Apple final yr launched a brand new iPad Professional that’s basically the identical because the earlier technology mannequin, however this time with a sooner M2 chip. Rumor has it that no iPad mannequin will get a significant improve in 2023, however Apple appears to be engaged on a “huge enchancment to the iPad Professional” for his 2024. higher software program.
Present standing and future rumors of the iPad Professional
The final main redesign of the iPad Professional was in 2018, when the corporate ditched the house button design for a brand new one with an edge-to-edge display. Since then, regardless of the addition of the Magic Keyboard and enhancements to the digicam, the iPad Professional {hardware} hasn’t modified a lot.
After all, one thing else occurred in 2021. That was when Apple introduced the primary iPad Professional together with his M1 chip. Till then, it was a chip designed for Macs. And for 2022, the iPad Professional has been up to date once more with the identical M2 chip because the MacBook Air and the brand new Mac mini.
Rumors of a 2023 iPad Professional aren’t thrilling, however bloomberg reported this week that Apple is engaged on a significant redesign for the 2024 model, which would be the first iPad to characteristic an OLED show.Moreover, each bloomberg and 9to5Mac Prior to now, we have reported that Apple is contemplating bringing MagSafe to the iPad Professional.
However let’s be sincere, the iPad Professional would not want a brand new design or perhaps a extra highly effective chip.
iPad Professional wants higher software program
For years, the iPad’s downside was software program, not {hardware}. Beginning with the 2018 iPad Professional, Apple claims its tablets are sooner than most laptops. At this time, that is much more true with the iPad, which has the identical chip because the Mac.
Even so, the iPad software program is a multitude. The identify iPadOS was his Apple give you, however it’s principally his model of iOS optimized for the large display. With iPadOS 16, Apple tried to distinguish his iPadOS with Stage Supervisor. That is the characteristic that brings home windows to the iPad. Stage Supervisor actually allows new ranges of multitasking on the iPad, however it’s way more restricted than customers will discover on macOS or Home windows.

Customers can solely have 4 apps open on every display at a time. This can be an affordable limitation on the iPad display, however not when an exterior monitor is hooked up. Think about having that limitation in your Mac. Additionally, the Stage Supervisor is buggy and inconsistent. You possibly can’t even transfer or prepare home windows as you’ll in a desktop working system.
However that is solely a part of the issue with iPadOS. Being iOS primarily based, the system is extra restricted and restricted. Highly effective software program out there on desktop platforms requires entry to instruments Apple would not provide on iOS. This may increasingly lead builders to spend extra time and even take into account whether or not it is value releasing a “professional” app for iPadOS.
Even Apple, which likes to indicate that iPadOS is a superb platform for builders, has by no means introduced apps like Ultimate Reduce, Logic Professional, and Xcode to the iPad.

Will iPadOS 17 unlock the potential of the iPad?
It is onerous to inform in the meanwhile. With iPadOS 16, there is a huge give attention to the power to show your iPad into a pc, so anticipate to see extra of this in future updates. They’ve made it clear that they’re prioritizing the event of latest AR/VR platforms.
In different phrases, customers ought to maintain their expectations for the options coming with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. Irrespective of how a lot Apple improves the iPad’s {hardware}, speeds it up, or redesigns it, it will possibly’t remedy the primary downside. “Child software program” in a strong system.
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