What would motivate you to upgrade your 12.9" iPad Pro?

[Yebubbleman]

I have a First Generation 12.9" iPad Pro. It is a WiFi only model My primary uses of it are watching Movies/TV outside or in places where doing so on a TV isn't convenient, taking notes, playing card games like Elder Scrolls: Legends and Hearthstone, typing e-mails and/or large bodies of text, and maybe web browsing when I am lacking a computer that isn't running a smartphone OS.

If I want greater portability, I have a 2017/5th Generation Cellular model iPad, or my iPhone 7 Plus.

I wasn't really swayed by the Second Generation 12.9" iPad Pro when it came out. The only feature that might sway me to a newer 12.9" iPad Pro might be bigger storage (I've got 32GB in my current iPad Pro; compared to the 128GB in the aforementioned 2017 Cellular iPad), but I think I'm managing fine with what I have now to the point of not hurting for more space.

The rumors of newer iPad Pros with FaceID and perhaps other dramatically revised designs don't do much for me.

Are you in the same boat as I am? What would compel you to upgrade your iPad Pro to whatever Apple is expected to announce over the next couple of months?

 

[muzzy996]

Similar boat. The only thing that will compel me to upgrade my 2nd gen 12.9 will be advances in iOS that require new hardware. We're just not seeing that in iOS 12 beta yet so other than shiny new hardware I don't see any major evolution in iPad tech that will render current iPad Pros obsolete.

 

[Kal-037]

The reasons I am upgrading is I haven’t had a 12.9” for many moons and I really miss the size and to have an all glass front with no physical home button (that have broken too often) would be incredible.

Anyways, the reasons that make it worth upgrading to me are:

1.) Once again, NO stupid home button (always hated that physical button since my first iPad/Apple device.)
2.) Face ID (more secure, and I need that as with my work it has to be protected.)
3.) Almost completely all screen (small bezels making the size of the iPad smaller while keeping the screen size huge... or screen is enlarged as is battery.)
4.) New more powerful and energy efficient octa-core 7nm A11X or A12X chip (which will make this iPad more powerful and efficient compared to 98% of other laptops and devices, (even Macs, not a MUST-HAVE, but it’ll be cool.)
5.) New Apple Pencil, hopefully even less latency (like 10ms or lower.)
6.) Thinner 6.4mm and lighter.
7.) Upgraded speakers and improved microphone like the HomePod’s.
8.) 4K 60fps camera (I actually use my iPads cameras) and I would love the iPhone 8/10 cameras on my iPad.
9.) Improved GPU, (making and rendering 4K videos much faster.)

***may not happen***
10.) Possibility of more RAM, (imagine 6-8GB Of RAM on an already incredibly efficient iOS device.)

 

[Brammy]

Similar boat. The only thing that will compel me to upgrade my 2nd gen 12.9 will be advances in iOS that require new hardware. We're just not seeing that in iOS 12 beta yet so other than shiny new hardware I don't see any major evolution in iPad tech that will render current iPad Pros obsolete.

This where I am as well. I still have a 1st generation 12.9. Even using apps like Affinity Photo and Designer don't tax it to the point I feel I need a new one. However, if the new one has some tech that will make a huge difference to my workflows, I am all there.

Otherwise, I will wait a bit.

 

[CLS727]

I had the original iPad (2010)..... then upgraded to the 2nd or 3rd one? (can't remember).... then a 3rd time to the first iPad Air (2013).

Haven't bought anything since then because...... why? I use it for web browsing, Facebook, YouTube, and watching movies on airplanes..... nothing else.

I've bought the new model iPhone almost every single year since the original.... if anything just to have the latest/greatest tech on the street..... but I've never felt that way about the iPad.

Honestly, when the iPhone X comes out with the "Plus" screen..... I don't have any desire for an iPad at all anymore..... anything I can't do on my phone I'd rather just open up my laptop.

 

[Bogstandard]

I have a First Generation 12.9" iPad Pro. It is a WiFi only model My primary uses of it are watching Movies/TV outside or in places where doing so on a TV isn't convenient, taking notes, playing card games like Elder Scrolls: Legends and Hearthstone, typing e-mails and/or large bodies of text, and maybe web browsing when I am lacking a computer that isn't running a smartphone OS.

If I want greater portability, I have a 2017/5th Generation Cellular model iPad, or my iPhone 7 Plus.

I wasn't really swayed by the Second Generation 12.9" iPad Pro when it came out. The only feature that might sway me to a newer 12.9" iPad Pro might be bigger storage (I've got 32GB in my current iPad Pro; compared to the 128GB in the aforementioned 2017 Cellular iPad), but I think I'm managing fine with what I have now to the point of not hurting for more space.

The rumors of newer iPad Pros with FaceID and perhaps other dramatically revised designs don't do much for me.

Are you in the same boat as I am? What would compel you to upgrade your iPad Pro to whatever Apple is expected to announce over the next couple of months?

I currently use a 12.9 s2.
After acquiring the iphone x, I find the guesture control and the absence of the home button to be much more preferable.
I'm also concerned about the premature failure of the home button. This occured on my iphone 5.
If the next ipad loses the home button, i'm sold on it.

m

 

[spiderman0616]

An announcement that I can buy the new model. I've already sold my 2017 10.5" iPad Pro and am just waiting to find out about the new models so I can decide which one I want. It's not "if" but "when" at this point.

 

[gobikerider]

More ram is the only beneficial thing I could imagine as somehow iOS 11 manages to be a disaster holding apps in memory. So much for Pro.

 

[kasakka]

I upgraded from an Air 2 to the 12.9" 2nd gen iPad Pro mainly for the size and the 120 Hz screen. Pencil support was a bonus but I haven't used it much. I think the iPad Pro is a really solid product as is and I can't really think of much that can be done to improve it on the hardware side. Smaller bezels and FaceID are not enough for me to upgrade to it.

To me the upgrades need to happen on the software side. Mouse/trackpad support, better split screen multitasking support for 3rd party apps by forcing developers to support it and a better file system are on my wishlist.

 

[sracer]

Similar boat. The only thing that will compel me to upgrade my 2nd gen 12.9 will be advances in iOS that require new hardware. We're just not seeing that in iOS 12 beta yet so other than shiny new hardware I don't see any major evolution in iPad tech that will render current iPad Pros obsolete.

This is the correct answer. It's going to take a lot more than a unitasking smart connector and gimmicks like ProMotion for me to buy another iPad Pro... specifically, a keyboard cover that includes a trackpad and dongle to allow full access to USB peripherals.

 

[RickTaylor]

An iPad with a 15" screen.

An iPad with pencil/screen combination that was much closer to the sensation of writing on paper.

 

[Flabasha]

Bigger screen in the same form factor.

 

[Calebt59]

Nothing, I've still got the original iPad with 16 gigs lol, that never gets used now. I've got the iPhone X and MBP for on the go, so the iPad pro would just be a waste of money for me.

 

[xdhd350]

For me, upgrades are typically driven by a large increase in memory capacity and/or much better camera hardware. I’m still using the first generation iPad Pro with cellular.

 

[charlituna]

well what won't make me upgrade -- face id. honestly I don't GAF about the iPad having face id. if it has it great, if it doesn't, great.

what might make me upgrade? one or more of: more ram, better graphics chip, display OLED or otherwise that supports 4K HDR with a way better backlight, more storage, wireless charging. and I wouldn't mine a new keyboard that doesn't fail every 3 months and a better pencil with some tip options

 

[44267547]

An iPad with a 15" screen.

An iPad with pencil/screen combination that was much closer to the sensation of writing on paper.

I can’t say I agree that I would be interested in a 15 inch iPad. The 12.9 iPad is currently massive as it is, and trying to hold that even two Hands is unwieldy and cumbersome. The _only_ way I would purchase a 15 inch iPad, is strictly as a stationary device as a desktop, and that’s it.

 

[Ipadlover29]

Bigger Screen
Better Battery life
And an improved Apple Smart Keyboard with function keys, backlight, adjustable angles and bettter reliability

 

[Greenmeenie]

Well, i don’t have a 12.9” IPP, but I am waiting for the new ones to get my first IPP. Wether i get the new 10.5” bezel-less IPP or the 12.9” one depends on what they do with them. Rumors suggest the 10.5” will increase the screen to 11” but keep the same size. But other rumors suggest the 12.9” will stay 12.9” but lose the bezels, so i guess the physical size will get smaller? I always liked the screen size of the 12.9” but wished is was a little smaller physically. And i love the portability of the 10.5” but wished the screen were a little bigger. So if this rumor is true it’ll be a toss up.

Will the 11” IPP screen be big enough as well as portable? And will the 12.9” be portable enough as well as have a big screen?

I will have to physically hold each one in the Apple store when they come out to decide.

 

[bubbleboil]

The reasons I am upgrading is I haven’t had a 12.9” for many moons and I really miss the size and to have an all glass front with no physical home button (that have broken too often) would be incredible.

Anyways, the reasons that make it worth upgrading to me are:

1.) Once again, NO stupid home button (always hated that physical button since my first iPad/Apple device.)
2.) Face ID (more secure, and I need that as with my work it has to be protected.)
3.) Almost completely all screen (small bezels making the size of the iPad smaller while keeping the screen size huge... or screen is enlarged as is battery.)
4.) New more powerful and energy efficient octa-core 7nm A11X or A12X chip (which will make this iPad more powerful and efficient compared to 98% of other laptops and devices, (even Macs, not a MUST-HAVE, but it’ll be cool.)
5.) New Apple Pencil, hopefully even less latency (like 10ms or lower.)
6.) Thinner 6.4mm and lighter.
7.) Upgraded speakers and improved microphone like the HomePod’s.
8.) 4K 60fps camera (I actually use my iPads cameras) and I would love the iPhone 8/10 cameras on my iPad.
9.) Improved GPU, (making and rendering 4K videos much faster.)

***may not happen***
10.) Possibility of more RAM, (imagine 6-8GB Of RAM on an already incredibly efficient iOS device.)

U don't really need to use the home key. Unlike the iphone, iPad already have gesture support.

There is still a lot of ppl who prefer fingerprint on home button than faceID

 

[Momof9]

Well it won’t take much for me to get a new one... LOL I have the 1st gen....

I am ALL for the smaller bezels (if they keep the screen at 12.9 - does that must mean a smaller chasis). I am either going to get a new Mac (not sure which), I am coming from Windows 10 which is increasingly irritating. Or I will be using my iPP as a computer. I am a power user - but Affinity Photo and Designer are wonderful as a Photoshop replacement. I can get just as quality results....

I KNOW that Adobe IS doing an iOS version of PS in 2019 - so I am expecting it new iPP to be able to handle it. So I am sure we will have enough RAM etc.

 

[Kal-037]

U don't really need to use the home key. Unlike the iphone, iPad already have gesture support.

There is still a lot of ppl who prefer fingerprint on home button than faceID

Oh yeah, I know, I never have used the home button except setting it up, but it’s just the possibility of it breaking (my iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6s did and it bugged me a lot.)

K.

 

[The Game 161]

Guess depends how much smaller it will be bezel wise.

 

[Amazing Ox Space Monkey]

I always liked the screen size of the 12.9” but wished is was a little smaller physically. And i love the portability of the 10.5” but wished the screen were a little bigger.

I am exactly in the same boat. On one hand, I need a bigger storage (my iPad Air 2 has 64GB but that’s not enough), on the other hand, the bigger screen can display documents in A4 format - excellent for reading sheet music.

In the best case scenario, I am looking for a 13” iPad with 512GB storage which also needs to be lightweight and not the monster the iPP2 is. Otherwise I could make do with the iPad 6/128GB for onу €450.

 

[The Game 161]

The 10.5 Pro works very well for me at the moment but maybe with a bigger 6.5 x plus I will want to go bigger iPad wise too as the x plus will be able to be big enough to use on the sofa and in bed.

 

[Yebubbleman]

It's interesting to see people wanting the home button to go away, let alone due to it breaking. I've owned more iOS devices than anyone reasonably should have over the years. iPhones, iPads, iPod touches, and have never had a home button flake out on me. Where I feel this is also interesting is that, pretty much since iOS 5, every iPad (even the first generation if you enabled it in Settings) has had gestures that replace everything you do with the home button (save for logging in post-iOS-9). So, now, aside from getting out of the lock screen, you don't need the home button for much of anything. I can't imagine Apple won't revert to making that element optional again in a future iOS release, especially if more FaceID enabled iOS devices start hitting the market.