Skip to content

Mobile and web technologies

New technologies in everyday accessibility

  • Home
  • Mobile technologies
  • Web technologies
  • Contact
  • Home
  • 2022
  • August
  • 6
  • How Apple’s M1 MacBook changed my mind about the next iPad

How Apple’s M1 MacBook changed my mind about the next iPad

Posted on 06.08.2022By MobiletechNo Comments on How Apple’s M1 MacBook changed my mind about the next iPad
Web technologies

It’s been nearly five years since I wrote an impassioned story about how Macs and iPads need to merge. I’ve been thinking thoughts like that since… well, since the iPad emerged in 2010. It’s 2021 now, and iPads and Macs are still two totally distinct Apple product lines. But the merge is well underway. It’s just a series of very slow steps.

I’ve always thought of the iPad as the more likely path to the computer I’d prefer in an ideal future universe. But I’ve been using Apple’s most recent M1 MacBook Air and it’s changed my mind. The laptop, while unexciting in design, is utterly smooth and instant in function. It feels very near perfect. And even the entry-level model with 8GB of RAM I’ve tried seems like more than enough to handle just about anything I’d need.

The M1 Macs, using Apple’s own chips, point to a future where the line between Macs and iPads gets very fuzzy indeed. It’s likely that Apple will announce new versions of its iPad Pro sometime this spring, a year after the relatively minor changes in the 2020 version. What would I expect? What would I want? In a post-MacBook-M1 world, I’ve started thinking about the iPad very differently.

As we head towards a new iPad, here’s how the MacBook M1 has already shifted my perspective. To distort that famous quote attributed to William Gibson — the future is here, it’s just not evenly distributed — I see the same regarding Apple’s future computers.

ipadpro-macbookm1-1

With the Magic Keyboard on, the dimensions of the Air and the iPad Pro become pretty similar. And yet different.


Scott Stein/CNET

What is an iPad now that the Mac is also instant?

I use the MacBook more now, first of all. It’s quick to start, doesn’t slog down or blast any fans and its battery life wins over anything. The iPads had this advantage over Macs before, but now I start thinking… what else could an iPad do for me?

The MacBook is easier for Zoom meetings. I can prop it up without a case and the camera’s in the right orientation. Also, I can run anything from Zoom theater performances to writing classes more easily. The iPad needs to acknowledge our new Zoom life and address both camera placement and the ease that browsers and programs can run side by side and not feel as walled off. On iPads, experiences still end up feeling too single-tasked for my needs. On a MacBook, I can connect a monitor and double my screens.

The iPad wins on portability — narrowly. With a keyboard case, the iPad Pro isn’t nearly as light or thin as you’d think. The 12.9-inch iPad ends up feeling the same as a MacBook Air, but even more dense.

The iPad’s natural strengths on display and touchscreen… how much further could they go?

The iPad does have a better display, a better camera and better-sounding speakers. It has Face ID, which I like more on a home tablet than on a phone. I prefer watching movies on it, even with its more squared-off aspect ratio. I also prefer games on an iPad. Touch and Pencil support on iPads is excellent. There are plenty of apps, documents I need to e-sign and photo editing projects I’d prefer to do on an iPad. MacBooks, without touchscreen or Pencil input, sometimes make me feel distanced from the experiences on my screen. Using a mouse or touchpad isn’t always enough.

New iPad models are expected to use Mini LED technology for a possibly improved display. The iPad Pro display already looks great, but the OLED displays on iPhones still look better (if smaller).

macbookm1-ipadpro-2

Scott Stein/CNET

iPadOS needs to morph into something similar to MacOS

Last year, the iPad added touchpad and mouse support which ended up making a big difference in how I use the iPad with a keyboard case. With a Magic Keyboard attached (or a Logitech case), everything finally starts feeling more laptop-like — if I want it to. 

iPadOS may never resemble the Mac, but it should keep evolving to meet Macs halfway. I want (and expect) better ways to flex out apps for multitasking and eventually true monitor support for second screens. iPads mostly mirror right now, unless a particular app takes advantage of it. 

iPads present apps more instantly and easily than Macs, meaning my kids can use them quickly. But iPads still don’t have multiple modes or accounts so that kids can launch their own space — or so I can customize my own workspace when I pop on to the same iPad.

But most of all, I want better ways to access saved files. The Files app is a start, but I still feel super limited in how easily I can download and organize documents and videos and photos, bundling them and sharing them with others as needed.

If the next iPad Pro gets an M1 chip, why can’t these things happen?

It seems likely that the next iPad Pro will have a processor that’s the same as the recent MacBooks, or it’ll get a new A-series chip that’s so spiritually close it’ll feel effectively the same. The iPad’s processor has been extremely powerful for years. Now that the new Macs have shown off what M1 chips are really capable of, why not have the iPad do more — and handle more multitasking, too? 

There’s no reason why an iPad couldn’t be my everyday computer. Apple just needs to take the rest of the training wheels off.

Post navigation

❮ Previous Post: Top 5 most-anticipated gaming laptops of 2021 – Video
Next Post: IBM promises 100x faster quantum computers through new software foundations ❯

You may also like

Web technologies
Facebook says goodbye to Oculus Go, opens up Oculus Quest to new apps
06.09.2022
Web technologies
Elden Ring trailer appears to leak online
04.08.2022
Web technologies
Skydio 2 Plus hands-on: Drone’s cinema-style video offers new flying smarts at CES 2022
05.07.2022
Web technologies
This Amazon Black Friday offer is secretly the best Kindle deal
09.07.2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fresh Records

  • iPhone 15 vs iPhone 13: what’s new after two years?
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy Z Fold 5: Main differences to expect
  • iPhone 15 Pro vs Google Pixel 7: blue pill or red pill?
  • iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23: expected differences
  • iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14: last year’s Pro in disguise?

Fresh Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022

Headings

  • Mobile technologies
  • Web technologies

Copyright © 2023 Mobile and web technologies.

Theme: Oceanly News by ScriptsTown

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT