iPad Pro Through the years with iPad. How about you?

[MacLappy]

My journey with the iPad began on launch day in 2010. After scrounging different locations, I finally found a single unit available at a Tech outlet in a local higher education facility.
It was everything I wished for, a jumbo size handheld device with an immersive screen connected to the internet, perfect for content consumption.

I thought to myself back then that this must be the future.

My first iPad served me reasonably well over the years in a somewhat limited capacity. It was held back mainly by an ageing processor and an unfortunately minuscule amount of ram.

Over time I have since upgraded to a 5th Gen iPad 128GB, a 2nd Gen iPad Pro 11" 128GB and now a 6th Gen iPad Pro 12.9" 1TB.

I am amazed at the improvements made to my less essential, most used Apple product. [Shout out to Darngooddesign for coining this phase]

My iPad is my first XDR display, and it is gorgeous. Lying in my bed, watching Ted Lasso, articulated by my AirPods Pro, is an overwhelmingly immersive experience. More so than any handheld has the right to be.

From a performance perspective, it outpaces my 16" Intel MacBook Pro in almost all comparison matrices. Pound for pound, it is the most performance-oriented device I have. It flies through some of the most demanding workflows, such as ProRes video editing, while being intuitive and easy to work with.

It is incredibly versatile. Paired with the appropriate accessory, it becomes an artist's canvas, a writer's steno machine, a director's storyboard, an editor's workstation, a musician's sound booth, a gamer's console and a dreamer's dreamscape. It could be anything to anyone, anywhere.

And yet, there is more.

Expanding on the iPad's vast capabilities is the distinct privilege of an ever-expanding yet well-governed ecosystem. Each product increases the value of the rest. FaceTime, iMessage, AirDrop, AirShare, Find My, SideCar, Universal Clipboard, Universal Control, Instant Hotspot, HandOff, and everything else within Apple's Continuity, allow Apple products to interact in a seamless multidirectional flow, making everyday tasks that much easier.

Perhaps to me, the most intriguing aspect of the iPad is still its form factor, a single piece of interactive glass that grants freedom from the desk. The proposition of leaning back in my recliner while pursuing my digital indulgence of the day is simply delightful.
While it is possible to pair the iPad with a Magic Keyboard, the beauty of the iPad to me is that free-form interaction with the glass.
I love how apps like FCP for iPad engender this. With Live Drawing and Jog Wheel, physical interaction feels so intuitive. Manipulating the timeline by pinching and scrolling feels so instinctual, so natural. It's amazing.

Looking to the future, I am excited to see a more useable Stage Manager for multi-tasking with iPadOS 17 and for more developers to push the envelope of the iPad's M2 chip.

To me, the future looks bright, how about you?

P.S. Can't wait to try Vision Pro, but that is a story for another time.

 

[hch720]

My journey with the iPad started in 2013, where I was assigned one (in a protective otter box) by my middle school to use in class and at home for assignments and entertainment. I got to keep the same unit for 3 years before I returned it upon graduation. During high school, my phone was my main device, but I bought an iPad Pro in 2018 (which I still use) because everybody on YouTube was going crazy over it.

 

[boogiedout]

Yep, im all ipad since 2010 too. I did my degree on the first ipad, type 50 odd thousand words on the screen keyboard. I went on to the iPad Air 2, air 3 and now I’m on a new M1 Air, I absolutely love it. you're right that was and still is the future

 

[heretiq]

Well said. My journey also started on launch day 2010, followed by the iPad Retina in 2012, the first 12.9” iPad Pro in 2015, the 2018 A12x iPad Pro, then my current 12.9“ M1 iPad Pro in 2021 — each purchased on launch day.

I‘ve used all of my iPads to organize my business and personal lives in coordination with my Mac’s and iPhones. The iPad helps me to be more productive with work, learn, think, relax, and process the world and my experiences. The integration into the Apple ecosystem is truly inspired and it has emerged as my most used computing device.

Net-net: I’ve enjoyed every day with my iPads largely because I purchased the iPad for what it was meant for — not what I hoped for. The only wrinkle in the experience was the purchase of the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard, not because it was a bad product, but because the added weight detracted from the light, carefree experience that the iPad Pro enables for me. However, I do love the way the iPad floats atop the magic keyboard and would pay for a version without the keyboard to use as just a stand!

 

[xxFoxtail]

I’ve had an iPad since 2010. I’ve been using them as my main computer since the first iPad Pro (2015?). It seems like every time I try to switch away from it to a Macbook or Surface or whatever, I keep coming back. I just love using the iPad more than anything else. I just bought an M2 MacBook Air last week. I’m already sort of regretting it. I use it for development, and it’s probably one of the nicest laptops I’ve used. But, here I am using my iPad for pretty much everything again.

 

[stanza.richi]

Started with an iPad Mini followed by an iPad Air 2 and an iPad Pro 12.9” 2018. Best option since the beginning for web surfing and reading papers/books, the Apple Pencil 2 was a huge improvement for my use.

 

[AppleFanatic10]

Started with a iPad Mini in 2013 now I’m on my iPad Pro 11”.

 

[xaqt93]

Started with an iPad Air and have finished with an iPad Pro M1.

I recently gave up on using an iPad for everything and finally got a Mac just the other day. Not going to lie, I love this thing and I can't believe I went so long thinking I could get away with only using an iPad.

 

[Isamilis]

My journey started on launch day in 2010. I have lots of hopes that iPad can be my mini laptop, so I also got Magic keyboard. Until… I bought M2 MacBook Air, and my iPad usage subsided. Now I use iPad mostly for reader tablet occasionally. It’s still beautiful piece of technology but my usage fit better with MBA.

 

[MacLappy]

My journey with the iPad started in 2013, where I was assigned one (in a protective otter box) by my middle school to use in class and at home for assignments and entertainment. I got to keep the same unit for 3 years before I returned it upon graduation. During high school, my phone was my main device, but I bought an iPad Pro in 2018 (which I still use) because everybody on YouTube was going crazy over it.

2018 was the beginning of the current iPad Pro design language, also the year, that iPad Pro 11” was introduced. Still an amazing iPad for content consumption in 2023.

 

[Algus]

Air 1 -> 9.7 Pro -> iPad Air 4

I need to replace my Air 4 as it has a nasty crack in it. My iPads always seem to get beat up for whatever reason. All three of them met ignoble ends (Air 1 screen shattered, 9.7 Pro I tripped over the power cord and ripped it out of the port, Air 4 crack across the center of the screen)

I like them a lot as casual use devices and while I AM a big fan of e-ink displays, I'll take my iPad over a Kindle for games, media, and comic books in addition to being able to read. I've never been able to make the iPad work as a laptop replacement though. I definitely like the magic keyboard but iOS's RAM management and lack of windowed UI has always frustrated me. I've got 4-5 apps that I like to run concurrently at any given time and my iPad just can't do that for me. So it remains a casual use device.

One thing that holds me back on really being able to dive into my iPad is the lack of sideloading. I've messed with AltStore but that requires more babying then I care to do (and you need a computer to dock your iPad to anyway...) I'm lowkey rooting for the European Union's regulations because if Apple opens up sideloading, my iPad could fast become my favorite device.

 

[ScreenSavers]

I started with a first generation iPad in about 2011. I wasn’t content with that for long and got an iPad 2. Next the original iPad Air, and then the original 12.9” iPad Pro. That was an amazing device. I got the 11” 2018 iPad Pro next, and then the green 4th gen Air. I now have the M1 12.9” in 128 GB and it’s fantastic. I’ve also had a couple iPad minis. For comparison, I still have an iPad 2. The amount of improvement Apple has made on the iPad in a decade is amazing, but all of them have been excellent in their time.

I’ve never used a non-Apple tablet that I actually liked, except maybe some of the early Microsoft Surface models.

 

[Hastings101]

I bought my first iPad (an iPad Air) in 2016. I had other tablets before then: A Google Nexus 7 (or something like that), a Nook Color HD, and then a Kindle Fire HDX. They were all awesome, but I wanted better app support than what Android or FireOS offered, so I tried the Air and loved it. It was extremely fast despite being three years old, though the speakers were terrible compared to the Kindle Fire.

A year later I bought the iPad Pro 10.5 in 2017. Fantastic device. Fast for its whole lifespan, reliable, great battery life, shockingly good speakers for ANY computing device yet alone a tablet. Used this until 2021 when I bought a Samsung Tab S7 for Samsung Dex as I wanted more of a laptop replacement and apps aren't really important anymore as almost everything is online in a browser now. Finally gave away the iPad this year, still working great, to a family member.

 

[NastyMatt]

I got a gen 2 on release, while doing my Masters degree I paired it with a logitech keyboard but the word processing software I used it with was not great. I liked the iPad but was not blown away. Got my wife a Mini (can’t remember the gen) and again, it was ok but I used my phone as it was more convenient.

Fast forward a few years, including a 2014 MBA (screen was disappointing) then a 2018 MBP (keyboard was disappointing) I got a 2020 iPad Pro with MK and Apple pencil. Whoa… these things have moved on a lot. Software was better and the MK felt like it was native. Now I absolutely love the iPad, so versatile…. if I am on a packed train no way I am going to whip out my MBA (M1), it’s just easier on the MK to use (i.e. on a plane), I like how you interact with it - can type and touch the screen - now when I use my MBA I find myself wanting to quickly tap things on screen and can not!

I use mine in business and personal - I can be on a call and fire up a shared freeform doc and use the pencil - works really well (or Jamboard) - try that with a mouse (or touchpad) impossible. The kids love it for gaming.. I can just pick it up and watch something (Sky/Netflix etc) quickly, yes you can do it on a laptop but not as seamlessly as an iPad.

Just waiting for the next gen to be released, I really want to use mine on my 34” screen (extended) but I am hoping the next version has a landscape camera and OLED (and maybe no blooming) - if it has these I will be waiting with cash in hand on release day, if not, I may go for the M2.

 

[heretiq]

Air 1 -> 9.7 Pro -> iPad Air 4

… I definitely like the magic keyboard but iOS's RAM management and lack of windowed UI has always frustrated me. I've got 4-5 apps that I like to run concurrently at any given time and my iPad just can't do that for me. So it remains a casual use device.

One thing that holds me back on really being able to dive into my iPad is the lack of sideloading. I've messed with AltStore but that requires more babying then I care to do (and you need a computer to dock your iPad to anyway...) I'm lowkey rooting for the European Union's regulations because if Apple opens up sideloading, my iPad could fast become my favorite device.

Intriguing post @Algus . I’m curious about your comments quoted above:

Regarding running 4-5 apps concurrently — can you explain the issue? I’m asking because I have dozens of apps on my iPad Pro and often have 10+ in the background and have never had an issue using multiple apps or sharing data between them.

Regarding sideloading — do you have specific use cases that cannot be achieved on iPadOS without sideloading? Or is this desire based on your belief that there are benefits to having the capability?

Genuinely curious.

 

[ndouglas]

Nice writeup, OP. I’m a late adopter compared to most people above, many times I considered the use of an iPad but didn’t get one until 4 years ago in 2019. It’s been great to have, sometimes I feel “surrounded by screens” with a phone and laptop nearby also, but the tablet has been very useful and more than paid for itself in work done and leisure, relaxing and reading times. So portable and handy in many, many scenarios, for me.

Sent from my iPad. 😎

 

[Shanghaichica]

I started in 2013 with the first gen iPad mini. Since then I’ve had lots of different iPads and I’m sure early using the iPad Pro 11 2018 and the iPad mini 6th gen.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

iPad 3rd gen, iPad 4th gen, Air2 and now 12.9 5th gen.. All of them were excellent devices with the 3rd gen being my least favorite. Air2 and 12.9 5th gen have been fabulous devices and the Air2 (14.8.1) is still in use for web browsing to this day.

 

[SigmundJake229]

I bought my first iPad like most of you, when they launched in 2010. At about the same time, I got a MacBook Pro. Loved the laptop so much (first Mac), that I returned my original iPad and didn’t buy another one for a couple of years. I would say it was 2014 or so before I went back to an iPad. Fast forward to now, I am writing this post on my 2017 iPad Pro. I am planning on replacing it with either a new 2022 IPad Pro, or a refurbished 2021 iPad Pr. It is my go to device for most things.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I don’t know whether I’m more impressed that a positive iPad thread has been started, or that said thread hasn’t yet, 19 posts in, been hijacked by the haters.

My first iPad was a 2018 12” pro, base model, as an experiment as to whether I can feasibly replace my very expensive top end jack of all trades (master of none) laptop with a desktop plus an iPad. (A 2018 specc’d out mac mini at the time).

I can. I have. And it’s great. Now I have a mac studio plus an m2 12.9 iPad and it’s just a perfect combo. And at around 3.5k it’s the same price as a reasonably specc’d 16” MacBook Pro and just infinitely more powerful and utterly more versatile.

Boom.

 

[fehhkk]

All iPad since 2010, and first time I saw it, I thought it was a gimmick and the fad would last a few months at most. But decided to buy one, and try it out. Instantly saw the benefits and retracted all the bad things I thought about it lol.

Last I have is a Mini 6 I use as my electronic flight bag, perfect size.

 

[Abazigal]

My enthusiasm with the iPad cooled somewhat, but it's still a trusty device that I use throughout the day.

For context, I am a primary school teacher who uses his iPad to teach in the classroom, and have been doing so since 2012. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the windows laptop that was issued to me at work, and over the past decade, I like that it has allowed me to perform tasks that were otherwise not possible or feasible on a conventional laptop.

For example, in order to write on pdfs on my school laptop, I have to first open it in Edge, which strikes me as pretty backwards. With my iPad, it's a breeze to write in Notability, scan documents with scanner pro, use the camera as a makeshift visualiser, plus it's so much thinner and lighter to bring around to class (my laptop is mostly at my desk hooked to my external monitor unless I know my lesson specifically needs a PC form factor).

I can also record screencasts directly on my iPad and edit them in lumafusion. It's basically this Swiss army knife which is the ideal blend of battery life, portability and ease of use for me.

I can't do all my work on an iPad, but I wouldn't want to be only able to use a PC for the things that I do. Which is why I am opposed to the iPad running macOS. In my opinion, it's iPadOS that makes the iPad unique and allows it to stand out from the iPad, rather than simply being a Mac with a touchscreen.

 

[darngooddesign]

For me its been iPad 2, Mini 3, 9.7” iPad Pro, and now a 13” M1 1TB Pro which is my first cellular iPad.

 

[Digitalguy]

I had found the first iPads too bulky (except maybe the 2), but the air started changing my mind. I started with the Air 1 in early 2014 for music apps, then mini 2, then air 2, then the 2015 pro, my favorite device for years (from then on only pro or mini), mini 4, then 9.7 pro, 10.5 pro, 2018 11" pro (the fully specced 1TB 6GB RAM cellular version), 2018 12.9, mini 5 and 12.9 M1
I have sold the air 1 and 2 and the 2015 pro, the mini 4 is unusable and unsellable, the 9.7 developed a bad screen issue last year.
I still use daily the mini 2 (yes, for a 32 bit app on IOS 10), the 10.5 pro, the 11" pro, the 12.9 from 2018 and the M1, and the mini 5. I know it may seem strange but I have different uses for each, that's why I use all of them regularly.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I started with the first iPad Apple offered and traded in each year. My iPad is my most used Apple product as I do almost everything on it.