Can iPad Pro replace laptop?

[Newtons Apple]

There's nothing, literally nothing, to prevent developers such as Adobe from releasing feature parity versions of their apps on iOS.
That they don't is a business decision, not a technical one.

I'd sooner that happen than get desktop software on my iPad. I've used OS X on a tablet, it sucks, severely.

Sorry but I can not see full version of AutoCad or Photoshop running well. Just like Office for iPads it is kinda a dumb ed down version. I agreed is tablets present level that there is no way to run even near desktop versions of complicated software.

I still say that Apple could have given the new iPads more features. Just a proper file system would have been a leap!
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well I'm not gonna be sober for awhile so I'm not realizing anything right now Mr!

So the lack of features is indicative of them purposefully holding things back to cater to other product lines. Ok. So the lack of copy and paste and MMS in the first iPhone was because they cared about...something else? Ha. I said that out loud and it sounded funny. F


\\Apple always lacks features that you would swear should be there by now. But that's their method. They're like a snapping turtle that stays hidden behind a rock before attacking. They might be slow as hell but when they come out snapping, you better watch out cause you gon' get snapped good! Haha oh god I'm laughing for no reason I can barley type. Maybe I should take a break. Let's just both agree I'm right and that snapping turtles are cool

A little sleep and you will be just fine.

 

[TrueBlou]

Sorry but I can not see full version of AutoCad or Photoshop running well. Just like Office for iPads it is kinda a dumb ed down version. I agreed is tablets present level that there is no way to run even near desktop versions of complicated software.

They are dumbed down because that is how they choose to make them, not because of any technical limitation. There is a serious amount of power under the hood of the iPad Pro, far, far more than is required to run something like Photoshop.

But because I'm the curious type and I like a fairly balanced debate, what is it that you think prevents a more capable version of Photoshop, for instance, from being developed?

 

[ZBoater]

People still use stand alone GPS units?

Yes. And radar detectors. And smart watches that are not Apple.

Yes, there is a world outside of Apple.
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I have the TomTom app on my iPhone and really like it. Plus I can update it via wifi

Edit: note, I'm aware this is not a standalone GPS device, but I personally find it much more convenient than one.

That's great. But some of us use real GPSs, not apps on our phones. I use my phone to....

....wait for it....

...talk.

 

[HengenJL]

For certain people an iPad can replace a computer. My Mom is one of those people, she had an old Windows laptop and didnt want to use it anymore. She got an iPad mini for christmas a couple of years ago and hasnt touched her laptop since then.

For myself, an iPad will never replace a laptop or desktop only supplement them. I've got an 11 year old hand held Garmin GPS that I use for Geocaching. The iPad would never allow me to transfer data to the Garmin.

 

[Newtons Apple]

They are dumbed down because that is how they choose to make them, not because of any technical limitation. There is a serious amount of power under the hood of the iPad Pro, far, far more than is required to run something like Photoshop.

But because I'm the curious type and I like a fairly balanced debate, what is it that you think prevents a more capable version of Photoshop, for instance, from being developed?

Well we agree that Apple has Dumbed Down the iPad.

I do not think the software makers are motivated to write all new software for tablets until they have more capability to use it efficiently. There would be little return on their investment.

 

[Serban]

Can an iPAD play League OF LEGENDS? NO
Can an iPAD helps you getting a date into an restaurant? NO because its cheaper than a macbook pro !

 

[oftheheavens]

As it has replaced my laptop there is no way i could do without a computer all together, i have an iMac 27in for some games and heavy schooling that my new ipp can't handle (which isn't much). The reason I can't do without a computer at all is that we have around TB of movies from all the dvd and purchases throughout the years, we have apple devices that every once in a while need syncing (can't sync/restore an iPad or iPhone without a computer), and a variety of other reasons that we need a computer once a week (or month or whatever)for.

My ipp replaced my macbook air with ease and is actually very nice and easy to work with when including the apple key board (I have the 9.7 but am sure the 12.9 has an even better kb experience). In my opinion the ipp could definitely replace a laptop as long as you have a desktop.

 

[jeremiah256]

This discussion on the iPad completely replacing a traditional computer has been ongoing since 2010. At first, those primarily saying yes we're very light users. Those numbers have increased, along with the iPad's capability, with each new version of iPad, iOS and as more services move to the cloud. I'd say 25-30% of consumers could replace their home computers, maybe 10-15% could use iPads where they work. My undergrad was Computer Information Systems and Visual Studio was the main app that took the most resources. Today I'd be tempted to see if I could use something like CodeAnywhere or another cloud IDE with an iPad or Chromebook.

 

[DNichter]

What have you possibly seen that makes you think that A) Apple won't cannibalize their own products (which they have said repeatedly they will and people like to selectively forget and not take it seriously) and B) that they even care about the Mac that much when iOS is clearly their bread and butter. iOS products bring in more money, more interest, more developer support and by apple's own admission is "the future of computing".

But...these guys are just going to be dicks and not release features that would help them remain competitive, to protect a business that isn't that big for them...because...it's just...there? I don't know man. I might be a little high and very drunk, but....what was I saying again

I don't think Apple is holding back features to necessarily protect it's laptop business, but it is definitely in the back of their minds. I believe they more so hold back features to keep users coming back year after year until this "future of computing" is finally realized. I am a huge iPad fan, but progress needs to accelerate on making this thing fully functional for a lot of people/situations. As much as I would love to right now, I couldn't go iPad only as there are those 1 or 2 tasks that I simply cannot do yet.

 

[Ghost31]

This discussion on the iPad completely replacing a traditional computer has been ongoing since 2010. At first, those primarily saying yes we're very light users. Those numbers have increased, along with the iPad's capability, with each new version of iPad, iOS and as more services move to the cloud. I'd say 25-30% of consumers could replace their home computers, maybe 10-15% could use iPads where they work. My undergrad was Computer Information Systems and Visual Studio was the main app that took the most resources. Today I'd be tempted to see if I could use something like CodeAnywhere or another cloud IDE with an iPad or Chromebook.

All that's lacking at this point is the apps. The hardware is there, the capability is there. Just...freaking release pro apps already! Can you imagine a final cut X that has all the features of the desktop version? Or Xcode? If these apps were on iPad, this conversation wouldn't get so heated so much
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I I am a huge iPad fan, but progress needs to accelerate on making this thing fully functional for a lot of people/situations. As much as I would love to right now, I couldn't go iPad only as there are those 1 or 2 tasks that I simply cannot do yet.

I can fully get behind this. We should strap Tim Cook down to a chair and just yell at him for a bit.

 

[Serban]

iOS10 probably will help a little bit more the iPad pro

 

[TrueBlou]

Well we agree that Apple has Dumbed Down the iPad.

I do not think the software makers are motivated to write all new software for tablets until they have more capability to use it efficiently. There would be little return on their investment.

Apple has done no such thing, indeed it's quite the opposit. With every major iOS release Apple improves the underlying iOS frameworks and APIs.

The onus is on software developers to take advantage of the operating system in whatever way they choose. Are there limitations? Of course, mostly because of the ducks rear end tight security Apple doesn't want us tampering with.

But that aside there is nothing at all to prevent the creation of more feature packed, powerful software.
Since Adobe split up Photoshop into little pieces on iOS, I'm using Pixelmator more than I used to.

But all of that aside, one area we do definitely agree on is that the Big developers just aren't willing to throw the money and manpower into creating more advanced software for iOS. (Although I do like the direction Autodesk is headed in.)

But one of two things could well happen there. Either there will come a point when they realise they could actually increase their revenue by offering better apps. Or smaller developers like Pixelmatr, Indeoo (ok, strictly speaking Autodesk now), Savage Interactive and so on will continue to improve their products and overtake the likes of Adobe on iOS, at which point you can be sure they'll up their game.
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iOS10 probably will help a little bit more the iPad pro

Definitely, I expect to see a half decent selection of improvements come iOS X.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Any help for the iPad Pro with a new OS will be incremental

 

[TrueBlou]

Any help for the iPad Pro with a new OS will be incremental

Ach, you're just abound with optimism the day aren't you

 

[Newtons Apple]

Ach, you're just abound with optimism the day aren't you

If you say so.

 

[Night Spring]

Any help for the iPad Pro with a new OS will be incremental

Is there any rationale for saying this, or are you just reading your Magic Eight Ball?

 

[spiderman0616]

i assume when people say my ipad has replaced my laptop, there's an asterisk that they still have that said laptop should the need arises.

i'd be surprised anybody can only live with an ipad in their lives as an everyday working american.

That's me. My iPad Pro is now my main computer, but I also have a work issued laptop--an old Dell. I use it (obviously) for work most of the time because it's hooked up to my two big giant monitors. But as far as my personal workflow, there is exactly ONE thing I still need the PC for--there's an app I use that has no Dropbox or iCloud support and requires you to download files directly from an email link to a computer. It won't let you save to any cloud services. So that's that 1% task that I still have to fire up the computer for when I'm working with my iPad.

 

[Aluminum213]

iOS10 probably will help a little bit more the iPad pro

exactly, software is the limiting factor not hardware

 

[spiderman0616]

They are dumbed down because that is how they choose to make them, not because of any technical limitation. There is a serious amount of power under the hood of the iPad Pro, far, far more than is required to run something like Photoshop.

Huge agree--it's not a power problem, it's an app problem. When you have a fully featured desktop class iPad Pro app that was designed from the top down to work with a touch UI, it is absolutely glorius. And I will pay a lot more than 99c for those types of apps.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Is there any rationale for saying this, or are you just reading your Magic Eight Ball?

You seem upset.

No I am just looking back at the history or Apple updates.

What do YOU think they are going to do? It is my opinion, I am SURE you have yours!

 

[Ghost31]

You seem upset.

No I am just looking back at the history or Apple updates.

What do YOU think they are going to do? It is my opinion, I am SURE you have yours!

Night asking you to explain your thinking behind something didn't seem "upset" to me. But I could be wrong

 

[ZBoater]

This whole replace laptop discussion is amusing. Different people have different needs. If there are 100 things you can do with a laptop, can you do all 100 of them with an iPad.

No.

The problem is connectivity to other devices. USB is a wonderful thing.

But some people don't have that need. For them, they only have 20 things they use a laptop for, and all 20 can be done with an iPad.

Check email, browse the web, shopping, etc.

For THEM, yes, and iPad can replace their laptop.

For the rest, NO.

Simple. So why all this debate?

 

[sparksd]

People still use stand alone GPS units?

Absolutely. Convenient, small, and in a car a window mount is great (for me at least - I prefer it to the in-car GPS in the dash). Not to mention the handheld devices I use in the outdoors - weatherproof and with topo maps installed.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Night asking you to explain your thinking behind something didn't seem "upset" to me. But I could be wrong

so you are speaking for nightspring now? LOL

Thanks for explaining

 

[spiderman0616]

This whole replace laptop discussion is amusing. Different people have different needs. If there are 100 things you can do with a laptop, can you do all 100 of them with an iPad.

No.

The problem is connectivity to other devices. USB is a wonderful thing.

But some people don't have that need. For them, they only have 20 things they use a laptop for, and all 20 can be done with an iPad.

Check email, browse the web, shopping, etc.

For THEM, yes, and iPad can replace their laptop.

For the rest, NO.

Simple. So why all this debate?

The debate started due to one simple reason: the very launching of the iPad Pro last November. It's been slightly reconfigured (smart connector and accessories) and re-marketed as a productivity machine. For those that passed on the 12.9" Pro, now the 9.7" Pro has launched and renewed some interest. I personally didn't bite until the 9.7" launched.

So--for the people who never though of the iPad this way, some of them are starting to re-evaluate what they use an iPad for and if that usage can evolve and increase to the point where maybe the Pro really IS the machine they've been waiting for. The other side is the people who are holding on to their laptops for dear life, either because the iPad doesn't do essential things they need to do yet, or because they just aren't willing to change the way they do their computing. Or maybe a little of both. I know I scoffed at the notion of a "Pro" iPad at first too--and it's well documented.

But things are changing. Computing is changing. Hardware and software capability is changing. There are a LOT of computer users out there who never truly NEEDED a full blown Windows or Mac machine to do what they need to do on a computer. That was just the tech that was available to the mass market for a long, long time. Now we have super computers that fit in our pockets, purses, and backpacks. Developers and users alike are starting to want to take full advantage of that freedom. Getting rid of legacy products takes decades because people are resistent to change. The is the phenomenon that the iPad Pro represents, and for some people, that's scary.