Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Hunter5117

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
569
401
It's the opposite. We had rapid hardware improvements during the early iPad days. Those have slowed down now so I actually expect the Air/mini/Pro lines to have at least 8 years software support similar to the Air 2.
I tend to agree. It seems that the M1 chips are way over powered for anything coming for iPad, unless they do release some sort of iPad/Mac hybrid. My 2018 IPP still sings with any current iPad app I am using. I don't see this changing any time soon.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
I tend to agree. It seems that the M1 chips are way over powered for anything coming for iPad, unless they do release some sort of iPad/Mac hybrid. My 2018 IPP still sings with any current iPad app I am using. I don't see this changing any time soon.

I don't see an issue with the M1 even then. Apple's using the M1 on the Mac mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro so obviously, it can handle MacOS just fine.

I think we've reached the same point with iPads that we did with traditional computers years ago. The user experience for OS UI and typical tasks (browsing, office, etc) was similar regardless if one got a $100 Core i3-2100 or a $300 Core i7-2600. Where it differs is for users running specialized software (3D rendering, video editing, encoding, etc).
 

Hunter5117

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
569
401
I don't see an issue with the M1 even then. Apple's using the M1 on the Mac mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro so obviously, it can handle MacOS just fine.
I wasn't meaning it would limit the M1 iPads, just that it would need some sort of macOS hybrid to live up to their capability.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rui no onna

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
it would need some sort of macOS hybrid to live up to their capability.

Does it though?

For iPad gamers and users of LumaFusion, Affinity, etc, does the M1 + 8-16GB RAM offer no performance improvement or enhancements at all?

This one's a more mundane example:

I have auto-updates disabled for apps and just run a batch update once a week (after review). One thing I've noticed, the 2021 M1 iPad Pro breezes through updates whereas my older 2017 A10X lags/stutters while the updates are installing. Updates take noticeably longer on the 2017 Pro as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire

Hunter5117

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
569
401
For iPad gamers and users of LumaFusion, Affinity, etc, does the M1 + 8-16GB RAM offer no performance improvement or enhancements at all?
I agree that there are certainly some use cases where the M1 iPads make the task faster. However, in your example of your weekly update, this is not a daily/hourly/constant workflow case where you really reap a significant benefit. I have held off buying Lumafusion, preferring to stay with FCPX. Which, BTW, runs so well on an M1 mac that you have to assume the M1 iPad hardware would be capable. And you do not see anyone (aka YouTubers) expounding the virtues of doing all their editing on an M1 iPad other than just proving that it does work.

I understand Apples business reasons for not making the iPad more cross-platform although I truly believe they could probably do it in a microsecond if they did not need to consider the effect on say the MBA or 13" MBP.
 

Moneymiike420

macrumors regular
Jul 18, 2012
189
63
My dad still uses an iPad 2 daily??,and I use n iPad mini 1 from 2012( for Apple Music and mac forums sometimes) just got the iPad 9 for my birthday last month but yes iPads really do last forever gotta love em!!!
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
My dad still uses an iPad 2 daily??,and I use n iPad mini 1 from 2012( for Apple Music and mac forums sometimes) just got the iPad 9 for my birthday last month but yes iPads really do last forever gotta love em!!!

Even my dad hated how slow the older iPads were. Traded that in as soon as the 2017 5th gen was released. He's been pretty content with his 5th gen though.
 

Skewlovevism

Suspended
Aug 2, 2021
153
171
Japan
I can assure you that my German mindset didn’t intend any humour as we lack the capacity but if you find it entertaining that’s great
Do not underestimate yourself, my friend. Check Wehn Henning (especially his WOULD I LIE TO YOU bits) on the YouTube, he will make you proud of being German :) Brilliant comedian
 
  • Like
Reactions: ericwn

2REPOU

macrumors regular
Jun 6, 2019
152
68
The reliability and usefulness of the ipad sure eliminates the need for constant upgrading. Even my Macbook Air. I still use a 2015 as my daily machine. Never had that kind of experience with a windows machine
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire

Ma<intosh

macrumors newbie
Jul 4, 2021
9
5
I do believe that iPads last for a very long time. They have superior build quality and are extremely robust. I still have my iPad mini 1 from 2013 lying around. During it's use I've dropped it about 3 times, no cracks on the screen and it runs just as well as it used to back in 2013. Never did any repair or battery replacement to it either and the battery lasts for a reasonably long time.
 

UltimateSyn

macrumors 601
Mar 3, 2008
4,970
9,206
Massachusetts
Q: Do iPads live forever?

A: The older the generation of iPad, the longer they'll live.

My iPad 1 (day-1 pre-order) is still going strong. I highly doubt that the current generation iPads (Pro and non-Pro) will last as long.
What leads you to doubt they will last as long?
 

1rottenapple

macrumors 601
Apr 21, 2004
4,758
2,774
The reliability and usefulness of the ipad sure eliminates the need for constant upgrading. Even my Macbook Air. I still use a 2015 as my daily machine. Never had that kind of experience with a windows machine
iPad ui many can agree is simple and held back by its software. But maybe it’s that simplicity that helps it last long? I have no proof just thinking out loud but man these are pretty good machine. I know when my friend was shopping for an iPad for her 70 yr old mom I steered her towards the entry level iPad. $300 and it will last her at least a decade given her use will be Facebook, FaceTime and watching videos. Can’t got wrong. Sure you can buy an android tablet for $99 but how many of those will be working well in 5 years.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
I agree that there are certainly some use cases where the M1 iPads make the task faster. However, in your example of your weekly update, this is not a daily/hourly/constant workflow case where you really reap a significant benefit. I have held off buying Lumafusion, preferring to stay with FCPX. Which, BTW, runs so well on an M1 mac that you have to assume the M1 iPad hardware would be capable. And you do not see anyone (aka YouTubers) expounding the virtues of doing all their editing on an M1 iPad other than just proving that it does work.

Sure but that's just me. For my normal work usage (plenty of Excel), I doubt I'd notice a difference between a DTK Mac mini with A12Z/16GB RAM and the officially released Mac mini with M1 either. Heck, I'm even using older slower PCs than those at work: i5-2500 (GB5 701/2219) and i5-4570 (GB5 841/2720).

However, just because my regular workflow and apps (regardless of platform) don't benefit much from faster CPU/GPU doesn't mean it's the same situation for others. You don't use iPads for video editing because you prefer to use software only available for the Mac. However, for those that do use iPads for such tasks, maybe the M1 offers faster exports or smoother previews/scrubbing, etc. versus the A12Z or older.

Mind, I often do the batch app updates last minute (e.g. maybe 10-20 minutes before I walk out the front door and get out of wifi range) so I can easily appreciate the speed of the M1 (over A10X at least).
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
The reliability and usefulness of the ipad sure eliminates the need for constant upgrading.

I upgraded from iPad 2 to 3 to 4 to Air in rapid succession. Performance and web browsing capabilities were way behind x86 at the time. iPad 1-4 were built like tanks though so they've got good longevity in that regard (physical build quality).

Performance longevity-wise, I don't think we really got there until the Air 2 (circa 2014) and even that is a bit slower compared to a Core 2 Duo E8500 (circa 2008).


Even my Macbook Air. I still use a 2015 as my daily machine. Never had that kind of experience with a windows machine

My experience with Windows machines has been fine.

I used a custom Ivy Bridge Mini-ITX build for 8 years (2012-2020). The family PC (i7-920 uATX custom build) was in use for 10 years (2009-2019).

At work, we still haven't upgraded from the OptiPlex 3020 (circa 2013/2014). They just got SSD+Win10+RAM upgrade last year and are chugging along just fine.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,265
iPad ui many can agree is simple and held back by its software. But maybe it’s that simplicity that helps it last long? I have no proof just thinking out loud but man these are pretty good machine. I know when my friend was shopping for an iPad for her 70 yr old mom I steered her towards the entry level iPad. $300 and it will last her at least a decade given her use will be Facebook, FaceTime and watching videos. Can’t got wrong. Sure you can buy an android tablet for $99 but how many of those will be working well in 5 years.

Lol, I doubt those $99 tablets are working smoothly now.

My aunt got a Fire tablet as a gift and she hated it. She promptly replaced it with an iPad 5th gen (either free or $100 via AT&T promo). She's rocking a 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 now (solely for the big display).

I think the almost appliance-like simplicity does help make iPads more accessible to a large number of users. When I upgraded to the iPad 3, I gave my old iPad 2 to my 85 year old grandmother (never touched a computer a day in her life). She used it for Skype and FaceTime. My cousin also set it up as a digital picture frame showing pics of the grandkids when not in use.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire

interstella

macrumors 6502
Sep 29, 2013
304
188
Suffolk, England
I bought my first iPad, the original retina one, in 2012. I sold it this year when I finally upgraded to a Pro. Although it was still using iOS 9, the old one was fine. Browsing web pages was painfully slow but it was still ok for games and music etc. Battery life was almost as good as new. The person who bought it wanted it purely as a music machine in his study.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stinkhorn9

ElioLugaru

macrumors member
Dec 10, 2019
83
94
North Carolina
Even though i got the 2020 iPad Air this year, i still have my iPad Mini 2 from 2016 despite it having some display damage. I intend on replacing it with the new iPad Mini at some point since i dunno how long my iPad Mini 2 will last with its display damage. that & my Air is more for arting purposes.
 

RhodesRoads

macrumors newbie
Mar 4, 2021
18
0
I'm thinking of using an iP3 as a... I don't know how to call it - media/music player to be connected to home audio system. But the thing thath's concerning me is holding it connected to the charger 24/7. I don't give a F if this would affect the battery's life, but is it anyhow dangerous? I mean battery exploding from overheating at some point, sth like that?...
 

Hunter5117

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
569
401
but is it anyhow dangerous? I mean battery exploding from overheating at some point, sth like that?...
As I mentioned, my IP4 has been plugged in for most of its life. I have never felt it to be even warm. Stuff happens but I have never heard of anything other than very rare occurrences of batteries spontaneously combusting. If it ever feels swollen on the outside of the iPad case then that would be a problem.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
I have a 4th generation "iPad Retina" that I bought back in 2014. It was my main iPad for a number of years, for work and personal use. It eventually got retired pretty late in its life so I kept it instead of trying to sell it on since it was worth very little.

I keep it at my weekend place and mostly use it at night to watch YT or videos while I fall asleep. Otherwise it stays on charge for 1, 2 even 3 weeks at a time.

The thing never quits. Last night I feel asleep and YT kept playing all night. I woke up to some random video and the battery was still over 70%.

I just wanted to post this in my amazement of how well made and robust these little computers are.
I have an original iPad, still running. Not sure about forever, but they certainly last longer than the expected lifespan of mobile technology ( 3- 4 years ).
 
  • Like
Reactions: blkjedi954

Mark Holmes

macrumors regular
Sep 22, 2010
144
631
San Diego CA
This is an Apple in general kind of thing. I'm typing this on my mid-2012 15" MacBook Pro, which works perfectly, and my iPad Air 2 from 2014 also works perfectly. Kind of amazing on the iPad, since I am NOT easy on it. I don't hesitate to toss it across the room onto sofas and beds, and my aim isn't perfect so it has taken a few bumps and scratches over the years, but no cracks thank goodness.
 

blkjedi954

macrumors 6502
Feb 15, 2012
409
314
Florida
I have a 4th generation "iPad Retina" that I bought back in 2014. It was my main iPad for a number of years, for work and personal use. It eventually got retired pretty late in its life so I kept it instead of trying to sell it on since it was worth very little.

I keep it at my weekend place and mostly use it at night to watch YT or videos while I fall asleep. Otherwise it stays on charge for 1, 2 even 3 weeks at a time.

The thing never quits. Last night I feel asleep and YT kept playing all night. I woke up to some random video and the battery was still over 70%.

I just wanted to post this in my amazement of how well made and robust these little computers are.
I still have my iPad 2 bought in 2011 and kept for my apps that never migrated to 64 bit and it is amazing. Battery is still strong!
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.