Craig Mod: MacBook Neo and How the iPad Should Be

I agree with a lot of this. The iPad has for too long occupied this strange middle ground. The hardware has been extremely capable for years whilst the software has inexplicably lagged behind. This is now more noticeable with AI.

I've been tempted through the years to consider the iPad Pro as my primary machine. After all, a vast majority of my work only requires a browser; everything of note is a web app or would have an iOS app available. But now, a main device that cannot run Claude Code or Codex wouldn't really be an option. It would feel like having my hands tied behind my back.

The Neo looks to be a great machine. A desire for that kind of device is why I picked up a second-hand 12-inch MacBook last year. Small and capable, though without an M-series chip it was never going to be a long-term main machine.

I still wonder where the iPad fits into my routine. Not as capable for work as a MacBook. Not as good to read on as my Kindle. Not as immediately available as my iPhone.

As Craig finishes by saying, it'll be very interesting to see how John Ternus approaches this when he begins as Apple CEO in September. The iPad is clearly very successful and a popular device, but is an ever closer convergence between iOS and macOS the right approach?

It'll also be fascinating to see how rumoured devices like the OpenAI hardware Jony Ive is working on may disrupt this space. Does the future of computing look completely different in ten years' time?