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

jkichline said:
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?
Click to expand...

First, it's far more than four-finger swipe or CMD-Tab. Take this example: click a link in an email, opens a new safari window. Count the number of swipes and taps it takes to turn this situation into a split-screen setup where you can write a reply email while quoting from that website. I count at least 4 actions, taking a few seconds.

Second, my eyes can move left and right far far quicker than a finger-finger swipe or a keyboard command. Even if I can only focus on one thing at a time, does not mean it's casual users would be ok with a delay between switching from focus to focus.
 
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I love my iPad(s) but them pushing it as a laptop replacement for those with older systems seems like the wrong target. Many of the people who haven't replaced their 5+ laptop haven't done so because of the price to upgrade just wasn't worth it to them. A limited device at roughly twice the price of a new entry level laptop isn't going to sway them.
 
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Rogifan said:
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?
Click to expand...

To me, 'Pro' means more powerful so that you can do heavy computation on it like editing video or running a simulation. A kind of task that earn you money. A tool for work. You will be willing to pay more so that you finish more tasks and earn more money in the same amount of time.
 
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azentropy said:
I love my iPad(s) but them pushing it as a laptop replacement for those with older systems seems like the wrong target. Many of the people who haven't replaced their 5+ laptop haven't done so because of the price to upgrade just wasn't worth it to them. A limited device at roughly twice the price of a new entry level laptop isn't going to sway them.
Click to expand...

Same here. I love the iPad Pro, but it's not a replacement. It's a great add to the workflow and amazing in doing many of the daily routine tasks. But it's not a laptop replacement, and it's not supposed to be in my opinion.
I see it is as an augmenter of the workflow's stream.
 
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Glad to hear it's up to snuff, it's still a kick in the teeth that the 9.7 inch iPad is now 100 bucks more though. Must be that hefty 16 gigs of extra space it comes with. #sad
 
Why has everything go to be a "laptop replacement" why are people so obsessed with wanting to replace a laptop. I want a tablet for different things.

If the iPhone gets any bigger that'll be a laptop replacement too then will it?
 
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Abazigal said:
In a nutshell, it's a laptop replacement if you can do laptop stuff on it, and it's not if you can't.

And I am perfectly fine with that. If anything, I am glad that the iPad doesn't try too hard to replicate laptop functionality, but instead continue to shine in its own way.
Click to expand...
Is it just me or is anyone else wondering why  seems so determined to get people to "replace" laptops? Does this imply that they are on track to discontinue MAC's and OSX? o_O
 
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There is no need to raise this issue (iPad replacing laptops) once again. 10" iPad Pro does not bring much (if anything) new to this discussion compared to iPad Air. People seem to be buying into the Pro moniker for all the wrong reasons.
 
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This discussion about the iPad as a laptop replacement has been going on since the introduction in 2010. Of course, there are many people that can get by just fine with an iPad as their only computer for personal use. Remember, most people don't buy their work computer.....rather, they have them assigned by the IT department of their organization. Obviously, an iPad would not be an ideal corporate solution for the wide variety of office use cases and corporate specific applications.....but for home use, a tablet is probably fine for most people.

I understand Apple has used the Pro moniker, which implies that this "iPad" will replace the work laptop, but come-on now, we all know this is just a marketing term to facilitates branding, differentiation, and product pricing. All companies do it. So, why is this such a big deal? No IT department worth its salt is going to replace all of their office laptops with iPads just because Apple adopted the "Pro" naming convention.
 
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It can never be a laptop replacement as long as the rest of the net treats it as a "mobile device". Or forces you into a an app.

Although it has gotten better, I still frequently have to switch to a laptop or other pc to perform web tasks that I can't do on the pad.

I used to laugh with frustration at Hulu when it refused to play video on my IPad (mobile device) but had no problem with the MacBook right next to me.
 
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Mainsail said:
I understand Apple has used the Pro moniker, which implies that this "iPad" will replace the work laptop, but come-on now, we all know this is just a marketing term to facilitates branding, differentiation, and product pricing. All companies do it. So, why is this such a big deal? No IT department worth its salt is going to replace all of their office laptops with iPads just because Apple adopted the "Pro" naming convention.
Click to expand...

In general I would agree with you, but for those that were able to stay awake during the event Apple said that it could work as a (windows) laptop replacement.
 
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Truth is 75% of the population use their laptop to:

email
web
simple document creation
music
watch netflix
run a few Apps

The iPad Pro is a laptop replacement for many:

Doctors
Dentists
Real Estate professionals
Outside Sales
Upper Management
Music Executives
Artists
Actors
Teachers
Truck drivers
Customer Service
Repair Techs
Small business owners
Bakers
Chefs
Clerks
Drivers
Waiters
Farmers
Ranchers
Attorneys
Social workers
investment planners
day traders
Marketers
Nurse
Pilots
Judges
Political scientist
HR staff
Retail staff
Economist
Vets
Construction
General Contractor
Installers

ect, ect, ect, ect

I'd say 75% of professionals would do fine with an iPad Pro instead of a laptop. The exception is programmers and engineers and heavy graphics.
 
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Thunderhawks said:
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.
Click to expand...

Same here.
My MBP's my main machine, but I review a lot of documents on my iPad and the pencil would be nice to take notes or highlight. The pencil compatibility finally justifies the upgrade, otherwise mine is still great.
Honesty, I was hoping for an air 3 but the + $100 I'll have to sacrifice for my work flow of "pro" consuming.
 
With the small iPad Pro, my only issue is that the screen is too small to be a good laptop replacement...you can easily buy a cheap hp laptop with a AMD bargain processor and it does more than the iPad Pro 9.7, but if I use this logic it may do more than any iPad Pro big or small......when it comes to productivity. It's just 599 plus the cost of a keyboard and maybe the pencil is quite high for the purposes of what this device can do.
 
When a "Laptop Replacent" somehow costs even more than an even an Apple Laptop then there may be a problem.

Yeah, that's a good marketing strategy...

"Hey mom. Don't get a MacBook, get this instead. It costs more and does less. You buy this extra piece, snap this in there, fold it here, roll this, bend it this way and now you've got a keyboard on a table. See. Just like a computer... But simpler."
 
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urkel said:
Ah, the "Laptop Replacent" that somehow costs even more than an Apple Laptop.

Yeah, that's a good marketing strategy...
Click to expand...

No one ever said a replacement has to be cheaper.....just better.

If the iPad can't replace a laptop for you fine. But for tens of millions of people it already has. I've replaced my laptop with an iPad and I could not be happier. Why?

1. Super easy to use
2. Super fast boot up
3. Super great battery life
4. Don't have run anti-virus software
5. Don't have to mess with windows and constant updates for security holes
6. Super nice screen
7. Much lighter, much more compact
8. Apps are much cheaper than Windows/OSX programs

I've never been as happy with a laptop as I've been with my iPad the last 2 years.
 
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