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iPad Pro What iPad do you have, and do you plan on upgrading?

I may upgrade to the M5 iPad Pro. M4 was amazing based on all the reviews. But the new leaks show that the M5 will be a significant upgrade, in terms of GPU performance, over the M4 which is insane to say out loud. The M4 was already incredible and no other mobile chip comes close, but now you're improving the GPU performance by a leaked estimate of 35% (we have a couple of Russian Youtubers to thank for this - spasibo!!). My current M1 iPad Pro 2TB Cell variant is my lightning in a bottle. I vowed to keep it for at least 5 years.. but 4 years is close enough..lol. I'm not selling my M1, it will be archived like so many of my other iDevices.
 
blkjedi954 said:
I may upgrade to the M5 iPad Pro. M4 was amazing based on all the reviews. But the new leaks show that the M5 will be a significant upgrade, in terms of GPU performance, over the M4 which is insane to say out loud. The M4 was already incredible and no other mobile chip comes close, but now you're improving the GPU performance by a leaked estimate of 35% (we have a couple of Russian Youtubers to thank for this - spasibo!!). My current M1 iPad Pro 2TB Cell variant is my lightning in a bottle. I vowed to keep it for at least 5 years.. but 4 years is close enough..lol. I'm not selling my M1, it will be archived like so many of my other iDevices.
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When I got my M4 iPad Pro a few months ago, I opted for the higher end model with 16GB of RAM and the extra CPU core just for longevity sake (and the nano texture option). The M5 will have a decent spec bump, sure, but the M4 is no slouch. There are very few things that come close to maxing it out. I use it at work daily with many different apps running on different stages. I game heavily on it at home via cloud gaming and native games such as Ark Ultimate Mobile and COD mobile and there are zero stutters or frame drops. There would have to be some amazing surprise addition to the M5 iPad to make me think about upgrading. Likely, I won’t be looking to upgrade until the M7 or M8 timeframe.
 
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really impressed at the 2021 M1 iPad Pro 11". iPadOS 26 runs really well on it. its still a very very capable device and if I was looking for an iPad I'd skip the basic brand new entry level iPad and get one of what I have from apple refurb shop even though its a 4 year old device.
 
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NO UPGARDENIING umm upgrading for me!

The iPad 10 blue usb_c 64GB is all I will every need as that can save files on a external drive
and has enough moxie to draw cartoons 7 hours a day on a single charge!
everything else on that iPad is meaningless like camera, display and Tim Cook!
 
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just sold my iPad Pro 11" (2020)
now I´m waiting for the new iPP. If there is no big enhancement, I think I´ll buy a cheaper M4, maybe with the nano texture screen.
 
I have and iPad Air 4 that is starting to have battery issues so this is a timely topic. Will probably get an M3 Air. I don't use it enough to justify a pro + it's lighter. $449 is not a bad price.
 
tbgb50 said:
I have and iPad Air 4 that is starting to have battery issues so this is a timely topic. Will probably get an M3 Air. I don't use it enough to justify a pro + it's lighter. $449 is not a bad price.
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I just got an M3 Air from Best Buy. At the $449 price, plus their $90 trade in value of my 8th gen base iPad, it was a good deal. I’m happy with it. While the screen on the base iPad was nice, the laminated screen on the Air is noticeably nicer. Since I recently sold a MacBook I wasn’t really using much anymore, I got a keyboard case for my Air. I got the Zagg one instead of the much more expensive Apple one, and it’s serving me well. I think that this Air will do a good job of replacing both my previous MacBook and iPad, based on my usage and needs.
 
I have a 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 inch. It’s stuck on os17 but it’s still working great for my needs. The problem I’m starting to experience is battery longevity. Still, I sit right next to a charger and can run it plugged in or give it more juice whenever I need it so not a big issue. I look at the specs every time there’s a new model, but I just can’t pull the trigger given how expensive they are versus any real upgrade in experience I’d get. So I’m on hold for now.
 
I’m using a cellular iPad Air M1 running 26.1. Short answer - zero plans to update. I don’t have a use case for a newer device other than New iPad Envy and besides, a need to update my iPhone is coming round real soon.

With 26, my Air M1 essentially fills the void of a long dead MacBook when hitched to an external monitor, Magic Mouse and keyboard. It’s a general computer, the only special use I have is some use of GarageBand and a USB C interface. This is also my Zwift (indoor cycling) head unit.

Nicer screen? I don’t do art and this looks good to me. Battery? Yeah, one day but not today. Processor? I’m not editing video or running high end games and the M1 still rolls very well. I appreciate some users need the latest/greatest for some feature(s) in terms of their work, but I see myself as a regular Joe. This is good enough and then some. I have an iPad 9 from work and I’m counting the days until they send me an updated version…
 
I’ve just bought an iPad Air M3 13”. My first iPad since the original mini came out back in 2012, which I used for a few months and then gave away. I’m loving the iPad Air and want it to replace my MacBook Air as I find myself not using it as much, and want something more portable.
 
bbfc said:
I’ve just bought an iPad Air M3 13”. My first iPad since the original mini came out back in 2012, which I used for a few months and then gave away. I’m loving the iPad Air and want it to replace my MacBook Air as I find myself not using it as much, and want something more portable.
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That’s exactly what I just did. Adding a keyboard case to my new iPad Air has allowed the portability to remain, but also made it better as a MacBook Air replacement. The new iPads, along with all the improvements in iPad OS over the past few years, has made it easy to live without a MacBook for those of us who weren’t using the MacBook for heavy duty work tasks. I can easily use the iPad for light work tasks.
 
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iPad Air 4th generation (from 2020). Had it since launch and feel absolutely no reason to upgrade. All I do is read sheet music off of it.
 
Lab1 said:
That’s exactly what I just did. Adding a keyboard case to my new iPad Air has allowed the portability to remain, but also made it better as a MacBook Air replacement. The new iPads, along with all the improvements in iPad OS over the past few years, has made it easy to live without a MacBook for those of us who weren’t using the MacBook for heavy duty work tasks. I can easily use the iPad for light work tasks.
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I wanted the Magic Keyboard but it’s too expensive. I’ve bought an Apple Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad for less than £90 for the two.

I can’t believe how much closer iPadOS 26 is to macOS now - the dock, window management and even the newly added menu bar. Since I bought my iPad I’ve not used my MacBook Air.
 
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iPad Pro gen 2, so 2020 or so. Went on a trip. Used it next day and found the glass cracked in the corner.

Will get the new pro. Possibly 13”. Will have to see.
 
I have an M1 air. Used to have an M1 pro, sold it thinking i would get a handheld gaming system for work but quickly realized how crappy the wifi was at my bunkhouse so back to a cellular ipad lol. My kids are still rocking the 3rd gen airs, daily use and no complaints
 
bbfc said:
I wanted the Magic Keyboard but it’s too expensive. I’ve bought an Apple Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad for less than £90 for the two.

I can’t believe how much closer iPadOS 26 is to macOS now - the dock, window management and even the newly added menu bar. Since I bought my iPad I’ve not used my MacBook Air.
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I got the magic keyboard for my 2020 Pro and it certainly was a gut punch with the price, but 5 years later and I couldn't imagine not having it. I am looking to upgrade to the M5 this year and will be getting the new magic keyboard without hesitation.
 
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stlredbird said:
I got the magic keyboard for my 2020 Pro and it certainly was a gut punch with the price, but 5 years later and I couldn't imagine not having it. I am looking to upgrade to the M5 this year and will be getting the new magic keyboard without hesitation.
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I was in the same boat, i never considered the magic keyboard because of the cost, but i lucked out when i was shopping for a used ipad that they were selling their air with the magic keyboard for about $100 more than others without it so i gave it a shot. Definitely an awesome accessory for these
 
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I own an iPad Mini 7 (A17), it´s pretty new, from 11/24, so I don´t mind upgrading at the moment.
The only thing that would make me upgrade would be a better screen, like the iPhone 17, 120hz Display.
But I think this will happen not before 2027.
 
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stlredbird said:
I got the magic keyboard for my 2020 Pro and it certainly was a gut punch with the price, but 5 years later and I couldn't imagine not having it. I am looking to upgrade to the M5 this year and will be getting the new magic keyboard without hesitation.
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I might get one eventually, or if I see a second hand one for a good price. But £299 is just too much to pay.
 
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