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First Impressions From New 2018 iPad Pro Owners
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I think the exposed keys is design failure, and the keys pressing into the screen is a bigger one. It's just asking for bits of microgrit to get on the keys and then get scraped into the screen.
I can honestly say, I hate the new Smart Keyboard. I’m a huge fan of apple products and this is the first time I’m thinking... what in the hell is Apple thinking with this design? The keyboard (when closed) is thicker than last year’s and the Keys exposed on the back when not using the keyboard?? You’ve got to be kidding me. How did this pass? Not to mention it’s extremely awkward to try and get the iPad removed from the keyboard... just weird. Then it’s awkward and hard to open the keyboard when fully closed. It’s like my fingers don’t know what to grab.
The pen is a bit annoying to be honest. I keep accidentally knocking it off. Or when holding the iPad vertically my hands accidentally remove the pen. Feel like I have to constantly be aware of the pen falling off.
FaceID is annoying when in landscape. My hand constantly blocks it because I often scroll and use my left hand. More than I think I realized.
It’s like Apple decided they were going to go a certain direction and mid-way probably realized, crap this kind of sucks... oh well, we need to get this product out. Make it work.
The pen is a bit annoying to be honest. I keep accidentally knocking it off. Or when holding the iPad vertically my hands accidentally remove the pen. Feel like I have to constantly be aware of the pen falling off.
FaceID is annoying when in landscape. My hand constantly blocks it because I often scroll and use my left hand. More than I think I realized.
It’s like Apple decided they were going to go a certain direction and mid-way probably realized, crap this kind of sucks... oh well, we need to get this product out. Make it work.
I am a decent supporter of Apple, but not so much so that I cannot be objective. I have owned almost every version iPad Apple has made, and definitely every version of the iPad Pro Apple has made. The 2018 11” iPad Pro is the only one that has ever given me a severe visceral hate reaction. First, why, oh why did Apple get rid of the split virtual keyboard option?! It was bad enough they dropped the split keyboard from the 12.9” model after the first edition, but now the smaller iPad Pro is missing it too?!
Second, it just feels cheaply made. My 10.5” Pro feels solid, and the aluminum is of a decent thickness. One can see how thin the aluminum casing is on the new Pros, if looking at the area around the USB C port, or speaker holes, etc.. The whole iPad just feels flimsy to me.
Third, what the heck went through the mind of the new keyboard cover designer?! It’s a disaster waiting to happen to the screen, and it feels poorly thought out when using it. Who wants to keep feeling keys being pressed while holding the device with the cover folded open? Also, why get rid of the ability to form a triangle with the cover to prop the pad up at a slight angle, when drawing with the pencil? That was a useful angle and feature of the old cover. The old keyboard cover was also easier to remove, if one wanted to use the pad sans cover.
Overall, I am majorly letdown with this version of the iPad Pro. I phoned Apple this morning to get an answer about the lack of split virtual keyboard on the 11” model, and no one could tell me if it was a software glitch, or if it was intentionally removed. I have a case open with Apple, for them to investigate this issue. I am told I’ll have an answer by next Tuesday. I can live with all the other issues/flaws of this version of the iPad Pro, but if Apple truly has gutted the split keyboard option from the 11” pad, it is a deal breaker for me, and the pad will be returned for refund. Being able to hold the 10.5” iPad Pro with two hands, and type on a split keyboard with one’s thumbs just works, and works incredibly well. Trying to hold the new 11” pad from the very bottom, with two hands, and then trying to type on the keyboard with one's thumbs is awkward. The pad is so top heavy at that grip position, and the keys so unreachable by one's thumbs, it just isn't useful, and is, in fact, painful both physically and mentally.
This iPad, to me, is the epitome of form/style outweighing functionality.
Second, it just feels cheaply made. My 10.5” Pro feels solid, and the aluminum is of a decent thickness. One can see how thin the aluminum casing is on the new Pros, if looking at the area around the USB C port, or speaker holes, etc.. The whole iPad just feels flimsy to me.
Third, what the heck went through the mind of the new keyboard cover designer?! It’s a disaster waiting to happen to the screen, and it feels poorly thought out when using it. Who wants to keep feeling keys being pressed while holding the device with the cover folded open? Also, why get rid of the ability to form a triangle with the cover to prop the pad up at a slight angle, when drawing with the pencil? That was a useful angle and feature of the old cover. The old keyboard cover was also easier to remove, if one wanted to use the pad sans cover.
Overall, I am majorly letdown with this version of the iPad Pro. I phoned Apple this morning to get an answer about the lack of split virtual keyboard on the 11” model, and no one could tell me if it was a software glitch, or if it was intentionally removed. I have a case open with Apple, for them to investigate this issue. I am told I’ll have an answer by next Tuesday. I can live with all the other issues/flaws of this version of the iPad Pro, but if Apple truly has gutted the split keyboard option from the 11” pad, it is a deal breaker for me, and the pad will be returned for refund. Being able to hold the 10.5” iPad Pro with two hands, and type on a split keyboard with one’s thumbs just works, and works incredibly well. Trying to hold the new 11” pad from the very bottom, with two hands, and then trying to type on the keyboard with one's thumbs is awkward. The pad is so top heavy at that grip position, and the keys so unreachable by one's thumbs, it just isn't useful, and is, in fact, painful both physically and mentally.
This iPad, to me, is the epitome of form/style outweighing functionality.
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That's a valid argument which is why my panties are in such a wad coming from the 9.7 Pro and not being able to split the on-screen keyboard. I use my iPads as a paper pad replacement with the pencil for writing notes (thank the universe for Notability!) or about 90% of my internet stuff where the keyboard gets used for amazon, email, etc. The little Mini 4 is perfect for reading books. When I need to get 'serious' I switch to the MBP. But that's just me.
The iPad Pro is so close to being there for replacing a computer for many tasks, but until they allow full file access from a thumb drive via the Files app or something, they're missing the mark. I saw an interesting article on 9to5 calling for a padOS that would be the pro version of iOS with more options for iPads. Had some merit.
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I have a laptop and use it for laptop things like photoshop/illustrator and other apps iPad doesn't easily support. The iPad though I take with me everywhere... to work, coffee shops, etc. I can take care of 85% of my work life with it. No need for a bag, just carrying it with the keyboard attached. Simple. Lightweight. Functional. Love it for this purpose... but the new iPad/keyboard is honestly a step back in my opinion.
I've been playing with mine and have very mixed feelings. I have to agree with a lot of the negative comments about the keyboard cover. It just makes the whole package way thicker than it needs to be. I wish they just used a stronger material and made it thinner, because that cover literally doubles the thickness of the iPad (and despite covering the back, it doesn't give me any confidence in terms of drop protection like a real case would). I love the new pencil and the 11" is plenty fast, but then again the 10.5 was plenty fast too.
These new iPads all require app updates to take advantage of the extra screen real estate. So basically the Apple supplied apps look and work quite wonderfully, but every other app works worse (and in some cases to an extreme degree) than my old 10.5" IPP. The worst offender right now is PUBG, which is almost unplayable on the new IPP.
The screen doesn't work as well at off-angles either. It really should have included a double faceID system, because I get the "camera is covered" warning way too often. Especially if you're going to keep the side bezels the same size as the top and bottom bezels. That means there's enough room for a faceID system in both orientations. Not seamless at all. Hopefully when faceID module costs go down, they'll implement this.
I think the 12.9 is a much better upgrade since it's a substantial size/weight improvement over the old 12.9. My 11" is actually wider than the 10.5, since the long bezels are actually BIGGER in the new IPP, and the thickness/weight between them is indistinguishable in the hand. The 12.9 also has smaller bezels relative to the size of its larger screen, so it probably does feel more like a magical piece of glass. The 11" compared to the old (and cheaper) 10.5" just seems better in some ways and worse in others. (better short bezels, worse long bezels; better processor, worse screen quality; better speakers, no headphone jack; better pencil, worse keyboard cover). Besides the processor and pencil, it doesn't feel like I paid for an upgrade. This smaller pro is kinda disappointing for an 18 month product upgrade cycle.
It's nice to finally have Animoji on my iPad though. /s
These new iPads all require app updates to take advantage of the extra screen real estate. So basically the Apple supplied apps look and work quite wonderfully, but every other app works worse (and in some cases to an extreme degree) than my old 10.5" IPP. The worst offender right now is PUBG, which is almost unplayable on the new IPP.
The screen doesn't work as well at off-angles either. It really should have included a double faceID system, because I get the "camera is covered" warning way too often. Especially if you're going to keep the side bezels the same size as the top and bottom bezels. That means there's enough room for a faceID system in both orientations. Not seamless at all. Hopefully when faceID module costs go down, they'll implement this.
I think the 12.9 is a much better upgrade since it's a substantial size/weight improvement over the old 12.9. My 11" is actually wider than the 10.5, since the long bezels are actually BIGGER in the new IPP, and the thickness/weight between them is indistinguishable in the hand. The 12.9 also has smaller bezels relative to the size of its larger screen, so it probably does feel more like a magical piece of glass. The 11" compared to the old (and cheaper) 10.5" just seems better in some ways and worse in others. (better short bezels, worse long bezels; better processor, worse screen quality; better speakers, no headphone jack; better pencil, worse keyboard cover). Besides the processor and pencil, it doesn't feel like I paid for an upgrade. This smaller pro is kinda disappointing for an 18 month product upgrade cycle.
It's nice to finally have Animoji on my iPad though. /s
This is a huge step up. Having had iPads since first released (remember when almost every reviewer couldn't see their use? hahaha), this is probably where they needed to get to.
The thing bezels, the weight, the speakers, the speed. All great.
Sadly people moan about USB C. We wont get Apple supporting drivers for memory cards. They will lose the most lucrative part: storage charges. There must be huge margins on that. Opening USB C to external drives will kill the golden goose. Whack in a USB flash drive which are tiny with huge capacity and you ruin Apple's model. Not. Going. To. Happen.
We probably will get workarounds with specific, expensive USB C expansion readers and memory. This is the first time I've gone with the lowest memory model. Phone has max memory so will use that to cart everything else I need around.
Had an Apple keyboard on 12.9" iPad. Not a fan. Feels odd. Waiting in the hope 3rd parties deliver the right mix. Using magnets on the back should get rid of the ugly wraparound cases. Thin backs, nicer materials, backlight keys. Or Apple will probably release a leather folio soon. Something nicer feel wise. Microsoft Surface win hands down on feel with their Alcantara covers.
Loving the new pencil. 11" screen is much better for writing notes too. Still exploring which app best meets my notetaking style/needs. Any recommendations? Would really like a fast handwriting to text option with easy converted text placement. Nothing I've tried so far works quite how I want...
Anyway, I can see this iPad being handy to cart around at work to meetings and to organise my tasks and store info.
Some more regular programs converted to apps would also be something I'd love to see.
Because the Apple laptops don’t have touch screen! Yes, really I prefer touch screen to mouse
Which regular programs, specifically? Logic/Final Cut? those are pretty much the only programs I can think of that don't have a decent iPad equivalent. Actually QGIS would be nice too, or any pro level GIS software. I would love to imagine Apple providing a pro GIS software based on the apple maps engine - that would be quite kick ass. ESRI is too bloated and monopolistic, there's no innovation coming out of that company anymore.
I am surprised at all the negative comments here. I love the new 12.9” iPad Pro. The only thing I like less than the previous version is the fact that the iPad cannot now be stood with keyboard out of the way to watch videos. It is always there out front when the device is open. That can be a problem on an air flight where space may be limited. The keyboard case is otherwise better IMHO than on the previous iPad Pro.
The size proportions are now much better on the 12.9”, which makes this a more portable device. I know the screen is no bigger than before, but without the Bezels it somehow looks bigger. I have no problem with the rounded corners.
The size proportions are now much better on the 12.9”, which makes this a more portable device. I know the screen is no bigger than before, but without the Bezels it somehow looks bigger. I have no problem with the rounded corners.
Because I can’t detach the keyboard portion from a laptop when I just want a tablet, and I am more comfortable using iOS over windows or even macOS for certain tasks.
I went to the Apple store to play with one yesterday and I think you’re right. When I picked up the 11 inch, it was so light, I felt comfortable handling it with one hand, same as I would the Mini.
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The new keyboard is better in two important ways. One, it’s much better for typing in more places, like on your lap. Two, once you’re done typing, you’re closing the keyboard onto the screen. You’re not taking the bottom, that has just been resting on a public table or that handy cinderblock wall, and folding it to touch the screen. This focuses the keyboard more on just being a better keyboard, so other features like the drawing angle gets dropped.