I’m eager to install the new OS and put the iPad to the test as a true MacBook replacement. I’ve tried before, but the operating system was never quite ready. This time I’m cautiously optimistic that I may finally be able to do all of my work on the device I enjoy using most—the iPad. Time will tell once Apple releases the update. After I’ve installed it and had time to give the new OS a thorough workout, I’ll know whether it can finally live up to the promise.
The iPad no longer sits between two extremes—instead, you switch between them. The iPad is now two devices in one, the iPad that Steve Jobs imagined and the machine that pros have begged for. A touchscreen consumption slate and a windowed productivity machine. An Apple spork.
Steve’s been gone almost 15 years. The iPad and 11” MacBook were new to the lineup and Google had just announced the Chromebook at that time.
Since then the computing requirements for many individuals and “typical” office workers has gone down dramatically. By 2018 many of my Mac users were only using Safari and Mail to do their job. Then spending 5 minutes updating an OpenOffice spreadsheet before leaving work. The company switched to Google Workspace about the time I retired, so they may be just using Safari today.
I found switching from an 13 inch MacBook Pro to an 11 inch iPad easy because I almost always ran full screen apps and swiped between spaces. Almost exactly like my iPad. Its only limitation, IMO, is its screen size that it shares with the old 11” MacBook. And that was a choice that I made.
It make sense to me that Apple would give addition abilities to the iPad. Times change, who knows what people will be using in another 15 years?
The browser has truly eaten computing in a lot of ways. WebKit and iPad Web Limitations held the iPad back.
Which makes me sad in the sense of I like my computers to have an offline existence when possible. As someone forced into google workspace, I was running into hard limitations due to half backed Google apps and the safari site not well optimized for iPad.
I’m a Google Worspace user and use iPad/Safari to manage Gmail and occasionally use Calendar, Keep, Contacts, and Tasks in the Sidebar. I need a Chrome Browser to use some websites so I’ll be keeping my MacBook Air/file server/backup device/TV for the foreseeable future. And it’s easier to create spreadsheets, etc. on its 13 inch screen.
I actually prefer the Gmail, Keep, and Tasks apps on my iPad and iPhone. But I share your “love” for the Sheets and Docs iOS/iPadOS apps. I only use them to review spreadsheets, make minor updates, and read Docs.
I failed to list calendar! I have three screens of widgets and the dock on my iPhone. And only a home screen containing widgets and the dock on my iPad.
Google is adding the ability to organize Drive using Gemini. Some think it is preparation for voice control of Google Workspace.
Time will tell once Apple releases the update. After I’ve installed it and had time to give the new OS a thorough workout, I’ll know whether it can finally live up to the promise.
I only use them to review spreadsheets, make minor updates, and read Docs.