The iPad Pro Dilemma: A Laptop Replacement That Never Fully Arrived?
When Apple introduced the iPad Pro in 2015, it was positioned as a powerful alternative to traditional laptops. With its sleek design, high-performance internals, and the introduction of accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, many believed it had the potential to replace a laptop entirely. Nearly a decade later, the question remains: has the iPad Pro truly fulfilled that promise? Or is it still stuck in a limbo between being a tablet and a full-fledged computing device?
The Promise: A Powerful, Versatile Workhorse
From the beginning, Apple marketed the iPad Pro as a tool for professionals—designers, writers, video editors, and business users alike. Equipped with Apple’s cutting-edge processors, stunning Retina displays, and a suite of optimized apps, it seemed poised to redefine productivity. The introduction of iPadOS brought further refinements, enabling improved multitasking, external storage support, and cursor functionality.
For artists and designers, the iPad Pro—with the Apple Pencil—has indeed become an indispensable tool. Apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco offer industry-leading digital art capabilities, and the tablet’s responsiveness makes it a dream for sketching and note-taking. Meanwhile, the iPad’s portability and battery life outshine many laptops, making it ideal for on-the-go productivity.
The Reality: A Frustrating Middle Ground
Despite its strengths, the iPad Pro has yet to fully replace the laptop for many users, and the reasons are clear. While iPadOS has evolved significantly, it still lacks the full flexibility of macOS or Windows. Many desktop-class applications, such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Adobe Premiere, remain watered-down versions of their Mac counterparts. File management, while improved, still feels clunky compared to traditional computers, making complex workflows cumbersome.
Then there’s the software ecosystem. While developers have embraced the iPad, many professional tools simply aren’t optimized for touch-first interfaces. The inability to run macOS applications further restricts what users can accomplish, forcing them to rely on workarounds or secondary devices.
Another pain point is accessory pricing. The Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil significantly enhance the iPad experience, but together, they drive the cost into premium laptop territory. At that price point, many would argue that a MacBook Air or similar ultrabook provides better value, with fewer compromises.
Who Is It For?
The iPad Pro excels in specific areas—it’s fantastic for artists, note-takers, and casual content creators. It’s a perfect media consumption device, an excellent second screen, and a powerful tool for certain niche professionals. However, for those who need a laptop for coding, complex video editing, or high-level multitasking, the iPad Pro still feels like a companion device rather than a true replacement.
The Verdict: A Device in Search of an Identity
Apple’s vision of the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement remains unfulfilled. While it is a fantastic tablet with impressive power and functionality, it continues to fall short as a full laptop alternative due to software limitations and missing desktop-class applications. Until Apple bridges the gap between iPadOS and macOS—or radically rethinks its approach—the iPad Pro will remain in its current state: an incredibly powerful device that never quite reaches its full potential as a laptop replacement.