I have just received my new iPad Pro 12.9” to replace my old iPad Pro 1st Gen. I am going to be comparing the two and posting back my thoughts.
I will be expanding this post over the course of the day as I spend more time with the new iPad and how it compares to the old.
First a quick spec comparison between the two.
The new iPad was configured with 256GB storage and 8GB RAM.
In terms of what I use an iPad for is media consumption (Movies), eMail, MacRumors posts, curating my Photo’s Library, and browsing the Web. I have a M1 MacBook Air, which I tend to use for work and anything that involves typing. I also have a 27” Intel iMac that I use for spreadsheet work and video and photo editing.
Because I have a MacBook Air for portable typing I decided not to get the new Apple Smart Keyboard and opted for the Otterbox Case. I had an Apple Keyboard case for the old iPad, but never really used it.
I have also bought an Apple Pencil (I did have one for the old iPad as well, but did not use it that much). I am looking to use the pencil to take notes digitally and perhaps for editing photos.
The original iPad Pro was being used everyday and still felt fast and responsive. However it is now almost 6 years old and thought it was time to upgrade. My old iPad will be passed to my wife. I am particularly interested in how the new screen performs with HDR content and try out spatial audio with the AirPods Pro.
My initial reaction is the screen is fantastic, and really like the smaller bezels as it makes the iPad significantly smaller, while maintaining the same screen size.
I also love the new setup process where you can transfer everything from your old iPad to the new, rather than go through iCloud to restore or from a backup on your Mac. The iPad is currently transferring data from the old to the new. As soon as it is finished I start to do some comparisons and post back my thoughts. If you are interested keep checking back as I will edit the first post rather than add new posts. However if anyone has any specific questions I will respond to those with a separate reply.
Taking Photo's
I don't think I will use the iPad for photography, but its clear the camera is much improved from the 1st Gen iPad.
Image on the left is from the new iPad Pro, Much sharper and better definition. some of the highlights are blown out on the old 1st Gen iPad on the right.
HDR Video
Night and Day Comparison. Colours are brighter and more saturated. Blacks are much deeper. I did a quick side to side comparison shown below. The 2021 iPad Pro is on the left, 2015 iPad on the right.
Brightness on both iPads set to 100%. Video was captured with a iPhone 10, using FilmicPro.
Face ID
Face ID is an interesting one on the iPad. I have an iPhone X, and it works great on that and I love Face ID. I have the tendency to get dry skin on the tips of my fingers and that plays havoc with the fingerprint reader on the 1st Gen iPad Pro (However I don't usually have a problem with Touch ID on the M1 MBA). However Face ID can be problematic with the new world of Covid and face masks. Face ID works well on the new iPad in Portrait mode and is quick to unlock. However it is a problem if you hold the iPad in Landscape mode as my fingers tend to cover the camera. This is a known issue and I am surprised Apple has not added a camera at the top in Landscape mode, presumably because of the additional cost.
Battery Life
About 5 Hours ago both iPad had battery at 100%. Not exactly a 100% accurate test, but both iPad have been used for around the same time. The new iPad still has 86% battery remaining, the 1st Gen iPad Pro is down to 20%, mainly because both screens were set to 100%. To be fair to the 1st Gen iPad the battery is getting on for 6 years old now.
Spatial Audio
Just watched and listened to some Star Wars : The Rise of Skywalker. Definite improvement is visuals and the audio. Spatial Audio really feels like you are in the middle of the action.
Scrolling Scrolling (Raw Hide)
This is probably going to be a little bit controversial, but it's just my opinion. In 2017 Apple introduced the 2nd Gen iPad Pro with a 120Hz ProMotion display. While many people really thought it made a difference, I went to the Apple store and played with one of the new iPads and I struggled to see any significant difference. Even in 2021 with the new M1 iPad Pro's I can't see much difference in scrolling smoothness between the 2015 iPad and the 2021 iPad. Perhaps a testament to how good the original iPad Pro's were, or maybe due to my old eyes.
I put together a short video that looks at the scrolling in Safari of the 2021 iPad v the 2015 iPad. If you can see a significant difference then good for you.
Initial thoughts at the end of day one of the 2021 iPad.
I am pleased with my purchase, the mini LED screen is amazing. The iPad is smaller and easier to handle than the 1st Gen Pro that it replaces. The Battery life is much improved and spatial audio with the Air Pods Pro is also a great addition.
That having being said the 1st Gen iPad is still a fast machine, and while the new iPad is noticeably quicker at loading apps, its not a dramatic improvement. If anyone has a 2018 or later iPad I would think carefully before upgrading as of right now the M1 is delivering more power than the iPad needs. The problem with the iPad is not the hardware but iPadOS, which still has it's roots in a Phone OS. Yes Apple has now split it off from iOS, but it is still too limiting for the power that the M1 has. The iPad needs a better file management system and to move further away from iOS. It also needs more Pro Apps to really make use of the new hardware. I am hoping that this will be addressed in a few weeks time at WWDC.
I will be expanding this post over the course of the day as I spend more time with the new iPad and how it compares to the old.
First a quick spec comparison between the two.
The new iPad was configured with 256GB storage and 8GB RAM.
In terms of what I use an iPad for is media consumption (Movies), eMail, MacRumors posts, curating my Photo’s Library, and browsing the Web. I have a M1 MacBook Air, which I tend to use for work and anything that involves typing. I also have a 27” Intel iMac that I use for spreadsheet work and video and photo editing.
Because I have a MacBook Air for portable typing I decided not to get the new Apple Smart Keyboard and opted for the Otterbox Case. I had an Apple Keyboard case for the old iPad, but never really used it.
I have also bought an Apple Pencil (I did have one for the old iPad as well, but did not use it that much). I am looking to use the pencil to take notes digitally and perhaps for editing photos.
The original iPad Pro was being used everyday and still felt fast and responsive. However it is now almost 6 years old and thought it was time to upgrade. My old iPad will be passed to my wife. I am particularly interested in how the new screen performs with HDR content and try out spatial audio with the AirPods Pro.
My initial reaction is the screen is fantastic, and really like the smaller bezels as it makes the iPad significantly smaller, while maintaining the same screen size.
I also love the new setup process where you can transfer everything from your old iPad to the new, rather than go through iCloud to restore or from a backup on your Mac. The iPad is currently transferring data from the old to the new. As soon as it is finished I start to do some comparisons and post back my thoughts. If you are interested keep checking back as I will edit the first post rather than add new posts. However if anyone has any specific questions I will respond to those with a separate reply.
Taking Photo's
I don't think I will use the iPad for photography, but its clear the camera is much improved from the 1st Gen iPad.
Image on the left is from the new iPad Pro, Much sharper and better definition. some of the highlights are blown out on the old 1st Gen iPad on the right.
HDR Video
Night and Day Comparison. Colours are brighter and more saturated. Blacks are much deeper. I did a quick side to side comparison shown below. The 2021 iPad Pro is on the left, 2015 iPad on the right.
Brightness on both iPads set to 100%. Video was captured with a iPhone 10, using FilmicPro.
Face ID
Face ID is an interesting one on the iPad. I have an iPhone X, and it works great on that and I love Face ID. I have the tendency to get dry skin on the tips of my fingers and that plays havoc with the fingerprint reader on the 1st Gen iPad Pro (However I don't usually have a problem with Touch ID on the M1 MBA). However Face ID can be problematic with the new world of Covid and face masks. Face ID works well on the new iPad in Portrait mode and is quick to unlock. However it is a problem if you hold the iPad in Landscape mode as my fingers tend to cover the camera. This is a known issue and I am surprised Apple has not added a camera at the top in Landscape mode, presumably because of the additional cost.
Battery Life
About 5 Hours ago both iPad had battery at 100%. Not exactly a 100% accurate test, but both iPad have been used for around the same time. The new iPad still has 86% battery remaining, the 1st Gen iPad Pro is down to 20%, mainly because both screens were set to 100%. To be fair to the 1st Gen iPad the battery is getting on for 6 years old now.
Spatial Audio
Just watched and listened to some Star Wars : The Rise of Skywalker. Definite improvement is visuals and the audio. Spatial Audio really feels like you are in the middle of the action.
Scrolling Scrolling (Raw Hide)
This is probably going to be a little bit controversial, but it's just my opinion. In 2017 Apple introduced the 2nd Gen iPad Pro with a 120Hz ProMotion display. While many people really thought it made a difference, I went to the Apple store and played with one of the new iPads and I struggled to see any significant difference. Even in 2021 with the new M1 iPad Pro's I can't see much difference in scrolling smoothness between the 2015 iPad and the 2021 iPad. Perhaps a testament to how good the original iPad Pro's were, or maybe due to my old eyes.
I put together a short video that looks at the scrolling in Safari of the 2021 iPad v the 2015 iPad. If you can see a significant difference then good for you.
Initial thoughts at the end of day one of the 2021 iPad.
I am pleased with my purchase, the mini LED screen is amazing. The iPad is smaller and easier to handle than the 1st Gen Pro that it replaces. The Battery life is much improved and spatial audio with the Air Pods Pro is also a great addition.
That having being said the 1st Gen iPad is still a fast machine, and while the new iPad is noticeably quicker at loading apps, its not a dramatic improvement. If anyone has a 2018 or later iPad I would think carefully before upgrading as of right now the M1 is delivering more power than the iPad needs. The problem with the iPad is not the hardware but iPadOS, which still has it's roots in a Phone OS. Yes Apple has now split it off from iOS, but it is still too limiting for the power that the M1 has. The iPad needs a better file management system and to move further away from iOS. It also needs more Pro Apps to really make use of the new hardware. I am hoping that this will be addressed in a few weeks time at WWDC.
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