Most people aren't power users. An iPad is a great device for lots of people. It's my favorite computer to use mostly because of the excellent apps.

What you call a dumbed down UI, I call streamlined. It's simple, focused, and fast.

You’re right. Ironically my “dumbed down” description was a little too dumbed down itself. I agree though, there are cases where a tablet is actually a better tool too.

I suppose the problem is that they rarely present us with opportunities or necessity to dig deeper, learn more, and become adept at working with and within the operating system.

I could be wrong, too. The truth is I only use an iPad once every couple of weeks for 30 to 90 minutes. My point of view here could be too limited to be accurate, and I’m totally glossing over non-Apple devices.

I would not say that “people aren’t great at using full fledged operating systems” but that fully fledged operating systems aren’t great at accommodating people.

I think it goes both ways, but I agree, we’re mostly bad at making software work well for human beings.

I do think people have individual limitations though, and eventually complexity becomes exceedingly difficult to hide being a well designed user interface. That’s not their fault though, and I worry that we don’t consider this often enough as we race towards higher technology. We’re definitely leaving people behind.

iPads and Chromebooks are rapidly taking over education. Both K-12 and in college.

I think the pandemic really accelerated things. A lot more students are using iPads, rather than paper notebooks.

Chromebooks won this battle.. handily.

My perception is that this is largely based on price. Not necessarily because it’s better.

Nope,

Apple didn’t listen. They had to make a low cost plastic version of the ipad to survive education.

The chromebook is far cheaper and far more functional.

Kids throw devices like crazy and it turns out that having a glass-only ipad is more expensive (spending $100 on a case that successfully helps it survive is one expensive solution though!).

Note that all this is coming from a huge iPad fan that has used it from day 1 (and I am typing this on my ipad pro!).