How about a Mac Pad running macOS, while keeping iPadOS on Apple’s tablet line-up?

Apple often promotes the iPad with the line that “your next computer won’t be a computer.” And the tech giant has made Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro available on the tablet 

However, as I’ve said repeatedly, there’s no way I’d try and do my daily Apple World Today workflow using an iPad. If Apple wants to truly make the tablet a laptop alternative, if an outright replacements, I think there are only two reasonable scenarios.

Scenario 1. Offer macOS as an option (not a requirement) on the iPad Pro and keep iPadOS as the only operating system for the smaller tablets. There’s no reason why this isn’t technically possible 

As noted by AppleInsider, last October leaker Majin Bu claimed Apple is working on a version of macOS exclusively for the M2 iPad Pro.

He said it will be a “smaller” version of the operating system and arrive in 2023. According to Bu, testing is being done with a 25% larger macOS UI so it is suitable for touch. Apps run on the product would still be iPad-optimized versions, not macOS ones.

However, such a move makes no sense to me. Why wouldn’t Apple just release macOS on an iPad instead of a “lite” version?

Scenario 2. Offer a tablet running macOS and just call it a Mac Pad. Imagine an iPad Pro form factor (a Mac Pad) that works with a detachable keyboard, as well as a mouse and trackpad. Imagine such a device plugging into a 21-inch or 27-inch Apple display when you need a bigger screen. You could also plug in an external GPU for even better performance and connect external drives for more storage.

Apple actually was granted a patent in 2006 for such a system. Apple has filed a patent for an Integrated monitor and docking station for a laptop its been unearthed. The docking station would allow a laptop (or, in my scenario, a Mac Pad) to be slid into the design from the side and then acting as a desktop computer.

The Apple Pad would pack an Apple-developed processor and could be offered in various sizes: 11 inches, 13 inches, 15 inches, perhaps even 16 inches.

Under this scenario, when you want a big screen, keyboard, lots of processing power, etc., you would use the Apple Pad/Apple Display/eGPU combo. When you’re on the go, detach the Apple Pad and take it with you.