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

[oldmacs]

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.

The good news for Apple actually is that they've actually got a significant proportion (40 percent? ) were the iPad is their first iPad - whether first tablet or Android switchers.

The iPad 2 remains the most used iPad even now (it slightly edges out the iPad Mini 1 by about 2 percent). This is impressive for a 4 year old device, and shows that people are obviously keeping iPads for longer - And thats not a problem IMHO - its better for consumers.

 

[ron7624]

I think tablets are the future. Desktops will always be needed, but the tablet has replaced my notebook. That very nice Dell it's collecting dust whereas my tablet has taken over all of its jobs. I've found nothing I can't do in the field on a tablet. Heavy computing is for the office or home.

 

[Abazigal]

The good news for Apple actually is that they've actually got a significant proportion (40 percent? ) were the iPad is their first iPad - whether first tablet or Android switchers.

The iPad 2 remains the most used iPad even now (it slightly edges out the iPad Mini 1 by about 2 percent). This is impressive for a 4 year old device, and shows that people are obviously keeping iPads for longer - And thats not a problem IMHO - its better for consumers.

I think it also means that most people don't really use their iPads for heavy-duty work. It's hard to push the iPad as a productivity tool when many users are still on older hardware that can't run the newer, more powerful software. And not everyone can be like Macstories and publish web articles using complicated workflows and text-editing software.

 

[oldmacs]

I think it also means that most people don't really use their iPads for heavy-duty work. It's hard to push the iPad as a productivity tool when many users are still on older hardware that can't run the newer, more powerful software. And not everyone can be like Macstories and publish web articles using complicated workflows and text-editing software.

The iPad currently isn't made for heavy work - heavy work is nearly impossible without multitasking. Moderate is still achievable even on older iPads though.

 

[Abazigal]

The iPad currently isn't made for heavy work - heavy work is nearly impossible without multitasking. Moderate is still achievable even on older iPads though.

I believe it is possible to get work done on an iPad without the need for multitasking, but that is contingent on there being software to make this task feasible (which is, in turn, dependent on the hardware being there to support it).

I think we have differing definitions of what heavy work is. For me, photoshop on the iPad would be an example of a resource-intensive application that doesn't require multitasking. You simply open the app, load your image and get to work. The software would likely require quite powerful specs and a high-quality display (perhaps even higher than 264PPI?) to make it worth the while though.

 

[Wahlstrm]

I Still use my ipad2 every day, and I would upgrade if Apple just released a new version with some new features. Skinny and faster is nice, but its still the same basic function. Not worth the $1000 imo.

 

[baypharm]

I don't see tablets existing in the future grand scheme of things. I think new technologies will be developed that will allow greater and greater use of information management for devices yet to be invented. But it's coming. If you would have asked your neighbor in 1923 about the viability of a tablet computing device they would have said no. Technology is moving at warp speed now, just as predicted. It stands to reason that computing devices we use now will become obsolete and relegated to museums with our old Royal manual typewriters and Morse Code transmitters.

 

[CEmajr]

With Apple just having updated the Macbook lineup with a notebook that matches iPad in battery life and portability but sports full OS X capabilities, I do now question the long term future of iPad. This further puts a squeeze on the iPad lineup, this time from the higher end and like the Macbook Air, this new Macbook will inevitably become cheaper over the next few years. Leaving the overall lower cost to entry and 4G LTE connectivity as the only advantages remaining on the iPad.

 

[Mivo]

With Apple just having updated the Macbook lineup with a notebook that matches iPad in battery life and portability but sports full OS X capabilities, I do now question the long term future of iPad.

No touchscreen. Ultrabooks aren't really a new thing. Yes, the new MacBook is sweet, but for me it's neither here nor there. It's not very powerful, it has one USB port, it's just 12", and it doesn't have a touch interface.

Now, if the screen was detachable and worked like a larger iPad, that would be entirely different. Still, I can see that it will eat a bit in the iPad market share, but then again, the MacBook Air did that, too.

 

[ron7624]

4G/LTE.
MAJOR advantage of the iPad. The new MacBook is sweet, but it isn't an iPad.I like both but prefer the iPad.

 

[Harmonious Zen]

No touchscreen. Ultrabooks aren't really a new thing. Yes, the new MacBook is sweet, but for me it's neither here nor there. It's not very powerful, it has one USB port, it's just 12", and it doesn't have a touch interface.

Now, if the screen was detachable and worked like a larger iPad, that would be entirely different. Still, I can see that it will eat a bit in the iPad market share, but then again, the MacBook Air did that, too.

But why is a touchscreen necessarily a good thing? for so many things, I still find manipulating objects with a mouse so much easier.

 

[New Apple]

tables have a future because there are Billions of 'consumers' and a portion of 'content makers'


the tablet for the consumer is (as of today) the best device for home-travel content consuming.


as much as you might like giant smartphones or laptops, they will always be too uncomfortable in the different situations for the 'standard consumer'

 

[addictzz]

4G/LTE.
MAJOR advantage of the iPad. The new MacBook is sweet, but it isn't an iPad.I like both but prefer the iPad.

Gotta agree with you Ron. The new macbook is definitely sweet looking and pretty capable light-task+browsing machine but it is nowhere close to iPad without 4G/LTE functionality. The ability to utilize internet ANYWHERE is very important for a true portable machine (mind you that in my country, WiFi is not that readily available everywhere). Plus touchscreen capability gives a different feeling of interaction with tablet. Something that a laptop could never provide.

 

[Amplelink]

Gotta agree with you Ron. The new macbook is definitely sweet looking and pretty capable light-task+browsing machine but it is nowhere close to iPad without 4G/LTE functionality. The ability to utilize internet ANYWHERE is very important for a true portable machine (mind you that in my country, WiFi is not that readily available everywhere). Plus touchscreen capability gives a different feeling of interaction with tablet. Something that a laptop could never provide.

This matters much less to me now with Continuity on my Mac and an iPhone. Very easy to just connect directly to my iphone for data.

 

[addictzz]

This matters much less to me now with Continuity on my Mac and an iPhone. Very easy to just connect directly to my iphone for data.

Then you're gonna have battery life issue and need to carry a portable battery bank.

 

[technosix]

Apple will keep them alive. They no longer rely on the income since they've got such massive cash reserves. It's an image issue for Apple, they'll prevail since they're extremely good at warm fuzzy stories that get people to believe iPads are must have items.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Personally, I don't think 11-12 inch laptops will completely eat up the 13-15 inch laptop segment because a lot of people need portability in a larger screen size to comfortably do their work. If there is still a 13-15 inch market, there will still be a use for an ultra-portable lounging device like the iPad.

The new MacBook would not be a substitute for the iPad because of the clamshell design. However, if they came out with a dual boot (OSX/iOS) 11 inch MacBook that could detach from the keyboard and work as a tablet, then I could see that being a great option for a lot of people. However, then you are probably talking about at least a $1300 option instead of a $500 option. In that case, a tablet market would still be around for people that would rather pay $500.

I have a 6plus that I love, but it is a compromise when compared to the iPad for magazines, videos, photography books, etc.. Yes, I can mirror my iPhone to a display now with the AppleTV. However, I would never consider that option to be a replacement for the iPad.

Most of these arguments were made when the iPad was first released and people still bought the iPad. The lagging sales (when compared to prior periods) are related to market penetration and iOS firmware updates for everything but the Original iPad. They could change that with an iOS update that has a lot of cool features but leaves out the iPad 2, 3, and 4. I am not wishing for that to happen, but it would give people more of a reason to update.

 

[QCassidy352]

I use my iPad in situations where a laptop is impractical or sub-optimal: tray tables, perched on the ledge on a cardio machine at the gym, reading on the couch or in bed, etc. I can't see either a bigger phone or a smaller laptop being a better option in any of these cases, so yes, I see a future.

That said, I would give up my iPad way before either my iphone or mac -- and I don't see tablets replacing laptops for most people in the foreseeable future.

 

[Vaga8ond]

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.

This. Personally I think the new iPad is the best piece of kit that apple had made. Tablets are way more versatile than laptops and desktops. They are easier to view than a phone and have a better battery life. After I got my iPad only use my phone to make calls, texts, and car gps/radio.

If there was a way to subsidize the cost people would be more likely to upgrade sooner than every four or five years.

 

[powerbook911]

One reason I feel you still need an iPad compared to a notebook sometimes is that there is honestly some things that can only be done in an App, or an App makes it much easier. It's a shame that the App Store for Mac isn't taken advantage of by developers more often.

 

[Fattytail]

This. Personally I think the new iPad is the best piece of kit that apple had made. Tablets are way more versatile than laptops and desktops. They are easier to view than a phone and have a better battery life. After I got my iPad only use my phone to make calls, texts, and car gps/radio.

If there was a way to subsidize the cost people would be more likely to upgrade sooner than every four or five years.

On the other hand, there are still way too many limitations in tablet software. So laptops like the new MacBook will start encroaching on the iPad's territory and offer similar battery life and portability but so much more functionality. So then when one day you can fit a MacBook into an iPad form factor, where does that leave the iPad?

 

[s2mikey]

On the other hand, there are still way too many limitations in tablet software. So laptops like the new MacBook will start encroaching on the iPad's territory and offer similar battery life and portability but so much more functionality. So then when one day you can fit a MacBook into an iPad form factor, where does that leave the iPad?

Yeah, if you could really get a macbook form factor like an iPad it might kill them. But, good luck with that! The processor, required cooling, graphics cards, ports, etc, etc simply require "x" amount of space to do their jobs and I don't know if they'll ever get past that without compromising the power of the machine.

IMO, tablets will always be a useful product that sit clearly between these phones and laptops. No reason for this market segment to disappear. My iPad Air has basically replaced my laptop as it is. Sure, I do use the laptop here and there but if one had to go it'd be the laptop in a heartbeat.

 

[sixxmum]

At least for now, I hope they do have a future. In my house, the two adults who have iPads using them every day for at least a couple of hours. I use mine for work and home. Yes, I would give up the iPad before my "real" computers, but I don't think that is an actual question.

 

[Amplelink]

At least for now, I hope they do have a future. In my house, the two adults who have iPads using them every day for at least a couple of hours. I use mine for work and home. Yes, I would give up the iPad before my "real" computers, but I don't think that is an actual question.

Yeah, I definitely think they have their place. I don't think its enough of a laptop replacement, but then again that was never what their purpose was. At least iPads. Maybe in the future there'll be some convergence, but not for the next several years (again, with respect to iPads).

 

[AndyGarton]

As phones become more powerful and wireless protocols faster and more reliable, I'd like to see a tablet which is basically just a screen, which mirrors your phone. Would be a fair bit cheaper (although clearly the screen is the major expense), but more convenient because you'd only have to set up and maintain one device software wise. My iPhone and iPad are already set up very similarly, so I can transition easily between the two.

Much longer term the phone would be your home computer as well, mirroring to a large desktop screen(s).