While the latest 10.5-inch iPad Pro reviews, for the most part, have applauded the latest tablet from Apple for its powerful hardware and gorgeous display, not everybody is happy with it, especially Joshua Topolsky, the former editor of The Verge and Engadget.
A couple days ago, Topolsky went off on Twitter, trashing the new iPad Pro and iOS 11, saying the tablet “is inferior to a laptop in almost every way, unless you like to draw.”
Here is the rest of his tweetstorm:
If you think you can replace you laptop with this setup: you cannot. Imagine a computer, but everything works worse than you expect.
That is the new iPad. Now, I know the software is in beta, but I also know how Apple betas work. They don’t massively change.
I have no doubt it’s a very powerful piece of hardware, and the screen is gorgeous. Garageband is a lot of fun to play with.
But this doesn’t COME CLOSE to replacing your laptop, even for simple things you do, like email. AND one other thing. Apple’s keyboard cover
Is a fucking atrocity. A terrible piece of hardware. Awkward to use, poor as a cover. Okay in a pinch if you need something LIKE a keyboard.
Anyhow good to know there are still Apple fanboys who get mad if you insult their products. But I don’t think it’s a very good product.
Finally, iOS 11 is definitely a STEP in the right direction. But guys the iPad has been around forever and it still feels half-assed.
He followed up yesterday to say:
One other thing. OSX was made for computers. iOS for phones. Time to design a tablet OS from the ground up. Huge potential untapped.
One other other thing. Apple needs to let you select default apps. The forced use of first party software is oppressive.
Topolsky clarified to a Twitter follower, even before iOS 11, he never believed the iPad could actually replace a laptop. He appears to be able to speak freely on the subject, since he says “maybe I’m the only person who doesn’t have to worry about access to Apple,” when another follower told him he was the first to pan the new iPad and iOS 11.
The iPad can replace a laptop, but it depends on what you’ll be using it for. Personally, I like using my MacBook Pro for my workflow and can’t ever imagine using an iPad Pro full time. It just doesn’t work for me.
Have you replaced your laptop with an iPad?
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No, I haven’t replaced my laptop as I never had one.
But I have moved to an iPad as my primary computer. I feel that it’s a new form of computing, one that’s more simple, yet more intimate than sitting behind a mouse and keyboard.
However, most of these journalists amazingly still miss the point. The iPad is a new type of computing for the masses. It’s not meant to replace the laptop or PC/Mac. Not everyone will be able to use only an iPad. And just because an iPad may not work for you, doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else.
If anything, I would argue that a laptop would do a terrible job at replacing my iPad.
Well said
It depends on what you’re planning to do.
I own an iPad Mini, MacBook Pro (2015 version), and of course iPhone. I definitely use the iPad Mini the least, and I never take it on the go with me anymore. The laptop is infinitely better at most tasks, however, the iPad has its moments and I don’t think Apple has ever said it can replace a laptop.
…Except they’ve already killed off their 11″ MacBook Air (the closest to footprint of an iPad) and the 13″ isn’t far off either – both what were their least expensive Macbooks. And their recent TV ads have implied that the iPad / iPad Pro *is* a viable replacement.
It is, for some people.
so? You gonna write angry tweet to this stranger? Get a real job.
It’s appalling that people like him is what we now consider as a journalist. He writes those tweets as if he and the iPad pro have a personal quarrel. Using words like oppressive is hyperbolic at best and insulting at worst.
Then again, punditry is the new form of journalism these days.
I have an IPad mini and MacBook Pro. I use my MacBook Pro for specific tasks that can’t be done an IPAD. I use my mini for everything else. I use my mini more often my laptop.
The biggest barrier for me is websites which present an immensely different interface on a tablet vs. a laptop. If those were fully addressed 90% of what I do could easily be completed on a tablet.
Different strokes for different folks.
My wife loves her iPad and uses it 99% of the time. I have no time for an iPad when I can use a laptop. No one is right or wrong on this one. Just like one pair of jeans doesn’t fit everyone so it goes for the iPad.
Topolsky is correct. My iPad gathers dust in a drawer mainly. When I do use it, it’s as an external monitor for my gh4.
I have a “plus” sized iPhone and an iPad is basically just a blown up version of that with an OS that is barely optimized for the larger format and a screen that’s harder to type on because of it. Aside from drawing, it can’t really do anything that my phone can’t.
My phone has replaced my pc same with my mom and girlfriend. Of course we are not heavy users. I do run my Ebay store from my phone though.
Your mom replaced your girlfriend? Just kidding.
I thought of that after I read it lol
Lol
Light users I know get by with an iPhone and iPad.
I have both and a MacBook Pro and a Windows laptop. The Windows machine gets lent to friends and is taken out to recharge once in a while. It’s just too heavy. The MacBook is for Excel and also acts as a TV tuner/DVD player (I need AppleTV for Netflix because of their VPN blocking and the Canadian Netflix works fine for me) for the European series and movies I watch.
The iPad mini is used for reading ebooks and emagazines and sometimes to do quick lookups (Google, Calendar, Notes) when I’m on the phone.
Everything else – maybe 90% of what I do – is done on the iPhone. I use Notes to write and only turn to using Word on the MacBook when I need to format something.
I took all four – iPhone, iPad, MacBook and AppleTV on a six week trip. I I do this again, I think I’ll do fine with the iPhone and MacBook because I need my MacBook entertainment centre. The iPhone will do all the rest. And going through airport security will be much easier with only two devices.