Gurman: iPad Pro With 'M2' Chip and MagSafe Charging Likely to Launch in Fall 2022

[MacBH928]

You should realize that a laptop is not the same thing as an iPad with keyboard. Each has its advantages or disadvantages.

i can agree but with adding a keyboard you just merged the distinction between the two. I can see how you might use it keyboard less during the day and later at night attach a keyboard to do writing but having the keyboard always with it the lines are too thin to differentiate between the two use cases.

My whole story for the last few months has been how and why I easily replaced my MBP with my M1 iPP 11, which you can read at the link in my signature. And a previous post I made in this thread said,

"For my needs I would rather have a tablet computer that can also be a laptop than a laptop that can't be a tablet any day."

I love my iPad. It easily handles my Real Estate businesses and is fun to use in the process. The things I need to do, I can do way easier on the iPad than I can on the MBP. I work with creating and signing contracts, (creating, editing, annotating pdf's and documents), lot's of hand written notes, sketches of home and property dimensions, taking property and home pictures, etc. All of these and more are much easier for me on my iPP, alleviate the need for multiple devices, and cut my work flow. I had a MBP in the first place. Now I have the device that serves my needs best.

Check out the links in my signature for the story, and a list of all the things we can do on the iPad.

In your case where you need to take pictures and do most things with a pen I can agree that iPad is a better tool for you.

 

[EugW]

i can agree but with adding a keyboard you just merged the distinction between the two. I can see how you might use it keyboard less during the day and later at night attach a keyboard to do writing but having the keyboard always with it the lines are too thin to differentiate between the two use cases.

Not true.

I have both a 12” MacBook and 10.5” iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard.

The use cases have significant overlap but they still have quite a few differences.

 

[transpo1]

Yea but they just did a bunch of "iterations"... M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra... and whatever the Mac Pro will have. Think about it, the Mac Pro will have an M1 but the iPad Pro will have an M2? I know technically it's not better, but it does give that impression that it's already obsolete....

I agree with that as being a flaw in their marketing approach but they may have found no better way to do it. “Kaizen” is the Japanese term for constant improvement and Steve Jobs bought into it. Introducing the M2 just after the M1 Ultra Max (??) is introduced is the ultimate “kaizen.” ?

 

[XIO[-]OIX]

You should realize that a laptop is not the same thing as an iPad with keyboard. Each has its advantages or disadvantages.

Laptop is not defined by what OS it runs, but by formfactor. So, iPad with a keybard is a laptop computer, by definition.

A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. Laptops typically have a clam shell form factor with the screen mounted on the inside of the upper lid and the keyboard on the inside of the lower lid.

 

[EugW]

Laptop is not defined by what OS it runs, but by formfactor. So, iPad with a keybard is a laptop computer, by definition.

Your post is ignoring the context of the discussion. The argument was made that an iPad with a keyboard is so close to a MacBook that they are basically the same thing. My argument was that statement is not true for a lot of use cases.

The fact the iPad with keyboard can technically be called a laptop by some loose third party definition is besides the point, and doesn't really change the intent of the discussion. To put it another way, just because something is a laptop doesn't make it equivalent to all other laptops for all use cases. Would you claim a Chromebook and Surface Pro are also the same thing as a MacBook Pro for everyone on this board? Of course not.

If you prefer: No, the iPad with keyboard is not functionally equivalent to a MacBook Air. Yes, they have a lot of overlap, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some people can function with just one or the other, but others want or need both, and others need neither.

 

[XIO[-]OIX]

Your post is ignoring the context of the discussion. The argument was made that an iPad with a keyboard is so close to a MacBook that they are basically the same thing. My argument was that statement is not true for a lot of use cases.

It is not true yes. iPad and MacBook’s are very different devices.

The fact the iPad with keyboard can technically be called a laptop by some loose third party definition is besides the point.

Thats not a loose third party definition, thats literally the definition of a laptop. One and only. Thats what a laptop is.

If you prefer: No, the iPad with keyboard is not functionally equivalent to a MacBook Air. Yes, they have a lot of overlap, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some people can function with just one or the other, but others want or need both, and others need neither.

Yes I agree with that.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Laptop is not defined by what OS it runs, but by formfactor. So, iPad with a keybard is a laptop computer, by definition.

From that same website, the definition of tablet fits better.

“A tablet, or tablet PC, is a portable computer that uses a touchscreen as its primary input device. Most tablets are slightly smaller and weigh less than the average laptop. While some tablets include fold out keyboards, others, such as the Apple iPad and Motorola Xoom, only offer touchscreen input.”

Attaching a keyboard and a trackpad just makes it a tablet with a keyboard and a trackpad.

 

[MacBH928]

Not true.

I have both a 12” MacBook and 10.5” iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard.

The use cases have significant overlap but they still have quite a few differences.

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

 

[chucker23n1]

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

Drawing?

 

[Abazigal]

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

Here’s an article of a guy who did coding on his iPad. Several years old, but still a good read.

Giving the iPad a full-time job

By Justin Searls [A translation of this post is available in Chinese] Programmers often describe their ideal tools with adjectives like “powerful”, “feature-rich”, and “highly-configurable”. Few users are seen as wanting more from their computers tha...

www.freecodecamp.org

 

[EugW]

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

Some examples:

- On the road net access. Cellular (and GPS) support. Apple does not make a cellular enabled Mac.
- On the road media consumption. You cannot download content to streaming apps like Netflix on macOS. This is especially annoying on the plane and train. (Interestingly, you can do this in Netflix on Windows now though.)
- Photo retouching or illustrations/drawing with Apple Pencil.
- Note taking, including with Apple Pencil handwriting recognition and annotation.
- Couch usage. It’s much more pleasant to just fold the iPad’s keyboard over as necessary, or even remove it completely.
- e-reader / PDF reader. More convenient form factor with portrait mode support and easier annotation, esp. with Apple Pencil.
- Light gaming. Often more pleasant on iPad because of touch interface (and availability) but it depends on game.
- Item and location documentation. The iPad has a camera, and the iPad Pro even has LiDAR support for 3D room scanning.

 

[Neodym]

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

You can remove the iPad from the keyboard and have less bulk and weight, plus included (back) camera, optional 5G, pencil option and other things I forgot to mention. And once you’re done with the iPad-specific workflow part, you can re-attach and have the data ready for further processing, without having to sync.

Whether that’s relevant for a given workflow/user, is a completely separate discussion.

Edit: Haha, this time @EugW was a tad faster

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

Being an iPad with a keyboard.

 

[bondr006]

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

Easier and harder are such subjective terms, defined by the experience of any given individual using a device that is the topic of discussion. In our case, the question is, is it the iPad or a laptop that is easier or harder to use? The answers of course are going to vary widely depending on the individuals experience, needs, expectations, and the specific tasks that are being done with said devices. Some will be easier, some will be harder, again depending on the viewpoint and experience of the individual.

As I previously mentioned I run both my Real Estate businesses with my iPP and do stuff like (create, fill, and sign contracts), create and edit documents, (create, edit, and annotate pdf's), hand written notes, file management, time management, emails, texts, client communication, sketching house dimensions, taking house pictures, etc. All these things are easier for me on the iPad, especially considering I can do all these things on one device instead of multiple devices. It has cut my work flow drastically, and made using a computer for work fun again. All the things I do are just easier and more intuitive than on a laptop, which seems cumbersome to me by comparison.

 

[bondr006]

Being an iPad with a keyboard.

 

[urnotl33t]

They certainly have that in development. It’s just not perfected yet. And you know what a company that has a 38% global market share of a product doesn’t do? Release something that doesn’t meet their standards.

As a general statement to everyone so frustrated that iPadOS is holding back the hardware: until a competitor forces their hand, Apple is going to take its sweet time to make any big changes. It’s way too big of a risk otherwise. Consumers are speaking with their dollars, and they are saying “we like what the iPad is today”.

In 2011, Apple cracked this product segment wide open (admittedly not inventing it, which is fine) and grabbed 60%+ market share. Four years later, it dipped to its lowest: 20%. Since then, it’s been a rather steady climb up to nearly 40%. Nobody with a lick of business sense would advise a huge shake up at this time. The competitors had their shot - mostly won shares by undercutting price - and consumers learned over the years that while the initial cost of an iPad is quite a bit higher than the competition’s, they deliver a better experience over an enormously longer life span, effective reducing the cost of ownership to be below the competition’s.

I know most of us in forums such as these get frustrated because Apple’s own marketing seems to be going against everything I just stated. Replacing your laptop with an iPad?? “Impossible!!” we all bellow and proceed to list the myriad reasons why an iPad could never do such a thing. But that message isn’t directed at us! It’s for people that are spending a few hundred dollars on their chrome books or similarly spec’ed netbooks. That’s who Apple wants to convert to using an iPad, and for many chrome book users an iPad would be a fine replacement. But the majority of us that are probably buying MBP’s? Of course Apple isn’t trying to get us to switch to iPad, there’s zero incentive for them to do so!

End rant.

Ps, I can’t wait for the M1 iPP discounts.

100% agree on all counts!

The messaging "ain't for us", indeed. I also think even Apple is still figuring out the whole "iPad market", too, which is kinda sad.. but I also think "people"/customers/market are trying to do the same, and in there is the bind. I wonder if there's almost too many possible use cases and trying to account for all of them is a humongous challenge.

iPad absolutely can (and does) replace a use-case of light-to-medium computing. Anything higher requires different I/O, and that was where Apple didn't want to go for a while. I think they are more comfortable with that now, tho. iPad as "brains" for a larger I/O space would be awesome, a la "docking station" effect. However, it still works when mobile(-ish). They are inching in that direction now. However, this exposes the weaknesses listed above, and .... there's the issue again.

This is where they will do as you said, and take their sweet time because they have no meaningful competition to move faster. Universal Control is the natural extension of Continuity+Handoff+Sidecar. There's more to be done here that I expect we'll see in iOS 16 or maybe not until 17.

Interesting times..?

 

[XIO[-]OIX]

I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook

A lot of things. Mostly for creative people..
I personally prefer it over the MacBook in fact I don’t even use the MacBook anymore

Replacing your laptop with an iPad?? “Impossible!!” we all bellow and proceed to list the myriad reasons why an iPad could never do such a thing

Yet I plan to never buy a laptop again, for the reason of iPad being more than a laptop for me.

 

[EugW]

Nowadays I don't use either my MacBook or my iPad Pro that much but out of the two I use the iPad Pro more. The reason I don't use these a lot is because I now work from home, and at home I have both a 27" 2017 iMac and a 2014 Mac mini with 30" display, so these mobile devices have become largely superfluous, but more so for the MacBook for obvious reasons.

When I traveled for business though, I carried both my MacBook and my iPad Pro (with Smart Keyboard). The latter was better for the plane for entertainment. If I needed to edit documents in my hotel room, I'd use both at the same time. The MacBook would be the primary business application machine, and the iPad Pro would work as an external monitor via Sidecar. This setup was also very good for practicing my PowerPoint (or Keynote) presentations, since presentation apps will put the current slide on one screen and the next slide on the other screen.

 

[XIO[-]OIX]

iPad as "brains" for a larger I/O space would be awesome, a la "docking station" effect. However, it still works when mobile(-ish). They are inching in that direction now. However, this exposes the weaknesses listed above, and .... there's the issue again.

This is how I use mine. Its my main device, and I even access all others from it using Jump.
Also - it’s always with me, which is a huge plus.

 

[bondr006]

This is how I use mine. Its my main device, and I even access all others from it using Jump.
Also - it’s always with me, which is a huge plus.

Just read the description of Jump at the app store. Sounds very interesting. I have never heard of it or used it before. I use the MS RD Client when I remote desktop and it has always worked fine for me. You like the Jump app better than the MS RD Client? I really want to try it now! Is it worth the $15.00? I see it gets excellent reviews. Thanks!

 

[XIO[-]OIX]

Just read the description of Jump at the app store. Sounds very interesting. I have never heard of it or used it before. I use the MS RD Client when I remote desktop and it has always worked fine for me. You like the Jump app better than the MS RD Client? I really want to try it now! Is it worth the $15.00? I see it gets excellent reviews. Thanks!

I haven’t tried MS RD Client but Jump was recommended to me as the fastest one - and since I work a lot with graphics this is important to me. It feels as if you are working locally - so - no complaints at all.

I would buy it again, it added so much to my iPad since I can connect to my powerhouse desktop and use a couple of apps not currently avaliable on iPad! A warm recommendation

 

[spinedoc77]

Incredible M2 chip, check
Massive 2TB capability, check
Gorgeous liquid retina display, check
Capability to use a mouse, check

Apps still refresh and reset when backgrounded... ummm

 

[bondr006]

Incredible M2 chip, check
Massive 2TB capability, check
Gorgeous liquid retina display, check
Capability to use a mouse, check

Apps still refresh and reset when backgrounded... ummm

So I took a look at my apps running in the background to test this and they neither refresh or reset.

 

[MacBH928]

I have to make clear that I do agree that an iPad use case is different from macbook/desktop(i own an iPad) , my question was how is an iPad with keyboard is better than macbook/desktop.

Drawing?

What does a keyboard have to do with drawing?

Here’s an article of a guy who did coding on his iPad. Several years old, but still a good read.

Giving the iPad a full-time job

By Justin Searls [A translation of this post is available in Chinese] Programmers often describe their ideal tools with adjectives like “powerful”, “feature-rich”, and “highly-configurable”. Few users are seen as wanting more from their computers tha...

www.freecodecamp.org

thanks

Some examples:

- On the road net access. Cellular (and GPS) support. Apple does not make a cellular enabled Mac.
- On the road media consumption. You cannot download content to streaming apps like Netflix on macOS. This is especially annoying on the plane and train. (Interestingly, you can do this in Netflix on Windows now though.)
- Photo retouching or illustrations/drawing with Apple Pencil.
- Note taking, including with Apple Pencil handwriting recognition and annotation.
- Couch usage. It’s much more pleasant to just fold the iPad’s keyboard over as necessary, or even remove it completely.
- e-reader / PDF reader. More convenient form factor with portrait mode support and easier annotation, esp. with Apple Pencil.
- Light gaming. Often more pleasant on iPad because of touch interface (and availability) but it depends on game.
- Item and location documentation. The iPad has a camera, and the iPad Pro even has LiDAR support for 3D room scanning.

I am sorry, everything you mentioned has nothing to do with using an iPad with keyboard. Everything you mentioned I can do with my iPad which I never owned a keyboard for.

You make 2 legit arguments:

1)Net on the Road: You are correct on this one but there are 2 things to consider

• Cell Cover is weak or non-existing in many areas if you are really going far outdoors
• I am assuming you carry a smartphone which you can use as a hotspot, at this point owning an iPad just for on the road net access is a waste of money.

2) iPad has a camera: yes, but again since like early 2000s cellphones had cameras you can just take pictures with your phone and send it over to your laptop. In fact, I believe cameras in modern smartphones are superior to the one in the iPad. In addition I do not think 90%+ of ipad users are making use of 3D rooms scanning feature. For what?!

You can remove the iPad from the keyboard and have less bulk and weight, plus included (back) camera, optional 5G, pencil option and other things I forgot to mention. And once you’re done with the iPad-specific workflow part, you can re-attach and have the data ready for further processing, without having to sync.

Whether that’s relevant for a given workflow/user, is a completely separate discussion.

Edit: Haha, this time @EugW was a tad faster

It is less bulk without the keyboard but since my initially question is about ipad with a keyboard sounds like the same amount of bulk.

Easier and harder are such subjective terms, defined by the experience of any given individual using a device that is the topic of discussion. In our case, the question is, is it the iPad or a laptop that is easier or harder to use? The answers of course are going to vary widely depending on the individuals experience, needs, expectations, and the specific tasks that are being done with said devices. Some will be easier, some will be harder, again depending on the viewpoint and experience of the individual.

As I previously mentioned I run both my Real Estate businesses with my iPP and do stuff like (create, fill, and sign contracts), create and edit documents, (create, edit, and annotate pdf's), hand written notes, file management, time management, emails, texts, client communication, sketching house dimensions, taking house pictures, etc. All these things are easier for me on the iPad, especially considering I can do all these things on one device instead of multiple devices. It has cut my work flow drastically, and made using a computer for work fun again. All the things I do are just easier and more intuitive than on a laptop, which seems cumbersome to me by comparison.

IMO , you are prefering the iPad over a macbook which I can see why in your case. Using the iPad keyboard-less will give you the same amount of benefits over a macbook so yeah they difference here is not the keyboard aspect.

A lot of things. Mostly for creative people..
I personally prefer it over the MacBook in fact I don’t even use the MacBook anymore



Yet I plan to never buy a laptop again, for the reason of iPad being more than a laptop for me.

How is it better for creative people with keyboard ? My understanding is that all the creative apps like adobe, corel painter, avid, 3D MAX etc are all more capable on MacOS than iPadOS and rendering times are faster assuming you are using and equivalent modern chip?(m1)

Unless you mean using an Apple pencil which has nothing to do with ipad+keyboard in which case I do agree with you.

 

[chucker23n1]

What does a keyboard have to do with drawing?

Your question was “I would like to know what an iPad with keyboard is better at than a macbook”. An iPad with keyboard is a better drawing device than a MacBook with keyboard.