RAM difference in iPad Pro (9.7") 32/128/256GB

[SuperKerem]

I think you'll find that "all this backlash" is actually a rather small minority of enthusiasts. Most of the millions of people buying iPads don't know or or don't care that much about specs like RAM. iOS devices only started to move from 1GB in 2014 despite "backlash" from enthusiasts well before that. Apple decides on their own when when spec increases are necessary to allow for the user experience that they feel is ideal. As I said before, I would not hold out for the next device solely on the assumption that it will have more RAM. Others have made that mistake in the past. If specs are what matters most, there are already Android tablets with 8 cores and 4GB of RAM... And most of them don't perform notably better than the Air 2.

Well, I wouldn't underestimate the 'small minority of enthusiasts' who essentially forced Apple to return all Apple Pencil functionality for the iPad Pro after features were removed during the 9.3 beta.

Still doesn't change the fact that the Air 2 is a better buy for the huge majority of people!

 

[maratus]

Most of the millions of people buying iPads don't know or or don't care that much about specs like RAM.

"And most of the millions of people buying iPads" are buying it for basic web surfing, e-mail and facebook.

iOS devices only started to move from 1GB in 2014 despite "backlash" from enthusiasts well before that.

Because it became a necessity to run iOS at a time of purchase / during the model cycle

Apple decides on their own when when spec increases are necessary to allow for the user experience that they feel is ideal.

Not being future proof doesn't necessarily mean bad user experience for 1-2 years. I.e. until the time Apple wants you to upgrade

As I said before, I would not hold out for the next device solely on the assumption that it will have more RAM.

Indeed, it's not given that the next iPad 9.7" receives 4GB RAM upgrade.

If specs are what matters most, there are already Android tablets with 8 cores and 4GB of RAM... And most of them don't perform notably better than the Air 2.

We aren't talking about Android tablets, but 4GB of RAM makes multitasking with heavy applications much better than 2GB on Android, which is currently reserved for budget low-end phones. It's true about iOS as well because no matter how efficient the operating system's memory management is, application requirements are more or less the same on both platforms because they're being developed in a similar way, using similar techniques, same languages, libraries and sometimes even dev teams.

Others have made that mistake in the past.

Oh I'm sure not going to wait for an proper iPad, I'll simply adjust my gadget portfolio to fit a properly specced Win10 tablet instead.

there's a theme around here of people simultaneously telling people they don't need this or that spec that apple decided to skimp on, and then chastising them for using "ancient" hardware when they are disappointed with performance or feature limitations in a year or two.

just smile and nod. they can't help themselves.

for what its worth, i DON'T care about specs for their own sake (or i'd never buy apple in the first place!). i care about experience, and for me its only about trying to make decisions that will retain a quality experience for more than a year. as an iPad 3 owner, i'm intimately familiar with apple hardware that is equipped to run its launch OS great, but was not forward thinking enough to handle evolving software.

its tough for me now, because like the iPad 3 with retina display, the 9.7 pro is the only device that mixes the features (pencil) and form factor i want right now, but i know its not a good future proof decision.

exactly

 

[CE3]

I'm disappointed in there being no RAM update, but I guess the 12.9 display needs it more . I still feel like the A9X will offer a big enough performance boost over the Air 2 when using CPU-intensive apps. Looking forward to the additional speakers, pencil support, and the 4K camera may prove to come in handy as a backup from time to time.

That said, I've had no real performance issues with my Air 2, and I agree that it's the better value right now (price wise). The 12.9 is also a better deal, but the size is too much for me. The iPad does not replace my MacBook or desktop, and there will still be lots of times where I'll need to be putting both an iPad and a MacBook in a backpack. Even at home in bed, where I use my iPad a lot, I don't want that big of a screen or the extra weight.

 

[rui no onna]

2GB of RAM simply won't give me enough lifespan I need from an iOS tablet. I don't want to upgrade a device that's more of a luxury than a necessity every 2 years, and I learned it hard way with a 1GB RAM iPad 3 (even though it was a decent amount in 2012 and a very important upgrade over the iPad 2).

It's not really the RAM that's the problem with the iPad 3, it's the weak A5X chip. Both iPad 4 and Air have 1GB RAM and they're far zippier compared the to the iPad 3.

 

[SuperKerem]

there's a theme around here of people simultaneously telling people they don't need this or that spec that apple decided to skimp on, and then chastising them for using "ancient" hardware when they are disappointed with performance or feature limitations in a year or two.

just smile and nod. they can't help themselves.

for what its worth, i DON'T care about specs for their own sake (or i'd never buy apple in the first place!). i care about experience, and for me its only about trying to make decisions that will retain a quality experience for more than a year. as an iPad 3 owner, i'm intimately familiar with apple hardware that is equipped to run its launch OS great, but was not forward thinking enough to handle evolving software.

its tough for me now, because like the iPad 3 with retina display, the 9.7 pro is the only device that mixes the features (pencil) and form factor i want right now, but i know its not a good future proof decision.

So true!

 

[DNichter]

Buy the 9.7 pro if you want the new features (better display, speakers, pencil/keyboard support mainly). You cannot notice any difference from 2GB to 4GB. I couldn't tell any difference in speed from my Air 2 to the 12.9 Pro. Just from my evaluation.

 

[Krevnik]

It's not really the RAM that's the problem with the iPad 3, it's the weak A5X chip. Both iPad 4 and Air have 1GB RAM and they're far zippier compared the to the iPad 3.

Man, my memory sucks, I thought the iPad 3 had 512MB like the iPad 2, but you are right. Multiplying the pixel count by 4, and only getting 2X out of the GPU was not a great move.

 

[Mr.C]

Well, the next 12.9' Pro would have other upgrades that the 9.7' Pro won't.

With all this backlash it would be insane for the next 9.7' Pro to still have 2GB RAM!

What back lash. I would hardly call some hardcore enthusiasts in an Apple forum as back lash. I think you need to get real. The majority of people out there don't know and couldn't care less about the RAM difference. Those who criticise or complain about it here are just causing scare mongering. The fact that the new 9.7" Pro only has 2GB of RAM is going to be far less of an issue then people make it out to be.

As for adding 4GB of RAM in the next version of the 9.7" Pro I very much doubt it will happen. Apple has to provide some differences between the 9.7" and 12.9" models to make them both worthwhile purchases. The only things the 12.9" model has that it's smaller sibling doesn't is the extra ram and the larger size.

 

[rui no onna]

As for adding 4GB of RAM in the next version of the 9.7" Pro I very much doubt it will happen. Apple has to provide some differences between the 9.7" and 12.9" models to make them both worthwhile purchases. The only things the 12.9" model has that it's smaller sibling doesn't is the extra ram and the larger size.

Honestly, I reckon the reason for 4GB RAM on the 12.9" iPP isn't to differentiate it from the 9.7" iPP. I expect it's because 4GB RAM is actually needed to support the higher resolution display. That's what, 5.6 million pixels on the 12.9" versus 3.1 million pixels on the 9.7"?

Edit: Corrected pixels for 12.9" from 5.1m to 5.6m.

 

[SuperKerem]

What back lash. I would hardly call some hardcore enthusiasts in an Apple forum as back lash. I think you need to get real. The majority of people out there don't know and couldn't care less about the RAM difference. Those who criticise or complain about it here are just causing scare mongering. The fact that the new 9.7" Pro only has 2GB of RAM is going to be far less of an issue then people make it out to be.

As for adding 4GB of RAM in the next version of the 9.7" Pro I very much doubt it will happen. Apple has to provide some differences between the 9.7" and 12.9" models to make them both worthwhile purchases. The only things the 12.9" model has that it's smaller sibling doesn't is the extra ram and the larger size.

Please read all my posts before replying, thanks.

 

[maratus]

It's not really the RAM that's the problem with the iPad 3, it's the weak A5X chip. Both iPad 4 and Air have 1GB RAM and they're far zippier compared the to the iPad 3.

I'm very well aware what are the A5x limitations, and I didn't mention them. I was talking specifically on the RAM issue and how that hinders multitasking.

And you should know that RAM over-provisioning doesn't make programs themselves feel "zippier".

It's all the same here every single time. Apple skimps/removes/changes an important hardware feature and countless fans start defending and finding excuses instead of acknowledging an obvious problem. Free PR managers for Apple on-the-go.

 

[Mr.C]

Please read all my posts before replying, thanks.

I have. And my comments stand. I had to point out yours and others scare mongering.
[doublepost=1458934303][/doublepost]

Honestly, I reckon the reason for 4GB RAM on the 12.9" iPP isn't to differentiate it from the 9.7" iPP. I expect it's because 4GB RAM is actually needed to support the higher resolution display. That's what, 5.1 million pixels on the 12.9" versus 3.1 million pixels on the 9.7"?

You could be right. I still think some people are making too big a deal about the smaller amount of RAM in the 9.7" model.

 

[SuperKerem]

I have. And my comments stand. I had to point out yours and others scare mongering.

Someone wrote an almost identical response as yours and I explained my reasoning.

Please don't create redundant and plain wrong posts.

 

[Mr.C]

Someone wrote an almost identical response as yours and I explained my reasoning.

Please don't create redundant and plain wrong posts.

I'm not. I have every right to voice my opinion just as much as you do. That said I'm just pointing out that what you are saying is both wrong and redundant.

 

[iapplelove]

I doubt the 9.7" Pro will get 4gb of ram on next release. Possibly force touch and the rest of the obvious upgrades to processing chips and camera components.

 

[SuperKerem]

I'm not. I have every right to voice my opinion just as much as you do. That said I'm just pointing out that what you are saying is both wrong and redundant.

That's great, but I guess you can't read my already existing response to your question.

If I were to copy and paste my response, now that would be redundant, but I'm not going to stoop down to your level.

People these days!

 

[CE3]

I'm leaning more on the side of the next 9.7 having 4GB of RAM, and the 12.9 having even more! A lot of people didn't think the new 9.7 models would have a lot of the features they have, but they basically got everything the 12.9 model has sans the extra RAM, plus a new display and improved cameras.

 

[Max(IT)]

2GB of RAM simply won't give me enough lifespan I need from an iOS tablet. I don't want to upgrade a device that's more of a luxury than a necessity every 2 years, and I learned it hard way with a 1GB RAM iPad 3 (even though it was a decent amount in 2012 and a very important upgrade over the iPad 2).

As far as styli go, I'm okay with all three aforementioned solutions. They're well beyond in speed and quality from what I need and can perceive.

the issue with your iPad 3 wasn't the RAM but the SoC itself, underpowered for the Retina display.
iPad 4 and iPad Air, still 1 Gb devices, had a good lifespan.

All this fuss about the 2 Gb RAM of the iPad Pro are just insane.
There isn't A SINGLE iPad app that require more than 1 Gb in the whole app Store. NOT A SINGLE ONE.

 

[CE3]

There isn't A SINGLE iPad app that require more than 1 Gb in the whole app Store. NOT A SINGLE ONE.

Maybe they don't require more than 1GB of RAM, but there are most certainly a number of apps that will perform significantly better with additional RAM available. Auria and Auria Pro is one of them.

 

[Max(IT)]

Or the 9.7 Pro. Like I said most will not even see a difference. It is mostly in your head!

You said "most"...
I'd like to see an example, a single example, of someone noting the difference between 4 Gb and 2 Gb of RAM under iOS.
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Maybe they don't require more than 1GB of RAM, but there are most certainly a number of apps that will perform significantly better with additional RAM available. Auria and Auria Pro is one of them.

how ?
Do you know how iOS memory manager work ?

 

[SuperKerem]

the issue with your iPad 3 wasn't the RAM but the SoC itself, underpowered for the Retina display.
iPad 4 and iPad Air, still 1 Gb devices, had a good lifespan.

All this fuss about the 2 Gb RAM of the iPad Pro are just insane.
There isn't A SINGLE iPad app that require more than 1 Gb in the whole app Store. NOT A SINGLE ONE.

The iPad Air had a good lifespan? It's crippled compared to the Air 2.

And unfortunately, people use more than one app at a time. In 2012 there wasn't a single app that required more than 100mb of RAM. When people spend $600 on a tablet, they expect at least 3 years or so of great usage, something which I'm not sure 2GB of RAM will deliver.
[doublepost=1458936698][/doublepost]

You said "most"...
I'd like to see an example, a single example, of someone noting the difference between 4 Gb and 2 Gb of RAM under iOS.

If you're going to quote posts from previous pages, please quote the whole thing so we understand what on earth you're talking about.

how ?
Do you know how iOS memory manager work ?

Heavy editing apps can often use large amounts of memory, and maybe not now, but in a few years time these editing apps won't work at their best due to apps in the background consuming larger amounts of memory in addition to the app itself.

Since you have an iPad Air I understand why you're defending devices crippled with low RAM though!

 

[CE3]

You said "most"...
I'd like to see an example, a single example, of someone noting the difference between 4 Gb and 2 Gb of RAM under iOS.
[doublepost=1458936364][/doublepost]
how ?
Do you know how iOS memory manager work ?

I used Auria on both the Air 1 and Air 2, and the extra RAM on the Air 2 definitely makes a difference when projects get big. How? Go talk to the guy who develops the Auria app on their forum, or any of the developers who make big apps that make use of all the iPad's available resources, and they'll tell you how it's beneficial. Also, with music apps on the iPads, a lot of people use AudioBus to connect multiple apps. More RAM can help make that process run smoother.

 

[rui no onna]

I'm very well aware what are the A5x limitations, and I didn't mention them. I was talking specifically on the RAM issue and how that hinders multitasking.

And you should know that RAM over-provisioning doesn't make programs themselves feel "zippier".

It's all the same here every single time. Apple skimps/removes/changes an important hardware feature and countless fans start defending and finding excuses instead of acknowledging an obvious problem. Free PR managers for Apple on-the-go.

I'm not defending Apple. Just stating facts. RAM OP may not make programs zippier but the faster CPU/GPU on the iPad 4 and Air did making it obvious that the iPad 3 didn't have a RAM issue, rather it had a processor one.

I know Apple likes to skimp on RAM and it's actually one of my gripes. That said, it's not like I can do anything about it. Despite the lack of RAM, I still prefer iOS-based mobile devices (and accompanying App Store) over Android and Windows 10 alternatives. I've been trying to switch away from iOS for years (since 2010 actually) and have bought a number of Android and Windows smartphones and tablets. It's now 2016, my most used device is the iPad 4 and Air (guess that's my version of multitasking, lol), and I just pre-ordered the iPad Pro 9.7" LTE 256GB. Meanwhile, my Android and Windows mobile devices are just sitting inside a drawer collecting dust. I usually have lots of relatives who would gladly take my old laptops, iPhones and iPads (for free), but no one wants my old Android and Windows smartphones and tablets even if they're free.

I'll quote my reply on another thread here since I feel it's relevant to the discussion.

Apple tends to release hardware (in particular RAM) that is minimum necessary for good performance with their finely tuned software. By the time Apple does increase RAM, it's because the upgrade has become necessary for smooth operation. That's been the case since the first iPhone (128MB RAM). You either accept it and buy the Apple device that fits your needs or you switch to a different platform.

Apple is in the business of selling hardware and they're not going to make "future-proof" devices because that'll mean less reason to upgrade ergo less sales. They also enjoy massive economies of scale so even if the price difference between 2GB and 4GB is a mere $5, when you're making 50+ million iPads a year, that's $250 million.

I reckon by the time Apple upgrades RAM to 4GB, we'll already be asking why it doesn't have 8GB.

 

[Mr.C]

Again people are getting hung up on the RAM. The majority of people out there even on these forums won't use the specialised apps mentioned here or any others that "may" perform better with extra RAM.

Also I very much doubt most people out there use more then one app at a time. The average user doesn't. Most people use one at a time. Also my understanding is that when you "minimise" an app its "frozen" and doesn't actually use any resources. I also believe iOS redistributed RAM where it's needed.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Someone wrote an almost identical response as yours and I explained my reasoning.

Please don't create redundant and plain wrong posts.

Please do not instruct other posters how to post here unless you are a mod. All have a right to their opinion and it is what makes these forums work so well.