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kngelv

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 13, 2004
109
39
Detroit
So I ordered a 512GB 13" iPad Pro after a few minutes of browsing. I failed to notice that if you go with the 1TB you get a slightly better chip and double the RAM. I mostly use my current Pro for browsing, media consumption and occasional films when traveling. Is it worth the extra $400.00 for my use case? Any reason to just go ahead and get the one with more ram?

James
 
No.

Your current iPad has 6 GB of RAM and if it is fine for your use case, then 8 GB will be even better. Same for the chip.

The only reason could be AI features that could potentially be announced at WWDC and could run better with 16 GB, but we don't know anything about that yet.
 
So I ordered a 512GB 13" iPad Pro after a few minutes of browsing. I failed to notice that if you go with the 1TB you get a slightly better chip and double the RAM. I mostly use my current Pro for browsing, media consumption and occasional films when traveling. Is it worth the extra $400.00 for my use case? Any reason to just go ahead and get the one with more ram?

James
Do you make money using intensive applications? If you do it’s worth it. If not it’s your money…
 
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So I ordered a 512GB 13" iPad Pro after a few minutes of browsing. I failed to notice that if you go with the 1TB you get a slightly better chip and double the RAM. I mostly use my current Pro for browsing, media consumption and occasional films when traveling. Is it worth the extra $400.00 for my use case? Any reason to just go ahead and get the one with more ram?

You’re upgrading from the 2020 iPP to the 2024 iPP.

Chances are you’d probably be upgrading again before the better binned chip and extra RAM actually make a noticeable difference.
 
With the caveat that we don't know what is coming at WWDC, I don't think you'll notice much difference. Contrary to what some say you really can leverage the power of these M-series processors on iPad but I doubt you'll be pushing the system with those tasks.

Side note: It will be interesting to see what the real-world battery life is like, given that early reports suggest the batteries are actually pretty similar and Apple claims the M4 is so much more efficient. If you are mainly just consuming content in SDR in reasonably lit rooms, I predict improved battery life over the M2.
 
Even if announce AI upgrades for mobile devices would think optimized for 8 unless planning on updated next iPhone.
 
If you plan to keep this iPad for 3+ years, maybe the 8 Gigs might eventually become a bottleneck, especially with the influx of AI

For the next couple of years, as a consumption device, 8 gigs should be great

Even after 3-4 years, it’s more like a “it depends”, you might be great or there might be that occasional hiccup here or there
 
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If you plan to keep this iPad for 3+ years, maybe the 8 Gigs might eventually become a bottleneck, especially with the influx of AI

For the next couple of years, as a consumption device, 8 gigs should be great

Even after 3-4 years, it’s more like a “it depends”, you might be great or there might be that occasional hiccup here or there
I could be wrong but I think AI features are mostly related to CPU architecture anyway and less ram dependant.
 
For your use case, the Air would be fine. I would just stick with your order. Will always be better specs.
 
ProMotion and Quad speakers are good to have for everyone
Not just working professionals
 
The additional RAM is mainly beneficial if you edit videos or procreate files with tens of layers or 60-180min of footage.
Anybody who needs more than 8 GB today on iOS, already knows it and also knows why they need it

The number of people needing it 3-5 years from now would be way more, most of them aren’t aware of that today

In fact, any heavy user who plans to keep it for over 3-5 years might benefit, but given the additional expense, it may or may not be worth it
 
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Anybody who needs more than 8 GB today on iOS, already knows it and also knows why they need it

The number of people needing it 3-5 years from now would be way more, most of them aren’t aware of that today

In fact, any heavy user who plans to keep it for over 3-5 years might benefit, but given the additional expense, it may or may not be worth it
False economy. To price jump from 512GB to 1TB is £400. That's 40% of a new ipad pro.

If you think you will need 16GB Ram in 3-5 years, you are better off buying 512GB and putting £400 in a savings account towards a trade in or upgrade in 3-5 years. By then base storage and ram will have increased and you will reap improved hardware all around.
 
False economy. To price jump from 512GB to 1TB is £400. That's 40% of a new ipad pro.

If you think you will need 16GB Ram in 3-5 years, you are better off buying 512GB and putting £400 in a savings account towards a trade in or upgrade in 3-5 years. By then base storage and ram will have increased and you will reap improved hardware all around.
Exactly what I said

if somebody needs it after 3-5 years, might as well upgrade again by then by selling current iPad
 
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I pick it up on Wednesday at the Apple store. If they have the 1TB in stock then I might upgrade anyway. Fortunately the cost is not an issue. I usually think it's better to have and not need then need and not have. I know I'll probably always want more RAM even if I don't use it.

James
 
I got the 512GB and 8GB of ram as that should be fine but with al taking over my next one would be 16GB of ram just incase.
 
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Thanks for coming back to let us know. I think it’s the smart choice at the moment if unsure. $400 is difficult to justify if you don’t need the storage and represents a significant % increase. Money that can be put towards an earlier upgrade next time or nice accessories
 
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False economy. To price jump from 512GB to 1TB is £400. That's 40% of a new ipad pro.

If you think you will need 16GB Ram in 3-5 years, you are better off buying 512GB and putting £400 in a savings account towards a trade in or upgrade in 3-5 years. By then base storage and ram will have increased and you will reap improved hardware all around.

Words of wisdom.
 
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