iPad Pro Should I buy M1 12.9 iPad?

[vikky2426]

I was hoping that 16 inch MacBook Pro will be launched at WWDC but looks like it will come in the fall.
In the mean time I do need to buy a powerful portable device like iPad for note taking, learning and other productivity related workflows.

I like 12.9 inch size but the blooming issue has put me off a bit. Do you guys think this blooming issue is not such a big deal and I should go ahead and buy it anyway? or should I go with 2020 12.9 iPad Pro instead?

 

[mobi-logic]

I have more or less same use case like you. Note taking being primary, learning via youtube lectures and other light weight tasks, may be few games occasionally.

I plan to get 12.9 256GB 5G along with white MKB and Apple pencil. I am least bothered about blooming since learning, note taking and online videos is more of a concern to me rather than looking for blooming effect. Hopefully will put order in next 3-4 days.

 

[bigdog5142]

As someone who just purchased the M1 12.9 iPad Pro coming from the 2018 11" iPad Pro...buy the 2020. You can save significant $$$ and while this thing is SUPER powerful (Geekbench shows that it's actually more powerful than my 2019 16" MBP), the OS and apps just don't have the ability to really use the power. The 2020 will give you what you need and even want at a lower price point.

I feel I learned my lesson this time. I wanted to go to the bigger form factor, and that I LOVE. However, I anticipated that WWDC would provide more apps/OS changes to take advantage of the new power in the iPad Pro. Nothing like that was announced...and I'm past the return date.

Ultimately I traded in my iPad Pro and sold some accessories so that the 256GB model only cost me about $800 out of pocket + AppleCare...and that was in my budget. I do feel pretty future-proofed with the M1 chip and anticipate that in the future the power will be more usable. However, I also could've saved some $$$ if I'd have waited two weeks and been just as happy more than likely.

Live & learn...

 

[Itsedstech]

Personally if your doing note taking with the 12.9 and are planning to use dark mode while doing it, I’d say don’t get it. The bloom on small characters gets annoying. I can forgive it on movies where my focus is elsewhere but man on small characters your focusing on it sucks lol

 

[lakerchick4life]

I was going to buy the 12.9 inch for sure..regardless of what they presented at wwdc issue is reading all of these stories about "Blooming" that has made me hold off I guess with every iPad release its always something but to spend so much money on a gorgeous screen just to have a blooming issue doesnt seem right

 

[Cosmo M3]

If you were waiting for a full desktop class OS, you'll be sorely disappointed in the iPad Pro. I would save my money and just wait.

 

[AutomaticApple]

If you were waiting for a full desktop class OS, you'll be sorely disappointed in the iPad Pro. I would save my money and just wait.

I don't see a "full desktop class OS" ever coming to the iPad Pro.

 

[marmiteturkey]

Let me provide a contrasting POV. I use my 12.9 for productivity and learning - notes, document review, writing and planning; I recently traded my 2018 for a 2021. The screen is fabulous - blooming doesn’t bother me or I can’t really see it. And for watching videos and looking at photos etc when I’m not working, it’s just glorious.

I think the 12.9 is a brilliant learning companion device, and I would thoroughly recommend the 2021 over the 2018 or the 2020 if you’re not on a tight budget.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

i think the determining factor here is your "learning and productivity related workflows". You should see if an iPad can truly help you there. Notetaking will def be good.

 

[Macalway]

Don't listen to negative remarks here, they are very misleading and it's always the case with new items. Yellow screens, light bleed, it's always something, and Mac Rumors is probably not going to help your purchase decisions.

That's right. Funny as it is, Mac Rumors is presently not iPad shopping friendly . But it will be, when things die down and perspective is gained. Perspective that Apple has already delt with, with initial internal complaints when they were testing these. Ultimately, it was decided that these worked well, and would sell well.

 

[Jára Tyky]

The blooming issue is overrated and these negative comments are written buy people who does not have iPad Pro 2021.
I have absolutely no problem with blooming issue.

 

[mobi-logic]

The blooming issue is overrated and these negative comments are written buy people who does not have iPad Pro 2021.
I have absolutely no problem with blooming issue.

Thanks for the screenshot. I will not be using dark background for note taking and also I am more interested to have a good device and not a perfect device else I will keep waiting year after year. Going with the purchase and I will be at peace.

 

[munakib]

Here is just my opinion on why you should get the m1 iPad Pro, firstly ignore all the criticism iPadOS 15 is getting. Apple didn’t want to disenfranchise its iPadPro 2018 and 2020 owners with a brush of a stroke by offering more powerful/power hungry apps at WWDC which will only work on the m1, this would have frustrated their iPad base tremendously. Wishful thinking but I won’t be shocked if Finalcut and other big budget apps get announced only for m1 ipadpros in the coming months and a complete overhaul with iPadOS 16. They want to slowly transition all their initial iPadPro users to the M1/M2. If you buy the iPadPro 2018/2020 model, you might have to resell it sometime soon.

 

[leebroath]

the OS and apps just don't have the ability to really use the power. The 2020 will give you what you need and even want at a lower price point.

Fully agree with this, it is great for HDR movie viewing / Apps not closing more frequently

If that doesn't bother you, do not buy the 2021 iPad Pro, save your money and go for 2018, 2020 models

I managed to get an extension on my return as I'm currently away working, they allowed me to call them before 22nd to set this up which I thought was fantastic, as soon as I get home on Wed 16th I will be returning.

 

[Broadus]

I was hoping that 16 inch MacBook Pro will be launched at WWDC but looks like it will come in the fall.
In the mean time I do need to buy a powerful portable device like iPad for note taking, learning and other productivity related workflows.

I like 12.9 inch size but the blooming issue has put me off a bit. Do you guys think this blooming issue is not such a big deal and I should go ahead and buy it anyway? or should I go with 2020 12.9 iPad Pro instead?

A good case can be made for the 2018, 2020, and 2021. You have to filter the arguments according to your needs and desires and budget.

How many years do you intend to keep it? If only two or three, then perhaps a comparable 2018 Apple Refurbished may be something to look at.

Unless something changes soon, however, the price difference between a discounted new 2020 and a 2021 12.9 is not as significant as I would have hoped it would be. The price of the 2021 model does give me pause, but the small 2020 price discount (with an exception here or there), simply isn't that significant for a longterm purchase, in my opinion.

I'm coming from a 2017 10.5" iPP with a dinged front camera (running over one's computer bag with one's truck does stuff like that, and worse -- destroyed my 2012 MBP ). I've been wanting a larger screen anyway, so I ordered a 2020 12.9 128GB but returned it unopened and ordered a 2021 12.9 256GB which is to be delivered tomorrow. I almost ordered an Apple-refurbished 2018 but wondered how many years I would be satisfied with that.

The screen is the most important part of the iPad (for my usage, at least). The XDR is the best screen available on an iPad. If I had a 2018 12.9, I'm sure that I would be waiting at least another couple of years to upgrade. But I don't, and I don't want to begin a 5-year period with the non-XDR screen.

And yet I have to admit that this isn’t an easy decision, at least it hasn’t been for me. I still look for that heavily discounted 2020 and think again about an Apple Refurbished 2018, despite having decided to go with the 2021.

 

[rui no onna]

A good case can be made for the 2018, 2020, and 2021. You have to filter the arguments according to your needs and desires and budget.

How many years do you intend to keep it? If only two or three, then perhaps a comparable 2018 Apple Refurbished may be something to look at.

Unless something changes soon, however, the price difference between a discounted new 2020 and a 2021 12.9 is not as significant as I would have hoped it would be. The price of the 2021 model does give me pause, but the small 2020 price discount (with an exception here or there), simply isn't that significant for a longterm purchase, in my opinion.

+1.

Also, if I do get the refurb 2018 iPP 12.9 1TB LTE ($1200) now instead of the 2021 iPP 12.9 1TB 5G ($2000), what are my options after 3 years?

A 2024 iPP 1TB cellular for $2000? If I'm not willing to spend that much now, what are the chances I would in the future? Particularly so if inflation rears its ugly head and there's less funds available for discretionary spending.

Get a refurb 2021 iPP 12.9 1TB 5G discounted for around $1200-1300? If so, why even bother waiting? This is even more expensive than if I'd just gotten the 2021 in the first place even factoring in the cost of AC+ for the entire period, plus I can enjoy the benefits of the 2021 iPP right away.

 

[terryw1]

Just got my 12.9 1tb pro and put it to extensive blooming tests. No blooming. I use dark mode and that was one of my biggest concerns. I use my iPad like you plus a lot more. Came from a 2nd gen 12.9 and this is a massive upgrade. I hold on to my tech for years and while the pricing on a 2020 was tempting, I wanted the best screen possible. The screen is awesome and note taking is a breeze. Watching movies is stellar!

my vote would be for the 2021 12.9 in whatever storage config you can afford.

 

[pilotkid]

I too have the 12.9in M1 iPad Pro and have zero "blooming" issues. I use dark mode and take lots of notes with the standard iPadOS Notes app.

I would say to just purchase the iPad and if you end up having and are bothered by the blooming issue then just return it and then you'll know it wasn't for you and explore other options. Just my two cents.

 

[Jára Tyky]

to pilotkid: why the angry emoji on my screen? ?

 

[rhinosrcool]

to pilotkid: why the angry emoji on my screen? ?

It wasn't him. Look again...

 

[slplss]

I was hoping that 16 inch MacBook Pro will be launched at WWDC but looks like it will come in the fall.
In the mean time I do need to buy a powerful portable device like iPad for note taking, learning and other productivity related workflows.

I like 12.9 inch size but the blooming issue has put me off a bit. Do you guys think this blooming issue is not such a big deal and I should go ahead and buy it anyway? or should I go with 2020 12.9 iPad Pro instead?

The question is, do you want to have Liquid Retina display that looks good, familiar, but gives you no wow effect? Or do you want XDR that will look most of time like it (on SDR) with the addition of true blacks and perfect whites? The display that can make your jaw drop (HDR)?
In some cases you will inevitably notice the (unecessary large) borders between on-off dimming zones (in pitch black environment, dark mode apps). IMO, it's 100% worth the tradeoff. You should never read or watch anything in a pitch black room anyway, it's not good for your eyes.

I can't believe it's me of all who's become a bloomer. But that's the reality of the situation, I tell what I observe. We are all built different. iPads, I hope not.

I'm waiting for my second XDR (returned to get one with 8% student sale), I hope I won't be able to see the dimming zone borders on the new one but then it would mean some XDRs are faulty (tell me, can you see the zones in Timer - pitch black room, less or more than 40% brightness, Dark Mode?).

 

[mobi-logic]

I have more or less same use case like you. Note taking being primary, learning via youtube lectures and other light weight tasks, may be few games occasionally.

I plan to get 12.9 256GB 5G along with white MKB and Apple pencil. I am least bothered about blooming since learning, note taking and online videos is more of a concern to me rather than looking for blooming effect. Hopefully will put order in next 3-4 days.

OK Went ahead with the purchase plan over the weekend and put online order to Apple for the said configuration. One addition I made and it took my already high costing setup more high was addition of Applecare+. With such expensive setup, I thought its better to put some more money and get true peace of mind, whether hardware or accidental issues I am now fully covered on iPad/MKB/Pencil for next 3 years.

Now its time to be more productive with studies and note taking and online video lectures, blooming in some special scenarios is not going to hamper my workflow or plan to use it. Everyone to their own needs, if your workflow includes getting impacted with blooming effect then you might reconsider it since its a costly setup.

 

[secretk]

I was hoping that 16 inch MacBook Pro will be launched at WWDC but looks like it will come in the fall.
In the mean time I do need to buy a powerful portable device like iPad for note taking, learning and other productivity related workflows.

I am a bit confused. Do you want to buy this iPad Pro instead of the Macbook you thought about or you want both? Meaning you would still buy the Macbook once available later on, but you would also appreciate the iPad for note taking with the pencil.

If it is the first one than it is important to know what your workflow is because sometimes iPad can replace fully the laptop and sometimes it cannot. If it is the second than why do you need so much power for note taking if you would have a Macbook with M1 power either way.

I like 12.9 inch size but the blooming issue has put me off a bit. Do you guys think this blooming issue is not such a big deal and I should go ahead and buy it anyway? or should I go with 2020 12.9 iPad Pro instead?

I do not own 2021 iPad Pro but from what I gathered the blooming effect is not like huge one and it happens in rather very specific cases - like seeing white text on dark background in the dark. I do not recommend to write notes in the dark. It seems to me that the blooming would be felt if you watch movies with subtitles in pure dark (which btw my eye doctor forbids me to do). I feel like blooming is a bit exaggerated. I mean I am not saying it does not exist, I am saying that it happens under rather very non normal situations.

Here are IMO valid reasons (other than you want it and you can afford it) to choose iPad Pro 2021 over 2020/2018:

1. You are power user that opens a lot of apps and tabs and use them in the same time - the more RAM means less or no tabs/apps reloading.
2. You do not have the best WIFI connection. From what I remember this iPad has WIFI 6 so it offers improved connectivity (note that Macbook pro new model might still offer faster speeds because it has more antennas but compared to older iPad Pros you will feel the difference)
3. You would use your iPad Pro for media consumption - namely movies and you have the bandwidth to watch them in HDR and 4K. The mini led display just shines there.
4. You plan to use the iPad for photo editing. Mini led offers better contrast, this helps when you enhance your photos. Also thunderbolt 4 transfer speed.
5. Alternatively it could be about video editing. Mini led offers more colors, so color grading might be easier on that display. Also thunderbolt 4 transfer speed.

 

[teohyc]

Blooming is not really noticeable with normal usage and auto-brightness.

How often do you work with the display showing large portions of black? Even surfing macrumors in dark mode won't have blooming because the white text will light up all the dimming zones.

Watching movies with black bar at top and bottom also won't show blooming because the dimming zones seem to turn off nicely at the horizontal edges.

 

[Serban55]

I was hoping that 16 inch MacBook Pro will be launched at WWDC but looks like it will come in the fall.
In the mean time I do need to buy a powerful portable device like iPad for note taking, learning and other productivity related workflows.

I like 12.9 inch size but the blooming issue has put me off a bit. Do you guys think this blooming issue is not such a big deal and I should go ahead and buy it anyway? or should I go with 2020 12.9 iPad Pro instead?

Blooming issue is far less than lcd bleeding issues from the past
Blooming is more notice through a smartphone/ non professional camera
For me I prefer mini-led than my s7 tab amoled