Apple did this to the mini 4, we shouldn't be surprised they botched the smaller iPad Pro.
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iPad iPad Pro has 2GB of ram not worth the upgrade if you have air 2
- Thread starter snow755
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Yep I agree with this. I'd think the Air 2 and Pro 9.7 will have a similar lifespan due to the identical RAM. Which means Air 2 owners really did get an amazing bargain if they purchased on day one.
The iPhone will determine how long iOS will be optimised for devices with 2GB of RAM. As soon as iPhone gets 3GB or 4GB you know future iOS devices will be designed to take full advantage of it, as will the apps from Apple and third parties.
Obviously if you're someone who buys a new iPad every time they launch then none of this matters to you.
Previous gen iPads always drop in price. We're comparing value of the air 2 when it was the newest model, to the 9.7 ipp now that it is the newest model. Of course the air 2 is cheaper now that it's two years old. Release date comparison.
2014-Base model iPad Air 2-$499
16gb storage, no pencil support, no Smart Keyboard support, crappy vibrating speakers.
2016-Base model 9.7 ipp-$599
32gb storage, pencil support, Smart Keyboard support, 4 speakers.
Even comparing 599 then to 599 now, yes you'd get 32/64 but you'd get the other features that to me, are much more valuable than more storage.
Completely disagree about 32gb being too small for most. For some, sure, but a lot of us get by just fine with 32. I have 15gb free on my 32 ipp. It's 2016, stream movies and music, cloud storage is preferred for convenience. Each user is different but most regular users don't need the type of storage that Mac rumors users think they need.
I had a feeling the Air 2 was going to hit a super sweet spot - as a (close to) day 1 owner of an Air 2, I've already gotten 1.5 years of use out of it and not needing the pencil/keyboard the Air 2 should now be obsolete around the same time as the Pro 9.7. It is likely to be one of the longest lived iPads for longevity if not the longest.
Between the 2GB and the USB2 interface, the Pro 9.7 has lost a lot of appeal to cause Air 2 owners to upgrade. I think most would prefer to wait for 4GB, USB3 and Force Touch to become the de facto standard before upgrading. Still, I think the Pro 9.7 is by far a better deal that those who bought an iPad 3 or an Air 1, if you're upgrading from something other than an Air 2.
The one consolation is that the 9.7 Pro doesn't have as high a screen resolution and as we've all seen in the 1GB iPhone 6 vs. 6 Plus, the 6 Plus really struggled with 1GB of RAM. So the 9.7 Pro keeping the Air 2 resolution should be able to manage better than a Pro 12.9 would with 2GB.
Between the 2GB and the USB2 interface, the Pro 9.7 has lost a lot of appeal to cause Air 2 owners to upgrade. I think most would prefer to wait for 4GB, USB3 and Force Touch to become the de facto standard before upgrading. Still, I think the Pro 9.7 is by far a better deal that those who bought an iPad 3 or an Air 1, if you're upgrading from something other than an Air 2.
The one consolation is that the 9.7 Pro doesn't have as high a screen resolution and as we've all seen in the 1GB iPhone 6 vs. 6 Plus, the 6 Plus really struggled with 1GB of RAM. So the 9.7 Pro keeping the Air 2 resolution should be able to manage better than a Pro 12.9 would with 2GB.
Notice many reviews online and videos think this thing has 4gb ram. Perhaps they should have got there facts right first some of them were reputable tech review sites.
An owner of an older device wants to know if they should get the Air2 or the Pro 9.7.
Of course you are going to compare based on today's prices and not when something is first introduced.
On the 32gb base...we'll just have to agree on disagreeing then.
To me, that 32gb base is equal to the 16gb base of 5 years ago. It's adequate with a little room for growth, but cutting it a close if we're talking 12-18 months down the line.
Streaming stuff is fine when home, less so when traveling. Not lugging my NAS when easier to copy some movies to local storage. Same for music.
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They have got rid of a 16gb which for most people was as much as they would pay for an iPad.
I would have went for a 32gb last year but they offered very generously 64gb for the same price. Now it's less memory higher cost.
The 256gb model is far too expensive for most people and nobody would need one this large.
Apple has made a major mistake ditching 16gb and 64gb price point. What they should have done was:
32gb replacing a 16gb.
64gb
256gb replacing the 128gb
No price change.
Well that bites. I've been without an an iPad like forever and now this. Absolutely no way am I being suckered by Apple again because they're too damn cheap to future proof their product.
Tim Cook has turned into the second coming of Gil Amelio, God help us.
Tim Cook has turned into the second coming of Gil Amelio, God help us.
2x Processor boost
Apple Pencil support
Better screen with 25% greater saturation
Better speakers
Much Better camera
Faster NAND storage.
The only thing that didn't change was RAM which was already considered great in the Air 2 which was the "longevity" model a few months ago.
Apple Pencil support
Better screen with 25% greater saturation
Better speakers
Much Better camera
Faster NAND storage.
The only thing that didn't change was RAM which was already considered great in the Air 2 which was the "longevity" model a few months ago.
I would put a "*" next to RAM.
Great when the Air2 was introduced, merely adequate now. Yes, the Air2 will be supported for a good long while, but one spec's a device for what needs are now and a year from now.
In this regard, it falls short for the price Apple is asking.
And because the pencil is of zero interest to me and the better camera isn't far behind...you could even say had Apple released a version without these features and with a lesser price, many would have embraced it more.
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I really want that improved screen though since a primary use of the iPad for me is viewing and editing photos. That's a huge appeal to me. But the lack of 4 GB of RAM (as well as an underclocked processor) is disappointing.
It was the longevity model when it came out 1.5 years ago. Not so much anymore.
I agree it was a cheap shot for a price "Pro" device, but I don't think it's a cripple.
Way off. Not so much of the Pro itself, but the fact that they didn't update the "most popular iPad" (Air) at a reasonable price. I'll bet many people went for the Air for the 9.7" screen size, but will not pay $150+ more for features they may not use.
If you only plan to browse the web or Facebook or even just iOS games, the Air 2 is a better choice. Unless you need 128/256GB of storage or absolutely want Apple Pencil support, I see little reason to get the Pro.
I'm buying it specifically for the Pencil. And I'm sure I'll be happy with it. My 3 year old iPad Mini retina (mini 2?) only has 1 GB RAM and I rarely notice an issue. I just want a Pencil on what (for me, in my opinion) is a decent size. 12.9 is just too damn big.
And it's Pro because it has the a9X (almost twice as fast) the Pencil support. The Smart Connector. The quad speakers. The Tru-tone screen. And the touch/pencil overlay for the fantastic palm rejection. That's why it's Pro. Sure more RAM would be nice but if it gets me thru another 3 years, and has the Pencil, I'll be completely satisfied. No regrets.
Had Apple released an air3 with a9 in Sept with a separate Pro 9.7" with pencil support...everything would have been hunky-dory.
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You might be right. But then, you might be wrong.
Either way...your path is clear (in your mind), so have at it.
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Its more about the missing software features. Already no always on "Hey Siri" for the iPad Pro 13" despite it having the exact same/better specs than iPad Pro 9.7. Same with potential features/use of transferring data USB 3 vs USB 2.
Hardware has gotten to a point where they're adding random ass features like "True Tone" and 12MP...for an iPad.
Come to think of it, Apple is well known to people to offer premium products with premium specs at a premium price. The price of the new iPad Pro is a premium price but the RAM specs are not premium so I feel disappointed in Apple with that decision. The new Galaxy S7 Edge comes with 4GB of RAM and it is probably 1/3 of the size of the new iPad and one is a smartphone and the other is a tablet. Tablets should have better and higher specs.