2017 12.9” Pro or 2018 12.9” iPad Pro

[victry1]

Just looking for input in the decision making process.

I have a 10.5 Pro which I use constantly. Being older tho I am wanting the larger screen size for processing photos, etc. I was really disappointed when I saw how expensive the new Pros are. I have seen some sales lately for the 2017 12” model and am torn between waiting til I have the funds for the newer version or take advantage of the sales and buy the older version which is a quite capable device.

I prefer the smaller dimensions of the new model which is a big factor for me. I am also looking forward to PS on the iPad. I believe that will run on the older model but the newer processor I’m sure will be handy when dealing with a lot of layers.

Anyway, any input will be appreciated.

Btw, this is not a need. It’s a want. I have a computer so that is available to me.

 

[aakshey]

Either get the 2018 one or stay with your current pro.

 

[Non-Polar]

I'm sticking with my 2017 10.5, and I'm usually the guy to upgrade each year

 

[teohyc]

There's nothing the 2018 model can do that your 2017 can't except score higher benchmark points.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

There's nothing the 2018 model can do that your 2017 can't except score higher benchmark points.

... and connect to an external monitor and charge other iDevices. Also, it’ll empty your wallet much faster.

 

[Momof9]

I would say wait for the funds to get the 2018, especially if you are wanting it for Photoshop. who knows, it might be on sale by then.

 

[victry1]

... and connect to an external monitor and charge other iDevices. Also, it’ll empty your wallet much faster.

My 10.5 can’t charge other devices but I believe it can connect to an external monitor. I always hooked up my 30 pin iPads to a monitor and/or tv. I assume I could do so with this one. Also, I have imported photos to my iPads since the first iPad. Just had to use an adapter. It will not, however, empty ,my wallet like the 2018. lol

 

[richpjr]

The size and speed are much nicer on the new model and what I'd worry about is the future of lightning vs USB-C. A while ago I bought the previous gen iMac with USB 2 right as the ones with USB 3 were being released and was really not happy having such slow speeds for the many years I own it. Lightning support won't go away for quite some time, but clearly USB-C is the future.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Just looking for input in the decision making process.

I have a 10.5 Pro which I use constantly. Being older tho I am wanting the larger screen size for processing photos, etc. I was really disappointed when I saw how expensive the new Pros are. I have seen some sales lately for the 2017 12” model and am torn between waiting til I have the funds for the newer version or take advantage of the sales and buy the older version which is a quite capable device.

I prefer the smaller dimensions of the new model which is a big factor for me. I am also looking forward to PS on the iPad. I believe that will run on the older model but the newer processor I’m sure will be handy when dealing with a lot of layers.

Anyway, any input will be appreciated.

Btw, this is not a need. It’s a want. I have a computer so that is available to me.

I have the 2017 and have loved it, but I’m jonesing for the smaller size of the 2018. I’m not upgrading, but if I didn’t have one I would for sure go for the 2018.

 

[victry1]

The size and speed are much nicer on the new model and what I'd worry about is the future of lightning vs USB-C. A while ago I bought the previous gen iMac with USB 2 right as the ones with USB 3 were being released and was really not happy having such slow speeds for the many years I own it. Lightning support won't go away for quite some time, but clearly USB-C is the future.

Excellent point!

 

[danny1305]

There's nothing the 2018 model can do that your 2017 can't except score higher benchmark points.

This is incorrect. The only people that make broad ignorant statements such as this are the ones trying to convince themselves not to get one...

 

[Non-Polar]

This is incorrect. The only people that make broad ignorant statements such as this are the ones trying to convince themselves not to get one...

On the contrary. I have the money to spend for the 2018 model, but for what I do (Media consumption, taking and reading notes, etc.), what incentive is there to purchase a much more expensive 2018 iPad Pro (Not to mention paying more for the Apple pencil)?

 

[dljor]

The 2017 is $580 at bhphoto. I’d get it over the 2018 at that price.

 

[richpjr]

On the contrary. I have the money to spend for the 2018 model, but for what I do (Media consumption, taking and reading notes, etc.), what incentive is there to purchase a much more expensive 2018 iPad Pro (Not to mention paying more for the Apple pencil)?

There are things the new iPad can do that the old one can't. Whether they are important to someone is a completely different topic.

 

[danny1305]

On the contrary. I have the money to spend for the 2018 model, but for what I do (Media consumption, taking and reading notes, etc.), what incentive is there to purchase a much more expensive 2018 iPad Pro (Not to mention paying more for the Apple pencil)?

I never questioned anyones ability to purchase one...I simply replied to the false statement that the 2018 iPad Pro cant do anything more than what the 2017 can.

 

[victry1]

Well, as luck would have it MicroCenter has $150 off the new iPads. So I went and picked one up along with the pencil. Looks real nice, of course, but I haven’t had time to mess with it yet.

 

[AlexJoda]

... and connect to an external monitor and charge other iDevices. Also, it’ll empty your wallet much faster.

That can the 2017 iPP too. You can connect a monitor with the HDMI adapter (sadly mostly for mirroring the iPad display) and you can charge the Apple pencil....
[doublepost=1544053056][/doublepost]

There are things the new iPad can do that the old one can't. Whether they are important to someone is a completely different topic.

What kind of things should that be? I don't see any functional improvements with the 2018 iPP...

 

[richpjr]

That can the 2017 iPP too. You can connect a monitor with the HDMI adapter (sadly mostly for mirroring the iPad display) and you can charge the Apple pencil....
[doublepost=1544053056][/doublepost]

What kind of things should that be? I don't see any functional improvements with the 2018 iPP...

Tap to wake
Face ID
USB-C
4k monitor support
Bluetooth 5
Gigabyte class LTE
Up to 1 TB storage
More memory in 1 TB model
Better speakers
Better microphones
eSim support
Better GPS that now supports QZSS and Galileo

 

[Jonathantuba]

If you are just going to use on a desk, or table around the house then the 2017 12.9” will do you fine, but it is more bulky to carry around, so the 2018 version definitely wins for portability.

I have both, as I have kept my 2017 iPad Pro for desktop use - I like having a second screen for reference (useful if checking another spreadsheet for example) and it is still a fine device. But when I am travelling, I will take the 2018 - easier to fit in my bag

 

[cardfan]

But the 11” has a worse screen. Darker screen especially corners. Flexes in middle due to fragile build. A different aspect ratio that apps may never get updated for. No OIS on camera. No Touch ID. No lightning. No headphone port. No smartcover.

 

[JonCh101]

I have the 2017 12.9 256/Keyboard/pencil...and love it.

IMO the only thing the 2018 12.9 has going for it are the slimmer bezels and more manageable size for holding.

Processor/ram are worthless really...for what? Ok photoshop next year...but what if it runs fantastic on the 2017? And it’s one app...I’m just not seeing the point if they are not going to unlock these things so it can double as an actual computer.

The other stuff Face ID, usb-c, pencil 2 etc. are all well and good but... Ive been on board with the ipad since day 1...but enough is enough. They want to charge me $1500 and up for this thing now for it to be barely useable as a pc and i cant even use an external hard drive? I’m done till they stop being gating this thing and crippling it.

Edit: ill pay a grand for a tricked out tablet with keyboard/pencil beyond that it better replace my laptop.

 

[AlexJoda]

Tap to wake
Face ID
USB-C
4k monitor support
Bluetooth 5
Gigabyte class LTE
Up to 1 TB storage
More memory in 1 TB model
Better speakers
Better microphones
eSim support
Better GPS that now supports QZSS and Galileo

This is a nice list with even some unknown aspects (like the Galileo thing) but many of these „functional“ improvements did not improve the functionality of this iPP. E.g. FaceID did nothing better than TouchID on the iPad and USB-C allows only the same boring display mirroring and no real file exchange with external drives. All these features are not worth to shell out $2000 for a new iPP....
[doublepost=1544085669][/doublepost]

If you are just going to use on a desk, or table around the house then the 2017 12.9” will do you fine, but it is more bulky to carry around, so the 2018 version definitely wins for portability.

I have both, as I have kept my 2017 iPad Pro for desktop use - I like having a second screen for reference (useful if checking another spreadsheet for example) and it is still a fine device. But when I am travelling, I will take the 2018 - easier to fit in my bag

Can you really use a smaller category of bags if the still large 12.9“ iPP is 2 cm smaller on the long side (less than 10%) because of the reduces bezels? Apart from this the new 12.9 iPP is thicker and heavier as the old one with Smart Folio/Keyboard. I can’t see such a big win for portability....

 

[Jonathantuba]

But the 11” has a worse screen. Darker screen especially corners. Flexes in middle due to fragile build. A different aspect ratio that apps may never get updated for. No OIS on camera. No Touch ID. No lightning. No headphone port. No smartcover.

My new 12.9” has if anything slightly brighter display than the 2017, with no darker in corners. This is important to me when playing music outside. All IPP’s are delicate, but I don’t notice any difference in build. Face ID does the same as Touch ID (just slightly more convenient IMHO), have long since moved to Bluetooth headphones. There is a smart cover, but I must say I prefer the older version of the Smart Keyboard better - more adaptable.

To me the new 12.9” is an improvement overall, but I am not tempted to replace my 10.5” with 11” - the screen size difference is not visually noticeable and I do like the 10.5”. The old 12.9” was always unwieldy. I forgave that for its super large screen, but now the small bezels on the 2018 are a win win for me.

One thing I find noticeable better with the 2018 IPP is battery life. Surprising as that was not something publicised by Apple.

Can you really use a smaller category of bags if the still large 12.9“ iPP is 2 cm smaller on the long side (less than 10%) because of the reduces bezels? Apart from this the new 12.9 iPP is thicker and heavier as the old one with Smart Folio/Keyboard. I can’t see such a big win for portability....

Yep, it fits nicely in a bag that my wife gave me last Christmas in which the old IPP was a really tight fit.

 

[AlexJoda]

Yep, it fits nicely in a bag that my wife gave me last Christmas in which the old IPP was a really tight fit.

Ok, but it is the same bag or at the least the same size category of bags....I bought me a nice leather bag for my 2017 12.9 that fits exactly and also hold my A4 papers for my customer projects. If I choose something smaller than the papers won't fit any more....
[doublepost=1544089039][/doublepost]

One thing I find noticeable better with the 2018 IPP is battery life. Surprising as that was not something publicised by Apple.

Hard to imagine because the battery is substantially smaller in the new iPPs. Maybe it's because the battery is new compared to the more often charged battery in the 2017 iPP....

 

[kasakka]

While the 2018 12.9" model is better in pretty much every way, it does not do anything more than the previous gen model, just offers the same thing in a more convenient form factor.