Let’s face the facts, this years iPad update is meaningless

[Whoakapi]

1. Complete redesign of the device
2. Removal of head-phone jack (Damn...)
3. USB-C connection + faster charger
4. Face ID

Zzz... Same as last year

 

[Aluminum213]

Did you miss the complete redesign?

What does the redesign have to do with actual change in use? Somebody who uses an iPad with a home button is still having the exact same experience as someone using an iPad with Face ID

 

[emembee]

I was looking forward to trying out the new 12.9 and 11 inch in the local Apple Store to see if it was worth an upgrade from my 10.5 pro.

The 12.9 did not seem as small as some had suggested though the new keyboard case made it seem more stable. I liked the squareness and feel but it still seemed quite bulky and I have fairly large hands. I could not imagine using it on the move.

The 11 inch seemed much the same as the 10.5, not a huge difference noted and was nice to use but nothing else. The Pencil as attached felt good in the only stylus app on there (Notes), the biggest problem being that there were no apps on the iPad except the vary basic installed ones and not even iWork, just Notes and the usual Safari, Stocks and News. No wonder everyone else in store were looking at the Macs with no apps like Numbers, Word, Pages, OneNote and Excel nor stylus apps like Notability or GoodNotes or drawing apps like Concepts or ProCreate.

So I came away thinking why bother and it highlighted the obvious issue that the hardware is only as good as the software you want to use on it. Nevertheless, I will not write it off without proper testing, when I next get a chance.

 

[revmacian]

Literally no real differences besides usual spec bump, USB-C input is severely limited and with a simple lighting to USB-C dongle you can do the same thing with last years iPad Pro


But the main point is that iOS is still iOS. Extremely limited and cumbersome compared to macOS so it’s not laptop replacement by a long shot, but great at media consumption. It doesn’t matter if you have the power of a Mac Pro in an iPad if it can’t do anything

Hopefully iOS 13 actually makes the iPad a machine pro’s could realistically entertain using

Do you still crawl along the floor for transportation? Or use a high chair when you eat? No, you made changes based on need and ability.

When you move to a new system you must be open to the fact that, as the system changes, your habits may also need to change.

Work smarter, not harder.

 

[CjonesHouston]

What are the new features that make day to day use different than last years model?

12.9 2015, 10.5 2017
11 inch Pro 2018

Screen
Pencil
Speed
Battery
New design. I love the square look or flat sides.
ASK is better. In my opinion.
Less weight.
Black bezel no matter the color.
Speakers are much loader then my 10.5 not my 12.9.
Front facing camera. For FaceTime use is noticeably better.
USB C. Reverse charging. WIN!!!
[doublepost=1541773495][/doublepost]

What are the new features that make day to day use different than last years model?

12.9 2015, 10.5 2017
11 inch Pro 2018

Screen
Pencil
Speed
Battery
New design. I love the square look or flat sides.
ASK is better. In my opinion.
Less weight.
Black bezel no matter the color.
Speakers are much loader then my 10.5 not my 12.9.
Front facing camera. For FaceTime use is noticeably better.
USB C. Reverse charging. WIN!!!

 

[Aluminum213]

So I came away thinking why bother and it highlighted the obvious issue that the hardware is only as good as the software you want to use on it. Nevertheless, I will not write it off without proper testing, when I next get a chance.

Be careful, you’ll be accused of trolling for having this opinion

 

[akash.nu]

You call attaching an external drive to the USB-C port and the iPad not reading it at all flying to Mars? Wow, you have really really really really low expectations of what a $2000 tablet should do for you

You do realise that external peripherals just magically don’t get access to the OS right?! The same method is used to inject malicious codes into systems. I’d take a secure system any day over an unprotected madness.

And just for my sanity, I think you have really really really unrealistic ideology of what a device can do at a $799 price point.

 

[Fozziebear71]

1. Complete redesign of the device
2. Removal of head-phone jack (Damn...)
3. USB-C connection + faster charger
4. Face ID

Zzz... Same as last year

I think the point the OP was trying to make is that even given the changes that you listed, what can someone do on the new iPad that they can't do on a version 1 iPad Pro? While I wouldn't label the new iPad "meaningless", I tend to agree with the OP's idea. I have a version 1 iPad Pro 12.9" and planned on upgrading to the new one. After thinking about it for a few days I had to acknowledge to myself that the new iPad Pro fundamentally doesn't do anything that my Version 1 iPad Pro does. If all Apple is going to do is make the iPad more powerful every year while not fundamentally making it possible for me to do more in iOS what am I really paying for?

 

[Raist3001]

12.9 2015, 10.5 2017
11 inch Pro 2018

Screen
Pencil
Speed
Battery
New design. I love the square look or flat sides.
ASK is better. In my opinion.
Less weight.
Black bezel no matter the color.
Speakers are much loader then my 10.5 not my 12.9.
Front facing camera. For FaceTime use is noticeably better.
USB C. Reverse charging. WIN!!!

Screen is not better
The screen size on the 2018 Pro is the same size as that on the 2017 Pro 12.9".
The Display resolution on 2018 is the same on the 2017 - 2732x2048 at 264 ppi

Camera loses an element due to thinness
2018 -12 megapixel with 5 element lens
2017 -12 megapixel with 6 element lens

Both record in 4K
Front facing camera on both is 7 Megapixel, so there is nothing noticeably better.
Battery life is the same - up to 10 hours
No headphone Jack on the 2018
Second Gen Pencil draws the same way as the first gen. Same Tip. Same Latency. Same Pressure points. Same response time. Its the same pencil, repackaged with a few new ways to interact, namely wireless charging and pairing and touch features.
Processor is faster - I expect this.
RAM is the same 4gb unless you purchase the outrageously priced 512gb version which gets you 6gb
2018 has FaceID, while the 2017 has TouchID. That's a user preference.

The new iPads are gorgeous, but nothing really new or must have features for me to upgrade.
FaceID would be nice to have, but I will not have a better experience on the 3rd gen over my 2nd gen.
I will wait to see what 2019 has to offer, or even 2020.

 

[emembee]

If all Apple is going to do is make the iPad more powerful every year while not fundamentally making it possible for me to do more in iOS what am I really paying for?

Very true, like parity with iWork apps on the mac would help - but the impetus has to mostly come from app developers who then have to think it worthwhile to spend the time and cost to innovate and thus move it away from the erroneous perception that it is a gigantic iPhone.

 

[AlexJoda]

Screen is not better
The screen size on the 2018 Pro is the same size as that on the 2017 Pro 12.9".
The Display resolution on 2018 is the same on the 2017 - 2732x2048 at 264 ppi

Camera loses an element due to thinness
2018 -12 megapixel with 5 element lens
2017 -12 megapixel with 6 element lens

Both record in 4K
Front facing camera on both is 7 Megapixel, so there is nothing noticeably better.
Battery life is the same - up to 10 hours
No headphone Jack on the 2018
Second Gen Pencil draws the same way as the first gen. Same Tip. Same Latency. Same Pressure points. Same response time. Its the same pencil, repackaged with a few new ways to interact, namely wireless charging and pairing and touch features.
Processor is faster - I expect this.
RAM is the same 4gb unless you purchase the outrageously priced 512gb version which gets you 6gb
2018 has FaceID, while the 2017 has TouchID. That's a user preference.

The new iPads are gorgeous, but nothing really new or must have features for me to upgrade.
FaceID would be nice to have, but I will not have a better experience on the 3rd gen over my 2nd gen.
I will wait to see what 2019 has to offer, or even 2020.

The screen is even smaller on the 12.9 because of the rounded corners the vertical sides are cut off if you work with apps that needs a rectangular window like remote apps (e.g. RDP, Teamviewer). Shouldn't the form follows the function, Mr. Ive?

 

[Aluminum213]

I think the point the OP was trying to make is that even given the changes that you listed, what can someone do on the new iPad that they can't do on a version 1 iPad Pro? While I wouldn't label the new iPad "meaningless", I tend to agree with the OP's idea. I have a version 1 iPad Pro 12.9" and planned on upgrading to the new one. After thinking about it for a few days I had to acknowledge to myself that the new iPad Pro fundamentally doesn't do anything that my Version 1 iPad Pro does. If all Apple is going to do is make the iPad more powerful every year while not fundamentally making it possible for me to do more in iOS what am I really paying for?

Exactly. The new iPads are incredible pieces of hardware but what is iOS doing now to take advantage of this? Nothing


But bringing up this point which every credible website stated in their reviews, draws so much anger, it’s laughable really

 

[richpjr]

I think the point the OP was trying to make is that even given the changes that you listed, what can someone do on the new iPad that they can't do on a version 1 iPad Pro? While I wouldn't label the new iPad "meaningless", I tend to agree with the OP's idea. I have a version 1 iPad Pro 12.9" and planned on upgrading to the new one. After thinking about it for a few days I had to acknowledge to myself that the new iPad Pro fundamentally doesn't do anything that my Version 1 iPad Pro does. If all Apple is going to do is make the iPad more powerful every year while not fundamentally making it possible for me to do more in iOS what am I really paying for?

How is this any different than the difference between the current MBP and the previous year? It’s just slightly faster but still runs the same version of OS X. Does that make it meaningless as well?

 

[riptidewahoo]

why do you need a faster ipad when it can't run 95% of software needed in professional settings and lacks the precision of a mouse pointer?

hell, the effort required to even copy/paste a sentence of text is ridiculous. i think most people need to be able to do that in some capacity.

 

[turbineseaplane]

How is this any different than the difference between the current MBP and the previous year? It’s just slightly faster but still runs the same version of OS X. Does that make it meaningless as well?

Obviously not because the difference between macOS and iOS in terms of flexibility and capability is night and day.

iOS specifically on the iPad is the issue here.

 

[sparksd]

You do realise that external peripherals just magically don’t get access to the OS right?! The same method is used to inject malicious codes into systems. I’d take a secure system any day over an unprotected madness.

And just for my sanity, I think you have really really really unrealistic ideology of what a device can do at a $799 price point.

I'll go with the external peripherals. I'm a retired S/W Systems Engineer and in the last 47 years I've used every kind of computing device and peripheral imaginable and have never had a malicious injection into a system. With any care at all, it's quite easy to avoid.

 

[richpjr]

Obviously not because the difference between macOS and iOS in terms of flexibility and capability is night and day.

iOS specifically on the iPad is the issue here.

I understand the point, I’m just pointing out that Apple often releases new versions of devices that are just hardware spec bumps without major new features and there doesn’t seem to be the reactions the iPad is getting.

 

[fm_carv]

What does the redesign have to do with actual change in use? Somebody who uses an iPad with a home button is still having the exact same experience as someone using an iPad with Face ID

It’s a completely different experience. What have u been smoking dude?

 

[Azathoth123]

Love mine - used it to edit and re-size this image in LR mobile.

 

[fm_carv]

I think the point the OP was trying to make is that even given the changes that you listed, what can someone do on the new iPad that they can't do on a version 1 iPad Pro? While I wouldn't label the new iPad "meaningless", I tend to agree with the OP's idea. I have a version 1 iPad Pro 12.9" and planned on upgrading to the new one. After thinking about it for a few days I had to acknowledge to myself that the new iPad Pro fundamentally doesn't do anything that my Version 1 iPad Pro does. If all Apple is going to do is make the iPad more powerful every year while not fundamentally making it possible for me to do more in iOS what am I really paying for?

For one I can fit the thing in my bag.... and have it opened on the tray of an airplane’s seat.

 

[riptidewahoo]

It’s a completely different experience. What have u been smoking dude?

oh yes, the privilege of using my face instead of my thumbprint is worth $500+

/s

 

[Aluminum213]

why do you need a faster ipad when it can't run 95% of software needed in professional settings and lacks the precision of a mouse pointer?

hell, the effort required to even copy/paste a sentence of text is ridiculous. i think most people need to be able to do that in some capacity.

Ding ding ding

 

[TrueBlou]

It’s a completely different experience. What have u been smoking dude?

Really? Aside from the swiping of the home bar to move through apps (which you could and still can do with a four finger gesture) actually interfacing with the iPad Pro 2018, seems a heck of a lot like using iOS on my iPad Pro 2015.

FaceID is different from the home button yes and if pushed I actually prefer FaceID.

But beyond that, I’m not seeing the completely different experience.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I understand the point, I’m just pointing out that Apple often releases new versions of devices that are just hardware spec bumps without major new features and there doesn’t seem to be the reactions the iPad is getting.

I would just argue they continue to focus on the wrong thing here.

We need “iPad OS” and/or unleashing of some of the restrictions they’re placing on the iPad/iOS way before we need any more hardware advancements at this point.

The real point of this thread is just that, from the capabilities standpoint, there’s really nothing you can do with a new iPad Pro today that you couldn’t do with the ones before these.

 

[TrueBlou]

I would just argue they continue to focus on the wrong thing here.

We need “iPad OS” and/or unleashing of some of the restrictions they’re placing on the iPad/iOS way before we need any more hardware advancements at this point.

The real point of this thread is just that, from the capabilities standpoint, there’s really nothing you can do with a new iPad Pro today that you couldn’t do with the ones before these.

Yup, that’s spot on. They are still functionality basically the same.

Of course, it’s not beyond Apple, as we have seen in the past. To introduce hardware which initially doesn’t seem to make best use of its capabilities. Only for them to change that fact with updates to iOS.

We don’t know their plans. There could be a good reason for all of that power under the hood and we might need to wait almost a year to see why - or, it’s just power for powers sake. They’re doing it because 1) they can and 2) they had to do something for a new model beyond just FaceID.