All iPads Do you think the iPad and tablets in general have a future?

[Gibson88]

With the recent drop in iPad sales, and predicted drops for the near future, what do you think the future holds for tablet computing? I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything here, just something I've been thinking about quite a bit lately.

I'm personally a bit undecided, sometimes I think with phones getting bigger and notebooks getting smaller it will be hard for a tablet market. But on the other hand I can't see phones getting much bigger and notebooks much smaller, there is still a limit on what size these devices can be.

The way things stand now I do think there is a market for tablets, even if it's not quite as big as it was a few years ago. There is also significant room for improvement in them such a true multitasking, user accounts etc.

What do you think will be the case in 5-10 years time?

 

[oldmacs]

I see tablets and iPads becoming more capable. The iPad sales have dropped, because people treat their iPads like computers - something you don't replace every 2 years.

 

[s2mikey]

I see tablets and iPads becoming more capable. The iPad sales have dropped, because people treat their iPads like computers - something you don't replace every 2 years.

I agree. If anything it is traditional laptops that are looking at a bleak future. Tablets are more portable and have better battery life than any laptop so as they more powerful they'll replace many of the laptops out there now. Some have already.

That being said, yes, tablets aren't upgraded nearly as much as phones are so the year to year sales figures will stay stagnant or even drop. But, the number in use will stay strong or sky rocket. The support, accessory and app markets for these tablets will boom.

Tablets have a very bright future, IMO.

 

[Rodster]

It's tough to say what's in store for the future. If tablets don't progress or do things different than what we see today then I can picture more declines. I've owned enough tablets both iOS and Android since 2011 and todays tablets function basically the same way.

For me I primarily use my tablets for web, video and music streaming.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think tablet sales have stabilised as people have already pointed out due to people keeping hold of their devices for longer. In addition, I think that some people have bought phablets and then choose not to get a tablet.

As for the future, who knows but I think tablets have the potential to become our main computing devices. At the moment I think they serve the needs of the majority of people. Of course those who need to type documents or do heavy video/photo editing, and computer programming would still need a proper computer. However even some of those tasks can be done using a tablet and as tablets become more powerful they have the potential to negate the need for a laptop.

For me a tablet can be my primary computing device. I do have a laptop. I recently bought a new laptop to replace my barely functioning old one. To be honest I had a hard job convincing myself to make the purchase as I honestly feel that I could get by with just a tablet.

 

[oldmacs]

I agree. If anything it is traditional laptops that are looking at a bleak future. Tablets are more portable and have better battery life than any laptop so as they more powerful they'll replace many of the laptops out there now. Some have already.

That being said, yes, tablets aren't upgraded nearly as much as phones are so the year to year sales figures will stay stagnant or even drop. But, the number in use will stay strong or sky rocket. The support, accessory and app markets for these tablets will boom.

Tablets have a very bright future, IMO.

Yeah I agree - sales must be right up for iPhones, but a huge number of them must be replacements, where as iPads I think have a much lower percentage of upgrades, but a higher number of sales would be going into growing the installed market. Maybe I'm wrong but thats just my thoughts

INMHO - iPads are the only computer that many people need - or at least one desktop per house and an iPad/tablet for each person. Thats not everyone, but the basic user.

 

[Nee412]

As others have said the drop in iPad sales is because people are upgrading less often then they do with phones. A lot of people on this forum are using either an iPad 3 or an iPad 4. We're at least two generations past those tablets now. They were released in 2012!

In fact my iPad Mini is from 2012 as well. Although I'm planning on upgrading my iPad as soon as the iPad Pro/Plus is released, if it's released.

I believe that the iPad and other tablets not only have a future, I believe that they are the future. Eventually processors powerful enough for most people's needs will become power efficient enough to power ultra thin tablets. We're most of the way there already and almost certainly set on a path towards that goal. With a few accessories like a physical keyboard for occasional word processing, and pen for precision artwork or note taking, tablets have the potential to be far more versatile than a conventional laptop.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think for a second that the potential iPad Pro/Plus will be the gateway to the future. There's a lot of work to be done with OS's and compatibility before tablets can be truly embraced by the masses as a replacement for the conventional computer. The day will come when the MacBook is replaced entirely by something else, and I believe that product will be spiritual successor to both the iPad and the MacBook.

 

[Mivo]

I believe that tablets and laptops will fuse increasingly more. The Surface is a big step in that direction, though it lags behind in software support.

I speculate that we're going to see two large groups of consumer computing devices: these hybrids, and iPhone 6 Plus sized phones ("phalets"). Traditional laptops and tablets, and certainly desktops, will increasingly take a backseat.

The rumored iPad Pro seems somewhat niche to me if it'll be just a bigger iPad without notable hybrid functionality. I'd like to see iOS and OSX fuse together, as well.

 

[FSMBP]

I was soooo anti-iPad from when it was announced until about a year ago. I'm convinced they will be the norm for consumers in about 5 years. Once Apple perfects the software (creating a more mature iOS variant), that will be the boost it needs. They've replaced standard PCs for my parents because of their ease-of-use.

I love my MacBook Pro for Logic or composing long emails/Word docs but when I do things like browse the web or watch videos, it's more pleasant on my iPad.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I was soooo anti-iPad from when it was announced until about a year ago. I'm convinced they will be the norm for consumers in about 5 years. Once Apple perfects the software (creating a more mature iOS variant), that will be the boost it needs. They've replaced standard PCs for my parents because of their ease-of-use.

I love my MacBook Pro for Logic or composing long emails/Word docs but when I do things like browse the web or watch videos, it's more pleasant on my iPad.

I was the same. When the iPad was announced, I said what would I want one of those for, It's just a big iphone. My iPhone does everything I need it to.

I eventually got a tablet in 2012. Now I wouldn't be without one. I use my iPads more than I use my computer. When my laptop needed to be replaced last month, I had to really convince myself to buy a new one. I reckon I could get by with just my iPad. I eventually bought a macbook air. Probably the best computer I've owned and I am using it, but that's probably because it's new. I'm sure in a few months my iPad will be king again. Most of the things I do, I can do more comfortably on an iPad.

 

[s2mikey]

I was the same. When the iPad was announced, I said what would I want one of those for, It's just a big iphone. My iPhone does everything I need it to.

I eventually got a tablet in 2012. Now I wouldn't be without one. I use my iPads more than I use my computer. When my laptop needed to be replaced last month, I had to really convince myself to buy a new one. I reckon I could get by with just my iPad. I eventually bought a macbook air. Probably the best computer I've owned and I am using it, but that's probably because it's new. I'm sure in a few months my iPad will be king again. Most of the things I do, I can do more comfortably on an iPad.

Me too. I went for a cheap Asus laptop just so we would have one in the house for the kids and their school work. Overall though, we each have our own ipad and that's working out great for us.

 

[rowspaxe]

It's tough to say what's in store for the future. If tablets don't progress or do things different than what we see today then I can picture more declines. I've owned enough tablets both iOS and Android since 2011 and todays tablets function basically the same way.

Yes, but couldn't you say the same of laptops and phones? Its deja vu all over again in the mobile tech world

 

[JoEw]

I use my iPad for everything until I need a to type out long text and I need multiple windows.

So yes iPads & tablets alike are not going anywhere they are cheap, powerful and can do 90% of most peoples needs. They are much less hassle, more portable and often times better battery life than laptops.

I think there will be a market for high end surface esq tablet/hybrids/2 in 1's but that is in the 1000+ category vs. $250-500 for a high end tablet (iPad).

Windows 8 is still awful on a tablet in my view, I run RD client on my iPad with my windows 8.1 machine and man the apps just are not competing with Apple or even Android.

iPad sales are stagnating because they are not upgraded as fast as phones, my parents still use 3-4 year old A5 iPads and still have found no need to upgrade though I guarantee they will buy iPad again.

 

[Harmonious Zen]

I'm more willing to bet on phones being our computers in the future and then docking to big monitors at home. Isn't there wireless screen technology coming out soon? I thought I heard about something to that effect in the next iteration of Intel processors. We might still have tablet sized screens, but I don't think Apple will be charging many hundreds for them. I'm talking 8-10 years down the road here.

 

[Saturn1217]

I think tablets like the iPad need to become more productive and as a result they will be a bit more niche. Personally i use my ipad alongside my macbook air all the time. It is basically a replacement for paper for me and I LOVE this ability and hope Apple improves on this in the future.

I think in the future the very basic user that apple caters to now will probably not need an iPad. Large phones will work for them.

But (if Apple is smart) the ipad will be even more essential for students, professionals, etc. (by which i mean anyone who needs to read documents for work or takes notes especially handwritten ones). For example i see more and more researchers using iPads because for us it solved the really annoying problem of being able to read 100s of journal articles without printing thousands of sheets of paper and then losing those printouts. The iPad is now an essential part of my workflow and not just a toy for watching movies (although it is good at that too). I am hopeful that Apple will focus on this market where a large smartphone really won't provide the same benefit.

 

[mattopotamus]

absolutely they have a future. I know more people who have just an ipad vs. a PC/mac at home.

 

[CEmajr]

Yes but Apple and the other manufacturers are going to have to adjust to the fact that people will not upgrade tablets like phones every year and will do it more like 3-4 years the way they do with computers.

 

[Mivo]

Yes, but couldn't you say the same of laptops and phones? Its deja vu all over again in the mobile tech world

True. I had my first laptop as early as 1992-93, a Toshiba with a 386SX, if I remember correctly. Wasn't my own, but my then-employer provided it. I bought my first own laptop in '97. Not much difference between those and the laptops today. Going from a desktop/home computer to a laptop was a much bigger leap.

For me, tablets still lack connectivity and OS support/features, but I think we're slowly getting there. As mention, I believe the future are hybrid devices. Something like the Surface, just with better software and OS support. Failing that, touchscreens with rise-able keys (like this).

 

[Mliii]

I believe that tablets and laptops will fuse increasingly more...

This^^^
Hybrids that utilize expanded memory and storage, multi screen capability, a file system, and add-ons, with the ease and simplicity of a touch screen operating system. Physical keyboards that can quickly couple and uncouple, but retaining the touch screen interface as well.
I think there's a real opportunity to create the next great product for the company that takes the leap and TRULY blends the tablet with the laptop.

 

[Aspasia]

Without question they have a great future.

Personally, while I haven't upgraded my iPad 2 because it still runs flawlessly, I probably will buy a cellular Mini to replace my iPod Touch 5. I want good mobility and a larger screen, but not one as large as the Air.

And will keep my iPad 2.

 

[Badrottie]

Recent drop in iPad sale then Apple has another plan to sell more Macbook Pro, iMac, and Mac Pro.

 

[s2mikey]

I'm more willing to bet on phones being our computers in the future and then docking to big monitors at home. Isn't there wireless screen technology coming out soon? I thought I heard about something to that effect in the next iteration of Intel processors. We might still have tablet sized screens, but I don't think Apple will be charging many hundreds for them. I'm talking 8-10 years down the road here.

An interesting take on it. I personally only use my phone as a "phone" because the screen is simply way too small for me. But, I'm clearly in the minority since most people's faces are pegged to their phone all day and they are doing a lot with them. The docking station idea is very possible too.

For me, the screen size will always be a deal killer but you might be onto something.

 

[Billy95Tech]

No! Tablets don't have a future, tablets are just useless Super large smartphones that is very limited in what can do compared to laptops.

I think laptops will become even more lightweight/more portable and as small as tablets with Intel Core M CPU and and phones are getting more bigger and powerful than tablets.


I don't understand why people wasting there money on this complete unnecessary computer that does nothing more than what a smartphone does.


Who needs tablets anyways where you can get a laptop that is more powerful and you can actually do real work on them...




Tablets are the new netbooks!!!!

 

[Narcaz]

No! Tablets don't have a future, tablets are just useless Super large smartphones that is very limited in what can do compared to laptops.

I think laptops will become even more lightweight/more portable and as small as tablets with Intel Core M CPU and and phones are getting more bigger and powerful than tablets.


I don't understand why people wasting there money on this complete unnecessary computer that does nothing more than what a smartphone does.


Who needs tablets anyways where you can get a laptop that is more powerful and you can actually do real work on them...


Tablets are the new netbooks, tablets are useless!!!


-----Sarcasm over-------


I will post my honest thoughts later because i am at work at the moment

I like the sarcasm. The usual complaints have been covered. And i don't think tablets will disappear. They will hopefully evolve. The hardware power is already there, so maybe more and more typical notebooks tasks can be included. Pixelmator was a nice start.

But to be honest, unlike 2012, there is also more pressure from both ends. In fact i know a few people, who replaced their tablets with phablets. And there are few threads around here, where 6Plus owners decided to sell their iPads. So some tablet tasks can be shifted back to smartphones. That makes it harder to justify the need of an iPad. And on the higher end, we have now hybrid devices like the Surface 3 and there will be even more hybrid devices, which can replace a notebook. Some of them are fanless and offer full X86 compatibility and docking stations. And they play in the same price league as an iPad Air 2 with 128GB, while offering more functionality.

 

[RebornProphet]

I see tablets and iPads becoming more capable. The iPad sales have dropped, because people treat their iPads like computers - something you don't replace every 2 years.

It baffles me why people don't mention this when the reports on iPad sales are published.

I think iPad sales are actually remarkably good considering that people don't upgrade their tablets as often as they do their smartphones. I think it's safe to say that everyone in their circle of friends and family know one person who is on an iPad 2. These same people likely have an accompanying iPhone which is far newer, such as a 5, 5c, 5s or 6.

The sales have dropped, yes. But they're still remarkably high for a device people treat more like a computer (in terms of upgrade cycles) than a portable device such as a smartphone.