Apple recently unveiled impressive hardware upgrades for its iPad Air and iPad Pro models, boasting the latest M2 and M4 chips, larger screen sizes, and advanced OLED displays. However, the excitement over these upgrades is tempered by the limitations of iPadOS, which remains inadequate for serious productivity work.
Despite the powerful hardware, multitasking and file management on the iPad remain tedious compared to a traditional computer. Even with the introduction of Stage Manager, the iPad’s multitasking capabilities fall short. Past attempts to rely solely on an iPad for work have proven more frustrating than efficient. While certain tasks, like writing drafts, may be easier on an iPad, more complex tasks, such as image editing, uploading files, and managing WordPress posts, are cumbersome on a tablet compared to a desktop or laptop.
The iPad, particularly the iPad Pro, seems to be geared more towards artistic professionals, such as visual artists, musicians, and photo and video editors. For these users, the iPad can be a valuable tool. However, for the average user, iPadOS leaves much to be desired.
Despite the hardware upgrades, the fact remains that iPadOS still falls short in delivering the functionality and productivity capabilities that many users expect. This has led some to question whether the hardware upgrades are worth the investment, especially when the software experience remains subpar. Many users report primarily using their iPads for streaming video or casual tasks, which can be done on any iPad model, not just the latest and most powerful ones.
With Apple’s WWDC 2024 just around the corner, there is hope that iPadOS 18 will bring significant improvements. Rumors suggest that iOS 18 may incorporate AI integration, which could potentially extend to iPadOS as well. Such changes would be welcome, as iPadOS is in dire need of software that can take full advantage of the powerful M4 chip.
Until then, despite the allure of the new nano-texture iPad Pro, many users may opt to continue using their older iPad models, which still provide adequate performance for their needs.
