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DMG35

Contributor
Original poster
May 27, 2021
2,527
8,165
I really don't know what Apple was thinking here. They clearly only released this iPad because they feel like they have to release a new device every year for each product category. I just don't understand why they released this.

I guess I really don't know what the M2 iPad Pro is or who its for. Apple has made some pointless updates before, but this one might be the most pointless update they've ever made. There is literally zero difference between this model and the M1 iPad Pro. The M2 is not going to be faster than the M1 but literally maybe 1 or 2 seconds when doing heavy video work. There is no improvement in battery life, no improvement in the screen, no improvement in front facing camera...Hover is simply a software feature that Apple could turn on for the other iPads, but of course they won't.

There isn't a single redeeming quality about this device that makes it an appealing buy. And I love Apple products and upgrade pretty often when I feel its warranted. The 2021 model with mini LED was enough for me to upgrade from the 2018 model, so its not like I keep devices long term to squeeze every drop of usage out of them. I like giving Apple my money for upgrades, when they are worthy. The M2 iPad has got to be the laziest iPad Apple has ever released, and that includes the much maligned iPad 3. I mean they tout pro res video but its not even capable without a 3rd party app. Its a total mess of a product.

Even the 11" model, which I don't even use, is comically bad. Apple again used a cheaper screen in that model to try and push people to the larger device. Its ridiculous that they don't put the same screen hardware in both models but still call both models "Pro."

In summary, the M2 iPad Pro will go down as the worst upgrade Apple has ever done with the iPads. And before everyone starts saying "Well its not designed for M1 users," yes I know. Anyone coming from a non-M1 iPad shouldn't buy this either. They should just buy an M1 iPad Pro because you are getting literally the exact same device for far less money. Its a bad product and Apple only released this because they felt like they had to. Its lazy and buy this time next year it will have been the absolute worst buy of any Apple product as it will be replaced with a proper update. I love Apple and their products, but the iPad line has become a complete mess and that is too bad, because its one of my favorite things Apple makes.
 

sam_dean

Suspended
Sep 9, 2022
1,262
1,091
I'd only upgrade to the iPad Pro M2 if my current iPad ceased receiving Security Updates for the last 52 weeks or cannot be upgraded to iOS 16.

My assumption is that this 2022 model will be receive Security Updates nearing year 2032.
 

zz_nosa_r

macrumors 6502
Oct 21, 2015
252
178
Hell
I am not sure why it’s worst for you, but this update is great for me coming from ipad pro 2018. I needed to uprade since the battery is starting to get worst.

i can feel the difference between my old 2018 model and the new M2.

you need to expand your POV. Not all ipad users has same thinking as you. Is this your first time having an ipad? Have you ever think of users like me who is upgrading from an x number of years old ipad pro? how about the businesses that will do there ipad pro cycle update this year?

if you are coming from an M1 ipad pro, sure, it maybe pointless to update. But people like me coming from A12x and older, this is the best update so far.
 
Last edited:

DMG35

Contributor
Original poster
May 27, 2021
2,527
8,165
I am not sure why it’s worst for you, but this update is great for me coming from ipad pro 2018. I needed to uprade since the battery is starting to get worst.

i can feel the difference between my old 2018 model and the new M2.

In what way? Every single test out there shows that the improvements might be a couple of seconds better in heavy video files. Outside of that, they are negligable. I'm glad you are happy with it, but in actuality there isn't a noticeable difference between the two that would make it any better.
 

sparksd

macrumors G3
Jun 7, 2015
9,994
34,283
Seattle WA
It would be interesting to have insight into the degree that which current supply chain problems constrained their design decisions. If you anticipate difficulties in acquiring an adequate number of new components, you're not going to include them in a new release.
 

playtech1

macrumors 6502a
Oct 10, 2014
695
889
I am probably the only person who actually enjoyed my iPad 3 - the retina display was amazing!

This M2 update was just lazy - it doesn't deliver on any of the things people were asking for and comes with a price hike outside the US.

Where's the OLED? New design? Size/weight reduction? Cheaper/better accessories? Different size option? More/better ports? HDR on the smaller model? Long edge front camera? WiFi 6e? Large/meaningful iOS changes (jury still out on Stage Manager)? etc. etc.

Maybe next year?
 

alFR

macrumors 68030
Aug 10, 2006
2,834
1,070
For years people said "Intel have brought out a new processor, why don't Apple update the existing design of the MacBook Pro with the latest processor instead of selling us year-old hardware". Now they are making their own silicon, are doing that across all their devices and people are still complaining. Priceless.
 

playtech1

macrumors 6502a
Oct 10, 2014
695
889
True. The iPad 3 was slow but I used it way more than the iPad 2 thanks to the retina display.

That said, wasn’t WiFi 6E one of the 2022 iPP’s few upgrades?
You're right on 6E - oops! Was getting confused as the M2 Air doesn't (oddly) whereas the M2 iPad does 🤷‍♂️
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,916
13,261
In summary, the M2 iPad Pro will go down as the worst upgrade Apple has ever done with the iPads. And before everyone starts saying "Well its not designed for M1 users," yes I know. Anyone coming from a non-M1 iPad shouldn't buy this either. They should just buy an M1 iPad Pro because you are getting literally the exact same device for far less money. Its a bad product and Apple only released this because they felt like they had to. Its lazy and buy this time next year it will have been the absolute worst buy of any Apple product as it will be replaced with a proper update. I love Apple and their products, but the iPad line has become a complete mess and that is too bad, because its one of my favorite things Apple makes.

Honestly, I think the 2018 -> 2020 iPP was an even smaller upgrade (particularly at the 1TB capacity). Mind, it’s more a 15-18 month release gap for iPad Pros.

Brand new M1 iPad Pros will go out of stock eventually and refurb stock isn’t guaranteed.

For customers who don’t like buying used, they now get a faster chipset with extra features like ProRes at the same price as the M1 model (in the US at least).

Who knows, maybe Apple will finally allow Final Cut Pro on iPads but limit certain features/capabilities to M2.
 

chikorita157

macrumors 6502
Mar 8, 2019
284
442
Germantown, MD
I disagree, the M2 is not a bad upgrade if you coming from a 2018 or 2020, but for an M1, I can see why.

As for the iPad 10, that is the worst update as it's a severely gimped iPad Air 4 with a $100 price increase with a non-laminated display in 2022, still using Apple Pencil 1, crippled Wifi (no dual band), slow USB transfer speeds, and a keyboard case that is not work with any other iPads besides the iPad 10. Given that you can get an iPad Air 2 refurbished or even new for a little more or an iPad Air 5, the iPad 10 is easily the worst update and product Apple made. If it was the same price as the 9th gen, it wouldn't be as bad, but at $449, it's a greedy cash grab.
 

mansplains

macrumors 65816
Jan 8, 2021
1,166
1,897
I am not sure why it’s worst for you, but this update is great for me coming from ipad pro 2018. I needed to uprade since the battery is starting to get worst.

i can feel the difference between my old 2018 model and the new M2.

you need to expand your POV. Not all ipad users has same thinking as you. Is this your first time having an ipad? Have you ever think of users like me who is upgrading from an x number of years old ipad pro? how about the businesses that will do there ipad pro cycle update this year?

if you are coming from an M1 ipad pro, sure, it maybe pointless to update. But people like me coming from A12x and older, this is the best update so far.
In what way? Every single test out there shows that the improvements might be a couple of seconds better in heavy video files. Outside of that, they are negligable. I'm glad you are happy with it, but in actuality there isn't a noticeable difference between the two that would make it any better.
Bear in mind that this is a forum with a lot of enthusiasts, the majority of customers aren't buying a new iPad annually.
Yeah it may not have tests that show much improvement in performance. But some users may:
  • have a first-gen Pro with 60Hz and want that buttery 120Hz
  • have a second-gen Pro and want the new design with FaceID
  • have the 11" Pro and want a 12.9", or vice-versa
  • have a non-Pro model and want Pro for various reasons (Pencil 2, Magic Keyboard)
Not all upgrades are based solely on performance. As zz_nosa_r mentioned, it could be someone's first iPad altogether. It doesn't hurt to have the option of the latest and greatest in the M2, in addition to the discounted M1 and older.
 

Frankfurt

macrumors 6502a
Dec 4, 2016
740
889
USA
I replace my iPads every 4-5 years, my MacBooks every 6-8 years. When I upgrade I always upgrade to the latest model available. I replaced my 2017 IPP 10.5” with the M2 IPP 12.9”. Massive upgrade…
iPads are mature devices. Significant upgrades should be expected every 3 years or so.
 
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