iPad Pro Exchanging 8GB for 16GB?

[MrGimper]

I’m arguing that there’s no reason they’d shift any resources into doing so because the ROI is so low. Take what you’re saying, expand out to previous years, did anybody notice a significant difference between the 4GB and 6GB ram configs in 2018?

The most likely explanation for why Apple sells the 16GB config is just upsell. There are so many “well i want ot future proof my machine” people out there. Just check the macbook forums.

By the way - all the power to the people buying 16GB configs, you got a great machine. I just think these threads trying to get people riled up about apple unlocking the power of 16GB therefore rendering their machine less than perfect is not sitting well with me.

Well unless 8GB of the 16GB is disabled, then the 16 is already better than the 8 😂

 

[rui no onna]

Can’t see why it wouldn’t be. Up until the 2021 iPad were launched, the max ram in an iPad was 6GB, so limiting apps to 5 made sense.

Actually, I believe apps were limited to ~4GB on 6GB RAM iPads. It's with the 2021 and 8GB RAM base where the limit was raised to ~5GB.

 

[MrGimper]

Actually, I believe apps were limited to ~4GB on 6GB RAM iPads. It's with the 2021 and 8GB RAM base where the limit was raised to ~5GB.

I don’t believe that’s true. The reports state that even with 8 and 16 GB ram, apps are still limited to 5GB ram, a limit imposed by iOS 14.6.

 

[rui no onna]

I don’t believe that’s true. The reports state that even with 8 and 16 GB ram, apps are still limited to 5GB ram, a limit imposed by iOS 14.6.

Yes, there's a 5GB max memory limit on apps with the 2021 iPads. This limit is the same for 8GB and 16GB.

Just saying the memory limit on 6GB RAM and less are even lower.

ProCreate

2017 A10X/4GB:
2048 x 2048 - 124 layers

2018 A12X/6GB: (same treatment as 4GB)
2048 x 2048 - 124 layers

2020 A12Z/6GB:
2048 x 2048 - 156 layers

2021 M1/16GB: (same treatment as 8GB)
2048 x 2048 - 196 layers

 

[Crow_Servo]

So is it possible that the limits have been removed and only ProCreate is taking advantage of it so far?

 

[rui no onna]

So is it possible that the limits have been removed and only ProCreate is taking advantage of it so far?

Apple raised the limit to ~5GB but the limit still exists. As a percentage of installed RAM, that's just a small fraction of 16GB RAM iPads.

I reckon other apps just automatically use up to whatever RAM is allowed by the system. Meanwhile, ProCreate sets a 2GB limit for unknown devices so they have to release a patch when a new device is released.

 

[LFC2020]

The price difference Is too high. 8 is good for me

Agree, got the base model In the big boy, this thing is more than fast enough. 😃😜

 

[Indepenskter]

I bought the 12.9 1tb 16gb…am I expecting macos? No…am i expecting widgets? probably

 

[ShaunFrancis]

I bought the 12.9 1tb 16gb…am I expecting macos? No…am i expecting widgets? probably

This is true, why would apple make the iPad so pro that the pro user would not buy a mac? They want them to buy both, that’s where the money is

 

[Falhófnir]

They must have some use case in mind for the 16GB options, unlike previously where extra RAM has been for a specific feature, or ‘to manage extra storage’* it’s a bit ridiculous to include an extra 8GB for this rather than say an extra 2GB. My expectation is it will only be relevant for a few specific pro apps, like final cut, as well as helping with system function etc. At most it will be like procreate where more ram allows for more layers, to avoid Android style fragmentation.

* if I remember developers had to treat the 1TB 2018 iPad Pro’s the same as the other configurations though so the extra RAM isn’t a factor (at least for 3rd party apps) there, or was this retconned when the 2020 arrived?

 

[Fluttershy462]

How do you choose an 8gb or 16gb model? Is it the difference between the 11" and 12.9" models?

 

[Ludatyk]

How do you choose an 8gb or 16gb model? Is it the difference between the 11" and 12.9" models?

Well, unlike Macs. Where you can select a model then configure them to your preference. iPads come in storage teirs, whereas the only configurations you can make is color and cellular options.

128-512GBs - 8GB RAM
1 and 2TBs - 16GB RAM

The only difference between the 11" and 12.9" models is the screen size, but in this year models... the 12.9" model gets XDR Display.

 

[The Game 161]

For many I’m guessing they will decide after tomorrow lol

 

[Ludatyk]

For many I’m guessing they will decide after tomorrow lol

Idk. I think those who have 8GB models will stay with it... regardless of what happens tomorrow. But those who haven't purchased the M1 iPP and undecided on 8GB or 16GB RAM WWDC will help in that case.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

They must have some use case in mind for the 16GB options, unlike previously where extra RAM has been for a specific feature, or ‘to manage extra storage’* it’s a bit ridiculous to include an extra 8GB for this rather than say an extra 2GB. My expectation is it will only be relevant for a few specific pro apps, like final cut, as well as helping with system function etc. At most it will be like procreate where more ram allows for more layers, to avoid Android style fragmentation.

* if I remember developers had to treat the 1TB 2018 iPad Pro’s the same as the other configurations though so the extra RAM isn’t a factor (at least for 3rd party apps) there, or was this retconned when the 2020 arrived?

The other explanation is that they’are already making 8GB + 16GB M1 modules for everything else.

 

[LogicalApex]

The other explanation is that they’are already making 8GB + 16GB M1 modules for everything else.

That’s the weakest explanation possible. In the midst of a semiconductor shortage you want us to believe that Apple has spare chips floating out that they need to dump?

They’d just use the M1 8GB chip for all storage models if it didn’t matter…

 

[FrozenDarkness]

That’s the weakest explanation possible. In the midst of a semiconductor shortage you want us to believe that Apple has spare chips floating out that they need to dump?

They’d just use the M1 8GB chip for all storage models if it didn’t matter…

Couple things: we’ve already done this dance in 2018 before. Apple increases the RAM as storage goes up because Apple’s OS is EXTREMELY cache friendly. Presumably apps might be getting bigger in size and so if you have 1TB worth of apps, you may need more RAM to hold them, especially since this is now unified memory that’s shared across CPU and GPU.

Second, The way you get around a “shortage” is by increasing the purchase you make. This is actually the strongest reason, in my opinion, for why M1 is in everything. The chip fabs will look to sell their capacity to companies who are looking to purchase the most. Makes sense for apple to increase purchases of the 16GB variant for upselling, but also to drive cost of components for themselves down and secure capacity.

 

[PrettyWings]

The price difference Is too high. 8 is good for me

And we don’t even know the full difference it’s gonna make yet.

 

[nicetriangles]

Zero as iPad iOS apps are limited to 5gbs

Yeah as someone who got the 16, I couldn't recommend one to anybody unless they needed 1tb+ of drive space. The ram caps are a huge letdown and I hope Apple will address it but I honestly don't expect it

Only reason I'm keeping mine is equal parts laziness and not wanting to wait to get a replacement model.

 

[MrGimper]

The other explanation is that they’are already making 8GB + 16GB M1 modules for everything else.

So put 8GB ones in everything. The storage is not part of the M1 SoC. So it’s not a case of “the 1TB/2TB storage M1 comes with 16GB RAM so we will just use that”

 

[MhaelK]

Nope. Price is absolutely ridiculous to get 16gb RAM. That’s almost the cost of two 128gb iPad Pros!

This ☝️☝️ Just buy a new iPad next generation with new specs, feature, and when iPADOS Maybe is able to use 16gb - for about the same Price as upgrading now.

 

[DMG35]

Lol Apple really has their marketing down to a science. Only putting 16GB of RAM in the 1 and 2TB options is a genius way to push people into the more expensive iPad by dangling RAM that they don't need in front of them.

OP, if at any time you would need 16GB of RAM Apple would make the iPad Pro configurable for any of the storage options. Its just a way to try and get people to spend more money. The iPad absolutely doesn't need 16GB of RAM. Most laptops only need 8GB with the M1 and 16GB is just complete overkill.

 

[LogicalApex]

Lol Apple really has their marketing down to a science. Only putting 16GB of RAM in the 1 and 2TB options is a genius way to push people into the more expensive iPad by dangling RAM that they don't need in front of them.

OP, if at any time you would need 16GB of RAM Apple would make the iPad Pro configurable for any of the storage options. Its just a way to try and get people to spend more money. The iPad absolutely doesn't need 16GB of RAM. Most laptops only need 8GB with the M1 and 16GB is just complete overkill.

To be fair, they are marketing it toward the Pro market segment. On the M1 SOC RAM is unified unlike on Intel devices. So the GPU frame buffer and RAM have to compete on M1 devices. Although normal programs may not need 16GB it could really come in handy for professional applications like video and photo editing…

Doing those on an iPad also line up with increased storage needs as you aren’t consumption focused which tends to be streamed onto the device…

There is room for a valid reason other than just pure up sell. I think the up sell bonus wasn’t loss on Apple Execs though.

 

[Ludatyk]

There is room for a valid reason other than just pure up sell. I think the up sell bonus wasn’t loss on Apple Execs though.

Believe me, according to @DMG35... there is no room for a valid reason. It's purely overkill and typical money grab for Apple.

 

[cardfan]

This Just buy a new iPad next generation with new specs, feature, and when iPADOS Maybe is able to use 16gb - for about the same Price as upgrading now.

Why bother? Worry about ram with macs. For iPad I don’t care. Always get base.