Yes, it is now the Year of the Pro.
If you are a 12.9 inch M1 Pro, you actually got the most out of the update yesterday, because the 12.9 inch M1 Pro got reference mode as well as everything else. The focus was not just on M1, but M1 Pros.
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iPad Pro 2022 is Now the Year of the Pro, so are you Now Considering an M1 iPad Pro?
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Yes, it is now the Year of the Pro.
If you are a 12.9 inch M1 Pro, you actually got the most out of the update yesterday, because the 12.9 inch M1 Pro got reference mode as well as everything else. The focus was not just on M1, but M1 Pros.
The one thing we learned for sure is the M1 segment at WWDC 21 was not some marketing trick to get us to buy M1 iPads. They said the M1 was different and they meant that.
They are now showing us they don’t believe that all iPads should have the same software.
It’s also interesting that the 12.9 M1 Pro got the fancy display and now it gets an exclusive Reference Mode feature. They are positioning that one for sure.
I was really impressed by what I saw yesterday. It's made me hold off for now on getting a Windows device for my travel needs. I can put up with inconveniences a little longer before splurging any money on another device. I'd rather buy one device at the end of the year that does everything I want it to do and which gives me full confidence in my purchasing decision. The Windows devices I've explored aren't doing that after testing them out in stores. Where I spend my money is important to me and I just don't feel confident anything in the market will improve my current computing experience.
What made me interested was that yesterday felt like Apple cementing "the iPad is important to us". I've wanted external monitor support since the iPad 2! It was my number one wish for WWDC yesterday and it happened. But yesterday, I saw a lot more than that. Things like display scaling, AirPrint improvements, file extensions, ability to customise toolbars in apps. If iPad fulfilled 90% if what I wanted to do, yesterday tipped it to around 95%.
I think I'm the only iPad Pro 2020 owner who isn't upset lol. Yes, it's a bit annoying a 2 year device is missing this feature, but I've made up the cost of the iPad I bought so many times over with the work I've achieved on it. This device has paid for itself so many times over. In addition, I didn't buy my device on the promise of future updates, I bought it for what it was at the time. I'm not owed anything.
Am I going to get an M1 or M2 iPad Pro... I honestly don't know yet. What will tip the scale is if there are any major improvements to Safari that make it more viable for designing client websites on the go with an iPad, and if app developers really embrace the new features. I'll only know that in the coming months through testing. Any future iPad I buy also needs to have the video camera placed in landscape orientation for client calls - if M2 iPad Pro doesn't have that hardware change its an instant no-go for me. Any next device I buy needs to do everything I want from it and I don't want to compromise on what I need from my devices. I'll vote with my wallet and I'm not in a rush to spend my money on any device whether that be iPad, Windows, Mac, etc.
What made me interested was that yesterday felt like Apple cementing "the iPad is important to us". I've wanted external monitor support since the iPad 2! It was my number one wish for WWDC yesterday and it happened. But yesterday, I saw a lot more than that. Things like display scaling, AirPrint improvements, file extensions, ability to customise toolbars in apps. If iPad fulfilled 90% if what I wanted to do, yesterday tipped it to around 95%.
I think I'm the only iPad Pro 2020 owner who isn't upset lol. Yes, it's a bit annoying a 2 year device is missing this feature, but I've made up the cost of the iPad I bought so many times over with the work I've achieved on it. This device has paid for itself so many times over. In addition, I didn't buy my device on the promise of future updates, I bought it for what it was at the time. I'm not owed anything.
Am I going to get an M1 or M2 iPad Pro... I honestly don't know yet. What will tip the scale is if there are any major improvements to Safari that make it more viable for designing client websites on the go with an iPad, and if app developers really embrace the new features. I'll only know that in the coming months through testing. Any future iPad I buy also needs to have the video camera placed in landscape orientation for client calls - if M2 iPad Pro doesn't have that hardware change its an instant no-go for me. Any next device I buy needs to do everything I want from it and I don't want to compromise on what I need from my devices. I'll vote with my wallet and I'm not in a rush to spend my money on any device whether that be iPad, Windows, Mac, etc.
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I think the MacBook Air is the correct choice for most people, especially at the price point.
If you don’t mind me asking, what was it about the preview that finally tipped you to wanting to sell your iPad and move onto a MacBook?
Honestly, I've such a bad taste in my mouth from the iPad 'Pro' experience, that I probably won't upgrade it (and even then it'll be the much lower cost model).
All the power of the Mac, with all the limitations of an iPhone.
All the power of the Mac, with all the limitations of an iPhone.
iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, iPad Pro and iMac. Yeah, I think it’s possible.
September keynote for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.
October keynote for iPad Pro and iMac.
I think it’s probably too early for Mac Pros with M2 Pro/Max chipsets.
For my purposes the iPad just doesn't offer the software/usability for me to productive. I bought it thinking I could migrate some basic tasks from my desktop to the iPad so I wasn't always at my desk. It failed at most of these tasks outside of basic web browsing/media consumption. Some of the issues I encountered:
- Inefficiencies of a tablet/touch interface adding time to simple tasks. Example: Photo editing, without the use of keyboard shortcuts I was constantly having to stop and hunt and tap, tap, tap and it was just so painfully slow for my workflow. What should take seconds with key commands was taking minutes with the touch interface. Just look how long to takes to save a file through the share menu vs just hitting CMD+S.
- Poor, inconsistant, and sometimes lazy software from developers. I was always running into some limitation that seemed artificial. Example: some apps only allowed downloading files to the photos app and not the files app which adds completely unnecessary steps to my workflow and clutters my photo stream with crap that doesn't belong there.
- iPadOS limitations and inconsistencies. Example: I really like shortcuts app, but again with the frustrating inconsistencies. In a script where I call a box for input of text the background gets blurred blocking what I am trying to reference in order to input text. A pick list however does not blur the background 🤷♂️.
I was ready to order an M2 MBA but with the pricing for the 24GB RAM version the MBP line is looking like a better option or maybe a refurbished/used M1 8 core gpu.
The memory swap, the external display support and desktop class apps are definitely big steps for professional use of the iPad beyond the more obvious creative workflows (Lumafusion, Procreate, Lightroom)
Hopefully it will bring app devs over to make interesting apps for the platform(s). That will require some time and also some mindset changes in the user base because people often just want “free apps”. I think apple will probably introduce some of their more pro apps to the iPad next.
The iPad is still the only device where you have input via touch, stylus and keyboard which makes it very versatile.
The fact that all the hardware runs on MX chips also makes it easier for devs to code.
For me it’s still the most ”fun“ device I have and my preferred device to use.
I agree though that for users who want to just have 1 device to rule them all (excluding a phone), the MacBook Air offers the best value for most, even though it’s now a bit more expensive than the mini LED iPad Pro
Hopefully it will bring app devs over to make interesting apps for the platform(s). That will require some time and also some mindset changes in the user base because people often just want “free apps”. I think apple will probably introduce some of their more pro apps to the iPad next.
The iPad is still the only device where you have input via touch, stylus and keyboard which makes it very versatile.
The fact that all the hardware runs on MX chips also makes it easier for devs to code.
For me it’s still the most ”fun“ device I have and my preferred device to use.
I agree though that for users who want to just have 1 device to rule them all (excluding a phone), the MacBook Air offers the best value for most, even though it’s now a bit more expensive than the mini LED iPad Pro
- This is more about UI choices than anything. However if you want a keyboard focused OS, buy a Mac. They should of course add more shortcuts, but one of the main complaints I have is the current trend towards hiding everything behind menus rather than taking good advantage of the screen real estate to show more controls on screen.
- YES - Lazy developers have impeded the iPad as they don't bring their full desktop feature set to the iPad or do so but give it terrible UI.
- Yeah, inconsistency is a problem
I voted no because I have a 2018 iPad Pro and will probably wait for the M2 iPad Pro, though I am really annoyed that they didn't bring external display support or virtual memory to the A12 series of iPads.
I hope they'll bring the current split screen system to external monitors so I can actually take advantage of that screen real estate. Consider how I use my Mac with 27" screen, two apps each taking up half the screen with an occasional utility app opened over top and then closed, and sometimes something in PiP. I don't want my windows to float and waste all that space around them. I want split view on the external display so that I can make the most of the screen... That white space just looks bad.
I hope they'll bring the current split screen system to external monitors so I can actually take advantage of that screen real estate. Consider how I use my Mac with 27" screen, two apps each taking up half the screen with an occasional utility app opened over top and then closed, and sometimes something in PiP. I don't want my windows to float and waste all that space around them. I want split view on the external display so that I can make the most of the screen... That white space just looks bad.
As much as I love the iPad, I don't see much reason for desktop developers to invest in creating and maintaining touch first apps for it outside the creating workflow (30% cut, unwillingness of most iPad users to spend desktop money + other reasons).
Just taking the software I need to work as an example:
- Full Office: Microsoft will never make full office for mobile, they want their PCs/Surface to have an edge... (no pun intended...)
- Desktop Whatsapp (what I and tons of professional outside the US use to manage clients): Facebook hates Apple and will never make an iPad version
- Full Chrome with chromium extensions: not happening, not even on Android, let alone on iPad (that is desktop and ChromeOS exclusive)
- Desktop Dropbox/Onedrive (background sync): not happening, Dropbox does not even make it for Windows on Arm... and Onedrive, see Office above
- Windows only software (I have a couple that my client use and I need to use too): not happening even for Mac, but at least in Macs they work (well) via Parallels and if MacOS is not coming, Windows on Arm is even less likely
Yeah, I think the AppStore and its policies hold back the iPad more than most of the other limitations at this point. iPadOS15's multi-windowing was already really good and the biggest limit to me was always background processing and a lack of virtual memory.
- Office on the mac isn’t even full Office in my view. Especially excel is very limited (I’m an accountant that works in consolidation and reporting). I actually prefer to use some apps like SharePoint on My iPad. I wish there was more competition in this space.
- WhatsApp for me is better as a phone app and as for facebook the less Meta the better off we all are I think but that’s my personal view. Living in Europe I also use whatsapp (almost never use the messages app).
This makes perfect sense. I'm in this strange position where my head says iPad just isn't going to ever do what I need it to do for my business, but my heart has been with the iPad since iPad 2. For everyone in my life, I steer them away from iPad because I know what they really need is a MacBook or Windows machine. It's much easier giving advice than taking one's own advice 🤣
Even with the new features, a part of me is saying, developers aren't going to bother taking advantage. It's all nice in theory but why would a developer put time in for an iPad app without any guaranteed ROI. So we're stuck with the same iPad apps with just a prettier multitasking. I'm not blaming Apple for that, yesterday they opened the platform up more than I had expected, but a platform is nothing without the right software. I just don't see that software coming anytime soon and at the earliest in 2-3 years.
As I said earlier, I'm not in a rush to spend my money, but its very true that iPad right now isn't meeting my needs. This afternoon, once again I wasn't able to achieve something I needed to do for my business because I only had my iPad with me. It's frustrating. I know if I had something like a Surface Pro I could get those work tasks done but I'd be a little less happy because the experience is less "fun". But I'm also not feeling confident just yet with getting a Windows device because I've been in the Apple sphere for years.
I think you couldn't go wrong with either the M2 MBA or MBP. Please do let me know what you end up deciding. I'm always interested to hear other people's experiences of tech products 😁
I am strongly considering postponing my laptop upgrade until I get to test my 12.9 M1 with iPadOS 16 features and see what "maxed out"/PRO versions of apps developers come out with eventually.
Only then will I decide whether its enough for me and Im ready to invest into MKB and maybe even upgrade to 1TB version or should I just keep it as a tablet without $$$ upgrades and just buy myself either Surface 5/Pro 9 or M1 Pro/M2 Air laptop this autumn.
I would be happy camper if OS 16 turns out to be all I need as well as developers start making "richer" PRO'ish apps en masse, but that depends on how well OS 16 will integrate into my play/work ways as well as how invested will developers become in new possibilities of app building for iPad Pro's.
Only then will I decide whether its enough for me and Im ready to invest into MKB and maybe even upgrade to 1TB version or should I just keep it as a tablet without $$$ upgrades and just buy myself either Surface 5/Pro 9 or M1 Pro/M2 Air laptop this autumn.
I would be happy camper if OS 16 turns out to be all I need as well as developers start making "richer" PRO'ish apps en masse, but that depends on how well OS 16 will integrate into my play/work ways as well as how invested will developers become in new possibilities of app building for iPad Pro's.
I already bought a ThinkPad X1 Nano and ThinkPad E15 Ryzen last year (before the supply shortages and resulting inflation). I reckon I’m covered on the laptop front for the next 5-10 years unless someone releases a fanless/silent laptop with Windows x86-64 software support.
No matter how much I like ThinkPads, I will be getting rid of mine, E14 G2 Ryzen that I also got last year on sale(we dont have much sales locally on laptops that I consider worthy).
Reason being that I dont want to support commie China brands where I can, oh and also because battery life is insufficient at 6-7h at best and display is 16:9, ~300 nit brightness only and crappy color reproduction.
I knew all that prior to buying it, the price just was too sweet, at the same time I knew that I will be selling it within a year most likely, but price combined with ThinkPad nostalgia(R400 and T410 in the past) made it impulse buy for me, even if temporary one.
Yes, I know, my fault, working hard to improve myself here
I wouldn't recommend buying a 2021 iPad Pro based on the iPadOS 16 announcement.
I have one so I'm excited that Apple has finally started to move the platform in the right direction. This is along the lines of what I expected them to do last year, but the software must have just not been ready yet. With the next release due soon I'd wait for that to see what they add to it and to allow these features to actually start being adopted by developers and others to show how they bear fruit in practice. I am of the opinion that we're seeing the start of a multiyear effort to bring the iPad Pro and MacOS more in line with each other and this is the first major bearing of fruit on that tree.
So I expect we'll see this start to really shine in iPadOS 17 and 18 where we will likely get a much richer "desktop" mode and apps to take advantage of it all.
It will also be interesting to see if Apple shifts around the storage composition of the iPad Pro at all. Virtual Swap requires a minimum of 256GB of onboard storage... It will also be interesting to see how well that all balances out as well. For instance, do all apps now have access to 16GB of memory with allowances for up to 8 apps does that mean you'll have a maximum memory usage by apps at 128GB (16x8 ... 112GB on SSD storage)? Does this 16GB limit with Virtual Swap now mean that M1 iPad models with less than 16GB of RAM on board will allow all apps access to 16GB of RAM with the limitation being the performance penalty of swapping? Will apps still need special entitlements for using this much RAM on the device? etc etc.
I have one so I'm excited that Apple has finally started to move the platform in the right direction. This is along the lines of what I expected them to do last year, but the software must have just not been ready yet. With the next release due soon I'd wait for that to see what they add to it and to allow these features to actually start being adopted by developers and others to show how they bear fruit in practice. I am of the opinion that we're seeing the start of a multiyear effort to bring the iPad Pro and MacOS more in line with each other and this is the first major bearing of fruit on that tree.
So I expect we'll see this start to really shine in iPadOS 17 and 18 where we will likely get a much richer "desktop" mode and apps to take advantage of it all.
It will also be interesting to see if Apple shifts around the storage composition of the iPad Pro at all. Virtual Swap requires a minimum of 256GB of onboard storage... It will also be interesting to see how well that all balances out as well. For instance, do all apps now have access to 16GB of memory with allowances for up to 8 apps does that mean you'll have a maximum memory usage by apps at 128GB (16x8 ... 112GB on SSD storage)? Does this 16GB limit with Virtual Swap now mean that M1 iPad models with less than 16GB of RAM on board will allow all apps access to 16GB of RAM with the limitation being the performance penalty of swapping? Will apps still need special entitlements for using this much RAM on the device? etc etc.
I hope not… “desktop mode” doesn’t enable new workflows, more powerful apps, loosening restrictions on what kinds of apps are allowed does, more powerful app-to-app communication, scripting, and control systems would help this more.
Don’t make iPadOS into macOS - that is what macOS is for. If you want touch macOS advocate for touch-screen macs, don’t advocate for ruining the iPad because you don’t have touchscreen macs.
Please describe a workflow that isn’t possible with the current (iPadOS 15) workflow that would be enabled by desktop mode? Something that isn’t limited by app design or system architecture but is truly limited by not having a desktop mode. It has to be something that I can’t do in Split View + Slide Over.
iPadOS will always have the distinct advantage over macOS for being an entirely closed system device. At the end of the day this is Apple's ideal system for their devices, so iPadOS is the true realization of what Apple at its core wants of its computers.
I don't think E series and X1 series are comparable. The Nano is much more similar to a Macbook (brightness is 450 nits, display is 16:10, resolution is higher than full hd, colors are great, it's very quiet, battery life is around 8-9 hours. Sure MacBook Air has longer battery life and it's overall faster, but the Nano weights as much as 12in Macbook with a 13in display, has a matte display and has cellular, something that does not exist in MacBook territory. Sure it's as or more expensive than an air, but I don't consider it an inferior laptop unless you hate Windows (I don't, I actually even prefer is since I would need to use it on Macs anyway).No matter how much I like ThinkPads, I will be getting rid of mine, E14 G2 Ryzen that I also got last year on sale(we dont have much sales locally on laptops that I consider worthy).
Reason being that I dont want to support commie China brands where I can, oh and also because battery life is insufficient at 6-7h at best and display is 16:9, ~300 nit brightness only and crappy color reproduction.
I knew all that prior to buying it, the price just was too sweet, at the same time I knew that I will be selling it within a year most likely, but price combined with ThinkPad nostalgia(R400 and T410 in the past) made it impulse buy for me, even if temporary one.
Yes, I know, my fault, working hard to improve myself here
I still think that if Apple made a M2 MacBook at 2 pounds and with cellular (and why not even a nice matte screen), it would fly off the shelves....
The closed ecosystem parts are the things that least make iPadOS unique, merging the iPadOS and macOS window managers is not a true realization, it is giving up on what made the iPad windowing system unique to satisfy a bunch of people who won’t be happy until you essentially just put macOS on the iPad
No, the minimum is probably no more than 128GB otherwise they would have mentioned that 128GB M1 is excluded (64GB air 4 is excluded, but they didn't even mentioned the 64GB M1 air). Other than that, we don't know anything about how swap will work, some say it will be 16GB so 16GB RAM will get up to 32GB. Truth is it's all speculation at this point