All iPads Torn btwn the 13” iPad Pro & the 13” iPad Air 🤔

[Greenmeenie]

I’m an artist who’s been using a 2018 11” iPad Pro with 1TB and 6gb ram for the last 7 years. Altho it still works, it’s time to upgrade. I spent the entire afternoon yesterday in an Apple Store comparing the 13” iPad Pro & the 13” iPad Air …and I am even more confused now of which one to get! 😂 Yes, the OLED screen on the M5 iPad Pro is gorgeous, but I think I may be affected by the PWM a bit. But i also did notice a lag in the iPad Air’s 60hz screen while drawing. It was slight, but going back and forth i did notice. Not as much doing simple line drawing as when i was painting. But it was there. My old iPad Pro is from 2018 and has an LCD screen like the latest M4 iPad Air but with a 120hz pro motion display. So i am more used to the fluidity of the promotion display. Yes, i could get used to drawing on the 60hz display… because I also own an iPad mini 7 for doodling, but i really wish Apple had given the iPad Airs 120hz. I probably would have chosen an Air instantly over the OLED iPad Pro in that case. So now i have to decide between dealing with the slight lag of the Air or the PWM of the Pro. 😂 It’s either adapt to drawing on a 60hz screen or learning to take breaks from the OLED to avoid eyestrain & headaches. 🤔 And NO i do not want to get a slightly older used iPad Pro with a non OLED screen. I am already moving from an older iPad Pro. I really want the latest tech with at least 12gb ram. I plan to keep this new iPad like my old one for a very long time. Both are great iPads. I just have to decide which compromise I can live with more. Anyone else have a similar dilemma? If so, Which iPad did you end up choosing?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Eye health matters more. As someone who suffers from PWM, breaks won’t help since once you get them they’ll stay for hours or the entire day. Your headache won’t magically go away.

Would you rather deal with limiting yourself physically or a little bit of lag…

 

[snipr125]

Pwm flickering on the iPP M4 is bad, i can only use mine at min 45-50% brightness with any dimming modes off (truetone, night shift and auto brightness). Maybe read up on pwm sensitivity first to get a better understanding of it as your health comes first always.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Eye health matters more. As someone who suffers from PWM, breaks won’t help since once you get them they’ll stay for hours or the entire day. Your headache won’t magically go away.

Would you rather deal with limiting yourself physically or a little bit of lag…

I agree. And that’s the way I’m leaning so far. Gonna go back to the Apple store & test some more. I definitely felt something. I just want to be sure it’s from the OLED. I do draw sometimes late at night in bed with the lights low which is when they say PWM can be the most intense…and thats kinda hard to test in a brightly lit Apple Store, but I’m gonna try. Maybe i should throw a coat over my head and the iPad…That should alarm Apple security 😂 I’ll do my best. In the end, if I’m still on the fence, I’ll just play it safe & get the Air since I heard rumors that the M5 iPad Air will probably come with a single OLED panel like the iPad mini 8 is rumored to get later this year. So looks like the M4 iPad Air will be the last one with an LCD screen. Perhaps Apple will eventually address the PWM issue & increase the PWM frequency. I hear some Chinese manufacturers are doing that. Supposedly that solves the issue. Right now the PWM frequency is at 240hz & to eliminate eye strain, Apple would have to increase it to above 3,000hz from what I’ve read. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Greenmeenie]

Pwm flickering on the iPP M4 is bad, i can only use them at 45-50% brightness with any dimming modes off (truetone, night shift and auto brightness). Maybe read up on pwm sensitivity first to get a better understanding of it as your health comes first always.

Hopefully Apple will address the PWM issue with the M6 iPad Pro. From what I’ve read, increasing the PWM frequency to above 3,000hz will solve the eye strain issue. Right now Apple only uses a 240hz frequency on the iPad Pros. I’m sure they know about this. 10% of people is not a small number who are affected by PWM.

 

[rui no onna]

Hopefully Apple will address the PWM issue with the M6 iPad Pro. From what I’ve read, increasing the PWM frequency to above 3,000hz will solve the eye strain issue. Right now Apple only uses a 240hz frequency on the iPad Pros. I’m sure they know about this. 10% of people is not a small number who are affected by PWM.

Yeah, I'm hoping Apple fixes PWM on OLED. The Mini-LED iPad Pros also have PWM but I'm able to use those probably because the frequency is higher than OLED.

Personally, I'd be happy enough as long as the iPad Air gets FaceID. I can deal with 60 Hz.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yeah, I'm hoping Apple fixes PWM on OLED. The Mini-LED iPad Pros also have PWM but I'm able to use those probably because the frequency is higher than OLED.

Personally, I'd be happy enough as long as the iPad Air gets FaceID. I can deal with 60 Hz.

Yeah, you kinda get spoiled with the ease of face ID. Not only does it open your iPad, but it opens websites without having to type in a password etc. I do miss it on my iPad mini. But it’s not so bad. Still face ID has been on regular iPhones not just the pros since 2018! They really should put it on the iPad Airs as well. I kinda feel the same way about promotion. Why not put it on the Airs? The Pros are still OLED and have so many other features professionals care about. I think adding those two features to the Airs would actually help sales.

 

[Soccerrick10]

I agree. And that’s the way I’m leaning so far. Gonna go back to the Apple store & test some more. I definitely felt something. I just want to be sure it’s from the OLED. I do draw sometimes late at night in bed with the lights low which is when they say PWM can be the most intense…and thats kinda hard to test in a brightly lit Apple Store, but I’m gonna try. Maybe i should throw a coat over my head and the iPad…That should alarm Apple security 😂 I’ll do my best. In the end, if I’m still on the fence, I’ll just play it safe & get the Air since I heard rumors that the M5 iPad Air will probably come with a single OLED panel like the iPad mini 8 is rumored to get later this year. So looks like the M4 iPad Air will be the last one with an LCD screen. Perhaps Apple will eventually address the PWM issue & increase the PWM frequency. I hear some Chinese manufacturers are doing that. Supposedly that solves the issue. Right now the PWM frequency is at 240hz & to eliminate eye strain, Apple would have to increase it to above 3,000hz from what I’ve read. 🤷‍♂️

In the US, we have a 14 day return policy with no questions asked. That should give you enough time to make that evaluation without getting arrested while under your coat 😉

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Hopefully Apple will address the PWM issue with the M6 iPad Pro. From what I’ve read, increasing the PWM frequency to above 3,000hz will solve the eye strain issue. Right now Apple only uses a 240hz frequency on the iPad Pros. I’m sure they know about this. 10% of people is not a small number who are affected by PWM.

No necessarily, the MBP miniLED are 14,880 Hz to 15,000 Hz and can make your eyes bleed as well. Amplitude is also important when discussing PWM.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Well, went back to the Apple store for a 2nd time to compare the 13” iPad pro & ipad air. I did feel a slight headache while using the pro... but that could be partly due to the fact i was recovering from a hangover from the night before going out with friends. 😂 But here's things that did become clearer to me.

1) 120hz made ZERO difference to me when drawing with the Apple pencil. ✏️ Both the 60hz & 120hz felt the same.

2) The screen on the ipad pro was so much brighter. Like by a lot! But then the Apple store had huge windows & the entire place was sunny. I wont be using my ipad in the direct sun.

3) Both ipads were thin, but i was super impressed with the ipad pro. It was insanely thin. Holding it for long periods of time would definitely be easier than holding the air.

4) Video on both looked great. I was surprised at how good video on the ipad air looked. But i'd still give the edge to the pro.

5) Face ID on my old pro spoiled me, but i could get used to Touch ID.

*** Bottom line? I'd prefer the iPad Pro for the brighter screen & thinness, but i could definitely live with the iPad Air if PWM turns out to be a real issue for me. The Air definitely was totally equal for drawing, and thats what i plan to use it for. I just have to be sure about the PWM. Looks like i gotta go back to the Apple store one more time (when i don't have a hangover! 😆) and test the OLED screen again. I'd rather do that than buy and return the pro.

 

[I7guy]

All else being equal I would get the IPP. It’s a monster and the screen is gorgeous.

 

[Greenmeenie]

All else being equal I would get the IPP. It’s a monster and the screen is gorgeous.

This is true. All things being equal, I'd chose the. IPP 10/10 times as well. That OLED screen is sweet. I just want to find out if I am affected by PWM, because as good as thr IPP is, that'd be a deal breaker for me. I draw for many hours in a row late into the night EVERY day. If PWM gave me headaches & eyestrain I would go with the iPad Air and it's LCD screen with no regrets. Both times I visited the Apple store I did get a mild headache while testing out the IPP 🤕 But the 2nd time could have been residual hangover from the night before 😂 I dunno. So I am going to visit the Apple store one more time this weekend (after a restful night!) and do another thorough test. I guess ultimately the best way to find out for sure is to just buy the IPP and give it 14 days of solid use at home & return it if I find I am indeed affected by PWM. Was trying to avoid the hassle of that tho.

 

[usmaak]

I guess ultimately the best way to find out for sure is to just buy the IPP and give it 14 days of solid use at home & return it if I find I am indeed affected by PWM. Was trying to avoid the hassle of that tho.

I have an M5 IPP Nano Glass with a Magic Keyboard that I'm likely going to be bringing back to Best Buy tomorrow afternoon. I hate returning things and I always feel bad about it.

I really like it, but my eyes get tired. It is not an instant headache whenever I use it but my eyes can feel the difference between the M5 screen and my M1 MBP and M2 iPad Pro. I can use those effortlessly all night long but the M5 is not effortless. And sometimes the eye strain only becomes apparent after I put the device down for the night. Next day my eyes still ache.

I really wish that Apple would go with mini or micro LED.

 

[teohyc]

You already mentioned PWM so don't bother with the iPad Pros with OLED displays.

As for 60Hz vs 120Hz, for drawing it's not gonna make a difference. If you have two tablets side by side to compare, yeah sure you can see the difference, but you're not going to have two tablets. 120Hz makes a noticeable difference when there are many things moving, e.g. apps max and minimising, home screen icons moving, webpage scrolling. For drawing, it's only that line that's moving so it's not gonna be that noticeable, and you MAY notice the latency if you're someone who draws very fast, e.g.at writing speed.

 

[Greenmeenie]

You already mentioned PWM so don't bother with the iPad Pros with OLED displays.

As for 60Hz vs 120Hz, for drawing it's not gonna make a difference. If you have two tablets side by side to compare, yeah sure you can see the difference, but you're not going to have two tablets. 120Hz makes a noticeable difference when there are many things moving, e.g. apps max and minimising, home screen icons moving, webpage scrolling. For drawing, it's only that line that's moving so it's not gonna be that noticeable, and you MAY notice the latency if you're someone who draws very fast, e.g.at writing speed.

I agree about the 60hz vs 120hz when drawing. I tested this out at the Apple store and felt NO difference whatsoever while drawing. I mean like ZERO. So that is a total non issue for me honestly. About the PWM? I’m still not sure if I am super sensitive. I only tested the M5 iPad Pro in a brightly lit Apple store a couple of times. One time I did feel something, a very slight headache. But to be honest, it wasn’t enough to be conclusive. I never ever get headaches tho, so i thought it odd. I am going to borrow a friends M5 iPad Pro and test it out in a more dimly lit environment where I will be drawing mostly. If I truly feel PWM will be an issue for me, I have no problem getting the iPad Air. It’s a great tablet for drawing & I’ll save some mula $. 👍🏼 😉 If i don’t feel anything, I don’t mind spending the extra $ for the Pro. I do prefer the brighter screen, thinness & face ID. So cool. But if I do end up getting the iPad Pro, i will have another decision… get it with 512 storage & 12gb of ram or 1TB & 16gb of ram. 🤔 😈

 

[Greenmeenie]

I have an M5 IPP Nano Glass with a Magic Keyboard that I'm likely going to be bringing back to Best Buy tomorrow afternoon. I hate returning things and I always feel bad about it.

I really like it, but my eyes get tired. It is not an instant headache whenever I use it but my eyes can feel the difference between the M5 screen and my M1 MBP and M2 iPad Pro. I can use those effortlessly all night long but the M5 is not effortless. And sometimes the eye strain only becomes apparent after I put the device down for the night. Next day my eyes still ache.

I really wish that Apple would go with mini or micro LED.

Bummer about your eye strain. I still have to do some more testing to see if the OLED screens PWM will be a real issue for me. If it is, I have no problem going with the iPad Air. It’ll do everything the Pro can do only cheaper. 👍🏼 Yeah, I’ll be losing the brighter screen, thinner design & face ID… but it’s not like the end of the world. As long as I can draw on it, I’m good. I dunno if Apple will move away from OLED. Rumor has it the iPad mini 8 will get a single panel OLED screen by the end of this year, and next years M5 iPad Air will get one in 2027. Hopefully Apple will increase the PWM frequency in the future to above 3,000Hz so people that are sensitive to the flickering at 240hz like you won’t experience eyestrain or headaches anymore. 👍🏼

 

[HouseLannister]

It seems like you should get the base 14" M5 MacBook Pro with the 120hz miniLED. Or get an M4 version from Amazon or Best Buy on clearance. Better battery life than both devices and has the high refresh non-OLED that you want.

 

[rui no onna]

It seems like you should get the base 14" M5 MacBook Pro with the 120hz miniLED. Or get an M4 version from Amazon or Best Buy on clearance. Better battery life than both devices and has the high refresh non-OLED that you want.

Can’t draw as easily on the MacBook…

 

[HouseLannister]

Can’t draw as easily on the MacBook…

My mistake. I read Air and my brain autocorrected to MacBook Air.

 

[DeepSix]

I'd go with pro just for the screen alone. 1000nits to 500 nits is a big difference. The pro is usable in bright daylight.

 

[snipr125]

I'd go with pro just for the screen alone. 1000nits to 500 nits is a big difference. The pro is usable in bright daylight.

Yes but the OP potentially has pwm sensitivity, thats what this discussion is about. Actually I'm surprised you have not told OP to get your beloved MB Neo!

 

[usmaak]

I ended up getting an iPad Air M4. My eyes are much happier with it. The only two things I miss about the iPad Pro M5 is the matte finish and Promotion. I’ve already gotten used to the 60Hz. I am trying to find a decent, cost effective matte screen protector for it but haven’t had much luck. I tried one and it was a bubbly disaster. I had it completely dust free and it still had a ton of bubbles.

It sure is nice not to have my eyes so irritated.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I still haven’t decided yet. 😂 After many visits to the Apple Store, I pretty much determined that PWM on the Pro’s OLED screen isn’t really an issue for me. Neither is the 60hz vs 120hz screens when drawing. So drawing on the iPad Air feels exactly the same as the Pro. They both have 12gb of ram for the 512gb storage model which i plan to get as well.

So basically it comes down to saving $400 or getting a brighter OLED screen. 🤔

My 11” 2018 iPad Pro is still my main device for doing most of my drawing & media consumption on. I just think the 11” is the perfect size tablet. Down the road I do plan to update it to the M6 11” iPad Pro.

But for now, I just want to add a 13” iPad to my collection for those times I crave a larger drawing area. So saving $400 and getting the Air does make sense financially & practically. But having that super bright vibrant OLED screen would be nice too. 😂

 

[usmaak]

I still haven’t decided yet. 😂 After many visits to the Apple Store, I pretty much determined that PWM on the Pro’s OLED screen isn’t really an issue for me. Neither is the 60hz vs 120hz screens when drawing. So drawing on the iPad Air feels exactly the same as the Pro. They both have 12gb of ram for the 512gb storage model which i plan to get as well.

So basically it comes down to saving $400 or getting a brighter OLED screen. 🤔

My 11” 2018 iPad Pro is still my main device for doing most of my drawing & media consumption on. I just think the 11” is the perfect size tablet. Down the road I do plan to update it to the M6 11” iPad Pro.

But for now, I just want to add a 13” iPad to my collection for those times I crave a larger drawing area. So saving $400 and getting the Air does make sense financially & practically. But having that super bright vibrant OLED screen would be nice too. 😂

If you're going to be drawing outside, then I can see how the pro screen would be better. I sit on a couch and use mine and I have had no problems with how bright the screen gets. I have my brightness set to 40% most of the time and have never felt the need to go higher.

I really like the Air. It does everything I need and I've already forgotten about the 120hz screen. And it doesn't irritate my eyes at all. It's been a great experience. I would have loved to have been able to keep the Pro but my eyes hated it.

The best thing is that I got the 1TB Pro for the 16GB of RAM. The Air goes up to 12GB for all models, so I got a 256GB model and saved a ton of money.

YMMV. Unless you are adverse to returning devices or live somewhere that doesn't make returns easy, might I suggest buying one and giving it a try?

 

[Greenmeenie]

If you're going to be drawing outside, then I can see how the pro screen would be better. I sit on a couch and use mine and I have had no problems with how bright the screen gets. I have my brightness set to 40% most of the time and have never felt the need to go higher.

I really like the Air. It does everything I need and I've already forgotten about the 120hz screen. And it doesn't irritate my eyes at all. It's been a great experience. I would have loved to have been able to keep the Pro but my eyes hated it.

The best thing is that I got the 1TB Pro for the 16GB of RAM. The Air goes up to 12GB for all models, so I got a 256GB model and saved a ton of money.

YMMV. Unless you are adverse to returning devices or live somewhere that doesn't make returns easy, might I suggest buying one and giving it a try?

Yeah, I’m about to buy. Currently rehabing a broken ankle so spending lots of time in bed or on the couch. Figured it’d be the perfect time to buy a larger iPad for drawing ✍🏼. 👍🏼