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

[tkatz]

A few weeks ago I filmed a live show. Not trusting the mono audio feed given to me, I used an AD/DA (Fireface UCX) connected to my SP3 which i had attached to one of my tripods via mount and was able to easily record 8 tracks in Adobe Audition. I know I can do the same on iOS as there are a few apps that will do that. They aren't as easy to use as Audition, require me to put the device into a class compliant mode to talk to the iPad, and then I have to re-import everything into audition on the Mac Pro when I go to edit. When done I just transferred the session directory over to the Mac Pro (easily via CIFS), opened it up, all my meta data/track names I setup before the show were there and was ready to go.

Also being able to run other full fledged apps has been nice and I've been using my rMBP less.

I know not everyone needs this, but if the iPad Pro ran OSX I'd order one in a heart beat. For now I guess I'll ebay the SP3 and get the SP4. Hopefully Apple will release something similar in the next few years as I much prefer OSX to Windows.

 

[MacMan988]

It will never be a laptop replacement for me as long as it doesn't allow me to program and debug on it.

 

[StoneJack]

When I can do the same things on an iPad Pro that I can do on my Mac, then I will consider

iPad pro will never do all things which Mac does.
Similarly, there are many things which iPad does and Mac can't like touch based operations.
These are different devices and workflow is different. You and I probably cannot relearn, but kids who grew on iPads and iPhones, can.

 

[dk001]

iPad Pro will replace a PC for the most basic tasks - browsing, email, listening to music, light word processing, spreadsheets. Anything more complex and you'd be struggling with an iPad Pro.

....

Based on what you wrote, wouldn't an iPad Air or iPad Mini do the same? I'm one of what looks like many who look at the Pro, listen to TC's comments and say "huh?".

 

[Rogifan]

This is an iPad Plus, not an iPad Pro.

What defines whether something deserves the "pro" moniker or not? Is there some universally accepted definition?

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

It's pretty simple. You don't like it, don't buy it. I always say the best message you can send is with your wallet.

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

Yes and if there were none in stock people would be cursing Cook and calling for Angela Ahrendts to be fired.

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.

That's pretty much what Ben Bajarin said in his review and on Twitter.

 

[sofila]

Okay.. but how many students could afford this price tag?

Not exactly the "students", their "dads" sounds better

 

[Piggie]

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,QUOTE]

Oh please, let's bookmark this comment

 

[SHNXX]

are any of these reviews from someone who does a lot of photoshop/illustrator or note-taking?

 

[ggibson913]

iPad Pro will replace a PC for the most basic tasks - browsing, email, listening to music, light word processing, spreadsheets. Anything more complex and you'd be struggling with an iPad Pro.

iPad Pro could be looked upon as a first gen PC replacement - but not there yet. Maybe in the 3rd Gen iPad Pro when Apple have improved iOS more.. then more people would be able to switch.

Its still a long time until you can replace that PC for doing things such as professional movie editing, software development, or replace that PC in the office for 'clerk' type work.

But doesn't the iPad Air 2 already do all of that, and at almost half the price?

 

[th-gates9345]

I don't think with just a bigger screen you can get what Surface has made since few years ago. It needs a real work OS like Windows 10 which combines both worlds: pc and tablet.

 

[itguy06]

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.

Thank God you don't work at Apple. Live Tiles are garbage and a UI and usability nightmare. Yes, I've use Windows 10 - they suck there too. Live Tiles work in eve very limited set of use cases. And that's it.

 

[Nausicaa]

are any of these reviews from someone who does a lot of photoshop/illustrator or note-taking?

Of the five or six I read, the Tech Crunch review was the only one that bothered to have an artist give it a test, and they also had the foresight to have him try a Surface Pro for comparison (spoiler: the Pencil destroys n-Trig's tech as many of us expected). Still, he's a traditional artist, not a digital one so no real comparisons with standard hardware like Wacoms.

All the other reviewers just state they aren't artists ("can't even draw a stick figure! haha!") and say nothing of note about the device that can't be gleaned from Apple's marketing - really annoying. Presumably all of these sites have design staff or *someone* who would know what they are talking about. It's 2015 and digital art has been a "thing" for well over a decade.

 

[LovingTeddy]

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!

You are telling me 1819.91 for iPad Pro is cheap? Sorry my pay does not go up and dowm with exchange rate. It does not go up with inflation. And all yoi guys forogt 13% shopping tax.

I don't care if you compare with exhange rate, all i care is i will need spend close to 2 grands for an iOS device, which is not justifiable.

 

[mattopotamus]

I would love for it to be a laptop replacement, but it would do nothing but slow down my production b.c both IOS and no trackpad.

If they want to replace the desktop basically they need to mimic the surface with a software that bridges IOS and OSX.

 

[SHNXX]

Of the five or six I read, the Tech Crunch review was the only one that bothered to have an artist give it a test, and they also had the foresight to have him try a Surface Pro for comparison (spoiler: the Pencil destroys n-Trig's tech as many of us expected). Still, he's a traditional artist, not a digital one so no real comparisons with standard hardware like Wacoms.

All the other reviewers just state they aren't artists ("can't even draw a stick figure! haha!") and say nothing of note about the device that can't be gleaned from Apple's marketing - really annoying. Presumably all of these sites have design staff or *someone* who would know what they are talking about. It's 2015 and digital art has been a "thing" for well over a decade.

Do these people not even take hand written notes? Geez.

 

[jweinraub]

I don't get the purpose of the iPad Pro being, well, an iPad. In order to really compete with the Surface, it needs OS X just as the Surface uses Windows. Their Windows RE fell flat on its arse for good reason. Nobody wanted a stripped down OS. Granted, people know iOS, but the iOS ecosystem really doesn't do a good job with content creation which it seems the iPad Pro is supposedly geared towards. The fact you cannot use the full versions of Photoshop, FinalCut, and add fonts and what not seems pointless. I think I will stick with my MBPr and I can use my iPad Mini to read from.

 

[KdParker]

The many, many Tim was talking about for desktop replacement are people that use their desktop for email, video watching and internet surfing. So, for them it can be a replacement to their desktop that they were using like a tablet. I don't think he meant it could be instead of a desktop because it would work like a desktop.

This is what I thought too. My mother/father in-law only check email and Facebook, and when is comes to the web it mostly to plan a trip or just surfing.

The iPad pro fits nicely for them with the larger screen..

 

[AppleWarMachine]

pricing out the iPad Pro as if i were to buy it, comes out to about $1500 (the price I paid for my retina MacBook)...so I'm thinking No, this is not a good buy (especially since it can't even run full OS X)

 

[whiteboytrash]

Don't have an Apple Watch, either. Apple also should have had horrible sales of it, and people should trust Apple less with delivering outstanding, useful products because of these recent product launches. The integrity has been lost as of late. Will Apple find it again? Maybe, but I think people need to stop throwing their money at half baked products that are not moving the needle.

Are we allowed to buy products that are useful that don't push the needle?

I kinda just want to use a tablet, that's large with a stylus. I don't really care if it's innovative or not.

 

[H2SO4]

This is a bit surprising coming from Apple brown noser kiss arse #1

It surely says something about how magical the iPad isn’t.

 

[w100n]

I ordered a 128Gb wifi, one thing bother me after reading this review: https://www.macstories.net/stories/ipad-pro-review/#fnref-40883-split

No split keyboard on a huge tablet, very big mistake.
I will not use ipad pro with keyboard because it will be media consumption device (costly, yeah), so how am I supposed to type on it while I hold the ipad pro with my 2 hands... When I am lets say, lying on my bed.

If that's true, I will have to get a refund for the iPad, because I have used 10" 16/10 android tablet and surface pro 3, and when width is bigger than the one on ipad air, you really need a goo split keyboard system, or you'll have to stretch your fingers accross that 13" screen which is not cool at all to use.

As I cannot cancel my order, I'll have to find out I guess.

 

[whiteboytrash]

This is what I thought too. My mother/father in-law only check email and Facebook, and when is comes to the web it mostly to plan a trip or just surfing.

The iPad pro fits nicely for them with the larger screen..

Me too. I don't always have a desk to sit at with a laptop. I like that I can use tablet whilst lying down, or laid out on the couch.

Laptops tend to commit you to a desk.

 

[dk001]

The many, many Tim was talking about for desktop replacement are people that use their desktop for email, video watching and internet surfing. So, for them it can be a replacement to their desktop that they were using like a tablet. I don't think he meant it could be instead of a desktop because it would work like a desktop.

That doesn't make sense. These folks I would think are already be using an iPad or similar tablet if they felt the need to switch.

 

[citysnaps]

The many, many Tim was talking about for desktop replacement are people that use their desktop for email, video watching and internet surfing. So, for them it can be a replacement to their desktop that they were using like a tablet. I don't think he meant it could be instead of a desktop because it would work like a desktop.

It's amazing people here still do not understand that yet, no doubt intentionally. Of those, probably a huge percentage still conveniently and intentionally misquote Jobs on regarding devices NEEDING a stylus.

 

[HenryDJP]

You're right - the anti iPad Pro crowd would like to see it fail - but not so they can say they were right - but so Apple will wake up and stop shoving crap on us. It's a giant iPad running virtually the same OS as an iPhone 5S - you don't see a problem with that? Apple is lazy and greedy.

I see your post as nothing but an agenda and impossible to take seriously. There are a couple of products that Apple makes that I have ZERO interest in because they don't satisfy MY needs. That doesn't mean I feel that Apple shoved CRAP in my face. If it's not for me then it's not for "ME". So I don't bother posting trolling comments on forums about Apple products that I feel are nothing more than "Crap" shoved in my face. What a ridiculous statement.

There's no such thing as a company "Shoving Crap In the consumers Face". A company can put out anything they want. It's up to the customer to see value and purchase it. Nobody is forced to buy anything so nothing is "SHOVED" in somebody's face. These are elective products, not requirements by law.