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iPad Pro Review Roundup: Powerful Creative Canvas, but Not Quite a PC Replacement
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You persist in not understanding that I already do that. There is no need to "stretch" my "elevated" arm; I just gently reach and touch. You describe this as if I had to hold my arm straight out each time I interact with the screen, but in fact I'm only moving my hand and finger a few inches.
If this is something you wish to worry about, have at it.
An iPad could be 7, 9, 12 or whatever many inches you want, but the one thing that won't change is the input. You're still limited to touching the screen in order to control the device, no matter whether it is the most routine or less-used of actions.
For some uses, yeah, this is great when all you want to do is hold a canvas of content. Web browsing is unrivalled on a modern tablet, as is viewing photographs, playing quick-fix games, lapping up videos and even using Skype/FaceTime or other means of messaging. The new A-series processors are also developing at a frightening rate.
But with the exception of minor enhancements, it still runs the same OS as your iPhone or smaller iPad, and as such, wastes a ridiculous amount of screen estate for the U.I. I look at the images of the home screen with a 4x5 app grid, and feel like face-palming to the next millennia.
In contrast, there's this amazing product called the MacBook that already has a keyboard built-in (let's not talk about pricing for this iPad 'accessory'...) and a high-res screen as standard for little more than an iPad Pro. In addition, you get the best trackpads in market, substantially better I/O, a fully fledged OS and the breadth of apps to go with it.
The cost? No touchscreen. Seriously, the novelty wears off when you're actually being productive for a change.
So, sorry Tim, but I don't understand how this contributes to a laptop replacement for "most people". I would get laughed at if I brought an iPad to work on mind-numbing spreadsheets.
For some uses, yeah, this is great when all you want to do is hold a canvas of content. Web browsing is unrivalled on a modern tablet, as is viewing photographs, playing quick-fix games, lapping up videos and even using Skype/FaceTime or other means of messaging. The new A-series processors are also developing at a frightening rate.
But with the exception of minor enhancements, it still runs the same OS as your iPhone or smaller iPad, and as such, wastes a ridiculous amount of screen estate for the U.I. I look at the images of the home screen with a 4x5 app grid, and feel like face-palming to the next millennia.
In contrast, there's this amazing product called the MacBook that already has a keyboard built-in (let's not talk about pricing for this iPad 'accessory'...) and a high-res screen as standard for little more than an iPad Pro. In addition, you get the best trackpads in market, substantially better I/O, a fully fledged OS and the breadth of apps to go with it.
The cost? No touchscreen. Seriously, the novelty wears off when you're actually being productive for a change.
So, sorry Tim, but I don't understand how this contributes to a laptop replacement for "most people". I would get laughed at if I brought an iPad to work on mind-numbing spreadsheets.
For consuming content, it is a great replacement.
In terms of cost: Cintiq HQ 13 inch tablet from Wacom costs 999 dollars, iPad pro can do much more than Cintiq and is probably a better drawing tablet too.
It is also compares well with Surfaces.
As an iPad it is also good. So it does have value on its own.
Without Xcode, a Trackpad (for when I'm using it as a laptop), and more realistic storage (128GB??? Please! We are not in the the last decade!), it's not ready to replace my iMac or MacBook.
It's truly a great complement to my OS X devices, but not a true replacement.
I would have no problem switching to iOS completely, when iOS is ready to take the responsability.
On the positive side:
- Pencil
- Large display
- Fast performance
Not so great:
- Keyboard doesn't have the Function keys (unless I missed them).
It's truly a great complement to my OS X devices, but not a true replacement.
I would have no problem switching to iOS completely, when iOS is ready to take the responsability.
On the positive side:
- Pencil
- Large display
- Fast performance
Not so great:
- Keyboard doesn't have the Function keys (unless I missed them).
It's kind of like they continue to embrace the "SJ consumptive" structure while expounding the "TC Notebook" message.
Something needs to give.
oh, im impressed. But lets put it in perspective. Apple's Highest end most advanced CPU is still trailing intel's lowest.
as I said. Not today... but who knows in a year.
However, once you bring anything more than the ULV x86 chip into the picture, A9x has a LONG way to go
If you're expecting ARMs to be able to match the x86 chips in bigger laptops or desktops, you'll be waiting awhile. But in the space they're designed for, they're very competitive.
Compare Intel's Core M3, which is the most direct competitor to Apple's A9, and you'll see the latter is actually a stronger chip.
1 - mobile apps do not have the power nor scope of functionality that you get on desktop/notebook based systems.
2 - Docks are used for far more than just file transfer. Love hooking my SurfacePro to my UHD tv - especially if I am doing document work. Wireless is good, but it doesn't work well for all things.
Not a bad device, but it's just a bit too pricey. $799 for 32GB is a little steep compared to Air 2 which is $599 for 64GB. They usually price it so if you spend $50-100 more you can upgrade to the next version. But at $200 more I am not sure if it would be worth it. $699 seems to be a better price, along with an offering of 64GB which they excluded this time. The fact that LTE version only comes in 128GB is also a let down.
The $169 keyboard/case is also on the higher end, but there are/will be 3rd party options so it's more an Apple brand premium price tag.
The $169 keyboard/case is also on the higher end, but there are/will be 3rd party options so it's more an Apple brand premium price tag.
I still think it's miles better than Microsoft's Surface Pro stuff.
But I agree it can't kill the Mac just yet.
But I agree it can't kill the Mac just yet.
I would of loved to have this during grad school. I used my iPad and a crappy stylus for all my notes. This would be a much better solution. If only they made this the size of a regular iPad with the pencil
Of course.
It is going to first hit a niche and then expand out over the next 5 years. The iPad Pro is going to evolve into something more than what it is on 11-11-2015. Apple is always slow on such measures. I have no doubt they were planning for a few years to get the processors revving, then ditch the Intels as much as possible, leaving Apple mostly designing their own awesome chips streamlined for their own specific functions instead of getting clumsy Intel chips designed for many other uses.
Apple will unchain themselves from the whims of other tech companies. In time.
Macs will be here for another decade or more, but they will be marginalized as the iPad takes over low-end computing. Perhaps there will be a time in the next decade when Apple redesigns everything around their A15x chips and makes MacPro that run reworked video/graphics programs while running a "bootcamp" for use of OS X-retro.
Interesting. I wonder if they think that far into the future, with the goal of reshaping computing experience completely within 10 years.
Ive must be creaming himself at the idea of an iPad Pro 2025 you can fold and stick in your pocket, "up to 70% thinner than an A4 sheet".
Ive must be creaming himself at the idea of an iPad Pro 2025 you can fold and stick in your pocket, "up to 70% thinner than an A4 sheet".
So maybe I'm the only one that wants one of these? I love my iPad and just wish it had a bigger screen for consuming content. I'm not looking to replace any other devices with this, but might play around with the pencil and sketch. I could care less about the keyboard and there will be at least 15 options for a keyboard by the end of the year if someone prefers a more regular keyboard style.
Unlike others on here, I don't want OS X nailed, glued, and forced onto the iPad - it would make for a too inelegant experience.
Obviously there are features that the iPad needs for it to replace a laptop for me personally, but those features can be added to iOS, not lazily added to the iPad by forcing an OS designed for mouse input onto the device.
There are certain tasks the iPad can't do, and Apple often says "For some people, the Mac is the device they need" - but I wonder if that has to be the case. They went from iWork on iPad to iLife on iPad, and I wonderer if animation could be shown some multitouch love?
There needs to be the same apps I use now: Adobe Flash CC 2014, Toon Boom Studio, Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5. There would also need to be some changes to the OS to make me feel like files I had on there were accessible.
On my Mac I can have folders: So inside one I might have a Flash file I'm working on, with a Quicktime video and a PDF folder that was downloaded from an email. The files don't feel this free on an iPad.
To be honest, if there were those apps, and they pointed directly to iCloud Drive, I could see myself going for an iMac / iPad setup, using iCloud to keep things in sync between devices.
I don't expect the iPad Pro to be a mainstream device any more than the 17" MacBook Pro was mainstream.
Obviously there are features that the iPad needs for it to replace a laptop for me personally, but those features can be added to iOS, not lazily added to the iPad by forcing an OS designed for mouse input onto the device.
There are certain tasks the iPad can't do, and Apple often says "For some people, the Mac is the device they need" - but I wonder if that has to be the case. They went from iWork on iPad to iLife on iPad, and I wonderer if animation could be shown some multitouch love?
There needs to be the same apps I use now: Adobe Flash CC 2014, Toon Boom Studio, Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5. There would also need to be some changes to the OS to make me feel like files I had on there were accessible.
On my Mac I can have folders: So inside one I might have a Flash file I'm working on, with a Quicktime video and a PDF folder that was downloaded from an email. The files don't feel this free on an iPad.
To be honest, if there were those apps, and they pointed directly to iCloud Drive, I could see myself going for an iMac / iPad setup, using iCloud to keep things in sync between devices.
I don't expect the iPad Pro to be a mainstream device any more than the 17" MacBook Pro was mainstream.
"It doesn't fit MY needs, so it's stupid. And if you like it, or don't HATE it, YOU'RE stupid." That's the basic gist I get from the comments on the last few articles.
For you people with your "iPad Wish Lists" - wanting OSX, full file systems (sign me up for that one, actually), mouse/peripheral support, 500+GB storage, etc.... get a damn Mac and move on. Jesus.
OSX isn't touch-centric... likely will never be. It doesn't need to be.
iOS has constantly evolved, as has the iPad version and feature set from the iPhone version. More "Pro"-focused features will come. App developers will continue to flood the App Store with creative options and solutions.
Laptop/Desktop replacement? For many users, absolutely. Or, more accurately, it will become a viable option for those in the market for a new (or their first) computer, whose needs don't go far beyond traditional, "non-power user" demands. Stop being silly - no one's suggesting it can compete with some of the professional rigs people are claiming they have. Compete with a new MacBook? Sure. On several levels. MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac Pro? No - different needs and use cases.
For me, I have the devices that fit my needs... rMBP, 27" iMac, iPhone, Watch, and Air 2. I think the 9.7" factor is perfect, and am looking forward to seeing some of the Pro features make their way down (speakers, refresh rate, Pencil support, Smart Connector, maybe 3GB RAM) in some form or fashion for an Air 3.
For you people with your "iPad Wish Lists" - wanting OSX, full file systems (sign me up for that one, actually), mouse/peripheral support, 500+GB storage, etc.... get a damn Mac and move on. Jesus.
OSX isn't touch-centric... likely will never be. It doesn't need to be.
iOS has constantly evolved, as has the iPad version and feature set from the iPhone version. More "Pro"-focused features will come. App developers will continue to flood the App Store with creative options and solutions.
Laptop/Desktop replacement? For many users, absolutely. Or, more accurately, it will become a viable option for those in the market for a new (or their first) computer, whose needs don't go far beyond traditional, "non-power user" demands. Stop being silly - no one's suggesting it can compete with some of the professional rigs people are claiming they have. Compete with a new MacBook? Sure. On several levels. MacBook Pro, iMac, or Mac Pro? No - different needs and use cases.
For me, I have the devices that fit my needs... rMBP, 27" iMac, iPhone, Watch, and Air 2. I think the 9.7" factor is perfect, and am looking forward to seeing some of the Pro features make their way down (speakers, refresh rate, Pencil support, Smart Connector, maybe 3GB RAM) in some form or fashion for an Air 3.
Note: I wasn't saying that an iPad Pro by itself is a good idea... I still completely plan to carry my 15" MBP with me every day as well (I currently have about a bajillion Mathematica windows open on the laptop I'm currently typing on).
But note taking on top of slides/notes provided by the professor, and having them synced to all of my computers automatically through Dropbox is freaking sweet