The digital landscape is littered with once-revolutionary devices that slowly, almost imperceptibly, recede into the background of our lives.
For many, the Apple iPad, particularly its ‘Pro’ iterations, once promised a bold new era of computing – a tablet that could genuinely replace a laptop.
Yet, for a growing chorus of users, including this seasoned tech observer, that promise has remained frustratingly unfulfilled, leaving behind a nagging question: what exactly is the iPad Pro for?
Consider the five-year journey of an 11-inch iPad Pro, purchased with the hopeful anticipation of a device that would bridge the gap between a smartphone’s immediacy and a laptop’s capability.
For its first few years, it was indeed a workhorse.
It navigated the rigors of a university degree, serving as a versatile companion for note-taking, research, and creative pursuits.
From sketching in ProCreate to editing audio and video, managing spreadsheets, and even dabbling in photography, the iPad Pro seemed to justify its ‘Pro’ moniker.
Its A12Z processor and 120Hz LCD display, while now superseded, still offered a premium experience.
However, a subtle shift occurred.
The acquisition of a 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro just over a year ago marked a turning point.
Gradually, the iPad’s role began to shrink, its once-indispensable functions migrating back to the more traditional laptop.
Today, the powerful tablet, with its once-coveted features, finds itself largely relegated to the rather mundane task of a YouTube machine.
This isn’t just a personal anecdote; it’s a familiar trajectory for many iPad owners, a slow descent into digital purgatory that has historically signaled the end of a tablet’s useful life, even for models far less powerful than this one.
The irony is palpable.
Apple continues to push the boundaries of hardware engineering with its latest iPads, boasting impossibly slim designs, stunning Tandem OLED displays, and the utterly ludicrous power of M4 chipsets.
The jump from an older iPad Pro to one of these 2024 marvels promises a monumental leap in raw capability.
Yet, the persistent refrain from users and critics alike is that this astonishing hardware is being held back by its software: iPadOS.
This isn’t a new complaint.
Indeed, it’s become a well-worn lament within tech circles.
TechRadar’s own Managing Editor, Core Tech Matt Hanson, voiced similar frustrations earlier this year, noting that “the power of the M4 chip largely went to waste with the iPad Pro.”
The problem isn’t the iPad’s muscle; it’s the shackles imposed by an operating system that feels perpetually caught between two worlds.
Multitasking, while usable, remains awkward.
The Files app, though convenient for basic tasks, is nerfed compared to a desktop file system.
The ecosystem, while smooth, is far more closed off than what one expects from a device aspiring to be a professional tool.
In its current guise, iPadOS renders the iPad Pro less a MacBook replacement and more an overpowered iPad Air.
The crux of the matter is the missing ‘pro’ features needed to justify an upgrade, or indeed, to elevate the iPad Pro to a primary device for serious work.
Unless a touchscreen or Apple Pencil is an absolute necessity for a specific workflow, getting things done on a macOS-based machine is simply quicker, more flexible, and more powerful.
This isn’t a criticism of the iPad’s potential, but rather of Apple’s curious reluctance to fully unleash it.
As WWDC 2025 looms, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation – and perhaps a touch of desperation – among those who have invested in Apple’s tablet ecosystem.
This upcoming developer conference is increasingly viewed as Apple’s last real chance to demonstrate a coherent vision for the iPad beyond its current niche.
Why invest in all that power if the software can’t take advantage of it?
While some might settle for new features that offer a more purposeful tablet experience while remaining entirely separate from the Mac, the true desire is for Apple to push the iPad towards a bolder, more capable role.
Imagine a separate fork of iPadOS – perhaps ‘iPadOS Pro’ – specifically designed for professional-grade multitasking, a truly seamless and powerful mouse-centric interface when paired with accessories like the Magic Keyboard, and robust file management and transfer capabilities.
This would transform the iPad Pro into a genuine contender for demanding professional workflows, such as video editing or graphic design, where on-the-fly edits in the field could seamlessly transition to a full desktop environment back at the desk.
The long-standing perceived concern has been that making iPadOS more macOS-like would cannibalize MacBook sales.
However, this perspective increasingly feels outdated.
Instead of dilution, a more capable and flexible iPad Pro could augment Apple’s product collection.
Photographers and video editors, for instance, could leverage an iPad Pro with a pro-centric iPadOS for field edits or to tap into powerful Apple Intelligence features, then effortlessly transition to a MacBook Pro for more intensive, desk-bound tasks.
This creates a complementary ecosystem rather than a competitive one.
So, as WWDC 2025 kicks off on June 9, all eyes will be on Apple.
The hope is for something truly special, an update that supercharges iPadOS, not just with an eye on professionals, but in a fashion that genuinely harnesses the immense power of the M-series chips to make iPadOS distinct and indispensable, moving far beyond its current perception as merely a modified version of iOS.
The iPad’s future relevance, for many, hinges on it.
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