iPad Pro Anyone go with the A12Z 11" over the M1 11"?

[macOS Lynx]

As fun as macOS was, I really just do better when my portable computer is a tablet (I own a desktop), and while I loved my M1 MBP, I've swapped it with a friend for cash, and I got the A12Z iPad Pro, 11".

I was originally going to get the M1 11", but Best Buy is having a sale where the 256GB 11" was $200 off, making it $699. I thought a while but I ultimately decided the 256GB would be much more beneficial in the long run than the M1 or Center Stage.

I'm curious to hear from the community: Did anyone else pick the A12Z over the M1 recently? Do you regret your purchase?

 

[freakomac]

I went for the A12Z 12.9 over the M1 as I got a very very good deal. I know the M1 is the latest and greatest etc, but I thought about my use case and I figured M1 wasn’t really necessary for me right now. I am just warming upto the iPad and I can see that it has already displaced my Mac as the main device.

 

[Shirasaki]

A12X served me well for two years without much hiccup. M1 will continue to do so in the next 2 to 3 years. As for A12Z? There’s not many “deals” around where I live so M1 from apple. Plus, A12Z would be too similar to A12X that the difference is not worth the price difference imo, unless there’s some $300 off or so.

 

[Tsepz]

As fun as macOS was, I really just do better when my portable computer is a tablet (I own a desktop), and while I loved my M1 MBP, I've swapped it with a friend for cash, and I got the A12Z iPad Pro, 11".

I was originally going to get the M1 11", but Best Buy is having a sale where the 256GB 11" was $200 off, making it $699. I thought a while but I ultimately decided the 256GB would be much more beneficial in the long run than the M1 or Center Stage.

I'm curious to hear from the community: Did anyone else pick the A12Z over the M1 recently? Do you regret your purchase?

I think now that all the M1 iPad Pro hype has died down significantly due to iPad OS 15, many are happily opting to either stick with their A12X or A12Z iPad Pros (or get them on good deals) until there is a substantial enough reason both Software and Hardware wise to make a jump. I honestly thought I would be wanting to get a M1 iPad Pro or next year‘s iPad Pro, but after the iPad OS 15 annoucement I actually see no reason to leave my A12Z iPad Pro for a very longtime. At the end of the day all these iPad Pros will probably see support for at least the next 3-5years and by then most of us will probably be upgrading.

Enjoy your new iPP! ?

 

[Shanghaichica]

A12X served me well for four years without much hiccup. M1 will continue to do so in the next 2 to 3 years. As for A12Z? There’s not many “deals” around where I live so M1 from apple. Plus, A12Z would be too similar to A12X that the difference is not worth the price difference imo, unless there’s some $300 off or so.

I thought the A12X came out in November 2018? Not even 3 years old yet.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think now that all the M1 iPad Pro hype has died down significantly due to iPad OS 15, many are happily opting to either stick with their A12X or A12Z iPad Pros (or get them on good deals) until there is a substantial enough reason both Software and Hardware wise to make a jump. I honestly thought I would be wanting to get a M1 iPad Pro or next year‘s iPad Pro, but after the iPad OS 15 annoucement I actually see no reason to leave my A12Z iPad Pro for a very longtime. At the end of the day all these iPad Pros will probably see support for at least the next 3-5years and by then most of us will probably be upgrading.

Enjoy your new iPP! ?

I plan on keeping my A12X iPad Pro for at least another 3 years. I had my iPad Pro 10.5 for 3 years. I would still be using it now if my kids hadn't of damaged the charging port. There's nothing in iPad OS 15 that can make use of the M1 chip. However having said that even if there was. I don't need it. I have basic computing needs and truth be told I prefer to have a MacBook and an iPad. I hardly every use my MacBook but there are times when there's something you need to do and you can only do it on a traditional computer. Last week one of my iPads got stuck in a boot loop after it tried to auto update to iPad OS 14.7. I had to connect it to my Mac and do a restore via iTunes. If I had gone all in with an iPad I would have been stuck.

 

[Shirasaki]

I thought the A12X came out in November 2018? Not even 3 years old yet.

Oops, typo. Actually two years.

 

[Richard B Graham]

I too have the wish to keep my A12X iPad pro for two years more. But I don't think that my children allow this.

 

[MhaelK]

The A12z iPP is an awesome tablet and while upgrading from one to the M1 doesnt make much sense due to the limitation of iPadOS.

Buying new right now, I would personally choose the M1 due to the better performce, increase in ram, tb4 port etc all things I expected will improve performance greatly with the next generations of iPadOS compared to the A12Z IPP.

 

[rui no onna]

The A12z iPP is an awesome tablet and while upgrading from one to the M1 doesnt make much sense due to the limitation of iPadOS.

Buying new right now, I would personally choose the M1 due to the better performce, increase in ram, tb4 port etc all things I expected will improve performance greatly with the next generations of iPadOS compared to the A12Z IPP.

Agreed. If I had a 2020 iPP already, I wouldn't bother upgrading yet. However, if buying new, I prefer to get the M1+8-16GB RAM for longevity. I used my 2017 iPad Pro for 4 years and I'm hoping to keep my next iPad just as long or longer.

I don't resell so unless I can get like 50+% discount on the older model, it's cheaper to max out now than buy an older model today and upgrade again in just 2-3 years.

 

[bniu]

I’d only consider the M1 iPad Pro 12.9” model for the mini LED display. Other features like 8/16GB RAM are less relevant as all I do is watch tv and read books and browse the web on my iPad. 5G may be interesting but I rarely go out these days so no use for it currently. Otherwise, for the 11” model, A12Z is perfectly adequate. Main reason I moved up from the A10X based iPads was the usb c connector so I could have a common charger between my MacBook and iPad.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I did, for awhile... I had a serious bout of indecisiveness this year and managed to use a 2018 iPad Pro 11, 2020 iPad Pro 11, and ended up with an M1 iPad Pro 11.

For what I use it for, I definitely don't need it, but the M1 is noticeably faster in even tasks I use it for. Battery life feels better than the 2018/2020 for what I do. I really enjoy the ability to keep things in memory when I'm taking notes, having up 6+ Safari tabs, and chatting on Slack/Teams/iMessages. That's the biggest difference I've noticed that and overall UI speed. Not to say the 2018/2020 were slow, but the UI just feels faster.

Is it worth the $ upgrade? Depends on what you use it for - but I don't think so.

Would I have been happy with the 2018/2020 11 over the M1? Oh for sure.

I didn't need the M1. But now that I have it, I'm looking forward to many years of heavy usage (4+?). I've already taken it on a work trip and enjoyed it immensely. Nice to see airline seats with tablet holders.

 

[SkiHound2]

For the vast majority of folks the difference between the A12z and M1 will not be meaningful. Four, 5 years down the road, maybe. But after the 2026 iPads come out you'll be able to buy a 2025 model for $x less than the 2026. If the 11" had the mini-LCD screen that might be a difference maker. But other than the M1 there's not a lot between the 2020 and the 2021. Seems a smart buy, IMO.

 

[Significant1]

As fun as macOS was, I really just do better when my portable computer is a tablet (I own a desktop), and while I loved my M1 MBP, I've swapped it with a friend for cash, and I got the A12Z iPad Pro, 11".

I was originally going to get the M1 11", but Best Buy is having a sale where the 256GB 11" was $200 off, making it $699. I thought a while but I ultimately decided the 256GB would be much more beneficial in the long run than the M1 or Center Stage.

I'm curious to hear from the community: Did anyone else pick the A12Z over the M1 recently? Do you regret your purchase?

I did, I just 256GB 2020 11" iPad Pro. It was a sealed swap model for about the same price as a new 64GB Air 4. That triggerede the decision else I think iPadOS are too limited and cumbersome to be really productive for me, and paying more than a macbook would be a tough sell.

 

[macOS Lynx]

S, I ended up returning the A12Z and getting the M1. Someone had bought one and returned it earlier in the day for a 12.9. Not even 6 hours out of the box, and I actually saved $60 from my A12Z model.

In terms of performance and my general usage, there’s no difference. Photos look better since they have 2 generations ahead ISP, but otherwise nothing too crazy. However, the front facing camera with Center Stage has been a really nice feature FaceTiming family members.

Overall, there’s not been a major impact going from the A12Z to the M1. If I wasn't going to save the $60, I wouldn’t have done it, but mean, no reason to not get the newer one if it’s actually cheaper.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

S, I ended up returning the A12Z and getting the M1. Someone had bought one and returned it earlier in the day for a 12.9. Not even 6 hours out of the box, and I actually saved $60 from my A12Z model.

In terms of performance and my general usage, there’s no difference. Photos look better since they have 2 generations ahead ISP, but otherwise nothing too crazy. However, the front facing camera with Center Stage has been a really nice feature FaceTiming family members.

Overall, there’s not been a major impact going from the A12Z to the M1. If I wasn't going to save the $60, I wouldn’t have done it, but mean, no reason to not get the newer one if it’s actually cheaper.

Nice work on getting it cheaper. M1 won‘t likely feel more noticeably faster until 2-4 years down the line anyhow.

 

[macOS Lynx]

Nice work on getting it cheaper. M1 won‘t likely feel more noticeably faster until 2-4 years down the line anyhow.

I’m hoping the M1 will prove to make the iPad Pro a gaming powerhouse, especially when apps can request more RAM.

Looking forward to when Apex Legends & Pokémon Unite launch on iOS. I’m excited to see how the M1 will run these titles (I honestly expect Unite to be full resolution at 120fps).

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I’m hoping the M1 will prove to make the iPad Pro a gaming powerhouse, especially when apps can request more RAM.

Looking forward to when Apex Legends & Pokémon Unite launch on iOS. I’m excited to see how the M1 will run these titles (I honestly expect Unite to be full resolution at 120fps).

I’m sure it will. A12Z and M1 are already running Call of Duty Mobile at 120FPS. I’m looking forward to seeing more apps/games take advantage of 8-16GB RAM.