Why did Apple not give 4GB RAM on the 9.7" iPad Pro ?

[maflynn]

RAM is the ultimate bottleneck

I saw a podcast where the people were concerned that the lack of ram may impact some of the professional apps being crafted for the 12.9" iPad Pro. That is Apple was marketing the 12.9 as a true replacement for a computer and wanted developers to produce apps accordingly, now they have to deal with less resources.

I don't know if that is true, but I can see something running very well on the 12.9" model but not on the smaller version.

 

[Royksöpp]

I was going to buy one but 2gb of ram just stuck in the back of my head. It's unacceptable, especially for a "Pro". I have a feeling this iPad is just an interim product until they perfect force touch. It just seems odd that they would release a new premium priced product with 6 month old technology, and stripped hardware at that. Of course there will always be something better but 2gb just doesn't seem like a smart investment, especially when you consider the longevity of it.

 

[bufffilm]

I was going to buy one but 2gb of ram just stuck in the back of my head. It's unacceptable, especially for a "Pro". I have a feeling this iPad is just an interim product until they perfect force touch. It just seems odd that they would release a new premium priced product with 6 month old technology, and stripped hardware at that. Of course there will always be something better but 2gb just doesn't seem like a smart investment, especially when you consider the longevity of it.

RAM is the limiting factor nowadays.

As I said earlier, if you need the pencil and the 9.7" form factor...buy it. Those that like having the latest and greatest, or want the 4 speakers or an upgraded display...it's here.

But Apple wants $749 for the 128gb version, when it should be priced more around $650. So until the sales/discounts happen...I'm standing pat.

 

[ZBoater]

I was going to buy one but 2gb of ram just stuck in the back of my head. It's unacceptable, especially for a "Pro". I have a feeling this iPad is just an interim product until they perfect force touch. It just seems odd that they would release a new premium priced product with 6 month old technology, and stripped hardware at that. Of course there will always be something better but 2gb just doesn't seem like a smart investment, especially when you consider the longevity of it.

I think you are the reason Apple doesn't divulge RAM specs.

 

[Royksöpp]

I think you are the reason Apple doesn't divulge RAM specs.

Oh sure, I'm such a monster for being displeased that a new product has the same amount of Ram as it's 18 month old predecessor while a comparable unit has twice the Ram. Seriously man, check yourself before you babble that nonsense.

 

[ZBoater]

Oh sure, I'm such a monster for being displeased that a new product has the same amount of Ram as it's 18 month old predecessor while a comparable unit has twice the Ram. Seriously man, check yourself before you babble that nonsense.

You are right. There are so many things I won't be able to do with only 2GB of RAM. This iPad is crippled. CRIPPLED I tell you.

Oh, wait....

 

[Rafterman]

While I personally think Apple should have matched specs on the devices (same 4GB RAM, same processor speeds, same USB3, with the screen size being the only differential), it really does matter what you will do with it.

If you are going to be running "pro" apps - editing video and photos, running databases, or think you will be running many apps at the same time - then definitely get the 12.9. But for those who will be do light web browsing, email, movie watching, ebooks, etc, the 2GB in the Pro 9.7 will be more than satisfactory. True, the future may show that 2GB of RAM is too small, but I also think that if you are the kind of person that actually bothered to find out how much RAM is in it, then you are the kind of person who upgrades every year or so anyways, and newer iPads will eventually get 4GB RAM.

As the old saying goes - the right tool for the right job.

 

[AndrewS]

Someone mentioned this in an earlier thread and I'm not sure if it's been brought up yet but....

TL/DR;
Largest memory chip Apple can get cheaply is 2GB - can only fit one memory chip in IPP 9.7"

It's possible that the IPP 12.9" has 2 x 2GB memory chips and can fit them both because of the size of the tablet. Because of the size of the IPP 9.7", they can only fit one memory chip in it. All Apple products are currently using 2GB chips and they have an economy of scale and can get them relatively cheap because of it. If they wanted to put 4GB in the IPP 9.7", they'd have to buy 4GB chips just for the IPP 9.7" and couldn't get economy of scale pricing which would jack the price of the IPP 9.7" even more.

 

[mi7chy]

Too many clueless apologists that's why we're stuck with deficient DRAM. 1GB is deficient on devices that run only one foreground app at a time like Safari with multiple tabs and no background apps. 2GB allows Safari to function with multiple tabs. Now, imagine down the road when Apple releases, for example, iOS 10 that allows running more than two foreground apps in addition to background apps that it currently can't do. That's why it's better to have 4GB or more now than having to buy yet another new device. Stop with the silly apologizing.

 

[ZBoater]

...Now, imagine down the road when Apple releases, for example, iOS 10 that allows running more than two foreground apps in addition to background apps that it currently can't do. That's why it's better to have 4GB or more now...

You contradict yourself. You speak of "down the road" yet say its better to have 4GB NOW.

No.

"Down the road", when and if what you say will happen happens, then I'll buy an iPad with 4GB of RAM. For now, NOW, 2GB is just fine, thank you.

 

[stulaw11]

Too many clueless apologists that's why we're stuck with deficient DRAM. 1GB is deficient on devices that run only one foreground app at a time like Safari with multiple tabs and no background apps. 2GB allows Safari to function with multiple tabs. Now, imagine down the road when Apple releases, for example, iOS 10 that allows running more than two foreground apps in addition to background apps that it currently can't do. That's why it's better to have 4GB or more now than having to buy yet another new device. Stop with the silly apologizing.

Apologists when no one knows what iOS10 will even need? Yup ok!

 

[rui no onna]

Too many clueless apologists that's why we're stuck with deficient DRAM.

If by apologist you meant realist, sure. Almost every year, there are people complaining about lack of RAM. Apple has been stingy with RAM since the first iPhone in 2007 (heck, and even before that with entry-level Macs but at least those, you can upgrade). I'm not really expecting them to change now although I'd be pleasantly surprised if they do. Don't like it, don't buy it. That's really pretty much the only way to send a message to Apple.

 

[Aluminum213]

Most reviews have criticized the iPad Pro 9.7 for not having 4GB, yet people are still making excuses for Apple

iPad Air 2 with 2GB was great ...... 1.5 YEARS AGO

 

[ZBoater]

Most reviews have criticized the iPad Pro 9.7 for not having 4GB, yet people are still making excuses for Apple

So mentioning it in a review, in your planet, means criticizing?

Ok.

 

[Aluminum213]

So mentioning it in a review, in your planet, means criticizing?

Ok.

Are you kidding? The reviews didn't simply just say "hey, it only has 2GB RAM, no big dealz", they specifically state that's it's a disappointment, especially with those using multiple apps and heavy safari users with many tabs open (Verge, which is always accused of being pro Apple)

 

[Fuzzball84]

Apple are always going to put the minimum amount of RAM they can get away with from a usability/cost perspective... they are not going to provide more RAM to increase product longevity... its counter to their business to do so.

Its the same with MacBooks (Air's), except I was glad they put 8 GB in the retina macbook.

 

[Copefree]

It's not needed, that's why. 2GB is plenty on the smaller screen / form.

 

[augustya]

I hate when somebody here said that the 9.7" iPad Pro is a interim product till they perfect force touch

 

[s2mikey]

While I personally think Apple should have matched specs on the devices (same 4GB RAM, same processor speeds, same USB3, with the screen size being the only differential), it really does matter what you will do with it.

If you are going to be running "pro" apps - editing video and photos, running databases, or think you will be running many apps at the same time - then definitely get the 12.9. But for those who will be do light web browsing, email, movie watching, ebooks, etc, the 2GB in the Pro 9.7 will be more than satisfactory. True, the future may show that 2GB of RAM is too small, but I also think that if you are the kind of person that actually bothered to find out how much RAM is in it, then you are the kind of person who upgrades every year or so anyways, and newer iPads will eventually get 4GB RAM.

As the old saying goes - the right tool for the right job.

Right - but if alls you are doing is the basics then why bother with the Pro when the Air 2 is 99% the same performance level? Thats the point many of us are making. The pro isnt a bad tablet its just that it doesnt do enough over the Air 2 to justify its cost difference. 4 speakers? Pencil support is viewed by some as critical soIll concede on that one. True-tone, shmoo tone? Whhatever.

Real world says those are trivial "upgrades". And, no RAM bump, NO USB 3.0, No force touch. Stuff I believe many folks wanted to see in a pro-level device.

Hell - for the cost of ONE 9.7" Pro you could have TWO refurbished Air 2s! Like....Hello....

 

[Rafterman]

Right - but if alls you are doing is the basics then why bother with the Pro when the Air 2 is 99% the same performance level? Thats the point many of us are making. The pro isnt a bad tablet its just that it doesnt do enough over the Air 2 to justify its cost difference. 4 speakers? Pencil support is viewed by some as critical soIll concede on that one. True-tone, shmoo tone? Whhatever.

Real world says those are trivial "upgrades". And, no RAM bump, NO USB 3.0, No force touch. Stuff I believe many folks wanted to see in a pro-level device.

Hell - for the cost of ONE 9.7" Pro you could have TWO refurbished Air 2s! Like....Hello....

Bigger storage option, better screen (allegedly), better camera, faster LTE, Pencil support. Plenty of reasons to go Pro over Air 2.

 

[mbaturin]

I just purchased the 12.9" Pro and I've been having trouble trying to create and edit movies on it in iMovie for iPad. It constantly freezes and isn't worth the trouble to use. That's with 4GB, and is a common thing people do on iPad. With 2GB on the 9.7" Pro, I can't imagine the experience gets any better....

 

[Rafterman]

I just purchased the 12.9" Pro and I've been having trouble trying to create and edit movies on it in iMovie for iPad. It constantly freezes and isn't worth the trouble to use. That's with 4GB, and is a common thing people do on iPad. With 2GB on the 9.7" Pro, I can't imagine the experience gets any better....

Actually, even if it was smooth, I have to think video editing is one of the worst tasks for an iPad, since a mouse is a video editor's best friend.

 

[ZBoater]

I just purchased the 12.9" Pro and I've been having trouble trying to create and edit movies on it in iMovie for iPad. It constantly freezes and isn't worth the trouble to use. That's with 4GB, and is a common thing people do on iPad. With 2GB on the 9.7" Pro, I can't imagine the experience gets any better....

Then there's something wrong with your iPad. It should work just fine.

 

[oldmacs]

No matter what anyone says, a device with more ram is most probably going to be better off in the future. It doesn't matter about now, and it won't bother you if you're someone who upgrades every 2-3 years, but those of us who plan to run an iPad till it is no longer usable, the ram really does matter.

The way people apologise for Apple, its almost like they believe that 4GB of ram would have made the experience worse! It would have in no way and the only reason that it doesn't have that 4GB of ram is for cost cutting reasons, as it would have cost Apple more to put 4GB of ram in, and probably would have made them last longer, again cutting into Apple's future revenues like the iPad 2 has.

 

[Count Blah]

Too many clueless apologists that's why we're stuck with deficient DRAM. 1GB is deficient on devices that run only one foreground app at a time like Safari with multiple tabs and no background apps. 2GB allows Safari to function with multiple tabs. Now, imagine down the road when Apple releases, for example, iOS 10 that allows running more than two foreground apps in addition to background apps that it currently can't do. That's why it's better to have 4GB or more now than having to buy yet another new device. Stop with the silly apologizing.

The very same people who saying the Air ran perfectly, with 1 gig or RAM(Zboater, max(Tim), etc...) are same ones saying that there are no issues, nor will there be for many years to come, with 2 gigs of RAM.

They were wrong then, and they will be proven wrong again. Safari and multitasking are present day examples of hitting the limit. It's only going to get worse over time.

Had they NOT called it a 'Pro', or put 3 gigs of RAM in it, this whole debate goes away.