Counterpoint: the iPad Pro is actually a very good 3D modelling device. Shapr3D is like Fusion 360 built for the touchscreen interface and it is brilliant. It works very well with the pencil interface. I use it when I'm on the road all the time for 3D modelling and technical drawing (something no other CAD app on the iPad is even remotely good at)

The LiDAR scanner on the 2020 onwards models is capable of detailed scans and can perform Photogrammetry on-device in a matter of minutes. This will pass by many people but for someone who does it a LOT like me it is a total game changer. Normally this process requires intense processing power which is why the majority of apps use a server-side rendering solution. My beast of a desktop PC at work takes upwards of 24 hours (no joke) to process 500-600 images into a model it is that intensive. Because the iPad Pro uses a combination of the LiDAR to build a rough 3D model and the frames of the simultaneous video feed of the scan it can process a model in a much shorter space of time without needing a network connection, a life saver if you're out in the field and find something to scan.

The rest of your article? 100% agree!