iPad Pro IPad Pro 12.9“ 2021: some thoughts

[rui no onna]

So lets get back to the original topic. I really think it's a shame that Apple hasn't improved iPadOS in ways that do the iPad hardware justice. Maybe it is wrong though to expect the iPad to become like a traditional PC/Mac. This will never happen. Maybe we need to think different. The only problem I see is that for many people it's a luxury to have a laptop and an iPad and maybe a desktop computer. The iPad alone will not cut it, at least not for many typical computing tasks. It has gotten better but it still has ways to go.

There have been changes over the years though. Share sheet, multi-tasking/split-view, iCloud Drive then Files app, external storage support, Shortcuts, desktop Safari, mouse/trackpad support, etc. It's slow going but there's been progress.

I think the user experience would've suffered more if Apple had just dropped MacOS as-is on the iPad similar to Windows on the Surface.

 

[petvas]

I'm not really an experienced iPad user (I've bought only one - iPad 2 back in 2012...still have it), but I've just never viewed a tablet like that as a desktop replacement, but a complementary device. With the new MacBooks (Air/Pro) being so light and portable, I don't really see the point in someone wanting an iPad to replace that if they need desktop-class applications. To me, an iPad is more of entertainment device for travel or for specific occupations where a touch-screen and/or tablet form-factor works better (and even then it might they might still use a Mac along with it).

For such a use case an iPad Air is definitely more suitable and doesn't cost as much. The iPad Pro, especially the 12.9" model is too big to hold on one hand for a long time and despite it having a great display and awesome sound, is just an overkill as a tablet. Having said that I use it like that but there are times I wish I had a lighter iPad.
Now that I got the 13" MBP I feel like I don't need the iPad at all, but I am just in the honeymoon phase. In a week's time I am sure I will use my iPad again (but not as much as before)

 

[usagora]

For such a use case an iPad Air is definitely more suitable and doesn't cost as much. The iPad Pro, especially the 12.9" model is too big to hold on one hand for a long time and despite it having a great display and awesome sound, is just an overkill as a tablet. Having said that I use it like that but there are times I wish I had a lighter iPad.
Now that I got the 13" MBP I feel like I don't need the iPad at all, but I am just in the honeymoon phase. In a week's time I am sure I will use my iPad again (but not as much as before)

For me, it's all about the screen size when it comes to iPad. If I wanted a device for primarily content-consumption, I'd definitely go for the 12.9 iPad Pro. Even though I have a M1 MBA, I'm still interested in that iPad for that purpose (because the touch screen is nice in that use case). Just can't justify the purchase right now as it's not high on the priority list.

 

[petvas]

Exactly. I would love to have the new XDR display but I don’t think that the difference to last year’s model will be significant.

 

[Broadus]

Exactly. I would love to have the new XDR display but I don’t think that the difference to last year’s model will be significant.

That's the question I would love to have answered. Do you recall (and it may be above--I've read so many threads and posts that they're all a jumble) whether owners of the XDR external monitor commented on the difference the XDR features made for non-video usage?

I can remember a couple of years ago when I had the option of an iPhone XR and oled XS, I could hardly tell a difference in the screens for my usage, so I opted for the XR. Maybe larger 12.9" screen will make a difference, but it's hard to know without personally comparing them.

 

[petvas]

I think we will have to wait and see. The first reviews should come around the 21st of May.

 

[sracer]

There have been changes over the years though. Share sheet, multi-tasking/split-view, iCloud Drive then Files app, external storage support, Shortcuts, desktop Safari, mouse/trackpad support, etc. It's slow going but there's been progress.

I think the user experience would've suffered more if Apple had just dropped MacOS as-is on the iPad similar to Windows on the Surface.

I can't really disagree with your assessment. But I will say that the glacially slow pace of which Apple is adding functionality and their inability to stick with one approach, is hurting the user experience in different ways. Each version of iPadOS introduces another wave of features and often times, existing functionality changes from the previous versions.

Multitasking, multi-windowing is a prime example. Switching between tasks has changed multiple times since they were first introduced.

iOS/iPadOS was never designed to be a multi-purpose desktop-like OS. Duct-tape patches like the Files.app to work around the filesystem's sandboxing is not ideal and makes many workflows more convoluted than they need to be. Mouse/trackpad support is another tacked on solution that is an inferior implementation that Apple markets as a bold new way of using a mouse.


Apple doesn't appear to be forward-thinking in how they are expanding iOS/iPadOS but is reacting to what others are doing and only grudgingly and narrowly implementing new features to address a particular need. The result is a continued hodge-podge platypus-like experience.

I'm not looking for MacOS to be ported to the iPad platform. I want to see an iPadOS that is designed and optimized for tablet usage.

 

[Ludatyk]

As the 2021 iPad Pro concerns, sure it’s great, but how big of a difference is it from the 2020 model? I am not looking for justification. Why would I need to do that. It’s a forum and people post their thoughts and interact with each other. I also said that if I were rich I would get the new iPad Pro too, despite the small differences to the old model. I just couldn’t stop thinking that the M1 processor is much better suited in a Mac instead of an iPad. Maybe WWDC will change that. In this case I would revisit my decision.

IMO, the 2020 iPad Pro models is a big difference to the 2021 iPad Pro models... hardware wise. The issue at hand is iPadOS... which we will get answers for what Apple plans with the 2021 iPad Pro models.

DailyTekk of YT pointed out that Apple once mention that people criticize the iPad Pro for not running Pro desktop apps. But how can the iPad Pro run those type of apps when the hardware isn't really capable of running those apps. Having the M1 processor has the potential of changing that.

Edit... which in WWDC we will get answers*

 

[petvas]

IMO, the 2020 iPad Pro models is a big difference to the 2021 iPad Pro models... hardware wise. The issue at hand is iPadOS... which we will get answers for what Apple plans with the 2021 iPad Pro models.

DailyTekk of YT pointed out that Apple once mention that people criticize the iPad Pro for not running Pro desktop apps. But how can the iPad Pro run those type of apps when the hardware isn't really capable of running those apps. Having the M1 processor has the potential of changing that.

I disagree. The iPad has had CPUs that rival Intel CPUs for years. The M1 is just even better. The problem is the limitations of iPadOS.
I also don’t believe that hardware wise the 2020 iPad Pro is much worse than the new model. Of course the newer model has better specs but the question that must be answered is if the differences justify the upgrade.

 

[Flabasha]

I can't really disagree with your assessment. But I will say that the glacially slow pace of which Apple is adding functionality and their inability to stick with one approach, is hurting the user experience in different ways. Each version of iPadOS introduces another wave of features and often times, existing functionality changes from the previous versions.

Multitasking, multi-windowing is a prime example. Switching between tasks has changed multiple times since they were first introduced.

iOS/iPadOS was never designed to be a multi-purpose desktop-like OS. Duct-tape patches like the Files.app to work around the filesystem's sandboxing is not ideal and makes many workflows more convoluted than they need to be. Mouse/trackpad support is another tacked on solution that is an inferior implementation that Apple markets as a bold new way of using a mouse.


Apple doesn't appear to be forward-thinking in how they are expanding iOS/iPadOS but is reacting to what others are doing and only grudgingly and narrowly implementing new features to address a particular need. The result is a continued hodge-podge platypus-like experience.

I'm not looking for MacOS to be ported to the iPad platform. I want to see an iPadOS that is designed and optimized for tablet usage.

Yeah, agreed. It’s insane that I can just lose files on my iPad Pro. They’re there, somewhere, but I can’t find them, moments after I transferred them. And this is using the iPad Pro for exactly what it was intended for... For instance, yesterday, I’m working on a comic page in Procreate. I want a certain font, so I go to my Adobe Creative Cloud, download a font. No dice. Why? Well, it’s only loaded into Adobe apps, and sandboxed from Procreate. Okay, let’s do a work-around... let’s download the font into AnyFont, which was made for this purpose, to add fonts system-wide in iOS. Okay, downloaded the font... wait, it’s in .zip format. How the hell do I unzip, okay, wait, I figured out how to unzip, but where the hell did it put the .ttf file?! I can’t find it because THERE’S NO GO**AMN FINDER! Go to “Files” app, nope. Finally, I just gave up. Needless to say, this is absurd, and it frustrates me constantly.

iPadOS needs to dramatically change on the file system level before I buy another incremental-hardware upgrade.

 

[rui no onna]

I disagree. The iPad has had CPUs that rival Intel CPUs for years. The M1 is just even better. The problem is the limitations of iPadOS.

Realistically, I think A12X is the first time they could've done so. The previous generations were still playing catchup with Intel. I believe even the circa 2013 Intel Core i5-4570 was a tad faster than the 2017 A10X. A12X is when Apple pulled ahead of current Intel.

I also don’t believe that hardware wise the 2020 iPad Pro is much worse than the new model. Of course the newer model has better specs but the question that must be answered is if the differences justify the upgrade.

If one already has a 2020 iPad Pro, one is better off just waiting for an even bigger upgrade down the line. There's always going to be something newer and better anyway.

However, choosing between 2020 and 2021 right now when the price difference is typically just $100-200? I'd personally opt for the 2021.

 

[Ludatyk]

I disagree. The iPad has had CPUs that rival Intel CPUs for years. The M1 is just even better. The problem is the limitations of iPadOS.
I also don’t believe that hardware wise the 2020 iPad Pro is much worse than the new model. Of course the newer model has better specs but the question that must be answered is if the differences justify the upgrade.

Well, those newer specs is much greater compared to any model previously. There's a thread discussing 16GBs RAM on the iPad... think about that? The public view as a consumption device only.

And that's why I mention iPadOS... WWDC will provide answers for us on how it will utilize the newest iPad Pro hardware.

 

[jbachandouris]

I have a 2020 iPad Pro 11 256GB LTE used primarily for media consumption. Sadly, I still owe $595 on AT&T Next so I am in no position to upgrade. Aside from the M1 and the amazing screen, there's no justification for me.

 

[Ludatyk]

Okay, let’s do a work-around... let’s download the font into AnyFont, which was made for this purpose, to add fonts system-wise in iOS. Okay, downloaded the font... wait, it’s in .zip format. How the hell do I unzip, okay, wait, I figured out how to unzip, but where the hell did it put the .ttf file?! I can’t find it because THERE’S NO GO**AMN FINDER! Go to “Files” app, nope. Finally, I just gave up. Needless to say, this is absurd, and it frustrates me constantly.

Yeah, it can be frustrating sometimes… especially when it requires the use of adding profiles for fonts.

 

[richinaus]

Well, those newer specs is much greater compared to any model previously. There's a thread discussing 16GBs RAM on the iPad... think about that? The public view as a consumption device only.

And that's why I mention iPadOS... WWDC will provide answers for us on how it will utilize the newest iPad Pro hardware.

yes the public do think of it as a consumption device.

I have on order both 11 inch and 12 inch iPad Pro 2021, because I use them a hell of a lot for content creation and work. Much more so than if I bought a laptop.

the 12inch will remain on my desk as my desktop companion
the 11 for working at home and out and about as my laptop companion.

Obviously I consume on these iPads too, and they are great for this, but really they are my dream device with the pencil.

For use cases - I use the iPad for :

1. sketching and design of concepts
2. note taking
3. marking up drawings for my staff
4. the odd 3D model
5. design research [pinterest mostly]

 

[petvas]

It is pretty obvious that the iPad is very good for specific use cases and professions. For the typical office stuff and things consumers normally do, a Mac is the better choice. If your into drawing, or want to take notes in handwriting (I personally prefer note taking with computer typography) , then the iPad is really great. Even for these use cases though if you already own the 2020 model you will have difficulty finding a good excuse to get the 2021 model.

 

[richinaus]

It is pretty obvious that the iPad is very good for specific use cases and professions. For the typical office stuff and things consumers normally do, a Mac is the better choice. If your into drawing, or want to take notes in handwriting (I personally prefer note taking with computer typography) , then the iPad is really great. Even for these use cases though if you already own the 2020 model you will have difficulty finding a good excuse to get the 2021 model.

No excuses required - my business and tax expenses?
However I totally agree with what you say and if I wasn’t drawing, a laptop is a far better purchase. I use both……

 

[petvas]

No excuses required - my business and tax expenses?
However I totally agree with what you say and if I wasn’t drawing, a laptop is a far better purchase. I use both……

I also use this excuse when I buy things. My wife seems to believe me most of the time
In this month I bought the new iMac for my wife, the M1 MBP and the new AppleTV. Everything business expenses.

 

[rui no onna]

I also use this excuse when I buy things. My wife seems to believe me most of the time
In this month I bought the new iMac for my wife, the M1 MBP and the new AppleTV. Everything business expenses.

Lol, my most used excuse is that my family needs to upgrade their devices.

Alas, can't use that for the 12.9. Everyone finds it too unwieldy.

 

[richinaus]

Lol, my most used excuse is that my family needs to upgrade their devices.

Alas, can't use that for the 12.9. Everyone finds it too unwieldy.

There is always a way to find an excuse ?

yep I wouldn’t buy a 12 except for desk work only (which it is so perfect for). I can’t stand it at home / out the studio and have been hanging on for this update to get the 11.
I have also really noticed my reading levels have reduced since I went 12 only. It’s amazing for certain tasks but not others.

suffice to say I have been ‘training’ my partner to believe this for the last six months so no need for excuses???

 

[pdoherty]

I also use this excuse when I buy things. My wife seems to believe me most of the time
In this month I bought the new iMac for my wife, the M1 MBP and the new AppleTV. Everything business expenses.

Enjoy the audit...

 

[jeremiah256]

I believe that part of the frustration some of us have with the pace of Apple’s improvements to the iPad are partially due to Apple both having big plans for the iPad, but also having to be very careful not to screw things up.

I think at least since 2017 (the ‘What’s A Computer’ ad), but probably back before the 2015 launch of the iPad Pro, they’ve been planning on making the iPad, and more importantly, iPadOS, their main computing environment going forward. But, they are also smart enough to know that if they came out and said it, there would be hell to pay.

That they would also keep the Mac and macOS around would be lost in the noise of the screaming that Apple was abandoning ‘real’ users, pro users, loyal users, etc. The ‘the Mac must not play second fiddle’ crowd may be in the minority, but it is influential and Apple has to be careful.

So, since they have no real (tablet) competition today or on the horizon, Apple has slowly let us to come to the conclusion with these slow interactions and improvements. The MacMasterRace crowd may not like iOS and iPadOS features coming to the Mac, but it’s much harder for them to complain when the Mac, via the M1, is improving so much faster than x86, and they have no influence on those same improvements making their way to the iPad.

I believe that is why we also see the recent calls for the M2 or M3 chips. The Mac enthusiasts believe the Mac and macOS must, they must, they just has to, always stay ahead of the iPad and iPadOS.

 

[neutrino23]

I’m upgrading from a 2018 3rd gen 12.9” iPP. I use the iPad for its portability and touch screen. It’s great to carry around the house or to some nearby site for reading PDFs (PDF Expert) or Books, as well as note taking and sketching with Concepts, as well as browsing, FaceTime, watching videos with the TV app. For heavy lifting I have a 27” iMac. (FCPX, Affinity apps, Keynote, Pages, GraphicConverter, AppleScript, others)

I’m jumped on this for the awesome display, more RAM and LiDAR. The M1 is just gravy. I’m interested trying out LiDAR capable apps. I usually upgrade after about three years, but this one may last longer.