iPad Pro Reviews Roundup: Blazingly Fast With a More Balanced Design, But Some Face ID and USB-C Quirks

[Burger Thing]

While Apple is saying an iPad can be someone’s primary computer I don’t see where they’re explicitly saying they want iPad to replace the Mac. Does Nilay Patel want to replace his Mac (or whatever Wintel machine he’s using) with an iPad Pro? Is that his goal?

Does it matter?

What I do care about are the exact same limitations Nilay is critical about: the strange worklflows for example. Apple's own Siri Shortcut HACKS to circumnavigate the iOS limitations when importing raw files. Does it really have to be so cumbersome?

 

[jwalker99]

Anecdotally, Surface users I know long for a real PC. My limited experience is it seems to be a poor tradeoff between a tablet and a PC.

I am not sold on the touch screen on a PC concept. I use my iPad Pro to stand in for my Mac on occasion and I find it painful to have to touch the screen to do things I can easily do with a mousepad and keys on my Mac. The iPad, OTOH, is perfect for email, videos, document reading and web surfing since it is much more portable.

The Surface Pro IS a real PC. That's the whole point. Anecdotally, I replaced my iPad and MacBook Air in 2014 with the SP3, and 4 years later people are still debating every day whether the iPad can replace a laptop.

Meanwhile, the Surface works perfectly for exactly what you're describing. You can use it as a laptop or desktop when you want the mousepad and keyboard of a computer, but OTOH it's a great tablet for email, videos, document reading and web surfing.

 

[Rogifan]

Why? Because you have a personal dislike to whatever Nilay writes? I just read his review. Personally I think he was spot on regarding Lightroom CC and the import of files for example. The more shortcomings in iOS are highlighted in critical reviews, the faster they will be solved.

No, because Federico is someone who uses an iPad as his main computer and has for several years. To me that’s much more relevant. And it doesn’t mean the review will only be positive. Someone who uses iPad as their main computer will know its shortcomings better than anyone else. But they’ll also be able to give you a window into all the things they do with it, some things you might not be aware can be done. How much time does Nilay Patel spend with an iPad Pro outside of reviewing it?

 

[aylk]

First time I am not sure I will keep this one. I order the newest one with every release, and USB-C and thinner bezels make me wonder if I will like it. I have my most used spots in the house set up with chargers for my phone and iPad... having to add USB-C chargers in those spots is expensive.

And I am bitching about the iPad Pro bezels now. I can’t imagine any slimmer bezels making me happier.

Yeah, this strategy of up-selling you on compulsory dongles and adapters every few years is disgusting. Great for Apple's bottom line, terrible for the consumers and the environment.

 

[Marzel]

Like multi user support.

This won't happen any time soon. Apple doesn't want iOS devices to be shared across people because that would mean less sales. Even when asked about multiple face support for FaceID they reply that it only supports "alternative appearances" (like the same person wearing different head accessories) while in reality there is nothing stopping the system from storing alternative faces.

 

[jdiamond]

"But one extremely important category of devices will definitely not work: iOS does not support external storage. You can plug as many flash drives or hard drives as you want into the iPad Pro’s USB-C port, and nothing will happen."

Isn't Apple showing iPad Pro ads, including ones during the unveiling, that show an iPad using an external USB hard drive? Maybe we just need to wait for third party apps to support it?

 

[jmarttu24]

"You can plug as many flash drives or hard drives as you want into the iPad Pro's USB-C port, and nothing will happen."

I love Apple products, all of them, but this seems to be a pain in the butt limitation.

No yelling please guys, I am indeed an fan

It's a huge limitation! I am not going to transfer a 3gb+ psd file over wifi, then have to download it again on a pc just to work on it. Then when I want to work back on the iPad I have to re-upload it and download it again to the iPad (the circle continues). Seriously pisses me off they call this thing a computer replacement and yet it can't do basic computer functions. wont be buying one until they finally give in which will probably be never.

 

[Marzel]

You mean like the one they just announced this spring that starts at $329?

To be fair that iPad uses mostly years old technology so just because it is marketed as "New" it doesn't mean it really is.

 

[69Mustang]

The one review I will really care about is from Federico Vittici. He actually uses iPad as his main computer. He’s been a huge advocate for Shortcuts. Why Apple didn’t give him a review unit is beyond me. His review matters way more than Nilay Patel’s even if The Verge gets more traffic than MacStories.

That brings up question: has any major tech publication focused at all on Shortcuts? I’m not aware of any of them putting in the work Federico has. Not even Ars Technica. It’s a major new iOS feature and gets not much more than a passing mention from the major tech sites.

Shortcuts could end up being 3D Touch 2.0. A cool feature that's mostly ignored. No one is focusing on it because it hasn't been fully fleshed out.

 

[Rogifan]

Much like Automator got no love, I would be surprised if publications outside of iMore talked about Shortcuts more than in passing.

Let’s face it, as much as The Verge and others complain about software their obsession is with hardware. It’s like when Microsoft quarterly earnings come out and all the tech sites focus on Surface revenue. Shortcuts is something very powerful added to iOS and outside of a few Apple-centric sites nobody talks about it. Sad.

 

[cmaier]

Yeah, this strategy of up-selling you on compulsory dongles and adapters every few years is disgusting. Great for Apple's bottom line, terrible for the consumers and the environment.

This time the dongles and adapters are industry standard and you can buy cheap ones from many companies other than Apple.

Doesn’t seem to support your conclusion that it’s a money making scheme for Apple.

 

[Marzel]

The one review I will really care about is from Federico Vittici. He actually uses iPad as his main computer. He’s been a huge advocate for Shortcuts. Why Apple didn’t give him a review unit is beyond me. His review matters way more than Nilay Patel’s even if The Verge gets more traffic than MacStories.

That brings up question: has any major tech publication focused at all on Shortcuts? I’m not aware of any of them putting in the work Federico has. Not even Ars Technica. It’s a major new iOS feature and gets not much more than a passing mention from the major tech sites.

Patel does mention shortcuts in his review as a way to bypass some of the limitations but argues that they aren't that easy and intuitive to use unless you really know what you are doing. To be fair, he is right on that. People expect to be able to save files immediately when right clicking and to be able to import files directly to Photoshop (and not through the Photos app). There are shortcuts to bypass that problem but you have to know to look for them.

 

[jdiamond]

"You can plug as many flash drives or hard drives as you want into the iPad Pro's USB-C port, and nothing will happen."

I love Apple products, all of them, but this seems to be a pain in the butt limitation.

Agreed - all of Apple's nonsensical limitations seem mercenary - for example, they still charge $1,000/TB for flash - if you could use an external drive, would you pay that? Can't afford $1,000/TB? Let Apple Cloud services store your data for you. Not to mention a huge use of external drives is for Movie watching - what if you start watching movies you didn't buy from iTunes?

It reminds me of how people have been complaining for nearly 5 years that Adobe Cloud only lets you download your assets to a computer 1 file at a time, no folders, and people can't understand why they won't enable that. The answer is obvious - so you can't easily stop using Adobe Cloud because you can't get your images out.

 

[cmaier]

Agreed - all of Apple's nonsensical limitations seem mercenary - for example, they still charge $1,000/TB for flash - if you could use an external drive, would you pay that? Can't afford $1,000/TB? Let Apple Cloud services store your data for you. Not to mention a huge use of external drives is for Movie watching - what if you start watching movies you didn't buy from iTunes?

It reminds me of how people have been complaining for nearly 5 years that Adobe Cloud only lets you download your assets to a computer 1 file at a time, no folders, and people can't understand why they won't enable that. The answer is obvious - so you can't easily stop using Adobe Cloud because you can't get your images out.

I watch movies all the time on my iPad, not purchased from iTunes, and stored on my NAS. Works great.

 

[MarkB786]

Nice that Apple is finally trying to copy Microsoft and Samsung on the pen. But they do have a long ways to go. The Surface and Tab S3/S4 have amazing pen functionality that will take Apple several iterations to even approach.

 

[bayelrey80]

Apple should step up their game with iOS13 and offers significant updates to the iPad experience. The OS is the only thing limiting the iPad Pro/

Rumors are iOS 13 is the overhaul you're talking about

 

[code-m]

Plan on keeping this one five years, like my previous air gen one. So I can justify the cost increase.

12.9” 64gb SG has my name written all over it!

Bezel size should be the same ratio or narrower than present. Screen should have same radial corners as the physical edge of the design. iPhone X does this perfectly and it looks like a piece of art. If the screen cannot match then adjust the physical body radial corners, on the flip side there will be more room for batteries.

Decent first step into the X design language, still has a way to go.

 

[Burger Thing]

No, because Federico is someone who uses an iPad as his main computer and has for several years. To me that’s much more relevant. And it doesn’t mean the review will only be positive. Someone who uses iPad as their main computer will know its shortcomings better than anyone else. But they’ll also be able to give you a window into all the things they do with it, some things you might not be aware can be done. How much time does Nilay Patel spend with an iPad Pro outside of reviewing it?

I honestly don't care about Frederico and what he does.

What I do care, and I am repeating myself, are the exact same limitations Nilay stated. Awkward limitations in iOS which have been there for ages and should have been fixed.

It seems that you either haven't read his criticisms or you didn't understand them (for example the RAW+JPEG import issue). If that is the case, ok, then fine, because then you would probably not be hampered by these limitations. Simply because you never encounter them.

 

[Rogifan]

Does it matter?

What I do care about are the exact same limitations Nilay is critical about: the strange worklflows for example. Apple's own Siri Shortcut HACKS to circumnavigate the iOS limitations when importing raw files. Does it really have to be so cumbersome?

Sure it matters. If Nilay is using a laptop and it’s working fine for the things he needs to do why does it matter if the iPad Pro can do them or not? For a lot of people where iPad has replaced their laptop it probably wasn’t a specific goal it just happened.

 

[bayelrey80]

Amazing hardware, but for that amount of money I would like to have multiple logins, so I can share it with the family.

Supposedly coming in iOS 13

 

[Marzel]

Rumors are iOS 13 is the overhaul you're talking about

The only rumours I'm aware of, are those about an overhauled app launcher (home screen). What iPad needs is productivity features.

 

[cardfan]

If an ipad replaces your computer, then you were never much of a computer user. Oh but that applies to many. Remember netbooks. The average joe just wanted to browse the web. This is the one that can't manage a pc and has problems. Enter the ipad. It killed cheap netbooks. For the same amount, this did the trick. Average joe is happy. Average Joe however, isn't going to pay 1000+ for one of these...he never was going to.

Go to Apple's site. Why ipad pro sits at the top on the ipad page. "Like a computer, Unlike any computer" is the motto. I can live with that. But at its presentation, Apple was really going after laptop users. Let's remember Jobs. He would define a product. His magic was telling the media what to say. Tentpoles. Things an ipad should do well.

That's where I try to see ipad. What does it do that I value? Jobs and others mentioned email. Umm..email sucks on an ipad. Safari. Ugh..how I hate mobile browing that offers a very limited experience. These are two fundamental things why the netbook users switched to ipad..keep in mind.

But an ipad shines (to me) as a pristine screen. That is why I gripe when Apple hasn't made it 4k. Viewing pics, reading docs, reading things suited to a big screen basically..pdfs, comics, etc. Some games also shine that while not exactly xbox type games, they're ones i enjoy. And then the pencil which allowed drawing, notes, etc. THIS is why I get an ipad. Do I need A12X power for these? Not really. But the better form factor, screen improvements, and 2nd gen pencil are the main things why I'd want this. Do I want to pay over 1000 for this and that does these things I like? NOPE. I'll still pay under 1000 but that's me..i never pay full price..this is easy enough.

Is Apple marketing this device to me? NO. Is there a place for an ipad between an iphone and pc/laptop? Sure. That question was asked years ago. An ipad is a companion device for me. A compliment. I'd love to see Apple focus on that. I don't need to whine about external drives not working. I want the ipad to perform some magic when plugged into a mac though. I'd like to find additional things the ipad shines at.

And that's the fault here. Apple's marketing. They're not sending a clear message. They're not telling the media what to say. To say an ipad replaces your laptop is setting things up badly when these tech reviewers then try do that very thing. Apple's marketing is just very bad IMO. It's nonexistent for macs. For iphones, it emphasizes things like camera or simply the appearance. All smartphones have decent cameras and others have nice looking hardware. That's not going to sell iphones. Ask your average person why Apple? They don't know why because Apple doesn't tell them why.

 

[canyonblue737]

Seriously, I don't know why people are acting all surprised now.

iOS 12 was released like close to 2 months ago (longer, if you played around with the public beta). You all knew what iOS 12 did, and what it was going to be like on an iPad. And now everyone is feigning shock and disappointment over what the iPad can't do?

Nobody is surprised! It’s just absolutely fair while reviewing the INCREDIBLE new hardware of the 2018 iPad Pro lineup to say that it is incredibly limited by its software AND if those limits are acceptable long term for you it is likely the 2018 regular iPad may be a good option at a far lower cost.

 

[Rogifan]

I honestly don't care about Frederico and what he does.

What I do care, and I am repeating myself, are the exact same limitations Nilay stated. Awkward limitations in iOS which have been there for ages and should have been fixed.

It seems that you either haven't read his criticisms or you didn't understand them (for example the RAW+JPEG import issue). If that is the case, ok, then fine, because then you would probably not be hampered by these limitations. Simply because you never encounter them.

So the iPad Pro is not for Nilay Patel or you. Great, there’s plenty of laptops to choose from.

Anyway I suspect many of these limitations will be sorted out with iOS 13. Apple switched to USB-C for a reason.

 

[DNichter]

Nice that Apple is finally trying to copy Microsoft and Samsung on the pen. But they do have a long ways to go. The Surface and Tab S3/S4 have amazing pen functionality that will take Apple several iterations to even approach.

Like what? Just curious. Apple has some good engineers, I am not sure Apple couldn't do whatever the Surface Pen can do.