PSA: Don't Buy an iPad Right Now, New Models Coming in 2024

[applebro]

PSA: Don’t buy an iPhone 15 this year, a new model is coming out just next year!

 

[Ghost31]

I have the M2 11 inch Pro. Hopefully they can pull off moving the camera to the landscaper orientation considering the Pro models have small bezels

I’m hoping the same, but for those of us keeping our current iPads for a long time, external webcam support fixed this. Just get a little cheap webcam you can mount on the top middle of your iPad and you’re golden. Cheaper than a new iPad Pro

 

[Ghost31]

We're barely 2/3 into 2023. For all we know the new iPad Pros could be available in May 2024.
That title is ridicolous.
The whole "wait, don't buy a new XYZ" thing by tech influencers in general makes me cringe.
Guess there's a market for this kind of content, but sometimes the concept is pushed to ridiculous extremes.
If you need the most powerful iPad money can buy, the convenience of FaceID and maybe a LIDAR, go buy an M2 iPad Pro now.

I upgraded from a 2018 iPad Pro to the newest iPad Pro. The difference even with all those years STILL doesn’t feel that big. I could have held onto my 2018 and not noticed a hit to my productivity

Gotta feeling a lot of people are gonna upgrade next year and not feel a big difference either

 

[shr631]

I have the M2 11 inch Pro. Hopefully they can pull off moving the camera to the landscaper orientation considering the Pro models have small bezels

Landscaper orientation would be nuts and I’m here for it. It would allow landscapers to FaceTime loved ones while on the job, as they scream at the top of their lungs in hopeless competition against the dulcet tones of leaf blowers and mowers.

 

[TheBeverage]

I do a lot of media consumptions, but also a lot of productivity thing.

Affinity for me is the go to app, and with Da Vinci and Luma fusion i take care of my video needs.
For reading books I would pick a kindle over an iPad any day of the week.

Can’t beat Eink for reading.

Just bought a Magic Keyboard, and boy it’s a game changer for me, i can do typing stuff now as well when needed, and when i want to I can use it as a tablet.

The iPad can be both a media consumption and a creation tool.

Sure the mini would be on the small size for doing actual work, this is why I went Pro 11 and external monitor when needed.

E-ink is nice, but honestly the devices are all saddled with too many downsides for me to bother with. As someone who reads a lot of pdfs and manga in addition to regular books, I'd need at least an 8" screen and I do a lot of side loading which is just ridiculously more complicated in any e-ink device I've looked at. In addition, the best ones for my uses are in the range of $300 -- for someone who refuses to spend more than $500 on a tablet in the first place, the idea of getting a second device that does one of my iPad's tasks slightly better for almost the price of the whole iPad doesn't work for me. Maybe if I had more money burn I'd feel differently, as I probably wouldn't be sideloading as much either!

 

[shr631]

Not all of us need the latest and greatest, discounted recent models work very well too, and much more price effective.

Same. And why is it always the latest and greatest? I should have the choice of latest and mid, or oldest and greatest. Uncouple already apple! Smh

 

[shr631]

never buy fish today. the fishmonger will get a fresh catch tomorrow.

Ah, the freshmonger’s credo
A classic

 

[Exile714]

I don't think I'll ever buy another iPad. Don't get me wrong, I love the one I have, it's just that every use-case I have for it will be superceded by the Reality Pro.

Bigger screen for consuming content when a TV isn't available, or I when I want to watch content and recline? iPad now, Reality Pro will be better.

Secondary screen for my MacBook Pro away from my monitor? iPad now, Reality Pro will be much better.

Intermediate work where iPhone is just too small but for whatever reason the MacBook is too big (i.e., on an airplane)? iPad now, Reality Pro will take over.

The only thing an iPad beats the Reality Pro for is drawing, but I don't do much of that. If I do anything artistic it's Final Cut or Photoshop and both of those are best on my Mac. Reality Pro might be an option there, but I'll have to wait to see how good input really is or if there ends up being mouse support. Either way, this isn't something that can justify spending even a couple hundred on a new iPad for. Plus my M1 iPad is more than powerful enough to do everything I want it to as is.

 

[BigDO]

I won’t buy a new iPad because it’s a product intentionally gimped.

 

[dukebound85]

what a silly headline. It is the case EVERY year

 

[AriaAmaris]

These new iPads may not be here until March, or May, or June, according to the rumors. So telling people to wait at least seven months, or possibly nine months, is ridiculous. If people want new iPads, they should buy now, unless these new RUMORED features are that important to them.

MacRumors is making it sound like the current models won’t work when the new ones come out. It’s pitiful! Reminds me of those YouTube influencers who headline their videos like this in order to get views.

 

[Joe Dohn]

I don't think I'll ever buy another iPad. Don't get me wrong, I love the one I have, it's just that every use-case I have for it will be superseded by the Reality Pro.

What are you talking about? I'm dying to buy a faster device that will use the extra power for absolutely nothing new!

On a serious note, the problem is that Apple is so restrictive with the iPad that it's useless for anything other than drawing, writing or content consumption.

And for every of these alternatives, there's an alternative that's either more affordable or has better support.
For example, for those who don't know, you can't pair up the original Apple Pencil with the newest iPad, or the Apple Pencil 2 with older iPads.

But Apple doesn't tell you anything about those compatibility issues.

Instead, Wacom's Pro Pen 2 works with all Cintiq models, and the Intuos Pro to boot – and they also offer a large range of alternate options for drawing, such as a digital airbrush.

If you want a portable gaming device, we have more options than ever now, ranging from GPD to the Steam Deck, Aya Neo or a dozen portable laptops.

So, either Apple opens up the iPad a little, or they come up with something ONLY the iPad can do (and that's not a gimmick).

 

[Crowbot]

What are you talking about? I'm dying to buy a faster device that will use the extra power for absolutely nothing new!

On a serious note, the problem is that Apple is so restrictive with the iPad that it's useless for anything other than drawing, writing or content consumption.

And for every of these alternatives, there's an alternative that's either more affordable or has better support.
For example, for those who don't know, you can't pair up the original Apple Pencil with the newest iPad, or the Apple Pencil 2 with older iPads.

But Apple doesn't tell you anything about those compatibility issues.

Instead, Wacom's Pro Pen 2 works with all Cintiq models, and the Intuos Pro to boot – and they also offer a large range of alternate options for drawing, such as a digital airbrush.

If you want a portable gaming device, we have more options than ever now, ranging from GPD to the Steam Deck, Aya Neo or a dozen portable laptops.

So, either Apple opens up the iPad a little, or they come up with something ONLY the iPad can do (and that's not a gimmick).

Your use case is different from mine. I never replaced my old laptop because I found that my iPad did what I wanted. Read newspapers and books, watch videos and play some games. Different strokes.

 

[jimbobb24]

Unless you need it in the next 3 months and it meets your needs, right?

 

[Joe Dohn]

Your use case is different from mine. I never replaced my old laptop because I found that my iPad did what I wanted. Read newspapers and books, watch videos and play some games. Different strokes.

But let's be honest, do you NEED an iPad to play games, read newspapers and books, and watch videos?
And worse, do you need an iPad PRO for that?

The iPad is one of the worst platforms to game on. You are better served with a PC, or a console, or an Android device if you REALLY want mobile games (I don't see why you would, but still).

 

[SpaceCrystal]

Smart! I know some people will probably pull the trigger during Black Friday sales this year then next year will wish they didn’t with the rumor of the OLED models coming

Just like some people had immediately purchased a phone from the iPhone 14 series lineup, only to turn out that the phones from the iPhone 15 series lineup are coming out with a USB-C charging port. It’s why I’m planning on purchasing the iPhone 15 Pro Max (or Ultra) after coming from holding onto the Samsung Galaxy S8 phone for six years.

It’s also why I held out from buying an Apple TV 4K streaming box until its 3rd generation (in which I’ve bought back in February), because the Apple TV 4K remote would come with a USB-C charging port, along with additions to the streaming box in general.

Same thing as to why I’m also waiting for the 2nd generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case that’s coming out this year.

It’s all about moving forward with USB-C & not backwards with lightning, as it’ll make things a lot easier in the long run, especially when I already have plenty of devices with USB-C charging, such as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller & the Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Bluetooth headphones.

The only device that I have without USB-C charging, is the DualShock 4 Wireless Controller, as it still uses Micro-USB for some reason (why Sony had never upgraded it to USB-C is beyond me).

 

[Crowbot]

But let's be honest, do you NEED an iPad to play games, read newspapers and books, and watch videos?
And worse, do you need an iPad PRO for that?

The iPad is one of the worst platforms to game on. You are better served with a PC, or a console, or an Android device if you REALLY want mobile games (I don't see why you would, but still).

Again, different strokes. Do I NEED the iPad? No, I could carry a book reader, and a game console and an Android device. That’s three things to my one iPad. If you want a different setup that’s fine. I’ll keep my 11” Pro and probably upgrade next year. It’s a few years old and one of my nephews is asking when I’m upgrading.

Maybe iPad isn’t the best gaming platform but I’ve found a bunch of games I like including a neat combat flight sim. And some interesting physical simulators. Your prefs may vary.

 

[Abazigal]

On a serious note, the problem is that Apple is so restrictive with the iPad that it's useless for anything other than drawing, writing or content consumption.

And for every of these alternatives, there's an alternative that's either more affordable or has better support.
For example, for those who don't know, you can't pair up the original Apple Pencil with the newest iPad, or the Apple Pencil 2 with older iPads.

I am willing to bet that these involve 3 separate alternatives. When you are done, you are left with a bunch of different pieces of hardware, compared to being able to do all of these on a single device.

 

[rui no onna]

But let's be honest, do you NEED an iPad to play games, read newspapers and books, and watch videos?
And worse, do you need an iPad PRO for that?

The iPad is one of the worst platforms to game on. You are better served with a PC, or a console, or an Android device if you REALLY want mobile games (I don't see why you would, but still).

I can read comics on my laptop but the iPad/tablet form factor lends itself much better for that task. And yes, I’ve bought the 12.9” iPad Pro (2017 512GB) primarily for that. The other uses came later once I already had it. It’s a luxury purchase, sure, but it’s something I enjoy using everyday.

To me, the iPad is a much better value compared to something I’d buy and play with for 2 months and then just leave in a drawer somewhere. I actually spend less on my personal laptops than iPads because of how seldom I use the laptop (got a Windows desktop for work).

Gaming, I prefer the Steam Deck or ROG Ally. I just wish they had battery life as long as the iPad’s.

 

[SpaceCrystal]

Counter position: I think everyone who isn't poor should have an iPad. Yes, if you have trouble paying for food and housing, then an iPad is a luxury item. But every middle class person should own one. They just are too useful, too cheap (get the $400 one), and they last an easy five years before they start showing their age. Yes, if I had to pick one, I'd pick a laptop to own. The laptop (or in my case, a Mac mini) as my main computer is non-negotiable. But I don't have to pick one. I can easily have both because the iPad is cheap enough and lasts a really long time.

The processors go largely wasted in recent iPads. You have the power of a laptop, but little software that can leverage it.

Well affinity , Da Vinci, Logic and Final Cut to name a few.

But the thing is, most people have wasted cpu power on the M2 MBA too.
I mean, i am not talking about real “Pro” users here, but consumers, and having some headroom is good for them too.

Consider the workflow of a consumer, he surf the web, edit his photos, may be some small video editing, banking, some documents, some mails and social media….
Do they need the MBA M2? Not really most of those stuff can be done with a 2015 MacBook.
What I am saying is that most of us have wasted cpu power anyway.

Now if you need a high end machine for your workflow it’s another story, but I am talking consumers.
There is plenty of software for the iPads, sure it’s missing some (Coding spp and VM for example) but do consumers really need those?

Though with the M1, M2 & the M3 chips inside of the newest iPads & how much more powerful they are from laptops, there should be no excuse for Apple or 3rd party publishers to not keep updating their apps or software updates, as powerful as the iPads are nowadays. And the same should go for the latest iPhones with the A15, A16 & A17 processing chips.

Just how much more powerful hardware do we need? I believe that smartphones, iPhones & iPads have now reached the ceiling on that front. If there’s anything that needs updating badly, it’s the software on the iPad’s OS.

 

[s1oplus]

Don’t buy an iPad now because there is a new one coming next year? Are you kidding me? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. In that case no one should ever buy a new iPhone cos there is a new one next each year. Seriously wow…

If the upgrade is big you should wait. Same thing with iphones.

 

[dogstar]

Lol, this is a dumb post. Like the last three ipads have been any different from each other.. With a processor three generations ago more than powerful enough for a content using device like the ipad.

 

[allenvanhellen]

New iPhones coming in 2024 too.

Don’t buy an iPad, period. Unless you absolutely need touch/pencil support, a laptop will be a better value, be serviceable longer, and give you more versatility and flexibility.

 

[-BigMac-]

The iPhone pro has an OLED screen which are known for oversaturated colors. The Mini-LED on the iPad is probably more color accurate but because of that might also look muted next to the iphone.

Please provide source stating iPhone Pro OLEDs are known for oversaturated colors.

I always thought they're extremely colour accurate…

 

[Joe Dohn]

I am willing to bet that these involve 3 separate alternatives. When you are done, you are left with a bunch of different pieces of hardware, compared to being able to do all of these on a single device.

Only if you want to. You could just grab a x86 tablet instead, which would be inherently more useful. The Microsoft Surface comes to mind, but there are other options (e.g, from Asus) if you want to.

And if you go the AMD route, you can find some power efficient tablets that last as much or almost as much as the iPad, while maybe being a bit thicker.