iPad Pro Curious about the thoughts of those owners of the 2018 12.9 iPad Pro who upgraded to 2021

[BB.King]

The main reason I upgraded to 2021 iPad Pro was the extra memory. The new iPad seems to take advantages of the extra RAM, tabs and apps don’t reload so often compared to 2018 version. Feels a bit more snappy too, but that could just be me.

I use the iPad pro for MS Office, PDF, 6 browser tabs open and music/YouTube in the background.

The iPad is using almost all the 7GB of available RAM according to the app.

 

[Adelphos33]

The more I use the iPad in a normal workday, switching between multiple apps, the more I lean towards keeping it versus returning it. The RAM and M1 does indeed make a different in multitasking and app loading. It is not a must have, but definitely noticeable and makes the iPad experience Bette.

 

[Artsketch]

The main reason I upgraded to 2021 iPad Pro was the extra memory. The new iPad seems to take advantages of the extra RAM, tabs and apps don’t reload so often compared to 2018 version. Feels a bit more snappy too, but that could just be me.

I use the iPad pro for MS Office, PDF, 6 browser tabs open and music/YouTube in the background.

The iPad is using almost all the 7GB of available RAM according to the app.

Which app is this?

 

[rui no onna]

The main reason I upgraded to 2021 iPad Pro was the extra memory. The new iPad seems to take advantages of the extra RAM, tabs and apps don’t reload so often compared to 2018 version. Feels a bit more snappy too, but that could just be me.

I use the iPad pro for MS Office, PDF, 6 browser tabs open and music/YouTube in the background.

The iPad is using almost all the 7GB of available RAM according to the app.

Coming from the 2017 Pros, I definitely appreciate the extra RAM. Sometimes, Safari would just become unresponsive on my old iPad. Kinda like what HDD trashing felt like when swapping between slow mechanical HDD and RAM.

With the 2021 Pro, everything’s been running quite smoothly.

The fact that yours is already running close to max memory utilization and that iPadOS doesn’t support storage-backed swap makes me glad Apple offered 16GB RAM on the 1-2TB models (despite the $200 extra) rather than just going 8GB across the board. For a device I’ll be keeping for at least 3 years (probably closer to 5), I much prefer the current $1999 (16GB/1TB) model than a hypothetical $1799 (8GB/1TB) config.

 

[BB.King]

Which app is this?

Google apps, keep, Gmail, Map and MS One Drive mainly.

 

[tekchic]

I think @Artsketch means the RAM displaying app?

 

[rui no onna]

I think @Artsketch means the RAM displaying app?

‎Usage Device Monitor

‎Usage is a tool to monitor your device's activity, data usage, connection speed, and more. It comes with 21 Home Screen widgets, fully customizable Super widgets, and new Lock Screen widgets! √ Main features: - Monthly and daily Data usage tracking - Real-time Network Connection...

apps.apple.com

 

[Ludatyk]

The fact that yours is already running close to max memory utilization and that iPadOS doesn’t support storage-backed swap makes me glad Apple offered 16GB RAM on the 1-2TB models (despite the $200 extra) rather than just going 8GB across the board. For a device I’ll be keeping for at least 3 years (probably closer to 5), I much prefer the current $1999 (16GB/1TB) model than a hypothetical $1799 (8GB/1TB) config.

Makes me wonder if you actually going to keep it 🤔.

The more I use the iPad in a normal workday, switching between multiple apps, the more I lean towards keeping it versus returning it. The RAM and M1 does indeed make a different in multitasking and app loading. It is not a must have, but definitely noticeable and makes the iPad experience Bette.

Of course, 2018 iPP is not a must have upgrade over 2021 iPP now. We won’t know how big of a leap it would be until WWDC, right now it’s a marginal one. It’s probably going to be a post of ”Why I’m returning my 2021 iPP” everyday up until WWDC happens.

 

[rui no onna]

Makes me wonder if you actually going to keep it 🤔.

Right now, I think I can actually keep it.

Also, yay. I think I'm getting used to the Mini-LED display. Didn't get a headache while watching Endgame.

I’ll initiate an RMA at the 14-day mark to give me an additional 14 days to test. If I don’t get headaches during that period (28 days total, 23 days left), then I’m definitely keeping the 2021 Pro and returning the refurb 2018 Pro I just ordered.

 

[Ludatyk]

Right now, I think I can actually keep it.

Great news! Full disclosure…. I haven’t opened mine yet. I put my 2018 iPP on various sites to sell, but haven’t factory reset it (still using it).

Part of me want to just go full steam ahead and open the 2021 iPP, factory reset 2018 iPP and put it to aside. But you know.. I’m waiting on WWDC. But if someone on those sites is actually interested… I might have to let it go .

 

[MrEcted]

I went to buy an AirTag but then through the process of wanting more and more Apple manipulated me and I walked out of the Apple Store with a $50,000 iMac Pro and a $6,000 monitor!

 

[baruflea]

I’m a student who uses his iPad for reading and PDF annotation. I’ve looked hard at the 2021 12.9” at 128 GB; however, Apple has some 2018 refurbs with more space, etc., for much less money. I’m considering the 2018 12.9 instead of the 2021. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Digitalguy]

I’m a student who uses his iPad for reading and PDF annotation. I’ve looked hard at the 2021 12.9” at 128 GB; however, Apple has some 2018 refurbs with more space, etc., for much less money. I’m considering the 2018 12.9 instead of the 2021. 🤷🏻‍♂️

for reading and annotation the 2018 makes more sense, lighter, no blooming if you read white on black (not that blooming is a big deal anyway) and more storage for the same money. And you won't really feel much the additional speed with the 2021 with what you do...

 

[baruflea]

for reading and annotation the 2018 makes more sense, lighter, no blooming if you read white on black (not that blooming is a big deal anyway) and more storage for the same money. And you won't really feel much the additional speed with the 2021 with what you do...

Thanks!

I’m coming from a 64GB Air 2. The Pro should be a nice upgrade and get me through a couple more years of Uni.

 

[rui no onna]

Great news! Full disclosure…. I haven’t opened mine yet. I put my 2018 iPP on various sites to sell, but haven’t factory reset it (still using it).

Part of me want to just go full steam ahead and open the 2021 iPP, factory reset 2018 iPP and put it to aside. But you know.. I’m waiting on WWDC. But if someone on those sites is actually interested… I might have to let it go .

Ah yes, Best Buy, right?

One of the advantages with Apple, no restocking fee even if it’s returned opened. I think same with Amazon but caveat there is they monitor returns and they can and do block accounts for excessive returns. I’ve got a sizable Comixology library (~3,000 comics) hence I keep Amazon returns to a minimum so I don’t anger the Amazon gods.

 

[LFC2020]

I’m a student who uses his iPad for reading and PDF annotation. I’ve looked hard at the 2021 12.9” at 128 GB; however, Apple has some 2018 refurbs with more space, etc., for much less money. I’m considering the 2018 12.9 instead of the 2021. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’d go with the 2021 if the price difference isn’t that big, awesome blacks, awesome contrast, awesome M1 chip, awesome more ram, awesome better speakers, I can keep going on about how awesome this thing is all day.

 

[sparksd]

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'm now convinced this "daylight" video is a poor comparison. Like some of the blooming pictures & videos, the poor blacks on the 2018 iPad are the result of the video process - I've been looking at a lot of videos with deep black on my 2018 to try and reproduce this and don't see that washed out effect under normal lighting conditions - blacks look black. The "grey black" is definitely more pronounced in a totally dark environment but I never watch video under those conditions. (For comparison purposes in normal lighting, I viewed the same videos on an AMOLED screen).

 

[mauriziocorso77]

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.

Well after only a week of using the 2021 12.9" iPad Pro, I decided to return it. After going back and forth using the two, the only difference I found from the newer one was indeed the weight and thickness. Unless you put them side by side, you don't notice the split second less it takes the M1 to open apps and the deeper blacks of the mini-LED.

I use my iPad on the couch, and I actually use it as a portable iPad along-side my MacBook Air, so weight was a bigger factor for me.

If only I could bring myself to go down to the 11", which is absolutely more portable, but just doesn't have the real estate I crave!

 

[mauriziocorso77]

Well after only a week of using the 2021 12.9" iPad Pro, I decided to return it. After going back and forth using the two, the only difference I found from the newer one was indeed the weight and thickness. Unless you put them side by side, you don't notice the split second less it takes the M1 to open apps and the deeper blacks of the mini-LED.

I use my iPad on the couch, and I actually use it as a portable iPad along-side my MacBook Air, so weight was a bigger factor for me.

If only I could bring myself to go down to the 11", which is absolutely more portable, but just doesn't have the real estate I crave!

Update: I’ve caved and actually sold my 2018 12.9“ 3rd Gen iPad Pro and picked up a 2021 11” iPad Pro.

 

[Vivian125]

Since M1 is much powerful it doesn’t fire its all resources and ccores/rams it only uses 10 - 25% of its power while A10X uses all of its every core to its maximum level making it prone to overheat, and drain battery more! Especially in gaming, video editing, music editing in GarageBand or something like that.

m1 also has 8gb but most of the time it only needs 1-3gb of ram when browsing, 4gb when multitasking with 8 apps open and activate its 8gb ram when 15 + apps open at the same time.

 

[FletchTopper]

Update: I’ve caved and actually sold my 2018 12.9“ 3rd Gen iPad Pro and picked up a 2021 11” iPad Pro.

How did you like/dislike with the size downside?

 

[Digitalguy]

I wish there was a feature on this forum that signalled to people that they are replying to a post from several years ago... (not that they shouldn't but probably many probably don't realize as they don't check the date....) when someone (who by the way is always the same person...) wakes up a several year old thread.

 

[tivoboy]

I wish there was a feature on this forum that signalled to people that they are replying to a post from several years ago... (not that they shouldn't but probably many probably don't realize as they don't check the date....) when someone (who by the way is always the same person...) wakes up a several year old thread.

There is, but I think the threshold is higher like 2+ years.. you could contact the mod and ask them to change it to 12 months maybe?

 

[FletchTopper]

I wish there was a feature on this forum that signalled to people that they are replying to a post from several years ago... (not that they shouldn't but probably many probably don't realize as they don't check the date....) when someone (who by the way is always the same person...) wakes up a several year old thread.

Does it make it better or worse that I knew it was a couple of years old? Figured there had been plenty of time to decide 😂

 

[Digitalguy]

Does it make it better or worse that I knew it was a couple of years old? Figured there had been plenty of time to decide 😂

As I said it's not that people should not do it, but it's pretty obvious that very often people do it without being aware (I guess you are more the exception than the rule).

There is, but I think the threshold is higher like 2+ years.. you could contact the mod and ask them to change it to 12 months maybe?

Well I guess mods read everything here, so they should see this anyway and decide what's best. Yes 12 months would be a better option, personally I would put a warning even for 6+ month old threas.
I guess that wouldn't be an issue if it happened rarely. But lately at least, the same person is pretty regularly waking up old threads so the issue is becoming recurrent...