iPad Pro Review Roundup: Powerful Creative Canvas, but Not Quite a PC Replacement

[bstpierre]

I could see replacing my MacBook Pro with one of these and an iMac.

 

[HiVolt]

s p a c e b e t w e e n a p p i c o n s i s t o o m u c h
...but I like the screen size.

Yeah, that thing looks silly. Same 4-wide icon setup as the original iPhone 3.5" screen.

Apple really needs to get off their high horse and allow a more dynamic "desktop" experience, with apps able to display live info, allow dynamic icon sizes, Microsoft's live tiles are a great example of how well it can work.

the iOS springboard hasn't changed since iOS debuted. It needs a makeover.

 

[Precision Gem]

For all the negativity by the "experts" who post here, they certain seem to be selling as the shipping dates keep moving out.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

The thing I am missing most here is media management - can I manage a media library on a remote drive, for example, like a NAS? I am talking iTunes library management with local copies of media or the equivalent here. (i.e. getting my physical BR copy into a digital format either via download or encoding and getting that to a local network disk...)

I will still need OSX to do this right? Nothing here able to remove the need for my Mac mini yet as an iTunes media hub?

OH! And FULLY featured ports of OSX versions of iWork and iMovie, in every single way...just don't see it happening...

 

[jpgr15]

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[DUCKofD3ATH]

Apple released the iPad Pro

And the kiss of death is the "Pro" in the iPad Pro's name. Apple routinely releases products for professionals and then pulls the rug out once the pros have begun to rely on the tools, removing features or killing the products entirely. A few examples: Final Cut Pro and Aperture.

Pros will buy the new iPad and, if things go as they have been, Apple will lose interest and the product will languish with its potential unfulfilled.

 

[alFR]

Judging from the outrage about the Pro on Internet forums, this is a guaranteed hit.

lol half the posts on here sound like the ones from when the original iPod launched. I anticipate a similar outcome.

 

[samcraig]

True on the line I highlighted, but you have to recognize that the majority of people that buy computers are NOT the people that frequent tech sites. I'm sure many people here like to believe otherwise but it's the plain truth that techies and tech-enthusiasts are in the minority.

There are still a great deal of people with big clunky desktop setups at home that do no more than type up emails, create simple documents and spreadsheets and watch YouTube videos. And then you have the corporate people that need an iPad Pro for much of the same things that people do at home. The real truth about enterprise is they don't get all "complex" with computers as some people think and an iPad Pro would be a perfect desktop replacement for either home or use for many people .

But this new iPad doesn't really offer THOSE people anything they couldn't have before.

 

[Mr. Donahue]

Tim is laying the tracks with Apple Watch and iPad Pro. It'll only get better as time goes on. I bet the next iPad Pro will have iOSX the bridge between Mac and iPad. Whoa!

 

[sseaton1971]

When I can do the same things on an iPad Pro that I can do on my Mac, then I will consider it. Until then, I am not really interested in having one for my main computing device. I would love to see a John Henry vs. the Steam Drill type of test between two users... one on a Mac and one on an iPad Pro (maybe Tim Cook could take the iPad Pro role) and see who completes tasks more quickly given the exact same set of things to do. For some tasks, the iPad Pro might even win... but I am guessing the Mac would win handily overall. (What a great idea for a website or YouTube channel... MacHenry vs. the SteamDrill Pro!)

 

[i.mac]

iPad pro is not for current heavy laptop or desktop users, it is for students, artists and other folks that do not need laptops such as grandparents that want to create content to keep their brains healthy.

I'm getting one today.

 

[Rogifan]

Ultimately - it's a bigger and more powerful iPad. If you couldn't/wouldn't "computer" on one - then there's not much/enough "new" here.

I think the bigger work to be done is on the OS. Clearly the hardware is powerful enough.

Of course. I think the fact we have iPad Pro means it will come (I really believe this is what split screen was designed for). So no it might not be a laptop replacement right now but it's not like Apple has stopped selling Macs. Or iOS can't steadily improve to be more of a desktop OS replacement.

 

[HenryDJP]

The funny part is most of the people here posting anti-iPad Pro comments sound more like they want it fail just so they can be right. It won't and they won't, and they know it.

 

[frostiex]

I do agree with CNET about missing the bottom 1/2. Sure it is great, but it is missing some VERY important features like attaching USB sticks and File management features; which IOS lacks terribly. For iPhone and iPod; not such a big deal. But they are selling this as a "professional" device. Imagine, in a meeting with your client. "Let me send the file via my PC to my iPad pro before I can see the file on your USB stick...Wait.....I forgot my laptop in my office."

 

[jafingi]

It is way to expensive, at least in Canada. 128GB WiFi only iPad Pro cost 1249 CAD plus 129 for Apple Pencil plus 229 for the keyboard (Seriously? Charging 229 for the keyboard? Surface keyboard is less than that)? Plus 13% HST equals 1815.91...

How can anybody justifying this price? For the price, I might as well my the MacBook... At least it runs OS X.

Hey - that's cheap.

Prices in Denmark:

32GB WiFi = 6999 DKK ≈ $1000 USD
128GB WiFi = 8399 DKK ≈ $1200 USD
128GB WiFi+Cellular = 9499 DKK ≈ $1360 USD

 

[brilliantthings]

The biggest problem with the iPad pro for me is that it doesn't work well with a larger screen. I can plug it in to a large screen at my desk, but then I need to navigate with my fingers on the multitouch display while looking at the attached screen. Doesn't make any sense.

Not an issue if you are going to use it purely as a laptop.

 

[jpgr15]

For all the negativity by the "experts" who post here, they certain seem to be selling as the shipping dates keep moving out.

Just checked my local Apple Store.. all in stock for pick up today.

 

[LordQ]

Again, it's not the product, as I am sure the specs are great and whatnot—it's the software. I can't be a Pro if the software (apps) are basic and plain. We need true 3D Modeling, CAD and Rendering apps, true PS and AI ports, Final Cut Pro and decent iWork (can we create Pivot Tables with Numbers?).

Only then, this tablet will have a true purpose.

 

[djcerla]

By gen 3, the iPad Pro will be so much more powerful than the best Intel i7 chips it will not even be funny.

This is a revolution in the making, and people don't seem to look past their collective noses.

 

[MrGuder]

So I guess eddy was right it's for browsing, reading emails, listening to the speakers and reading more emails. I'll stick with my iPad Air 2 and my laptop and my Mac mini, no need for this.

 

[jpgr15]

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[dk001]

It's a niche product, it's practically an experiment on Apples end to see how much demand there is for a product like this.

This will do well in enterprise for sure, because for the longest time those mid-aged people keep saying they want "bigger" iPads. But I really doubt real professionals can implement this device into their work flow, it just seems like an inconvenience. It gets really suspicious when its main selling factor is it's stereo speakers, really...?

And don't get me started on that (ugly) 99$ stylus which doesn't seem to be well thought out, Jesus Christ.

Let's be honest, the only pro thing about this device is its price.
I even dare say that the Surface line by Microsoft surpasses this product

This is an iPad Plus, not an iPad Pro.

 

[Rogifan]

True on the line I highlighted, but you have to recognize that the majority of people that buy computers are NOT the people that frequent tech sites. I'm sure many people here like to believe otherwise but it's the plain truth that techies and tech-enthusiasts are in the minority.

There are still a great deal of people with big clunky desktop setups at home that do no more than type up emails, create simple documents and spreadsheets and watch YouTube videos. And then you have the corporate people that need an iPad Pro for much of the same things that people do at home. The real truth about enterprise is they don't get all "complex" with computers as some people think and an iPad Pro would be a perfect desktop replacement for either home or use for many people .

Make it so people never need iTunes on the desktop for any sort of device management and I can see it being a laptop replacement for many. The hardware is plenty powerful to support desktop class applications. If the biggest hang up is no exposed file system I'll bet any money Apple addresses in the next version of iOS. I think the iCloud Drive app gives us hints of where Apple is going.

 

[Digital Skunk]

It's high time for an iPad Pro that runs OSX. We can sit here and knock the Surface for having little touch enabled apps but the one thing that defeats that argument is the full version of Windows 10 that it runs. The iPad definitely trumps the Surface as being a tablet, but the Surface IS the laptop replacement that is ALSO a decent tablet.

And it's had the handwriting / pen enabled thing on lock.

I like the iPad Pro, and it may be a nice Final Draft device but at that price point . . . . . . I don't know.

 

[bobob]

It is way to expensive, at least in Canada. 128GB WiFi only iPad Pro cost 1249 CAD plus 129 for Apple Pencil plus 229 for the keyboard

That adds up to a total of CAD $1607, which at today's conversion rate equals USD $1214.

However, the US price for the same set-up is USD $1217 - - you Canucks are getting a discount!