Apple’s upcoming touch-screen MacBook Pro won’t be a ‘MacPad’

Source Domain: macdailynews.com

According to Mark Gurman in Bloomberg, Apple’s forthcoming touch-screen MacBook Pro will demonstrate that the company remains nowhere near merging the Mac and iPad lines. While a hybrid device—such as an iPad capable of running full Mac software or a MacBook with a more tablet-like interface—has clear appeal, that convergence isn’t on the horizon anytime soon, if ever. Apple’s leadership continues to firmly insist on maintaining clear separation between the iPad and Mac product categories.

Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
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For years, Apple Inc. fans have dreamed of the company merging the iPad and Mac — a move that would combine the speed and battery life of a computer with the touch interface of a tablet.

Publicly, Apple has denied wanting to do such a thing. Behind the scenes, though, engineers have been exploring the idea. They’ve discussed all sorts of ways to bring the two systems together — from running the current version of macOS on beefier iPads to building a new type of operating system befitting a hybrid product. There’s even been talk of completely folding together the Mac and iPad app ecosystems.
But despite the appeal of a hybrid device (an iPad running Mac software or a Mac with an iPad interface), we’re not heading there anytime soon, if ever. Apple executives have remained steadfast about keeping the iPad and Mac distinct.

The company argues that it produces better devices by separating the categories, but there’s also a business consideration. Internally, executives believe that a hybrid plan would hurt sales… Apple would much rather customers buy both an iPad and a Mac…

[T]he touch-based MacBook Pro will not feel like an iPad. As I wrote this past week, Apple is being very deliberate about this with the product’s development and marketing. The Mac will be a touch-friendly device, rather than one that’s touch-first…

Moreover, the MacBook Pro will continue to have its full keyboard, trackpad and current…

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