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

[lam0218]

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.

iPad Pro 2018 is the best investment ever. It has A12X and still capable for every day normal usage.
M2 iPad Pro is simply reduplicate iPad Pro A12X -> A12Z, with having minor improvement

I think the next iPad Pro is a big update. Could be kind of new feature ? a longer island

 

[Mindgap]

Just got the new iPad m2 yesterday and I totally love it. Had a mini before to test the waters again after a 5 year break from the iPad lineup and I’m not then happy to now be the proud owner of a pro iPad. I don’t get all the negative news out there. It’s a yearly smaller update to an outstanding device. Take it or leave it.

 

[TrenttonY]

This argument only works if you upgrade every year.

 

[msackey]

It was a refresh. Hence the reason there was no event. No need to get angry about it.

Exactly.

I think the OP has the wrong framework. They’re thinking that each year, the upgraded product line has to be vastly different. But why?

 

[msackey]

This is argument only works if you upgrade every year.

Exactly. The framework of the OP assumes upgrades are necessarily to attract last year’s buyer of the product. Not necessarily. It can be more geared for new buyers or for owners of even older iPad products.

 

[ascender]

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.

Because when they don't do regular "speed bump" releases of products, we all complain about it and people end up having no choice but to buy out-of-date tech.

The M2 iPad Pro is for anyone who needs/wants an iPad Pro. Instead of the M1 chip inside, they get the M2 chip.

I don't think this is the iPad Pro they wanted to release this year, but with everything going on in the world, I suspect they had to make some choices and push some updates back.

 

[Blubbermann]

The 2020 iPad was worse. The 2018 iPad Pro used the A12X and 2020 the A12Z.

No. 2020 iPad Pro got:
-more Ram
-Wifi 6 (802.11ax)
-U1 Chip
-far better camera system
-Lidar Sensor
-A12Z

Compare it to the „upgrade“ this year…

 

[cupcakes2000]

Most people should not buy top of the line iPad and Mac’s. The 16” MacBook Pro is for professionals who do work in apps like Photoshop and Davinci Resolve. The 12.9” iPad Pro is for people who work in industrues like film and TV production and graphic artists. Most people aren’t doing these tasks and instead should buy iPad Air and MacBook Air. Otherwise these products are way overpriced for your needs.

Ok. Thanks for telling us 👍

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

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.

When the M2 and M1 iPads Pro are essentially interchangeable because of how close specs, design, and features are then "the best update so far" for you is in fact getting an M1 iPad Pro at a discount.

Apple potentially giving the M1 iPads Pro one year less of updates is just artificial limitations and you don't need that extra year of updates considering how Apple does even less for iPad software than it does for iPad hardware from year to year.

At worst, M2 iPad Pro will get you one more terrible iteration of Apple's faux attempts at iPad multitasking and you'll have to suffer the fomo of not experiencing the next generation of the World's least like-a-real-computer OS, iPadOS.

Total value per dollar has the M1 iPads Pro winning. Every new spec and feature on the M2 models are superfluous.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

This is argument only works if you upgrade every year.

No, it also works well when you consider value/dollar:

M2 iPads Pro are a bad value compared to the M1 iPads Pro as the latter is getting heavily discounted right now and the former has nearly no new features or spec upgrades.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Exactly.

I think the OP has the wrong framework. They’re thinking that each year, the upgraded product line has to be vastly different. But why?

Why not?

Apple's "spec bumps" are pointless when those with iPads older than the M1 iPads Pro are far better off getting an M1 iPad Pro at a discount over an M2 iPad Pro.

Apple is just testing how willing to spend its userbase is.

Sadly, a lot will look at M2 iPads Pro and think it's worth getting over any older model.

Very smart of Apple to use the numbers "1" and "2" for its silicon so even your grandma will be able to understand how it's a whole "new" generation of SoC she's getting despite there, in reality, being nearly none that one would actually notice in day-to-day use.

 

[kittycat40]

To The OP of this thread:

While you are NOT entirely wrong there are some differences with this iPad that some people might care about. I know it's nothing groundbreaking if you have last year's 2021 M1 iPad Pro.



Copied and pasted from a MacRumors article below are the DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 2 MODELS

iPad Pro 2021

• ‌M1‌ chip with 8-core, 3.2GHz CPU and 8-core GPU
• 68.25GB/s memory bandwidth
• Neural Engine
• Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC
• Video encode and decode engine
• Image signal processor (ISP)
• Smart HDR 3
• Wi‑Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.0

iPad Pro 2022

• M2 chip with 8-core, 3.49GHz CPU and 10-core GPU
• 100GB/s memory bandwidth
• 40 percent faster Neural Engine
• Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
• Higher-bandwidth video decode engine
• Video encode and decode engine
• ProRes encode and decode engine
• "New" image signal processor (ISP)
• Smart HDR 4
• ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps
• Wi‑Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Apple Pencil hover

 

[iPadified]

The iPPs are near perfection in terms of form factor so where to go from there? Spec bumps and larger screens!

 

[Digitalguy]

The 2020 iPad was worse. The 2018 iPad Pro used the A12X and 2020 the A12Z.

That's questionable. I'd take the 50% RAM increase of A12Z over the speed bump from M1 to M2 any day... (unless someone got the 1TB model of the 2018, which is probably a very small minority).

 

[cupcakes2000]

A faster chip means ZERO when you are using iPadOS.

It means apps run faster, actually.

 

[Zest28]

That's questionable. I'd take the 50% RAM increase of A12Z over the speed bump from M1 to M2 any day... (unless someone got the 1TB model of the 2018, which is probably a very small minority).

Really?

Once Davinci Resolve is released at the end of the year, the M2 iPad Pro will run circles around any iPad Pro with video editing as it has accelerators that only the M2 iPad Pro has.

The 2020 iPad Pro is basically a 2018 iPad Pro.

You guys will see at the end of the year when all the reviewers will be saying "we were wrong" and the M2 iPad Pro is huge if you do video editing.

 

[ikir]

whine fest. M2 iPad Pro is quite impressive for a technology and performance point of views. It is just a performance boost of already impressive product.

 

[ikir]

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.

Best post ever. Thanks.

 

[Ludatyk]

As the iPad Pro is so comically overpowered and overspecced for the software it is running. With only a few very niche markets that can make full use of it… That even future updates are going to be meh for foreseeable future...

Well, Apple is trying to address the highly discussed issue of the iPad having a limited OS with features like Stage Manager and virtual ram.

What can they add?

Landscape Camera? Would be nice, but is it buy a new iPad Pro worthy? Likely not.
Better screen? I guess one that has less blooming? The 12.9” iPad Pro screen is already ridiculous.
Faster CPU? They added that this year and will next, but what software on the iPad Pro can tax it enough to matter?

Um… I want a slightly redesign iPad. There’s rumors of a OLED screen… although that would be welcoming. But I’m just ready for something different to this design of 4 years.

As much as I’m doubtful of going with a 16” iPad… I might go that route simple for the experience of having a bigger iPad.

Is it better for Apple to sell me 1 iPad in a decade+ or a cheaper model they can entice me to upgrade 2 or 3 times in that timespan? 🤷🏾‍♂️

Um… For me, my upgrade cycle is every other generation because annually doesn’t make much sense.

Before the 2018 iPad models… I used to upgrade annually. But with how expensive iPad Pro models have become and how larger storage models doesn’t grant much in the resell market... I find waiting 2-3 years to upgrade is the best approach.

Bought the 2018 on launch… skipped the 2020 iPads, upgraded to the 2021. I’m going to skip these latest models in an anticipation of going for the 2024 models (hoping for a slight redesign).

 

[neuropsychguy]

A spec bump is "the worst update ever"? What's Apple supposed to do? Not update? Completely redesign the iPad every year? Update less frequently? Update more frequently?

If someone has an M1 iPad Pro, hopefully that person can decide if the upgrade is worth getting. If someone has an older iPad, hopefully that person can decide if the upgrade is worth getting. If someone doesn't have an iPad Pro and wants one, hopefully that person can decide if the iPad Pro is worth getting.

The "worst update" for the OP might be the best update for someone else.

 

[Digitalguy]

Really?

Once Davinci Resolve is released at the end of the year, the M2 iPad Pro will run circles around any iPad Pro with video editing as it has accelerators that only the M2 iPad Pro has.

The 2020 iPad Pro is basically a 2018 iPad Pro.

You guys will see at the end of the year when all the reviewers will be saying "we were wrong" and the M2 iPad Pro is huge if you do video editing.

Yes, because most people buy an iPad pro for Davinci Resolve (at this point we don't even know if and how much gimped it will be compared to the desktop version)
50% more RAM does make a big difference in terms of reloads, but most people don't even realize it and are more impressed but things like a 15% increase in speed which will barely change the experience, contrary to a 50% increase in RAM (and the difference will only get more important with future OS updates)

 

[rgwebb]

It’s likely a compromised release due to supply problems.

They’ve done this before though: the 2020 iPad Pro. It was a good update for those who wanted one but waited until 2020.

Same deal here though I will admit the likelihood of a major update around the bend diminishes that position.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I don’t get all the negative news out there.

Negative news gets attention. If a company has a Apple news website and they’re NOT being negative about the iPad lineup, they’re missing out on quite a number of ad dollars from page views.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Exactly. The framework of the OP assumes upgrades are necessarily to attract last year’s buyer of the product. Not necessarily. It can be more geared for new buyers or for owners of even older iPad products.

Considering how half the iPads sold in a year go to customers that have never owned an iPad before, they’d BETTER be geared for new buyers.

 

[aParkerMusic]

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 it’s 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. It’s 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 it’s one of my favorite things Apple makes.

The WORST update EVER?

Are we even trying to be serious anymore?

”You can buy a M1 for ‘far less’”. First off, what is far less? Second, if you’re buying a new device, why not invest in the one with the latest chip if you plan on keeping it for years?

This is all getting silly.