iPad iPad Pro 13” M4 v M5

[Ugene425]

Obviously now the M4 model is proving a ‘better’ deal with heavier discount etc.

Is there much of a difference between the two? Apart from the faster charging on the M5 and more recent chip, is there much else notably better? OLED screen is the same as is weight and size etc.

 

[JCCL]

No, for most users, they feel like exactly the same device.

 

[Apple_Robert]

There is no real day to day difference between the two outside of slightly faster cellular speeds (depending on carrier and location) and charging speed (if that matters to you).

 

[Ugene425]

I would get a wifi model so cellular wouldn’t apply for me. Only the charging speed would be of some benefit. A lot to pay though for it! I guess the M5 would last another year or so longer before the software becomes obsolete?

 

[Ugene425]

No, for most users, they feel like exactly the same device.

That was my thinking. There is probably a £300-400 additional cost to pay to get the latest M5 model. To me, that is only buying slightly faster charging and a newer chip...

 

[Ugene425]

No, for most users, they feel like exactly the same device.

Which ipad do you own out of interest and which would you advise to buy (M4 or M5 IPP)?

 

[Meedoss]

I got a 11” 2tb nano M4 for 30% of the cost of the same in M5.
No brainer.

 

[Ugene425]

I got a 11” 2tb nano M4 for 30% of the cost of the same in M5.
No brainer.

Heavens that must have cost a fortune! I would not need 1TB of memory though. Everyone has different needs and uses I guess. A shame you have to get the 1TB min to have the Nano texture display.

 

[Meedoss]

Heavens that must have cost a fortune! I would not need 1TB of memory though. Everyone has different needs and uses I guess. A shame you have to get the 1TB min to have the Nano texture display.

Nope $1200aud, v $3600 for a M5.
I use 250gb, more ram in bigger gb models too.
Nano will be standard one day, glare is shocking on iPads.

 

[Ugene425]

That sounds good. Although here in the UK not sure where is best to buy a good spec M4 ipad. I cannot afford the nano texture I don't think - it is just too much more! I agree one day Apple will make it standard across all their ipads.

 

[Digitalguy]

I had a base cellular M4 and decided to upgrade mainly for the RAM. I had bought a base cellular M5 from Apple with back to school for around 1350 + a discount on airpods. I returned it (and the airpods) as I found a 2TB cellular M4 for 1490.
So the main differences for me are:
12GB vs 8GB if it matters to you for the base (no difference for the 1/2 TB)
faster charging up to 50%, after that it's the exact same speed

For me the faster chip didn't matter, nor the faster refresh rate on external monitors. The weight was very similar (the M5 was 10gr heavier), the speakers are a bit louder and fuller on the the M4 however and that mattered to me (but probably matters to very few people, as the difference is not huge, and many people only use airpods). I made a video comparing speakers of all generations from M1 to M5.

Longer software support is a factor but it's so far away (and I use iPads for at least 2-3 years after end of support as apps work fine for 2-3 years, so we are talking something like 7+ years from now) that by then I'll have bought a new device anyway.

 

[Ugene425]

I had a base cellular M4 and decided to upgrade mainly for the RAM. I had bought a base cellular M5 from Apple with back to school for around 1350 + a discount on airpods. I returned it (and the airpods) as I found a 2TB cellular M4 for 1490.
So the main differences for me are:
12GB vs 8GB if it matters to you for the base (no difference for the 1/2 TB)
faster charging up to 50%, after that it's the exact same speed

For me the faster chip didn't matter, nor the faster refresh rate on external monitors. The weight was very similar (the M5 was 10gr heavier), the speakers are a bit louder and fuller on the the M4 however and that mattered to me (but probably matters to very few people, as the difference is not huge, and many people only use airpods). I made a video comparing speakers of all generations from M1 to M5.

Longer software support is a factor but it's so far away (and I use iPads for at least 2-3 years after end of support as apps work fine for 2-3 years, so we are talking something like 7+ years from now) that by then I'll have bought a new device anyway.

Really interesting reading this.
The differences then seem very minor between the two. I did wonder if the M5 would outlast the M4 maybe a bit longer (1 year or so) but as you said we are talking 7+ years into the future so who knows! The M chips should last a long time IMO. The faster charging to 50% on M5 is a nice feature but can’t justify a £300-400 additional cost plus it’s 10g heavier than M4 - not ideal. Odd to think the speakers are not as good as M4 either but you pay more?!

I rarely upgrade my Apple devices due to the high initial cost of purchase and the money you lose when you swap devices (upgrade). I just want to make the right choice. At approx £1,400 for a 13” IPP 500GB your almost into M4 MBP territory! My MPP is 2014 and a lot of the machine doesn’t work (trackpad, poor battery life, screen smudge, IOS so out of date). My IPad Air 2 is also 2014 and IOS doesn’t update certain apps anymore plus has a minor crack in corner of screen. That said, they both still work and due to the job, just! Also I find the wifi connectivity poor on the IP Air 2.

 

[Ugene425]

It seems on paper the M4 is a better purchase to make right now? The differences appear to be very minor to the M5 despite the large increase in cost!

 

[hamstrung]

I’d like to buy a M4 iPad Pro (11 inch) but not sure where to find a new one on sale in the UK. Do you have an idea of when Apple are likely to start selling them Certified Refurbished?

 

[Digitalguy]

Really interesting reading this.
The differences then seem very minor between the two. I did wonder if the M5 would outlast the M4 maybe a bit longer (1 year or so) but as you said we are talking 7+ years into the future so who knows! The M chips should last a long time IMO. The faster charging to 50% on M5 is a nice feature but can’t justify a £300-400 additional cost plus it’s 10g heavier than M4 - not ideal. Odd to think the speakers are not as good as M4 either but you pay more?!

I rarely upgrade my Apple devices due to the high initial cost of purchase and the money you lose when you swap devices (upgrade). I just want to make the right choice. At approx £1,400 for a 13” IPP 500GB your almost into M4 MBP territory! My MPP is 2014 and a lot of the machine doesn’t work (trackpad, poor battery life, screen smudge, IOS so out of date). My IPad Air 2 is also 2014 and IOS doesn’t update certain apps anymore plus has a minor crack in corner of screen. That said, they both still work and due to the job, just! Also I find the wifi connectivity poor on the IP Air 2.

I made a post about OS support, over the last 10 years Apple has regularly given 7 OS updates to iPad pro/air, so the M4 should be updated until iPadOS 32 and the M5 until iPadOS 34 (2 more updates), unless Apple extends that for the pro by 1 update (so 33 and 35) to give it a premium vs the air.
Having said that you are totally fine for at least 2 years after end of support, so for the M4 we are talking 2034-35, that is in 8-9 years...and 10-11 years for the M5. By that time the battery will be shot and Apple will not service any more as the devices will be obsolete anyway hardware-wise (after 7 years from end of sale by Apple, which is already the case for the M4). Sure there is also third party shops to replace batteries, but it will probably make little sense at that point anyway. Trying to future proof for too long is generally just a way to waste money... I personally rather have a 2TB M4 with 2 years of shorter support than a base M5.

 

[Ugene425]

I’d like to buy a M4 iPad Pro (11 inch) but not sure where to find a new one on sale in the UK. Do you have an idea of when Apple are likely to start selling them Certified Refurbished?

Have you looked on Backmarket?

 

[hamstrung]

I have but have heard/read mixed reviews (though no direct experience). Might feel more confident getting direct from Apple Certified Refurbished when released. Thank you.

 

[Ugene425]

I’d like to buy a M4 iPad Pro (11 inch) but not sure where to find a new one on sale in the UK. Do you have an idea of when Apple are likely to start selling them Certified Refurbished?

Have you also tried Amazon? They sell second had iPads.

 

[Ugene425]

I made a post about OS support, over the last 10 years Apple has regularly given 7 OS updates to iPad pro/air, so the M4 should be updated until iPadOS 32 and the M5 until iPadOS 34 (2 more updates), unless Apple extends that for the pro by 1 update (so 33 and 35) to give it a premium vs the air.
Having said that you are totally fine for at least 2 years after end of support, so for the M4 we are talking 2034-35, that is in 8-9 years...and 10-11 years for the M5. By that time the battery will be shot and Apple will not service any more as the devices will be obsolete anyway hardware-wise (after 7 years from end of sale by Apple, which is already the case for the M4). Sure there is also third party shops to replace batteries, but it will probably make little sense at that point anyway. Trying to future proof for too long is generally just a way to waste money... I personally rather have a 2TB M4 with 2 years of shorter support than a base M5.

Most insightful reading your comments.
I’m on the fence really atm as to which device to buy 🤔! Thinking of buying through Apple as can get 10% off their new products (education discount). I’ve always bought the latest release when buying their products or other tech (Samsung TV for example) as I know their shelf life is limited and will be upgraded to a newer device within 6-12 months anyway. You can never keep up. For me it’s longevity and something that’ll last well into the future for as long as possible before I have to start stressing about upgrading.

Either M4 or M5 IPP seem very good IMO. The latter will buy you 1-2 years of more updates from what I can understand oh and 50% faster charging. Not sure how useful I’ll find the latter.

Also, as mentioned before we are virtually into MBP territory at £1,300-400! I do enjoy the portability of the iPad much more. I rarely take my 2014 MBP anywhere outside of home due to its size and weight! However the 2014 iPad Air 2 comes with me everywhere on my travels. The 13” IPP despite being ‘bigger’ is still lighter than a MBP I think. I just use the iPad for web browsing, the odd email, a lot of film streaming to name a few. The 2014 MBP was used more for Excel and Word work. That said I guess I can now get Microsoft software on the IPP. Not sure how good it is in comparison to the laptop range but for my basic needs surely it’ll be ok 👍

Any thoughts to my comments?