iPad Pro What would make you buy a new iPad Pro ? If you own a 2020 or 2018 ?

[Kent viggo]

A drastically altered drawing experience (somehow) or very much improved battery life.

I guess the new screens might have better color renderation etc for editing images, which can be nice. If the new pads holds battery better on high screen brightness then I might be tempted.

What I am hoping for is that they release a new mini with apple pencil 2 support. Id get one of those and just replace the battery on my 12.9 2018 and be perfectly happy with those for years.

 

[ggibson913]

As always I have to wait and see. But it would be very unlikely that I would upgrade last year's model to a newer one. I generally go three years with my iPads prior to upgrading. The magic keyboard I just got is brand new and I love it, Apple would have top produce something pretty significant to get me to upgrade. I upgraded my 2017 to the 2020 and passed that one down as my Air 2 was getting long in the tooth. For me it's kind of like my Apple Watch Series 4, I had purchased the Series 3 but when I saw the 4 with the bigger screen, I got it, but the 5 and 6 really haven't wowed me as much so I haven't seen the need to upgrade.

 

[transpo1]

If the new ones are capable of running the rumoured pro apps (logic pro, final cut pro), to be announced at WWDC. Again there's only rumours rhat these apps are being released on iPad.

I second this. If the new 2021 models are capable of running FCP X and professional editing with the Magic Keyboard, I'd upgrade, even after just upgrading in 2020.

 

[rhyzome]

2017 iPP 12.9 owner here - while on the performance, specs and features side there's no compelling reason for me to upgrade the one thing that may make me get a new iPP this year is the failure of my Smart Keyboard which I can no longer find for purchase new from Apple. I know there's 3rd party solutions out there but I don't really want to go that route - heck I don't really want to go the folio route either . .

Yup, 10.5 here with the same problem! Apple refused to fix it too, and I had Apple Care + (though I came to them a few months out of the warranty period, despite that the problem was persistant for the lifetime of the product, slowly failing)

Makes me so mad at them, but I’ll probably replace the whole thing anyway soon lol

 

[martint235]

I’ve got a 12.9 2020 Pro and to be honest I can’t think of anything that would be worth £1k to me to spend. I’ll stick with this one until there is something I want it to do that it can’t

 

[Devyn89]

I will likely upgrade to get the bigger size somewhat soon. Might not be until next year though, we shall see.

 

[m0nkeyb0y]

Yup, 10.5 here with the same problem! Apple refused to fix it too, and I had Apple Care + (though I came to them a few months out of the warranty period, despite that the problem was persistant for the lifetime of the product, slowly failing)

Makes me so mad at them, but I’ll probably replace the whole thing anyway soon lol

I had not one but TWO Smart Keyboards fail on me after the warranty ran out, on my 2017 10.5. Very frustrating. Don't think I'll buy one again.

 

[muzzy996]

I had not one but TWO Smart Keyboards fail on me after the warranty ran out, on my 2017 10.5. Very frustrating. Don't think I'll buy one again.

I need to have the keyboard. I hope the folio ones are holding up better but I have to wonder. Apparently the failure point on the old ones is the flexible conductive fabric, which is supposed to last a lifetime but does not. Have seen a youtube video of a guy opening up the fabric covering to apply additional conductive fabric over the old stuff to repair his failed keyboard. Worked like a charm but obviously the suede covering on the inside will never be the same after such a repair.

Magic keyboard is an option I suppose but definitely not one that I would want to choose - adds too much bulk for my taste, more so than the folios which I already dislike compared to the older designs with no back at all.

 

[linkgx1]

Either a major display change or OS change that requires a particular hardware. I got the 2020 version as my first Pro and I'm happy with it. I'd love to have deeper blacks, but with said price i would be best with getting a better TV.

 

[bscheffel]

The ability to dock the iPad to the Magic Keyboard; and magically the iPad morphs into MacOS, remove the Magic keyboard and it returns to iPadOS.

omg - that would be everything.

 

[bscheffel]

I own a 2018 IPP 12.9" and here is my take of what the rumored upgrades mean and what it would take for me to upgrade:

A14X - this will be a nice future proofing over the current A12X but seriously what existing app for iPad stresses the A12X today? Faster processor is nice but adds no usability difference with current iPadOS.

Mini-LED - to be honest the current 2018/2020 IPP screen is pretty great looking so this isn't going to make me upgrade even if it results in much better battery life - the current battery life is pretty great but a bump would be nice. Better colors and contrast might be useful for watching TV/movies on iPad but it seems fine now as well.

5G - this is pretty much no improvement over 4G LTE on the iPhone 12 and I would expect it to be the same for iPad. Until ultra fast mmWave is common it isn't going to change usability much.

Thunderbolt - if this is coupled with iPadOS change to fully support external displays (not black bars) then it would represent a step forward in usability. The additional bandwidth over USB-C would be nice for really fast file transfer but few external drives support thunderbolt (Samsung X5 aside)

Camera - The 2020 camera upgrade was meh because who really uses the camera alot on their iPad? Any improvements with 2021 IPP would fall in the same category. why???

8GB RAM - Now this is interesting. If the IPP 2021 is upgraded from 6GB to 8GB we would finally see RAM parity with entry level MacBooks and future proofing the machine. Additional RAM alone is not super compelling unless paired with my two wish list items below:

WISH LIST

(will never happen but I can dream) - Please please let the new IPP have 8GB ram and let it bootcamp into Big Sur (with keyboard and mouse or magic keyboard of course).

(might happen) - please let the new IPP have 8GB ram so that we finally get Xcode, Logic Pro, and Final Cut apps for iPad. Otherwise stop calling it a Pro machine if it can't run Pro apps.

In closing - let's face it - the iPad Pro is one of the most amazing pieces of hardware that Apple has ever produced. It truly is a magical slab of glass. Too bad iPadOS is dragging it down as a serious productivity tool.

 

[Jimpilot]

5G is the big draw for me. We have UWB fairly near and pretty good 5G coverage. Speeds on my 12 are about 125 mbps so that should drive IPad nicely

 

[MarioPhone96]

My 2018 11” Pro has ghost touch. I’ve had enough of it and I’d like to upgrade to a new 2021 Pro if it’s a substantial upgrade. I looked at the Air 4 but it’s missing 120Hz which I really can’t give up!

 

[azentropy]

Doesn't look like the 11 is going to have mini LED, so I'll probably pass and keep using my 2018 iPad Pro 11 (cracked screen and all) and my iPad Air 4.

 

[rhyzome]

I had not one but TWO Smart Keyboards fail on me after the warranty ran out, on my 2017 10.5. Very frustrating. Don't think I'll buy one again.

It is frustrating. Apple had a recall for the larger version but not the 10.5; they acted like I was making it up. For some reason, they’re super stingy with replacing these when they fail. And apparently, they fail a lot!

 

[Tsepz]

Question for each man of culture or woman of culture here in the forums. If you already own a 2018 or 2020 IPad Pro, what would make you buy a new iPad Pro in 2021 ?

Currently own a 2020 iPad Pro 11".

What would make me buy a 2021 11":
- At least 8GB RAM
- MiniLED
- 3nm chip (would be an absolute miracle if they had this ready now)
- 5G
- Significantly bigger battery, say around 9500mAh to 10000mAh.

If all the above would happen then I would sell my 2020 for it without thinking twice, lol.

 

[Mohd Haque]

I have the 1TB cellular 2018, so basically almost as good as the best 2020. There is only ONE thing that would make me upgrade, a larger Pro (14in or 15in). Which is not in the rumors. No other realistic improvement Apple could make in either hardware or software (MacOS is not realistic) would make me buy another iPad pro this year (or even the next).

you should buy a TV , u dont think 14 or 15 inch ipad is like carrying a whole tv

 

[Mohd Haque]

Currently own a 2020 iPad Pro 11".

What would make me buy a 2021 11":
- At least 8GB RAM
- MiniLED
- 3nm chip (would be an absolute miracle if they had this ready now)
- 5G
- Significantly bigger battery, say around 9500mAh to 10000mAh.

If all the above would happen then I would sell my 2020 for it without thinking twice, lol.

I think u have to wait till 2023 model.

 

[007p]

Nothing technically hardware related at all. In no particular order:

External screen support
Better /easier to use multitasking
Better file management - you still can’t change the extension in files app!?
More freedom to do what we want on iPadOS to allow command line tools, JIT and VMs.
Professional apps like Xcode
Ability to install applications using Xcode both straight onto the device but also external connected devices

All of this should at least be conditional somehow, we wouldn’t want the average user getting lost after purchasing the ‘Pro’ iPad now would we...

I expect none to maybe 1 of these within the next year. It’s an incredible slow process that is extremely frustrating. Personally I’d love to just be able to boot macOS on it. I know people loathe that idea, but it’s going to take decades at this rate to get anything meaningful otherwise.

 

[Adelphos33]

It is a tough question. Theoretically all of my Apple tech could be upgraded this year, which would make it a very expensive year. I think my priorities are:

1) M1 Macbook
2) New iPhone
3) New "regular" iPad depending on if the processor is upgraded
4) New iPad Pro
5) Apple Watch

So it depends on how big this new iPad Pro upgrade is. Honestly I use my iPad Pro now as a second screen for working at home (I carry my smaller iPad with me more now). If it is a compelling upgrade, I may get one maxed out and keep it for five years. I can also reduce the price a bit by going with Wi-Fi only. I would think I want 8GB of RAM for future proofing.

 

[Itsedstech]

Number 1 for me right now is a big brightness increase. The 2020 iPad Pro is too dim for outdoor use.

 

[NastyMatt]

I have a 2020 12.9" IPP (MK + AP) and love it. The majority of my 'niggles' are OS based - no widgets, always tries to open an app when I just want it in the browser, some apps don't work in the slide over, not all apps support spacial audio, hover in Safari does not show some tool tips/info etc. None of this is 'new iPad' dependent.

There is one feature that would have me reaching for my wallet (in reality.. expenses) is native multiple screen support - I could then dump my MBP (I would like a landscape camera too - but not a deal beaker). I use 2 monitors at work (1 landscape and 1 portrait) and would just love to plug them both in. Plus, I have an 34" ultra widescreen monitor at home.. imagine being able to plug an IPP into that, working on 2 apps side by side on screen with email open on the iPad!!!

"Wallet oooooooopen"

 

[Wando64]

Two usb-c ports and a headphone port.

 

[Momof9]

you should buy a TV , u dont think 14 or 15 inch ipad is like carrying a whole tv

I would go for a bigger one!!! How is that different than carrying a laptop??? I would love the bigger screen space for graphic design!!! not that this is going to happen...

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

I have 2018 in both sizes. Nothing will make me upgrade my 11 inch, but I just want more storage and cell service in my 12.9, so there is a decent chance I will go ahead and upgrade no matter what the new features are.