alt Hacker NewsAudio apps on the iPad show that this isn’t the case. The iPad has an incredible amount of amazing audio apps that simply don’t exist and/or are much cheaper than on other platforms. Some of that is due to the great audio performance from day one but a lot of it can be chalked up to the lack of piracy. There are a seemingly endless number of synths, effects, sequencers, etc. in the App Store. It’s a relative ghost town in the Android world. Both Mac and Windows are better environments for DAW work but the plug ins are uniformly (usually much) more expensive.
The console approach to software distribution is good for developers and in this case leads to better software for consumers.
The iPad's Audio Unit applications unfortunately pale in comparison to even simple desktop plugins. You won't find any Vital or Serum-killers on the App Store, and you definitely won't find software like full-fat Spectrasonics or the U-He instruments. The iPad can do some audio work, but once you stop using it as a digital 8-track or a MIDI machine, you are instantly outclassed by even a $300 Windows laptop running Reaper or Pro Tools.