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New iPP owners - what's the verdict?
- Thread starter ssledoux
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Incredible! I went from a 2017 10.5” to a 2018 12.9”. Really loving the upgrade so far. New design is gorgeous, screen to body ratio is excellent, weight is much more manageable than the 2015 12.9” I once owned, speakers are phenomenal, etc etc.
Personally I would have regretted spending the buku bucks to upgrade from the 10.5” to the 11” because the difference isn’t THAT immense aside from having the newest and best, but if you’re a frequent Pencil user the usability has been much improved. In hindsight though I’m glad I got the 12.9” (okay well I bought both and I’m going to return the 11”) and would only upgrade from the 10.5” if I was also going to get a truly new experience with the bigger iPad, given the cost.
Personally I would have regretted spending the buku bucks to upgrade from the 10.5” to the 11” because the difference isn’t THAT immense aside from having the newest and best, but if you’re a frequent Pencil user the usability has been much improved. In hindsight though I’m glad I got the 12.9” (okay well I bought both and I’m going to return the 11”) and would only upgrade from the 10.5” if I was also going to get a truly new experience with the bigger iPad, given the cost.
Pretty much what everyone is saying. It’s very much still an iPad and that is the most accurate through line you can get on this story. It’s just nicer and very snappy. I like the redesign to the body and the screen. I like FaceID and the gesture-based controls. The new pencil and the way it charges are fantastic. I’m also a fan of the new Smart Keyboard and it’s back cover. Overall I’m fond of the new package, though not necessarily the price.
All that being said, it’s still an iPad. I didn’t need to upgrade, but my wife was interested in an iPad so the upgrade meant I could give her the older one. I’m a little bugged by the screen that seems to smudge easier than my 9.7” pro, but that’s not really a dealbreaker. I am noticing certain points on the screen flex under pressure from the pencil more so than others. That’s more of a concern for me. I might bring it in to a store to compare with display devices to see if that’s just the new normal. I dropped my previous iPad Pro a number of times from a variety of heights onto different surfaces and it’s fine. I don’t have anything to back this up, but I’m not feeling quite as confident that this one would endure as well.
I’m looking forward to the photoshop release that hopefully isn’t too far off.
All that being said, it’s still an iPad. I didn’t need to upgrade, but my wife was interested in an iPad so the upgrade meant I could give her the older one. I’m a little bugged by the screen that seems to smudge easier than my 9.7” pro, but that’s not really a dealbreaker. I am noticing certain points on the screen flex under pressure from the pencil more so than others. That’s more of a concern for me. I might bring it in to a store to compare with display devices to see if that’s just the new normal. I dropped my previous iPad Pro a number of times from a variety of heights onto different surfaces and it’s fine. I don’t have anything to back this up, but I’m not feeling quite as confident that this one would endure as well.
I’m looking forward to the photoshop release that hopefully isn’t too far off.
I wasn't planning of upgrading my 1st generation 12.9 Pro but bit the bullet after being able to sell it.
Let me tell you, it's night and day! My new 12.9 is a beautiful fast machine, a pleasure to hold (and smell..hehe).
I'm also happy that glass screen protectors work with the 12.9 and mine was flawlessly installed.
Make sure you use the new wallpapers. Opening your new iPad with them really shows off the nice almost bezel-less display perfectly. There's actually a "wow factor" seeing one of these wallpapers upon turning on your new iPad.
You also have to get at least the Smart Folio Cover...I won't spoil it for you...just get one and let me know.
Overall, I'm very happy with it.
Let me tell you, it's night and day! My new 12.9 is a beautiful fast machine, a pleasure to hold (and smell..hehe).
I'm also happy that glass screen protectors work with the 12.9 and mine was flawlessly installed.
Make sure you use the new wallpapers. Opening your new iPad with them really shows off the nice almost bezel-less display perfectly. There's actually a "wow factor" seeing one of these wallpapers upon turning on your new iPad.
You also have to get at least the Smart Folio Cover...I won't spoil it for you...just get one and let me know.
Overall, I'm very happy with it.
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Upgraded from the generation 2 to this one (12.9 inch ) but will be my last iPad Pro unless and until Apple actually has a better iOS with apps that can take advantage of all the hardware. My previous iPad Pro 12.9 inch was all I really needed, but I liked face ID, plus the pencil charging system on the iPad itself which is why I bought it. Hope Apple is listening to us and actually gives us more in the iOS next time.
Which screen protector do you have? I thought there were issues with Apple pencil compatibility and Face ID functionality with the first crop of available protectors.
It’s spelled beaucoup.
Wow! Is the first thing that comes to mind. I’m seriously blown away and it was worth the long, long wait. Now, that’s coming from someone that replaced his old 16Gb iPad Air with a new Gen 3 12.9” iPad Pro with Apple keyboard/case and pencil. And because I hold onto products for the long run (obviously), I went with the 6Gb ram version for future proofing.
I sent mine back. It just can't do enough for me to be useful given the price. Nice tablet but not for me.
I didn’t have last years version, I’m coming from an iPad Air.
But I love mine. I played GTA San Andreas for about 2 hours straight on the 12.9’’ holding it while laying on the couch and it was comfortable.
Battery is good, screen looks nice, it’s fast. Face ID always works unless I’m a dummy and block the camera. Doesn’t happen much anymore. The front facing camera works great.
I don’t have use for the pencil, but have only heard great things. Also don’t need a keyboard so the smart folio works fantastic. Build quality on the pro is top notch, I’m happy.
But I love mine. I played GTA San Andreas for about 2 hours straight on the 12.9’’ holding it while laying on the couch and it was comfortable.
Battery is good, screen looks nice, it’s fast. Face ID always works unless I’m a dummy and block the camera. Doesn’t happen much anymore. The front facing camera works great.
I don’t have use for the pencil, but have only heard great things. Also don’t need a keyboard so the smart folio works fantastic. Build quality on the pro is top notch, I’m happy.
Mixed opinions on this one. I have had all of the 12.9 models now and have a few usability issues with the new model.
Firstly the new model is harder for me to hold onto. The smaller bezels mean less room to hold it and fingers obstructing the screen. I suppose I spend most of my usage lying on my back in bed so this iPad design is not as well suited for that. I found it is difficult to pick up off of a flat surface as well. Maybe this will improve when cases become available.
Secondly I am not really sure if the display is better or even as good as the 2nd Gen. It seems to be very magenta (in fact I had to return the first 12.9 I got for this) and as well to be murkier and less legible than 2nd Gen. I do feel that the Promotion effect is better on the new iPad tho.
I'm still thinking if I will keep the new iPad or return it. It's a fabulous piece of technology but really I am well suited by the 2nd Gen.
Firstly the new model is harder for me to hold onto. The smaller bezels mean less room to hold it and fingers obstructing the screen. I suppose I spend most of my usage lying on my back in bed so this iPad design is not as well suited for that. I found it is difficult to pick up off of a flat surface as well. Maybe this will improve when cases become available.
Secondly I am not really sure if the display is better or even as good as the 2nd Gen. It seems to be very magenta (in fact I had to return the first 12.9 I got for this) and as well to be murkier and less legible than 2nd Gen. I do feel that the Promotion effect is better on the new iPad tho.
I'm still thinking if I will keep the new iPad or return it. It's a fabulous piece of technology but really I am well suited by the 2nd Gen.
When has a iPad needed future proofing (each new one is good for 5 years)????
If you have the smaller iPad Pro but always kinda wanted the larger iPad Pro but thought it was a bit too big, upgrade to the bigger one. It is phenomenal. It is this beautiful and incredibly powerful slab of display in my hands—a window into a vast universe of knowledge. It is big without feeling big. It is fast and feels nice.
For professional use, it needs some work, but I think iOS 13 will mostly take care of that. There were rumors that big changes were coming to the iPad for iOS 12 but were punted because they were focusing on performance and reliability. I get the sense that this iPad was designed for that software but the software isn't quite ready. So if you're still not convinced, wait until WWDC. If they don't deliver then wait. But for now I am enjoying this thing for limited professional tasks (though it's really not bad for professional creative products like a stand-alone drawing or painting) and content consumption to the max.
The only place it doesn't satisfy me, entertainment wise, is in console-level gaming. Not really because the hardware isn't powerful enough—this new one is as powerful as an Xbox One S so it can handle pretty enough 1080p graphics—it's because no developers are porting recent AAA games onto it unless you count games like Stardew Valley (which is really fun but not visually impressive and is slightly old at this point). If I could play RDR2, Fallout 76, etc on the go with this thing using a wireless controller, I'd be all about that life. But most App Store customers aren't willing to shell out $60 (or even $10) for a game, so developers put out freemium pay to win garbage instead. There are many good iPad games in existence, but you can play them on an older device just as well, and they are often limited in graphical fidelity and depth of gameplay. I wish there were more games pushing the limits of the hardware.
For professional use, it needs some work, but I think iOS 13 will mostly take care of that. There were rumors that big changes were coming to the iPad for iOS 12 but were punted because they were focusing on performance and reliability. I get the sense that this iPad was designed for that software but the software isn't quite ready. So if you're still not convinced, wait until WWDC. If they don't deliver then wait. But for now I am enjoying this thing for limited professional tasks (though it's really not bad for professional creative products like a stand-alone drawing or painting) and content consumption to the max.
The only place it doesn't satisfy me, entertainment wise, is in console-level gaming. Not really because the hardware isn't powerful enough—this new one is as powerful as an Xbox One S so it can handle pretty enough 1080p graphics—it's because no developers are porting recent AAA games onto it unless you count games like Stardew Valley (which is really fun but not visually impressive and is slightly old at this point). If I could play RDR2, Fallout 76, etc on the go with this thing using a wireless controller, I'd be all about that life. But most App Store customers aren't willing to shell out $60 (or even $10) for a game, so developers put out freemium pay to win garbage instead. There are many good iPad games in existence, but you can play them on an older device just as well, and they are often limited in graphical fidelity and depth of gameplay. I wish there were more games pushing the limits of the hardware.
Agreed. Coming from a 10.5" IPP, I went all-out. I got the 11", Apple Smart Folio, Apple Smart Folio with Keyboard, and Apple Pencil 2.
There's an outside chance that when I see the new larger 12.9, I'll exchange. But I'm pretty happy with what I have right now.
It’s pretty ehh to me. I don’t notice any huge speed differences, and I don’t like the sound from the speakers nearly as much as my last 12.9 pro.
The screen has smaller bezels and is lighter, as is my wallet. Feels really over priced to me to be honest, because I can’t do anything extra with it compared to a regular ipad.
Face unlock is annoying as I have to move my hands, because I am always blocking the camera.
I guess its really fast at running bench marks though so there is that. I have the 12.9 with 256gb, keyboard and pen.
The screen has smaller bezels and is lighter, as is my wallet. Feels really over priced to me to be honest, because I can’t do anything extra with it compared to a regular ipad.
Face unlock is annoying as I have to move my hands, because I am always blocking the camera.
I guess its really fast at running bench marks though so there is that. I have the 12.9 with 256gb, keyboard and pen.
The new redesign re-ignited my interest in using the iPad again (I stopped using it pretty much after I graduated college and no longer needed it for note-taking purposes). I sold my 10.5 and got the new iPad, currently experimenting with using it at work for meeting notes and writing up simple documents. It’s going good so far; I’ve been using my work-provided 17” clunky laptop and this definitely is way more mobile and convenient. Unfortunately I can’t replace the iPad completely for work purposes since I have heavy Excel usage (I can’t even load up a file I worked on previously fast enough on the iPad let alone work on it.. file too big) but for all other purposes I think I will be using the iPad. Satisfied so far. (Also, on a side note, I should’ve thought of doing this sooner with my old iPad, but the thought only recently occurred to me)
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Love it! I had the original iPad, then an early mini... always loved the idea of them, but never used them. (Hadn’t picked up my mini in about 2 years, when I traded it toward an Apple Watch S4 in September.
But something about these new IPPs intrigued me, and I ended up buying both to see which (if either) I’d use. I’ve been traveling, and in customer meetings this past week, so it was a good time to see if/how I’d use them. I’ve been reading, working, on planes and in meetings (have the smart folio and the ASK), and in bed. I’ve been using the ASK, but also find that I can touch type really easily using the onscreen keyboard on the 12.9”.
I’m super impressed with them both. They’re leaps and bounds faster/better in every way than my previous iPads. (I’m sure the difference wouldn’t be nearly so striking if I were coming from one of the more recent IPPs.)
I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that the 12.9” is comfortable for me to carry around, take notes with, and use in bed and on airplane tray tables. (I’m a relatively small woman, 5’ 5”, and have small hands.) I’ve been editing photos this trip, and Lightroom was great on this 12.9” IPP. I love reading books and magazines on it, and I’m absolutely loving taking notes with the new pencil (and Noteshelf.) It’s a lot less obtrusive than having my MacBook open in a customer meeting. Also loving the battery life, and the weight, which lightens my bag SOOO much instead of lugging around my 15” MBP (which I’ve been able to leave in the hotel room.)
I have the 15” MBP for work, and now that the 12.9” does so much of what I need, I’m already thinking of selling my personal 13” MBP.
If you’re considering the new IPP—especially if you don’t have a recent IPP—I think you’ll be impressed. This one is definitely a keeper for me!
But something about these new IPPs intrigued me, and I ended up buying both to see which (if either) I’d use. I’ve been traveling, and in customer meetings this past week, so it was a good time to see if/how I’d use them. I’ve been reading, working, on planes and in meetings (have the smart folio and the ASK), and in bed. I’ve been using the ASK, but also find that I can touch type really easily using the onscreen keyboard on the 12.9”.
I’m super impressed with them both. They’re leaps and bounds faster/better in every way than my previous iPads. (I’m sure the difference wouldn’t be nearly so striking if I were coming from one of the more recent IPPs.)
I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that the 12.9” is comfortable for me to carry around, take notes with, and use in bed and on airplane tray tables. (I’m a relatively small woman, 5’ 5”, and have small hands.) I’ve been editing photos this trip, and Lightroom was great on this 12.9” IPP. I love reading books and magazines on it, and I’m absolutely loving taking notes with the new pencil (and Noteshelf.) It’s a lot less obtrusive than having my MacBook open in a customer meeting. Also loving the battery life, and the weight, which lightens my bag SOOO much instead of lugging around my 15” MBP (which I’ve been able to leave in the hotel room.)
I have the 15” MBP for work, and now that the 12.9” does so much of what I need, I’m already thinking of selling my personal 13” MBP.
If you’re considering the new IPP—especially if you don’t have a recent IPP—I think you’ll be impressed. This one is definitely a keeper for me!
I have the JeTech from Amazon...no issues at all with the 12.9”. Lot’s of issues with the 11” though as evidenced in these forums so if you have a 12.9, you’re fine.
I’ve owned every iPad Pro, yes literally everyone one of them.
These new iPad Pros are phenomenal from both a hardware and design standpoint. They look so futuristic. I think the 11 inch is a perfect sweet spot of screen size and portability.
However, iOS still holds the iPad Pro back a bit IMO.
These new iPad Pros are phenomenal from both a hardware and design standpoint. They look so futuristic. I think the 11 inch is a perfect sweet spot of screen size and portability.
However, iOS still holds the iPad Pro back a bit IMO.
Spent the evening with my new 12.9, replacing my old 1st gen 12.9. Functionally they feel almost exactly the same, but the new ones got so many little features that set it apart. The screen is just so buttery smooth, the battery life is incredible, and the sound is noticeably better. Obviously still in the honeymoon period, but I’m quite impressed so far.