I am thinking of upgrading my 2018 version of the 2021 as my battery life is starting to really dip. For those who upgraded from the 2018, what are your thoughts? Is the screen that much better, or did it not wow you as much?
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iPad Pro Curious about the thoughts of those owners of the 2018 12.9 iPad Pro who upgraded to 2021
- Thread starter RedlegsFan
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I have the 2018 12.9. Two interesting videos for consideration:
I'd personally like to upgrade but it's hard to justify the cost. I really don't need the extra HP and video on the 2018 has been fine for me and if I really want better, I have an excellent 4K TV that I should use. But ...
I'd personally like to upgrade but it's hard to justify the cost. I really don't need the extra HP and video on the 2018 has been fine for me and if I really want better, I have an excellent 4K TV that I should use. But ...
The M1 chip causes much more battery drain due to how power-hungry it is. I don't think you'll want to upgrade.
Depends on your usage. Well over 90% of the time I have ready power access for my 12.9 so battery life isn't even in my top 10 list of considerations.
The 12.9” size is just not manageable for me period. Apple deliberately is holding back Mini-LeD on the 11” Pro Model to push people into buying the more expensive 12.9” iPad Pro. I’m not falling for this manipulation.
I upgraded my 2018 12.9” iPP, my daily driver, to the 2021 M1 version. Happy with it so far. I’ve definitely noticed the blacks are much deeper on screen. Haven’t had to be outside or in overly bright rooms yet, to see if the added brightness is noticeable. Battery life is about the same, and like you my 2018 was not getting me through the day and this new one can, but you’ll still need to plug in going into the night if you keep using it for work or play.
It’s definitely an improvement for speed and the added ram helps with Safari tabs and apps not getting killed as quickly in the background. It’s not a huge difference so far, but I didn’t want or expect that either and I’ve only started to scratch the surface of some of the new improvements - I haven’t even opened the Camera app yet.
It’s such a great device in general, and I’m sure there are iPadOS updates coming that will take advantage of the added chip performance. Now there is just the wait for the new Watch…
It’s definitely an improvement for speed and the added ram helps with Safari tabs and apps not getting killed as quickly in the background. It’s not a huge difference so far, but I didn’t want or expect that either and I’ve only started to scratch the surface of some of the new improvements - I haven’t even opened the Camera app yet.
It’s such a great device in general, and I’m sure there are iPadOS updates coming that will take advantage of the added chip performance. Now there is just the wait for the new Watch…
I’ve upgraded from the previous generation 12.9. While I too have been questioning how much the added feature are worth, the reality is that between the Apple trade in value and the current $200 off cellular promotion through T-mobile, I’m able to recoup about $780 from switching up. To me having a kickass screen (everyone will get over the blooming in 1-2 weeks), a fresh battery, more ram, centerstage are worth it to me. While the 2018/2020 iPad are working fine today, they’ll start showing their age relatively soon - let’s not forget the the processor is already 3 years old at this point, so piece of mind of the M1 lasting several years is pretty great.
I think the thread is for those that have the prior 2018 12.9”, are happy with the size, and are wondering about upgrading
the 2021 version is definitely an upgrade. I notice the processor the most in terms of keeping multiple apps running in the background. The screen is better, largely due to deeper blacks (though the 2018 screen is great too). I haven’t activated 5G yet. All that said, day to day performance isn’t dramatically improved. Looking at other products, the jump from the 2020 MacBook Air to the 2021 M1 MacBook was dramatic for me, while the jump from the 2018 iPad to the 2021 iPad is less dramatic, largely because the 2018 iPad was so great
1) Most 2018 iPad Pros (including mine) are starting to show weaker battery life due to age - so 2021 iPad may have better battery life even if M1 draws a bit more power
2) 90% of the time my iPad Pro (and MacBook Air) are sitting on a desk, running off of outlet power
I don’t think that’s the real reason. We already had reports of low yield for MiniLED panels prior to the announcement. Shipping dates for the 12.9 are way out. Putting MiniLED into the 11 would have just exacerbated the problem.
I made the jump (12.9 to 12.9), and the biggest drawbacks for my usage are:
1) the added weight is noticeable, I’d say even tiring, to use handheld. The 12.9 was already a hefty boy and it’s now a real chonk that takes some conscious thought to prop up with just your fingers. I upgraded for gaming/thermal performance and this is a tangible difference for me.
2) the display has some quirks that have been well documented by people more discerning than me (dimming at the bezel, tighter but brighter blooming). Movies are truly gorgeous and content is more visible in sunlight, but broadly the display feels like 25% better, not a day-and-night difference unless HBO and Disney+ are 90% of your use case.
1) the added weight is noticeable, I’d say even tiring, to use handheld. The 12.9 was already a hefty boy and it’s now a real chonk that takes some conscious thought to prop up with just your fingers. I upgraded for gaming/thermal performance and this is a tangible difference for me.
2) the display has some quirks that have been well documented by people more discerning than me (dimming at the bezel, tighter but brighter blooming). Movies are truly gorgeous and content is more visible in sunlight, but broadly the display feels like 25% better, not a day-and-night difference unless HBO and Disney+ are 90% of your use case.
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So, following your logic we should believe that all those people who purchased "not manageable" 15 and 16-inch MacBook Pros where manipulated into doing so because Apple deliberately kept discrete graphics processors out of the 13 inch MBPs? So sorry, professional content creators -- Apple totally played you!
I regret having traded in and upgraded. The new screen is barely noticeable day-to-day. The occassional HDR video sure, but 99% I have aren't.
I love the increased performance, so that's great. But my battery life is atrocious. Even several days in I can only use the machine for 4-5 hrs unplugged. That's like intel Macbook anno 2016 level bad. My old 2018 iPad Pro ran for 7-8 hours and my 2018 11" Pro for 10-11hrs
I love the increased performance, so that's great. But my battery life is atrocious. Even several days in I can only use the machine for 4-5 hrs unplugged. That's like intel Macbook anno 2016 level bad. My old 2018 iPad Pro ran for 7-8 hours and my 2018 11" Pro for 10-11hrs
I definitely notice the added weight and thickness as well, coming from the 2018 12.9".
It cost me all up about $200 AUD to upgrade but I'm not sure if it's worth it.
I can definitely tell the difference in speed and screen quality.
How much do people think the upgrade is worth?
Also upgraded from 2018 12.9 to the new 2021 12.9. I got a white magic keyboard this time so that‘s what really makes it feel like a new device. The M1 is noticeably faster, but the 2018 was no slouch to begin with. Screen wise it’s probably better but not the WOW factor. I’d definitely noticed the added weight and thickness as others pointed out. When I use it without the magic keyboard it’s very noticeable.
I went from the 2018 to 2021 as well and I agree with your sentiments. Everyone said that 50g wasn't noticeable, but when I put the new iPad in my first gen MK, I felt the added heft.
I don't know if this is necessarily true or not, but it does seem more top heavy on the MK, and it tips a little easier than with the 2018 on my lap. Now, it could be all in the head, but that's what I first noticed as well.
In terms of display, I'm sure if I ONLY watched HDR content then it would be 100% worth it, but in everyday usage, I really don't see the difference... Oh, I'm sure the difference is much better than the 2018 model, but in the day to day common things I see on the screen, you aren't blown away by it, let alone notice that it's a mini-LED screen
Finally, the battery seems to drain faster (obviously due to the screen). That's a big downer for me because Zoom already drained my 2018 pretty quickly. I haven't had the opportunity to use Zoom on battery power alone, but a 2-2.5 hr Zoom call would drain my 2018 to about 50% battery. I will have to see if the brand new 2021 fairs similarly.
On a positive note, this thing FLIES. Yes, I had the 2018, but even that had small hiccups here and there. This one shows no slowdown when opening and using apps and/or having many tabs on Safari. Also, having a bigger storage is also worthwhile.
At the end of the day, if I had paid for the iPad out of my own pocket, I would have returned this 2021 for a 2020 model on sale. As an iPad enthusiast who LOVED my previous 2 iPad Pros (2017, 2018), this one has the least value and emotional contentment for me.
Upgraded from 2018 12.9.
8GB RAM is a game changer. I rarely see app / tab reloading anymore. This is big.
8GB RAM is a game changer. I rarely see app / tab reloading anymore. This is big.
Your reasoning is why I ordered the discounted 2020 12.9 instead of the 2021 12.9, upgrading my 2017 10.5 iPP. I ordered the 2021 twice and canceled twice, finally convinced that my day-to-day non-HDR usage would not justify the cost.
I’m sure the 2021 M1’s are great, just more than I need. If there were a 12.9” Air, that would work too, but the 2020 should be perfect for my usage.
Have you equalized the brightness levels between your two iPad's? Or are you running both maxed out?
The difference in weight was immediately, and is still now repeatedly, noticeable. I thought the 2018 12.9" was juuuuuuust on the edge of being comfortable and wieldy but the extra weight has put it over that edge. The reduction in weight from the 2017 model to the 2018 was awesome and now they've undone that progress. It's uncomfortable to hold as a tablet for prolonged durations - and before anyone makes the 'hit the gym' joke I've broken each of my wrists and thus they're sensitive to weight and pressure.
The M1 is lightning quick. The screen is absolutely gorgeous (watched some Star Wars in 4K HDR - WOW) and I will miss the expansive screen of the 12.9", but I'm leaning towards returning the bigger Pro and keeping my 11" for the increased portability and reduced weight. This will probably make a better companion device to the new 16" MBP, which I know I won't be able to resist. If I wasn't changing sizes I would not have spent the $1,000 delta to sell my old 12.9" Pro and keep the new 12.9" - not enough was vastly different and new for me to justify it. I wouldn't recommend an upgrade from the 2018 or 2020 12.9" models.
The M1 is lightning quick. The screen is absolutely gorgeous (watched some Star Wars in 4K HDR - WOW) and I will miss the expansive screen of the 12.9", but I'm leaning towards returning the bigger Pro and keeping my 11" for the increased portability and reduced weight. This will probably make a better companion device to the new 16" MBP, which I know I won't be able to resist. If I wasn't changing sizes I would not have spent the $1,000 delta to sell my old 12.9" Pro and keep the new 12.9" - not enough was vastly different and new for me to justify it. I wouldn't recommend an upgrade from the 2018 or 2020 12.9" models.
I switched from my 12.9" 2018 but canceled the delivery of the 2021 and get a 2020 on sale instead. I my day to day use an upgrade to 2021 wouldn’t justify the extra cost. The reason was more storage and a fresh battery. I regret it, because the 12.9" 2020 has noticeable lower contrast compared to the 2018. So I have to return the 2020 and wait months for a 2021. I wish I had my superb 2018, enough for my day to day use, mainly drawing.
No, I compared already other 12.9" 2020. Most people without background in image editing and design can’t see the difference between 2018 an 2020. Contrast is lower. This comparison I found shows contrast 1330 vs 1975 on the 12.9" 2020: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-iPad-Pro-12-9-2020-Review-Fine-tuning-the-Flagship.465642.0.html