Today, there was an interesting blog post on Slate titled, Will Apple’s Control-Freakery Turn Personal Computers Into Big iPhones?
It's worth a read and makes some good points.
I believe there is a fundamental problem with the iPad Pro - at least based on what we currently know. I love iOS on my iPhone & iPad, but sometimes I need the full experience of a computer.
If the iPad Pro runs the same iOS as current iPhones and iPads, this is a deal-breaker. If I were to spend that much money on a large-screened device (that is being compared to the Microsoft Surface), I don't want the limitations of iOS. I believe the best approach would be to let the user choose to boot either iOS or OS X - or, better yet, let the user switch between the two on the fly.
That being said, I believe the Slate article goes a step too far in assuming that Apple has a master plan to have iOS-level control on all of their devices. There is currently no indication that OS X is going this route. OS X has implemented some of the best features of iOS while still retaining the freedom you expect from a personal computer. Yes, there is an App Store, but you are free to toggle the settings to download and install any software you wish.
I don't see an iPad Pro in my future, and I believe that the MacBook Air will continue to be the better choice. It is thin, light, and portable - and it provides a full OS without the "Control-Freakery". The only use case I see for the iPad Pro is for artists who will benefit from the admittedly cool Apple Pencil.