The iPad, introduced by Apple in 2010, was initially viewed as a larger version of the iPhone, designed to enhance user interaction through a bigger screen. Steve Jobs showcased its potential by demonstrating its use for reading news on a comfortable chair, suggesting that the size would elevate user engagement with the device.
Five years later, the iPad Pro was launched as a larger variant, featuring a 12.9-inch display. However, although it ran the same applications and had familiar functionalities, it did not present a significant evolution from its predecessor. The device was portrayed as an intermediary between computers and smartphones, yet many users perceived it as a lightweight computer with limited features and capabilities. Concerns about security, browser performance, and multitasking functionality emerged, leading potential buyers to question its role as a laptop alternative.
Over the years, the iPad Pro evolved significantly. Enhancements included the introduction of the Apple Pencil, Smart Keyboard, improved multitasking capabilities, and the shift to USB-C, giving users more access to external devices. The design not only became more refined but also began to closely resemble a traditional computer in use.
The current M5 iPad Pro is highlighted for its impressive design and display quality, alongside the Magic Keyboard, which offers comparable input performance to a MacBook. Recent software developments, including iPadOS 26, have introduced features that enhance its functionality, such as free-form multitasking and a redesigned user interface.
Despite these improvements, the iPad still retains certain limitations when compared to traditional computers, such as restricted app usage and interaction capabilities with system-level applications. As Apple continues to position the iPad as a computer, questions remain around the device’s future capabilities and potential to fully mitigate these constraints. The ongoing debate about what constitutes a computer is central to understanding the iPad’s evolving role in computing.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/817939/ipad-pro-laptop-computer-2025