iPad Pro Whats the point in a iPad Pro

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Hey all,

I'm fortunate to own the latest iPad Mini and I love it but whenever Apple release any new products I always take a look and get a desire to change.
Regarding the iPad Pro I just don't understand the point of it.

So first of all I looked at my family/friends who own iPads and they own a mixture between the iPad/Air/Mini. And what do they use them for? - Browsing, Social Media, Drawing, Colouring, Reading, Streaming Shows.
None of my family/friends own an iPad Pro but I've met a number of customers/colleagues that have one. I asked what they use them for and they use them for....... Browsing, Social Media, Drawing, Colouring, Reading, Streaming Shows.

So I'm at a loss, whats the point of a iPad Pro? What can you do on a iPad Pro that you can't or will find difficult on another iPad in the range? To me it seems like buying a Ferrari to drive to the supermarket to pick up some snacks for the weekend.

P.S Sorry if this comes across like I'm slating iPad Pro owners/fans - I'm just curious. Also I'm slightly jealous as I think it looks great.

Aside from higher resolutions and framerates for content consumption and you like beeg, if you need it for "pro things" just get a M1 Macbook Air instead, which is deadass cheaper than the iPad Pro.

It's why I'm still perplexed to why the iPad Pro and Air have the M1 and M2 chips in them. Guts of a Mac, but does a lot less than a Mac, and is more expensive than a Mac. At that point...just buy a Mac.

 

[Rogifan]

I have an iPad Pro because I want the 12.9” screen.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Guts of a Mac, but does a lot less than a Mac, and is more expensive than a Mac. At that point...just buy a Mac.

Or does a lot more than a mac, depending on which way you look at it…

 

[sailingHobbit]

I actually bought an iPad Air 4 when it was released in October 2020 and replaced it immediately in April 2021 with an iPad Pro 11" because TouchID on the Air 4 just didn't work for me. It was even worse than previous iPad with TouchID in the Home button. So I got the Pro just because of FaceID.

 

[usagora]

Or does a lot more than a mac, depending on which way you look at it…

Exactly. IMO neither device is meant to replace the other. They have their unique strengths and weaknesses.

To people saying "just buy a Mac": how are you guys removing the Mac's keyboard and using it as a touch-screen tablet? Oh, that's right--you can't! Oh, you don't care about that? Well, that's why you bought a Mac instead of an iPad. Not everyone has the same needs/wants/use cases as you.

 

[sparksd]

Aside from higher resolutions and framerates for content consumption and you like beeg, if you need it for "pro things" just get a M1 Macbook Air instead, which is deadass cheaper than the iPad Pro.

It's why I'm still perplexed to why the iPad Pro and Air have the M1 and M2 chips in them. Guts of a Mac, but does a lot less than a Mac, and is more expensive than a Mac. At that point...just buy a Mac.

Last I looked, the Mac wasn't a tablet so if you want the tablet form factor, that's a no-go.

 

[Zest28]

Aside from higher resolutions and framerates for content consumption and you like beeg, if you need it for "pro things" just get a M1 Macbook Air instead, which is deadass cheaper than the iPad Pro.

It's why I'm still perplexed to why the iPad Pro and Air have the M1 and M2 chips in them. Guts of a Mac, but does a lot less than a Mac, and is more expensive than a Mac. At that point...just buy a Mac.

M1 MBA cannot be compared to an iPad Pro, it should be compared to an iPad Air. The hardware on the iPad Pro is far superior to a MBA.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Or does a lot more than a mac, depending on which way you look at it…

• Can't have multiple user accounts
• Can't freely install software
• Can't code on iPadOS as Apple doesn't allow it outside of the limited scope of Swift Playgrounds.
• Can't run Windows or Linux
• Can't install Steam games
• Can't install retro game emulators
• Can't run VMs
• Can't run multiple monitors
• Mouse control is emulating touch
• Logic X is not available
• The only video editor on it is Davinci Resolve and even then you'd be better off using the Mac version
• Can't do fashion design as CLO 3D is not on iPadOS.

I can go on. iPadOS's only saving grace is the Apple Pencil so you can use it as a drawing tablet. That's it. Trying to do any other work on iPadOS is a nightmare compared to macOS. Case in point: Using Google Drive on iPadOS.

 

[NeonNights]

I tried the smaller iPad Air M1 but it felt too cramped for reading sheet music, and some photo/video editing. I picked the M1 IPP 12.9 because the larger display was more useful/comfortable.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

M1 MBA cannot be compared to an iPad Pro, it should be compared to an iPad Air. The hardware on the iPad Pro is far superior to a MBA.

It's using the same M1 chip as the MBA and both are fanless. The only difference between the MBA and iPad Pro is the screen and of course the Pro being a tablet.

 

[sparksd]

• Can't have multiple user accounts
• Can't freely install software
• Can't code on iPadOS as Apple doesn't allow it outside of the limited scope of Swift Playgrounds.
• Can't run Windows or Linux
• Can't install Steam games
• Can't install retro game emulators
• Can't run VMs
• Can't run multiple monitors
• Mouse control is emulating touch
• Logic X is not available
• The only video editor on it is Davinci Resolve and even then you'd be better off using the Mac version
• Can't do fashion design as CLO 3D is not on iPadOS.

I can go on. iPadOS's only saving grace is the Apple Pencil so you can use it as a drawing tablet. That's it. Trying to do any other work on iPadOS is a nightmare compared to macOS. Case in point: Using Google Drive on iPadOS.

Why I also have a laptop - different tools for different tasks and situations.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Why I also have a laptop - different tools for different tasks and situations.

Last I looked, the Mac wasn't a tablet so if you want the tablet form factor, that's a no-go.

All the more reason OP asked the question of the thread "What is the point of the iPad Pro?" Apple keeps marketing this as a laptop replacement yet it fails in that regard in every conceivable way, all because of iPadOS

 

[Zest28]

It's using the same M1 chip as the MBA and both are fanless. The only difference between the MBA and iPad Pro is the screen and of course the Pro being a tablet.

The iPad Pro has:
- miniLED display
- 120hz
- better speakers
- better camera’s
- FaceID

They are not in the same league in terms of hardware.

So really, the M1 MBA should be compared against the iPad Air, not against the Pro.

 

[PeteBurgh]

The point of an iPad Pro is to incorporate all of Apple's latest technical refinements together in a device at a higher price-point...Either way Apple surely makes an iPad that is just right for you.

I think the annoying thing is that the "latest technical refinements" are sprinkled somewhat haphazardly across the range.

The Pro/Air have many of best features, but the FaceTime camera is still in the wrong place in every iPad except, randomly, the 2nd cheapest model. If you're a display snob, you can pay extra for a mini-LED on the Pro...but only on the big one.

Similarly, you can buy a Magic Keyboard Folio for the 10th gen but not the Air (or vice versa for the Magic Keyboard).

Of course, these are all first-world problems. In isolation, these are all good iPads - but it's a bit annoying that the lineup isn't a bit simpler.

 

[cupcakes2000]

• Can't have multiple user accounts
• Can't freely install software
• Can't code on iPadOS as Apple doesn't allow it outside of the limited scope of Swift Playgrounds.
• Can't run Windows or Linux
• Can't install Steam games
• Can't install retro game emulators
• Can't run VMs
• Can't run multiple monitors
• Mouse control is emulating touch
• Logic X is not available
• The only video editor on it is Davinci Resolve and even then you'd be better off using the Mac version
• Can't do fashion design as CLO 3D is not on iPadOS.

I can go on. iPadOS's only saving grace is the Apple Pencil so you can use it as a drawing tablet. That's it. Trying to do any other work on iPadOS is a nightmare compared to macOS. Case in point: Using Google Drive on iPadOS.

Cool semi accurate list that I didn’t ask for 👍

I’m aware what a Mac can do, thank you I have several and have done for a very long time.

It’s you that’s not aware of the benefits of an iPad and why some people may not buy into the ‘just get a mac’ nonsense often spouted around these parts.

it’s all good though! Don’t buy an iPad and be worry free about what it can or can’t do verses a Mac.

 

[Zest28]

I don’t get why people think the iPad Pro is their only device. The reason why I got the M1 12.9 iPad Pro over the M1 MBA is because I got a 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro and the M1 MBA would be the same computer but downgraded in every possible way.

Atleast the M1 12.9 iPad Pro offers a new experience next to the 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro.

 

[cupcakes2000]

All the more reason OP asked the question of the thread "What is the point of the iPad Pro?" Apple keeps marketing this as a laptop replacement yet it fails in that regard in every conceivable way, all because of iPadOS

Do they market it as a laptop replacement though? Seems to me they market continuity features just as much as suggesting an iPad can redefine what you consider a computer (which is what they actually suggest but probably why you’re confused about them marketing it as a laptop replacement).

 

[rui no onna]

I actually bought an iPad Air 4 when it was released in October 2020 and replaced it immediately in April 2021 with an iPad Pro 11" because TouchID on the Air 4 just didn't work for me. It was even worse than previous iPad with TouchID in the Home button. So I got the Pro just because of FaceID.

Similar experience with sleep/wake button TouchID. It works 99% of the time with my right index finger but fails 99% of the time when using my left index finger. Had no issues with older home button TouchID.

When I do upgrade my mom from home button, she's getting a FaceID iPad.

 

[bruinsrme]

So I can draw like this with the smooooothnesss.

👊😝👍
View attachment 2098511

I was about to comment On this thread.
when I worked in an apple store these art students would come in every so often, take over a table and share ideas.
I was taken back at what they were doing in the iPad pros. Simply incredible.

To add to this, I have seen landscapers, interior designers, architects, land developers, clothing designers And many others put the iPad Pro to task.

apple doesn’t tell people what their devices do, people tell apple what they need their devices to do. Apple fills many small niches that apple users end up become the sum of many

 

[Malcy16]

Lightroom is great, particularly on iOS. Nothing really comes close to it, though there are other good apps. It’s extremely easy to learn really, just grab some images and spend the afternoon paying with it and you’re done.

There are some great image editing apps on iPadOS also- again LR is definitely at or near the top for ease of use and results. The extra power (particularly the extra ram) and the large screen size helps a great deal with editing.

I might download Lightroom to my iPad and have a go then and see.
The other one I'd looked at in the past was Pixelmator

 

[jerryk]

I use my 2018 iPad Pro for drawing, taking notes in OneNote, and reviewing documents during which I use the latest Pencil. I currently have the 11" model. The money difference was fine with me, and I prefer the all-screen, higher quality, display to my previous iPad model with thick bezels, and like the Pencil 2 over the Pencil 1.

Looking to upgrade my iPad Pro but will probably just go with the M1 based unit instead of the new M2 based unit.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

The iPad Pro has:
- miniLED display
- 120hz
- better speakers
- better camera’s
- FaceID

They are not in the same league in terms of hardware.

So really, the M1 MBA should be compared against the iPad Air, not against the Pro.

Better speakers is debatable but while yeah on the others, the fact the MBA has macOS already makes it better than the iPad Pro as the MBA cheaper than the iPad Pro (hell it's even cheaper than the iPad Air)

 

[cupcakes2000]

I might download Lightroom to my iPad and have a go then and see.
The other one I'd looked at in the past was Pixelmator

Pixelmator photo is similar to lightroom, but nowhere near as good if you ask me - but I’m very used to Lightroom. Pixelmator pro is more of a Photoshop affair, so not the same thing really. If I was considering a Photoshop type app for an iPad i would choose Affinity Photo over Pixelmator Pro.

 

[Malcy16]

So I can draw like this with the smooooothnesss.

👊😝👍
View attachment 2098511

Did you draw this? If you did then you are very talented!
I use the Apple Pencil for colouring - I struggle with anxiety and colouring helps me focus on something else so I always make sure I take my iPad with the pencil when travelling as thats when its worst.

 

[cupcakes2000]

the fact the MBA has macOS already makes it better than the iPad Pro as the MBA cheaper than the iPad Pro (hell it's even cheaper than the iPad Air)

That’s only a plus if that’s the os you want to use, and your apps are compatible with it.

Have you worked out yet that they’re two different things for two different purposes?