Has the iPad Pro been a success?

[0098386]

I never thought I'd update my iPad 3 (the first retina one), for years I barely even used it. I got it so I could take my whole photo library to my grandmothers place, she had dementia and I thought she'd appreciate the pics. But Apple were pretty awful then - photos wouldn't sync correctly so we had to make do with my iPhone 4S. Oh well.

I didn't want another one after that. But then the Pro brought stylus support and I was on the look out for a Cintiq. Regular tablets have never suited me and I wanted one for work. And here was my reason! But I didn't buy one until the smaller model came out. Now I use it about 2-4 hours a day between working, Lightroom, Rollercoaster Tycoon! It was the best purchase I made as its improved my work, hobbies, and games. I think thats really neat.

For me it's about additional new features, not refining of others. The camera is great, long battery life, the screen is amazing, storage can be huge, 4 speakers... I dunno what will make me want a new one now. Perhaps one powerful enough to run full OSX? One that can levitate so I don't need to stack pillows under it would be nice

 

[Badrottie]

How about Samsung Galaxy View and Galaxy Tab Pro, did they sell well? If not, large tablet might be dead?

 

[OutSpoken]

Personally nobody should be surprised that the 12.9 pro hasn't sold well - it was always a niche product in my eyes. bigger doesn't always mean better.

I'm still loving my iPad Air 2, although if I had cash to burn I'd upgrade it to the pro 9.7.

 

[ardchoille50]

Sales numbers mean nothing to me. What is important to me is whether or not a device works for my needs. And, my 9.7" iPad Pro is working so well that my Mac minis don't see much use these days. I don't see the need for anything more than an iPhone and iPad Pro, going forward, but I'm likely in the minority in that regard.

 

[Coolpher]

I have been using my 12.9 iPad Pro with cellular for about one year and one month and ever since I got this it has been my main device granted I still have my Macbookpro 2015 only use it to play hard-core games which is rare and to restore my iPad and iPhone and occasionally I use the Apple Pencil to doodle from time to time
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Let's not forget something - iPad sales as they were at the height were entirely unsustainable. IPad 2 had this huge spike in sales because everyone was curious about the iPad. "How can these make us more productive at work?" "I bet this would be easy for Grandma to use!" "This is perfect for surfing the web and watching videos!" What's happening now is that the people who found them useful are staying, while people who bought one for trendy reasons and found they didn't use it aren't buying new ones. The same thing happened with the Wii.

I'd say the market is normalizing.

It's funny that you would say "I bet this would be easy for grandma to use" I helped my grandma Buy a 12.9 32 GB iPad Pro with smart keyboard which replaced her windows laptop and she uses it every day to check email Facebook and write in word for iPad she also faced times with the family around the country she is still learning but has been enjoying the experience over what she experienced on her windows laptop everything is simplified once you hide all the apps she doesn't need especially being that she is 97 years old

 

[Channan]

I wouldn't say that iPads arent selling well. Many people seem to confuse ipad sales with iphone sales just because they're both iOS devices. They forget that people don't upgrade their ipads every year like many do with their iphones. In that regard, ipads are indeed more like laptops. iPads are mainly media consumption devices for most...but more and more people are using them as laptop replacements. Yet, they aren't laptop replacements for all.

Here in NYC I see lots of ipad pros. Lots of smart covers & apple pencils give them away. I don't have the numbers, but here at least, people seem to want the ability to use both those accessories and the pros are selling well compared to the iPad air.

Should be interesting to see if the rumored 10.5" bezel-less iPad pro is announced along side the iPad pro updates in March. I could see that selling even better than both current iPad pros. We'll see.

A lot of people don't even upgrade their iPhones every two years anymore. I still see so many people with iPhone 5s's and iPhone 5c's.

Sales numbers mean nothing to me. What is important to me is whether or not a device works for my needs. And, my 9.7" iPad Pro is working so well that my Mac minis don't see much use these days. I don't see the need for anything more than an iPhone and iPad Pro, going forward, but I'm likely in the minority in that regard.

They do matter to you, though. If the iPad doesn't sell as well, Apple invests fewer resources into development. You may get a less capable iPad in the future than what could have been and/or new releases become less frequent.

Sales numbers don't immediately affect you, but they do in the long run.

 

[ardchoille50]

They do matter to you, though. If the iPad doesn't sell as well, Apple invests fewer resources into development. You may get a less capable iPad in the future than what could have been and/or new releases become less frequent.

Then I would either buy a different device. You make a good point about sales numbers, however, Apple is not the only game in town and iOS devices are not the only option that allows one have their needs met.

 

[Channan]

Then I would either buy a different device. You make a good point about sales numbers, however, Apple is not the only game in town and iOS devices are not the only option that allows one have their needs met.

The iPad is not the only option for a tablet, but it is the best for me and I would hate to see it deteriorate to the point where I have to pick the better of two worse products.

 

[ardchoille50]

The iPad is not the only option for a tablet, but it is the best for me and I would hate to see it deteriorate to the point where I have to pick the better of two worse products.

Good point there, iOS does seem to be the best option as far as operating systems right now. Perhaps my attitude toward sales numbers could benefit from a bit of tweaking.

 

[358547]

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[Adelphos33]

Based on Apple's latest earnings release (iPad sales are down, and the average price is also down, suggesting more people are buying iPad Mini and Air2 models) and the leaks we have seen for the new iPads (they seem to be working on an iPad 12.9", a 10.5" and a "cheap" 9.7" with no mention of a refreshed iPad Pro 9.7"), I think the answer to my original post has to be yes. My iPad Pro 12.9" is one of my favorite Apple products ever; however, it cost $1,200+ all in, and the iPad Pro 9.7" are also expensive. Customers aren't buying these expensive tablets from Apple yet.

 

[capathy21]

I also don't see as many ads for it. Did they give up on promoting it?

That was my biggest issue with them releasing the 9.7 "Pro". It's like they released the 12.9, it didn't take off well, so they threw out a 9.7 version and pushed the advertising to that size. There are a few key aspects of the 12.9 that make it more productive than the 9.7 and I feel that those features get abandoned by Apple pushing the 9.7. The 9.7 is an Air 3 with keyboard and pencil support. However, the 12.9 was an entirely new product. Huge display for more productive multitasking and a full onscreen keyboard with many more options from the traditional iPad keyboard (which the 9.7 still has).

I know many people like the 9.7 version and no doubt it's a better seller than the 12.9. Personally I just think 9.7 is too small to truly be a computer replacement. I wish they had made the smaller of the iPad pro's to be closer to a 11-11.5 inch display size. I think that would have been the sweet spot.

We will see what this new iPad size ends up being and maybe that's the one that really takes off.

 

[bytecurious]

Since Android is an utter failure on tablets, I think the Ipad wins by default.
From a capitalist standpoint, Ipads have been an amazing success: Show people something they didn't know they needed, create demand that wasn't there before, iterate the product often enough to create insane upgrade cycles.

That said, I feel like Apple made a total mockery out of the word "Pro" by now, so I'm not sure about this specific model.

 

[joeblow7777]

Since Android is an utter failure on tablets, I think the Ipad wins by default.
From a capitalist standpoint, Ipads have been an amazing success: Show people something they didn't know they needed, create demand that wasn't there before, iterate the product often enough to create insane upgrade cycles.

That said, I feel like Apple made a total mockery out of the word "Pro" by now, so I'm not sure about this specific model.

I wouldn't say that Android is a failure on tablets. Having an actual file management system, greater customization, and expandable storage on many models actually makes Android tablets more viable laptop replacements than iPads in many ways. It's just that Android lacks tablet-specific apps.

 

[dingclancy23]

I would love to see how many 12.9s were actually sold. I am an avid user of the 12.9 and I use it for work a lot, but the main indicator is how many, peripherals, cases, keyboards, and such are made for this. And it shows that there is not much demand for it.

Until now there are only two keyboards that are using the smart connector, and both were made on launch day! That means the market for this is anemic at best, and maybe not as big as we thought.

If the driving theme is the iPad is the next PC replacement, then it should hold true with the 12.9, but I think the uptake is not that great. Curiously, Mac sales only increased a bit YOY quarter, and that is with three new MacBook Pro models. They also increased average prices of the MBP's ala the iPad Pro last year . If Apple does not release a yearly upgrade to the MacBook Pros, they might suffer a much worse drop.

 

[bensisko]

I wouldn't say that Android is a failure on tablets. Having an actual file management system, greater customization, and expandable storage on many models actually makes Android tablets more viable laptop replacements than iPads in many ways. It's just that Android lacks tablet-specific apps.

And, you know, customers... ;-)

 

[itsamacthing]

If the new iPad Pro with 12.9 is more innovative, I will be getting one... I would like more storage... 1TB. Also, ability to use a Mouse so I can remote desktop into a PC.. and more of an open OS experience with true multi-tasking and drag and drop document capabilities.

 

[Adelphos33]

I would love to see how many 12.9s were actually sold. I am an avid user of the 12.9 and I use it for work a lot, but the main indicator is how many, peripherals, cases, keyboards, and such are made for this. And it shows that there is not much demand for it.

Until now there are only two keyboards that are using the smart connector, and both were made on launch day! That means the market for this is anemic at best, and maybe not as big as we thought.

If the driving theme is the iPad is the next PC replacement, then it should hold true with the 12.9, but I think the uptake is not that great. Curiously, Mac sales only increased a bit YOY quarter, and that is with three new MacBook Pro models. They also increased average prices of the MBP's ala the iPad Pro last year . If Apple does not release a yearly upgrade to the MacBook Pros, they might suffer a much worse drop.

The problem is that a fully kit Macbook Pro 12.9" (say 128 G, Cell, Keyboard, Smart Cover, Pencil) costs $1,376 at the Apple store (not including Apple care or anything). A current gen Macbook Pro (no touchbar) costs $1,499 and a Macbook costs $1,299. If you had to choose one, any of the current Macbooks are clearly better buys.

 

[Loge]

Well one sign that the 12.9 is not selling well is that they only make the covers in two colours (and not very striking ones at that). I still think it's a great device though!

 

[Booch21]

A friend of mine bought the 12.9" at the same time that I bought the 9.7". I held his iPad and was astounded at the weight and size of it. As for mine, I'm very pleased. I upgraded from the Air, which went to my daughter. I went all out and got the pencil and keyboard. With these combinations, I've been more productive and find that I'm using it for more than just a surfing tool and game player. For this guy, it's a success and was a big upgrade for me.

 

[sjleworthy]

I absolutely adore my iPad Pro, I use it both as a consumption device and a add on to my day to day work tasks - don't think I could be without it.

completely agree.

My 12.9 is never used for movies, games, reading, music or any other consumables, but entirely for accounts, comms, note taking, sketching, meetings, internet etc etc all day and every day, both in my professional and private life. Now, I'd be completely lost without it.

the 12.9 is so much better for me than my old 9.7, whereas the mini size (i hope they someday make another one) is just dandy for vacation and location visits.

 

[Cnasty]

It is unfortunate how much potential the 12.9 has but in the end it is just another iPad yet heavier and much larger.

The waste of real estate on the screen, no widget or space optimization for all that screen, and already out of date with them being under cut by the 9.7 and its TrueTone display.

I love the 12.9 but until Apple shows they are going to truly support it and start releasing some iOS updates that are inherently improving their iPad line it is tough to drop the cash on such an expensive, half baked item.

Just my take but YMMV.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

We have little or no info available to know what Apple's sales expectations are, or were. We can assume the worst, assume the best, or assume nothing at all - all we can do is choose the assumption we like best.

I don't think Apple ever expected the 12.9" iPad Pro to sell in huge numbers. Top-end machines, whether Cheese Grater (or Trash Can) Mac Pros, or 17" MacBook Pros, or 256GB iPhones... whatever. They make more money per unit on the top line product. They sell fewer of them, because most people don't need them, or can't justify the higher cost. And, like the 17" MBPs, bulk, weight, and the higher cost of a larger display matters. If the larger display is not essential, then no sale.

I have the 12.9" Pro. I'm very happy with it. I never expected to see every potential iPad owner decide, "That's the one for me!" I know consumer behavior too well. The press reports on the top-end model, and people drool over it. Then they buy what they can afford. The key thing for any company is that the top-line model helps sell the consumer on buying a more affordable model of the same brand. The question isn't, "How many 12.9" iPads have they sold," but, "How many 9.7" iPad Pros did the 12.9" sell?" (And if you think following the 12.9" model with a smaller model wasn't part of Apple's strategy from the start...)

As to whether a MacBook Pro or iPad Pro is the better value... Sorry, I simply would not carry around something heavier than an iPad. I haven't needed to carry something larger or heavier than an iPad since I got my first-generation iPad and retired my PowerBook G4. Some people pay a premium for light weight and compactness. Others pay a premium for versatility and performance. It's always been that way.

 

[dingclancy23]

The problem is that a fully kit Macbook Pro 12.9" (say 128 G, Cell, Keyboard, Smart Cover, Pencil) costs $1,376 at the Apple store (not including Apple care or anything). A current gen Macbook Pro (no touchbar) costs $1,499 and a Macbook costs $1,299. If you had to choose one, any of the current Macbooks are clearly better buys.

I would not say clearly better. I think the argument that Apple is making in terms of pricing is that if it is the best tool for your job, people would be willing to buy an expensive iPad Pro setup than a Macbook. I think for many (not most) people the rubicon has been crossed where at the same price level ($1299 to $1399), people with specific needs out of a tablet might choose the Pro over a Macbook. And these specific needs are getting broader too.

I am an optimist in this case, but I think what will happen is that Apple will release the 10.5 version at hopefully the price point of a current 9.7 iPad Pro that will unlock many use cases and show to a broader audience what a larger - 13 inch iPad has already been doing, and this leads to most users deciding that the larger iPad is all they need.

 

[bufffilm]

It all depends on who you ask. Personally, I don't mind if they don't sell as well as Apple would want, because that means they will be forced to give attention to their Macs.

It's specious to think the Mac will get more (or less) attention because of iPad sales.

The iPad is a steady source of sales even if yearly numbers these last 3 years have fallen. What is happening however is the steady challenge from MS and their Surface line.

My niece from Xmas got a Surface Pro 4...she didn't ask for an iPad or a new iPhone. (And when the Pro 5 comes out later this year, all eyes will be on Redmond.)

I wish we got more from Apple instead of these half measures. Never has a company with so much to offer...delivered on so few.