iPad Upgrade 2020 IPad Pro to M2 Air? Other?

[wilsoncpu]

I have the 12.9” 2020 iPad Pro, with the Magic Keyboard, and it’s working fine. BUT… I’m wondering what sort of improvements I could get by upgrading.

For instance, the M2 IPad Air looks good, but it doesn’t have ProMotion, and it doesn’t have FaceID, which I love. So that’s bad.

I’m looking for a great display (same or better refresh rate), decent performance (I don’t use it for heavy video or graphic editing), and FaceID.
Improved battery life would be nice, but not critical… I’ve gotten used to planning on having a power pack if I’m gonna be away from home for hours and hours while using the iPad.

The new M4 iPad Pro looks great, but it’s way expensive, and I’m not sure I can justify that big an investment.
Any other suggestions???

 

[oasantos1]

You would miss the ProMotion and FaceID if went with an Air 2.

I think your current iPad is doing the job just fine.

Only reason I upgraded from my M1 was for the Space Black color.

 

[QCassidy352]

I have the 12.9” 2020 iPad Pro, with the Magic Keyboard, and it’s working fine. BUT… I’m wondering what sort of improvements I could get by upgrading.

For instance, the M2 IPad Air looks good, but it doesn’t have ProMotion, and it doesn’t have FaceID, which I love. So that’s bad.

I’m looking for a great display (same or better refresh rate), decent performance (I don’t use it for heavy video or graphic editing), and FaceID.
Improved battery life would be nice, but not critical… I’ve gotten used to planning on having a power pack if I’m gonna be away from home for hours and hours while using the iPad.

The new M4 iPad Pro looks great, but it’s way expensive, and I’m not sure I can justify that big an investment.
Any other suggestions???

The air does not meet those requirements, so your only choice is a newer generation of iPad Pro. You say 2020 iPad Pro, which I think means 12Z processor? If so, you could upgrade by finding a really good deal on a closeout, M1 or M2 iPad Pro. If you’re in the United States, I saw just this week that Best Buy has some really good closeout pricing on M2 pros.

 

[wilsoncpu]

I think you're right, I'll stick with the M2 (don't want to just go up one processor, however silly that sounds). There are good prices available. And it looks like my current Magic Keyboard will work with the M2 model, unlike the M4's.

 

[QCassidy352]

Yup, great close out pricing on M2s right now. Good luck finding a deal!

 

[throAU]

having jumped from 10.5 pro to m1 air i would not buy air again.

the screen was a real downgrade and the price was not significant enough to be worth it.

i’m going to the pro again next time.

 

[wilsoncpu]

Very helpful, getting that real-world reaction. I’m pretty settled on an M2, either a close out model or a renewed/refurbished/guaranteed model, depending on what I can find.

 

[MAlbi]

I have the 12.9” 2020 iPad Pro, with the Magic Keyboard, and it’s working fine. BUT… I’m wondering what sort of improvements I could get by upgrading.

For instance, the M2 IPad Air looks good, but it doesn’t have ProMotion, and it doesn’t have FaceID, which I love. So that’s bad.

I’m looking for a great display (same or better refresh rate), decent performance (I don’t use it for heavy video or graphic editing), and FaceID.
Improved battery life would be nice, but not critical… I’ve gotten used to planning on having a power pack if I’m gonna be away from home for hours and hours while using the iPad.

The new M4 iPad Pro looks great, but it’s way expensive, and I’m not sure I can justify that big an investment.
Any other suggestions???

My suggestion, based on own dilema whether to buy air 13 inch or any pro 12.9, decided to go with used pro 12.9 M2 128GB.

Your ipad is good, there are happy people using pro 2018. If you can hold, stick with your pro 2020 for couple of years, for example till ipadOS support end or till M4 price will be lower. This means couple of years. Your iPad is good enough, see and compare the screen with M2 pro, nothing that substantial has changed (Liquid Retina XDR display… hmm ok) .

iPad - Compare Models

Compare resolution, size, weight, performance, battery life, and storage of iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini models.

www.apple.com

If you have plans what to do with your pro 2020, sell or use it for different purpose, give to someone, etc.. then buy ipad pro. Because of the screen of the ipad pro.

If you have any doubts about investing money, stay with your current ipad, still good enough.

Byebye

EDIT: spelling

 

[wilsoncpu]

My suggestion, based on own dilema whether to buy air 13 inch or any pro 12.9, decided to go with used pro 12.9 M2 128GB.

Your ipad is good, there are happy people using pro 2018. If you can hold, stick with your pro 2020 for couple of years, for example till ipadOS support end or till M4 price will be lower. This means couple of years. Your iPad is good enough, see and compare the screen with M2 pro, nothing that substantial has changed (Liquid Retina XDR display… hmm ok) .

iPad - Compare Models

Compare resolution, size, weight, performance, battery life, and storage of iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini models.

www.apple.com

If you have plans what to do with your pro 2020, sell or use it for different purpose, give to someone, etc.. then buy ipad pro. Because of the screen of the ipad pro.

If you have any doubts about investing money, stay with your current ipad, still good enough.

Byebye

EDIT: spelling

You’re probably right, since I wasn’t completely confident, but I went ahead and ordered a renews 2022 M2 with 2TB from Amazon. Since it will work with my current Magic Keyboard, it’s kind of the minimum expense upgrade that should still feel like an upgrade. Thanks!

 

[teohyc]

No point upgrading or switching if your current iPad is still working

 

[throAU]

Very helpful, getting that real-world reaction. I’m pretty settled on an M2, either a close out model or a renewed/refurbished/guaranteed model, depending on what I can find.

To clarify the screen downgrade thing: nowhere near as bright in addition to loss of 120hz. Additionally, there’s an area of the screen that distorts when using the pencil (lack of laminated screen I believe).

Combined with the loss of camera lenses (vs the 2020 pro I was considering upgrading my 10.5 to), it’s not worth the cost saving.


Spend a little more today, don’t regret your purchase for the life of the device.

 

[snipr125]

You’re probably right, since I wasn’t completely confident, but I went ahead and ordered a renews 2022 M2 with 2TB from Amazon. Since it will work with my current Magic Keyboard, it’s kind of the minimum expense upgrade that should still feel like an upgrade. Thanks!

This is an important consideration Wilson, I was in the same boat as had/have a iPad Air 4th gen with MKB. I really wish I could have just gotten the M4 iPP to use it on my older MKB, that would have been really ideal and save me £250 on the new MKB (which is very nice, but the older MKB is fine).

With the iPad Air M2 you will get like 3 times the performance compared to your iPP 2020, and you can use Stage manager via Extended display also which adds an element of multi tasking/productivity you didn't have before. The screen is very good, but its 60hz which you already know about.

 

[RLRabb]

He purchased the 2022 M2 PRO, not a 2024 M2 Air.

 

[snipr125]

He purchased the 2022 M2 PRO, not a 2024 M2 Air.

Ah yes sorry, well everything I said is the same, except of course it does have a Mini LED Promotion screen which is an upgrade for the OP.

 

[marcg868]

Still on IPad Pro 2018 works absolutely flawlessly still up until this winter I was using it as a main device. But now we’ve go a Mac Mini for work use. The IPad Pro is just the internet Browsing, YouTube and watching films on the Plane device.
Battery life is still 2 and a half days worth.
See what the next IPad Pro brings.