iOS 16 iPad - Stage Manager

[stocklen]

I interpreted the ad differently. I took it as - this device will not only replace your laptop, it's MORE capable than a laptop. I just rewatched it, she's messaging friends, drawing notes, writing a report, taking pictures with the camera and adding them to her essay. It's an awesome ad. But they're clearly advertising the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. It's not a base iPad advertisement.

My point is, for that cost, consumers do have a choice to make - iPad Pro + accessories vs. MacBook Pro/Air. The cost is the same, it comes down to which you prefer. And I personally find it disappointing that for me I have to own both, because even though iPad Pros house the same hardware, the software is incapable of handling everything I need it to do.

But don't get me wrong, despite my complaints about iPadOS, my iPad Pro is still my favorite piece of hardware I own. I really enjoy using it, and use for everything I possibly can. IMO the base iPad at $329 is the best "computer" dollar for dollar. I'm only expressing my frustrations that for what it cost to be all in on a M1 iPad Pro with all the accessories, I can't use it for everything. Which I think is a fair criticism.

interesting arguments for sure.

In my opinion.... it IS a computer... and it DOES what 90+% of "computer users" require of a computer - given the Apple Pencil, and keyboard and mouse support it goes even further in this regard. That Ad is perfectly fine to me... It doesnt promise a multi windowed desktop environment its very clear what it can do.

But, the key thing is that it cant be all things to all people. If it was, then we wouldn't have Macs, MacBooks, Mac minis, Mac Pros. These are ALL computers - there is a huge crossover in functionality across ALL these devices including the iPad where they can reasonably be expected to do email, web browsing, messaging etc etc etc...
BUT, the reason all these options exist is to cover the needs of everyone. I would suggest that for a computer, the iPad satisfies a good 80% of people that want a computer.... but of course it has pros and cons and limitations.
Its really down to the individual to research and decide what they want their computer to do and then choose the hardware that best meets that requirement. I certainly don't see one device fits all and the iPad has an increasingly bigger share now down to its power, portability, and versatility but it cannot ever be a replacement for someone who wants that windowed environment with dozens of windows open at once workflow.

 

[Jedimindtrick]

In my opinion.... it IS a computer... and it DOES what 90+% of "computer users" require of a computer - given the Apple Pencil, and keyboard and mouse support it goes even further in this regard.

I agree with you. Just yearning for the day the iPad Pro can do 100% of what a computer user requires. Which again I think is fair to desire considering the cost of a fully equipped iPad Pro. Base iPad at $329, of course I think it’s unreasonable to except that to do 100% of what a computer can do. But at $1,000+ for the iPad Pro, I have higher expectations.

But it’s coming along. iPadOS has been developing and evolving at much quicker pace these past few years.

 

[stocklen]

I agree with you. Just yearning for the day the iPad Pro can do 100% of what a computer user requires. Which again I think is fair to desire considering the cost of a fully equipped iPad Pro. Base iPad at $329, of course I think it’s unreasonable to except that to do 100% of what a computer can do. But at $1,000+ for the iPad Pro, I have higher expectations.

But it’s coming along. iPadOS has been developing and evolving at much quicker pace these past few years.

Fair enough but id just correct you slightly.

It already does what the vast majority of computer users want it to do.

You don't have to buy the top end iPad Pro to get the same experience you get on the entry level one.... the cost for the full top end kit is an irrelevant argument seeing as you don't really have to have that......

"yearning for the day when the iPad Pro can do 100% of what A computer user requires" - no.... maybe you think it should do more for you and who knows one day you may end up happy but I feel that your exacting requirements and use cases are not typical of the majority of iPad customers currently.

 

[Gabnavasor]

it needs to have mission control because with four windows its gets harder to select window.

 

[Jedimindtrick]

but I feel that your exacting requirements and use cases are not typical of the majority of iPad customers currently.

iPad users, or iPad Pro users? Because I think there is a difference between the person who spends $329 on an iPad, and $2k on an iPad Pro which uses the same hardware as a MacBook Pro. Last year, the iPad Pro was third in sales behind the iPad and iPad mini. In 2020, the iPad accounted for 56% of their iPad sales, the Pro was at 18%. Which makes sense, the iPad is aimed at the masses, because it‘s much more affordable. So I completely understand the simplicity of iPadOS for those consumers. I know its been controversial, I now love that Apple has put stage manager on only M1 devices, because I want the Pros to become more distinct from the base iPad.

But to your point, I understand that I don’t represent the majority. I get that. I just want to be able to own one Apple device some day. It used to be that the iPad Pro simply didn‘t have the horsepower to compete with a laptop/desktop. That‘s no longer the case. There are so many work trips I take that I wish I could only bring my iPad with me, but I can’t, for now.

 

[papbot]

It already does what the vast majority of computer users want it to do.

You don't have to buy the top end iPad Pro to get the same experience you get on the entry level one

I remember when I had gotten the very first iPad when it was released. I was at a Starbucks with it and a guy came over to me and identified himself as an Apple engineer. He asked me what I thought of the iPad, I was thrilled with it. He mentioned that it was the fastest computer in their lineup at that time. And I remember telling him that I could see it being the only computer a lot of people would ever need.

Today I have the big iPad Pro and between it and my phone I mainly use my laptop to back up those devices, about once a week. And also if some web site or specific function doesn’t work properly on the ipad, but that’s quite rare these days. I remember a recent ipad commercial where a young girl is typing on her iPad Smart Keyboard and is asked by someone about her computer. She replies by asking what’s a computer? I believe that ad was quite indicative of what many people experience.

 

[Ludatyk]

I'm only expressing my frustrations that for what it cost to be all in on a M1 iPad Pro with all the accessories, I can't use it for everything. Which I think is a fair criticism.

My biggest frustration came from after WWDC last year… when nothing came of M1 chip, some decided to take their M1 iPP back… while some (like me) realized they bought the iPad because they simple enjoy the iPad. And in addition to that, I had a feeling something was coming down the line.

Now, with iPadOS 16… this is the most delighted I’ve been in the iPad platform. Recently, made changes to my desk to incorporate a monitor that would be beneficial to using Stage Manager on an external display (USB-C support). And I understand your criticism, I’ve been an iPad Pro user since the introduction (2015)… so I’m aware of the frustration.

 

[Jedimindtrick]

some decided to take their M1 iPP back… while some (like me) realized they bought the iPad because they simple enjoy the iPad.

I’m with you. My iPad Pro is my favorite piece of hardware I own, and I’ll always own the top end model of it (even though I complain about iPadOS 😂)

 

[stocklen]

iPad users, or iPad Pro users? Because I think there is a difference between the person who spends $329 on an iPad, and $2k on an iPad Pro which uses the same hardware as a MacBook Pro. Last year, the iPad Pro was third in sales behind the iPad and iPad mini. In 2020, the iPad accounted for 56% of their iPad sales, the Pro was at 18%. Which makes sense, the iPad is aimed at the masses, because it‘s much more affordable. So I completely understand the simplicity of iPadOS for those consumers. I know its been controversial, I now love that Apple has put stage manager on only M1 devices, because I want the Pros to become more distinct from the base iPad.

But to your point, I understand that I don’t represent the majority. I get that. I just want to be able to own one Apple device some day. It used to be that the iPad Pro simply didn‘t have the horsepower to compete with a laptop/desktop. That‘s no longer the case. There are so many work trips I take that I wish I could only bring my iPad with me, but I can’t, for now.

its a simple case of you chose to buy the pro... in full knowledge of what it costs.. and what it can do.

You dont buy it on the promise of what it might do...

.. but i do feel that iPadOS 16 is a significant step forward in that regard. Theres very few things it cant do and frankly its down to the software developers as to whether they make their full blown pro apps available for the platform. Technically with the m1 chip theres no reason why they cant... they just dont. perhaps the potential user base is too small for them to bother.

I prefer it, and I want it to remain a distinctly different OS paradigm to MacOS and it must always be touch first experience. You simply cannot go into a full on windowed environment on the device.

 

[Jedimindtrick]

You dont buy it on the promise of what it might do...

No, I certainly upgraded my 12.9 2018 iPad Pro to the 2021 M1 iPad Pro because of what it might do. I skipped 2020 because the difference was small, IMO.

I imagine there were quite a few people who did the same. Apple’s decision to use the same chip that’s used in the iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini most definitely raised my expectations for what iPadOS would be capable of in the future, and was a huge step for the iPad Pro line. I think a great example of this is Stage Manager, a feature that’s exclusive to M1 iPads, but also one of the major highlights of MacOS Ventura.

 

[tkmyzw]

Do you guys think Stage Manager is useful w/o an external monitor?

I have a 11" iPad Pro 2020 and MK. This is my only "computer" ish device and don't have external monitors, but considering to replace with M1 iPad(Air or 11" Pro). A major reason of the replacement is that being reloaded webpage when I use Safari and other apps back and forth, or at the same time with SplitView which is annoying a bit. I guess this is caused by a small amount of RAM and the M1 iPads seem to solve this issue, but if the Stage Manager is the game-changer even for non-external monitor users, the interest boosts.

I saw negative comments about using Stage Manager w/ 11" Pro at the beginning of DB but I would like to see the recent thoughts based on the latest beta OS.

 

[Jedimindtrick]

Do you guys think Stage Manager is useful w/o an external monitor?

I have a 11" iPad Pro 2020 and MK. This is my only "computer" ish device and don't have external monitors, but considering to replace with M1 iPad(Air or 11" Pro). A major reason of the replacement is that being reloaded webpage when I use Safari and other apps back and forth, or at the same time with SplitView which is annoying a bit. I guess this is caused by a small amount of RAM and the M1 iPads seem to solve this issue, but if the Stage Manager is the game-changer even for non-external monitor users, the interest boosts.

I saw negative comments about using Stage Manager w/ 11" Pro at the beginning of DB but I would like to see the recent thoughts based on the latest beta OS.

In its current state, absolutely not. It wastes so much screen real estate, and that’s on a 12.9. Split View with slide over is much more refined, and uses the whole screen.

I think you would be quite disappointed to spend the money simply to gain Stage Manager on only your iPad’s display. External monitor support however is pretty promising.

 

[tkmyzw]

In its current state, absolutely not. It wastes so much screen real estate, and that’s on a 12.9. Split View with slide over is much more refined, and uses the whole screen.

I think you would be quite disappointed to spend the money simply to gain Stage Manager on only your iPad’s display. External monitor support however is pretty promising.

Thanks. I'll keep my current iPP for a while.

 

[AppliedMicro]

In its current state, absolutely not. It wastes so much screen real estate, and that’s on a 12.9. Split View with slide over is much more refined, and uses the whole screen.

Agree. Even though I only got to try it on my 11“ Air, I still wouldn’t want to have it on a 12.9“ Pro.

 

[HoshiGumiBear]

tried out the public beta, yeesh, lots of crashes and it wiggin’ out.

Definitely see some potential with it, but apple needs to give the user more control on resizing and positioning!

 

[return2sendai]

Can you have different Home Screens, one in Stage Manager mode and one in Full Screen app mode, at the same time? That would be super-froody. Working in a full-screen app then swiping to a stage-managed screen with 4 other apps to access, then swiping back again. Can you do that? Can you? Can you?

 

[return2sendai]

"About 3 hours remaining" ....

 

[return2sendai]

"About 4 hours remaining" ....

 

[stocklen]

tried out the public beta, yeesh, lots of crashes and it wiggin’ out.

Definitely see some potential with it, but apple needs to give the user more control on resizing and positioning!

So, now its on official public beta ive installed it on my 12.9 m1 iPad Pro.

To be honest, I cant see any crashes yet - its been stable enough - although very very early days.

Its interesting... a different paradigm for working on the iPad and I find it quite useful to be working on multiple apps or windows of multiple apps and be able to see them.. or be aware of them at least and switch between them.

If you are working on multiple apps at ones and needing to chop between them its an improvement BUT I acknowledge theres a lot to be done in terms of stability.

Sure, its a bit of a space hog but you can easily disable the dock and the 'side bar thing' or just let them disappear when you resize the windows..... at the moment they reappear if you are using a mouse / trackpad cursor on the edge of the screen but not for touch... I imagine thats one of the things not working yet.

Apple has said its a work in progress so theres no guarantee that it will still look and behave the way it does in later Betas.... but thats why we are all beta testing I guess.

 

[ics55]

I’m running a 12.9 M1 Pro. Very stable so far. when I hide the dock, it reappears when I swipe up. No problem. When I hide the Stage Manager task bar on the left, I can’t get it to reappear consistently. Is that a bug or am I doing something wrong?


thanks!

 

[SoYoung]

Do you guys think Stage Manager is useful w/o an external monitor?

I have a 11" iPad Pro 2020 and MK. This is my only "computer" ish device and don't have external monitors, but considering to replace with M1 iPad(Air or 11" Pro). A major reason of the replacement is that being reloaded webpage when I use Safari and other apps back and forth, or at the same time with SplitView which is annoying a bit. I guess this is caused by a small amount of RAM and the M1 iPads seem to solve this issue, but if the Stage Manager is the game-changer even for non-external monitor users, the interest boosts.

I saw negative comments about using Stage Manager w/ 11" Pro at the beginning of DB but I would like to see the recent thoughts based on the latest beta OS.

In its current state, no its not very useful. Split view and slide over do exactly the same but you can use the entire screen instead of cluttered windows that you can't resize or move exactly like you want and don't give anything new in multitasking (like playing multiple media sound sources at the same time) it just do it differently.

For the M1 iPad pro purchase, I think its worth it if you're an heavy user even if you have the 2020 model. Just for the increase RAM alone is worth every penny. I have the 16GB RAM model and everything NEVER reloads. I always have tons of Safari tabs and apps open and it will always stay open until I restart my device (and it can takes 2-3 weeks before I need/want to restart). For me the RAM increase was a game changer and now I use my iPad way more often than before (almost 50/50 alongside my iMac).

 

[owidhh]

In its current state, no its not very useful. Split view and slide over do exactly the same but you can use the entire screen instead of cluttered windows that you can't resize or move exactly like you want and don't give anything new in multitasking (like playing multiple media sound sources at the same time) it just do it differently.

One thing that's not mentioned often, is that you can have full-screen windows when Stage Manager is active and replicate this exactly workflow. The bonus that I can see is that all apps in one stage (all 4 of them, max), are *active* simultaneously -- meaning they don't get swapped out/reload (not as quickly as usual anyway), which could be useful for actual multitasking.

It's annoying for example to be looking at something in Safari, switch to another app to type some commands or do something, come back to safari and the page has reloaded and lost its spot where I was reading, or lost some other client-side state.. This should (hopefully) help with that kind of situation and make it more like real multitasking, without necessarily having the clutter of poorly-sized and poorly-placed windows with strips on the side and bottom to take up even more real estate

 

[tomtad]

with strips on the side and bottom to take up even more real estate

They auto-collapse when you move a window over them so don't in practice take up screen real estate

 

[Ludatyk]

Do you guys think Stage Manager is useful w/o an external monitor?

I have a 11" iPad Pro 2020 and MK. This is my only "computer" ish device and don't have external monitors, but considering to replace with M1 iPad(Air or 11" Pro). A major reason of the replacement is that being reloaded webpage when I use Safari and other apps back and forth, or at the same time with SplitView which is annoying a bit. I guess this is caused by a small amount of RAM and the M1 iPads seem to solve this issue, but if the Stage Manager is the game-changer even for non-external monitor users, the interest boosts.

I saw negative comments about using Stage Manager w/ 11" Pro at the beginning of DB but I would like to see the recent thoughts based on the latest beta OS.

I disagree with @Jedimindtrick.

Is it buggy? Absolutely! It’s a beta… that comes with the territory. But is the concept useful? Definitely! I find Stage Manager a game changer on the iPad, but takes it to a new level on an external monitor... That’s been my experience.

Now, I don’t have a smaller iPad… so I cannot give you an opinion on how that experience is. But from the standpoint of a 12.9” iPP user…. It’s wonderful. Getting in and out between apps quickly! Managing windows on the screen... Resizing and determining where I want to place apps… its one of those aspects the iPad never had.

How can that not be useful? If you have the funds to go out and try it… you can always return it. But if you really enjoy multitasking on an iPad… Stage Manager is an enjoyable addition to use with your iPad. And you mention reloading webpages… having that additional RAM on a M1 iPad will definitely help.

 

[vultuk]

Can you have different Home Screens, one in Stage Manager mode and one in Full Screen app mode, at the same time? That would be super-froody. Working in a full-screen app then swiping to a stage-managed screen with 4 other apps to access, then swiping back again. Can you do that? Can you? Can you?

In case you don't know this yourself already (or other people are interested) the answer is No you can't.

The closest to this is an external monitor always has Stage Manager turned on, but it's possible for the iPad screen to work in standard full screen mode. This is the way I choose to work using the external monitor more as a way to easily see emails, music or updates on any websites i'm developing. The iPad stays in normal mode giving me slide over and split view like I prefer to work in.