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iPad iPad Pro 13” M4 v M5
- Thread starter Ugene425
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I would not need 1TB of storage. 512GB would be MORE than enough for my basic usage. Downloading films for travel would be my main one.
I guess getting the M4 1TB you get the nano screen, 16 GB ram too. I would have thought that will future proof it for just as long as the M5 base model.
Lol, the membership is worth it for me even if all I bought were my CGMs and vitamins.
I guess this thread is also used to talk about the Costco deal. So posting the same reply in both.
I did consider returning my IPad 13 M5 256gb bough from Amazon for $1199 and get this deal, but ended up keeping the M5.
My reasoning was that the M5 has 30% more performance in some optimized games. It also has much better on device AI performance and WiFi 7 that could increase the performance gap between M4 and M5 in the coming years. To me this is more important than another additional year of longevity.
I don’t need 1TB or even 512 GB (if I did, this deal would be a no brainer).
I did consider returning my IPad 13 M5 256gb bough from Amazon for $1199 and get this deal, but ended up keeping the M5.
My reasoning was that the M5 has 30% more performance in some optimized games. It also has much better on device AI performance and WiFi 7 that could increase the performance gap between M4 and M5 in the coming years. To me this is more important than another additional year of longevity.
I don’t need 1TB or even 512 GB (if I did, this deal would be a no brainer).
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I would agree with this. For the things you are likely do to on an ipad, m4 vs m5… both are overkill.
m5 will really come into its own when doing things like AI, higher end games, etc. and most people simply aren’t doing that on an ipad.
performance wise… m2/m3 is probably plenty for an ipad for 90% of people. pretty much any M series processor is more than most people will “need”. not to say the later models aren’t faster but its the difference between “great for a tablet or low end laptop” (m1) vs. “more responsive than any desktop PC i’ve used”.
my m1 air was still mostly fine, i just regret going air last time (and it was 2-3 years old now) due to the lesser screen and speakers.
I have nanotexture on my macbook pro but do not on my ipad.
A couple of reasons:
To get nano on the ipad, i’d need to go for a 1TB/2TB model, and that’s a big step up from 256 which is already more than i need.
To get nano on the macbook pro was a 150 AUD option on a 6,800 dollar laptop, so it was a no brainer.
On the macbook pro - i don’t think i’d ever go back to glossy.
On the ipad pro - i think the device is small enough and generally frequently hand-held enough that its not too inconvenient to just… tilt the thing differently to not be reflecting the light in your face.
YMMV - if nano was a $100 option on the ipad for any capacity i’d get it.
But i’m just NOT going to go up several tiers in capacity at significant cost before having the option of nano on an ipad.
100% no
base model ipad pro is already overkill for what you need.
literally the ONLY benefit of an ipad pro for that use case is the screen and speakers. and don’t get me wrong - they’re great! IMHO worth buying an ipad pro over an ipad air for 100% all day every day and twice on sundays. if you were comparing base model iPad vs. pro its a bit of a harder sell but… actually no that screen is to die for.
but don’t fall into the trap of spec creep when you’re literally doing things that a base model ipad from 5 years ago will be fine for in terms of CPU, memory, etc. you will literally be throwing money away that you could just keep and use for the next ipad pro you buy in 2029-2032
the only people buying 1tb/2tb ipads realistically are those who
don’t care, have money to literally set on fire (or are legitimately using it as their primary device (no laptop or desktop)
or
those doing video production on an ipad (and that is an incredibly small niche)
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Are you saying go for the M4 higher spec model or the M5 base model for the same price? I would like the Pro for the screen mainly and speakers I guess. The Air despite being a lot cheaper does not have that lovely OLED screen! This thing I want to last me 5-7 years ideally, for as long as possible. So future proofing is important.
I am falling into the spec creep too but now also looking at the second hand market (backmarket.co.uk).
re: future proofing….
remember: its still an ipad, and purely by virtue of being an ipad pro it is already way beyond the base model ipad in terms of RAM, CPU and GPU performance.
99% of apps, ipadOS, etc. are written to support the base model ipad. there is almost zero “ipad pro only” apps.
even the worst ipad pro you can buy today will be far more usable than today’s base model ipad in 5 years time.
remember: its still an ipad, and purely by virtue of being an ipad pro it is already way beyond the base model ipad in terms of RAM, CPU and GPU performance.
99% of apps, ipadOS, etc. are written to support the base model ipad. there is almost zero “ipad pro only” apps.
even the worst ipad pro you can buy today will be far more usable than today’s base model ipad in 5 years time.
Thank you, most helpful. Can I ask, would you go with the baseline brand new M5 256/512GB for say in the region of £1350 or buy a higher spec second hand M4 for the same price (with nano/1TB,16GB RAM etc)?
I have never owned an Ipad Pro before hence why I am so curious
I have never owned an Ipad Pro before hence why I am so curious
The only 'cheaper' way for me getting the NANO screen on IPP (in the UK) is buying a second hand M4 device which I pasted earlier (screen shot on the backmarket website) - this is pretty much the same cost for a new base line M5 IPP. I have never had nano screen on any Apple device before. My MCP screen is so badly smudged now its a joke (2014 model that said)!
I think you are overthinking the purchase, OP. Buy, the 13” M4. If you find it too big to use on a regular basis, get the 11”. You are asking the same question over and over and getting decision paralysis. You are talking about an iPad not buying a house or 50K car. Take action and adjust as needed.
Do the math.
a 1tb/2tb ipad is a lot more expensive than a base ipad pro. more RAM (and the slightly higher spec CPU) will not significantly increase its longevity.
I’d go m5 for the more recent SOC which will be supported longer. the CPU model release date will dictate support term, not spec within a model.
1/2TB and nanotexture on the ipad pro is a waste of time for 99% of users imho. save the money, upgrade more frequently.
Personally, I prefer buying new or Apple certified refurbs so if those were my options, I’d go for new.
Also, if you’re unsure about size, there’s usually better return policy on new products. I’ve used all sizes and if I can only have one iPad, I wouldn’t get a 13”.
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i think you’ve hit the nail on the head. I’ll go with the base 256GB M5. More than enough memory as you say for simple usage
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Except if you get the 1TB nano texture M4 on the Costco deal it is $200 cheaper than the 256GB M5.
That’s a judgement call for you to make. I’ve had a bad experience buying discounted year old apple devices in the past - my watch s6 i reckon was on the shelf for a year and the battery life was worse than my s4. not worse than my s4 when both were new. worse than my s4 had at the time i bought the s6.
officially a new watch, but it was a disappointment. YMMV.
officially a new watch, but it was a disappointment. YMMV.
Interesting reading this. I think with these devices I’ll buy new for that peace of mind. No way of telling if they’ve been dropped or had liquid damage etc.
I’ve been advised to go big and get the 13”. It would be mainly used for streaming and scrolling media/news etc. I hear your comment with the 11” being more portable though. My current iPad is approx. 9”!
100% agree with your post. The M5 256 seems to be the right one for me given your comments. Liking the fact the WiFi and Bluetooth have improved too (better longevity again). Going round in circles whether 256 is enough for years ahead or spend another £200 and get the 512. I can’t really see me using up 256 for my basic usage. Just the IOS updates and maybe download Microsoft office for word/excel.
Math/Maths.
stepping up to a 1-2TB model for “future proofing” is spending a lot more today to not really buy much in the way of extra longevity. Take that money, save it and use it to upgrade in 3-5 years.
And if you say “well i could buy an M4 model of 1-2TB” for less money - you could also buy a 256GB M4 for even less.
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