The Macintosh, affectionately called the Mac, commemorates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of influence in the personal computing space. During this period, despite experiencing various highs and lows, the Mac has solidified its reputation over the past three years, earning accolades as one of the best computing devices available. This success is attributed to reasonable pricing, significant workflow enhancement, and the impressive performance of Apple Silicon.
The iPad’s Journey and Potential
In contrast, the iPad, nearing its 14th year, has had its share of peaks, particularly during the era of the iPhone X. At that time, the iPad Pro, paired with the Smart Keyboard Folio, was often recommended over the MacBook, indicative of the iPad’s strength and the Mac’s weaker position.
However, Apple’s efforts have since revitalized the Mac into a highly praised machine. Now, it’s suggested that it’s time for the iPad to undergo a similar transformation. The anticipated OLED iPad Pro could mark the beginning of this new chapter, with expected enhancements such as a new display technology, the M3 processor, design improvements, better cameras, and upgraded accessories.
The Need for iPadOS Enhancement
Despite these potential hardware upgrades, the iPad’s software, iPadOS, is in dire need of advancement to fully leverage the device’s capabilities. Current high-spec iPads are hindered by an operating system that doesn’t match their potential.
Skepticism remains regarding the iPad’s future, as upcoming models, such as the iPad mini and Air, are rumored to only receive new chip updates, suggesting minimal changes overall. Nevertheless, there is hope for a significant iPadOS overhaul, which could address longstanding issues like underutilized Home Screen space and the need for workarounds for tasks that are straightforward on the Mac.
