Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I think 256gb is the sweet spot for most people. What did folks here buy? I still have an iPad 4 that I am looking to replace so defo itely got my monies worth from that. Looking at getting the 12.9 at 256gb or the 11 at 512gb. I have 256gb on my phone and barely have touched it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I had a 256 for a few weeks. I hardly used any storage. When the Microcenter deal came along I paid $899 for the 64Gb. I could not justify the cost difference for that storage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I already pay for quite a bit of iCloud storage (I take a lot of photos) so when it came to upgrading my iPad recently I stuck at 64Gb on the basis that everything is in the cloud now anyway. Between iCloud and Apple Music there’s very little that actually needs to be on the device - just the apps themselves basically (and even those can be offloaded to the cloud if you’re not using them).

I still prefer more storage on my iPhone as that goes everywhere and I don’t want to be paying for cellular data constantly to get at stuff, but my iPad is WiFi only and generally I’m only ever using it where I have free and plentiful access to WiFi, so whether things are physically on the device or not is usually not a problem.

As others have said, the premium for larger sizes is pretty steep and a lot to stump up if you’re already paying Apple for cloud storage anyway.
 
I already pay for quite a bit of iCloud storage (I take a lot of photos) so when it came to upgrading my iPad recently I stuck at 64Gb on the basis that everything is in the cloud now anyway. Between iCloud and Apple Music there’s very little that actually needs to be on the device - just the apps themselves basically (and even those can be offloaded to the cloud if you’re not using them).

I still prefer more storage on my iPhone as that goes everywhere and I don’t want to be paying for cellular data constantly to get at stuff, but my iPad is WiFi only and generally I’m only ever using it where I have free and plentiful access to WiFi, so whether things are physically on the device or not is usually not a problem.

As others have said, the premium for larger sizes is pretty steep and a lot to stump up if you’re already paying Apple for cloud storage anyway.
Very smart choices you have made.
 
I bought a 64 Gb iPad Pro 11" a couple of weeks ago. I have time until January 8th to decide if I want to upgrade to a bigger storage model. Sadly, the next size up is 256 Gb (no 128), and that's $ 200 more. I am worried that I will run out storage soon. I shouldn't because my main use for it is to draw and illustrate, but somehow it's already 1/3 full. Which storage size did you choose? Are you regretting what you chose? Thanks for any info!

If you're worried about running out of space after just a couple of weeks, I'd exchange the device right now for a beefier model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I have never used that much storage on the pad. I need it for my music files on the phone, but even then, 64 to 128Gb was a $50 increase, which is justifiable. Had it been $200 to go bigger, then I would have bought the 64gb version of my phone. Apple prices for ram and storage are robbery. My new 12.9 is the base model and I'll buy the RAS device and a 1TB SSD, and use it for the pad, phone, and MM to store files. With that device I see no reason to give Apple more of my money for storage. They just charge way too much for it and I don't need it 24/7.
 
To answer some questions:
Yes, Photoshop when it comes out (I have a CC subscription)
Yes, Procreate
Yes, I have a tiny iCloud storage subscription (50 Gb)
Wifi iPad only, no LTE

I do want this to be futureproof. But I have a 256 Gb iPhone which I think is overkill. But I guess, better too much storage than not enough?

How much storage did you use up on your previous phone? Do you expect to use more? I would base your decision on your current needs.

When you say future proof what do you mean? Do you think programs are going to increase in size over time? Are photo files going to get that much larger any time soon?

I am always curious what someone means when they say future proof.

If you think about "Future proofing" an Apple product and look at Apple's current strategy, future proofing seems to mean new products with fewer ports, no headphone jacks, minimal base storage offerings, and more cloud services.

So to me to be future proof in the "Apple eco system" you would need to stop using wired headphones, no more SD cards, no more USB A peripherals, lot's of dongles, and use more cloud based apps.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I'm an illustrator and I'm happy with the 64 GB model. I don't keep all my work in Procreate or Designer though. Export to iCloud when complete and reimport as needed.

I normally keep my iPads for 2 years. 2 years of iCloud storage is a whole lot cheaper than a bump to 256 GB.

It's what works best for your workflow though.

Think you’re right, your iPad replacement cycle might help inform the decision. The only thing making me change mine (1st Gen IPP) is storage running out and the ‘i Want a new gadget’ effect.

I ask whether I could get away with a 64gb version, but want to keep this for 3-5 years not 2 years.

Of course there is a part of me thinking that by 2 years time i’ll Want the next new version.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I'm not a "Pro" however, I do just fine with 32gb on my 9.7 2018. As others have mentioned, it's really about your workflow. How much do you need to keep on the device all the time, and what can be moved on and off in the Cloud? Only you can know for sure. Keep in mind that I utilize my iPad primarily as a media consumption device. If I played games, or stored movies, video, and such on the device 32gb would be undoable. :apple:
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I'm not a "Pro" however, I do just fine with 32gb on my 9.7 2018. As others have mentioned, it's really about your workflow. How much do you need to keep on the device all the time, and what can be moved on and off in the Cloud? Only you can know for sure. Keep in mind that I utilize my iPad primarily as a media consumption device. If I played games, or stored movies, video, and such on the device 32gb would be undoable. :apple:

I also have 9.7 2018 iPad but with 128 GB storage. It works out for me better because I tend to drop sometimes movies to watch when I am travelling. Currently I have used up only 36 GB. However I also bought it just 2 months ago. For me actually 64 GB would have been enough, but the regular iPad does not have such option. And I knew from the start that 32 will not be enough for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I just purchased the 64gb version. Most applications allow you to export data to cloud services. I have 1TB of space on my Onedrive. I never keep important projects/files on any deviceand allow work on the project I need. I believe IOS 12.5/13 will have the ability to read external USB storage or allow apps using API's. The extra money I saved went to purchasing the Pencil 2 and a Folio cover.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
As someone who sells all of my old tech to help fund (ease the pain!) of buying the newer models, I almost always go at least 1 to 2 steps up in the storage department.

1. I normally need to the space
2. They hold their resale value better.

I do think it’s kinda BS that they go from 64 to 256, they kind of pigeonhole you into having to spend more. If the next bump was 128 for say $100 more, it would have been ideal for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
For me 256 GB is unnecessary as I only utilize about 20 GB of data. However, I also don't like having 64 GB as a base model so I'm stuck with 256 GB model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
My 64 GB iPads (3 and Air 2) are full, and I've always filled up the storage on my iPhones (5 (64), 5s (64), 6s (128), 7 (256), X (256)). If you're anything like me I'm not sure your space will last.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
When I got my first iPad, the Air, I went with 32gb. I actually thought 16 would be enough, if it had been in stock at the time I would have bought that instead. I struggled with the amount of space. To be futureproof with this one (12.9”) I went with 512, even though my 9.7” pro with 256 was far from full. I really want this iPad to last me a while and felt I’d be doing more with it. For reference, I removed a lot of unused apps from the 9.7, then restored from backup on the new one. I have affinity photo and designer installed, most stuff is on iCloud, no music or video downloads, and I’m currently using 44gb. I’d be very nervous if I’d only have 64, also keeping in mind that you can’t fill it up completely without things slowing down significantly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I bought the pro 12.9 64gb model and thus far I am happy with this model. It’s mainly for streaming YouTube, Netflix while browsing on the web. I’m not going to store pics or music on this since I have my iPhone for that. I might store local PDFs but those won’t take that much room storage wise. I tried playing Pubg on this and it was way too big so I doubt I’ll use this to game much.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShaunAFC3
That's the RAVPower FileHub for $43 -

https://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Wireless-Portable-Streamer-Cellphone/dp/B016ZWS9ZE

I've used one for 3 years now and it's great - I generally use it with a 4TB HDD. Having said that, I prefer on-board storage - it's so much faster and convenient - and I have a 256GB LTE 10.5" iPP. I use the FileHub in lieu of cloud storage as I often travel to places where Internet connectivity is dodgy or totally nonexistent.

The Rav power solution is okay but I found transfer speeds really slow. Plus, When I connected a USB C 1TB storage into it, I could not access anything as it was not in one of its correct formats. This was despite me using it on a Mac with no issues. In saying that though, I think my experience is not the norm as it is a very popular product so may give it another try.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I think 256gb is the sweet spot for most people. What did folks here buy? I still have an iPad 4 that I am looking to replace so defo itely got my monies worth from that. Looking at getting the 12.9 at 256gb or the 11 at 512gb. I have 256gb on my phone and barely have touched it.
Went with 256GB too like I have with my max.
 
The Rav power solution is okay but I found transfer speeds really slow. Plus, When I connected a USB C 1TB storage into it, I could not access anything as it was not in one of its correct formats. This was despite me using it on a Mac with no issues. In saying that though, I think my experience is not the norm as it is a very popular product so may give it another try.

Yeah, none of the wireless drive devices available are very fast - I don't think anyone has figured out how to put a good router in a small form factor device. As to the format issue, it does not recognize the Mac HFS+ format but I use it with NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32 devices. I find the FileHub to be the best of a poor selection and it allows the use of different storage devices as opposed to a dedicated drive.
 
I went to my local BB to pick up the 64mb, they only had 1 left in stock
They looked for awhile and couldn’t find it, offered me the 256mb for $90 more so I bought it

Love this 12.9 screen!
 
Well, when it comes to me and Apple devices and "keep it for a few years"... then I only say "I wish!" The upgrade fever is too strong at times. But I will try to hang on to this one like I did with my iPad Mini. :)

I know what you mean, but I have to say that lately the "upgrade fever" has cooled off considerably. It seems like there is less and less reason to upgrade, aside perhaps from the new iPad Pro. I mean, it's a huge leap in my opinion. I plan on keeping my iMac for at least a few more years. Dido for the 10.5 iPad Pro. They both run super well, so why upgrade? Right?
 
I usually go for the largest storage and really wanted the 1TB, but I couldn’t justify spending that much, so I got the 256. My XS Max is 512. In general, I think it is a mistake to get the smallest storage.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.