Unless Apple makes dramatic improvements to iOS , this will be my last iPad

[bjet767]

but the desktop UI on the Surface as a tablet.

You miss the point of the whole pad thing and why Surface is getting it.

The UI of Windows will improve and there is no argument, even from MS, the old Win 7 desktop (in Win 8) is not great for a touch screen. The thread though is about the usefulness, or limitations of the iOS and the iPad.

iOS does have a simpler and "better" experience for the pad UI right now, but what it doesn't have, and Windows does, is the full software capability of it's bigger brother OSX. Currently this will not be achieved with an ARM processor as MS has figured out.

I am an avid iPad and iOS fan. I love the seamless integration of certain iOS features with OSX, my desktop and rMB. I love the idea I buy the software once and future updates are normally part of the deal and I can use it on the multiple devices I own (iPhone 6, Mini 2 and Air 2, rMB and Mac mini).

However, the thread is about a person who is dropping the iPad because it doesn't do all the things they want anymore. My point is MS and their Surface device has figured out that corner of the computer market. Now will Apple build an Intel "Pad" styled device that will run OSX with a touch screen? The answer is probably no.


Also, just so you will know, I find the screen "keyboards" on all touch devices just horrid. To do any sort of "real" text work on either the iPad or Surface a "real" keyboard is needed. One of the nice features of the Surface is a "mouse" device can also be used.

 

[David58117]

Yes, I did. I owned quite a few of them. Yes, the performance of Windows on that hardware was atrocious. So too were the drivers. But attempting to use the desktop UI on the Surface as a tablet (no keyboard cover) is not significantly better than it was back then. At least in my opinion. The Modern UI portion of Windows 8/10 on the other hand, is very usable in tablet mode.

There is a pinch to zoom tool for the desktop, which takes care of any "fat finger" issues...

Also, the pen helps too.

 

[DJTaurus]

pip is a nice new feature.... but can you run 2 different videos on the same time on iPad.... for example i am using protube to hear a youtube video.... can i go to youtube on safari and play a second video there..?

 

[SquireSCA]

The problem is you have Galaxy tab, laughable app Eco system compared to the iPad. All the OS things I liked with the galaxy are now part of iOS, basically rendering android tablets pointless


And what hardware limitations are there for the Air 2? It's as powerful as a MacBook from a couple years ago, you trying to compare it to some iMac or Mac Pro?

The app ecosystem argument has been moot for years. Both platforms have more quality apps than you can count.

And you still don't have all the features that Android had last year, and you won't, for awhile...

 

[SquireSCA]

The three worst arguments ever. The most crappiest netbook that takes 15 minutes to boot has those things. Nobody in his right mind would ever consider such a netbook as a powerhouse. Powerhouse says something about the performance of both hardware and software. It says nothing about expandability.

Disagree. The way Apple does it is retarded. On my Android phone or tablet, I can plug in my 3TB USB hard drive and drag and drop files to and from the phone like I can on a PC. It's handy, not having to go through stupid iTunes for everything.

Like I want PDF copies of shop manuals for my motorcycles and ATV on my iPad. Except that I have to keep multiple copies on the iPad because it only wants to open with t he default app. But the default app can't open a file larger than 50mb, so I have to try and open it with the default app, it fails and tells me to pick another app, so I do, and the thing isn't smart enough to remember that next time... I have to keep telling to use the other app, but only after it forces me to try the app that it already knows cannot open it.

So much easier in Android when you open it the first time and it simply asks you, "here are the apps that can open this, which one do you want to use from now on?" and it remembers it.

With a real file system, I can keep a folder of "My Stuff" and click on it like a PC and just open things up, rather than have to load and keep copies within each app that I could use, and have to know and select ahead of time.

This is "user friendly"? LOL

Apple iPad sales are plummeting, while Android tablets like the Galaxy are increasing.

There is a reason, and it isn't price because they cost the same...

 

[SquireSCA]

I'm only pointing out that you've chosen the worst arguments for making that larger point and by doing that I've showed that I absolutely did not miss that larger point. The fact that you don't seem to understand that shows that it's actually you who's missing the point

Again, the arguments you've given are really lousy ones because either they are missing on nearly every tablet or they are included on nearly every computer and thus also old, crappy, dead slow machines that can't keep up with the first iPad.

That is completely false. Those features are on MOST tablets outside of the iPad, and many of them run circles around the iPad.

I don't know where you are getting your competitive intel from, but you need to update it from 2012...

 

[SquireSCA]

If the iPad Pro has a true version of OS X, then it would SINK like a ROCK.

Microsoft has proven that some poor decisions are timeless. A desktop UI on a tablet was a dud in 2000. It's not any better now. Those who tout "but I can run Photoshop on my Surface" (as if everyone on the planet uses Photoshop) aren't using the advanced capabilities of it without some input device hardware (pen, keyboard, mouse, digitizing tablet)... using it as a notebook/ultrabook than as a tablet.

The same would be true if a tablet was running OS X.

The SplitView, SlideOut, and PIP features of iOS 9 show that Apple has been spending time thinking about "Pro" features. I'm hopeful that Apple will continue to add elements to iOS in support of the (as of now mythical) iPad Pro. Although it may not be a full notebook experience (nor should it) it will hopefully be more usable for "pro" tasks than the current iPad/iOS.

My buddy is an architect and designs new homes and he does it on his Surface 3 Pro... An iPad could never handle that...

 

[bjet767]

"Apple iPad sales are plummeting, while Android tablets like the Galaxy are increasing."

I am trying to find sales figures to match this statement. So far for 2014 and 1st qtr 2015 I haven't been able to find anything which would prove this statement true.

iOS does have a "real" file system it's just the user only can access files for the app and iCloud files associated with the app. As far as the limit on the size of .pdf files have you opened them in iBooks or another app? I haven't found the 50MB limit accept in Safari.

 

[David58117]

Disagree. The way Apple does it is retarded. On my Android phone or tablet, I can plug in my 3TB USB hard drive and drag and drop files to and from the phone like I can on a PC. It's handy, not having to go through stupid iTunes for everything.

Like I want PDF copies of shop manuals for my motorcycles and ATV on my iPad. Except that I have to keep multiple copies on the iPad because it only wants to open with t he default app. But the default app can't open a file larger than 50mb, so I have to try and open it with the default app, it fails and tells me to pick another app, so I do, and the thing isn't smart enough to remember that next time... I have to keep telling to use the other app, but only after it forces me to try the app that it already knows cannot open it.

So much easier in Android when you open it the first time and it simply asks you, "here are the apps that can open this, which one do you want to use from now on?" and it remembers it.

With a real file system, I can keep a folder of "My Stuff" and click on it like a PC and just open things up, rather than have to load and keep copies within each app that I could use, and have to know and select ahead of time.

This is "user friendly"? LOL

Apple iPad sales are plummeting, while Android tablets like the Galaxy are increasing.

There is a reason, and it isn't price because they cost the same...

I'm not really sure what your problem is, but if you do a lot of PDF reading on iOS - iAnnotate is what you want. I would had five or six huge PDFs open at once, with no stuttering. The surface is too big to comfortably study PDFs, and o really miss the iPad for it (I switched to SP3).

Anyway, all you do is have a "file manager app" like goodreader - use that as your hub/backup, and send the particular PDF to iAnnotate (as an example). Or delete the file all together and just leave a copy in iAnnotate (again, just an example).

Then all you do is open iAnnotate when you want to read it.

Really pretty simple...

 

[SquireSCA]

"Apple iPad sales are plummeting, while Android tablets like the Galaxy are increasing."

I am trying to find sales figures to match this statement. So far for 2014 and 1st qtr 2015 I haven't been able to find anything which would prove this statement true.

iOS does have a "real" file system it's just the user only can access files for the app and iCloud files associated with the app. As far as the limit on the size of .pdf files have you opened them in iBooks or another app? I haven't found the 50MB limit accept in Safari.

Here is one of dozens of articles I quickly found...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2014/11/26/idc-tablet-growth-ipad-fail/

The file system is annoying, have each app locked in a sandbox...

 

[SquireSCA]

I'm not really sure what your problem is, but if you do a lot of PDF reading on iOS - iAnnotate is what you want. I would had five or six huge PDFs open at once, with no stuttering. The surface is too big to comfortably study PDFs, and o really miss the iPad for it (I switched to SP3).

Anyway, all you do is have a "file manager app" like goodreader - use that as your hub/backup, and send the particular PDF to iAnnotate (as an example). Or delete the file all together and just leave a copy in iAnnotate (again, just an example).

Then all you do is open iAnnotate when you want to read it.

Really pretty simple...

Not as simple as how the rest of the planet does it. ;-)

 

[ron7624]

I love my MBA. I love my iPhone 6. I love my iPad Air. I use my iPad rMini.
I work on my MBA. I use my iPhone 6 as a notifier. I use my iPad Air as a music score holder. I use my iPad rMini as a general consumption device.
I would not want to be without any of them he says as he types on his MacMini.
I have a great little Win 8.1 tablet. I turn it on to update windows weekly. I try to use it as a tablet but have to keep it tethered to a desktop to be really useful. So, I don't use it, but will update to Win 10 just to keep up.
I have an older Win 7 Dell computer. It is powerful but not used any more except for the one Windoze program that doesn't have a OS X or iOS substitute. I won't update it to 10.
Point being they are all different and play an important part in my digital life, and I use them for what they are designed to do. One device can not do everything without sacrificing something.
Last iPad? No, I will continue to buy the rMini when they give me enough of a reason to update. That should be this fall. I enjoy my perfect sized consumption device.
Oh yeah, the 7 inch android device I have is just too much trouble to use. I got really tired of waiting for things to happen for it. I think it will still boot. I should charge it.
But, this is just me.

 

[maestrokev]

I sold off my iPad 3 and iPad Mini with every intention of getting a new iPad mini and iPad Air 2. Then I got an iPhone 6+. Also have a Macbook Air and Mac Pro. I don't miss my iPads any more. The iPad mini 3 update was a joke. The iPad Air 2 just seems so expensive and not sure what gap in my Apple ecosystem it will fill. If iPads weren't so expensive I'd consider buying one but at their current price I'm making do just fine with an iPhone 6+ and Macbook Air. Seems like I'm not the only one.

 

[M. Gustave]

Wow, lots of iPad hate here. I couldn't disagree more.

What exactly are you people unable to do on your iPad? About the only thing I still need a pc for is ripping dvds and running Handbrake. With full MS Office on the iPad now, I'm running out of reasons to keep torturing myself with ugly bloated desktop os's.

A huge part of choosing any computer is the software you want to run on it, and I vastly prefer the simplicity, functionality, and variety of iOS apps. The entire iOS 8 interface is a joy to use compared to Win8 or OSX, imo. And do you want to compare connectivity? When they make an LTE laptop, let me know. My Lenovo can't even go 20 min without dropping a solid wi-fi connection.

If you want a "file system" to poke around with, or off device storage, get a RavPower FileHub or other wireless SD card reader. Mine works great with my Air.

As sracer mentioned, just about the only thing missing is enabling Bluetooth pointer device input. And split-screen multitasking on devices other than the Air 2, because the 2GB RAM limit is total b.s.

 

[bjet767]

Here is one of dozens of articles I quickly found...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2014/11/26/idc-tablet-growth-ipad-fail/

The file system is annoying, have each app locked in a sandbox...

I looked up the article and it doesn't say what you think.

"The analyst’s numbers suggest that total iPad sales in 2014 will be down by an eighth (12.7%) measured year on year, although that still represents almost 65 million unit sales. Apple’s year on year drop is at odds with the growth of the tablet market by 7.2%, although in a clear nod to a saturating market that overall tablet growth level is down from 52.3% during 2013."


Where the writer got their info:

"Apple — which ironically now offers more models of its iPad tablet than ever before — will ship 64.9 million iPad tablets in 2014, a decline of 12.7% on the total number of shipments a year ago. The bigger tablet market will see shipments of 235.7 million units, growth of 7.2% over 2013.

This is a big drop in growth. As a point of comparison, tablet shipments between 2012 and 2013 grew 52.5%.

Google’s Android operating system, following in the footsteps of its prevalence in the smartphone market, will continue to remain the most popular operating system for tablets. This year, it captured nearly 68% of the market, working out to almost 160 million devices shipped.

But this is not the whole story for OEMs. While Android will continue to keep its place as the leading operating system, Apple, with 27.5% market share, remains the single-biggest brand in the tablet market. IDC tells me that in Q3 specifically, Apple’s iPad had a 22.1% share."

Your statement, "Apple iPad sales are plummeting, while Android tablets like the Galaxy are increasing."

Doesn't really hold up. The analyst also point out the iPad devices have what's known as a "product life cycle" that is much longer than all the new Android OS devices. Additionally the iPads just cost more. Where can one find a $99. new iPad?

The point?

iOS works well and eventually, unless Apple makes a really good new pad device, the market is saturated (look at the year to year drop in pad device growth, 2013 52.3% dropped to 7.2% in 2014).

Bring on OSX Intel based pad!!

 

[David58117]

I finally got around to trying the camera on the surface pro 3 - why does no one mention how bad it is?

For something to "do real work with" -having 2 non functional cameras is unacceptable.

Its fixed focus, so there is no zooming or focusing at all..on either the front or back camera.

Part of my use with the iPad was taking photos of documents with it, then using goodnotes to fill/annotate them. I bought the SP3 thinking it would be great for that, but -

Can't do it with the surface!

Kind of annoyed with it...

People talk about how the iPad lacks features like a file system (even though goodreader acts just like one..), and how superior having a full desktop is - yet the camera is essentially non functional.


So I bought a full desktop tablet "powerhouse" - and now have to always fetch my iPhone to take pics of documents I want - then upload them to onedrive, then open the surface and download them...

So lame.

 

[businezguy]

I have to agree with the original poster, the iPad software has been incredibly stagnant for a long time. It's like Apple has given up on the tablet market and decided to focus on other things. I realize they'll be coming out with a 12.9 inch iPad or some such thing, but that's sorta the same game they've been playing for the last couple of years; release pretty much the same thing with a different screen size. Only I have to concede IOS is a great phone software (although IOS 8 is about as buggy a version as I've ever seen). It's just not sufficient for the iPad. It was a great start, but Apple's acting like it's a great finish as well.

I hope with the iPad Pro, Apple decides to reinvest in the iPad again. It has a ton of potential and I see no reason why Apple can't reinvigorate their tablet sales. Not just temporarily with the release of a new device, but on a somewhat more permanent basis.

I just purchased the Surface Pro 3 to use for school and I must say, overall it's an awesome device. I've used it as a tablet without any issues and actually really enjoyed it. It works so well with Office which makes it an extremely capable device for document creation. I also find the spontaneity of using the stylus incredibly useful as well. This *is* the direction computerization is going, whether you want to call it a tablet, a laptop, etc.

It seems to me like Apple has the best mobile processor in the industry, with the ability to deliver high performance and extremely long battery life. Why not make a lightweight device with a tablet that can attach and also included a stylus and a mouse? Why not also include an integrated kickstand with this device? Why not make this device capable of being used on the lap as well as on a table? Why not make the keyboard on this device so effective it's as capable as the keyboard I use for my iMac (the best keyboard I've ever owned)? This is a device I'd be willing to pay $600 to $800 for if it had a capable file system and strong cloud integration.

With OS X, Apple started from scratch and revolutionized the Mac. They rethought their whole business and focused on a few great products. In a lot of ways, the day of companies offering 20 different laptop models will soon be over, probably in the next 5 years. It's going to be the company that can offer one or two choices of an extremely versatile device capable of working as a mobile device and a desktop. Apple better start skating to where the puck is. I believe they aren't even out on the ice, and they don't even know it.

 

[David58117]

I have to agree with the original poster, the iPad software has been incredibly stagnant for a long time. It's like Apple has given up on the tablet market and decided to focus on other things. I realize they'll be coming out with a 12.9 inch iPad or some such thing, but that's sorta the same game they've been playing for the last couple of years; release pretty much the same thing with a different screen size. Only I have to concede IOS is a great phone software (although IOS 8 is about as buggy a version as I've ever seen). It's just not sufficient for the iPad. It was a great start, but Apple's acting like it's a great finish as well.

I hope with the iPad Pro, Apple decides to reinvest in the iPad again. It has a ton of potential and I see no reason why Apple can't reinvigorate their tablet sales. Not just temporarily with the release of a new device, but on a somewhat more permanent basis.

I just purchased the Surface Pro 3 to use for school and I must say, overall it's an awesome device. I've used it as a tablet without any issues and actually really enjoyed it. It works so well with Office which makes it an extremely capable device for document creation. I also find the spontaneity of using the stylus incredibly useful as well. This *is* the direction computerization is going, whether you want to call it a tablet, a laptop, etc.

It seems to me like Apple has the best mobile processor in the industry, with the ability to deliver high performance and extremely long battery life. Why not make a lightweight device with a tablet that can attach and also included a stylus and a mouse? Why not also include an integrated kickstand with this device? Why not make this device capable of being used on the lap as well as on a table? Why not make the keyboard on this device so effective it's as capable as the keyboard I use for my iMac (the best keyboard I've ever owned)? This is a device I'd be willing to pay $600 to $800 for if it had a capable file system and strong cloud integration.

With OS X, Apple started from scratch and revolutionized the Mac. They rethought their whole business and focused on a few great products. In a lot of ways, the day of companies offering 20 different laptop models will soon be over, probably in the next 5 years. It's going to be the company that can offer one or two choices of an extremely versatile device capable of working as a mobile device and a desktop. Apple better start skating to where the puck is. I believe they aren't even out on the ice, and they don't even know it.

Good luck trying to take a focused picture with it though.

If you're like me and depend on taking photos of printed documents to edit - you're going to have a bad time with the SP3.

 

[mickeydean]

The iPad was never a device that seemed to fill a need. It created one so to speak. Being able to carry all your textbooks in one device is handy, not something that I needed before.

I did end up getting one and have used it for textbooks. The interface is a tad clunky. A medical textbook pdf can be 800mb give or take. Going through iTunes or dropbox is not always fun.

It doesn't let you create was a criticism I heard when it was first released and that remains the case I think. I wouldn't want to write an essay or do case on the iPad. The keyboard-case solutions all look poor.

I like my iPad but the Macbook Pro is the crown jewel of the Apple line-up and with it, I barely use my iPad. My iphone 6 plus is easier to hold for reading but the constant refreshing due too low RAM is annoying. I'm not sure what Apple will do but multi-tasking on a bigger screen iPad may be a start. Being able to connect harddrives or flash drives for sharing would be good. Making airdrop useful may obviate the need for connecting drives.

I think Apple need to be aware often most institutions use windows pcs still and it'd be nice to be able to move files to and fro if I only brought my iPad along to the library.

 

[Narcaz]

Wow, lots of iPad hate here. I couldn't disagree more.

What exactly are you people unable to do on your iPad? About the only thing I still need a pc for is ripping dvds and running Handbrake. With full MS Office on the iPad now, I'm running out of reasons to keep torturing myself with ugly bloated desktop os's.

A huge part of choosing any computer is the software you want to run on it, and I vastly prefer the simplicity, functionality, and variety of iOS apps. The entire iOS 8 interface is a joy to use compared to Win8 or OSX, imo. And do you want to compare connectivity? When they make an LTE laptop, let me know. My Lenovo can't even go 20 min without dropping a solid wi-fi connection.

If you want a "file system" to poke around with, or off device storage, get a RavPower FileHub or other wireless SD card reader. Mine works great with my Air.

As sracer mentioned, just about the only thing missing is enabling Bluetooth pointer device input. And split-screen multitasking on devices other than the Air 2, because the 2GB RAM limit is total b.s.

There is probably a lot of hate, because Apple neglected iPads for a very long time. Faster and thinner was their only improvement (ok and Touch ID). What about missing hardware features like stereo speakers, standard usb/c, stylus support? And even worse the software didn't evolve. It is the same concept since 2011/2012. I used to like my rMini 2, but Apple really should have focused more on iPads with iOS8. With iOS 8 it aged incredibly quick and i probably won't buy another one. Hopefully iOS9 will make a few things better, but so far i reduced my iPad usage to occasional webbrowsing, reading rss feeds and watching movies. Nearly every other task is easier to handle on my macbook.

My personal list of shortcomings:

1) There is the lack of a proper Webbrowsing experience. Safari starts reloading when switching tabs (2-3 tabs are enough sometimes). There are no Extensions, no Adblocker (iOS9 could eventually solve this). And it is unable to upload a simple file e.g. a pdf on a website.

2) Multitasking is limited. I can't easily copy references from a scientific article and insert them in word, because switching between apps with Copy/Paste is totally cumbersome. Splitscreen will probably solve this issue, but rMini is excluded. Hopefully PiP Mode will solve the background/video audio problem. Oh i want to look something up -> video stops.

3) No multiuser/ guest account. I can't hand over my iPad to someone, because it is a personal device. I don't want them to read my work emails. I don't want kids to mess up settings etc.

4) The UI feels often like a blown up iPhone version and not very optimized for the bigger tablet screen. Empty space everywhere (notification center, nine icons in a folder, scrolling in share sheet on a 7,9'' display ....).

5) iOS and App updates are nearly irreversible. If something doesn't work as you like, you can't easily revert to the previous version. I am sensible to lag and iOS 8 wasn't really optimized in this regard. I should have reverted to iOS7 when i had the chance.

6) All adapters are overpriced and too limited. Especially Lightning to HDMI is a joke. 1600x900 and no 1080p. I didn't know about that, bought the adapter and had to return it. My previous iPad 3 dock hdmi adapter could handle it without a problem. And don't get me started on USB/SD Card Adapters. Apple made way too many artificial limits.

 

[dyn]

Disagree. The way Apple does it is retarded. On my Android phone or tablet, I can plug in my 3TB USB hard drive and drag and drop files to and from the phone like I can on a PC. It's handy, not having to go through stupid iTunes for everything.

Both devices (iPad and Surface) are successful because they address different groups of "others". No company like Apple or Microsoft will maken something that is tailored to only 1 person.

You're also incorrect about having to go through iTunes. Both GoodReader, iBooks, Adobe Reader (or whatever they call it now) and many other apps have wifi sharing or are able to take use of something that currently is a big thing: cloud computing (or more specific, cloud storage). This can either be a third party cloud service from Apple, Microsoft, Dropbox, etc. or something you control. Also, NAS is something that is very very popular due to people having more than 1 device. Using a NAS vs an external USB drive has a lot of advantages like not having to plug it in/out and moving it around. Not to mention the manufacturers that come out with drives sporting a Lightning connector to connect the storage to an iOS device.

Like I want PDF copies of shop manuals for my motorcycles and ATV on my iPad. Except that I have to keep multiple copies on the iPad because it only wants to open with t he default app. But the default app can't open a file larger than 50mb, so I have to try and open it with the default app, it fails and tells me to pick another app, so I do, and the thing isn't smart enough to remember that next time... I have to keep telling to use the other app, but only after it forces me to try the app that it already knows cannot open it.

Then why isn't this a problem for other people? Being able to read PDF documents is the main reason why the iPad is such a success with governmental organisations and businesses all over the planet. Keeping many copies is also your own choice. You could also choose to simply use only 1 app and store all the info there.

So much easier in Android when you open it the first time and it simply asks you, "here are the apps that can open this, which one do you want to use from now on?" and it remembers it.

That's the only big thing iOS misses. Being able to set non-Apple apps as the default. Android and Windows are able to do this. However, Apple did ease the pain by allowing apps to interact and share data.

With a real file system, I can keep a folder of "My Stuff" and click on it like a PC and just open things up, rather than have to load and keep copies within each app that I could use, and have to know and select ahead of time.

iOS has a real file system, every computer has Nobody wants to fiddle directly with the filesystem, we want to fiddle with files. That's a completely different way of working. Basically all Windows Explorer and the Android apps are: just apps where you can manage files. There are apps like that on iOS and lots of things you can do in Windows Explorer can be done in those apps. The only thing that is a bit more limited is how you share data among apps. You generally have to open the app containing the data and then share from there whereas in Windows/Android you can open the app where you want to use the data and access it. This changes when you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Dropbox or iCloud Drive since lots of apps have support for these services (this also applies to Windows and Android).

This is "user friendly"? LOL

Yep for many it is user friendly because it takes way an awful lot of complexity that is a desktop computer. For people who require/want that complexity it obviously isn't.

Apple iPad sales are plummeting, while Android tablets like the Galaxy are increasing.

Tablet sales are plummeting be it iPad, be it Galaxy. Does it say something? No because there is no explanation as to why it is plummeting. Could be that people have enough with tablets in general, can do much longer with tablets, don't have money to buy new ones (economic crisis is still going), don't like iOS, are waiting for the iPad Pro (like many on the forums here) and so on. It might be a short term thing as well. Things could change in a couple of months.

I don't know where you are getting your competitive intel from, but you need to update it from 2012...

You need to update from 2002. Tablets are not advanced devices like tablet pc's back then which is why they are such a success right now (and why tablet pc's back then failed miserably). We're talking about tablets here, not tablet pc's!

My buddy is an architect and designs new homes and he does it on his Surface 3 Pro... An iPad could never handle that...

My buddy is a truck driver and transports a lot of cargo and he does it with his huge truck. A bicycle could never handle that...

Or in other words: know the products before you compare. The iPad is a simple tablet designed to do simple tasks like reading ebooks, browsing the web, watching videos, email and so on. It isn't designed to do boatloads of programming, 3D designing, photo editing, CAD/CAM and so on. The Surface Pro can do those tasks better but isn't designed for it either. You don't want to run any software like SolidEdge on what is in reality just an ultrabook. SolidEdge requires more from the GPU than the GPU in ultrabooks can deliver. If you want to do something like that you're gonna be better off with something like the HP Zbook with an ISV certified GPU.

The file system is annoying, have each app locked in a sandbox...

To you yes but it is a requirement for a lot of others. This and other security features are the main reason why the iPad is doing so well as a business tablet. Android doesn't fare so well in that area. Windows tablets are doing ok too, mostly because it is an ultrabook in a tablet form factor. Both Windows and iOS have integration with business tools that allow you to lock it down.

The main reason why Android has high figures is quite simple: they are on a lot of devices ranging from very very cheap to a bit expensive. Lots of those devices are used in promotions. Microsoft has made devices that are cheaper and it shows. They completely overtook Android in countries like India. One should ask the question how on earth the pricier iPads sell so well. Something else about the iPad is making people want and buy one.

 

[M. Gustave]

My personal list of shortcomings:

1) There is the lack of a proper Webbrowsing experience. Safari starts reloading when switching tabs (2-3 tabs are enough sometimes). There are no Extensions, no Adblocker (iOS9 could eventually solve this). And it is unable to upload a simple file e.g. a pdf on a website.

2) Multitasking is limited. I can't easily copy references from a scientific article and insert them in word, because switching between apps with Copy/Paste is totally cumbersome. Splitscreen will probably solve this issue, but rMini is excluded. Hopefully PiP Mode will solve the background/video audio problem. Oh i want to look something up -> video stops.

3) No multiuser/ guest account. I can't hand over my iPad to someone, because it is a personal device. I don't want them to read my work emails. I don't want kids to mess up settings etc.

4) The UI feels often like a blown up iPhone version and not very optimized for the bigger tablet screen. Empty space everywhere (notification center, nine icons in a folder, scrolling in share sheet on a 7,9'' display ....).

5) iOS and App updates are nearly irreversible. If something doesn't work as you like, you can't easily revert to the previous version. I am sensible to lag and iOS 8 wasn't really optimized in this regard. I should have reverted to iOS7 when i had the chance.

I agree with all of those, but they aren't deal breakers for me.

6) All adapters are overpriced and too limited. Especially Lightning to HDMI is a joke. 1600x900 and no 1080p. I didn't know about that, bought the adapter and had to return it.

This is incorrect. The Lightning-to-HDMI AV adapter fully supports 1080p, and full screen mirroring. But you need a recent device that supports it, like iPad Air and iPhone 5s or newer.

 

[Narcaz]

I agree with all of those, but they aren't deal breakers for me.

It depends on your personal usage. iOS9 will tackle a lot of issues and software shortcomings like guest/accounts or safari extensions could easily be resolved. I hope Apple puts more effort in the next iPads.

This is incorrect. The Lightning-to-HDMI AV adapter fully supports 1080p, and full screen mirroring. But you need a recent device that supports it, like iPad Air and iPhone 5s or newer.

If i remember correctly the iPhone 4 didn't support full screen mirroring. iPhone 4S, iPad 2/3 had support.

No matter which newer device you use, the Lightning Digital AV Adapter acts basically like a wired Airplay Receiver with a limited rendering resolution of 1600x900, which is upscaled to 1080p. Therefore it even has compression artifacts. The old Dock to HDMI for the iPad 3 had more Pins/Bandwith and was able to put out full 1080p.

Sources: https://www.panic.com/blog/the-lightning-digital-av-adapter-surprise/ and http://9to5mac.com/2013/03/01/the-l...t-possibly-because-it-is-an-airplay-receiver/

 

[dyn]

Your links say that it doesn't act like a wired AirPlay receiver at all. It's more comparable to the USB-VGA/USB-HDMI adapters out there. The reason why Apple does it can be found at the end of the 9to5mac article: it is a design that allows for easy adaptation so you can create a hdmi, vga, displayport, etc. adapter. The only thing that needs changing is the output part.

Edit: just to add...mind you that this is information from 2 years ago. The post clarifying the adapter also states that others are working on improving it.

 

[Narcaz]

Your links say that it doesn't act like a wired AirPlay receiver at all. It's more comparable to the USB-VGA/USB-HDMI adapters out there. The reason why Apple does it can be found at the end of the 9to5mac article: it is a design that allows for easy adaptation so you can create a hdmi, vga, displayport, etc. adapter. The only thing that needs changing is the output part.

Edit: just to add...mind you that this is information from 2 years ago. The post clarifying the adapter also states that others are working on improving it.

The clarifying post is some "anonymous Apple engineer" on a developer blog, which as trustworthy as some macrumors member with the name Tim Cook. Even if he is right, the problem of visible artifacts remains. It looks like Airplay, which was the reason why i returned it in december 2013 and why i wouldn't buy one again. As far as i know it hasn't improved even a little bit. No matter how you try to spin it in Apple's favor, this is a regression from the previous Dock HDMI adapter. Hopefully Lightning will be replaced with a standard USB C slot in the future.