9.7-inch iPad Pro and iPhone SE Both Have 2GB RAM

[Max(IT)]

As an iPad Air owner, apple's RAM usage is VERY important to me.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...

I prefer tech on the cheap, which is very difficult to do with Apple. I will continue reading sites/forums on my Air, and constructing comprehensive responses on my computer.

I was all set to replace the Air, with this 9.7 "pro", but certainly not now. I was expecting 3Gigs or RAM, to be honest. I knew apple could not possibly match the RAM in the big boy. But 2Gigs? At a higher price that they were selling the Air2 for? Remove the camera all together, and give me a better user experience.

Just sad. But at least there is one given, other than Apple intentionally gimping their product lines, to push folks to the higher priced products - and that is YOU applauding every move they make.

SMH

You still have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING backing up your whining about 2 Gb equal a worse user experience.

It's just about tech specs.
You should consider the opportunity to switch to android: there you'll find higher numbers every year ... without any improvement on user experience.

 

[MrGuder]

Wow this is great news 2GB is awesome wasn't expecting that no wonder it performs as the 6s and that its battery lasts longer than 6s.

I'm telling you mark my words at next years keynote you will hear that apples 4" iPhone has sold 50 mil in 2016 surpassing last yrs 30 mil

 

[Megakazbek]

It's not very cool for "professional" tablet that is supposed to replace PC's to have the same amount of RAM as the cheapest entry level iPhone.

 

[Toltepeceno]

Wow this is great news 2GB is awesome wasn't expecting that no wonder it performs as the 6s and that its battery lasts longer than 6s.

I'm telling you mark my words at next years keynote you will hear that apples 4" iPhone has sold 50 mil in 2016 surpassing last yrs 30 mil

I'm saving this post because I don't believe it will happen. Sales shot up when they moved away from the 4".

 

[mlo0its]

Seriously, everyone complaining about the less RAM on the 9.7 iPad Pro is acting like dramatic entitled babies. If RAM is more of a priority for you, then go for the 12.9 inch IPP. If not or you find it's too heavy, then go for the 9.7 IPP. You can't have everything perfect in the world. Accept things the way they are, and make your own decision about which product fulfills your needs. And if neither of them don't, look for a different product, whatever that might be i.e. surface, other tablets, laptops etc.

And for those who take EVERYTHING so literally, the A9X chip is still the same chip on the 9.7 IPP as the 12.9 IPP, just with different clock speeds. Intel does the same thing with it's processor line. the i7 processor has many different configurations, yet still falls under the i7 family. And hypothetically if you overclock (or under clock) a 6700k, it still is a 6700k processor with different clock speeds.

In addition RAM and processor are two separate entities so to lump it all together believing that both the 9.7 IPP and 12.9 IPP have the same RAM is ignorant.

Pro is just a name. Those who focus only on specs, why are you even hurt about the pro label if all you care about are its specs. are you going to be disappointed when you don't find an actual apple (the fruit) with your purchase?

 

[Tubamajuba]

One year ago the iPhone flagship had 1 Gb of RAM ... Today the iPad Pro is doomed because it has 2 Gb of ram.
Only on MacRumors this hysteria can exist.

Some people just can't walk away from a product they don't like. "Oh, not enough RAM for me. I'll buy something else." Hah... not a chance. Every time Apple doesn't release a product with everything on their wish list, some people just go unhinged.

I'm not really a fan of the Apple Watch, Apple TV, or the iPad Pro. Instead of passionately listing everything I don't like about those products and claiming the downfall of Apple because of said dislikes, I just... you know... don't buy them and simply enjoy the Apple products that meet my needs. The products I don't like are some people's favorite things. It's not all about me and my needs.

Tons of people are going to buy the smaller iPad Pro, never worry a single second about how much RAM it does or doesn't have, and really enjoy it. That's the bottom line. We all know the entire iOS product line is heading towards 4 GB eventually, wait until that happens if you're not okay with 2 GB. And if you don't want to wait that long, chances are you'd be better served by another company's products anyways.

 

[Works4Me]

you're missing the spirit of my frustration. they bumped the 9.7 into a more expensive product category (by a very non-trivial $250 for me in canada) and skimped on things that one would expect from that price increase (ram and processor deficits are whats going to determine how quickly the iPad becomes slow and unpleasant to use). ignoring the fact that apple has upgraded the iPads cameras and speakers in the past without needing to raise the price, none of those things would even drive an iPad purchase for me, so they're basically asking me to pay extra for a bunch of stuff i don't want.

as i said, maybe i'm in the minority, but for me the value proposition of this update is TERRIBLE. and i was so hopeful.

I'm with you. I would've have considered an upgrade, but when a 128Gb Air 2 used to cost $748 (the educational price the day before the "Pro" announcement) and the "Pro" with 128Gb costs $979, well, I just can't see it being in my budget. Add to that the fact that new buyers or upgraders are forced to buy a Pro if they want 128Gb, then Apple is nuts. How this is supposed to help flagging iPad sales is beyond me!

 

[oldmacs]

Good for the iPhone SE, fairly crap for the Pro 9.7. Apple shouldn't have skimped on RAM in a product its charging crazy amounts for. Count me out. Looks like another year with the iPad 2.

 

[Ludatyk]

As an iPad Air owner, apple's RAM usage is VERY important to me.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...

I prefer tech on the cheap, which is very difficult to do with Apple. I will continue reading sites/forums on my Air, and constructing comprehensive responses on my computer.

I was all set to replace the Air, with this 9.7 "pro", but certainly not now. I was expecting 3Gigs or RAM, to be honest. I knew apple could not possibly match the RAM in the big boy. But 2Gigs? At a higher price that they were selling the Air2 for? Remove the camera all together, and give me a better user experience.

Just sad. But at least there is one given, other than Apple intentionally gimping their product lines, to push folks to the higher priced products - and that is YOU applauding every move they make.

SMH

It's not about applauding their move.

But some customers welcome the camera upgrade compared to a upgraded RAM... but explain to me how having 2 GB of Ram is a bad user experience?

You are still on the Air.. mind you with 1gb of RAM. Upgrading even to the Air 2 is a better user experience for YOU... getting the "Pro" provides you with accessories that you never had a chance to try out along with a better camera & screen. I don't see the issue with 2gb of RAM... give it a try before knocking it.

 

[Derpage]

Err, isn't web browsing a pretty "consumptiony" thing? Stop consuming 20 tabs at once and create something with your A9X The difference here is the lack of swap file anyway. I wonder if with the flash interface improvements on A9 devices, Apple couldn't try out just a smidgen of a virtual memory swap file, or just implement it for Safari for the tab-complainers (would slow things down when it was needed, though).

"Their specs"? This is one spec. Another is the A9X one of the best overall ARM SoC's on the market. The overall product is the final answer.
You're basically saying "Waaah I don't like Apple products so why doesn't everyone else not like them too?"

Yeah, I don't like them because they offer less or equivalent specs at a premium and are now playing catch-up. Sorry if I can't bend over and take it like everybody else seems to be able to do.

 

[Count Blah]

You still have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING backing up your whining about 2 Gb equal a worse user experience.

It's just about tech specs.
You should consider the opportunity to switch to android: there you'll find higher numbers every year ... without any improvement on user experience.

Should I pull up all the times you said 1 gig of RAM was perfect, and not a problem? You were wrong then, and even more so now, as more iOS versions have come out.

You will be proven wrong, yet again. Sadly, I will not be the one to show you, as I will hold on to what I have, and vote my displeasure, with my wallet.

I was all ready to pull the trigger, remember that Max(Tim). But Apple pulled the ole Rope-a-dope again with the RAM.

 

[GaryPSU]

That's good for the iPhone, makes the iPad Pro 9.7 a little less attractive though....

The iPad Pro 9.7 is a lot less attractive to me now. My Air 2 needs memory clearing - not as often as my Air 1 did, but still disappointing.

 

[Toltepeceno]

But some customers welcome the camera upgrade compared to a upgraded RAM... but explain to me how having 2 GB of Ram is a bad user experience?

How would buying a mercedes at mercedes prices with ford fiesta specs be a bad experience? It runs well and gets you where you want to go.

The point is they are calling it a pro and marketing it as a pro but giving it ram it the cheapest iphone, not the pro plus underclocking the processor and charging more. THATS the point

 

[smulji]

More incentive to hold on to my IPA2

There's no incentive to hold on to that relic.

 

[oldmacs]

But some customers welcome the camera upgrade compared to a upgraded RAM... but explain to me how having 2 GB of Ram is a bad user experience?

Its about long term experience. I've learnt that the best iPads to purchase are the ones that have both a RAM and Processing power improvement - This is why the iPad 2 has done so well, and the iPad Air 2 was probably the next one.

Its fairly rubbish of Apple to bump the price right up, label it as a pro and then skimp on it.

 

[Smeaton1724]

The iPad Pro 12.9 launched and everyone was (and still is) complaining about lack of apps making use of the hardware. All of a sudden Apple release a smaller 'pro' and keep the 2GB RAM and it's now 'not enough'. To compound this the majority of posters appear to be commenting from people with iPad 3's, 4's and Air 1's, who have 1GB RAM.

I've got both an Air 2 LTE and an iPad Pro 12.9 wifi and neither one is taxed by any app for iOS or even iOS itself. Both devices are solid, they are however very different in terms of usability. My use case is drawing,marking up documents and as a second screen so the higher resolution and 12.9 is great to have. If you *need* the pencil but want a normal sized iPad then its 9.7, if you want a large canvas then go 12.9, if you want processor only in the Pro then your insane as the Air 2 does a sterling job with any normal app other than drawing.

The one area Apple perplexes is storage, 16GB base, removing size options on the Air 2 and sporadically introducing a 256GB on select models. No 128GB on the SE either.

 

[oldmacs]

There's no incentive to hold on to that relic.

Oh yes there is. No point buying something that probably won't have the same longevity.

 

[KPOM]

This is a shameful moneygrab by Apple.The device is nothing more than a Air 3.TC just gave it a "Pro" label and jacked up the price.2 GB of ram and an underclocked A9X prove this is NO pro device in the slightest.Even Surface 3 provides 4 gigs of RAM for sub 500 bucks

It is only slightly under clocked, and I'm guessing battery life and heat dissipation are the reason for both. iOS performs decently with 2GB, and there is a $200 differential from the larger pro.

 

[5684697]

Well, has anyone who has been hands on with the device said that it lags or bogs or can't keep multiple windows open in Safari or split screen? In other words, does it work well as-is?

The reason to get this thing is to use the pencil. If not, then wait, get an air, a Mini 4 or Macbook Air and go to town.

 

[Max(IT)]

Don't forget the price hike on the Pro, you can get an Air 2 for $200 less now. And 1GB of RAM was pitiful on the iPhone 6. iPad sales are steadily decreasing and this new Pro isn't going to change that IMO. The average Apple consumer will buy the Air 2 instead.

I'm not supporting Apple price policy by any means.
People can buy the Air 2 for less, and that's good: it still is a wonderful tablet.
I'm still using tw devices with 1 Gb RAM as of today (iPhone 5S and iPad Air) and they are great, so nothing "pitiful " here...

iPad sales decreasing isn't related to tech specs. The tablet marketing is saturated and the iPad Pro won't change that.

I can't even purposely run out of RAM on my 6S Plus and Air 2. I'm not sure why everyone thinks they need 4GB.

Correct.
They "need" 4 Gb just because iPad Pro 12" has 4 Gb and 4 > 2 ....

I really hope not!!

As of today, after 18 months, there isn't a single app requiring 2 Gb to works...
But suddenly on MR if you don't have 4 Gb your product is doomed.
I lol at that, since in my organization we are running professional apps on 512 Mb devices (iPad mini).

 

[jamesrick80]

There's a very good reason why the 12.9 iPP gets double the RAM. The amount of pixels it has to drive is virtually double, yes double, that of the 9.7 iPP. Comparatively, the jump from the 6S+, which performs perfectly with 2GB of RAM, to the 9.7 iPP represents a 1.5x increase.

I don't think the 9.7 iPP will suffer at all from a RAM perspective.

Actually your logic is not true. If there was a profound ppi increase, the iPad pro would use maybe a bit more ram but not quite much at all. Both ipad pro's have remained with apple's standard 264 ppi. The iPad pro 12.9 uses its 12 core gpu to display the over 5000000 pixels and it's enhanced resolution, it barely bothers the ram at all. The iPad pro 9.7 uses a 10 core gpu for its resolution. Apple perfectly compensated for the iPad pro 12.9 resolution by having more active gpu cores and keeping the ppi at 264 ppi which should not bother the ram much. Only applications and software affect the ram profoundly. Double pixels does not mean double ram usage......

 

[AxoNeuron]

You still have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING backing up your whining about 2 Gb equal a worse user experience.

It's just about tech specs.
You should consider the opportunity to switch to android: there you'll find higher numbers every year ... without any improvement on user experience.

It doesn't sound like you use Android much. Because in the last few years Android is actually pretty awesome.

Speaking as someone who has been primarily using Apple devices for years, even owned the first gen iPhone back in 2007...Apple has been hijacked by a bunch of greedy unimaginative MBA types whose sole concern is getting people to pay more and expect less.

To those who think 2GB is fine on an iPad....give me a break. In a year or two if will be sluggish and slow just like the 6 Plus is today. Absolutely disgusting move by Apple. They aren't even competitive with cheap Android tablets from a year ago. Wow.

And speaking as an iOS software engineer....YES RAM DOES MATTER! Having a wimpy 2GB of RAM DOES limit our options on such a high resolution device.

 

[Ludatyk]

How would buying a mercedes at mercedes prices with ford fiesta specs be a bad experience? It runs well and gets you where you want to go.

The point is they are calling it a pro and making it like an air 3 but charging more money for giving a name like pro.

I believe your reading too far into the name.

The "pro" aspect of it.. is that accessories that can be included with it. Mind you, some people don't care for the Smart Keyboard or the Pencil. I think Apple's hope with the name change.. is to push users away from the thought process of it just being a "iPad"... that it's capable of much more.

Sticking with the Air 3... it will just carry on the same ol' tradition. Their hope is to attract more buyers given the lack of upgrades over the recent years.

 

[KPOM]

How would buying a mercedes at mercedes prices with ford fiesta specs be a bad experience? It runs well and gets you where you want to go.

The point is they are calling it a pro and marketing it as a pro but giving it ram it the cheapest iphone, not the pro plus underclocking the processor and charging more. THATS the point

They are not "throttling the processor" just to gimp it. It is 80MHz slower and the GeekBench scores are only slightly lower than the larger iPad Pro.

Multitaskers might have a beef with the RAM being lower than the 12.9" but I'm guessing the majority of buyers won't notice.

 

[Toltepeceno]

I believe your reading too far into the name.

The "pro" aspect of it.. is that accessories that can be included with it. Mind you, some people don't care for the Smart Keyboard or the Pencil. I think Apple's hope with the name change.. is to push users away from the thought process of it just being a "iPad"... that it's capable of much more.

Sticking with the Air 3... it will just carry on the same ol' tradition. Their hope is to attract more buyers given the lack of upgrades over the recent years.

The name is the reason they tacked on more money, so I do not believe it is reading too much into it.