New Sixth-Generation iPad vs. 10.5-Inch iPad Pro

[dancj]

Besides a faster processor and Apple Pencil support for the 2018 model, nothing really. I prefer the Air 2 due to its laminated display. It feels so much better than the 2017 iPad which has a noticeable springy feel when tapping the screen.

Yeah. Sometime last year, my iPad Air 2 was beginning to feel a bit slow and I planned to upgrade to the first iPad Pro which supports 3d Touch. Since then though iOS updates have sped it up and it's back to kicking arse.

Right now I'm feeling I can keep it going for quite a while longer.

 

[and 4096 others like this]

Apple is trying to market iPad as a creativity device. I am guessing that one use case would be for students to record videos, then edit them using iMovie. You can also use the rear camera to take scans of documents. I suppose Apple seems the rear camera a higher priority than the front camera.

Yea, I agree. For school rear camera is very important, AR or as you said scans etc. I meant that front camera remember iPhone 5 times and can't believe changing that for one from 6S would dramatically change the price...

 

[MistrSynistr]

Only 2GB DRAM with no future proofing and that has to be upgraded in a year? 2GB is what's standard on $40 Android devices.

The 4GB Acer ChromeOS pen tablet is making much more sense since it can be used in tablet mode for preschool and early elementary then with keyboard/mouse for higher elementary up to high school. No need to disrupt kids' education by switching ecosystem in the process.

How long has you used Apple products? You should know by now iOS is designed differently to work fluid with X amount of RAM and not need 6GB or more to appear buttery.

 

[Wanted797]

What a naming nightmare. 5th gen ipad, new ipad, new new ipad, new new new ipad, new 10" ipad, new new 9.7" ipad. WTF. Please name it iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad 5, iPad 6, ... iPad 9,...

That’s just because you know the old models and screen sizes have changed. You walk into an Apple store today you’ll see iPad and iPad Pro. The pro line then breaks into two sizes. That’s pretty easy.

Your naming would mean this new iPad would be a number AFTER the pros (last years models) even though it’s technically inferior.

 

[BruceEBonus]

They update their low cost iPad one year later and this is greedy? Trying to understand what you mean.

If you think making a model obsolete after 12 months is acceptable - keep buying. You’re the target audience.

 

[geta]

Unless you need the Pro version for specific task that require 4GB memory and a slightly faster CPU, is it really worth double the price? coz at this price point the new iPad is a no brainer for what you getting.

That been said, I will wait till they update the iPad Mini with new cpu (A11?), 4GB memory and pencil support.

 

[RogerWilco]

I can't agree with you. iPad is very confusing line for non tech people. If some would say to you "I bought iPad", and you ask him which one, the person could say "I don't know, I bought it in 2018" You can't say is it 6th gen or 5th which are still in sell and gonna be there for a while. Also Macs have their own dating method (e.g. early 2017 etc) and this product line is not changing that much other than CPU and GPU power. iPad use to change a lot from version to version until iPad 5th gen came out, last big improvement was iPad Air 2. What I am saying is, it was logical to call it iPad, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4.

It's also not true, Apple didn't say 3rd gen iPad was the new iPad. They used this name several times during presentation, ads and even web site. Next iPad (4th) was just iPad, so term the new iPad was used only for 3rd gen (first picture)

Next year iPad 4th gen was just iPad (2nd picture), not The new iPad. The iPad line naming is terrible...

Product naming disarray like you describe above is on the shoulders of Phil Schiller. Why Tim Cook hasn't stepped in to fix this glaring issue is another valid question. Could it be that no one in upper management gives a flip about any hardware besides the iPhone?
[doublepost=1522325815][/doublepost]

iPad Pro 10.5 has been my primary computer since last September. It’s a computing marvel — it feels like how a tool is supposed to be, and that the promise of iOS for serious work has finally been fulfilled. It absolutely does not need a mouse, and all the connectivity issues can be overcome.

I won’t be upgrading to a new version, but I’m thrilled if Apple takes the iPad Pro seriously enough to refresh a flagship device so soon.

I had the same hopes, but the first time I had to use a thumb drive to transfer a file or fill in a lengthy PDF form, those hopes were dashed. I'm typing this reply on a 2011 17" MBP -- an actual computer. My iPad Pro is great for checking the weather.

 

[Chazzle]

If you think making a model obsolete after 12 months is acceptable - keep buying. You’re the target audience.

You think updating a model makes the previous one obsolete? Sounds like a personal matter to me because you are upset that you don’t have the latest iPad now. This transfers to many industries. You know how the automotive industry releases new models every year with slightly upgraded features or performance? You’re saying they shouldn’t do this and should keep things stagnant? I would review your argument because it sounds baseless.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

It’s not just people on a budget, it’s also people who view the iPad more as a secondary or consumption device (which includes me). Even if you can afford the pro, it’s hard to swallow twice the price for features that matter little to content consumption.

True, I didn't think of that. In my case, the iPad is a must have tool.
And I'm seeing more and more people starting to use their iPads as their only computer, meaning it's their only device for content, work, studying, entertainment, etc.

 

[jimbobb24]

Why don't you recommend people walking around taking pictures with the iPad Pro? The camera is there for a reason. If thats what you have with you....plus the larger screen is really useful on the field for showing players what they are doing and giving immediate feedback.

What a silly recommendation.

Also - Apple what is it with an iPad with 32 Gb ram. Blah!

 

[MhaelK]

Just had my 5th Gen iPad a year and now it’s “discontinued” for a model that is practically identical other than a wee bit faster and you can use a pricey stylus with it. Er great. Good old “new” Apple. What a greedy, lazy lot they’ve now become.

Discontinued only mean something in your head. The ipad will still function just like before. If you dont plan to use a stylus then it is not worth upgrading. You should be happy for the people in the market for a new ipad as they new get better specs for the same price - how is that greedy of apple? It is a win for the consumer, compared to if they hadn’t updated it.

 

[Mainsail]

If you think making a model obsolete after 12 months is acceptable - keep buying. You’re the target audience.

I don’t understand the concern. I own the 5th gen iPad 2017. With the recent release and update, my now older iPad didn’t suddenly become unusable. I paid $300 for my 2017 iPad and hope to use it for 3 years or so. That’s $100 per year or $8 per month or less than 1 small regular coffee per week at Starbucks. Not bad for a devices that I use all of the time.

If I thought I would regularly use an Apple Pencil, it might be worth upgrading earlier. But, that’s a choice not a requirement. From this fourm and other sites, I have learned that some people use their Pencils a lot, and others feel it is a huge waste of money and a hassle to carry around. My use case is probably like a lot of people. I am definitely not artistic, but it might be fun to fool around with the Pencil and do some sketches, markups and occasionally take notes. Of course, I can do the annotations and markups now, without the Pencil using a cheap stylus. It would just look better with an Apple Pencil.

My point is that these are all choices, and we now have more choices at the entry level for iPad. I don’t understand how that’s a bad thing.

The entry level iPad is a great value, and I am happy to see that Apple is committed to updating this model and keeping it relevant. On the other hand, the Apple Pencil is priced for “Pro” users rather than everyday entry level customers. For the typical consumer, $100 is a bit steep for an accessory you might discover does not have much practical use. Perhaps, less expensive third party options will become available to the general public. The Logitech crayon is currently only available to schools.....that might change.

 

[mdelvecchio]

What a naming nightmare. 5th gen ipad, new ipad, new new ipad, new new new ipad, new 10" ipad, new new 9.7" ipad. WTF. Please name it iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad 5, iPad 6, ... iPad 9,...

It’s not a nightmare nor a problem. There is no “new new” in the names. It’s just the ipad, and new means the newest one. Laptops don’t seem to present you with a problem do they?
[doublepost=1522329312][/doublepost]

Personally True Tone is the worst. First thing i disabled after force trying it a few days

TrueTone is great.
[doublepost=1522329428][/doublepost]

Only 2GB DRAM with no future proofing and that has to be upgraded in a year? 2GB is what's standard on $40 Android devices.

The 4GB Acer ChromeOS pen tablet is making much more sense since it can be used in tablet mode for preschool and early elementary then with keyboard/mouse for higher elementary up to high school. No need to disrupt kids' education by switching ecosystem in the process.

The android knockoffs are horribly inefficient and require more RAM to perform at the same level as iOS devices.

If you want more, don’t buy the budget model. iPads used to start at 500 bucks!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

If you think making a model obsolete after 12 months is acceptable - keep buying. You’re the target audience.

Just because a product is not the current sales model doesn’t make it by default obsolete. It only makes it not the current model. In most instances- Big deal. So are my running shoes, my car, my toothbrush, my now “retro” baseball caps, my A/V receiver, and many other things in my home. They all still work and do what I need them to do. But I’m glad they are being updated and, hopefully, improved. It would be a bit depressing if the same exact products were sold for years and years. Three cheers for annual updates!

 

[kc2kth]

After reading through this whole thread I'm still on the fence. My iPad Air (not Air 2) has been feeling sluggish for the past year or so, battery isn't great and as of this week I need to watch when I plug it in to make sure it actually starts charging. In other words, I'm close to needing a new one.

I was considering the 2017 iPad, then figured I'd wait for the 2018 iPad. The Pro doesn't have anything I truly need, but the better display and more memory seem like the big differences to me. The A10x vs A10 is a nice bump as well. At the discounted refurb price it's still a pretty good deal. Honestly if the 2018 had an improved display I'd probably not even be asking, I'd just go for it.

Anyone else that's upgraded to a newer model from the original iPad Air have an opinion on 2018 iPad vs Pro vs waiting for new Pro?

 

[RogerWilco]

After reading through this whole thread I'm still on the fence. My iPad Air (not Air 2) has been feeling sluggish for the past year or so, battery isn't great and as of this week I need to watch when I plug it in to make sure it actually starts charging. In other words, I'm close to needing a new one.

I was considering the 2017 iPad, then figured I'd wait for the 2018 iPad. The Pro doesn't have anything I truly need, but the better display and more memory seem like the big differences to me. The A10x vs A10 is a nice bump as well. At the discounted refurb price it's still a pretty good deal. Honestly if the 2018 had an improved display I'd probably not even be asking, I'd just go for it.

Anyone else that's upgraded to a newer model from the original iPad Air have an opinion on 2018 iPad vs Pro vs waiting for new Pro?

Bite the (price) bullet and get the Pro. It's still just an iPad, definitely not a laptop replacement, but it will serve you well for a few years. The better display, audio, and more RAM are big improvements IMO.

 

[0924487]

Personally True Tone is the worst. First thing i disabled after force trying it a few days

Why would you want a blue screen

 

[tipoo]

Still a lot to step up for, Quad speakers, laminated screen, antireflective coating, X series SoC, double the RAM, 120Hz/ProMotion, better cameras (ARkit if anything if you don’t care about pictures on a tablet), larger screen...But I do think the Pro price should be updated next refresh to reflect that the iPad Budget took its big feature with the Pencil.

 

[pavinder]

my one motivation to possibly upgrade to a Pro of either size is the ability to use it as a Wacom replacement with Duet or Astropad or the like. And that has me mildly interested in this new one solely for its addition of Pencil compatibility...Mainly as a cheap Cintiq replacement to make selections on photos and the like. In that context I'd be curious to know how critical the (alleged?) reduced RAM, and lack of a laminated screen might be.

I have a feeling that the compromises they might entail for my usage scenario would be well worth it for the large price differential. And if so, the makers of the aforementioned apps just got a huge boost, and time to short Wacom stock!

I'm in exactly the same position. As a Cintiq substitute via Astropad with the Mac this new iPad sounds excellent. Or as a standalone with Affinity.

On another board, someone suggested that the non-laminated screen could mean that the precision is lower than the Pro. In other words, you might find your masking/drawing is shifted a few pixels from where you think you're drawing with the pen.

I imagine this is no major issue though - zooming in a bit further seems to be a simple workaround if such a problem exists.

I know of no other drawbacks with the screen though. I definitely won't use True Tone or anything that adjusts color or brightness dynamically when editing photos. I also think that unless trying to edit massive multilayered images, the 2GB of RAM should be sufficient.

Once we can actually get hands-on with the new iPad, we'll find out. And then maybe start shorting Wacom stocks!

 

[thomasmonks]

Results are in. 2018 ipad benchmark...

 

[cfurlin]

I have a 512GB iPad Pro 12.9" and you'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands. Nothing compares and it's worth every single penny.

 

[imola.zhp]

Wake me up when an iPhone X-like iPad mini is released, with apple pencil support of course.

 

[sracer]

I have a 512GB iPad Pro 12.9" and you'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands. Nothing compares and it's worth every single penny.

Is someone trying to take it from you? Is anyone trying to convince you to replace your iPad Pro with this new 2018 iPad?

Wake me up when an iPhone X-like iPad mini is released, with apple pencil support of course.

Wake me up too... because that would be a nightmare (for me)! I know that I'm in the minority opinion, but I do not want a tablet with a notch.

 

[dazey]

Would I be right in thinking that this new ipad is virtually the same as an original 9.7" ipad pro? They share the same resolution and tech screen, have the same 2GB ram, processors vary a bit but perfomance I guess will be similar. Anything I am missing?

 

[itsmilo]

Why would you want a blue screen

Why would I want a orange screen