2017 iPad Pro owners - Will you upgrade in 2018?

[profets]

Fingers crossed iPad Pro in September. I’m in the states for ten days mid October and would love to grab one. Otherwise I’ll be waiting till the summer.

How has it worked in the past with fall releases ? iPad at the September iPhone event or separate? And what about accessories like the keyboard, pencil and leather sleeve? Same time or later? Do iPads typically have long wait times like the phones or can you walk into a store Andre grab one as soon as they’re announced?

Damn. That’s a lot of questions.

eV

Whenever they had accessories they were usually launched at the same time - except for maybe the Pencil when it first launched. Maybe same launch time but very limited supply?

Also, from what I can remember, I think these are the only times iPads launched in the fall:

2012 - iPad 4th gen - pretty sure it was announced in September
2013 - iPad Air and mini 2 at an October event
2014 - iPad Air 2 at an October event
2015 - iPad Pro 12.9” announced alongside iPhone event, but it launched in November

Quite sure they’ve always been easy to purchase in store, never same type of launch day demand like iPhones.

Yep—we do the yearly upgrade through Verizon for the iPhones. I’m going lower storage and X Plus this year. I got the 256 last year and don’t use most of it.
[doublepost=1533355045][/doublepost]I really hope Apple does something new with the ASK/case situation this year. Chances are, with a new form factor, Apple will be the only game in town for the first several weeks (barring whatever Logitech comes up with), and I’ve become disenchanted with their keyboard and case options lately. If it’s the same keyboard/sleeve options again in a slightly different size, I may hold off on upgrading.

I’ve upgraded my iPhone essentially every year, and since the iPhone 4 it has been by buying it outright from Apple, usually at launch. In Canada it’s almost always been available sim free and unlocked at launch. Then the year after I sell it and purchase the new model. For many years it was about a $200 expensive to sell & buy new. Past few years it’s gotten quite expensive though, since the Plus phones and the X, and the CAD at $1.30. My iPhone X was $1500 including sales tax. I mean, when looking online at people selling privately, the X is going at upwards of $1200, so I maybe get ~80% of it back. Basically same story for the Watch for me every year, though iPads less often. Also this past year I went with 64GB for the X, and it’s worked well, especially since almost everything I store is cloud based (and Messages going into iCloud recently helps that a lot). I do think I should skip the phone upgrade this year and just go with the iPad and Watch.

I’ve always been a fan of the Smart Cover sine the iPad 2. Just feels like such a simple but clean way to keep the screen covered when carrying it around. Very minimal and I like most of the device being exposed, and so easy to take it off. Really love the ASK for the same reason, and that in a second I can have it flipped onto a hardware keyboard. Just my preference though as I really enjoy using all my devices without cases.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Makes absolute sense. I just didn’t understand why it was the iPad mini vs a large surface choice.

Windows 10 gets more hate than it deserves. V quickly here is my story. Fall 2016 I needed a new laptop and price is never even a factor. Keyboard and screen is. As an author I bang out 12000 words a day when in my groove and stare at the screen for up to 10 hours. Apple had NOTHING for me. All the keyboards were bollocks. The MBA screen quality was *****.

I ended up going with a thinkpad yoga 260. Windows mainly stays out of the way. The learning curve wasn’t THAT Bad. And when you live in office, mail, safari and calendar who cares what’s UNDER it.

my phones are iOS/blackberry. Laptop win10. Desktop will always be OSX and now I’m hoping to make an iPad Pro my laptop replacement. Apple rules certain categories but I don’t see any innovation in the laptop or mini headless Mac space from them anymore. Windows is kicking their Butt with their amazing laptops and now the intel NUC mini desktops.

eV

12k words in a day?? Wow!!

 

[eVolcre]

12k words in a day?? Wow!!

Oh it’s not sunstainable. But I try and write very very fast for the first draft so my mind doesn’t get in the way. Editing comes later. Different skill set. By day 7 of a new book I’ll hit 9000 to 12000 words but like I said you can do that for 3 days and then you want to sleep for 48 hours or watch mindless movies.

Much much much better to aim for 5 pages a day , 1500 words and be consistent. My goal is usually 4500 a day and keep that going for a month. Typical length of one chapter for me. I don’t like stopping in the middle of a scene or chapter.

 

[Dave245]

Oh it’s not sunstainable. But I try and write very very fast for the first draft so my mind doesn’t get in the way. Editing comes later. Different skill set. By day 7 of a new book I’ll hit 9000 to 12000 words but like I said you can do that for 3 days and then you want to sleep for 48 hours or watch mindless movies.

Much much much better to aim for 5 pages a day , 1500 words and be consistent. My goal is usually 4500 a day and keep that going for a month. Typical length of one chapter for me. I don’t like stopping in the middle of a scene or chapter.

You’re definitely right with not editing yourself as you right, when I first started writing years ago I did exactly that and it hinders the creative process SOOO much.

I’ve noticed that you mention in a previous post you wish to try the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, i own the 12.9” iPad Pro and I love the thing for drawing, editing photos in Pixelmator and Affinity photo (as a side hobby) as well as watching Nextflix and YouTube (yes I sometimes procrastinate when writing ) BUT as much as I love my iPad Pro i found it wasn’t the best for prolonged writing use especially if you’re going to be spending hours in front of it typing a way, after a while I found that my wrist hurt.

However I wasn’t using the ASK keyboard so maybe you’re mileage will differ.

As for when the new iPad Pro’s will come out it’s rumoured to be at the September event, which makes sense as the 2015 iPad Pro was announced then and released later in November, last years update was at WWDC 2017 BUT with this years being a BIG update with Face ID, redesign and so on I’m going to say September with a release date of the same month (probably a couple of weeks later)

 

[kristalsoldier]

Oh it’s not sunstainable. But I try and write very very fast for the first draft so my mind doesn’t get in the way. Editing comes later. Different skill set. By day 7 of a new book I’ll hit 9000 to 12000 words but like I said you can do that for 3 days and then you want to sleep for 48 hours or watch mindless movies.

Much much much better to aim for 5 pages a day , 1500 words and be consistent. My goal is usually 4500 a day and keep that going for a month. Typical length of one chapter for me. I don’t like stopping in the middle of a scene or chapter.

Very interesting. I am guessing you write fiction since you mentioned “in the middle of a scene...” If I could write 9k words per day, I would be able to write a book a month (academic monographs are ~ 90-100k words excluding bibliography and references). The best I can do is about 2k words per day, which after editing runs somewhere between 1.2-1.5k words of publishable matter.

Though I have to add that I find 75% of my time is actually reading/ research/ thinking through what I have read. Thus my investment in the IPP 10.5!!

 

[code-m]

I was seriously considering it, I bought an IPP 10.5 last year and it was a game changer for me (upgraded from ipad mini 2). I was so in love that I must have bought every smart cover at the store (also bought the smart keyboard). I was game on changing to a new model this year if the size remained the same, but given this week's rumors about apple changing the smart connector's place, as I might not be able to use my current smart keyboard I'd feel really guilty buying the new model just cause the screen is a little bigger or for the face ID which is nice I guess but it really doesn't bother me not to have it at this point.

If when released it turns out that I can use my covers and keyboards with the new model I might consider it again. The truth is that the current IPP is beast in terms of specs and can easily be used for another year or 2 without feeling like I'm missing on something huge.

The game changer was ProMotion on the iPad Pro and general improvements to the screen. The 10.5” size was an improvement, however I am a 12.9” user, as it is my daily driver.

TouchID 2 works very well on the iPad Pro, I am sure some users want (not need) FaceID and a minimal bezel/larger screen iPad Pro, however as per individual usage there is no requirement for me to upgrade. I will use my 12.9” iPad Pro for another 4-5 years until I have to replace the battery and the recent iOS release does not run on it. Until that time there has to be something major for me to upgrade (FaceID/larger screen is not it), I will consider to upgrade for micro-LED, drool.

 

[Macalicious2011]

No. I bought my IPP 10.5 last year around Sept. I really like it and use it heavily.

Same here. It's a beast, does everything well and isn't showing signs of being sluggish. Unless the new iPad Pro has an OLED or 4k screen, I won't be tempted to upgrade.

 

[Bones13]

It would be nice to use the same gestures as my iPhone X. I would consider the new one if the display is compelling.

 

[Ipadlover29]

For me there has to be more than just smaller/ no bezels and Face ID to upgrade. A better revised Smart Keyboard with a row of function keys, better angles, a new pencil and better battery life would be great.

 

[anthony13]

For me there has to be more than just smaller/ no bezels and Face ID to upgrade. A better revised Smart Keyboard with a row of function keys, better angles, a new pencil and better battery life would be great.

Agreed, however I’d hope they wouldn’t limit such functionality to a new form factor when the 10.5 pro shouldn’t be so obsolete a year in.

 

[RickTaylor]

I'm sure I'm in a minority, but I'd like a 15 inch screen.

I use my iPad pro as a virtual whiteboard, and a 15 inch screen would make it even easier to write legibly.

 

[subjonas]

I'm sure I'm in a minority, but I'd like a 15 inch screen.

I use my iPad pro as a virtual whiteboard, and a 15 inch screen would make it even easier to write legibly.

I’d buy a 15” iPP just to use as a much more portable and battery-powered option to a Cintiq 16. But it would probably need native video input. These software workarounds aren’t ideal.

But I think the 15” niche would be too small for Apple.

 

[profets]

I'm sure I'm in a minority, but I'd like a 15 inch screen.

I use my iPad pro as a virtual whiteboard, and a 15 inch screen would make it even easier to write legibly.

I’d love a 15” or larger for pure desktop type of use.

 

[fokmik]

I think there is out there a tablet with 18" Samsung Galaxy View i think

 

[RickTaylor]

I think there is out there a tablet with 18" Samsung Galaxy View i think

Sadly, it doesn't appear to be pen enabled, and it's aspect ratio is 16:9. Because I use my device over projectors, the closer the aspect ratio is to 4:3, the better.

The closest I've seen to what I'm looking for is the Surface Book 2. The aspect ratio is 3:2, but that might be close enough. Of course it's very expensive.

 

[spiderman0616]

Agreed, however I’d hope they wouldn’t limit such functionality to a new form factor when the 10.5 pro shouldn’t be so obsolete a year in.

I don’t think the 10.5” Pro will feel obsolete—it will still be lightning fast and have a gorgeous screen. What annoys me a little though is that the 10.5” screen size appears to be a one-off model. The smaller model Pros have both been like that. There is no more 9.7” Pro in production, and now it appears that there will not be a 10.5” model in production either.

That’s why I am not going to commit to buying the new model sight unseen. Usually I’d start thinking about selling my current iPad now and limping along without it until the new ones arrive just to get the best price, but I really want to see these new ones first, even if I’ll take a bit of a hit on the resale value of my 10.5” by waiting. If they’re just slightly changing the size/shape of the chassis and making the screen a little bigger, that will not be an upgrade for me. But if they’re finally going to refresh/refine the overall design, make the screen bigger, and come up with a new and improved ASK and maybe Pencil, I will give them my money on day one.

My current 10.5” Pro with Apple Pencil and Zagg Rugged Messenger case is possibly the best gadget I’ve ever owned, from Apple or anyone else. I absolutely love it. So it will take a lot for me to want to trade it for something else so soon after getting it.

 

[Sodium Chloride]

I purchased my 10.5” iPad Pro in June 2017, but honestly think I may well upgrade if the 2018 models do come with Face ID.

Any others who recently purchased an iPad Pro considering the same? Or would that not be worth it?

No, thin bezel or bezelless tablet may look cool but it could be counter productive since your fingers may obstruct the screen when holding tablet with your hands.

Face-ID. I don’t need that. Wouldn’t work if you cover your camera to prevent hackers from secretly watching you

The only way I may upgrade if they change the screen to make it feel more like paper. Writing with Apple Pencil feels like writing on a piece of glass. Too slippery for me. You can buy a screen protector like paperlike to give you more resistance while gliding the Apple Pencil on the screen but I am not sure how well it works. Besides, it’s difficult to install on such a large screen and it degrades the display quality.

 

[Ivabign]

I have a 2015 12.9 128gb Cellular my wife uses and I have a 2nd Gen 12.9 256gb cellular I use for work that I've had for a year that I have paid off half way - when the new one comes out, I think I will sell my wife's, give her my 2nd Gen and use the funds from her sale to pay off Verizon and buy the 2018 12.9 unit - hopefully I won't be out of pocket other than the monthly Verizon payment.

So yes - I will buy a new one when they come out.

 

[spiderman0616]

No, thin bezel or bezelless tablet may look cool but it could be counter productive since your fingers may obstruct the screen when holding tablet with your hands.

Face-ID. I don’t need that. Wouldn’t work if you cover your camera to prevent hackers from secretly watching you

The only way I may upgrade if they change the screen to make it feel more like paper. Writing with Apple Pencil feels like writing on a piece of glass. Too slippery for me. You can buy a screen protector like paperlike to give you more resistance while gliding the Apple Pencil on the screen but I am not sure how well it works. Besides, it’s difficult to install on such a large screen and it degrades the display quality.

Let me get this straight......you think hackers are watching you via your iPad camera?

 

[eVolcre]

Let me get this straight......you think hackers are watching you via your iPad camera?

 

[subjonas]

Let me get this straight......you think hackers are watching you via your iPad camera?

Let me get this straight...in this day and age, you think that’s absurd?

 

[spiderman0616]

Let me get this straight...in this day and age, you think that’s absurd?

On an iOS device? Yes, I think that’s 100% absurd.

 

[eVolcre]

On an iOS device? Yes, I think that’s 100% absurd.

Didn't want to get into this and sidetrack but I also think it's absurd and here's why.

1. If you're important enough that someone wants to hack you and has the skills to access your camera ,lets assume the other side is very very good at hacking.

2. If he's very very good at hacking, and you have ONLY a piece of bloody tape as your sole protection, he can still hack into your files, your audio, your GPS and your transmission.

3. If you're relying only on that piece of scotch tape, you're hosed at this point so who cares whether you're using faceID or buttID.

4. If your files, audio and GPS are safe, it means you've done the right thing and taken precautions to harden your device, which means your webcam is ALSO safe and, again, faceid isn't an issue.

5. FaceID can apparently be hacked. Sure. By making a 3D print etc. of your face not some casual hacker on the web and if you're up against forces like this you've got bigger problems.

The only way to be completely safe and secure for the paranoid amongst us is to go completely offline. Or keep your smartphone in a faraday bag all the time which defeats the purpose a bit.

Be smart. Take basic precautions. But don't get too paranoid. Fact is there's not much you really CAN do against being hacked or tracked besides going offline … so just limit your exposure and keep sensitive info locked down.

eV

 

[Jolly-boo]

I have the 4th generation iPad model, the first retina one. The reason I haven't upgraded it in such a while is because I wasn't doing anything heavy on it. And for the last two years (when I stopped being able to upgrade the iOS) I've been waiting for a redesign that I felt warranted this costly upgrade.

And this is it. Thinner bezels.

 

[voltaire2030]

Only thing I wish is a new pencil for the non-artistic person who writes a lot…