2018 iPad Pro Hands-On Impressions: 'Might Be the Truest Embodiment of a Tablet Yet'

[roland.g]

I’ll get a regular (non-Pro) iPad for my kids. But until this high powered tablet runs a desktop OS like the Surface does, it’s just an overpriced and oversized phone. Great gaming capabilities which you can do on the non-Pro. Some good feature for artists. But it isn’t a real productivity device, especially (and regardless of the multi-tasking / dock / UI improvement) because of the ancient and outdated springboard that is the iOS interface.
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I gave up on the iPad about four(?) years ago because I couldn't establish a decent/simple workflow between it and my Mac desktop. As an illustrator's tool it had potential but wasn't quite ready for prime time. My sense at the time was that it was just another content consumption device, not a professional content creating tool. Right or wrong, I ignored the whole iPad / iPad Pro product line ever since because of that impression, and concentrated only on Mac's.

I scoffed at the first generation iPad Pro, mainly because (and this may be unfair) in the roll-out, Eddie Cue was quoted as being extremely impressed with the speakers. Really? The speakers! That suggested to me that Apple was still focused on content consumption and the "Pro" name was just Schiller Spin.

With the introduction of the New iPad Pro, I think I'm ready to re-consider.

They rolled this second generation out much better, with a proper emphasis on performance that appealed to me. I can now see how I can potentially integrate this mobile product (Pencil included) into my workflow and no longer be chained to my desktop full time.

Of course, I'll wait for in-depth reviews and look to get some hands-on time when it arrives at my local Apple Store, but my first impression is that this may be a decently "Pro" device, at least for me.

This was bit long as thread comments go. Thanks for reading!

I agree. Except that it needs a dual OS to be a real ‘Pro.’ The iOS Springboard is outdated and horrible and has the limitations of ‘apps’ that a desktop OS doesn’t suffer from. While there are other major issues with the Surface and Windows in general, it is one thing Microsoft did quite well. And their Type Cover is a much better keyboard than the Apple version.

 

[MillieSkye]

First time I ever thought to myself I would want an iPad Pro however I feel it should’ve been an OLED panel and that currently as is are $100 overpriced, even for Apple.

OLED doesn't have the color accuracy needed for a pro device that is mainly targeted at digital painting and photography (it's video editing capacities are really lacking)

 

[Nuno Lopes]

Going by the telltale tremors in his hand and voice and the motor stereotypies of dopamine agonists that are the first line treatment for Parkinson’s, I doubt Tim is planning on being around when the time comes that Apple needs the goodwill they have been burning the last few years.

IANAD, but I’m worried about his health after some of those closeups.

I really hope is ok. Good will, that is correct word. My good will is reaching a breaking point has I see non in the other side for a long long time.

 

[apolloa]

God what a crap tablet! That text is well fuzzy! I can see those pixels, rubbish Apple and it’s rubbish ‘Liquid Retina display’....

 

[jamesrick80]

Once again no mouse support, no true file manager, a bamboozled usb c connector.......i can do more with DeX on the galaxy tab s4 even if its processor is not even close and the tab s4's display blows this ipads and previous ipad displays away.........everything I actually want is already on the galaxy tab s4. I treat my ipad pro 10.5 like a simple non-productive tablet due to iOS limitations. I will not be purchasing another one until they fulfill my desires so the 10.5 is here to stay as a limited tablet for the time being.

 

[Fthree]

Is it just me or do the bezels look bigger on the sides and just a bit more stretched out on the top and bottom? The 10.5 Pro has thin bezels on the sides also. Maybe because I haven’t held it or looked up close at it but the bezels still stick out quite a bit?!?!?! NOT as impressive as the IPhone X’s bezel shrinkage.

 

[apolloa]

Hmm a lot of big talk being made about the new iPads. All that power seems totally pointless for a media consumption device, and despite how ‘powerful’ the graphics are, it will never have the games line up if a console and the Switch destroys it as a portable games system Apple, no AC cord required...

In fact they seemed to rush though the new iPads and undersold the Pencil, that’s the whole reason for the tablet. Oh well.

 

[Rogifan]

Is it just me or do the bezels look bigger on the sides and just a bit more stretched out on the top and bottom? The 10.5 Pro has thin bezels on the sides also. Maybe because I haven’t held it or looked up close at it but the bezels still stick out quite a bit?!?!?! NOT as impressive as the IPhone X’s bezel shrinkage.

If you make the bezels any smaller it would have a notch and content would be covered up when you hold it in your hand.

 

[Fthree]

If you make the bezels any smaller it would have a notch and content would be covered up when you hold it in your hand.

Makes total sense however its just not quite as “bezeless” as i thought it would be. Very similar to the iPad 10.5 IMO.

 

[apolloa]

Why are they speaking so fast through the iPad Pro launch? What’s the rush? It’s awful and makes it seem like a difficult awkward event to watch.

Oh dear NBA. Wake me up when DOOM or Wolfenstein 2 come to your iPad Apple..

 

[JosephAW]

Is it just me or does the new iPad have the looks of my iPhone 5S with square shape? What no glass back?

 

[apolloa]

Ah there we go, leave it to Adobe to do a proper job of showing of the new tablets properly! And at a decent pace too, not a rushed million miles an hour!

 

[silentmajority]

Or most economic, or most powerful, or with the widest feature set, or with anything other than its Fashion statement carefully crafted by Apple advertising.

Apple has one leading feature these days and that is data security. If anyone else address this in their product, then its game over for Apple.

You’re not a fan of Apple, and that’s fine. It’s not always about being the most powerful or most features. Not to me at least. I like their products. They do what they say they do, and they’ve never given me a reason to go elsewhere.

 

[MrBiggs]

Logic Pro x?

What is the possibility of this application running on an iPad?

If we have AutoCAD and Photoshop, how come Apple hasn't pushed further to the more music-related creatives and pushed for the full version of Logic to be available on the iPad?

This paired with a MIDI keyboard, could be the mobile studio or studio in general many have looked into creating.

I do know there are a ton of mobile music producing apps, but specifically full DAWs have been absent. It could be a performance/power issue, but when I started seeing about AutoCAD and Photoshop I began to wonder if the power is actually already there.

 

[curtvaughan]

I love it when a reviewer says something “feels pro” as if it felt less pro before then.

The term "pro" has really lost meaning in Apple land, other than "uh-oh, price hike coming ...".
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Maybe by the year 2230 people will stop complaining about the useless headphone jack. Unreal.

By 2230 perhaps wireless sound technology will be advanced enough to replace wired sound technology. It appears to be 2018. It's only "useless" if YOU don't use it. Its inclusion has no bearing on your wireless lifestyle; it has a profound bearing on folks who still use and need the phone jack for their music and sound applications - this is especially true with tablets and laptops.

 

[CPL593H]

Ordered within minutes. I'm thrilled.

I won't take advantage of all Pro features, but I love it. The iPad Pro finally feels differentiated enough from the other iPads to justify "pro".

Bye bye iPad 4, which is heavier and wider than the new 11!

 

[cote32mt]

I gave up on the iPad about four(?) years ago because I couldn't establish a decent/simple workflow between it and my Mac desktop. As an illustrator's tool it had potential but wasn't quite ready for prime time. My sense at the time was that it was just another content consumption device, not a professional content creating tool. Right or wrong, I ignored the whole iPad / iPad Pro product line ever since because of that impression, and concentrated only on Mac's.

I scoffed at the first generation iPad Pro, mainly because (and this may be unfair) in the roll-out, Eddie Cue was quoted as being extremely impressed with the speakers. Really? The speakers! That suggested to me that Apple was still focused on content consumption and the "Pro" name was just Schiller Spin.

With the introduction of the New iPad Pro, I think I'm ready to re-consider.

They rolled this second generation out much better, with a proper emphasis on performance that appealed to me. I can now see how I can potentially integrate this mobile product (Pencil included) into my workflow and no longer be chained to my desktop full time.

Of course, I'll wait for in-depth reviews and look to get some hands-on time when it arrives at my local Apple Store, but my first impression is that this may be a decently "Pro" device, at least for me.

This was bit long as thread comments go. Thanks for reading!

You may find that using the Apple pencil to edit photos and graphics on the iPad is an experience not easily duplicated on other devices.

 

[cwosigns]

Did they say if the now "old" Apple Pencil works with the new iPad Pro? Hope so...

How would you pair it? There's no Lightning port to plug it into, which is how the old Pencil was paired to an iPad. I don't think it will work.

 

[sigmadog]

You may find that using the Apple pencil to edit photos and graphics on the iPad is an experience not easily duplicated on other devices.

How do you mean?

My intended usage (professionally) with the iPad Pro would be for sketches/paintings, detailed or loose, on-site for later refinement and finishing on a Mac Pro (5,1) using my Wacom Cintiq and Photoshop or Corel Painter. I don't expect to do much photo editing, though I may revise that once Adobe releases it's planned full Photoshop for iOS next year.

I'm not itching to toss $1500 or so into Apple's coffers for the new iPP + Pencil + Cover, so I'll be looking very closely at reviews, assessing other's opinions, and trying it out for myself as much as possible in store prior to any decision.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you mentioned earlier your desire for a full MacOS iPad, which I largely agree with, though the possibility of it happening seems very remote. So aside from that, please tell me what your experiences and/or cautions would be regarding this new device.

 

[matteuk]

It's like holding a window to the computer world. I'm really excited for the future.

 

[happy-raccoon]

Yes the new version should be better than the previous at the same price, isn't that the point? Anyone can make a better version at a higher price. The the initial iPad launch, probably the most difficult of the iPads to get done right, was $300 cheaper in a time where the value of the dollar was way down.

So you are comparing the first iPad with the iPad Pro Series? I think that’s wrong, the new version of the iPad is not the iPad Pro, it’s the iPad 2018 which starts at 329$ and supports the Apple Pencil, so it’s actually cheaper than the first iPad. I personally think that the iPad (especially the 2018 iPad) is a very affordable and reasonably priced product (can’t say that about iPhones though).

 

[nt5672]

You’re not a fan of Apple, and that’s fine. It’s not always about being the most powerful or most features. Not to me at least. I like their products. They do what they say they do, and they’ve never given me a reason to go elsewhere.

Not any more, used to be. At one time did not have a single non-Apple device in house, same with close relatives. Now, slowly moving away. Apple only wants to accommodate a single type customer and anyone with diverse needs need not apply.

 

[Altis]

Photoshop without a file system won’t be fun.

The entire workflow on iPads quickly becomes too cumbersome and awkward for me to want to bother.

They're nice looking devices, but iOS and the ergonomics make it nowhere near a desktop or laptop (which can be docked to a desktop). I can see how they're great for some people's use, though.

 

[Nuno Lopes]

So you are comparing the first iPad with the iPad Pro Series? I think that’s wrong, the new version of the iPad is not the iPad Pro, it’s the iPad 2018 which starts at 329$ and supports the Apple Pencil, so it’s actually cheaper than the first iPad. I personally think that the iPad (especially the 2018 iPad) is a very affordable and reasonably priced product (can’t say that about iPhones though).

I'm comparing the iPad Pro 10.5" with the original iPad in terms of price and innovation, together. flagship with flagship with aprox the same size. I know that this would be unjust to the original iPad. Both in terms of innovation, technical achievements, market context such as competition (The original iPad simply had none), oiled manufacturing processes, Apple ability to negotiate, budgeting so on and so forth. Yes. I am.

If SJ was nitpicking the innovation that the original iPad bring while comparing with the competition, which was basically none, he would for certain easily find reason to charge $1000 or more back than (There where UMPC at that price you know, really trash). I'm am glad he did not. I'm sad that Apple today do not see that has a virtue, but as someone that was leaving money at the table.

I think this vision is really short sighted!!!! Really short sighted. Because I don't see how this will work well in the long run, when the good will is broken.

 

[Ex2bot]

Give it about 5 years. Apple bubble will burst! The competition has been aggressively catching up to them with similar or even better solutions at better prices. Apple will alienate a huge chunk of people with their pricing. It's no longer reasonable at all. The executives have gotten very comfortable with their multi-million bonuses.

This is an important point. I’ve been saying for *decades* that Apple’s bubble will soon burst. They’re just now starting to get competition. Before, the only reason they sold so much was because the competition wasn’t competing. Mark my words. Now that they actually have some competition, Apple’s going down, boss. Down. Any time now.
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Or most economic, or most powerful, or with the widest feature set, or with anything other than its Fashion statement carefully crafted by Apple advertising.

Apple has one leading feature these days and that is data security. If anyone else address this in their product, then its game over for Apple.

This guy knows where it’s at. Apples doomed. Or something.