Apple's New iPad Pro Might Replace Your Laptop
I think we all know that one person that doesn't play about their iPad. And now, after this latest release, it might be time to adopt that personality.
Apple's iPad line has long since evolved far beyond being mere distractions for hyperactive children. Now, they're real tools, genuine alternatives to laptops.
Specifically, the latest iteration iPad Pro has real potential to replace traditional laptops.
The newest iPad has arrived after two years of the line being left on the sidelines.
But if you thought Apple had forgotten about the iPad, it made clear that the iPad is still a priority by debuting the iPad Pro outfitted with the latest Apple silicon, the M4 chip. MacBooks and other laptops haven't yet upgraded to the M4, so it feels like Apple is angling the iPad as a laptop killer, at least in the short-term.
Underlying motives or not, the real star of the show beyond the M4 is the introduction of OLED to the iPad. OLED should probably have come to the iPad years ago, so, after using OLEDs in other Apple products for so long, it feels less like a positive than an inevitability. It's more a case of Apple playing catch-up, really.
However, the display does look great for nearly every application. The nano-texture is a nice touch but doesn't seem like a feature that will be too popular as there's light halation around high-contrast areas. Overall, the quality takes a hit due to the change in texture, but that might be worth the sacrifice for some people.
And, yes, the M4 has finally arrived, making its debut here on the iPad of all places. And yes, it's fast. But at this point, for devices like the iPad, this premium performance is almost negligible since the previous iteration's M2 chip was already incredibly fast.
I don't think professionals will be putting down their MacBook Pros to render intricate 3D files on the iPad, but it is a great auxiliary option when you want a lighter technical companion (or designing sneakers on the go).
After using the iPad Pro for a week, there wasn't a moment where I thought I needed to use my M3 MacBook Pro, which is worrisome considering how much more expensive it is.
Truly, the new iPad Pro has all the computing capabilities any average user would need. Even from an aesthetic perspective, the new aluminum keyboard gives it that genuine MacBook feel. Even still, it's important to note the device's limitations which range from file management to somewhat limited peripheral support.
But despite these quirks, we're at a point where iPads are outperforming MacBook Pros, where it's shockingly viable to use an iPad in place as a primary computer. And, even if you're set with a desktop or laptop, the iPad Pro still makes a great companion to the Apple ecosystem.
The iPad Pro is so interesting even as a point of conversation that it only invites deeper rumination.
Like, I would love to see Apple throw macOS on an iPad just to see what would happen. Would it diminish the need for MacBooks with an evenly priced touchscreen alternative available? Or would it not be adopted by those acclimated to iOS?
Of course, with myself and millions of others locked into the existing Apple universe, why would Apple want to streamline any further?
