iPad Pro First Impressions: Surprisingly Light, But Screen Size May Be Unnecessary for Most

[lincolntran]

Only downside in my eyes is no file system. So I couldn't load files off a flash drive, edit them in illustrator, and save them again...

Maybe iCloud storage can help with that, just load the files to iCloud, edit it from whatever sources that you want and save it again.

 

[Monique1]

With that screen, I wouldn't need dual monitors. You are stuck in an old paradigm.

13" screen is all you need? You have better eyes than I my friend.

 

[hagar]

They gave examples of using the iPad outside. How is this possible with all the glare? Or is this issue finally addressed?

 

[Monique1]

The only problem with Surface is the OS. Windows is a vector for infection, and anything that removes that vector will be welcome in the corporate space.

Surface is like a portable virus platform. Do you really want someone carrying a tablet that could infect your entire infrastructure if it hooked itself up to a WiFi or Ethernet network?

There is now an alternative: all the benefits of a Surface without the risks associated with Windows.

Oh for god's sake I'm so tired of this virus fear mongering regarding windows. I'd rather exercise a little caution rather than put up with Apple's sandbox dictatorship.

 

[lincolntran]

I visit lots of companies and I have never seen a chromebook. Education, yes but not enterprises.

The irony is that "Enterprise" is just a bunch of people who hate their jobs and hate dealing with tables and charts but have to because that's the only tool they're allowed (or available to them) or what other people use. Enterprise is the most inefficient environment to be productive.

 

[lincolntran]

The weight between an iPad Pro and a Surface Pro 3 is minimal = .2 lbs.

Office 365 and Azure services are being signed up by customers like crazy. Cloud is the future for sure and Microsoft is in a superior position with office, PowerBI, etc. just in my experience (I know I'm not everyone) Microsoft owns the enterprise and will continue to do so. I don't see this device making much of a dent.

Add to it we haven't seen a surface pro 4 which is due soon which may even be more compelling. TBD.

Maybe you're seeing companies and users who are used to using Microsoft products. I'm seeing a totally different trend. Office 365 and Azure services are very expensive. I'm seeing most startup are putting Microsoft Cloud and .NET platform as the last option. MongoDB, Ruby, PHP, etc. and AWS and other cloud services are being used by most startup. Even bigger companies are beginning to think about other options. Most company are beginning to use Apple office suite, though not on par with MS Suite, but get the job done most of the time. Microsoft only have a hold of giant companies that don't want to make changes. This is only from what I can see of course.

 

[btrach144]

Interesting avatar.

Notice my location as well

 

[pollaxe]

I'm reserving judgement on this until I've had a mess around with one in store. My instincts agree with the others who've previously noted that it will potentially be a rival to things like the Cintiq, though a lot will depend on the apps, obviously. Combining this with something like Astropad could be amazing. I liked the look of the Apple Pencil, particularly in Procreate.

I'm not sure I'd go for the smart keyboard, though. I've never really liked using an iPad with a physical keyboard because although this is highly subjective, it somehow doesn't feel 'right' to me when there isn't a mouse or a trackpad with it. It's the breaking away from the screen to type but having to touch for navigation and other types of input, it just feels awkward. Also, at the price points they're going to be selling, I think I'd be more likely to get something that ran OS X and not iOS. However, as with all things Apple, I'll wait until I've been able to try the device(s) out.

 

[btrach144]

Yes, and what an operating system Microsoft Surface users get. Let's get serious here. The only thing that is similar is a fold out keyboard and that's not really the same because of what Apple has put into each and every key. I can see me getting the Apple Pencil but not the keyboard. As for nice try, the whole Surface was a rip-off of Apple's iPad in the first place. They just sold a keyboard and Apple didn't. Apple let third parties sell Blue Tooth keyboards instead or did we forget this.

And the iPad was a ripoff of many tablets before it. Apple sympathizers are hilarious. Don't forget the slide of Steve Jobs back in 2007 that says, "Who wants a stylus?" And don't forget that Windows 8 and Vista have more combined market share than OS X as a whole. The two least successful OSs... That should make Apple feel small If it was truly a horrible OS as you implied, certainly the entire world wouldn't run Windows

 

[eyeseeyou]

Agreed. A simple and coherent file system is one of the last "fixes" iOS needs to make the iPad a laptop replacement. The over-sandboxing and kludgy and inconsistent interface to manage files is a huge hinderance—especially in an age when we use multiple cloud providers for our files.

Is there anyone using or are we able to use icloud like dropbox?

 

[bushido]

i love how nothingchanged on the springboard i mean look at those tiny spread out icons on the screen. pathetic

 

[eyeseeyou]

Only downside in my eyes is no file system. So I couldn't load files off a flash drive, edit them in illustrator, and save them again...

Cloud storage

 

[AFDoc]

Exactly the iPad I've been waiting for! I don't like the size of the iPad air for several reasons so when the mini came out I was very excited...... I however like a larger screen for some uses but wanted the ease of an iPad..... now I have it. Love the look of the pencil as well.

 

[DJTaurus]

Cloud storage

We have to accept that torrent downloading is a big part for most of users laptops/pc usage.... apple should do sth with the file system or at least add usb. They dont have the excuse of thickness....if they wanted they could create a new type of port where with the help of an adaptor you can connect a usb........ otherwise ipad sales will remain flat or pointed more to the enterpise. I respect those people who talk about security but give me a break.... most users download each day movies,tv series,music,sports events etc....i also noticed that smart keyboard doesnt even have a trackpad for quick gestures... for example its still miles faster to move between screens and apps on a mac compared to an ipad and without apps to have to reload each time... and for gods shake you should use crappy apps on iOS in order to watch live stream events. I respect what they are doing with cisco and IMB but for the mainstream user we need to fully be able to replace the Mac in order to make the switch.... while i am on home i prefer checking my iphone for casual stuff.... i dont want the bigger screen of an iPad.

 

[eyeseeyou]

I just don't get it. the ipad pro can never be more than a niche product in anyone's arsenal of iGizmos. It can't replace a laptop and you'll still need something to do the heavy lifting most "pros" need to do. Tell me how I can hook this thing into dual 27" monitors, have each one scale correctly then be able to navigate those displays with a mouse or external trackpad? I have a $200 Baytrail Windows tablet that does exactly this and has pretty much replaced my desktop. And how far can Apple go with an OS originally intended for a thumb and a cell phone...

Did I mention I just don't get it?

Extremely curious on the actual user experience and output of a $200 tablet to dual 27" monitors.

 

[eyeseeyou]

We have to accept that torrent downloading is a big part for most of users laptops/pc usage.... apple should do sth with the file system or at least add usb. They dont have the excuse of thickness....if they wanted they could create a new type of port where with the help of an adaptor you can connect a usb........ otherwise ipad sales will remain flat or pointed more to the enterpise. I respect those people who talk about security but give me a break.... most users download each day movies,tv series,music,sports events etc....i also noticed that smart keyboard doesnt even have a trackpad for quick gestures... for example its still miles faster to move between screens and apps on a mac compared to an ipad and without apps to have to reload each time... and for gods shake you should use crappy apps on iOS in order to watch live stream events. I respect what they are doing with cisco and IMB but for the mainstream user we need to fully be able to replace the Mac in order to make the switch.... while i am on home i prefer checking my iphone for casual stuff.... i dont want the bigger screen of an iPad.

cmd + tab with a keyboard attatched still lets you switch between apps like the mac desktop os not to mention the 5 finger swipe or 4 finger swipe up brings up all apps to switch to on all apple tablets

 

[Blujelly]

I can understand the size being an Issue for a tablet, although I do think its amazing! I guess its just another product for them to try and keep up with in the portable computer sector.

 

[eyeseeyou]

We have to accept that torrent downloading is a big part for most of users laptops/pc usage.... apple should do sth with the file system or at least add usb. They dont have the excuse of thickness....if they wanted they could create a new type of port where with the help of an adaptor you can connect a usb........ otherwise ipad sales will remain flat or pointed more to the enterpise. I respect those people who talk about security but give me a break.... most users download each day movies,tv series,music,sports events etc....i also noticed that smart keyboard doesnt even have a trackpad for quick gestures... for example its still miles faster to move between screens and apps on a mac compared to an ipad and without apps to have to reload each time... and for gods shake you should use crappy apps on iOS in order to watch live stream events. I respect what they are doing with cisco and IMB but for the mainstream user we need to fully be able to replace the Mac in order to make the switch.... while i am on home i prefer checking my iphone for casual stuff.... i dont want the bigger screen of an iPad.

I honestly think adding a mouse pointer option would make a bigger difference than a usb port.

 

[Dorje Sylas]

When people said, "the iPad was just a big iPod Touch, and who'd ever want a big iPod touch?" I said, "ME, the uses are very obvious, especially as a Remote Desktop Access device."

The iPad launched, and I was vindicated. The size was perfect (using applications like GoodReader) to crop down normal 8.5x11 documents in PDF format. Once you trimmed out the margins basically all "book" documents become a perfect fit. It was also a usable/portable size to do Remote Desktop work. Easy to manage with one hand to hold, one to use, while standing.

Now the iPad Pro rolls along. I hear rumors of the size and I said, "that's a ridiculously large iPad, who would every want a ridiculously large iPad. It loses all of the portability advantages that the smaller 9.7 inch screen allows for. At this size and price point, 12.9 inches, you'd may as well get a 13" transforming laptop that is a real computer."

We will see if I am vindicated once again.

Seriously, a Surface Pro 3 or the upcoming 4 make so much more sense/value.

 

[Marx55]

Apple should make a Mac tablet. iOS is a jailed limited toy.

 

[ksuyen]

How can it not be a tablet????? Millions use it as a tablet today. I use my iPad Air primarily at home because I am locked in the ecosystem of apps. I use my surface at work constantly as a tablet.

I guess it you have never used a surface pro 3 you could make that assumption. However, if you used one then I think you would have a different conclusion if you went in with an unbiased view. Nice chatting with you. If you end up getting an iPad Pro then I hope it meets all of your needs. Surely quite a few will be happy with it.

Let's see, Surface Pro 3 is a laptop that they insist upon you as a tablet. Simple as that. A tablet should not ever have a full blown OS or ability to access file systems, that's desktop and laptop, and that's why SP3 is a product that is more suitable to compete with MBA, in all important aspects. To compare SP3 with iPad Pro is totally wrong to begin with. iPad Pro remains as a tablet, with the bigger screen than its predecessor. The rest of the arguments are just like trying to prove that the earth is flat.

On saying that, the capability of a tablet is not necessary a minor one compare to laptop. It's all depends on what you are using it for. A $5000 laptop can be a mere toy if that's what you use it for.

 

[Dorje Sylas]

A tablet should not ever have a full blown OS or ability to access file systems, that's desktop and laptop, and that's why SP3 is a product that is more suitable to compete with MBA, in all important aspects.

Noooooooo. A tablet is about form factor. Notably usability while standing and away from a set surface. File system access has 0 to do with a "tablet" nature.

A locked down files system is only useful for keeping "users" out of things you (business or family IT) don't want them rummaging around in. For me the iPad only really became functional (to me and my needs) when I installed various programs like GoodReader that created a viable "file system" for managing and storing documents and files of various kinds. That didn't make it any less of a Tablet.

13 inches is almost a touch too large to use comfortably in a purely standing mode (using one hand or arm to hold/cradle) the device. It really is pushing things.

And a Surface Pro is a solid comparison, given form and price point. Unless you need Apple's Locked down echo system there really isn't much advantage to an iPad Pro over a Surface Pro. significantly more advantage in the Surface Pro in fact.

 

[Keniutek]

The Surface Pro 3 is still a better buy (and Surface Pro 4 with Skylake is just a month away). That MS thing with Win10 can run circles around stupid iOS on a "pro" machine.

 

[Piggie]

Only three things to say really.....

No Flash unit on the back. EVERY camera, even if you don't like camera's personally, should ALWAYS have a flash unit to allow photo's in dark environments. That's a no brainer.

Same same iOS home screen is an embarrassment, and Apple know this. Notice how they did not show the home screen and UI at all during the presentation. A sad joke. they REALLY need to improve this for such a potentially great machine.

I have to laugh at anyone who says how "light" it is.

Anyone care do do a forum search for all the people saying how the original iPad is like a BRICK it's so heavy, and yet, this weighs the same, which is fine by me, but all of a sudden that same weight is no longer a brick it seems, it's amazingly light.... SO funny

 

[GorillaPaws]

I just don't get it. the ipad pro can never be more than a niche product in anyone's arsenal of iGizmos. It can't replace a laptop and you'll still need something to do the heavy lifting most "pros" need to do. Tell me how I can hook this thing into dual 27" monitors, have each one scale correctly then be able to navigate those displays with a mouse or external trackpad? I have a $200 Baytrail Windows tablet that does exactly this and has pretty much replaced my desktop. And how far can Apple go with an OS originally intended for a thumb and a cell phone...

Did I mention I just don't get it?

I have an iMac, a 13" MBP, an iPhone 6 and an antique 1st gen iPad. My iPad has become painful to use at this point, and the iPad Pro will be a welcome (and much-needed) upgrade. My phone stays in my pocket, and my laptop is there for coding/editing documents/etc. The iPad will be used for reading articles, using Flipboard, web surfing, light gaming, keeping occupied on flights, iBooks, sketching diagrams, taking notes, scribbling ideas, etc. These last 3 I still do on paper and I have several notebooks laying around all disorganized. It will be nice to be able to clean all of that up and keep it digital.

This thing would have been a dream for me in college. It's too hard to type notes because you're always drawing diagrams (or math), and it's too difficult to make those quickly on a laptop.