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0 pointsstinos3y ago0 comments

Well, they can't push it too far because then it would become something too close to an actual laptop/tablet hybrid.

0 comments

I'd argue that is exactly what they are doing. Their promotional material and many users are already using iPads as desktops... and they seem to be catering to them.

stinosOP3y ago

Could be, but at what point will they stop, i.e. how long before the iPad becomes the Macbook Air? In any case: if they don't stop then I'd think one of those would have to go, makes little sense keeping 2 product lines which are like almost the same?

lijogdfljk3y ago

> if they don't stop then I'd think one of those would have to go, makes little sense keeping 2 product lines which are like almost the same?

I feel like this is exactly what they want. My only question is how much i'll be able to modify my laptop long term. Ie i run Nixpkgs (ie the package system from NixOS) on my laptop. The day i can't modify my Mac OS to my liking is the day i stop buying their laptops.

I do think there's a market for people who want laptops that have the lockdown of phones. Where less things can go wrong because you can't change a lot.

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duxup3y ago

I suspect that will happen eventually.

My M2 air is as thick as my iPad ...

Having said that it is also MUCH heavier (relative to what I'd like an iPad to be) and has a noticeably bigger screen.

Not sure how fast those gaps get closed.

0x4573y ago

A long time.

If MacBook Air is a browser machine, then it's already happened. If it's a creative work machine, then well, it's close, but you still probably have a some kind of PC nearby.

If it's a developer machine, then the best iPad can do is being a ssh terminal or VSCode browser. A superb terminal, I use it every day to work because I don't have personal laptop.

bluescrn3y ago

The iPad doesn't become the Macbook Air until it can run XCode and you can develop, compile, and test iPad apps on the iPad itself.

bombcar3y ago

When the iPad Pro is as expensive or more than the Air, and they feel they have the software down pat.

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duxup3y ago

I'd argue that is exactly what they are doing. Their promotional material and many users are already using iPads as desktops... and they seem to be catering to them.

stinosOP3y ago

lijogdfljk3y ago

> if they don't stop then I'd think one of those would have to go, makes little sense keeping 2 product lines which are like almost the same?

I do think there's a market for people who want laptops that have the lockdown of phones. Where less things can go wrong because you can't change a lot.

1 more reply

duxup3y ago

I suspect that will happen eventually.

My M2 air is as thick as my iPad ...

Having said that it is also MUCH heavier (relative to what I'd like an iPad to be) and has a noticeably bigger screen.

Not sure how fast those gaps get closed.

0x4573y ago

A long time.

If MacBook Air is a browser machine, then it's already happened. If it's a creative work machine, then well, it's close, but you still probably have a some kind of PC nearby.

If it's a developer machine, then the best iPad can do is being a ssh terminal or VSCode browser. A superb terminal, I use it every day to work because I don't have personal laptop.

bluescrn3y ago

The iPad doesn't become the Macbook Air until it can run XCode and you can develop, compile, and test iPad apps on the iPad itself.

bombcar3y ago

When the iPad Pro is as expensive or more than the Air, and they feel they have the software down pat.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse