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

[johngordon]

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?

Basically, this.

Its horses for courses.

If someone has a computer, but all they use it for is to surf the net and play solitaire, then for them an iPad could easily replace their computer. If someone uses a computer to do high end video editing, then it obviously wouldn't.

For me, the iPad is just a great thing that is mostly used to consume stuff, sat on the sofa, where its more comfortable than a laptop. I do have a great use case where it absolutely complements the Mac - as part of my work I use it to add annotations to graphics with the Apple pencil using Adobe apps, that I can then send to Illustrator on the Mac. Adobe sometimes get a lot of stick, but for me this has been a massive improvement on my workflow compare to accurately adding lines using my Wacom tablet.

 

[antonis]

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

Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing with what you said (that a laptop cannot replace a Mac Pro). I actually agree 100%. I was just pointing out that Phil Schiller trolled us with the exact same example that you used, during a previous keynote (it was posted on this site as well).

In other words, nobody should take seriously anything that starts with "Phil Schiller said...".

 

[smacrumon]

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.

iPad is not a computer. Apple should stop making it out to be one. Apple is going to disappoint customers with this marketing strategy. Disappointed customers aren't going to buy Apple again.

(Side note, you didn't seem to acknowledge my correction to your inaccurate claims about iOS uptake. I showed exact sourcing and highlighting about the lower uptake of iOS 11 compared with 10 and 9 at this time of year in 2016 and 2015. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...on-59-of-devices.2093265/page-9#post-25576639 )

Sources:
https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/
http://web.archive.org/web/20161222130635/https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/
http://web.archive.org/web/20151204023942/https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/

 

[DNichter]

For me, the iPad is much better than any macOS computer I have ever used (since 2004). It ultimately doesn't matter if someone calls it a computer or not, I can happily run my business on it and it provides better security and flexibility than macOS ever provided. For those that need macOS, there'es nothing wrong with that, just not for me.

 

[smacrumon]

You obviously have not spent enough time on an iPad to learn how to really use. Some processes are more convoluted, while others are quicker and easier on an iPad Pro

The better part of a decade of use here.
I know iPad inside out. It's slower than a Mac to do many tasks.

 

[Abazigal]

iPad is not a computer. Apple should stop making it out to be one. Apple is going to disappoint customers with this marketing strategy. Disappointed customers aren't going to buy Apple again.

(Side note, you didn't seem to acknowledge my correction to your inaccurate claims about iOS uptake. I showed exact sourcing and highlighting about the lower uptake of iOS 11 compared with 10 and 9 at this time of year in 2016 and 2015. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...on-59-of-devices.2093265/page-9#post-25576639 )

Sources:
https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/
http://web.archive.org/web/20161222130635/https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/
http://web.archive.org/web/20151204023942/https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/

Thanks for the reminder. It genuinely slipped my mind. I actually had my own theories for the perceived lower adoption rate of iOS 11 (users waiting for the iPhone who saw no point in upgrading because they would be getting the newer software on the X, users waiting for iOS 11 to become more stable, and there simply being more devices out in the wild not supporting iOS 11). I do not have evidence to back up my claims though, and I guess research isn’t my strong suit.

I really don’t think a few percentage points difference matters all that much in the long run, but yes, if we do go solely by the numbers you posted, iOS 11 adoption rates are indeed lagging behind that of ios 10, though I stress that I don’t think there is any cause for concern.

As for the iPad issue, I think what we are seeing is a schism in Apple's user base. The old guard who will stick with macs and never bother themselves with iPads, and those who see the value of iPad productivity and welcome any improvement in this regard. The friction comes when the old guards view the iPad as a threat because they fear that continued iPad improvements come at the expense of neglecting the Mac.

Some users will no doubt be disappointed and leave, but if Apple gains more new users than they lose, it’s a net gain overall. Apple will still need to retain the developers, hence the release of products like the iMac Pro. But I believe the Mac will become more and more niche, and its upgrade cycle will adjust accordingly to reflect this.

I myself belong to the latter. I can’t let go of my Macs yet because of the nature of my work, but in terms of raw number of hours, I use my iPad way more than my iMac and MacBook Air combined, both for work and leisure. And I believe the iPad has so much more untapped potential than the PC to be a truly personal computer for the masses in a way that the Mac never can.

 

[smacrumon]

Thanks for the reminder. It genuinely slipped my mind. I actually had my own theories for the perceived lower adoption rate of iOS 11 (users waiting for the iPhone who saw no point in upgrading because they would be getting the newer software on the X, users waiting for iOS 11 to become more stable, and there simply being more devices out in the wild not supporting iOS 11). I do not have evidence to back up my claims though, and I guess research isn’t my strong suit.

I really don’t think a few percentage points difference matters all that much in the long run, but yes, if we do go solely by the numbers you posted, iOS 11 adoption rates are indeed lagging behind that of ios 10, though I stress that I don’t think there is any cause for concern.

As for the iPad issue, I think what we are seeing is a schism in Apple's user base. The old guard who will stick with macs and never bother themselves with iPads, and those who see the value of iPad productivity and welcome any improvement in this regard. The friction comes when the old guards view the iPad as a threat because they fear that continued iPad improvements come at the expense of neglecting the Mac.

Some users will no doubt be disappointed and leave, but if Apple gains more new users than they lose, it’s a net gain overall. Apple will still need to retain the developers, hence the release of products like the iMac Pro. But I believe the Mac will become more and more niche, and its upgrade cycle will adjust accordingly to reflect this.

I myself belong to the latter. I can’t let go of my Macs yet because of the nature of my work, but in terms of raw number of hours, I use my iPad way more than my iMac and MacBook Air combined, both for work and leisure. And I believe the iPad has so much more untapped potential than the PC to be a truly personal computer for the masses in a way that the Mac never can.

iPad offers Apple more revenue, that's why Apple is trying to pass it off as a computer. It really isn't though. iPad is flawed as computer but good as a consumption device. If iPad is such a great computer, then why aren't all Apple employees using iPad? Apple employees mostly use Macs because iPad sucks as a computer.
Apple should not be losing customers whether or not they are gaining new customers. Apple should be gaining and retaining customers.

 

[Abazigal]

iPad offers Apple more revenue, that's why Apple is trying to pass it off as a computer. It really isn't though. iPad is flawed as computer but good as a consumption device. If iPad is such a great computer, then why aren't all Apple employees using iPad? Apple employees mostly use Macs because iPad sucks as a computer.
Apple should not be losing customers whether or not they are gaining new customers. Apple should be gaining and retaining customers.

In a perfect world, yes.

However, in reality, Apple is always stretched for time, resources and manpower. And if you look at Apple's new products, they share more in common with iOS devices (iPhone, ipad) than the Mac. So if Apple wants to keep developing the Mac, the opportunity cost is that they then won’t have as much resources to devote to other products like wearables, HomePod etc, and vice versa.

As such, it’s not surprising to me that Apple is focusing more on iOS than macOS. There is just more synergy, more promise and of course, more potential for profit. The iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and even HomePod all run variations of iOS moreso than macOS, as will any new products Apple releases down the line.

If Apple thought they could get away with it, they would likely have begun dropping the Mac entirely so that they can focus entirely on the ios side of things, but they still need app developers in the very least, so the Mac still gets updated, just not necessarily in the way Pro users want because it seems that Apple is trying to merge the consumer and professional market when it comes to Macs.

That’s just my observation at least.

 

[dk001]

In a perfect world, yes.

However, in reality, Apple is always stretched for time, resources and manpower. And if you look at Apple's new products, they share more in common with iOS devices (iPhone, ipad) than the Mac. So if Apple wants to keep developing the Mac, the opportunity cost is that they then won’t have as much resources to devote to other products like wearables, HomePod etc, and vice versa.

As such, it’s not surprising to me that Apple is focusing more on iOS than macOS. There is just more synergy, more promise and of course, more potential for profit. The iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and even HomePod all run variations of iOS moreso than macOS, as will any new products Apple releases down the line.

If Apple thought they could get away with it, they would likely have begun dropping the Mac entirely so that they can focus entirely on the ios side of things, but they still need app developers in the very least, so the Mac still gets updated, just not necessarily in the way Pro users want because it seems that Apple is trying to merge the consumer and professional market when it comes to Macs.

That’s just my observation at least.

So does this mean that Apple is ceding the pc market to Windows?

 

[DNichter]

So does this mean that Apple is ceding the pc market to Windows?

Not exactly. They remain committed to the Pro segment of the PC market (MacBook Pro/iMac Pro/Mac Pro), but will likely continue to entice users of the MacBook line to look towards the iPad. They will always own mobile (iPhone and iPad) and will probably just be happy owning the high end PC market. Windows can have the rest.
[doublepost=1513350715][/doublepost]

In a perfect world, yes.

However, in reality, Apple is always stretched for time, resources and manpower. And if you look at Apple's new products, they share more in common with iOS devices (iPhone, ipad) than the Mac. So if Apple wants to keep developing the Mac, the opportunity cost is that they then won’t have as much resources to devote to other products like wearables, HomePod etc, and vice versa.

As such, it’s not surprising to me that Apple is focusing more on iOS than macOS. There is just more synergy, more promise and of course, more potential for profit. The iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and even HomePod all run variations of iOS moreso than macOS, as will any new products Apple releases down the line.

If Apple thought they could get away with it, they would likely have begun dropping the Mac entirely so that they can focus entirely on the ios side of things, but they still need app developers in the very least, so the Mac still gets updated, just not necessarily in the way Pro users want because it seems that Apple is trying to merge the consumer and professional market when it comes to Macs.

That’s just my observation at least.

All reasonable observations on your end. I wouldn't be surprised if they were developing a macOS replacement based on iOS that runs on it's own chips, more secure, closed off app store, but just built for the desktop environment (point and click).

 

[Brammy]

If iPad is such a great computer, then why aren't all Apple employees using iPad? Apple employees mostly use Macs because iPad sucks as a computer.

I think we are a long way away from iOS replacing macOS. I'm not really sure if that will ever happen, and a different Apple OS might well be the future.

Your statement is a broad generalization. After all, if the MacBook 12" is such a great computer, why aren't everyone in Apple using that? Someone earlier mentioned the iPad and the MacBook being good devices for similar tasks. I agree with it.

I use my iPad Pro a lot. The tasks I use it for aren't demanding, but it does it well: writing, taking notes, drawing, light photo editing, and consumption. Consumption gets bad rap, but for a lot of people consumption is a large part of their job. We have to review documents, emails, take notes, etc. I think it's pretty rare for demanding computer users (what MacRumors forums seem to settle on as "pro" users to spend an entire workday with the nose to the grindstone cranking out work. We always end up with meetings, drive by "hey, did you see my email?", or looking something up for work.

When I looked at getting a Mac for the things that the iPad didn't work well for me, I decided against a MacBook because it wasn't powerful enough for my needs. So, I got an I7 MacBook Pro.'

 

[Abazigal]

So does this mean that Apple is ceding the pc market to Windows?

I am not sure if “ceding” is the right word. The way I see it, Apple views the Mac as an increasingly legacy platform which doesn’t represent the future of personal computing for them. The Mac isn’t even the primary means by which they attract new users to the Apple ecosystem any longer.

I suspect Apple’s current strategy is to push the iPad as a PC alternative. That’s how they are going to contest the PC market with windows. Not by releasing more / cheaper Macs, but by getting people to rethink just what it is they use a PC for and whether an iPad might serve as a more viable alternative. Even if a consumer buys both a PC and an iPad, that’s still an iPad sold at the end of the day.

So in a nutshell, Apple still believes in pushing the iPad as the general purpose computer for the masses. The Mac is there for more niche / specialised uses like video editing and software development. Apple hasn’t given up on the PC market. They are just tackling it in another way.

The good news is that the Mac is safe for the time being, because as people here rightly point out, it fills an important hole in the Apple ecosystem that the iPad doesn’t address. The downside is that users will have to be pragmatic about the resources and attention that can be realistically allocated to the Mac side of things.

 

[Shanghaichica]

It can be a replacement depending on what your needs are. The only time I use my MacBook is to manually update my kindle or to add content to my iPhone. However the kindle can be updated over the air and it’s very rare that I add content to my iPhone via iTunes. I do like to have a computer in the house but I can quite easily just use my iPad Pro.

 

[dk001]

I am not sure if “ceding” is the right word. The way I see it, Apple views the Mac as an increasingly legacy platform which doesn’t represent the future of personal computing for them. The Mac isn’t even the primary means by which they attract new users to the Apple ecosystem any longer.

I suspect Apple’s current strategy is to push the iPad as a PC alternative. That’s how they are going to contest the PC market with windows. Not by releasing more / cheaper Macs, but by getting people to rethink just what it is they use a PC for and whether an iPad might serve as a more viable alternative. Even if a consumer buys both a PC and an iPad, that’s still an iPad sold at the end of the day.

So in a nutshell, Apple still believes in pushing the iPad as the general purpose computer for the masses. The Mac is there for more niche / specialised uses like video editing and software development. Apple hasn’t given up on the PC market. They are just tackling it in another way.

The good news is that the Mac is safe for the time being, because as people here rightly point out, it fills an important hole in the Apple ecosystem that the iPad doesn’t address. The downside is that users will have to be pragmatic about the resources and attention that can be realistically allocated to the Mac side of things.

For now I suspect you are right. However since I switched to Apple a while back I have, from all appearances, watched the slow degradation of what I can / cannot do and the rise of issues in both iOS and MacOS. Then there is the hardware.

At the present rate, I will likely have to switch back to iPad and Windows pc - likely a Surface. But as you say, it is still an iPad sale.

 

[adamfozzy]

Basically, this.

Its horses for courses.

If someone has a computer, but all they use it for is to surf the net and play solitaire, then for them an iPad could easily replace their computer. If someone uses a computer to do high end video editing, then it obviously wouldn't.

For me, the iPad is just a great thing that is mostly used to consume stuff, sat on the sofa, where its more comfortable than a laptop. I do have a great use case where it absolutely complements the Mac - as part of my work I use it to add annotations to graphics with the Apple pencil using Adobe apps, that I can then send to Illustrator on the Mac. Adobe sometimes get a lot of stick, but for me this has been a massive improvement on my workflow compare to accurately adding lines using my Wacom tablet.

Agree with this. My perfect combo is an iPad Pro 10.5 plus keyboard and pencil for 90% of what I do (teaching, lecturing, light web design etc). The other 10% of the time I use a Mac mini at my desk at home with monitor. An iPad Pro plus pencil, keyboard, pencil, Mac mini, keyboard and mouse for Mac mini, monitor cost approx £1350 which is a similar price to a MacBook Pro on its own. I also access my Mac mini from my iPad using jump desktop app when I’m away from home but hope Apple release a smaller Mac mini next year so I can use it out an about with apps such as Duet without relying on wifi.

I am a massive iPad fan so have built my workflows around it. As mentioned above, it’s horses for courses. I think that is the point Phil is trying to make. From reading this thread, Mac lovers have got all defensive by suggesting he said that the iPad can replace their Mac. I don’t think that is what he is saying. My parents (mid 60s) both are ipad only. A Mac to them would be a massive overkill.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Agree with this. My perfect combo is an iPad Pro 10.5 plus keyboard and pencil for 90% of what I do (teaching, lecturing, light web design etc). The other 10% of the time I use a Mac mini at my desk at home with monitor. An iPad Pro plus pencil, keyboard, pencil, Mac mini, keyboard and mouse for Mac mini, monitor cost approx £1350 which is a similar price to a MacBook Pro on its own. I also access my Mac mini from my iPad using jump desktop app when I’m away from home but hope Apple release a smaller Mac mini next year so I can use it out an about with apps such as Duet without relying on wifi.

I am a massive iPad fan so have built my workflows around it. As mentioned above, it’s horses for courses. I think that is the point Phil is trying to make. From reading this thread, Mac lovers have got all defensive by suggesting he said that the iPad can replace their Mac. I don’t think that is what he is saying. My parents (mid 60s) both are ipad only. A Mac to them would be a massive overkill.

This “massive overkill” is the point. Saying that an iPad can replace a Mac for SOME people isn’t insulting Macs. It’s almost the opposite— it’s saying that the Mac is MORE powerful than what a lot of people need, so why should they buy one instead of a less expensive option to do the things they want to do? No one is trying to take away your Macs!!! We are celebrating an option for people who don’t need to do all of the things you (this is a generalized you, not a personal one) do on a computer (like me).

Right now I’ve got 12.9 IPP, and Air 2, both of which are used for work and pleasure (I teach online). I’m selling my MBP because I just don’t use it, so why not get some money out of it? But I’ve thought about something similar to you... if it turns out I’m wrong, and I do need a Mac sometimes, I can get a Mac mini and still come out ahead.

 

[eyeseeyou]

The iPad “pro” really should’ve came with a keyboard and or Apple Pencil if he’s saying it can replace a desktop or laptop Mac(book).

 

[cult hero]

Basically, this.

Its horses for courses.

If someone has a computer, but all they use it for is to surf the net and play solitaire, then for them an iPad could easily replace their computer. If someone uses a computer to do high end video editing, then it obviously wouldn't.

For me, the iPad is just a great thing that is mostly used to consume stuff, sat on the sofa, where its more comfortable than a laptop. I do have a great use case where it absolutely complements the Mac - as part of my work I use it to add annotations to graphics with the Apple pencil using Adobe apps, that I can then send to Illustrator on the Mac. Adobe sometimes get a lot of stick, but for me this has been a massive improvement on my workflow compare to accurately adding lines using my Wacom tablet.

I think as it evolves more people are going to use it. For people who work exclusively on laptops doing things like office suite work, certain creative tasks, etc. it's going to see growth. Where it's pretty weak is anywhere that someone would use multiple displays which is... basically everyone in my office. As a total replacement, it's still fairly niche but workflows, especially more casual or suited types will probably evolve more with this type of device in mind.

I use mine in a supplementary manner, mostly to read documentation away from desk or take notes (love the Pencil actually). I can also use it when I'm out of town for work that includes things like email, looking things up, etc. I'm not gonna code on it, although SSH does allow me to do quite a bit in a pinch.

 

[Abazigal]

iPad offers Apple more revenue, that's why Apple is trying to pass it off as a computer. It really isn't though. iPad is flawed as computer but good as a consumption device. If iPad is such a great computer, then why aren't all Apple employees using iPad? Apple employees mostly use Macs because iPad sucks as a computer.

Because not everybody uses their computers in the same way, and for the same tasks. Apple employees use Macs (I presume) because that's what they need to get their work done, but the work they do may be very different from the nature of the work that I do.

And consumption is precisely what many people do on their computers, combined with some light productivity tasks. I don't think there is any shame in acknowledging this, that more people consume content than create it. My life isn't any less fulfilling just because I don't need 14 or 18 processor cores the way some self-styled video professionals do.

What I think Apple is trying to do with the iPad is not simply let it be a tablet form factor running macOS. Instead, Apple is isolating the tasks they think can be done better on a tablet form factor, and reimagining those tasks to make sense on iOS. It's going to take time, and will involve a lot more work than simply porting the macOS UI wholesale to the iPad (we saw this in iOS 11, where multitasking and drag and drop work quite differently on iOS compared to macOS), but I believe that it will result in a better user experience compared to what Microsoft has done with Windows 10.

Think about the typical consumer Apple is possibly marketing the iPad to. They likely own a laptop or PC which they use largely to consume content (eg: youtube, Facebook, Netflix, web browsing), plus light work such as email, some word processing. Apple is telling them - I think these tasks that you are currently doing on your laptop could be done better on an iPad, or the experience will be more personal because of the combination of a touchscreen, plus an OS designed for touch from the ground up, coupled with optimised tablet apps.

When you start thinking of the iPad as an alternative to a PC in terms of the tasks which can be offloaded to it, rather than the iPad seeking to replace the PC in its entirety, I think Apple's strategy starts to make a lot more sense. It's about making computing more accessible and personal for the masses, not just about raw specs and capabilities.

 

[Mainsail]

Because not everybody uses their computers in the same way, and for the same tasks. Apple employees use Macs (I presume) because that's what they need to get their work done, but the work they do may be very different from the nature of the work that I do.

And consumption is precisely what many people do on their computers, combined with some light productivity tasks. I don't think there is any shame in acknowledging this, that more people consume content than create it. My life isn't any less fulfilling just because I don't need 14 or 18 processor cores the way some self-styled video professionals do.

What I think Apple is trying to do with the iPad is not simply let it be a tablet form factor running macOS. Instead, Apple is isolating the tasks they think can be done better on a tablet form factor, and reimagining those tasks to make sense on iOS. It's going to take time, and will involve a lot more work than simply porting the macOS UI wholesale to the iPad (we saw this in iOS 11, where multitasking and drag and drop work quite differently on iOS compared to macOS), but I believe that it will result in a better user experience compared to what Microsoft has done with Windows 10.

Think about the typical consumer Apple is possibly marketing the iPad to. They likely own a laptop or PC which they use largely to consume content (eg: youtube, Facebook, Netflix, web browsing), plus light work such as email, some word processing. Apple is telling them - I think these tasks that you are currently doing on your laptop could be done better on an iPad, or the experience will be more personal because of the combination of a touchscreen, plus an OS designed for touch from the ground up, coupled with optimised tablet apps.

When you start thinking of the iPad as an alternative to a PC in terms of the tasks which can be offloaded to it, rather than the iPad seeking to replace the PC in its entirety, I think Apple's strategy starts to make a lot more sense. It's about making computing more accessible and personal for the masses, not just about raw specs and capabilities.

Abazigal, I think you have nailed it. Folks keep trying to compare an iPad to a Laptop without considering the context of daily use. Many working professionals spend a huge amount of their time consuming content (emails, pdfs, word docs, web search, journals......) and going to meetings with clients and colleagues. The iPad is perfect mobile computing device for this type of activity. Also, it's great for taking notes, organizing work, writing memos and emails......even drafting/outlining larger reports. When it comes time for some heavy lifting, you can go back to the office and use a desktop or laptop docked to a big monitor etc. But, for a lot of professionals, this heavy computer lifting might be less than 25% of their productive day. The rest of the day is gathering information, reviewing documents, scheduling, emails......"meet and deal" activities.

We sometimes say; 'the best camera is the one you have with you". People capture so many more photo moments because they always have their phones with them. Sure, a specialty camera takes better photos than a phone, but you don't want to have to carry it everywhere with accessories like additional lens. You have a phone in the moment it is needed. The same is kind of true with an iPad. It is something that is so easy to use and take with you. Leave it in the glove box of your car. Throw it in your day bag. Carry it to meetings. It might not be the most powerful computing device, but it is more than sufficient in the moment it is needed to get the job done.

 

[dk001]

Abazigal, I think you have nailed it. Folks keep trying to compare an iPad to a Laptop without considering the context of daily use. Many working professionals spend a huge amount of their time consuming content (emails, pdfs, word docs, web search, journals......) and going to meetings with clients and colleagues. The iPad is perfect mobile computing device for this type of activity. Also, it's great for taking notes, organizing work, writing memos and emails......even drafting/outlining larger reports. When it comes time for some heavy lifting, you can go back to the office and use a desktop or laptop docked to a big monitor etc. But, for a lot of professionals, this heavy computer lifting might be less than 25% of their productive day. The rest of the day is gathering information, reviewing documents, scheduling, emails......"meet and deal" activities.

We sometimes say; 'the best camera is the one you have with you". People capture so many more photo moments because they always have their phones with them. Sure, a specialty camera takes better photos than a phone, but you don't want to have to carry it everywhere with accessories like additional lens. You have a phone in the moment it is needed. The same is kind of true with an iPad. It is something that is so easy to use and take with you. Leave it in the glove box of your car. Throw it in your day bag. Carry it to meetings. It might not be the most powerful computing device, but it is more than sufficient in the moment it is needed to get the job done.

I bolded a statement in your last post. Great idea except for one aspect, for professionals; security.
My company allows this use however the related cost to maintain and ensure/enforce the proper security requires an additional charge per device. This cost includes adapting current software and systems for iPad integration.
Using a iPhone and a laptop or desktop is cheaper and requires less maintenance than an iPhone, iPad, and laptop or desktop. That needs to be kept in kind when making a decision on adding additional equipment.
Professional as it applies say a photographer or small business user also needs to keep this in perspective.
Cost.

 

[Mainsail]

I bolded a statement in your last post. Great idea except for one aspect, for professionals; security.
My company allows this use however the related cost to maintain and ensure/enforce the proper security requires an additional charge per device. This cost includes adapting current software and systems for iPad integration.
Using a iPhone and a laptop or desktop is cheaper and requires less maintenance than an iPhone, iPad, and laptop or desktop. That needs to be kept in kind when making a decision on adding additional equipment.
Professional as it applies say a photographer or small business user also needs to keep this in perspective.
Cost.

Yes, I think you are correct. From an IT department perspective, the cost of supporting iPhone + MacBook < iPhone + iPad + iMac, since 2 Devices < 3 Devices. But, in the long run, professionals will use the devices that make them most productive, and the IT department will adapt.

We saw this same thing when IT refused to move from Blackberry to iPhone. They sighted security cost. Or, when they insisted everyone had to use a PC rather than a Mac. They sighted acquisition cost rather than looking at life cycle cost. Managers, Marketing, product development, and other professional staff on the front line with customer responsibilities were able to drive the back-office IT Department kicking and screaming to adopt devices that were more productive for their business needs.

 

[Abazigal]

Yes, I think you are correct. From an IT department perspective, the cost of supporting iPhone + MacBook < iPhone + iPad + iMac, since 2 Devices < 3 Devices. But, in the long run, professionals will use the devices that make them most productive, and the IT department will adapt.

We saw this same thing when IT refused to move from Blackberry to iPhone. They sighted security cost. Or, when they insisted everyone had to use a PC rather than a Mac. They sighted acquisition cost rather than looking at life cycle cost. Managers, Marketing, product development, and other professional staff on the front line with customer responsibilities were able to drive the back-office IT Department kicking and screaming to adopt devices that were more productive for their business needs.

People are lazy and will choose whichever option results in the least work for them.

In other words, water is wet.

 

[George Dawes]

i just find the whole interface too imprecise for anything truly work related

plus having swapped a pro for an air 2 as it was too big and bulky i'm waiting for a much lighter version

maybe rollable ???

 

[Altis]

........ 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.

Kind of. You're still limited to a single small display and quite limited [wired] connectivity, among other limitations.

iOS is what really needs to be improved to make it more capable like a MacBook, though. It needs to be reworked for multitasking. Can't even have two apps using audio output at the same time.