What's Happening With Apple's Even Larger iPad Models?

[Chris Laarman]

1) Me, I wouldn't consider buying a larger tablet than my current 12.9" iPads. It would become uncomfortable to hold it in a desired position for more than mere seconds, and it would become too heavy for stands when in portrait orientation (my default). YMMV.

2) Ten(?) years ago, there was this huge (19"?) Android tablet by HP or Samsung. Full HD resolution, which was already on the coarse side in that time. Must have been a big (2*) mistake.

3) Whom would a larger (than existing) tablet target? Media consumers would be better served by a separate monitor (or television), and so would drawing artists. (I have always preferred the smallest Wacom tablets in my Windows-only days, in order to have my hand rest comfortably.)
The one group I could imagine is one that I seem the only person to target is: directors of major outdoor engineering jobs, like upgrading railways, Chinese or just European scale. But then, imagine using large tablets at freezing temperatures or in strong winds...

 

[MacRazySwe]

My hunch is that this 16inch touch MacBook Pro is actually a 16inch iPad that runs iPad is when undocked and macOS when docked.

This guy gets it.

Very surprised that MacRumors themselves don’t see the connection between the rumored “touchscreen Macs” and 14/16” iPads. Seems likely that this would be the same product.

 

[Chris Laarman]

I just wish I could rotate the Magic Keyboard 90 degrees to use the iPad Pro in portrait mode with the keyboard.

Well, you're in bad luck if you're using a keyboard that forces you to use your iPad in landscape mode only. My then new 1G large iPad had been gathering dust until I freed it from the (in itself good) Logitec clamshell I had bought with it. - Besides: I tried to read a multi-page portrait-orientated document on a notebook (Asus Eee), then bought a (then new) iPad 2 the next day.

I currently default to holding my tablets in portrait mode on my lap (one at a time...) on the couch, using the virtual keyboard. I do have stands that can even keep a large iPad in portrait mode, and I do have Bluetooth keyboards.

PS: You don't need dedicated tablet stands, and definitely not dedicated to a specific model, unless you insist on combining stand and cover. If you have a book stand, like for sheet music, try that. - But be aware that the large iPad Pro is much harder to keep upright than a normal one.

 

[MacWiz_007]

Meh, I'm holding out for a 27" iPad.

 

[ericwn]

View attachment 2141949

I use this every day.
FaceTime, Safari, Mail, Media. You will find the right armchair best yourself

A larger iPad would also fit in there. Hallo Apple, I would buy it immediately.

At that point I’d absolutely prefer a chair with keyboard and trackpad on my lap than having to constantly reach for a screen, and at that point, a Mac would run circles around this setup, for me.

 

[Chris Laarman]

At that point I’d absolutely prefer a chair with keyboard and trackpad on my lap than having to constantly reach for a screen, and at that point, a Mac would run circles around this setup, for me.

Getting carried away by "a Mac would run circles around this setup": I have found that I use as much electricity for cooking as I save by defaulting to iPads instead of desktops.

 

[Morgenland]

At that point I’d absolutely prefer a chair with keyboard and trackpad on my lap than having to constantly reach for a screen, and at that point, a Mac would run circles around this setup, for me.

This time you disappoint me. You can improve your imagination, try a little harder.

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

My hunch is that this 16inch touch MacBook Pro is actually a 16inch iPad that runs iPad is when undocked and macOS when docked.

I like the idea. That would, however, probably mean a pretty good chunk of storage gone right out of the box with iPadOS and macOS on the device, no?
I’m sure they share lots of components but I guess you’d be looking at somewhere around 20-30 GB gone for OS and system data out of the box.

 

[ericwn]

I just wish I could rotate the Magic Keyboard 90 degrees to use the iPad Pro in portrait mode with the keyboard.

That would be awesome and a real bonus. Plenty cheap iPad cases have this on offer for a decade already to support the iPad’s original approach of hold it how you like.

 

[ericwn]

This time you disappoint me. You can improve your imagination, try a little harder.

No imagination required, preferences are formed from using Macs and iPads for many years. If screen estate is my sole motivation my Macs are easily my preference. Your mileage may vary, but if I’d go for that setup with a mounted iPad my arms would get tired from the constant reaching, especially in a scenario where we get an even bigger device.

 

[ericwn]

Getting carried away by "a Mac would run circles around this setup": I have found that I use as much electricity for cooking as I save by defaulting to iPads instead of desktops.

Interesting angle and probably a big difference but I was purely stating that fixed mounted iPad solutions for a potentially extra big iPad would not be my preference.

 

[Morgenland]

No imagination required, preferences are formed from using Macs and iPads for many years. If screen estate is my sole motivation my Macs are easily my preference. Your mileage may vary, but if I’d go for that setup with a mounted iPad my arms would get tired from the constant reaching, especially in a scenario where we get an even bigger device.

Not my daily experience

 

[ericwn]

Not my daily experience

Oh you have that fabled unreleased super big device already? Tell us more!

 

[NEPOBABY]

Run MacOs in iPad Pro. Even it would be expensive than MBA (when you purchase with a keyboard), many will purchase it. iPad pros are powerful machines with very limited OS.

You wouldn’t like to see macOS running on an iPad Pro. macOS and macOS apps consume a lot more memory and CPU time compared to their iPadOS equivalents. You’ll see YouTubers trying to run FCP and Cinebench benchmarks on it and complain about heat, because this is the dumb stuff they do to get views.

If you want a tablet with macOS, call it a Mac tablet and not an iPad. In that case it would be thicker than an iPad and much higher specs.

 

[gsmornot]

I have been talking about an iPad/Mac combo for a while. Mentioned the idea several years ago here and thought we were getting close with the M1 going in the iPad. Thought maybe more similarity in the software or perhaps something that acts like an iPad or Mac with your preference on or off the keyboard. Not sure I would advocate for iPad function only away from the keyboard and Mac while on it. I just feel we are basically there with touch screen Macs and iPads with the same processor and most of OS overlapping in function. Now add the iPhone with USB-C we could almost think about the phone driving a display in a size similar to iPad or Mac. Curious to see what comes next.

 

[NEPOBABY]

I just wish I could rotate the Magic Keyboard 90 degrees to use the iPad Pro in portrait mode with the keyboard.

You mean a pivot for the iPad stand. Yeah, that would be great for users who want to type documents in portrait mode. But one has to wonder how many people would use that and if the set up would look a bit ugly.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

I’d love a 1-2TB 12.9” M2/3 iPad that ran macOS and two 4K displays when docked and iPadOS when mobile. It would meet all my needs my old iMac and current iPad currently do. I’d even add a folding keyboard/trackpad if I felt I needed a MacBook.

The M1 is already powerful enough for this. Make it happen, Apple. I’d spend about $3k for it (not including the displays).

 

[iLondoner]

Many people working with the Apple Pencil would prefer larger than 12.9" but 14" isn't much of an advance, so 16" sounds more likely. But the iPad remains nobbled by the OS and a better solution would be a Macbook with a touch screen.

 

[NoSoup4U]

Too bad. Musicians would love a giant iPad. The current ones are fine for standard paper sizes, but a lot of music is oversized, around 15" diagonal.

 

[RichHI]

16” ipad Pro would be perfect for me. I have 16” and 13” Macbook pros an old Air and a very very old ipad mini. I use ipad for playing entertainment on planes and sometimes to show presentations and corporate videos (has to be on monitor at present.) ipad is much lighter than a macbook and would be perfect for me. I guess it depends on your use. I could never do video editing on an ipad for example.

 

[1557750]

I just want the iProjector to come out. You know, 80”-100” projection on my wall so I can draw on it. Be great for murals. Maybe come with an Apple Cane so I can reach everything.

The cat videos are gonna be great!!!

 

[ericwn]

I just want the iProjector to come out. You know, 80”-100” projection on my wall so I can draw on it. Be great for murals. Maybe come with an Apple Cane so I can reach everything.

The cat videos are gonna be great!!!

I’m looking forward to seeing you post your paintings on your walls done while watching cat videos. It will be an iPhone moment all over again! 😃

 

[Bawstun]

There are too many models and SKU’s of iPad. It’s INSANE - been an Apple consumer for over 15 years and couldn’t tell you a thing about their current iPad lineup or what differentiates any of the models and sizes.

WAY too confusing. So bizarre. Like 25 different models, in all different colors - just crazy.

 

[anthogag]

Hopefully my next iPad Pro will be 16". I currently use 12.9" M2 Pro.

 

[jazz1]

View attachment 2141949

I use this every day.
FaceTime, Safari, Mail, Media. You will find the right armchair best yourself

A larger iPad would also fit in there. Hallo Apple, I would buy it immediately.

A 16" iPad on that stand could also serve as a basketball hoop system. As much as I love my12.9" iPad I do wonder about cost of a 16" iPad with Apple keyboard system vs. a MacBook. Maybe I'll be back here eating my words if I buy one.