Hello,
I haven't posted here in 2 years, but I just upgraded to the new iPad Pro (2017) from an iPad Air 2... and it's kind of incredible. I agree with many people and say this device isn't for everyone. In fact, I would go even further and say this isn't for most people and unless you fall into a very specific category, I think you would be better off with a 10.5" Pro, an older model tablet, or maybe stick with your large cell phone and use no tablet at all. For this very reason, I skipped on the original iPad Pro 12.9" in 2015. I just didn't have a use for it. That being said...
I. If you're not using an Apple Pencil, you might be doing it wrong.
I'm an amateur artist in my free time and have recently decided to take on a Kickstarter project I've been thinking about for a long time. I don't want to pay for an artist and am going to do the art myself. And to do this, I need the right tools and software. iPad Pro has them both and screen size is canvas size. (I currently have no plans on using my iPad for video or music editing.)
For me, the iPad Pro is not a laptop replacement, no matter how hard Apple tries to sell it as one. If you want a laptop, then get a laptop. If you want a table, then get a 10.5" iPad Pro or if you don't care about iOS, then get a Microsoft Surface Pro 4. To me, it's all about the pencil and the ability to draw & write digitally while being able to multi-task in split screen, minimize a Twitch stream in the corner, and/or listen to a podcast/audiobook all on the same device. I didn't buy a smart cover keyboard and I don't plan on getting one in the future.
(For other people, they just need a device that lets them do some web browsing, watch videos, and occasionally do some light word processing, reply to emails, or go on forums. And that's fine.)
II. My Essential Apps
Let's talk about apps:
Final Thoughts
I might just be high on the "new toy" smell, but right now, iPad Pro is a big deal for me and my productivity. Up until I got my hands on it, I thought it might be too big to take around to completely replace the more practically sized iPad Air 2. But took one day of me playing around with it for me to cancel my cellular service on my Air and switch it over to the Pro.
I splurged a little got the wifi + cellular, 512gb model and I have no regrets. I'm in the middle of transferring my entire Amazon Video and Audible libraries (I might even re-visit my Comixology account). Currently 150gb downloaded, more to come, and plenty of room to spare.
edit: Also, my biggest mistake was purchasing the official Apple leather sleeve for $149. Big mistake. It just didn't feel great having the iPad out with zero protection. I ended up buying another cover from Amazon for $15 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018258O5M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and it's pretty great. I really need to sell the sleeve on eBay or something...
I haven't posted here in 2 years, but I just upgraded to the new iPad Pro (2017) from an iPad Air 2... and it's kind of incredible. I agree with many people and say this device isn't for everyone. In fact, I would go even further and say this isn't for most people and unless you fall into a very specific category, I think you would be better off with a 10.5" Pro, an older model tablet, or maybe stick with your large cell phone and use no tablet at all. For this very reason, I skipped on the original iPad Pro 12.9" in 2015. I just didn't have a use for it. That being said...
I. If you're not using an Apple Pencil, you might be doing it wrong.
I'm an amateur artist in my free time and have recently decided to take on a Kickstarter project I've been thinking about for a long time. I don't want to pay for an artist and am going to do the art myself. And to do this, I need the right tools and software. iPad Pro has them both and screen size is canvas size. (I currently have no plans on using my iPad for video or music editing.)
For me, the iPad Pro is not a laptop replacement, no matter how hard Apple tries to sell it as one. If you want a laptop, then get a laptop. If you want a table, then get a 10.5" iPad Pro or if you don't care about iOS, then get a Microsoft Surface Pro 4. To me, it's all about the pencil and the ability to draw & write digitally while being able to multi-task in split screen, minimize a Twitch stream in the corner, and/or listen to a podcast/audiobook all on the same device. I didn't buy a smart cover keyboard and I don't plan on getting one in the future.
(For other people, they just need a device that lets them do some web browsing, watch videos, and occasionally do some light word processing, reply to emails, or go on forums. And that's fine.)
II. My Essential Apps
Let's talk about apps:
- Procreate
- Notability
- Whiteboard
- Polycalendar
- Whiteboard - Sometimes I just need scratch paper. Sometimes I need to get something down in writing and need the ability to brainstorm it on the spot. With as few bells and whistles as you can imaging, Whiteboard is the program that lets me scribble and clear, scribble and clear, and then scribble and clear that my brain is looking for when I have an idea.
- Polycalendar - The App Store isn't lacking for calendar programs. But it was shocking to me how hard it was to find a calendar program that lets you enter hand-written notes. Most calendar programs are not only incredibly busy with things I don't need, but almost all only allow for typed entries. I suppose this makes sense since most people don't have or want an Apple Pencil. After a lot of searching, there were only 5 programs I found that allowed written notes and while Polycalendar wasn't a perfect fit, it was still the closest to what I was looking for. (Templates for every month, the ability to zoom in on individual days, the ability to stay zoomed out and scribble across an entire week, and a few options for pencil color & size.)
Final Thoughts
I might just be high on the "new toy" smell, but right now, iPad Pro is a big deal for me and my productivity. Up until I got my hands on it, I thought it might be too big to take around to completely replace the more practically sized iPad Air 2. But took one day of me playing around with it for me to cancel my cellular service on my Air and switch it over to the Pro.
I splurged a little got the wifi + cellular, 512gb model and I have no regrets. I'm in the middle of transferring my entire Amazon Video and Audible libraries (I might even re-visit my Comixology account). Currently 150gb downloaded, more to come, and plenty of room to spare.
edit: Also, my biggest mistake was purchasing the official Apple leather sleeve for $149. Big mistake. It just didn't feel great having the iPad out with zero protection. I ended up buying another cover from Amazon for $15 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018258O5M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and it's pretty great. I really need to sell the sleeve on eBay or something...
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