iPad Pro iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd generation... how much longer before you think it will be obsolete...?

[Turnpike]

I have what is the 2nd generation of the 12.9" iPad Pro, the old body style, the full 12.9 with the home button.

I just came to the realization that all my office iPad Air 1st generations are almost worthless, that nearly no app from the app store will load or work on them. Before I set up this 2nd Gen 12.9", how long before this is an issue with this model of iPad? I know there's no schedule, but given past speed of putting things on the Obsolete list, would you think this is a good model to use most apps and updates for another year or two at least...?

A guesstimate from those that have watched this over the years would be very much appreciated!

 

[Shirasaki]

A year or two isn’t unreasonable. longer? That‘s questionable. Especially since the release of M1, iPad got its power bump quicker than we expected initially.
Regardless, that iPad Pro should be able to last a good amount of time.

 

[rui no onna]

1 year is pretty much guaranteed since it just got iOS 16.

Apple still supports the 1st gen iPad Pros so I expect at least 2 years to be reasonable. Probably a wee bit more.

 

[TorbenIbsen]

I have that iPad Pro model too. - For me it will likely not become obsolete. Because I mainly use it for drawing with the vector apps Graphic and iDesign. Those apps don't get updates any more (not really needed), so the iPad can be used even when it is "obsolete" in Apple terms. I have a lot of detailed drawings which I want to keep.

I use the 256 GB storage capacity to store CD's and movies locally and get them back'ed up to iCloud. So as long as the file system on the iPad can work with the rest of Apple's file system I can keep using the iPad. - For other iPad things I use iPad Pro 11" 3rd generation.

 

[subjonas]

I have that iPad Pro model too. - For me it will likely not become obsolete. Because I mainly use it for drawing with the vector apps Graphic and iDesign. Those apps don't get updates any more (not really needed), so the iPad can be used even when it is "obsolete" in Apple terms. I have a lot of detailed drawings which I want to keep.

I use the 256 GB storage capacity to store CD's and movies locally and get them back'ed up to iCloud. So as long as the file system on the iPad can work with the rest of Apple's file system I can keep using the iPad. - For other iPad things I use iPad Pro 11" 3rd generation.

Ooh I hope you have your drawings backed up somewhere good. I’m a little paranoid about data loss, so if it were me I wouldn’t rely on being able to recover them from the apps in an iCloud backup if you ever have to restore to a new device. If it’s an established app that’s still supported, it’ll probably be fine. But just in case, I’d still save/export the drawings to a file-based (not app-based) backup in a common file format. IMO, artwork is too valuable to leave them to the whims of a single developer.

 

[subjonas]

I hope forever 😆. I have a 2nd gen and don’t want to give up the Touch ID, headphone port, and thick bezels I can actually grip easily.

 

[darngooddesign]

I think you can reasonable expect at least six years of new apps and app update support are concerned, unless those apps use a new hardware feature, but there is no reason to think you cant keep using the apps already on the iPad for another couple of years until the iPad just feels slow.

Early iPads obsoleted a lot quicker due to they low hardware specs; the 1st gen iPad Air was released 9 years ago and only had 1GB RAM so its not surprising that hardly surprising that new apps wont target it. By comparison, your 13" iPP has 4GB RAM and a much faster processor.

 

[FeliApple]

I do think that the definition of obsolete is entirely subjective. What matters is that it works for you and that it does what you need it to do.
I have two devices on iOS 12 (the last version that the iPad Air 1 supports), and they both do what I want them to do, even if they can’t download all apps: My main phone (an iPhone Xʀ on iOS 12.3.1); and my second iPad (a 9.7-inch iPad Pro running iOS 12.4.1). They work perfectly for me, even if they’re four iOS versions behind. Can I download all apps? No, but I don’t need to, anyway. I have a device on iPadOS 15 and I use it for exactly the same things I use the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

You might need the latest version of an app that requires iPadOS 16, and that means that any version that’s not the latest is useless for you.

Somebody might use an iPhone exclusively for texting through iMessage, and that would mean, strictly, that any iPhone running iOS 5.0 or later is not obsolete for that use case. Like I said, I think that “obsolete” depends only on usage patterns, and there’s no one-size-fits-all definition.

 

[darngooddesign]

I do think that the definition of obsolete is entirely subjective...

Apple's use of 'obsolete' is not subjective.

Explained: What are Apple’s Vintage and Obsolete products - Times of India

A Vintage Apple product is one that doesn’t get regular software products. A standout feature about the iPhone, iPad or Mac is that it continues to ge

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[FeliApple]

Apple's use of 'obsolete' is not subjective.

Explained: What are Apple’s Vintage and Obsolete products - Times of India

A Vintage Apple product is one that doesn’t get regular software products. A standout feature about the iPhone, iPad or Mac is that it continues to ge

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Yes, I am aware of that. My fault for not clarifying, though. I meant for the users themselves. Apple’s obsolete designation contends their own support policy, but it doesn’t mean users can’t use those devices anymore if they fit their needs.

Likewise with the iOS versions: Apple can call iOS 12 obsolete until they’re tired, but it works for me on my iPhone Xʀ, so I’ll keep using it.

 

[muzzy996]

Still a great device, far more responsive than an old iPad Air. I have an Air 2 that I have basically relegated down to a smart home dashboard and even that is noticeably clunky compared to my 2nd gen 12.9" pro which is still my daily driver. Agree with others that it should be plenty usable for another year or two.

 

[rui no onna]

Still a great device, far more responsive than an old iPad Air. I have an Air 2 that I have basically relegated down to a smart home dashboard and even that is noticeably clunky compared to my 2nd gen 12.9" pro which is still my daily driver. Agree with others that it should be plenty usable for another year or two.

True. I gave my mom my 2nd gen 12.9 when I got the M1 12.9 last year. She doesn’t use split view or anything and for her, it performs really well (albeit it’s mostly used for video streaming).

 

[fleshman03]

For what it is worth, I traded my 2nd gen in for an M2 IPP 12.9". They gave me $170 for it.

 

[Turnpike]

Yeah, but the problem is that while the iPad Pro will probably run for another dozen years since it's taken so well care of, the same thing that happened to the first set of iPads I got for my Mom, who only uses them for YouTube... after they are considered obsolete for a while, you can't download a working version of Youtube's app... that's the main problem. That's actually the reason I was wondering.

 

[rui no onna]

Yeah, but the problem is that while the iPad Pro will probably run for another dozen years since it's taken so well care of, the same thing that happened to the first set of iPads I got for my Mom, who only uses them for YouTube... after they are considered obsolete for a while, you can't download a working version of Youtube's app... that's the main problem. That's actually the reason I was wondering.

Last time I checked a few months ago, download old version still worked for YouTube on iOS 10 (Mini 4). Iirc, it worked for iOS 9 (OG Air) as well.

 

[Andeddu]

Depends what you use it for. The A10X is dated by today’s standards but still a very useful chip for general purpose use. There is no reason to update your device unless you have a specific productivity task in mind.

I used an SE1 (despite having a 12 Mini) as a daily driver for 6 months and I am a heavy phone user and did not require the extra horsepower as I used the device mostly for streaming apps, WhatsApp, web-browsing, podcasts, music, etc…

I have a truly ancient iPad Mini 1 on iOS 9 which still serves as an Apple Music, Podcast and Netflix machine. It’s pretty useless for everything else as iOS 9 does not support YouTube and Safari is erratic for video streaming. Web-browsing is horrendous also as the older iOS version does not support modern plugins.

As you have a 2017 iPad Pro, you should be fine for another 3-4 years.

The web-browsing experience will likely degrade massively 2 years after the device becomes unsupported.

 

[Digitalguy]

The web-browsing experience will likely degrade massively 2 years after the device becomes unsupported.

Far from true. You are probably projecting what happened with old, RAM-starved 32bit devices on more recent ones.
Even my 9.7 pro which has not been updated for 3 generations and has a measily 2GB RAM still browses perfectly with most sites and will probably do for a couple more years.
My second gen pro is on iPadOS16, will definitely get 17 (since even A9 has 16 and and the 2018 A10 with 2GB is going to get 17 for sure) and probably also get 18 and be supported till 2025. With its 4GB of RAM I expect it to be have no issue with browsing for another 3-4 years, and definitely no massive browsing degradation within 2 years after enf of support

 

[Andeddu]

Far from true. You are probably projecting what happened with old, RAM-starved 32bit devices on more recent ones.
Even my 9.7 pro which has not been updated for 3 generations and has a measily 2GB RAM still browses perfectly with most sites and will probably do for a couple more years.
My second gen pro is on iPadOS16, will definitely get 17 (since even A9 has 16 and and the 2018 A10 with 2GB is going to get 17 for sure) and probably also get 18 and be supported till 2025. With its 4GB of RAM I expect it to be have no issue with browsing for another 3-4 years, and definitely no massive browsing degradation within 2 years after enf of support

I am talking more about plug-ins not being supported a which is why browsers have to be updated regularly. But you are right, it’ll probably take 3-4 years for an older browser to provide a less than satisfactory performance.

 

[TorbenIbsen]

Ooh I hope you have your drawings backed up somewhere good. I’m a little paranoid about data loss, so if it were me I wouldn’t rely on being able to recover them from the apps in an iCloud backup if you ever have to restore to a new device. If it’s an established app that’s still supported, it’ll probably be fine. But just in case, I’d still save/export the drawings to a file-based (not app-based) backup in a common file format. IMO, artwork is too valuable to leave them to the whims of a single developer.

Not to worry. I have been an IT pro since 1977. So I do not rely on one app or one device or one backup. I don't even rely on hardware and software companies. Because I have seen even the world leaders in hardware and in software disappear completely over the years. So several types of backup (also remote) and those drawings are saved in more than one type of app.

The only weak point is that everything assumes that electric power is available. Which is not certain if you live in places like Ukraine these days (I live in Scandinavia, but I can hear our Airforce sending planes over in that direction every day). To be 100 % save we have to print those drawings. And take care to use a type of print which does not disappear over time. - But I take this "risk" because if power fails we have bigger things to worry about than my drawings.

 

[usmaak]

My iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen is still going strong, but the battery life has gotten pretty bad. I was thinking of bringing it to the Apple Store and seeing if I can get it changed.

 

[FeliApple]

Another issue that is important in relation to this, which is partly what I’ve said on the other thread, is what the user can tolerate and what the user requires. Like people have said, you can download older versions of many, many apps, even after the device loses support, should you choose to update is as far as it will go. If you update it, longevity for web browsing and app support extends massively, but performance and - especially nowadays - battery life, suffer a lot. Are you willing to use it like that? Are you willing to tolerate keyboard lag, occasional slowness, and worse battery life in order to use those apps and to have a good web browsing experience? I doubt the performance is bad on that model, though, so I reckon it will be good until the end of its update lifetime, even if not perfect. Even so, after it loses support, web browsing is still good. Barring a handful of websites, I can access almost anything on my 9.7-inch iPad Pro on iOS 12. I’ve encountered issues, of course, but nothing too major. The issues are there and I see them. I grab my Air 5 on iPadOS 15 and all of those issues are solved, so it is definitely the iOS version.

Should you choose to stop updating it at some point, are you willing to tolerate waning app support, existing apps’ incompatibility should they require updates to function, even faster web browsing degradation as websites stop working, with top-notch performance and battery life? Are your requirements static or do they evolve? If the former, you’ll be fine; if the latter… not so much.

I noticed something like this when Apple forced my 9.7-inch iPad Pro from iOS 9 to iOS 12. The only thing I “gained” from it was a severely worse battery life. My requirements are static, just content consumption, so I gained nothing by updating. I used it for the exact same things I used to use it on iOS 9, just with worse performance (nothing too unusable) and bad battery life. That’s because my needs are static. Should I be a user that downloads new apps left and right, I’d probably be forced to update it as far as it goes, and that’s a sure-fire way of obliterating both performance and battery life. I’d be able to web browse and use all of the new apps, however. Yes, websites stop working, but four iOS versions behind and I am not encountering anything major, yet.

Device longevity is, in my opinion, completely subjective and entirely dependent on needs. iOS support does not, in any way, determine longevity, again, in my opinion. Your mileage may vary.