Apple introduced the next generation of iPad yesterday, giving it the generic name of "iPad" -- sans numbering. I suppose this mimics their desktop and notebook computers. They have generic names, like MacBook, and then are further identified by a release date, such as "Early 2009" and "Mid 2009."
This generic-name approach confuses consumers, and makes it difficult for CAD vendors to accurately specify minimum hardware requirements. We see this with Autodesk saying that its AutoCAD for Mac won't install on Apple computers lacking sufficient hardware; while the software company provides a list of suitable hardware specs, there is that uncertainty during the install process -- after the customer pays for the hardware and software.
Moving on to the hardware of the iPad:
The GPU now has four cores, which means that CAD drawings will display faster and CAD models render more quickly. (The CPU might be the same; we don't know, due to Apple's reticence in revealing hardware specs.)
The screen resolution is 2048 x 1536, 4x larger than before. Gaming companies have already speculated that the benefits of the 4x faster CPU may be nullified by the 4x larger number of pixels that have to be processed.
While CAD uses resolution-independent vector data, these vectors are converted to raster dots for display -- either on the iPad itself (as with IMSI/Design's TurboViewer) or back at the CAD vendor's headquarters and then pushed over the Internet to the device (as with Autodesk's AutoCAD WS). In the case of AutoCAD WS, Autodesk may find itself having to shove 4x more data down the pipe.
The 4x higher resolution has similar effects on renderings, positive and negative.
The memory is 2x larger, meaning there is more room in which to store CAD data. On portable devices like iPad and Androids, there is no paging as with Windows. (When the memory gets close to being full, Windows parks some of it on the hard drive. This slows down the computer, with the benefit of handling larger programs and data sets.) All of the CAD program, its data, and all other software has to fit into the memory. If the portable device runs out of memory, programs are shut down automatically. This is why when you return to a program, such as a Web browser, all the loaded Web pages are gone.
The new iPad tablet now has 1GB RAM, which is a good thing, and helps it to catch up to Android tablets. (iPad 2 has 512MB, and the original iPad had just 256MB, which is why some CAD programs are not recommended to run on it.)
The largest download size for iOS apps is increased from 20MB to 50MB, which allows CAD vendors to add more to their programs. This limit is imposed only on downloads made through the cell phone system; downloads over WiFi don't have that limit.
During the iPad announcement, Autodesk showed off a new version of SketchBook Ink. It uses more vector/raster technology from the desktop version of the software, in which you sketch with raster-friendly tools, which are stored as vector data to permit greater editing flexibility. The software was described as "exclusive" to iOS, and the Guardian's Stuart Dredge wonders if this is a permanent injunction against Android, or " what's required to get a slot on-stage during an Apple keynote."
Ralph, are you trying to make get quoted in your own "Spin doctor" quote?
Most PC manufacturers have a far more confusing names compared to what Apple uses. Usually some random set of numbers that don't mean a lot. Go to the Dell or HP website and try to configure a computer and tell me if you think the consumer would be more confused on those sites or on Apple's site.
I just checked the Autodesk website under Autocad for Mac. It seems they list a pretty specific set of systems and requirements for running Autocad on the Mac so not sure what you are getting at there.
Comparing system specs on paper is silly. It would be like comparing the horsepower of 2 cars and then declaring on car to be the winner of drag race without actually running the race. You have to run the race.
I think your love for Linux/Android tends to get your to twist stories to your beliefs.
Posted by: Kevin E. | Mar 08, 2012 at 11:10 AM
The problem CAD vendors have with Apple is the company's vague statements and access to the graphics chip, as I have noted many times before.
Apple's vagueness regarding hardware specs does not help it. For instance, that the new iPad has 1GB RAM is only an educated guess.
Nothing wrong with noting problems in Android, iOS, Linux, OS X, and Windows -- as I regularly do -- and it has nothing to do with love or beliefs. As we well know, Mac users' love for Apple hardware/software causes them twists stories to their beliefs -- also.
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | Mar 08, 2012 at 11:51 AM
I think there is some confusion in your article with regard to download size of iOS apps; the 3G limit has been raised to 50MB, but the size of app which can be downloaded via wifi is still somewhere in the region of 2GB.
Posted by: Simon | Mar 10, 2012 at 06:38 AM
On Android Market (now renamed Google Play) the respective limits are 50MB for cell phone downloads and 4GB for WiFi downloads.
Posted by: Ralph Grabowski | Mar 10, 2012 at 09:26 AM
Is that for all of the Android markets, or just Google's market?
Now, how is that for consumer confusion?
Posted by: Kevin E. | Mar 10, 2012 at 10:46 AM