Apple's Greg Joswiak: No Plans to Merge Mac and iPad

[Fomalhaut]

Then wait for the redesigned MacBook Air. Current MacBook Air chassis was designed around the Intel processor. M2 is probably going to be even more power efficient, so less battery is needed, making the chassis even smaller.

iPad isn't the answer.

I guess we'll see! Ideally any mobile solution needs to have MacOS, but I don't think we'll see this on an iPad (at least not in its current form).

One thing I would like would be an Apple-TV sized computer similar to an Intel NUC. I have the latter, and they work really well for such a small package - it even has removable RAM and M.2 SSD

 

[Fomalhaut]

I think that's where we're headed - one device only. Just changes its capability based on the size of the screen, amount of power available, and type of input devices detected.

I don't think Tim Cook will like the sound of a "one-device" future NOT.ONE.BIT

 

[smulji]

For those customers, there would be the non-M chip iPads.

This a great post by someone who’s a heavy iPad Pro user

Apple’s Best Path For the iPad is to Keep iPadOS and macOS Separate

Most Apple fans have expected this year’s iPad Pro to be a powerhouse for a while now. Last year’s model only got the tiniest of spec bumps and processing upgrades, so it made se…

ipadinsight.com

 

[lec0rsaire]

The decision to use the M1 for the iPad Pro was made simply to lower the cost of each of chip. They will probably end up with 2-3 main designs per year.

A higher-end variant with a better GPU for 16” MBP (maybe the 14.1” as well if it comes in at $1799) and the 27” iMac replacement, the standard M for the 13” Air, Pro (until it’s discontinued) and iPad Pro, and finally the A for iPhone Pro/iPad Air.

Other devices like TV and regular iPad will continue to use older chips. The Mac Pro will have designs made just for it.

 

[calstanford]

The OS isn’t what consumes the RAM or the storage, it’s the applications. What do you need 16GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD for on MacOS? That’s what you’d use it for on iPad, just with a different UI better suited to the form factor.

For Xcode - doesn't exist on iPad.
For Final Cut Pro - doesn't exist on iPad.
For multitasking many apps - doesn't work like that on iPad.
For Photoshop incl. Adobe RAW - there isn't real proper Photoshop on iPad.

Do I really need to list them all?

For the Apps I use on iPad I haven't needed more than 4GB yet. Maybe an upgrade to 6 would be nice. Hell even 8 if it's free. I mean why not. But I don't get why people would pay $$$ to get 16GB RAM (and 1 or 2TB SSD) if it isn't used by any apps out there.

 

[isoft7]

What's the purpose of a 16GB RAM/2TB SSD iPad then? To run iPhone apps and the occassional Procreate? Come on

It's to make Apple money, it's that simple. Everything Apple does is to make money. There's passion there, sure, but ultimately Apple isn't trying to change the world, they're just selling expensive toys.

 

[ArPe]

But they use the same hardware, exactly the same

Most Motorola 68K based computers in the 80s and 90s were ‘almost’ identical internally except for the ROMs and a few ports and some sometimes the graphics( if there was an accelerator). That doesn’t mean they were all Macs or all Amigas or all Nexts or all Sharps.

 

[justin0712]

The decision to use the M1 for the iPad Pro was made simply to lower the cost of each of chip. They will probably end up with 2-3 main designs per year.

A higher-end variant with a better GPU for 16” MBP (maybe the 14.1” as well if it comes in at $1799) and the 27” iMac replacement, the standard M for the 13” Air, Pro (until it’s discontinued) and iPad Pro, and finally the A for iPhone Pro/iPad Air.

Other devices like TV and regular iPad will continue to use older chips. The Mac Pro will have designs made just for it.

I would not doubt it one bit. Instead of R&I on X variant of the A chips, just slap the M series in the iPad Pro.

Every other iPad in the lineup will just use A series chips and call it a day.

 

[iSayuSay]

They keep saying that, but every year they’re more and more alike

Because what’s better than gouging the customers twice for products that essentially identical.

Just like the $29 Airtag that you can barely use without the keyring (or any form of 3rd party accessories). Even the Watch came with a starter strap in the box.

 

[makaveli-313]

ugh...
Fairly disappointed to read that. The only thing holding me back rom replacing my old Macbook Pro with an iPad is the lack of a 'real' OS in it.
Just find it easier/practical to go about my daily tasks with mac os x....

 

[vmistery]

Look at it this way, if you keep the lines separated they can extract money from you for two devices instead of one. It actually make sense for them to offer both in my opinion! I have the whole set, iPhone, ipad, Mac and U.K. sure many do.

 

[Bluetoot-]

If you need to do ‘real computing’ doesn’t the Mac work for you? I struggle to see how someone who needs macOS needs an iPad. Unless they just want the ability to touch their screen.

The touch screen with pen. The portability. That’s what I want.

I’m sorry you’re struggling with this but I don’t see how this can be hard to see. Best of luck.

 

[sdz]

Nobody has any intention of building a wall​

- Walter Ulbricht.

 

[krell100]

With both iPad and MacBook having the same M1 chip I see no reason why iPad shouldn't be able to boot macOS. I think it would a huge win if they do this. But, they won't, because money.

 

[noraa]

Remember when Jobs said there will never be a stylus for an iPad? Yeah, iPads will have to run mac apps to be a real computer. They’ll realize it sooner or later.

I never felt that Jobs said that as an absolute, more that if you are required to use a stylus to operate the device, than you've blown. The Apple Pencil is simply an additional tool for the iPad, but far from required to actually use the iPad. Just like an external keyboard, or trackpad, or what not are just additional tools to augment how you use an iPad. Fundamentally, all you need to operate an iPad is your hands.

 

[contacos]

It’s cute that he thinks developers will bother to focus their time on this high end device yet limited by iOS in itself. What a waste of power since like 3 iPad Pro generations ago! Devs focus on where the money is and I am sure that’s not the Pro. You can’t optimize an app for the new iPad Pro and have it run like crap on the „iPad“ or „iPad Air“. iPad Pro only wouldn’t make much sense either. Imagine the rating on the App Store of such an app

 

[subjonas]

I see a lot of people who are either rooting for or against some kind of convergence or dual boot arguing out its likelihood or unlikelihood. But that makes me suspect these may all be utterings of wishful thinkers tainted by confirmation bias!
So I’d love to hear more opinions from those who have no horse in the race, or maybe even better, those who believe their horse is going to lose.

I’m not sure if I have a horse in the race, haven’t thought enough about what I want. But in attempting to look at this convergence question rationally, I think the first thing to look at are the fundamental philosophies or purposes behind each product. As far as I can tell, iPads are made for ultimate ease of use, Macs are made to be the ultimate tool. It seems to me that those two are opposite ends of a spectrum and cannot converge without compromising each other. Extreme ease of use and extreme robustness always seem to be antithetical in life.
So what I think has been happening since the iPad came onto the scene, is iPads have been pushing the boundaries of adding function while keeping its core identity of ease of use. And Macs have taken cues from the iPad and learned how to make certain things easier and more intuitive while still being focused as a tool. Each are readjusting their balance in light of each other, but still unable to veer far from their main identity.
So that’s convergence, what about dual boot? That I think is slightly more possible because it’s literally just putting the two together side by side, not convergence. But I’d still say that it’s unlikely. However, this is just an impression or a feeling. I think to talk about this confidently requires much more technical knowledge than I have. But my impression is that despite both OSes using the same silicon, dual boot would introduce other logistical and user experience conflicts, to the point that Apple doesn’t see it as a worthy endeavor.

I’m sure Apple isn’t sad about selling two devices, but mainly for the above reasons, I’m inclined to believe them when they say they aren’t converging. Not to mention, Apple is usually silent on their plans. The fact that they have been so repeatedly and emphatically outspoken about this to me gives their claim further credence.

 

[Sodium Chloride]

It's stupid to merge both products or both operating systems. No point. You might think you want it, but you're not going to use it in the long run.

Merging iPad and Mac is just plain stupid.

But what if I want a device that can run Notability and full version of Microsoft Office? One for note taking which is what IPad is good at and the other for serious office work which is what Mac is good at.

 

[DrRadon]

Apple earlier this week introduced refreshed 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with few external changes but one notable internal change - the introduction of the same M1 chip that was also used in the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini refreshes back in November.

Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak and hardware chief John Ternus this week did an interview with The Independent to talk about the new tablets. The use of an M1 chip in an iPad naturally has led to speculation about the merging of the iPad and Mac lineups, a topic that resurfaces over and over again, but Joswiak says that's not the goal.

Rather than merging the two product lines, he claims that Apple is just trying to make the best products in their respective categories.Ternus added that Apple doesn't aim to limit one device in order to avoid impacting another device. "We're pushing to make the best Mac we can make; we're pushing to make the best iPad we can make," said Ternus.

Apple plans to keep making both products better and is not going to "get all caught up in" theories of "merging or anything like that."

The new iPad Pro models arguably have more power than is necessary for a tablet that does not have the option of pro software like Final Cut Pro, but Ternus and Joswiak declined to comment on software that might be coming in the future. Joswiak instead said that the extra performance gives developers more space to find new ways to expand their apps. "Our developers are pretty quick about taking advantage," he said. "It isn't like it languishes for years."

He also said that it's great for customers to know that they can buy a system "that still has headroom" and won't be "immediately obsolete." As an explanation for why Apple opted for the M1 chip over an A-series chip, Ternus said that the best Apple silicon has "always gone into the iPad Pro," and right now, the M1 is "is the best" Apple silicon Apple has available.

The two also commented on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro's new mini-LED display, which is the highest quality display that's been used in an iPad to date and rivals the Pro Display XDR. Ternus said that shrinking it was a "huge undertaking" that required more LEDs because of the size constraints.
Apple added one other new feature to the iPad Pro -- an Ultra Wide front-facing camera with a new "Center Stage" feature that's designed to allow you to stay in frame while moving about a room. Ternus said that it's "liberating" to be able to move around, and it's also useful for FaceTiming with large groups.

Joswiak and Ternus's full interview contains additional tidbits about the new iPad Pro models, and it can be read over at The Independent.

Article Link: Apple's Greg Joswiak: No Plans to Merge Mac and iPad

we like the environment as long as it dos not impact our downside.

 

[farewelwilliams]

But what if I want a device that can run Notability and full version of Microsoft Office? One for note taking which is what IPad is good at and the other for serious office work which is what Mac is good at.

Notability is on the Mac. Full version of the Office too.

Yes you can't use pencil on the Mac. So use Notability on the iPad and iPad's Office.

If you think you're going to get the best Notability drawing experience and the full Office experience in one iPad/Mac merged device with 0 compromises, I think you'll be wrong.

 

[Kuskah]

It’s coming sooner or later.

They use the same chip, iPad supports keyboard and mouse input. iOS apps can run on macOS. There’s very little reason not to do this.

They’ll probably make the keyboard the deciding factor - when you “dock” the iPad you’ll get macOS UI, when you use it handheld it’s ”iPadOS” but the underlying system would be the same.

 

[areudum]

Isn’t iPadOS based off iOS and at one point before the rebranding was the same OS.

yea, thats true, but the point of ipadOS is well, to not be a phone. Its still not quite there, thats why most want to “upgrade” the OS system.

the reason why i said it was a tablet was because someone asked if the ipad was a phone, and i said it was a tablet....since.. well, its a tablet. 🤷‍♂️

 

[cupcakes2000]

Yea I call BS. Maybe not the iPad but iPad Pro I can see running full Mac OS. Lets face it, The iPad already supports mouse and keyboard, it has a Keyboard stand that has a track pad built into it and now its running the SAME M1 chip that is built into macs now. And on top of this the new iPads will have 8 gigs of ram as base which has been supporting current M1 macs just fine this is a no brainer to see. Devs can now easily port over their apps to the iPads since they are running the same architect. Just imaging running full versions of Photoshop with Stylus support on a iPad. Its already running perfect on the M1 macs see no reason why it cant run fine on the iPad.

None of that has anything to do with what os the iPad runs. Affinity suite apps are just as powerful on iPadOS as they are on macos. The fact that Photoshop on iPados isn’t as fully featured as the macos version is on the devs of the app, not the os.

 

[mrochester]

But what if I want a device that can run Notability and full version of Microsoft Office? One for note taking which is what IPad is good at and the other for serious office work which is what Mac is good at.

Is that not why their are two different products so you can satisfy both needs?

 

[areudum]

For those customers, there would be the non-M chip iPads.

i dont know how to delete a comment. help me