iPad Pro 4GB enough for future iPad OS iterations?

[FrozenDarkness]

I think what would be fair to say is that any feature that is released in PadOS today will be fine with 4 GB Ram. There's no guarantee that future features in PadOS will be backwards compatible, Apple likes to do this kind of stuff. But considering that Apple is trying to sell ipad as a computer replacement, the chances that they would deprecate features across its line is incredibly small IMO.

So yes, I think 4GB will be fine, even into 2021. The current PadOS will carry into 2020 and then the next PadOS iteration, I doubt they'll make 4GB limited because that means it'll also limit all the ipad airs. And if they do, they'll lock that feature out for you versus making you feel that pain.

 

[EugW]

I think what would be fair to say is that any feature that is released in PadOS today will be fine with 4 GB Ram. There's no guarantee that future features in PadOS will be backwards compatible, Apple likes to do this kind of stuff. But considering that Apple is trying to sell ipad as a computer replacement, the chances that they would deprecate features across its line is incredibly small IMO.

So yes, I think 4GB will be fine, even into 2021. The current PadOS will carry into 2020 and then the next PadOS iteration, I doubt they'll make 4GB limited because that means it'll also limit all the ipad airs. And if they do, they'll lock that feature out for you versus making you feel that pain.

?

1. iPad Air is 3 GB not 4 GB.
2. Apple doesn't necessarily limit functionality based on memory. However, when memory is limited, things start to happen, such as pauses, app reloads, and if it's really bad, sometimes even crashes.

My guess is 4 GB will run iPadOS just fine for a few years... if you are not a hardcore content creator and you aren't a really heavy multitasker. Nonetheless 4 GB will become less desirable as iPadOS gets updated and applications get more bloated, if you keep your 4 GB iPad a long time.

But then again, it may not matter to you. It usually matters to me since I tend to keep my iPads a long time, but this time around it turns out it won't matter, because my wife wants a new iPad. I may as well give her my 4 GB iPad Pro 10.5 next year (after a year of ownership) so I have an excuse to upgrade when the new 6 GB 11" iPad Pro comes out.

For my young kids, 2 GB iPads are fine for now, so they are happy with their iPad Air 2s (which are now 4 and 5 years old), and for my wife 4 GB will be fine for a very long time since her needs are light too. Actually my needs are usually not very heavy either, but occasionally I do use it a bit more heavily. I figure a 2020 iPad Pro 11" with 6 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, and A13X would keep me reasonably happy until at least 2024 or so.

 

[rui no onna]

1. iPad Air is 3 GB not 4 GB.

Reckon that's the point. If 4GB devices get limited, then 3GB would be more so.

2. Apple doesn't necessarily limit functionality based on memory.

They do. 1st gen iPad Air never got split view and 2GB iPads don't have active 2x split view + slide over. Granted, I think the latter may have been pulled from later betas or GM for the 1st gen 12.9 as well. I don't have that model so can't check.

Honestly though, until we get resizable windows I'm not too worried about 4GB. Even then, more RAM for multitasking is something I'd be more concerned with on the 12.9" iPad than on smaller ones. As it is, I almost never use split view on the Pro 10.5 never mind split view + slide over.

 

[iOSpecialist]

3 or 4 is definitely more than enough for most people right now. RAM management will get a lot better in later betas of iPad OS. Right now youtube needs to refresh after reopening just a few seconds after closing for me. It’ll improve. I’ve got a 10.5 that I’m likely going to keep until the base model has 6+ gigs. No reason to worry about it though right now unless you’re doing some pretty heavy work.

 

[EugW]

Reckon that's the point. If 4GB devices get limited, then 3GB would be more so.

3 GB would eventually get limited in some fashion, before 4 GB ones do.

They do. 1st gen iPad Air never got split view and 2GB iPads don't have active 2x split view + slide over. Granted, I think the latter may have been pulled from later betas or GM for the 1st gen 12.9 as well. I don't have that model so can't check.

Yes I know, some features are not supported on lower memory models, even if the OS is supported. However, what I was meaning by that is that some other features come to all models, which means that ones with lower memory get bogged down or even crash, or at least reload. The biggest example of this is multi-tab Safari. You can run as many tabs as you want on the iPad 2, but it runs like molasses and eventually crashes, despite the fact that tab reloads are supposed to mitigate the RAM usage.

Then again, Apple probably has learned from this and going forward they won't allow performance to degrade that much due to memory and SoC limitations. The original iPad Air stopping at iOS 12 makes sense. This keeps performance on the original Air good, and also means that Apple isn't hamstrung by having to maintain compatibility for 1 GB iPads.

However, what this also means is Apple and third party developers are free to target larger memory sizes, and in fact, Apple is already pushing this.

They did this with the 1st generation iPad Pro, releasing 2 and 4 GB iPad Pros side by side, telling developers that 4 GB is the new target. In 2017, the new iPad Pros were 4 GB across the board. Then in 2018 they released 4 and 6 GB iPad Pros side by side, telling developers that 6 GB is the new high end target. I'm guessing that 2020 will bring 6 GB across the board, although there is also the possibility they may release an 8 GB model at the high end.

Honestly though, until we get resizable windows I'm not too worried about 4GB. Even then, more RAM for multitasking is something I'd be more concerned with on the 12.9" iPad than on smaller ones. As it is, I almost never use split view on the Pro 10.5 never mind split view + slide over.

Split view is decent on the 11" and usable on the 10.5". Depends on the apps used though. But yeah, it's best on the 12.9" models.

In Safari though, it's more often getting more cramped now in iPadOS on the 10.5", because it's the full desktop version now.

 

[rui no onna]

Yes I know, some features are not supported on lower memory models, even if the OS is supported. However, what I was meaning by that is that some other features come to all models, which means that ones with lower memory get bogged down or even crash, or at least reload. The biggest example of this is multi-tab Safari. You can run as many tabs as you want on the iPad 2, but it runs like molasses and eventually crashes, despite the fact that tab reloads are supposed to mitigate the RAM usage.

RAM on early models was way too low even accounting for how limited iOS is back in those days. On the OG iPhone (128MB), there were apps that I had to delete after updating because they were running out of memory upon initial post-update launch (e.g. Stanza database migration).

By 2010, my Windows desktops and laptops had 8GB already. The OG iPad had, what, 1/32 of that? Meanwhile, 8GB is quite usable and 16GB is still fairly comfy on desktop OSes even now (unless you run heavy games, Photoshop, 3D, etc). Heck, my Linux Mint netbook works fine with 4GB. Despite the new memory hungry features, the RAM situation on iOS devices isn't quite as dire as it used to be.

Note, you can't actually get unlimited Safari tabs on the iPad 2 since iOS 9 Safari maxes out at 36 tabs. Personally, I found the iPad 2 too slow even on iOS 7 and unbearable on anything higher.

Split view is decent on the 11" and usable on the 10.5". Depends on the apps used though. But yeah, it's best on the 12.9" models.

I do have a 10.5 and unless Apple provides an option to use a shrunken down 12.9 layout and up the resolution on the 10-11" class size (helps make tiny text legible assuming one has decent near vision), not really fond of split view on it.

 

[EugW]

RAM on early models was way too low even accounting for how limited iOS is back in those days. On the OG iPhone (128MB), there were apps that I had to delete after updating because they were running out of memory upon initial post-update launch (e.g. Stanza database migration).

By 2010, my Windows desktops and laptops had 8GB already. The OG iPad had, what, 1/32 of that? Meanwhile, 8GB is quite usable and 16GB is still fairly comfy on desktop OSes even now (unless you run heavy games, Photoshop, 3D, etc). Heck, my Linux Mint netbook works fine with 4GB. Despite the new memory hungry features, the RAM situation on iOS devices isn't quite as dire as it used to be.

I agree it’s not anywhere near as bad as before, but 4 GB isn’t exactly a lot either. Funny you should mention Photoshop, cuz full fledged Photoshop is coming this year to the iPad.

iPadOS 13 is a game changer, and along with super fast SoCs and the fact that 6 GB iPads already exist, will push developers to make more RAM hungry apps.

Note, you can't actually get unlimited Safari tabs on the iPad 2 since iOS 9 Safari maxes out at 36 tabs. Personally, I found the iPad 2 too slow even on iOS 7 and unbearable on anything higher.

Hah. I don’t think I ever tested more than about 2 dozen tabs.

IMO the best OS all around for the iPad 2 was iOS 7. iOS 8 got slow and iOS 9 was unusable.

I do have a 10.5 and unless Apple provides an option to use a shrunken down 12.9 layout and up the resolution on the 10-11" class size (helps make tiny text legible assuming one has decent near vision), not really fond of split view on it.

I’d be surprised if Apple did that since the text is already pretty small. Then again, they do sell the iPad mini.

 

[rui no onna]

I agree it’s not anywhere near as bad as before, but 4 GB isn’t exactly a lot either. Funny you should mention Photoshop, cuz full fledged Photoshop is coming this year to the iPad.

iPadOS 13 is a game changer, and along with super fast SoCs and the fact that 6 GB iPads already exist, will push developers to make more RAM hungry apps.

While that's true, how many users actually need to use Photoshop or those RAM hungry apps? Do note, I specifically mentioned memory hungry features, as in the ones built-in to the operating system and not apps.

Similar to desktops, I reckon we're at the point (or fast approaching it) where low-end to mid-range is fine for most users for years (even with general multitasking thrown in) and the Pro models are only necessary if you actually need to run intensive apps.

 

[Wokis]

I find it amusing that the top end super expensive ipad has 2GB less RAM than my 2012 macbook air.

I’d agree that ipadOS might prove to be a game changer in this. A few iterations of productivity scenarios actually trying to move to the ipad and we might see incentive for Apple to up the RAM significantly in newer models. That could potentially make pretty much most of the current lineup feel pretty obsolete in two-three years.

 

[d5aqoëp]

8GB RAM should have been there in these iPad Pros of last year. But we know how Apple is stingy when it comes to RAM updates. They rather reduce bill of materials by $1 on every GB of RAM not installed and save millions of $$. They might have to hire few more engineers to squeeze out more performance out of lower quantity of RAM. Plus they can dictate iOS updates cutoff based on installed RAM size. It's a win win for Apple. But we have to settle with app refreshes.

But this Apple's strategy will start to fail once we start hitting 8 GB RAM in our iDevices.

 

[EugW]

While that's true, how many users actually need to use Photoshop or those RAM hungry apps? Do note, I specifically mentioned memory hungry features, as in the ones built-in to the operating system and not apps.

These are iPad Pros. Not everyone buying an iPad Pro needs all its power and memory capacity, but these machines are specifically designed to run the latest and most complex applications... and near-future even more complex applications. If you're paying premium prices, you should get premium specs. 6 GB seems like a reasonable expectation for the next iteration of the iPad Pro.

In fact, going forward, 6 GB will become necessary for this market segment. We've gotten to the point where 4 GB is merely decent, but isn't great, and since 2018, already has been selling a 6 GB model for which developers can target.

Similar to desktops, I reckon we're at the point (or fast approaching it) where low-end to mid-range is fine for most users for years (even with general multitasking thrown in) and the Pro models are only necessary if you actually need to run intensive apps.

Personally I think 3 GB should be bare minimum going forward... and apparently so does Apple now. The latest consumer oriented non-OLED iPhones and non-Pro iPads are 3 GB. 2 GB is becoming legacy. 3 GB will be reasonable for several years, but it does point to changes in the Pro line. 4 years ago, the upper end Pro devices had twice the RAM of the consumer devices. If the consumer devices have 3 GB now, then it makes sense to go to 6 GB for Pro, esp. with the introduction of iPadOS 13 and those memory hungry apps I mentioned previously.

 

[rui no onna]

These are iPad Pros. Not everyone buying an iPad Pro needs all its power and memory capacity, but these machines are specifically designed to run the latest and most complex applications... and near-future even more complex applications. If you're paying premium prices, you should get premium specs. 6 GB seems like a reasonable expectation for the next iteration of the iPad Pro.

In fact, going forward, 6 GB will become necessary for this market segment. We've gotten to the point where 4 GB is merely decent, but isn't great, and since 2018, already has been selling a 6 GB model for which developers can target.

And that really is the consideration moving forward. It's not so much about iPad OS itself but rather what apps someone needs to run on top of it and how heavy a workload that will determine whether 3-4 GB is sufficient or not (ergo, whether one needs to spend extra $$$ for top of the line/latest model or if a heavily discounted last gen would be good enough).

I reckon all of us would love to have the 1TB/6GB iPad Pro if it didn't cost an arm, a leg, a kidney and your firstborn.

 

[rui no onna]

Hah. I don’t think I ever tested more than about 2 dozen tabs.

Lol, I didn't actually test it. I just hit the tab ceiling with normal use (couldn't open any more tabs unless I close another tab). On desktop, it's normal for me to have 5+ browser windows open with 10-20 tabs each.

Incidentally, it seems webpages are cached on disk on iOS 10+. I've sometimes left tabs open for months and when I get back to it, the page re-renders (fairly quickly on A8X and higher) but still shows the old content. Unlike older Safari versions, it also remembers the last position on the page rather than scrolling to the top. For me, the caching and fast render speed has helped mitigate my previous annoyances with Safari tab reloads.

 

[muzzy996]

These are iPad Pros. Not everyone buying an iPad Pro needs all its power and memory capacity, but these machines are specifically designed to run the latest and most complex applications... and near-future even more complex applications.

I’m not sure that I would agree with the statement that mobile devices are designed to run the MOST complex applications. Comparatively app packages are smaller and include less features to make them so on mobile vs Mac or PC (unless by most you were comparing against older mobiles?). To me the reason lower RAM is needed in these devices is because application developers are forced to work within their means to produce apps that are light and efficient so as to not tax the limited resources available. This preserves the user experience both in performance and battery life. If more RAM were added willy nilly applications would eventually get bloated, further fragmenting the user experience for older devices.

 

[EugW]

I’m not sure that I would agree with the statement that mobile devices are designed to run the MOST complex applications. Comparatively app packages are smaller and include less features to make them so on mobile vs Mac or PC (unless by most you were comparing against older mobiles?). To me the reason lower RAM is needed in these devices is because application developers are forced to work within their means to produce apps that are light and efficient so as to not tax the limited resources available. This preserves the user experience both in performance and battery life. If more RAM were added willy nilly applications would eventually get bloated, further fragmenting the user experience for older devices.

Except that Apple ALREADY is selling 6 GB iPads, and has been since last year. Apple is pushing the targets higher these days, and the developers are working with that in mind already.

For this reason, apps are starting to be designed with different memory targets in mind, with the maximum functionality being reserved for the models with more memory. This is especially true with the multimedia content creation applications. The apps will run on 2-3 GB iPads, but are limited in depth compared to the 4-6 GB models. For example, Procreate, LumaFusion, etc. At this point, it would appear that 2 GB is a significant limitation already, 3 GB is better, and 4 GB is good. The full-fledged Photoshop is also coming in 2019, and it will be able to handle massive file sizes, so I suspect that will push the RAM utililization even further.

This is in 2019. RAM requirements will only continue to increase as time goes on.

BTW, ten years ago I bought my MacBook Pro with 2 GB RAM, and the real Pros configured it with 4 GB. Today, entry level non-Pro MacBooks come with 8 GB RAM, with the option to upgrade to 16 GB. In fact, a few years ago I upgraded that MacBook Pro to 8 GB mainly just to run Safari, Mail, and Microsoft Office. I configured the new 2017 MacBook Core m3 I bought to replace it with 16 GB.

 

[iPadified]

4 Gb is most likely sufficient for awhile. However, I am willing to pay extra for 8 Gb. As "heavier" apps are ported to iPad, we need broader configuration options including RAM.

 

[rui no onna]

4 Gb is most likely sufficient for awhile. However, I am willing to pay extra for 8 Gb. As "heavier" apps are ported to iPad, we need broader configuration options including RAM.

Given a good chunk of the current iOS lineup uses 3GB RAM, I think it's likely that Apple will stick to 6GB (2x3GB) on the iPad Pros for volume discounts. Unless, of course, they upgrade the new iPhones to 4GB.

But yeah, configuration options would be nice.

 

[aakshey]

After iOS 5.1.1 dropped I found the iPad 2 too slow and upgraded to iPad 3. With iOS 7 I found that too slow as well and upgraded to iPad Air and Mini 2. iOS 8 was okay on them. So I didn’t upgrade. iOS 9 was really slow but I was waiting for 4 GB iPads and finally upgraded to Pro 10.5.