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kngelv

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 13, 2004
109
39
Detroit
So I ordered a 512GB 13" iPad Pro after a few minutes of browsing. I failed to notice that if you go with the 1TB you get a slightly better chip and double the RAM. I mostly use my current Pro for browsing, media consumption and occasional films when traveling. Is it worth the extra $400.00 for my use case? Any reason to just go ahead and get the one with more ram?

James
 

G46&Fbnth5

macrumors regular
Mar 10, 2021
227
507
No.

Your current iPad has 6 GB of RAM and if it is fine for your use case, then 8 GB will be even better. Same for the chip.

The only reason could be AI features that could potentially be announced at WWDC and could run better with 16 GB, but we don't know anything about that yet.
 

gsal

macrumors regular
Jun 1, 2019
137
231
So I ordered a 512GB 13" iPad Pro after a few minutes of browsing. I failed to notice that if you go with the 1TB you get a slightly better chip and double the RAM. I mostly use my current Pro for browsing, media consumption and occasional films when traveling. Is it worth the extra $400.00 for my use case? Any reason to just go ahead and get the one with more ram?

James
Do you make money using intensive applications? If you do it’s worth it. If not it’s your money…
 
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rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,915
13,259
So I ordered a 512GB 13" iPad Pro after a few minutes of browsing. I failed to notice that if you go with the 1TB you get a slightly better chip and double the RAM. I mostly use my current Pro for browsing, media consumption and occasional films when traveling. Is it worth the extra $400.00 for my use case? Any reason to just go ahead and get the one with more ram?

You’re upgrading from the 2020 iPP to the 2024 iPP.

Chances are you’d probably be upgrading again before the better binned chip and extra RAM actually make a noticeable difference.
 

gnomeisland

macrumors 65816
Jul 30, 2008
1,097
833
New York, NY
With the caveat that we don't know what is coming at WWDC, I don't think you'll notice much difference. Contrary to what some say you really can leverage the power of these M-series processors on iPad but I doubt you'll be pushing the system with those tasks.

Side note: It will be interesting to see what the real-world battery life is like, given that early reports suggest the batteries are actually pretty similar and Apple claims the M4 is so much more efficient. If you are mainly just consuming content in SDR in reasonably lit rooms, I predict improved battery life over the M2.
 

Wags

macrumors 68020
Mar 5, 2006
2,239
1,701
Nebraska, USA
Even if announce AI upgrades for mobile devices would think optimized for 8 unless planning on updated next iPhone.
 

aakshey

macrumors 68030
Jun 13, 2016
2,932
1,385
If you plan to keep this iPad for 3+ years, maybe the 8 Gigs might eventually become a bottleneck, especially with the influx of AI

For the next couple of years, as a consumption device, 8 gigs should be great

Even after 3-4 years, it’s more like a “it depends”, you might be great or there might be that occasional hiccup here or there
 
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The Clark

macrumors 6502a
Dec 11, 2013
918
2,655
Canada
If you plan to keep this iPad for 3+ years, maybe the 8 Gigs might eventually become a bottleneck, especially with the influx of AI

For the next couple of years, as a consumption device, 8 gigs should be great

Even after 3-4 years, it’s more like a “it depends”, you might be great or there might be that occasional hiccup here or there
I could be wrong but I think AI features are mostly related to CPU architecture anyway and less ram dependant.
 

Lobwedgephil

macrumors 603
Apr 7, 2012
5,792
4,757
For your use case, the Air would be fine. I would just stick with your order. Will always be better specs.
 

aakshey

macrumors 68030
Jun 13, 2016
2,932
1,385
ProMotion and Quad speakers are good to have for everyone
Not just working professionals
 

aakshey

macrumors 68030
Jun 13, 2016
2,932
1,385
The additional RAM is mainly beneficial if you edit videos or procreate files with tens of layers or 60-180min of footage.
Anybody who needs more than 8 GB today on iOS, already knows it and also knows why they need it

The number of people needing it 3-5 years from now would be way more, most of them aren’t aware of that today

In fact, any heavy user who plans to keep it for over 3-5 years might benefit, but given the additional expense, it may or may not be worth it
 
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Macalicious2011

macrumors 68000
May 15, 2011
1,857
1,951
London
Anybody who needs more than 8 GB today on iOS, already knows it and also knows why they need it

The number of people needing it 3-5 years from now would be way more, most of them aren’t aware of that today

In fact, any heavy user who plans to keep it for over 3-5 years might benefit, but given the additional expense, it may or may not be worth it
False economy. To price jump from 512GB to 1TB is £400. That's 40% of a new ipad pro.

If you think you will need 16GB Ram in 3-5 years, you are better off buying 512GB and putting £400 in a savings account towards a trade in or upgrade in 3-5 years. By then base storage and ram will have increased and you will reap improved hardware all around.
 

aakshey

macrumors 68030
Jun 13, 2016
2,932
1,385
False economy. To price jump from 512GB to 1TB is £400. That's 40% of a new ipad pro.

If you think you will need 16GB Ram in 3-5 years, you are better off buying 512GB and putting £400 in a savings account towards a trade in or upgrade in 3-5 years. By then base storage and ram will have increased and you will reap improved hardware all around.
Exactly what I said

if somebody needs it after 3-5 years, might as well upgrade again by then by selling current iPad
 
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kngelv

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 13, 2004
109
39
Detroit
I pick it up on Wednesday at the Apple store. If they have the 1TB in stock then I might upgrade anyway. Fortunately the cost is not an issue. I usually think it's better to have and not need then need and not have. I know I'll probably always want more RAM even if I don't use it.

James
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,974
20,168
UK
I got the 512GB and 8GB of ram as that should be fine but with al taking over my next one would be 16GB of ram just incase.
 
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viking_01

macrumors newbie
Sep 9, 2022
28
24
Thanks for coming back to let us know. I think it’s the smart choice at the moment if unsure. $400 is difficult to justify if you don’t need the storage and represents a significant % increase. Money that can be put towards an earlier upgrade next time or nice accessories
 
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ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,114
10,906
False economy. To price jump from 512GB to 1TB is £400. That's 40% of a new ipad pro.

If you think you will need 16GB Ram in 3-5 years, you are better off buying 512GB and putting £400 in a savings account towards a trade in or upgrade in 3-5 years. By then base storage and ram will have increased and you will reap improved hardware all around.

Words of wisdom.
 
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