The iPad's Downfall
In 2020, Apple Silicon Macs delivered a significant blow to the iPad, almost as if in some strange act of revenge. For years, Apple allowed the iPad to lead in hardware development and gradually improving software. However, just as the iPad reached its peak design, the Mac struck back.
The Rise of the iPad as a Primary Computing Device
After the release of the 2018 iPad Pro, I embraced the iPad as my primary computing device. It became my go-to for daily web surfing, office apps for my job, remote server access, and, of course, gaming and entertainment. I even transitioned to a complete iPhone and iPad workflow for all my video production needs.
However, using the iPad full-time wasn't without its challenges. Finding the right apps to accomplish specific tasks, managing files, and dealing with the touchscreen-only input were often frustrating. Multitasking and background processes were limited, requiring some effort to get the iPad to meet my needs.
Despite these challenges, the iPad offered unique advantages over other portable computers at the time. Its battery life could last an entire workday, and the A12X processor in the 2018 iPad Pro was faster than most of Apple's laptops in both single and multi-core tests. The iPad was incredibly thin, lightweight, and fanless—unlike any Intel laptop of the era.
iPad OS Improvements and the Introduction of the Magic Keyboard
iPad OS continued to evolve, with Apple adding features like Split View and Slide Over, providing some semblance of multitasking and windowing. When Apple introduced the iPad Magic Keyboard in the spring of 2020, it seemed like the iPad was poised to become the computer of the future. Apple even hinted at this by claiming that "your next computer is not a computer."
The Magic Keyboard, coupled with mouse support, gave the impression that the iPad could and should replace laptops, despite the persistent annoyances of iPad OS. But then, Apple announced Apple Silicon for Macs, and just a few months later, the M1 MacBooks were unveiled. These new Macs brought many of the iPad's hardware advantages to the Mac lineup.
The Arrival of Apple Silicon Macs: A Game Changer
For the first time, the MacBook Air featured a fanless design that ran incredibly fast without overheating. Even the fan on the MacBook Pro M1 rarely engaged, and when it did, it was nearly silent, even during intense workloads.
While the iPad's battery life remained consistent at around 10 hours, the MacBook Air M1 could achieve up to 15 hours of wireless web surfing, and the MacBook Pro M1 up to 17 hours. This was a game-changer for remote work and on-the-go productivity, making the M1 MacBook Pro my daily driver.
macOS vs. iPadOS: A Battle of Capabilities
macOS has always excelled where iPadOS has struggled. Real user-driven window management and unrestricted multitasking make macOS far superior for managing multiple apps simultaneously. Background apps and processes are not constrained on the Mac, allowing for a more seamless experience.
Additionally, macOS supports third-party apps, troubleshooting through logs, and a full-featured Safari browser that doesn't encounter the limitations of mobile browsers. These capabilities mean I no longer have to switch devices to perform tasks like making a purchase on a Shopify site that won’t accept input on the iPad.
However, this doesn't mean the Mac can fully replace the iPad. Apple continues to enhance the iPad with top-tier hardware, like the iPad Pro M4, and software features that improve multitasking, external device support, and professional app availability. The iPad still excels in areas like drawing, note-taking, reading, offline video streaming, and gaming.
The Future of the iPad in a Mac-Dominated Workflow
The release of Apple Silicon Macs seems to have slowed the momentum of the iPad as a primary computing device. It appears that Apple has decided that the strengths of macOS and Apple Silicon negate the need to make the iPad more Mac-like. Since transitioning to Apple Silicon Macs, I've struggled to find ways to reintegrate the iPad into my workflow.
I want to utilize the iPad's incredible hardware, but my Mac can accomplish nearly everything better, except for offline video playback. The lack of streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu on the Mac is baffling. For now, there are still too many restrictions in iPadOS for most users to fully abandon their desktop OS, meaning the iPad remains a companion device—a sidekick that enhances what the Mac can do.
Conclusion: Embracing the Mac and iPad Together
Perhaps it's okay not to force the iPad to do more than it's designed for, much like not using a microwave for cold food storage. The Mac and iPad complement each other, with each device excelling in different areas.
While my Mac remains my primary workhorse, I know my iPad is there when I need it—for watching movies on a flight, taking notes in a meeting, or adding animations in Final Cut Pro for iPad. The iPad is still great, but the Mac is simply better suited to my needs for now.