iPad Pro iPad Pro's bending issue (merged)

[Mike Boreham]

1. I watched an online video of a person drop a 2018 iPad Pro from about knee-high onto concrete. The metal back rippled. Yeah, I'm not planning to drop mine, but the fact that the metal rippled is enough to put me off.
2. I watched an online video of a person using the new Apple Pencil to color on their device. With moderate pressure (the pencil is pressure sensitive, after all) the glass bent enough that the LCD panel distorted under the pressure.
3. I watched an online video where Apple announced the pricing of these devices and it was 20% higher than the previous generation.
4. I watched an online video showing some of the new features coming in an operating system update and the devices still lack an ability to run background tasks, amongst other missing features that computers have had for decades.
5. I read an online forum thread where users are having touch screen issues with these devices (something I am personally experiencing with my 2017 iPad Pro).

I'm not missing out. I'm not scared. I took some time to research how I would use the device, what the device offers and at what price. I made an educated decision to not purchase because I do not believe that for my use case the cost of the device justifies the quality and utility.

1 and 2....I am very wary of on line videos of people breaking things. Why do they do it? Obviously it is worth a lot of money to them to be able to post and get a lot of hits. Not saying it didn't happen only that I don't believe it is as likely to happen as the videos imply. Nobody posts videos of things not breaking.

3. No disagreement there.

4. This is a completely different issue, and is partly a matter of preference, but also learning. I agree they can't fully replace computers. A year ago I hated iPads, but seeing the way wind was blowing and because my wife uses one a lot, I bought a 12.9 to learn how to use it to support my wife. I also have a 12" MacBook. The more I learn, the more I find myself reaching for the iPad in situations I wouldn't have expected a year ago.

5. More of the same, yes I am sure it is a real problem for some people, but not as widespread as MR would suggest.

 

[Dave-Z]

I am very wary of on line videos of people breaking things. Why do they do it? Obviously it is worth a lot of money to them to be able to post and get a lot of hits. Not saying it didn't happen only that I don't believe it is as likely to happen as the videos imply. Nobody posts videos of things not breaking.

I agree they do this for money. Still, given some of the tear downs from places like iFixIt, it is my opinion that these devices are not particularly strong. I do take care of my toys but I'm not interested in spending over $1000 on a device that might be bent if it slips out of my hand or a kid jumps on my lap while I'm using it.

I find myself reaching for the iPad in situations I wouldn't have expected a year ago.

I used an iPad for over a year as a primary device. iOS is generally my preferred operating system and I love the form factor of the devices. But I spent over $1600 in my currency for light bleeding issues, touch screen issues, smart keyboard issues, etc.; this along with the fact that I simply could not do all of my work on it when I needed to.

Contrast that with my Surface, which is a fine tablet and a full computer when I need it. Only complaint is that battery life is not quite as good, but that's not really an issue--with an iPad I finish the day at 30% remaining battery and with the Surface I finish at 10%... either way I have enough power to make it through the day.

More of the same, yes I am sure it is a real problem for some people, but not as widespread as MR would suggest.

I really don't believe most people experience the unresponsive touch screen issue, but considering I am experiencing it first-hand I'm definitely a little shy about investing close to $2000 (iPad + Pencil + Keyboard Case) for more hardware that may very well exhibit the same issue.

At the end of the day my experience and what I've read online leads me to believe the quality and utility is not there. Others can enjoy their product and I think that's fantastic. I would even go so far as to say the for the vast majority of individuals the iPad is the best choice for a personal computer. For me, it's not there yet; hopefully in the future because I do like the concept.

 

[Dkka1]

What choice would they have?
Look there is no such thing as opinions. That is just a lie people tell themselves so as not to feel bad about being wrong.
There are people who are right, and people who think they're right.

iPad Pro has structural integrity issues. If you get one that isn't bent, and manage to keep it that way, it doesn't change the fact that the device has these issues. The same with the MacBook keyboard. Inherent design flaw, that can potentially affect 100% of devices. My 2016 MacBook Pro did not have a single keyboard issue until it started last week. Because mine worked fine for 3 years, didn't mean that I pretend the keyboard is fine.

Exactly. What is with this people who applaud a flawed design just because they bought it. It really amazes me.

It’s the weakest by far, that’s objective. It’s the most expensive, that’s objective. And you even have the surface pro to compare and look at what can be done if you want (and don’t go crazy with the bean counting) in terms of materials and chassis.

If the aluminum chassis of the iPad Pro is nice, appropriate and premium, what is the magnesium chassis of the Surface Pro then? The chassis of the Surface Pro is nice, appropriate and premium. The iPad Pro’s is simply cheap and subpar. And Apple of course holds the patent for liquid metal and many other solutions, but as long as the fanboys keep buying crap, crap they’ll produce.

 

[Deacon-Blues]

I want one. But I want one that doesn’t fold in half, so I think I will wait for the next version. I’m betting it will be structurally improved. I want it now.

 

[PastaPrimav]

I want one. But I want one that doesn’t fold in half, so I think I will wait for the next version. I’m betting it will be structurally improved. I want it now.

Absolutely, the next one will be the one to get. Apple introduced and advertised their 7000 series aluminum on the iPhone 6s as the answer to the bending issues of the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6 was the first time Apple made a mass-market phone of that size, and they underestimated its rigidity in the real world. They fixed it with the next version.

The new iPad Pro is likewise a first-time design for Apple, which is exceptionally thin (too thin, really) with a lot of surface area. Just looking at it nearly makes it bend. They will redesign the inside to reinforce it before long.

 

[Fozziebear71]

Reading the endless posts in this thread about how flawed the new iPads are, from people who don’t even own one, is one of the most entertaining parts of my day.

 

[bevsb2]

Reading the endless posts in this thread about how flawed the new iPads are, from people who don’t even own one, is one of the most entertaining parts of my day.

I think it is a shame that people are waiting up to a year to purchase the next possibly stronger iteration when they could be enjoying this amazing piece of tech now, especially with iPad OS coming.

 

[Fozziebear71]

I think it is a shame that people are waiting up to a year to purchase the next possibly stronger iteration when they could be enjoying this amazing piece of tech now, especially with iPad OS coming.

It’s their loss. Truth be known though, most of the people saying they wouldn’t buy one because of the “bending” issue just can’t afford one and that’s the real reason they aren’t buying one. Like I said though, their loss.

 

[Dkka1]

Reading the endless posts in this thread about how flawed the new iPads are, from people who don’t even own one, is one of the most entertaining parts of my day.

Well, it’s not like a sensible person is going to own one knowing how flawed they are.

But, anyway, if I buy one tomorrow and treat it like a baby so it doesn’t bend, then will I be allowed to say it’s crap, or how does that work exactly? Should I say it’s real nice because mine hasn’t bent?

And could I say you aren’t allowed to say it is all nice and good if you haven’t placed it in a backpack with books and other stuff everyday? Will you?

You don’t realize how flawed is that logic, do you. It has been tested man, it’s not about what you think. What you think or what you do with yours doesn’t make it better than what the objective tests show. Your opinion is not a measure nor changes reality.

 

[tps3443]

Well, it’s not like a sensible person is going to own one knowing how flawed they are.

But, anyway, if I buy one tomorrow and treat it like a baby so it doesn’t bend, then will I be allowed to say it’s crap, or how does that work exactly? Should I say it’s real nice because mine hasn’t bent?

And could I say you aren’t allowed to say it is all nice and good if you haven’t placed it in a backpack with books and other stuff everyday? Will you?

You don’t realize how flawed is that logic, do you. It has been tested man, it’s not about what you think. What you think or what you do with yours doesn’t make it better than what the objective tests show. Your opinion is not a measure nor changes reality.

Actually, he has carried his iPad on numerous flights in his luggage.

 

[Fozziebear71]

And could I say you aren’t allowed to say it is all nice and good if you haven’t placed it in a backpack with books and other stuff everyday? Will you?

I have one. 12.9 1TB. Placed in a soft sided leather briefcase every single day with books and paperwork back and forth to work. Multiple plane flights with it shoved in a backpack. Treat it just like my previous original 12.9 Pro. Still perfectly flat and functions flawlessly after 5 months.

 

[tps3443]

Absolutely, the next one will be the one to get. Apple introduced and advertised their 7000 series aluminum on the iPhone 6s as the answer to the bending issues of the iPhone 6.

iPhone 6 was the first time Apple made a mass-market phone of that size, and they underestimated its rigidity in the real world. They fixed it with the next version.

The new iPad Pro is likewise a first-time design for Apple, which is exceptionally thin (too thin, really) with a lot of surface area. Just looking at it nearly makes it bend. They will redesign the inside to reinforce it before long.

The iPad Pro 3rd gen experiences a failure rate, warranty repair, or customer return. No more than any other iPad Pro generation.

The iPhone 6 had a legitimate problem with bending. It was recognized as a manufacturing issue that was very wide spread.

Unlike the iPad Pro 3rd generation, it is not a very widespread issue. The only people who are talking about it are users who do not even own a iPad Pro 3rd gen.
[doublepost=1559857733][/doublepost]So let’s try something. We will make an effort! Do not post in this thread unless you own a iPad that is actually bent. And let’s see how many pages this thread will grow.

So, I will refrain from posting.

 

[duervo]

“Objective testing” ... LUL ... puhlease.

The tests done by YouTubers are anything but objective, and very far from scientific. Gimme a break.

 

[Dkka1]

“Objective testing” ... LUL ... puhlease.

The tests done by YouTubers are anything but objective, and very far from scientific. Gimme a break.

Oh they’re much more objective than “this ipad isn’t weak because I like it”, that’s for sure.

 

[Fozziebear71]

Oh they’re much more objective than “this ipad isn’t weak because I like it”, that’s for sure.

It’s not because those of us that own them “like” them. It’s because we OWN them and they aren’t bent with normal usage. We would know because we own them and use them. Unlike those that don’t Own one and have watched some YouTube videos where people bent them on purpose.

 

[Dkka1]

It’s not because those of us that own them “like” them. It’s because we OWN them and they aren’t bent with normal usage. We would know because we own them and use them. Unlike those that don’t Own one and have watched some YouTube videos where people bent them on purpose.

The thing is every previous iPad was also bent on purpose when they were released, but they were much stronger.

 

[Fozziebear71]

The thing is every previous iPad was also bent on purpose when they were released, but they were much stronger.

Your opinion is invalid. You don’t own one. You have no first hand knowledge or experience. Again, your opinion is invalid.

 

[Dkka1]

Your opinion is invalid. You don’t own one. You have no first hand knowledge or experience. Again, your opinion is invalid.

You have no first hand knowledge either if you haven’t tried to bend all of them then.

But then again, that’s why you can search for info before you buy, right? Because you’re not going to try every possible option.

Or are we now into the evil conspiracy against the ipad pro 11 1st gen again? Previous iPads were not classified as crap due to this problem, did they favor them then? How does this work in your mind really?

 

[Ghost31]

Reading the endless posts in this thread about how flawed the new iPads are, from people who don’t even own one, is one of the most entertaining parts of my day.

Yep. It is the same case with the MacBooks and they are keyboards. Most of the people posting don’t even actually have the issue

 

[AutomaticApple]

Yep. It is the same case with the MacBooks and they are keyboards. Most of the people posting don’t even actually have the issue

Gotta hop on bandwagons for what they're worth.

 

[Dkka1]

Yep. It is the same case with the MacBooks and they are keyboards. Most of the people posting don’t even actually have the issue

But it’s reasonable to be worried, no? If you spent thousands of dollars and see there is a potential problem you didn’t know when you made your decision and can potentially affect you.

Or maybe not, IDK about the fanboy mind really. It works in mysterious ways. It looks like:

-Hey there are reports of many macbook pros failing you know?

-That doesn’t affect me, mine hasn’t failed yet so it has nothing to do with that nor will in the future because it’s not like it’s a serial manufactured product. And Apple rulez. They also said there was a problem with the iPhone 6 but it’s false because I didn’t own one.

Good for you mates.

 

[Ghost31]

But it’s reasonable to be worried, no? If you spent thousands of dollars and see there is a potential problem you didn’t know when you made your decision and can potentially affect you.

Or maybe not, IDK about the fanboy mind really. It works in mysterious ways. It looks like:

-Hey there are reports of many macbook pros failing you know?

-That doesn’t affect me, mine hasn’t failed yet so it has nothing to do with that nor will in the future because it’s not like it’s a serial manufactured product. And Apple rulez. They also said there was a problem with the iPhone 6 but it’s false because I didn’t own one.

Good for you mates.

...no. Just so much...no. Never heard of the term "bandwagoning"? A lot of people complaining aren't doing it for some noble reason like spreading awareness. They're just jumping on the hate train because they feel like being vitriolic. There may be an issue, but I don't think its nearly as widespread as people make it seem.

 

[AutomaticApple]

...no. Just so much...no. Never heard of the term "bandwagoning"? A lot of people complaining aren't doing it for some noble reason like spreading awareness. They're just jumping on the hate train because they feel like being vitriolic. There may be an issue, but I don't think its nearly as widespread as people make it seem.

People are inflating the problem to make it seem widespread and to prevent customers from actually buying the product.

Blame the snowball effect.

 

[hancuriang]

5 months in, no bending. 12.9 64gb wifi only.

About new keyboards. I think it's more prevalent than the bending. Apple quietly updated the keyboard and now they updated it again with the 2019 MBPs. I tried the demos on Apple authorized resellers and two of them had defective keyboards.

 

[ebika]

People are inflating the problem to make it seem widespread and to prevent customers from actually buying the product.

Blame the snowball effect.

That's how I see this thread too. I'm not happy that the case seems weaker than other designs, or the removal of the headphone port. I tend to baby the iPad more than past iPads because I know it can bend more easily than past iPads. Mine came with a 1° or 2° bend at the antenna line, and I bent it back. It hasn't bent again, and I use it constantly in my house and out in the world. On balance, the other new things, such as the new pencil, USB-C, slim bezel, FaceID, and overall form factor, outweigh the fragility of the iPad for me. Yes, I feel Apple was testing what the consumer base would bear for price, but it was an one time cost, and I plan to use it for 3-4 years, so I won't dwell on it. I really enjoy the device.