M4 iPad Pro Software Limitations: How iPadOS Holds Back Apple's Powerhouse
Alright, let’s talk about the iPad Pro with the M4. And let’s be real for a second: this is less a review and more of a therapy session because, man, this thing is frustrating. We’re talking about Apple’s latest and greatest silicon, shoved into an incredibly sleek, almost impossibly thin chassis. The hardware is pure, unadulterated wow. And yet, here I am, staring at this beautiful slab of glass and metal, feeling like I’m constantly wrestling with…iPadOS. It’s like having a Formula 1 car that’s perpetually stuck in second gear. The potential is right there, so close, but Apple, for reasons that are both mysterious and maddening, seems terrified to actually let it loose.
Look, I've been using iPads since the beginning. I’ve seen the evolution. And while I love what it can do, especially for drawing and consuming media, this whole “iPad as a Pro device” thing has reached a critical juncture, a point where I can no longer ignore the disconnect between the amazing hardware and the limiting software. My gripes, and likely yours, are pretty straightforward: iPadOS needs a serious rethink, a massive overhaul, a true evolution if it wants to catch up with the power it's trying to wield.
Let’s get to it. The big one: macOS apps. This is no longer a theoretical exercise; the M4 chip is there. It’s the same architecture as a Mac. This is not a technical hurdle. This is a choice, a conscious decision from Apple to keep us tethered to the limitations of iPadOS. Why can’t I just install the actual version of Photoshop or Final Cut? Why am I stuck with these weird, mobile-ified versions? And more to the point, why can’t I install any macOS app? I mean, what’s the point of having this powerful chip if I’m limited to Apple's curated list of what I’m "allowed" to do?
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about this so-called link to the Mac. Sidecar, Continuity…they all feel half-baked. Sidecar, in particular, is constantly glitching. Why isn't it seamless? Why is it always a fight to get it to connect and actually work? And the remote network limitation for Sidecar is just silly. This should be a true extension of my Mac experience, not some weird, janky afterthought.
Then there’s the mouse experience, which is still, frankly, a mess. It’s too sticky, too imprecise, too “iOS-y”. It doesn't feel like a real mouse cursor. It feels like I’m guiding a big blob around the screen. This isn't about aesthetics, it’s about utility. I need to be able to click, drag, and select things with precision. We're talking about pro-level work here, not swiping through TikTok.
And let’s not forget Stage Manager, which is meant to be the iPad’s answer to multitasking but ultimately feels like a band-aid on a bigger problem. The four app limit is absolutely arbitrary. It needs to be way more flexible, way more like, you know, an actual desktop. I want to arrange my windows, resize them, and move them around as I see fit, without the clunky limitations of Stage Manager getting in my way. This whole thing is more of a Stage Handicap at this point.
Now, let’s talk about the WebKit situation. This is ridiculous. Why is Apple forcing every browser on the iPad to use Safari’s engine? This isn’t about “security” or “user experience”; it’s about control. I want to use Chrome or Firefox, with their full set of extensions. I want to be able to browse the web the way I want, not how Apple dictates.
And while I'm at it, give me a proper Terminal app. This isn't optional; it’s essential for developers. The Files app needs to be replaced with the full macOS Finder experience as well. Then there is WhatsApp; I want a native iPad app. I am tired of using the web version. It’s an embarrassment that this does not exist, Meta.
And if that isn’t enough for you, let’s talk about the most maddening thing of all: I still can’t run Xcode on an iPad. This M4 chip should be able to handle it. It's capable of it! I should be able to code on the go without a Mac. And let’s not forget about full PC-level games. This hardware deserves better, and we are stuck with mobile-only titles.
And let’s be blunt; the resolution controls are awful on the iPad when connected to an external monitor. Let me change the resolution like I can on the Mac. And finally, I want to be able to use JIT. Let's unleash these devices.
Look, at this point, it's clear: the M4 iPad Pro is a device of enormous potential. It’s a technological marvel that Apple, for some inexplicable reason, continues to hamstring with a software experience that feels like a relic from a different era. I keep thinking that the next software update is going to be the one that unlocks it, that gives me the freedom to really do the things I want, but it’s still not there. It’s like they're afraid to admit that the iPad can be more. This whole situation is, frankly, exasperating.
Apple, you’ve made a brilliant piece of hardware. Now, for the love of all that is holy, give us the software to match. Because right now, the M4 iPad Pro is just a really expensive, incredibly frustrating tease. The hardware is an absolute win, but the software is a swing and a miss.