Ask HN: Why would Apple cannibalize its macOS/Mac ecosystem?

#1

Post by gazarullz » Mon, Jun 09, 2025, 6:28 PM UTC

The improvements bought to the iPad OS announced during the WWDC bring the iPad OS even closer to the Mac OS capabilities set. As a long time Mac OS user I have a hard time why shouldn’t I switch to an iPad with my next device upgrade instead of a Mac. Not sure what Apple is aiming for here given that an iPad is definitely. cheaper than a Mac (eg. an 18GB air).

Any ideas on why would the push the tablets to provide similar capabilities as the macbooks?

Re: Ask HN: Why would Apple cannibalize its macOS/Mac ecosystem?

#2

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Jun 09, 2025, 6:29 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Why would Apple cannibalize its macOS/Mac ecosystem?

#3

Post by metaltyphoon » Mon, Jun 09, 2025, 6:35 PM UTC

iPadOS still a single user OS as of today. I honestly think the moment it can run apps it the same unrestricted manner macOS can then the battery life would take a huge hit.

Re: Ask HN: Why would Apple cannibalize its macOS/Mac ecosystem?

#4

Post by PaulHoule » Mon, Jun 09, 2025, 6:41 PM UTC

Microsoft was more progressive on this in the Windows 8 era but its customers didn't care. Back then I was going to Hackathons with a $30 Fire tablet and a $5 plastic clip and a $15 mouse and $20 keyboard, I'd remote desktop into a server so in terms of power I had a three-axle dump truck and they had Honda Civics but in terms of looks my tablet was the Civic and Macbooks and gaming laptops looked like the dump truck.

I think the main impact of the "two-in-one" was that the stewardesses on planes had to change their announcements to clarify if you had to stow your Surface tablet on landing. I couldn't get why everybody thought that they had to get a $250 case and keyboard combo for their tablet instead of just using Bluetooth which would let you choose many different keyboards and mice at different price points.

I got sick and tired of "silly boomer, don't you know a phone and a computer are totally different things" because video game emulation proved long ago that Turing complete is Turing complete.

Re: Ask HN: Why would Apple cannibalize its macOS/Mac ecosystem?

#5

Post by solardev » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 2:17 PM UTC

metaltyphoon wrote: post #3

iPadOS still a single user OS as of today. I honestly think the moment it can run apps it the same unrestricted manner macOS can then the battery life would take a huge hit.

It's not like the MacBooks have poor battery life? I'd be perfectly happy with an iPad that could run my IDE and execute code, even if it meant a few hours less battery.

Re: Ask HN: Why would Apple cannibalize its macOS/Mac ecosystem?

#6

Post by metaltyphoon » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 5:24 PM UTC

solardev wrote: post #5

metaltyphoon wrote: post #3

iPadOS still a single user OS as of today. I honestly think the moment it can run apps it the same unrestricted manner macOS can then the battery life would take a huge hit.

It's not like the MacBooks have poor battery life? I'd be perfectly happy with an iPad that could run my IDE and execute code, even if it meant a few hours less battery.

You are right, however when traveling carrying a MacBook vs an iPad does make a difference, even when it’s MacBook Air.

Re: Ask HN: Why would Apple cannibalize its macOS/Mac ecosystem?

#7

Post by solardev » Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 8:55 PM UTC

metaltyphoon wrote: post #6

solardev wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not like the MacBooks have poor battery life? I'd be perfectly happy with an iPad that could run my IDE and execute code, even if it meant a few hours less battery.

You are right, however when traveling carrying a MacBook vs an iPad does make a difference, even when it’s MacBook Air.

Yeah, that's fine, I'd be happy to live with a lighter, smaller iPad that can run regular macOS apps (or at least iPadOS ports of them).