iPad Pro Who needs the new iPad Pro?

[Bodhitree]

I’ve just been reading some of the reviews of the new 2021 iPad Pro, and just wanted to put out my own thoughts on it. I bought a 12.9” iPad Pro in 2015 because I liked the large screen and wanted to try out the Apple Pencil. In the years in between I have done a lot of surfing and forumming and casual video consumption on my iPad, and other use cases have mostly fallen by the wayside. So that is where I am coming from.

Like the reviews, I think a lot of people are not going to notice the additional speed or ram, because iPads generally are already so capable and responsive. There just aren’t that many use cases for the extra capabilities when you use the device mostly for media consumption. I have rarely noticed my 2015 iPad Pro slowing down ever, and so more speed isn’t needed.

The new mini-led screen is a nice addition, a best-in-class screen would be great if I regularly watched HDR movies on it or created videos or 2D art on it, but I do not, for most of those activities I go to machines with bigger screens. The reviews have led me to believe the screen doesn’t make a huge difference in other tasks. So it seems unlikely I would be making the best use of my disposable income by picking one of these up.

It kind of begs the question, who actually really needs an iPad Pro? I see Apple adding all kinds of nice-to-haves to the device, without improving the core uses of it. I have no incentive to upgrade, and I see my next iPad when this one goes out of support probably being an Air or even a base iPad.

I even have my doubts about needing a large screen, the big size makes it unwieldy to use the onscreen keyboard and makes it heavier to hold for extended periods. There are some definite drawbacks to buying a larger device.

 

[DreamPod]

In your case, the new screen *would* make a noticeable difference, because you still have the 2015 model. Since then the screens have gotten quite a bit brighter - the new iPad Pro with the current iPad OS apparently maxes out at 600 nits of brightness unless viewing HDR content where it can get 1000 nits sustained, but your 2015 iPad Pro maxed out at 424 nits. Modern screens also have a 120hz refresh, so things just scroll super smoothly. Another improvement that I use every day is FaceID - I originally scoffed at it, but on iPad it makes a lot of sense, because my password manager can use FaceID - if I browse to a website that needs me to login, it sees my face and auto-fills the login data.

 

[Porterhouse]

If you’ve got the 2015 model, you might find the newer versions a little more manageable and lighter.

 

[Surfer13134]

It's all going to be about iPad OS15. My prediction is Apple is going to give devs the ability to code apps for the M1 and be able to distribute it between both Mac OS and iPad OS. Adobe released Photoshop for M1 within a few months and illastator is currently in beta testing. I think we will see full blow Adobe suite on the new ipads.

 

[The Game 161]

Want not need

 

[BATman.Berlin]

I just settled for a Air since it is more versatile and cheaper. Things may change once Apple let’s the 13” iPad run native Mac apps. Until then it is too much of a compromise for what I do.
My 2020 11” serves me well for note taking and communication.

As others said: “want not need”

 

[sparksd]

I do because I want the 12.9" screen because I like and want a larger display. It is not the least bit unwieldy to me.

 

[nicetriangles]

I need one for the ram and processor bumps. Surprisingly some people actually use these things for professional creative work.

 

[KittyKatta]

We’ll see after WWDC. If they release a Pro roadmap then hardware requirements (M1/RAM) can be a huge factor.

Personally, I consider the 2021 Pro to be (another) placeholder iPad because even IF iPadOS 15 makes big PROmises then its all still another year away. So I’m betting on the 2022 model to be the one with hardware/accessories designed around iPadOS 15.

 

[ZBoater]

I do.

 

[Artimus12]

We’ll see after WWDC. If they release a Pro roadmap then hardware requirements (M1/RAM) can be a huge factor.

Personally, I consider the 2021 Pro to be (another) placeholder iPad because even IF iPadOS 15 makes big PROmises then its all still another year away. So I’m betting on the 2022 model to be the one with hardware/accessories designed around iPadOS 15.

Magic Keyboard, Skins, BT Mice, etc! There’s not much left to adapt for. Maybe Thunderbolt 4 cables and dongles is about all and they should be ready this year.

#WantNotNeed

 

[cupcakes2000]

IF iPadOS 15 makes big PROmises then its all still another year away

The September after the announcement, normally. Nowhere near a year.

 

[rui no onna]

The September after the announcement, normally. Nowhere near a year.

September for iPadOS 15. The apps may still take a while.

 

[Chazani]

I’m upgrading to the new one because my current iPad is the 2015 12.9” model. I use the iPad every day, far more than I use my iMac or my 65” 4K lg tv. Do I need the 12.9” pro?? Absolutely. I’m not interested in downsizing in terms of screen size for my everyday enjoyments.

 

[AutomaticApple]

If you’ve got the 2015 model, you might find the newer versions a little more manageable and lighter.

I went from a 2015 to a 2018. The difference was night and day.

 

[cupcakes2000]

September for iPadOS 15. The apps may still take a while.

Agreed but answering the op who suggests ipados is still a year away after announcement.

 

[Adelphos33]

I’ve just been reading some of the reviews of the new 2021 iPad Pro, and just wanted to put out my own thoughts on it. I bought a 12.9” iPad Pro in 2015 because I liked the large screen and wanted to try out the Apple Pencil. In the years in between I have done a lot of surfing and forumming and casual video consumption on my iPad, and other use cases have mostly fallen by the wayside. So that is where I am coming from.

Like the reviews, I think a lot of people are not going to notice the additional speed or ram, because iPads generally are already so capable and responsive. There just aren’t that many use cases for the extra capabilities when you use the device mostly for media consumption. I have rarely noticed my 2015 iPad Pro slowing down ever, and so more speed isn’t needed.

The new mini-led screen is a nice addition, a best-in-class screen would be great if I regularly watched HDR movies on it or created videos or 2D art on it, but I do not, for most of those activities I go to machines with bigger screens. The reviews have led me to believe the screen doesn’t make a huge difference in other tasks. So it seems unlikely I would be making the best use of my disposable income by picking one of these up.

It kind of begs the question, who actually really needs an iPad Pro? I see Apple adding all kinds of nice-to-haves to the device, without improving the core uses of it. I have no incentive to upgrade, and I see my next iPad when this one goes out of support probably being an Air or even a base iPad.

I even have my doubts about needing a large screen, the big size makes it unwieldy to use the onscreen keyboard and makes it heavier to hold for extended periods. There are some definite drawbacks to buying a larger device.

1) If you don't get a smaller iPad, you should buy a 2018 iPad Pro (you want to buy mine)? Screen, camera, pencil, and size of the device is vastly better.

2) I use my iPad Pro as a work machine alongside my computer. The screen real estate is extremely useful for that. For traditional iPad Use (mail, twitter, videos, photos, web surfing, reading magazines and newspapers), any of the smaller iPads are probably better. This is obvious

 

[LFC2020]

I'd definitely upgrade from a 2015 model, my 3rd gen 12.9" feels so light when using it without a case, not heavy or to big for me, if anything I want a 17" iPad Pro.

Wouldn't bother upgrading if you have a 2018-2020 model.

 

[Never mind]

Right now I can’t see newer apps being introduced immediately that will take advantage of the power of the iPad Pro 12.9 inch nor the 11 inch for that matter. Just a simple thought. If WWDC announces some new apps, I can see the developers taking a number of months to come out, maybe the 11 inch version of the new 2021 for 2022 will have the same LED screen and a better option for many who do not like a very large iPad, and more tolerable in the pocketbook. Not to mention a newer 12.9 inch for 2022 with some better specs and capabilities for the new software. This will give better incentive for those that have the 2018/2020 iPad pros to hold off for another year. 😉

 

[cupcakes2000]

Plenty of apps already exist that will love this new power which are just an update away.

Right now I can’t see newer apps being introduced immediately that will take advantage of the power of the iPad Pro 12.9 inch nor the 11 inch for that matter. Just a simple thought. If WWDC announces some new apps, I can see the developers taking a number of months to come out, maybe the 11 inch version of the new 2021 for 2022 will have the same LED screen and a better option for many who do not like a very large iPad, and more tolerable in the pocketbook. Not to mention a newer 12.9 inch for 2022 with some better specs and capabilities for the new software. This will give better incentive for those that have the 2018/2020 iPad pros to hold off for another year. 😉

 

[KittyKatta]

The September after the announcement, normally. Nowhere near a year.

Agreed but answering the op who suggests ipados is still a year away after announcement.

even IF iPadOS 15 makes big PROmises then its all still another year away

Sorry for not clarifying more. Not arguing, just explaining where my opinion is rooted:

iPadOS15 will either be yet another positive baby step that doesn’t change much OR an over-ambitious leap that will take a while to land. Yes, it will be out in September but No, I dont think it will be everything needed for a Pro iPad Workflow.

With the M1 Mac transition then moving 1st party apps like FCP or Logic was fairly simple and it was of highest priority to have that ready. With iPad then we have no idea what their 1st party roadmap and it definitely wont be as easy as putting a translation layer onto an iPad to get Mac apps running. Are they going to re-write Pro Apps for iPad (which will likely be truncated versions of the parent program) or will they really make enormous OS level changes on iPadOS that will over complicate a machine that isn’t supposed to be complicated.

I do video and photo editing so I’m all for pushing the iPad to its limits but (IMO) I dont think Apple intends (or needs) to change things that much on the interface level. Under the hood we need a better file system, multitasking and external monitor support (all things that benefit from the 2021 RAM and Thunderbolt upgrades), but considering Apple has NEVER made iPad Software a priority then I think it’s reasonable to say that true Pro iPad Software is going to be Day 1 offerings. So my guess is OS15 starts the Pro ball rolling but it won’t actually get anywhere until OS16.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think the new pro mode will benefit professional artists, designers and photographers the most, provided most of the work can be done on the iPad. Outside of that, I think a lot of people will be primarily upgrading for the better screen.

For the price of the iPad, you can get a M1 MBA or M MBP to be just as mobile. I think buying the new iPad for media consumption at home is overkill, especially when many people have 4K tv.

It really doesn't matter what others think. If you want the new iPad Pro (for whatever reason) then buy it. Just make sure you know what you are not getting. That is just as important as what the specs show.

 

[Bodhitree]

I can understand the “want not need” angle, a lot of Apple’s products are based on just being cool. If you want the greatest tablet then the 12.9” iPad Pro will serve you well. But for basic consumption and light work it is indeed overkill.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

If you need a Macbook Air M1 with touch screen, then the iPad M1 + foldable keyboard is the answer.

 

[jdb8167]

With iPad then we have no idea what their 1st party roadmap and it definitely wont be as easy as putting a translation layer onto an iPad to get Mac apps running. Are they going to re-write Pro Apps for iPad (which will likely be truncated versions of the parent program) or will they really make enormous OS level changes on iPadOS that will over complicate a machine that isn’t supposed to be complicated.

They don't have to do either. The M1 in the iPad Pro supports hardware level virtual machines. Add macOS as an app in the App Store running a macOS virtual machine. Requires mouse and keyboard to be useful but the touch screen can work like the way various iPad remote apps do with a desktop OS. There isn't much beyond supporting macOS in a virtual machine that needs to change.