Apple usually releases a brand new model of its merchandise yearly, however 2023 was completely different. That was the primary yr Apple didn’t launch any new updates throughout all the iPad lineup.
We’re now a few months into 2024, and it’s rumored that Apple may very well be dropping new iPad fashions this month — as early as this coming Monday or Tuesday. In spite of everything, a brand new M3 MacBook Air simply got here out, so naturally, we should always count on new iPads after not having any replace final yr.
However new iPads simply don’t excite me anymore. In actual fact, it’s been years since I’ve cared in regards to the iPad. Right here’s why — and the way I hope Apple can change my thoughts.
iPadOS continues to be restricted
My largest drawback with the iPad lineup is that it runs iPadOS. Even with the quite a few updates Apple has made over time, it’s nonetheless only a model of iOS that’s been stretched throughout a much bigger show with some multitasking methods thrown in. Up to now, I’ve tried to make use of an iPad Professional as a alternative for a laptop computer and do all of my work on it. This was all the time a depressing expertise that I may by no means put up with.
Certain, Apple has improved iPadOS 17, such because the reworked model of Stage Supervisor. However for me, my workflow usually contains having to avoid wasting photographs, rename and resize them, spotlight or enlarge elements in photographs, add them to WordPress, and reference a number of browser home windows whereas writing in my textual content editor. That’s all cumbersome to do on an iPad, whatever the mannequin. All that is simpler for me to do on my 27-inch iMac.
I’ve given up on getting critical work finished with an iPad. The one cause I’d doubtlessly use an iPad for work is to jot down a draft of an article as a result of it’s nonetheless the perfect for distraction-free writing. However relating to renaming and resizing recordsdata, changing them, and different duties, I’d relatively simply try this on my laptop. It’s simpler, sooner, and extra streamlined.
Some folks can do all of their work with simply an iPad, and that’s nice for them! However for my workflow, it makes extra sense for me to do all of it on a pc. And until Apple has a drastic overhaul deliberate for iPadOS 18, I don’t see that altering any time quickly.
Apple has been coasting for years
However it’s not simply the software program. It’s very clear that Apple has been coasting alongside on the success of the iPad, largely as a result of there simply aren’t that many nice Android options. With just a few exceptions, most Android tablets aren’t price your time, which is why the iPad stays among the finest tablets you can purchase.
Whereas Android tablets do the job for many who purchase them, the issue is that Android has even worse pill optimizations, notably relating to third-party apps. There’s additionally the repeated problem of sluggish efficiency, particularly with the numerous cheaper choices which might be obtainable.
This has been an issue for years, and Google has by no means absolutely resolved its points with tablets. With out a lot competitors, Apple has been capable of coast together with the iPad and iPadOS to the purpose the place it’s now not thrilling for me.
Not like the iPhone, which frequently has to catch as much as the competitors, the iPad and its software program simply really feel a bit stagnant. It’s that odd place between a smartphone and a pc that, not less than for me, feels more and more pointless in my day by day life.
The iPad has turn out to be too messy
When Steve Jobs introduced the primary iPad in 2010, issues had been easy—there was only one mannequin. Proper now, Apple is promoting six completely different iPad fashions in 5 completely different sizes: iPad mini, Ninth-generation iPad, Tenth-generation iPad, iPad Air, 11-inch iPad Professional, and 12.9-inch iPad Professional.
Not solely that, however the lineup makes use of 5 completely different processors, two completely different charging ports, and a mishmash of equipment with particular compatibility. Three variations of the Apple Pencil at the moment are being offered, too. In brief, it’s a multitude.
Rumors have been suggesting that Apple will launch a bigger 12.9-inch iPad Air along with the usual 10.9-inch measurement that it presently has. The iPad Professional will reportedly have barely bigger shows, going to 13 inches and 11.1 inches.
This might have one thing to do with the potential for the iPad Professional fashions going with a full OLED show relatively than LCD and mini-LED, whereas the Air nonetheless makes use of an LCD show. However nonetheless, do we actually want one other measurement added to the iPad Air? A brand new measurement for the mid-range iPad Air simply appears pointless and complicates an already messy lineup as is.
Moreover, with the constraints of iPadOS itself, does one iPad actually do one thing higher than one other one, not less than for most individuals? There are exceptions, in fact, like graphically intensive apps and video games that might be finest on an iPad Professional. However does it actually matter while you’re simply utilizing an iPad to devour content material, verify e mail, browse the online, and do different fundamental duties?
I’m curious to see what Apple does with its latest iPads, and I hope it might probably change my thoughts. However given how the iPad household has been dealt with over the previous couple of years, I’m not holding my breath.
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