iPad Pro 2018/2020 iPad Pro Owners: Will you upgrade?

[CE3]

Main issue for me is mouse support. The current ‘cursor’ is a bit sub-par imo. I’d like that and proper external monitor support. Otherwise I’ll keep my 2018 12.9in.

I feel the opposite about the mouse and trackpad support. I think Apple really took their time figuring out how to best implement this feature on iPadOS and it shows. The trackpad on the Magic Keyboard might be the best trackpad I’ve ever used. It’s super smooth, fast and responsive. When the keyboard’s connected I probably use the trackpad & touch 50/50, but going back and forth between the two is natural and effortless.

 

[gusping]

I feel the opposite about the mouse and trackpad support. I think Apple really took their time figuring out how to best implement this feature on iPadOS and it shows. The trackpad on the Magic Keyboard might be the best trackpad I’ve ever used. It’s super smooth, fast and responsive. When the keyboard’s connected I probably use the trackpad & touch 50/50, but going back and forth between the two is natural and effortless.

Interesting. It's been a few months since I last tried it so I will give it another go and see if I change my mind. Thanks.

 

[Ralfi]

Nope. Easy decision.

 

[vbctv]

Was it at 42:36?

Looks like LumaFusion. See at 1:09 -

That's an app feature. You can do that now, he is just previewing the video he is creating on a mirrored display. Some apps support 16:9 instead of 4:3. But they need to build external screen resolutions into iPadOS for us to get full external display support at resolutions we want. Hopefully will come in iPadOS 15, if not then I doubt it will ever come and it's likely because the want to keep Mac sales also.

 

[sparksd]

That's an app feature. You can do that now, he is just previewing the video he is creating on a mirrored display. Some apps support 16:9 instead of 4:3. But they need to build external screen resolutions into iPadOS for us to get full external display support at resolutions we want. Hopefully will come in iPadOS 15, if not then I doubt it will ever come and it's likely because the want to keep Mac sales also.

Right. I was pointing out in response to another post that they weren't showing any new capability in iPadOS for external monitor support, just using a current app with the capability to utilize the full screen.

 

[masotime]

I’m Tim Cook and I approve this message. Sell your house, too, if you have to.

https://theoatmeal.com/comics/apple

 

[weeesss]

I am starting to question upgrading to the new 11”. Mine is a 2018 with 64GB. My AppleCare+ is over, and I used it once when I cracked screen. So when you consider $499 to repair in the event of an accident vs $749 plus $129 AC+, less $455 trade in, it’s not such a bad idea and I would get extra storage.

 

[kp98077]

I have the air 4 will likely upgrade to either the 11 PRO or 12.9PRO.... so hard to decide!!

 

[isoft7]

So... I was going to when I got caught up in the rush from the presentation, but now, nah... I'll wait. The 11" is my bread and butter and my 2020 model is still screaming fast. Since it's just a spec bump (albeit impressive) it's not worth it. If the 11" had also received the screen upgrade, then maybe, but now... pass until the next generation of 11" models come out.

 

[MacBrim]

I have the air 4 will likely upgrade to either the 11 PRO or 12.9PRO.... so hard to decide!!

I’m on the same boat. I will return my air4 tomorrow. And can’t decide. Love the form factor of the air. Use it mostly at the couch. but the screen on the 12.9 sounds amazing. But I’m afraid it is to big for couch use and more a desktop iPad

 

[Tsepz]

So... I was going to when I got caught up in the rush from the presentation, but now, nah... I'll wait. The 11" is my bread and butter and my 2020 model is still screaming fast. Since it's just a spec bump (albeit impressive) it's not worth it. If the 11" had also received the screen upgrade, then maybe, but now... pass until the next generation of 11" models come out.

Lol, exactly what happened to me

I am personally waiting for the iPad OS 15 announcement to see exactly what Apple do to make the 2021 series take full advantage of that M1 and 16GB RAM, if there is nothing then I will gladly wait until the 11” gets MiniLED in 2022 and continue with my 2020 11”.

The biggest winners here are the people who waited the extra year and are now going to get the 2020 iPad Pro at great discounts I think, if someone feels the 2021 iPad Pro is too expensive then it is now even more of a no brainer to just get a 2020 iPad Pro as it at least has 6GB RAM and 120Hz screen.

 

[Jacoblee23]

Now that the hype has worn off, I am really thinking I just need to keep my 2020 11” and 12.9” pros. Both devices are screaming fast and I still get through a whole work day just fine. I have both Cellular versions that I use for work along with the magic keyboard. I just don’t see how it could get any faster for what I use it for. It’s already screaming fast. I am really hoping that I allow logic to win out this time around. We will see.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I have the air 4 will likely upgrade to either the 11 PRO or 12.9PRO.... so hard to decide!!

It really is such a hard decision - they are both incredible devices in their own right. I went into the event thinking that the 11” Pro + 16” MBP + External Monitor would be the ideal setup but after falling in love with the XDR 12.9” iPad Pro and iMac I might just go with those two devices instead... and then maybe buy the next iPad mini to fill the smaller, more portable tablet hole that would exist in that lineup.

 

[lympero]

if they add macOS to the mix then hell yeah but that won’t happen so I’ll stick to my iPad Pro for many more years!

 

[Ralfi]

Now that the hype has worn off, I am really thinking I just need to keep my 2020 11” and 12.9” pros. Both devices are screaming fast and I still get through a whole work day better wise. I have both Cellular versions that I use for work along with the magic keyboard. I just don’t see how it could get any faster for what I use it for. It’s already screaming fast. I am really hoping that I allow logic to win out this time around. We will see.

It’s really just Apple hype, every time a new product comes around. They’ve really managed to do magical things when it comes to making people jump on their latest iteration of product, despite it not offering much more than the prior model.

You have the 2020 models (both!) & you’re considering these revamps? Your devices should last another 3 years. Even mine should - I didn’t even look at the 2020 iPads as the 2018 is a champ & showing no signs of slowing.

In many ways I’m glad I have the discipline & restraint (seems a bit hyperbole to be referring to it this way) to not want the latest Apple product every year as it’s a futile exercise of spending money when you don’t need to.

Now for those who haven’t upgraded their iPads in over 3 or 4 years, they’re in for a treat - this is where you get your value for money: an investment to use a much more refined & powerful iPad over many years.

 

[rui no onna]

Now for those who haven’t upgraded their iPads in over 3 or 4 years, they’re in for a treat - this is where you get your value for money: an investment to use a much more refined & powerful iPad over many years.

To be perfectly honest, the almost 4-year old 2017 iPad Pros still perform very well. Heck, my mom's still happily using a 2016 iPad Pro 9.7.

The M1 is very impressive but performance improvements have slowed down compared to the early iPad days. iOS 14 on even the Air 2 runs way, way, way better than iOS 9 on iPad 2/3.

The 2021 iPad Pro is a very nice upgrade but I confess, it's mostly just want rather than need.

 

[sparksd]

To be perfectly honest, the almost 4-year old 2017 iPad Pros still perform very well. Heck, my mom's still happily using a 2016 iPad Pro 9.7.

The M1 is very impressive but performance improvements have slowed down compared to the early iPad days. iOS 14 on even the Air 2 runs way, way, way better than iOS 9 on iPad 2/3.

The 2021 iPad Pro is a very nice upgrade but I confess, it's mostly just want rather than need.

Yeah, it very much comes down to how you use your device and what your expectations of it are. Greater performance, etc.? Yes, but is the performance of my current device adequate and would that extra bit make enough difference to make the dollar outlay worth it to me?

 

[amazingpupil]

I have a 2018 12.9 inch iPad Pro, and I’ve been going back and forth about upgrading.

The 2018 is still so good, but I also think the 12.9in screen can be bulky. Especially after using my mom’s iPad Air 4. So if I do upgrade, I’d drop down to an 11in screen. Still not sure I can justify the trade-in/upgrade though. Even though I did get post-show hype and bought a 11in magic keyboard from Amazon for $100 off. ?

 

[AndyJoeshow]

Like most, it will depend on IOS 15. I’m on a 2018 11 inch, and would love to upgrade if there is a legit reason.

As a side note, I can’t wait for center stage and perhaps better multitasking while using the front camera. It will make my workflow so much easier!

 

[MPclk2006]

Nope, just got the 2020 iPad...if I upgrade it will be in another 3-4 years.

 

[Kal-037]

Hopefully I’ll be able to pre-order one on pre-order day. I loved my 2018 model but I want the new one. I hope I can figure out what time to be ready to pre-order on Apple.com. I’m in Utah.

 

[Kal-037]

THIS is an iPad upgrade. Besides the 2018, these are the biggest changes made to an iPad. MiniLED, graphics performance on par or better than a PS4, USB 4, Thunderbolt, there is just so much power and new tech they packed in this thing. I’ll miss the very thin 5.9mm 2018 iPad Pro, but 6.4 isn’t that bad. lol
I just really hope these new screens last as long as LCDs did.

 

[Ralfi]

THIS is an iPad upgrade. Besides the 2018, these are the biggest changes made to an iPad. MiniLED, graphics performance on par or better than a PS4, USB 4, Thunderbolt, there is just so much power and new tech they packed in this thing. I’ll miss the very thin 5.9mm 2018 iPad Pro, but 6.4 isn’t that bad. lol
I just really hope these new screens last as long as LCDs did.

How will those ”upgrades” make a typical user’s media consumption better, if they own the 2018 iPad Pro?

MiniLED is a stop-gap improvement on the way to MicroLED.

Graphics performance may be better, but that only applies to heavy gamers?

USB 4 could be considered a niche feature imo. Most won’t make use of it.

 

[secretk]

For now no. I don't see currently an app or a workflow (that is typical for my usage) that would require M1 chip and 8 GB or 16 GB RAM. 6 GB RAM yes, but 16 - no. I have 2018 iPP with 4 GB RAM and for now I have no issues when it comes to power. I do have sometimes issues with apps reload or tabs reload but I doubt that I need 16 GB RAM to fix those issues.

Thunderbolt is great, but until I see changes in iPadOs that allow me to extend the screen and not just mirror it, I would not use a second screen with the iPad that much. Also file management on iPadOS is primitive enough not make me transfer files that much so the file transfer speed is not that big of an issue for me. XDR is also great, but 12.9 inch is too big for me. I use 11 inch and the display is not changed there.

Overall I want to see WWDC because as it is I don't see iPadOS or any apps that can use the power that those new iPad Pros have. The power and the hardware is great, but it is also pricey and I cannot find relevant workflow for me that would justify this price.

Given how many iPads exist with 4GB RAM or less, I do not expect iPadOS 15 to come with revolutionary changes that render them unusable. I feel that we would need at least 6 months or an year to see an app or apps that can take advantage of the power of those iPad Pros. I personally prefer to wait and see those apps before purchasing the device.

 

[satinsilverem2]

With iPadOS really lagging behind, I am inclined to keep using my 2020 iPad Pro. If something miraculous happens with the new iPadOS this summer, I will reconsider.

Im in the same boat as you. I got a 2020 11" last spring and by far the software is the limiting factor for me using it for more serious work. Now if iPadOS has a major redo at dub dub this summer then I will maybe give the new ones a second look but even then new (better) software on my 2020 would be a major boost.