Should iPads run macOS?

Some people would like to see macOS running on iPad. Others insist that iPad should remain a tablet-only computing experience. And there's plenty of others sat somewhere in between those two opinions. Let me share my thoughts...

...and whilst I'm at it, what's with all the noise about M4 having double the Neural Engine (NPU) performance of M3?

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#macos #ipados #ipadpro

[RanYefet]

I would like to be able to do web development on iPad. So I need more browsers with dev tools, ability to run containers, real file system and a terminal.

[markm]

iPad needs a different os but based on Mac and not based on iPhone, file management couldn't be worst on iPad

[MATTHEWJOHNBELL]

It'd be fantastic if when you plugged your ipad into a display, it just kicked into macos mode.

[DeusEx.Machina]

I’m a Computer Science Student and here’s my situation:
I use the iPad Pro to sketch and take lots of notes, and media consumption/entertainment.
Here are the Apps i use on MacBook: Visual Studio, GitHub Desktop, Unity Engine, Audacity, GIMP, Numbers, Wireshark, and Terminal.
I’m honestly exhausted from having to pay for and carry two devices (that have the same processor) for no reason.
How about Apple introduces a “MacPad”😅 that has a similar form factor to the Surface Book ?

[BarelyAverageDude]

I don’t want MacOS per se, just full pro apps with all the functionality that is on the Mac version. I can’t use Final Cut Pro on the iPad because there’s so many plugins I use on Mac that just aren’t available on iPad.
I don’t think most people want the OS, we want the features

[danfay]

Let's face it: the sole reason iPads with M series chips don't have macOS is because Apple is aware they would cannibalize MacBook sales. Apple wants you to own both, and of course, an iPhone too.

[bob_obba]

I always pitch in this suggestion: the iPad should keep iPadOS but be able to run macOS apps that have been approved and curated on the _Mac App Store._ That way devs can specifically allow it and ensure that they run sandboxed with whatever specific APIs the iPad uses. Apple can also warn prospective users that these apps are intended for use with a trackpad and keyboard. That way iPad users are even purchasing Apps that encourage them to upsell to a Mac in the future

[Hyper-M]

In Apple world we have to endlessly argue philosophy. In PC world you could just dual boot and we’ll see for ourselves if we like it.

[mannkeithc]

Like you, I bought a M1 2TB 12.9-inch iPad Pro and have regreted that decision ever since. iPad OS works for my wife, but she doesn't need an iPad Pro to meet her computing needs, but iPad OS, or as I now call it iPoor OS and my iPad Pro doesn't work for me. My biggest problems with iPad OS are the walled garden of mostly mediocre smart phone style apps, the files app, and the awful web kit. If I am going to spend £3k on a M4 iPad Pro and accessories it needs to also be a laptop replacement and do everything my MacBook Pro can. It doesn't necessarily need to run Mac OS, but I want to have complete freedom of choice to sideload any apps I want, have the capability to format, repair and image external SSDs and memory cards, and run VMs (I was able to do the later in a limited way on M1 iPad Pro, but then Apple made sideloading UTM even more difficult when upgrading to iPad OS 17). Mac OS no longer works for me due to the lack of a touch display and stylus support. Consequently, I am moving away from purchasing any more Apple iPad Pros and MacBooks. I've spent the past year getting all my apps, web apps, virtual machines, games, retro game emulation, and developer tools I use to work of Windows 11 arm. I plan to buy a Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with Snapdragon X Elite processor, because that will better meet my needs, than the messy combination of iPad Pro and M2 MacBook Pro. My understanding is Apple has been struggling with iPad Pro sales, and it looks to me that the M4 iPad Pro will exacerbate the problem rather than improve it. I agree for some people iPad OS really works, but I suspect the M2 iPad Air has all the technical capability they need plus still has some to spare that cannot be fully utilised by iPad OS 17. But as it stands, iPad OS makes the M4 iPad Pro with all its amazing technology the most pointless product in Apple's product portfolio.

[stephenvalente]

Running native MacOS apps with a touchscreen interface module within the code when used on an iPad can't be an insurmountable modification for the code. Making better use of the M4 chips in the new iPad Pro's. Code development on an iPad Pro should be possible at this point in time. Make the hardware more useful.

[maxxb]

Personally I don't want to see MacOs on the iPad but having said that iPadOS absolutely needs a better and more reliable Files app (file management on an iPad is a chore and like you said sometimes unreliable), Background process that would allow to have more powerful and better apps... avoiding situations like completely “freezing" the iPad when it's exporting/rendering videos or audio projects, and even allow apps like a proper clipboard manager, multiple audio input/output, real desktop safari because some websites refuse or don’t work properly and improvements to Stage Manager, which is already an opt-in feature so limit those artificial constraints. But the most important thing is Apple not treating the iPad as a companion product just to sell it along a Mac, or at least not the pro models that can go up to 3000$, case point being the iPad event, the tagline at the end said filmed on iPhone edited on Mac AND iPad... it's like telling me that the iPad couldn't have handled the finished product, but it can...specially if they had given color correction to Final Cut Pro for iPad.

[jankkhvej]

I'm developer and systems administrator, mostly using my iPad as portable workplace. BT mouse and kbd, USB-C PoE Ethernet, simple USB-C dongle with HDMI and USB-A for everything else. Various vendor apps for managing network infrastructure (love Ubiquity), common Hurricane Electric network tools, Prompt for SSH and RealVNC and Microsoft RD client for remote desktop.
I've started with iPad Pro 10" from 2017, and now I'm on iPad Pro 11" with M2. Generally speaking, I'm quite satisfied, how it's working now.

Just two top frustrations:
- F-keys and navigation keys in RD Client (mapping issues? don't know, have no time to dig) – nightmare avoided only because I work with *BSD and Ubuntu and can use vi-style navigation;
- Music app is always pauses when MS RD Client plays sound, e.g. notification from chat or beep from excessive tabbing or backspacing in shell.

I do not want macOS on iPad, I just want iPadOS behave more reasonable.

Funny thing that I didn't miss the ability to burn ISO image to USB drive.

And yes, I despise notebooks and laptops :)

[Theinspirationalrogue]

Exactly, a Dex Mac OS version on the iPad would be more than enough for the user who’s focused on simplicity.
I felt as stage manager along with the files app are the first steps to that desired Dex version someday.

[michaelcobbin]

The iPadOS is a great starting point as it deals with the tablet form factor well. It just needs to add more laptop capabilities. Enhancements that could improve iPadOS are:
1. Apple needs to enhance Stage Manager and maybe provide a third multi-tasking option that is more macOS-like. Having three options allows a user to have a multi-tasking experience to their likely.
2. File Manager Pro - Apple should address issues with the current File Manager and a Mac-like file manager for the Pro users.
3. Enhance USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 capabilities- enhance iPadOS to allow the iPad to better integrate with external devices through USB-C / Thunderbolt 3.
4. Have a Samsung DeX that provides a Mac-like experience.
5. Ability to run Parallels on iPad: this allows the user to run Mac or Windows from the iPad.

[Bruceneuman]

I agree with the sentiment that if you need a laptop get a laptop. I have both a Mac and iPad and am on the iPad 80% of the time. If budget is an issue you can now get an iPad for $350.

[MaxPower-]

Hopefully the new Qualcomm Arm-based Windows machines, which start at 16GB RAM, will put pressure on Apple to do the same with their computers.

[Rasenschneider]

One problem with iPad is that many things are buggy or badly designed like the "files" app including the use of external storage. I hate the split screen and other design decisions

[johndunne]

I'm not sure the only use case for running MacOS apps is to be able to tap into the power of the new iPads. For me I just want to be able to use my "full fat" MacOS apps on the iPad, however Apple decide to enable that.

[markanthonywood]

I would like to have the option to run Mac OS when hooked up Magic Keyboard.

[mikaelbiilmann]

More control of the files. Would make it easier to work with MacBooks/imacs