iPad Pro The M2 iPad Pro is the worst update Apple has ever released

[NewUsername]

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.

It’s a spec bump. A lot of updates are spec bumps.

There have been worse spec bumps by the way. Come to my mind:

2014 Mac mini: most of the update was pretty good, but they scrapped the quad-core model which made it a lot slower than its predecessor. Also the memory was no longer upgradeable.
iPad mini 3: same as the iPad mini 2 but with Touch ID
2017 MacBook Air: same as the 2015 model but with a different CPU on the base model, still Broadwell but 200 MHz more.
2019 MacBook Air: same as the 2018 model but with True Tone and a slightly less bad butterfly keyboard.

Also Apple Watch Series 8 and the iPhone 14 (non-pro) are pretty minor updates.

 

[DMG35]

Yep 2020 was by far the worst. This year is at least 10% faster single core and a bit more GPU and multi core. That's not too bad year over year.

It doesn’t translate to the iPADOS though

It’s a spec bump. A lot of updates are spec bumps.

There have been worse spec bumps by the way. Come to my mind:

2014 Mac mini: most of the update was pretty good, but they scrapped the quad-core model which made it a lot slower than its predecessor. Also the memory was no longer upgradeable.
iPad mini 3: same as the iPad mini 2 but with Touch ID
2017 MacBook Air: same as the 2015 model but with a different CPU on the base model, still Broadwell but 200 MHz more.
2019 MacBook Air: same as the 2018 model but with True Tone and a slightly less bad butterfly keyboard.

Also Apple Watch Series 8 and the iPhone 14 (non-pro) are pretty minor updates.

Good points, I don’t disagree.

 

[DMG35]

yeah but your opinion can also be plain wrong.

"the worst update Apple has ever released"​

doubt it. and I won't even waste my time finding counterexamples. this is just hyperbole and you're looking to commiserate with other forum-dwellers.

Of course it’s my opinion. You needed to type that out?

And it’s a forum for discussion and opinion. No one said you had to read it or comment on it, but thank you for your contribution.

 

[DMG35]

"Not improved enough for my liking" != "bad product" . . . unless you think the M1 iPad Pro was also a bad product

The M1 Pro at least introduced a new screen with mini LED. And yes, that was exactly my point. Not improved enough=bad product in my opinion. Spot on.

 

[WoodTableFromIkea]

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.

Thank you for the unwanted opinion. I'm sure millions of people will now not buy the M2 iPad Pro because of this post.

You're doing a great service to the people!

 

[usagora]

The M1 Pro at least introduced a new screen with mini LED. And yes, that was exactly my point. Not improved enough=bad product in my opinion. Spot on.

!= means "does not equal". So we're actually not in agreement. If you own a great car, and then they come out with a new model that you don't think has enough new features to warrant upgrading to, does that make it a bad car? Of course not. In fact, it's even better than the one you have already that you think is great.

 

[rui no onna]

Yeah that .05 seconds is a sure fire reason for this device to exist! A faster chip means ZERO when you are using iPadOS.

Not when you use apps that can take advantage of the faster chipset.

Game loading is still not instantaneous.

 

[Zaydax333]

You know what was worse? Apple Watch series 8. They literally just added some new sensors and BT 5.3.

At least here it's a new chip and wifi 6E. Hover feature too I suppose but that's a software limitation, no reason it can't be on M1 iPads as well. Edit: I'm dumb, it may be a hardware thing as well. Need to find a teardown...

 

[Unami]

It's just a speed bump, nothing spectacular, and nothing new to apple either.

The one thing different is that hover function. If that's indeed a software limitation, that'd be pretty annoying.

 

[yatesd]

OK, I am not really an Apple fan...in fact I don't trust any of the big tech companies. However, I wanted to upgrade my Air 4th gen using credit card points. No interest in upgrading to a new version with no updates, and older versions on sale don't come into play.

I'll get the latest M2 processor, better camera, 120Mhz screen, Thunderbolt 4 port, Wifi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G with expanded bands and increased RAM. Apple was already starting to gimp non-M processors so I won't need to worry about that for a while, and Verizon e-sim will work. Would I like more features, yes? Was I pleased there was no price increases, yes? Do I understand why Apple charges $200 more for cellular on the pro models but $150 on the non-pro models, no....they are ripping me off.

 

[UltimateSyn]

It’s a minor update to already-fantastic pieces of hardware.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Final Cut Pro X would take issue with that statement.

 

[TheRealAlex]

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.

So was the 2021 M1 iPad Pro also bad or the worst ever ?
coming from a 2018 iPad Pro the M2 is the best iPad Pro ever. And a major update judged against a 4 year old product. Not a 1 year old product.
who buys a laptop and a year later wants another laptop.

 

[mshepherd]

M2 Envy

 

[Digitalguy]

So was the 2021 M1 iPad Pro also bad or the worst ever ?
coming from a 2018 iPad Pro the M2 is the best iPad Pro ever. And a major update judged against a 4 year old product. Not a 1 year old product.
who buys a laptop and a year later wants another laptop. Maybe a psychopath.

The 2018 pro (11") was a much better update over the 2016 9.7 pro (than the M2 11" is vs the 2018 11") only 2.5 years and 2 generations after that...

 

[DMG35]

Thamk you for the unwanted opinion. I'm sure millions of people will now not buy the M2 iPad Pro because of this post.

You're doing a great service to the people!

Thank you. That is very kind of you.

 

[DMG35]

!= means "does not equal". So we're actually not in agreement. If you own a great car, and then they come out with a new model that you don't think has enough new features to warrant upgrading to, does that make it a bad car? Of course not. In fact, it's even better than the one you have already that you think is great.

I think equating cars and iPads is a bit of a stretch, but whatever.

 

[sracer]

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.

It's not rocket science. You are not the target audience for every Apple product. Some products will appeal to you, others won't.

You're not the first (and certainly not the last) to claim that the "iPad line has become a complete mess". If you are in the market to buy an iPad and are confused by the different models, explain what your use cases will be and we can help you navigate the choices to find one that is best for you. If you aren't in the market for one, then how is it a mess?

 

[DMG35]

It's not rocket science. You are not the target audience for every Apple product. Some products will appeal to you, others won't.

You're not the first (and certainly not the last) to claim that the "iPad line has become a complete mess". If you are in the market to buy an iPad and are confused by the different models, explain what your use cases will be and we can help you navigate the choices to find one that is best for you. If you aren't in the market for one, then how is it a mess?

If you don’t think the iPad lineup is a mess you are in the minority.

 

[usagora]

I think equating cars and iPads is a bit of a stretch, but whatever.

It's an analogy, not an equation (for some reason, a lot of people don't seem to understand what analogies are!). Obviously the same principle would apply to any product. Why wouldn't t? The point is if Version A of a product is excellent and Version B is the same + a few additional features, whether those few additional features make Version B a desirable upgrade for you or not doesn't change the fact that it's an excellent product.

 

[CraigJDuffy]

Worst update ever?

You’re surely forgetting when they updated the Mac Mini and made it a dual core machine when it used to be quad core.

 

[sparksd]

If you don’t think the iPad lineup is a mess you are in the minority.

You have real data to back that up or just anecdotal? I don't think it's a mess. I can look at it and make a ready judgement on what is or is not appropriate to meet my needs & wants.

 

[UltimateSyn]

If you don’t think the iPad lineup is a mess you are in the minority.

Do you find the iPhone lineup confusing as well?

 

[LibertySound]

Nope, but thank you for reading.

Bro what did u want them to do it’s a recession they gave the new chip the new chip is a lot better just because u don’t have it

 

[DMG35]

Bro what did u want them to do it’s a recession they gave the new chip the new chip is a lot better just because u don’t have it

Lol it’s not a lot better. That’s the point. It’s barely noticeable difference over the 2020 model and isn’t noticeable over the 2021.