“For those still mourning the loss of the MacBook Air, Apple’s recent advertising push, which tries to convince the world that the iPad Pro is a full replacement for a computer, has likely not been well-received,” Mike Murphy writes for Quartz. “Over 2015 and 2016, Apple refreshed its laptop line, introducing a 12-inch MacBook, and upgraded MacBook Pros, seemingly leaving the Air, which has not even seen a hardware refresh in two years, for dead.”
“It’s not clear whether the Air will be revived, but Apple is currently pushing users to either shell out at least $1,300 for a new MacBook, or $600 for the base-model iPad Pro (which really jumps to $850 when you add in its keyboard cover and stylus) for its latest hardware.,” Murphy writes. “Although the iPad and MacBook lines are still kept separate on the company’s website, it refers to the iPad Pro as ‘Super. Computer.’ in advertising on its homepage. There has been no similar push for its new Mac laptops.”
“Apple’s recent marketing campaign for the iPad Pro… sets the iPad Pro up as Apple’s most approachable, and useful, computer for the average person,” Murphy writes. “For Apple users who actually use laptops as intended—as computers that can sit on your lap—it seems the only options in the future will be machines that cost over $1,000.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Newsflash: Apple sells premium products at premium prices to premium customers.
Now, your average Joe and Jane Sixpack need to be disabused of the notion that “personal computer” means a laptop or a desktop. Not for them, it doesn’t.
As we wrote back in November 2015, “Given what the average users do, Apple’s iPad is what ‘personal computing’ for the average user should’ve always been, had the technology existed back when Steve Jobs first delivered personal computing to the masses.”
It’s more sophisticated, yet less complicated. It’s more powerful, yet less cumbersome. It can store vast amounts of yesterday, or tell you what’s in store for tomorrow. It can draw a picture, or it can draw conclusions.
It’s a personal computer from Apple and it’s as easy to use as this.
Macintosh. iPad. The computer for the rest of us.And, as we also wrote back in November 2015:
iPad Pro can replace the vast majority of people’s MacBooks because people never had an alternative to a MacBook to accomplish what what they use a personal computer for: Web browsing, email, light word processing, music-video-photo storage and playback, and maybe some messaging (but they do most or all of that on their iPhones or iPhone wannabes).
Note: Obviously, we are not talking about our readership which skews heavily toward techies who use their Macs for far more than the vast majority of current personal computer users.
For the vast majority of people even a crappy low-end Windows laptop is vast overkill for what they do. Therefore, the headroom for iPad remains virtually limitless, especially as Apple’s A-Series chips, iOS and iPad apps become ever more powerful.
This “iPad pause” will not last forever.
SEE ALSO:
Apple debuts two new TV ads in their Twitter-themed ad campaign for iPad Pro – March 3, 2017
Apple debuts new Twitter-themed ad campaign for iPad Pro – February 17, 2017
People seem to forget that what makes their “desktop” computers useful is the fact that there’s a precise pointing device and a keyboard that are “bundled” into that solution. Without either of those, that “desktop” computer because utterly useless.
The brilliance behind the iPad (and tablets in general) is that. They can be useful without those extra input devices and extremely more mobile friendly. However, if you want the same level of utility from a tablet you cannot leave out those same things that maker a normal computer useful… those extraneous input devices.
After owning my original iPad for 6 years and it being relegated to mainly being a consumption device, last year I bought the 9.7″ iPad Pro along with the Apple Pencil. Adding the pencil made the tablet capable of doing “finer” work; sketching, drawing, drafting, etc. And then this past fall I purchased a Logitech Create keyboard/case for my iPad. Since then, I have found that I rarely ever use my iMac anymore…
I can work on programming projects, Swift Playgrounds.
I can develop and maintain my web site and server, Coda.
Recently drew up floor plans for a housing remodel, Graphic.
Designed a new bedroom set, Graphic.
Edit and touch up photos, Pixelmator.
Keep track of finances, Numbers.
People need to understand that if you don’t have the right tools for the job, it’s going to make that job much more difficult. Just as having a pointing device and a keyboard on a desktop computer is allows you to accomplish certain tasks much easier, it is just as invaluable as using them with a tablet computer to do those same tasks.
The day Apple abandons the Mac will be the day I buy a Surface. Capisce?
Apple needs to have a touchscreen laptop, a crossover. I’m so dissapointed Apple released the last MacBook Pro. I returned mine and am just content on my iPad Pro and iMac. Still, I ask myself why I put up with the issues of using my iPad Pro as a laptop. It simply doesn’t do what I need. So, I’m looking at Microsoft’s Surface Pro and for the first time in my life I’m probably going to get a PC and say goodbye to Apple. Now I have no reason to buy my next iPhone and will consider the alternative there too since I won’t be in Apple’s ecosystem. Total bummer but what do you do? I need a Mac Pro and a Surface Pro equivalent.
No way. Love my iPad and don’t plan on not having one, but it’s nothing more than a large screen iOS device.
A laptop has:
• better (physical) keyboard
• better controls (trackpad and mouse for precision)
• better power
• the ability to download from the internet, and not just a store
Some of us still like the power and control offered by a traditional “desktop” OS.
I do a lot of complex photo editing. My 11″ MBA is the perfect computing solution for me. It’s extremely portable and just powerful enough to accomplish what I need. Alas my machine is showing its age and there is no current replacement option (macbook is too slow and has retarded lack of usb, MBP 13″ seems huge to me). I guess i’ll take my chances with a refurb MBA 11″. Maybe i should buy several while i still can.