Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I think the "this my work is not your work debate" leads nowhere and misses the point. The latest improvements of Microsoft and Intel made it possible to close the gap between tablets and notebooks. With further hardware improvements this could make tablet only devices superfluous, because they offer hybrid devices with a tablet and a full desktop mode (when the keyboard/mouse and display are connected). Apple has to react to this development if they want to keep iPads relevant in the future.
 
Last edited:
See my response above. Some of what I do involves analyzing data and creating responses. For that I use two monitors and a powerful desktop. Associates use three monitors. It all depends on what you need to do. Not everyone can get by with a tablet.

For me and for my work needs, getting the MS Office apps made all the difference. It changed the iPad from what was basically a reader to a viable emergency or extreme travel backup. Would I prefer a mouse and keyboard? Absolutely! But in a pinch, I can make most of what I need to make happen work, even if it's slower and less fun.

----------

I think the "this my work is not your work debate" leads nowhere and misses the point. The latest improvements of Microsoft and Intel made it possible to close the gap between tablets and notebooks. With further hardware improvements this could make tablet only devices superfluous, because they offer hybrid devices with a tablet and a full desktop mode (when the keyboard/mouse and display are connected). Apple has to react to this development if they want to keep iPads relevant in the future.

I don't think it's clear which way things will go, though. Arguably, a full-blown PC OS (like Windows 7/8/10) contains huge amounts of legacy cruff that could be eliminated or optimized. I have read opinions both ways on OS merger...who knows? I don't think it would be surprising if it happened, even if it's not a full-blown merger (more of a convergence).
 
For me and for my work needs, getting the MS Office apps made all the difference. It changed the iPad from what was basically a reader to a viable emergency or extreme travel backup. Would I prefer a mouse and keyboard? Absolutely! But in a pinch, I can make most of what I need to make happen work, even if it's slower and less fun.

----------



I don't think it's clear which way things will go, though. Arguably, a full-blown PC OS (like Windows 7/8/10) contains huge amounts of legacy cruff that could be eliminated or optimized. I have read opinions both ways on OS merger...who knows? I don't think it would be surprising if it happened, even if it's not a full-blown merger (more of a convergence).

Sure. In that vein anything I can do on my desktop I can do on my iphone with the appropriate software. On my iphone to accomplish a given task, it's much slower, much less efficient, much more prone to error, much less fun, but otherwise it's perfect. Goes to show you how far software has come.
 
Tech is reaching a point when you can squeeze a full os on a tablet (surface).

Can you? Yes.
Is it good? No!
Will it be better with Windows 10? Slightly

I strongly believe that Apple needs to just keep doing what they are doing. And that tablets are meant to run a mobile OS.
 
Sure. In that vein anything I can do on my desktop I can do on my iphone with the appropriate software. On my iphone to accomplish a given task, it's much slower, much less efficient, much more prone to error, much less fun, but otherwise it's perfect. Goes to show you how far software has come.

The differences between the iPhone and the iPad are huge. I can touch-type on a full size iPad - no way with an iPhone. The difference in ease of reading and overall screen real estate is also huge - trying to edit a document or spreadsheet on an iPhone is really painful and risky, not so on a full size iPad.
 
Sure. In that vein anything I can do on my desktop I can do on my iphone with the appropriate software. On my iphone to accomplish a given task, it's much slower, much less efficient, much more prone to error, much less fun, but otherwise it's perfect. Goes to show you how far software has come.


The phone's primary advantage here is mobility. You can use your phone to do tasks in scenarios where it is not feasible to use a laptop or even a tablet.

I don't use my phone to annotate on PDFs, but it's handy to do in a pinch.
 
There's one thing I can't do even on a Mac, and that's install my HP WiFi printer onto the network. ONLY a Windows PC will accomplish that job. Even HP support acknowledge this.
Sure I could buy a new printer but that's not the point is it? A Windows PC does everything. Macs do most things, and iPads do a fair number of things.
 
If ios has more desktop app, it will eventually be more productive. Most issues here can be solved when more desktop apps are ported. Even the hp printer is Coz the driver is not ported to IOS
 
Can you? Yes.
Is it good? No!
Will it be better with Windows 10? Slightly

I strongly believe that Apple needs to just keep doing what they are doing. And that tablets are meant to run a mobile OS.

I travel alot so I think Full OS on tablet is good (laptops are a success so click a keyboard on your tablet and you got a laptop). If you had to leave town tomorrow and could only bring one device besides your iphone...what would it be? Tablet or full ios?

Yes apple needs to keep doing what they are doing ...but much faster.

Why on earth would I own a 12,9 inch ios ipad if i could own a 12,9 inch padbook pro and with that run both ios apps and full os?

I love my ipad but must say that 95 percent of my ipad use is safari ..abit of facebook app, maybe a game if i can find a decent one in freemium hell.
My iphone is another talk... I use more apps there.

If microsoft can make both touch and ordinary ios with windows 8 then apple could make it work also.. And why not? All i want is an icon that says yosemite on my tablet and an icon that say IOS on my macbook pro... All in one device. If you want to press the icon or hide it on page 3 is up to you:)
Even a core M ipadbook air would work for me right now... But with skylake or that brass thing you could get your pencil thin full ios tablet ...The tech is here (almost) so apple needs to step up
 
Last edited:
Nope. The 11" MBA demonstrates that's as small as you can realistically go to use OS X effectively, and that's with the benefit of a quality trackpad and keyboard. Notice MS never released the fabled smaller Surface tablets that were supposedly close to production.

Of course, give the iPad a larger screen and introduce a new paradigm in user input, and the capabilities of tablets will improve a lot.

In reality, we've still got several years of the same input method and we'll simply get more a fully featured iOS over time.

I believe when people decry the lack of OS X on tablets, they don't really think it through, they just like the idea of it. Just because it could be done doesn't mean it should be done. Same applies to touch screens on laptops, yawn.

I love my iPad, but for productivity, a decent laptop absolutely smokes any tablet and that'll remain the case for many years yet.
 
Nope. The 11" MBA demonstrates that's as small as you can realistically go to use OS X effectively, and that's with the benefit of a quality trackpad and keyboard. Notice MS never released the fabled smaller Surface tablets that were supposedly close to production.

Of course, give the iPad a larger screen and introduce a new paradigm in user input, and the capabilities of tablets will improve a lot.

In reality, we've still got several years of the same input method and we'll simply get more a fully featured iOS over time.

I believe when people decry the lack of OS X on tablets, they don't really think it through, they just like the idea of it. Just because it could be done doesn't mean it should be done. Same applies to touch screens on laptops, yawn.

I love my iPad, but for productivity, a decent laptop absolutely smokes any tablet and that'll remain the case for many years yet.
ý

11" mba size is fine just let be able to take the keyboard side off/fold back ...roll over .... and add touch then give me an IOS icon to press (or what ever) I want both in one package like microsoft is doing (to bad the app part still suck a bit)
The price of an ipad top model compares to some of the smaller surface pro 3. Add some of apple magic sprinkle to that surface ......that is what i want from apple.
We are bound to see multitasking soon because why else a talk of 12" ipad but is multitasking in the demos/mock ups or what they are called i have seen enough? (Okay i could live with that but i do not think i will buy that one...then my ipad 4 and mini 2 woould have to be in use for another year untill that full os
I do not own a tv, i have a macbook pro I for some strange reason never use.
So i use my ipad for most stuff (run an old netbook as downloadserver and smb etc.)
I watch all my movies on ipad (ipad wrapped in defender makes a nice fall asleep buddy) so a bigger screen would be welcome but microsoft also delivers that (then there is the screen ratios) and youtube aswell. But what else a new pen? Microsoft also delivers that.
Full spec ipad is same price as an i5 surface? (Atleast in my country).
Im an old pc guy and the surface/macpad pro idea is my childhood dream.
 
I agree that the ability to seamlessly slot your iPad into a keyboard, and then have a full OSX experience would be great. I just don't think it's remotely feasible yet. I mean, Apple could do it, but it'd be a horribly compromised device at this point for reasons of battery power and cpu power.
 
I agree that the ability to seamlessly slot your iPad into a keyboard, and then have a full OSX experience would be great. I just don't think it's remotely feasible yet. I mean, Apple could do it, but it'd be a horribly compromised device at this point for reasons of battery power and cpu power.

Apple can easily put all the macbook air internals into the keyboard, so when dock, the processors in the keyboard takes over.

I think Asus has a similar product that runs android when detached and windows when attached.
 
Apple can easily put all the macbook air internals into the keyboard, so when dock, the processors in the keyboard takes over.

I think Asus has a similar product that runs android when detached and windows when attached.


I've used a couple of them for work, they aren't bad. However, they fall well well short in many areas imo. Apple could knock out such a device and I've zero doubt they've mock ups in their labs at various stages of functionality.

However, at this point for such a hybrid to be both a seamless experience and anywhere close to the build and design quality of both a MacBook and an iPad would require it to be prohibitively expensive. I'd buy one! Not sure such a pricey device would be where the money is though at this point, can't see be it being anywhere south of £2k right now and I think Apple still prefer the tablet AND laptop purchasers.

It's going to happen, but it's a long way away imo.
 
ý

11" mba size is fine just let be able to take the keyboard side off/fold back ...roll over .... and add touch then give me an IOS icon to press (or what ever) I want both in one package like microsoft is doing (to bad the app part still suck a bit)
The price of an ipad top model compares to some of the smaller surface pro 3. Add some of apple magic sprinkle to that surface ......that is what i want from apple.
We are bound to see multitasking soon because why else a talk of 12" ipad but is multitasking in the demos/mock ups or what they are called i have seen enough? (Okay i could live with that but i do not think i will buy that one...then my ipad 4 and mini 2 woould have to be in use for another year untill that full os
I do not own a tv, i have a macbook pro I for some strange reason never use.
So i use my ipad for most stuff (run an old netbook as downloadserver and smb etc.)
I watch all my movies on ipad (ipad wrapped in defender makes a nice fall asleep buddy) so a bigger screen would be welcome but microsoft also delivers that (then there is the screen ratios) and youtube aswell. But what else a new pen? Microsoft also delivers that.
Full spec ipad is same price as an i5 surface? (Atleast in my country).
Im an old pc guy and the surface/macpad pro idea is my childhood dream.
That's the thing.

I don't think my tablets should be too big, just as I don't want my tablets to be too small. I don't want a tablet over 10". A hybrid device would leave me with a tablet that is too large and unwieldy, and / or a laptop that is too small and cramped.

I would literally end up with the worst of both worlds as well!
 
An iPad is a larger iPhone without the phone bit. I can do a heck of a lot on my iPhone 6+ but there are several things I can't do on it and for those tasks I need a proper computer. There is certain software that can't be loaded onto an iPad for starters, a proper keyboard is needed for inputting, and a mouse is needed for spreadsheets etc. The list is endless really.

If this was my situation, I would prefer a laptop over any tablet. There are really no advantages or benefits to using a surface over a laptop when you have a keyboard and mouse involved. And if you are already tied into the Apple ecosystem, the logical choice (for me anyway) would be a small MBp. Not a surface with a bunch of accessories plugged into it. It's almost like you want to force yourself into using a tablet.
 
If this was my situation, I would prefer a laptop over any tablet. There are really no advantages or benefits to using a surface over a laptop when you have a keyboard and mouse involved. And if you are already tied into the Apple ecosystem, the logical choice (for me anyway) would be a small MBp. Not a surface with a bunch of accessories plugged into it. It's almost like you want to force yourself into using a tablet.

I think the keyboard on the touch laptops gives a distance to the touch display and prevent support for the hand. If there is a keyboard i would prefer a mouse or touchpad. if i pull out my tablet on the go the keyboard and mouse is also in the way.
Microsoft did many things right with the surface it just needs some fine tuning and some apple magic.
 
Ugh. No. I would never use an iPad with OS X. That's what my rMBP is for. My iPad Mini is great with iOS as it is.

If Apple ends up putting some version of OS X on the iPad Pro, that's fine for people who want that, but I wouldn't buy it. If I want a screen that big, I pull out my rMBP with full keyboard and OS X. When I don't need either of those, I can go for the iPad Mini or my iPhone. I can get some schoolwork done on the iPad Mini thanks to Google Drive and Notability. The rMBP is where I do my real work though with MS Office. Sure, a Surface might be better for productivity, but my main use for the iPad Mini is Netflix in bed. There isn't a better device for that!

My dad is a corporate CPA. His company has provided him with a Lenovo laptop and iPad 2 for the last few years. Last month they apparently announced that employees will have to turn in both devices in exchange for a Surface. I can already imagine the frustration my dad will have when he's traveling and away from his USB keyboard and external monitor. Admittedly he doesn't really use the iPad for work, but I don't think that's a reason to take away the laptop that he does use for work.

Now my mom uses her fourth gen iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard, but she doesn't do any real work on it. She pretty much uses Safari, emails, and plays some games on it. She has a 17" MBP in the kitchen that is pretty much for web browsing. At work she has a Windows desktop that I think is still running XP. Churches can't always afford the latest and greatest though. I'm not sure she would like a Surface though since she's barely tapped into what her iPad can do as a tablet.

I think Apple has had the right idea so far with creating the OS to fit the interface that the device uses. iOS and OS X each have their uses that would be hampered by the wrong device and vice versa. If the iPad Pro were to run a version of iOS with better multitasking similar to Windows 8, that might meet the needs of people who want such a device. I'm not sure that a crippled OS X would work. It should be left to Macs alone.
 
Microsoft got rid of RT and going one OS to rule them all.. Im sure its the right way to go. Even the windows 8 with both options is better than ios as it is now. Im not saying that windows 8 is a wonder and certainly not the apps in windows 8 but both touch and ordinary os in one is the way to go for now. On a 12" tablet a full OS is great

Not sure if trolling but it's been said at many events from Apple directly that they're making an OS that works best for the device. OSX works best for a PC and iOS works best for mobile devices.

You obviously disagree and therefore you have a choice to go with the platform that suits your preferences. Being a computer science major in college working with nothing but windows I can safely say my preference is OSX based on both professional experience and personal experience working and troubleshooting both platforms.

As far as side by side multitasking, yes it'll be great if we get it for iOS however I've rarely found the need for it when using automation apps like Editorial, Drafts, Pythonista, Launch Center Pro, and Workflow.

Windows has always went in a different direction then iOS despite borrowing elements from other companies (see reviews of Vista and win 7 and how they directly mimicked OSX) but I for one was glad when they announced one OS to rule them all. It limits them and to escape the said limits compromises will be made. There's already been numerous issues making an all in one platform as well. Windows 8 & 8.1 was rushed, wasn't throughly thought out and Ball re even stepped down due to that and poor sales.

Regardless if windows (9) 10 is good or not most people I personally know of got tired of beta testing windows. Happened with Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows Vista, and Windows 8. Windows XP and Windows 7 were the only good things they've made besides office and even if Windows 10 is the perfect OS many of us are tired of their approach, the way the OS is laid out, and lack of many things OSX & iOS includes for free.

Go with what works best for you and what you're willing to deal with as nothing is or ever has been perfect and without issue. The fact apple makes an OS specific for certain devices and Windows isn't doesn't make one better than the other and in fact there are many issues with a one size fits all for Deas as well especially when there's as many OEM's and devices as windows has.
 
Not sure if trolling but it's been said at many events from Apple directly that they're making an OS that works best for the device. OSX works best for a PC and iOS works best for mobile devices.

You obviously disagree and therefore you have a choice to go with the platform that suits your preferences. Being a computer science major in college working with nothing but windows I can safely say my preference is OSX based on both professional experience and personal experience working and troubleshooting both platforms.

As far as side by side multitasking, yes it'll be great if we get it for iOS however I've rarely found the need for it when using automation apps like Editorial, Drafts, Pythonista, Launch Center Pro, and Workflow.

Windows has always went in a different direction then iOS despite borrowing elements from other companies (see reviews of Vista and win 7 and how they directly mimicked OSX) but I for one was glad when they announced one OS to rule them all. It limits them and to escape the said limits compromises will be made. There's already been numerous issues making an all in one platform as well. Windows 8 & 8.1 was rushed, wasn't throughly thought out and Ball re even stepped down due to that and poor sales.

Regardless if windows (9) 10 is good or not most people I personally know of got tired of beta testing windows. Happened with Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows Vista, and Windows 8. Windows XP and Windows 7 were the only good things they've made besides office and even if Windows 10 is the perfect OS many of us are tired of their approach, the way the OS is laid out, and lack of many things OSX & iOS includes for free.

Go with what works best for you and what you're willing to deal with as nothing is or ever has been perfect and without issue. The fact apple makes an OS specific for certain devices and Windows isn't doesn't make one better than the other and in fact there are many issues with a one size fits all for Deas as well especially when there's as many OEM's and devices as windows has.

Yes an OS that works best for the device but what happens when the device performance get better...new android phones that come out is atom and was it not for screensize you could run a full OS on it... that lack of screensize a 12" (even 12'9") will bring.
Is a laptop a PC or is it now a mobile device? Or both? (Not talking about the os)
I do not disagree... And if i had the choice to go with the platform i wanted i would hold a ipadbook pro 12"9 in my hand with touchapp option like on windows. That is what would work best for me. I could kill both my tablet and laptop with that one and save space in my bag and on desk
 
Seeing the "huge" commercial success of Microsoft's solution, I think our iPads are safe for a while :D

----------

I think that they should drop iOS from tablets. They're just glorified web browsing devices and pretty expensive for what is essentially a crippled iPhone with a bigger screen. You can't do any real work on them and they've always seemed a bit pointless to me.

We are using tablets to manage gears costing hundreds millions dollars. You read right: hundreds millions dollars.
So definitely FALSE. You actually can do real work on tablets.
And we are not even web browsing on them.....

----------

The first thing that struck me, four years ago, is that one doesn't have to be sitting at a desk to use them comfortably. A laptop on one's lap is horrible. Standing up? Ha!

They're being used for work in many professions for just this reason. Specific apps for specific jobs. Of course, everyone here is intelligent and already knew that!

.... except him :rolleyes:
 
There's one thing I can't do even on a Mac, and that's install my HP WiFi printer onto the network. ONLY a Windows PC will accomplish that job. Even HP support acknowledge this.
Sure I could buy a new printer but that's not the point is it? A Windows PC does everything. Macs do most things, and iPads do a fair number of things.

That's strange. I was able to install my HP wifi printer on my apartment complex's open network using my 09 MBP. It doesn't work the best over wifi since the signal isn't the best, but it can usually do single page documents. I found it easier to set up the wifi by plugging in the printer via USB and setting it up in System Preferences.
 
That's strange. I was able to install my HP wifi printer on my apartment complex's open network using my 09 MBP. It doesn't work the best over wifi since the signal isn't the best, but it can usually do single page documents. I found it easier to set up the wifi by plugging in the printer via USB and setting it up in System Preferences.

Depends on the model. Mine cannot be put onto a network via a Mac.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.