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wba1990

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2015
482
282
Birmingham, England
its a nice device! Coming from 2017 12.9”

Finding the smaller size refreshing after 4 years with the big boy

Still going to wait and see if my 2020 12.9” comes and then decide to keep that or this, but I think I might end up having to get rid of my 2017 anyways. IPad overkill.

plus got the mini.
How much of a noticeable upgrade is it from the 2017 12.9?

I'm debating replacing mine with a 2021 device, just undecided if I'm going 11 or 12.9, I want a device with smaller bezels and would like to upgrade to Face ID too
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,127
17,043
How much of a noticeable upgrade is it from the 2017 12.9?

I'm debating replacing mine with a 2021 device, just undecided if I'm going 11 or 12.9, I want a device with smaller bezels and would like to upgrade to Face ID too

it’s still fundamentally an iPad. Haven’t put it through its paces but I like the new design Since this is my first crack at it

and m1 is crazy overpowered for iOS. Lol

i know bc i have an m1 air also
 
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charlyee

macrumors 6502
Mar 9, 2011
480
289
Wisconsin
Disclaimer: I am coming from a 2014 IPad Air 2, that traveled with me all over the world and was completely free of any major problems.

However,it was time to upgrade and so I did.

WOW! What difference in the screen and the speed, its like night and day. I had high expectations and it surpassed them all.
 

LFC2020

macrumors P6
Apr 4, 2020
16,874
38,037
WOW! What difference in the screen and the speed, its like night and day. I had high expectations and it surpassed them all.
Yep, had the same reaction myself, screen is amazing.

Isn't it amazing when people don't listen to this blooming nonsense and check out the device for themselves in person, I can't go back to the previous model display, loving these deep blacks, extra contrast and crisp pure whites.
 

Marshall73

macrumors 68030
Apr 20, 2015
2,713
2,837
Yep, had the same reaction myself, screen is amazing.

Isn't it amazing when people don't listen to this blooming nonsense and check out the device for themselves in person, I can't go back to the previous model display, loving these deep blacks, extra contrast and crisp pure whites.
Yup, the more I use my 12.9 the more I am blown away by the display vs the 2018 model . Been doing lots of video editing on it since grabbing footage at the weekend, loving it.
 
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ssgraphite

macrumors newbie
Oct 11, 2020
18
17
Norway
That's the thing though, with TouchID I didn't have to make adjustments, hold my iPad out at certain distances, etc - I just touched the thing and it worked, nearly 100% of the time.

FaceID is completely unreliable for me when I'm laying around with the iPad, like if I'm laying on the couch or in bed. In that case it fails nearly 100% of the time. Touch and go was a way better experience for me. I also vastly prefer the home button for things like pressing to go home or double-tapping to switch apps, etc. I find that gestures on my phone are intuitive enough and FaceID works well enough there, but for me it didn't translate over to the iPad very well.
Update: I ended up pulling The trigger and get myself the 11 inch. So far Face ID seems to be working really well. So much easier for me than touchID actually.

Have you tried setting it up again?Maybe your first time set up add some lighting issues or something?
 
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thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,127
17,043
Just traded in my 2017 12.9 after a day with the 11 M1

think this is the one!
If my 12.9 2020 ever ships I’ll give it a fair shake but I may just resell it for some extra coin

i don’t think I can part with my 11

it’s good enough for video watching , is awesome with Smart Keyboard (I kinda like the size difference vs my air), and as a tablet it’s great

plus the MKB with 12.9 may be more heft than I want. It’ll be 0.8 lbs heavier (1 vs 1.5 for tablet, then 1.3 vs 1.6 for keyboard)
 
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perezr10

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2014
2,014
1,486
Monroe, Louisiana
I just upgraded from my 10.5” iPad Pro and I’m pretty happy.

-The screen seems much larger. Hard to believe that half an inch feels bigger.
-The battery seems to last much longer than my 10.5. I was getting 5-6 hrs on that. That’s the main reason I upgraded. This new iPad Pro really does go 10 hrs or more.
-Charging the Apple Pencil on the side is SO MUCH nicer.

But contrary to others, I don’t feel any real speed increase. I mean just opening and closing apps, surfing the web, etc is all pretty fast on the 2017 iPad Pro with A10X. If the battery life wasn’t so bad, I never would’ve upgraded.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,127
17,043
I just upgraded from my 10.5” iPad Pro and I’m pretty happy.

-The screen seems much larger. Hard to believe that half an inch feels bigger.
-The battery seems to last much longer than my 10.5. I was getting 5-6 hrs on that. That’s the main reason I upgraded. This new iPad Pro really does go 10 hrs or more.
-Charging the Apple Pencil on the side is SO MUCH nicer.

But contrary to others, I don’t feel any real speed increase. I mean just opening and closing apps, surfing the web, etc is all pretty fast on the 2017 iPad Pro with A10X. If the battery life wasn’t so bad, I never would’ve upgraded.

how well 4 year old iPads still work is a testament to iPad longevity. It’s awesome

While I didn’t buy the 11” 2021 with hopes that WWDC around the bend is going to magically transform the device, I do think over the course of several years this thing will be fully unleashed in some capacity. How, I dont know, but I do believe its just getting started. I think iPad 1 shipped with iOS 3.2,

I recall iPad Pro 2017 shipped with 10.3 or something, right before iOS 11 that was more tablet oriented I believe. Could be mixing things up, but iPads often ship with a late version iOS just before new features roll in.

i think this longevity is general is part of why Apple realizes people are cool to not upgrade every year or so, most people, so therefore they jack the price up knowing they aren’t going to collect as ofTen.
 

perezr10

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2014
2,014
1,486
Monroe, Louisiana
how well 4 year old iPads still work is a testament to iPad longevity. It’s awesome

While I didn’t buy the 11” 2021 with hopes that WWDC around the bend is going to magically transform the device, I do think over the course of several years this thing will be fully unleashed in some capacity. How, I dont know, but I do believe its just getting started. I think iPad 1 shipped with iOS 3.2,

I recall iPad Pro 2017 shipped with 10.3 or something, right before iOS 11 that was more tablet oriented I believe. Could be mixing things up, but iPads often ship with a late version iOS just before new features roll in.

i think this longevity is general is part of why Apple realizes people are cool to not upgrade every year or so, most people, so therefore they jack the price up knowing they aren’t going to collect as ofTen.
Ah yeah, WWDC was in the back of my mind when I upgraded. I’ll be shocked if there aren’t iPadOS 15 features that ONLY work on M1 iPads.
 

LFC2020

macrumors P6
Apr 4, 2020
16,874
38,037
Ah yeah, WWDC was in the back of my mind when I upgraded. I’ll be shocked if there aren’t iPadOS 15 features that ONLY work on M1 iPads.
The revolution has already begun, it’s only going to get better at WWDC ? bookmark this post. ?

 
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mobutt

macrumors 6502
Jun 22, 2010
477
67
Easier said than done. Using the iPad in bed right now with just the onscreen keyboard, and I'm getting at least one failed FaceID attempt when I login to various sites and apps.

This is making me think I'd probably be happier with the Air 4 than the Pro 11. Just bummer that it's 256GB max though, plus no 5G.
Pro-motion is the reason I want a pro.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,920
13,269
i think this longevity is general is part of why Apple realizes people are cool to not upgrade every year or so, most people, so therefore they jack the price up knowing they aren’t going to collect as ofTen.

And this longevity is exactly why I finally capitulated on the pricing for 1TB cellular. I don't think Apple will be lowering their MSRP anytime soon and deals on brand new cellular models have been harder to come by. I used to spend $800-1200 per year upgrading iPads (mostly for higher storage, sometimes for display). Annual cost for the 2021 is around the same as long as I keep it at least 2 years which should be very easy to do. Indeed, the 2021's hardware is at the level where I pretty much have everything I want that I don't see myself upgrading short of hardware failure or new standards (e.g. support for new codec replacing HEVC/AV1).


Pro-motion is the reason I want a pro.

I've actually disabled ProMotion on my M1 12.9. Seems to greatly help reduce my headache.
 
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Kierkegaarden

Cancelled
Dec 13, 2018
2,424
4,137
Ah yeah, WWDC was in the back of my mind when I upgraded. I’ll be shocked if there aren’t iPadOS 15 features that ONLY work on M1 iPads.
That makes sense — the OS works on all iPads but certain features are unlocked on M-series iPads, and maybe certain apps only function on them as well. This happens on desktops — why not iPads?
 

DSTOFEL

macrumors 65816
Feb 11, 2011
1,063
817
I know, should be mostly unchanged except for performance bump from the M1. Should be a beast. I would like to hear about the display. Seem like the same as 2018 or 2020? Any color temperature change? Anything else unexpected?
I upgraded from my 2018 11 inch 256GB IPP to the M1 11 inch 256GB version. The first thing I checked was the display…for color temperature differences. At first I thought “Ah oh”…the M1 has a warmer yellowish cast. But as I spent some time comparing both…I think it’s more that my 2018 had a more blueish tint….and the M1 was more accurate (to my eye). Long story short….very happy with the display on the M1.

Honestly, as of right now, the only real difference I can “sense” is slightly faster opening of apps with the M1 and louder speakers….which was greatly appreciated. I find the M1 noticeably louder.

Does anyone else think that the 2022 M version IPP will get the Mini LCD display and we’ll be kicking ourselves for getting the 2021 version?
 

jimmy_uk

macrumors 68020
Oct 19, 2015
2,478
3,306
UK
I upgraded from my 2018 11 inch 256GB IPP to the M1 11 inch 256GB version. The first thing I checked was the display…for color temperature differences. At first I thought “Ah oh”…the M1 has a warmer yellowish cast. But as I spent some time comparing both…I think it’s more that my 2018 had a more blueish tint….and the M1 was more accurate (to my eye). Long story short….very happy with the display on the M1.

Honestly, as of right now, the only real difference I can “sense” is slightly faster opening of apps with the M1 and louder speakers….which was greatly appreciated. I find the M1 noticeably louder.

Does anyone else think that the 2022 M version IPP will get the Mini LCD display and we’ll be kicking ourselves for getting the 2021 version?
My guess would be the 11" gets mini led or is discontinued and the Air takes its place with OLED. This year Apple definitely want buyers to go up to the 12.9".
 
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Surfman

Suspended
May 24, 2021
360
436
I think it’s highly likely, but then again with all the angst over blooming on the 12.9, a lot of people may very well be glad they got the 2021!
Would be more regrets over buying the 11” from those that had the 2018 or 2020 11”, no difference really.
 

DSTOFEL

macrumors 65816
Feb 11, 2011
1,063
817
My guess would be the 11" gets mini led or is discontinued and the Air takes its place with OLED. This year Apple definitely want buyers to go up to the 12.9".

I think it’s highly likely, but then again with all the angst over blooming on the 12.9, a lot of people may very well be glad they got the 2021!
It will be interesting to see what happens in 2022 for sure with the 11 inch. Now I’ve just gotta sell my 256GB 2018 11 inch (WiFi) IPP, which I got new at MicroCenter in Atlanta in May 2020 at a fantastic deal of $535. It’s got 1 year of AppleCare left on it…so that will help. MicroCenter had the deal this yr too on the M1 11 inch 256GB (WiFi) version: $829. Oh yeah..forgot to mention. The cameras on the M1 are a major upgrade over my 2018. Not that I use the cameras that much on an iPad…but now I don’t have to reach for my iPhone for a pic if I’ve got the iPad in my hand.
 
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Wags

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Mar 5, 2006
2,239
1,701
Nebraska, USA
I upgraded from my 2018 11 inch 256GB IPP to the M1 11 inch 256GB version. The first thing I checked was the display…for color temperature differences. At first I thought “Ah oh”…the M1 has a warmer yellowish cast. But as I spent some time comparing both…I think it’s more that my 2018 had a more blueish tint….and the M1 was more accurate (to my eye). Long story short….very happy with the display on the M1.

Honestly, as of right now, the only real difference I can “sense” is slightly faster opening of apps with the M1 and louder speakers….which was greatly appreciated. I find the M1 noticeably louder.

Does anyone else think that the 2022 M version IPP will get the Mini LCD display and we’ll be kicking ourselves for getting the 2021 version?
Maybe not even 2022 version. Ya. Probably some kind of change and see what happens with air. If really wanted to upgrade next release could sell or trade and might not be much loss.
 

omelet1978

macrumors 6502
Sep 22, 2012
271
128
Honestly, as of right now, the only real difference I can “sense” is slightly faster opening of apps with the M1 and louder speakers….which was greatly appreciated. I find the M1 noticeably louder.
That's pretty much why I'm trying to resist updating my 2018 iPad Pro 11.

M1 sounds great but you run into the limitations of iPad OS so on a day to day usage apps might open slightly faster but it doesn't seem worth it if that's the only tangible difference. Camera's and sightly improved screen quality are nice but not that important to me. However if over time you notice more improvements and genuinely think it's worth the upgrade feel free to keep posting in here your observations.
 

elmarjazz

macrumors regular
May 26, 2010
212
114
I upgraded from my 2018 11 inch 256GB IPP to the M1 11 inch 256GB version. The first thing I checked was the display…for color temperature differences. At first I thought “Ah oh”…the M1 has a warmer yellowish cast. But as I spent some time comparing both…I think it’s more that my 2018 had a more blueish tint….and the M1 was more accurate (to my eye). Long story short….very happy with the display on the M1.

Honestly, as of right now, the only real difference I can “sense” is slightly faster opening of apps with the M1 and louder speakers….which was greatly appreciated. I find the M1 noticeably louder.

Does anyone else think that the 2022 M version IPP will get the Mini LCD display and we’ll be kicking ourselves for getting the 2021 version?
I'm coming at the 11” 2021 M1 at a bit sideways from you upgrading from a iPP 10.5”. I found the 2021’s display at bit warm with true tone on (good for reading), so turned it off and it becomes a clean white (photos, movies). Brightness is basically the same, which is very good. Speakers are much louder, with a balanced sound. I'm actually surprised how good they are, but if I'm sitting at home I'm glad I have a HomePod. It's noticeably faster in response in every way, and the apps/tabs don't refresh or clear out with all this RAM.

I really had a hard time passing on 12.9” only for the mini-LED, and also wondering about going with this year's 11” with the thought that next year the 11” may get the same. But, in the end as the saying goes... Get what you need now. This display is beautiful, and ghosting issues or not on the 12.9”, this LED is proven tech that will last. The only thing missing is with HDR content and ‘the blacks.’ It's almost funny how I now look for that not quite black-black, and then find it’s not really important. The way I look at this (no pun;’), in 2-4+ years when I upgrade again, the screen technology will have been refined or to something newer and better again. In the meantime, I still have the form factor that works for me best.
 

elmarjazz

macrumors regular
May 26, 2010
212
114
The other improvements that don't get so much attention besides the cameras, and combined with Center Stage; the microphones are really good for just straight recording and with movies. I've been doing some nature sounds at the beach, fields, and mountains around where I live (not just in a room). Also thunderbolt is very welcome with my portable SSD, and may prove an even bigger upgrade with WWDC next week (true full size external display use?). Overall, coming from a 10.5” I wasn't sure I really needed this, but now I'm getting more comfortable with my decision and happy I jumped for a Pro 11” silver 512gb, and with an Apple Pencil for the first time. Along with an Apple folio case (to carry in, and set up with) and external magic keyboard when I need it, this is perfect for my personal use, and some work when I need it for that.
 
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