iPad Pro 12.9" M1 iPad Pro 5th Gen User Satisfaction 6 months in?

[Aetherhole]

I don't post much hardly at all, but here we are nearly 6 months after the release of the new iPad Pros with M1. I'm curious how you guys are enjoying or not enjoying your 12.9" M1 iPad Pros.

I preordered one right when it was available and I was initially pretty happy, but had a hard time adjusting to the mini LED screen. I have an LG OLED TV and so the blooming initially bothered me, but I thought I'd give it some time to see if I could get used to it. It took longer than I expected to get used to it, but I finally did. However, I realized quickly going from a 2018 12.9" iPad Pro to the M1 iPad Pro, I kept the same amount of storage at 256GB and it wasn't enough. So I returned my 256GB M1 iPad Pro and ordered a 1TB.

Using it every single day, I am still ecstatic. The thing is still just as speedy as the first day of use. I use it for media consumption, microsoft office suite, general web browsing, photo editing with Lightroom/Photoshop, occasional video editing through Lumafusion, drawing with Procreate, and even recently started picking up gaming on it more, which was nearly exclusively done on my iPhone prior. I even picked up a Playstation Dualsense controller to use with it.

My initial concern/bother with the blooming from the mini LED screen has reduced dramatically; I still notice it sometimes, but I am much more impressed by the screen and the image it produces. Even 6 months later, I catch myself being taken back by how beautiful the screen looks.

So, after 6 months of use, how are you guys liking or disliking yours? What are you using yours for?

 

[digitalexplr]

I’ve only had mine a month. Traded in my 11” 2018 iPP foe a 12.9” M1 iPP and absolutely love. I do a lot of video and photo editing and the extra screen size really nice.

I would not switch back to the 11” for anything.

 

[ericwn]

Absolutely don’t regret getting mine, I just wish I had more time to actually use it at the moment. Great device. The Brydge keyboard case I bought for it however was a letdown.

 

[rui no onna]

I upgraded from a 2017 12.9" 512GB to the 2021 12.9" 1TB. I'm still very happy with the purchase.

The A10X/4GB RAM on the 2017 Pro was showing its age particularly when multitasking (Excel + GoodReader + Safari). Bit slow on Javascript-laden webpages as well. The M1/16GB was a welcome upgrade.

The hardware on the 2021 Pro is really good that I might end up keeping this a very, very long time (with battery swap). Maybe I could even use it as long as I did my previous desktop/laptop (Ivy Bridge, Haswell ~7-8 years).

 

[Kobra]

I've had my since launch day. No regrets what so ever. Prior to this one I had the 11” IPP from 2018, before that I've used just about every version of the iPad since the original iPad was released. The only concern I had before the purchase was about the size. I tried the first version of the 12” but returned it as I felt it was to big and heavy. The new form factor was the factor that made me wanting to give it a go once again. First day with the the new IPP12 was a challenge. But after that I've come to terms with it and now I don't think about it. The bigger screen is a major upgrade to me as I use it everyday both at work and at home. My main work usage is note taking and for this the bigger screen is a game changing experience. The new screen technology have had positive impact on how I use it at home. Over the years my iPads have taken more and more of my overall workload and nowadays I only use my laptop once or twice a month. I find it hard to believe that I will ever go back to the 11” iPad.

 

[sparksd]

I think it's great - really pleased with the purchase.

 

[fwmireault]

By far the most versatile device I own. Can’t be happier

 

[smooth0906]

I enjoy the great screen, the sound, and the size. I had a 2017 12.9 Ipad Pro. The bottom of the screen was spotlighted horrendously. I traded it for the 2021 12.9 Ipad Pro 256GB.

Update: I am now seeing a black dot/smudge on the lower left hand side in the Landscape Position. I first saw it today. I have an appointment with a Genius tomorrow to determine what it is.

 

[Analog Kid]

Absolutely love mine.

The one thing I've noticed is that the battery life seems to be less than I would have expected. I'm not really sure why, and don't care to take the time to run any kind of controlled experiments, but I find myself charging it during the day and I don't think I did that as much with the 2018.

 

[Tikatika]

So happy to see this thread! My 12.9 will be arriving tomorrow and am excited beyond belief.

 

[Tikatika]

Absolutely don’t regret getting mine, I just wish I had more time to actually use it at the moment. Great device. The Brydge keyboard case I bought for it however was a letdown.

I’m curious as to why you don’t like the Brydge keyboard. I’ve been looking at all of them, including Goldandcherry, and all the many on Amazon. I tried the magic Keyboard in the store and didn’t like it, way too expensive.

 

[ericwn]

I’m curious as to why you don’t like the Brydge keyboard. I’ve been looking at all of them, including Goldandcherry, and all the many on Amazon. I tried the magic Keyboard in the store and didn’t like it, way too expensive.

I am no fan of the MK either, starting with the materials used. I ordered the Brydge and it arrived almost a month later than initially advertised.
After two months of light and occasional use both hinges broke entirely within the same day and the product is basically useless now.
In addition it sometimes took a while for the Brydge to be recognised by the iPad - especially the trackpad.
I could have lived with the weight but the quality was just not there. Got a refund and moved on to a Zugu case for now.

 

[jamesschmidtke]

It’s truly the best, my only complain’t is the top power button sometimes takes 3-4 taps to wake. Like a deep sleep or something

 

[rui no onna]

It’s truly the best, my only complain’t is the top power button sometimes takes 3-4 taps to wake. Like a deep sleep or something

Why are you tapping the power button? You either tap the screen directly or press the power button.

I'm actually surprised your iPad wakes with power button tap.

 

[Amplelink]

Couldn’t be happier. Never thought I’d like this screen size, but now I can’t go back.

 

[jamesschmidtke]

Why are you tapping the power button? You either tap the screen directly or press the power button.

Why are you tapping the power button? You either tap the screen directly or press the power button.

I'm actually surprised your iPad wakes with power button tap.

I'm actually surprised your iPad

I use it when the screen tapping won’t work, it seems like it’s dead and then after hitting the power button with light taps it finally wakes up. Usually it takes just one but sometimes multiple tries

 

[Isengardtom]

Very Happy with mine. I replaced my 2020 11” version with this one. Before I always had an iPad Air.
the screen is amazing and the apps never crash with this 8 GB ram, which did happen occasionally on the 2020 model. It’s extremely fast performing and unlike some people I actually love iPadOS 15.

its basically my main computer at home and also acts as a sidekick for my windows work laptop for things like email, teams, MS office apps, notes, etc.

I like the versatility of the iPad with the magic keyboard. When working it’s on the keyboard 90% of the time. Home use it’s more 40% so more used as a tablet.

 

[DMG35]

I use it when the screen tapping won’t work, it seems like it’s dead and then after hitting the power button with light taps it finally wakes up. Usually it takes just one but sometimes multiple tries

There's definitely something wrong with your iPad. I would have them take a look at it as that is not normal behavior.

 

[sonstar]

Excellent, had a 2018 11” pro for 2 years before it. Had the mjk but found I didn’t use it, and like it more with just the folio.

 

[dmps]

I am facing USB ptoblem
Externacl DAC connected is disconnected during sleep and does not get reconnected after wake up.
service
Service Centre does not seem to understand the problem

 

[savagewatts]

I don't post much hardly at all, but here we are nearly 6 months after the release of the new iPad Pros with M1. I'm curious how you guys are enjoying or not enjoying your 12.9" M1 iPad Pros.

I preordered one right when it was available and I was initially pretty happy, but had a hard time adjusting to the mini LED screen. I have an LG OLED TV and so the blooming initially bothered me, but I thought I'd give it some time to see if I could get used to it. It took longer than I expected to get used to it, but I finally did. However, I realized quickly going from a 2018 12.9" iPad Pro to the M1 iPad Pro, I kept the same amount of storage at 256GB and it wasn't enough. So I returned my 256GB M1 iPad Pro and ordered a 1TB.

Using it every single day, I am still ecstatic. The thing is still just as speedy as the first day of use. I use it for media consumption, microsoft office suite, general web browsing, photo editing with Lightroom/Photoshop, occasional video editing through Lumafusion, drawing with Procreate, and even recently started picking up gaming on it more, which was nearly exclusively done on my iPhone prior. I even picked up a Playstation Dualsense controller to use with it.

My initial concern/bother with the blooming from the mini LED screen has reduced dramatically; I still notice it sometimes, but I am much more impressed by the screen and the image it produces. Even 6 months later, I catch myself being taken back by how beautiful the screen looks.

So, after 6 months of use, how are you guys liking or disliking yours? What are you using yours for?

Still love mine. I have an iPad Air 4 too and when I use it I really just want to go pick up my 12.9. Such a nice dis-lay and so fast.

 

[TitsLegendary]

So I’ve had the 2020 12.9 for about a year and half and have loved it. Only reason I was looking at the M1 iPad was for hopefully better battery life and maybe better processing power.
I just took delivery of my M1 yesterday and the battery and processing seem better. The one thing I did notice is the blooming in very certain situations. It’s something I’ll keep an eye on in the future. Other than that, it seems great.

 

[ericwn]

So I’ve had the 2020 12.9 for about a year and half and have loved it. Only reason I was looking at the M1 iPad was for hopefully better battery life and maybe better processing power.
I just took delivery of my M1 yesterday and the battery and processing seem better. The one thing I did notice is the blooming in very certain situations. It’s something I’ll keep an eye on in the future. Other than that, it seems great.

How did you use them both to compare their processing power?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Probably the odd one out here here but after owning every iPad for the last few years including the Mini 6 and MiniLED 12.9" I found iPads to be of almost zero use in flexibility regardless of using it for work or play. Trying to turn an iPad into a computer with the MK you are way more $$$ over a MBA then of course iPadOS and its limitations/lack of flexibility. Say you just want it as a tablet, well anything bigger than the Mini model isn't really useful in the bathroom, couch, or bed and trying to prop up it using the smart folio either makes it fall over or the fixed angle doesn't work out well. So now you decide to buy a MK for it's adjustable angle but you are once again well over laptop price territory and now weight with the 12.9" having all the weight so the MK props up awkwardly again because the keyboard is stiff.

Unless you draw, touch game constantly or have very specific iPad needs any MB will provide a more flexible experience. For media consumption MB is still better having massively better aspect ratios and with the new ones you get miniLED/ProMotion as well so what's the point? If you want a tablet then get a Mini or big phone, if you want the most bang for you buck then get a laptop, and if you draw or really crave a touch experience then get an iPad. Always funny to hear people talk about how amazing the Air and 11/12.9" are especially with the MK and Pencil but I've been there, done that, and my MBA+iPhone 13 Pro Max destroy anything an IPP can do except drawing and it comes in cheaper or just as expensive.

 

[Danae02]

I love mine. I got it to replace my 10.5 pro, which was still working great, but had a large white spot on the screen. I enjoy the larger screen and amazing screen performance. The blooming effect is definitely visible at night, in dark environments, but only visible to me with light font on dark background; video watching and internet browsing is not an issue. I added the 2020 magic keyboard on sale from Best Buy (this sale at $200 is back on this week!) and I really enjoy it. It fits the ipad perfectly, no need for the new version. I now have a computer that works perfectly for my purposes and also allows me to take handwritten notes for work with the pencil (I use that feature every work day). I don’t regret this purchase at all. It’s perfect for what I need. I could probably make do with a laptop, but I really enjoy the ability to use the pencil for note taking. It’s very versatile. I should add that I don’t have a laptop- except for work, and I don’t see the need to add one in my case.