then.
 
tablet is becoming what it really should have been : a niche product.
I won't be missing iPads, and I've had many of them, last one being Pro which only lasted 1 month and I sold it due to lack of real purpose and use.

it's all about ultra portable laptops now..proper computers that are very slim and light not limited tablets..also big phones.

deal with it folks, iPad is retired.it's 70% dead.
it's almost bizarre to see people with iPads or any tablets in public now.
It's been established people are still using older iPads. Apple has sold over 300 million them.....how exactly are they mostly dead? That's just a pure ignorant statement. Not to mention it's introduced basic computing to an entire generation of older people that would otherwise never have been part of the digital world.
 
I find this intresting. I threw away my laptop when it died and been using my ipad for 3 years now almost exclusively. My phones my most used computer and i only use my ipad for watching netflix, reading books and doing HW for colledge. I only use my desktop to use squarespace and mailchimp to run my website. Besides that i can run it off my iphone.
 
I find this intresting. I threw away my laptop when it died and been using my ipad for 3 years now almost exclusively. My phones my most used computer and i only use my ipad for watching netflix, reading books and doing HW for colledge. I only use my desktop to use squarespace and mailchimp to run my website. Besides that i can run it off my iphone.

To each their own. My iPad 4 hasn't even had its battery charged for 6 months. If my MBP died today, I'd replace it tomorrow (probably with a 2015 MBP). I wouldn't really be too sad giving up my iPhone for an old motorola flip phone if I could have a wireless hotspot for the MBP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gamma8gear
It's been established people are still using older iPads. Apple has sold over 300 million them...


Did think of it that way. Iv been using my ipad for 3 years now with no reason to upgrade.

And ColdShadow you said tablets were a niche market?
I never thought ipads were a niche market. On the contrary i believe they were and still are the future. Everyone has adopted this modern touch based control (smartphones, laptops, desktops...) that apple popularized. Whats been holding this new computer is developers, peoples need to hold on to the past and apple. Developers because they are not creating the pro apps that people would need (3d CAD, music mixing, pro level film editing software). Apple holds it back because if they can nerf it by holding back ram or something else then they can make it a third device (weaker then a mac but a more productive screen size then a iphone). And people for making comments like that even after they have a smart phone in there pocket with that modern touch control and tens of times the order of computing power used to put a man on the moon.
 
Well most iPads doesn't need to be upgraded every 1 to 3 years, so it's kinda obvious that the market will shrink by itself, though my iPad is really old now (5 years) so I'll be looking forward to this or next year iPad offering :D
 
1. iPad Pro needs a Pro version of iOS (file system and trackpad support). Not a shoehorned Mac OS and not the same iOS that can be found on the iPad mini.

2. Forget the smart cover and release an aluminum keyboard/base that the iPad Pro attaches to (carries more battery capacity). Detach and you have a pure tablet, attach and you have an actual notebook replacement that could do what the Macbook does right now (might replace the Macbook).

I could see that kind of machine doing more than enough to replace current notebooks for many people. Would be a hit with students with the included Apple Pencil support, trackpad, touch interface.
 
That's because people now want to do more with them instead of playing stupid games, but the iPad cannot do more.

I've written six (almost seven) books on one, five of which were best-sellers in their category (the other two aren't out yet). I read and surf quite extensively on them. I watch videos on them. I manage all my social media accounts on them. I create graphics on them (sometimes). I arrange all my travel on them. I dictate emails and reports on them. I often create and do presentations from my iPad.

One thing I don't do on my iPad is play "stupid games." (okay, ONE stupid game).

Mr. Staunton's comment reflects less of any shortcoming of the iPad, and more of a stultifying lack of imagination on his part. I have, in a previous post here, already said that notebooks can do more -- for example I would love it if I could edit podcasts on an iPad the way I can on my MacBook Pro -- but MOST days I need a surfing/writing/routine stuff-handling machine that is light enough to go where I go. MOST days I don't need a MacBook Pro and the various accessories one takes when one is trying to do more.

So I'm very happy I have my iPad on the go. And I'm happy that I have my MacBook Pro mostly at home.
 
We have 6 iPads in the house, not one of them is less than 2-3 years old. They don't need to be upgraded like phones.
Correct. The are more like smart tvs. Sure there may be better tvs now, but if yours is working fine, who cares?
 
Each member of the household has own iPad (4 in total), and there is none newer than Air in the mix. Simply no reason whatsoever to upgrade. iPad is too limited for doing anything other than browsing and content consumption, and for that any model up from iPad 2 will do just fine.
 
I find this intresting. I threw away my laptop when it died and been using my ipad for 3 years now almost exclusively. My phones my most used computer and i only use my ipad for watching netflix, reading books and doing HW for colledge. I only use my desktop to use squarespace and mailchimp to run my website. Besides that i can run it off my iphone.
You might need some more time in colledge my friend...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fenez
I love John Gruber's canned response for this "People don't upgrade tablets like they do phones". You can only say that for so many years before you lose credibility.

I love my iPad and I'd definitely upgrade every 2-3 years or so but haven't done so because iOS is holding it back. I can't justify spending $699 on the Pro when my wife & I can't have our own logins. People always say "Apple wants to sell more iDevices, so they won't do multi-user support" - Great, then why not get rid of that feature on MacOS?
This. No way am I splashing over a £1000 on a Pro with keyboard and pen when it can't even be shared by the household.

Crazy.

Especially when it is "okay for schools to have multi user iPads"
 
  • Like
Reactions: kdarling
This is actually really easy to figure out. But the people who hated tablets in the first place wanna chime in with their BS "because tablets were a fad and now they're dying" comment. No. Just no.

Aside from processing power, what reason does anybody have to upgrade their tablet? I mean hardly ever. If you had an iPad Air 1 or 2, they're still fast enough to do most of whatever you'd wanna do. Games are really the most demanding use for the processor and even then, most on the App Store are catering to the lowest common denominator to expand their audience. Not to mention the main reasons people tend to use tablets are for light use cases like reading books, surfing the web, Facebook and email, etc. Which...what would upgrading to a new tablet help with in their daily use case? I don't need a better processor for Facebook.

I've had my 12 inch pro since launch and even if there was a new one, don't see a reason why I'd need it. And it's not like their market has shrunk or that they've lost me as a buyer per say or that I'm not a tablet person anymore. It's just...i don't see the need when I've got a perfectly working iPad right in front of me.
 
My iPad Pro 9.7 gets used daily. It is still my favorite device despite the lack of updates. I think the hardware is fine as is however I would like to see iOS updated for the iPad. I feel the iPad could be so much more with added functions. Some customization would be great too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Indypendent
Apple has been very cautious with adding features to the iPad. If they released an actual "Pro" iPad it may hurt Mac sales significantly. Why shell out $1500+ for an underpowered laptop with an emoji bar when you can get the usefulness of a truly "Pro" iPad for less than $1000. It's a double edged sword. Apple has never really been one for an "all in one" device. I don't mind separate devices. Each one serves their purpose perfectly. I would like a more powerful iPad for on the go but I still use a mac so the iPad will always be a companion device. Who knows maybe someday no one will need a Mac? That's what Apple is trying to prevent.

What would you do?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Demo Kit
If it wasn't for th Apple Pencil I don't think I would have upgraded my iPad 3. But because of that little accessory I jumped in and bought what I consider the best tech buy I've made with zero remorse.

That said I don't see how they can improve this in the next few years. iOS could do with a huge update, but the tech itself is solid.
 
We have 6 iPads in the house, not one of them is less than 2-3 years old. They don't need to be upgraded like phones.
And that's a good thing except for shareholder value. Phones don't really need to be upgraded every 1-2 years either.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.