iPad Pro Which iPad Pro should I get?

[iRock1]

Hi there,

I'm a photographer who wants to go iPad-only for field work and daily use.

I've been using an iPad Air (1st gen) since its release (yeah, plenty of time). Despite all its limitations, I've been using it as my main tool for field work in several occasions and it works pretty well. I use it with the Lightning SD card reader, so I can easily transfer the photos that I want to show off at the moment or the photos that I want to edit and upload quickly.

Regarding the daily use part, I don't touch the computer a lot these days. I'd say 80 to 90% of my daily computing is done on the iPad: email, banking, reading, watching videos, task management, etc. The computer is reserved for serious image editing and management in Lightroom and everything else that implies considerable quantities of typing (forums, long emails, Word, etc.).

I've resisted the urge to upgrade for a long time and I want to do it now, as my iPad Air doesn't support iPadOS/iOS 13, it can barely take iOS 12, the battery holds little charge, the hardware (i.e. display, RAM, processor) is crap by today standards, etc. It's time to get something decent, future-proof and that can resist for at least another few years. Also, I've recently experienced the need of editing video on the road, so there's that too.

Having said that, my question now is which device should I get, and on that regard my options have narrowed down to only two: iPad Pro 10.5" (2017) and iPad Pro 11" (2018). Also, I should point out right away that I'm on a budget, and therefore in any case I'll be getting my next iPad second-handed (Apple doesn't have official presence in my country so I can't access the refurbish alternative).

The benefits of the 10.5 iPad Pro start obviously with the price. In my country, you can get a brand new model for $480, and a second-handed one in very good condition for around $400, while the more recent 11" iPad Pro is $830 used, and a brand new costs $970 (for reference I'm always talking about a 64GB WiFi model, and I'm not even talking about the Apple Pencils yet). So having the 10.5 iPad ProMotion, quad speakers, 4 GB of RAM, Apple Pencil support, TouchID and an A10X Fusion processor, I think this 2-year old model holds up really well by today standards (I'm sure it'll keep rocking for another few years as well) and it's probably the best value iPad today. In any case, I'm sure both models will get cheaper if a new iPad Pro comes out next month.

On the other hand, the 11" Pro clearly represents the future of mobile computing and it'll hold for more time. Just a few days ago I had the opportunity to see one in person for the first time and I just got in love with its new sleek design and display. I mean, it's just f*cking gorgeous. And the opportunity of having so much real state in the same form factor is really a win (disclosure: I haven't used an iPad since my Air, so perhaps i'm idealizing the new model a bit).

The biggest downsides of getting the 11" model, for me, are two. First, it's considerably more expensive, and since I'm on a budget, it's something to take in count.

Second, and now from a technical perspective, there's the I/O aspect. The 11" Pro doesn't have my precious audio jack. And boy I hate that. I can stand that happening on phones I guess, but to me, removing the audio jack from a device that intends to replace a laptop, a "Pro" device that is supposedly targeted at people that will work with it, is plain stupid. Yes, I know there are dongles, USB-C headphones, Bluetooth headphones, adapters and whatnot, but that doesn't cut it for me. In my daily workflow, I keep changing my beloved Beyerdynamic T51i across my iPod Classic, phone, Nintendo 3DS and iPad. It's all organic and super simple, because all of them share the universal standard connection for audio. With the 11" iPad Pro I'd have to add clutter, inconvenience, friction in my seamless workflow, etc.

Now, still in the I/O aspect, there's something that I really like about the newer iPads though which is the transition from Lightning to USB-C. That really opens up the possibility of increasing my productivity, as now I'll be finally able, with iPadOS, to connect wired keyboards, mice, and to transfer files from and to external drives. Now, I don't know if it'd be possible to accomplish the same with iPadOS in the 10.5" iPad Pro too. I mean, there is the Lightning to USB dongle for these special occasions, but I'm not sure if all of that is technically doable (I think I read somewhere that the Lightning port could take flashdrives, but when it comes to hard drives you must keep the iPad charging, which would be a giant bummer for on-the-road work).

Anyway, here are all my previous considerations. I hope you can add your own and help me taking a decision.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

iPad Pro 12.9 1TB. The extra screen real estate is most useful for photographers. The 1 TB model has 6 gig of RAM, making it the best performer when Photoshop of iPadOS comes out soon.

I see you mentioned budget. Keep saving up for a few more months and get the one that will satisfy you.

 

[Aydy]

I have both. 10.5 pro and 12.9 (2018) pro. I have now begun the process of returning the 12.9.

For me the 12.9 pro is nice to look at. I prefer Face ID over touch and I appreciate the extra screen real estate..but that’s where the differences end for me.

I have sat with both side by side on several occasions and been slightly disappointed that the 2018 pro doesn’t wipe the floor with my 10.5 pro. They are mostly identical in performance and in many scenarios the 10.5 has been snappier when opening apps, web browsing etc. There’s literally nothing in it tbf, they are both smooth operators. But yeah, the 2017 model does appear to be a fraction of a second faster in general task mode.

I understand the geekbench scores don’t lie and all, and I’m sure the 2018 pro absolutely sings in more demanding tasks but for everyday use, and my particular needs, there really is nothing to compare. They run, mostly identical.

With this in mind I figured I could wait for 2020/21 release. The 10.5 may not look as pretty but It has all the important features of the 2018. The pro-motion and P3 colour gamut, again, look and feel (under touch) identical to the 2018 display. The A12x is obviously superior but as mentioned, this didn’t translate for me, I just couldn’t see it day to day. The A10X handles everything I have asked of it with aplomb.

I only came to the decision to return the 12.9 (2018) over the weekend. It seems logical to recoup the money spent and wait till my 10.5 is underperforming. I can’t see that being anytime soon tbh with the release of the newly announced 10.2 iPad which if I’m not mistaken has been given an inferior version of the A10X chip? With that in mind I’m assuming there is years worth of support to come for A10 & A10X processors.

 

[iRock1]

iPad Pro 12.9 1TB. The extra screen real estate is most useful for photographers. The 1 TB model has 6 gig of RAM, making it the best performer when Photoshop of iPadOS comes out soon.

I see you mentioned budget. Keep saving up for a few more months and get the one that will satisfy you.

Thanks for your suggestion. However, I've narrowed down my search to two alternatives: 10.5" iPad Pro and 11" iPad Pro.

The 12.9" screen is way too big for me. And while I appreciate the obvious benefits of having more real estate for photo and video editing, I find it's not portable enough for daily use and carrying it around.

Regarding the storage, 1 TB is definitely an overkill for me.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Thanks for your suggestion. However, I've narrowed down my search to two alternatives: 10.5" iPad Pro and 11" iPad Pro.

The 12.9" screen is way too big for me. And while I appreciate the obvious benefits of having more real estate for photo and video editing, I find it's not portable enough for daily use and carrying it around.

Regarding the storage, 1 TB is definitely an overkill for me.

The 11 inch iPad Pro will fit your needs well then.

 

[iRock1]

The 11 inch iPad Pro will fit your needs well then.

So does the 10.5 inch Pro.

 

[Aydy]

I think it really boils down to aesthetics. I posted earlier that they are both pretty much identical in performance for day to day iPad tasks/usage. I get that the processors are different. They are simply not different enough to make any impact in everyday usage, in my case. They’re not different at all in that respect & as previously mentioned they tie in every task I tested with. I am not however editing large media files or particularly taxing the processors in major ways.

I guess the only reservation I have is knowing that every time I look at the design and home button of my 10.5, I’ll be reminded there is a newer, fresh-er design out there. The 2018 pro’s make all other models seem dated. Having owned both, neither hardware (performance) is dated but the design kinda is. That being said the 10.5 with the ultra slim side bezels looks infinitely superior than iPads before, and several after 😉 and 10.5-11 inch is the sweet spot in display size imo.

 

[lyunmac]

I have the 10.5 and it has been great. I imported photos from my Sony A7III and edited them on the Lightroom app.

However my iPad Pro 10.5 does have the white spot above the home button. Apparently it's a known defect that Apple doesn't really acknowledge. There's a entire thread in the iPad section on this forum. If you go for the 10.5 then maybe get Apple Care. Other than this issue it has performed great. iPadOS is running smooth with the occasional glitch in the OS.

 

[Aydy]

I have the 10.5 and it has been great. I imported photos from my Sony A7III and edited them on the Lightroom app.

However my iPad Pro 10.5 does have the white spot above the home button. Apparently it's a known defect that Apple doesn't really acknowledge. There's a entire thread in the iPad section on this forum. If you go for the 10.5 then maybe get Apple Care. Other than this issue it has performed great. iPadOS is running smooth with the occasional glitch in the OS.

I have occasionally followed the bright spot thread here and it is surely an issue for many 10.5 users. What’s worse is apple denying all knowledge and not taking responsibility. That’s poor practice.

Luckily, for me, my 10.5 hasn’t developed symptoms but then again mine appears to have a later production date and so could still face issues down the line. It’s still in warranty Atm so fingers crossed if anything were to manifest, it does within warranty.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Hi there,

I'm a photographer who wants to go iPad-only for field work and daily use.

I've been using an iPad Air (1st gen) since its release (yeah, plenty of time). Despite all its limitations, I've been using it as my main tool for field work in several occasions and it works pretty well. I use it with the Lightning SD card reader, so I can easily transfer the photos that I want to show off at the moment or the photos that I want to edit and upload quickly.

Regarding the daily use part, I don't touch the computer a lot these days. I'd say 80 to 90% of my daily computing is done on the iPad: email, banking, reading, watching videos, task management, etc. The computer is reserved for serious image editing and management in Lightroom and everything else that implies considerable quantities of typing (forums, long emails, Word, etc.).

I've resisted the urge to upgrade for a long time and I want to do it now, as my iPad Air doesn't support iPadOS/iOS 13, it can barely take iOS 12, the battery holds little charge, the hardware (i.e. display, RAM, processor) is crap by today standards, etc. It's time to get something decent, future-proof and that can resist for at least another few years. Also, I've recently experienced the need of editing video on the road, so there's that too.

Having said that, my question now is which device should I get, and on that regard my options have narrowed down to only two: iPad Pro 10.5" (2017) and iPad Pro 11" (2018). Also, I should point out right away that I'm on a budget, and therefore in any case I'll be getting my next iPad second-handed (Apple doesn't have official presence in my country so I can't access the refurbish alternative).

The benefits of the 10.5 iPad Pro start obviously with the price. In my country, you can get a brand new model for $480, and a second-handed one in very good condition for around $400, while the more recent 11" iPad Pro is $830 used, and a brand new costs $970 (for reference I'm always talking about a 64GB WiFi model, and I'm not even talking about the Apple Pencils yet). So having the 10.5 iPad ProMotion, quad speakers, 4 GB of RAM, Apple Pencil support, TouchID and an A10X Fusion processor, I think this 2-year old model holds up really well by today standards (I'm sure it'll keep rocking for another few years as well) and it's probably the best value iPad today. In any case, I'm sure both models will get cheaper if a new iPad Pro comes out next month.

On the other hand, the 11" Pro clearly represents the future of mobile computing and it'll hold for more time. Just a few days ago I had the opportunity to see one in person for the first time and I just got in love with its new sleek design and display. I mean, it's just f*cking gorgeous. And the opportunity of having so much real state in the same form factor is really a win (disclosure: I haven't used an iPad since my Air, so perhaps i'm idealizing the new model a bit).

The biggest downsides of getting the 11" model, for me, are two. First, it's considerably more expensive, and since I'm on a budget, it's something to take in count.

Second, and now from a technical perspective, there's the I/O aspect. The 11" Pro doesn't have my precious audio jack. And boy I hate that. I can stand that happening on phones I guess, but to me, removing the audio jack from a device that intends to replace a laptop, a "Pro" device that is supposedly targeted at people that will work with it, is plain stupid. Yes, I know there are dongles, USB-C headphones, Bluetooth headphones, adapters and whatnot, but that doesn't cut it for me. In my daily workflow, I keep changing my beloved Beyerdynamic T51i across my iPod Classic, phone, Nintendo 3DS and iPad. It's all organic and super simple, because all of them share the universal standard connection for audio. With the 11" iPad Pro I'd have to add clutter, inconvenience, friction in my seamless workflow, etc.

Now, still in the I/O aspect, there's something that I really like about the newer iPads though which is the transition from Lightning to USB-C. That really opens up the possibility of increasing my productivity, as now I'll be finally able, with iPadOS, to connect wired keyboards, mice, and to transfer files from and to external drives. Now, I don't know if it'd be possible to accomplish the same with iPadOS in the 10.5" iPad Pro too. I mean, there is the Lightning to USB dongle for these special occasions, but I'm not sure if all of that is technically doable (I think I read somewhere that the Lightning port could take flashdrives, but when it comes to hard drives you must keep the iPad charging, which would be a giant bummer for on-the-road work).

Anyway, here are all my previous considerations. I hope you can add your own and help me taking a decision.

Thanks in advance!

Reading thru your post, it appears that the 10.5Pro would be the best. Why? It’s cheaper as you point out and it does not present you with the I/O issues as you have mentioned. Since you will very likely be using it with the Pencil, you need to factor in the cost of that too. So, while the 11” maybe aesthetically more pleasing (which to me it is), rationally speaking, the 10.5” would likely be more justified. There is also the fact that despite being a 2017 design, the 10.5” Pro will function well over a few more OS iterations. That gives you longevity for your device bringing down your cost of ownership. That said, yes, the 10.5” has that “white spot” issue, which many have reported and given your circumstances, that could be a tricky issue if the problem surfaces. I can only say that my 10.5”, which I got in the last quarter of 2017 does not have that issue yet (touchwood).

Good luck with your decision and purchase!

 

[hancuriang]

As an ipad pro 2018 owner, the ipad pro has an issue with registering touch if its connected to apple pencil but not attached. I personally think its annoying, you have to attach the pencil and/or touch the screen with the pencil to get it to work again. I’ve heard its palm rejection issue, ipad thinks the pencil is being used so it doesnt recognize some of the finger touch input. ive just updated to 13.1 so I havent noticed any. The pencil magnet also scraps both the ipad’s chassis and the pencil... its just a cosmetic flaw but some people are not ready to see their expensive gadget getting deep scratches... if you have had an old macbook with magsafe, its similar to what the magnet did to the port, it chipped the paint off.

I dont own the previous gen ipad, but I do prefer the look of 2018 ipad and the usb c. I also do art for a living so the latest gen pencil is also more attractive to me. You also can use stronger non apple charger you already had to fast charge. But if you’re *really* on budget the 10.5 is no brainer imo. But I get the feeling wanting to have the shiniest one, I personally think its a matter of look vs price... or maybe save a bit more to get the 2018 pro, i think questioning people should just get the latest model (in anything) and save to get it unless they know they like the previous model better and dont even question it.. in case of buyers remorse you could always return it...

 

[EugW]

External USB support is a major PITA on the 10.5". Much simpler on the 11".
Pencil on the 10.5" is really annoying. Nowhere to put it, and it rolls off the table. Charging is also annoyingly implemented.
Bluetooth headphones are very freeing, but the USB-C (or Lightning) dongle is only $9. Not a big deal IMO.

 

[iRock1]

External USB support is a major PITA on the 10.5". Much simpler on the 11".

First of all, thanks for you feedback. Now, could you expand on that sentence?

Tbh that matter doesn't look that terrible to me. The Lightning-to-USB adapter does his job, doesn't it? Also, considering that to this day USB-C devices are still a minority in front of the realm of the USB-A port, I'd argue that you would still have to use a USB-C-to-USB-A dongle on the 11" Pro most of the time.

Pencil on the 10.5" is really annoying. Nowhere to put it, and it rolls off the table. Charging is also annoyingly implemented.

There is no doubt that the Apple Pencil 2 is way better on the practical side of things, but tbh that's not a deal breaker to me. Is the design of the Apple Pencil 1 one of the worst Apple has ever done? Yes, but I can deal with that (I use a leather pouch for my Air that has a pocket for the Pencil).

Bluetooth headphones are very freeing, but the USB-C (or Lightning) dongle is only $9. Not a big deal IMO.

The problem with the dongle is that it's something that I'll have to carry with me all the time for something that will be very frequent, as connecting my headphones. To me that looks more cumbersome than having to use a dongle the few times I'll want to connect a USB device.

BT headphones are something I'm reluctant to use, as I use an iPod Classic and other devices that don't support BT.

Again, thanks for your feedback.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I use an iPod Classic and other devices that don't support BT.

You could always get one of those headphone jack bluetooth adapters:

 

[EugW]

First of all, thanks for you feedback. Now, could you expand on that sentence?

Tbh that matter doesn't look that terrible to me. The Lightning-to-USB adapter does his job, doesn't it? Also, considering that to this day USB-C devices are still a minority in front of the realm of the USB-A port, I'd argue that you would still have to use a USB-C-to-USB-A dongle on the 11" Pro most of the time.

On the 10.5" Pro, it's Lightning as you know. The problem with Lightning is that it provides very little power. More often than not, a USB flash drive will not work. To get around that, you will need external power.

So, to get that USB flash drive to work you'd attach the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, then you would plug in a USB charger in the wall, plug in a Lightning cable to the charger and the camera adapter to provide power, and then you would attach to the USB flash drive to the camera adapter.

Above is what that adapter looks like. The USB 3 port is on the left and the Lightning port is on the right. That Lightning port is to provide external power, which can both power an external flash drive and charge up the iPad.

In contrast, on the 11" iPad Pro, it has USB-C which is designed to provide sufficient power on its own. You may need a $4 USB-C to USB-A adapter, but no external power is required, which simplifies things greatly.

The problem with the dongle is that it's something that I'll have to carry with me all the time for something that will be very frequent, as connecting my headphones. To me that looks more cumbersome than having to use a dongle the few times I'll want to connect a USB device.

Uncourage

Above is the Lightning version, but there is also a USB-C version.

However, I rarely use it. Ironically, I use Bluetooth headphones with my iPad Pro 10.5 (which has a headphone jack). I also use Bluetooth headphones with my iMac.

 

[iRock1]

On the 10.5" Pro, it's Lightning as you know. The problem with Lightning is that it provides very little power. More often than not, a USB flash drive will not work. To get around that, you will need external power.

So, to get that USB flash drive to work you'd attach the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, then you would plug in a USB charger in the wall, plug in a Lightning cable to the charger and the camera adapter to provide power, and then you would attach to the USB flash drive to the camera adapter.

View attachment 864248

Above is what that adapter looks like. The USB 3 port is on the left and the Lightning port is on the right. That Lightning port is to provide external power, which can both power an external flash drive and charge up the iPad.

In contrast, on the 11" iPad Pro, it has USB-C which is designed to provide sufficient power on its own. You may need a $4 USB-C to USB-A adapter, but no external power is required, which simplifies things greatly.


Uncourage

View attachment 864249

Above is the Lightning version, but there is also a USB-C version.

However, I rarely use it. Ironically, I use Bluetooth headphones with my iPad Pro 10.5 (which has a headphone jack). I also use Bluetooth headphones with my iMac.

LOL at that accessory. However, tt's not so much about the risk of loosing the dongle as the annoyance of having to reach my backpack, keys or whatever and adding an extra step when I want to disconnect the headphones from say my iPod and connect them to my iPad.

Regarding your first point, would an external battery work?

 

[EugW]

Regarding your first point, would an external battery work?

Sure, but then you have to carry around a battery pack just to use a USB drive.

 

[Abazigal]

Given that iOS 13 now supports external drives, I too recommend the 11” iPad Pro for the usb c port. Makes it easier to move files on and off storage media.

 

[levander]

EugW gave some excellent differences I bet 98% of Apple employees couldn’t describe.

If those don’t matter to you, I’d go with the 10.5 simply because it’s cheaper. And you can use you’re money to do the next inevitable upgrade sooner. Because there’s always some fancy new technology coming out and being added to these devices.

If the differences EugW describes do matter to you, I’d go with the 11. The external storage thing sounds like a big deal to me. But I don’t know how often you use an external drive, etc.. How tolerant you are of carrying an extra battery... For me, stuff like that would depend on how good the bag I use to carry my stuff would handle an extra battery...