iPad Pro New iPad Pros?

[EugW]

Now I'm gonna have to get the new iPad Pro. I just got a big Apple gift card. Here's hoping for October!

I wonder how I'm going to deal with the warranty though. I won't be able to make use of my credit card extended warranty if I pay for part of it with a gift card. Hmm...

I guess the good news is that AppleCare+ for iPad Pro is only CAD$119 (US$89) for edu purchases, so maybe I'd go that route.

 

[Ludatyk]

Now I'm gonna have to get the new iPad Pro. I just got a big Apple gift card. Here's hoping for October!

So, what's the plan? If there's no new iPad Pro in October.. do you just buy the current model in October? Or you extend your wait until the Spring?

With all that waiting, I figured you'll just go buy the current version now.

 

[EugW]

So, what's the plan? If there's no new iPad Pro in October.. do you just buy the current model in October? Or you extend your wait until the Spring?

With all that waiting, I figured you'll just go buy the current version now.

I will just have to force myself to wait if necessary.

At least I can put the gift card in Apple Wallet so the risk from misplacing it is a bit less.

 

[Populus]

Well, I, after all this time waiting for the new iPad Pro, I start to have doubts again on wether I should get a MacBook Air instead. Not the current one but the updated, if we see an update in October.

The problem is, I already purchased a smart keyboard folio (cheap, from a person who didn't use it). And from what I read, this keyboard won't work with the next iPad Pro, which rumors point to have a bigger camera.

So right now I'm just waiting, and I'll see if I get a new 11" 2019 iPad Pro, a discounted 2018 iPad Pro, or selling this smart keyboard folio and getting a new MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and at least 512GB of storage. But the MacBook is more than double the price, and I could use the iPad Pro for most of my tasks... I'm not sure what to do TBH.

Back in May I was able to try an iPad Pro and I decided it was a good solution to keep up with my lectures, and other tasks. But having a Mac would expand my use of external monitor, and use it as a desktop and laptop.

Anyway this is a bit off topic, sorry.

I already voted: yes, Apple will release a minor update, a speck bump for the iPad Pro. I feel those who refuse to acknowledge this, or even hate the idea, are the people who bought the 2018 iPad Pro expecting to not have hardware updates for a long time. Well, I think you're wrong, Apple's business model has changed, they don't rely only on iPhone anymore, and if 2018 iPad Pro are a success, you can rest assured that Apple will update them on a annual basis.

Just my 2 Cents.

 

[EugW]

Well, I, after all this time waiting for the new iPad Pro, I start to have doubts again on wether I should get a MacBook Air instead. Not the current one but the updated, if we see an update in October.

What? The MacBook Air was just updated last month. Halloween would be 3.5 months from the last update.

The problem is, I already purchased a smart keyboard folio (cheap, from a person who didn't use it). And from what I read, this keyboard won't work with the next iPad Pro, which rumors point to have a bigger camera.

Yeah, if the camera does change, the old folio is going to be useless. Originally I would have expected them to keep the form factor another iteration, but the pundits have spoken.

I already voted: yes, Apple will release a minor update, a speck bump for the iPad Pro. I feel those who refuse to acknowledge this, or even hate the idea, are the people who bought the 2018 iPad Pro expecting to not have hardware updates for a long time. Well, I think you're wrong, Apple's business model has changed, they don't rely only on iPhone anymore, and if 2018 iPad Pro are a success, you can rest assured that Apple will update them on a annual basis.

I agree that some that are the most adamant that the iPad Pro won't be updated in October might be those who already have the 2018, but what they forget is they aren't the target market anyway. Apple can update in October with updates that won't be sufficient for existing USB-C iPad Pro owners to upgrade, but that's no skin off Apple's back. The existing owners can keep their 2018 iPad Pros, and Apple can entice non-Pro owners and 2017 owners to upgrade.

That said, I don't think Apple feels like it needs to upgrade them every year. Apple owns the tablet market already, so they can afford to be a little less aggressive in the updates than they are with the iPhone. Even if they do upgrade the iPad Pro in October 2019, there is no guarantee they will do the same in 2020.

 

[rui no onna]

That said, I don't think Apple feels like it needs to upgrade them every year. Apple owns the tablet market already, so they can afford to be a little less aggressive in the updates than they are with the iPhone. Even if they do upgrade the iPad Pro in October 2019, there is no guarantee they will do the same in 2020.

Tablets yes.

I think they might be trying to break into the 2-in-1 category, though. PC-wise, that's the area that has seen growth, I believe. PC hardware may not see a lot aesthetic/design changes but they get regular spec refreshes.

 

[EugW]

Tablets yes.

I think they might be trying to break into the 2-in-1 category, though. PC-wise, that's the area that has seen growth, I believe. PC hardware may not see a lot aesthetic/design changes but they get regular spec refreshes.

Good point, but Apple doesn't always upgrade its Macs every year either.

 

[Populus]

@EugW I agree on most of your points, but I don't think that what we saw with the MacBook Air was a true update. They just changed the keyboard's base layer material and activated (via software, or firmware) the Night Shift feature on the same screen. I wouldn't call that an update but rather a tweak on the model to sell it during the back to school promo.

But, yeah, maybe you're right and we don't see another MacBook Air until 2020, either with Intel or ARM microprocessors. That's taking the off-topic too far tho, so I'll leave it here.

 

[EugW]

@EugW I agree on most of your points, but I don't think that what we saw with the MacBook Air was a true update. They just changed the keyboard's base layer material and activated (via software, or firmware) the Night Shift feature on the same screen. I wouldn't call that an update but rather a tweak on the model to sell it during the back to school promo.

But, yeah, maybe you're right and we don't see another MacBook Air until 2020, either with Intel or ARM microprocessors. That's taking the off-topic too far tho, so I'll leave it here.

True Tone requires a hardware upgrade. It is not the same thing as Night Shift.

I don't like Night Shift and so I turn off that feature on my Macs. However, I find True Tone very nice, and leave that on, on my iPad Pro.

 

[Ludatyk]

Well, I think you're wrong, Apple's business model has changed, they don't rely only on iPhone anymore, and if 2018 iPad Pro are a success, you can rest assured that Apple will update them on a annual basis.

Agreed. Apple’s business model has changed. No longer they are relying on the iPhone... they are transitioning to Services for revenue... Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News and Apple Music.

But I would think iPadOS will be the underlining success that drives the 2018 iPad Pro, not the iPad Pro itself. People tend to hold onto their iPads... it doesn’t make financial sense for Apple to update them annually.

I agree that some that are the most adamant that the iPad Pro won't be updated in October might be those who already have the 2018, but what they forget is they aren't the target market anyway. Apple can update in October with updates that won't be sufficient for existing USB-C iPad Pro owners to upgrade, but that's no skin off Apple's back. The existing owners can keep their 2018 iPad Pros, and Apple can entice non-Pro owners and 2017 owners to upgrade.

I understand, I’m not the target audience due to my purchase of the 2018 iPad Pro. Honestly, the target audience is for non-iPad Pro users... with the release of iPadOS, Apple is looking to entice Surface users.

And, I plan on keeping my iPad Pro whether they release one in September, October or March. The 2018 iPad Pro is “that” good. I won’t upgrade until I end up having some issues with it... which I could find myself having it for 2 or 3 years.

 

[EugW]

Hmmm... The Back To School promotion ends September 26. Wouldn't it be great to see an announcement on the new Pros on Sept. 10, with a release that week?

Yeah, wishful thinking. Q3 is too early. I'm still guessing Q4.

 

[spiderman0616]

What? The MacBook Air was just updated last month. Halloween would be 3.5 months from the last update.


Yeah, if the camera does change, the old folio is going to be useless. Originally I would have expected them to keep the form factor another iteration, but the pundits have spoken.


I agree that some that are the most adamant that the iPad Pro won't be updated in October might be those who already have the 2018, but what they forget is they aren't the target market anyway. Apple can update in October with updates that won't be sufficient for existing USB-C iPad Pro owners to upgrade, but that's no skin off Apple's back. The existing owners can keep their 2018 iPad Pros, and Apple can entice non-Pro owners and 2017 owners to upgrade.

That said, I don't think Apple feels like it needs to upgrade them every year. Apple owns the tablet market already, so they can afford to be a little less aggressive in the updates than they are with the iPhone. Even if they do upgrade the iPad Pro in October 2019, there is no guarantee they will do the same in 2020.

I am on the "whenever there's a new chassis design or screen size" plan with the iPad Pro, and as someone who always gets the smaller one, that means I've upgraded every generation of iPad Pro so far. I'm hoping this year is status quo as far as design and screen size options so I won't feel the urge to upgrade again. I can 100% skip a generation if it's just a spec bump or improved cameras. I cannot get myself to skip if it's an all new design or screen configuration.

I am going to upgrade my XS Max to whatever the new largest size model is, so I'll still get to take advantage of the new camera system without upgrading my iPad.

 

[EugW]

I am on the "whenever there's a new chassis design or screen size" plan with the iPad Pro, and as someone who always gets the smaller one, that means I've upgraded every generation of iPad Pro so far. I'm hoping this year is status quo as far as design and screen size options so I won't feel the urge to upgrade again. I can 100% skip a generation if it's just a spec bump or improved cameras. I cannot get myself to skip if it's an all new design or screen configuration.

I am going to upgrade my XS Max to whatever the new largest size model is, so I'll still get to take advantage of the new camera system without upgrading my iPad.

New iPad Pro chassis? I’m thinking probably 2021 or later.

 

[spiderman0616]

New iPad Pro chassis? I’m thinking probably 2021 or later.

I was thinking about this the other day. There really have only been 4 iPad designs in the last (almost) 10 years:

Original iPad (only lasted 1 year)
iPad 2,3,4, mini (lasted roughly 3 years)
iPad Air style (prominent design language from 2013 through 2019)
3rd gen iPad Pro style

The iPad Air style body design has been with us for 6 years! That's more than half of the iPad's entire existence! For the record, I don't think that's a bad thing. It's a beautiful design. I'm just saying it would be shocking to me if they had a new redesign again this year after just doing their first major redesign in 6 years in 2018.

 

[rui no onna]

I was thinking about this the other day. There really have only been 4 iPad designs in the last (almost) 10 years:

Original iPad (only lasted 1 year)
iPad 2,3,4, mini (lasted roughly 3 years)
iPad Air style (prominent design language from 2013 through 2019)
3rd gen iPad Pro style

The iPad Air style body design has been with us for 6 years! That's more than half of the iPad's entire existence! For the record, I don't think that's a bad thing. It's a beautiful design. I'm just saying it would be shocking to me if they had a new redesign again this year after just doing their first major redesign in 6 years in 2018.

The mini series is closer in design to the Air than older models. Indeed, the original mini seems to be the inspiration for the Air.

Mind, the design language for the iPad 2-4 were pretty much the same as the original iPad, just made thinner and lighter (with bezels still the same size).

 

[spiderman0616]

The mini series is closer in design to the Air than older models. Indeed, the original mini seems to be the inspiration for the Air.

Mind, the design language for the iPad 2-4 were pretty much the same as the original iPad, just made thinner and lighter (with bezels still the same size).

Yeah, but they were so much thinner and lighter and sleeker. And those Smart Covers--just unbelievable the first time I got one. Everything about the move to the iPad 2 design was dramatically better than the original iPad in my opinion. I personally didn't own the original because I wanted to wait until it had a front facing camera and I was really glad I waited.

I don't remember a ton of people being annoyed by the quick design change, but I did know a lot of owners of the original iPad who were kind of annoyed by how fast its processor stopped being able to keep up, though I think that might have been more due to RAM limitations.

 

[rui no onna]

I personally didn't own the original because I wanted to wait until it had a front facing camera and I was really glad I waited.

I actually wanted to wait for retina display (well, I wanted at least 1280x800) but I think there was an iPad-only $0.99 sale on manga so I caved and got the iPad 2.

I don't remember a ton of people being annoyed by the quick design change, but I did know a lot of owners of the original iPad who were kind of annoyed by how fast its processor stopped being able to keep up, though I think that might have been more due to RAM limitations.

The OG was single-core A4 with 256MB RAM and had to power a larger resolution display. Reckon it was both although 256MB really is too little.

I had both iPhone 4 A4/512MB and 4th gen iPod touch A4/256MB (used as nighttime Stanza reader while the iPhone was charging). Going by the performance (and frequent crashes) on the iPod touch, I knew I didn't want that CPU/RAM combo on an iPad. Really, 256MB was barely good enough for the 3GS with 320x240 res.

 

[spiderman0616]

I actually wanted to wait for retina display (well, I wanted at least 1280x800) but I think there was an iPad-only $0.99 sale on manga so I caved and got the iPad 2.


The OG was single-core A4 with 256MB RAM and had to power a larger resolution display. Reckon it was both although 256MB really is too little.

I had both iPhone 4 A4/512MB and 4th gen iPod touch A4/256MB (used as nighttime Stanza reader while the iPhone was charging). Going by the performance (and frequent crashes) on the iPod touch, I knew I didn't want that CPU/RAM combo on an iPad. Really, 256MB was barely good enough for the 3GS with 320x240 res.

2010 was the year I really started thinking about moving to Apple. I was still on a feature phone at the time, still using Windows PCs, still pretty sure I was going to buy a Droid Incredible as my first smartphone. The original iPad was the device that made me think, "Wait a minute........I REALLY want one of these!" Not the iPhone--the iPad.

I resisted the urge to buy one because I was pretty confident that it would eventually have a good front facing camera for Skyping people (This was pre-FaceTime of course!) Instead I held off and got an iPhone 4 that year and an iPad 2 the next year. I did not regret it. I remember the first time I took out my iPad 2 with its lime green Smart Cover on the train and a lot of the people around me were oohing and aahing and wanting me to do the Smart Cover again so they could see it in action. iPads weren't nearly as commonplace to see in public back then.

 

[rui no onna]

2010 was the year I really started thinking about moving to Apple. I was still on a feature phone at the time, still using Windows PCs, still pretty sure I was going to buy a Droid Incredible as my first smartphone. The original iPad was the device that made me think, "Wait a minute........I REALLY want one of these!" Not the iPhone--the iPad.

I resisted the urge to buy one because I was pretty confident that it would eventually have a good front facing camera for Skyping people (This was pre-FaceTime of course!) Instead I held off and got an iPhone 4 that year and an iPad 2 the next year. I did not regret it. I remember the first time I took out my iPad 2 with its lime green Smart Cover on the train and a lot of the people around me were oohing and aahing and wanting me to do the Smart Cover again so they could see it in action. iPads weren't nearly as commonplace to see in public back then.

Lol, got the OG iPhone mostly because I wanted a phone I can use to read on FanFiction.net. The iPhone was priced quite competitively with the Palm Treos, Nokia N95/97, Blackberries, etc. while having a much better interface for my intended usage.

As for the iPad, lol, in California so it seems like everyone had an iPad on day one (at least it seemed that way during family get togethers). I've never personally owned a Smart Cover. The few times I've used one (with other people's iPads), I didn't like them. I prefer cases that cover both front and back of the device.

 

[EugW]

Lol, got the OG iPhone mostly because I wanted a phone I can use to read on FanFiction.net. The iPhone was priced quite competitively with the Palm Treos, Nokia N95/97, Blackberries, etc. while having a much better interface for my intended usage.

As for the iPad, lol, in California so it seems like everyone had an iPad on day one (at least it seemed that way during family get togethers). I've never personally owned a Smart Cover. The few times I've used one (with other people's iPads), I didn't like them. I prefer cases that cover both front and back of the device.

The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio transformed my usage of the iPad Pro. I consider this essentially mandatory now for future purchases.

 

[spiderman0616]

Lol, got the OG iPhone mostly because I wanted a phone I can use to read on FanFiction.net. The iPhone was priced quite competitively with the Palm Treos, Nokia N95/97, Blackberries, etc. while having a much better interface for my intended usage.

As for the iPad, lol, in California so it seems like everyone had an iPad on day one (at least it seemed that way during family get togethers). I've never personally owned a Smart Cover. The few times I've used one (with other people's iPads), I didn't like them. I prefer cases that cover both front and back of the device.

Same. I have never JUST had the Smart Cover. It was always paired with something thin and light on the back just so I could at least put the iPad down on something or in my backpack without worrying about the back getting mangled.

I know some people don't like it, but I really like the Smart Keyboard Folio for that reason. Apple finally decided again that it was important to protect the back without making it so that you have to pry a case off of the device. I always try to go with Apple's solution wherever possible because it always fits the best and always has the best integration with the device. But the key with the Smart Keyboard Folio, in my eyes, is that it is NOT a case. It is what it says it is: a folio. It's more like an add on to the device, not so much a protective case. So when I take the iPad Pro out of the house with me, whether I'm just carrying it around or keeping it in a backpack, it goes in my TomToc sleeve. I treat the whole assembly of iPad + Keyboard Folio + Apple Pencil as one unit/system that needs to be at least slightly shielded from impacts and scratches.
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The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio transformed my usage of the iPad Pro. I consider this essentially mandatory now for future purchases.

Agree. I think in the second generation of iPad Pros, there were third party options that were much better than the Smart Keyboard Cover. In this generation it seems like Apple's solution became much better and all the third parties became much worse. Especially Zagg.

I tried the Logitech Slim Folio Pro for a couple days and I just couldn't get over all the little details they got wrong. First and foremost I hated how the edges didn't stay flush with each other when it was closed. The two halves just slid around way too much. I was really disappointed that Logitech didn't at least put a couple of magnets at the corners to make it close correctly. Also there was too much slack on the hinge, which made it not sit flush with the case when everything was closed. I really liked the drawing mode it had, but couldn't get over all the fit and finish problems.

 

[Digitalguy]

The 9.7” Pro should never have been released IMO. The Smart Connector on it was much less useful due to its size, and the overall specs didn’t warrant the cost. I’m not surprised it didn’t even get a single update before the line was discontinued.

The 9.7 was a great device for its time and in some way still is. The keyboard is inferior to the 10.5 one (with which I am writing now) but not unusable, but the logitech create is in some ways the best one of the 3 generation (from Logitech) and better then any apple keyboard and still uses the smart connector, so I am very happy to have that connector.
RAM can be indeed an issue and it’s probably the biggest one. It’s does not make it any slower but it causes much more frequent refreshes and therefore lost of unsaved data (such as if I were writing on the 9.7 now, and would go using other apps and come back after a while there is a good chance that what I wrote and not posted is gone). Other than that it’s still fast and enjoyable and better in almost every way than the 2018 9.7 ipad. I have been comparing the 3 generations with their respective apple keyboards and logitech keyboards over the past weeks and will make a post about it (lack of time so far) and while you can feel the speed difference they are all fast enough that it’s not a big deal. I can’t say the same for my mini 4 (or even my old, now sold, air 2), which while still clearly usable, requires more patience, especially when coming from a pro...

 

[spiderman0616]

The 9.7 was a great device for its time and in some way still is. The keyboard is inferior to the 10.5 one (with which I am writing now) but not unusable, but the logitech create is in some ways the best one of the 3 generation (from Logitech) and better then any apple keyboard and still uses the smart connector, so I am very happy to have that connector.
RAM can be indeed an issue and it’s probably the biggest one. It’s does not make it any slower but it causes much more frequent refreshes and therefore lost of unsaved data (such as if I were writing on the 9.7 now, and would go using other apps and come back after a while there is a good chance that what I wrote and not posted is gone). Other than that it’s still fast and enjoyable and better in almost every way than the 2018 9.7 ipad. I have been comparing the 3 generations with their respective apple keyboards and logitech keyboards over the past weeks and will make a post about it (lack of time so far) and while you can feel the speed difference they are all fast enough that it’s not a big deal. I can’t say the same for my mini 4 (or even my old, now sold, air 2), which while still clearly usable, requires more patience, especially when coming from a pro...

Agree with all your points. I have had all three and all three have felt snappy to me. However these days I’m using a lot more pro software so who knows how well gen 1 would be holding up at this point.

 

[Digitalguy]

Agree with all your points. I have had all three and all three have felt snappy to me. However these days I’m using a lot more pro software so who knows how well gen 1 would be holding up at this point.

I don't know what software you have but if you want me try something I have both 1st gen pros. I have recently bought lumafusion but I am still learning to use it (coming from imovie). As for pro software I mainly use music software, like Gadget 2 and Module Pro (both from Korg). I don't do much photo editing (only use photoshop express and photoshop fix) and I can't draw, so not much pro software there. What do you use as pro software?

 

[spiderman0616]

I don't know what software you have but if you want me try something I have both 1st gen pros. I have recently bought lumafusion but I am still learning to use it (coming from imovie). As for pro software I mainly use music software, like Gadget 2 and Module Pro (both from Korg). I don't do much photo editing (only use photoshop express and photoshop fix) and I can't draw, so not much pro software there. What do you use as pro software?

I’m a heavy user of Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer these days, so that would be my main two examples—they both require some decent power.