iOS: the hardware that kills laptops

This is Adobe's Lightroom, which publishes large RAW photo images. The iPad Pro applies the changes in real time, without lag, no matter the change, while my Mac Trashcan of late 2013 (Intel Xeon E5 clocked at 12 GHz and 64 GB with 64 GB of RAM) will stutter and reflect between the changes. My 2016 MacBook Pro seems to sigh audibly by launching Lightroom. I only had the chance to see "real Photoshop for iPad" during the practical demonstrations, but it was equally impressive. As a long time Adobe user, honestly, I do not understand how the iPad can work as well without the RAM that I have used to feed with Adobe products.

All this is presented in a beautiful design reminiscent of the iPhone 5; a wonderful solid case that looks and feels premium. The edge-to-edge display is fantastic, inheriting all the improvements made by the old iPhone and iPad. And it's great to have Face ID on an iPad, a device that accepts gestures thanks to its big screen

It seems that the majority of the press has followed the announcement of the device based on the iPad model 12.9 inches. If you are an artist looking for a canvas as large as possible, it is an impressive device. Unlike the original 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it does not have a comic size. But I much prefer 11 inches. The keyboard does not feel at all cramped and it is so easy to slip into a bag or use it with one hand, making it the best tablet while staying large enough for longer work periods.

Another subtle enhancement that is pushing the iPad Pro on the territory of replacement laptops is the move to USB-C. This new port allows for faster file transfer, as well as support for external displays and even a USB microphone. But I do not know what other devices are supported. I doubt that we can connect a keyboard (musical or otherwise) on the iPad. Regarding files, the port is only open on SD cards and direct camera transfers. Do not expect to work with a USB or external key. Network storage in the near future.

The Files application allowed to jump between the silos of Dropbox. , Google, Apple and Microsoft a little easier, but not easy enough, and still not as easy as the messy office we are all used to. This is one of the frustrations badociated with using the iPad as a replacement for the computer. As another example, there is still a lot of extra work to copy a document into an e-mail, work it, then attach it and send it back.

And there is also the awful business software or cumbersome old websites that we are all forced to use from time to time, it still does not behave well on an iPad or a mobile device. But here I blame the project managers; If you introduce new software in 2018 and it does not work natively on mobile devices, go back to the call for offers and quit your job. The software is not your vocation.

If you are thinking of choosing a pro, you should also consider the Smart Keyboard Folio and the pencil in the price before you buy them, and keep in mind that, combined, they cost more than the price. # 39; standard iPad not pro. . I do not see any reason to buy the Pro unless you go all the way, and this year both accessories have been greatly improved.

The Smart Keyboard Folio (starting at $ 269) seems much stronger than previous Apple attempts, and is also better than the only noteworthy third-party keyboard cover, the Logitech Keyboard Cover. It locks securely, giving the iPad a keyboard worthy of a laptop. The new angle of view on the desk greatly facilitates the use of the device for long periods. So I can type on this device for hours and hours. The Folio adds protection to the back of the iPad – something missing on previous Smart Keyboards – and the design adds much less volume to the iPad. It was always ridiculous to use a device so thin, wrapped in a large keyboard cover; especially one who went around the old smart keyboard.

Long story short; Until now, all iPad keyboards looked like optional supplements, designed after the fact. The Smart Keyboard Folio keyboard has the impression of being designed parallel to the new iPad, to be used in parallel.

Apple's second generation of pencils ($ 199) has seen modest improvements; it is not more sensitive than last year, but it was already better in clbad for accuracy, angle and sensitivity. The pencil now charges wirelessly on the top of the iPad, putting itself in place with magnets. The magnets are powerful enough that the pencil stays in place while the iPad has bounced in my bag. It's a small change, but it means the Pencil is always loaded and ready when you need it. I'm not really an artist, so I rarely used the previous pencil because it was never loaded, and never because I had never used it. It will be interesting to see if the pencil becomes an integral part of my daily workflow. It's something I can count on now.

And you might think that it's an evil that Apple requires you to buy the iPad Pro, the pen and the keyboard separately, but Microsoft does the same with their Surface. Do not hate the player, hate capitalism. It is unfortunate that the move to a new port means that the old Apple pencil no longer works with the new iPad Pro.

Overall, I really want to replace my current laptop with this iPad Pro. the asking price seems less absurd. But I still can not, and it all boils down to the software. Yes, the real Photoshop is coming. I would say that the Office for iPad is better than the Mac version, of course PowerPoint and Outlook. And the multi-tasking changes in iOS 11 have made the iPad all the more useful, but there is still much to be done. Having two side-by-side applications can help, but I also want two windows of the same application side by side. And multitasking is still a bit heavy to use and leave.

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Multitasking was always difficult to introduce on a platform that deliberately ignored the concept for nearly a decade. I understand this, but I'm sure there is a way to reconcile iOS simplicity and macOS versatility.

The hardware of the iPad Pro is years ahead of everything else, but the software still feels a little late.

The new software features announced at WWDC in June, but I would never recommend buying a product in the belief that a software update would make it more useful. Evaluate the product yourself, on the hardware and software available, not what you think is likely.

And, in the current state of things, there are still too many small tasks that I find more difficult to perform on the iPad than on my much larger number. boring, old, slow, less nice computer.

I'm just worried that Apple has excluded the iPad Pro from the hands of those who would get the most out of it; artists using the pencil for example. So often, in recent years, the nickname "Pro" on Apple devices seems to have to be replaced by "Executive" or "Luxury", and unless you can replace your laptop and a Wacom tablet by the iPad Pro, the device falls in the luxury camp. I absolutely can not afford to buy this device and, as long as I can not replace my laptop with a laptop, it is impossible to convince my supervisor to buy one from me.