Update April 6, 2020:

Since I wrote this, Apple has taken two additional steps to what I think will be a move to make your iPad Pro a viable desktop option:

1. The new iPad Pro 2020 is now a reality. The optional “floating” stand with trackpad and mouse support sure does make the iPad look like a mini desktop. Apple loves to prime their customers.

2. The recently released Pro Display shows us that Apple is still dedicated to creating their own displays. While most of us aren’t able or willing to drop $5,000 on a computer monitor, we might consider something in the $1,000 range. It would be a great value if this display could be used for your MacBook and your iPad Pro.

Imagine plugging your iPad into an ultra thin USB-C enabled display (made by Apple of course) and instantly, you have a desktop computer. Not just a mirrored image (doable right now with USB-C), but an optimized version of iOS fit for a desktop experience, all powered by your iPad (Pro).‬

‪This would effectively be a brand new operating system (OS) that’s not quite iOS and not quite MacOS. Let’s drop the “i” in iOS and call this new operating system Apple OS: a screen-agnostic OS that works on any USB-C enabled monitor. You plug in your iPad, it detects the display, and feeds in this new OS.‬

‪Apple OS gives you full usability ‬of every app on your iPad, but with a desktop experience — mouse and window support, right-click, etc.

Apple has already been preparing for this feature for years. Here are 3 key changes:

iOS apps on Mac: Apple has already created a “translation system” that allows iOS apps to work on the Mac and is pushing developers to optimize their apps for this change. These mobile apps will work on the MacOS software but the real value is showing how mobile apps would work on a bigger screen, one with a desktop (iPad + display) set up.

One cord for everything: USB-C is standardized cable that can be used for video, audio, charging and data transfer all on one cord. Before USB-C, you often needed multiple cords to connect a CPU to a monitor. USB-C changes all that with one cord for everything. Apple hates cords (despite their recent dependency on dongles). They’ve accelerated USB-C standard adoption for their own products, swapping out MagSafe plugs on their MacBooks and the Lightning port on their iPads in favor of USB-C. They’ve also created a 3rd party market for USB-C computer displays, asking companies like LG to create USB-C enabled monitors for their high end Mac Pros. This all makes sense, even if its causing short-term pain (again, dongles ah), because plugging in your iPad to make it a desktop needs to be simple and intuitive.

iPad is a Computer: Apple, with the release of the iPad Pro, has really pushed their users to view the iPad as a computer replacement. iOS 11 came with the Files app, better multitasking and a lot of power behind the screen. Apps like Photoshop now work on iPad with fewer limitations than ever. That’s a huge barrier torn down for designers to rethink how they use their iPads. Remember that “What’s a computer” commercial that everyone hated? Apple wants you to get rid of your computer in exchange for an iPad, even for those that need a desktop set up.

What to expect: I think we’ll see two big releases in 2019 to help make iPad your next desktop. First, we will see an update to iOS 13 that will introduce Apple OS. Next, we will see two new displays from Apple, with two different price points. The first would be an update for the current Thunderbolt Display — a high end display built for Mac Pro users, possibly still using thunderbolt ports and other high end ports. The second display would be an ultra thin, edge-to-edge display equipped with only one USB-C port specifically for you to plug you iPad into it when you need a desktop to work on. This display would obviously be cheaper than the more premium Thunderbolt Display. But, of course, will probably still be pretty pricey. It’s still Apple, after all.