Apple really wants the iPad to be so much more than a tablet now and has proven that in various ways. The iPad Pro is a perfect example of this, with Apple claiming for many years that it's as fast or faster than PC laptops. The comparison serves no purpose if the intention is to keep it as a browsing and video-watching device that's nice to cozy up with on a sofa on a rainy day. If Apple's plan is for the iPad to be the everything device, it probably wouldn't be making MacBook and Mac computers.
The very first iPad was announced in 2010 and it was immediately something quite remarkable. Priced at $499, this device provided a relatively flawless tablet experience from day one. Browsing the internet was among the primary uses, along with reading books, and watching videos. However, it could also connect to the iPhone's App Store which was already fairly well established, containing over 100,000 apps. While an iPhone was easier to hold, an iPad provided a large screen that made videos and games more immersive, and the internet became accessible in a way that wasn't possible on an smartphone. It was the perfect middle ground between a laptop and a smartphone.
Apple wants the iPad to grow beyond the tablet label and the limitations the word implies. The 2021 iPad Pro 11 and 12.9-inch are powered by the same M1 chip that is found in the last four Mac computers. Apple's top tablet matches the M1 Mac's Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port as well as memory and storage capacities. The less expensive iPad models are no slouches either, matching PC laptops in benchmark tests. Having a keyboard attached to an iPad is a common sight now, locking the device into a landscape orientation like a laptop. Recently, iOS developer Dylan tweeted and suggested a future iPad might see the selfie camera moved to the long side for better video calls in landscape mode, with the Apple logo on the back rotating 90 degrees to suggest that is the default orientation.
What's A Computer In 2021?
An iPad doesn't run all of the same software as a Mac or offer as many expansion possibilities. That means it isn't a 'real' computer, unless the definition of a computer is changing, which might be what Apple really wants from the iPad. What's a computer? This was the question posed by a somewhat divisive Apple ad campaign a few years ago, after showing an iPad Pro being used in various ways, implying that it was a computer too. English is a living language and words take on new meanings over time. At present, it's commonly accepted that a computer will be able to connect to almost any printer, scanner, and even a 3D printer if the interest arises. That isn't always possible with an iPad, but it could be changing. The printer industry eventually adapted to the iPad and wireless printing rather than the other way around.
According to Apple, there is no need to merge the two product categories and the company is happy to make the best laptop and the best tablet. However, Microsoft is finally making its Surface Pro and Surface X more usable as a tablet with Windows 11 and if the public is ready to make the switch to tablets, Apple will be ready as well. Since the Mac and the iPad use the same system-on-a-chip, bringing more macOS capabilities to iPadOS is much easier. In the future, the MacBook might become almost exclusively a developer's tool, while the majority of users happily compute with an iPad that is just as powerful and expandable. Based upon recent advertising and product updates, it's easy to see that Apple wants the iPad to be so much more than a tablet. However, it will be up to the public to decide how it sees Apple's iPad and whether a separate laptop or desktop is still necessary.
Source: Apple, Dylan/Twitter