iPad Pro Do you think wwdc21 will bring the m1 ruckus?

[Digitalguy]

The problem is look at the A12X. It was grossly overpowered for iPadOS and yet, nothing changed. Everyone assumes because the Mac got essentially an iPad Pro chip (not the other way around) that Apple has big plans to take advantage of it, but the iPad Pro hasn’t lacked for power in years. It’s always been hamstrung by first iOS then iPadOS. I am hoping for big changes but understand the hesitation for many of us to believe Apple is somehow going to open the iPad Pro up. I am very happy to be proven wrong. The only thing that gives me a sliver of hope for iPadOS 15 is the fact that the iPad Pros have desktop level RAM to finally go along with their desktop level CPU/GPU performance.

Nothing changed? A12X came with IOS 12 and iPadOS (13) was definitely not nothing. External storage support. desktop browser (with download manager) and mouse support were a big deal...
I expect some other big deal for iPadOS 15, like full monitor support and all the multitasking that this would allow.
But for people wanting MacOS on iPad there is no iPadOS improvement that will be enough and they are bound to be disappointed....
But after this don't expect anything for 2 years... iPadOS 16 will be just like IOS 10, 12 and 14... And it's this slow pace that highly annoys iPad enthusiasts....

 

[DMG35]

Well it’s gonna be iPad OS but with more features for their pro models probably. the M1 chips will get the Pro apps. The M1 Macs got the cross-platform stuff going right?

I mean I guess, although running iOS apps on a Mac I don't think is a major draw for most people. Having an OS specifically for the iPad Pro that has more features won't really work. Look at the iPhone, the OS is the same for all of them despite the amount of power that they have. There are certain features that the older ones don't have, but not from an OS standpoint. Apple isn't going to create some special version of iPadOS just for the M1 iPad Pro. It would be too messy. I mean we've had M1 iPad's for a while now (Hello A12) and nothing has changed. I do think there could be some type of more powerful apps available, but that they will also run on any iPad out there as Apple wants to keep them all unified.

Look at the MacBook Pro line. Has Apple ever introduced any new features for the Pro's because they are more powerful? No, they haven't, and the same is going to hold true here. Why anyone thinks that Apple would do this is just wishful thinking. They will most likely open up the RAM for higher consuming applications, and that is all. No chance the OS is modified just for the Pro line of iPads.

 

[slplss]

Without a revamped OS, the new iPad Pro is just another iPad release.

Guess you could say that of any MacBook released since Yosemite? The icons have changed. Yes they changed the architecture but OSX works exactly as I remember it 11 years ago.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Guess you could say that of any MacBook released since Yosemite? The icons have changed.

When I say revamped, I am not talking about new icons. I am not hung up on what icons look like as many here are.

 

[slplss]

When I say revamped, I am not talking about new icons. I am not hung up on what icons look like as many here are.

I wasn’t talking about icons either, just being sarcastic. It’s pretty clear that iOS/iPadOS is the faster developing platform out of the two.

 

[GuruZac]

Nothing changed? A12X came with IOS 12 and iPadOS (13) was definitely not nothing. External storage support. desktop browser (with download manager) and mouse support were a big deal...
I expect some other big deal for iPadOS 15, like full monitor support and all the multitasking that this would allow.
But for people wanting MacOS on iPad there is no iPadOS improvement that will be enough and they are bound to be disappointed....
But after this don't expect anything for 2 years... iPadOS 16 will be just like IOS 10, 12 and 14... And it's this slow pace that highly annoys iPad enthusiasts....

That is true. iPadOS was a step up from iOS. My point was that iPadOS never took advantage of the power of the A12X, and still doesn’t. I’ve said this many times in many other threads but the A12X was benchmarking and exporting 4K video files faster than high end 2018/2019 13” and 15” MacBook Pros so it isn’t like the power hasn’t been there to take advantage of.

 

[Falhófnir]

Nothing changed? A12X came with IOS 12 and iPadOS (13) was definitely not nothing. External storage support. desktop browser (with download manager) and mouse support were a big deal...
I expect some other big deal for iPadOS 15, like full monitor support and all the multitasking that this would allow.
But for people wanting MacOS on iPad there is no iPadOS improvement that will be enough and they are bound to be disappointed....
But after this don't expect anything for 2 years... iPadOS 16 will be just like IOS 10, 12 and 14... And it's this slow pace that highly annoys iPad enthusiasts....

I really wouldn’t say the current iPad Safari is ‘desktop class’, sure it shows desktop web pages by default now and got a couple of new tricks, but it’s far from parity with the Mac version of Safari. In fact adding that’s probably among the biggest things they could do to push iPadOS forward in functionality currently.

 

[PrettyWings]

I mean I guess, although running iOS apps on a Mac I don't think is a major draw for most people. Having an OS specifically for the iPad Pro that has more features won't really work. Look at the iPhone, the OS is the same for all of them despite the amount of power that they have. There are certain features that the older ones don't have, but not from an OS standpoint. Apple isn't going to create some special version of iPadOS just for the M1 iPad Pro. It would be too messy. I mean we've had M1 iPad's for a while now (Hello A12) and nothing has changed. I do think there could be some type of more powerful apps available, but that they will also run on any iPad out there as Apple wants to keep them all unified.

Look at the MacBook Pro line. Has Apple ever introduced any new features for the Pro's because they are more powerful? No, they haven't, and the same is going to hold true here. Why anyone thinks that Apple would do this is just wishful thinking. They will most likely open up the RAM for higher consuming applications, and that is all. No chance the OS is modified just for the Pro line of iPads.

In this case though the Pro gets the M1 chip. Its a defining element. They’re setting them up already to be much more capable than the other iPads. The only thing to change is the ceiling of iPad OS. It will be raised for the Pro models.

 

[Digitalguy]

That is true. iPadOS was a step up from iOS. My point was that iPadOS never took advantage of the power of the A12X, and still doesn’t. I’ve said this many times in many other threads but the A12X was benchmarking and exporting 4K video files faster than high end 2018/2019 13” and 15” MacBook Pros so it isn’t like the power hasn’t been there to take advantage of.

That's apps, not the OS, that can take advantage of the CPU/GPU power.... And A12X had just 4GB RAM (at best 6) so OS level multitasking was limited anyway, now this limit has been hugely increased.

 

[Digitalguy]

I really wouldn’t say the current iPad Safari is ‘desktop class’, sure it shows desktop web pages by default now and got a couple of new tricks, but it’s far from parity with the Mac version of Safari. In fact adding that’s probably among the biggest things they could do to push iPadOS forward in functionality currently.

It's still a huge change for some, I hardly ever used iPad to browse o watch videos before iPadOS. The desktop view made youtube on safari (with no ads) finally possible, and gmail too, this changed a lot for me since I use those 2 a lot (the apps don't give me all the options).
Full Mac Safari could come, but after following the Epic vs Apple saga, I am starting to think it might never come, just like MacOS on iPad might never come....

 

[perezr10]

It’s also relevant that WWDC has been the one area that Apple has done a halfway good job of keeping a lid on leaks. It’s not uncommon for WWDC announcements to be a complete surprise.

 

[007p]

48/52

 

[DMG35]

In this case though the Pro gets the M1 chip. Its a defining element. They’re setting them up already to be much more capable than the other iPads. The only thing to change is the ceiling of iPad OS. It will be raised for the Pro models.

The iPad Pro already had an M1 chip, it just had a different name. And no, the OS won't be raised for any of the Pro models. You see Apple doing that for the MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, or iPhone Pro? Its just wishful thinking because Apple overpowered these new iPads, which really isn't anything new because they have always been overpowered for the OS.

I guarantee you there will be nothing significant for the newest iPad Pro's that isn't available on every iPad (outside of maybe some Pro apps) come WWDC.

 

[GuruZac]

The iPad Pro already had an M1 chip, it just had a different name. And no, the OS won't be raised for any of the Pro models. You see Apple doing that for the MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, or iPhone Pro? Its just wishful thinking because Apple overpowered these new iPads, which really isn't anything new because they have always been overpowered for the OS.

I guarantee you there will be nothing significant for the newest iPad Pro's that isn't available on every iPad (outside of maybe some Pro apps) come WWDC.

I agree, but that may be all that many M1 iPad Pro owners need to justify their purchase. Apps like FCP comes to mind. Many M1 iPad Pro users would probably love to have and benefit from the ability of having full FCP on their iPad Pros. We know now the power and RAM is there. I'm looking for more multitasking, better Files app, widgets anywhere on the Home Screen. I am not a power user, but much prefer the larger size of the 12.9 which is why I use a Pro model.

 

[Crow_Servo]

I think it’s also important to pay attention to which devices lose OS support when iPadOS 15 releases. It’s a given that the A8(X)-powered iPad Mini 4 and Air 2 will be dropped, but if Apple wants to be more aggressive they can also drop the A9(X)-powered iPad 5th gen and the 1st gen Pros. That way the lowest common denominator will be A10, and more features can be implemented across the board.

I mean, they already said these new M1 iPad Pros are 75 times faster than the 1st gen Pro. Let’s lay that one to rest if it’s that far behind.

 

[Digitalguy]

I think it’s also important to pay attention to which devices lose OS support when iPadOS 15 releases. It’s a given that the A8(X)-powered iPad Mini 4 and Air 2 will be dropped, but if Apple wants to be more aggressive they can also drop the A9(X)-powered iPad 5th gen and the 1st gen Pros. That way the lowest common denominator will be A10, and more features can be implemented across the board.

I mean, they already said these new M1 iPad Pros are 75 times faster than the 1st gen Pro. Let’s lay that one to rest if it’s that far behind.

Let me tell you why A9X won't be dropped this year.
A8X is dead, A9 too, not A9X for several reasons:
1. the 2015 iPad pro has more RAM that the iPad 8.
2. the 9.7 has the same amount of RAM as the 2018 iPad 6, which won't be dropped since it's too recent
3. A9X has almost the same power as A10, contrary to the weaker A9.
4. 1st gen pro is compatible with pencil 1, which is still sold, while any other A8-9 iPad are not.

Having said that expect limitations in new features for some older iPads including the iPad 6.

 

[Ludatyk]

We know now the power and RAM is there. I'm looking for more multitasking, better Files app, widgets anywhere on the Home Screen. I am not a power user, but much prefer the larger size of the 12.9 which is why I use a Pro model.

And up to this point... iPadOS isn't capable in it's current state to take advantage of the power and RAM. Indeed, I am hoping for a different approach with mulitasking, revamped Files app and we are certainly getting widgets anywhere on the Homescreen. However, the M1 iPP needs to stand out as well.

many M1 iPad Pro owners need to justify their purchase

I think it's more to that, the Epic and Apple trial shows that Apple is aware of the chatter.. I'm not sure if you followed it. But there were email exchanges from Apple executives on various topics and I think there's so much momentum right now for the iPad.

If there isn't any significant features specifically for the M1 iPP, it would be more of a let down for Apple. The blogs will be heavily criticizing Apple and content creators will take part in the action as well.

 

[Digitalguy]

It’s also relevant that WWDC has been the one area that Apple has done a halfway good job of keeping a lid on leaks. It’s not uncommon for WWDC announcements to be a complete surprise.

Many external providers need to see hardware before it's released, so leaks are inevitable, software can be kept in-house. What's more, Apple discovered Prosser software leaker last year.... and this means not only that it's one source that cannot leak but that what happened to that employee may have served as an example for others not to want to end the same way....

 

[rui no onna]

I mean, they already said these new M1 iPad Pros are 75 times faster than the 1st gen Pro. Let’s lay that one to rest if it’s that far behind.

Uh, no. CPU is 75 times faster than the original iPad released in 2010.

Compared to 1st gen iPad Pros though, it's more like 3x single-core and 6-7x multi-core.

 

[JD2015]

Well it’s gonna be iPad OS but with more features for their pro models probably. the M1 chips will get the Pro apps. The M1 Macs got the cross-platform stuff going right?

Ipad OS changes will come to all iPads in the upcoming update. Any Pro apps launched though will have minimum hardware requirements e.g 8gb ram, M1.

 

[Falhófnir]

I think it’s also important to pay attention to which devices lose OS support when iPadOS 15 releases. It’s a given that the A8(X)-powered iPad Mini 4 and Air 2 will be dropped, but if Apple wants to be more aggressive they can also drop the A9(X)-powered iPad 5th gen and the 1st gen Pros. That way the lowest common denominator will be A10, and more features can be implemented across the board.

I mean, they already said these new M1 iPad Pros are 75 times faster than the 1st gen Pro. Let’s lay that one to rest if it’s that far behind.

That would be ridiculous, the M1s would be supercomputer level lol:

A9X: ~640 (single core) ~1200 (multi core) ~4100 (graphics)

M1: ~1700 (single core) ~7200 (multi core) ~21,400 (graphics)

so more like 2.5x SC, 6x MC, 5x graphics. A big leap up, but not even an order of magnitude at this stage…

 

[Falhófnir]

Uh, no. CPU is 75 times faster than the original iPad released in 2010.

Compared to 1st gen iPad Pros though, it's more like 3x single-core and 6-7x multi-core.

That makes a lot more sense!

 

[Slartibart]

Without a revamped OS, the new iPad Pro is just another iPad release.

If there is no revamp to the OS, I would consider it just another iPad release.

It. Is. Another. iPad release. The hint is in the name. ?

 

[FrozenDarkness]

the baseline assumption here is that apple put the M1 in the iPad Pro because they had software in the works that require it versus the more obvious explanation which is this is how they reach economies of scale for the M1 chip.

 

[Slartibart]

The iPad is so powerful that with updates to iPadOS a very large number of people could use it as their sole computing device instead of using other devices with other operating systems.

A very large number of people IS using it as their sole computing device. Most likely not in the way you like to use it I presume, but they are out there. ?