Laptops Are Boring

[BB1970]

This is gonna sound a little “troll-y” but it’s not meant to. It’s more of a personal observation. Here it is:
Laptops are boring.
See, I went to the local Costco today and to my surprise they carried the latest M2 MacBook Air. Like the rest of you, I’ve been watching countless YouTube reviews and such about this (as well as the MacBook Pro M1 Max etc) and there’s this nagging feeling that I should get one. After all, my YouTube influencer overlords tell me it’s the only way to be productive.
But, while there, and playing around with it, it just sorta sat there like an egg. Maybe laptop lovers have a different take, but for me it’s tough to get excited about basically another refresh of a design that’s been around for 30+ years.
Then I went to the iPad Pro counter.
Instantly, the feeling changed. Like, here’s something that feels modern. Say what you will about iPadOS, it still feels and looks better than MacOS, which again, is just refreshes of decades old design.
I’m in the market for a new device (I’m on a somewhat broken iPad Pro 10.5 now) and that trip to Costco clinched it for me. M2 iPad here I come, eventually.
I have this nagging feeling Apple themselves want to go all in on the iPad but can’t because of the built in traditional computer base.
Look. I know this all sounds dumb and ridiculous, and I’m probably gonna get roasted in comments, and while the MacBook Air hardware is nice (more girthy and solid than expected) it’s still just a rectangle with limited options. No detachable screen, no onboard rear camera, and a keyboard that’s nice but still physical ONLY (I’m a weirdo that has no problem typing on glass).
I want to see Apple innovate here. A “laptop” with BOTH glass screen AND keyboard able to make the keyboard anything (piano keys, drawing area, etc), yes please!
I’m probably too used to iPadOS as well, so that skews my perception, but I just see the iPad possibilities going only up, and MacOS and laptops only going down.

*ducks from incoming comments

 

[Scepticalscribe]

No, I beg to differ.

Rather than raging at you, or suggesting that you duck the (inevitable) oncoming online onslaught, why not admit - or concede - or allow - that there is a perfectly legitimate market for both, namely, that which is boring and that which dares to innovate?

It doesn't have to be one or the other; one can have both, as they each appeal to different demographics, people, markets and needs.

Besides, "boring" is not the worst crime one can commit when one is a vast commerical enterprise straddling continents.

These days, Apple is no longer a niche - and aesthetically stunning - company that designs astounding computers which are a formidable fusion of form and function. Instead, Apple is a vast - immensely powerful company (bigger, and richer than most countries on the planet) - that derives most of its income from other areas (iPhones, Apps, etc etc) and can afford to have its computing arm as a charming loss leader for reasons of optics and nostalgia.

Besides, not all of us are "techbros" and not all of us are addicted to novelty, and what is new and breath-taking; I'm what could be described as "une femme d'une certain âge", and I loathed the iPad, above all, its keyboard (yes, I had a few and gave them away to my brothers).

Now, I write a lot, and, as I was socialised on (heh, yes) manual type-writers, I like the feel of solid keys beneath my questing fingers, and loathe, abominate, detest, and utterly hate glass keyboards. In fact, I have always seen the iPad as something for those who consumed content, whereas serious keyboards are necessary for those who generate content (as in the sort of content that comes complete with words, sometimes, a great many of them).

But, I do recall my awed amazement, outright astonishment (and immediate and passionate desire) when the late Mr Jobs extracted the first ever MacBook Air from an A4 envelope; now, that was something I wanted, and badly.

And I still love that design well over a decade later.

My (quite wonderful, and utterly indefatigable) 11" MBA, has, quite literally, travelled the world with me.

And yes, I was also completely bowled over by the iPod. An astonishing and utterly transformative and quite splendid device.

 

[dmr727]

Same design as 30+ years ago??? Modern laptops owe much of their design to the original PowerBooks, and those things were released as recently as 1991, which was definitely *not*....wait.....ummm.....

Dammit.

 

[BB1970]

why not admit - or concede - or allow - that there is a perfectly legitimate market for both

Fair enough. I think it’s a visceral reaction to having both side by side, literally. I’m always in low key awe when I see the iPad with it’s glorious 12.9 mini LED screen as compared to the MacBook Air, and of course FaceID (something I think we can both agree that the MacBook line could use). I think I’m coming from a minimalist angle here as well. Less devices the better. while one could have both, I’m kind of the desert island mentality which is what ONE encapsulates everything (to me) including design language.

 

[MisterSavage]

Saying this as someone who also loves their iPad, your boring is one of my favorite computers I've ever had (M1 Pro). Jaw dropped first time I saw a 4K video with the speakers cranked on it.

 

[BB1970]

Saying this as someone who also loves their iPad, your boring is one of my favorite computers I've ever had (M1 Pro). Jaw dropped first time I saw a 4K video with the speakers cranked on it.

I hear ya. If I were to ever get a laptop, it would probably be the 14” pro base model (on sale).

 

[NT1440]

Sometimes there is just a general form factor that is ideal for 99% of use-cases.

Example: Commercial and passenger planes are still the offspring of WWII era bomber plane designs…because it works. Everything “under the hood” is dramatically different, but the form factor is still essentially the same thing refined along the way.

Sure, allegedly “wing type” planes are in development, but that still means a 70+ year run with a form factor…because it suits the overwhelming variety of needs.

The iPad, on the other hand IS a new product category (relatively speaking), not meant to specifically replace a laptop (though for many, many people it will fit their needs, but they may be turned off by the form factor).

 

[Realityck]

The iPad, on the other hand IS a new product category (relatively speaking), not meant to specifically replace a laptop (though for many, many people it will fit their needs, but they may be turned off by the form factor).

I thought this 2010 article is appropriate

iPad As Toaster

I’ve shared plenty of jokes about the iPad — the netbook without a keyboard. I laughed when Apple announced it because to my mind a $300 netbook is a much better deal, and it has a keyboard. But I’m starting to think that I’m wrong; that people will buy it.

nostarch.com

Really, for many people who own personal computers, their computer is a toaster. Just like their iPhone or other smartphone. Unlike a toaster, their computer can do unlimited things, but like the toaster (or better yet, their countertop oven) they use only a couple of its features because they have neither time nor inclination to dig deeper. Who wants to be an expert on their toaster?

Here comes the iPad. The pretty toaster that you can hold in your hands and that does pretty much everything that your computer does in a cute package. It will let you check your email, play videos, and most importantly, run iPhone apps. All of the scary stuff is hidden behind a cute interface and you just use it. For everyone who already has an iPhone (about 75 million people) this is simply a natural progression.

The iPad will sell because it’s a big, fat iPhone that’s going to make it a lot easier for the toaster set to use their computer. And that’s just about all there is to it.

So a lot of people look at which they prefer as which is easier to use for their usage. IPadOS does pretty much hide everything clicking on specific apps to do majority of things your do daily not necessarily needing to do many things at the same time. Using a laptop is more involved, the MacOS is more complicated/capable. You can have many things running at the same time. Naturally Applications can have much deeper interfaces on a Mac Laptop compared to iPadOS apps where most are shallower interface than what would be on MacOS.

Yes we come a long way with how the MacOSX has turned into something a lot more complicated, and we still have IPadOS that is not as complicated. I use both, I cannot get by with exclusively either, because Apple has made both better for certain usages. If you only use one your missing out.

 

[jazz1]

OP you are a brave person😉.

As an iPad Pro 12.9” user (with the Magic Keyboard folio) I’ve been attracted to the “siren song” of the new M2 MacBook Air. But, I’m trying to justify the expense of 16GB RAM/512GB SSD. My iPad Pro has 16GB and 1TB SSD. I only went with the 1TB SSD to get the 16GB RAM.

As of now I am going to wait and see if iOS 16 meets my needs well enough to forgo the M2 MacBook Air. I know the reigning ideal is to make the iPad more like a MacBook. But the OP has a point that the MacBook/OS getting some iPad attributes would be interesting. Doubtful Apple would pursue a touch screen on the MacBook. So for iPad lovers I hope Apple continues to improve the iPad in meaningful ways.

 

[BB1970]

@Realityck i think a lot of articles (especially when the iPad was first released) all come from the angle of it being a hobbled laptop (or the ubiquitous ‘it’s just a big iPhone’). I never agreed with this. The entire premise was flawed to me because it came from a sort of top down assumption… laptops are best first. Any new category must be of equal weight, etc.
But having owned the very first iPad and various ones over the years, I am still gravitating toward one every time given the choice between the two. No other device feels like I’m placed ‘inside’ the internet. The very form factor and nature of the laptop has a middle man of keyboard and trackpad. In the end, I would actually take the inconveniences of the iPad form factor over the ease of a clunky laptop. Again, if I had to choose between the two as my desert island device. A laptop feels like a huge Blackberry to me as much as an iPad is an “oversized iPhone” to others.

 

[BB1970]

But, I’m trying to justify the expense of 16GB RAM/512GB SSD.

This is why I wrote the post. I too heard the siren call of the new MacBook Air. until my proverbial ship was dashed on the rocks when I saw it… Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice. It will sell a bazillion. It just feels safe and ordinary and I forgot it 5 minutes after I left the table. If you’re going to spec up the Air then I just say wait for Costco or Amazon to sale the M1 Macbook 14” Pro. I've seen them new for $250 off.

 

[jazz1]

This is why I wrote the post. I too heard the siren call of the new MacBook Air. until my proverbial ship was dashed on the rocks when I saw it… Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice. It will sell a bazillion. It just feels safe and ordinary and I forgot it 5 minutes after I left the table. If you’re going to spec up the Air then I just say wait for Costco or Amazon to sale the M1 Macbook 14” Pro. I've seen them new for $250 off.

But those non M2 Macbooks won’t be Midnight color 🤣😇

 

[BB1970]

But those non M2 Macbooks won’t be Midnight color 🤣😇

I saw that midnight today and I was actually not as thrilled as I thought I would be. I think I’m in camp starlight. It wasn’t about the fingerprints (and there were many) but more that it was a niche color of a certain time. The Starlight seems more timeless as far as colors go. And the M1 Pros are standard space grey etc. but given the choice, I’d take the traditional space or silver M1 any day for the specs.

 

[a.phoenicis]

I’ve watched exactly zero YouTube videos about laptops.

I bought an m2 air because I need a laptop for my job, and the m2 air is the best fit. I don’t need to do any video editing. I don’t need to do any gaming on it.

I need to write.

A lot.

I wrote ~10k words last week. I average 10–20k per week.

So I need a good keyboard.

I need to do research.

A lot.

Today I had over 40 articles open from google scholar, some downloaded to PDF and opened in preview, others just in separate tabs.

I also need to be able to move around and be mobile. That means a light laptop with a good battery.

I could have bought a MacBook Pro. I didn’t because it would be a poor fit for my needs. Heavier, louder, more computer than I am likely to use.

I could have bought an M1 Air. I didn’t because it makes no sense to buy last year’s model unless one is resource-constrained, and I am not.

I bought an M2 and it so far has handled everything I have thrown at it without breaking a sweat and without getting more than very slightly warmer than ambient temperature, even while I was simultaneously downloading Scrivener, Omnigraffle, Affinity Designer, and Xcode (I still tinker with code sometimes).

Your mileage may vary, and your needs are not my needs and that’s ok.

But this is a phenomenal laptop. And that’s why I bought it.

 

[DHagan4755]

With iPadOS 16 coming to the iPad, my mind wonders how much runway is left in the iPad. But the ability to pair it to a 2nd monitor — and have it use the entire screen — is hugely beneficial. If you can use many of the apps in a desktop mode kind of way, this will ameliorate one of the bigger dings against iPad. HOWEVER as slick as the iPad can be, there's no question a MacBook — as they exist right now — are better for productivity at the moment. I love the potential of the iPad but Apple has made some conscious decisions that in many ways stymies the device. The same could be said of the Mac by resisting touch screens.

 

[Starfia]

I think all you've done is make essentially correct observations about Apple's philosophy. Apple continues to evolve the Mac while allowing it to continue to be what it is – not what it isn't. Meanwhile, Apple continues to evolve the iPad and primarily let it do what it does best. That's why they're two classes of devices.

 

[BB1970]

With iPadOS 16 coming to the iPad, my mind wonders how much runway is left in the iPad. But the ability to pair it to a 2nd monitor — and have it use the entire screen — is hugely beneficial. If you can use many of the apps in a desktop mode kind of way, this will ameliorate one of the bigger dings against iPad. HOWEVER as slick as the iPad can be, there's no question a MacBook — as they exist right now — are better for productivity at the moment. I love the potential of the iPad but Apple has made some conscious decisions that in many ways stymies the device. The same could be said of the Mac by resisting touch screens.

Touch screens on a Mac was never an appeal to me specifically, mainly because one has to reach over a physical keyboard. That just seems exhausting. And a screen that’s always slightly wobbling from being pressed. Not to mention, the fingerprints. Yes theres constant fingerprints in an iPad, it as another commenter pointed out, the iPad is the “toaster” so I don’t mind cleaning it and it’s somewhat expected by it’s very nature. And going full Surface wasn’t an answer because of small UI elements. Face ID (to me) seems like the bigger oversight as it is now, but I understand the hardware reasoning for the lack of it.
The runway: The iPad has potential of great things… and is already doing great things. But the laptop is all sort of sideways to me. I feel like the iPad is constantly a step away from a giant leap. I never feel like that about the laptop. It’s just… there.

 

[BB1970]

I think all you've done is make essentially correct observations about Apple's philosophy. Apple continues to evolve the Mac while allowing it to continue to be what it is – not what it isn't. Meanwhile, Apple continues to evolve the iPad and primarily let it do what it does best. That's why they're two classes of devices

I can see that. Yet… I’m consistently MORE excited about the iPad evolution at any Apple event. There’s this prevailing line of thinking that the iPad has to ‘catch up’ with the laptop. I’m just not sold on this idea. I’m coming from a “desert island” perspective. If I had to choose ONE, time and again it would be the iPad. While it may not compete with the laptop (on the laptop level, which again, I think is unfair, but understandable) the very nature of the iPad brings about more “excitement” (to me at least).

 

[DHagan4755]

iPad has potential of great things… and is already doing great things. But the laptop is all sort of sideways to me. I feel like the iPad is constantly a step away from a giant leap. I never feel like that about the laptop. It’s just… there.

It has the potential to do things better & yet it isn’t. Why is that? When will that leap happen? That’s why I wonder how much runway is left on it?

I’ve read & seen several iPad users move to the MacBook Air because it just fills in all the missing gaps in iPad.

The missing gap on the Mac right now is the touch. And I’m not a fan of the idea but generally it would extinguish that argument against the Mac. Apple could make a Lenovo Yoga style device quite easily. Apple already admitted they’ve made prototypes.

My mom loves her iPad. But there are times that she has to go over to the MacBook to do something she can’t do on the iPad.

Ultimately laptops are here to stay for the time being. You may find them boring. But for Apple they’re the best they’ve ever been and probably the best laptops on the market.

iPad is a great platform too and are the best tablets on the market by far and away. They are hamstrung by software innovation. The next big leap with iPad. We’ve been waiting for this leap for awhile now & every spring it feels like Apple swings for the fences but only gets a base hit.

 

[Starfia]

I can see that. Yet… I’m consistently MORE excited about the iPad evolution at any Apple event. There’s this prevailing line of thinking that the iPad has to ‘catch up’ with the laptop. I’m just not sold on this idea. I’m coming from a “desert island” perspective. If I had to choose ONE, time and again it would be the iPad. While it may not compete with the laptop (on the laptop level, which again, I think is unfair, but understandable) the very nature of the iPad brings about more “excitement” (to me at least).

Totally.

It was originally launched as "a third category of device" – something that, if it could do nothing better than both a smartphone and a notebook, it had no reason for being. After many years, Apple started marketing it as "a computer," as though to provoke reconsideration about what "computer" means. I think it's great that the iPad has matured the ability to become the One True Device for so many people.

 

[BB1970]

@DHagan4755 Using the baseball analogy, I’d rather watch the game where they swing for the fences, even if they only get base hits. it’s sort of the premise of the thread, laptops are the games where they only bunt for base hits.
Hence, laptops are boring (just writing it feels like I’m asking for it).
Maybe the crux of the conversation is what justifies “better”?
Your mom for example (probably) uses the iPad more than the MacBook?
Is that the metric for better? To me it sort of is. (I’m assuming she uses the iPad more by how it was worded.. as in the MacBook is used to something when the iPad can’t). Isn't that the proverbial triple play here, just short of a home run?

 

[Mainsail]

My wife is super happy with her set-up; iMac, iPad Air, iPhone SE. She has the Smart Keyboard folio, so she can be productive and type more easily on the iPad. Otherwise, she saves the heavy lifting for the iMac. She is never frustrated with her tech because she uses the right tool for the job.

I, on the of other hand, keep trying to get my iPad to be a laptop replacement or try to get my laptop to be as convenient for mobile and casual computing as the iPad. This keeps me in a constant state of frustration. If only I was as smart and as well adjusted as my wife…..but, I keep banging my head against the wall.

 

[GalileoSeven]

Different people gravitate towards different device types/classes/whatever based on their own preferences, use cases etc. I think the continued development of both the iPad and the MacBook have shown both device types definitely have their places in the market still.

I gave the iPad a whirl, with an OG model, 1st Gen Air and most recently a 5th Gen Mini. There was some novelty for me in abandoning the traditional keyboard/trackpad combo for what I was doing and for a brief moment, I even considered getting a keyboard folio attachment. Typing, switching between apps and just my productivity in general was still faster and more seamless with a laptop and that's why I went back to my MBA. Boring as it may be, it gets the job done and quite well.

 

[Spotlighter9]

My new 16" M1 MBP is anything but boring. Its gorgeous large display and trackpad and utterly immersive speakers (my favorite redesigned feature) make me absolutely giddy to use as my day begins each morning (even after 8 months). However, each device has its advantages. Try reviewing/editing/sorting photos as efficiently on the 12.9" iPad.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

and then there’s this practical perspective