Apple's 2022 iPad Pro: Everything We Know

[Pezimak]

Hmm I see their is some two of new iPad Pro's possibly being launched next month. How likely is this? I mean their is no point in me buying the current 11" model if I decide on it if it's replaced in March.
And last year Patcher and Posser and even Koh if I recall all got totally wrong the new iPad Mini launch date even on the day it was launched.

 

[GuruZac]

Hmm I see their is some two of new iPad Pro's possibly being launched next month. How likely is this? I mean their is no point in me buying the current 11" model if I decide on it if it's replaced in March.
And last year Patcher and Posser and even Koh if I recall all got totally wrong the new iPad Mini launch date even on the day it was launched.

Probably not unless you get a good deal on one. I always recommend buying new whenever possible, but in the case of the M1 iPad Pros in particular, they are so future proof, it doesn’t matter what comes down the pipe in the next couple years software wise, they will be able to handle it no problem. Remember, the M1 processor was blowing away the 2019 16” MacBook Pro i9 in certain tasks. It’s a substantial leap forward in processing and GPU performance which is why so many of us were bummed with the total lackluster iPadOS 15 release. Unleash the iPad Pro already. An M2 and camera relocate aren’t going to wow anyone if the software doesn’t get majorly updated in several key areas.

 

[jdb8167]

If they go with titanium I hope it means a thinner back (same weight) but thicker glass front and an anodized color finish!

Neat. I just looked up anodized titanium. Unlike anodized aluminum which uses dyes, titanium gets different colors by varying the thickness of the oxide film that is created with electrolysis to refract a particular color of light.

Now I really hope Apple does switch to titanium.

 

[Rafterman]

What's missing?

The CHOICE to run the macOS instead of iPadOS. That simple choice alone would make a ton of difference on what my next system would be. An iPad Pro running the macOS would mean my new "laptop."

Which is why MacOS on an iPad will never happen.

 

[MysticCow]

Which is why MacOS on an iPad will never happen.

Sadly true, but it doesn’t make it any less of a correct move, at least for my wants/needs.

 

[Jdhommert]

Based on these rumors/what we know so far, it sounds like there won't be any major changes at all to the 12.9 Pro. M1 to M2 might be the biggest thing, and thats not anticipated to be a major jump and a M1 is plenty fast for iPad os. Never use wireless charging, dont think I care about a titanium shell...I guess less weight would be nice. Already has the mini LED screen...what else would change or be added???

I have a sickness where I have to overdo things. For example, I have 2 65" TVs sitting side by side so I can have 2 things on at once, mostly for sports. Anyway, I'm thinking of getting a 12.9 and mounting it do my dash for a poverty Tesla/Waze/all the things setup. I'll probably pick up a used one off Swappa, maybe wait and make sure they aren't releasing new ones next month first. Still probably buy a used 5th gen unless there is some major upgrade we dont see coming. I'd think id get a 5th gen just to have the increased brightness in case the sun makes it hard to see or something for the older ones. Then again, I've heard it only gets brighter in HDR mode...but I think it still hits 1000 instead of 600 under normal circumstances?

 

[Johnny907]

Unless Apple brings MacOS to the M1 Pro, who cares? My 2021 Pro runs apps no differently than my former 2018 Pro. Cameras are nicer, center stage is useful, but that’s it. Not seeing what Apple could do differently to justify the upgrade until Apple takes the shackles off and lets the thing evolve.

 

[Johnny907]

Which is why MacOS on an iPad will never happen.

Whether you spend a grand on an MBA or an M1 iPad Pro, Apple is still getting your money, so I’m not following your argument here especially considering Apple’s heavy handed attempts at selling the iPad as a computer replacement.

 

[jdb8167]

Unless Apple brings MacOS to the M1 Pro, who cares? My 2021 Pro runs apps no differently than my former 2018 Pro. Cameras are nicer, center stage is useful, but that’s it. Not seeing what Apple could do differently to justify the upgrade until Apple takes the shackles off and lets the thing evolve.

Who uses a camera on an iPad? And you can get center stage on a $499 mini.

 

[Tagbert]

Who uses a camera on an iPad? And you can get center stage on a $499 mini.

IPads make good video conference devices

 

[0924487]

It still happens with the M1/16GB RAM

Then it's the power management on iPadOS. There is no good solution there.

Intel MBP16, for example, only lasts about 90 min on max power with a new battery. So, I don't think people want that on IPP.

 

[jdb8167]

Then it's the power management on iPadOS. There is no good solution there.

Intel MBP16, for example, only lasts about 90 min on max power with a new battery. So, I don't think people want that on IPP.

Not quite sure what you are saying. Why would dumping RAM for tabs in Safari reduce power usage? The only reason to dump RAM in Safari is because that RAM is needed for another app. Safari could be suspended to reduce power usage while retaining the contents of its RAM.

Basically RAM uses the same amount of power independent of its contents. Actually rewriting the contents of RAM is going to use more power than leaving it alone.

It is much more likely that tabs requiring a refresh is because the algorithm to eject an iOS or iPadOS app from memory is all or nothing (this is a guess—someone with more knowledge of iOS internals can jump in). Safari is using significant amount of RAM when some other app needs some RAM for its purposes. So iOS ejects all of Safari’s memory because that is the block large enough to cover the new app’s needs.

If iOS/iPadOS had Mac-like memory swapping to SSD, this would be unnecessary.

 

[Mr.PT]

Yeah but you’re talking an entire reimagining the macOS to work with a touch based system. I don’t care if they add macOS or not. They could add many elements to the iPadOS UI to make it a much more productive software. For example floating windows, full resolution support for external monitor, not simply a 4:3 aspect ratio of the mirror image on the iPad display, redo the files app. That would be a great start. Also, why not allow 3 or more apps to run concurrently? Instead of the Split View mode.

FYI MacOS works with Trackpad (ground breaking touch interface)?, so can’t be that hard to add pencil support and remap Trackpad to Touchscreen.
Looking at your wish list, you definitely want iPad running MacOS…

 

[jdb8167]

FYI MacOS works with Trackpad (ground breaking touch interface)?, so can’t be that hard to add pencil support and remap Trackpad to Touchscreen.
Looking at your wish list, you definitely want iPad running MacOS…

Apple added floating windows to iPadOS with Quick Notes. So that doesn’t require MacOS anyway.

 

[Mr.PT]

Whether you spend a grand on an MBA or an M1 iPad Pro, Apple is still getting your money, so I’m not following your argument here especially considering Apple’s heavy handed attempts at selling the iPad as a computer replacement.

Right on: “your next computer” thing supported by top class laptop chip and wonderful keyboard, really raised people hope’s iPad was getting “unleashed”. So disappointment is general and I suspect a lot of customers like myself, just think they already have an way overpowered tablet, that doesn’t need replacement in the foreseeable future. Generally people tend to update their laptops sooner than tablets. So I think Apple is leaving money on the table by not making iPad what it can be: true replacement of Air.
Escalating production numbers would surely help increase margins to make it interesting enough. Besides that would make more “reasonable and plausible ” to have a 13”MBP offer without a competing laptop.

 

[Mr.PT]

Apple added floating windows to iPadOS with Quick Notes. So that doesn’t require MacOS anyway.

Although I suspect when “floating windows” is mentioned people have MacOS layout in mind, specially multi app and Finder. Quick Notes is alright though.

 

[petef1]

I have a 2018 iPad Pro (3rd gen) which still is fast as can be but I'll upgrade to an M2 11-inch iPad Pro 2022 *if* one software rumor comes true... Gurman and others are reporting this year Pro apps including Final Cut Pro are coming to iPad Pro, but only on M1 & M2 versions. That would get me to upgrade far more than a mini-LED screen.

I’m running the same iPad. It’s still an absolute joy to use and whilst I’m starting to see some moderate battery decay, it still feels as smooth as the day I bought it. Pound for pound my best tech purchase outside of an iPhone.

 

[GuruZac]

I’m running the same iPad. It’s still an absolute joy to use and whilst I’m starting to see some moderate battery decay, it still feels as smooth as the day I bought it. Pound for pound my best tech purchase outside of an iPhone.

Yeah when the 2021 iPad Pro came out, I had my 2018 12.9. I already had the Magic Keyboard and Pencil and although I was tempted, I read enough reviews and watched videos showing virtually no difference in daily performance. My 2018 had a weird failure where the battery/charging port failed according to Apple. I bought it as a refurb in early 2020 so i wonder if something happened to it prior to purchase. Rather than spend the money to replace those parts out of warranty, I opted to buy the 2021 since my peripherals work and I can use the 2021 for several more years. I don’t noticed much of a difference except when importing and exporting larger files. It’s instantaneous on the 2021. I also notice the display differences But otherwise, the 2018 was and still is a beast of a tablet. It’s still faster than the new Tab S8 Ultra.

 

[GuruZac]

Right on: “your next computer” thing supported by top class laptop chip and wonderful keyboard, really raised people hope’s iPad was getting “unleashed”. So disappointment is general and I suspect a lot of customers like myself, just think they already have an way overpowered tablet, that doesn’t need replacement in the foreseeable future. Generally people tend to update their laptops sooner than tablets. So I think Apple is leaving money on the table by not making iPad what it can be: true replacement of Air.
Escalating production numbers would surely help increase margins to make it interesting enough. Besides that would make more “reasonable and plausible ” to have a 13”MBP offer without a competing laptop.

I wonder if paradoxically people hold on to their iPads longer because of the limited software. Whereas, if the software was taking advantage of the hardware year to year, there wold be more emphasis on upgrading sooner and Apple would be making even more money off iPad sales. As it sits, anyone with a 2018/2020/2021 iPad Pro has no real reason to upgrade unless iPadOS has some bigger changes.

 

[GuruZac]

Just a thought, but does the fact that rumors have been relatively mum on iPadOS features indicative of nothing much changing yet again for iPadOS 16? Typically we here features coming down the pipe on iOS and iPadOS, but being less than 4 months out from WWDC 2022 and we’ve heard nothing. iOS and iPadOS 15 appeared to be minor updates so maybe we see more significant changes. ?

 

[playtech1]

I worry that iPadOS is inherently compromised by the app ecosystem. Major app developers have shunned iPad for their flagship apps. After all, if you are a big fish in the App pond, why support a platform that requires you to give Apple 30% of your revenue?

Then on top of the app problem, Apple has just not nailed the interface for semi-advanced users. I struggle to understand some of the multitasking options - my mother, who exclusively uses her iPad, has to my knowledge never knowingly used split view. The file system being obscured at some point changed from simplifying things to being unhelpful.

I remember loving the first gen iPad so much - the potential was clear and it was inherently fun to use. Definitely in the growing pains phase of this product!

 

[spinedoc77]

Then it's the power management on iPadOS. There is no good solution there.

Intel MBP16, for example, only lasts about 90 min on max power with a new battery. So, I don't think people want that on IPP.

Yep that's exactly the issue, the power management. This needs to be a choice for the consumer, the choice between degrading their battery life for increased power and vice versa. My Surface Pro can run either close to 10 hours, or close to 2 hours depending how I have it setup and how I use it, but at least that choice is mine to make. With that said, even at the lowest power/highest battery settings on my Surface Pro it still doesn't refresh and reset apps and programs. Just my personal opinion, but THIS is the major thing that sets iOS apart from a "real" OS, besides the other stuff like separate user accounts (oh wait, Android has this), etc.

This is typical Apple, always assuming their consumers are too stupid to manage power settings.

 

[whatta]

I’d wager just a screen tech change for the 11” but otherwise remain the same. I just don’t see a big change on the horizon so soon with the delays they’ve had previously. Like pre-M1 it went from A12x to A12z rather than a full replacement model.

Yes, but it has never ever happened before that a new iPad (Pro) did not get a new CPU/SOC.. so I dont see a new iPP with M1, unless they offer 16GB of RAM for all models..

 

[whatta]

"Just?"

Especially #3. That would be a whole rewrite. Apple will never make iPadOS like MacOS and risk canabalizing Macbook sales. So I think a MacOS on an iPad is a unicorn that will never, ever happen.

it is the exact same CPU (M1) for mac and ipad. what rewrite you mean? I think macOS would run on ipad with minimal work.. assuming external monitor and mouse/keyboard combo..

 

[whatta]

Depends entirely on how you live. In you live in an urban area, the main problem with WiFi is congestion. If that is how you live, 6e would be a blessing, at least for as long as it takes to penetrate the market fully - you simply have much less competition for the newly available channels!
Your comment regarding "worse range" (pretty negligeable between 5 and 6GHz) indicates that you perceive less coverage to be a problem, whereas most people living in apartments curse the reach of all the nearby transmitters. That 6GHz are dampened somewhat quicker by obstructions such as walls is for most people a blessing. Extending your indoors coverage is rarely needed in an apartment, and fairly trivial to achieve anyway. Getting rid of outside interference however is pretty much impossible.

WiFi 6e is good stuff. It’s market window vs. WiFi 7 will be pretty short though, and I’d assume WiFi 7 to penetrate a whole lot faster. After all, it’s a whole number better! Marketing folks love that.

also depends on your internet speed. I have 350 MBPs max download, I bought a wifi 6 router, but i dont get any faster than on wifi 5 since the slowest component defines the speed..