32gb iPad Pro enough storage for my use?

[Tron72]

I plan on purchasing an 32gb iPad Pro 12.9 w/Apple Pencil soon but wanted to get opinions from those who use their iPad Pro primarily for creative apps if that will be enough? I know the consensus is to get more than you think you'll need but my use is pretty specific and I use cloud storage. I currently have an 16gb iPad Mini 2 that still enjoy using for safari, apple music, news, creative apps (procreate, paper by 53, garage band, music memos) and a few games. While I do have to purge often with 16gb, it's usually a game or two that I don't play. I see myself continuing to use the Mini for these things and my iPad Pro as my creative tool, primarily Procreate. I feel like 32gb will be enough based on my cloud use for music and photos and I don't ever plan to store a movie on it. My games are fairly minimal too — Touchgrind 2, MC 5, Clash Royale and Minecraft PE are the staple games on my Mini. The only game I could see putting on my Pro would be Minecraft PE, the rest would stay on the mini since that size works well for me with those games.
As I mentioned this will be mostly a creative tool that will remain in my home with readily available wifi so I don't mind saving to the cloud. I have an iPhone that I could use as a hot spot on the off chance I take it out. I should also mention that I own a 2015 13" Macbook Pro 256GB as well and the iPad Pro is not intended to be a replacement in any way. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Ludatyk]

As I mentioned this will be mostly a creative tool that will remain in my home with readily available wifi so I don't mind saving to the cloud.

I believe you already decided on it. There's no need argue you against 32GB compared to 128GB or even 256GB.

Go ahead and purchase it. Let us in on your experience with it.

 

[Tron72]

I believe you already decided on it. There's no need argue you against 32GB compared to 128GB or even 256GB.

Go ahead and purchase it. Let us in on your experience with it.

True. Just wanted to make sure I'm not overlooking something from those with similar usage. I hear so much about how 32 is not enough which has me second guessing as I get closer to buying. But after writing my post, on paper it does seem like it's enough.

 

[sracer]

True. Just wanted to make sure I'm not overlooking something from those with similar usage. I hear so much about how 32 is not enough which has me second guessing as I get closer to buying. But after writing my post, on paper it does seem like it's enough.

@Ludatyk offered solid advice.

Another thing to consider. How long do you plan on keeping this device? If the answer is 1-2+ years, then 32GB will be fine given your historical usage. If you plan on keeping it 3-5 years, then you might consider that over the next 3-5 years new apps will be produced or additional features added to iOS that will increase the storage required. Also, the more heavily that one relies on the cloud (any cloud) the more useful local storage becomes as a "cache" for when anticipating network unavailability.

 

[Tron72]

@Ludatyk offered solid advice.

Another thing to consider. How long do you plan on keeping this device? If the answer is 1-2+ years, then 32GB will be fine given your historical usage. If you plan on keeping it 3-5 years, then you might consider that over the next 3-5 years new apps will be produced or additional features added to iOS that will increase the storage required. Also, the more heavily that one relies on the cloud (any cloud) the more useful local storage becomes as a "cache" for when anticipating network unavailability.

I do plan to keep it for at least 3 years. My son inherited my 32gb iPad 3 when I got the Mini and it's faired pretty well considering all the large games and countless Minecraft world files he has saved on it. Occasionally I do need to purge the iPad 3 for him as well by deleting unplayed games. The only real limitation with the iPad 3 is I've kept it on iOS 7 so there's a few games that he's wanted that require a higher iOS that he can't put on it. But for those games we download them on his mom's iPad Mini 2 which has the latest iOS.

 

[Ludatyk]

I do plan to keep it for at least 3 years. My son inherited my 32gb iPad 3 when I got the Mini and it's faired pretty well considering all the large games and countless Minecraft world files he has saved on it. Occasionally I do need to purge the iPad 3 for him as well by deleting unplayed games. The only real limitation with the iPad 3 is I've kept it on iOS 7 so there's a few games that he's wanted that require a higher iOS that he can't put on it. But for those games we download them on his mom's iPad Mini 2 which has the latest iOS.

I think 32GB will be fine.

You seem as you rely heavily on cloud storage, I was the same when I had 16gb iDevices. But there is comfort in knowing you have large amount of storage at your disposal. There's no need to monitor it at all.

I understand the hesitation given you plan on investing in it for years, but as long as you know going in what your storage limitation and plan accordingly then you should be fine.

 

[karladdr]

Not enough, I'm just a medicine student and I have only 50 apps on my ipad, no games, music or 4k video yet I have already used 25 gb out of the 128 gb just in books, notes and lectures. If you are gonna use it as a hobby it might be enough but if you work professionally with either graphics, photography or music 32 gb is not enough

 

[Ludatyk]

Not enough, I'm just a medicine student and I have only 50 apps on my ipad, no games, music or 4k video yet I have already used 25 gb out of the 128 gb just in books, notes and lectures. If you are gonna use it as a hobby it might be enough but if you work professionally with either graphics, photography or music 32 gb is not enough

But in the OP situation... Relying heavily on Cloud Storage and using primarily at home can get away with the 32GB.

If storage does become a issue it can then be easily transferred to their MacBook Pro. That could then be a storage bin for the iPP. Since OPs previous iPad was the 16GB iPad Mini 2 and managed just fine with it there shouldn't be an issue in this situation, but if they had 64GB storage iPad and decided to go with the 32GB... Then perhaps they should heed caution

 

[spesifikbrush]

I'm considering to get one too for creativity purposes. I just listed what apps and games I'll download and calculated their sizes, it got around 15gb, 4gb of it being only music which I can delete the ones I got bored. I think 32 will be enough for me. You're using 16gb Mini, 32 will be more than enough I believe.

 

[Claudia P]

I have a 64gb Air 2 that I have had for over a year, I did use it for my art apps until I got my iPad Pro 32 gb in December. I use DropBox heavily and made the decision on the 32gb because after a year on the Air 2 I still had only used 13.4gb of storage on it. I have all of my art apps, many, on it and quite a few saved drawings and paintings in addition to games I play.So far on my iPad Pro I have only 7.5gb used.

I regularly use Procreate, and Paintstorm Studio, but have many more art apps installed, but like you I got the IPP primarily for artwork. This is working quite nicely for me and I think should for you as well. Keeping my files on DropBox also keeps them handy on all of my devices.

 

[richpjr]

Only you can decide. I have a 64GB Air and have about 8GB free, so 32 wouldn't be nearly enough. But everyone has different uses.

 

[scotttnz]

I have a 64GB iPad Air 2, and only 16.6GB used. (And a whole lot of apps I could remove because I never use them) so assuming my usage didn't change dramatically 32GB ought to be plenty, but I would really prefer to have cellular capability, which means I have to pay for 128GB if I want the bigger screen. Which I do, I just can't justify the cost of a 128GB cellular 12.9" Pro......yet.