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It’s never going to replace a laptop until Apple enables it to run a full OS, either virtualized or otherwise. Putting an M1 into fart app machine is like outfitting a trike with a V12.
Majority of people don’t need a powerful full OS, it replaced my laptop, most people will use it for emails, Facebook and movies
 
In hindsight, the 2020 model was really not a worthwhile upgrade from 2018 considering what the 2021 updates bring.

This is a good time to check on Amazon warehouse deals for 2020 iPad Pros. Sometimes the disclosures will note that there’s a scratch or imperfection, and it’ll look brand new when shipped.
Actually just got mine delivered today from best buy. Turns out it was a return that was never opened! Gotta say I really lucked out.
 
If I understand correctly the 2020 can only mirror output to a screen (with bars on the side), not extend it.

I don't think the 2020 iPad Pros can do this:

thunderbolt_hero__fg7vx8fb8ve6_large.jpg
This is a full screen view of the Luma fusion video preview window. 2020 and 2018 iPad pros can do this but not on a 6k display. I think you confused this with external monitor native resolution support which is currently not possible even on iPad pro 2021. Apps and iPad OS need to be coded to utilize the different aspect ratio of external monitors.
Below is a screen grab from a 2019 video on luma fusion.
grab.PNG
 
The increased hardware needs to be available (which it is now with these new iPad Pros) before the next big step in the software can take place, otherwise people will complain that the new software is slowing down their current iPads.
 
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That's just one example of the many benefits of having extra RAM. If you don't need more than 6GB of RAM then more power to you.

The Thunderbolt port now allows the iPad to be used with high speed external storage and even a dock, meaning peripheral use that is closer to a Mac than ever before.

If I understand correctly the 2020 can only mirror output to a screen (with bars on the side), not extend it.

I don't think the 2020 iPad Pros can do this:

thunderbolt_hero__fg7vx8fb8ve6_large.jpg


I'd been holding out for exactly these issues to be resolved before jumping in, and now I'm good.

To each their own, though.
For people who use those features - like yourself - definitely. I like where iPads are going. Hopefully down the line we'll get a tablet like device that can also game when hooked up to a 4k monitor with ease. :D

I've used my iPad Pro 11 2018 with an external monitor before - it just mirrors. Some apps utilized it as a true second monitor but not many. I've used external hard drives with it but the apps that could use the external drive via iPad OS were limited so I never used it much.

I imagine a few people are like myself - I've got a MBP so anything work heavy I use my MBP for. My iPad is mostly a consumption, reading, note taking, etc device. I don't need a Pro but I prefer it due to speed, screen size, and abilities.
 
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I am getting a brand new 2020 iPad pro 12.9 256GB for $350 less than the 2021 256 GB version. I can get it in 4-5 days compared to 31 June to 14 July expected date for the newer version. Should I go for it? I will be doing heavy image editing, video editing and digital art. I will be using my iPad pro as a primary computer and my pc as a secondary device for everything iPad cannot do.
 
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I am getting a brand new 2020 iPad pro 12.9 256GB for $350 less than the 2021 256 GB version. I can get it in 4-5 days compared to 31 June to 14 July expected date for the newer version. Should I go for it? I will be doing heavy image editing, video editing and digital art. I will be using my iPad pro as a primary computer and my pc as a secondary device for everything iPad cannot do.
Sounds like a good setup!
 
I am getting a brand new 2020 iPad pro 12.9 256GB for $350 less than the 2021 256 GB version. I can get it in 4-5 days compared to 31 June to 14 July expected date for the newer version. Should I go for it? I will be doing heavy image editing, video editing and digital art. I will be using my iPad pro as a primary computer and my pc as a secondary device for everything iPad cannot do.
If you don't mind saying, where are you finding a 2020 12.9 256GB for $849? I've seen a couple of stores selling them for $899.
 
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Man, I'm torn.

A 2018 iPP refurbished (LTE+256 GB SSD) is 250 € cheaper than a new 2021 128 GB / LTE iPad Pro 11.

No idea which one I should get, beyond the "future proofing" aspect of the 2021 model. I can't imagine noticing any difference betwixt those two.
 
If you don't mind saying, where are you finding a 2020 12.9 256GB for $849? I've seen a couple of stores selling them for $899.
Agreed. For the iPad Pro 11 2020 256GB:



I have a Costco CC so I sprung on this deal and was pretty happy with it. I know $750 isn't the greatest deal I could have found but I'm happy. BestBuy had a $100 off at $799. So Costco is really $150 off - not counting Costco CC benefits.

The iPad Pro 11 M1 256GB is $899. So $150 savings.
 
I am getting a brand new 2020 iPad pro 12.9 256GB for $350 less than the 2021 256 GB version. I can get it in 4-5 days compared to 31 June to 14 July expected date for the newer version. Should I go for it? I will be doing heavy image editing, video editing and digital art. I will be using my iPad pro as a primary computer and my pc as a secondary device for everything iPad cannot do.
If you can wait, and can swing the $350 extra, the M1 iPad Pro would be better for that usage in my opinion. It will have 2GB of additional RAM, and the extra power of the M1 for video editing may very well be worth the cost increase alone, not to mention the miniLED display.
 
I still have a 2017 iPad Pro and it does just about everything I need. Apple pumps people up when they show woke 20 somethings editing videos on an iPad with a 6k display connected. But we all know in reality, we are just gonna use this to browse the web and post on Macrumors and social media. We like the potential of what it can do. We might even download and launch LumaFusion just to feel good about ourselves. Our spirit knows deep down a basic iPad 9.7 is more than enough. But yes, we just like nice things.

For those still in impulse buy mode, wait a little bit more and you might think differently.

i think it comes down to whether the discount for the last model is enough to justify 1 or 2 years of lost updates. A lot of us are buying it just because we want 12.9 inches, and the power in either is probably overkill for what we’re using it for in the short term. But in a few years when iPadOS becomes more demanding and updates end, you know it’s going to end on the older model first.
 
My 2017 MacBook Pro needs replacement, but I'm pretty much done with the Mac. Heck, I have to keep the damn display open at way past vertical to keep it working. I tried the top-end 2020 iPad fully configured, but when I saw that it still couldn't support global handwriting conversion to text, I sent it back. If I decide on the 2021 version, it would be the 12.9 M1 fully configured. Essentially, a $3300 iPad that includes the new keyboard, pencil-2, AppleCare, and tax.
 
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If you don't mind saying, where are you finding a 2020 12.9 256GB for $849? I've seen a couple of stores selling them for $899.
I am from India and prices here are different. For electronics, we are 99% close to UK prices, sometimes a little better. So when I said $350 less than the 2021 model, it was £1090 in India (not $1099) for 2021 and £850 for 2020 (approximately). Some Apple premium seller is offering the discount but I have already preordered the 2021 version and I think I will stick with it.
 
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i think it comes down to whether the discount for the last model is enough to justify 1 or 2 years of lost updates. A lot of us are buying it just because we want 12.9 inches, and the power in either is probably overkill for what we’re using it for in the short term. But in a few years when iPadOS becomes more demanding and updates end, you know it’s going to end on the older model first.

Yep. Since I'm looking at 1TB Cellular, even the 2020 is ~$1700 with 10.25% sales tax. That seems a very steep price to pay for what is essentially 3 year old tech (2018 A12X and 2020 A12Z have nearly identical performance).
 
2017 iPad Pro strong! Let’s see how long we can go.
I would love to But my screen is delaminating and 1 month out of Apple Care they wouldn‘t do anything for me. I can’t stand it anymore so I broke down and ordered an 11”.

Agreed. For the iPad Pro 11 2020 256GB:



I have a Costco CC so I sprung on this deal and was pretty happy with it. I know $750 isn't the greatest deal I could have found but I'm happy. BestBuy had a $100 off at $799. So Costco is really $150 off - not counting Costco CC benefits.

The iPad Pro 11 M1 256GB is $899. So $150 savings.
Yep, I ordered a 512GB version for myself. Gotta break it to the wife now. Saving grace one of the kids get a mostly working 12.9” Pro.
 
To be perfectly honest, those are pretty much the exact same things I used my personal laptop for. The difference is I enjoy using the iPad so much more than the laptop.
But do you need an M1 iPad to do that. The 2018 iPad Pro with the same design does the same thing with the same OS.
 
But do you need an M1 iPad to do that. The 2018 iPad Pro with the same design does the same thing with the same OS.

The M1? No. Alas, the Apple certified refurb store's the only place I'd trust to get a 2018 Pro from and that's been empty for a long while.

I've also had more frequent app and page crashes with 4GB RAM on the 2017 iPad ever since iPadOS 13 that required restart to fix so 8-16GB is looking much better than 6GB if I use it for 4 years like the 2017 model.

Besides, back when the 2018 Pros launched, pricing was similar to the 2021 anyway. The 2018 12.9 1TB LTE was $1900 while the 2021 12.9 1TB 5G is $2000. I expect Apple will update the storage tiers in the future but I reckon the $999+ price point is here to stay. I was originally planning on upgrading for 1TB last year. Unfortunately, the 2020 Pro ended up being a disappointment.
 
I switched from my iPhone 6S to the iPhone 12 for the display. It's a huge upgrade, especially for reading at night. Totally worth it. Waiting for either the iPad Mini or iPad 11 inch to feature an OLED or equivalent.
 
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