Love the iPad Pro.. But!

[ApplePhy]

The Pro is a great device, but to replace a laptop you need a real OS.

Honestly, it depends on what you use it for. My wife hasn't used a laptop in 2 years now since getting an iPad mini. Medical profession.

I think for a lot of people, a "real OS" is probably not necessary.

I'd venture to say that many of these folks simply need to access the web for browsing, streaming, email, music, games, etc...for this intended purpose the iPad shines.

If it's productivity they need, there is office for iPad, not to mention apple's native productivity apps (pages, Keynote, numbers).

And for creativity, there is the pencil and countless apps for creation.

Not to mention the App Store. Apps that enhance the usability of the iPad greatly.

All this in a device that is well below 1cm in thickness, 1.5lbs in weight, decent stereo sound, and with >10hrs battery life.

For these people, a laptop is unnecessary.

 

[joeblow7777]

It's supposed to do whatever you want it to do. For some, that's replacing their laptop. For others, it's just another device. For others still, it's a non-starter.

Don't tell me. Tell Tim Cook.

 

[Newtons Apple]

The lack of an actual file management system: the greatest weakness of iOS and the reason why an iPad will never replace a laptop for oh so many people.

Apple "could have" allowed this but chose not to do so. Still love my Pro except it is really just a large iPad to me.

 

[maflynn]

Everything is so sandboxed and isolated in iOS

This is my issue, Yes, you can get an app to reference a zip file, but everything is compartmentalized to a point where I find using it a pain.

What I want is a solution that allows me to work and doesn't get in the way. I seem to be making work arounds and accomodations when trying to stuff on my iPad (non-pro version). I largely gave up on doing that and went back to my laptop.

 

[Robnsn2015]

Apple has always catered to the novice home user. A method that has served them well. They don't care about efficiency of a full open file system, they care about perceived ease of use where the owner doesn't have to read and learn. While most computer users know how to use a file system, many Apple iDevice buyers have no clue. That's not bad, just how it is. Many people are too lazy to invest in educating themselves.

It isn't that people are "too lazy to invest in educating themselves." Many iPad owners are HIGHLY educated. They just prefer to educate themselves in subjects other than computer science. For example, there are many physicians and other medical professionals who are basically novices when it comes to computers. Does that make them "less educated" than a person who dropped out of college to be in IT?

 

[maflynn]

Many iPad owners are HIGHLY educated. They just prefer to educate themselves in subjects other than computer science

I think your doing a disservice to many ipad users. Yes they are intelligent and I'd go out on a limb and say most of the iPad users also use desktop/laptop computers and know how to deal with a file system.

I think at this point people accept that most consumers know how to save, download, copy, and open a file on a computer. The fact that out of the box the iPad doesn't allow this, only hamstrings its overall usefulness. Yes there are apps to help with this, but they are a work arounds, and consumers have to know about the specific apps.

Either way, the person has to adjust to the iPad and not the other way around. It used to be that Apple made products that allowed you to work the way you wanted to work and not get in the way. Not so much any more.

 

[Night Spring]

I think your doing a disservice to many ipad users. Yes they are intelligent and I'd go out on a limb and say most of the iPad users also use desktop/laptop computers and know how to deal with a file system.

I think at this point people accept that most consumers know how to save, download, copy, and open a file on a computer. The fact that out of the box the iPad doesn't allow this, only hamstrings its overall usefulness. Yes there are apps to help with this, but they are a work arounds, and consumers have to know about the specific apps.

Either way, the person has to adjust to the iPad and not the other way around. It used to be that Apple made products that allowed you to work the way you wanted to work and not get in the way. Not so much any more.

I can understand that for your needs, you need a file system, and not having one gets in the way you work. But can't you see that for a subset of users (how big that subset is is open to question), they don't feel all that comfortable with a file system, and having one gets in their way? I've found that telling people "open kindle app, and your books are there" is a lot easier and faster than trying to get them to keep all their mobi files in one directory, and click on them when they want to read a book.

 

[maflynn]

I agree there are people who could care less about a file system, but when you start providing a product for professionals as opposed to consumers, the need (of a filesystem) increases.

Just look at a Adobe's Bridge program and how popular and beloved that app is.

 

[Robnsn2015]

I think it would be interesting to see a survey of people who use Windows File Explorer or Mac's Finder for personal use (meaning, not because the IT department at their jobs force them to).

I also think that the iPod's success showed how little consumers care for a file management system. MP3 players previous to the iPod were essentially external hard drives that played MP3 files and were accessible from standard file management systems. The iPod was simply "plug and play." I think Apple's other "i-devices," such as the iPhone and iPod follow the iPod's tradition.

Perhaps Apple should simply add more functionality to the iPad's iCloud drive app. Maybe that will help those who want more file management. However, I don't think Apple should sacrifice simplicity to mollify the power users.

 

[DNichter]

Exactly, this tablet would of made much more sense if it ran OSX

That would be called a MacBook

 

[oneMadRssn]

I don't think the missing piece is a file system per se. However, there are things a file system does which are currently very difficult and convoluted in iOS.

Take for example the OP's scenario, but let's take it a bit further. Say someone emails me a link to a zip which contains a PowerPoint presentation and a PDF of that presentation, I need to edit this PowerPoint presentation and update the PDFed version, zip it up again, upload it to the server, and email off the link to someone else.

Currently on iOS:

• I get the link in Mail.app, open the link in Safari.app to download the .zip, which triggers Documents.app.
• From there, I can "share" the .pptx to PowerPoint.app, and make edits.
  • Except now it's a bit confusing where I have two copies of the .pptx file - the updated one in PowerPoint.app and the original in Documents.app.
• I save the new .pptx with my edits and I "share" it to PDFReader5.app to convert to a PDF.
  • More confusing now, I have 3 copies of the .pptx file (original in Documents.app, edited in PowerPoint.app, and copy of edited in PDFReader5.app) and 2 copies of the .pdf (original in Documents.app, new in PDFReader5.app).
• Now I need to be careful to "share" the right .pptx and .pdf to Zip.app to create a new .zip.
• I then need to share the new .zip to Dropbox.app to upload to and generate a link to copy and paste into an email.
  • In the end, the .pptx file exists in 6 copies throughout my iOS device (original in Documents.app; edited version in PowerPoint.app, PDFReader5.app, and Zip.app; and in an zip in Zip.app and Dropbox.app).
  • This is pretty chaotic, and it's a simple example. Imagine the craziness if I realized I made a typo while zipping it, and went back to fix the typo. I'd have something like 9 or 10 copies existing over 3 or 4 apps!
  • Just thinking of this makes my head hurt.

A file system solves this by allowing the user to follow the file from app to app. Because each app in iOS is so sandboxed, they cannot access and make edits to the same files and must always make a copy (with the small exception of files saved in iCloud). I'm sure there is another way to solve this problem without re-implementing the nested file system we all think of - but something is needed as today's workflow is a mess.

 

[thewap]

That would be called a MacBook

That would be called a Modbook -

 

[joeblow7777]

I think for a lot of people, a "real OS" is probably not necessary.

I'd venture to say that many of these folks simply need to access the web for browsing, streaming, email, music, games, etc...for this intended purpose the iPad shines.

If it's productivity they need, there is office for iPad, not to mention apple's native productivity apps (pages, Keynote, numbers).

And for creativity, there is the pencil and countless apps for creation.

Not to mention the App Store. Apps that enhance the usability of the iPad greatly.

All this in a device that is well below 1cm in thickness, 1.5lbs in weight, decent stereo sound, and with >10hrs battery life.

For these people, a laptop is unnecessary.

But for people with such basic computing needs, then the question becomes, is a $1000 device reasonable? Other than the Pencil support, an iPad Mini can do all the same things for half the price, and there are Android and Windows tablets, and even Chromebooks, that can do all of that for even less.

 

[Manatee]

I'm enjoying the size of the iPad Pro - the ability to see a lot of detail, and now I wish it had the ability to do more of what my laptop can do. I really want one computer that can be used as a tablet (for surfing the web, email, games, drawing diagrams, and taking hand-written notes) and with a keyboard office apps (writing, spreadsheets, presentations) and writing program code. This last one is where the limitations of iOS make the iPad Pro useless, despite its big, beautiful screen and powerful processor. Sure, I can write all the code I want, but I can't test it and debug it. I can use the iPad Pro as a terminal to remote into a computer that can do those things, but why the limitation?

I guess what I have to do is compare the iPad Pro against a Surface Pro 4, hands on, to see what capabilities the SP4 gives up to the iPP. The SP4 already has the capabilities that I wish the iPP had, but I've been an Apple loyalist for so long that I have no experience with the competition.

 

[sparksd]

I don't think the missing piece is a file system per se. However, there are things a file system does which are currently very difficult and convoluted in iOS.

Take for example the OP's scenario, but let's take it a bit further. Say someone emails me a link to a zip which contains a PowerPoint presentation and a PDF of that presentation, I need to edit this PowerPoint presentation and update the PDFed version, zip it up again, upload it to the server, and email off the link to someone else.

Currently on iOS:

• I get the link in Mail.app, open the link in Safari.app to download the .zip, which triggers Documents.app.
• From there, I can "share" the .pptx to PowerPoint.app, and make edits.
  • Except now it's a bit confusing where I have two copies of the .pptx file - the updated one in PowerPoint.app and the original in Documents.app.
• I save the new .pptx with my edits and I "share" it to PDFReader5.app to convert to a PDF.
  • More confusing now, I have 3 copies of the .pptx file (original in Documents.app, edited in PowerPoint.app, and copy of edited in PDFReader5.app) and 2 copies of the .pdf (original in Documents.app, new in PDFReader5.app).
• Now I need to be careful to "share" the right .pptx and .pdf to Zip.app to create a new .zip.
• I then need to share the new .zip to Dropbox.app to upload to and generate a link to copy and paste into an email.
  • In the end, the .pptx file exists in 5 copies throughout my iOS device (original in Documents.app; edited version in PowerPoint.app, PDFReader5.app, and Zip.app; and in an zip in Dropbox.app).
  • This is pretty chaotic, and it's a simple example. Imagine the craziness if I realized I made a typo while zipping it, and went back to fix the typo. I'd have something like 9 copies existing over 3 or 4 apps!
  • Just thinking of this makes my head hurt.

A file system solves this by allowing the user to follow the file from app to app. Because each app in iOS is so sandboxed, they cannot access and make edits to the same files and must always make a copy (with the small exception of files saved in iCloud). I'm sure there is another way to solve this problem without re-implementing the nested file system we all think of - but something is needed as today's workflow is a mess.

You provided a good walkthrough example. What you just described is what made getting used to an iPad for the first time this year (I own an Air 2) so difficult for me and why it I use it mainly as a consumption device, a purpose for which it is excellent. When I need to do something like you describe I go back to my laptop or desktop; when I just want to consume some media or data, I can use my Air 2.

 

[bcaslis]

But for people with such basic computing needs, then the question becomes, is a $1000 device reasonable? Other than the Pencil support, an iPad Mini can do all the same things for half the price, and there are Android and Windows tablets, and even Chromebooks, that can do all of that for even less.

For some cost does not equal more features. Someone with poor eyesight interested in an easy to use solution is going to like the Pro more than a mini, despite the cost. There are many examples like this. The problem with forums like this is it attracts a computer mindset. For general consumers (not tech literate, but may be very literate) the rational is different. Other considerations, including things like color, matter most.

This is just like the threads bemoaning the fact that the iPad Pro doesn't run OS X or that you can't burn a CD from an iPad (I really loved that complaint). I love OS X but the last thing in the world I want is my OS X computer being shoved into a tablet form factor.

 

[Capt T]

Third party cloud based workarounds. Why not just have a built in local file system, like literally every other operating system? Everything is so sandboxed and isolated in iOS to the point where for the longest time the native email app didn't even allow for file attachment.

Goodreader or any other number of apps that will fill in a local file system. They actually serve a great purpose. And since I have been using goodreader since the first iPad, it is second nature.

 

[DNichter]

True. My main point is people are constantly asking for an iPad pro that runs OS X and has keyboard and mouse/trackpad input. Why those people don't just buy a MacBook and be happy, I have no idea. Why do people want to carry around 3 different pieces to get the same functionality?

 

[AdonisSMU]

Honestly, it depends on what you use it for. My wife hasn't used a laptop in 2 years now since getting an iPad mini. Medical profession.

The same goes for my sister. Her computer broke down and I recently bought her an iPad Air 2 and she hasn't looked back.

True. My main point is people are constantly asking for an iPad pro that runs OS X and has keyboard and mouse/trackpad input. Why those people don't just buy a MacBook and be happy, I have no idea. Why do people want to carry around 3 different pieces to get the same functionality?

People love the iPad. The iPad is the device that made me a "true believer". It was my first iOS product. I would love to do development on the iPad Pro but certainly not with a mouse.... I think a keyboard is enough. I would like some sort of Apple Produced Remote desktop type software that would allow me to go into a dev environment on my mac and do some development. I love the iPad so much I want to use it all the time.

 

[Night Spring]

I'm enjoying the size of the iPad Pro - the ability to see a lot of detail, and now I wish it had the ability to do more of what my laptop can do. I really want one computer that can be used as a tablet (for surfing the web, email, games, drawing diagrams, and taking hand-written notes) and with a keyboard office apps (writing, spreadsheets, presentations) and writing program code. This last one is where the limitations of iOS make the iPad Pro useless, despite its big, beautiful screen and powerful processor. Sure, I can write all the code I want, but I can't test it and debug it. I can use the iPad Pro as a terminal to remote into a computer that can do those things, but why the limitation?

I think technology simply isn't quite there yet. If we could have one device that was the perfect tablet and a perfect desktop, I don't think anyone will argue against that. But for now, there are various compromises that have to be made to combine the two into one. For instance, the Surface Pro has a fan and a shorter battery life than the iPad. The iPad has long battery life but can't execute your codes. I think we'll get there eventually, but until then, Apple and Microsoft has differing philosophies about what to prioritize and what to sacrifice.

 

[joeblow7777]

For some cost does not equal more features. Someone with poor eyesight interested in an easy to use solution is going to like the Pro more than a mini, despite the cost. There are many examples like this. The problem with forums like this is it attracts a computer mindset. For general consumers (not tech literate, but may be very literate) the rational is different. Other considerations, including things like color, matter most.

This is just like the threads bemoaning the fact that the iPad Pro doesn't run OS X or that you can't burn a CD from an iPad (I really loved that complaint). I love OS X but the last thing in the world I want is my OS X computer being shoved into a tablet form factor.

I understand all of that, but I think that a lot of less "techie" people, so to speak, will be among those asking, "why should I pay $1000 for something that still isn't a full computer?"

 

[dmcnickle]

How do you download textures to use in photo apps like Superimpose and Leonardo that allow you use your own textures/overlays and work with layers? I bought an iPad Pro and use it for all my artistic compositions. I have been using my MacBook to download textures, overlays etc. I then import into Photos which syncs to all my devices. I would love to not use my MacBook at all but downloading these types of files and importing into Photos is the hitch in my plan. Sometimes the downloaded files contain multiple textures/overlays and do not have a dropbox link to save to my dropbox.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TurboPGT!]

The lack of an actual file management system: the greatest weakness of iOS and the reason why an iPad will never replace a laptop for oh so many people.

Not even a little bit true, but people like you that don't understand basic concepts of Apps = Features will continue to propagate myths.

Why would I EVER want a "file management system" instead of iCloud Drive/Dropbox? Any App has the ability to Open from or Save to any of these cloud based file systems.

 

[TurboPGT!]

I understand all of that, but I think that a lot of less "techie" people, so to speak, will be among those asking, "why should I pay $1000 for something that still isn't a full computer?"

Nobody says that, except internet trolls trying to make non-points.

In the real world it has already become "Why would I pay $1000+ for something that doesn't have a touch screen, doesn't have an App store with millions of high quality apps, and doesn't have location services, and doesn't have flash storage, and doesn't have LTE and doesn't have etc.etc.etc.etc."

 

[Night Spring]

I understand all of that, but I think that a lot of less "techie" people, so to speak, will be among those asking, "why should I pay $1000 for something that still isn't a full computer?"

Non-techie people don't know what to do with a full computer even if they have one. Ask my Aunt or
Uncle what they ever did with their full desktop computer other than email and Skype with their grandkids.