All iPads Is it good enough?

[Cassr]

I have an iPad Mini 5 and am starting to incorporate it more and more into my workflow.

I want to now use it for photo editing (product photography) and working in affinity designer as a companion to my desktop setup.

Assuming the size isn't an issue, do you think it is powerful enough for this?

Will the A12 chip hold up for years to come?

Finally screen wise, I have a great desktop monitor which is an Eizo. It's great for colour correcting. How do iPad screens compare to specialist screens like this? I have had my Eizo for some time now.

Thanks in advance.

 

[vddobrev]

I think M1 iPad Pro will serve you much better, in terms of processor, screen size, and longevity. But that means spending more money. If you are in the US or any other country where Apple offers trade in, I would Trade in the mini 5 for an M1 iPad Pro 11".

 

[1BadManVan]

iPad Pro M1 would definitely serve better for photo editing with a more colour accurate screen

 

[xxray]

If you already have it, why don’t you just try the workflow for yourself and see how it goes?

Performance wise, Affinity apps were first starting to be released on iPad in 2017. I’ve had and used an iPad Pro 10.5 (released in 2017) all the way up to two months ago, and the apps worked fine for me on that iPad. The A12 was released a year later in 2018, so I’d think it would be fine, though, according to Geekbench, the GPU performance isn’t as good compared to the A10X that was in my iPad Pro 10.5. It’s not the ideal performance level, but I think it’d still work fine. The latest iPad Pros and Airs would have a more color accurate screen I would think, though Apple has always kept their screens pretty color accurate and true to life.

Honestly, I’d be more concerned about the size before I’m concerned about performance or color accuracy. I just can’t see your workflow going that great on such a small screen. Again, I’d recommend just trying it for yourself and seeing how it works. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa. But overall, I‘d think the size + older processor won’t make for the best workflow, but it should be doable if you really want to make it work.

 

[Digitalguy]

I wouldn't worry about the CPU/GPU performance of A12, which is plenty and also has a neural engine that older A chips don't have. The limitation is more in RAM, which for now it's ok, but could cause more and more reloads of apps with a few more iPadOS updates (but I don't expect any significant slowdown). Screen quality is perfectly fine, for photo editing it's basically the same as any other iPad (pro included) if the size is ok with you.

 

[mazzeri]

Finally screen wise, I have a great desktop monitor which is an Eizo. It's great for colour correcting. How do iPad screens compare to specialist screens like this? I have had my Eizo for some time now.

Why compare them? Get the AV adapter and use the Eizo with your iPad.

 

[Cassr]

Thanks for your replies.

Although an M1 pro would be lovely, I think it might be overkill for me both spec and budget wise as my iPad really is a companion to a desktop setup for me.

The use case is doing editing when not at my desk and using the pencil to help with edits.

I have enjoyed the size of the mini as I actually find it harder to put down than larger iPads!

It's good to know that the screen, from a colour accuracy point of view, will be as good as any other iPad out there.

I was a bit worried about RAM, not sure how much difference that would make with affinity software?

I could sell the mini 5 and accessories I have for it and only have to pay a bit more for an Air 4 or iPad pro 2020 refurbished..

Just wanting to make sure that that would be worth the hassle and that I would see significant improvements for what I want to use it for...

 

[TechRunner]

Honestly, I’d be more concerned about the size before I’m concerned about performance or color accuracy.

^This^ If you're a hard core pixel peeper, the constraints of the screen size will be more of an issue, in my opinion. I do some light editing on my 7th Gen iPad using Pixelmator Photo, and it seems cramped to me. I can't imagine doing more serious editing like you're talking about on a smaller screen.