iPad Pro Why the iPad Pro isn’t just for professionals

[ericwn]

For the same reason that the iPad "Air" isn't at all like actual air. It's not a light or thin tablet.

However that didn’t stop Apple from initially marketing it as such when the first Sir launched. Compared to what they had before that was light.

 

[ericwn]

Pro is just a mzrketing term. No one ever said it was just for professionals. A $300 tablet is "professional" too, if you use it for work.

Exactly. It’s a feel-good word to ease the purchase making decision. It means nothing but slightly better/nicer specs.

 

[ericwn]

I hate the whole "Professionals" thing? How many people need to use a tablet "professionally"?

Nr 1: above and beyond every other category: Artists. Yes. Totally agree and get it. Good pen input, large screen. Go 12.9" Go Pro!

Nr 2: People in the field (Doctors, technicians, airline pilots). None of them need a pro, let alone 12.9". Those are either company provided iPads or iPad Airs

Nr 3: People showing off things to customers. Recently I was in an eyeglass store who used an iPad Pro 12.9 to show off customisations for a pair of glasses I liked. It was a first generation one. They got it for the screen size. No need for an M1, no need for 16GB RAM. There wasn't anything "Pro" about it. If there was a larger screen Air or even normal iPad with larger screen, they would have gone for that.

Nr 4: Laptop replacement. I like using my iPad Pro with Outlook, Safari, Slack, do average comapny/office work. It's good for that. It's not great. The camera is at the wrong end. Again, none of the software is taxing. I don't need a "Pro" or M1 or 16GB of RAM for it.

Most people I know use the 12.9" Pro for it's screen size. My 80yr old mum is one of them as she can't see well and the other ones are too small. She doesn't need Lidar or high performance. Just bigger screen.

So our "Pros" are just ... artists? How many are there? How many can afford a $2000 device?

It means nothing. There are as many pro feeling people buying AirPods Pro, MacBook Pro etc.
They don’t even claim it means professional I guess at this stage.

 

[ericwn]

I think those reviewers might be right - Air 4 has many good points, both technically and aesthetically. It is a very good mid-range iPad, an equivalent of iPhone 12 in iPhone terms. It should serve everybody well for 3-4 years from now, by which point most people would probably want to upgrade anyway. And that rumoured Air 2022 with OLED could be a real jem.

Certainly the Air is the sweet spot for most.

 

[Aiii83]

Certainly the Air is the sweet spot for most.

The thing is though, only if you can manage with 64GB. Because of the lack of a 128GB option, the second you step up to the 256GB model, the price difference to the 128GB Pro is only 50 USD or 60 Euro. And there's no universe in which the Pro, especially the new 2021 M1 model, isn't worth the very small price increase. Aside from the M1, you get double the RAM, you get the 120Hz display, 2 more speakers, the ultrawide front facing camera with center stage, the better camera's on the back and the LiDAR scanner, Face ID.

Every time a reviewer says "you should probably get an Air instead of a Pro" I groan a bit, because there's more use-cases to iPad's than exporting movies in Luma Fusion and the price difference for anything other than the base model is nothing.

 

[ericwn]

The thing is though, only if you can manage with 64GB. Because of the lack of a 128GB option, the second you step up to the 256GB model, the price difference to the 128GB Pro is only 50 USD or 60 Euro. And there's no universe in which the Pro, especially the new 2021 M1 model, isn't worth the very small price increase. Aside from the M1, you get double the RAM, you get the 120Hz display, 2 more speakers, the ultrawide front facing camera with center stage, the better camera's on the back and the LiDAR scanner, Face ID.

Every time a reviewer says "you should probably get an Air instead of a Pro" I groan a bit, because there's more use-cases to iPad's than exporting movies in Luma Fusion and the price difference for anything other than the base model is nothing.

Like any Apple product the upsell is conveniently build into the purchase consideration so good point there. As usual storage limitations etc will push you into the higher price ranges.

 

[GuruZac]

I went from my iPad Pro 10.5 to the 12.9 only because of the screen size. Split screen is much nicer on the bigger display and using it in Sidecar is great on the 12.9.

 

[arvinsim]

All the reviews say that the iPad Pro’s only use case is if you are a graphics professional or use the pencil a lot. And they ALL say that most people should get the Air.
what I don’t get is that these people are totally neglecting the big screen. I love the 12.9 inch screen. And it’s not available on the lower level iPads. So I get the Pro. Why do these reviewers not account for folks that only want the huge screen and that’s the biggest selling point of this device?
I am decidedly not a “Pro,” all I do is read and surf and do email watch movies. But I love the screen.
Am I the only one that feels this way?

Of course the iPad Pro 12.9" is the best for viewing.

The question is, it is worth the price difference between the iPad/iPad Air and iPad Pro 12.9"?

 

[arvinsim]

I hate the whole "Professionals" thing? How many people need to use a tablet "professionally"?

Nr 1: above and beyond every other category: Artists. Yes. Totally agree and get it. Good pen input, large screen. Go 12.9" Go Pro!

Nr 2: People in the field (Doctors, technicians, airline pilots). None of them need a pro, let alone 12.9". Those are either company provided iPads or iPad Airs

Nr 3: People showing off things to customers. Recently I was in an eyeglass store who used an iPad Pro 12.9 to show off customisations for a pair of glasses I liked. It was a first generation one. They got it for the screen size. No need for an M1, no need for 16GB RAM. There wasn't anything "Pro" about it. If there was a larger screen Air or even normal iPad with larger screen, they would have gone for that.

Nr 4: Laptop replacement. I like using my iPad Pro with Outlook, Safari, Slack, do average comapny/office work. It's good for that. It's not great. The camera is at the wrong end. Again, none of the software is taxing. I don't need a "Pro" or M1 or 16GB of RAM for it.

Most people I know use the 12.9" Pro for it's screen size. My 80yr old mum is one of them as she can't see well and the other ones are too small. She doesn't need Lidar or high performance. Just bigger screen.

So our "Pros" are just ... artists? How many are there? How many can afford a $2000 device?

I agree. I would love to have a 12.9" iPad Air!

 

[MisterSavage]

Have never thought that. When Fortnite was still on the App Store and they released an update for better graphics there was only one iPad it was for: the pro. (Don't judge me for playing. It's how I spend time with my nephew.)

 

[sracer]

All the reviews say that the iPad Pro’s only use case is if you are a graphics professional or use the pencil a lot. And they ALL say that most people should get the Air.
what I don’t get is that these people are totally neglecting the big screen. I love the 12.9 inch screen. And it’s not available on the lower level iPads. So I get the Pro. Why do these reviewers not account for folks that only want the huge screen and that’s the biggest selling point of this device?
I am decidedly not a “Pro,” all I do is read and surf and do email watch movies. But I love the screen.
Am I the only one that feels this way?

I'm sure that you're not the only one, but I don't agree.

Calling a 12.9" tablet a "huge" screen is relative to tablets. People have different reasons for buying a tablet over a laptop or a desktop. There are devices with 12.9" and larger screens that can be purchased for far less than the 12.9 Pro. If screen size is such a high priority that one is willing to pay 2-3x the price of a 10.2" screen, then maybe the 12.9" iPad Pro isn't financially the wisest purchase decision.

Non-Pro users can buy an 8th gen iPad (for all the tablety things they want to do) and buy a 14" 2-in-1 chromebook for $400 for the big screen and still pay less than a 12.9 iPad alone.

If Apple produced an 8th gen iPad Max that was simply a 12.9" version of the 8th gen iPad and sold it for $500, then I agree... but then it's not an iPad Pro anymore.

These reviewers aren't "totally neglecting the big screen". Perhaps you are "totally neglecting the big pricetag". 🙂

It's great that you're enjoying your iPad Pro. I'd like to hear about how you are using it as a non-Pro person. I think that can be more helpful to people than reviewing the reviewers. 🙂

 

[Shirasaki]

You can make and receive calls, and send and receive text (SMS) messages on an iPad using third-party apps.

But I don’t think iPad can make phone calls and send/receive text messages like a phone would do, such as dialling SOS or emergency numbers. Even if third party apps can sort of do it, it is not ideal, considering you need to download an app before making a phone call. iPhone can make a phone call even without mobile data. I doubt current iPad can do so.

 

[Shirasaki]

And that rumoured Air 2022 with OLED could be a real jem.

I’d avoid OLED as much as I can simply because of burn-in: once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It’s a real PITA that no solution can fix outside of just replacing the screen.

 

[rui no onna]

But I don’t think iPad can make phone calls and send/receive text messages like a phone would do, such as dialling SOS or emergency numbers. Even if third party apps can sort of do it, it is not ideal, considering you need to download an app before making a phone call. iPhone can make a phone call even without mobile data. I doubt current iPad can do so.

One major problem with online SMS is there are issues using them with short code. Majority of text messages I receive are just 2FA codes for banking.

 

[one more]

I’d avoid OLED as much as I can simply because of burn-in: once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It’s a real PITA that no solution can fix outside of just replacing the screen.

Would be a pity, of course, but how prevalent is it on modern OLED screens? I have not yet seen any wide-scale complaints about it.

 

[thefourthpope]

I’m not a pro — maybe a semi-pro because I do video (LumaFusion) and photo (Affinity) processing on my iPad, mostly for fun but some for profit.

I don’t limit Pro to creators of visual media. I’m a pro, as in professional, who got my 2018 iPad Pro for the larger screen, greater storage, and faster processor. All of those improved all of my workflows and (just as I hoped) have helped me keep using the same device for years. I spend most of my days multitasking between non-visual media apps.

Whenever I do upgrade from my 2018, it will likely be to that years iPad Pro, for the same reasons.

 

[teohyc]

Would be a pity, of course, but how prevalent is it on modern OLED screens? I have not yet seen any wide-scale complaints about it.

There are also other problems with OLED. Most common is the wobbly jelly effect when you're scrolling. And then there's PWM for those who have sensitive eyes.

I've not read many complaints about burn in issues too, especially with modern OLED. But the wobbly jelly effect is very real and unsightly. For Apple to have that on their display is considered a downgrade.

 

[one more]

There are also other problems with OLED. Most common is the wobbly jelly effect when you're scrolling. And then there's PWM for those who have sensitive eyes.

I've not read many complaints about burn in issues too, especially with modern OLED. But the wobbly jelly effect is very real and unsightly. For Apple to have that on their display is considered a downgrade.

I guess every display tech has its pluses & minuses, but I personally find OLED screens of iPhone 12 line great. If I could have a similar quality on an iPad, I would be very happy.

 

[teohyc]

I guess every display tech has its pluses & minuses, but I personally find OLED screens of iPhone 12 line great. If I could have a similar quality on an iPad, I would be very happy.

I totally forgot about iPhone OLED. For some reason there is no wobbly jelly effect when scrolling.

 

[GuruZac]

Of course the iPad Pro 12.9" is the best for viewing.

The question is, it is worth the price difference between the iPad/iPad Air and iPad Pro 12.9"?

Yes all day. I would buy a used 2018 12.9 all over again (bought mine refurb from Apple) vs a brand new iPad Air simply due to the better and bigger display alone.

 

[mi7chy]

There are also other problems with OLED. Most common is the wobbly jelly effect when you're scrolling. And then there's PWM for those who have sensitive eyes.

I've not read many complaints about burn in issues too, especially with modern OLED. But the wobbly jelly effect is very real and unsightly. For Apple to have that on their display is considered a downgrade.

What OLED device are you referring to that has jelly effect? I don't see it even with 120Hz disabled.

 

[GuruZac]

I guess every display tech has its pluses & minuses, but I personally find OLED screens of iPhone 12 line great. If I could have a similar quality on an iPad, I would be very happy.

Looks like you can with the new miniLED. It’s display especially showing blacks is looking to be exceptional. Was personally hoping for less glowing reviews so I wasn’t feeling temptation to replace my 2018 12.9…even though I just replaced my MacBook Pro with a MacBook Air 🙃

 

[pdoherty]

Would be a pity, of course, but how prevalent is it on modern OLED screens? I have not yet seen any wide-scale complaints about it.

Even if burn in on OLED was solved (it isn’t to my knowledge) you still have limited brightness, limited color gamut, PWM issues, and limited lifetime of the materials used to make it plus differential aging of the R G and B pixels.

 

[kenni417]

not a pro here by any means. only bought the pro for its 120hz screen.

 

[Digitalguy]

All the reviews say that the iPad Pro’s only use case is if you are a graphics professional or use the pencil a lot. And they ALL say that most people should get the Air.
what I don’t get is that these people are totally neglecting the big screen. I love the 12.9 inch screen. And it’s not available on the lower level iPads. So I get the Pro. Why do these reviewers not account for folks that only want the huge screen and that’s the biggest selling point of this device?
I am decidedly not a “Pro,” all I do is read and surf and do email watch movies. But I love the screen.
Am I the only one that feels this way?

No, not all reviews, not even most of what I have seen so far, say the iPad pro is for professionals only
Pro does not mean professional, it means premium in Apple marketing language.
It's like saying that the iPhone pro is for professionals only....