iPad Pro iPad Pro 4gb vs 6gb

[spacemanjupiter]

I'm new to iPads. I ordered a Pro 512gb and shortly after learned that the 1tb has 6gb of ram.

Has anyone been able to compare the two to see if there are performance differences? Is 6gb clearly the way to go? If so I'll return the 512 and get the 1tb. I don't understand why Apple doesn't make this clear in specs. Seems like 2gb difference would be something worth mentioning.

 

[Kal-037]

With any RAM increase you'll get some better performance, in the case of the 6GB 1TB... from all I've heard over the past 9 months... It helps a little. It helps make it so your safari, paint apps, and any program that refreshes when you don't use it... doesn't refresh constantly. In terms of CPU and GPU performance it's actually slower than the 4GB model. Many people believe the RAM is for managing the enormous 1TB storage. Many tech experts even have said that, but realistically some will still be available to the whole iPad system. In essence you get about 1GB of RAM, so obviously one more GB will be nice, but working in computers for the past 15 years, more RAM doesn't necessarily mean it will be "better." I have an iMac with 4GB RAM and no issues with it UNLESS I leave it be for days then jump back in, because it's older RAM it takes about 15-30 seconds for it to warm up and do it's job. I do heavy photo, video and audio editing on both my iPad and iMac and the iPad works without a single slow-down and I have 20-30 plus tabs or layers or whatnot going in the background when surfing safari (new desktop version) facebook, iTunes, procreate, affinity photo, Pixelmator, and photos running and since I've owned this iPad, I have not had ONE single time where it was slowed down or had to refresh.
To give some perspective, I have been using my iPads as my main drivers/computers since 2013. This new iPad with iOS 12 and the new iPadOS13 make it at least 2-4x better and more efficient than iOS 11 and on older iPads.


I say if you are worried about having 6 v 4, wait for a sale and get the 1TB for around the same price as the 512 is regularly. But honestly I LOVE my iPad 256GB with 4GB RAM... and I know a bump to 6GB is not worth 500-600 extra, or even worth 200 extra. More RAM is always nice, but not necessary, especially when it comes to Apple; their OSs and hardware layout aren't like other manufacturers, and they work seamlessly.

So yeah, I think 512GB with 4GB RAM is plenty for a good 5-7 years or more, (my gen 1 iPad just became not useable for art or anything heavy-is in 2017. But I can still use it for web browsing, movies, music, and other basic stuff, (that's 7 years for a device with 256MB of RAM) so I think 4GB will be fantastic for a good very-long while.
I'll update to the new iPad (MAYBE) if it's 8GB and the A13 or A14 Processor with all the bells and whistles. As it stand though, the iPad Pro 3 is the iPad I've been dreaming about since the first iPad.
YMMV, do what you feel is best, but don't let your mind think the 1TB is better than the others. IT'S NOT, it is just as cool.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Even tho iOS 13 will open up the usb-c of the ipads making storage size moot...I am glad i bought the 1TB 11” ipad pro for the 6 gigs of ram. I do a lot of photo & video editing, so i bought it more for the extra ram than the extra storage. No regrets. Tho in real world basic usage, i don’t think you’d notice a huge difference. Although more ram will be more future proof i guess.

 

[Kal-037]

Even tho iOS 13 will open up the usb-c of the ipads making storage size moot...I am glad i bought the 1TB 11” ipad pro for the 6 gigs of ram. I do a lot of photo & video editing, so i bought it more for the extra ram than the extra storage. No regrets. Tho in real world basic usage, i don’t think you’d notice a huge difference. Although more ram will be more future proof i guess.

Everyone says "future proof" but honestly all iPads since Air 2 are pretty future proof. Since Apple upped their CPU and GPU game, I doubt any of their iPads will NOT last for 5-7 years. Apple just makes good stuff and even though RAM isn't 8-10-16GB 4 was a HUGE jump from Air 2's 2GB, and I don't think I've heard anyone complaining that 4GB was causing issues... heck I barely hear a complaint about 2GB. lol


Kallum.

 

[EugW]

Everyone says "future proof" but honestly all iPads since Air 2 are pretty future proof. Since Apple upped their CPU and GPU game, I doubt any of their iPads will NOT last for 5-7 years.

It would be a mistake in 2019 to buy a 2 GB iPad IMO.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Everyone says "future proof" but honestly all iPads since Air 2 are pretty future proof. Since Apple upped their CPU and GPU game, I doubt any of their iPads will NOT last for 5-7 years. Apple just makes good stuff and even though RAM isn't 8-10-16GB 4 was a HUGE jump from Air 2's 2GB, and I don't think I've heard anyone complaining that 4GB was causing issues... heck I barely hear a complaint about 2GB. lol


Kallum.

Totally agree. Ipads more than any Apple device are “future proof”. They really stay current for surfing the web and using various apps without a hiccup for years & years. I just updated my ipad mini 2 after 5 1/2 yrs. But i am glad i did get the 1TB ipad pro with 6 gigs of ram because i do ALOT of pretty heavy 4k video editing on it. So it all depends on context.

 

[Kal-037]

Totally agree. Ipads more than any Apple device are “future proof”. They really stay current for surfing the web and using various apps without a hiccup for years & years. I just updated my ipad mini 2 after 5 1/2 yrs. But i am glad i did get the 1TB ipad pro with 6 gigs of ram because i do ALOT of pretty heavy 4k video editing on it. So it all depends on context.

I think the biggest problem people have in deciding between the two is if it really is night and day... and it’s not there’s no huge difference between the two (since iOS/iPadOs are so good at efficient) and 4GB is not actually that low. I see future iPad Pros getting maybe 6GB across the board. **Not worth losing $400-500 to sell my current iPad just for the 6GB though.
... I don’t see the iPad really NEEDING that extra RAM too much. Like you said, it’s context, but I think it’s also storage choices.

Theoretically I see it like this... iPad 4GB will hold 20 safari tabs, 20-40 layers procreate, while capable of doing many things at once without issue... the 6GB will allow 30 safari tabs, 30-50 procreate layers while capable of doing many things things... and both will not crash or slow down 99% of the time.

 

[EugW]

iPadOS totally changes the game.

One of the reasons iPads did so well with so little memory before for so many people was because it was so hard to get anything done with it.

An iPad as a true productivity device is a very different beast from an iPad as a pure consumption device.

 

[Kal-037]

It would be a mistake in 2019 to buy a 2 GB iPad IMO.

Not a mistake IMO, but if you want the better features in future OS updates, I’d say it’d be better to go with 4GB or more. But buying an iPad 6 isn’t going to be slow by any means.
[doublepost=1563003672][/doublepost]

iPadOS totally changes the game.

One of the reasons iPads did so well with so little memory before for so many people was because it was so hard to get anything done with it.

An iPad as a true productivity device is a very different beast from an iPad as a pure consumption device.

Agreed, but it’s been my computer for 7 years and the Air 1 worked great, then the 4GB of RAM in IPP blew me away.

 

[EugW]

Not a mistake IMO, but if you want the better features in future OS updates, I’d say it’d be better to go with 4GB or more. But buying an iPad 6 isn’t going to be slow by any means.
[doublepost=1563003672][/doublepost]
Agreed, but it’s been my computer for 7 years and the Air 1 worked great, then the 4GB of RAM in IPP blew me away.

iPad Air 1 has been annoying for Safari tab reloads for years. Its 1 GB RAM was a real world limitation even back 4 years ago.

In fact, that's the main reason I upgraded from my 1 GB iPhone 5S back in 2016. The constant Safari tab reloads made me want to rip my hair out. It was MUCH better on my 3 GB iPhone 7 Plus.

 

[augustya]

Man reading @Greenmeenie posts again and again where he mentions again and again that he is so happy he made a decision to buy the 1TB model for the 6GB RAM is like making everyone else feel guilty !!

 

[maflynn]

shortly after learned that the 1tb has 6gb of ram.

Wow, I did not realize that for some reason the 1TB model offers 6GB of ram. Thanks to iCloud, my local storage need has been minimal. I'm not sure I can or that I'm willing to justify the price of the 1TB model, but its good to know.

Wow never mind, I just looked at the pricing. 750 for the base 11" iPad Pro vs. 1,500 for the 1TB model. There's no way I'm willing to plunk down twice the price of the base model.

With other iPads having less then 4GB of ram, I'll not worry about having 4gb.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Man reading @Greenmeenie posts again and again where he mentions again and again that he is so happy he made a decision to buy the 1TB model for the 6GB RAM is like making everyone else feel guilty !!

He must sleep with that thing!

Nevertheless, the extra 6GB of RAM is definitely worth it.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Man reading @Greenmeenie posts again and again where he mentions again and again that he is so happy he made a decision to buy the 1TB model for the 6GB RAM is like making everyone else feel guilty !!

Hey, nobody can make anyone FEEL guilty. Thats on them. Am I happy? Yes. I am a happy guy by nature. I don't live with regret, because when i make a decision, it’s based on what I want/need. Regrets are just thoughts about the past crippling us in the present. And thats stupid. I bought the 1TB model knowing that it was possible that Apple was going to open up the usb-c in the future allowing external hard drives & storage to be connected. Which they just announced with the upcoming iOS 13. Do i regret my decision? No. Because i needed my ipad pro then. Its my main content creation device. Plus having larger onboard storage is still advantageous when editing 4k video. And yes, getting 6gb of ram instead of 4gb, for the kind of work i do made sense. Not saying it’s necessary for everyone else at all. No reason for anyone to feel guilty. And certainly no reason for me to have regrets just because Apple will add cool things to the next ipad pro. Perhaps giving it OLED display or 8gb of ram. Who knows! Lol. If you are using & being productive with what ya got...be Happy i say! Life is too short for guilt or regret. Cheers.
[doublepost=1563030128][/doublepost]

He must sleep with that thing!

Nevertheless, the extra 6GB of RAM is definitely worth it.

I do take it to bed with me. Bow chikka wah wah! Seriously tho, you can love your device...just don’t Looooove your device.

 

[rui no onna]

It would be a mistake in 2019 to buy a 2 GB iPad IMO.

Not necessarily. This really depends on use.

Also, iPad 6th gen can often be found for $250 in the US. Could probably trade-in/resell it for $100-150 if one wishes to upgrade after 1-2 years or so. Even $250 is probably lower than the depreciation on the iPad Pros after a year of use.

Sure, iPadOS allows one to be more productive. However, I don't think most people use their home PCs for productivity. I think it's probably pretty common to have work provided Windows desktops or laptops in the office with lighter usage at home.

Heck, prior to getting an iPad, my laptop's primary use was web browsing, online shopping, online banking, video streaming, and reading manga and ebooks. We've got multiple desktops and laptops at home and the ones used by my family is pretty much just on Twitch and YouTube majority of the time. It's only the PCs I use that actually do not-quite-consumption stuff (Apache+PHP server, Blu-ray ripping, Calibre ebook management, creating live Linux flash drives, jailbreaking Kindles, etc).

P.S.
Air 2 A8X/2GB isn't quite the same as iPad 6 A10/2GB. I tested loading some websites on Air 2 and iPad 5 A9/2GB and for example, MR forums loaded ~3-5 seconds faster on the iPad 5. iPad 6 should be faster. It's not a simple broad brush that just because Air 2 has started to slow that all other iPads with 2GB will behave similarly.

 

[Digitalguy]

Not necessarily. This really depends on use.

Also, iPad 6th gen can often be found for $250 in the US. Could probably trade-in/resell it for $100-150 if one wishes to upgrade after 1-2 years or so. Even $250 is probably lower than the depreciation on the iPad Pros after a year of use.

Sure, iPadOS allows one to be more productive. However, I don't think most people use their home PCs for productivity. I think it's probably pretty common to have work provided Windows desktops or laptops in the office with lighter usage at home.

Heck, prior to getting an iPad, my laptop's primary use was web browsing, online shopping, online banking, video streaming, and reading manga and ebooks. We've got multiple desktops and laptops at home and the ones used by my family is pretty much just on Twitch and YouTube majority of the time. It's only the PCs I use that actually do not-quite-consumption stuff (Apache+PHP server, Blu-ray ripping, Calibre ebook management, creating live Linux flash drives, jailbreaking Kindles, etc).

P.S.
Air 2 A8X/2GB isn't quite the same as iPad 6 A10/2GB. I tested loading some websites on Air 2 and iPad 5 A9/2GB and for example, MR forums loaded ~3-5 seconds faster on the iPad 5. iPad 6 should be faster. It's not a simple broad brush that just because Air 2 has started to slow that all other iPads with 2GB will behave similarly.

I agree with rui no onna (as I often do...;-), I have a pro with 4GB, a pro with 2GB (well 2 of them actually) and a mini with 4 (plus mini 4 and mini 2). And the pros are all fast, on ios 12 and 13 (but very buggy on 13). However I do understand why EugW said that. I guess he said it as “If you do a lot and/or want to keep it for long” (and giving for granted it’s the only or main ipad). However for some basic use like browsing the web, youtube, messages etc. Ipad 6 or ipad pro 9.7 are excellent devices and will be for at least a couple of years more (probably most people are “simple” ipad users that fit into this basic use and are not on these forums).
Also for some more sophisticated users that have several ipads, they could be an excellent secondary ipad (I bought a second 9.7 pro for 250 just to test ipados on it...).
And even for me with so many ipads, ipad is not and will not be a main working device, it can be my on the go device for a lot of things but whenever I leave for more that one day (like now), I always bring a laptop since there are some things that ipad will not have anytime soon, that is professional software, and I am not speaking of video editing or similar stuff, but of business software. To be honest most of it is not even on the mac (at least for my use), so it will probably never be on ipad. But the mac can run virtual machines and as long as the ipad cannot do it, it’s not a option for work other than via remote desktop, which is something I would not do for more than an hour or 2... and can only do if internet connection is stable...

 

[rui no onna]

However I do understand why EugW said that. I guess he said it as “If you do a lot and/or want to keep it for long” (and giving for granted it’s the only or main ipad). However for some basic use like browsing the web, youtube, messages etc. Ipad 6 or ipad pro 9.7 are excellent devices and will be for at least a couple of years more (probably most people are “simple” ipad users that fit into this basic use and are not on these forums).

I definitely understand the need (or want) for more RAM on iOS. I just don't think it's a one-size fits all thing anymore.

Like on PC/Mac, some folks are perfectly fine with a NUC or Mac Mini and then there are those who need multiple Xeon CPUs with 512GB RAM and multiple monster graphics cards.

 

[bensisko]

iPadOS totally changes the game.

One of the reasons iPads did so well with so little memory before for so many people was because it was so hard to get anything done with it.

An iPad as a true productivity device is a very different beast from an iPad as a pure consumption device.

I feel very left out on this idea that iPadOS is somehow a game changer, probably because my iPads have been productivity devices for many years now. While i’m glad more people are on board with this, I can’t help but wonder if people are setting themselves up for a big let down.

 

[Abazigal]

For the money you save by not going with the 1 tb iPad, you could simply upgrade to a better iPad down the road if and when 4 gb ram no longer suffices. Get the 1 tb model only if you really need that much space for some reason, not because you want that extra ram which isn’t going to be noticeable in day to day usage.

 

[EugW]

I feel very left out on this idea that iPadOS is somehow a game changer, probably because my iPads have been productivity devices for many years now. While i’m glad more people are on board with this, I can’t help but wonder if people are setting themselves up for a big let down.

Way too annoying before for a lot of people to do real work on an iPad before, myself included. The very big deal is proper external storage support in iPadOS.

Yes, you could get around this before, but that's just it: You had to deal with annoying workarounds.

 

[bensisko]

Way too annoying before for a lot of people to do real work on an iPad before, myself included. The very big deal is proper external storage support in iPadOS.

Yes, you could get around this before, but that's just it: You had to deal with annoying workarounds.

Unless you were using Cloud storage.

Are you saying external storage was the big barrier to “getting real work done”?

 

[EugW]

Unless you were using Cloud storage.

Are you saying external storage was the big barrier to “getting real work done”?

It's one big barrier. For a lot of people, no external storage with no real file system means not a viable solution. That should be obvious. The other big problems of course include the software and interface support.

Hell, even the lack of desktop browser support was a big deal for some. eg. Google Docs. People also say the same thing for web design websites. They simply didn't work in iOS 12, but they work in iPadOS 13.

Maybe those were not problems for you, but they were hella big problems for lots and lots of people of course.

All of this is changing in iPadOS 13. I'd say iPadOS 13 is the biggest and most important change to the OS since perhaps the first generation.

 

[bensisko]

It's one big barrier. For a lot of people, no external storage with no real file system means not a viable solution. That should be obvious. The other big problems of course include the software and interface support.

Hell, even the lack of desktop browser support was a big deal for some. eg. Google Docs. People also say the same thing for web design websites. They simply didn't work in iOS 12, but they work in iPadOS 13.

Maybe those were not problems for you, but they were hella big problems for lots and lots of people of course.

All of this is changing in iPadOS 13. I'd say iPadOS 13 is the biggest and most important change to the OS since perhaps the first generation.

• Lack of an accessible File System - still never really understood how this was such an issue - the files were always displayed with the app I needed them to be displayed. Personally, I loved the fact I never had to go hunting for the files or worry about where they were - I just open the associated app and there they were. If they were media files, I know they’re in my Photos library. It was all visual and made perfect sense to me.
• No external storage - There were tons of ways to get files to and from the iPad and Cloud storage was always (and will remain) the easiest for me (personal or work).
• Desktop Browser - Personally, I’ve never encountered a situation where the iPad’s browser didn’t work, but then again I don’t use Google Docs (or any of Google’s services).

Don’t get me wrong, happy for people getting what they need, but for me productivity has always been about the Apps. The iPad started becoming a content creation device with some of the first drawing apps, but really changed it’s nature with Apple’s Pages and Keynote, then Microsoft’s Office. Then Adobe got on board (especially with Adobe Comp). Now there’s an app for 85% of what I want to do with a computer.

Personally, the OS has little do how or if i’m Productive on a device, and i’ve never felt like I had to do any kind of acrobatics (not to be confused with Adobe’s Acrobat) to use any iOS devices. If anything, I suppose, iOS makes me more productive because I’m not chasing after files, wondering which folder or which drive it’s on - I always know that I open Word and there’s all of my Word docs.

 

[EugW]

• Lack of an accessible File System - still never really understood how this was such an issue - the files were always displayed with the app I needed them to be displayed. Personally, I loved the fact I never had to go hunting for the files or worry about where they were - I just open the associated app and there they were. If they were media files, I know they’re in my Photos library. It was all visual and made perfect sense to me.
• No external storage - There were tons of ways to get files to and from the iPad and Cloud storage was always (and will remain) the easiest for me (personal or work).
• Desktop Browser - Personally, I’ve never encountered a situation where the iPad’s browser didn’t work, but then again I don’t use Google Docs (or any of Google’s services).

Don’t get me wrong, happy for people getting what they need, but for me productivity has always been about the Apps. The iPad started becoming a content creation device with some of the first drawing apps, but really changed it’s nature with Apple’s Pages and Keynote, then Microsoft’s Office. Then Adobe got on board (especially with Adobe Comp). Now there’s an app for 85% of what I want to do with a computer.

Personally, the OS has little do how or if i’m Productive on a device, and i’ve never felt like I had to do any kind of acrobatics (not to be confused with Adobe’s Acrobat) to use any iOS devices. If anything, I suppose, iOS makes me more productive because I’m not chasing after files, wondering which folder or which drive it’s on - I always know that I open Word and there’s all of my Word docs.

MS Excel is a real PITA to use with the touch interface. I gave up on it completely and just reverted to my MacBook for all Excel stuff.

For you it’s about some specific apps. That’s fine, but it’s clear you don’t use the iPad for content creation the same way many people do. You have a very narrow workflow preference which just happens to fit how the iPad used to work.

Apple tried to force everyone else into this method for years, but finally has admitted it just doesn’t work for a lot of people, and has added to iPadOS 13 many of the things people have been asking for for years.

Ironically though, some of the stuff that worked for me in PB1 have stopped working for me in PB2. Gotta love betas.

 

[bensisko]

MS Excel is a real PITA to use with the touch interface. I gave up on it completely and just reverted to my MacBook for all Excel stuff.

For you it’s about some specific apps. That’s fine, but it’s clear you don’t use the iPad for content creation the same way many people do. You have a very narrow workflow preference which just happens to fit how the iPad used to work.

Apple tried to force everyone else into this method for years, but finally has admitted it just doesn’t work for a lot of people, and has added to iPadOS 13 many of the things people have been asking for for years.

Ironically though, some of the stuff that worked for me in PB1 have stopped working for me in PB2. Gotta love betas.

Excel on any touch interface device is crap, but I would like to see Microsoft really take a hard look at how people might interact with the same data in a touch / mobile environment vs. just defaulting to “use a mouse”.

I guess from a high level i’m Disappointed in the overall lack of innovation in the User Experience (all around) that makes all of this unnecessary.

Anyway, my apologies to the others in this thread for the hijacking. I will move on to another thread with this conversation.