I think the opposite is true and that the tech community lost track of the iPad. At the start it was just another accessory, perhaps a nice way to consume ebooks or the web away from your Mac. Back then Apple still sold laptops and desktops for less than $1k.

These days the iPad line has become Apples sub-$1000 computing line with 3 straightforward ‘good, better, best’ choices at a range of price points ranging from affordable to extravagant.

Taking the 9G model as an example, this represents the exact sort of computer people looking for a $400 device want where performance is never an issue and they are willing to surrender some control for security and simplicity. (It’s worth noting you can still do technical CAD and learn Swift on the 9G model without issue). If my 10 year old son asked me for his own computer for creative projects, schoolwork, research and MInecraft this is exactly what I would buy him.

Apple know exactly what they are doing with the lineup and with iPadOS and have no desire to turn it into the Mac, just make it a little closer the more money you spend.