iPad Pro M4 iPad Pro pricing looks much worse in retrospect

[Adelphos33]

As an M4 iPad Pro owner, I can't get past the idea I have been had...

The 14" M4 MacBook Pro (great screen, speakers, monitor support, etc), with 16GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, cots $1,599.

The 13" M4 iPad Pro with 8 GB of Ram and 512GB of storage costs $1,399 - before factoring in the cost of the keyboard case. The keyboard case is $329, so total cost is above the MacBook Pro in most realistic scenarios. It is difficult to argue that the iPad Pro is a better, more technically advanced product than the MacBook Pro.

Then you have options like the iPad Air, which can do 95% (or realistically 100%) of what an iPad Pro can do at much lower prices. As someone who does need to have an access to an iPad for work, the Pro doesn't offer that much over the Air.

I like the iPad Pro but not sure if I will buy another one at full MSRP ever again. More and more, these days, I am finding more value with some of Apple's base model configurations, often in the non "Pro" lines. The exception nowadays is that base M4 MacBook Pro, which is now excellent

 

[BeatCrazy]

How do you draw on the MBP screen?

 

[JPack]

This has been true since the first iPad Pro was launched in 2015. The iPad Pro was intended to revive the iPad family, which had dramatically fallen in sales and revenue because consumers rarely upgraded.

Apple is basically selling you the camera, touch, and cellular capabilities for a huge markup. If you add a keyboard, it even ends up heavier than MacBook Air.

You can make a similar argument against iPhone Pro Max by comparing it to iPad mini. The iPad mini is missing the earpiece speaker, thinner bezels, and extra cameras. But those will cost you $500.

 

[Adelphos33]

This has been true since the first iPad Pro was launched in 2015. The iPad Pro was intended to revive the iPad family, which had dramatically fallen in sales and revenue because consumers rarely upgraded.

Apple is basically selling you the camera, touch, and cellular capabilities for a huge markup. If you add a keyboard, it even ends up heavier than MacBook Air.

You can make a similar argument against iPhone Pro Max by comparing it to iPad mini. The iPad mini is missing the earpiece speaker, thinner bezels, and extra cameras. But those will cost you $500.

The issue, for me, is that the iPad Pros used to actually run better than intel MacBook Airs and even the base Intel MacBook Pro - along with having touch screens, cameras, etc. So a premium was actually warranted.

Now, they basically all run the same in terms of raw computing power, and the MacBook Pro in particular has improved meaningfully interns of screen, webcam, speakers, etc.

 

[rui no onna]

Then you have options like the iPad Air, which can do 95% (or realistically 100%) of what an iPad Pro can do at much lower prices. As someone who does need to have an access to an iPad for work, the Pro doesn't offer that much over the Air.

I like the iPad Pro but not sure if I will buy another one at full MSRP ever again. More and more, these days, I am finding more value with some of Apple's base model configurations, often in the non "Pro" lines. The exception nowadays is that base M4 MacBook Pro, which is now excellent

I really like FaceID on iPads so I prefer to get previous gen iPad Pro over the iPad Air. There are often hefty savings particularly on 1-2TB cellular when buying on clearance deals or Apple refurb.

 

[Apple_Robert]

As we all know, technology is constantly changing and even though we may have the latest and greatest product x, product y is already being prepared to be released.

OP,
You knew all this when you made the M4 purchase. You haven’t been had by Apple. The problem is you are a tech chaser and tech chasers can never be happy. Tech chasing is also a financial loss game, which you knew long before the M4 iPad Pro.

Apple isn’t to blame for your buyers remorse. The fault is at your personal doorstep.

 

[JPack]

The issue, for me, is that the iPad Pros used to actually run better than intel MacBook Airs and even the base Intel MacBook Pro - along with having touch screens, cameras, etc. So a premium was actually warranted.

Now, they basically all run the same in terms of raw computing power, and the MacBook Pro in particular has improved meaningfully interns of screen, webcam, speakers, etc.

I get where you’re coming from. The MacBook has improved significantly after moving to Apple Silicon. Much of the difficulty in coming to terms with the value of iPad Pro however, also has to do with how iPad Pro has increased so much in price.

Apple has effectively reversed the position of the iPad Pro and MacBook Air. The keyboard price has nearly doubled.

2015
iPad Pro 12.9” - $799
Smart Keyboard - $169
MacBook Air 13” - $999

2024
iPad Pro 12.9” - $1,299
Magic Keyboard - $299
MacBook Air 13” - $1,099

 

[Digitalguy]

I get where you’re coming from. The MacBook has improved significantly after moving to Apple Silicon. Much of the difficulty in coming to terms with the value of iPad Pro however, also has to do with how iPad Pro has increased so much in price.

Apple has effectively reversed the position of the iPad Pro and MacBook Air. The keyboard price has nearly doubled.

2015
iPad Pro 12.9” - $799
Smart Keyboard - $169
MacBook Air 13” - $999

2024
iPad Pro 12.9” - $1,299
Magic Keyboard - $299
MacBook Air 13” - $1,099

I am not sure the 2015 iPad pro and the current one can be compared. That smart keyboard was far from MacBook level. It was a lightning device with a 60hz LCD screen. And it had 32GB of storage. The current iPad pro is actually sd good or better than the Macbook air in terms of specs (other that for RAM, and that changed only a few weeks ago).

 

[JPack]

I am not sure the 2015 iPad pro and the current one can be compared. That smart keyboard was far from MacBook level. It was a lightning device with a 60hz LCD screen. And it had 32GB of storage. The current iPad pro is actually sd good or better than the Macbook air in terms of specs (other that for RAM, and that changed only a few weeks ago).

Tech will constantly improve and lower in price.

If we compare iPhone 6S Plus (2015) and iPhone 16 Plus today, can you count the differences? RAM has quadrupled, bigger OLED, 5G, cameras, UWB, satellite, etc. Yet, the price has only increased by $150.

iPhone 6S Plus - $749
iPhone 16 Plus - $899

With iPad Pro, Apple clearly pulled the price lever up to significantly beef up their margins. The keyboard accessory says it all. The 12.9-inch device itself has undergone a 60% price increase. Few other Apple products have undergone that level of change.

 

[snipr125]

As an M4 iPad Pro owner, I can't get past the idea I have been had...

The 14" M4 MacBook Pro (great screen, speakers, monitor support, etc), with 16GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, cots $1,599.

The 13" M4 iPad Pro with 8 GB of Ram and 512GB of storage costs $1,399 - before factoring in the cost of the keyboard case. The keyboard case is $329, so total cost is above the MacBook Pro in most realistic scenarios. It is difficult to argue that the iPad Pro is a better, more technically advanced product than the MacBook Pro.

Then you have options like the iPad Air, which can do 95% (or realistically 100%) of what an iPad Pro can do at much lower prices. As someone who does need to have an access to an iPad for work, the Pro doesn't offer that much over the Air.

I like the iPad Pro but not sure if I will buy another one at full MSRP ever again. More and more, these days, I am finding more value with some of Apple's base model configurations, often in the non "Pro" lines. The exception nowadays is that base M4 MacBook Pro, which is now excellent

You have not been 'had' Adelphos. Your iPad Pro 2024 had/have 2 very big ticket specs that made/make it special and warranting an initial higher price - the debut of the M4 chip 6 months before being released on a any Mac (which it is primarily made for), and also the worlds first Tandem OLED display.

 

[muzzy996]

IMO the true value of a tool isn't just the sum of its parts but the implementation of it all and its overall usefulness. The iPad Pro has its place as do MacBooks so I can't just compare their prices against one another at face value because they each run different operating systems and while there is overlap in functionality there are also differences in workflows that can lend one to be better than the other in some situations.

Not defending Apple's pricing here either though because I happen to hate how aggressive their pricing ladders are and because of the way they price things I've stepped away from the iPad Pro line altogether.

 

[JPack]

You have not been 'had' Adelphos. Your iPad Pro 2024 had/have 2 very big ticket specs that made/make it special and warranting an initial higher price - the debut of the M4 chip 6 months before being released on a any Mac (which it is primarily made for), and also the worlds first Tandem OLED display.

Don’t want to nitpick, but the first tandem OLED was in a Huawei Honor smartphone with a BOE display back in March.

 

[sparksd]

I can't see how you were "had". It's a discretionary purchase with the pricing and capabilities fully disclosed - Apple wasn't hiding anything from you.

 

[Digitalguy]

Tech will constantly improve and lower in price.

If we compare iPhone 6S Plus (2015) and iPhone 16 Plus today, can you count the differences? RAM has quadrupled, bigger OLED, 5G, cameras, UWB, satellite, etc. Yet, the price has only increased by $150.

iPhone 6S Plus - $749
iPhone 16 Plus - $899

With iPad Pro, Apple clearly pulled the price lever up to significantly beef up their margins. The keyboard accessory says it all. The 12.9-inch device itself has undergone a 60% price increase. Few other Apple products have undergone that level of change.

I think you misunderstood my point. It's obvious that the specs improved for both. What I meant is that the specs of the iPad pro have improved much more than the specs of the Macbook air in terms of storage, screen, keyboard, etc. so that's mainly why the price has increased more than for the MacBook air

 

[klasma]

The 13" M4 iPad Pro with 8 GB of Ram and 512GB of storage costs $1,399 - before factoring in the cost of the keyboard case. The keyboard case is $329, so total cost is above the MacBook Pro in most realistic scenarios. It is difficult to argue that the iPad Pro is a better, more technically advanced product than the MacBook Pro.

There are too many differences between the two device classes to make a comparison like that. If you see the iPad Pro as (only) a laptop replacement, then sure. But that’s not what it is. You buy an iPad because you want the touch screen, being able to use it without a keyboard permanently attached, using iPadOS instead of macOS (regardless that a minority is asking for the converse), weighing only a third, Face ID, and with the M4 also because of the OLED screen.

I’m sure that when the MacBook Pro gets an OLED display in 2026 its price will increase too. And if Apple made a MacBook with convertible/detachable display and/or a touch screen and/or Face ID, it would be more expensive as well.

I’m not especially fond of the iPad Pro pricing, but that’s more due the cellular and storage and nano texture premium, and the accessory prices. The base price is fine for what it is. Samsung’s flagship tablets aren’t much cheaper despite lacking some features like Face ID (but include a pen and the keyboard is cheaper).

 

[darkpaw]

You could always trade-in your iPad Pro M4, because Apple give brilliant trade-in prices. For example, an 11-inch iPad Pro M4 512GB Wi-Fi is £1,199, and Apple are offering £195 for one fully-working and in tip-top perfect condition. BARGAIN!

 

[Digitalguy]

There are too many differences between the two device classes to make a comparison like that. If you see the iPad Pro as (only) a laptop replacement, then sure. But that’s not what it is. You buy an iPad because you want the touch screen, being able to use it without a keyboard permanently attached, using iPadOS instead of macOS (regardless that a minority is asking for the converse), weighing only a third, Face ID, and with the M4 also because of the OLED screen.

I’m sure that when the MacBook Pro gets an OLED display in 2026 its price will increase too. And if Apple made a MacBook with convertible/detachable display and/or a touch screen and/or Face ID, it would be more expensive as well.

I’m not especially fond of the iPad Pro pricing, but that’s more due the cellular and storage and nano texture premium, and the accessory prices. The base price is fine for what it is. Samsung’s flagship tablets aren’t much cheaper despite lacking some features like Face ID (but include a pen and the keyboard is cheaper).

Yeah, the main criticisms of the iPad pro come from those wanting it to be a laptop replacement, so essentially software. But hardware-wise in addition to having similar specs to a basic MacBook pro it has touch and pen support and it's a "convertible" device, which is also much lighter when used as a... tablet. And you don't even need to buy the keyboard.
I got a MK clone for $50 on Aliexpress and it's pretty amazing, no need for Apple's MK.

 

[JPack]

I think you misunderstood my point. It's obvious that the specs improved for both. What I meant is that the specs of the iPad pro have improved much more than the specs of the Macbook air in terms of storage, screen, keyboard, etc. so that's mainly why the price has increased more than for the MacBook air

I think I understood your point. But the price increase for iPad Pro is 60% since 2015.

For the same period, iPhone 6S Plus to iPhone 16 Plus price increased by 20%. I think we can agree iPad Pro is more similar to iPhone than MacBook. So where is the remaining 40% coming from? Let's pretend 20% is the baseline for inflation.

How come iPad Pro has 40% increase over everything else?

 

[Digitalguy]

I think I understood your point. But the price increase for iPad Pro is 60% since 2015.

For the same period, iPhone 6S Plus to iPhone 16 Plus price increased by 20%. I think we can agree iPad Pro is more similar to iPhone than MacBook. So where is the remaining 40% coming from? Let's pretend 20% is the baseline for inflation.

How come iPad Pro has 40% increase over everything else?

Because the iPad pro back in 2015 was closer to an iPad air plus, while today it's more like and iPhone 16 pro max, that's why.
So you should compare the price of the 2015 pro to the price of the current air plus and... it's the same

 

[rui no onna]

I think I understood your point. But the price increase for iPad Pro is 60% since 2015.

For the same period, iPhone 6S Plus to iPhone 16 Plus price increased by 20%. I think we can agree iPad Pro is more similar to iPhone than MacBook. So where is the remaining 40% coming from? Let's pretend 20% is the baseline for inflation.

How come iPad Pro has 40% increase over everything else?

The iPhone 16 Plus is really more like the 13” iPad Air though while the 13” iPad Pro is the iPad version of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

 

[Digitalguy]

The iPhone 16 Plus is really more like the 13” iPad Air though while the 13” iPad Pro is the iPad version of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

yeah and today Apple sees the iPad pro as a more high end device that the pro back then, despite the name being the same, just like the pro max today is a much more high end the device that the most expensive iPhone back then.
The category where the 2015 pro was is much closer to today's 13 air.

 

[JPack]

Because the iPad pro back in 2015 was closer to an iPad air plus, while today it's more like and iPhone 16 pro max, that's why.
So you should compare the price of the 2015 pro to the price of the current air plus and... it's the same

An iPad “Air Plus” is another name for Pro. It’s one step up. The iPad 12.9” in 2015 had the best of everything. Nothing else had A9X.

 

[JPack]

The iPhone 16 Plus is really more like the 13” iPad Air though while the 13” iPad Pro is the iPad version of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Completely disagree. The iPad Air doesn’t even have Face ID or OLED. It has a single rear camera from the iPhone 8/XR generation. Think about the leading edge features iPhone 16 Plus has. iPad Air is at least a couple generations behind.

2015 -> 2024 Price Increase
iPhone 6S Plus -> iPhone 16 Plus -> 20%
MacBook Air 13 -> 10%
iPad Pro 12.9 -> iPad Pro 13 -> 60%

This suggests the innovation and cost for iPad Pro is 3X as much as iPhone over the past decade.

 

[rappr]

The difference in displays alone makes the Macbook Pro hard to consider over the iPad Pro, especially for creative work. Paying that much money for a non-OLED display is bonkers in 2024. And that’s before we get to Macbook Pro’s lack of touch support, stylus support, cellular support, and Face ID.

That being said, I’d love to see the iPad Pro prices lowered a bit.

 

[Abazigal]

It was a no brainer to get the pro iPad for me. I want the best, and am willing to pay for the best. The M2 chip is two years old at this point, which implies that an M2 iPad will be supported shorter.

Sure, it also means buying accessories all over again, but sometimes, that’s part of the fun. The ability to start over on a “clean slate” and well, the thrill of having something new and shiny to play with again.