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iPad Pro Is 4gb RAM limiting iPad Pro?

S

satchmo

macrumors 603
Original poster
Aug 6, 2008
5,233
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Canada
Looking to update my current setup in the new year.
A dedicated desktop for heavy lifting will be the next 5K iMac (hopefully 2020) paired with a portable device.

Given that I’ll already have MacOS in the iMac, I’m thinking an iPad Pro 12.9” might be a good pairing.

Currently using 2gb 6th gen 9.7” iPad...and its great for general surfing and emails.
My biggest concern is future proofing the iPad Pro. Is the 4gb of RAM limiting when and if more pro apps (i.e. full Photoshop and Illustrator) are launched?
 
Some guy wrote a test app that did an activity repeatedly and he found that it crashed on 4 GB iDevices but worked fine on the 6 GB iPad Pro. Checking the stats, it showed that the app maxed out at close to 5 GB RAM usage (and total system RAM usage was more of course).

So, the answer is 4 GB can be limiting, but then again the apps are written to work on iDevices with 3-4 GB or less. However, the existence of the 6 GB iPad Pro tells us the future, and I suspect in 2020, 6 GB will be the norm for the iPad Pro, not the exception.

It should be telling that even the entry level cellular iPads that my Canadian cell provider is selling for just ~US$273 come with 3 GB RAM. I bought the 128 GB model for ~US$364 - LTE 3, GB RAM. There was no way in hell I was going to buy another 2 GB iPad. On our Air 2s, the 2 GB RAM is already beginning to become a bit limiting for even non-Pro use.

If base model sub $300 iPads already have 3 GB RAM, it would make sense that the Pro iPads will all be 6 GB soon.
 
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tlaw81 said:
The iPad 1 TB has 6 GB from what I’ve read.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was unaware there a 6 GB iPad existed.

EugW said:
Some guy wrote a test app that did an activity repeatedly and he found that it crashed on 4 GB iDevices but worked fine on the 6 GB iPad Pro. Checking the stats, it showed that the app maxed out at close to 5 GB RAM usage (and total system RAM usage was more of course).

So, the answer is 4 GB can be limiting, but then again the apps are written to work on iDevices with 3-4 GB or less. However, the existence of the 6 GB iPad Pro tells us the future, and I suspect in 2020, 6 GB will be the norm for the iPad Pro, not the exception.

It should be telling that even the entry level cellular iPads that my Canadian cell provider is selling for just ~US$273 come with 3 GB RAM. I bought the 128 GB model for ~US$364 - LTE 3, GB RAM. There was no way in hell I was going to buy another 2 GB iPad. On our Air 2s, the 2 GB RAM is already beginning to become a bit limiting for even non-Pro use.

If base model sub $300 iPads already have 3 GB RAM, it would make sense that the Pro iPads will all be 6 GB soon.
Click to expand...

I get concerned when apps like Photoshop come with some missing features. Apple's A13x chips are pretty powerful, so I wonder if it's because of RAM overhead.

I suppose it's not a big deal given I have a desktop iMac.

It's just that a reasonably matched 13" MacBook Pro with standard 8 GB of RAM (and optionally more), would be more future proof.
 
Why specifically do you say a 12.9" is a good match to the iMac? Sure it is if that suits your needs, but I personally run a dual 27" iMac setup (24 GB RAM), with a 10.5" iPad Pro (4 GB RAM). I also have a 12" MacBook (16 GB RAM).

I personally prefer small for portable machines and big for desktops. I find the 12.9" really nice, but not as portable as I'd like.

My next purchase will likely be an 11" iPad Pro with 6 GB RAM.
 
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EugW said:
Why specifically do you say a 12.9" is a good match to the iMac? Sure it is if that suits your needs, but I personally run a dual 27" iMac setup (24 GB RAM), with a 10.5" iPad Pro (4 GB RAM). I also have a 12" MacBook (16 GB RAM).

I personally prefer small for portable machines and big for desktops. I find the 12.9" really nice, but not as portable as I'd like.

My next purchase will likely be an 11" iPad Pro with 6 GB RAM.
Click to expand...

Agreed 11 inch is the correct size for me going cleared I reckon. Certainly with a pro max, MacBook Air and mini 5
 
EugW said:
Why specifically do you say a 12.9" is a good match to the iMac? Sure it is if that suits your needs, but I personally run a dual 27" iMac setup (24 GB RAM), with a 10.5" iPad Pro (4 GB RAM). I also have a 12" MacBook (16 GB RAM).

I personally prefer small for portable machines and big for desktops. I find the 12.9" really nice, but not as portable as I'd like.

My next purchase will likely be an 11" iPad Pro with 6 GB RAM.
Click to expand...

The question for me isn't whether it's the 11 or 12.9" iPad, but rather if a MBP 13 might serve me better.
 
satchmo said:
The question for me isn't whether it's the 11 or 12.9" iPad, but rather if a MBP 13 might serve me better.
Click to expand...
Depends upon what you need to do with it. I needed my MacBook 12" for my old workplace. I usually don't for my new workplace, so I mostly only use my iPad Pro now.

The MacBook is a better business application device for my needs. The iPad is better consumption device for my needs. One big difference is I cannot download Netflix content to my MacBook, which is really annoying for travel.
 
satchmo said:
The question for me isn't whether it's the 11 or 12.9" iPad, but rather if a MBP 13 might serve me better.
Click to expand...
Do you currently have a laptop? How often do you use it and in what situations as opposed to your iPad 6?

I'm on iPad instead of PC most of the time for personal/recreational use. Still using a laptop purchased in 2012 since it does everything I need it to. Meanwhile, I've bought multiple iPads in the same period.
 
rui no onna said:
Do you currently have a laptop? How often do you use it and in what situations as opposed to your iPad 6?

I'm on iPad instead of PC most of the time for personal/recreational use. Still using a laptop purchased in 2012 since it does everything I need it to. Meanwhile, I've bought multiple iPads in the same period.
Click to expand...

Yeah I have an old 2010 MBP that is connected to a 24" display. But long in the tooth, it's going to be replaced with the next iMac.

I don't ever bring it anywhere as it's too heavy. So like you, I'm on my 6th gen iPad the majority of the time.
But I suppose I'm just nervous about going all-in with an iPad Pro with it's shortcomings (RAM and pro apps).
But with a new MBP, I know it could handle pretty much anything.
 
dazlicous said:
I was always under the impression the extra 2GB on the 1TB’s are to run the storage controller and not accessible by apps either
Click to expand...
That’s a bogus rumour that somehow got traction on the internet.
 
OasisNYK said:
what if the next 1 TB has 8 GB? 😎
Click to expand...
Wouldn't matter to me. For my usage 4 GB is probably the sweet spot, so 6 GB future proofs me. 8 GB would be overkill for me for the life of the product.
 
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