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

[QCassidy352]

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'm one of those professions on that list, and I absolutely cannot replace a laptop with an iPad (any type) for my work. My wife is another of those professions, and she can't either.

I don't mean to be rude here, but I don't understand why you'd think you're qualified to say what people in dozens of different professions do and don't need to do their jobs.

I have an iPad Air 2, and it's great for what it is, but it's a million miles from being a laptop replacement, for me, either as a personal or professional device. At a MINIMUM I'd need: file system, usb port(s), ability to run multiple instances of the same app, ability to drive external monitor(s). A MS Surface would be getting close, but an iPad? Not even close, as currently constituted, and that includes the pro.

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

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.

The simple reloading of safari tabs isn't that big of a deal, it's when I'm in the middle of a task and need to look up a piece of information, so I go look through my messages or e-mails or other app, and when I find the info I need and come back to safari or whatever app I was initially using, it restarts and I have to start from square one again. They pretend that you can multi-task now, but you really can't with only 1gb of ram.

 

[warrior2000]

An iPad Air 2 with four speakers and a pencil.

Screen is far superior to the Air2
CPU is far faster
GPU is far faster
Screen refreshes much faster than the Air2
Smart connector (instant connection instead of delay and flaky bluetooth)

So the iPad Pro is much faster, better sound, better screen quality, better accessories. What else were you expecting? Time travel? clueless.

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

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?

I'm pretty sure the "Pro" tag is marketing to account for the price increase.

 

[Marx55]

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

No way. For that Apple needs a Mac tablet.

 

[warrior2000]

I'm one of those professions on that list, and I absolutely cannot replace a laptop with an iPad (any type) for my work. My wife is another of those professions, and she can't either.

I don't mean to be rude here, but I don't understand why you'd think you're qualified to say what people in dozens of different professions do and don't need to do their jobs.

I have an iPad Air 2, and it's great for what it is, but it's a million miles from being a laptop replacement, for me, either as a personal or professional device. At a MINIMUM I'd need: file system, usb port(s), ability to run multiple instances of the same app, ability to drive external monitor(s). A MS Surface would be getting close, but an iPad? Not even close, as currently constituted, and that includes the pro.

I said the iPad is a replacement for MANY of those professions. Not ALL. Your exception does not mean its the rule.

How am I qualified? Because I see people with those jobs use iPads instead of laptops as their primary work computer.

 

[Marx55]

Some people forget that Mac and iOS are much more than interface. It is freedom (or jail). It is customization to see files and place them wherever you want in a visible file system (or not). It is power to run professional applications (or not). It is capacity to dominate and control the machine (and not the other way round). And last but not least, it is standard ports to share files with a pendrive (or not). It is day (or night). You simply cannot compare them.

 

[warrior2000]

I'm pretty sure the "Pro" tag is marketing to account for the price increase.

So you wanted Apple to call it iPad Air3 and charge $100 more?

 

[fenderbass146]

The simple reloading of safari tabs isn't that big of a deal, it's when I'm in the middle of a task and need to look up a piece of information, so I go look through my messages or e-mails or other app, and when I find the info I need and come back to safari or whatever app I was initially using, it restarts and I have to start from square one again. They pretend that you can multi-task now, but you really can't with only 1gb of ram.

I agree...that was just in my case...they don't sell the iPad Air anymore so the issue is null. I was just making my point that 2 GB is enough for 95% of peoples usage on a tablet. It will be a while before 4 GB is really needed.

 

[QCassidy352]

I said the iPad is a replacement for MANY of those professions. Not ALL. Your exception does not mean its the rule.

How am I qualified? Because I see people with those jobs use iPads instead of laptops as their primary work computer.

You said an iPad was a laptop replacement for "many" and then listed those professions. Now you're saying you meant for "many of those professions"?

That makes no sense in the context of your original post. You're changing your story.

And frankly, I'm calling BS on you personally seeing/knowing people in all of those jobs who use an iPad as a primary work device. You may see a small business owner or a doctor with an iPad, but that doesn't mean it's their primary work device, or that they don't have a laptop or desktop in their office (and I'd bet way better than even money that they do).

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

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.

That's entirely possible. But iOS is a long ways from offering those features. There's absolutely no reason Apple couldn't continue to develop iOS until it is as functional or even more functional than OS X, but at that point, there may not even be distinguishing factors between the two operating systems. iOS and OS X may eventually merge. We're all just waiting (some more patiently than others) for iOS to catch up to OS X, or for Apple to make OS X tablet friendly and ditch iOS on the iPad. I feel it's splitting hairs to debate what the nomenclature will be. Whether they continue to call it iOS or call it OS X or come up with some new name, we just want laptop features on our tablets. Adobe doesn't have fully featured versions of its software on the iPad because the iPad isn't ready, not because Adobe isn't ready.

 

[warrior2000]

Some people forget that Mac and iOS are much more than interface. It is freedom (or jail). It is customization to see files and place them wherever you want in a visible file system (or not). It is power to run professional applications (or not). It is capacity to dominate and control the machine (and not the other way round). And last but not least, it is standard ports to share files with a pendrive (or not). It is day (or night). You simply cannot compare them.

dominate the machine? Tell that to millions of Windows user who are overwhelmed by computer virus and security holes that need to be fixed constantly.

Sorry. I'd rather have iOS cause it simply works. I don't have to worry about my iPad crashing or slowing down from a bug.

It all comes down to software. The iPad Pro is powerful enough to run 90% of the software that is on PC's right now.
[doublepost=1459187011][/doublepost]

You said an iPad was a laptop replacement for "many" and then listed those professions. Now you're saying you meant for "many of those professions"?

That makes no sense in the context of your original post. You're changing your story.

And frankly, I'm calling BS on you personally seeing/knowing people in all of those jobs who use an iPad as a primary work device. You may see a small business owner or a doctor with an iPad, but that doesn't mean it's their primary work device, or that they don't have a laptop or desktop in their office (and I'd bet way better than even money that they do).

So you are reading my mind now? Go read my post again. This is EXACTLY what i typed:

"The iPad Pro is a laptop replacement for many: Doctors...."

How much more clearly can I say it? Don't blame me that you don't have reading comprehension. I said the iPad can replace the laptop for many doctors, dentist, teachers, ect....

From personal experience I see many of those professionals I listed as having a desktop computer at work and they use their iPad as their traveling device rather than a laptop. Call BS all you want but Apple is seeing the same thing as me and its pretty obvious that for tens of millions of people the iPad is their primary on the go work device.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

I'm still waiting for the ranting about the 2 GB RAM.

Rants about 2GB of RAM are only from those that judge usefulness of products on specs. Had someone not told them it had 2GB rather than 4GB, they never would have cared and never could have complained about the actual performance.

If you found out tomorrow that you'd incorrectly assumed your car had 2x the power it actual does, would you be mad if you'd been happy with the performance up to that point?

 

[LordQ]

As a web, graphic and industrial designer, my iPad 1 is still very helpful with apps such as Coda, iDraw, Procreate and iWork.

This iPad could easily be my next tablet to use some of the great CAD apps I've seen (though I'd rather wait for the 12,9 Pro 2 in September).

Yes, it can be a laptop replacement if you play your cards well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[MvdM]

If you will not use the pencil, what makes the small pro more pc replacement than the air 2?

 

[Glideslope]

Agreed. The real market for this devise is further penetration into the Enterprise.

 

[sledgehammer89]

What else were you expecting?

Software. If I don't know whether iOS 10 move iOS more into a Desktop system, even my 7.9" iPad mini 2 is enough for iOS, because iOS is far away to be a PC/Mac replacement.
Apple completely ignores people interested in IT tech. With iOS 9 it's not possible to create a SD-Card to boot a Raspberry Pi, a learning computer. Which supports Swift and was even mentioned by Chris Lattner:
http://blog.andrewmadsen.com/post/136137396480/swift-on-raspberry-pi

 

[Max(IT)]

"For casual users."

You would never hear Tim Cook say that.

What's wrong with casual users?
[doublepost=1459187574][/doublepost]

at this point apple products always get good reviews. If you dont your not invited to any apple events lol.

.... or maybe they get good reviews because, you know, they actually are good.

 

[QCassidy352]

So you are reading my mind now? Go read my post again. This is EXACTLY what i typed:

"The iPad Pro is a laptop replacement for many: Doctors...."

How much more clearly can I say it? Don't blame me that you don't have reading comprehension. I said the iPad can replace the laptop for many doctors, dentist, teachers, ect....

No, you didn't. You said it could replace a laptop for "many" and then listed a bunch of professions. What you originally wrote is not the same as what you just paraphrased. That's not my reading comprehension; it's you not writing clearly.

Anyway. Now that you've clarified your meaning, my point is the same. You're listing a whole bunch of professions, far more than you can have personal knowledge of, and proporting to know what professionals in those fields need based on a few anecdotal sightings of people with iPads.

It seems like you've got some kind of personal stake in an iPad being accepted as a laptop replacement, and I can't imagine why.

 

[falainber]

So you wanted Apple to call it iPad Air3 and charge $100 more?

I am pretty sure he (and most everybody else) doesn't care what Apple calls it but wanted Apple to keep the price the same or lower in line with the pricing trends on tablets and computers in general.

 

[warrior2000]

If you will not use the pencil, what makes the small pro more pc replacement than the air 2?

Much faster CPU/GPU
Smart Connector for a better keyboard experience (don't have to deal with flaky bluetooth)
Better speakers
Better screen
More future proof

 

[Thunderhawks]

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.

You guys should get married!

 

[warrior2000]

No, you didn't. You said it could replace a laptop for "many" and then listed a bunch of professions. What you originally wrote is not the same as what you just paraphrased. That's not my reading comprehension; it's you not writing clearly.

Anyway. Now that you've clarified your meaning, my point is the same. You're listing a whole bunch of professions, far more than you can have personal knowledge of, and proporting to know what professionals in those fields need based on a few anecdotal sightings of people with iPads.

It seems like you've got some kind of personal stake in an iPad being accepted as a laptop replacement, and I can't imagine why.

Just read what I wrote. Stop making up BS. Just admit you read it wrong and move on.

Seems like you have some of kind of personal stake NOT to see the iPad being accepted as a laptop replacement. Problem is tens of millions have ALREADY replaced their laptops with iPads. THAT IS A FACT. And many more will do the same with the increased power in the Pro line up and Apple's joint venture with IBM.

 

[Max(IT)]

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.

Reviews from totally independent websites
[doublepost=1459188296][/doublepost]

Hmmm, an iPad "Pro" for "casual" users. Fantastic. So when are we going to get the real iPad Pro, Apple?

You are American and you can't understand your own language? They said it could a LAPTOP REPLACEMENT for casual users, not that it's a tablet for casual users only...
[doublepost=1459188417][/doublepost]

Never. iOS is fundamentally flawed as an operating system for actual pros.

Please so define what a pro is... Because I'm quite sure I am a professional and I'm using iOS devices to do actual jobs.

 

[gugy]

I am fine with the iPad being always for the casual user. But the prices should reflect that. When you add a keyboard and pencil we are on MB territory prices and this is where I think it fails. The iPads should be way more reasonably priced at this point.