iPad Pro iPad Pro 12.9-inch (WiFi): Fifth Generation vs. Sixth Generation?

[Yebubbleman]

I'm considering saving for a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. 256GB or 512GB (haven't decided yet). Definitely WiFi only. I'm using this thing for situations where I want a large screen and a full keyboard for e-mail, chat, and web, but not necessarily a 13-inch MacBook Pro or a similarly sized PC. Otherwise, my Apple Pencil usage will be light (mostly limited to drawing diagrams and white boarding). I'd also like some of Apple's newer multi-tasking features (Stage Manager, Virtual Memory Swap, etc.).

So, the question becomes, do I try to find either a good clearance deal on or an Apple Certified Refurbished version of a Fifth Generation (M1) model? Or do I want the recent Sixth Generation (M2) one?

I am not going to take advantage of the hover feature. Nor will the ProRes encode/decode engine matter much to me (though, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't really curious about trying to edit video on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro).

All that to say that I'm pretty sure that the M2 doesn't offer me anything I'll wish I had on the M1 version. Though, if issues with something like the display are less of an issue on the M2 version (or, the M1 version, for that matter), that would sway me one way or another. Reliability and durability are probably my biggest concern when picking a model. Or if one of them had worse battery life over the other one. (Certainly if anyone has these tidbits, I'd be curious).

I'm currently leaning toward an Apple Certified Refurbished Fifth Generation (M1) model. What say you?

 

[rui no onna]

I'm considering saving for a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. 256GB or 512GB (haven't decided yet). Definitely WiFi only. I'm using this thing for situations where I want a large screen and a full keyboard for e-mail, chat, and web, but not necessarily a 13-inch MacBook Pro or a similarly sized PC.

The 12.9” iPad Pro is around the same size as the 13” MacBooks.

 

[TorbenIbsen]

I see that you are aware of the differences between the two models. So in your situation the M1 will be just as fine as the M2 model in real life situations. - I happen to have an 11" Pro 3rd generation, which have the Lidar feature. I also happen to have a 12.9" Pro 2nd generation with a Smart Keyboard.

Apart from the Lidar function I can do exactly the same on my 2nd generation 12.9" Pro and the 11" Pro. - Well, there is also the Stage Manager which I cannot do on the old iPad. But I tried it on the new iPad and pretty quickly decided that this was not for me. It is more like a gimmic than something you "need".

I use a lot of apps of very different kinds on those iPads. And all the apps works on both iPads. I also use a pencil (two different, of course) on both iPads. Nobody needs a "hover" function. - The 12.9" from 2018 still have a fine battery, but I am going to get a new battery in a year or so before the iPad is 7 years old. It will cost about 8% of the price of a new iPad Pro where I live. So don't use anecdotal posts about battery life as the basis for making your choice.

I also have an iMac M1, 24" and an Intel Macbook 13". - I use them all, but not for the same things. There are so many things that can only be done on the iPad. And there are so many things that can only be done on the Mac. So an iPad and a Mac are really not interchangable except for the most basic functions like mail, contacts, calendar.

 

[Isengardtom]

I think “hover” is very important/useful for digital artists but not for most other people.

I think stage manger is useful with the external monitor but on the iPad itself I only like it for phone apps that don’t have a good iPad alternative. I still use the split screen multitasking with the shelf 99% of the time instead of Stage manager.

multitasking is something where apple isn’t good at in general for me. They focus too often on how good it looks and not enough on how good it works.

windows 11 is better than MacOS and Samsung Dex is better than iPadOS.

And this is going to be maybe the most controversial one. I like iPadOS multitasking better than MacOS


as for M2 vs M1 : unless that hover feature is a must have for you I would go M1 unless you can find a nice deal already on an M2

 

[TorbenIbsen]

I think “hover” is very important/useful for digital artists but not for most other people.

I think stage manger is useful with the external monitor but on the iPad itself I only like it for phone apps that don’t have a good iPad alternative. I still use the split screen multitasking with the shelf 99% of the time instead of Stage manager.

multitasking is something where apple isn’t good at in general for me. They focus too often on how good it looks and not enough on how good it works.

windows 11 is better than MacOS and Samsung Dex is better than iPadOS.

And this is going to be maybe the most controversial one. I like iPadOS multitasking better than MacOS


as for M2 vs M1 : unless that hover feature is a must have for you I would go M1 unless you can find a nice deal already on an M2

We agree on most things here. Except the bit about which operating system is “better”. We could settle on “different” but not on “better”. - All the basic things I rely on when it comes to the operating systems can only be done by a combination of MacOS, IOS, IPadOS and iCloud. So any other systems certainly would not be “better” in my case. They would be un-usable.

 

[Isengardtom]

We agree on most things here. Except the bit about which operating system is “better”. We could settle on “different” but not on “better”. - All the basic things I rely on when it comes to the operating systems can only be done by a combination of MacOS, IOS, IPadOS and iCloud. So any other systems certainly would not be “better” in my case. They would be un-usable.

fair

But I was only talking about the multitasking aspect of the OS.
it comes down to personal flavour often with regards to the rest.

I like the look and feel of MacOS but dislike how it handles multiple windows for example.

 

[Ahiqar]

I was looking at the same choice as you. I decided to purchase an M2 12.9 256 open box at Best Buy and it saved me $85, closing the gap between the price of the refurb and the new one. It was still eligible for AppleCare so I got that. It’s been working great.

 

[savagewatts]

I had the M1 and received the M2 as a gift. I can honestly say that there is virtually no difference. I’m hard pressed to push this device to do anything the M1 couldn’t do. They are both amazing but probably one of the smallest upgrades ever. Go with the M1 and save the money.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Definitely leaning more toward a refurbished fifth generation model. I was more worried about any quirks from the new display and whether or not it made a difference going with a sixth generation model or a refurbished version of the fifth generation model. Certainly the pricing of a refurbished fifth generation model is better and more what I'm looking for, overall.

The 12.9” iPad Pro is around the same size as the 13” MacBooks.

While true, there are a whole lot less accessories that I'd pack with a 12.9-inch iPad Pro than I would for a 13-inch MacBook Pro/Air. I see your point and that a redundancy does exist. And if they weren't two separate computing platforms, I'd definitely not have any desire for both.

 

[rui no onna]

While true, there are a whole lot less accessories that I'd pack with a 12.9-inch iPad Pro than I would for a 13-inch MacBook Pro/Air. I see your point and that a redundancy does exist. And if they weren't two separate computing platforms, I'd definitely not have any desire for both.

My only point was don’t get the 12.9” thinking it will have significantly smaller footprint than the 13” MacBooks particularly if you’re using a keyboard case. I have both M1 MacBook Air and M1 iPad Pro 12.9” and they’re around the same size.

If you want a smaller device that will fit more comfortably on, say, tiny airplane trays, the 10-11” iPads are more ideal. Mind, the 12.9” still fits but just barely. Granted, I was just using tablet mode with SmartFolio. With keyboard, it would’ve probably been more awkward.

No issues with my launch day M1 12.9” 1TB 5G so far. Then again, I did get monthly AppleCare+ for it. I didn’t fancy spending ~$1K for warranty replacement or ~$2K for an upgrade in case something happens considering the device still has great performance.

Frankly, if I were buying now, it would depend on pricing. $50-100 difference, I’d be more inclined to go with the M2. More than that, then the M1 is still great.

 

[VaruLV]

Go with the cheapest deal you can find.

 

[Yebubbleman]

My only point was don’t get the 12.9” thinking it will have significantly smaller footprint than the 13” MacBooks particularly if you’re using a keyboard case. I have both M1 MacBook Air and M1 iPad Pro 12.9” and they’re around the same size.

Nah. I know they have similar footprints. And that's not particularly what influences my wanting to go that route.

If you want a smaller device that will fit more comfortably on, say, tiny airplane trays, the 10-11” iPads are more ideal.

Eh...these days, pretty much anything that isn't an iPad mini will feel large on an airplane tray.