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

[bladerunner2000]

Besides that the iOS UI would not work well with mouse input

Well that's a lie.

 

[srminton]

Sure, if you don't know what a file system is, nor develop any programs, nor need a mouse, nor...

I personally know teachers, sales professionals, company directors, one lawyer and several medical professionals who use Tablets in their work, all day long....they don't really need file systems beyond something like Dropbox or iCloud Drive, and they definitely don't need a mouse, and they don't develop programs.

 

[diegogaja]

Dozens of posts into this forum and you were literally the first person that has any common sense or a perspective based in reality. Basically everybody before your post literally thinks most people only use computers the way they use them. LOL. The narrowmindedness of the tech culture surprises me sometimes...and disappoints.

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.

 

[NMBob]

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

From the looks of things your MacBook Pro will shortly be as dumb as an iPad, so maybe he's right.

 

[The Big Guy]

Can I run AutoCAD Civil 3D? No

 

[AppleNewton]

This is because you can't get away from the desktop's paradigm of Photoshop and Microsoft Office. Truth is that mobile doesn't need both

no its not the desktop paradigm, its the tool set that has been equipped with these applications. i dont use office, i can get away with spreadsheets and word docs through apples iOS apps. but the offerings from adobe are lackluster and border photos app esque immaturity to get real work done.

if these are replacing desktops or component systems, theres got to be depth to the application that can scale to the needs of people who only need something basic to professionals who need to create larger or intricate projects. it doesn't have to be an OR category, it can be AND...etc

 

[diegogaja]

I would argue that most workplaces expect/need to run MS Office...and to be honest all the really need is a productivity suite. There are capable MS and Apple version on iOS.

Most workplaces expect/need machines to run Windows, so not even an OS X version will replace them

 

[merkinmuffley]

What is Mr. Cook smoking? If it had an X86 processor it might have wider acceptance, but not in it's current configuration. I read somewhere (maybe here?) that they're not expecting this thing to run out the doors of their stores, sales expectations were being toned down. These people he mentions using it create content, and this is NOT a system that creating and sharing content from is what it does.​

 

[iPadDad]

Tim Cook is right, what people don't realize is how capable the iPad actually is.

If the CEO of Apple just uses an iPad pro and his phone, well then I think it will work for the majority of us.

I switched from a notebook to a iPad a couple of years ago. Never looked back.

Sure I don't do serious video editing or coding, but I am the GM of a company and it works superbly for me!

 

[citysnaps]

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.

Dozens of posts into this forum and you were literally the first person that has any common sense or a perspective based in reality. Basically everybody before your post literally thinks most people only use computers the way they use them. LOL. The narrowmindedness of the tech culture surprises me sometimes...and disappoints.

Good call. Computer-geek keyboard warriors are an insular bunch. Just can't understand why others might actually do something different than them, have different needs, etc. Those that are solely into the fastest-biggest-baddest will never get it.

 

[JohnSFO]

Apple has been playing the long game with the "Post-PC era". Training people to use touch screens and incrementally adding complexity, fostering an app ecosystem that has itself grown in power and complexity and staunchly refusing to add physical ports to its iOS devices are all moves that are now culminating in the iPad Pro being able to replace a PC for "many, many people". Not all people. Many of them.

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.

But what you're describing is the iPad as desktop computer. That's fine with me, as long as the OS is better, there are more choices for input (not just touch), and the cloud is optional. You suggest a future where the iPad becomes more powerful than the iMac, but there's no evidence of that. Apple continues to update all products as they move forward, and now we have top of the line Skylake processors in some iMacs. I guess what I'm saying is be careful what you wish for. Having more options is always better. iOs is just not good enough...for many, many people.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I wonder what TC's excuse will be if iPad Pro sales don't even come close to Mac laptop sales in the next few quarters. The iPad Pro seems like a very niche tablet model that does fill in a need for certain people, but it by no means a laptop or desktop replacement for those of us that still use them.

It's already true that some people find a tablet as a good laptop/desktop alternative and they already use them for that purpose -- but look an iPad sales over the last 18 months. They've been drifting down even as Mac sales have been going up. The "pro" is not a game changer; it's a bigger screen w/ supported stylus functionality. So I'm perplexed why TC thinks tablets will replace traditional computers rather than just supplement them.

 

[canesalato]

"Haters, close minded, disappointing mentality"...i could go on (i've read worse), but my point is...why do people that like the iPad pro feel so superior that they allow themselves to use these kind of adjectives? People who are disappointed by the iPad pro have the right to express their disappointment without your words and personal judgement. They didn't call you "dumb fanboys" and you shoul stop calling them "haters" and quit the drama of "gosh, this forum used to be better without all the haters". This attitude lacks the basics of respect for the people you are having a discussion with. Thank you

 

[nando87]

People's first mistake at MacRumors is to think of themselves when they consider new Apple gear. I think of my mom, who doesn't concern herself with traditional file systems, peripherals, USB ports etc... her enjoyment of a device is always-on web browser, Facebook and Pages which prints to AirPrint... and that's who Apple goes after as well.

Don't fool yourself. People who buy top end Apple hardware use to be geeks. Is your mom going to buy an iPad Pro, Mac Pro, full spec MacBook Pro, iMac 5k, 128gb iPhone 6s Plus?... What you're describing are the people who buy android tablets, low end iPad mini and chromebooks.

 

[apolloa]

It doesn't sound like anything other than "many, many" which is code for "we're going to sell a lot."

Whatever assumption you make after that is just your bias.

Hmm, I'm not sure how you can read what Tim Cook said, change it to your own wording and meaning, then claim anything else is a bias assumption, without you looking hypocritical with your comment.

 

[omgitscro]

Sure, if you don't know what a file system is, nor develop any programs, nor need a mouse, nor...

I'll be using mine as an academic researcher. Most of what I do is in the terminal, and the iPad will be perfect for those tasks.

 

[diegogaja]

And yet the original iPad replaced the desktop for many, many people...I know many people that have done this. Are the programmers? No. Gamers? Engineers or architects or pro photogs, etc? No. But this needs are specific and require specific power and software specs. But don't fool yourself by these examples...
Have some perspective, everyone's computer does not need to meet YOUR needs. For the vast majority and iPad would be more than enough for day to day operations.

I recall them saying the same about the original iPad. I sure as hell wouldn't replace my laptop with one of these.

 

[keithrt]

Am I the only one who's noticed Apple's recent lethargy regarding the iPad Pro? After the initial product announcement, Apple basically went silent. Then, this Monday they announce preorders will be available Wednesday, but give no time at which preorders will be accepted and no firm date on which the product will be available in the retail stores. Can no one at Apple communicate a decision any more? Or make one?

Today, the day before pre-orders are to begin, the web site for iPad Pro still says "Available November." Wouldn't you think that a product that Apple presents as ground-breaking and the death of the PC would at least merit a web site update announcing preorders? Has anyone noticed that the Apple Pencil seems to get more attention than the iPad Pro?

To me, this entire episode speaks to Apple's lack of confidence in their products. After the less-than-remarkable debut of the Apple Watch, and in the face of declining iPad sales, could it be that Apple doesn't want to blow their horn too loudly lest someone notice if iPad Pro sales are less than stellar?

I hate to be one to keep digging Steve Jobs up and throwing him in Tim Cook's face, but I can't imagine a product launch as weak as this one happening on Jobs' watch.

 

[diegogaja]

Actually the iPad has trackpad capability built into the software keyboard. I use it often as a mouse when editing documents.

I think this is actually a pretty big point. For content consumption, touch is wonderful. It allows one to roll through and interact with content, naturally. For content production, more precision if often needed. While I love mu Surface Pro, I couldn't imagine writing or editing a large MS Word Doc or Excel spreadsheet, without the trackpad. Being able to really dial the curser in with accuracy becomes important, and constantly switching from the keyboard to screen touch or using a pen would be a hassle.

Even if all the apps one needed were there, and I suspect they will be for a certain class user, the fact that the keyboard doesn't include a trackpad or some kind of pointer is limiting. Does that mean users will have to lug mice around, or that they'll need to purchase the pencil?

My Surface Pro 3 stylus has remained pretty much unused, BTW. Used it a bit for OneNote, but my penmanship sucks. So now it's only brought out when the kids want to play with fresh Paint.

My iPads now sit mostly unused. My 6s can do most of what they do, and for a long time the SP3 was my go-to light and mobile system. For the past few weeks, however, even my SP3 is somewhat neglected. I just bought a retina MacBook... LOL

 

[Jax44]

Good point. But it's up to Apple or third party manufacturers to support setting up and printing from iOS. Technically there's nothing stopping printer support from iOS. (I hate proprietary protocols like AirPrint)

Anyway, in my dream world, there won't be need for printing anything and everything will be done electronically. Unfortunately that day still has not come, but we are getting close.

For maintaining my tablet or smartphone? I actually haven't touched the nightmare that's iTunes for ages, except when I switched my phone because backing up and restoring from a PC/Mac is faster than doing so through the iCloud. But it's doable PC-less.

The big problem is music. I have a ton of songs on my PC and there is no way to manage them without iTunes.

I think many of the reasons why iOS cannot replace OS X or Windows is done by Apple itself. It's unfortunate.

Printopia, print right from your iOS devices.

 

[dk001]

Are you serious? MS did not come up with that form factor. Look to Logitech and a dozens of clones coming up with a magnetic hinged slim keyboard that mated and formed a cover with the early iPad, 4-5 years ago.

Real innovation is not about form factors, screen sizes, etc. It's about coming up with, investing in, and developing underlying technology that can be used in products. Ion strengthened glass is an example of innovation developed by Corning, with assistance from Apple. Mag-Safe power connection is another one.

Absolutely serious.
You find me another package out there that looks like, runs like, and can perform like the Surface Pro that isn't a copy. Right now Apple has nothing like this.
Your items point to objects within a system, not the system itself. There is a difference.

 

[canesalato]

Actually the iPad has trackpad capability built into the software keyboard. I use it often as a mouse when editing documents.

Problem is: trackpad mode is a very good idea, BUT if you use an external keyboard (like the new smart keyboard) with the screen in a vertical position, well...it's not so nice anymore.

 

[dimensional]

They want to kill OS X since they can't get 30% of software sales on it and users have actual freedom.

 

[diegogaja]

Said people are.

Found this title funny.

I think the iPad pro will have a nice market, but don't see it replacing desktops and laptops for certain people.

If so, said people would be using a regular iPad now.

 

[nando87]

They want to kill OS X since they can't get 30% of software sales on it and users have actual freedom.

I don't think that's possible since you need a computer to manage your files. Could you explain me how to copy a 4k video from my iphone to an iPad pro without a computer? Let's see how absurd the answer is.