Is the new iPad Pro a flop?

[840quadra]

I planned to upgrade my aging Air, UNTIL I saw that Apple only gives us 4GB of RAM (the 2015 standard) in all models except for the over-expensive 1TB storage models.

Screw that, I'll wait until next year when hopefully Apple treats all iPads equally (or at least upgrades the RAM).

I don't understand your post and or point. Treated equally? Stopping at what?

The specifications on the iPad mini, 2018 iPad 9.7, iPad Pro 10.5, and the 2018 iPad Pros are all different, and likely will remain that way. There are options out there to fit different needs. If you need an iPad to replace your aging Air now, get one that fits your budget.

If you prefer options outside of Apple, get one of those and stop waiting (if you need / want change).

 

[redman042]

I just checked Apple stores and Best Buys in my area online. There area lot of new Pros in stock in both sizes.

Based on this, I tend to agree that demand is not what Apple hoped for. Or maybe they did expect this and just decided to maximize profit margin over quantity sold. Who knows. But a completely redesigned iPad being available everywhere only one week after release is not a sign of blockbuster sales. It's just not.

That doesn't mean it's a flop, but it seems more like a "reset" in the direction that iPads will take in the marketplace.

What I do know is that this is exactly the kind of iPad I always wanted, but here I am holding off. I might not get this model at all. I'm usually ok treating myself to nice things, but the new iPad is just really really expensive, and my 9.7 Pro has lost a whole lot of value since I bought it. Not to mention that it's still a very capable device.

The other problem is that, while I can do a lot of things on an iPad, I cannot do everything I need to on it. I still have to turn to my work PC or my Macbook at home to complete a fair number of the tasks I do. The iPad is getting more capable all the time, and it's getting closer every year to being a full laptop replacement, but there are still quite a few tasks I do that are either way more efficient on a PC with a keyboard, mouse, app windows, and a full file system, or just impossible to do on an iPad.

If I bought a new iPad with keyboard and pencil, and sold my old one on eBay, I'd still be spending a net of over $1k. That is a lot of dough for a tablet that serves as a third device.

If you do frequent creative work or use your iPad as your primary computing device, then it makes a whole lot more sense. But that's not me. Which is a bummer, because this new iPad looks amazing.

 

[DaveOP]

Thank you for the input so far. To me, not selling out and being readily available a week later is odd to me, especially since there was so much hype for this gen.

They're backordered through Verizon Business, so I'd imagine other Enterprise users like me have bought quite a lot of them. Being sold out was an old metric of success, but nowadays the supplies are somewhat better and the markets are quite mature.

This is the best iPad Pro they've made for my companies uses, we couldn't be happier so far.

 

[danny1305]

It’s exactly the same as last year without a home button for $200 more

It’s not going to be flying off the shelves

Exactly the same as last year?? An obvious attempt at trolling. A weak one at that

 

[Knowimagination]

We really shouldn’t use the number on the shelves matrix to determine if a product is a flop or not. The iPad Pro was never going to be flying off the shelves at iPhone speeds it is a smaller user base and people tend to not buy them as frequently as they buy new phones. From my experience in the apple store on launch day/weekend there were plenty of people in there buying and asking questions about the iPP.

 

[Jimx26]

It’s exactly the same as last year without a home button for $200 more

It’s not going to be flying off the shelves

Exactly the same?

Face ID, Faster processor, bigger screen (vs 10.5) All new design, USB C.

Yep, exactly the same!

 

[bevsb2]

The new iPad Pro is an expensive high end product. In also requires additional expense with new cases and pencil. Not everyone is in the market for one and probably some in the market for it can't justify the expense. It seemed to be selling well in the Apple store I was in, but I doubt it will fly off the shelves anywhere.

 

[Seed101]

I dunno...I haven't haven't got mine yet.

 

[Rogifan]

Hey OP, I use mine flat on a couch ever day. Works perfectly fine. Are screen protectors for iPads really a thing?

 

[Freakonomics101]

You know.... I just thought of this. All that is said is my viewpoint and opinion. Doesn’t make it true.

Year after year, something pretty big has differed from iPad to iPad.

iPad 4 > iPad Air: thinner, lighter

iPad Air > Air 2: Touch ID, double RAM & better screen, much improved A8X chip

Air 2 > iPad Pro 9.7: Pencil, second gen Touch ID, much improved A9X chip (A9 is when Apple finally realized they needed to step up their game)

iPad Pro 9.7 > 10.5: thinner bezels, 120 MHz refresh rate, more efficient A10X chip

iPad Pro 10.5 > iPad Pro 11”: thinner bezels, 360° Face ID support, USB-C, A12X chip... also with a significantly higher price (why?!)

I feel like excitement was a lot better with upgrading in the past. Also didn’t sacrifice too much with durability. I know a lot of people who like the Pro line and none of them are interested in upgrading. Some have the 9.7 and some have the 10.5. That kinda speaks volumes, IMO. One big thing is software. Hardware is way advance compared to the OS installed. They’re not utilizing most of it. It’s still lacking, big time.

Like mentioned, they’re readily available and in stock everywhere. Doesn’t seem like they’re a worthy upgrade to most. My closest Apple store would usually run out of one of the new models. Doesn’t seem to be the case this year.

 

[Freakonomics101]

Are screen protectors for iPads really a thing?

Yes. iPads are expensive. I’d like to protect it all around so nothing happens to it.

 

[dantracht]

In my completely uneducated opinion, I wouldn't say it's a flop. I haven't had trouble getting an ipad close to launch day since the 3rd generation ipad with retina. I just don't think these "fly off the shelves" anymore like in years past. Heck, even the iPhones aren't "quite" flying off the shelves like they used to. Doesn't mean Apple won't sell a boatload.

As for me, my IPP 2017 12.9 is still a solid, capable device and I am sitting this upgrade out, for now. No compelling reason to upgrade for me. Just way too expensive an upgrade atm.

 

[KPOM]

Thank you for the input so far. To me, not selling out and being readily available a week later is odd to me, especially since there was so much hype for this gen.

We're basically in the holiday season now. Apple doesn't want to be out of stock on anything, particularly this time of year.

 

[darkarn]

As long as I am enjoying my new 11", do not care if flop or not.

It is my favorite iPad and I have had all of them. FaceID is seamless!

Also glad Apple gave us a cover the covers the back and front.

I wish they cover the sides too though, especially at that price!

 

[JP913]

The cherry on top for me is the audacity to increase prices of the device, the folio, and the pencil, yet DOWNGRADE them with a worse camera, non fully functional USB cord, and no extra pencil tips.

1: I laugh anytime I see anyone at a Disney park use their iPad to take photos. The camera is FINE! The iPad isn't meant to be a camera.

2: the Pencil tips are a non-issue. Most of my artist friends haven't ever had the need to replace the pencil tip, and we're using the Pencil WAY MORE than non-artist types. If we're fine with one tip, so will most other people.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I wish they cover the sides too though, especially at that price!

I agree, surprised at how well the magnets hold. The edges of the cover is like a razor blade!

Still happy to have it, it should have cost half but it is Apple.

 

[mcaswell]

My own casual observation is that in area Best Buy and Apple stores, the 11 is more in stock than the 12.9 is.

 

[Greenmeenie]

If anything, I think Apple Stores haven’t run out of the new iPads, not cause people aren’t buying them...but because they are having a tough time deciding which size! Lol.

 

[spacebro]

My 512gb 3g iPad isn't even shipping for 2 more weeks.

 

[MisterSavage]

1: I laugh anytime I see anyone at a Disney park use their iPad to take photos. The camera is FINE! The iPad isn't meant to be a camera.

I see that happen all time time in the parks. All I can think is "Don't you have a cell phone that would make this easier?"

 

[JP913]

I see that happen all time time in the parks. All I can think is "Don't you have a cell phone that would make this easier?"

To be fair, it's mostly...older...folks who are using their iPad for photography. Perhaps the bigger screen helps them?

 

[digitalcuriosity]

I don't think iPad's sell like hot cakes like when a new iPhone is released. I don't see a need to camp out or get up early since new models are readily available around my area, if and when I decide to purchase.

I played around with the new 11" at my local Target over the weekend. I definitely like it a lot. I still can't justify the $799 price tag when my 10.5" still works perfectly.

I did the same at my local BestBuy it was ok but did not sweep me off my feet with wow factor I have to have one, maybe when the price drops $200 dollars US I could start agin planing on getting one.

 

[macduke]

And the issues starting to arise... you can't use a screen protector on it as it disables Face ID and also touch sensitivity. You cannot apparently use it flat on a couch as seen by many videos. And there are no real cases available, just folios and Chinese knockoffs on amazon. The cherry on top for me is the audacity to increase prices of the device, the folio, and the pencil, yet DOWNGRADE them with a worse camera, non fully functional USB cord, and no extra pencil tips.

For me the folio replaces the need for a screen protector, it eliminates the camera bump, and serves as a great case. The price increase was not ideal, but they did upgrade some things like the audio, Face ID and liquid retina rounded corners adds some cost, it's about as fast as my mid-2017 5K iMac that I had at my last job, the GPU is as fast as an Xbox One S, and it can wirelessly charge the Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil in particular is not a large price increase when you consider how much better of a 2.0 product it is which is apparent from the moment you first use it. There was even a teardown on it and they said it was more densely packed with technology than even the AirPods which is saying something. Also I've never had to replace a pencil tip. I also imagine all the freaking neodymium magnets it has in it adds some cost. It has so many I can hang it on my refrigerator—I even made a post about it, lol. As for the camera, I can't think of a single time that I used my iPad camera for anything other than 1, taking a picture of my iPhone (hah) and 2, taking a picture of a document. It has a newer camera similar to the XR or the main camera on the XS but it doesn't have OIS. The camera I use most on it is the FaceTime camera and I use it for, surprise, FaceTime which is nicer on the big screen. I can't imagine most people will miss that unless the iPad is their only mobile device.

 

[shinseiromeo]

I did the same at my local BestBuy it was ok but did not sweep me off my feet with wow factor I have to have one, maybe when the price drops $200 dollars US I could start agin planing on getting one.

That’s essentially where I am at too.

As I said, I planned on getting this day one. It’s been four years since I got my launch day Air 2, for me it’s time. Except I played with the new Pros and keyboard folios and I was just not impressed, particularly with the new higher prices. What was $900 last year all in with a 64gb WiFi model, pencil, and keyboard is now $1,100. And with some features/accessories removed.

 

[stephg]

I got mine on Friday and I love it! So much thinner and lighter than last year’s model. Cases will come out in the next month or so. It’s always this way when a new model comes out.