mattinoz

randok said:

I've often thought that, as part of its deserved environmental boasting, Apple should do more to emphasize the longevity of its products' useful lifetime. (And do more to prolong that lifetime.) Of course, it goes against a business model that hopes to induce upgrades every cycle or two, but it's a fact that Apple products have much longer useable lifetimes than many non-Apple products. I'm writing this on an "Early 2014" MacBook Air, which I use as my daily computer, and I can do almost everything I want (except visit a few stubborn banking sites). Apple should embrace the truism that longevity is an environmental win and make more of it. 

They could go further and create a subscription-based lighter OS for older devices. Included with AppleOne or paid iCloud tiers. That light OS would be cut down version of the current or maybe previous version so app developers only need to target the last handful of OS to cover the full range of devices.  As long as it is capable of Web, Kiosk type apps for uses like HomeKit store display, sign in sheets or a many other common uses these days I think it would keep a lot more devices in use before recycling. Would be good for older Macs to stey working as extra screen space for a more powerful device.

macsince1988 said:

The “reviews saying that iPadOS limitations mean the new iPad Pro can't easily replace a MacBook Pro” feel like they are recycled, repeating something that appears in the reviews every time a new iPad is released.  The iPad was never meant to be a laptop, and it’s a great device when it meets your needs.

In these criticisms, treat "Laptop" or "MacBook" as shorthand for a portable computer that can be used ad hoc when away from your focused work location (not even assuming that location has a non-portable computer, and the ad-hoc device is still there to sideline distractions).
 
Why can't an iPad replace that?
- Hardware is capable
- Hardware can be extended to be more capable of niche tasks. 
- Software? nope, it cannot be extended to be more capable of niche tasks. 

This isn't about Apple trying to get you to buy 2 devices it is them trying to get you to buy 3. 
Desktop - Laptop - Pad 
If iPadOS were more capable, you wouldn't need two portable computers, just the one with the best form factor for you. (This is currently true of MacBooks but not iPads.) 

I'm sure we will hear the same discussion again in 5-10years when VisionPro matures into almost being able to replace the focused work location device completely for many people. 
(after all we heard it Apple ][ to Mac, Desktop to Laptop, dumb phone to smart phone, landline to mobile)

proline said:

entropys said:

Yeah I amusingly thought it is more likely MacOS would be absorbed into iPadOS.

seriously though, if iPadOS had
*the MacOS finder,
*better, easy to use windowing
*better, easier to use multitasking, and
*multiple user accounts
the grief would mostly go away.

Well yeah, if the iPad was just another Mac, then there would be no grief about it not being a Mac. It also wouldn't even exist.

To me, that is the point at which Apple should be trying to make a convincing Mac killer rather than just conceding to wedging MacOS on another device. After all, that would look weak at this point, especially as VisionOS wants most of the same upgrades. 

 Would agree with the list above mostly.
- Better windowing and multitasking go hand-in-hand to me and has steady improvements the last couple of years. 
- Finderish upgrades to Files are really needed.
- Multiple accounts, yes, please; indeed, could we go further and have sub-users or workspaces for the same user, both in terms of securing some data but also to allowing demarcation of roles we have in life? (indeed this would be good with a Finder/Files overhaul on all devices)

Would add-
- Allow apps to have within their own sandbox user-generated code (complied or script). Plug-ins, mods, automation, whatever it is in various segments it is needed to allow all sorts of Apps to harness the device. 

Understanding 2 out 3 in one year is probably a big ask, all 3 would be huge. 

danox said:

Both.....They are not the same.

Yep
iPadPro as Portable Computer (laptop killer)
VisionPro as Task Computer (desktop Killer)
Both just need software to get there. 

Then why can't I BYO monitor, keyboard, and mouse and use it like a Mac Mini?