iPad pro for game development

Apple recently had their September event with one of biggest unveilings the iPad pro. A device they claim has 90% more performance than most portable pcs from the last 6 months, if this is even somewhat true it might be good for game development so I'd like to here other opinions
(By the way I asked a similar question for ue4 but most agreed on that its just for documenting and sketching so I just what to see what others think)

 

It runs iOS so I don't how it can help with game development.

It could replace something like a wacom Cintiq, if you use something like that a lot, but getting files in and out of iOS is kind of a pain, but maybe (hopefully) that will change.

 

Whether or not it would be good for game development is pretty moot. It's running a toy OS.

 

If it doesn't use a mouse and keyboard then its useless for Dev. (exluding wacoms, etc, gfx applications)

 

It has Bluetooth. The issue isn't getting a keyboard and mouse. The issue is it won't run the necessary apps.

 

If it gets photoshop (or something as powerful) and they somehow workout a workflow that is stupidly easy to get files in and out (like... open files that are already in your dropbox and draw on them?) I can see it cannibalising wacom sales a lot.

That's a lot of ifs though.

 

When they going to come out with an iPad Pauper?

 

Don't they already have photoshop on AppStore?

 

Next year they're going unveil Apple Ruler and Apple Paper (starting $10 per unit)

 

No, not really. There's Photoshop Express and Mix and Sketch, all of them are terrible.

I'm expecting adobe to release something better along with iPad Pro, but I don't know if we can hope for something close to a "real" photoshop.

 

surface pro was out 2 years ago.... and some seem to discover apple as just released a copy and say "alleluia"
omg,

 

It is running iOS and have a severely limited collection of content production software, it wouldn't make sense for me to use it as a development device before i can use things like Visual Studio, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Photoshop and Substance Designer.

 

The first couple of Surface pros had a bit problematic pen. Especially with the first one it was like an afterthought plus they had a ton of software problems.

I've heard good things about the more recent versions though, yeah.

 

I never understood surface pros. Their keyboards are so thin that it feels like I am tapping a thin cardboard instead of keyboard.
When I use a mechanical keyboard I hear a "click" sound, indicating that I have actually pressed a button, not missed it.

Plus sound of mechanical keyboard feels good

 

They're for people who want a tablet first and a laptop second. Those who want a laptop first and a tablet second should buy a convertible laptop. Like the Yoga Pro 3 or similar.

 

They are actually really good for Unity development if you are targeting mobile as their built in Touch Panel fully integrates with the standard Unity Touch API, so developing and testing touch controls becomes much faster and accurate compared to the Unity Remote applications.

While i agree that the touch keyboard could be better, you are free to use any bluetooth or USB keyboard with it.

 

Plus the new one has an optional articulated board, right?

 

Looks like it.

http://www.apple.com/smart-keyboard/

 

I was referring to the Surface Pro 3. But yes, that too.

 

Ah. Got it.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/accessories/surface-pro-typecover

I do like the approach Microsoft took by having the stand built into the Surface itself rather than requiring you to buy an accessory keyboard to get one like the iPad Pro does.

 

Yeah, I agree. I do think it's awkward not including the keyboard itself, though. I understand you get to pick your colour and, now, the type of keyboard... but they could still bundle it in the one purchase price. And seriously, who'd want one without the keyboard?

 

It was interesting in the keynote that they said they envision the iPad/pro as being 'the future of computing' as though it should replace all desktop computing. But to get there, they're going to need a heck of a lot more high-productivity/professional apps on it to be taken seriously... I guess they might try to compete with Windows Surface - which I presume does allow more business-like apps to run? as opposed to `you gotta use your finger`?

 

If I replace my desktop computer at all, it'll likely be for something along the lines of the ASUS Q551 (convertible laptop).

 

Along with its many competitors, the Surface Pro is a complete PC. They're mid-range laptops with a different form factor. They run a full Windows OS and full desktop software.

I'm somewhat disappointed that the iPad Pro does not.

 

I struggle to be productive on my 17" macbook pro.. so doubt using an ipad will be good for anything except for drawing pictures.


Also, saying its faster than 90% of computers released in the last 6 months sounds like a complete ass-pluck fact.

Ill believe it when I see a device handle 2000 drawcalls.

 

Yeah, I was secretly hoping it would run MacOS too.

 

I'm sure it's backed by careful wording and very selective data. All they have to do is show one benchmark, which could be specifically designed for their chip and their software, where their system outperforms most other systems.

 

just as they use to do...

 

No different than any other corporate entity..

 

Phones, Tablets, and their 'App Store operating systems' are for consuming content.

Real computers - with exposed file systems, less restrictions on what you can run, and serious tools - are still required to create content. Can't see that changing any time soon.

The iPad Pro+Pencil might turn out to be a great peripheral for a Mac or PC though, if there's a way to use it as a screen and input device for serious art packages...

 

yes agreed. just reminded me the days i was on my G4 and couldn't even reach the half of the benchmarks on photoshop. i just wished i had THEIR photoshop

 

I'd be shocked if there isn't an app for that already (since such tablets are already available) or coming very soon.

 

I see this device as being very useful to photographers, musicians, maybe people doing video and of course using apps like keynote etc.

My prediction is that some new versions of "pro" apps will pop up to take advantage of the power of the iPad Pro.

For game development I just don't see it. The key issue has already been mentioned, it is not OS X but iOS.
Apple probably will not change much in the way iOS works to make it more like OS X.

 

I've had >500 drawcalls under metal on an iPhone 6 in our current project at 60fps (vastly reduced for non-metal compat, but I was quite surprised it worked). Point being, I don't think drawcalls are the bottleneck in the future, it's things like fill rate. And to be sure, that's a bloody big display for 1:1 resolution rendering.

Anyway, I think he said 90% of portable computers, which probably includes the generous number of cheapo laptops that mums buy from Curries/Walmart.

 

Technically it could also mean phones. They're "portable computers".

 

@angrypenguin

Either way, it has nothing on http://www.simplyeighties.com/old-calculators.php#.Vff8HhFVhBc

All anyone wanted when I was at school, was a graphing calculator. I think there was only one kid who even knew how to actually use his. Fashion and toys, huh