> Apple doesn't want non-artists to buy iPad Pro instead of MacBook. They want people to buy both.

I see the resident Apple bashers are already warming up their cannons firing a few rounds.

But perhaps we need to take a step back here for a moment....

First you need to consider the security and general platform profile of iOS which is fundamentally different from MacOS. Running MacOS would greatly weaken the iOS security profile of Apple mobile devices, and you have to remember that the devices are not just used by consumers but they are used widely in the corporate world too. iOS loaded with corporate apps is a much more attractive security footprint for corporate IT departments. Personally speaking, I very much like the tightened security footprint of iOS. I wouldn't want to run full-blown MacOS on my phone or tablet, even if I could !

Second, prior to Apple silicon, non-mobile hardware ran on Intel. So Apple were justifiably technically constrained by that fact. However, if you observe Apple today though, you can see MacOS on Apple Silicon allows you to install iPhone/iPad apps simply by downloading them from the App store as you would on an Apple mobile device. I would argue therefore that with time, we may see further blurring of boundaries in both directions.

This gives me an idea for an iPad like device with dual booted MacOS and iOS, and isolated storages for the security concerns. Best of both worlds!

It could even run on the same M2 and other hardware. Just make two partitions on the SSD.

I see this comment often. I just find it comical that people really think they know what goes on inside of Apple product meetings. Ipad Pro 12" is as expensive as a Macbook. Perhaps Apple doesn't want people to use full MacOS on an 11" screen because it's not as usable as you think it is...Apple is not out to blindly maximize its profit at all times.

Apple used to sell a Macbook Air 11" and a Macbook 12"

"used to sell" being the key phrase there.

Did they get rid of them because the screens were too small or for other reasons?

Low sales, possibly because the screens were too small...

I'm trying to calculate in my head why I (a non-artist) want a tablet with the foldable keyboard thingie instead of a laptop...

I (non-artist) use my iPad + magic keyboard as my primary non-work computer. The battery life is great, it's instant on, has a touch screen, you can play games on it, and it's more portable than a laptop being 11 inches. In general it makes for a great every day device. The only things I don't try to do on my iPad is anything programming related.

I have a friend who bought one to replace her aging laptop with the iPad pro. She wanted it for the touchscreen to navigate and touch up photos (but not via pencil really). But she does also use it often for spreadsheets and email as well, and since you can have multiple apps side by side now, it works for her. She does this at her work environment which doesn't have space for say, dual screens or an office, so it makes sense for her.