iPad Pro iPad Pro 2018 or 2020?

[appleuserfan]

Hi all!
I recently upgraded my iPad Air 1 to an awesome iPad Pro 11" 2020.
Man, this is really faster!
The question is that I expected to use it for more complex tasks than what I did with my iPad Air (why? dunno, maybe due to the faster hardware, bigger screen etc).
I ended up using exactly like my iPad Air: light browsing, some games, some books, some videos, stop.

Now my question is: considering that I can easily buy the 2018 model for 300€ less than what I paid for the 2020 (800€), would make sense to "downgrade" considering my usage?
64GB would be enough, would my experience be worsened by 4GB of ram instead of 6gb of the 2020 pro?

Or would be better to keep the latest model considering that is more future proof for several years?

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hi all!
I recently upgraded my iPad Air 1 to an awesome iPad Pro 11" 2020.
Man, this is really faster!
The question is that I expected to use it for more complex tasks than what I did with my iPad Air (why? dunno, maybe due to the faster hardware, bigger screen etc).
I ended up using exactly like my iPad Air: light browsing, some games, some books, some videos, stop.

Now my question is: considering that I can easily buy the 2018 model for 300€ less than what I paid for the 2020 (800€), would make sense to "downgrade" considering my usage?
64GB would be enough, would my experience be worsened by 4GB of ram instead of 6gb of the 2020 pro?

Or would be better to keep the latest model considering that is more future proof for several years?

Keep the latest model. You already have it, so you might as well keep it.

 

[augustya]

If you are not concerned about the price no doubt keep the latest if you wanna save some money at the same time have an equally great device or maybe marginally a notch less (One Core Less) keep the 2018 model.

 

[rkuo]

I went 2018. 2020 wasn’t worth the extra to me.

 

[EPiD3MiK]

2020 you know we’re only one software update away from Apple throttling the 2018 to make the 2020 model more appealing.

 

[augustya]

2020 you know we’re only one software update away from Apple throttling the 2018 to make the 2020 model more appealing.

That is a very important point. How many more updates before the 2018 iPad Pro would start showing signs of slowing down ? So when should one stop upgrading to the newer releases of iPad OS update ? maybe iPad OS 15 ?

 

[MacRazySwe]

I bought the 2020 and came to the exact same conclusion you did!

Needless to say, I returned it for a 2018 model on sale and saved some money in the process. I feel no difference whatsoever between the two, so I really feel like I made the right choice.

 

[appleuserfan]

Thank you all!
I returned my 2020 for a 2018 (waiting for it) saving almost 40% that I’ll spend on the magic keyboard

 

[augustya]

Thank you all!
I returned my 2020 for a 2018 (waiting for it) saving almost 40% that I’ll spend on the magic keyboard

Ouch !!

 

[1rottenapple]

Hi all!
I recently upgraded my iPad Air 1 to an awesome iPad Pro 11" 2020.
Man, this is really faster!
The question is that I expected to use it for more complex tasks than what I did with my iPad Air (why? dunno, maybe due to the faster hardware, bigger screen etc).
I ended up using exactly like my iPad Air: light browsing, some games, some books, some videos, stop.

Now my question is: considering that I can easily buy the 2018 model for 300€ less than what I paid for the 2020 (800€), would make sense to "downgrade" considering my usage?
64GB would be enough, would my experience be worsened by 4GB of ram instead of 6gb of the 2020 pro?

Or would be better to keep the latest model considering that is more future proof for several years?

Man. I am in the same boat. I have a 12.9 2018 and got the 2020 11. I cannot for the life of me tell anything apart. Its literally the same thing so I’m not sure. I’m likely going to return it. I think it would be the same situation if I got the iPhone 11. So glad I didn’t upgrade from the xs max

 

[Ghost31]

Thank you all!
I returned my 2020 for a 2018 (waiting for it) saving almost 40% that I’ll spend on the magic keyboard

I love seeing people make smart decisions! Way to go man. I would have done the same thing. Ive got the 2018 pro and am a whore for new tech and even i am not even the least bit tempted by the newest update. If you can save money, by all means.

 

[Kal-037]

That is a very important point. How many more updates before the 2018 iPad Pro would start showing signs of slowing down ? So when should one stop upgrading to the newer releases of iPad OS update ? maybe iPad OS 15 ?

I suggest (for this update) save the money, especially because of what’s going on (and will continue until next year to an extent,) as one never knows if something more might happen, that maybe the extra money could help.

Also, that extra GPU core won’t really make the 4th gen/2020 last (a much longer time) It’s just barely 8% of an increase in GPU, and the CPU performance is the same as the 3rd.
It is the RAM that is the biggest game changer here (but even then, 6GB isn’t a huge boost from the 4GB we have, plus iOS/iPad OS are so good at memory management,) so again, no huge difference right now, and won’t be one for many moons or until we start getting really, really heavy apps and go up to 8GB or more in RAM.
I have the 3rd gen with 4GB and have yet to find any sluggishness or refresh issues from safari tabs or having 8-9 apps running at the same time.
BUT... the biggest reason that Apple will make the next few OS updates work for iPad Pros 1-3, Mini 5, iPad 5-7, or Air 3, etc, etc... is because of those $329 iPads (5, 6, and 7) as they are the models most consumers (regular folks, schools, many businesses) have, and are still using. Those models have 2-3GB or RAM, so I highly doubt Apple will be doing much of anything to make the next OS’ too much for them. *That would be very bad business (especially now)... plus, the whole throttling “scandal” issue 2-years back made Apple realize they aren’t able to do whatever they want... and with the current economy... we won’t see massive increases of iPad sales for a while. I don’t think Apple is going to do anything to cause any issues for such already bleak/hard time.
So, I see the iPads (even the 2GB RAM ones) lasting fine with OS updates, for quite a bit longer... but just my 0.2 cents. 😉✌


Kallum.

 

[spookyclown]

After reading everything about the 2018 vs 2020 tablets I purchased a 2018 12.9 refurb (256gb). More than happy with it but have started a return to Apple. I was convinced I'd made the right choice, its a great tablet. However that extra 2gb ram in the newer machines has been nagging at me from the get go. Have any applications ever been made to specifically take advantage of the Pro line up and the original 4gb ram etc? Or is it just the apps perform better? Although the return process has started its still not packaged up yet. Guess I'm still trying to convince myself I don't need to get the 2020!!!

 

[rkuo]

After reading everything about the 2018 vs 2020 tablets I purchased a 2018 12.9 refurb (256gb). More than happy with it but have started a return to Apple. I was convinced I'd made the right choice, its a great tablet. However that extra 2gb ram in the newer machines has been nagging at me from the get go. Have any applications ever been made to specifically take advantage of the Pro line up and the original 4gb ram etc? Or is it just the apps perform better? Although the return process has started its still not packaged up yet. Guess I'm still trying to convince myself I don't need to get the 2020!!!

Here's the thing ... the 6GB of RAM is tempting for sure, but I think we're in the early stages of the iPad evolving into a laptop/computer alternative. macOS is coming to ARM, and there are credible rumors of Xcode coming to the iPad. If you believe any of that, then 6GB is really nothing, because current gen laptops currently START at 8GB of RAM and usually get upgraded to 16GB of RAM.

Point being, we're likely to see changes to the iPad in specs/form factors/accessories that will obsolete our current iPad's far past what an extra 2GB of RAM will do in terms of future proofing. So I'm focused on just bang for the buck right now.

 

[Kal-037]

I contacted Procreate as I was curious about if they use the 6GB of RAM, and was told they do not.

 

[spookyclown]

Here's the thing ... the 6GB of RAM is tempting for sure, but I think we're in the early stages of the iPad evolving into a laptop/computer alternative. macOS is coming to ARM, and there are credible rumors of Xcode coming to the iPad. If you believe any of that, then 6GB is really nothing, because current gen laptops currently START at 8GB of RAM and usually get upgraded to 16GB of RAM.

Point being, we're likely to see changes to the iPad in specs/form factors/accessories that will obsolete our current iPad's far past what an extra 2GB of RAM will do in terms of future proofing. So I'm focused on just bang for the buck right now.

Bang for buck is what I was aiming for and do feel I've got that. Yes you are right with the memory and what is now becoming standard for latoptop/desktops. My work laptop is 4gb with W10 (a good few years old now) and copes but really struggles with more than a few things open and switching between things is no where near instant. Switching on this pro is very swift indeed.
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I contacted Procreate as I was curious about if they use the 6GB of RAM, and was told they do not.

This was my fear in having the extra ram but it not being fully utilised for a large period and when it does get used, it will be time to upgrade anyway!

 

[Kal-037]

That’s where I’m at, plus (knock on wood) I love my perfect iPad Pro 3. That was/is the best update to and in general the best iPad model ever.
I love the flat iPad one redesign, the display, the incredible speakers, the speed, and just everything. I also really like the single uniform and clean looking non-weird looking single camera, lol.
I honestly wanted to update to the iPad 3 (way back when I had the very first gen from 2010) and then stick with that for a few years, but I never got the opportunity to have the money to buy the 3, so it was really cool that things kind of came full circle with the iPad Pro 3, *it’s one of my lucky numbers, and that iPad was my dream iPad, (no home button) 😂😉

Anyways, I may update the next gen, but only if it gets a higher than A12 or A13 processor, MiniLED or a boost in brightness, HDR, Dolby Vision, and maybe the use of 120hz for watching movies and videos. I also wouldn’t mind even beefier than the already incredible speakers (Dolby Atmos support and whatnot.) I wouldn’t mind an official bump to 4k resolution or something (It’s already 3K, but I would complain about higher. In the end, I just want the next iPad Pro update to have a really good solid jump in overall performance and new tech. I’m a broken record here regarding the frugly new cameras, but I wonder without them if the prices would have been a bit lower? Probably not... that’s absolutely wishful thinking, but I’ll take it. lol

Anyways, back on topic, I figure folks should get the 2020 iPad if you must have the newest thing, want no home button shenanigans, or have an older than 2016 iPad Pro, (otherwise the 2018 with the good sales is much much more worth it) and better bang for your buck IMO.



Kallum.

 

[secretk]

I contacted Procreate as I was curious about if they use the 6GB of RAM, and was told they do not.

Did you happen to ask them if they plan to update the app for the 2020 iPads? I am just interested. I guess it is still new (especially considering now the crisis).

 

[Kal-037]

Did you happen to ask them if they plan to update the app for the 2020 iPads? I am just interested. I guess it is still new (especially considering now the crisis).

I kind of did, I asked before the 2020 release by a little while... BUT I did ask if the 6GB in the 1TB model would do anything and they said I would see no difference in performance, I doubt they will change or update it until most or all iPads have 4GB or more of RAM. i doubt they want to miss out on keeping or getting new the customers who use iPads with 2-3GB.

 

[secretk]

I didn’t, I did ask if the 6GB 1TB model would do anything and they said I would see no difference in performance, I doubt they will change or update it until most or all iPads have 4GB or more of RAM. i doubt they want to miss out on keeping or getting new the customers who use iPads with 2-3GB.

I see your point. Problem is that others could follow the ProCreate approach. If this is the case then how people can see the benefits of owning the 2020 iPad Pro compared to the 2018 ones?

 

[ofarlig]

The idea isn’t that every single app needs to use more than 4 GB of RAM, you can keep more apps open without reloading with 6 GB. So if you are doing more intensive things you can still switch between apps without suffering reloading. I notice a big difference in reloading just by using mine for low intensive things like web browsing, YouTube, Netflix and other apps so if I fire up a game or some productivity app the difference becomes bigger.

 

[Kal-037]

I see your point. Problem is that others could follow the ProCreate approach. If this is the case then how people can see the benefits of owning the 2020 iPad Pro compared to the 2018 ones?

I’m not too worried about developers making apps require more RAM for many, many moons, (that would be a missed opportunity to get more money from the cheaper iPads,) it just wouldn’t make sense right now... or 2-4 years down the line. I see this simply as a slow build up by Apple to head towards more RAM like a traditional computer since that’s where they seem to be headed. I personally think one reason Apple put 6GB of RAM was due to us nerds. 😉😂🤓

 

[AmandaB2]

Hello! I would like to buy my first iPad. Could you please share your opinion on spending $699 for the 2018 11" 64 GB Pro, $799 for the 2020 11" 128GB?

I will use this for Procreate (mostly recreationally), watching shows, some apps, web browsing.

I know the 2018 Pro seems more than sufficient for my needs, but should I pay $90 more for the updated features, additional storage, future proofing? I'm tempted to say it's 'just $90,' but this is already an expensive purchase!

Thank you so much for your help.

 

[secretk]

I’m not too worried about developers making apps require more RAM for many, many moons, (that would be a missed opportunity to get more money from the cheaper iPads,) it just wouldn’t make sense right now... or 2-4 years down the line. I see this simply as a slow build up by Apple to head towards more RAM like a traditional computer since that’s where they seem to be headed. I personally think one reason Apple put 6GB of RAM was due to us nerds. 😉😂🤓

Makes sense but I guess the question is what people would gain from owning 2020 iPad Pro that has more RAM if apps would not take advantage of it?

I completely see your point and tend to agree with you. I assume percentage wise more people use iPads different than 2020 iPP which means iPads that do not have 6 GB RAM so Developers' focus would be less on using 6 GB RAM and more on making sure that the apps manage to work also with 2 GB RAM.

 

[rui no onna]

Bang for buck is what I was aiming for and do feel I've got that. Yes you are right with the memory and what is now becoming standard for latoptop/desktops. My work laptop is 4gb with W10 (a good few years old now) and copes but really struggles with more than a few things open and switching between things is no where near instant. Switching on this pro is very swift indeed.

4GB was already minimum for acceptable Windows performance back in 2008/9. At this point in time, you really want 8GB minimum.

I've already been installing 8GB in 2009 (Nehalem) and switched to 16GB in 2012 (Ivy Bridge). Going for 32GB on the Bean Canyon/Coffee Lake NUC.