Phil Schiller Says iPad Pro Can Both Supplement and Replace the Mac

[cult hero]

Love the comments.

If "for me" is included in your comments on why an iPad won't replace a Mac for you, then "For some people, iPad Pro is a replacement for their computer," doesn't include you.

Yes, you can't develop iOS apps on an iOS device. So what? Developers are probably the group of people who make the absolute least sense to use a locked down environment for their profession. Who knew?

 

[Abazigal]

Some may disagree, such as the marketing and sales teams at Apple?
It's not an opinion. It is a real life daily experience. iPad significantly slows down my workflow. Mac speeds it up. Every time.

For you.

It’s quite the stretch to go from your own negative experiences with the iPad to claiming that every single iPad user is similarly impacted, while ignoring the anecdotal evidence of users who are being served well by their iPads.

I for one am a very happy iPad user and I see it staying that way for a good many years to come.

So in the future when you and others like yourself want to make a similar assertion, you might want to reinforce the notion that it’s really just you. Or at least add a disclaimer for users like myself.

Much appreciated.

 

[blackdogaudio]

If some of you actually read Schiller's interview (linked below) instead of frothing over headlines you'll understand neither he or Apple suggest the iPad can replace a Mac except for x number of people. So could a pencil and paper for that matter.

https://www.t3.com/features/phil-schiller-interview

 

[Abazigal]

Oh really? Please tell me all of the personal computing tasks that are better done on an iPad than a MacBook Pro. I can think of only a few, like using while physically on the move.

Here’s a snapshot of the apps on my iPad in the middle of the year. Done from my iPad. Some apps have changed in the interim, but the gist is still there.

That improved mobility makes all the difference for me. As a teacher, I spend hours in the classroom. Having my iPad mirrored to the smart board via an Apple TV, being able to walk around the classroom with iPad in hand, that’s functionality no Mac can replicate right there.

The iPad is the best package of battery life, portability and ease of use for me. The Mac may be able to do everything, but it can’t do everything well. That’s where the iPad comes in. It may not be able to do everything yet, but the things it does well are the things I need it to excel in, and that’s good enough for me.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

The same can easily be said of the people on this forum who iPad Pros can and have replaced computers.

Maybe, but tech site forum users usually have a disproportionately high percentage of pro creators or developers, who needs a mac.

 

[Altis]

Here’s a snapshot of the apps on my iPad in the middle of the year. Done from my iPad. Some apps have changed in the interim, but the gist is still there.

That improved mobility makes all the difference for me. As a teacher, I spend hours in the classroom. Having my iPad mirrored to the smart board via an Apple TV, being able to walk around the classroom with iPad in hand, that’s functionality no Mac can replicate right there.

The iPad is the best package of battery life, portability and ease of use for me. The Mac may be able to do everything, but it can’t do everything well. That’s where the iPad comes in. It may not be able to do everything yet, but the things it does well are the things I need it to excel in, and that’s good enough for me.

Yes, use while physically on the move is a big advantage to the iPad -- which is precisely the example I gave

I'm all in favour of the iPad serving its own purposes. I just think it's a vastly different tool than a laptop/desktop and there isn't something wrong with people who either can't or don't want to use it as their sole computer.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I know it won't be a super popular opinion on an Apple fan site, but Surface Book is my ideal form factor until someone comes out with something better.

Just bought a Surface Book 2 and it's just amazing. Windows is pretty damn good but I still prefer macOS. So while I did switch to Windows I would love Apple to have me back in 4 or 5 years when it's time for an upgrade. They just need to nail the form factor.

The surface book has not been great for my use cases ergonomically and software wise. If you only absolutely need to have only one device it’s an okay computer but it’s neither a great tablet nor a great laptop. Too many moving parts to stabilize when using it on the go as a laptop and the UI isn’t great for touch as a tablet (also quite heavy compared to other pure tablets). Much happier now with a iPad + real laptop combo.

 

[Abazigal]

Yes, use while physically on the move is a big advantage to the iPad -- which is precisely the example I gave

I'm all in favour of the iPad serving its own purposes. I just think it's a vastly different tool than a laptop/desktop.

I don’t deny that. And that to me is what I like about the iPad so much - that it doesn’t try too hard to replicate a Mac. For what it does better than a Mac (for me). And the things my iPad can’t do or do well, I don’t really miss them as most aren’t tasks I would be doing even on a Mac with said functionality in the first place.

Regardless, I am glad we are having this conversation. I think it says a lot when the goalposts have been moved to “the iPad is useless because it can’t perform this ultra-niche task which 99% of the consumer base won’t ever need to do!”

 

[riverfreak]

I am in IT and with the ipad and the remote desktop app, I can do most things. The problem is it is very difficult to do those things and would be much easier if I could just use a laptop. So I carry the macbook pro with me even though I only need it once or twice a month. If they would release a macbook pro with LTE then I could leave the ipad and be done with it. It basically a glorified hotspot for me.

I assume you have a phone. Can’t you just tether to that? Then you could go ahead and drop the iPad. Or just get an LTE hotspot?

 

[Abazigal]

I assume you have a phone. Can’t you just tether to that? Then you could go ahead and drop the iPad. Or just get an LTE hotspot?

I have tried that before (running my MacBook Air off hotspot). The biggest downside is the inconvenience and the battery life. Having to turn on your mobile router when you want to use your laptop is an added step, compared to just unlocking your iPad as and when you wish. Plus, hotspot will drain the battery life of your phone faster, or represents an added device to keep charged (in the case of the mifi router).

Not to mention that being connected to wifi will result in certain processes on your Apple devices running (as as photo sync and downloading of certain files), possibly chewing up your limited bandwidth. A 4g-enabled iPad blocks these processes, while still affording me the convenience of having my device being connected to the internet at all times.

On paper, it sounds like they both achieve the same outcome, but there is certainly added friction to the hotspot option vs having it integrated directly into the device itself.

 

[KingslayerG5]

Phil is only half correct. An iPad Pro can supplement a Mac but not replace it.

Samsung DeX has more potential at replacing your laptop or DeXtop computer.

Reading the comments are spot on below. That was last year but I have read comments from more recent ones and the theme is the same for most. Hell, no. It's a god damn iPad!

If it can replace Macs already, then why is Apple still selling Macs? Because Apple is aware iOS still can't replace macOS. It's a mobile OS vs a desktop OS. Doesn't make any sense. I like iPad but it's still a giant iPod touch for media consumption. It's still a toy if it can't run macOS that lacks a real file manager and ports.

 

[qawes]

Haha, very funny, Phil. For what exactly, Facebook browsing?

Until my iPad can run Logic or Pro Tools, you can maybe focus on greatly improving your "Pro" portable line-up.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

To be fair, I wouldn't even want to do this on a single monitor.

In some extreme cases I have used an iPad Pro to take notes and reference other material. I can seamlessly cut and paste between devices. And still, two iPads take a smaller footprint than one MacBook; plus, now I have two screens, that allow me to view up to four apps (using split-screen on each one) and a video stream as an overlay.

The primary use of my iMac has to do with Xcode or heavy editing in Final Cut Pro or Motion; otherwise I would use iMovie on the iPad. Photo editing is much easier on an iPad Pro. I just wish I had the 12” version.

I also have an older Macbook (white), which I mainly use when I need to use Xcode on the go. I would use my iPad to test the code, and also complements my Macbook as a second monitor with TouchBar (using Duet).

And the list could go on forever...

 

[Steve121178]

Useless when there's no connectivity or even if you're on a flight with satellite connectivity because latency is too high.

That applies for any mobile device & notebook, not just an iPad.

 

[DNichter]

Phil is only half correct. An iPad Pro can supplement a Mac but not replace it.

Samsung DeX has more potential at replacing your laptop or DeXtop computer.

Reading the comments are spot on below. That was last year but I have read comments from more recent ones and the theme is the same for most. Hell, no. It's a god damn iPad!

If it can replace Macs already, then why is Apple still selling Macs? Because Apple is aware iOS still can't replace macOS. It's a mobile OS vs a desktop OS. Doesn't make any sense. I like iPad but it's still a giant iPod touch for media consumption. It's still a toy if it can't run macOS that lacks a real file manager and ports.

They sell both because there are different devices for different tasks. You wouldn't use a MacBook for the same task as a Mac Pro. Same thing applies to an iPad. The iPad already has enough power to run macOS (I am happy it doesn't), but it just comes down to software. More and more desktop class apps are being made for the iPad. Once you have that, it's just as capable as a MacBook.

 

[Mahasamatman]

The Mouse is one of the most important tools in all of personal computing. Touch based systems will never be as precise as a mouse. PERIOD!!

That would be why some people that do a lot of graphic work don't use a mouse but a tablet instead. Sort of like an iPad with an Apple pencil.

Oh, wait!

 

[antonis]

You wouldn't use a MacBook for the same task as a Mac Pro. Same thing applies to an iPad.

Uh oh, and yet Phil "my a$$" Schiller had the nerve to claim exactly that as well during a past keynote some time ago, in order to justify the lack of the Mac Pro. All you need is an MBP with a few external disks around it and voila ! He even shown a picture. It was magical. Makes you wonder why they still bother releasing computers eh?

 

[DNichter]

Uh oh, and yet Phil "my a$$" Schiller had the nerve to claim exactly that as well during a past keynote some time ago, in order to justify the lack of the Mac Pro. All you need is an MBP with a few external disks around it and voila ! He even shown a picture. It was magical. Makes you wonder why they still bother releasing computers eh?

I don't recall him saying that an iPad can do the same thing as a Mac Pro, although it can in some respects. Even in the very article we are commenting on, he states that an iPad can replace a computer for some people, but not all people.

 

[barmann]

That good old 90% rule ...

It's a bit like saying 90% of people can do 90% of what they will ever do without having thumbs .
Well, it's the final 10% , or even 1 or 2% , that matter .

 

[dewski]

I assume you have a phone. Can’t you just tether to that? Then you could go ahead and drop the iPad. Or just get an LTE hotspot?

The iPad and Macbook are provided and paid for by my job.

 

[antonis]

I don't recall him saying that an iPad can do the same thing as a Mac Pro, although it can in some respects. Even in the very article we are commenting on, he states that an iPad can replace a computer for some people, but not all people.

Not an iPad, but he claimed that for an mbp.

 

[DNichter]

Not an iPad, but he claimed that for an mbp.

I don’t remember that either, but okay. So nothing about the entire topic we are discussing. Got it.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Replace the Mac?

If they keep blowing their software quality control, the Mac will be dead anyway...

I've worked as a programmer, and it's true that nothing tests like 'reality', and releasing the product, but some of the bugs they have had really SHOULD have been found before the software shipped. Really...

The 'unforced errors' are getting tedious...

 

[44267547]

iPad significantly slows down my workflow. Mac speeds it up.

Which can be vice versa depending on somebody else's productivity and work needs. So goes to show you that there are no two same situations based on the user via the Mac and iPad.

 

[Bacillus]

This debate is getting ridiculously ruffled by different Pro definitions, different use cases and perspectives.
A particular example of being captivated within the box - of a formula only replicating itself.
We need a disruptive guy like Steve to get this beyond with a single new TouchBook appliance that comprises everything MR people and beyond need. If the old turf (Phil, Tim, Joni) is in the way, that has to depart.