• Ars Technica's iPad Pro review: Mac-like speed with all the virtues and restrictions of iOS
    31 replies, posted
[url]http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/11/ipad-pro-review-mac-like-speed-with-all-the-virtues-and-limitations-of-ios/[/url] [quote=Ars Technica]This year, Apple seems to want to push the iPad and the Mac as close together as it can without actually combining them into a single product. Earlier this spring, the new MacBook brought a super slim profile, a Retina display, and a simple-to-a-fault one-port-for-everything design to a fanless computer that still runs OS X. And now, the iPad Pro is bringing a MacBook Air-level processor, more memory, a larger screen, and a first-party keyboard accessory to a big tablet that still runs iOS 9. It’s Apple’s take on the same basic idea as Microsoft’s Surface Pro lineup, and just as Microsoft has advertised the Surface as “the tablet that can replace your laptop,” Apple is explicitly positioning the iPad Pro as something that can “[replace] a notebook or desktop for many, many people.” It’s definitely a different type of iPad, something the lineup could certainly use. The Mac continues to grow year-over-year at a slow but steady pace, but the iPad and iPad Mini’s incremental hardware updates have failed to halt a year-and-a-half-long slump. With that in mind, there are still questions that need answering: how good is the iPad Pro and its accessories? How is iOS 9 different on a larger screen, and what does the internal hardware do to earn that “Pro” label? What lessons can Apple learn from Microsoft, which has already iterated on this same basic idea a whole bunch of times? And most importantly, when can an iPad replace a computer (if it can at all)?[/quote]
[QUOTE=Medevila;49098845]What is "mac-like speed" a metric of[/QUOTE] I think they're basing it purely off of benchmark results
I have no doubt this will be a hit, just not immediately
[QUOTE=mcgrath618;49098918]I have no doubt this will be a hit, just not immediately[/QUOTE] Honestly, while what apple has done with the A9 is amazing, I can't see who would buy this beyond artists who don't need a particular program or consumers who for some reason didn't get one of the cheaper iPads. For everyone else, what does this accomplish? It's not like you can't get a keyboard for the Air 2, and while the larger screen might be great for (iOS-limited) productivity, this thing is almost as heavy as a Surface Pro 4. Why not save $400 and get the cheaper model?
If the iPad ran OSX i'd have bought one long ago. The reason I bought the tablet I have is because it runs Win 8.1. I don't want an oversized phone, I want a touchscreen portable computer that doesn't weigh 10 pounds.
Why would you want this when you can get a Surface Pro which is an ideal tablet experience + ideal desktop experience for less? This is just an overpriced tablet in the Ultrabook pricing range. [url]http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.300190600?VID=304047100&WT.mc_id=US_datafeed_Google&gclid=CI7bju3oickCFc5hfgodPUAHYg[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0AJ3656695[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834319796[/url]
[QUOTE=Venom Snake;49099520]Why would you want this when you can get a Surface Pro which is an ideal tablet experience + ideal desktop experience for less? This is just an overpriced tablet in the Ultrabook pricing range. [url]http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.300190600?VID=304047100&WT.mc_id=US_datafeed_Google&gclid=CI7bju3oickCFc5hfgodPUAHYg[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0AJ3656695[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834319796[/url][/QUOTE] Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.
[QUOTE=Banhfunbags;49099644]Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.[/QUOTE] What? It runs full Windows 10, who cares? There's millions of programs out there.
[QUOTE=Banhfunbags;49099644]Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.[/QUOTE] What the hell are you talking about no apps? That's like saying "Why would I want to game on PC, there's no mobile games" :v:
[QUOTE=Banhfunbags;49099644]Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.[/QUOTE] you are thinking of the original windows RT tablets. Thankfully they are no more all the current windows tablets offered by microsoft run full desktop windows.
[QUOTE=Venom Snake;49099520]Why would you want this when you can get a Surface Pro which is an ideal tablet experience + ideal desktop experience for less? This is just an overpriced tablet in the Ultrabook pricing range. [url]http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.300190600?VID=304047100&WT.mc_id=US_datafeed_Google&gclid=CI7bju3oickCFc5hfgodPUAHYg[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0AJ3656695[/url] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834319796[/url][/QUOTE] I have a somewhat substantial background in music technology and the sort and this new device is causing somewhat of a stir among people in the field. Large touchscreen panels for extra mixing tools and the sort have been well received, but many are much more expensive than the iPad pro, and because it's running iOS, it means there is a wealth of apps already available for controlling music stuff on a touchscreen, something neither OSX or windows really has right now. The release of windows 10 did bring some nice improvements to windows audio engine and it seems Microsoft is keen to work with devs to make touch friendly interfaces for certain digital audio workstations, but at this moment the apps for controlling stuff are not fully there, so iOS is still the primary spot for touch based pro audio controllers and touch screen synths. I feel like the pro part of the wording is not just some tacked on phrase to show it's more expensive, but that it is actually aimed at the professional market. Like I don't mean to seem like an apple fanboy, I don't even own any of their products, but this is just the talk I've been hearing around this circle.
[QUOTE=da space core;49099751]you are thinking of the original windows RT tablets. Thankfully they are no more all the current windows tablets offered by microsoft run full desktop windows.[/QUOTE] The Surface Pro was always full Windows though. [editline]11th November 2015[/editline] But the mixup is understandable.
to be honest, this would be great for writing music and gigging. it could replace my books of sheet music, could replace my books of jazz standards, and if finale made a mobile app, I could use that too. However I'm not spending that much when I already have a laptop. and that laptop is filled with loops and instruments for both programs; I doubt I could get that kind of volume of instruments through an ipad (with their size restrictions).
you guys forget the power of the Apple brand bad value for money is not a downside when you're willing to dump shed loads on the newest white gizmo
[QUOTE=splenda;49100106]I have a somewhat substantial background in music technology and the sort and this new device is causing somewhat of a stir among people in the field. Large touchscreen panels for extra mixing tools and the sort have been well received, but many are much more expensive than the iPad pro, and because it's running iOS, it means there is a wealth of apps already available for controlling music stuff on a touchscreen, something neither OSX or windows really has right now. The release of windows 10 did bring some nice improvements to windows audio engine and it seems Microsoft is keen to work with devs to make touch friendly interfaces for certain digital audio workstations, but at this moment the apps for controlling stuff are not fully there, so iOS is still the primary spot for touch based pro audio controllers and touch screen synths. I feel like the pro part of the wording is not just some tacked on phrase to show it's more expensive, but that it is actually aimed at the professional market. Like I don't mean to seem like an apple fanboy, I don't even own any of their products, but this is just the talk I've been hearing around this circle.[/QUOTE] That and launchpad, novations line of products, a ton of stuff from korg, a pile of vsts that use this stuff, and on and on. The new trend is making external controllers for synths as iOS apps. Which is a pain in the dick for us windows folks. Touchscreen integration of software sequencers is zero for Windows.
[QUOTE=Banhfunbags;49099644]Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.[/QUOTE] "Windows has no programs", said the forum user smugly, posting from his Mac and kneading his hands.
[QUOTE=Banhfunbags;49099644]Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.[/QUOTE] Windows has no programs, lmao. Written from Mac of all things. EDIT: gah, beat me to it.
[QUOTE=paindoc;49100434]That and launchpad, novations line of products, a ton of stuff from korg, a pile of vsts that use this stuff, and on and on. The new trend is making external controllers for synths as iOS apps. Which is a pain in the dick for us windows folks. Touchscreen integration of software sequencers is zero for Windows.[/QUOTE] Surely people would rather use external midi controllers than run their far fingers over touch screens with no haptic feedback.. I use a midi keyboard and just link the sliders and knobs to whatever vst I want.
[QUOTE=Banhfunbags;49099644]Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.[/QUOTE] You wot mate? The surface pro runs full blown Win 10. The hell are you even?
"Mac speed" I'd be dead laughing if it weren't fast. It's iOS, a mobile OS. An underpowered OS for the device. This thing having chugging issues would have been embarrassing.
[QUOTE=LegndNikko;49101581]"Mac speed" I'd be dead laughing if it weren't fast. It's iOS, a mobile OS. An underpowered OS for the device. This thing having chugging issues would have been embarrassing.[/QUOTE] Well, the SoC is, in fact, very very fast - especially for its TDP. Reading around on the internet, there seems to be a number of issues comparing Geekbench scores between architectures, anyone have any idea to which extent this could skew the result? Also something about the graphics benchmarks being half precision on iOS etc.
[QUOTE=Banhfunbags;49099644]Because the Surface Pro has no apps. When I spend $600 on something, I would like to be able to use it.[/QUOTE] My God, I want to call you an Apple fanboy so hard. On OSX, and trying to bash the Surface. And failing, hard. I mean, I'm not one to talk, because I'm on one at the moment, but regardless, you were just flat out wrong, there. Higher end Surfaces are pretty much more portable laptops. iPad Pro's use pales to the Surface. [editline]12th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=da space core;49099751]you are thinking of the original windows RT tablets. Thankfully they are no more all the current windows tablets offered by microsoft run full desktop windows.[/QUOTE] Anyone who still mixes up the Surface line to think RT is all it is daft, tbh. Especially the big Pro 4/Book event they had.
[QUOTE=LegndNikko;49101590]My God, I want to call you an Apple fanboy so hard. On OSX, and trying to bash the Surface. And failing, hard. I mean, I'm not one to talk, because I'm on one at the moment, but regardless, you were just flat out wrong, there. Higher end Surfaces are pretty much more portable laptops. iPad Pro's use pales to the Surface.[/QUOTE] He has a history of shittalking the Surface, and completely denying that half of its luster is running full X86 apps (not unlike what he's doing now.)
[QUOTE=cyanidem;49101223]Surely people would rather use external midi controllers than run their far fingers over touch screens with no haptic feedback.. I use a midi keyboard and just link the sliders and knobs to whatever vst I want.[/QUOTE] Stuff like [url=https://liine.net/en/products/lemur/]lemur[/url], [url=http://www.slateproaudio.com/products/raven-mtx/]raven mixers[/url] and [url=https://cycling74.com/products/mira/]Mira[/url] have become pretty popular. I use lemur and mira myself, mostly because it's really nice to be able to make my own controller layouts and junk. Having a larger screen is just a straight benefit for me, and the android app for lemur is not very good with detecting your screen resolution or size, and mira doesn't exist for android. None of these things are on windows either, so just getting a large touch screen wouldn't work, ok Mira just lets you control your max patches but still. Like when it comes to controlling synths and stuff, physical knobs and sliders are still king. But when mixers costs upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars, it's a lot easier to just buy a bunch of ipad pros and create your own board layout, something you really can't do with physical controllers.
[QUOTE=Elspin;49099749]What the hell are you talking about no apps? That's like saying "Why would I want to game on PC, there's no mobile games" :v:[/QUOTE] To be fair, now that the universal Windows application platform is in full swing, and with Project Astoria, that might be about to change soon enough. Already seeing new apps being made/commissioned by the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Shazam, BBC and more and more of the apps in the store are looking like quality apps rather than 'free mp3 downloader'
[QUOTE=cyanidem;49101223]Surely people would rather use external midi controllers than run their far fingers over touch screens with no haptic feedback.. I use a midi keyboard and just link the sliders and knobs to whatever vst I want.[/QUOTE] Sure, and this is what I do, but with ios there apps that let you make custom panels. Also the stupendously fucking annoying trend of Synth companies to release visual patch editors for synths as iOS apps. Roland is the worst at this, they did it for the Jupiter 80+50, the Integra 7 rackmount synth, and all of their Aira Modular effects. With the Korg monotron sampler you can also only add samples with an iOS app afaik. And most of the time you have to buy the camera cable tk even interface with the stuff. It's honestly the worst, it's what stopped me from buying an Integra 7 kr one of the new Jupiter's
[QUOTE=paindoc;49110003]Sure, and this is what I do, but with ios there apps that let you make custom panels. Also the stupendously fucking annoying trend of Synth companies to release visual patch editors for synths as iOS apps. Roland is the worst at this, they did it for the Jupiter 80+50, the Integra 7 rackmount synth, and all of their Aira Modular effects. With the Korg monotron sampler you can also only add samples with an iOS app afaik. And most of the time you have to buy the camera cable tk even interface with the stuff. It's honestly the worst, it's what stopped me from buying an Integra 7 kr one of the new Jupiter's[/QUOTE] Pretty sure you can edit patches for the newer Jupiters/Integra 7 on windows/OSX. For the volca sample/aira modular stuff, they are edited over a 1/8" jack, so you just need a device that can play audio to edit them. You don't need the camera cable for any hardware synth I can think of.
[QUOTE=splenda;49110916]Pretty sure you can edit patches for the newer Jupiters/Integra 7 on windows/OSX. For the volca sample/aira modular stuff, they are edited over a 1/8" jack, so you just need a device that can play audio to edit them. You don't need the camera cable for any hardware synth I can think of.[/QUOTE] I think the volca sample sample editor for other platforms is a fan edit. For my JD-Xi I got an open source editor as well, but there's no other solution atm. I was fairly certain the Jupiter 80 didn't have a windows editor so that comes as a surprise. Having an iOS version of all of those makes sense since the iPad can pretty much fit on a jup80 and is otherwise more portable for gigging
[QUOTE=paindoc;49112264]I think the volca sample sample editor for other platforms is a fan edit. For my JD-Xi I got an open source editor as well, but there's no other solution atm. I was fairly certain the Jupiter 80 didn't have a windows editor so that comes as a surprise. Having an iOS version of all of those makes sense since the iPad can pretty much fit on a jup80 and is otherwise more portable for gigging[/QUOTE] The fact that the windows/OSX/android/objectively better iOS app for the volca sample is a fan edit is not very relevant because all samples are loaded in as a stream of audio, there are no usb ports or anything on the thing, so you don't need a camera connector port or anything. The point I was trying to make is that if there is an iOS app to program a synth, it is for sure not the only way to do it, even not counting physical controls on a synth. The only thing the camera connector is used for is for plugging in audio interfaces/midi controllers into an iPad or whatever. [editline]13th November 2015[/editline] I don't really use digital outboard gear that much so I don't have a lot of experience with the newer Jupiter range, but I do have a volca sample and have used the aira modular stuff in the past and I know that those are just edited with audio streams. The integra 7 I'm like 99% sure has a Roland made vst/au editor for it too.
Why can't they put OS X on it instead of iOS.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.