iPad Pro My thoughts on all of the iPad Pro Criticisms (Price, File System, Keyboard Folio, etc..)

[omelet1978]

I have been using an iPad Pro 11 256gb LTE with the keyboard folio for about a month or so and it did not come out of the box or has since bent. Apple is having a rough time right now in the news, so a lot of the focus on the iPad Pro has been negative...here are my thoughts on everything from a person that travels a lot and prioritizes having LTE and portability.

1. Price: Yes it is overpriced but all it takes it a bit of patience and research and you can find a deal. I was able to find a Black Friday deal saving about $280 off of the price of the iPad, the keyboard folio, and AppleCare. Cost about $1300 with everything or $750 after selling my old iPad.

2. The keyboard folio: It is probably the biggest fail for the iPad simply because Apple sells premium products and this is overpriced and does not feel premium. It does not over side protection for falls, the keyboard is not backlit, and there is no row of function keys, and the material on the back looks cheap.
-That being said for what it does the keyboard folio does work very well. All of the backlit keyboard cases
on Amazon add a lot of weight and bulk, so I think that is why it is not backlit. I think if Apple just made
the back look a bit more premium and added side protection it would go a long way. What I’m dong is
buying a skin for it, so I’ll see how that works.

3. File System: I had a Surface Pro for a while and guess what...I never used the file system. I use Google Drive since I can use it on all of my devices. I do not think that it would kill Macbook sales if they added external hard drive support so while it is a fail for Apple here it’s not the end of the world. My family had a 5 year old Lenovo laptop that they weren’t using, so my solution is to put that in the closet for the 1% of time I need something the iPad can’t do. I haven’t used it in months...

Overall I like the iPad Pro and feel it is a descent update over the 10.5 iPad Pro I had. I like the FaceID implementation and if I used the Apple Pencil that alone is a great update. I just don’t think anyone should walk into the Apple Store and buy one though. You can find better deals online that make it priced for what I feel is worth. Just my two cents on everything.

 

[revmacian]

3. File System: I had a Surface Pro for a while and guess what...I never used the file system. I use Google Drive since I can use it on all of my devices. I do not think that it would kill Macbook sales if they added external hard drive support so while it is a fail for Apple here it’s not the end of the world. My family had a 5 year old Lenovo laptop that they weren’t using, so my solution is to put that in the closet for the 1% of time I need something the iPad can’t do. I haven’t used it in months...

I would like to point out that iOS does have a file system, it's just that it lacks the traditional file management/browsing capabilities that are commonly found on a desktop machine. The folks who complain about the lack of a file system on iOS are usually the folks who are accustomed to traditional file management/browsing capabilities and find themselves at a loss when that level of control is removed. I suspect that the lack of file management/browsing capability in iOS may be related to the sandboxing/security within the file system.

 

[sracer]

I would like to point out that iOS does have a file system, it's just that it lacks the traditional file management/browsing capabilities that are commonly found on a desktop machine. The folks who complain about the lack of a file system on iOS are usually the folks who are accustomed to traditional file management/browsing capabilities and find themselves at a loss when that level of control is removed. I suspect that the lack of file management/browsing capability in iOS may be related to the sandboxing/security within the file system.

That is correct. And because of that, sandboxing will continue to be a part of the iOS filesystem for the foreseeable future. Apple's Files.app (which is essentially Apple's version of Documents by Readdle) was their attempt to provide an option that was completely within their control. So while sandboxing will still be around, Apple may very well make some exclusive changes to the Files.app to make its use a little more fluid. That would be nice.

 

[Donka]

Photos are sandboxed but apps can gain access with the User’s permission and multiple apps have access to the same set of images. If they did similar for a documents folder in the Files app and gave Files access to external storage then the vast majority of users would have exactly what they need imho. Should be relatively easy for Apple to implement if they wanted. ‘Pro’ users would still go for large local storage for the benefits it offers.

 

[joeblow7777]

I would like to point out that iOS does have a file system, it's just that it lacks the traditional file management/browsing capabilities that are commonly found on a desktop machine. The folks who complain about the lack of a file system on iOS are usually the folks who are accustomed to traditional file management/browsing capabilities and find themselves at a loss when that level of control is removed. I suspect that the lack of file management/browsing capability in iOS may be related to the sandboxing/security within the file system.

It’s definitely due to the sandboxed nature of iOS. Many people are fine with that, but many people want to ablility to create folders at will, save any file from any application to wherever they want locally, drag and drop to and from external drives, etc.

 

[ahostmadsen]

2. The keyboard folio: It is probably the biggest fail for the iPad simply because Apple sells premium products and this is overpriced and does not feel premium. It does not over side protection for falls, the keyboard is not backlit, and there is no row of function keys, and the material on the back looks cheap.
-That being said for what it does the keyboard folio does work very well. All of the backlit keyboard cases
on Amazon add a lot of weight and bulk, so I think that is why it is not backlit. I think if Apple just made
the back look a bit more premium and added side protection it would go a long way. What I’m dong is
buying a skin for it, so I’ll see how that works.

I think that if they added side protection, the keyboard folio would not be easy to put on and remove with a snap. I think that is one of the key features of the keyboard folio.

3. File System: I had a Surface Pro for a while and guess what...I never used the file system. I use Google Drive since I can use it on all of my devices. I do not think that it would kill Macbook sales if they added external hard drive support so while it is a fail for Apple here it’s not the end of the world. My family had a 5 year old Lenovo laptop that they weren’t using, so my solution is to put that in the closet for the 1% of time I need something the iPad can’t do. I haven’t used it in months...

The central issue: that requires every app to build in support for Google Drive. In a Mac/PC with a traditional file system, the file systems handles interface with cloud services, while apps accesses everything through the file system. They don't need to care if a file is local, from Google Drive, Dropbox etc.

 

[revmacian]

It’s definitely due to the sandboxed nature of iOS. Many people are fine with that, but many people want to ablility to create folders at will, save any file from any application to wherever they want locally, drag and drop to and from external drives, etc.

I understand that people would want that, but I have a feeling that practice would compromise the security of iOS. If a user can use an app to create files/folders and access data from any other app, regardless of developer or development techniques, then a malicious app could be programmed to do the same thing.

Personally, I'd rather have to learn a new way to interact with a system than to have the security of that system be compromised just to pander to my comfort. Security and comfort can be seen as two opposite ends of the same line.

 

[sparksd]

I understand that people would want that, but I have a feeling that practice would compromise the security of iOS. If a user can use an app to create files/folders and access data from any other app, regardless of developer or development techniques, then a malicious app could be programmed to do the same thing.

Personally, I'd rather have to learn a new way to interact with a system than to have the security of that system be compromised just to pander to my comfort. Security and comfort can be seen as two opposite ends of the same line.

It's more than just comfort. If you have multiple projects, each with multiple varieties of file types (e.g., PDF, DOC, XLS, PPT, JPEG, etc) iOS makes it difficult to aggregate all of a project's files in a single location (folder tree in a traditional file system), separate from other projects.

 

[revmacian]

It's more than just comfort. If you have multiple projects, each with multiple varieties of file types (e.g., PDF, DOC, XLS, PPT, JPEG, etc) iOS makes it difficult to aggregate all of a project's files in a single location (folder tree in a traditional file system), separate from other projects.

Actually, your desire to aggregate all of a project's files in a single location is all about comfort - doing things "as easily as possible". I won't deny for a minute that iOS can be difficult to use at times, but I've found that it helps to shed some old preconceptions. I currently use Notes.app to list apps and files used in a project. Since I cannot aggregate these items into a single location, it helps me to at least know where to find them - a workaround that works for me. Will that work for everyone? Not a chance. But, if you approach iOS from a different angle, now that you know its 'shortcomings', you can begin to open your mind to finding a different way to work productively.

 

[sparksd]

Actually, your desire to aggregate all of a project's files in a single location is all about comfort - doing things "as easily as possible". I won't deny for a minute that iOS can be difficult to use at times, but I've found that it helps to shed some old preconceptions. I currently use Notes.app to list apps and files used in a project. Since I cannot aggregate these items into a single location, it helps me to at least know where to find them - a workaround that works for me. Will that work for everyone? Not a chance. But, if you approach iOS from a different angle, now that you know its 'shortcomings', you can begin to open your mind to finding a different way to work productively.

I completely disagree. It's not comfort, it's efficiency.

 

[revmacian]

I completely disagree. It's not comfort, it's efficiency.

And that is ok, you must do what is right for you

 

[OLDGUYWITHAHIFI]

Fair assessment of the iPad Pro thanks for sharing. I like to read reviews of real world and practical use.

I did replace my iPhone 8 plus recently with an iPhone XS and it has been perfect. A few months back I picked up my first Apple Watch 4 and that has been great. I also found a iPad 6th Gen for cheap during this last Black Friday. It's under the tree. I don't really have any demanding need for the iPad, so the base model is fine for me. Oh ya, I also purchased an iPhone XR for my wife and thats under the tree as well. Point is I am not afraid to buy Apple but I do have concerns.

I would now like to replace my laptop and Mac Mini, but to be honest it really is hard to get past all the media and negative comments we read here on the forums. At this point I am afraid to buy any recent laptop or Mac Mini. I do realize that many complaints are one-off issues and some are not. But when you are spending a premium on something I would prefer it to work out of the box without problems.

 

[The Game 161]

Each to their own i think the product is good for what it requires for my needs. I have the LTE 12.9 and i have had not issues with no sign of bending.

Keyboard case for me works well and no backlit is no big issue as not sure when i would need it to be honest for when i normally use the iPad. It certainly can improve with IOS 13 and the whole bending problem is an issue that apple will need to not repeat each next that’s for sure.

 

[symphony]

I would like to point out that iOS does have a file system, it's just that it lacks the traditional file management/browsing capabilities that are commonly found on a desktop machine. The folks who complain about the lack of a file system on iOS are usually the folks who are accustomed to traditional file management/browsing capabilities and find themselves at a loss when that level of control is removed. I suspect that the lack of file management/browsing capability in iOS may be related to the sandboxing/security within the file system.

I want the Files app to allow us to natively add files locally to our device without having to add it to iCloud Drive, I don’t like the workaround we have to do by using an app like ‘Local Storage’ to be able to store files locally within the Files app.

 

[neutrino23]

Fair assessment of the iPad Pro thanks for sharing. I like to read reviews of real world and practical use.

I did replace my iPhone 8 plus recently with an iPhone XS and it has been perfect. A few months back I picked up my first Apple Watch 4 and that has been great. I also found a iPad 6th Gen for cheap during this last Black Friday. It's under the tree. I don't really have any demanding need for the iPad, so the base model is fine for me. Oh ya, I also purchased an iPhone XR for my wife and thats under the tree as well. Point is I am not afraid to buy Apple but I do have concerns.

I would now like to replace my laptop and Mac Mini, but to be honest it really is hard to get past all the media and negative comments we read here on the forums. At this point I am afraid to buy any recent laptop or Mac Mini. I do realize that many complaints are one-off issues and some are not. But when you are spending a premium on something I would prefer it to work out of the box without problems.

It is a little scary to see negative reviews. Lately it seems like like when you read the reviews for almost any product they are roughly split evenly between 5 star and 1 star reviews. I guess the bulk of the people who like a product don’t post and those who have a problem post scathing reviews. Go to an Apple store and try them for yourself.

 

[OLDGUYWITHAHIFI]

It is a little scary to see negative reviews. Lately it seems like like when you read the reviews for almost any product they are roughly split evenly between 5 star and 1 star reviews. I guess the bulk of the people who like a product don’t post and those who have a problem post scathing reviews. Go to an Apple store and try them for yourself.

Funny you should say that. I went to an Apple store and compared the screens of a MacBook Pro, next to the Macbook Air 2018, next to a Macbook Air old style, next to the Macbook. Their screens looked almost identical to me. The Macbook Pro seems to have a slight edge with colors, but the processor is last generation. The current MacBook Air comes standard with a 128gb as does the Macbook Pro. Insulting in this day and age. The Macbook has limited connections to say the least.

Taking all that into consideration and then reading the reviews about the problems with the recent keyboards on all of them except the original Air (which I own and admit is a really nice keyboard), the bottom line is none are without issue, which makes me feel that paying a premium is not worth it.

Couple that with any upgrades that sends the price into the stratosphere, I almost feel insulted.

 

[joeblow7777]

I understand that people would want that, but I have a feeling that practice would compromise the security of iOS. If a user can use an app to create files/folders and access data from any other app, regardless of developer or development techniques, then a malicious app could be programmed to do the same thing.

Personally, I'd rather have to learn a new way to interact with a system than to have the security of that system be compromised just to pander to my comfort. Security and comfort can be seen as two opposite ends of the same line.

Age old dilemma of security vs. freedom. You're right, the highly restrictive nature of iOS makes it perhaps the most secure operating system out there. But in some ways it's also the most handicapped.

 

[cis4life]

I like your post about this. I too like to read what and how people use their iPads.

I too LOVE the iPad. I just picked up the 1tb 12.9 inch version and for the most part, I’m very happy with it. AT this time, the iPad just can’t work for me as a full time replacement. Why? Because for what I do, I still need my MacBook (which I also just picked up the latest version) to do development. I know not everyone is in this situation and thus why I will never say an iPad can’t be a laptop replacement. But for me, I need to be able to develop code on it. I’m really hoping that Apple is watching what Google is doing with the Chromebooks (Linux is now accessible to developers and we can load IDE’s and Linux libraries onto it) and do the same for the iPad. I would love to have way to develop on this thing. I do think its coming though. Apple has aligned all the stars with the iPad to be able to do some of these things (Awesome Processor, Enough Ram, Awesome Storage Options). But for now, I use my iPad as a sketchbook and notes / journal device to help me get my project ideas together and then move to my Macs (Spec’ed out mini and MacBook Pro when I travel).

 

[Booji]

I completely disagree. It's not comfort, it's efficiency.

It's like the old days in computing when the default was to put your WordPerfect files in the WordPerfect directory and Lotus 123 files in the Lotus directory and wonder where everything went

 

[pina]

Apple just wants that ios is doing the file management for us. That's why apps like aperture in the past didn't have a proper file management system because aperture would take care of that stuff. Photos app is also another example.

For normal users like f.e. my parents, they event don't want that file management. Let the os do the heavy lifting so users can spend their time with things that really matter. If I would explain my parents file management, they would become crazy.

I know that the iPad pro is for pro users, that's why there's a limited file system.
But even for pro users, the lack of an extended file management could be OK, save the file, go to another laptop and open the file. That's what the ecosystem is about.

And apple wants everything in the cloud to meet their ecosystem demands so I can understand most of their choices. But connecting an external hard drive is necessary.

When using Mac OS for the first time I hated the finder because it's not so capable as other file explorers on windows. But that's the difference between windows and Mac, windows relies heavily on file management while Mac is all about user experience. Windows and expert users are used to choose their own directory structure and where to save each file while on Mac, it's another story.

 

[secretk]

Apple just wants that ios is doing the file management for us. That's why apps like aperture in the past didn't have a proper file management system because aperture would take care of that stuff. Photos app is also another example.

Photos is a total mess though. As a person that cares about photography having a full folder with so much photos is not an useful solution for me. I always organise my photos by events. For me personally events makes a lot more sense than dates. Then there are photos I have made and images I have downloaded. I never want them in the same folder, but this is what iOS is doing with the Photos app. That simplicity works for not a lot of files, but to have gigabytes of photos organised like that for me is a complete chaos.

For normal users like f.e. my parents, they event don't want that file management. Let the os do the heavy lifting so users can spend their time with things that really matter. If I would explain my parents file management, they would become crazy.

My mother did not care about file management in the beginning either. However I set up her computer and told her few simples rules to follow - what to store on C, what to store on D, where to put downloaded files etc. She follows those rules without any issues. Not only this but she has created numerous folders because she wants to separate her files from my dad's files and she uses folders to do so.

I know that the iPad pro is for pro users, that's why there's a limited file system.
But even for pro users, the lack of an extended file management could be OK, save the file, go to another laptop and open the file. That's what the ecosystem is about.

Indeed it depends on the pro users. As a pro user I do find iOS limiting. It just hinders all of my pro needs. For example I color stuff. So I have separate projects in ProCreate. I use a lot of reference photos. Now iOS puts all of this in the same Photos place and it's a mess. I like to have separate folder for each project. When I work on project A I don't want to see references photos from project B. That hinders my productivity and efficiency.

Another example is iOS having default apps for Office docs. If I open a Word file from Files app it will open it with Pages. By opening it with Pages it makes copy of the same file. Why would I need numerous copies of the same files? That is a waste of storage. I want to be able to choose which app I want to use for. To workaround this I have to go store my files in OneDrive and open them from there as OneDrive knows to offer me opening in Office apps and not Apple apps. This pretty much makes iCloud meaningless for me. I don't use it at all because I don't want to use the Apple apps.

And apple wants everything in the cloud to meet their ecosystem demands so I can understand most of their choices. But connecting an external hard drive is necessary.

Using iCloud works only when you have Internet and when you have Mac. ICloud and iTunes are a mess when it comes to Windows. ICloud is slow, iTunes is just not intuitive. Apple devices just don't play nice with anything else but Apple. That is OK for people who have Apple devices, but I don't like the idea of being restricted in using only certain apps or devices. That contradicts my needs of a pro user. I need to have a vast choice. Always.

When using Mac OS for the first time I hated the finder because it's not so capable as other file explorers on windows. But that's the difference between windows and Mac, windows relies heavily on file management while Mac is all about user experience. Windows and expert users are used to choose their own directory structure and where to save each file while on Mac, it's another story.

The funny thing is that I rarely use finder in Windows. I have convention for organising files and I know where I store my type of files and I can find them quite easy. I don't need finders to find them. I do need them in iOS though because everything is in the same place and I cannot employ my organisation system. As a result I can never find something easy.

Same for Settings. I always have to use the finder to find something because it's too chaotic and unorganised. It depends on the person for sure, but for me having everything in one place works for small amount of stuff. The moment you have more, you need to organize it. With 64 GB storage I get the point, with 1 TB I don't. I will get lost with such crippled organisation in such big storage drive.

 

[ericwn]

Apple just wants that ios is doing the file management for us. That's why apps like aperture in the past didn't have a proper file management system because aperture would take care of that stuff. Photos app is also another example.

For normal users like f.e. my parents, they event don't want that file management. Let the os do the heavy lifting so users can spend their time with things that really matter. If I would explain my parents file management, they would become crazy.

I know that the iPad pro is for pro users, that's why there's a limited file system.
But even for pro users, the lack of an extended file management could be OK, save the file, go to another laptop and open the file. That's what the ecosystem is about.

And apple wants everything in the cloud to meet their ecosystem demands so I can understand most of their choices. But connecting an external hard drive is necessary.

When using Mac OS for the first time I hated the finder because it's not so capable as other file explorers on windows. But that's the difference between windows and Mac, windows relies heavily on file management while Mac is all about user experience. Windows and expert users are used to choose their own directory structure and where to save each file while on Mac, it's another story.

Aperture, Photos, iTunes etc like to manage their libraries, however since they are designed for all user types, you can change where they store their files - essentially they allow you to work how you like it if you want to differ from the default path.

The iPad Pro is a name, first of all. It’s a slightly more hardware capable iPad running the same iOS as the entry level iPad. Your explanation why the file system is limited is fetched from the thin air in my opinion.

I am also not sure where you get the idea that Mac users don’t create their own file structures and that that would be for Windows users only. More advanced users create their own files and folders on both platforms, and everybody has the chance to use the tools slightly differently, just the way they like it.

 

[EEzycade]

they should make a separate OS for iPad. They already do with iOS and macOS. So make a padOS

 

[Roman2K~]

I like your post about this. I too like to read what and how people use their iPads.

I too LOVE the iPad. I just picked up the 1tb 12.9 inch version and for the most part, I’m very happy with it. AT this time, the iPad just can’t work for me as a full time replacement. Why? Because for what I do, I still need my MacBook (which I also just picked up the latest version) to do development. I know not everyone is in this situation and thus why I will never say an iPad can’t be a laptop replacement. But for me, I need to be able to develop code on it. I’m really hoping that Apple is watching what Google is doing with the Chromebooks (Linux is now accessible to developers and we can load IDE’s and Linux libraries onto it) and do the same for the iPad. I would love to have way to develop on this thing. I do think its coming though. Apple has aligned all the stars with the iPad to be able to do some of these things (Awesome Processor, Enough Ram, Awesome Storage Options). But for now, I use my iPad as a sketchbook and notes / journal device to help me get my project ideas together and then move to my Macs (Spec’ed out mini and MacBook Pro when I travel).

Depending on how and what you develop, the iPad may actually be suitable for programming. It's fine if you live in the terminal doing backend or web stuff. If however you create native GUIs (like Xcode-dependent ones) then you need a traditional OS.

I'm a programmer and switched from a 12-inch MacBook to the 11-inch iPad Pro and expected it to be a challenge, and that it would be a matter of whether the tradeoffs would be worthwhile or not. But it totally surprised me positively. Now 1.5 month in and not looking back! Doing full-time programming at ease. Once I adapted to the contraints of iOS, those actually turned out to be liberating: worry-free power management, smooth task-switching, clutter-free file management, cable-free handling, providing eye-soothing 120Hz engaging entertainment any time I need rest, all in a super-compact package. The Smart Keyboard Folio is awesome for me. I've been a fan of the low-effort actuation of the 12-inch MacBook and this takes it a step further, love the fabric texture and dust/crap protection which is one less worry/recurring maintenance on my mind. The only thing I miss is the ability to pin an app to keep active in the background while hidden (and put the others to sleep by default like it's done now). I currently have to put the app in a split to keep it active.

Apps I use:

• Blink: thin client to mosh+ssh into a Linux VM on my desktop PC (or Termux ssh server in my phone to work offline)
• tmux + vim: my IDE -- programming in Ruby, Go and Crystal
• iSH: local Linux env with x86 emulation for rsync-ing files in and lightweight scripts, then I export those files to other apps (mainly VLC) with Files
• Pythonista: for playing with Python (still learning); superbly integrated into iOS; the TestFlight version brings a lot of awesome new features and integrations -- love StaSH too

 

[rowspaxe]

I had a Surface Pro for a while and guess what...I never used the file system.

Typical user relates his representative experience.