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Apple to Release iPad Pro Smart Keyboard With Trackpad in 2020
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surface pro exists with a detachable screen, and goes into tablet mode When you detach the screen.
why couldn’t Apple release a “macbook“ size hybrid, which is a regular Mac OS when in laptop mode, but when you detach the screen, it switches to IOS only.
why couldn’t Apple release a “macbook“ size hybrid, which is a regular Mac OS when in laptop mode, but when you detach the screen, it switches to IOS only.
An iPad and a Mac are two different products that just happen to have overlap in some functionality. There is little reason to complain that the iPad might be getting a track pad because it does not make the Mac any worse but it might make the iPad a bit better. And I don't believe that the MacBook will ever be discontinued regardless of how functional the iPad may become.
who are these “so many people?”
I’m 7 pages in and haven’t seen anybody who is against it.
Mention "trackpad" or "mouse" in the same sentence as "iPad" and you can expect what the responses will be. This thread didn't fail to deliver. 
Unless Apple is going to expand mouse/trackpad support in iOS to reach parity with how Android supports it, I don't see the value in a keyboard case that includes a trackpad.
Unless Apple is going to expand mouse/trackpad support in iOS to reach parity with how Android supports it, I don't see the value in a keyboard case that includes a trackpad.
You haven't read this thread carefully then. "If you want a mouse get a macbook" type posts are implicitly against the idea.
If you ever use an iPad with a keyboard, you'll soon find the lack of the touchpad annoying. The problem is having tap (drag, pinch, etc.) on the screen doesn't work well when typing. A touchpad simply replicates the screen touches at the keyboard.
Mention "trackpad" or "mouse" in the same sentence as "iPad" and you can expect what the responses will be. This thread didn't fail to deliver.
Unless Apple is going to expand mouse/trackpad support in iOS to reach parity with how Android supports it, I don't see the value in a keyboard case that includes a trackpad.
You haven't read this thread carefully then. "If you want a mouse get a macbook" type posts are implicitly against the idea.
no, they aren’t. They are pro-trackpad.
I understand what you're saying now.
So to synthesize their sentiments...
They are pro-trackpad on a notebook computer but anti-trackpad for a tablet.
This is awesome. I hope they really do this! If they made a version for the non pro iPads I’d buy that in a heartbeat. I also hope this means they’ll finally allow support for the Magic Trackpad.
Yeah, now that you think of it, every angry post is essentially “THIS ISN’T FOR ME!”
You can always try to spin it another way, but what’s driving it is that something in the world is not for them!If this really happens, I’m going to laugh at all those ”true ipad experience” philosophers who are so opposed to mouse pointers in ipad.
Well take that! Apple’s gonna do it lol
Well take that! Apple’s gonna do it lol
I think they’re just opposed to mouse pointers when using a device as a tablet. And they were afraid apps would start making very small tap targets, thus requiring a mouse.
The good news is that we know, from the addition of pencil, that developers (prodded by App Store review) won’t be able to screw it up. Using a trackpad will probably be just like using the pencil, but with a visible cursor.
Then you'd be stuck with Windows, macOS, or otherwise. iOS with a trackpad/keyboard combo is perfect for me.
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This is exactly what I have been waiting for. iPad has been my only computer for a while now and I want the built in capability to quickly utilize a pointer if I want to. This will be much better than having to bring a mouse when needed. Can't wait, just hoping it can be used with the previous Pro as I won't be upgrading this year.
That's a really good idea. But I bet that will take years to finish as currently macOS Catalyst is a clean cut off of legacy iOS with deprecated APIs. It doesn't looks like Apple want to merge the ABI of iOS and macOS.
For me I just want iPad to have slightly better multitasking UI and runs Xcode and have python runtime locally.
That's all I need for a iPad to replace my MacBook.
Due to how expensive these iPads are now I’m assuming most 2018 Pro owners would likely not upgrade for an incremental refresh. However, this would be a brilliant way to extract another $200 out of many of us.
Agreed. I’m not currently needing more power with the 2018 Pro 12.9”, and although I have used it for some work photography (product stills), I can’t see upgrading to the newest version...unless there are some really compelling features we don’t yet know about. Even if Apple does release a trackpad equipped keyboard folio that only works with the 2020 iPad Pro’s, I don’t think I would bite on upgrading.
But as is often the case with Apple, they can surprise me and make a compelling reason for me to upgrade. I know one of my kids would be happy to get my current iPad Pro, so it is something I’ll at least consider. But as you note, if I can spend just $200 for an updated keyboard / trackpad folio, I’ll do that without thinking twice.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
This is one of the reasons why I believe an iPad could not replace my laptop yet.
I'm actually trying to decide if an iPad would be enough for me (since I don't need to do pro work with my personal machines).
Given that I don't draw, a (better) MacBook Air is actually better for me, and in a similar price range to a comparable iPad Pro.
A built-in stand, keyboard, trackpad, and a more powerful OS make it a no-brainer.
However my daughter, who is a graphic artist, THRIVES on an iPad. She still has an MBP though.
All this said, I think getting a trackpad for iOS would be nice, but only like sracer said. It needs to be supported like Android does.
Apple wouldn't bother if they didn't think many people would buy it. Look at the iPhone SE. People cant shut up about it and they discontinued that. They clearly feel a decent number of people will buy it.
I can share my personal experience. I've gone from working and traveling with a 15" MBP, to a 13" MacBook Air, to a 15" rMBP, to now using the 12.9" iPad Pro (2018 version purchased almost exactly a year ago).
I LOVED the MacBook Air, because it was such a departure from the old 15" MBP in both weight savings and speed. But as I got used to the higher resolution screens on my iPhone and iPads, the low-res Air was just too hard to continue working with, so the jump back to a retina MBP was great - not to mention the added screen real estate was nice.
But the weight and amount of space required to carry it and the charger became more than I could handle - plus I really didn't need the horsepower the rMBP had while on the road. So I picked up the iPad Pro last year and have been extremely satisfied since.
One great thing about the iPad Pro, vs any of the MacBooks, is that I can pull it out and start working immediately (I recommend getting the cellular model because of this), without needing to find wifi or connect to my iPhone for service. The negative of the smaller size compared to the 15" rMBP is a non issue, as I can zoom in anytime I need and obviously when holding it you can put it right up to your face if need be.
I did just start using the Pencil with it, specifically for note taking. If I can fully stop writing in my favorite Field Notes journals, the benefit of taking notes in the Notes app on the iPad is that I don't have to try to remember what journal I wrote any specific note in, since I can categorize and search more easily in a single spot.
I'm even finding myself emailing on the iPad even when I'm sitting at my desk in front of the iMac, which I didn't used to do. It's just so easy to use and I kind of like the limited keyboard travel more than the Magic Keyboard.
