Is the iPad DYING?

This video is sponsored by Pulseway, the only tool IT pros will ever need! Get started for FREE today! www.pulseway.com/land/luke-miani
The iPad, specifically Apple's top of the range iPad Pro line, is suffering these days. After years of marginal updates, things trickling down to less expensive models at a snails pace, and lackluster software, the iPad might be in more trouble than you think. Today we'll go through the history of the iPad, how we got to this point, and where Apple might go next to rescue this key part of the Apple Ecosystem
Time stamps
0:00 Intro
0:24 Poll: iPad sucks?
1:10 iPad started off strong!
3:58 The slump of 2015
4:28 2018 iPad Pro saved the iPad
5:30 Current iPads have stagnated!
6:04 The biggest problem with the iPad…
7:44 iPadOS is too clunky
10:54 How do you even FIX this MESS??
Follow me on Twitter: / lukemiani
Follow me on Twitch: / lukemiani
Join my Subreddit! / lukemianiyoutube
Gear:
iFixit Pro Toolkit: amzn.to/3bYIzdM
Panasonic Lumix GH5: amzn.to/3b3oMtj
Leica 12-60MM Lens: amzn.to/3hQ5URf
Sennheiser MKH 416: amzn.to/31zGwt2
Zoom H6: amzn.to/2ECYSk6
Sennheiser MKE 440: amzn.to/2JRwIRU
Edelkrone SliderOne V2: amzn.to/33mTZmt
Amazon Links are affiliate codes and generate small commission to support the channel

[@supergearland]

I think iPads themselves are fine, it’s the pricing that’s out of control. This is a fun extra device at its best, and when it gets into laptop replacement pricing range that’s where the flaws start to show. I just want a good screen to watch Netflix while on the treadmill, and my 2017 iPad Pro still does that perfectly. The mid to low end iPads, while not exciting, are where this category shines.

[@lester9230]

The pricing for the actual ipads are fine (apart from storage upcharges), except the pricing on the accessories are insane if apple wants to market it as a computer

[@BUYMEAMAC2]

Agreed. The product in itself is fine, because it has its own niche. The pricing is an issue though.

[@Isengardtom]

IPad Air if it had 128GB base storage would be an amazing value. Cheapest full M1 device

[@paolozago6123]

Look at the original "tasks" envisioned for the iPad, Jobs was right: it needed to do those tasks "better" than a phone or a laptop, and that's the reason of its success, but also a cause of stagnation because those tasks are quite trivial. There was a shift from "third device to consume stuff on your sofa" to "artists tool" with the pencil, and I completely understand it, but pushing the shift towards a sort of computer replacement, with keyboard etc, can't be the sole future of the device. Make it too similar to a laptop, and a laptop will be better. Make it too dumb like a phone, and a phone will be better.

[@GT-qv1gl]

You got an iPad Pro just for media consumption. You have no right to complain about the price, when there are better screens (Samsung Tab) and better values (M1 Macbook Air, various 2-in-1 laptops).

[@sweetasbloodredjam]

As an artist, the fact that this entire video went by without single mention of the Apple Pencil is mind boggling. It’s easily the iPads best feature and what justifies its existence in the professional market. I realize that being the best option for one very specific professional market is probably not enough to justify the iPads continued minor iterations and is not the same thing as mainstream market appeal, but the iPad as a product category has absolutely found its niche.

[@bab027]

I mean this guy just needed to post content

[@mestoris]

He did mention Pencil as an accessory when comparing costs.

[@alistairsteer-kemp8574]

Exactly. It is exactly the only reason I would use the iPad.

[@alistairsteer-kemp8574]

@@mestorisit is like calling an engine an expensive accessory for a car.

[@matuszewskistudio]

​@@alistairsteer-kemp8574it's quite hard to buy a brand new car without one

[@PhilChandlerArts]

Speaking as an artist, I actually really love my iPad for the drawing experience. The Apple Pencil is probably one of, if not THE best digital drawing tool I have used. And the fact that I can hold it in any position and turn it as I'm drawing makes it very unique from using a desktop display tablet and is what sets it apart from a lap top. But I'm speaking just for myself.

[@Sauskesucks1]

I agree, it's not a lap top people, it's supposed to be an in-between device and fill the gaps that a laptop can't do while also giving you some of the features a laptop can do. I personally have the latest iPad, but I also use it for drawing, so I didn't even get the magic keyboard, I use it as a companion alongside my pc, which is what I think it was intended for. Take pics with your phone, it automatically is uploaded to your iPad, edit pic or use it for reference seamlessly. I don't even own a mac book, and don't feel like I need one. those features he was complaining about don't make or break my decision for getting an iPad, but that's just me. I do agree with the statement on not getting the new iPad just for an OLED upgrade, it would have to be able to do more than have a better screen for me to upgrade from the latest model. I love the iPad, it's the best portable option for artist out for its price point.

[@TheKevphil]

@@Sauskesucks1 With a little work, it can also be a Wacom or Huion replacement, albeit a somewhat expensive one, with apps ONLY available on the iPad, such as Procreate, Morpholio, Nomad, and others.

[@KawaiiChio]

As an artist, I agree

[@shinryouzen]

I’ve owned an iPad for a long time, tried other tablets previously and only the iPad gave me a stable drawing experience, and this was even before Apple Pencil was released. After a couple of years I got another new iPad that had Apple Pencil support and the experience is amazing for art. I mainly draw for hobby but I’ve come to purse this passion back again and explore it more when Procreate Dreams was announced (and I didnt even use Procreate previously), and so far only iPads are supported by Procreate iirc

[@chinaydu2041]

It’s obvious ppl don’t still know what iPads are for lol.. imagine all you do its write , read or study .. goodluck with your MacBook and a thousand pages of paper lol

[@ali-reza121]

I think they should position it as a touchscreen mac with an optional attachable keyboard. When the keyboard is disconnected the interface can switch to a more tablet style interface, and when the keyboard is connected it can switch into the classic mac os UI.

[@iCarlosPro]

I think the iPad, iPad mini and iPad Air are doing really well. It’s the Pros that are in a state of transition, trying to figure out where is their spot.

[@themacintoshnerd]

I had an Air and it also sucks. The mini is the only good iPad

[@WarriorsPhoto]

@@themacintoshnerdI love ❤️ using my iPad mini. I'd like the bigger screen of the Air. 😊

[@douganderson-me]

I find myself reaching for my iPad mini more often than my iPhone.

[@rjsimm]

If only you could use a mini as a phone! That would be the best perfect device for me!

[@XPStudios578]

I can agree. We have the regular iPads hanging out for first time users and education markets. The iPad mini for those that need it such as Doctors and Nurses, as well as kids. The iPad air is the thin and light power house that I honestly seem like getting next. Then the Pro's, they don't really have much going on. The size of that tablet makes it look like a MacBook yet it has less features and is more clunky than a MacBook. In all honesty, the only thing Apple really needs to do, is fix what they're doing with their Pro iPad because like Luke said, for the same price, you can get a MacBook with more features, use cases and have everything included.

[@ProfessorMaxHammer]

Honestly I think the problem is price. You touched on that briefly by pointing out that once you get the iPad with accessories, you might as well get a macbook. I do agree that the OS does need a major overhaul but to save it in the short term, the iPad pros at least need to be cheaper to make them compelling choices.

[@michellehansen1563]

You're blaming the ipad when apple has intentionally limited the iPad. Apple created the problem. I love using a tablet. I don't use add- ons.

[@karolinaohlander4410]

As a classical musician, I can’t live without my iPad Pro and my Apple pencil. It’s a lifesaver to carry all my notes wherever I go and not having to bring multiple papers and books. Every musician I know uses the iPad Pro and we will cry if the iPad isn’t around anymore 😭

[@aidenquinn19975]

There needs to be major software changes. The power is there, the hardware is ready, Apple just needs to pull the trigger and do a major OS overhaul

[@ncard00]

The Ipad Pro 11 is just a premium tablet, which cannot in it’s cheapest configuration, use 5G, call, and do SMS, which is fine. And the 2024 model will have a double layer OLED display, doubling brightness, that alone is enough for me to upgrade from my 2018 11 inch ipad pro, which has become too laggy with demanding tasks, cause the 4gb of ram is almost always maxed out, and the display is terrible compared to OLED. Only Apple product I will ever need, the 11 inch ipad pro, cause I don’t use my phone that much, my studies don’t require a laptop, cause I study music, and I have a gaming PC for all non mobile games.

[@JoshF848]

There is no reason why iPads should not be capable of running any macOS software by now. Even if it was done in a way that Mac apps would only launch when a keyboard is connected (which would be a very Apple way of doing things) that would instantly make iPads so much more useful.

[@txa1265]

Exactly - I have the 11" M1 iPad Pro, and as someone who has had every generation since 2010 ... it is the last one I will buy until iPadOS gets some SERIOUS upgrades. I might grab a Mini if they do a real one, but the hardware on the Pro is SO far ahead of the software it is unreal.

[@emiel333]

Read my comment in the comments section

[@bradnelson3595]

@@alanhughes8152 Yep. That explains 90% of it as Apple tries its best not to cannibalize laptop sales. We're left with these crippled "features" that few use, I suppose "How to fix" could be as easy as just letting you move windows and resize them at will. That would be a start.

[@iconredesign]

I think the biggest mistake is that they're trying to turn the iPad into something that it's not, let it be a on specialized device like a drawing tablet or a media consumption device especially when they don't want to cannibalize the Mac.

[@trollzone1]

That’s what it still is a media device. It lacks real OS support. They should have it dual boot into both OSs.

[@jeremybirdwell2623]

Agreed. Trying to appease the small group of people who want to use a tablet as a full on computer has made Apple loose sight of the iPad’s original purpose. The best value right now is the 9th-gen at around $300. It does everything most users expect from a tablet and it does them very well. I can’t figure for the life of me why anyone would spend over a grand on a tablet instead of buying a MacBook Air.

[@jeremybirdwell2623]

@@garrusvakarian8709 as I said, they lost their way trying to appease people who want the device to be something it was never intended to be. If you just want a tablet you can get an iPad for $300-$500 that will do anything you need and last years doing it.

[@paradoxzee6834]

I think the biggest mistake was to increase the price of the Ipad 9 last year. It was a good price for an entry level device but now with new price it does not feel like entry level anymore.

[@robertweisberg5570]

@@trollzone1 That is a very interesting idea. I dont think I have seen anyone suggest that. I winder if they considered that.

[@arielspalter7425]

I actually think that having macOS on it would give it the missing usability and usefulness you talked about. There is a whole line of 2 in 1 Windows machines like the Surface, hp 360 etc, that offer just that- a Windows laptop with touch screen and some software on top to enhance the experience. That would make it a GREAT product I’d actually consider buying.

[@dash8brj]

I agree, and I've hackintoshed a touchscreen 2 in 1. The touch hardware "just worked" Sadly the battery life under MacOS was abysmal. But it was nice to use.

[@jons2614]

You are EXACTLY right! When the iPad was released in 2010, it had the market essentially to itself.............until 2012 when the first Surface product was released by Microsoft. Even then, the first 2 generations of the Surface/Surface Pro were well.............clunky and not well designed - and no competition yet for the iPad. That changed in 2014 when the Surface Pro 3 was released - finally a Surface product that was somewhat comparable to the iPad and with it's own unique features as well. Finally in 2015, with the release of Windows 10 (optimized for the touch screen) and the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft FINALLY had the product it envisioned - a full fledged Windows laptop/tablet WITH touchscreen capability, detachable keyboard and digital pen. At that point, the iPad ended up looking limited and behind the times. Fast forward to today - Microsoft has a complete Surface product line (Surface Pro, Surface Go, Surface book and laptop and the Surface Studio along with a bunch of accessories - ALL of them are touch screen devices), and pretty much all major manufacturers of Microsoft compatible computers feature a 2 in 1 convertible in their product range with multiple price points as well (I currently use a HP Envy X360 13, and I LOVE it). Hard for the iPad to compete with that, especially when many of the 2 in 1 convertibles are CHEAPER than the iPad (once you add in all the Apple accessories like a keyboard, pen and larger storage capacity). Apple needs to make a MAJOR leap forward - and a touchscreen Macbook (or a iPad that runs MacOS) would be a BIG step in accomplishing that.

[@Jovian_Man]

But that make the MacOS more useless, or worse, kill the macOS reputation completely.

[@Jovian_Man]

Also if IPads have M chips, then the IPhone must have a M chips, and with MacOS installed here.

[@uevchen5350]

Apple will Never optimize a Product when afterards an other Apple Product will be obsolet and prohibit Users buying it. Less profit is not an option. If you want to see how this can work with smartphones and tablets, look at DEX from Samsung since the 7 year old S8😀

[@sonjatrgovcic8514]

Used my 2nd generation for 6 years instead of computer before I got my MacAir and I think that says a lot. Today I use Mini 6th gen for notes and reading. Solid device to replace the paper and make you more productive. It seems to me that Steve’s vision of having something between iPhone & Mac has reached its singularity. Maybe they can go thinner or do some SW redesign but essentially we’ve already got the thing Picard and its buddies were using in Star Trek.

[@mjg1544]

I agree. Any dang thinner and lighter than the IPad Air and it’ll just float away. iPad Air 5th gen is just $499 right now for 64GB.

[@macd7743]

Well said. Mini 6 user here also, and it’s indeed fantastic for reading and note taking.

[@TheMamaluigi300]

I think the only thing truly missing at this point is an OLED screen

[@AndrewUKLondon]

Totally agree. Ipad mini 6 user here with apple pencil and paperlike screen surface.

[@solidflyer286]

I’ve just downgraded from a 1st gen pro to an iPad 6 mini

[@jared1238]

I have a couple ideas. 1. Remove the 4 app limit for stage manager 2. Improve the files app massively. It needs a lot more (finder tabs, better search…) 3. Bring over the rest of macOS apps (Terminal, disk utility), but make them touch first. When a keyboard or mouse is connected, optimize them with more controls. 4. Bring over the ability to have multiple audio / video sources playing at the same time. Fundamentally iPadOS needs a UX overhaul to behave more like macOS. Does not mean that you just put macOS on the iPad. iPadOS can be a great hybrid device that comes in between a laptop and a smartphone. By doing so, it would force apple to make their Macs significantly better.

[@montypoes]

They could have a look at Samsung's Dex. Turns the tablet interface into a more desktop / laptop like interface when connected to the keyboard / trackpad cover. Especially with the larger 13" display this makes perfect sense. This way you can have apps in floating windows. Better file management would be a good thing to add as well. Just give us proper folders like on the Mac...

[@CeziHD]

^ this + improve on and open up their own iPadOS version of Final Cut and Logic Pro for general plugin support so they become as capable as their OG macOS counterparts + just one big hardware update: ditch 12.9" and make the larger model 14.9" - 15.9" - OLED (if possible) The smaller bezels that came with the 2018 redesign should prevent the body from being a whole lot bigger than the OG iPad Pro 2015, which isn't close to being to uncomfortable to hold and having overall more screen real estate is an improvement for every task. Once you've become used to 12,9", it just doesn't cut the slack.

[@rOb1842]

Sounds like you need a Samsung tablet if you want all that and more....

[@ricarmig]

The iPad must be upgraded to a Surface Pro like device. The hardware is there, the software is (internally) there, the UI / artificial limitations off... don't. Why would you upgrade our buy a new model if you can't do more than the other ones. The same with a MacBook! Why would you buy an expensive model if you haven't touch or games / 3D apps that use that power? Until Apple makes a big decision, sales will go down (they are already not ideal). The same with the iPhone. This is the last iPhone that will sell until Apple makes a overhaul on the concept, using a foldable screen.

[@steveellsworth2547]

@@montypoes I don't think Dex is very good. Samsung's external monitor support is not well developed.

[@matthewhormann8752]

I agree. This is why I bought the iPad Air. I use it every day for work and personal tasks. But just like you said, I couldn’t justify the cost of the pro model. In my opinion, the price point and features of the iPad Air are perfect.

[@UHDGamers-re2xj]

I brought an air 5 and love it for my photo editing and other tasks. It simply chews what I throw at it. But I will be getting a pro model with the M3 I think.

[@j340_official]

Pro motion is nice on the Pros

[@UHDGamers-re2xj]

@@phillipbanes5484 because I will using it for video editing and more demanding work.

[@mathieul4303]

As an artist, it was worth it to upgrade to the ipad pro

[@paulmaseman2171]

As a teacher who uses an Apple TV to present all information to students and two iPads (an M1 11 inch iPad Pro and a sixth gen iPad mini) to help me teach my classes, I find the iPad absolutely invaluable. I use an M1 MacBook Pro as well in my classroom, but I couldn’t present daily information and notes to students as efficiently or easily without my iPads. (Perhaps the Apple TV is the real star of the show here.) I can immediately fire off notes from Notability to absent students directly from my iPad and I have a history of all notes and information I’ve presented at all times on my handheld device. Maybe the iPad needs to be directed more to specific professions and careers, such as doctors or teachers, to be given a new lease on life.

[@rubenvenafro1876]

I've just discovered this channel and man, now that's quality content. I just love everything about your videos, from the footages to the script. Good job

[@triforcefx]

I think Apple needs to start putting more of their products on a 2-3 year refresh cycle, and I think iPad is a perfect example of a product line that could benefit from less frequent updates. The iPads should go back to their roots as the perfect “sidekick” devices. They should also try to stay cheaper. It would be nice if the standard iPad could get back down to $300 on sale

[@ashwinnarasimhan2729]

I would agree with you here. I don't think it would make a lot of sense for Apple to turn the iPad into a Mac with a touchscreen but I think lowering prices would be the most sensible move here, especially since the hardware is so good that it doesn't need a major redesign for a while.

[@DrakeDHDerr]

That's why there are much cheaper ipads on the market

[@TamasKiss-yk4st]

The 2-3 years update cycle will not change anything.. that simply will make.the same difference when you not buying the newest device in every year.. what you still can do with the current update cycle. And everyone has different preferences, so one will update just because of the better camera, meanwhile others will count the better camera as 20%, and they still wait the remain 80% what they think need to change before they will buy the new one, so one will update it yearly, but the others will update it in 2-3 or even in 5-7 years, and you can decide after the new model released, is it worth to upgrade for you, or you just keep the previous one at least for one more year..

[@ashwinnarasimhan2729]

@@DrakeDHDerr It's great that $300-400 iPads exist but iPad Pro needs to be priced a lot better, as Luke's example in the video shows.

[@richardrick1014]

2-3 year refresh cycle for design changes is fine, but if with the same hardware spec, it is bad for consumers. Although the Apple Silicon M series chip is ahead of from the competitors in term of performance per watt and efficiency, but other chip makers are catching up and sure as hell Apple learned from Intel when they were dominating the PC market until AMD and now AS almost taking the innovation lead. Apple still has a lot to catch up on high performance GPU to rival NVidia GPU, AMD Radeon, and now Intel Arc. And let's not forget the Vision Pro, I believe after a few iteration of the product, the price will become more affordable, and thus Apple will make less effort on iPad since it is a better tech and the future of computing.

[@DrawJam]

I'd never thought of it until your video since from an artist stand point, the iPad in all its various flavors is always high on the list of recommended art making tools for us. I think one thing that artists would love is an option for etched glass. If Wacom can do it and overcharge us for their products, Apple can do the same and enough of us would jump at the chance. That and the file system could use some work. But since most of the software that artists use have caught up with the iPad, I think they make pretty decent art making tools and I see them a lot in art making spaces.

[@rolandbreard8201]

I think the iPad is specially made for the modern artist...whether it's a sketch artist, a sound mixer, a lighting designer...I could name so many other areas...the iPad is essential... period!

[@roguewavecreative]

I am sorry and I get this guy has to attract cklicks. I mean that sincerely. That said the ipad is the ipad. It really can be used in many different ways (not perfect nothing is) and is not going anywhere. It will never be a surface and personally I am ok with that. Others wish it was and honestly if I was them I would just get a surface. Ppl detest admitting this but the diff between Win And mac software is not so diff anymore.

[@sloppynyuszi]

@@roguewavecreativeexactly this. The iPad is fine as is. As someone who is lazy to spend time trimming things the extra over head power is great for layers, and subsurface dividing in Nomad sculpt. Even then it’s a MacBook Air spec device with less space for cooling. Why are people wanting to do MacBook Pro stuff?

[@techdudesweekly]

Might be time to look at the Ipad differently. Trying to make it a laptop replacement is going nowhere. Completely agree. However as a media consumption device, I still love my Ipad. However, I am starting to think that the size of the ipad matters and in this case I am opting for the Ipad mini to bounce around the house and consume general content. For work, I move over to my Macbook and still love universal control to have the Ipad as a side device. Looking forward to seeing what the new Ipad mini 7 might look like.

[@pulsarfox]

Man, usually you're right in most of the subjects you talk about but now I can't believe that you didn't mention Stage Manager on the iPad. Everything you said about multitask management is flushed out with that.

[@ryanw8664]

From your lips to Tim’s ears, Luke. I agree with just about everything you said. Multitasking on iPad is a nightmare and the primary reason I go to my MacBook when I want to get any kind of real work done. For this reason, my next iPad will be an iPad Mini (coming from a 12.9 Pro) for a simple tablet experience that is easy to hold while consuming media, playing games and doing some light email and browsing. The iPad Pro as an all-purpose device just doesn’t work because iPadOS is basically iOS and thus, too limited for MacBook-level productivity. You asked where Apple should go from here, and I agree, it’s a tough question. For me, there is a definite appeal in using a single device as both my tablet and laptop. Apple has the accessories ecosystem to do it. Maybe it’s a crazy idea, but I would love something that seamless switches between macOS and iPadOS. Attach the iPad to a keyboard stand and it goes into macOS mode, and not necessarily with a touch interface, but designed for mouse/keyboard input. Take off the keyboard stand and it switches to iPadOS for a pure tablet experience. I’m talking literally running two OS simultaneously that can somehow handoff tasks or work interchangeably. I’ve no idea if something like that is feasible, but a person can dream.

[@PeriPeriTV]

I dream about this too 😅

[@benjaminn7134]

Isn’t that just Samsung Dex

[@IvanKosmachevski]

iPad is not in a weak spot. Tablets are an established market, just like with smartphones, the iPad is as good as the competition, the improvements with each new iteration are minor. Yet, I'll agree on the cost vs macbook air part though. Imagine how cool it would be to be able to run macOS on an iPad!

[@ncard00]

The Ipad Pro 11 is just a premium tablet, which cannot in it’s cheapest configuration, use 5G, call, and do SMS, which is fine. And the 2024 model will have a double layer OLED display, doubling brightness, that alone is enough for me to upgrade from my 2018 11 inch ipad pro, which has become too laggy with demanding tasks, cause the 4gb of ram is almost always maxed out, and the display is terrible compared to OLED. Only Apple product I will ever need, the 11 inch ipad pro, cause I don’t use my phone that much, my studies don’t require a laptop, cause I study music, and I have a gaming PC for all non mobile games.

[@Mr_D555]

I have had an iPad for many years now and don't plan to give it up, leave my iPad alone. Honestly, it's my vacation and bedside device, use my phone when on the go and computer when at home.

[@JeffTech644]

I think with the iPad, in general, people are asking for way too much. In a sense, the iPad is already good at what it does, especially for artists, reading, notes, media consumption, and light work. My main dilemma here is when Apple started introducing more iPads beyond the regular and mini, big example, the pro. When the pro was introduced, I believe the masses put it on a pedestal being the greatest device with SO much potential. I have the 11” M1 Pro and then I compare it to my friends that have the 10.9 Air and I’m like, the difference really is the refresh rate and the camera (Luke really got me there with the wide angle lens). Right now, there are 5 iPads, the iPad, Air, mini, pro 11, and pro 12.9 (and maybe a 14”). They all perform the same tasks in different sizes, and the performance from an everyday consumer would only be incremental. If and when Apple just simplifies the line and let it serve as a supplement to macOS, especially if there is no plans on bringing touch to the OS, it will have great feedback (with reasonable starting price). I feel like the idea of iPad as being a computer replacement, was a bold mistake that Apple is possibly struggling to live up to. 3 iPads is all they need, the mini, 11, and 13. To conclude my rant, on the iPad, we just need to stop putting the lineup on a pedestal, expecting leaps in innovation (look at Google and their pixel tablet/home hub, not high spec, but gets the job done). Lower the starting costs and simply the lineup. Make it more to be a supplement to macOS (I would also add a virtual desktop to macOS with some kind of added feature of iCloud+ where you can access your Mac on iPad). All of this should make the iPad great!

[@mandrews817]

It's not that people are asking too much of it. It has a lot of processing power and RAM, so it CLEARLY can do a lot more than Apple allows. The problem is, Apple promises too much and delivers too little, because they want to dictate how you want to use your device. So why would I buy an iPad when I can buy other portable devices that are much more versatile?

[@JeffTech644]

@@mandrews817 The question is, what tasks are objectively considered power hungry to utilize the power besides gaming and video/music rendering? Are you wanting to run Xcode, run a crypto server, and watch 4K 60 videos at the same time on your iPad to make use of the power? Same goes for the iPhone as well, there’s so much power in the device to out beat its competitors, even the non pro versions. Sometimes all that power is going towards everyday apps that we as the end user cannot see because we’re so used to the speed nowadays, comparing today’s iOS devices to a 6-10 year old one, the differences in performance are really up there.

[@mandrews817]

@@JeffTech644 , the iPad has the same processor the M1 Macbook has. And iPadOS is a lighter version of MacOS. So, if the Macbook can handle MacOS, the iPadOS can do everything the Macbook can. And the problem is not the format: the Microsoft Surface has shown it CAN be done, as well as other devices even a bit smaller than the iPad.

[@TangoMikeLima]

To me, the main reasons why I like traveling (or just taking along when going for shopping/ciffee/dinner to the city centre) with my 11 inch iPad instead of my MacBook are: - It is significantly smaller and lighter - Touchscreen - It can be used equally well in portrait orientation, which is a much more natural way to use it when holding with one hand and poking at it with the other hand. - More apps, although many iPad apps install and work fine on Apple Silicon Macs, too, of course - It has 5G by itself

[@RoyalFlushFan]

Combined with a Magic Keyboard (with trackpad) though, the iPad isn’t so much lighter than a MacBook Air anymore.

[@Chris-Neal]

My 2018 pro 12.9 is still absolutely brilliant. I did buy the silly keyboard (costing the same as a cheap iPad) so it is effectively a laptop, but why would I spend a relative fortune upgrading something that still does 95% of what the latest models do ?!

[@laughyourashevilleoff2546]

This is where I'm at with my 2018 11" Pro. It's still plugging away and while I know it'll likely stop getting updates next year, I'm struggling to see a reason to upgrade it at this point. It fits in perfectly between my Mac Mini and my iPhone, but largely gets used as a bedside TV so I can watch stuff as I fall asleep lol

[@alliejr]

SAME. But why is that a bad thing? It’s still a perfect mobile solution for me. My last MacBook was a 2012-era design and I haven’t looked back.

mine too, no mayor reason to updated. Software still the same, apps still supported so

[@bobamarmstrong]

People change their iPad in something like 8 years after. I don't see any reward to change it each year or 2/3 year

[@Epicgamer_Mac]

Guess I’m NOT the only one who does that lol 👍

[@GeometryWars]

I think that the iPad is a great device as a ‘larger’ iOS device. I do use mine with a Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad, but I think they need to be cautious about marketing it as a ‘computer replacement’ device. I enjoy it as it is as a large iOS device. It suits my needs very well, and I use it daily.

[@shameermulji]

100% this

[@TheBitzr]

I think the ipad has a lot of potential as a virtual creatives tool. If they can somehow get it to a point where the video editing and art softwares work in tandem and have more power, as well as Improving face ID for 2D/3D tracking, add in VR/AR, and It could become the perfect all in one tool for Vtubers and VR creators. Also, it would be great to FINALLY have something that can use both apps and PC software. But it will need some major changes for all that.

[@riccardoaldrighi273]

As a university student, I loved the iPad because it was light and, with an external keyboard, I could use it all day to take notes, watch videos (you know, it does not stand on its own) and some other things I felt uncomfortable with using the phone. But when I started teaching, and especially during covid, I acknowledged it was really limited. I stated asking myself “How can I make a zoom call with the iPad and share portions of my screen?” Or “Why is multitasking so slow and counterintuitive?”. I mean, I still use it for my lessons to have the digital version of books at hand, but when I have to make zoom calls or teams calls it just feels like I’m trying to do my best but the tool holds me back, so I have to use my iMac. But it does not move, does it? So basically yes. I think the M2 MacBook Air is definitely the best solution for freelancers who need access to the internet and a user-friendly, sturdy, fast device to work. I don’t know if the iPad even has a future with its current software.

[@whatispizza]

great insight

[@wolfoftablet]

iPad has limitation and always will have limitation, Apple doesn't want to overlay the MacBook functions.

[@raysterz82]

I definitely agrees. Also as a university student, I enjoyed how my iPad mini is able to give me a sense of versatility while going from class to class. The only usage for me however on the iPad is is note taking and watching KZbin videos like this one. Honestly, as a entry device, I think the current I pad is more than capable for people to do simple multitasks on the go. I think future of iPad pro should be more targeted to creatives, such as graphic designer and content creators, with more features caters to this market. I also think that with more capable pro features going to multitask, or an actual macOS like interface when plugged into a display, companies with limited IT budget could use it as a workstation on the go.

[@Eric-qi9us]

I absolutely agree with you. iPads are now trying to be a laptop, when there's MacBooks which is already better than iPads as a laptop.

[@florian_d]

The main purpose of an iPad for most people is to be a device to take notes etc.

[@velk0mmen]

Then android people coming over saying that our tablets can also be a laptop while an ipad cant

[@erotech1]

True, just make better the things that made the iPad iPad! The things that made it popular and stop trying to make it as close to the laptop!

[@shaungreer3350]

@@florian_dmost people i know just use it for media. which is why i don’t have one since i got my m1 air that in my opinion does that better and definitely does productivity better. i use it for the early stages of music production before i put it through my analogue setup and garageband on ios allthough fun just isn’t good enough to do that for me

[@lazlovance1727]

@@florian_d yeah it feels like it, I use my iPad mini 6 as a note taking, drawing and media consumption device. Though often I just go to my phone or my pc when consuming media. Gaming was something I was looking into but I often just use the phone or pc.

[@Workingfilms]

The 2018-2021 cycle was really exciting, we had the new design, the new keyboards, trackpad support, usb-c, and iPad OS. I’m a freelance video editor and I bought into it as a secondary portable option, I was excited by the possibilities. But ultimately yeah, even though it’s super powerful and can handle all the things I wanted to use it for, it was never actually a way that I felt like working. I’d always end up back at the Mac to finish projects or just get through things faster. I still think the iPads have their place, but I’m not quite sure it’ll ever come through to be a full scale powerhouse.

[@jmanjaly6434]

awesome work, Luke. Big fan

[@The_Hero_Is_Back]

I own a 2018 iPad 6 running iOS 17. It does everything I want. It’s mostly an email and content consumption device as Jobs suggested it would be. I’ve never used the rear camera. Teamed with a Mac mini, you have the best of both worlds: a lightweight Apple device for “consumption” and a desktop Mac for text entry or anything that needs a much bigger screen. For me, the iPad is a MacBook replacement.

[@paradoxzee6834]

I have a Ipad 7, its a great device when I travel for video streaming, it's not to big so I can place it on a seat tray while traveling on an airplane or train. Even it's a 2019 device with 2016 hardware, iOS 17 runs smooth. I don't really use the camera. only when I need to scan QR codes, I feel the low 32gb of storage now. But considering it was not expensive and I can still download the latest apps it's really a device made to last

[@plpams8332]

I agree. I also have a mac mini I use for work, and an iPad air for everything else.

[@neerajkarunanidhi6804]

make iPadOS as capable as MacOS and make it grow out of it’s iOS origins. That would make it more capable than its current state.

[@cookiehead.]

iOS is based on Mac OS X, but it's completely redesigned. Then Apple took iOS and made another spinoff which is iPadOS. so they're all basically very similar

[@AntranigVartanian]

@@cookiehead. I understand that, while that is technically true, many things are different. For example, the macOS scheduler works like a "computer", and while the iPhone/iPad is also a computer, the iOS/iPadOS scheduler works differently, by killing background apps, as an example. The network stack also has different configurations, iOS/iPadOS kills background connections (except the ones that go to Apple for APNS). TL;DR: iPadOS is for toys, macOS is for computers.

[@imelliam]

@@cookiehead. lol no they are not basically the same. in every way that matters for how you can USE the device, they are not in any way, the same.

[@cookiehead.]

@@imelliam similar*

[@YeahTheMitchs]

Yeah, like creating more touch interface apps and games, then when pairing it with a keyboard transfer it to a Mac OS interface.

[@hmcnally]

Around 2015, a friend looking for a new computer kept asking me if he should get a high-end iPad. I kept telling him no, not if you like a mouse and using a file-oriented operating system--it'll never replace your computer. I think the downfall of iPad is directly linked to the fallacy of thinking it's a content creation device. Jobs had it right: it's a content consumption device... and even that role is now being challenged in the home by the ever more capable AppleTV having a legit operating system and app ecosystem. Edit: great note in this video, the iPad Pro did bridge the gap of the subpar (crappy) MacBooks of the day,

[@TheLiznz]

I love iPad, I’ve been a user since its release. Recently I started checking out the latest iPad Pro as a potential upgrade but ended up confused and wondering ifI should move to the Mac Air. I hate the multi tasking on this thing and get very frustrated with split screen too. Key things for me on iPad are… * Battery life * improvements in volume control. I’m partially deaf and want to really override volume limits. Yes I have ear buds and they help * improvements in pop-up control. With a tiny screen no room for pop ups. Maybe there are settings I haven’t found. * why can’t some apps give same software as in Mac? E.g. Photoshopped.

[@MegaTyler97]

I think the problem with the iPad is that it kind of got too good. There was no legitimate competition to rival it, or make Apple invest in keeping it innovative. I mean hell, the average middle aged person calls a tablet an "iPad". I love my iPad Pro, but it's 3 years old and I have no need to upgrade it. At this point, just put macOS on the Pro line and make them their own thing, since I know Apple has this obsession with keeping the iPad an "iPad"

[@kbhasi]

Yeah!! They should just ship iPad Pro models running macOS, and, boom, spiritual successor to the ModBook!

[@gogobrasil7185]

Makes sense for a tablet to have its own OS. MacOS is designed for computers. Tablets should have an easier UI. But they need to make it as capable as MacOS. There's no reason not to.

[@stefanjohnsson5661]

If you used the iPad to sculpt, draw or design you would have a different take. The real problem with the iPad is that Apple actually listened to customers that didn’t befit from having a pencil or touch input. If you use a trackpad or keyboard with your iPad you should use a laptop.

[@MegaTyler97]

@@gogobrasil7185 it is true that macOS in its current iteration just isn’t a touch-friendly UI. But I would like to see an option to turn the iPad Pro into a “MacBook” that runs macOS when connected to the Smart Keyboard or another 3rd party option. It’s wishful thinking, I know, but it would be pretty cool

[@gogobrasil7185]

@@MegaTyler97 it'd be better than what we have now, but I would rather it developed as its own thing

[@SalivatingSteve]

I opted for the $269 iPad 9th gen, since it does nearly everything the Pro can. Then I paired it with a knock-off Pencil for $20, a case with smart cover for $10, and a $20 Bluetooth keyboard. The complete budget iPad experience for $320 from Amazon 😅 The only major feature I can’t use is Stage Manager, which TBH is overkill on the smaller 9.7” iPad or 7.9” mini displays.

[@hmartim]

These base models iPads are the market Apple should be exploring

[@RWBHere]

I hate Stage Manager, even on an iMac.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Same here, those entry level iPad are good value for money. Not to mention that lots of kids also use these

[@weightlessliving9856]

You have hit the sweet spot for iPad and the EXACT intended use Steve Jobs had in mind. The 9th gen is a hidden gem and a serious powerhouse that everyone just kind of ignores.

[@chadhuff7401]

I use the IPad mini 6 for games and movies, it's nice having a bigger screen than my phone. I do also use it from time to time for note taking when I'm in meetings and it works great for that. I have an M1 Mac Air as a laptop and I use that for more in depth stuff. I feel if the IPad stays around the mini style would probably be the best in between platform.

[@ricardomerk2]

You are so correct. Had an ipad 1st gen which i gave away to my parents after barely a year of use. Never really found my self needing/using it as much as i thought. I commute daily and my perfect combination that i use nowadays is an iphone 13 mini,  Watch ultra and an M2 MacBook air. That gives me all the power and portability i need. Great video, subscribing.

[@mikaelheroux-vaillancourt5497]

Maybe you are just not the target user base? I think the iPad has two main use case. Digital consumption (Reading, watching and playing) and apple pencil related production (student, designer and artist). I'm teaching at university and it's incredible how many students use iPad pro with Apple pencil to take notes.

[@grantschilb8019]

My chemistry professor used an early iPad Pro hooked up to a projector as a virtual whiteboard. And he was in his sixties.

[@miggywiggy]

The iPad as a product family is still strong imo. Most of your points revolve around the Pros and are pretty valid. But the non Pro iPads are the best value for money on tablets in my experience. The Air and the Mini are my personal favorites.

[@roguewavecreative]

the validity of this being more of a “I have to get get content out in between releases” is valid and also a smidge snarky. That said you still have to look at this as what do you use it for. Mostppl that toot this horn are not creatives and therefore do not see the value. Just my opinion and that’s it.

[@roguewavecreative]

@@phillipbanes5484 actually I would say the opposite. Most people buy the cheaper models and use them as their main driver. It’s the same way of saying why most ppl should or do buy the base models of the mbp. Because easily 80-90% of ppl can do everything they want on that machine. To me and maybe I did not say this is the ipad is very dependent on the apps. The ipad is a grest tool and I do not think it will or was ever meant as a full blown replacement to a mac BUT for alot of ppl it can be. Sure, the ipad pro is over priced. That is pretty much a fact. That said if you use it to make $ it will pay for itself.

[@JamesTKelly]

Absolutely this. I know people who don’t have computers, just an iPad or iPad Mini. That’s all they need, and those devices are cheaper and easier to use than a computer. The iPad Pros, like the iPhone Pros, are strange beasts. The extra features aren’t “professional”. They’re just more. In a lot of cases, overkill. I suspect most people buying one want a single “Pro” feature they can’t get on a cheaper model. I’m not convinced at all that the whole line is “dying” though. They’re not Pro machines. But, for a lot of people, the iPad sits exactly where Steve wanted it to sit. Nothing wrong with that.

[@roguewavecreative]

@@JamesTKelly Very well said. Personally I hace the pro for drawing amd enjoy the screen size. Could I do what I already do on a reg ipad. Probbaly. To me the ipad is so dependent on the apps. I am really not sure even what ppl would want it to do other than I know they want it to become a surdace and I really do not think Apple will ever do that and again this is personal but I am good with how it all works now. Not perfect and I agree with you. Tje Pro thing is more a marketing thing. I could technically as a graphic designer use a mba for all my work (I have) and be ok. I have a mbp for the extra memory which helps because I keep alot of apps open. That said when I had the m1 mba it was fine. Just had to be good at not leaving alot of creative cloud apps open. I kind of stayed clear of all these videos for awhile because in the end it really is about your personal journey with what amounts to a tool. The idea that 85-95% of users would do fine with the base model of anything is true. Ppl get all crazy about speed, memory, ect and in the end you should concentrate on skills but it’s so so wasy to fet wrapped up in it. What I did was wait 2 yrs and got the mbp with 64gb of memory new for less than the base model. I found no real difference in use. These silicon macs are amazing and also ppl have to realize or see that so dar from m1 to m2 ect the difference is not that much.

[@gaysullivan1942]

I love my iPad. I have no need for a laptop.

[@ernestoa5364]

Luke what budget ipad 🤔 you recommend!?

[@octachron_ios_drum_sequencer]

Thx for the video 😊 And alright, we are running an iPad Drum Sequencer app, so I am not completely neutral on this subject of course. And I really think you got some points. Especially the pricing. But I still love mine and for a case like music production I think it’s great. Cause the tools got the flexibility of software, it’s big enough but it’s so much more fun and intuitive to use by touch than with a mouse. Especially of course on the go or if you are hanging out at the beach. But yes, lower prices, even more professional software and file handling definitely would be a plus ✌️😊

[@SUPERGEEKTATTOO]

This is a great video Luke. My iPad Pro M1 has been my daily main device since I bought it. I sold my MacBook not even a month after I biought it. At home I have my Mac Mini desk setup for KZbin, my iPhone is always handy, but my iPad that is my baby. I use that far more than the other two devices. I think the reason it hasn't had any major updates is because it is kind of perfect as it is. The only main change I could see would be maybe adding a iPad Mini Pro...that would be the dream iPad. Now the rumored 14" nightmare. We need a Mini Pro...oh man my blood is pumping just imagining one.

[@bryans8656]

For less than the cost of that fully accessorized iPad Pro I was able to get a refurbished M1 MBP 14 (16GB/1TB), so I have to agree with you.

[@jameswaters5133]

Now used M1 Air's are hitting 500GBP (in UK), it's a no brainer to get a MacBook over an iPad, for anything requiring productivity, unless you're an artist using the Apple pencil.

[@MazichMusic]

I'm not a total Apple fan. However, I use the most basic iPad to store and display PDF's of the music I play at church. It had never acted up in the 14 months I have been using it. No glitches, fast, page turns are smooth. No complaints. I've never had an Android tablet that worked as well.

[@ilovedainty]

I just sold my iPad 12.9 inch with cellular. I now use the iPhone 14 plus paired with the Surface Pro 9 5g with a pen and keyboard for school. This is the perfect blend of technology to suit my needs.

[@ethanator6015]

I think this question depends on which customers you're talking to. The baseline iPad and iPad Mini I feel have the most appeal for general customers. We want something that just works, and a screen that's just large enough. And while the Mini could be cheaper, I think it's balanced out by the slew of features it offers for the price. Meanwhile, I have a hard time seeing any significant value in the Air and Pro line of iPads. All that power, and it's most useful if you're using them as a gaming machine, especially with the Pros.

[@daddydeadbones]

Pro is really used by digital artists. It actually top in its class for digital arts especially digital sculptors and modelers. There really arent any other devices that can deliver what the iPad Pro can.

[@ethanator6015]

@@daddydeadbones In hindsight, between the screen real estate of the iPad Pros, along with the ProMotion Displays, as well as the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen, digital art is the best use of the iPad Pro. That would make sense.

[@mikealvas]

If there ever was a device to use the folding tech, its the ipad. Transforming it from a mini to the biggest display available allows for more versatility changing it from a note book to an entertainment device.

[@Fear.of.the.Dark.]

this can be a good use case. But seems like we are still years away from this, especially at lower price point.

[@historyofapple]

I can confirm, back when I was in middle school and my freshmen year of high school all I had was a iPhone and a iPad. In that case when I was at home the iPad was my go to device. Nowadays when I have a MacBook for when I’m on the go and a Mac Studio for when I’m at home I almost never touch my iPad. I have classes to attend and need to take notes during a lecture? Or just want to consume media without having to prop a screen up? My MacBook fills that roll well. Have projects to complete with photoshop and video editing? My Mac Studio fills that roll well.

[@YouTubeDRom90]

I have used my iPad as a personal computer for about five years, I have IPad Mini, iPad 7th Gen , and now IPad Pro. I feel like from I have seen a lot of improvements, especially stage manger and external monitor ( that is what really got me to upgrade to the Pro). I think the biggest thing Apple could do is offer more full applications , not just their own applications but get companies like Microsoft to create a full version of Excel / Word even if you had to pay a premium. Without making a major software changes that can satisfy people with the iPad. I feel like the IPad is going in the good direction, I think the M Chips make potential updates seem endless. If a had a MacBook maybe I’d feel similar, for basic use IPad been great option. I honestly find myself using more IPad to consume media than my TV these days!

[@davidhepworth3956]

I agree with you Luke, the main problem is the iPad is too expensive for what it can do. I have an M1 11” and the only reason I upgraded from my 2018 iPad Pro is because my USB C port failed, it stopped charging completely. In fact, this is my second M1 iPad Pro, it was replaced by Apple in march because of the exact same problem, my USB C port randomly died on me. Since there has been no real updates since 2018 and I barely use my iPad at all now, I’m going to keep this one for as long as possible because at the moment I cannot justify spending that much money on a device which is the same as my current one which I never use anyway.

[@nateo200]

You know its been a decade since I've had an iPad but I found an iPad Pro on the side of the road and thought "How is this a 2018 model it looks brand new?" mostly because theey havent done any updates to it. It makes no sense to me to get an iPad over a MacBook Air unless you really need that touch screen. They need to make the M3 MacBook Touch or something of that nature. Make the screen fold all the way back, add a touch screen mini-LED display (or OLED) and throw in a 5G NR cellular modem with global sub5GHz and mmWave support and call it a day. The battery life on the MacBooks is so impressive I see no reason that this isnt possible

[@rafaeltorovip]

Luke, you need to take into consideration who responded to your question. Tech enthusiasts or just regular consumers. I think that as a lot of your audience is people that in some ways are tech enthusiasts, the responds were expected since forever the iPad has been the most polarizing product Apple offers. Everyone is always looking to just criticizing the device because is either a very expensive tablet or a very bad computer. To fix the iPad, Apple can lower its price that they are not going to do, or they can install macOS, and they are not going to do it neither.

[@MacMasore]

And the question is who's the weakest, not who's dying. It just means the other categories are (or feel like they are) stronger.

[@KD6-3.7.2]

They just need to make iPad OS more feature rich and versatile. Basically get it as similar to MacOS as possible without actually BEING MacOS. Especially on the larger pro model

[@Ken-dm5xt]

@@KD6-3.7.2if it’s so close to macOS then what’s the point? Just get a macbook air that’s cheaper.

[@KD6-3.7.2]

@@Ken-dm5xt form factor. Some people prefer the tablet form factor especially for art production. Kinda hard to sketch on a laptop

[@AscensionProject8]

I went a little crazy when M1 dropped… I picked up the M1 MacBook Air, the M1 Mac Mini, and the 12.9” M1 iPad Pro. I use the Mac Mini daily for school, tracking finances, entertainment, and whatever else I do while at my desk. I find myself picking up the iPad with Magic Keyboard for almost everything else. The only thing I use the MacBook Air for is to work on school while on the road or on lunch at work. I was using the MacBook Air for conferences but I found that I could do the same thing with the iPad. I’m finding that I grab the iPad for anything and everything these days.

[@jkempskie]

As a musician, I love the iPad Pro. I can use a Bluetooth pedal for page turns, an Apple Pencil to mark up the music, and it’s very convenient to share marked scores with other people. I don’t have to have binders full of music. Lots of professional musicians use iPads. And then at home…I can play games, read the news, look at photos, or other things when I want a larger display than what’s on my phone. I don’t have a keyboard. I save typing for the laptop.

[@philiporeillycork]

Currently have 3 iPads: 12.9 M2 IPad Pro, 2018 iPad Pro, and latest iPad mini. Have to say iPad mini is my most used! I’ve had multiple iPads since the first one and the OS always seemed to be holding them back. Great devices for general content consumption but still limited for productivity

[@ThorSpaceViking]

Hey. Genuine question but why 3 ipads? Really curious

[@philiporeillycork]

@@ThorSpaceViking there’s about 4-5yrs between the two iPad Pros, and the iPad mini is used by the family for general browsing. I work in IT so have many different types of devices for testing as well.

[@ThorSpaceViking]

@@philiporeillycork Ah I see. I'm the Android side and have two tablets. Use the full size for videos/movies, Zoom calls etc and a smaller one for general browsing etc. I did have an ipad for a while but I couldn't get used to it even though I used it daily. Anyway, thanks for the reply, I appreciate

[@dplj4428]

My choices similar. Mini 6 ipad for carry; iPad Pro m2 at home for drawing; phone for both. Also for previous ipad 10.5 was losing upgrade and security and apps I favored moved to new OS requirements.

[@busomite]

I’ve had multiple iPads over the years, the mini is the best

[@lukehassan4468]

Great take on it. I see where you are coming from, I’m using a 9th gen iPad and love it. I use it for streaming shows and taking to meetings for note taking/drawing plans and teams meetings. Perfect for that really. I’m not sure it could ever be a laptop replacement for me but for that intermediary place it works.

[@dgs1976]

I have a lot of iPad app’s and favorites. Can these be transferred to MacBooks air so I can use them?

[@user-ir1hf2ks1f]

Nothing needs to change. Remember Steve Jobs’s 2011 question: Can any device be better at browsing, video, ebooks etc. than iPhone or MacBook? The 2023 answer: iPad mini - light, simple, cheap, portable. Loved your video - thanks!

[@St0rmcrash]

The iPad is my couch and travel companion. Perfect for Facetime with family regularly, or looking things up on the couch or killing time at the airport etc. The regular iPads (base/mini/air) are at this point very tuned for their use as content consumption, light mobile productivity (email/messaging/video calls/light document work) the biggest issue is that the lineup and specs are a bit of a mess and Apple seems to have missed some of the "new every 2" refresh cycles they were on this fall. On the pro end yeah the price to spec ratio with the M series laptops has gotten a lot blurrier so I think it really depends on your use case. Do you need the touch screen for your creative work, is it easier to carry for your work than a macbook, etc The death of the iPad has been predicted several times. The first was the sales drop you noted, I think a lot of that was that the iPad ended up having a much longer refresh cycle (not counting the iPad 1) compared to the iPhone and after the first few years of early adopters rushing out it was a slower climb into refresh and building out fleet/business use cases (iPads have mostly replaced iPhones or old iPod touches as POS or customer service rep devices these days)

[@CMatFreeStyler]

Two things: put MagSafe 3 on the iPad, so we can use the USB-C for other purposes and just make a visionOS Hybrid to the iPadOS. Some apps on the developer emulator for visionOS are iPad apps, and you can move the apps as you want.

[@slam5]

I have an iPad air 4, was about to upgrade it but look at a new one and don’t see much differences. I stayed with it.

[@calebcourteau]

A price drop would be nice. As a student, I can say that the iPad is massively popular with students and teachers alike. Students use it to take notes using the pencil, and professors use it to give live presentations, using the pencil to mark on their slides as they go. Math and engineering professors in particular like to use it because it makes it easy for them to write equations and share and present them electronically. I hear iPads are also popular with artists because of the pencil. The iPad is always going to be a niche product. I think Apple needs to lean into the niches, while dropping the price to simultaneously appeal to a wider user base.

[@mattpipes5106]

The iPad still does things that the MacBook can’t do (if you have an Apple Pencil or similar accessory) and that makes it really valuable to some people… and I think Apple should really lean into that; making the iPad an art and content creation powerhouse. Similarly if Apple wants to get serious about gaming the iPad’s touch interface and compact form factor combined with a capable chip and reasonably capable GPU could make it a good versatile gaming device.

[@janebond4175]

I personally love the iPad mini. And the reason I do is because it's very light and easy to hold. So it's all my phone stuff with a bigger screen, more battery life, better speakers. But it unfortunately feels cheaper than an iPhone. I think we need an 8" and a 10" iPad that feels every bit as good as an iPhone (with pro motion) but is able to multitask and such. They need to go all in on light because you need to be able to hold it for a long time. That's what makes the ipad mini good. Something that would make me want to pick up my iPad for all the things I would have picked up my phone for while I'm home. We don't need them to be a laptop. We already have the Mac. Go back to Steve's vision. It's an in between product. And because of that it needs to be less expensive.

[@yogiyoda]

Problem for iPad is that iPhones and Macbooks improving and eating into the iPad niche from both ends. What is the IPad going to do that a large phone or small macbook won't do better?

[@dmc6617]

I think there should be a common OS for both the Ipad and the macbook, maybe with a user switchable “tablet mode” in case of the ipad if used without any accesory

[@dr_milkshake19]

I absolutely hated Apple, but after getting into college, I needed a device to get me through the day and be portable enough. I bit the bullet and finally got an iPad 2018, and ever since then, it has been a workhorse. I take it with me everywhere; the battery health is at 86% and gets me through the day. I have no reason to upgrade. I've had a handful of slowdowns, and the RAM is a bottleneck for sure, but I think it holds up so well that I might not upgrade for one or two years.

[@connorlearmonth665]

FYI you can use the 3 top dots to split screen or slide over pretty easily compared the way you showed. Either you tap on it and it shows a little menu, or you just swipe down on it and it tucks the current app away to show you the entire Home Screen to choose the 2nd app

[@Marius98]

Looking at the performance and the pricing of the current iPads, the idea of putting macOS on them wouldn't be too bad. However it should be a customized version which converts to the iPadOS UI when there's no keyboard and mouse/trackpad connected. And maybe it generally should be more upscaled for using it with your fingers. But adjustable windows should definitely be a thing on iPad for making it more productive in using.

[@majixajinxix12chartdisplay33]

I do remember that the ipad's core design to be an inbetween iphone ( touch screen capabilities ) and macbook ( larger display with added power ) still stands to have value for those who draw ( like myself and even others in the comments section here and beyond ), people with sight problems, readers who dislike the headache inconvenience of zooming in to read text often and also wanna read more text without reducing text size, folks who play games on ipads without the problems of small screens and their digits blocking the screens and the games, programs, and apps user interfaces, and many more that I could not count since there's lots of useful benefits for the ipads. Perhaps introducing a matte or paper like screen display and increase screen durability for the next ipads to reduce some lighting glares but not yet replace the classic glass display ( and upgrade the screen durability too along with phones ) options so that other people can still buy them without them feeling the near to fine grit sand paper or felt paper / fabric like texture, huawei so far did that for their devices and people who wanna get new or upgrade devices can purchase said matte display without buying an additional paper matte screen protectors if they wanna save some money in getting them.

[@srbellem]

I LOVE the iPad. My setup of choice for my workflow is desktop and iPad. It's lighter than a MacBook and more versatile "on the go". I think, the original vision for the iPad was to replace the laptop. But then Apple saw, how much more margin there is to make in a laptop and they artificially kept the iPad to be an oversized phone, rather than a ultra portable laptop. I'm finding myself tying the idea of going laptop again with an external display, but … I really love the iPad Air.

[@akfortyfo7024]

What’s your “workflow” involve though?

[@srbellem]

@@akfortyfo7024 I‘m a professional writer, translator (english to german) and editor, so my workflow is not exemplary for the most people. Most of my work is done on the iMac, where screen estate is key (I‘m thinking of upgrading it to a studio display and a mini). But I also dabble in light graphic design, with Procreate, when drawing maps or lettering quotes from my books for marketing and stuff. That’s where the iPad comes in handy. And switching seamlessly between devices, when I‘m writing is nice, but of course, I could do that with every Mac. So, for me, the iPad could fully replace a MacBook. It even could replace the iMac, IF Apple would let iPadOS be a real alternative. But I think they know all too well, that they would be making less money then.

[@absolutelyfrenchy]

As an illustrator my iPad Pro m2 is still my favorite apple product since it’s the only device in which I can combine the amazing software procreate with the Apple Pencil (which I love too) . It’s my digital sketchbook which I easily carry around . I also have a Mac mini with a 20’ pen display screen (xp pen first gen) but it’s not as smooth and precise as using the Apple Pencil on the iPad. If I had to update my iPad I’d like the oled screen to have the paper like feeling (I currently add screen protector but it makes the screen a bit dull which is a shame since the oled rendering is really enjoyable for graphic apps) moreover I’d like my iPad connection with my Mac mini (as a monitor) to be more accurate and less painful (I tried sidecar but it needs to be attached if I want it to be responsive and then it’s a pain to use the pencil) . My iPad Pro is also my perfect portable screen for sport session that I can attach on my bike or rest on some stand ( using a streaming service or fitness +)

[@loeki66]

Perhaps one of those magnetic “paper” type screen protectors would be useful for you? I use one on my iPad mini, goes right on top of my glass screen protector and is removable within seconds.

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

I bought an iPad Pro during Covid, as well as an iPhone 12 Pro, as I’d got fed up of constant failures with other windows based PC’s and although initially reliable, once I’d dropped my iPad Air it became less reliable, plus living in the U.K. keeping in touch with my family in Ireland during the far tougher, stricter and far longer Irish Covid lockdowns became vital - I’ve been waiting to see an updated version of the iPad but when staff in Apple Stores advise against upgrading, then you know that something is really wrong

[@user-sc6zb5ms8e]

You nailed it, I was considering an iPad and ended up buying a M2 MacBook Air, no regrets and made much more sense.

[@billg3645]

The Finder seems to be the major difference between desktop and laptop Mac’s and their mobile offerings. Would it be possible to offer a choice of UIs in the iPad? One for basic browsing and entertainment, and the other for workflow? A dual-mode OS that offers a quick, easy, effortless transition from one UI…to the other.

[@AM_9924]

It all comes down to the OS. iPad OS is limited and they need to offer the flexibility of Mac OS.

[@ncard00]

The Ipad Pro 11 is just a premium tablet, which cannot in it’s cheapest configuration, use 5G, call, and do SMS, which is fine. And the 2024 model will have a double layer OLED display, doubling brightness, that alone is enough for me to upgrade from my 2018 11 inch ipad pro, which has become too laggy with demanding tasks, cause the 4gb of ram is almost always maxed out, and the display is terrible compared to OLED. Only Apple product I will ever need, the 11 inch ipad pro, cause I don’t use my phone that much, my studies don’t require a laptop, cause I study music, and I have a gaming PC for all non mobile games.

[@alliejr]

Steve Jobs said it himself… once you do that then it’s a MacBook. I appreciate the iPad for what it IS, not what it’s not.

[@supercellex4D]

@@alliejr then why tf is apple putting an M1 into it? I'd honestly just like to see the freedom of macOS (terminal, proper 3rd party app sources) with the iPad UI

[@Isengardtom]

@@supercellex4Dfor the software : you don’t need macOS for great apps, like premium games, or more pro software. Personally I find MacOS massively overrated. Windows is better at many tasks and iPadOS is also better than MacOS in many ways.

[@Lauterec]

My 86 year old grandma uses her iPad every day and it is much easier for her to do all of her grandma tasks than Grandpa's iMac and Macbook were. It truly is a great middle device she can use comfortably on her couch since she can't get around that great anymore.

[@ChaosandHavoc]

I use my 2022 iPad Pro for art, and the reason I upgraded from the 2021 was for Apple Pencil hover and more ram, because the more ram the more layers you can get in procreate, but honestly the cost to get those upgrades was so steep, it’s made my life easier, so I would do it again but the amount hurt. I know lots of people don’t see a big use case with hover but for an artist coming from photoshop it really was what completed the transition because I was now able to see my brush and its size like I could on my Mac which speed up the process significantly. I don’t even have a laptop I just have my Mac Studio and my iPad and I can’t do what I do with my iPad on my Mac Studio unless I have a drawing tablet attached but then I’ve very chained to that desk vs being able to make my art anywhere, that makes the iPad a far more valuable item then a laptop to me. I do wish side car worked better, it’s so clunky when I want to use photoshop, so much so that I just hook up my Wacom to my computer and that shouldn’t be necessary when a Mac Studio and iPad Pro cost so much money every program/device should work seamlessly together. I think the hardware is already over kill so they need to be working on the software to utilise that hardware, and I think cost is an issue, I get that the parts are going to cost what they are going to cost, but it’s annoying having to pay for 1T of storage to get the most ram when I don’t need the storage but I need the ram. Make it more configurable, especially since they charge such insane amounts for their storage options that I don’t understand how they can justify them.

[@tomwagner9980]

Make it more affordable. As you said it makes sense as a secondary device to either the iPhone, Macbook or both. I use mine everyday out of convenience but am using my iPhone and MB Air for more and more tasks that I used the iPad for. I am actually looking for a new iPad but will never pay close to $1000 for one.

[@Linux_Fan_Boi_76]

If you are just looking to use it as a secondary device, you should definitely take a look at the ipad mini. Its small and hand while still being usable. And when you pair it with an apple pen its super useful. Especially for note taking.

[@emiel333]

Agree on making it more affordable. I’m currently still using the iPad Pro with A12Z chip (that’s still a powerful chipset) and I’ve looked into the successors of my model, the iPad Pro M1 and iPad Pro M2 (and next year iPad Pro M3). They are interesting because of their powerful chips that come in handy with stuff I do on my iPad Pro. Until I saw the prices of these M2 iPad Pro…. I live in Europe and my country sells Apple products at a significant higher price compared to the US. Okay, the price is with 21% of tax included, nevertheless, I was shocked at the price mark. An iPad Pro M2 12.9” with 256 GB storage costs me €1600 ($1700 when currency converted to US dollar). And that’s for the Wifi model. With 8 GB RAM. Without accessories. Without Apple Care. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind to pay a lot for something I need, but this price tag is ridiculous.

[@taurussel]

I agree also. Computers and laptops used to be clunky and took a while to boot, so tablets were a good medium between them and phones. But with processor upgrades and the advent of ssd’s, they boot fast and are way more “maneuverable”. And shelling out that kind of cash for a tablet isn’t happening.

[@Techjunkie51]

It depends what you want one for. I have the 12.9 iPad Pro and I use it for drawing, watching content, and tattoo stencils mainly. You talk about accessories, only thing I got is the Pencil, I don’t need a keyboard or anything else. As far as buying an apple laptop, I wouldn’t be able to draw on it like the iPad, which is the reason I bought it. Plus I have a laptop and pc if I need to do ‘computer’ stuff. I don’t think most bought the iPad to be a laptop replacement. So again, it all goes back to what want/need it for.

[@garydrago]

I have all 3 (iPhone, iPad, MacBook) and I rarely find myself reaching for my iPad. The only cases are when I want to sketch something/make some kind of visual flowchart or when I want to go through my emails or reminders with touch interface. Outside of that I'm almost always either using my iPhone or MacBook.

[@ewanmcdonagh2827]

The original iPad Pro was eye opening, I got the 9.7 inch version as an upgrade from my 1st gen mini. A year later I sold it and went back to the 1st gen mini as they both did the same job, I’m now over 4 years with my 5th gen mini and it’s great, I just can’t find a use for a “pro” iPad

[@topmech71]

I've often thought it was apple's most versatile product...I have one with the A12z chip from around 2019 or so. It performs very well fast and snappy with good speakers. Those 2018 and 2019 ipad pros are some of the best products they released.

[@macd7743]

The iPad Mini 6 is tablet gold. It’s a perfect all-arounder. As an e-reader (which is its most important function for me), it’s my go-to device, even over Kindle. The 2nd gen Apple Pencil is incredible for digital design, as well as book highlighting. (Personally, I use it with the Affinity Suite.) Content consumption, whether streaming or KZbin, is also stellar. I am a PC lover and that will never change. For many, many years I also preferred Android. I still do for phones (kinda…but I don’t want to digress, so I’ll leave it at that) but once I picked up an iPad on deep discount, all of the other tablets I’d previously used felt like garbage. And the ones I owned began collecting dust. iPad still has a place. Despite how powerful hardware has become, for real computer work, tablets of any kind aren’t going to cut it for a long time yet. Nor were they ever going to replace phones. As far as I’m concerned, if they keep upgrading the hardware to keep the tablets powerful and snappy, I’ll be happy. That is, with the caveat that they’d be a lot better if they weren’t so overpriced-but that’s just Apple, isn’t it?

[@shawnevans26]

I don’t think so. My 2022 iPad Pro gets a lot of use out of it and I love it!

[@davester4545]

I remember fairly well when the iPad had the same camera configuration as the iPhone until 2017. While it isn't a major detail, but it puts into perspective the vision of the tablet: a hybrid that could very much replace a phone and a laptop, while simultaneously being unique. Nowadays the market has changed, and iPads are now complementary and taken for granted due to lower demand. While there are improvements, samsung has an edge in tablet software, even if the hardware is futile for such capabilities.

[@umairnazim3298]

The iPad Pro has a very specific niche of professionals but a lot of people buy it just to have the best of the best. I have an iPad mini with the Pencil + an M1 Air and both have very different use cases. Very useful when you know exactly what you need and purchase accordingly.

[@cewehner]

I'm a lot like you Luke, my main computer is a Mac-mini and like you said using the iPad like the mini is very clunky. My iPad is also the mini and its great just for picking it up to read email, check the news, weather and reading a book and great to take on trips for the little space it takes up.

[@johnwinter9722]

Good video. I agree with many of the commenters that the next step might be to merge the iPad with the Mac (I recently changed from Windows to a MacBook Air M2). Also, please don’t forget about the commercial applications for the iPad. For example, many companies now load their Board of Directors software and supporting documentation on an iPad and hand them out to each board member. for that purpose, they’re indispensable, which is why I now have two iPads. Also agree with the Apple Pencil (GEN 2) comment. Very valuable. I personally love the iPad.

[@devinbaeten13]

At least in the education area, these things are great the way they are. Students can use them as digital notebooks and most edu apps are built for iPadOS and touch-first experiences. I used my iPad Pro for school and it felt like the perfect device for the years I had it. Since I graduated, it’s used maybe once a month for like 5 minutes when I install an update. I am sad to see it go to waste but I have no desire to use it 😢

[@JKNProductions]

A lot of people would love a Mac with a touch screen. With that said I agree. The base $329 iPad can do 90% of the iPad things most people want. Stage manager should just work more like a Mac and allow windows to overlap.

[@2Spiritguide]

Needed a Keyboard with swivel and twist Monitor. I got a new keyboard for my iPAD PRO. Now I can open as a laptop, Twist the iPAD around and use the keyboard as rear support. Most important I can turn it and lay the iPAD flat over the keyboard. Laying the screen flat is great and easy for reading , note taking, lectures, and other uses. I used to use my iPAD seldomly as the keyboard acted as a standard Laptop. Hard to use in Churches, waiting rooms, and other vehicles, and more. Now with the new swivel and twist keyboard it goes where ever I go.

[@burgomaticvulgaris9105]

My 11 inch Pro with A10X is still receiving updates, and it works very well so far, but what will I do next year? I agree that the pricing is insane. A new Pro is just not worth that much money.

[@RafaRallo]

For me, it needs better window management and something along the lines of the ability to open iOS apps on Macs with Apple Silicon, but backwards. If there’s an app optimized to M1 Macs, there should be an option to download it on the M1 iPad Pro, even if it needs a keyboard and mouse/trackpad input to work properly. With that it could become a really compelling computer substitute to stay on the go.

[@Alex-vp4ky]

Its less about dying and more about stagnation. W/o becoming a laptop what more is it supposed to do. What functions and roles is it supposed to specifically serve. I know ppl who dont want macbooks and love the interaction with an ipad over a computer and i get it. The ppl i know dont do more computer focused tasks like professional video/photo edit, coding, spreadsheets, meetings for hours. But they do lighter versions of the above that would be more difficult on a phone. So maybe a couple zoom calls. Maybe one video in imovie or a song in garage band, an assignment in google docs, etc. The ipad has its uses and for several ppl, thats all they need. But the reality is that unlike a phone or laptop where everyone can find a use for them, ipads have a niche audience. If youre one of them, you’ll know. And for the mass of everyone else, its just a bigger iphone thats a bit redundant or unwieldy to carry around when they could just have a pro max iphone or jump ship completely and get a folding phone. Ipad and tablet customers are customers for life, but the problem is that with how over engineered and well specc’d they are for how little most ppl use it for-why buy a new one every 2-3 yrs or so. If the current one they use gets all their tasks done, there wont be a big incentive to upgrade.

[@Primasanto2011]

My mom always says if you can’t explain what you want in the simplest way, then you don’t need it. If you need something versatile and multitasking then you need a laptop. The easiest way to use an iPad is to accept the fact it’s not a laptop. I use iPad Pro 2020 and it still does what a tablet is meant to do, so….🤷🏻‍♂️ If you think the price of iPad is the same as a Mac, well you can find cheaper iPads that aren’t Pros, and they also do what tablets do

[@sleepyreader666]

Ipads for content consumption, pros for visual creatives. Perfect already. Laptops for productivity and non visual creativity and editing.