Tim Cook: iPad Pro Will Replace Notebooks and Desktops for 'Many, Many People'

[justin216]

Tim Cook isn't wrong, per se -- but we have also to maintain some perspective. The audience here on MacRumors isn't the majority of Apple's sales (or a model of a typical consumer), we're an enthusiast group that an iPad Pro probably can't replace our primary device now, if ever. However, if you think about the number of people you probably know that a traditional PC is overkill for (and there are more of them than there are of us), it starts to make sense.

I'm buying an iPad Pro as my secondary/travel device. I'm not going to be able to fire up Xcode or Visual Studio on it this week, although some day, that would be kind of great. I can always remote back into my Mac and do whatever I need to do with heavy lifting, and the iPad Pro screen size will be quite helpful in that regard.

 

[freediverx]

Until it can run full desktop apps, it won't be replacing my MacBook Pro.

Can it run Xcode or other IDEs? No. Can it run any of the full desktop Adobe Suite? No. Can it run the full MS Office Suite? No.

Can it replace notebooks for "many, many people"? No.

I don't think the ability to run desktop apps is required for tablets to replace desktop & notebook computers for many people. iOS apps are becoming increasingly capable and powerful so it's not much of a stretch to imagine them as primary computing devices for a lot of folks in the near future.

You can easily reach "many, many people" without including developers or graphic design professionals, who represent a tiny fraction of all computer users. MS Office users? Depends on the user. It will take a while (if ever) before an iPad and iOS can facilitate the sort of dexterity required to efficiently flip data back and forth across multiple applications. But does that describe all MS Office users, or are many of them performing relatively simple reading and writing tasks on a single application at a time?

Tim, How am I supposed to get my RAW format pictures on there from my DSLR while I'm on vacation? Since you guys abandoned Aperture, how can I run Lightroom on it? How can I sync all that stuff with my Mac at home? How am I going to edit on it? Those are the reasons I ditched my iPad and went with a Macbook Air. Many of us want/need the full functionality of a good laptop.

What percentage of the population currently uses a DSLR while on vacation, and what percentage of that group needs to process their RAW images while still on vacation? An increasingly diminishing fraction. I own a 5DMII that hasn't seen the light of day in months. The combination of an iPhone and a compact camera have usurped the DSLR's role for a lot of people in a lot of use cases.

Even if DSLRs continue to have a place in professional photography, the ways in which the images are stored, transferred, and edited will continue to evolve. Very soon the concept of tethering a camera to a laptop with a cable will seem very antiquated for most situations.

(Disclosure: I am a fellow disgruntled Aperture user...)

Not so sure about that. For some tasks sure, but for others there is no way until you have file hierarchy and ability to hook external devices.

File management continues to be the Achilles heel for power users on iOS. There is simply no way anyone can rely on iOS's current file system to manage and access years of data grouped and associated with multiple projects and categories. But there are millions of people who have no idea how to manage or access data on this scale, and just need a simple way to find a photo or email. For all of those people, a desktop file management system is neither required nor desired.

Many people use laptops for simple web browsing and office tasks, as well as viewing pictures taken with their iPhone. Can an iPad do all that? Sure it can. However, will these people spend $1K or more to change their laptop for an iPad Pro with keyboard add-on? Probably not.

You could have made a similar prediction about MP3 players a few years ago. When the iPod was introduced, it cost a whopping $400 and could only hold 5GB of songs, which is a laughable figure by today's standards. And yet today you can buy your child a 16GB iPod Nano for $149, until they reach an age (9?) when they demand an iPhone of their own.

iPads will not cost $1000 forever.

"PCs are going to be like trucks. They are still going to be around. However, only one out of x people will need them." - Steve Jobs

For a lot of people, this idea that only some people need a full fledged laptop or desktop computer is already a reality. Us techie people don't see it though, because we love our computers. We're the truck drivers.

Bingo. This is my favorite quote when discussing this topic. If you live on a farm, you will scoff at the notion of driving a Mini Cooper. But your Ford F-750 is going to look pretty stupid barreling down an urban or suburban landscape.

 

[Daws001]

If the iPad Pro had usb and a proper file system then I would have bought it over a rMB.

 

[sracer]

View attachment 599023
This is one of my biggest problem with iPad Pro. Say the iPad could run full featured Adobe suite. Are you expected to gorilla arm, hold the tablet with one hand, or hunch over an iPad laid flat on a table the entire time you work? The new keyboard solves a problem for typing but it bothers me that Apple seemingly didn't feel the need to address the whole gorilla arm usability issue.

I love how all of the "gorilla arm" criticism of Windows notebooks equipped with touchscreens are suddenly not applicable to the iPad Pro... or how the iPad Pro won't suffer from the "lapability" problems that the Surface was criticized for.

The power of the magic of Apple's products live on.

 

[John.B]

Tim:

We love our Macs.

Please don't get any ideas.

OK, just making sure.

John

 

[Kissaragi]

It might once better apps are available. Adobe need to port a full version of Photoshop to iOS for a start

 

[Popeye206]

I'm with you. At home I find myself spending almost 50/50 of my time on my laptop and iPad. Even when it comes to 'consuming' data, sometimes a laptop is far far more comfortable than an iPad

And BTW, Surface Pro 3 (and 4) do replace the laptop, but because they finally managed to get a full operating system to work on such form factor. Apple is still years from that, regardless how 'powerful' apps become

Years? I don't think so... I think they could pull that trigger fairly fast. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.

My point is a laptop is good for one thing and a tablet is good for another thing... some people (which is still a large number) the tablet can be a total replacement as Tim Cook says... but I'm not as convinced the hybrid device like the Surface Book is the way to go. Seems you have to compromise on both sides with a device like that — bad battery as a tablet, flimsy as a laptop. The concept is cool, but the execution has yet to be perfected.

 

[jbachandouris]

Not this person. I have an iPad Air 2 and rMBP. I have to force myself to use the iPad.

 

[ArrowDigital]

I am one of the people planning to do this. To replace my laptop with the iPad Pro exclusively. Now, I admit though this is more of a test of "Can I?", than something I am confident in. There is a very good chance I find some things I cannot do and I end up returning it and going right back.

But for me, I am excited to go to just the iPad Pro if possible. I am a general user with some graphics need. The graphic apps will really dictate long term what I can do. But I am still skeptical.

Tim's confidence is a over the top too.

 

[litmag01]

Don't really understand the market niche for this device. I feel like Sir Ive and the Industrial Design arm have completely taken over at Apple. It as though they are pushing full steam on the edge of the design envelope with no vision whatsoever on how the heck these things will be used. If their products (Apple Watch, new MacBook, iPad Pro) are just going to be boutique for the sake of high culture, then to me they are no longer refined tools, they are just expensive clutter.

 

[Xtremjeepn]

What I'm getting from this thread is that "many" developers think they are the only "Professionals" in the world and that everyone else just uses a computer for Facebook and other socia media apps.


What a crock of ****!! Most of you wouldn't have jobs if the other professionals out there weren't selling things and shipping products!

There are thousands of professional occupations that can benefit from a device like this.

Maybe some of the "pros" here should spend time developing real apps for those people instead of trying to preach how a "real computer" is better.


To add to the earlier truck analogy. "Many" people don't have to buy trucks anymore because an "application developer" created easy to use rack systems for cars.

This means that "many" people can carry their bike/skis/etc without a truck.

Leaving the lumber hauling trucks to the "pros".

 

[canesalato]

If the iPad Pro had usb and a proper file system then I would have bought it over a rMB.

yes. I would add bluetooth trackpad support and the ability to download apps outside the app store

 

[dk001]

*sigh* What is he smoking?

Not smoking. I really think that he has been quaffing a bit too much of his Kool-Aid.

 

[Jaymes]

Interestingly at the very large public institution where I work, iPad use and purchases have gone down significantly; meanwhile, MacBook Air purchases are higher than they've ever been. I can't imagine for a moment the iPad Pro is going to make these former iPad users switch back to iPad.

 

[BornAgainMac]

It can replace the Google Pixel chromebook.

 

[patseguin]

I do a ton of design work and I can't ever see a tablet replacing a desktop and mouse.

 

[phillipduran]

"I think if you're looking at a PC, why would you buy a PC anymore? No really, why would you buy one?

To play Overwatch.

There ya go.


To overclock, upgrade my graphics card, bling the system, mod it, flash it, decide what parts I want in it.

 

[oldmacs]

If the iPad Pro had usb and a proper file system then I would have bought it over a rMB.

I'll get flamed for this one, but if iOS had a great system of managing an external HD + a file system that was simple but powerful/easy to get work done, I'd find the iPad fair easier to do work with.

 

[AirdanMR]

I'm afraid they'll eventually left OS X and laptops apart and focus only on iOS a iphone - ipads. I doubt they even bother on merging both OSs which would be the ideal situation to have the best things from both worlds just like Microsoft did.

Next year I would buy a Mac for the first time in my life and this Tim-direction bugs me a lot.

 

[Pilgrim1099]

Look at this chart. Look where it's headed. Fast forward another year when the A10x chip is faster than most PCs today. When Bluetooth 4.0 peripherals all but make physical ports obsolete. When new apps being designed for iPad Pro obsolete apps designed decades ago for PCs. When iCloud negates the need for finite onboard storage and file management. Now imagine a 27" iPad mounted on an articulated arm on your desk that you can lower to manipulate while sitting at your desk or raise to face a room. I can't see many people needing a traditional PC by then.

You don't need to imagine a 27" iPad mounted on an articulated arm. That idea has been around for a long time by digital artists/designers using Wacom Cintiqs with that on their desks. I know for a fact because I'm an artist myself.

Here's an example of the Wacom page showing an articulated arm with a Wacom ( first photo ):

http://community.wacom.com/inspirat...udents-meet-animation-inspiration-nik-ranieri

Or this one ( there's a video if you scroll down which shows the articulated arm in use ):

http://www.parkablogs.com/picture/review-wacom-cintiq-27qhd-pen-display-tablet

Also, the idea of using an articulated arm for a giant sized iPad without a physical keyboard can be problematic. In other words, using a virtual keyboard on screen isn't good for your fingers due to possible RSI, or even calluses in the finger joints if you are used to typing hard on surface ( not a good idea ). That's why physical keys are a better method for input when working on a laptop or desktop. But the virtual keys are good for quick use of text or messaging.

But a tablet for long form writing or coding? Hell no.

 

[dk001]

This is true.

I have a wide network of people across all ages and professions, and it's quite surprising how many people tell me that they barely touch their computer because the iPad does everything they need.

However most find they still need that computer (pc) even if infrequently. I have found very very few people who have totally stopped using a pc and just use their tablet or smartphone.

 

[StoneJack]

I think that everyone underestimates the view of where computing is going to go. This is mobile and this is iPhone/iPad.
Desktop isn't dying, just becoming peripheral as some workstations of the past with archaic OSes.
I've been at university classes and students no longer take records using pens and papers.
they just take pictures of presentation slides using their tablets and smartphones to put photos in their Evernotes and etc.
Moreover, they write essays and can make presentations using exclusively their phones. All important files are stored online (icloud, dropbox, MS onedrive), this is new generations which was educated on iPhones and iPod touches since 2007 and iPads since 2010. They just DON'T need notebooks as much as we do. If they have, its something almost like an afterthought. For them iPad Pro IS THE notebook they always wanted. For 1% of those who work on large graphics, music files,etc, Macs will remain relevant, but for 99% of population (okey 90%) iPad or iPhone Plus is just everything they need for living and their computing needs. Watch movies, chat, play games, call and connect, you name it - everything can be done mobile. And will be even more as iPhones and iPads become more and more sophisticated. iOS already does multitasking, split screens, 3D Touch, pen note taking, drawing and sketching - last things much better than any mac - plus you get zillions of cheap apps for virtually every need (well, I never searched for equations input but I guess its there). Its a match made in heaven for young generation.

 

[Glassed Silver]

Well, with the run-off-the-mill iOS there is a whole bag of hurt for maintenance, compatibility, etc...

Sure, many will do it, but it doesn't mean that they really get an optimal experience, unless of course their needs are exceptionally low and their willingness to buy only accessories "blessed" by Apple.
That and a total unwillingness to fix problems/have them fixed by your tech savvy friends and family instead of often times simply learning something isn't possible, you have to reset everything, bla bla bla.
Main OS without maintanance, if that's the future for Average Joe: Good luck fellas!
iDevices don't even have downgradable firmware.
Oh and the many more examples I could list.

Why "Pro" today doesn't have the same meaning as 5 years ago.

[...]

Lets face it, Cook is focusing on selling phones and watches... Apple doesn't care about PRO consumers anymore.

I wish that wasn't true, but it is.

There's no money to be made with customers who actually need high specs and well fitted software.

If the margin isn't steep, Apple's not interested anymore. "do few things, but do them well" is really just a cover up for this, because I don't see nearly as good quality control these days anymore, certainly yearly OS main version upgrades don't help either.

What's more, the pro applications they still actually have, I kind of have the feeling they will be around as long as they can use them as playgrounds to beef up their consumer applications in the respective field and "smarten them up" (more automation, more "magic", less control, no prosumer or professional in mind)


And if you actually bother to kind of elevate a piece of software to former standards that went without saying, it's going to take it's sweet freaking time. (iWork, anyone? Photos will be similar, just that Aperture edits support will never come I sense.)

I just don't feel the good vibes and excitement anymore.
Every new version my first thoughts are "what did they deprecate this time around?"

Great user experience.

Speaking of user experience: stop ignoring your own HIG. Small text links and too flat buttons are awful on a touch device. (latter on desktop too)
And no, those dirty light gray excuses for buttons in the accessibility settings are NOT an option.
If that's Ive's imagination of a nicely crafted GUI, remove from any software design tasks or oversight immediately. (or whoever signed this mess)
He's amazing for hardware, but boy...

Ok, I'm done armchairing.

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[dk001]

I guess it will not replace the PC for people who are spending about $500 on a PC, though, because it costs twice as much. But for SOME people it WILL replace the PC. And for Apple, SOME is MANY. The question is, hmm., when does Many become Many Many? Cheers!

Until that dreaded time that Apple CS, Tech Support, or your Genius Dude/Dudette tells you to hook it to iTunes in order to correct some fault in iOS that requires the standard Backup/Reset/Reset As New/Reset to Factory it is not realistic.

 

[Precision Gem]

I think Tim is completely correct. For many many many people, all they do with their computers is: Web browse, email, make postings on Facebook. For these things, an iPad is a very good tool, and much more portable and often quicker than using a traditional PC. I know people who have completely abandoned their PC, and use just their smart phones, and have not turned on the PC in months.