iPad Pro How bad/slow is the A12X chip (iPad Pro 11")

[apple fan23]

Am thinking of buying an iPad Pro 11" first gen (2018) but wondering whether it would cause problems; a used model from Ebay might have a worn-out battery, the chip might be too slow for ios16 (and future updates).
I don't need power (just browsing and reading) but would like a nice screen and this beats an iPad 9th (or 10th) gen and is similarly priced on Ebay.

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[rui no onna]

The A12X is still very fast. The annoying thing about the 2018 iPad Pros is the 4GB RAM (non-1TB models).

 

[apple fan23]

ah, good point. Do the newer models have more RAM? I suppose I don't need much but 4GB ain't much indeed.

 

[BeatCrazy]

My 2018 11" is still in daily (heavy!) use by my daughter. She uses it for drawing, primarily. Never a problem with RAM or performance.

I don't know what the used prices are like. But you can get a new M1 iPad Air on sale for $499 US, which is probably a better long-term value.

 

[apple fan23]

Good to know your daughter is still using it and it's working well.
The air does not have as good a display and that's the main reason I am looking at the pro. On eBay the 2nd gen could go for around £400, the 1st gen for about £300..... (am trying to find a cheaper 2nd gen)

 

[rui no onna]

ah, good point. Do the newer models have more RAM? I suppose I don't need much but 4GB ain't much indeed.

The 2020 iPP have 6GB RAM across the board. 2021 and 2022 have 8GB RAM on 128-512GB and 16GB RAM on 1-2TB.

The air does not have as good a display and that's the main reason I am looking at the pro.

The Air is missing ProMotion and is 500 nits vs 600 on the Pro. In practical use, for me the Air and Pro displays are about the same.

I regularly switch between M1 12.9, M1 11, Air 5 and mini 6. I’m fairly content with the displays on all of them.

 

[FeliApple]

I think it’s a great device for content consumption. I’d recommend the Air 5 for longevity, but frankly, if you just want it for content consumption the 3rd-gen 11-inch iPad Pro should be great. It’s a great iPad with no clear alternatives, the fact that it has all of the “Pro” features like Quad Speakers and the display make it a good choice, and like I said, for content consumption, no iPad should struggle, honestly.

Even my 9.7-inch iPad Pro still works perfectly fine for that (although it is on iOS 12).

 

[Greatdreamer]

I just switched from a 2018 iPad with 12X chip to a current 2022 model (12.9 though). The old iPad was still fast and good for most tasks - but not for all tasks. I‘m a heavy user of Stagemanager as well as Teams, Zoom and Office 365. There you could clearly feel slow downs (e.g. waiting for 2-3 seconds until meetings start, switching over to AirPods works, etc.) and sometimes ćglitches (e.g. apps terminating suddenly) that point to RAM issues. So, the differences are small but noticeable and if you use the iPad for intense productive work, I would recommend a iPAd 2022 (or 2021).

 

[PlayUltimate]

For just reading and Netflix, I'm still able to use an iPad mini Gen 2 w/16GB (2013). Was just reading a book on it last night, using Libby (library ebooks), without an issue. And Apple Books works fine as well. I suspect anything you choose will be newer than that device and will serve you well.

 

[secretk]

The A12X is still very fast. The annoying thing about the 2018 iPad Pros is the 4GB RAM (non-1TB models).

Confirm this as I used to have the 2018 model. I never had issues with A12X. I did have issues with RAM.
That being said it depends on someone usage. I would stumble upon on RAM issues in few instances. First I have enough open tabs in Safari to cause issues. Then sometimes I need to import rather bigger PDF files in Notability (250-300 pages) and this would crash Notability.
If you do not game I don't think that you will miss Promotion. I personally do not notice it. The reason I consider iPad Pro is because I need more than 256 GB storage.

 

[apple fan23]

Thanks. I'll be reading (and highlighting) PDF files on it mostly - and some are big or I'll have multiple open at the same time! So this is very relevant to me. Am hunting Ebay and hoping I could find an affordable 2020 model or else find an iPad Air 4. Most are a bit expensive for me, but I might get lucky.

 

[RaphaZ]

For what you say you do, which resembles what I do, the 9gen will be a great product. Not the best, of course, but if you are in a rigid budget I’d consider it.

I’m also hunting for an Air 5. Something with M1. I would not have the AP2, but a cheaper alternative. A friend of mine brought me a refurbished 11 Pro a year ago, but I returned it because the 9gen was 300€ less (and it got available in Portugal meanwhile). I do not regret it, but I didn’t have the option to test the Pro (it was bought and delivered by my friend in the UK). I can’t really compare both.

If you are gonna use your tablet that much, buy something you want. Anyway, I’m sure you would not be defrauded by any Apple’s technology.

Edit: it has become more difficult to me to use/buy a decent PDF app. There are some very good but with astonishing prices. If you find one you like, please share. I’m using Zotero (I’ve paid 20 dollars for one year) and Noteful, but the last one doesn’t allow you to mark the text directly. I dont know if the paid version has that feature, I’ve sent an e-mail asking it.

 

[Digitalguy]

I would avoid the air 4 and even more the iPad 9, which has even less RAM. If you have to go with a 4GB RAM device, definitely get the pro 11 (better speakers and better display). If you can find a decently priced 2020 one or 1TB 2018 one (which has also 6GB RAM) go for that.

 

[apple fan23]

I would avoid the air 4 and even more the iPad 9, which has even less RAM. If you have to go with a 4GB RAM device, definitely get the pro 11 (better speakers and better display). If you can find a decently priced 2020 one or 1TB 2018 one (which has also 6GB RAM) go for that.

that's interesting! Thank you. As I'm mostly reading pdf's I figured I don't need much ram. Then again programs like Zotero could get hungry. Something to keep in mind, for sure. The iPad Pro 2020 (2nd gen) just got an extra plus.... Ill be comparing ram and taking this along in my choice!

 

[floral]

Actually it is very fast. Sometimes it may even rival A13 or A14. Definitely capable for a few more years.

If you really want longevity (as in update support) splurge for an Air 5, but the one you want is also very good for its price so I would recommend it instead.

Surprisingly, the A12X iPad Pros also support Stage Manager. So you can multitask a lot better.

 

[apple fan23]

For what you say you do, which resembles what I do, the 9gen will be a great product. Not the best, of course, but if you are in a rigid budget I’d consider it.

I’m also hunting for an Air 5. Something with M1. I would not have the AP2, but a cheaper alternative. A friend of mine brought me a refurbished 11 Pro a year ago, but I returned it because the 9gen was 300€ less (and it got available in Portugal meanwhile). I do not regret it, but I didn’t have the option to test the Pro (it was bought and delivered by my friend in the UK). I can’t really compare both.

If you are gonna use your tablet that much, buy something you want. Anyway, I’m sure you would not be defrauded by any Apple’s technology.

Edit: it has become more difficult to me to use/buy a decent PDF app. There are some very good but with astonishing prices. If you find one you like, please share. I’m using Zotero (I’ve paid 20 dollars for one year) and Noteful, but the last one doesn’t allow you to mark the text directly. I dont know if the paid version has that feature, I’ve sent an e-mail asking it.

the 9gen might be a bit low on ram, I just learned.... The air 5 has 8gb of ram so that is brilliant. The 11 pro is what I am looking at now, but might well have to pay a bit more for the 2020 model (2nd gen) and even more for the 2021 (3rd gen) - gonna have to consider whether it's worth it for a (mostly) reading and browsing device. I might be able to get away with the 4gb ram on the air4, but it won't feel very future proof.

As for PDF apps... love Zotero (I use the free version) and their pdf reader as well. Might go for paid version to be able to use the iPad version better. PDF Expert is great (free version) and I use Foxit on my phone as it does 'reflow' nicely. But mostly stick to Zotero, which I love.

 

[apple fan23]

Actually it is very fast. Sometimes it may even rival A13 or A14. Definitely capable for a few more years.

If you really want longevity (as in update support) splurge for an Air 5, but the one you want is also very good for its price so I would recommend it instead.

Surprisingly, the A12X iPad Pros also support Stage Manager. So you can multitask a lot better.

A12X supports stage manager? I thought that was only on M1/2 devices? I love stage manager! Surely you mean A12Z, which is newer than the X. The 12X is in the 2018 iPad Pro 11", but the 12Z in the 2020 model.

 

[floral]

A12X supports stage manager? I thought that was only on M1/2 devices? I love stage manager! Surely you mean A12Z, which is newer than the X. The 12X is in the 2018 iPad Pro 11", but the 12Z in the 2020 model.

No no. Not only all M-series iPads supporting it, but Apple also chose to support both A12Z *and* A12X iPad Pros. It may run a little less smoothly, but it is there.

 

[secretk]

A12X supports stage manager? I thought that was only on M1/2 devices? I love stage manager! Surely you mean A12Z, which is newer than the X. The 12X is in the 2018 iPad Pro 11", but the 12Z in the 2020 model.

Initially I think they said that it won't but in the end it did support Stage Manager. Not sure if there weren't some restrictions on how many open apps. I no longer have it so I cannot tell you.

 

[floral]

Initially I think they said that it won't but in the end it did support Stage Manager. Not sure if there weren't some restrictions on how many open apps. I no longer have it so I cannot tell you.

Yeah, I just saw a handful of youtube videos showing the 2018 models using SM. As far as I know, there is no "cap", but with the 4gb of ram I'd only recommend it can handle about 3 apps at a time, guaranteed. Then again, not like you'd need any more with how big the "minimum" window size is.

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks. I'll be reading (and highlighting) PDF files on it mostly - and some are big or I'll have multiple open at the same time! So this is very relevant to me. Am hunting Ebay and hoping I could find an affordable 2020 model or else find an iPad Air 4. Most are a bit expensive for me, but I might get lucky.

Air 4 has the same 4GB RAM as the 2018 iPad Pro.

You’ll need to go Air 5 for M1/8GB.

 

[apple fan23]

Air 5 is too expensive (am looking at Ebay only really and low budget) so for more ram I could opt (and spend more than planned) for the pro 11" 2nd gen (2020) which has 6gb ram. I might well be ok with 4gb though....or I might just have to be. Air 4 is newer (A14 chip) than 2018 iPad Pro (A12X) so probably better option from those two? 2020 Pro is a tad more expensive than Air 4. Pro 2018 is cheapest of these three (not many out there tho).

 

[FeliApple]

I would avoid the air 4 and even more the iPad 9, which has even less RAM. If you have to go with a 4GB RAM device, definitely get the pro 11 (better speakers and better display). If you can find a decently priced 2020 one or 1TB 2018 one (which has also 6GB RAM) go for that.

Agreed, for content consumption alone even a 2GB RAM iPad would work (provided it is on iOS 12 or earlier, solely due to battery life, maybe RAM usage too), but for longevity’s sake, if I had to choose a 4GB RAM device I’d at least go for the 3rd-gen, 11-inch iPad Pro for features alone.

 

[apple fan23]

3rd gen iPad Pro is way too pricey for me, I'm afraid. It's 1st or 2nd gen....

So it's iPad Pro 2018 (cheapest, but hard to find) or 2020 (bit over budget but might be worth it) or Air 4.....

 

[FeliApple]

3rd gen iPad Pro is way too pricey for me, I'm afraid. It's 1st or 2nd gen....

So it's iPad Pro 2018 (cheapest, but hard to find) or 2020 (bit over budget but might be worth it) or Air 4.....

This is what Apple’s incorrect naming conventions cause! I call the 2018 model the 3rd-gen 11-inch iPad Pro (because it comes after the 1st-gen 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the 2nd-gen 10.5-inch iPad Pro). I’d call the M1 2021 model the 5th-gen 11-inch iPad Pro. It is therefore consistent with the 12.9-inch models. If I say “3rd-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro”, you’d know immediately that I’m referring to the A12X 2018 model and the 2018 11-inch iPad Pro belongs to the same category, so it is the 3rd-gen, not the 1st.

But yes, by 3rd-gen I meant the 2018 model, not the 2021 M1 model.