Should Apple put MacOS on the iPad?

Since the new M4 iPad Pro (2024) from Apple came out, the (seemingly) eternal argument has reignited: if the iPad is so powerful, why not put macOS on it? Another point of contention is that iPadOS doesn't fully utilise the powerful M4 chip.

After reading many comments online and watching numerous YouTube videos, I felt compelled to throw my two-pence into the ring and share my thoughts!

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[mark_kelly]

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[johnaart]

Its not that people really want macOS on the iPad, They want it to not be so limiting. Simple things like making the files app more usable. Show progress of things you are doing...etc Tried using the iPad for serious things but gave up because things that take 2 clicks on a mac take way more on an iPad to do

[fox_flow]

9:54 Web development is cool, and I use my iPad for it too, but when it comes to software like VS Code, I struggle to find any app, that is similar to it. I need virtual machines and a proper terminal. I want scripts and coding languages to be run on the iPad, like on macOS. Most apps are still lacking in features that I often use on my Mac. If the iPad evolves and allows me to do my work in Mac quality but is optimized for touch interactions, I'd consider calling it a fully fledged computer.

[renzcarlosalanga]

they might cause surface pro arm is now a thing

[vlassisandriopoulos]

As you mentioned it works for you, that doesn't mean it works for everyone and it definetely doen't mean it's a laptop replacement.
Having a lot of tabs or windows open simultaneously is not about just being open on the background but side by side to allow you to use the data in front of you.
ANd yes most laptops that cost about £2k can handle what was described on threads an iPad can't and it's not meant to.
iPad OS is a tablet OS which is nowhere close to a desktop/laptop OS.
The fact that it works for you is great and a lot of people will probably share the same experience that's why both tablets and laptops exist to cover different needs.

Still the main issue with iPads is the OS and by that I mean for the amount of power in that small form the OS is limiting and cumbersome.

[jb-shyh]

Ipad only here. No problems at all. Don’t need the macOS at all. Just upgraded from 2018 pro to the M4. Only (huge) disappointment is that Apple downgraded the sound quality. Still considering returning it for this reason alone.

[OblivifrekTV]

I think putting pure macOS onto iPads is a bad idea, since Mac wasn't designed for touch screens, what apple could do is make iPadOS feel more like a desktop class OS for Tablets, allowing desktop class apps to run, while keeping what makes iPad Special, special

[Change-]

Well said. I use an ASUS Zenbook and a Supernote. Whatever workflow is most effective for you is all that matters.

[rohittkrr]

I mean windows did that with their surface pro line up but after the initial hype people started opting for surface laptop

[andreemanoel]

I don’t have any complaints about using iPad for day to day tasks, although sometimes I feel limited not by the OS itself, but more by the apps that are clearly developers fault. If only I had an option to run Mac programs on iPad, I would be more than happy.

[TinE]

When you can create OBS type content on your iPad then I might be able to use it as a computer. Until then, it isn't any better for me than a Chromebook. An iPad or Chromebook are limited computers. Ever since buying my M1 MacBook I have been reaching less for my iPad to where I only really use it now for when I go fly (ie a task specific device and not a general computer).

[marcodimario]

Very interesting take. I agree most of your thoughts. IMHO, after years of professional usage, iPad Pro line-up needs just three major things: a REAL file system (much more like the macOS file system), a REAL virtual ram management, and MUCH more PRO Apps fully compatible with their desktop counterparts (in the case they exist)

[amandeep]

Try working on as simple as Excel on iPad. Also Safari can't handle most of web apps.

[stanleysidiq]

I hate carrying my macbook to the office. Imagine if I could just hookup my iPad with macos to the monitor on thunderbolt. That would save my back a little 😂.

[briantmorin]

As an individual with a physical disability, my new M4 iPad Pro 11 inch is my new computer. I find touchscreen much easier to use than keyboards. If someday I need a keyboard just get the magic keyboard for my 11 inch iPad are computers for most people they would do the job just fine.

[vesuviocinematics]

Rather do Dual boot - If u want a proper workstation like a macbook then u choose option 1 : boots up into macos and you can use full resources of your ram 8gb/16gb depending on your purchase you be travelling and you want a ipad then choose option 2 and it activate ipad os 18(hopefully lol). This way the user gets to choose what experience they have according to their lifestyles.

[RRR-og]

The ad infuriated people at the time because it was felt Apple had abandoned the Mac with several products langushing without updates for years.

[Rfhuir]

This video was excellent—it really clarified a lot about this topic. I recently switched from MacOS to iPadOS as my needs changed. I love the simplicity of iPadOS, which lets me focus solely on my tasks without distractions. There are a few minor improvements needed, but overall, it meets my needs well. I’m tired of the argument that iPads need to run MacOS—they don’t! If people want a detachable touchscreen, they should encourage Tim to add that feature to MacBooks instead of altering the fundamental nature and strengths of the iPad.

[nicholasbinder]

To me, this is a bit of a weird take. I get a lot of the points you make, and the way I see it is the following: You can consider yourself very lucky that the iPad works for you. You are one of the few people for which the right apps exist,  the workflow is right, the limitations of iPad OS aren't a showstopper. But for a LOT of other people, there are so many roadblocks in the iPad experience as it is now. Let's say you want to run a music setup off of an iPad.. you can't because the iPad will loose connection to your devices at some point. Let's say you want to do some UI design in Figma.. you can't, because the browser version doesn't properly work with the magic keyboard and there's no iPad app. Let's say you want to use a proper DAW with VST support.. you can't because VST isn't supported on iPad OS and even the AU integration is weak as hell, mostly because of the lack of proper window management.And what about other "truly Pro" applications? Can you imagine editing a Hollywood movie on an iPad? I definitely can't... but it's not because it lacks the power to do so. It's just software limitations. All the roadblocks that currently exist are born out of limitations of the underlying OS, and THAT'S the problem. If people want to use iPad in "baby mode" (Craig Federighis terminology here), that's fine. But slapping this thing on a 2000+ $ device and calling it "Pro" just doesn't cut it. I don't care what they call it, but they have to open the OS up and enable a broader variety of workflows, as they already do on macOS. Otherwise, I don't see the iPad Pro succeeding as a true Pro device.
Edit: And, as you can clearly tell, I'm very passionate about this. I bought the first redesigned iPad Pro in 2018 off all the promises Apple made (remember when they promised full-featuted Photoshop on iPad OS? It's still not there yet). And I was disappointed.

[BillPinkNye]

Buying an ipad pro or even the air is wasted money with it's current hardware paired with it's os. It's like buying a powerful gaming rig but are limited due to it's software and can only download apps from the Google Play Store.

As a musician who records and mixes my own music. The watered down versions of DAWs just won't cut it.