iPad Pro Does it make sense to buy an iPad pro now or wait until the release in the fall?

[rui no onna]

Yeah, I think that’s reasonable. A8X does slow down from time to time, and I did just call it “acceptable” earlier in the post. A10 is sometimes noticeably faster. OTOH, I’m not quite as convinced about A9. While you’re not wrong, I’d say A9 maybe is closer to A8X than it is A10. Thus, perhaps I’d rearrange it slightly, like this:

Class 1 (Good): A8X, A9
Class 2 (Better): A10
Class 3 (Excellent): A10X, A11, A12
Class 4 (Outstanding): A12X

But I have no big qualms with your classification either.

In any case, my preferred performance cutoff in an iPad is A10X in 2019, but I think A10 is OK too. Interestingly, I have no major issue with the performance of my 2017 Core m3 MacBook for surfing and business use, and it falls in between A10 and A10X for its multi-core scores, at around 7000. OTOH, I found the 2015 Core m3 MacBook noticeably slower, sometimes annoyingly so, and that MacBook scores closer to A9, at around 4500-4900 or so.

I just tested a 2017 AT&T iPad and 2018 Wi-Fi iPad side by side (both on iOS 12.3.1). Wifi is so much faster on the 2018 model: ~320Mbps vs ~64Mbps LAN throughput with AC1200 AP. I did test the 2017 on AC1800 router and it did 128Mbps throughput there.

Apart from connectivity, I was surprised at how close performance was for offline content.

I don't really game or do media editing so just tested my usual tasks: app updates, PDF rendering (image-heavy technical manual), loading Excel, opening an 800,000 word EPUB, searching within aforementioned EPUB. Performance was practically identical (bar download times for app updates). These are all tasks that were noticeably slower on the Air 2.

I think the A10 probably switches to the low power cores a lot of times because I've even had some occasions where the A9 finished loading a split second faster.

With that said, no economic sense to go for 2017 A9 iPad when deals abound for the 2018 A10 model.

 

[watchmainspring]

Here’s a little table I created when we were speculating about what iOS 13 would require:



IMO, even for surfing you can notice a speed difference between the A10X iPad Pros and the slower iPads, but anything with A8X and above is acceptable. I have both the A10X iPad Pro 10.5” and the A8X iPad Air 2, along with an A10 iPhone 7 Plus, and A9 iPhone SE and iPhone 6s. I don’t have an A12 iPad but we have an A12 XR and while it isn’t a great comparison since it’s not an iPad, overall it doesn’t feel noticeably speedier than my iPad Pro 10.5.

OTOH, A12X in the 3rd generation iPad Pros is blistering fast, and at least if you’re comparing side-by-side against the A10X iPad Pro 10.5”, I can notice that it is indeed faster even for surfing. However, in reality for surfing, right now A12X is probably overkill.

IOW, I think of three major classes of speed when it comes to iPads compatible with iPadOS 13:

Class 1 (Good): A8X, A9, A9X, A10
Class 2 (Excellent): A10X, A11, A12
Class 3 (Outstanding): A12X

I'd actually insert another class there:

Class 1 (Good): A8X
Class 2 (Better): A9, A10
Class 3 (Excellent): A10X, A11, A12
Class 4 (Outstanding): A12X

I know A9 scores the same as A8X in Geekbench 4 Multi-Core but it's noticeably faster in a number of tasks. Could be due to a number of things: faster single-core, LPDDR4, faster storage.

Yeah, I think that’s reasonable. A8X does slow down from time to time, and I did just call it “acceptable” earlier in the post. A10 is sometimes noticeably faster. OTOH, I’m not quite as convinced about A9. While you’re not wrong, I’d say A9 maybe is closer to A8X than it is A10. Thus, perhaps I’d rearrange it slightly, like this:

Class 1 (Good): A8X, A9
Class 2 (Better): A10
Class 3 (Excellent): A10X, A11, A12
Class 4 (Outstanding): A12X

But I have no big qualms with your classification either.

In any case, my preferred performance cutoff in an iPad is A10X in 2019, but I think A10 is OK too. Interestingly, I have no major issue with the performance of my 2017 Core m3 MacBook for surfing and business use, and it falls in between A10 and A10X for its multi-core scores, at around 7000. OTOH, I found the 2015 Core m3 MacBook noticeably slower, sometimes annoyingly so, and that MacBook scores closer to A9, at around 4500-4900 or so.

Are we getting an A13 this fall and where would that fit/perform?

 

[EugW]

Are we getting an A13 this fall and where would that fit/perform?

A13 will be faster than A12 of course, but likely slower than A12X.

 

[rumz]

Are we getting an A13 this fall and where would that fit/perform?

Some of us are hoping for an A13x iPad Pro this fall-- but that could come sometime early next year as well. Or maybe we'll never see one and we'll see new Pros next fall with an A14x.

 

[digitalexplr]

Are we getting an A13 this fall and where would that fit/perform?

A13 will be in the 2019 iPhones and maybe the 10.2 iPads. The A13X will come in the next iPad Pro's, probably in the Spring of '20.

IMHO

 

[watchmainspring]

A13 will be faster than A12 of course, but likely slower than A12X.

Interesting that 13<12x possibly.

A13 will be in the 2019 iPhones and maybe the 10.2 iPads. The A13X will come in the next iPad Pro's, probably in the Spring of '20.

IMHO

I hope the new iPad pros launch next month

 

[Resqu2]

Before you buy, read up on the IPP 12.9 unresponsive screen issue. The Apple forums, all over the web and several threads here talk about it. It starts about 9 months after you buy it. Apple is replacing them like crazy and the refurb units start showing it almost immediately. Just do some research and decide if it’s worth the risk.

 

[watchmainspring]

Before you buy, read up on the IPP 12.9 unresponsive screen issue. The Apple forums, all over the web and several threads here talk about it. It starts about 9 months after you buy it. Apple is replacing them like crazy and the refurb units start showing it almost immediately. Just do some research and decide if it’s worth the risk.

Thanks. I think I'm going with 11" though. 12.9" is essentially the same size as a MacBook air and the price difference is non-existent.

 

[Closingracer]

dont want to miss any major features. The buying guide suggests we won't get an updated pro this year. Should I wait to be safe?

I got a 512GB 11 inch for $838 after sales tax. Price was around $769? At that price it’s a steal. Microcenter has it at that price if anybody is looking. If they release one this year or next it will only do probably be a minor spec upgrade.

 

[acorntoy]

I’m waiting myself. I’m fine with either Q4 2019 or H1 2020. I’m expecting 6 GB RAM with A13X, and I’m hoping for a 128 GB at the entry level.

5G will not make an appearance, but I don’t care since I’ll most likely be getting a WiFi model.

Pretty much my exact hopes.

 

[Closingracer]

Don't buy now unless you can get over $200 discount.

Microcenter has basically at least a $200 discount across the board. The 512 is $380 off atm. Mind you this is for the 11 inch. The 12.9 discounts isn’t as good which is why I got the 11 inch.

 

[TotalMacMove]

Microcenter has basically at least a $200 discount across the board. The 512 is $380 off atm. Mind you this is for the 11 inch. The 12.9 discounts isn’t as good which is why I got the 11 inch.

Damn.. apparently sold out at my location according to the website! Silver i am assuming? You got me excited haha.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Before you buy, read up on the IPP 12.9 unresponsive screen issue. The Apple forums, all over the web and several threads here talk about it. It starts about 9 months after you buy it. Apple is replacing them like crazy and the refurb units start showing it almost immediately. Just do some research and decide if it’s worth the risk.

Its also an issue with the IPP 11” as well

 

[watchmainspring]

I got a 512GB 11 inch for $838 after sales tax. Price was around $769? At that price it’s a steal. Microcenter has it at that price if anybody is looking. If they release one this year or next it will only do probably be a minor spec upgrade.

I think at this point I'll continue with my gen 6 until we hear what's coming. The sales will probably last, right?

Its also an issue with the IPP 11” as well

Well that's not good

 

[The Game 161]

So sounds like we may see something in October after all

 

[Bazooka-joe]

So sounds like we may see something in October after all

Possibly but with new phones, possible watches and new iPads, that’s a huge product launch next month. It may be that iPads are announced but not released until October

 

[rumz]

Possibly but with new phones, possible watches and new iPads, that’s a huge product launch next month. It may be that iPads are announced but not released until October

Possible— they could forego an October event, I guess we’ll see. Usually iPhone is the last item Announced, no? I can’t imagine them revealing the triple camera module on the iPad first if that’s one of the most notable updates to the iPhone this year.

 

[The Game 161]

Possibly but with new phones, possible watches and new iPads, that’s a huge product launch next month. It may be that iPads are announced but not released until October

Think rumours are October

 

[Closingracer]

I think at this point I'll continue with my gen 6 until we hear what's coming. The sales will probably last, right?

Well that's not good

Idk. $380 is kind of hard to pass up. 512GB is a steal at that price range.

 

[watchmainspring]

Idk. $380 is kind of hard to pass up. 512GB is a steal at that price range.

$380 for 512gb pro or $380 off?

 

[EssModelsRule]

$380 for 512gb pro or $380 off?

It was $380 off but as of today the discount has been reduced to $150. I’ve been stalking that deal for about a week now as it’s been sold out at my local store.

 

[Freida]

considering all the rumours about registered devices you would be a fool to buy now especially when you clearly don't need one.
In the end its up to you but I would never buy now as its 1-2 months away from show and tell.
Whether or not we get an update this year is in the air but given how close we are the Apple's most 'productive' season I think its foolish to buy now.

 

[Closingracer]

$380 for 512gb pro or $380 off?

$380 off. It’s now $150 like somebody else said . Glad I got the deal when it was there.

 

[watchmainspring]

It was $380 off but as of today the discount has been reduced to $150. I’ve been stalking that deal for about a week now as it’s been sold out at my local store.

Interesting. Maybe they realized it was too good.

considering all the rumours about registered devices you would be a fool to buy now especially when you clearly don't need one.
In the end its up to you but I would never buy now as its 1-2 months away from show and tell.
Whether or not we get an update this year is in the air but given how close we are the Apple's most 'productive' season I think its foolish to buy now.

Fair enough. Posting from my iPad 6th gen. Well, my kids' iPad but they're napping.

 

[Closingracer]

considering all the rumours about registered devices you would be a fool to buy now especially when you clearly don't need one.
In the end its up to you but I would never buy now as its 1-2 months away from show and tell.
Whether or not we get an update this year is in the air but given how close we are the Apple's most 'productive' season I think its foolish to buy now.

How ? It’s the opposite of foolish. If you can find a good deal you’re better off getting one NOW.... they aren’t going to do anything major until at least 2021 .... $380 off the 512gb model is better then a minor spec bump for any device coming out 2019-2020