iPad Pro For those who upgraded from the 2018 iPad Pro to the 2020 model, WHY?

[secretk]

It seams very clear to me "Apple has allocated this extra RAM to things like iOS Multitasking, so that the devices run faster and smoother when you're using more apps ". What's more tests have clearly shown the 6GB on that model holding more apps in RAM...

Well I interpret this as an assumption from the Developer. I have not seen any official Apple communication on this. This is what I meant.

By tests you mean real life usage examples or benchmarks? I am asking because I do not rely on benchmarks. Benchmarks tell me that the 2018 iPad Pro is faster than my laptop. Real life usage however is another story. My laptop is actually faster and more responsive for my usage. It opens files faster, it saves them faster (most probably because it does not rely on cloud storage) but does not matter. I am testing as end user - black box testing. And I care what is faster, not why.

 

[EugW]

By tests you mean real life usage examples or benchmarks? I am asking because I do not rely on benchmarks. Benchmarks tell me that the 2018 iPad Pro is faster than my laptop. Real life usage however is another story. My laptop is actually faster and more responsive for my usage. It opens files faster, it saves them faster (most probably because it does not rely on cloud storage) but does not matter. I am testing as end user - black box testing. And I care what is faster, not why.

Knowing why helps in purchase decisions. For example, I've been telling people for over a year now that if they plan on keeping their iPad a long time, it's probably not a good idea to buy an iPad with only 2 GB RAM, unless they know their needs are very simple, and will remain that simple for the duration of the ownership.

Then in 2019, Apple released the 3 GB iPad 7. Benchmarks of the iPad 7 and iPad 6 show the exact same CPU performance, but knowing the iPad 7 has 3 GB RAM is very, very useful, because in the real world, the iPad 7 is less annoying to use in terms of app / tab refreshes.

 

[secretk]

Knowing why helps in purchase decisions.

I was a bit extreme in the way I expressed myself. Me being former Developer I tend to dig into the why. Sometimes more than it is needed so I try to balance it out. What I wanted to say is that sometimes things are about the way they impact/affect you. Meaning I might understand why opening a movie from files app on iPad is slower than doing the same sort of action on my laptop but should I go into details or I should focus on my usage and choose the tools that makes me more efficient and content using them? And does it help me knowing the why if I have another tool that can do the job for me?

For example, I've been telling people for over a year now that if they plan on keeping their iPad a long time, it's probably not a good idea to buy an iPad with only 2 GB RAM, unless they know their needs are very simple, and will remain that simple for the duration of the ownership.

That I agree with. 2 GB RAM really is not enough but we do have proof that apps differentiate between 2 and 4 GB RAM and they do behave differently with 4 GB RAM. I can also say that the iPads with 4 GB suffer less from apps/tabs reloads. However it is kind of difficult for me to quantify exactly the improvement as it just based on my own impression.

Then in 2019, Apple released the 3 GB iPad 7. Benchmarks of the iPad 7 and iPad 6 show the exact same CPU performance, but knowing the iPad 7 has 3 GB RAM is very, very useful, because in the real world, the iPad 7 is less annoying to use in terms of app / tab refreshes.

Yep, benchmarks seem to focus mostly on CPU and GPU, not so much on RAM usage and I am not even sure that they test multitasking.

That being said IMO this information should come from Apple itself. We (the people that post here regularly) might like to dig into things like that but let's imagine regular average user. For example my mother. She would definitely not read about CPU, RAM, GPU or what so ever. She (as an end user) need things to be translated in her language which is real usage examples.

 

[Digitalguy]

A9X of the original iPad Pro 12.9" is not bad. it's slower than the A10 in the iPad 7th gen 10.2" but definitely is still adequate for mainstream usage these days. Pair that with 4 GB RAM, and it's quite a decent machine.

I wouldn't say the same thing about the iPad Pro 9.7" though. It's OK, but the 2 GB RAM and inability to use a full sized keyboard are major downers IMO.

That was Apple biggest mistake... And I mean the 2GB of RAM. The keyboard issue can be solved with a third party keyboard as the logitech create, which is even better than the 10.5 ASK, or even, as I do while at home since I found 2 used 10.5 ASKs for $30 each, using the 10.5 ASK with the 9.7 pro. But there is no way to correct the lack of RAM and that is such a shame as the 9.7 could have still been relevant and has still advantages over the current non pros...

 

[rui no onna]

I wouldn't say the same thing about the iPad Pro 9.7" though. It's OK, but the 2 GB RAM and inability to use a full sized keyboard are major downers IMO.

The iPad Pro 9.7 is actually electrically compatible with the the 10.5 and 12.9 ASK as well as the recently released Logitech Combo Touch.

My main keyboard (Logitech K780) only supports up to 3 devices (paired it with desktop, iPP 10.5 and iPP 12.9) so I've been using the 10.5 ASK (and now the Combo Touch) when I want a keyboard for the iPP 9.7, Air 3 or 7th gen.
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That was Apple biggest mistake... And I mean the 2GB of RAM.

I kinda expect iPads to multitask badly (even on 4GB RAM) plus the screen size doesn't lend itself well to multitasking so 2GB on the iPP 9.7 hasn't been much of an issue for me.

Besides, one thing I've come to expect from Apple is that they skimp on RAM and base storage. It's a pleasant surprised when they do otherwise.

 

[EugW]

That was Apple biggest mistake... And I mean the 2GB of RAM. The keyboard issue can be solved with a third party keyboard as the logitech create, which is even better than the 10.5 ASK, or even, as I do while at home since I found 2 used 10.5 ASKs for $30 each, using the 10.5 ASK with the 9.7 pro. But there is no way to correct the lack of RAM and that is such a shame as the 9.7 could have still been relevant and has still advantages over the current non pros...

The Logitech Create for the iPad Pro 9.7” is not a full size keyboard. Neither is the Apple Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro 9.7”.

I didn’t know you could use the ASK 10.5” with the 9.7” but even if it works, it’d be too much of a kludge IMO.

 

[rui no onna]

I didn’t know you could use the ASK 10.5” with the 9.7” but even if it works, it’d be too much of a kludge IMO.

If you use the 10.5 ASK as Smart Cover alternative, yeah sure. Mine sits stationary on the office desk and is used as a no-pairing/no-wires alternative to bluetooth/USB keyboards.

At home and on the go, I'm quite content to use the iPad's onscreen keyboard.

 

[EugW]

If you use the 10.5 ASK as Smart Cover alternative, yeah sure. Mine sits stationary on the office desk and is used as a no-pairing/no-wires alternative to bluetooth/USB keyboards.

At home and on the go, I'm quite content to use the iPad's onscreen keyboard.

Could one of you post a picture? I’m curious to see how that works. I wouldn’t have guessed the magnets would have been in the right place, but if they are, that’s great.

 

[ofarlig]

Well I interpret this as an assumption from the Developer. I have not seen any official Apple communication on this. This is what I meant.

By tests you mean real life usage examples or benchmarks? I am asking because I do not rely on benchmarks. Benchmarks tell me that the 2018 iPad Pro is faster than my laptop. Real life usage however is another story. My laptop is actually faster and more responsive for my usage. It opens files faster, it saves them faster (most probably because it does not rely on cloud storage) but does not matter. I am testing as end user - black box testing. And I care what is faster, not why.

I can tell you the 2020 reloads apps/tabs way less frequently than the 2018 in my normal usage so the RAM is doing something.

 

[dk001]

With the 2020 IPP 11 I know that this device is using the RAM ...
What I have not seen so far is any real improvement over the 2018 IPP 11
Multitasking is not really any better and I am still seeing tab reloads, app reloads, app shutdowns, etc... on par with the previous model. With this snapshot I have 6 apps in the app manger - Google Maps, Safari with 3 tabs, Messages, Blink, Heckfire, Status.

 

[Aluminum213]

With the 2020 IPP 11 I know that this device is using the RAM ...
What I have not seen so far is any real improvement over the 2018 IPP 11
Multitasking is not really any better and I am still seeing tab reloads, app reloads, app shutdowns, etc... on par with the previous model. With this snapshot I have 6 apps in the app manger - Google Maps, Safari with 3 tabs, Messages, Blink, Heckfire, Status.
View attachment 911248

Of course you’re not going to see any difference, 4 to 6GB is negligible. Now if we’re talking 4 to 8GB of RAM, ok now you’ll actually see a difference in real world usage

 

[Clintro]

Churning electronics with a active used market isn't as expensive as you think. So upgrading every year isn't that costly.

 

[Mitochris]

My other half likes my 2018 IPP 11 and her Mini 5 was having hardware issues.
So I got the 2020 and she got my 2018.

I have found the extra RAM does help however I wish they would fix the RAM Management ...

Why do so many give your used stuff to your wives? You’re not the only one, just on the first page 3 people said they give their “old” ipads to their wives. Are they not worth new ones? Why do you not keep the 2018 model and buy her a new one? Heck, if she doesn’t need a pro, get a cheaper one and save the money, but I am always so surprised that the wives get the hand downs. Mine would smack me around the head if I suggested something like that. And rightly so.

 

[Johnny Steps]

Churning electronics with a active used market isn't as expensive as you think. So upgrading every year isn't that costly.

It’s not about it being costly, it’s that you’re spending money regardless for something that isn’t a substantial enough upgrade. You’re basically tacking on an additional charge to your initial purchase in less than two years. Furthermore, what if you bought the Smart Keyboard folio? That’s $179/$199 and they are NOT compatible with the new 2020 keyboard. So now there’s another cost.
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Why do so many give your used stuff to your wives? You’re not the only one, just on the first page 3 people said they give their “old” ipads to their wives. Are they not worth new ones? Why do you not keep the 2018 model and buy her a new one? Heck, if she doesn’t need a pro, get a cheaper one and save the money, but I am always so surprised that the wives get the hand downs. Mine would smack me around the head if I suggested something like that. And rightly so.

I didn’t think about that, but you’re right on that! If your SO doesn’t care about tech too much and just wanted an ipad, you could easily purchase a lower end iPad and keep the Pro OR if they wanted the Pro, you would just buy them a new one or refurbished one.

Really I think this whole thread was just baiting for this because there’s no real justifiable reason to upgrade if you already owned the 2018 model. Plus, considering the current on-going situation with the economy, it really makes you wonder how people are prioritizing their expenses lol.

 

[Aluminum213]

Churning electronics with a active used market isn't as expensive as you think. So upgrading every year isn't that costly.

You’re still spending money on a device which you can’t see any real world difference

 

[rui no onna]

Could one of you post a picture? I’m curious to see how that works. I wouldn’t have guessed the magnets would have been in the right place, but if they are, that’s great.

My iPP 9.7's at home so I don't have pics with the ASK but here are some pictures I took when I received the Logitech Combo Touch. Trackpad works great. 🙂

The Smart Connector bar on the Logitech is shorter than the one on the 10.2/10.5 ASK. I have to take off the iPP 9.7 case if I want to use the ASK. Meanwhile, the Logitech bar fits (albeit quite snugly).


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You’re still spending money on a device which you can’t see any real world difference

Their money, their choice. Some people like cars or golf or purses or shoes.

Me, I like tech and I can certainly understand the itch to buy something new annually.

 

[dk001]

Of course you’re not going to see any difference, 4 to 6GB is negligible. Now if we’re talking 4 to 8GB of RAM, ok now you’ll actually see a difference in real world usage

That is disconcerting. I would expect a measurable improvement with a 50% RAM increase.
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Why do so many give your used stuff to your wives? You’re not the only one, just on the first page 3 people said they give their “old” ipads to their wives. Are they not worth new ones? Why do you not keep the 2018 model and buy her a new one? Heck, if she doesn’t need a pro, get a cheaper one and save the money, but I am always so surprised that the wives get the hand downs. Mine would smack me around the head if I suggested something like that. And rightly so.

Could not tell you.
Mine uses hers till it pretty much dies.
Her big thing is games, emails, surfing, and Facetime. It was her suggestion to upgrade and she would take mine.
Chuckle - she has gotten used to me getting new stuff fairly often.
It has become a family habit that if someone needs on and you can gift, go for it.
If hers did not need replacing I would have stayed with the 2018 model.

 

[Digitalguy]

Could one of you post a picture? I’m curious to see how that works. I wouldn’t have guessed the magnets would have been in the right place, but if they are, that’s great.

Here is a picture, from the left, 10.5 with 10.5 ASK, 9.7 with 10.5 ASK, and 9.7 with 9.7 ASK

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The Logitech Create for the iPad Pro 9.7” is not a full size keyboard. Neither is the Apple Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro 9.7”.

I didn’t know you could use the ASK 10.5” with the 9.7” but even if it works, it’d be too much of a kludge IMO.

We have discussed this already elsewhere. Logitech create and ASK are night and day... If I had to choose between the 10.5 ASK and the create I'll pick the create... full size is not the only thing in a keyboard...the shape and travel of the keyboard feels like you are typing on a thinkpad keyboard and more than make up for the spacing...

 

[secretk]

Why do so many give your used stuff to your wives? You’re not the only one, just on the first page 3 people said they give their “old” ipads to their wives. Are they not worth new ones? Why do you not keep the 2018 model and buy her a new one? Heck, if she doesn’t need a pro, get a cheaper one and save the money, but I am always so surprised that the wives get the hand downs. Mine would smack me around the head if I suggested something like that. And rightly so.

My assumption is because in general women care less about having the newest/best tech. I am not saying that there are no women that do or that all men want the best/new tech but my impression has been that in general men cadre about having the new gadget more. Women prefer to spend their money on other stuff - say makeup, cosmetics, clothes.

I am woman so do not get me wrong. I am not trying to disrespect anyone. I just think that there are some gender specifics when it comes to tech that might come into play here.
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With the 2020 IPP 11 I know that this device is using the RAM ...
What I have not seen so far is any real improvement over the 2018 IPP 11
Multitasking is not really any better and I am still seeing tab reloads, app reloads, app shutdowns, etc... on par with the previous model. With this snapshot I have 6 apps in the app manger - Google Maps, Safari with 3 tabs, Messages, Blink, Heckfire, Status.
View attachment 911248

Interesting. So if you don't mind where do you feel the different between the 2018 and 2020 iPP then? I mean outside the LIDAR stuff, in what real usage examples you see an improvement.

 

[dk001]

My assumption is because in general women care less about having the newest/best tech. I am not saying that there are no women that do or that all men want the best/new tech but my impression has been that in general men cadre about having the new gadget more. Women prefer to spend their money on other stuff - say makeup, cosmetics, clothes.

I am woman so do not get me wrong. I am not trying to disrespect anyone. I just think that there are some gender specifics when it comes to tech that might come into play here.
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Interesting. So if you don't mind where do you feel the different between the 2018 and 2020 iPP then? I mean outside the LIDAR stuff, in what real usage examples you see an improvement.

So far the place I have noticed has been in pdf's and MSOffice.
I suspect I will notice more as time passes.

I was hoping for immediate improvement in Safari tab and app reloads, and in copy/paste.
Have not seen anything noticeable in there.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Why do so many give your used stuff to your wives? You’re not the only one, just on the first page 3 people said they give their “old” ipads to their wives. Are they not worth new ones? Why do you not keep the 2018 model and buy her a new one? Heck, if she doesn’t need a pro, get a cheaper one and save the money, but I am always so surprised that the wives get the hand downs. Mine would smack me around the head if I suggested something like that. And rightly so.

If it helps, I give my hand me down Apple products to my boyfriend, because I’m the one dying for the latest and greatest. But I do really appreciate your sentiment!

 

[secretk]

So far the place I have noticed has been in pdf's and MSOffice.
I suspect I will notice more as time passes.

I was hoping for immediate improvement in Safari tab and app reloads, and in copy/paste.
Have not seen anything noticeable in there.

Thanks! Interesting that you see some improvements in MS Office. I do find it a bit slower on iOS devices compared to Android and Windows btw. Not sure why. What do you see as an improvement when it comes to PDF files?

 

[Sidewolf]

Not going to lie, I used the excuse of giving my old 2018 iPad Pro to my mom, so that I could upgrade to the new one. But she‘s definitely enjoying it, and I’m happy with the new one.

 

[Clintro]

You’re still spending money on a device which you can’t see any real world difference

If it makes you happy.... then

 

[1rottenapple]

giving tech to family is my excuse to upgrade. I got my cracked 7 plus replaced (open replacement, looks brand new) then gave it to my dad whose iphone 6 was broken to get the 8 plus. He holds it in sentimental value because that was when my career started taking off and he keeps his 7 plus in a super thick case.

I gave my 5s to my mom when I got the 6. The 5s was actually worth a lot of sentimental value since I used it to travel the first time.

I gave the gf (now the wife) my 8 plus (I got the xs max). Then gave her my 2018 12.9 ipad pro so i can get the 11 2020. None of these individuals care to spend money on tech and they got the best paid model that was a year old, paid off aka free from me. All phone are paid off and unlocked.