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

[jimbobb24]

None of these look like edge-to-edge displays. Based on the apparent criteria - what screen is not edge to edge?

 

[chfilm]

Really having high hopes for iOS 13. It really all boils down to the file system and lack of great apps like the newly announced photoshop.
I would love to only use Lightroom on the iPad as it’s so much faster than on my Mac Pro, but with the given limitations I can only use it for photo selection and that’s about it.

 

[DNichter]

At this point I'm not really sure what market the iPad serves anymore. You got MacBook Pro-level processing power apparently, which you're paying handsomely for. But for what? I feel there's a complete unbalance between the hardware and software aspect. As such, for me, it's just not worth the price. I'm not purely looking at hardware, I'm looking at what I can actually do with it. Which in my case really isn't that much. For anything serious that isn't drawing macOS and macOS apps are still a lot more powerful and more practical when it boils down to usability. Touch input isn't as precise as a mouse or trackpad. And by the time you're finished adding accessories to the iPad Pro to give it a hint of said usability you almost arrived at the price of a new MacBook Air.

So yeah...?

That's fair, then it's not for you. Just like some people don't need/want an iMac or a Mac Pro. Use the best tool for the job.

 

[Joniz]

It has just struck me, you can make the space bar on the ipad keyboard into a tracking device by long pressing it.

So why can’t they just add the functionality to the separate keyboard as a trackpad-like thing? Not a really mouse (no pointer on display) but more precision.

That’s why I (and I believe many people) can’t use the ipad as a replacement for a Mac. Editing text is still such a hassle.

 

[HermanMunster]

I like iPads. I bought my first one (iPad 2) without a specific use case in mind other than reading books and browsing the web. My thinking was , this is an interesting new platform, the best way to really know what it can do for me is by owning and using one.

After several years and iPad replacements (I now own an air 2) I can say the following:
It’s been really great for entertainment but not so much for productivity. For me, productivity means databases, excel files, MATLAB, remote desktop connections to enterprise software. None of that works well on an IPad in my experience.

I see many comments in this forum where people claim to use iPads professionally, maybe I’m stuck in the traditional ways of doing things but I can’t see how they do it. The new IPad pros look gorgeous but are now very expensive if they are going to be used mainly as toys. All that claimed “blazingly fast” performance is meant to do what exactly? Playing games and videos?

Seriously, am I missing something? Please enlighten me

 

[koa]

Because I’m able to use my 10.5 Pro instead of a laptop for my needs doesn’t make it a laptop replacement. It just means I don’t need a laptop's full potential. Apple doesn’t make this distinction.

I requested my data Apple has on me, waited a few days, got the email, logged on from my 10.5 Pro to check it out...

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Yeaaaa, believe me, it's been less than ideal. My company provides a Windows laptop though so I figured I would try that for a couple weeks and see how well it worked out for me. No bueno.

Just like the work-supplied Windows laptop I am typing this on, all it does is make me pine for macOS and iOS when I get home, LOL!

It's good to have that "reminder" of why you decided, with the rest of us, to "swim upstream"... ;-)
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Remember when the latest and greatest iPad started at $499?

I also remember when the thought of an ARM CPU performing within spitting-distance of ANY current-model Intel CPU was laughable.
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The 150USD for cellular connection is a complete ripoff. It cost them pennies....

Prove it.

Remember, they have to factor-in the "FCC"-equivalent Agency Approvals for ALL the Countries that the iPad will be sold-in. And believe me, those aren't exactly cheap!

 

[harriska2]

They could, but I guess they would remove touch? I know Apple doesn't want to redo macOS for a touch friendly UI, so I don't see it happening. I think the only potential of that could be a dual boot option, when plugged into an external monitor, the iPad becomes a keyboard/trackpad combo and you can use macOS. As a type that though, I know it will never happen haha.

I would pay over $2000 for this device - hook up 4k or 5k monitor, keyboard, mouse and it switches to macOS. Otherwise, ios.

 

[iZac]

I really hope Apple take the Verge's review to heart, I experience the same exasperation that they do using the iPad Pro. It must be further heightened by Apples hilarious joke of installing a half-baked USB-C port on the device, just teasing you with the potential that it could have.

 

[DNichter]

I would pay over $2000 for this device - hook up 4k or 5k monitor, keyboard, mouse and it switches to macOS. Otherwise, ios.

It would be a nice compromise for sure, without taking away what makes each of them great. I am not so sure they would ever do it though.

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

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

This ^^^
It is dumbfounding (astonishing, amazing, ...) that the only way to have "multiple logins" is thru Apple's Cloud hack, whereby the user state is stored and kept separate. This is used on their school iPad deployment, apparently.
For iOS to be real and a replacement of a laptop, there have to be significant Kernel changes afoot.

But some in here, think iOS is real and not Memorex/s

 

[TigerWoodsIV]

I'll probably buy one as soon as it can actually replace a Mac, but it's a no from me. As many have said, they really need to make iOS for iPad up to par with the hardware. It can be so much more than a big iPhone, but it really isn't on iOS 12 :-(

 

[roland.g]

Um, an iPhone is a phone as well. A phone is pretty much a necessity. I also know I could get by with an inexpensive Android phone instead of an iPhone.

An iPad is very much a want versus a need. If an iPad could make calls like an Apple Watch, it would be a much more interesting proposition.

I am impressed with the iPad Pro. It's a great piece of tech. I am not finding nor justifying any reason to purchase it for myself.

I’m thinking of getting 2 iPads. Not Pro. $329 version. Or $429 with better storage. But I am really bummed the education Rugged Keyboard Case and $49 ‘Crayon’ is education purchase only. I want them for my kids to replace an iPad Air 1 and an iPad Mini 2. Neither of those can handle all the latest iOS 12 features or play games like Fortnite. However, personally I have no use for an iPad, Pro or otherwise. And I wonder if all the iPad is for them is gaming and consumption, why not load an old MacBook Air with movies for them in the car, and get them an Xbox One for all their gaming needs. What else will they use their iPads for?

 

[gavroche]

Remember when the latest and greatest iPad started at $499?

Indeed. And I used to be able to sell my iPad as soon as the new model was announced... for less than a $100 discount... and then buy the new model. Miss those days.

 

[Marzel]

While that is true you could say the same for every iPad since iOS "I don't remember when". Perhaps 5 or 6.

As a great iPad fan I have stopped trying (and I tried a lot) to replace a notebook with it. I love using the iPad but it isn't a notebook replacement. Perhaps it will be some day but until then I won't disturb my productivity and easy of use trying to make something it isn't.

When the iPad came out, it was trying to justify its existence between a phone and a laptop. It never really did (since it always functioned exactly like an iPhone) but at $499 it was a cool device to have for multimedia consumption. Now, Apple is arguing that it can replace laptops altogether and has raised the prices to reflect that. So people are actually encouraged by Apple to compare it to a laptop and not just a tablet. So it is perfectly valid to ask for features that are available to laptops. People understand the differences between the different input methods and not many complain about that. What people ask for primarily, is a proper file system which will also enable full access to external storage. This will change the iPad experience tremendously.

 

[SSDGUY]

No edge-to-edge? Good. If you want to add a case that really protects the device, edge-to-edge screen becomes a problem. A thin bezel looks just fine and at least gives some space for hand/fingers that doesn't cover the display.

 

[harriska2]

It would be a nice compromise for sure, without taking away what makes each of them great. I am not so sure they would ever do it though.

Well then Apple is missing out. Your idea is a perfect compromise. IOS is too limiting - you can’t even create or edit a database in filemaker pro on it. I think I’ll wait on this or just continue using windows for desktop and ipad for non-desktop, and my husband’s brokem imac for filemaker pro. I guess it’s up to apple.

 

[gavroche]

On the other hand, for $329 you can get something that is unbelievably more powerful than those that used to start at $499...

Not sure how a current low end model costing a bit less, performing better than a top of the line model from years ago changes his point that the price of the top end model is triple what it was before.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

What's your point?

Many are pointing out shortcomings in the iPad for their uses. That's not opinion.

There are very few cases where an iPad Pro is a necessity. A few on here have integrated them into their work which moves them to a useful tool and more of a need. Others are saying that cannot happen until some of the limitations inherent in the iPad are resolved. To them, the expense of an iPad isn't justified because it doesn't suit their needs.

What I see is that Apple thinks everyone is an artist or photographer. I'm neither, and wonder, too, why I need all that power at such a high price tag? The iPad isn't a computer replacement. Having the ability to hang a monitor off of it does not make it any more usable when you still can't do file level things like a computer. Or, at the least, add mouse capability! The mouse has been around, what...50 years, and yet the iPad still can't use the simplest and most familiar of input options.

 

[gavroche]

For the price they ask. That thing better wash your car. Clean your house. Get you laid. Something... lmao!!

Isn't it kind of surprising and amusing that the price of the Mac mini has people in such an uproar... but the iPad pro prices seem to be taken more in stride...

 

[ani4ani]

Correct. Some people seem to forget that this iPad Pro is not aimed at the every day consumer like the original $499 iPad was, it is aimed at people who want their iPad Pro to be their main computer. THAT iPad is now only $329, with significantly more capabilities. $799 for a computer that's just as fast as some of the higher end laptops and desktops, is a steal.

....as fast doing emails ...but can it run acad inventor at all, or as fast? If my whole life was about running synthetic benchmarks maybe an iPad would match its claims. Everything on an iPad, (and basically any tablet) no matter how fast the processor takes far longer to achieve. My push bike is faster than a Ferrari when the Ferrari has no fuel....the iPad has a hopeless OS largely suitable for consumption only.

 

[DNichter]

Not sure how a current low end model costing a bit less, performing better than a top of the line model from years ago changes his point that the price of the top end model is triple what it was before.

I think it's fair because it is a completely different market/device. The $329 iPad is aimed at the casual user, primarily for content consumption and light work (which the original iPad was deemed best for). The new Pro's are aimed at the Pro market, for those who want one of the fastest computers available, but with the advantages of iOS. They are different devices for different markets, but the $329 is more in line with what the original iPad was best at.

 

[mi7chy]

If only if it runs MacOS then it'll be worth buying otherwise iOS is too limited and isn't even a good consumption device without YouTube VP9 decoding for 1440p+ videos. Hard to compete with $799 Surface Pro 6 8GB/128GB bundle with type cover and pen.

 

[gavroche]

iPads do allow a few extras, but people are referring to the more basic things. The overall experience is still very iPhone-like. For example, the lack of desktop flexibility, with all the icons are arranged in the same inflexible grid pattern. Or the still restricted file system. You phone may not need those things, but a "computer" does.

It seems odd to me that Apple spends some much effort and money into minute hardware improvements (some of which people don't even seem to want, like slightly thinner)... yet they leave the OS so unchanged in so many ways. Is getting boring to me.
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I think it's fair because it is a completely different market/device. The $329 iPad is aimed at the casual user, primarily for content consumption and light work (which the original iPad was deemed best for). The new Pro's are aimed at the Pro market, for those who want one of the fastest computers available, but with the advantages of iOS. They are different devices for different markets, but the $329 is more in line with what the original iPad was best at.

Ya... i can go along with that thinking. Still surprises me though that people don't seem to mind the iPad pro prices, but Mac mini is getting destroyed for its prices.

 

[DNichter]

It seems odd to me that Apple spends some much effort and money into minute hardware improvements (some of which people don't even seem to want, like slightly thinner)... yet they leave the OS so unchanged in so many ways. Is getting boring to me.

This iPad was built with iOS 13 in mind, which is rumored to be a big iPad focused update. Once those features were pushed out from iOS 12, you are left with a great device, but one that is better suited for iOS 13.