iPad Pro IPad Pro 12.9“ 2021: some thoughts

[petvas]

Let me start by saying that I don‘t really use my iPad Pro 2020 for work. I use it mainly as an entertainment device and I like surfing the Internet, checking my mails, listening to podcasts etc…
For anything work related I use my two Macs. When I saw the new iPad my initial thought was to buy it, mainly because of the M1 CPU and the new display. I preordered it of course but the last couple of days I started thinking that the new iPad, despite its great hardware, will not change anything in the way I use my devices. I understood that the main reason I wanted to have it is the M1 processor. Having bought the 2020 12.9“ iPad Pro I think I couldn‘t justify buying a new iPad so soon. When I begin traveling again, I know that I will not trust my iPad for productivity work (for my use cases of course, your mileage might vary).
I wanted to experience the M1 CPU though, so at the end of the day I decided to get the 13“ M1 MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. This will be my mobile device for productivity and of course for the couch at home. The 2020 iPad will continue to exist in my life as my consumer device, for the times the Mac isn‘t really ideal to use.
I sold my 16“ MacBook Pro which was an overkill for me anyway (too heavy to use on the road or take with me on vacation), and now I am waiting for my new MacBook Pro.
I decided to get a new iPad Pro next year and maybe the software will have become better (OS and applications I miss) and I hope that the iPad will become much more valuable to me.

I feel good about my decision and of course I would love to have the latest and greatest iPad, but the difference from last year‘s model is not that big for my use case..If I were rich I would probably buy it, but since I am not, I will have to think about value too.

I believe that there are many others that have similar needs like me and would like to see the iPadOS improve. Basically, I need to run the following software:

• Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel & PowerPoint)
• Teams
• Remote Desktop
• Citrix
• VMWare (on my Intel iMac) / alternatively I run VMs on Azure
• Safari & Chrome with full extensions support

This kind of software is weak on the iPad. Now that the iPad has the M1 CPU, it would be great if developers started creating desktop class applications. Apple should also enable real multitasking and remove any limitations that currently exist.
For those of you that are coming from the 2020 iPad Pro and preordered the 2021 model, I am sure you will enjoy it a lot, as it is a really great device. If you have similar use cases as mine though, you might have to reconsider. The new iPad will not change anything for you.
If you have use cases that you believe or know that the new iPad Pro will be great and make your life better, then go for it..You will not be disappointed.

 

[TheRealAlex]

I refused to buy until I see the new 14” MacBook Pro redesigned. Yes I Pre-ordered but that doesn’t ship til July which I’m glad it gives me time to be inside the Return window once the 14” MacBook Pro is shown at WWDC and it’s M1X or M2 CPU.

 

[petvas]

I refused to buy until I see the new 14” MacBook Pro redesigned. Yes I Pre-ordered but that doesn’t ship til July which I’m glad it gives me time to be inside the Return window once the 14” MacBook Pro is shown at WWDC and it’s M1X or M2 CPU.

I believe that Apple will show us the next Pro Macs in October/November. I also thought of waiting for the 14“ model, but the new iMac Pro has priority for me. I am definitely getting the new iMac Pro when it comes out. The 14“ MacBook Pro is something I would consider in 1-2 years. In the meantime the 13“ MBP is a great laptop with fantastic battery life. The M1 model is only 5 months old, so I cannot believe that Apple will discontinue it so soon.

 

[jamesrick80]

Exactly the reason I'm still using the 2018 iPad pro 11 with 1 tb.....it still is future proof for at least 2 more years in my opinion and came with 6 gb ram to help my simple use cases for it. Barely touched the 1 tb of space due to the awful file application and ios file system...ashame. Too many limited use cases to even explain....lucky I have other devices and even some weaker ones with more use cases.

 

[TheRealAlex]

My 11” iPad Pro serves 4 main functions.

#1. online bill pay logins banking and merchant accounts buying stuff on Amazon
#2. Web browsing shopping, reading etc.
#3. YouTube content consumption (cat videos, and people falling from roofs mainly)
#4. Email and documents scanning and receiving

I never use the $300 Magic Keyboard and the $130 Apple Pencil has been used for 3 doodles.

My 12.9” XDR iPad Pro I plan to

#1. Draw and color more
#2. Game more using the PS5 Controller and Bluetooth 5.0
#3. Take video editing course
#4. More FaceTime meetings
#5. Watch HDR Dolby Vision movies.

 

[iPad Bro]

I’ve had multiple iPad Pros from the 2018 and 2020 model years and most recently an iPad Air 4, but with the Air 4 I finally found the Magic Keyboard to be to my liking after two experiences with it prior. I do a lot of typing, so it’s worth it to me. Also, I found out that by using 3-4 graphic editing programs in conjunction I can achieve better results than I ever did on my Windows laptops with my graphic designing hobby.

Besides those two things, I am also getting it for the improved speakers compared to the Air 4 as the iPad Pro speakers have always been phenomenal and I listen to a LOT of music on Spotify. I also plan on consuming media from YouTube to anime to movies and TV shows.

The Air 4 did everything I needed, but the much improved display for consuming content, the better speakers for music, FaceID, slimmer bezels, ProMotion, etc. is what I’m really excited about having. I don’t really NEED the power of the M1 for my tasks, but it’ll be nice to have it as a flex and for possible future projects. I will probably never take advantage of Thunderbolt either.

But I am the type of guy that has fell in love with the iPad Pro lineup and I can’t really go back to Windows laptops or anything like that. Never used MacBooks, but I don’t have much interest in them either because the iPad Pro does everything I need it to do.

I hope WWDC brings ProApps to the iPad Pro because a lot of people want that, and it would make it a lot more versatile for more users. Will it matter to me? Probably not. But I have specific use cases for the iPad Pro and I know I will be MORE than satisfied with the 2021 model.

 

[maflynn]

For me, I have a 2017 iPad Pro and I wanted an improvement with the display, so for me the 12.9 with the new display technology was a no brainer.

I'm excited to what I can do with this new iPad and I'm looking forward doing things on this that I can't do as well on the 10.5.

I view this as a evolutionary update, granted a larger step in the evolution, but its still evolutionary and not revolutionary.

 

[TheRealAlex]

I believe that Apple will show us the next Pro Macs in October/November. I also thought of waiting for the 14“ model, but the new iMac Pro has priority for me. I am definitely getting the new iMac Pro when it comes out. The 14“ MacBook Pro is something I would consider in 1-2 years. In the meantime the 13“ MBP is a great laptop with fantastic battery life. The M1 model is only 5 months old, so I cannot believe that Apple will discontinue it so soon.

What is the iMac Pro ?

 

[AutomaticApple]

• Teams

You should use Skype as a temporary alternative.

 

[Foss]

You should use Skype as a temporary alternative.

Uh Skype is dead in the corporate world. A lot of companies are standardizing on Teams. It’s way beyond calls and meetings now.

 

[Caviar_X]

I went with the 12.9” because I wanted something that will last a long time. At least 5 years. I’ll use it exclusively for media consumption and web browsing, but I’m looking forward to possibly running Pro apps in the future.

I’m coming from the 10.5 inch 2017 Pro. I can’t even imagine what features that’s awaiting me.

 

[LaloG]

I've never owned an iPad before. My current computer is a 2019 MacBook Pro and the new iPad will be used mostly for entertainment purposes. Watching videos while cooking, surfing the web, and checking e-mail.

 

[secretk]

Uh Skype is dead in the corporate world. A lot of companies are standardizing on Teams. It’s way beyond calls and meetings now.

Yeah, I was about to say the same. I do not use Teams for personal chatting (where I still use Skype with just one friend as indeed skype is kind of dying) but for work. I cannot switch Teams to something else. This is not personal decision, but a company one.

That being said can I ask what you want to see on iOS teams app that you do not have currently? I have had just few Teams meetings on the iPad (No more than 5) and worked well enough. Granted I did not do a lot - sharing a screen with PPT and basically presenting.

 

[maflynn]

You should use Skype as a temporary alternative.

That doesn't work if your workmates are on Teams. Besides, teams isn't just a way to message your coworkers, its an entire collaborative application that has multiple features.

. I’ll use it exclusively for media consumption and web browsing, but I’m looking forward to possibly running Pro apps in the future.

I'm also coming from a 10.5 and I'll be using it as media consumption as well. I'm thinking it may be useful for a tool to use for meeting and what not, and for some things a laptop replacement - that last thing, is more of a proof in concept as my laptop does a whole lot more then the tablet but I'd like to see how useful the iPad can be in that regard

 

[Ludatyk]

I believe that Apple will show us the next Pro Macs in October/November. I also thought of waiting for the 14“ model, but the new iMac Pro has priority for me. I am definitely getting the new iMac Pro when it comes out. The 14“ MacBook Pro is something I would consider in 1-2 years. In the meantime the 13“ MBP is a great laptop with fantastic battery life. The M1 model is only 5 months old, so I cannot believe that Apple will discontinue it so soon.

I’m curious. You mention MBP was overkill… when I think of overkill, I think of specs being excessive for the workload. However, you added too heavy for portability instead. That’s why I’m thinking you went with the new MBP instead.

Now, I’m seeing that the iMac Pro is a priority for you…. Wouldn’t that be consider overkill? Why not get a monitor for the new MBP and call it a day?

 

[maflynn]

but the new iMac Pro has priority for me

Why?

Given this:

I believe that there are many others that have similar needs like me and would like to see the iPadOS improve. Basically, I need to run the following software:

• Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel & PowerPoint)
• Teams
• Remote Desktop
• Citrix
• VMWare (on my Intel iMac) / alternatively I run VMs on Azure
• Safari & Chrome with full extensions support

In all honesty, the M1 13" MBP (with a monitor) or even the MBA could handle the applications that you need to run. I don't see a "pro" level machine like the unannounced 16" MBP or any possible pro iMac

 

[Never mind]

I ordered the iPad Pro 12.9, then I canceled the order. I want to see the 14 inch MacBook Pro redesign. I may or may not change my mind once the WWDC is over, but I would like to have a full macOS instead of a crippled somewhat iPadOS.

 

[RUQRU]

I ordered the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 to replace my 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 which will now replace my iPad 5 for which Apple accepted a trade-in. I have no reason to get one other than I can afford to.

 

[petvas]

Why?

Given this:



In all honesty, the M1 13" MBP (with a monitor) or even the MBA could handle the applications that you need to run. I don't see a "pro" level machine like the unannounced 16" MBP or any possible pro iMac

I need the screen real estate. I also have multiple virtual machines running and I need more than 32GB of RAM. I also use diagramming software that benefits from the big display. I also heavily multitask so my computer needs to be as fast as possible.

 

[petvas]

I’m curious. You mention MBP was overkill… when I think of overkill, I think of specs being excessive for the workload. However, you added too heavy for portability instead. That’s why I’m thinking you went with the new MBP instead.

Now, I’m seeing that the iMac Pro is a priority for you…. Wouldn’t that be consider overkill? Why not get a monitor for the new MBP and call it a day?

The main reason I gave up my 16” MBP is that it is heavy and not as portable. On the iMac Pro I would run apps that require more RAM than the M1 can handle. I also don’t like using an external display. Docking and undocking is just too much of a hassle for me. There is also the display scaling issue that most non Apple displays have. I would like to have a 5K display and the iMac offers that.

 

[maflynn]

I need the screen real estate. I also have multiple virtual machines running and I need more than 32GB of RAM. I also use diagramming software that benefits from the big display. I also heavily multitask so my computer needs to be as fast as possible.

Yoiu're missing my point. Nothing you have said, points to an iMac Pro as the ideal machine - You'll be better off getting a computer that fits your specs (even an MBA) and a large monitor.

 

[petvas]

Yoiu're missing my point. Nothing you have said, points to an iMac Pro as the ideal machine - You'll be better off getting a computer that fits your specs (even an MBA) and a large monitor.

Nope. I don’t want to dock and undock all the time. I also use my iMac as a time machine server, a video streaming machine and as a file server. A Mac Mini could do all these things but there is no 5K display out there as good as the iMac. I also need to have at least two computers in case one has a hardware failure. I need to be able to continue working. I don’t need the CPU power of an iMac Pro but I need the RAM and display.

 

[maflynn]

I don’t need the CPU power of an iMac Pro but I need the RAM and display.

Save yourself money and don't buy an AIO then, you can get a larger display a computer that runs what you need and a larger monitor then what the iMac is providing

 

[petvas]

Save yourself money and don't buy an AIO then, you can get a larger display a computer that runs what you need and a larger monitor then what the iMac is providing

Well, it would then have to be the Apple XDR display and that is too expensive. There is no other desktop Mac computer out there that I would get. The Mac mini doesn't support the RAM (M1 CPU) and the Mac Pro is too expensive. I am pretty sure I will get the new big iMac when it comes out.

 

[maflynn]

Well, it would then have to be the Apple XDR display

Why?