I have to say, the more time I spend with the iPad Pro 9.7 and the Smart Keyboard I actually feel...happy as stupid as that sounds. It's just one iOS update from becoming 'magical' exactly as Steve jobs would have led you believe it would be all those years ago.
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How happy are you with your new 9.7" iPad Pro?
- Thread starter TheLondonFella
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Voted 7. Based on the scale (i.e. "It's really good"), that's saying something ;-)
As well as a daily work device, my iPad is my portable TV in the house. I stream a lot of college athletics and I'd like to offer that the true tone display is really nice, IMHO. The flesh tones are warm and the image is very crisp. After using it for a few days I don't think that I could go back to the colder more sterile non true tone option.
As well as a daily work device, my iPad is my portable TV in the house. I stream a lot of college athletics and I'd like to offer that the true tone display is really nice, IMHO. The flesh tones are warm and the image is very crisp. After using it for a few days I don't think that I could go back to the colder more sterile non true tone option.
Yes ... I was in the return window and really wanted the smaller one. The 12.9" was nice but a little too large for my personal use cases.
Im strongly considering returning my pro 9.7 and going back to my air 1....
Web pages take too long to load while scrolling down constantly having to wait for it to load as you scroll is too annoying..Even on ebay it does this
https://imgur.com/a/I57Cz
I just put the pro next to a air 2 we just got and the pro is now loading ebay properly and the air 2 is not...Weird because my ipad air 1 never did this
Web pages take too long to load while scrolling down constantly having to wait for it to load as you scroll is too annoying..Even on ebay it does this
https://imgur.com/a/I57Cz
I just put the pro next to a air 2 we just got and the pro is now loading ebay properly and the air 2 is not...Weird because my ipad air 1 never did this
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I love the pencil. I started a journal on Saturday (I figured it would be a good way to get used to writing with it), and two days later, writing with the pencil already feels so natural. I'm finding it's a lighter, quicker experience than writing on actual paper, but just as personal. I'm using the Noteshelf app. It's great for picky note takers who want lots of customization options.
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That's a Safari bug that was introduced in iOS 9, sadly. Would be nice if we got a fix, but the workaround is to close the tab and use a new one. Not sure why the A7 is immune to it.
Well I've had my iPad Pro 9.7" just over a week now (after upgrading from an Air 2) and I have to say I am really happy with it.
Despite there being a few hiccups with iOS 9.3.1 (and the latest Public Beta, which you'd expect) performance wise it's not too shabby at all.
The four speaker layout is a welcome addition; I can't believe how much louder they are compared to the Air 2's dual speakers.
The display is second to none. Even though there are products out there with a higher PPI count/resolution the display is the best one on an iPad tablet so far.
Despite there being a few hiccups with iOS 9.3.1 (and the latest Public Beta, which you'd expect) performance wise it's not too shabby at all.
The four speaker layout is a welcome addition; I can't believe how much louder they are compared to the Air 2's dual speakers.
The display is second to none. Even though there are products out there with a higher PPI count/resolution the display is the best one on an iPad tablet so far.
Very happy. From the day I got the first iPad I have been looking for a stylus to make it a real notebook replacement. Lots of money spent ending in mostly frustration over all these years, but this device finally nails everything I've wanted from an iPad. The Air 1 was the first device where I felt they nailed the form factor. I used my Surface Pro for the last year plus as that was the best stylus on the market, but the Pencil makes the surface stylus look silly. And I much prefer this form factor.
So I have owned the 12.9" from launch, and it is great. But I just bought the 9.7" and I'm going to be selling the 12.9.
The thing for me is that with the 12.9" I almost never used it as just a tablet, I always had the keyboard connected. The 9.7" size is perfect for tablet size, and having the Smart Keyboard available is awesome. I do miss the "space" that the 12.9" gives you though, with split screen you get a full iPad sized view plus an iPhone sized view, or two iPad sized views which is pretty awesome. On the 9.7" you get a miniature sized iPad view plus an iPhone sized view, or two miniature iPad views. The larger iPad feels a lot more "open" like a Mac laptop, versus an iOS device.
For me the problem with the 12.9" is that there is nothing to take advantage of its primary advantages - increased screen real estate, fast USB3 transfer speeds, and increased RAM. In the current state of iOS those things all go to waste. In a year, maybe iOS will be more mature on a tablet and the differences will be greater.
They definitely both have their place, but for me the 9.7" is a better all around tablet.
The thing for me is that with the 12.9" I almost never used it as just a tablet, I always had the keyboard connected. The 9.7" size is perfect for tablet size, and having the Smart Keyboard available is awesome. I do miss the "space" that the 12.9" gives you though, with split screen you get a full iPad sized view plus an iPhone sized view, or two iPad sized views which is pretty awesome. On the 9.7" you get a miniature sized iPad view plus an iPhone sized view, or two miniature iPad views. The larger iPad feels a lot more "open" like a Mac laptop, versus an iOS device.
For me the problem with the 12.9" is that there is nothing to take advantage of its primary advantages - increased screen real estate, fast USB3 transfer speeds, and increased RAM. In the current state of iOS those things all go to waste. In a year, maybe iOS will be more mature on a tablet and the differences will be greater.
They definitely both have their place, but for me the 9.7" is a better all around tablet.
Loving mine. I upgraded from an Air 1, so I got Touch ID, better screen, split view, Apple Pay, etc. which I did not have before. Touch ID alone is worth the price of admission!
Folks forget to mention touchId because it's been available for so long in iPhones... But it's definitely a benefit for upgraders.
Another forgot add-on: laminated screens... The iPad Air 1 did not have them... Better screen & thinner iPad !
I did mention better screen, but yes, you are absolutely right. The new screen is fabulous. My wife's Air 2 had the laminated screen you mentioned, and it looked a lot nicer than the screen on my Air 1.
Some quality problems with the display as with my iPhone 6s (darker left edge and corners). The screen of my 4 years old iPad 3 looks better.
This is already an exchange model, as the first one had problems with the volume buttons.
Sorry Apple - not for that price tag!
I'm going to return my IPP, though i'm otherwise impressed by the performance.
4 (for the speed)/10
This is already an exchange model, as the first one had problems with the volume buttons.
Sorry Apple - not for that price tag!
I'm going to return my IPP, though i'm otherwise impressed by the performance.
4 (for the speed)/10
I'm still happy. The pencil support makes it an excellent upgrade, and the improved speakers are really nice.
As far as performance is concerned - I haven't really done many cpu-intensive tasks that would yield a proper comparison between the Pro and the Air 2. Everything is running smooth, though, and I'm sure the A9X will prove its worth over time.
I've been keeping TrueTone off the past couple days and can't say I'm missing it much. My Air 2's display was just as good, and I think I prefer its cooler white balance. The new display is still very nice. Mine's not nearly as warm as the display pictures some have posted around here, and it's nothing I would return or exchange over.
The only "con" I can think of is that I won't be saving any money on the upgrade, as I decided to give my Air 2 to a family member.
As far as performance is concerned - I haven't really done many cpu-intensive tasks that would yield a proper comparison between the Pro and the Air 2. Everything is running smooth, though, and I'm sure the A9X will prove its worth over time.
I've been keeping TrueTone off the past couple days and can't say I'm missing it much. My Air 2's display was just as good, and I think I prefer its cooler white balance. The new display is still very nice. Mine's not nearly as warm as the display pictures some have posted around here, and it's nothing I would return or exchange over.
The only "con" I can think of is that I won't be saving any money on the upgrade, as I decided to give my Air 2 to a family member.
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I finally caved and bought a 9.7 iPad pro this weekend. I have the original mini 32 cellular (Which still works okay) so it is a HUGE upgrade for me. I like it a lot (i ended up with a killer deal from Best Buy with an open box someone had brought back without the lightning cable (we have plenty of those). it is a 32 which was my only beef but I will just have to be careful. However, I am getting used to it and love it so far. The screen is amazing.
Because someone at BB had marked the open box incorrectly AND with rewards and trading in an old iPad 2 we got the pencil, apple care and ipad for about 500 bucks (Wifi version since i do still have the mini cellular that i use a lot). I wasnt even going to get the pencil but was like WTH throw it in (No keyboards to be found but that is okay)!
I had no idea i would want the pencil but love sketching on it and doing notes. Still getting used to it all but it is great. The speakers are wonderful. My only issues so far (Which is why I gave it an 8) arent the iPad's fault but mine:
A) used to the mini form which i love so B) i am not used to such a big ipad (I know and i wanted the 12.9 one first what was i thinking?) C) getting used to the screen (while lovely it hurts my eyes after awhile especially watching videos on it). But a solid 8. And with such a killer deal i figure my husband can have this one later and i can upgrade! (He has the original Ipad Air which he still loves).
I have been on these boards for the last few weeks, reading and rereading stuff. Thanks for helping me make my decision!
Because someone at BB had marked the open box incorrectly AND with rewards and trading in an old iPad 2 we got the pencil, apple care and ipad for about 500 bucks (Wifi version since i do still have the mini cellular that i use a lot). I wasnt even going to get the pencil but was like WTH throw it in (No keyboards to be found but that is okay)!
I had no idea i would want the pencil but love sketching on it and doing notes. Still getting used to it all but it is great. The speakers are wonderful. My only issues so far (Which is why I gave it an 8) arent the iPad's fault but mine:
A) used to the mini form which i love so B) i am not used to such a big ipad (I know and i wanted the 12.9 one first what was i thinking?) C) getting used to the screen (while lovely it hurts my eyes after awhile especially watching videos on it). But a solid 8. And with such a killer deal i figure my husband can have this one later and i can upgrade! (He has the original Ipad Air which he still loves).
I have been on these boards for the last few weeks, reading and rereading stuff. Thanks for helping me make my decision!
Mine locks up 50-60% of the time when you select and want to copy text. Getting to be a pain doing the power/home to the Apple process! I have been trying to see if this might be a software issue but of course Apple will never be helpful enough to let us know these thing. I have had Apple since early to mid 1980s -currently have iPad Pro 128GB, and iMac i7. I was going to get i7 phone but I want headphones and it doesn't have a jack which is just stupid. A friend got hers but didn't realize the jack was gone. She had heard about it but didn't think they would get rid of it. She has hearing aids that you don't remove and pods don't work. She travels a lot on plane overseas and to NYC, train toDC and goes to a lot of specialty libraries plus has a relative in nursing home - all of these allow her to use cellphone but you have to use headphones so you don't disturb other people. Another individual has the same issue but no hearing aid - it's just her ears won't hold on to the pods and she is sick of replacing them losing one or the other while jogging, riding her horses, yoga, etc where she wants to listen to music or get coaching instruction. Confirmed old Apple lovers but with the many issues including trying to read text and this last straw have given up and moving on.
So back to iPad Pro - I got it over Air due to Apple Pencil. Little did I know that the Pro is not fingerprint resistant and in fact it is worse to clean than any prior models that didn't have special coating. Called Apple, don't seem to think it is a real issue, maybe I have greasier fingers (must be overnight change from the Air of a friends I was using - my last iPad was 3rd generation before resistant coating came out and a microfiber cloth worked well with occasional careful wipe with Lysol towelettes. The coating seemed to work good on Air I used of friends so I didn't think Pro would be an issue. I pushed Apple rep (he said he didn't know there were any complaints - told him to google) for further investigation as to whether there was a difference in coating for Pro from Air - finally was told had to make changes due to Apple Pencil. Apple suggested premium screen protector and iKlear. I tried the iklear and even it has a tough time removing the smears with the spray and their two clothes included in iklear kit. You really have to scrub hard. I told Apple, if they had to go backwards for the new pencil - they should provide screen protector.
Then there is the case issue: My prior iPad was a 9.7" screen so I wrongly assumed my nice light weight cover would work for 9.7" Pro - no dice. When ordering on phone, no one advised the Pro had shrunk the bezel and thus my old case wouldn't work. I was unhappy but though I needed storage for pencil anyway - would just order same case but for the Pro. Guess what - Apple didn't make a full case for it period nor one that also holds the pencil and it's tiny little parts - all inside where someone can't just walk off with it. The millions of Air cases don't quite work due to camera bump, size and button placements plus no pencil options. Apple made a front cover $49 and add $69 for silicon back protection (total case $118 but no pencil option). They made keyboard case $149 - No pencil storage. Plus when you fold the keyboard back when you just want to read, it is uncomfortable to hold and I have my iMac - seldom do I type on iPad. If you have RA, Lupus or just older with hand issues, you need something light that doesn't from your hands and crash to floor. If I want a laptop, I would buy one or I would get a thirty party keyboard that provides a better typing experience. Apple needs to produce a reasonable priced lightweight case to protect back and front - similar to the one I had for ipad3rd generation but with pencil storage. Most of the 3rd party cases being made for Pro 9.7" which is a wonderfully light device like the Air are very heavy and add anywhere from 12-16 oz and up and most don't have a pencil solution. I got STM Dux Pro case(very protective weighs 11.68 ounces) from Apple site and has wonderful slot to keep Pencil inside with wrap around closure and a high $60 tag but it means you are holding close to 2 lbs to read - cancels out lightweight device. I was kinda happy but then I realized the pencil and it's two tiny white slippery parts - cap and charging adapter are super easy to misplace. So after much searching one night in bedcovers for tiny white cap - I decided an Apple Pencil Cozy (3rd party) was in order - rubbery, neon lights up in dark and each sections contains it's designated pencil part well and it help the rolling off the counter. I was elated for 5 minutes until I realized the pencil with cap cozy installed doesn't fit into STM case pencil slot and you can't close and put to sleep.
So -in addition to over $1000 for iPad/pencil/Applecare/tax - I ended up purchasing accessories that still don't solve what Apple should have before releasing products: almost but very heavy case option $60; $10 for cozy combo (pencil cap and charging adapter), iKlear $20 and not done yet because after a lot reading will need to spend $30-$50 for Zagg screen protector and still have to come up with a decent lightweight full cover that isn't slippery and holds my pencil inside and it's little parts when not in use.
All this extra expense for a supposedly wonderful innovative Apple Pencil - NOT. It doesn't work as a drawing tool with any of their software (pages, keynote, mail) and only very limited super basic use with Notes. Even that you have to press so hard you feel like you will punch through screen. No variations with touch and only tiny bit with holding angled for shading. I watched the few videos out there and I'm using it correctly. Other than a very expensive stylus to make selections - useless. It works with third party drawing and coloring apps - I use Procreate for drawing/sketching and Pigmentfor coloring pages (free very limited they want you to pay $7.99/month to get unlimited use along with being able to save, share, etc. which is nuts and I won't do). BUT HERE IS THE BIGGIE WITH APPLE PRO PENCIL- to use, you have to have a third party app and they all work with brushes, textures, line width, options to do watercolor, oil, etc type strokes......the new $99 pencil works no differently than the Target $7.99 stylus I have had since 2012 and not much different than my finger which I have used quite often. The hype for this pencil is criminal and fraudulent. Telling us that Pro has a fingerprint resistant coating was bad enough, along with all the issues on case/pencil storage and the silly little parts that you can't keep up with BUT to pay $100 for something that doesn't work much better than my finger is the lost straw. I can't believe I was so stupid. Never again. It should have been a clue when I opened the pencil box and there were all these pieces of shaped blank paper to take up space so parts wouldn't fall out and the fact that the type on minute instructions were tiny and the font was so pale and thin, you can't read it.
As said before, Apple lover since 1980s and I have faithfully defended even as I have seen the company's focus and intelligence decline with every update on my iMac and iPad. What are they thinking - I'm beginning to think Cook is trying to undermine the company for some reason - I know that makes no sense but the way they have developed products the last few years just isn't good business. They didn't need the Pro 9.7" - just update the air with the couple of changes on Pro (or eliminate Air altogether. And I don't understand the big Pro at all nor all the phone size back and forth. This was a innovative, forward focused company whose products were so intuitive, you didn't need a manual. Functions were where you expected and worked like you expected. Apple was the media department and graphic design agency's darling but now every update requires a frustrating search for where functions have been moved, deleted or sometimes added. Now it is a hardware company and we have to buy and more and more "rent" software on monthly basis. This is across the board - I was trying to get info on how to do some creative text in Pages, Keynote as I can do in Word for Mac 2011....the best answers is third party and stick with Word ....on Apple user forums. They have eliminate almost all creative options unless you want to use their templates and work yourself to death trying to make your document unique. Photos has changed to useless and again users on forums only have 3rd party options. Everyone including their tech staff knows the issues - why doesn't management do something?
So back to iPad Pro - I got it over Air due to Apple Pencil. Little did I know that the Pro is not fingerprint resistant and in fact it is worse to clean than any prior models that didn't have special coating. Called Apple, don't seem to think it is a real issue, maybe I have greasier fingers (must be overnight change from the Air of a friends I was using - my last iPad was 3rd generation before resistant coating came out and a microfiber cloth worked well with occasional careful wipe with Lysol towelettes. The coating seemed to work good on Air I used of friends so I didn't think Pro would be an issue. I pushed Apple rep (he said he didn't know there were any complaints - told him to google) for further investigation as to whether there was a difference in coating for Pro from Air - finally was told had to make changes due to Apple Pencil. Apple suggested premium screen protector and iKlear. I tried the iklear and even it has a tough time removing the smears with the spray and their two clothes included in iklear kit. You really have to scrub hard. I told Apple, if they had to go backwards for the new pencil - they should provide screen protector.
Then there is the case issue: My prior iPad was a 9.7" screen so I wrongly assumed my nice light weight cover would work for 9.7" Pro - no dice. When ordering on phone, no one advised the Pro had shrunk the bezel and thus my old case wouldn't work. I was unhappy but though I needed storage for pencil anyway - would just order same case but for the Pro. Guess what - Apple didn't make a full case for it period nor one that also holds the pencil and it's tiny little parts - all inside where someone can't just walk off with it. The millions of Air cases don't quite work due to camera bump, size and button placements plus no pencil options. Apple made a front cover $49 and add $69 for silicon back protection (total case $118 but no pencil option). They made keyboard case $149 - No pencil storage. Plus when you fold the keyboard back when you just want to read, it is uncomfortable to hold and I have my iMac - seldom do I type on iPad. If you have RA, Lupus or just older with hand issues, you need something light that doesn't from your hands and crash to floor. If I want a laptop, I would buy one or I would get a thirty party keyboard that provides a better typing experience. Apple needs to produce a reasonable priced lightweight case to protect back and front - similar to the one I had for ipad3rd generation but with pencil storage. Most of the 3rd party cases being made for Pro 9.7" which is a wonderfully light device like the Air are very heavy and add anywhere from 12-16 oz and up and most don't have a pencil solution. I got STM Dux Pro case(very protective weighs 11.68 ounces) from Apple site and has wonderful slot to keep Pencil inside with wrap around closure and a high $60 tag but it means you are holding close to 2 lbs to read - cancels out lightweight device. I was kinda happy but then I realized the pencil and it's two tiny white slippery parts - cap and charging adapter are super easy to misplace. So after much searching one night in bedcovers for tiny white cap - I decided an Apple Pencil Cozy (3rd party) was in order - rubbery, neon lights up in dark and each sections contains it's designated pencil part well and it help the rolling off the counter. I was elated for 5 minutes until I realized the pencil with cap cozy installed doesn't fit into STM case pencil slot and you can't close and put to sleep.
So -in addition to over $1000 for iPad/pencil/Applecare/tax - I ended up purchasing accessories that still don't solve what Apple should have before releasing products: almost but very heavy case option $60; $10 for cozy combo (pencil cap and charging adapter), iKlear $20 and not done yet because after a lot reading will need to spend $30-$50 for Zagg screen protector and still have to come up with a decent lightweight full cover that isn't slippery and holds my pencil inside and it's little parts when not in use.
All this extra expense for a supposedly wonderful innovative Apple Pencil - NOT. It doesn't work as a drawing tool with any of their software (pages, keynote, mail) and only very limited super basic use with Notes. Even that you have to press so hard you feel like you will punch through screen. No variations with touch and only tiny bit with holding angled for shading. I watched the few videos out there and I'm using it correctly. Other than a very expensive stylus to make selections - useless. It works with third party drawing and coloring apps - I use Procreate for drawing/sketching and Pigmentfor coloring pages (free very limited they want you to pay $7.99/month to get unlimited use along with being able to save, share, etc. which is nuts and I won't do). BUT HERE IS THE BIGGIE WITH APPLE PRO PENCIL- to use, you have to have a third party app and they all work with brushes, textures, line width, options to do watercolor, oil, etc type strokes......the new $99 pencil works no differently than the Target $7.99 stylus I have had since 2012 and not much different than my finger which I have used quite often. The hype for this pencil is criminal and fraudulent. Telling us that Pro has a fingerprint resistant coating was bad enough, along with all the issues on case/pencil storage and the silly little parts that you can't keep up with BUT to pay $100 for something that doesn't work much better than my finger is the lost straw. I can't believe I was so stupid. Never again. It should have been a clue when I opened the pencil box and there were all these pieces of shaped blank paper to take up space so parts wouldn't fall out and the fact that the type on minute instructions were tiny and the font was so pale and thin, you can't read it.
As said before, Apple lover since 1980s and I have faithfully defended even as I have seen the company's focus and intelligence decline with every update on my iMac and iPad. What are they thinking - I'm beginning to think Cook is trying to undermine the company for some reason - I know that makes no sense but the way they have developed products the last few years just isn't good business. They didn't need the Pro 9.7" - just update the air with the couple of changes on Pro (or eliminate Air altogether. And I don't understand the big Pro at all nor all the phone size back and forth. This was a innovative, forward focused company whose products were so intuitive, you didn't need a manual. Functions were where you expected and worked like you expected. Apple was the media department and graphic design agency's darling but now every update requires a frustrating search for where functions have been moved, deleted or sometimes added. Now it is a hardware company and we have to buy and more and more "rent" software on monthly basis. This is across the board - I was trying to get info on how to do some creative text in Pages, Keynote as I can do in Word for Mac 2011....the best answers is third party and stick with Word ....on Apple user forums. They have eliminate almost all creative options unless you want to use their templates and work yourself to death trying to make your document unique. Photos has changed to useless and again users on forums only have 3rd party options. Everyone including their tech staff knows the issues - why doesn't management do something?
I use it just as I used my iPad 4, don't have - neither would have use for - the accessories. And I find it far faster and snappier to use. All crashes related to a failed iOS 7 update on my iPad 4 (I regretted it forever, as I loved both the iOS 6 design and performance) - That even a full restore couldn't fix, so I gave up - were gone on my Pro.
The quad speakers - albeit not expecting much, as I didn't use the speakers on my iPad 4 - are awesome, and the screen improvements really make a big difference. It is, overall, several times faster in every regard and that really improves the entire iOS experience. I would love to see this iPad Pro on iOS 6, though, it would run like no Apple device has ever run, imho.
I have no comments for the camera as I do not use it on my iPad, although apparently it is better. I cannot comment, either, on iOS 10 performance and differences with iOS 9, as my iPad is still on iOS 9.
The quad speakers - albeit not expecting much, as I didn't use the speakers on my iPad 4 - are awesome, and the screen improvements really make a big difference. It is, overall, several times faster in every regard and that really improves the entire iOS experience. I would love to see this iPad Pro on iOS 6, though, it would run like no Apple device has ever run, imho.
I have no comments for the camera as I do not use it on my iPad, although apparently it is better. I cannot comment, either, on iOS 10 performance and differences with iOS 9, as my iPad is still on iOS 9.
That's Apple's anti-reflection coating at play. It's downright awful. The new iPad they just released doesn't have that coating on it and it's a breeze to keep clean. The iPad Air 2 was the first to get it, and it's a b**** to keep that screen clean. I'd rather deal with some reflections then constantly have to scrub away fingerprints.
I have noticed that my Pro tends to keep far more fingerprints than my iPad 4 ever did. It's a shame that that happens but overall I am very happy with screen improvements in my Pro.
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Yep. It's the anti-reflective coating. Still, since I use the iPad quite a bit in bright light conditions, I'm happy to have it even if it's a pain to clean.
I've had all the iPads except the first-gen and the 12.9, and I definitely love the 9.7 Pro the most. It has the best screen, the best speakers, and no noticeable lag. It also helps that iOS 10.x fixed my main issue with Safari not loading properly as you scroll Java-heavy web pages. Regardless, the Pro was worth every penny, to me.