My MacBook Air with the M2 is lightning faster than my previous Mac with the i5. Why would a iPad need the M4 chip? iPadOS is not as powerful as MacOS I don’t understand.
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All iPads Why would iPad need a M4?
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Because M4 is the current chip now, and iPad Pro was up next for refresh. Most likely, as simple as that.
Because the old model already had the M2 and the M4 is more efficient than the M3 and can drive an extra display (needed for tandem OLED to work).
It probably doesn’t need it for most use cases, but since the chip is ready, and it’ll likely prolong the longevity of the device, why not?
First off, Apple silicon is built around running tasks using as little power as possible, not just about raw power, plus it’s there to power the tandem OLED screen. So the primary reason is power efficiency (I run certain games like Grimvalor and slay the spire and it uses noticeably less power on my M4 iPad Pro).
You also want it to be able to support the next 6-7 years of updates, for one.
Third, there are specific use cases that do need that much power. Lightroom is one example which comes to mind.
So you really need to stop thinking in terms of raw power and more in performance per watt.
iPad Pro is the top iPad so they want to introduce the newest chip. M3 seems to be a custom chip TSMC makes for Apple, so it’s a temporary stopgap.
Most likely end of this year Macs will transition to M4, and there will be no M3 left in the product lineup by summer next year.
It‘s possible there will be a longer period between M4 and M5.
Most likely end of this year Macs will transition to M4, and there will be no M3 left in the product lineup by summer next year.
It‘s possible there will be a longer period between M4 and M5.
Honestly believe the main reason was that the new 3nm process isn’t directly backwards compatible so they had to tape out a chip to use it so decided on M4 and the iPad’s as the first releases as iPad’s don’t sell in the numbers that iPhones do it was a good test chip for them.
The iPad needs the M4 because there are many who want the latest and fastest processor available and are willing to pay a high price to get it. It's not any more complicated than that.
This is the only reason, you're not going to redesign an existing chip to include a new display engine. Everything else that comes with M4 is just gravy.
I believe Apple specifically mentioned that they designed the M4 with a special display controller that could regulate the tandem OLED. Aside from that it’s the latest available generation and a good marketing point.
I also asked this question many times but ended up buying an M4 Pro for other reasons, namely I needed to replace a six year old 2018 Pro and really wanted the OLED display and a device that would last many years before needing another upgrade.
Now having used it for a while, I’m finding myself being sold on the merits. That said, if you have an M1 or M2 you probably wouldn’t see enough of a difference. But I sure do. I can actually use this iPad to replace more of what I do on a laptop simply because of how fast and fluid it is and how rarely it needs to reload an app as I multitask. It feels amazing to jump from task to task on this device. I’m also able to play Assassin’s Creed Mirage at max settings without any stutters.
Granted, iPadOS is definitely still limiting so I am choosy about what I try to do on this device, but I can get tasks done on this and the speed and power definitely removes a piece of the friction I was experiencing with productivity on my 2018 Pro.
Now having used it for a while, I’m finding myself being sold on the merits. That said, if you have an M1 or M2 you probably wouldn’t see enough of a difference. But I sure do. I can actually use this iPad to replace more of what I do on a laptop simply because of how fast and fluid it is and how rarely it needs to reload an app as I multitask. It feels amazing to jump from task to task on this device. I’m also able to play Assassin’s Creed Mirage at max settings without any stutters.
Granted, iPadOS is definitely still limiting so I am choosy about what I try to do on this device, but I can get tasks done on this and the speed and power definitely removes a piece of the friction I was experiencing with productivity on my 2018 Pro.
Note that "M4" does not mean just one thing. We likely have base M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max and M4 Ultra. We have no idea how all the production efficiencies for M3/M4 chips shake out. So any given chip variant may either be plentiful/cheap to use or scarce/pricey, which would impact Apple's product planning. Economies of scale are also very relevant.
Because Apple doesn’t have idea to make breakthrough improvements in iPad / iPadOS. Also, probably they want to put iPad as experimental device for their next AI.
Bought it because of the oled, but as it happens it is also much brighter, so instead of always 100% my m4 is usually at 40%. So it’s more economical with the battery. And as an extra bonus the iPad can drive my 32” 4K display have 4 apps on the external open and a heavy app for handwriting and still charge to 100% without getting hot.
My 13” m2 was a bit unwieldy as well, but the 11” is every bit as capable as the 13”.
My 13” m2 was a bit unwieldy as well, but the 11” is every bit as capable as the 13”.
Not me! Just bought the M1 iPP for half the money and it is great so far and a big upgrade to my Gen 2 iPP from 2017! Loving it already...
I went back to my old m1 11” and it couldn’t handle the notability document I use daily. It was so slow it was unusable.
On the M1 the file with 261 pages takes minutes to open om the 1Tb m1 and 10-25 seconds to swipe to the next page. Search didn’t work at all.
The file contains originally has 365+ pages for daily note taking and is being used since march. It has now 261 pages with notes and is perfectly useable on the m4, scrolling, searching my handwriting, it’s really convenient. Just to test I duplicated all pages and it still had no slow down. It makes for a really nice agenda/journal/notebook where even my handwriting is reasonable searchable.
It’s just one example where the m4 is shining. I have more of these (rather extreme?!) uses where the M4 is shining. Add to that the OLED, nice MKB (but where is my folio keyboard?!) and I needed to buy a new pencil anyway…
The 1Tb model seems to make a difference as it keeps this file open, pretty much no matter what I do.
But what average iPad owner uses at the end of the year a 1000 pages of notes and want to search through them?! And spend almost €3000 on the 1Tb model to get extra memory, AC+, MKB and PencilPro?!
The again, if you come from a pre-M-period iPP it’s a huge boost.
On the M1 the file with 261 pages takes minutes to open om the 1Tb m1 and 10-25 seconds to swipe to the next page. Search didn’t work at all.
The file contains originally has 365+ pages for daily note taking and is being used since march. It has now 261 pages with notes and is perfectly useable on the m4, scrolling, searching my handwriting, it’s really convenient. Just to test I duplicated all pages and it still had no slow down. It makes for a really nice agenda/journal/notebook where even my handwriting is reasonable searchable.
It’s just one example where the m4 is shining. I have more of these (rather extreme?!) uses where the M4 is shining. Add to that the OLED, nice MKB (but where is my folio keyboard?!) and I needed to buy a new pencil anyway…
The 1Tb model seems to make a difference as it keeps this file open, pretty much no matter what I do.
But what average iPad owner uses at the end of the year a 1000 pages of notes and want to search through them?! And spend almost €3000 on the 1Tb model to get extra memory, AC+, MKB and PencilPro?!
The again, if you come from a pre-M-period iPP it’s a huge boost.
Same, I could get a brand new iPad pro 11 M1 5G with 2TB for $799, less that even the base wifi M4. And it works with all my accessories, with my SIM cards (M4 has no slot) (and apparently the M4 has worse speakers although I haven't heard the 11" yet, only the 13", so that didn't even factor in)
I may be in the minority but I don't really care about oled or miniled.... I am perfectly fine with regular IPS.
To impress others when at Starbucks? Maybe put a sticker on the outside of the ipad saying "M4 ipad" so people know. 
The OLED on the new ipad isn't anything special anyways. I bought the S9 Ultra 2 days ago at 25% off and the screen on it is just as good. And this thing came out 10 months ago and was $600CAD cheaper than the M4. And far better user experience on it too.
Super. I returned the S9 Ultra and kept the 13" Pro.
Same here! I got the 12.9" M1 with 512 GB and a SIM slot for my SIM card. The speakers are great and the Mini-LED is too. I can even use the ultra wide angle camera. I am reading most of the time in "dark mode" were the black is like with OLED totally black too (and that saves energy). That M1 had only 16 battery cycles on it and it still had 99% battery health. Cost me 1100€, so nearly half as much as the M4 here in Europe. I don't need a keyboard case because I use the iPad as a touch device as it was intended to be.
For everything that goes in the direction of a laptop I am using my beloved 15" MacBook Air. These two devices are not much more expensive as a fully equipped M4 cellular, 1 TB with Magic Keyboard a pencil (2529€) but much more useful!
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Far better user experience for YOU but not ME and MANY MANY others that post here (not everyone but a lot of people post about their enjoyment) ha ha
Seems like you might be happier over on the Samsung forums where people enjoy those devices to be with people that have similar interests to you, instead of bashing a device daily that you don't even HAVE or WANT on this forum where people post on here about their new iPad and are enjoying it geez...... ha ha ha
LOL
Imagine owning all that Samsung gear in the sig!!
I couldn't sleep at night lol
I couldn't sleep at night lol
No one said ever their computer was too powerful! Tech waits on no one.