iPad Pro Let’s talk about real-world differences in iPP - what really sets it apart?

[ssledoux]

For the majority of folks’ use cases, what things about the iPP really set it apart from other iPads? Which of those things could you NOT live without after having them?

I’ve toyed around with giving up having an iPad in an effort just to pare down and simplify, but I think I’d regret that fairly quickly. I’m thinking of maybe just going to a more basic pad since I have to keep a computer and don’t really need (nor do I utilize) all the pro has to offer.

So what are those things that would keep you from ever giving up a pro, and why?

 

[canabuc]

For me as new owner who has had. Mini 4 and briefly an air 3, iprefer the pro for:

1. Promotion display
2. Aspect ratio better for video watching
3. Quad speakers much betterf or consuming media
4.USB C opens up many options for expeternal storage fast charging and other peripherals
5. Added power means will last longer before needing replacement which offsets its cost
6. Love the magnetic back. Have cases and smart keyboard that attack that way keeping device thin and easily swappable.

 

[sparksd]

For me, the USB-C port is important - eliminates a proprietary interface with limitations on external storage and the need to buy single-use peripherals (Lightning cables, Lightning dongles, etc.). I also won't go back to anything with a display smaller than the 12.9.

 

[MisterSavage]

I see people complain about Face ID on the iPad but I absolutely love it and the increase in screen size with the removal of the home button. I love my pro.

 

[muzzy996]

Display and speakers. Slight bump in performance doesn’t hurt either. The value of these are subjective.

I’m still on a gen 2 iPP, the value of upgrading to the newer generation is also subjective and I don’t feel the new features are worth it yet. If the Files app is greatly improved I’ll reconsider.

 

[sparksd]

I see people complain about Face ID on the iPad but I absolutely love it and the increase in screen size with the removal of the home button. I love my pro.

It's funny - I can find a post of mine where I was talking about whether to upgrade from my 10.5 Pro and I stated that I could care less about Face ID. Now that I have it on the 2018 12.9 Pro, I find I really like it and dislike the Touch ID on the 10.5 that I kept.

 

[TheRealAlex]

For the majority of folks’ use cases, what things about the iPP really set it apart from other iPads? Which of those things could you NOT live without after having them?

I’ve toyed around with giving up having an iPad in an effort just to pare down and simplify, but I think I’d regret that fairly quickly. I’m thinking of maybe just going to a more basic pad since I have to keep a computer and don’t really need (nor do I utilize) all the pro has to offer.

So what are those things that would keep you from ever giving up a pro, and why?

#1. Security Apple ID ecosystem I hardly know any passwords yet my iPad Pro logs me in anywhere.
#2. Speed, it’s just faster at anything I need to do.
#3. Its always Ready. Do I fire up my Gaming PC ? And sit at my desk, when it’s faster to lay down and type emails or shop.
#4. Apple Pencil 2. It’s a must have even if it’s just for fun doodles.
#5. Quad Speakers 100% Watching Netflix and Amazon. Plenty loud.
#6. WiFi I don’t know what it is about the iPad Pro 11” non-cellular this thing has amazing WiFi handling range and speed.

Honestly what other option is there ?

 

[Cashmonee]

#1. Security Apple ID ecosystem I hardly know any passwords yet my iPad Pro logs me in anywhere.
#2. Speed, it’s just faster at anything I need to do.
#3. Its always Ready. Do I fire up my Gaming PC ? And sit at my desk, when it’s faster to lay down and type emails or shop.
#4. Apple Pencil 2. It’s a must have even if it’s just for fun doodles.
#5. Quad Speakers 100% Watching Netflix and Amazon. Plenty loud.
#6. WiFi I don’t know what it is about the iPad Pro 11” non-cellular this thing has amazing WiFi handling range and speed.

Honestly what other option is there ?

Are any of those significantly better than an Air 3? Seriously asking. I currently have a 10.5" iPad Pro that I need to replace and am seriously looking at an Air 3 that will work with the accessories I already have. An 11" Pro with keyboard and Pencil 2 would run me an extra $600. That's more than double the price of an Air 3.

 

[akash.nu]

Personally, I don’t do anything on an iPad that can’t be done on the basic model. That’s why I never bought a pro model at all. Still rocking 2017 basic iPad.

 

[MisterSavage]

It's funny - I can find a post of mine where I was talking about whether to upgrade from my 10.5 Pro and I stated that I could care less about Face ID. Now that I have it on the 2018 12.9 Pro, I find I really like it and dislike the Touch ID on the 10.5 that I kept.

Yes yes yes. It wasn't uncommon for me to have to retry Touch ID, especially during winter when my hands are really dry. I forget that Face ID on my iPad is even there. I kept my 9.5 IPP and it makes my appreciate my main pro even more.

 

[Abazigal]

The 2018 iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard is a lot less fiddly to setup up, and being able to attach the Apple Pencil to the top has proven pretty convenient, though it has also probably pretty much killed the market for third party cases.

I have used the usb c port on occasion to charge my iPhone and even Apple Watch. I will admit it’s handy being able to share adapters between my iPad Pro and my work-issues windows laptop, though I would end up getting another hub that does sport a headphone jack.

I got a usb c drive (that Samsung T5 one) and while it works with the iPad Pro, I find I haven’t used it all that much. Dropbox still feels more convenient, though I guess it could still prove useful in a pinch.

Face ID’s utility on a tablet has been quite the mixed bag compared to Touch ID. I wouldn’t call it a direct upgrade. It’s better in some situations, while being worse in others.

I guess for me, since I use my iPad for work everyday, the iPad Pro represented the best iPad Apple had to offer at the time (and pretty much the only choice if you do want the 12.9” version; I ultimately returned it for the 11” one). But after 8 years of teaching with it in the classroom, I can’t go back.

 

[VertPin]

I’ve used a 10.5, a mini 5, and a 3rd gen 12.9 pro. I use my iPad for my main computing use, and heavily use the pencil for mathematics note taking.

the mini 5 is the absolute best and my absolute favorite. The portability of it out classes the pro and it’s features, tbh.

 

[TheRealAlex]

Are any of those significantly better than an Air 3? Seriously asking. I currently have a 10.5" iPad Pro that I need to replace and am seriously looking at an Air 3 that will work with the accessories I already have. An 11" Pro with keyboard and Pencil 2 would run me an extra $600. That's more than double the price of an Air 3.

I mean I got rid of all devices that were not USB-C that was my mission. So it was necessary for me. To complete the goal I set out to accomplish.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I like the Smart Keyboard, Apple Pencil support and quad speakers. However apart from the quad speakers the rest can be found on the basic iPad or iPad air 3.

 

[cardfan]

The little things. Better quality hardware. More ram because the iPad needs all the ram it can get. However you have to get a good deal because paying anyone near 1k for an iPad anything sounds awful.

Still couldn’t use one for work. Just isn’t reliable enough to use for that. For entertainment or kids it’s great.

 

[cardfan]

Display and speakers. Slight bump in performance doesn’t hurt either. The value of these are subjective.

I’m still on a gen 2 iPP, the value of upgrading to the newer generation is also subjective and I don’t feel the new features are worth it yet. If the Files app is greatly improved I’ll reconsider.

Nope. Files app equals crap. Apple has much to do. Think of it as an attempt. Like the mouse support. It’s just sort of a half baked effort that no one would want to rely on. Here’s a recent tweet about aspects of it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1218417506697850880

 

[Aydy]

For me the 3rd gen pro was so similar in performance to my 10.5 (2nd gen) that ended up being only the faceID and the pencil being housed on the device that were different. The usb thing wasn’t important to me so could take or leave that. It ultimately became apparent that my 3rd gen was just A more modern looking version of my 2nd gen, other than FaceID which I documented here how much I loathed On iPad anyway (great on my iPhone) I couldn’t justify keeping the 3rd gen at the extra cost.

I have sold my 3rd gen and kept the 2nd..when the 10.5 nears retirement I will probably stay a generation behind and pick up a 3rd gen at a much more reasonable cost and ignore whatever pro is the current flagship. My iPads are purely consumption devices and the small incremental upgrades flagships recieve nowadays are not worth the extra cost, for my particular needs.

For me, the upgrade from 2nd to 3rd generations ended up being aesthetics. Purely cosmetic.

 

[Ludatyk]

For the majority of folks’ use cases, what things about the iPP really set it apart from other iPads? Which of those things could you NOT live without after having them?

if you talking about in general what sets the iPP from other iPads, it’s really not much. Apple has decided to bring features that was iPP only to other iPad... Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil.

But if you are speaking specifics as far as the latest iPP from the latest iPads... then obviously FaceID and USB-C sets them apart. And I have used FaceID ever since iPhone X was introduce, but USB-C is what takes the iPP to the next level IMO.

That output opens up so much for the iPP, from external drives to hubs. I can live without the iPad Pro... it’s not as if I’m in desperate need to have it, I enjoy having though.

 

[The Game 161]

Pro motion is a big feature and how smooth it is...design and Face ID.

 

[AutomaticApple]

1. Promotion display
2. Aspect ratio better for video watching
3. Quad speakers much betterf or consuming media
4.USB C opens up many options for expeternal storage fast charging and other peripherals
5. Added power means will last longer before needing replacement which offsets its cost
6. Love the magnetic back. Have cases and smart keyboard that attack that way keeping device thin and easily swappable.

I absolutely adore these features on my 12.9-inch 3rd generation iPad Pro.

 

[ssledoux]

I see people complain about Face ID on the iPad but I absolutely love it and the increase in screen size with the removal of the home button. I love my pro.

See Face ID is something I’m not a huge fan of on my pro. It rarely works on the first try - seems like the camera is always covered, or for some reason I’m at a wrong angle, etc. Touch ID never failed me. I am pleased with Face ID on my phone, although to actually get into the phone, I prefer touch ID - opening apps and stuff, Face ID is definitely preferred.
[automerge]1579359654[/automerge]

I mean I got rid of all devices that were not USB-C that was my mission. So it was necessary for me. To complete the goal I set out to accomplish.

As of now, my iPP is my ONLY device with USB-C. And while I love how fast this thing charges, it is a bit inconvenient to have to haul multiple cords and power blocks with me when I travel. Between my watch, phone and iPad, I have to bring 2 different wall blocks and 3 cords. I know - first world problems, but a lot of times for short trips I wind up leaving the iPP at home.

 

[MisterSavage]

I also didn't mention that the iPad Pro is killer for gaming. It was the only device that got this boost for Fortnite (so far).

"The iPad Pro (2018 release) now supports 120 FPS."

See Face ID is something I’m not a huge fan of on my pro. It rarely works on the first try - seems like the camera is always covered, or for some reason I’m at a wrong angle, etc. Touch ID never failed me. I am pleased with Face ID on my phone, although to actually get into the phone, I prefer touch ID - opening apps and stuff, Face ID is definitely preferred.

I always have my iPad on a stand on my desk/counter or on a lap pillow when I'm sitting down. Face ID is practically flawless for me. Touch ID is constant frustration.

 

[ssledoux]

I also didn't mention that the iPad Pro is killer for gaming. It was the only device that got this boost for Fortnite (so far).

"The iPad Pro (2018 release) now supports 120 FPS."



I always have my iPad on a stand on my desk/counter or on a lap pillow when I'm sitting down. Face ID is practically flawless for me. Touch ID is constant frustration.

Mine sits on the table right in front of me most of the time - definitely not a flawless experience for me though.

 

[MisterSavage]

Mine sits on the table right in front of me most of the time - definitely not a flawless experience for me though.

Mine is close because I don't use a keyboard. That might be making a difference.

 

[muzzy996]

Nope. Files app equals crap. Apple has much to do. Think of it as an attempt. Like the mouse support. It’s just sort of a half baked effort that no one would want to rely on. Here’s a recent tweet about aspects of it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1218417506697850880

You misunderstood my post. What I was getting at is upgrading to a newer generation of iPad Pro is not worth it to me unless Files is greatly improved. USB C on the new pros would be an improvement for me if I could leverage it for file management but the Files app isn’t effective enough for that.