iPad Pro Should I upgrade from iPad Pro (2018) 12.9 to M2 12.9?

[Digitalguy]

I very much agree. I picked up an M1 12.9 at a reduced price to replace my 2018 12.9. The main driving force is my 2018 is the 64 GB model and I’m constantly having to redownload apps that get pushed off. I didn’t expect a huge performance gain, and I have not observed one. The mini LED display is really nice, but the 2018 display is also really nice. The additional storage, as well as the additional RAM preventing reloads, are, of course, noticeable improvements. I also like that the M1 has the option to zoom out the display so it feels a bit more productivity friendly.

What is more noticeable than I expected, however, is the increased thickness and weight. In the Magic Keyboard it’s not an issue, but it is a downgrade when using as a jumbo ebook reader or note taking device.

The 2018 models were just really good, and iPad OS is too limited compared to MacOS. I haven’t decided if the M1 is going back. The increased storage IS something I have already made use of, but the 2018 is capable of doing everything I use it an iPad for, and doing it very well.

Yep, the 2018 were (and still are) really good. If Apple gave them more RAM, I would say there would be little reason to upgrade to M1/M2.... Actually in addition to the 2018 12.9 I have a maxed out 2018 11" with 6GB RAM and I am not getting a M series for that size anytime soon. With 6GB Ram it reloads much less than with 4, so I am hopefully this one can last for many more years.
After giving 4GB RAM to the first pro, Apple should have given 6 to the 2nd gen and 8 to the 3rd gen, especially as they increase the price. But where RAM does not matter this thinner and lighter 2018 pro is actually a better device than the M-series.

 

[drew0020]

I’d pass because it’s such a minor update. Yes it’s faster (every year things get faster), but it’s a 4+ year old dated design. I’m assuming (could be a bad thing to do) that the next update will truly be next gen - better screen, new keyboard, smaller borders, higher resolution, and a landscape camera.

Also, resale on iPad’s are poor so the only reason I’d update is if you feel its that slow for what you need, but iPadOS is so bad that’s usually the limiting factor not device speed.

 

[Abazigal]

Hello, I have iPad Pro (2018) 12.9 w/ white magic keyboard + Apple Pencil, and my use case is as below -

1) Safari.

2) Notability/Goodnotes for note taking and reading PDF (Pure academia)

3) I most absolutely need a 12.9 screen for the larger canvas for writing notes to mimic the size of the A4 paper. Please don't recommend 10th Gen or Air or even 11"


Things I don't do on my iPad -

1) No video/photo shooting and editing.

2) Not going to use w/ ASD as an external monitor.

3) No gaming at all.

4) No digital art.

5) No video streaming on iPad (NF, HBO, Prime video etc)


Do you think I should have any benefit from a Mini-Led, and updated M2 processor? I do all the laptop stuff on M1 Pro 16" and M1 Mac Mini + ASD.

I am outside the US, and the prices have painfully increased, and while I write this I know, this upgrade is not for me, but the FOMO is real. When M1 came, I really wanted that, but I waited for the next update hoping it would be a re-design (maybe Dynamic Island), but nothing happened in terms of re-design, and now 14" and 16" rumors are out, but lately most of the rumors were not true. So, it feels like maybe Apple won't ever release a 14" or 16" iPad ever, or at least maybe not in like 3 years or so.

Everyone is so eager about the 16" iPad (including me), but the Information website article also mentioned that Apple may cancel this project altogether, but it seems like everyone is ignoring that fact, and assuming that it's 100% set in stone that we'll be getting iPad 16" Q4 2023.

How sure are you guys about the 14" and 16" iPad, and should I get an M2 iPad Pro or stick w/ 2018.

Here is a video of a creator who upgraded to the M2 iPad Pro. She does videos on how she uses good notes as a digital planner for her life.

I think the only real benefit is if you want to make full use of stage manager. Trying it out on my 2018 11” iPad Pro, it feels a tad laggy, which I suspect is due to lack of ram and swap memory. An M1 or M2 chip should see much better performance in this regard.

I understand that these products are not cheap, but if you use the ipad extensively every day, I do see how even a small improvement goes a long way towards a much better user experience overall.