iPad Pro waiting for iPP 2018?

[spiderman0616]

Probably my dream machine then. I'm trying to switch my workflow from a laptop to an iPad Pro with a desktop for the home office. The 12.9 was too big, 10.5 too small. The 11" size has always been my favorite. The MBA 11 was brilliant in terms of size and footprint. I carried around a 17" MBP for 6 years and loved it to death but now ... for a mobile device 11" is the sweet spot.

I find the 10.5” (maybe soon to be 11”) model to be a perfect mix for me—easy to use in bed for reading or watching video, easy to use as a laptop for productivity. I do everything on mine. 12.9” owners will say it’s too small for that but I don’t agree—I love the 10.5”.

 

[eVolcre]

I find the 10.5” (maybe soon to be 11”) model to be a perfect mix for me—easy to use in bed for reading or watching video, easy to use as a laptop for productivity. I do everything on mine. 12.9” owners will say it’s too small for that but I don’t agree—I love the 10.5”.

What’s your keyboard setup for laptop mode? I’ve tried the Smart Keyboard maybe 5 times and it’s rubbish. Simply couldn’t get used to it.

Heck I needed a machine late 2016. The MBPs and the MB keyboards were so bad I ended up buying a thinkpad instead. I’m pretty much all iOS but for typing, you simply can’t beat the thinkpad keyboard. Since I mainly live in WORD, browser, EXCEL and email I didn’t care that much about the OS. It’s stable, it’s safe and I don’t tinker much with it

 

[spiderman0616]

What’s your keyboard setup for laptop mode? I’ve tried the Smart Keyboard maybe 5 times and it’s rubbish. Simply couldn’t get used to it.

Heck I needed a machine late 2016. The MBPs and the MB keyboards were so bad I ended up buying a thinkpad instead. I’m pretty much all iOS but for typing, you simply can’t beat the thinkpad keyboard. Since I mainly live in WORD, browser, EXCEL and email I didn’t care that much about the OS. It’s stable, it’s safe and I don’t tinker much with it

I use the Smart Keyboard and actually like it a lot but don’t need it that often.

 

[eVolcre]

I use the Smart Keyboard and actually like it a lot but don’t need it that often.

I’m an author. When you’re banging out 8000 words a day the keyboard is critical. That’s usually my main criteria when evaluating machines. I check the keyboard first, screen quality second. Everything else doesn’t really matter.

 

[spiderman0616]

I’m an author. When you’re banging out 8000 words a day the keyboard is critical. That’s usually my main criteria when evaluating machines. I check the keyboard first, screen quality second. Everything else doesn’t really matter.

I’ve heard the Brydge Keyboard is pretty great. Haven’t used one myself though.

 

[eVolcre]

I’ve heard the Brydge Keyboard is pretty great. Haven’t used one myself though.

It’s on the list. EXCePT there’s reports of missed key hits and that would destroy my flow. From what I can tell the Zagg slimbook has the feel I’m looking for.

PrOblem is that I’m an expat working abroad. I’ll fly in for a week, buy blind and have no chance to test or return.

Here’s hoping there’s a native apple solution with the new iPad “X”. I mean backlighting and a top row of shortcuts isn’t much to expect.

Heck design 2 keyboards. Keep the current slim one and make one bulkier that makes the IPP a true laptop replacement. This apple skinny obsession sometimes borders on the ridiculous.

 

[thadoggfather]

Count me in on skip

9.7 pro and 12.9 2017 is what I’m rocking

 

[Donfor39]

Enjoying ipp10.5
As I since upgraded se to IPhone 8 I noticed recycle cost if I were to consider future upgrade from 10.5
Ipadpro upgrade isn't going to be 2018 at all, from summer or later 2019 onwards could be tempting.
Though the same upgrade temptation could be said of iPhone 8 also.
It's sometimes a question of timing when I consider any deficit costs of upgrading mid contract.
Though I could follow iPhone 6 course which was run until contract completion 2yrs later.
SE+Air were pre contract completion hence small deficit to pay for each device.
Haven't started to think of winning new features for upgrades.

 

[gobikerider]

I’ve heard the Brydge Keyboard is pretty great. Haven’t used one myself though.

Tried it and returned it the same day because of one of the hinges being loose...iPad wouldn’t stay securely.
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Count me in on skip

9.7 pro and 12.9 2017 is what I’m rocking

My biggest concern is Apple does a shift with MacOS and iOS essentially combining them into a unified platform...Marzipan is doing it for apps.. with that I’m afraid apps will suddenly hate less then 8gb of ram like Macs currently have and the iOS devices will quickly become obsoleted..think power pc to intel transition...your less then 2 year old power pc quickly becomes deprecated.

 

[PistachioLover]

If Apple does redesign the iPad Pro's, I hope they stick with the sizes this time.

The 10.5" iPad Pro just released last year and rumour has it Apple is going to redesign it again...

 

[spiderman0616]

If Apple does redesign the iPad Pro's, I hope they stick with the sizes this time.

The 10.5" iPad Pro just released last year and rumour has it Apple is going to redesign it again...

I really think the 10.5” Pro is going to become the 11” Pro in roughly the same size casing. But that’s going to be even less of a difference than going from 9.7 to 10.5. At first I was thinking I might upgrade again this year, but I just don’t feel like it this time around.
[doublepost=1523657958][/doublepost]

Tried it and returned it the same day because of one of the hinges being loose...iPad wouldn’t stay securely.
[doublepost=1523634784][/doublepost]
My biggest concern is Apple does a shift with MacOS and iOS essentially combining them into a unified platform...Marzipan is doing it for apps.. with that I’m afraid apps will suddenly hate less then 8gb of ram like Macs currently have and the iOS devices will quickly become obsoleted..think power pc to intel transition...your less then 2 year old power pc quickly becomes deprecated.

What you’re describing is not something that would happen overnight, and if it did it would ruin the iPad user experience for every iPad owner in the world.

 

[pdaholic]

I may be the only one who cares, but my only desired upgrade this year is an apple Smart Keyboard with a backlight. I’m on my ipad every evening in a dimly lit room, and it’s really hard to see if I’m doing any serious typing!

 

[PistachioLover]

I may be the only one who cares, but my only desired upgrade this year is an apple Smart Keyboard with a backlight. I’m on my ipad every evening in a dimly lit room, and it’s really hard to see if I’m doing any serious typing!

A backlight on the ASK would be nice, but I would give up backlit keys for function keys instead. If the ASK had function keys so that we could control the volume, brightness, and other various essential functions, it would be a worthwhile option for using it with an iPad.

Backlit keys and function keys on the ASK would be perfect, but you know Apple, sometimes the things that make the most sense do not make sense for them.

 

[pollybrowne]

Is there any information suggesting that if an iPhone X-style iPad Pro IS announced in June that is will be available before Sept?

I’m in a position where I don’t have a working iPad at all at the moment (due to an unfortunate kid droppage incident. I was going to purchase the 10.5 ipp, however, I’d obviously rather wait until June for the updated model (particularly since my previous iPad was an older model, which means I could be shelling out $100 for an Apple Pencil that, if what I’ve read is true, could possibly be outdone by a newer version with some significant improvements two months from now.

But if the new ipp is not going to be available to purchase until for ex, Sept (which I’ve seen suggested as some insiders don’t think Apple will want to release the new ipp before they release ios12, and Apple typically doesn’t release a new iOS until early fall when the new round of iPhones come out), while its not long to wait in the grand scheme of things, it feels like quite a while without an iPad. Plus, I worry about an iPhone X-type staggered delay—even though I managed to get mine on the first day it was available, it was frustrating to wait a month later than the non-X release.

Does anyone have any reason to believe/intel on whether Apple would release an updated, button-less ipp for purchase before the Sept iPhone roll-out that I’m just not aware of?

And if anyone here was in my position, would you go ahead and get the ipp now, or do you think it’s worth waiting it out in this case?

*Also, I was wondering if anyone knew whether purchasing it through AT&T, my cellphone carrier, would change anything w/re to the above decision (since I could potentially just upgrade, after paying half of the value?

 

[rui no onna]

*Also, I was wondering if anyone knew whether purchasing it through AT&T, my cellphone carrier, would change anything w/re to the above decision (since I could potentially just upgrade, after paying half of the value?

Iirc, AT&T doesn't have a similar trade-in program for iPads. They have an installment plan but it doesn't allow trade-in after 1 year.

Hmm, how much would you regret not getting an X-type iPad if one were to be released later this year? If you're gonna regret it a lot but need an iPad now, I'd probably just grab a refurb 2017 iPad ($239/32GB, $309/128GB) to use in the mean time then just sell once the new iPads have been announced. The depreciation hit shouldn't be too bad on those.

Refurb Pro 10.5 are currently $549/64GB on the Apple Store and that's bound to go down if/when new models are announced.

 

[pollybrowne]

They told me with tablets if 50% of the device is paid off I could upgrade...fwiw.

What would help me the most, honestly, would be able to have a better idea about when the ipp will become available...

Additionally—at the moment I would be using this for media light work/entertainment etc.. I’ve always thought the 12.9 seemed like a ridiculous size for a portable I travel around a lot with— which is why I was going with the 10.5—but has anyone who uses a smart keyboard with the 10.5 find it feels very cramped to type?

 

[rui no onna]

They told me with tablets if 50% of the device is paid off I could upgrade...fwiw.

What would help me the most, honestly, would be able to have a better idea about when the ipp will become available...

Additionally—at the moment I would be using this for media light work/entertainment etc.. I’ve always thought the 12.9 seemed like a ridiculous size for a portable I travel around a lot with— which is why I was going with the 10.5—but has anyone who uses a smart keyboard with the 10.5 find it feels very cramped to type?

I have a 2nd gen Pro 12.9 on AT&T and I can tell you that upgrading after 50% is paid off was not part of the contract. Between what a customer service rep says and a signed agreement, I'd assume the signed agreement takes precedence.

 

[Dulcimer]

Does anyone have any reason to believe/intel on whether Apple would release an updated, button-less ipp for purchase before the Sept iPhone roll-out that I’m just not aware of?

There's nothing definitive pointing to a specific month. I think people speculate a June release since that's when the last iPP release was; however, it should be noted that the original 12.9" iPP was launched in Fall 2015 and the 9.7" iPP in March 2016… so no guarantees. Furthermore, with such a substantial redesign, I would expect to see some part leaks (e.g., smaller bezel display assembly) by now or within the next month.

And if anyone here was in my position, would you go ahead and get the ipp now, or do you think it’s worth waiting it out in this case?

Personally, I'm quite excited by the prospect of a buttonless iPP. Smaller bezels also means less weight and a more immersive display. But your actual experience with the device probably won't be that different, so if you're in strong need of one, I'd probably pick up an iPP on sale or refurb now.

 

[pdaholic]

Is there any information suggesting that if an iPhone X-style iPad Pro IS announced in June that is will be available before Sept?

Now is a great time to get a deal on an iPad. I just bought a refurbished 12.9 IPP and Apple Smart Keyboard. You can get the keyboard on eBay for around $100 new and sealed. Personally I prefer to wait a few months for iPads to come down in price, so I would be waiting till next year for the new X-style iPads anyway. I say get a new iPad now rather than wait unless you are okay with paying full MSRP.

 

[MikaLoop]

Smaller bezels also means less weight and a more immersive display.

Less weight?

 

[pollybrowne]

Thanks for everyone’s insight?

Would anyone in my position think it would be worth buying the new 9.7 ipp just for right now? At that price point I wouldn’t mind having to write the whole thing off when the new one is released.

I’d like to use the new iPad with a smart keyboard as a second laptop type device but I could OBVIOUSLY live w/out that function short term, simply using it with the pencil until then.
Ultimately the 2 things I hope to use a new iPad for are stylus-written notes/annotations etc., and possibly as a portable semi-laptop—b/c my 15.4 macbk pro is a beast to travel with (and gives me SUCH anxiety since it contains so many sensitive documents for the type of work I do).

BUT the latter is not an IMMEDIATE need and the stylus function would help a lot in the short-term.

Although in reasearching it, the opinion seems to be that the new 9.7 ipp has some issues...is that right?

(For full disclosure I should also probably (embarrassingly) explain that, while I have an iPhone X, and updated MacBook, our last iPad was so old that while the device measures at around 9.5”, it weighs more than my dog and the screen realistate is probably around 4” (obviously an exaggeration) but my point is that while I don’t want to buy something massively sub-standard, even short term, anything is probably going to feel like an upgrade.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Thanks for everyone’s insight?

Would anyone in my position think it would be worth buying the new 9.7 ipp just for right now? At that price point I wouldn’t mind having to write the whole thing off when the new one is released.

I’d like to use the new iPad with a smart keyboard as a second laptop type device but I could OBVIOUSLY live w/out that function short term, simply using it with the pencil until then.
Ultimately the 2 things I hope to use a new iPad for are stylus-written notes/annotations etc., and possibly as a portable semi-laptop—b/c my 15.4 macbk pro is a beast to travel with (and gives me SUCH anxiety since it contains so many sensitive documents for the type of work I do).

BUT the latter is not an IMMEDIATE need and the stylus function would help a lot in the short-term.

Although in reasearching it, the opinion seems to be that the new 9.7 ipp has some issues...is that right?

(For full disclosure I should also probably (embarrassingly) explain that, while I have an iPhone X, and updated MacBook, our last iPad was so old that while the device measures at around 9.5”, it weighs more than my dog and the screen realistate is probably around 4” (obviously an exaggeration) but my point is that while I don’t want to buy something massively sub-standard, even short term, anything is probably going to feel like an upgrade.

You could always try the 2018 iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard and see if that works for you. You might not feel the need to upgrade when the new IPP comes out.

 

[pollybrowne]

Oops, I’m so sorry—one more thing as far as using the ipp as a keyboard...

As a female I don’t have massive hands by any means, but I am 5’11”...so I do have pretty long fingers.

Could anyone with experience possibly tell me whether they have found using a keyboard with the 10.5 to be too difficult/frustrating due to size?

I was thinking 10.5 for portability but if you’re thinking of using the device with a smart/Bluetooth attachable keyboard, do you really need to go with the 12.9?

I’ve used my sister’s chromebook with a keyboard that’s roughly 10.6x3.9” and have used it a few times without issue but, obviously, that doesn’t include the trackpad area and is configured a bit differently...

I apologize for all the questions but everyone at MacRumors always seem to have a great deal of reliable insight on these things ☻.

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

I have the 12.9, which I LOVE. I’ve only tried the 10.5 keyboard once, in the Apple Store, and I did find it a little cramped, but I felt like I could probably get used to it. Our hands are probably pretty similar. I’m a fairly gangly-proportioned 5’9”. (And, actually, I’m the height of most people who say they are 5’11”. Especially men who say they are 5’11”.)

I’m actually planning on getting a 10.5 as a secondary iPad (I currently still have my Air 2 as my “purse” iPad) when they release the new one, along with the ASK. Love, love, love my giant 12.9 for home and significant travel, but the smaller size is a little more convenient for quick in-and-out of a purse or bag and holding like a book.

 

[crodonline]

Been reading IPP 2018 threads and I have to say, I wouldn't want a bezel-less iPad on a Pro or budget model ever. Slimmer yes, but none? Not practical.

Considering a lot of people use iPads as a replacement or sub for their MacBook/laptop, our laptops have a bezel! Even the latest MacBook has a bezel around the screen. Do we highly demand that they take that off the MacBook (is that a wish, don't read MacBook threads a lot)? How much screen real estate do we want before we are holding glass that could easily break? Imagine the damage kids could do to that even if we don't allow them to use it for a second. One rebellious toddler picking it up for a second without us looking could mean replacing the whole device.

Same thing for FaceID, if we are using this like a laptop, FaceID is not practical. It's not practical for productivity or consumption. If I have to flash my face in a certain way in order to wake my ipad, am I going to look foolish in public? What if you are using it with the keyboard? Do I now have to pick up my device to wake it or crouch down on my desk?

Just because we have these features on one device, doesn't mean it needs to be on another. It makes sense for a phone. A phone will always be vertical in our hands for most uses. An iPad isn't always vertical and isn't always in our hand.

I guess I would have to see this in action if this is how the new IPP 2018 will be.

What I would love to see is software changes that maybe changing components of the physical device could handle. Physical components are great, but they don't mean too much to working on the iPad. I chose a 2018 iPad over a 2017 IPP because the physical aspects weren't a big deal to me (though sometimes I wish I had four speakers). Power users, some current IPP users, and iPhone X users care about FaceID and bezel-less design. I think the average user cares more about what iOS can do and speed of the device (depending on what they are doing).

That being said, I love the current IPP. My friend has one and it is amazing the way it is right now. Just couldn't deal with the price point (I need more than 64 GB and I always get a cell model after a few times where I have been computer-less and sometimes WiFi-less). Unless a new IPP has what I need from it, I would be happy getting the current model as the price drops.