2024 iPad Pro: Best New Features

[Uofmtiger]

The new display and M4 chip seem really awesome, but at the same time, an iPad Pro costs the same as a MacBook Air, and that's probably a better device for a lot of people.

But on the other hand, the iPad Pro can play really popular games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail on the go, and that's more than I can say for the MacBook Air... maybe the iPad wins out in the end.

It would depend on your needs and what you already own. I have zero desire for a new laptop. I have a Mac mini and the iPad is my (mostly) portable solution..though I use it more at my desk since it got better external display support.

I have a 2016 MBP and it was useful for several years. However, I can't remember the last time I picked it up. I used to like to take it on trips to drop photos on it via an SD card. However, the iPad does that now.

 

[Webcat86]

It would depend on your needs and what you already own. I have zero desire for a new laptop. I have a Mac mini and the iPad is my (mostly) portable solution..though I use it more at my desk since it got better external display support.

I have a 2016 MBP and it was useful for several years. However, I can't remember the last time I picked it up. I used to like to take it on trips to drop photos on it via an SD card. However, the iPad does that now.

Similar to me. I’d had MBP for around a decade and then bought an M1 iMac, because these days I’m at my desk 99% of the time when working. And I bought a used 4th gen Air as my portable solution.

Its worked well, and now I’m getting the M4 Pro. That Air has sold and given me £300+ to put towards the new one too.

The only things I can’t do are certain file functions, like Export a photo as a file to Finder. But that’s a rare requirement and nothing that can’t wait until I’m at my desk, but a reasonable example of the type of tasks you’d like/expect a £1000+ iPad to be capable of.

 

[Rogifan]

According to Mark Gurman some of Apple’s new AI features will require the newest devices. I wonder how he’s defining newest considering a lot of this will be announced at WWDC and new iPhones don’t come until this fall.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1788622558348329255

 

[Uofmtiger]

Similar to me. I’d had MBP for around a decade and then bought an M1 iMac, because these days I’m at my desk 99% of the time when working. And I bought a used 4th gen Air as my portable solution.

Its worked well, and now I’m getting the M4 Pro. That Air has sold and given me £300+ to put towards the new one too.

The only things I can’t do are certain file functions, like Export a photo as a file to Finder. But that’s a rare requirement and nothing that can’t wait until I’m at my desk, but a reasonable example of the type of tasks you’d like/expect a £1000+ iPad to be capable of.

I am not sure what you mean by export a photo as a file. What type of file?

The main thing I go back to the desktop for is Final Cut and that is because I rarely use it and don't want to pay for an iPad version. If I used it a lot, I would pay the fee or go with a different app. As far as the MBP, my wife is starting to use it more... she doesn't have an iPad. 😂

 

[GrayFlannel]

Apple is not expecting anyone with 2 year old iPad to upgrade.
They expect people that have like 5 year old iPad to upgrade.

Do you have a source on Apple’s expectation?

Can't expect major upgrades every year.

Did I say something that gave you that idea?

 

[Webcat86]

I am not sure what you mean by export a photo as a file. What type of file?

The main thing I go back to the desktop for is Final Cut and that is because I rarely use it and don't want to pay for an iPad version. If I used it a lot, I would pay the fee or go with a different app. As far as the MBP, my wife is starting to use it more... she doesn't have an iPad. 😂

From the Photos app you can export the image to Finder. For instance you may want to export the photos so you can delete them from Photos to save iCloud space, or to have them on an external drive, etc.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I wish there was a removable anti-glare screen built into a removable frame.

I believe AstroPad makes a magnetic matte screen protector that can be taken off when not in use for writing.

Update: https://shop.astropad.com/products/rock-paper-pencil

 

[Uofmtiger]

From the Photos app you can export the image to Finder. For instance you may want to export the photos so you can delete them from Photos to save iCloud space, or to have them on an external drive, etc.

You can export a photo to finder now...including saving it to iCloud or an external drive you have plugged in.

 

[Webcat86]

You can export a photo to finder now...including saving it to iCloud or an external drive you have plugged in.

Oh wow really? Cant believe I missed that. Is it in the share sheet? (I’m without an iPad until the new iPP arrives so can’t check myself)

 

[Uofmtiger]

Oh wow really? Cant believe I missed that. Is it in the share sheet? (I’m without an iPad until the new iPP arrives so can’t check myself)

Yes, they have a options like -- "Export unmodified original" , save to dropbox, save to files, etc.

 

[Webcat86]

Yes, they have an options like -- "Export unmodified original" , save to dropbox, save to files, etc.

Hoorah! Now I can finish my photos tidy up on the iPad instead of the Mac

 

[TJNorCal]

I've got a 13 inch M1 iPad Pro and am upgrading. None of the new features are revolutionary for me but I'm a road warrior who likes to use 2 screens so the thinner lighter design is a welcome addition along with the nice OLED screen. The weight of my M3 MacBook Air and the new 13 inch m4 iPad Pro is less than a 16inch MBP and only slightly heavier than the 14 inch MBP. Also - with the Best Buy member discount and a high trade in value for my M1 iPad Pro, it's a deal that makes sense for me.

 

[Fraserpatty]

The OLED display is obvioulsy THE best feature.

I don’t know, doubling the capability of the NPU might prove to be a really big deal. Going forward.

 

[jonnyb098]

It’s been replaced with pencil pro which has magnets in a different location since they had to change the arrangement to fit the camera on the landscape side. The previous pencil will not work and the new pencil will not work with previous ipads.

I was referring to how is the pencil going to work on the ultra fragile nano texture screen option.

 

[jjrtiger]

Still need MacOS boot option...sure it will draw down the battery, best used when docked near a very large screen and sundry desktop accessories. Remember 2010 when first iPad was positioned (pending software and processor upgrades) to replace the laptop? Well decades later we still need good 'ol MacOS at work. iPadOS is not enough. Just Do It Apple.

I think it was about quashing the netbook. In 2010 netbooks became a thing. They were tiny laptops that ran windows XP and all over academia.

 

[alankemsley]

I have an 11” M2 Pro 1TB. I’m really tempted to upgrade only because of the screen. I previously had a M1 12.9” I gifted my wife because I wanted the smaller iPad for flying. I didn’t do my research how I normally do it and discovered almost immediately the quality of the screen was not the same as the 12.9”. You might think I’m crazy, but I’ll jump on my MacBook Pro more now because the screen is brighter and fuller color wise than my iPad. I would say I use my iPad less now than ever because the colors are just drowned out and the brightness is not the same as the 12.9”. So yeah, I’m tempted to pull the trigger on a new one knowing mine works perfectly well, but the only reason being is the much improved screen quality.

Are you sure you traded your 13-inch for the same generation 11-inch M2 PRO and not the M1 Air?

 

[C7Guy]

Are you sure you traded your 13-inch for the same generation 11-inch M2 PRO and not the M1 Air?

Yep, the screens are different 11" to 13" on the Pro's for the M2's. That's why apple highlighted and emphasized the "both" get the same screen.