Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

gusping

macrumors 68020
Mar 12, 2012
2,021
2,307
I think pricing has a lot to do with it. I also think that the current generation uses their phone as their primary device. I have 3 different M4 iPads and have no regrets. I like using them more than I do my phone.
I already get odd looks when i say i hate browsing the internet on my phone, and use my Mac or PC. I don’t know anyone my age (late 20s) who use a desktop aside from my online gaming buddies. Many don’t even use a laptop!

I did buy the M4 iPP but had to return it due to PWM flicker. From a hardware perspective it was truly magical. Instead I bought a 4k 240hz OLED monitor which thankfully doesnt cause me any issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: arc of the universe

Zest28

macrumors 68030
Jul 11, 2022
2,588
3,953
I think pricing has a lot to do with it. I also think that the current generation uses their phone as their primary device. I have 3 different M4 iPads and have no regrets. I like using them more than I do my phone.

I believe it's the fact that you need to buy a new keyboard and pencil that makes it a hard sell. It's not just the iPad that you need to buy.

If it was compatible with the M1/M2 accessories, than the M4 iPad Pro would sell more.
 

NastyMatt

macrumors 6502a
Jul 7, 2020
522
743
Ross Young (display supply chain guy) just posted the below, reiterating the poor demand. Clearly the OLED screen isn't enough to attract people.

I wonder how much of this is due to the iPad Air M2 being pretty amazing, the poor state of iPad OS and iPad Pro pricing.

I would say there are far more factors involved now with iPad sales. Such as, saturation - the iPad market is quite old now so first time buyers are low, longer life cycles - I would guess iPads are not updated as frequently as other devices (e.g. phones), innovation (like phones) - is harder to achieve with an older product, incremental updates are not noticeable enough to make people want to update (e.g my Mum cannot see the difference between her M1 iPad and my M4 - where as I can but I am more of a techie than her).

I’d be amazed if Apple thought the OLED panel alone would some how massively rejuvenate the iPad market, I’d assume they had to respond to other manufacturers (Samsung) having the technology to maintain market share.

And, just to be pedantic, that chart could be read positively, year on year demand for iPads is significantly up even after a huge leap in sales, with a new sustained demand for 11” devices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Christopher Kim

snipr125

macrumors 68020
Oct 17, 2015
2,020
3,143
UK
I believe it's the fact that you need to buy a new keyboard and pencil that makes it a hard sell. It's not just the iPad that you need to buy.

If it was compatible with the M1/M2 accessories, than the M4 iPad Pro would sell more.
This stopped me from buying it on day 1 to replace my Air 4. I was scouring the market for reduced price iPP M2 so that i could use on my current magic keyboard but in the UK they were close to full price! I caved in and just bought the iPP M4 11 + New magic keyboard on Amazon UK and it really is just an amazing piece of tech just love it, but its expensive for sure.

They should have made the M4 iPP and new MKB work with previous gen iPads/MKB and they would have sold much better.
 
Last edited:

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,697
52,580
In a van down by the river
I believe it's the fact that you need to buy a new keyboard and pencil that makes it a hard sell. It's not just the iPad that you need to buy.

If it was compatible with the M1/M2 accessories, than the M4 iPad Pro would sell more.
Having the keyboard is nice but, I am not sure it is required for most buyers. The same can be said of the pencil. I do agree that said items jack up the price of an already high ticket item.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ProbablyDylan

daneoni

macrumors G4
Mar 24, 2006
11,853
1,582
After confirmation that iPad OS 18 was more of the same, i abandoned my plan to get an M4 iPad.

The software needs to catch up to the hardware for it to be worth it for me.
 

splifingate

macrumors 68000
Nov 27, 2013
1,922
1,711
ATL
As I move into actually utilizing my new-ish 11" M4 iPP in my daily activities (I am a new teacher in a Modified-Charter School (PRTF)), I am entirely gratified and satisfied in my decision to move to the 11" device.

Previously used a 10" v.9 iP, then used a 12.9" iPP (the latter use of which was a bit more comprehensive).

I really don't do anything that demands any direct stringency on display quality.

But, this little device is an absolute delight with which to interact :)
 

jonnyb098

macrumors 601
Nov 16, 2010
4,251
6,503
Michigan
We make a budget every year with a set amount for charity/social donations. Also in that budget are individual monthly allowances for discretionary buys; if I want a pricey item like a Pro, it's on me to save those allowances for it. No buying on payments. The approach has worked well for us as we now have a very comfortable retirement.
Good strategy for living a healthy financial life! It’s important that people realize that the vast majority of those in that fancy car or outfit can’t truly afford it and go deep into debt to “look cool” at the red light. It absurd.
 
  • Like
Reactions: splifingate

sparksd

macrumors G4
Jun 7, 2015
10,023
34,486
Seattle WA
Good strategy for living a healthy financial life! It’s important that people realize that the vast majority of those in that fancy car or outfit can’t truly afford it and go deep into debt to “look cool” at the red light. It absurd.

Credit really goes to my wife and her disciplined approach. Were it just me, I'd likely be spending like the drunken sailor I was 50 years ago ...
 

rkuo

macrumors 65816
Sep 25, 2010
1,308
955
I would say there are far more factors involved now with iPad sales. Such as, saturation - the iPad market is quite old now so first time buyers are low, longer life cycles - I would guess iPads are not updated as frequently as other devices (e.g. phones), innovation (like phones) - is harder to achieve with an older product, incremental updates are not noticeable enough to make people want to update (e.g my Mum cannot see the difference between her M1 iPad and my M4 - where as I can but I am more of a techie than her).

I’d be amazed if Apple thought the OLED panel alone would some how massively rejuvenate the iPad market, I’d assume they had to respond to other manufacturers (Samsung) having the technology to maintain market share.

And, just to be pedantic, that chart could be read positively, year on year demand for iPads is significantly up even after a huge leap in sales, with a new sustained demand for 11” devices.
Well the way some were going on about the new OLED display, you'd think the M2 iPad's were in black and white. 😂

All kidding aside, I certainly geeked out over the new display, but iPad Pro's have been a hard pill to swallow at their price for while now .... for a third string device behind a computer and a phone.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.