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Disclaimer: I love my iPad far more than any laptop I've ever owned. I would choose an iPad over a laptop if given the choice. That's not what I'm trying to debate.

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So last night my GF was trying to watch a video from her online class. The video controls could not be accessed. Half the screen was shown with no way to view the entire video. She had to get on my Windows desktop to view the content.

These instances would prevent me from using an iPad as a laptop replacement. While the iPad is great at performing specific tasks, it's not a daily driver for students or people in the workforce.

Luckily, there's this thing called time. As time goes on, more and more things are designed for mobile. We're not at the point where you can fully replace a desktop based operating system, with a mobile one.

This will slowly change. There won't be a specific date for this change. A new iPad released by Apple won't fix the major issues plagued by iPads, because the issues revolve around compatibility and the content provider's willingness to make compatible content.

The real question is: is it good enough? Are you willing to ditch your 3 pound gorilla for the future of computing, even if the future hasn't fully arrived yet.

You think nobody has ever struggled to play a video back on a Windows computer? Do you know how many support calls I've fielded on this issue from family/friends/coworkers??
 
I think what's most obvious about computers and tablets in general is that they're used by a majority who casually tap into a tiny slice of a computers potential. The old "Facebook, Netflix, Word Doc, I'm Out" argument. It's very real. If someone even mentions "OS" or "Disk Space" when speaking about computers, they're already 10x more proficient at computers than the majority who buy them.
 
Yes, for the 95% of users out there outside the "tech head" community... I echo this sentiment. Most people only need, MS Office and a browser. The additional uses the iPad brings is a bonus in a beautiful package. However, I would love to see them add wireless mouse support for those of us who like using the mouse instead of reaching across the bluetooth keyboard. Once that is incorporated, it will truly replace MANY PC's.

I can't see them adding mouse support. But there are other productivity areas Apple could presumably add in iOS 10. Currently I find highlighting and moving text around quite difficult on iOS. Also, you don't quite know where files are. If one of your colleagues is working on a Mac, they can't send you a folder via AirDrop or WeTransfer for you to delve in and open files. Lastly, the big problem is there aren't the same apps as there are on OS X/Windows.

Currently doing an internship at an animation company in London: It would be impossible for us to use an iPad for anything accept maybe character design. There's no Autodesk Maya, Adobe Premier Pro, or Toon Boom Studio. It doesn't seem to worry Apple, either, as they haven't released their Pro apps on iPad.
 
Sounds great! Happy to hear the lack of RAM isn't too much of an issue by the sounds of it. Roll on Thursday!

It won't be...at least not for a few years. For anything you are doing on a tablet it is plenty. The only time 1 GB was even an issue at least for me was storing Safari tabs...and hitting the reload button wasn't all that terrible.
 
This thing would be great if it had 3 or 4 GB RAM. Glad I have the 12.9". And honestly I don't think I could ever go back to a smaller size now. Split screen, slide over and PIP are all so much more useful on a larger display. I have a feeling we got the 9.7" version now because iPad specific software changes are coming with iOS 10.

I'm curious though, how does one define "Pro"? Is something only "Pro" if it runs x86 apps and has a file system and USB ports? Is there a standard set of features/specs that determines whether a device is "Pro" or not?
 
My iPad 2 is due for an update and I'll probably buy one, but these reviews are a little bit too positive to make me wonder if they're reviews or ads.
Also still have an iPad2 going strong and while I am tempted, I'll wait for the next upgrade.

In the meantime it is absolutely no bother to "port around" my 15.4 MBP. It does everything I need
in a small enclosure.

To me all iPads are for consuming media (Read, watch youtube etc.)

If I have to connect a keyboard, might as well use the full power MBP.
 
I think Apples tablets will start to get progressively more competitive and feature rich while their laptops develop at a slower pace.

One day there will be a watershed moment when a traditional professional software maker like Adobe makes a fully featured version of some of its headline software for iOS.
 
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Never. iOS is fundamentally flawed as an operating system for actual pros.

Never say never. iOS will get there someday. I just wonder if it will be split off into two versions or if they'll make an iOS-ified (touch capable) version of OS X that has appropriately sized tap targets, etc. I have to wonder if Apple sized the iPad Pro at 12.9" so that they could more easily transition the MacBook to use iPad Pro optimized apps that have tap targets appropriate for a display of that size. Don't get me wrong here, I don't want a MacBook that just has a touchscreen. I think they would need an entire redesign and thinking of how it all works. Nobody wants to hold their hand up to a display all day. But I don't think it's impossible to figure out.
 
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The only reason why I wouldn't purchase this iPad is because you can't load full applications onto it.. You have to connect it to a workstation mac, which isn't good. I should be able to load a full version of Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC and use them on the go instead of being forced to use the mobile versions.

In my opinion, Apple should encourage developers like Adobe to make "mobile versions" which are mobile in the sense of being optimised for iPad Pro, but are as feature rich as their Windows and OS X versions.
 
I surely hope that Apple's skunkworks is working on a really great touch Mac OS (notice I didn't say touch OS X). The main reason I'd want to buy an iPad Pro over an equally svelte and more capable MacBook is touch, pure and simple. There is something very visceral about touch that compels a lot of people to prefer that sort of interface.
 
People who are calling this a "pro" product obviously have no need to run any real "pro" applications like Final Cut, Photoshop, Illustrator, or the myriad of other pro applications real professionals use on a daily basis on either their PCs or Macs. Calling an iPad that doesn't run Mac OS a "pro" product is laughable at best.
 
Yes, for the 95% of users out there outside the "tech head" community... I echo this sentiment. Most people only need, MS Office and a browser. The additional uses the iPad brings is a bonus in a beautiful package. However, I would love to see them add wireless mouse support for those of us who like using the mouse instead of reaching across the bluetooth keyboard. Once that is incorporated, it will truly replace MANY PC's.
That's what I'm wondering about the "casual" part. They could've just gotten a $200 Chromebook that works spectacularly for those tasks, and forgone any of the extras the this IPP can do and keep the $400 difference. IIRC, it does NOT include the keyboard nor Apple Pencil, so we're talking about couple hundred $?

If not that, then a $200 Laptop. I got Lenovo win10 laptop that's just that (discounted online from $700). It works surprisingly well given its cost, and it's cheap enough that I can always get a new laptop without spending that much total.
 
I honestly think Apple doesn't need to position the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. It is a good product (or at least has the potential to be a good product) even if it can't replace your laptop. I'd rather see it positioned as a replacement for anything paper. Textbooks, sketchpad, notebook, magazine, newspaper etc. All of these can be replaced with an iPad ALOT better than they could be replaced with a traditional laptop. The Apple Pencil finally seals the deal.

I guess my point is I would never try to replace my Macbook Air with an iPad Pro (12.9 or 9.7" version). My Macbook Air is really great at doing laptop jobs but it falls down in other areas where previously I would have to go back to using pre-tech solutions (like books or pen and paper - the horror!). Now I have a digital solution for these use cases too.

That does NOT mean that Apple can't or shouldn't do more to increase the productivity of iOS on the iPad. I still want a filesystem that allows me to work with one file across multiple apps easily without tons of different cloud storage work arounds. It is still great that Apple is adding better keyboard support to iOS (and they should keep working on it). And I still hope that more powerful productivity apps come to the iPad. But this should all be geared towards making the iPad a better unique solution. Not a better laptop replacement or a more convenient larger phone, but a better TABLET. I think they are on the right track.
 
Got it for the pencil. but stoked for the good reviews.
I've seen lots of reviews using the pencil for drawing. What about note taking? Does it work well with that? I've tried other styli over the years, even those with Bluetooth feedback, and always found them to have too much lag time and/or very inaccurate. I'm hoping the new pencil makes note taking viable.
 
They list it as a $600 laptop replacement but forget the keyboard portion is another $150. After local sales tax I'm at $802 out of pocket.

Just sayin/trollin.

Yeah, and I'm not sure how much better this will operate as a laptop than my $200 ChromeBook.

I like my iPad Air 2. And I do use it with a bluetooth keyboard case (which I bought for $8). But it isn't a laptop replacement for me. Some apps are better on iOS. And some are better on OS. Keyboard is better on my Chromebook. And 13 inch screen is better as well. Anyway, I just use the equipment that is best suited for the job or entertainment at hand.
 
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