While sitting on an airplane during a recent trip, I looked around and noticed five people nearby using iPads, not including me. This got me thinking about some articles I’ve read recently that call into question the usefulness or even the future of the iPad. These types of articles seem to pop up more this time of year as we wait for the latest updates from Apple and the tech news is slow.
There seems to be one of two points made in many of these articles: either that the iPad isn’t useful for real work, or that Apple doesn’t know what it wants the iPad to be. I disagree with both.
First, I, along with many others, get real work done on our iPads. It’s not a hardship or struggle. The iPad is a versatile computer that is well suited for many types of work. Several of these articles point to very specific workflows or tasks that are difficult or even impossible on an iPad, and that’s totally fair. But, they often strongly imply that this somehow means that the iPad isn’t a real computer, or is unfit for anyone else to try to use it for work. It’s a strange argument to make.
Second, I don’t believe that Apple has lost its way with the iPad. This argument is usually about how the iPad isn’t getting more like the Mac, or that Apple isn’t bringing new features (usually Mac features) to the iPad fast enough. Apple has consistently improved the iPad year over year, and in a very iPad way. The iPad of today is so much more than the iPad of yesterday, and yet, it still retains the unique iPad experience. Some would argue that Apple isn’t moving fast enough adding features, but here again, I disagree. The best way to improve a product and ensure it remains useful for the long term is by taking a focused and steady approach, iterating with well-considered changes consistent with the rest of the product. This moves the product forward and provides an ever-increasing set of capabilities without disrupting what came before. This is what I see Apple doing.
I’m not suggesting that the iPad is perfect or that everyone can use it for their work. That would be almost as silly as suggesting that it can’t do any real work. We are fortunate that Apple has created, and continues to improve, several computing platforms. Each has its strengths, but also significant overlap in their capabilities and the types of work that can be accomplished using them. I find it odd that some pundits find the need to pit these platforms against each other, as if one must win out over the other. It’s not a competition. Some prefer the Mac. Some prefer the iPad. And some prefer to use both for their work. How wonderful that Apple provides us with great choices all around that work so well together.
This leads me back to those on the airplane. People were working on their iPads. Or, rather, the iPad was working for them. The person across from me was working on a presentation, the gentleman in front of him was connected to the Internet and had Slack open along with what looked like Notion. Both were using 12.9” iPad Pros. The woman in front of me was processing her email and the person next to her was working on a spreadsheet and then watched a movie. By the way, I wasn’t spying on these people! Just a quick glance from time to time.
As for me, I was busy jotting down some ideas for an upcoming post using Mind Node and the Apple Pencil, and using Ulysses to work on another article that’s in progress. I had free Internet on this flight, so at one point I was watching a Final Cut Pro tutorial video and following along on my iPad. Oh, and I also played SpellTower+ (a great game if you like word games).
I realize that six people in close proximity on a plane is not representative of the entire population, and I’m not suggesting that everyone is now using iPads instead of laptops (though no one nearby had a laptop 🤔). But it did remind me that pundits write articles to evoke a response and get clicks. These often inspire other pundits to chime in and start a cycle of “coverage.” This “coverage” should be taken with a grain of salt, as it rarely applies broadly. In the real world, people use what works for them and get things done. The iPad has its strengths and weaknesses, just as any computer does. For those that have adopted it and have become proficient with it, it’s not a compromise, but a versatile computer that works.
Denny over at Beardy Guy Musings has pointed out a few times that we’re missing the types of magazines and journalists from the past that would cover the platforms of the day with in-depth discussions, articles, and reviews. I agree with him. I’d love to see more useful commentary and real reviews for today’s computing world.
How about you? What computing tools do you use? What works and what doesn’t?
Here are some related posts that give some good perspective.
Words from Rob 
Hey, Rob, great seeing you blog again!
First, if we’re ever on the same plane and I’m online banking with whatever screen I have, remind me to cover it from prying eyes 😉
I like that anecdotal evidence of iPad thriving (even though tablets have been proclaimed “dead” [ref links omitted to avoid spam flag] ) on the plane with no laptops in sight. Interesting.
Tablets are not dead; the iPad is still a fantastic tablet. Is it more than that? Certainly, to your point, it’s *versatile.* I’ve used iPad-only to do all my “work” and “play.” iPad can and does replace laptops for many people (even though I’ve argued that the iPad was not meant to be a laptop replacement originally; its scope has evolved…) iPad can do “real work” and if it works for someone, more power to them. If it doesn’t, there are great options.
I think part of the reason (problem) we see “Team iPad” versus “Team Mac” or the false dichotomy of tablet x/or laptop (it can be both) is just human nature. People tend to take sides on all kinds of things. We like to validate our choice(s) as the best or only right choice and can get dogmatic about it. Our preference and opinion elevates in our hearts/minds to become prescriptive and fact.
Also: men in particular tend to be competitive. It’s striking how quickly one of my five sons will say something at the dinner table to suggest he finished eating first and then his brothers suddenly deny his “victory” and claim their own standing in first place when at no time prior did anyone suggest eating dinner was a competition.
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Here’s an anecdote of mine. My mom used a laptop for years with her smartphone. For Christmas last year, she got her first tablet (a 10″ Kindle Fire HD!). And she LOVES it. Moreover, she told me that she almost never uses her laptop anymore because she enjoys the tablet so much. Granted, her tasks are not “pro” or “power-user.” Still, we’re talking about a Fire tablet in late 2022 effectively replacing someone’s laptop!
For the record, I too once enjoyed a 7″ Kindle Fire HD tablet, but not in lieu of a “real” computer. I also used (and still have) a 7″ Samsung Galaxy Tab; I did writing tasks on it via Bluetooth KB. But after the original iPad, my former iPad Air 2 and 8th gen iPad were my only PCs (for well over a year each). In those cases, I found iPad to do about 90% of what I needed/wanted. I had some particular issues at the time…and reverted to laptops.
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To your point about Apple’s iPad plans, I think you’re right. It iterates a product line over time. Look how iPod evolved! The Mac, now decades old, is still iterating, now with more iPad-like features, influenced by iOS, etc. Yet it still remains a Mac (though the original Spatial Management paradigm is gone).
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I read what Denny said about the lack of current credible actual Apple review sites. I’d like to see that too. I’ll be checking out TidBits. Don’t know if this counts, but The Sweet Setup seems to have good software reviews (for productivity). https://thesweetsetup.com
Again, good points. I enjoyed reading, so keep bloggin’ 🙂
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Thanks for reading and the comment, Jason. You make a great point about human nature, and I’m sure that plays a big role. We all love to have our “team” and cheer them on.
I loved the story about the dinner table — it reminded me of growing up with my two brothers. Everything was always a “me first” kind of thing.
I also have several family members using just tablets now (generally iPads) that love them. They, like your mom, are not not doing “pro” tasks, and they find they can do all they need. I love helping them get the most of their tech.
It’s amazing to me how technology has evolved over the past couple of decades. It is truly the science fiction of my youth, and I’m all for it!
Thanks for the mention of The Sweet Setup — I’ll check them out. I appreciate you being here! And I plan to “keep on bloggin’”
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Great article Rob, I really enjoyed hearing your perspective on the iPad. Reading your article along with a few others from Jason & Beardy Guy have prompted me to come out of my hibernation and write a blog post about the iPad.
I too find the recent crop of articles from mainstream tech writers about how the iPad is “dead” amusing. I constantly see people using iPads to get work done in my day to day life. I’m not an iPad fanboy, although I love my iPads. I also use Macs and PCs. But ever since the very first iPad came out, I have enjoyed working on an iPad more than any other platform. There is something “magical” about this device, at least to me.
Anyway, enjoyed your thought and I will be keeping track of your blog. Thanks!
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Thank you. I agree that there is something “magical” about the experience. I’ve felt that way since the first iPad, and it keeps getting better. I look forward to reading your post!
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