Review Roundup: 9.7" iPad Pro is a 'Powerful' Laptop Replacement for Casual Users

[Popeye206]

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.

I have to agree here... I think most people here forget that there are tons and tons of people that use computers for mostly consumption type computing and for these people, this iPad is probably a great alternative because it really gives you a great experience and performance while being very portable.

Not everyone wants or needs full apps and honestly, I'm still not convinced that devices like the Surface Pro are the magic answer and I still side with Apple... if an application is not made for a touch screen, it's going to be a horrible experience on a device like a tablet. I can't imagine trying to use something like the desktop version of Excel on a tablet without going frigg'n nuts after about 5 mins.

 

[jmgregory1]

Apple really is flushing out their entire line to give people the same or similar experience on iPhone, iPad [Pro], rMB, rMBP or iMac. It's a brilliant strategy really. Want a dual purpose pleasure and productivity device bigger than your iPhone, you can choose from a 9.7" iPad, 12.9" iPad, 12" rMB or even to some extent a 13.3" MBA. Need more power and a traditional laptop form factor (which I find myself being most productive using), you can get a 13" or 15" rMBP, which can do just about anything you need productivity-wise. And if you're stuck at a desk, you couldn't go wrong with an iMac in either size, providing a quality high-res screen, loads of storage and enough power to make a lot of people second guess needing to go to the top of the ladder Mac Pro.

I agree with others that I think it is time for Apple to provide iOS for iPads a slightly different experience than the current iPhone iOS features. Especially given Apple's push to provide a laptop-like keyboard accessory for now the two larger iPad Pro's. What they should be doing is to make the keyboard more MacBook like and include a touch pad so that you can really use the iPad just like a MacBook. The touchscreen input while typing on an attached keyboard just slows me down, especially compared to using my rMBP or MBA, where the trackpad is fast and it allows your hands to stay in the same plane. I've traveled with my iPad with a BT keyboard and it just takes more time to knock out emails or edit spreadsheets, as you constantly have to move your hands up to the screen to do what you should be able to do on a trackpad.

 

[_Refurbished_]

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??

The difference is that you usually can get it to work through troubleshooting. On the iPad, you're SOL. It's simply not compatible.

I'm not getting into a Windows debate. Maybe I should edit the term Windows from my post, as this is interchangeable with OSX in this scenario. Don't want to ruffle Mac fanboys.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

I find no good reason to justify the word Pro or the increase of $100 in price for the iPad Pro 9.7".

The improvements it has had are no more than the iPad would have normally received. The optional keyboard and stylus cost a lot extra, will be used by almost no-one, and do not justify the Pro moniker, either. The rapidly falling sales of the iPad should have impelled Apple to reduce the price to $399 and improve the experience with an operating system tailored to the iPad, rather than being a blown-up phone experience.

As such, I see both the iPad Pro 9.7" and iPad Pro 12.9" as poor value, and will not stop the bleeding in iPad sales.
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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.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I agree with the OP; I don't think iOS will ever get there as a PC replacement because it is too limited.

If the iPad does eventually gain a more powerful OS, it will be called something new like padOS.

 

[bstpierre]

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.

I am with you on this. I tried checking out the larger pro in the store with the pencil but they didn't have the apps I use on them (Good Notes). I was waiting for the announcement to see if I was getting a regular sized iPad with pencil support or if I had to buy the large Pro. Happy they are releasing the 9.7" with pencil support. I have an Adonis Jot but it loses connections in the conference room at work where I want to use it. It works fine at my desk. I also have a Hand stylus, which is okay if I am not using my LifeProof case.

 

[Keniutek]

Im afraid Apple thinks the same way, that's why they stopped giving ish about their computer line...

 

[bchreng]

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?

In this case, pro seems to be determined by quad speakers, a smart connector and Pencil support. The screen quality and processor bump are otherwise a natural progression of the iPad.

 

[eXoenDo]

I am with you on this. I tried checking out the larger pro in the store with the pencil but they didn't have the apps I use on them (Good Notes). I was waiting for the announcement to see if I was getting a regular sized iPad with pencil support or if I had to buy the large Pro. Happy they are releasing the 9.7" with pencil support. I have an Adonis Jot but it loses connections in the conference room at work where I want to use it. It works fine at my desk. I also have a Hand stylus, which is okay if I am not using my LifeProof case.

I checked out the pencil in store as well. Initially I ordered this new 9.7 inch iPad but after I played with the pencil and then "pretended" to write on the current iPad model, I decided I definitely prefer more screen real estate for use when taking notes/drawing with  Pencil.

 

[kagharaht]

Calling it a Laptop Replacement is such a disservice to peoples intelligence. Nowhere near it. Lets call it what it still is. A big iPhone. It's the best device for having an iPhone like OS with a giant screen. Thats it. I love it for what it is, but it's nowhere near the capabilities of replacing even my oldest Macbook.

 

[bstpierre]

I find no good reason to justify the word Pro or the increase of $100 in price for the iPad Pro 9.7".

The improvements it has had are no more than the iPad would have normally received. The optional keyboard and stylus cost a lot extra, will be used by almost no-one, and do not justify the Pro moniker, either. The rapidly falling sales of the iPad should have impelled Apple to reduce the price to $399 and improve the experience with an operating system tailored to the iPad, rather than being a blown-up phone experience.

As such, I see both the iPad Pro 9.7" and iPad Pro 12.9" as poor value, and will not stop the bleeding in iPad sales.
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I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I agree with the OP; I don't think iOS will ever get there as a PC replacement because it is too limited.

If the iPad does eventually gain a more powerful OS, it will be called something new like padOS.

If you don't think anyone is ever going to use the pencil or the keyboard then of course you can't see a justification for the Pro moniker or $100 price increase. I am pretty sure the $100 price increase is justified on the basis of the screen improvements necessary to get a decent pencil experience.

 

[emailnotebox]

iPad Pro is a good notebook alternative as much as my iPhone is a good alternative to my notebook.

Btw, I am using the "casual" argument also.

So much bubble in Apple's marketing.

 

[fel10]

Are those people getting paid to kiss Apple's ass?

 

[Gregintosh]

Given the new 9.7" Pro's even faster processor and support for the Apple Pencil, plus display improvements, I am 100% confident this is the iPad I will use the next 3 to 4 years at minimum.

In all honesty, the iPad Air 2 is probably fine for most casual users (like my parents) and will continue to be for years to come. Much like the PC business, improvements in performance will be less important for people who are sticking to web surfing, e-mail, and watching video.

Ever since getting the iPad (starting with the iPad 2) my parents have not even booted up the computer. So yes, the Apple claim that this is a great PC replacement for many users who have really old PCs (and thus are not power users) is 100% correct.

The iPad can print, surf, consume media, do e-mail and Skype, and it does so faster and more conveniently than booting up the ol' PC and sitting at a desk. Total win!

 

[oneMadRssn]

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.

I agree that most casual users don't know or care about OS, disk space, or RAM. However, this doesn't mean those casual users are dolts that can't focus on more than one thing at a time. My mother, who I consider to be a casual user, uses Word, Email, and plays Solitaire on her Windows PC. Usually, she does all 3 at the same time. Reading her email, putting things from the emails into a Word document, and then moving some cards around while in thought. This sort of use is possible on an iPad, but it requires what I call Fruit-Ninja-ing your way around the interface in a very inefficient way.

The iPad is excellent at running one app at a time. It can run some two apps side by side, but the UI for managing it is inefficient and intuitive. If you want three apps to work together, forget about it.

This has nothing to do with proficient computer users or casual users. It's purely a UI question.

 

[jkichline]

I suspect that iOS 10 will fix many weak points in the operating system and make it a true laptop replacement. Just my two cents.

 

[dannyyankou]

I'm not so sure about laptop replacement. But the iPad Pro 2 will probably be an iPad Air 2 replacement for me.

 

[Mike MA]

i am sure lots of 5+ year old PC users will all of the sudden decide to buy a 600+ Tablet

I second that. I would have been sold as my father was keen to get my Air 2. But the price increase is just ridiculous. Got my Air 2 on a Black Friday sale for 510€ (64 GB). Now they want to charge me 869€ (132 GB)? I see some added value here, but nothing justifying that much of an increase.

I'm sure we soon see a price drop here because install base customers wil challenge this price change decision.

 

[Harold Bonhomme]

The only problem I see with it is...it's an apple product.

 

[mac4good84]

I will be skipping this iPad myself, as I have a 128 GB ipad Air 2. The one I might replace in the future will be my wife's 16GB ipad mini 2, but she's happy with it for now. I'm on the side of "these ipads are great for companions to PCs or Macs" but they are not the full fledged computer you would need for hardcore tasks. Its just the way it is. However, I will add that it depends on the user and not all of us have the same needs.

My mother, for example, used a PC laptop that broke down on her over a year ago. That's the only computer she had and that thing was a thick, massive, clunky beast. But it got the job done. That's when I replaced that laptop with an iPad Air 1 that I got her as a gift. Her needs are so minimal nowadays that she could survive with an ipad as her only device and when she needs a computer to connect to, I have my MacBook Pro or my aunt who lives closer to her also has a MacBook. She's now had the ipad for over a year as her only device and she loves it; it does everything she needs. I haven't heard any complaints. Truth is, her needs allow her to have an ipad as her only computer so some people out there could have an ipad as a replacement computer because it meets all of their needs. A lot of us are on the other side that we need to be able to manage files, use programs and various other things and an ipad alone just won't get that job done.

Another comment I wanted to make is the Apple Pencil appeals to me for note taking ever since it came out. I'm a very fast typist but now I'm going back to school sometimes I could use some note taking as an additional tool for certain classes. Of course, I can't use the pencil because of my Air 2 not supporting it so in the future when I do upgrade my tablet it will be a Pro; I will just always have my MacBook Pro to go along with it. Surprisingly, as I take online courses, I have not been as limited on the iPad as I thought I would be as I've been able to access the online website without a hitch, logging into videos, posting discussion notes, you name it. In the end, of course, for my papers and long typing and files I always go back to my Mac. Interesting to see how far they take the iPad Pro in the coming years...

 

[jkichline]

I agree that most casual users don't know or care about OS, disk space, or RAM. However, this doesn't mean those casual users are dolts that can't focus on more than one thing at a time. My mother, who I consider to be a casual user, uses Word, Email, and plays Solitaire on her Windows PC. Usually, she does all 3 at the same time. Reading her email, putting things from the emails into a Word document, and then moving some cards around while in thought. This sort of use is possible on an iPad, but it requires what I call Fruit-Ninja-ing your way around the interface in a very inefficient way.

The iPad is excellent at running one app at a time. It can run some two apps side by side, but the UI for managing it is inefficient and intuitive. If you want three apps to work together, forget about it.

This has nothing to do with proficient computer users or casual users. It's purely a UI question.

It's called four-finger swipe, or CMD+Tab on a keyboard like the iPad Pro can have...
You can only really focus on one visual thing at a time anyway so why have multiple "windows" open on a small device?

 

[teslo]

I have to agree here... I think most people here forget that there are tons and tons of people that use computers for mostly consumption type computing and for these people, this iPad is probably a great alternative because it really gives you a great experience and performance while being very portable.

Not everyone wants or needs full apps and honestly, I'm still not convinced that devices like the Surface Pro are the magic answer and I still side with Apple... if an application is not made for a touch screen, it's going to be a horrible experience on a device like a tablet. I can't imagine trying to use something like the desktop version of Excel on a tablet without going frigg'n nuts after about 5 mins.

Ah, well, here's where we diverge. Coming from a Cintiq, I without a single doubt know that a (admittedly niche) demographic would celebrate the use of OSX with fingers/stylus. it's really not much different than you'd think. just a small learning curve. the apple pencil solves nearly all problems the uninitiated might foresee here. pencil/finger combo would be delicious.

tangentially, i'd say my biggest problem with apple is their over-selling the pro laptop lineup. i've known many people who buy one because 'hey, i'm a professional, i'll probably want this over the macbook air' when very clearly they do not. not that i'd expect any company to do this, but if they discouraged people from this needless upgrade, they'd get a better 'pro' for actual professionals who need one as the end result. no longer catering to the casual users who don't demand top notch performance and more options, the Pro would evolve to better suit us. i don't know a real world fix to this, but to bring this all back home: i understand the Pro iPad moniker because they kept it iOS. it's just missing the iOS tagged at the end. the macbook pro, i find more faults with. especially since it's not a new product.

my hope: touchscreen MacBooks sooner than later, 'hybrid' form if it's designed perfectly, but not necessary. i'm leaning over my macbook right now pretending it's an easel and wishing i could move windows out of the way with my finger as i navigate further with the stylus. seems pretty intuitive and user friendly to me with OS X, especially at native resolution. what would be so inconvenient or actually 'horrible'?

 

[ZMacintosh]

the ram limitations and that protruding camera is just a no. i like to go without a case on the back and keep it on a flat surface when doing some tasks. i definitely won't be using an iPad to film 4K video so i don't see the point.

 

[RicD]

Have a dying 2010 MBP that crashes very often, log reads GPU. Purchased a iPad Air 2 128 GB WiFi & cellular. Also have a iPhone 6S Plus.

For my work the iPad Air 2 was fun, but then became seldom used. Yes, it is fast, can do many things, but its limitations are in iOS not the device. To tide me over until the announced upgrade to the new MBA or MB, I purchased a 13 inch Toshiba 4 GB Chromebook; less than $400.

To my surprise and amazement this Toshiba is as good as my MBP. No, it cannot run some of the programs, I will still need to purchase a MB or MBA. Using the Chromebook it surprised me the amount of web based apps there are, example I can use iWork and MS Office from the web, on beta for schools Adobe has PS and LR from a browser, so I assume soon to all of us.

All that to say, for me there is not any need updating to the new iPad; iOS is too limiting. To me the Chromebook has all but replaced my use of the iPad. My next upgrade would be to the new MB or MBA. For the price of a iPad Pro, keyboard, Apple Pen, the MBA is a much better device.

 

[AdonisSMU]

NOT a PC replacement!!!

I use my iPad for all non development related tasks.... so if I wasn't an engineer I could probably make it work.

 

[joueboy]

This could be an interesting product but I think the keynote still boring, that's why I would never ever going to watch it.

P.S. Including accessories this is not going to a be cheaper alternative. That iStylus thing should be no more than $50. And that keyboard case is overpriced too. If you can live without those 2 accessories I mentioned, then that's a better deal compared to MacBooks and some PC Laptops.