Apple Unveils New iPad Air With M1 Chip, Optional 5G, and Faster USB-C, Starting at $599

[rui no onna]

Have you actually tried using app offloading? Great idea in theory, but in practice it's a royal headache. I turned it on for my ageing iPhone (with 64 GB of storage). I wish I had a dollar for every time I'm out and about and just need to quickly go into an app to find it's gone and needs to be downloaded again. Oh, and if your app is no longer on the App Store, it won't even let you download the copy that used to be on your phone and worked just fine.

For me, it's the app data that takes up tons of space, not the apps themselves so I have app offloading disabled. Besides, I have 256GB - 1TB on my iDevices anyway so I don't need to skimp on space for apps.

Granted, I do have this disabled on all our devices as I expect it will be quite annoying having to re-download an app when you only have slow cellular data.

 

[Bubble99]

Disagree. I've had issues with 4GB RAM ever since I updated to iPadOS 13. On iPadOS 15, my mini 6 pretty much reloads every single time I switch tabs.

At least MacOS has swap so the OS doesn't randomly kill apps when it starts running out of physical RAM.

Than by Windows computer.

iPadOS sandboxes every processes and kills it when you switch to other process. Other OS do not do this.

You could put 12 GB of RAM or 16 GB of RAM and it still would be killing it.

iPadOS was never designed to run more than one app in the background. The RAM management is worse than Windows 3.1 yes an ancient OS, as iPadOS was NOT designed to run more than one app at time.

Apple is adding features to iPadOS it was not designed for at all trying to get it to do things it was not design for at all. To Apple does a major overhaul of the kernel on dealing with RAM management you are not going to be able to multitask proper on the iPad.

The average consumers does mot need a M1. The iPad they have is more than powerful enough. The M1 chip is for content creators and professionals not the average consumer.


Most consumers spend time doing more simple task on the computer like drawing, basic photo and video editing, note taking, ebooks, internet, typing , pictures, videos, and music so on. More storage would be more beneficial than adding more CPU and GPU power that no one is going to use. Even the $300 basic iPad is more than powerful enough for most consumer. There is no AAA game or software out there demanding that much power.

Apple should be working on OS update for better RAM management of improve on RAM background task management and add more storage.

Now we have to give it other year or two to Apple kills 64GB base storage.

 

[Bubble99]

For me, it's the app data that takes up tons of space, not the apps themselves so I have app offloading disabled. Besides, I have 256GB - 1TB on my iDevices anyway so I don't need to skimp on space for apps.

Granted, I do have this disabled on all our devices as I expect it will be quite annoying having to re-download an app when you only have slow cellular data.

Part of the problem is OS use AI to scan and thing what you working on and kill the other task. A trick I found and some times work.

I had web browser up showing article I was reading and had note taking app up and some other apps up. I would switch back now and than to the web browser app now and than yes three times or more than switch back to other task I'm working on.

And OS would not reload the web browser app as much if I switch back to the app now and than. The OS AI seems thing because I switch back many times to that app to put the app as higher priority. If you do not do that it would be lower priority and relaod.

And none of these apps do not need that much RAM. Where 2 GB of RAM is enough RAM for the iPad. It is not RAM problem but the way the OS handles RAM.

It not bloated OS like windows 10 that uses 3 GB of RAM on startup.

 

[rui no onna]

Than by Windows computer.

I already have a few of those both desktops and laptops. The PCs at home don’t really get used much, though.

iPadOS sandboxes every processes and kills it when you switch to other process. Other OS do not do this.

You could put 12 GB of RAM or 16 GB of RAM and it still would be killing it.

It kills apps far less often on 16GB. With 4GB, I would sometimes have apps crashing/reloading while in side by side mode.

iPadOS was never designed to run more than one app in the background. The RAM management is worse than Windows 3.1 yes an ancient OS, as iPadOS was NOT designed to run more than one app at time.

Apple is adding features to iPadOS it was not designed for at all trying to get it to do things it was not design for at all. To Apple does a major overhaul of the kernel on dealing with RAM management you are not going to be able to multitask proper on the iPad.

True but until Apple overhauls RAM management, I’ve found having more RAM helps. When I first got my M1 12.9, I left Excel in the background and it was still available after a week. I don’t need apps to stay open that long but it sure beats getting reloaded mere seconds after switching.

Most consumers spend time doing more simple task on the computer like drawing, basic photo and video editing, note taking, ebooks, internet, typing , pictures, videos, and music so on. More storage would be more beneficial than adding more CPU and GPU power that no one is going to use. Even the $300 basic iPad is more than powerful enough for most consumer. There is no AAA game or software out there demanding that much power.

Apple should be working on OS update for better RAM management of improve on RAM background task management and add more storage.

Now we have give it other year or two to Apple kills 64GB base storage.

With a lot of folks having switched to streaming and cloud though, 64GB is fairly usable for many. M1+8GB might be overkill at the moment but I expect it will help keep the device usable 5-6 years from now.

We’re soon replacing a 2016 Pro 9.7 (A9X/2GB) and a 2018 iPad 6th gen (A10/2GB) that have gotten annoyingly laggy on iPadOS 15. Meanwhile, the iPad 7th gen (A10/3GB) reloads a lot but doesn’t stutter as much as the 6th gen.

Also, modern internet browsing (even with ad blockers) has gotten to be fairly taxing. We’ve got some ancient Core 2 Duos handling Excel, Word, etc. perfectly well but browsing websites can often be slow. Don’t really browse much on my Windows PCs anymore but when I do, Firefox and Chrome regularly use 6+GB each.

There are ways of making do with 64GB internal storage (cloud, external, more frequent data shuffling). However, you can’t replace the CPU or upgrade the RAM unless you buy a new device. Besides, if someone already knows they need more storage, they could always buy higher capacity options to begin with.

$479 iPad 9 256GB
$749 Air 4 256GB
$799+ iPad Pro 128GB - 2TB

Part of the problem is OS use AI to scan and thing what you working on and kill the other task. A trick I found and some times work.

I had web browser up showing article I was reading and had note taking app up and some other apps up. I would switch back now and than to the web browser app now and than yes three times or more than switch back to other task I'm working on.

And OS would not reload the web browser app as much if I switch back to the app now and than. The OS AI seems thing because I switch back many times to that app to put the app as higher priority. If you do not do that it would be lower priority and relaod.

And none of these apps do not need that much RAM. Where 2 GB of RAM is enough RAM for the iPad. It is not RAM problem but the way the OS handles RAM.

It not bloated OS like windows 10 that uses 3 GB of RAM on startup.

Doesn’t always help. One time, I was actively switching between Safari and Excel copying data (while in the car) on a 2017 iPad Pro (A10X/4GB). Both kept reloading even after force closing all other apps. Only fix was a hard reset.

 

[Bubble99]

Right, the cost of parts alone doesn't justify it. However, I don't entirely begrudge Apple's pricing structure when it comes to things like storage. I do think it makes more sense for them to price model variations according to the perceived cost–benefit trade-off, rather than the cost of parts. So we can expect some models will have a larger markup than others, but when it's all averaged out, Apple makes its target profits, they sell a fairly even number of each model (ideally), and the consumer is happy with what they bought.

My objection to a 64GB base model, is that it probably isn't sufficient for most people. The knowledgeable buyers feel pressured to go up to 256GB (when many would have been happy with 128GB), while the unknowledgeable buyers end up running out of space and feeling frustrated with their purchase. That kind of pricing strategy just feels kind of mean-spirited to me. It certainly doesn't benefit consumers, and that doesn't really benefit Apple (or its shareholders) in the long run.

Apple does not chase storage and RAM. Apple has always chase CPU and GPU with iPads.

It is only in past two or three years Apple has started to add more RAM.

 

[Bubble99]

I already have a few of those both desktops and laptops. The PCs at home don’t really get used much, though.




It kills apps far less often on 16GB. With 4GB, I would sometimes have apps crashing/reloading while in side by side mode.




True but until Apple overhauls RAM management, I’ve found having more RAM helps. When I first got my M1 12.9, I left Excel in the background and it was still available after a week. That beats getting reloaded mere seconds after switching.




With a lot of folks having switched to streaming and cloud though, 64GB is fairly usable for many. M1+8GB might be overkill at the moment but I expect it will help keep the device usable 5-6 years from now.

We’re soon replacing a 2016 Pro 9.7 (A9X/2GB) and a 2018 iPad 6th gen (A10/2GB) that have gotten annoyingly laggy on iPadOS 15. Meanwhile, the iPad 7th gen (A10/3GB) reloads a lot but doesn’t stutter as much as the 6th gen.

Also, modern internet browsing (even with ad blockers) has gotten to be fairly taxing. We’ve got some ancient Core 2 Duos handling Excel, Word, etc. perfectly well but browsing websites can often be slow. Don’t really browse much on my Windows PCs anymore but when I do, Firefox and Chrome regularly use 6+GB each.

There are ways of making do with 64GB internal storage (cloud, external, more frequent data shuffling). However, you can’t replace the CPU or upgrade the RAM unless you buy a new device. Besides, if someone already knows they need more storage, they could always buy higher capacity options to begin with.

$479 iPad 9 256GB
$749 Air 4 256GB
$799+ iPad Pro 128GB - 2TB




Doesn’t always help. One time, I was actively switching between Safari and Excel copying data (while in the car) on a 2017 iPad Pro (A10X/4GB). Both kept reloading even after force closing all other apps. Only fix was a hard reset.

It is a myth more RAM allows you to run more things. I remember in year 2010 most windows computer that had 4GB of RAM that was lot. Unless you where hardcore gamer you did not go with 8 RAM. You could go to computer store spend $1000 or $2000 on a computer and get 4 GB of RAM yes 4 GB of RAM. Well many computers under $800 did not come with 4 GB of RAM. The 2 GB of RAM to 4 GB of RAM was more standard back than.

Now todays world 8 GB of RAM is basic standard not 4GB of RAM.

Adding more RAM does not allow you to run more things, all it does is tell developers that make software they can now write more code that takes up more RAM.

Google earth takes up 4 GB of RAM now or Firefox with 20 tabs open can take up 2 to 3 GB of RAM alone. It tells developers they can use more RAM. It tells Microsoft they don’t have to make OS on startup that use 1 GB of RAM. It tells web site designers they can make website that more bloated.

Firefox today is not the Firefox 10 years ago and the Google earth today is not the Google earth 10 years ago.

Windows is beyond bloated it is not MacOS, Linux or iOS but yes even MacOS, Linux and iOS is always beyond the last Windows version with spects.

So when windows 12 come out in 7 years from now that means MacOS, Linux or iOS is going to be using 3 GB of RAM on startup. Linux ubuntu already use 1 GB of RAM on startup now. They are always the last windows version behind with spects.

The days of using less of 1 GB RAM on startup are long gone.

And by the time windows 12 come out in 7 or 8 years from now 8 GB of RAM will not be enough of standard you will need minimal yes minimal of 12 or 16 GB of RAM when buying windows computer.

I fear iPad could go down this same rabbit hole.


Well if everyone put their computer in the trash and get 10 year old computer with 2 GB of RAM than watch how fast software makers and OS makers change every thing.

 

[Bubble99]

As for the average consumer will not know the difference of A12 vs M1. All they going to do is look at the screen size, storage and number is the number bigger number must be better.

Only tech nerds are going to know the difference of A12 vs M1 not the average consumer. The average consumer would not know the difference between iPad air vs pro iPad other than pro being bigger screen and being better display screen looking at it in the store.

Most average consumer not going to know how to read spect sheet.

 

[Bubble99]

And wow just wow like the user above had iPad with 3GB of RAM using iPad version 13 than installed iPad version 15 and now the iPad reloads the app lot more now. Wow just wow multitasking got much worse.

May be the person should downgrade to version 13 or version 12.

 

[Bubble99]

On Amazon you can find 512GB flash drive for as low as $50 and thats retail price. Apple is asking for $150 for an extra 200GB.

I mean maybe the SSDs in ipads are higher quality but look at that price difference. In Apple prices , a 512GB would be an extra $300!

Are you talking about internal or external SSD for windows computer? What brand and what model.

SSD come in many sizes and speeds. Some of the newer SSD have way faster boot up than the iPad or MacOS at booting up.

Some of the SSD are really super fast.

 

[Bubble99]

Not really… the Pro still has:

• Thunderbolt
• ProMotion
• quad-speakers
• a significantly improved rear camera system with LiDAR
• an ever-so-slightly larger screen with 0.1” on the diagonal
• 100 nits brighter screen
• 2TB max storage vs. 256GB on the Air
• Option for 16GB RAM

There are a ton of distinguishing factors, and the Pro will likely get updated later this year to pull even further ahead with mini-LED and a faster processor.

Yep if I was getting 256 storage than say the 64 storage iPad Air I would get iPad 11 inch pro better spects and price similar to the iPad Air 256 storage but better spects.

And get a iPad 11 inch pro 128 GB storage or add bit money and go with 256 storage.

The iPad Air 256 storage is to close to the iPad pro 11 inch you may as well get the iPad pro.

 

[rui no onna]

I remember in year 2010 most windows computer that had 4GB of RAM that was lot. Unless you where hardcore gamer you did not go with 8 RAM. You could go to computer store spend $1000 or $2000 on a computer and get 4 GB of RAM yes 4 GB of RAM. Well many computers under $800 did not come with 4 GB of RAM. The 2 GB of RAM to 4 GB of RAM was more standard back than.

Now todays world 8 GB of RAM is basic standard not 4GB of RAM.

2010? 4GB was only plenty if you were still running XP or Linux. Vista was released in 2007 and PCs with less than 4GB RAM ran quite awfully on that. I don’t game but I already put 8GB RAM on my own builds by 2009 (Nehalem). That PC (with subsequent SSD upgrade) served us very well for 9 years. Dead mobo otherwise we probably would’ve used it until Windows 7 EOL.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy a Windows PC with less than 16GB at this point in time.

As for the average consumer will not know the difference of A12 vs M1. All they going to do is look at the screen size, storage and number is the number bigger number must be better.

Only tech nerds are going to know the difference of A12 vs M1 not the average consumer. The average consumer would not know the difference between iPad air vs pro iPad other than pro being bigger screen and being better display screen looking at it in the store.

Most average consumer not going to know how to read spect sheet.

I agree, most consumers will be buying based on budget and other features. There’s basically good, better, best iPad options. Mind, even if consumers aren’t aware of the chipset/RAM inside, I believe consumers will benefit from getting the same current “best” performance on the mid-level iPad.

They may not notice a difference now but A12+3GB is going to feel slower sooner than the M1+8GB. How much sooner? Depends on how quickly Apple bloats iOS. It’s been happening for a while. Adding all these features comes at a cost. At least now there’s more RAM to deal with the bloat that’s been added thus far.

It seems to me memory management usually suffers on odd number versions (iOS 7, 11, 13, 15).

And wow just wow like the user above had iPad with 3GB of RAM using iPad version 13 than installed iPad version 15 and now the iPad reloads the app lot more now. Wow just wow multitasking got much worse.

May be the person should downgrade to version 13 or version 12.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t allow downgrading. If they did, I’d roll back my Air 2 to iOS 10 and the A9/A10 2GB iPads to iOS 12.

 

[MacBH928]

Right, the cost of parts alone doesn't justify it. However, I don't entirely begrudge Apple's pricing structure when it comes to things like storage. I do think it makes more sense for them to price model variations according to the perceived cost–benefit trade-off, rather than the cost of parts. So we can expect some models will have a larger markup than others, but when it's all averaged out, Apple makes its target profits, they sell a fairly even number of each model (ideally), and the consumer is happy with what they bought.

My objection to a 64GB base model, is that it probably isn't sufficient for most people. The knowledgeable buyers feel pressured to go up to 256GB (when many would have been happy with 128GB), while the unknowledgeable buyers end up running out of space and feeling frustrated with their purchase. That kind of pricing strategy just feels kind of mean-spirited to me. It certainly doesn't benefit consumers, and that doesn't really benefit Apple (or its shareholders) in the long run.

Paired with iCloud and using features such as app offloading, 64GB isn't actually too bad. Certainly way better than the 16GB base from OG iPad all the way to iPad Air 2.

I'm guessing most customers use iPads for streaming and web anyway, not so much for downloads. Estimate System+Other taking up around 14GB, that still leaves around 50GB available for the user. On the Disney+ app, that's enough for 100+ hours of Standard quality video. Those who download/keep lots of stuff offline know who they are and will buy accordingly (I've got 256GB-1TB).

It should be noted that MacRumors users aren't the norm. In our household, I'm the only one who uses tons of local storage. Everyone else uses just 20-30GB on their iPad (including System+Other). I'd prefer to get them 128GB for my peace of mind but reality is I doubt they'll even get close to using half of that.

☝? this . They are probably hoping people would run out of storage space then rather upgrade to $3 iCloud plan than justisfy the $60-150 in extra cost for the bigger storage capacity.

As for people's use, I thought the average user does not use a lot of storage but seems like most people have a megaton of pictures for years stored in their phones and on the iPad apps can easily reach the 1-2GB mark. I mean think of all the HD games that can run on the M1 iPads. NBA 2k22 is like 4GB alone.

Are you talking about internal or external SSD for windows computer? What brand and what model.

SSD come in many sizes and speeds. Some of the newer SSD have way faster boot up than the iPad or MacOS at booting up.

Some of the SSD are really super fast.

idk, i just looked up 256GB usb thumbdrive

 

[MacBH928]

2010? 4GB was only plenty if you were still running XP or Linux. Vista was released in 2007 and PCs with less than 4GB RAM ran quite awfully on that. I don’t game but I already put 8GB RAM on my own builds by 2009 (Nehalem). That PC (with subsequent SSD upgrade) served us very well for 9 years. Dead mobo otherwise we probably would’ve used it until Windows 7 EOL.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy a Windows PC with less than 16GB at this point in time.




I agree, most consumers will be buying based on budget and other features. There’s basically good, better, best iPad options. Mind, even if consumers aren’t aware of the chipset/RAM inside, I believe consumers will benefit from getting the same current “best” performance on the mid-level iPad.

They may not notice a difference now but A12+3GB is going to feel slower sooner than the M1+8GB. How much sooner? Depends on how quickly Apple bloats iOS. It’s been happening for a while. Adding all these features comes at a cost. At least now there’s more RAM to deal with the bloat that’s been added thus far.

It seems to me memory management usually suffers on odd number versions (iOS 7, 11, 13, 15).




Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t allow downgrading. If they did, I’d roll back my Air 2 to iOS 10 and the A9/A10 2GB iPads to iOS 12.

@Bubble99 is correct IIRC , I bought a macbook around 2008 and it came with 2GB RAM and Apple always had premium prices.

As for increasing the RAM, I am not against it and I can tell the difference between 1GB and 4GB, but just wondering moving from 3GB to 4GB would I notice a difference?

 

[rui no onna]

@Bubble99 is correct IIRC , I bought a macbook around 2008 and it came with 2GB RAM and Apple always had premium prices.

Apple was always stingy with RAM, too, iirc. Yes, 2GB RAM was still fairly standard in 2008 (XP + Core 2 Duo days). Not so much by 2010 after Vista and Windows 7.

As for increasing the RAM, I am not against it and I can tell the difference between 1GB and 4GB, but just wondering moving from 3GB to 4GB would I notice a difference?

In my experience, I don't notice it much on iOS 13 & 14. It's noticeable on iOS 15 but it's not exactly a huge improvement. For me personally, 6GB minimum is what I'd want on iOS 15.

The 2020 iPad Pro 11 128GB (A12Z/6GB) pops in and out of Apple's certified refurb store for $609 if the base 64GB on Air is too little but you don't want to pay $750+ for the M1 Pro 11. Granted, it probably won't be supported as long as the M1 iPads from this point forward and will likely show some noticeable slowdown sooner.

 

[Bubble99]

☝? this . They are probably hoping people would run out of storage space then rather upgrade to $3 iCloud plan than justisfy the $60-150 in extra cost for the bigger storage capacity.

As for people's use, I thought the average user does not use a lot of storage but seems like most people have a megaton of pictures for years stored in their phones and on the iPad apps can easily reach the 1-2GB mark. I mean think of all the HD games that can run on the M1 iPads. NBA 2k22 is like 4GB alone.


idk, i just looked up 256GB usb thumbdrive

256 SSD is the standard for windows laptop going for $700 now but they have 1920 by 1080 display , lower i3 or i5 if you are lucky, fans, heat and noise, battery life that is lower not all day battery life. So Apple had a choice up the SSD storage and not put in the M1 or put in the M1 and keep the storage the same.

Apple just never chases the RAM and storage with iPad like Android did and Windows. Where apple always more worried about was the CPU and GPU.

But really you can by iPad pro two years ago or iPad Air year ago and most people would never use the power unless you are content creator or professional.

Apple really needs to see where the future of the iPad is going to be because going from M1 than M2 than M3 so on if that is Apples plan, is all pointless if there is no AAA games or software for it and the OS is holding it back.

The M1 is for content creator or professional not the average consumer and if you working with hundreds of videos and photos even 1TB of storage will not be enough. If you are working with 4K videos editing every day you are going to need NAS setup with lots of TB of storage.

But for the average consumer 128 storage or 256 storage should be okay. Your primary work should be on your SSD on the device and the work your done with or not working on back up on a hard drive.

That is how I have my desktop computer set up. I offload the data not using to the hard drive they are very cheap you can get 2TB for $60 now. And use the build in SSD of the desktop or iPad as a chalkboard.

 

[rui no onna]

As for people's use, I thought the average user does not use a lot of storage but seems like most people have a megaton of pictures for years stored in their phones and on the iPad apps can easily reach the 1-2GB mark. I mean think of all the HD games that can run on the M1 iPads. NBA 2k22 is like 4GB alone.

Most everyone I know just streams or does web-based stuff on their iPads. iCloud optimize photos helps a lot with large photo libraries and pretty much everyone I know that has iOS devices subscribes to iCloud.

If someone plays large games, I expect they already know they should get more storage. Same goes for those with a lot of media they wish to keep offline. If they stick to base capacity, then I expect they can tolerate more frequent storage maintenance or their parents are paying for their iPads in which case, they don't really have much choice.

There have been 1-2 GB apps ever since iPads switched to retina displays. I've actually found some apps like Microsoft Office to be smaller compared to before. And all things considered, iOS games are still a lot smaller than PC games. Heck, I think Starcraft 2 used like 30 GB way back in 2010. Nowadays, my brother's Steam games seem to clock in at 50+ GB a pop.

The M1 is for content creator or professional not the average consumer and if you working with hundreds of videos and photos even 1TB of storage will not be enough. If you are working with 4K videos editing every day you are going to need NAS setup with lots of TB of storage.

Air 4 pricing puts M1+8GB more in reach of average consumers now.

When I built my Ivy Bridge/Haswell PCs, I chose quad-core i5 + 16GB RAM. Overkill? Yes. However, that extra power allows them to perform fairly well to this day. And honestly, websites have gotten so bloated now that the extra CPU and RAM is actually being utilized.

I know someone who still uses an iPad 2 (albeit finding it too slow now), so to me increasing baseline performance on lower end models such as the iPad and iPad Air is a good thing. 128GB base or +$50 128GB storage option would've been even better but at least there are other options available if one needs more storage.

 

[Hammerd]

Apple isnt interested in gimmicky future proofing that predicts the future, it is about building the very best products for today. The future comes later.

The future is now

 

[Hammerd]

Please mod delete me

 

[Abazigal]

I think the M1 will easily support 6-7 years of software updates for the iPad. It’s likely your iPad battery will give out first before performance is ever an issue.

 

[dumastudetto]

The future is now

The future is the next model we will need to buy.

 

[kazmac]

I think I’ll wait for sales on the 256gb Air though I may need more storage (which I could get externally) but…

 

[MacBH928]

Apple was always stingy with RAM, too, iirc. Yes, 2GB RAM was still fairly standard in 2008 (XP + Core 2 Duo days). Not so much by 2010 after Vista and Windows 7.




In my experience, I don't notice it much on iOS 13 & 14. It's noticeable on iOS 15 but it's not exactly a huge improvement. For me personally, 6GB minimum is what I'd want on iOS 15.

The 2020 iPad Pro 11 128GB (A12Z/6GB) pops in and out of Apple's certified refurb store for $609 if the base 64GB on Air is too little but you don't want to pay $750+ for the M1 Pro 11. Granted, it probably won't be supported as long as the M1 iPads from this point forward and will likely show some noticeable slowdown sooner.

My question is if its unnoticeable why would Apple go through the trouble of moving from 3GB to 4GB RAM? my only guess is future proofing. I also heard a myth that RAM should be in even numbers, so 2,4,8 and not 1,3,6 .

256 SSD is the standard for windows laptop going for $700 now but they have 1920 by 1080 display , lower i3 or i5 if you are lucky, fans, heat and noise, battery life that is lower not all day battery life. So Apple had a choice up the SSD storage and not put in the M1 or put in the M1 and keep the storage the same.

Apple just never chases the RAM and storage with iPad like Android did and Windows. Where apple always more worried about was the CPU and GPU.

But really you can by iPad pro two years ago or iPad Air year ago and most people would never use the power unless you are content creator or professional.

Apple really needs to see where the future of the iPad is going to be because going from M1 than M2 than M3 so on if that is Apples plan, is all pointless if there is no AAA games or software for it and the OS is holding it back.

The M1 is for content creator or professional not the average consumer and if you working with hundreds of videos and photos even 1TB of storage will not be enough. If you are working with 4K videos editing every day you are going to need NAS setup with lots of TB of storage.

But for the average consumer 128 storage or 256 storage should be okay. Your primary work should be on your SSD on the device and the work your done with or not working on back up on a hard drive.

That is how I have my desktop computer set up. I offload the data not using to the hard drive they are very cheap you can get 2TB for $60 now. And use the build in SSD of the desktop or iPad as a chalkboard.

You are missing the point, we are complaining that they request $150 for upgrading to 256 and not charging a more reasonable $50-70

 

[MacBH928]

Most everyone I know just streams or does web-based stuff on their iPads. iCloud optimize photos helps a lot with large photo libraries and pretty much everyone I know that has iOS devices subscribes to iCloud.

If someone plays large games, I expect they already know they should get more storage. Same goes for those with a lot of media they wish to keep offline. If they stick to base capacity, then I expect they can tolerate more frequent storage maintenance or their parents are paying for their iPads in which case, they don't really have much choice.

There have been 1-2 GB apps ever since iPads switched to retina displays. I've actually found some apps like Microsoft Office to be smaller compared to before. And all things considered, iOS games are still a lot smaller than PC games. Heck, I think Starcraft 2 used like 30 GB way back in 2010. Nowadays, my brother's Steam games seem to clock in at 50+ GB a pop.




Air 4 pricing puts M1+8GB more in reach of average consumers now.

When I built my Ivy Bridge/Haswell PCs, I chose quad-core i5 + 16GB RAM. Overkill? Yes. However, that extra power allows them to perform fairly well to this day. And honestly, websites have gotten so bloated now that the extra CPU and RAM is actually being utilized.

I know someone who still uses an iPad 2 (albeit finding it too slow now), so to me increasing baseline performance on lower end models such as the iPad and iPad Air is a good thing. 128GB base or +$50 128GB storage option would've been even better but at least there are other options available if one needs more storage.

given iPad is a portable device, internet connectivity is not always there. iCloud storage is no use unless you get the Wifi one and then you get in the problem of paying extra for the iPad and then extra for the internet access from telephone/ISPs just for that iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

My question is if its unnoticeable why would Apple go through the trouble of moving from 3GB to 4GB RAM? my only guess is future proofing.

Please note, I said difference was unnoticeable on 13/14 but noticeable on 15 (just not majorly).

Mind, we have a 6th gen (A10/2GB) and 7th gen (A10/3GB) in the household. I'm finding 2GB frustrating enough to be pretty much unusable on 15 now whereas the 7th gen reloads a lot but doesn't lag/stutter as much.

given iPad is a portable device, internet connectivity is not always there. iCloud storage is no use unless you get the Wifi one and then you get in the problem of paying extra for the iPad and then extra for the internet access from telephone/ISPs just for that iPad.

Sure but if that's the case, buy more storage. I have a 1TB Pro myself.

If someone needs more storage, then there are other options available:

iPad 9th gen 256GB $479
iPad Air 5 256GB $749
iPad Pro 11 (2020) 128GB refurb $609
iPad Pro 11 (2021) 128GB $749 (Costco, Amazon, etc)

It's just a matter of what you're willing to sacrifice. You can't just get everything for $599 (unless you look at used or open-box).

 

[MacBH928]

Please note, I said difference was unnoticeable on 13/14 but noticeable on 15 (just not majorly).

Mind, we have a 6th gen (A10/2GB) and 7th gen (A10/3GB) in the household. I'm finding 2GB frustrating enough to be pretty much unusable on 15 now whereas the 7th gen reloads a lot but doesn't lag/stutter as much.




Sure but if that's the case, buy more storage. I have a 1TB Pro myself.

If someone needs more storage, then there are other options available:

iPad 9th gen 256GB $479
iPad Air 5 256GB $749
iPad Pro 11 (2020) 128GB refurb $609
iPad Pro 11 (2021) 128GB $749 (Costco, Amazon, etc)

It's just a matter of what you're willing to sacrifice. You can't just get everything for $599 (unless you look at used or open-box).

well my original point was that storage is too expensive to begin with. Apple charges a lot for a storage upgrade.

This reminds me of something, I find that 2GB being unusable ironically funny as about 14 years ago they sold computers with 2GB RAM and they were supposed to be fast enough to browse the internet, edit videos, photoshop , and multitask. now its not fast enough for an iPad... I do not understand how this works. Its the same tasks!