2021 Ipad Pros

[Oohara]

I adore my 2018 iPP 12.9 but would love to get my hands on that new screen. That contrast added to what is already my favorite movie watching screen...yowza. Also very interested to see if they come up with OS changes to make use of that M1. In any case the M1 is exciting for me as I do music work on the iPad and that will definitely allow those apps to be pushed forward a lot.

My 2015 MBP is on its last leg and when it goes I’m considering replacing it with new iPP + MK and getting a screen which I could also use for my Windows work laptop. That’d mean selling the iPP 2018 of course. Let’s see if I actually hang on to my old gear until the MBP is truly done... I’m feeling that kinda urge which tells me I might end up going the more rash and less financially sound way ?

 

[Oohara]

After seeing the report that the first version of the MK would not work with the new 12.9” iPP, supposedly due to thickness, I did a little ‘informal’ testing with my 2018 12.9” model. The 2021 model is apparently .5 mm thicker, which according to the report from some French publication, makes it too thick to fit in the first MK. I stacked 5 sheets of 20 weight paper which is also 0.5 mm thick and the MK closed around the iPad and paper just as it would without it. I even tried 8 sheets of paper and again, the MK keyboard closed fine, though with maybe ever so slight bit of gap.

If the existing MK doesn’t work with the new iPP, it due to something other than ‘thickness’. The ‘new’ MK is compatible with the new and 2 previous versions of the iPP 12.9” which implies to me that it has the same smart connector and magnetic mounting points. I’m quite curious to see exactly why the new iPP cannot work with the existing MK. I didn’t have any plans to upgrade to the new iPP yet but if this is true, I absolutely won’t be upgrading this generation—dick move by Apple if this situation plays out as true.

It says the MK case just won’t “close properly” right? So maybe there’ll be a little gap there. Add to that maybe a tiny bit of extra weight which means they don’t want to guarantee that peoples iPads won’t come loose from the magnets when the case is in laptop mode. Hopefully that’s it and in reality then the case can still be used with the new iPP. Dick move in any case though, that case is certainly expensive enough that they should have gone the extra mile to make sure it was compatible.

 

[The Game 161]

What? the existing magic keyboards wont work with the new iPads? They didnt even announce new MKs other than a white color.

Edit: Just saw the report. Wow, thats the most Apple thing of all time. No mention of it and just another way to squeeze money from their customers.

Yeah it’s poor and disappointing but funny thing is the new MK Will of Course work with older iPad Pro’s though lol

 

[jamezr]

Have you read this yet?

About moderation in this forum

Recently it's become clear to us that there's some confusion about how this form is moderated. We'd like to clear that up: This forum is moderated in exactly the same way all other forums on MR are moderated. It is not in any way a problem to criticise Apple or any other manufacturer...

forums.macrumors.com

LOL moderation tips from the guy suspended for trolling yet again!

 

[Shanghaichica]

My thoughts too....that does seem to be overkill for a media consumption device

It’s more computer than I could ever use. Even if they announce something at WWDC that finally makes iPadOS into something more than a bigger iPhone I’m still only going to use it to watch videos.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Too expensive for me. I’d rather get a laptop at those prices, and M1 MacBook Air imo is a lot more attractive (plus it does come with a keyboard, not sold separately). I’m not a creator or AR designer, so I don’t need all the fancy iPad hardware.

I do see Apple’s intention. Seems like there’s an emerging use case for an iPad as a single device production unit, especially in younger professionals or amateurs. For example, normally one would need a separate camcorder, computer, and a Wacom tablet to create digital contents/publishing materials. Now one can do all that with just an iPad Pro, which saves money for a small business or amateur content creators. It’s an interesting proposition, definitely.

Even if the iPad could replace a laptop, unless you specifically need the pencil what’s the point in getting an iPad over as an M1 MacBook Air. In the past the iPad was cheaper but it’s the same or even more expensive.

 

[LFC2020]

iPad has always been a iPad to me, no keyboard or pencil ever.

Same here, lucky us we save a fair bit of coin by not needing a magic keyboard and Apple Pencil ?

 

[jamezr]

Same here, lucky us we save a fair bit of coin by not needing a magic keyboard and Apple Pencil ?

right because if you bought the last model magic keyboard...you would have to buy a new one for the new model

 

[tbayrgs]

Even if the iPad could replace a laptop, unless you specifically need the pencil what’s the point in getting an iPad over as an M1 MacBook Air. In the past the iPad was cheaper but it’s the same or even more expensive.

For me, it’s exactly for the reason you use your iPad. I already use my iPP 12.9 as a laptop replacement but it’s also where I casually consume content and do some light gaming—things I find much less enjoyable (or not possible in regards to the few iOS/iPadOS games I kill time playing) on a laptop. Watching video on the iPad is an much better experience, IMO (love the automatic pop-up window for most video apps save one—come on YouTube, time to get on board) and I find grabbing it to use in tablet mode for this and many things (casually browsing the web, cleaning up email, my calendar, etc) much better.

To be fair, my ‘laptop needs’ are things that the iPP with a keyboard/trackpad does really well in most cases—documents, email, web, messaging, spreadsheets and presentations so I’m not missing out on functionality that would be better served on a laptop (coding/development, heavy video or audio work, 3D modeling to name a few that come to mind). It’s just a much better consumption device so I love using the iPP. And while I‘m not a heavy user of the Apple Pencil, it has made my life quite a bit easier for things like reviewing and signing documents and some light handwritten note taking. Of course, my needs will likely differ from others and it’s not as good a fit for them—totally understand, YMMV.

All that being said, I’m not upgrading this go around as my 2018 is still a beast in regards to my performance needs and as we all have recognized, the iPP with a keyboard and trackpad/mouse is comparably quite a bit more expensive. I’ll wait at least one more generation before considering an upgrade.

 

[jamezr]

For me, it’s exactly for the reason you use your iPad. I already use my iPP 12.9 as a laptop replacement but it’s also where I casually consume content and do some light gaming—things I find much less enjoyable (or not possible in regards to the few iOS/iPadOS games I kill time playing) on a laptop. Watching video on the iPad is an much better experience, IMO (love the automatic pop-up window for most video apps save one—come on YouTube, time to get on board) and I find grabbing it to use in tablet mode for this and many things (casually browsing the web, cleaning up email, my calendar, etc) much better.

To be fair, my ‘laptop needs’ are thinks that the iPP with a keyboard/trackpad does really well in most cases—documents, email, web, messaging, spreadsheets and presentations so I’m not missing out on functionality that would be better served on a laptop (coding/development, heavy video or audio work, 3D modeling to name a few that come to mind). It’s just a much better consumption device so I love using the iPP. And while I‘m not a heavy user of the Apple Pencil, it has made my life quite a bit easier for things like reviewing and signing documents and some light handwritten note taking. Of course, my needs will likely differ from others and it’s not as good a fit for them—totally understand, YMMV.

All that being said, I’m not upgrading this go around as my 2018 is still a beast in regards to my performance needs and as we all have recognized, the iPP with a keyboard and trackpad/mouse is comparably quite a bit more expensive. I’ll wait at least one more generation before considering an upgrade.

My IPA died a few weeks ago. It just up and died LOL but it was about 6 years old
I might get the new IPP 11 cellular (TMO) and MK.
I would give my son my iMac and just use my MBP 15 as my desktop connected to a monitor and mouse and keyboard.

 

[dojoman]

Apple is not going to allow MacOS to run on iPad, trust me you won't see it for years if ever.

 

[Shanghaichica]

For me, it’s exactly for the reason you use your iPad. I already use my iPP 12.9 as a laptop replacement but it’s also where I casually consume content and do some light gaming—things I find much less enjoyable (or not possible in regards to the few iOS/iPadOS games I kill time playing) on a laptop. Watching video on the iPad is an much better experience, IMO (love the automatic pop-up window for most video apps save one—come on YouTube, time to get on board) and I find grabbing it to use in tablet mode for this and many things (casually browsing the web, cleaning up email, my calendar, etc) much better.

To be fair, my ‘laptop needs’ are things that the iPP with a keyboard/trackpad does really well in most cases—documents, email, web, messaging, spreadsheets and presentations so I’m not missing out on functionality that would be better served on a laptop (coding/development, heavy video or audio work, 3D modeling to name a few that come to mind). It’s just a much better consumption device so I love using the iPP. And while I‘m not a heavy user of the Apple Pencil, it has made my life quite a bit easier for things like reviewing and signing documents and some light handwritten note taking. Of course, my needs will likely differ from others and it’s not as good a fit for them—totally understand, YMMV.

All that being said, I’m not upgrading this go around as my 2018 is still a beast in regards to my performance needs and as we all have recognized, the iPP with a keyboard and trackpad/mouse is comparably quite a bit more expensive. I’ll wait at least one more generation before considering an upgrade.

I agree. I think it also depends on what you consider a laptop/computer replacement to be. Is it that it should be able to replicate exactly what a laptop can do or is it if it can meet your computing needs.

An iPad can easily meet 99% of my computing needs. I have an iPad pro and a MacBook. If I could only choose one I’d choose an iPad. However if I was only chosing one because of budget restraints, I don’t think I could justify spending £1,300 on an iPad which is how much it cost for my current iPad when you factor in the magic keyboard and Apple pencil. I would not be able to justify spending that much when I could have used the money to buy a more capable Mac. If I’m making the sacrifice to only choose one device to meet my needs the price would have to reflect that I would just opt for a cheaper ipad.

 

[Steve Adams]

I was all in to goto android for my new phone and tablet. I am not so sure again now. I am thinking about a ipp with keyboard from brydge. I hate the apple designed abomination. But I think the iPad would be more useful. Damn, so many great devices out there now.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Pre-order is Friday and I still havent decided on what Im getting lol. I keep bouncing between the new IPP (both sizes) and a Macbook.

Heres my situation...I already have a hi-end laptop for work and a 10.5" IPP. So...getting a Macbook seems like a bit too much overlap in use with my work laptop. But overall its the most device for the money. The 11" IPP seems like a decent upgrade over the 10.5" I have been the fact that Im getting basically the same display on a 4 year newer device would be very annoying. So that would lead my to the 12.9" IPP. Everything about it seems great for me except for the cost. With the Magic Keyboard I'm looking at nearly $1500 for basically a high-end tablet. I have the extra cash to burn but thats a tough pill to swallow.

Thanks for listening to me think out loud

 

[Ludatyk]

Pre-order is Friday and I still havent decided on what Im getting lol. I keep bouncing between the new IPP (both sizes) and a Macbook.

Just curious.. which MB are you considering?

But overall its the most device for the money. The 11" IPP seems like a decent upgrade over the 10.5" I have been the fact that Im getting basically the same display on a 4 year newer device would be very annoying.

By Apple making the XDR the biggest differentiator between the two iPad Pros… makes the 11” iPP seems such second rate. And I get it, but look at the tech inside it… the M1 chip, memory.. the potential speed of the device and camera (if you into that kind of stuff). And on top of that.. you coming off the lighting port to the much more open USB-C port.

So that would lead my to the 12.9" IPP. Everything about it seems great for me except for the cost. With the Magic Keyboard I'm looking at nearly $1500 for basically a high-end tablet. I have the extra cash to burn but thats a tough pill to swallow.

To each it’s own, I’m not really a huge fan of the MK…. Especially when there’s inexpensive alternatives. There are plenty of dock/stands… an assortment of bluetooth keyboards… ranging from mechanical to low profile. Grabbing a reasonable price Magic Trackpad and your good to go.

 

[sracer]

Just wondering if anyone here is planning to buy one of the new iPad Pros?

Interested to hear what you guys think about the M1 addition and the miniLED only being in the larger model. I know these topics exist in the iPad section of the forums, but I'd rather stay away from that echo chamber.

Nope. I have no plans to buy one of the new iPad Pros. They don't fundamentally change the dynamic of owning/using an iPad. The limitation of the iPad (Pro and non-Pro) stopped being the hardware a long time ago. iPadOS (and to a lesser extent, apps) has been and continues to be the limiting factor.

Should Apple do something drastic with the foundational elements of iPadOS... such as a universally accessible filesystem and improved support for peripherals, then I would consider it.

It makes little sense to me to buy something in the hopes of some future function. I'll wait until or if that functionality appears.

 

[LFC2020]

so many great devices out there now.

I wouldn’t call android tablets great, nothing great about blown up mobile apps on a tablet.

When it comes to tablets iPad has no completion. ?

 

[Awesomesince86]

Just curious.. which MB are you considering?


By Apple making the XDR the biggest differentiator between the two iPad Pros… makes the 11” iPP seems such second rate. And I get it, but look at the tech inside it… the M1 chip, memory.. the potential speed of the device and camera (if you into that kind of stuff). And on top of that.. you coming off the lighting port to the much more open USB-C port.


To each it’s own, I’m not really a huge fan of the MK…. Especially when there’s inexpensive alternatives. There are plenty of dock/stands… an assortment of bluetooth keyboards… ranging from mechanical to low profile. Grabbing a reasonable price Magic Trackpad and your good to go.

Considering the MBA, probably 16GB and 512 GB memory.

As far as the IPP 11" goes, I realize their are a lot of tangible upgrades, but having a subpar display is rough when this device will be primarily for media consumption.

Yeah I realize their are Magic Keyboard alternative, but so far none Ive seen that match up. Although he Logictech new one is interesting. Seems very Surface Pro like which is nice. I'll probably wait for reviews on this one.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Side note: I wonder if we get iPad Pro reviews prior to the pre-order on Friday?

 

[Ludatyk]

Side note: I wonder if we get iPad Pro reviews prior to the pre-order on Friday?

Judging from MKBHD published date on the AirTags… I doubt reviews come prior to Friday, but unboxing and first impressions.

As far as the IPP 11" goes, I realize their are a lot of tangible upgrades, but having a subpar display is rough when this device will be primarily for media consumption.

Well, if you looking at a screen for media consumption.. then yeah, 12.9” with the XDR display seems like the clear winner.

 

[Steve Adams]

I wouldn’t call android tablets great, nothing great about blown up mobile apps on a tablet.

When it comes to tablets iPad has no completion. ?

Beg to differ but ok. I find iOS apps on ipad the same thing. I see no difference between the two platforms. iOS apps are just blingy like the page turns are little pages instead of just switching to the next page. But I notice no difference between the "blown up phone apps" on my samsung tablet and the "iOS super king karmaya optimized apps" on ipad.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Beg to differ but ok. I find iOS apps on ipad the same thing. I see no difference between the two platforms. iOS apps are just blingy like the page turns are little pages instead of just switching to the next page. But I notice no difference between the "blown up phone apps" on my samsung tablet and the "iOS super king karmaya optimized apps" on ipad.

Same here. I have no issues with my tab S7+. And the apps that are resized, it's basically unnoticeable for 99% of my apps.

 

[Steve Adams]

Same here. I have no issues with my tab S7+. And the apps that are resized, it's basically unnoticeable for 99% of my apps.

No good to tell the koolaid drinkers that. They think apple everything is AMAZING and everything else is garbage. I have 2 android tablets, and 3 ipads right now and like I said, besides the eyecandy silliness that don't matter on iOS apps, there is not difference in scaling or anything like that between it and android apps. I never understood these comments other than it comes from crazed fans of apple never ever owning anything else and believing the hype machine (apple marketing) and every word that they spew.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Even if the iPad could replace a laptop, unless you specifically need the pencil what’s the point in getting an iPad over as an M1 MacBook Air. In the past the iPad was cheaper but it’s the same or even more expensive.

I would purchase the 12.9' 2tb version in a heartbeat if FCP was available for iPadOS.

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

Maybe if I was a millionaire.