All iPads More important for future-proofing - CPU/RAM/OS Support/etc?

[CocoBlade]

Hi all,
Looking to jump into the Apple world for a light, on-the-go iPad for general content consumption and hobby music production.
I've always been an Android person for phones/content and Windows for music production. Looking to blend the two platforms into one with the iPad as it seems to have the deepest app platform for music production applications, but will give me more portability also.
I'm looking to get something that as future proof as possible so wondering what would be the most important thing to base my decision on?
I don't think anything I'm going to be doing is going to be either CPU or RAM intensive as I'm not a gamer and the music production I do is pretty light on track count and maybe only a few apps running simultaneously.
Not looking for specific model suggestions as I think the Air 5 (M1, 8GB Ram) is probably where I'm going, but possibly Air 4 depending on answers to what's best to future-proof. I do tend to hang onto things for a long time, but I know it's a tech device and and will have EOL, but if I can get 5 years or more, that would be fantastic. I'm guessing none of this probably matters and the battery will clunk out before apps out date the OS or too intensive for the Ram/CPU as these things seem so over build already.
Just curious..
Thanks,
CB

 

[Populus]

Forget about the Air 4. Less RAM and a much less capable SoC. The M1 is a good guarantee of longevity.

 

[cupcakes2000]

M1 at least, and the most ssd you can afford will ensure longevity.

 

[FeliApple]

Forget about the Air 4. Less RAM and a much less capable SoC. The M1 is a good guarantee of longevity.

Agree, completely. Don’t get the Air 4, I’d get the Air 5.

 

[ChrisA]

Hi all,
Looking to jump into the Apple world for a light, on-the-go iPad for general content consumption and hobby music production.

Music production is far easier on a Mac than on an iPad. Logic is pretty solid. Not only that but the Mac comes with USB ports connecting MIDI and external audio and such. Think about how everything connects, microphones (how many mics?) and MIDI and studio monitors and what about headphones and guide tracks.

 

[CocoBlade]

Music production is far easier on a Mac than on an iPad. Logic is pretty solid. Not only that but the Mac comes with USB ports connecting MIDI and external audio and such. Think about how everything connects, microphones (how many mics?) and MIDI and studio monitors and what about headphones and guide tracks.

100% agree, but I already have a full Windows laptop with Ableton 11 Suite , Arturia Pigments, etc...and while powerful, I don't find using a mouse inspiring. Started using Koala on my budget android tablet while sitting on the couch or outside and loving the freedom of the tablet and hands on manipulation. This is more for flushing out ideas and live performances. Just feels more creative. I have several hardware devices too that I think a tablet with some apps could replace and be more mobile.

 

[TheBeverage]

I’ve seen some sound guys at venues use iPads for mixing, easy to carry and walk around. I‘ve never met anyone who seriously tried to produce on one, personally. If that’s your goal, you’ll want as much RAM as possible, and any recent Apple CPU will be fine. I’m quite happy with my 10th gen iPad’s 4GB of RAM but it’s a casual browsing/ereader and digital sheet music device for me. I wouldn’t use Logic on Mac with under 32GB of RAM personally, so you’ll probably want that 16GB RAM version of the iPad Pro, that’s the best you can get.

 

[CocoBlade]

Again, this is just for fun, not professional use. I've seen several guys on YouTube using even the iPad Mini 6 to run the same (and even more) apps that I'm planning on using, and if I recall the Mini6 only has 4GB RAM and a lesser processor. So I think I'll be fine on the the Air or above. Might jump to the Pro M1 for the extra storage (128GB) or even the Pro M2 as I've seen a few on sale and only $80 more than referb Pro M1.

 

[darngooddesign]

I feel like an M1 iPad with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD is future proofed enough for most people.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Anything M1 or later will be fine, anything older.... will not be "Future Proof" under any but the most liberal definitions of the term