Should iPad Pros Embrace Dual OS Capability?
In recent years, Apple has positioned the iPad Pro as a legitimate laptop replacement, boasting state-of-the-art hardware updates with each new generation. However, despite its impressive capabilities on paper, the iPad Pro is limited by its software—iPadOS—because only a handful of apps take advantage of the iPad’s hardware, even when it surpasses the horsepower of Macs.
As the boundaries between tablets and traditional computers blur, we tech enthusiasts and professionals are left pondering a fundamental question: Shouldn’t the iPad Pro be able to run both iPadOS and MacOS?
I know… I know… this may seem like a radical idea, especially for the conservative version of Apple we’ve seen in the last decade or so. After all, the company has long championed the idea of distinct ecosystems with the iPad catering to fun, touch-centric experiences and the Mac focusing on serious, traditional productivity tasks. However, as user demands evolve and user experiences become more interconnected, the case for convergence grows stronger.
Imagine a world where your iPad Pro seamlessly transitions from a tablet mode optimized for creative and entertainment endeavors to a desktop environment tailored for intensive work and multitasking. With the power of MacOS and decades of habit-building patterns at your fingertips, you could effortlessly run professional-grade software that takes full advantage of the impressive hardware capabilities.
"One device to rule them all, one device to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them…" - Sorry, I got caught up in the Apple Ecosystem ??. But seriously, imagine whether you’re doodling on the subway or crunching numbers in a coffee shop; your iPad Pro would have you covered. No more juggling between computers. Just you, your iPad Pro, and a world of endless possibilities.
Not to mention that you’d only need to buy, carry, update, and charge a single device that covers all your entertainment, work, and hobby needs. Oh, what an idyllic world!
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Of course, implementing something like this brings a myriad of interaction and experience design challenges: Would Apple let you run MacOS with your fingers? Or maybe you can only launch it when the keyboard is connected? And what happens if not? Should developers build apps for both OS? And, if so, should they charge separately? Or is Apple going to allow multi-platform bundles?
Apple would have its work cut out. But hey, if there's one company known for pushing the boundaries of what's possible, it's Apple.
In the end, the convergence of iPadOS and MacOS isn't just about breaking down barriers – it's about shattering them. It's about empowering users with the freedom to work, play, and create like never before.
Are you listening, Apple? Because the world is ready for the iPad Pro to spread its wings and fly.
This humble article was inspired by the ongoing conversation about the iPad at The Verge and The Vergecast. Read more at:
Co-founder of Lunte Studio. Providing top product design talent to tech businesses.
8 个月I find it interesting to think that software could switch between "modes" depending on your use case and context as a user. A creation/professional could mimc a work computer interface, giving you access to precise control with mouse and keyboard and specific UI tools, while a more casual mode could switch to a more "distractions free" interface focused on consumption or more coarse actions using fingertips and hand gestures. Imagine like "responsive design" but instead of adapting to display size, the adaptation is manually set by the user. The challenge of this, of course, is that even if technically possible, not every piece of software would benefit from this and it will ultimately depend on the developer will to create software following this logic.