iPad Pro Would like to go from my 2020 iPad Pro to the new 13” OLED, but iPads are such a ridiculous luxury I can’t bring myself to do it

[xxFoxtail]

I gave my partner my 2020 12.9" iPP a couple years ago. I still use it once in a while. It still works like it's brand new. Comparing it directly to the M1 iPP I used afterwards (later sold this and got my Macbook), apps took a moment longer to load, but no way affected usage of the device.

Unless you’re using it for high performance tasks, AI, or want external display support or a better built in screen. I see no reason to upgrade it. Those things mattered to me before, but if I broke my MacBook and needed to use that iPad again as my laptop, I'd be more than happy to.

 

[Geekett]

My iPad 2020 works fine, except I was very tempted by the new nano screen. But the price of the upgrade is insane for what is is.

Would nano be available on the base model, screen have thinner bezels, and less fingerprinty, I would have probably made the jump. I will not anyway because of the nuts price and some new problems discussed here (keyboard marking the screen, wobble more, PWM…). And still this limited iPad OS. For this price, one expects the excellence !

 

[Zest28]

The only reason why I am considering the 11" M4 iPad Pro, is to have it as a replacement of my iPad Air 2. But I won't buy an Apple pencil or keyboard for it, as it will strictly be used as a big iPhone.

It won't replace the M1 12.9 iPad Pro (with pencil and keyboard).

 

[aibloop]

I use my m2 ipad 12,9 almost exclusively. They are great.

Apple never quite managed to make iOS "pro" level. I do think however that the treshold for doing a pro iOS is getting lower.

EU forcing Apple to open up the app store is a big sign of the future.


IMHO Apple should make iOS open like OSX, allow full OSX apps to run, allow finder with full filesystem. The arguments against it are falling away with M class chips on the ipads.

I do however suspect, that the main reason for iOS is the ability to sell devices for a lower price. They do not want to cannibalize their OSX device sales with a higher margin. A M class ipad is as powerful as a macbook Air, alot of sales would be gone there if you could do full OSX on a ipad air/Pro.

However, I think is silly. More sales should mean higher profits regardless, and the fact that the economy is weak, might be another reason for Apple to make ipads full functionality.


In conclusion: iOS on iPads is a profit motive, in essence a "mac lite" and the cashcow of Apple… Making a Pro level iOS unlikely, however the treshold for a real OS on iPads is coming down with EU pushing down the fences around Apples walled garden.

 

[alecgold]

It’s just dopamine! After a day it will feel the same as one you replaced ha.

YMMV.
I stil daily enjoy, really enjoy, the m4 for the speed, screen, 5G, new pencil.
And I still miss the folio keyboard.

 

[alecgold]

I use my m2 ipad 12,9 almost exclusively. They are great.

Apple never quite managed to make iOS "pro" level. I do think however that the treshold for doing a pro iOS is getting lower.

EU forcing Apple to open up the app store is a big sign of the future.


IMHO Apple should make iOS open like OSX, allow full OSX apps to run, allow finder with full filesystem. The arguments against it are falling away with M class chips on the ipads.

I do however suspect, that the main reason for iOS is the ability to sell devices for a lower price. They do not want to cannibalize their OSX device sales with a higher margin. A M class ipad is as powerful as a macbook Air, alot of sales would be gone there if you could do full OSX on a ipad air/Pro.

However, I think is silly. More sales should mean higher profits regardless, and the fact that the economy is weak, might be another reason for Apple to make ipads full functionality.


In conclusion: iOS on iPads is a profit motive, in essence a "mac lite" and the cashcow of Apple… Making a Pro level iOS unlikely, however the treshold for a real OS on iPads is coming down with EU pushing down the fences around Apples walled garden.

I’m not sure that it is only a profit thing. The interface between iPadOS and macOS is hugely different. Also at least up to the m1 and m2 processor the iPad’s would get the same benchmarks as a MacBook, but couldn’t sustain those levels because of thermal constraints. At least that is what my experience is. The m4 chip seems to change that and i can’t stress that chip (easily) to its limits. Perhaps the m4 might be a turning point.

 

[klasma]

You probably don’t even strictly need your current iPad, and therefore by your logic should sell it.

 

[Nate455]

I still use my iPad air from 2016, it works just fine for my needs and I don't see a need to update yet.

 

[sparksd]

Happy wife, happy life.

So far, so good. Celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary last week.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I upgraded from an 11" 2020 to an 11" M4 and do not regret it at all. For my use (as my primary computer), A12Z was starting to show its age.

 

[MacBookPro88]

I don’t understand people thinking an iPad is a MacBook. It isn’t. It so much more, in many ways. And less in others.

The price for my iPad is nuts indeed, but it’s more powerful than a MacBook Air. And it does a lot of things a macbook can’t: you can’t write with a pencil on a macbook (well, not much), it doesn’t have 5G, it doesn’t have portrait, doesn’t have a good camera to make pictures, it can’t scan pages, doesn’t have a OLED display.
The iPad is much more portable, can be attached to several different excellent keyboard covers, can be connected to external displays and so on.

Where it doesn’t shine is working like an old school laptop or desktop. The file handling isn’t for handling or renaming large amounts of files, writing software isn’t easy and sometimes even not possible. Microsoft has crippled Office a great deal, but it does so on Android and iOS as well. The full adobe suit isn’t available, just a dumbed down version.
Then again, writing a large report is very well possible, with footnotes, pictures etc. And most of the software is good enough for 95% of the people’s private work, and possibly 50% of professional work.

I never said it was a MacBook nor do I think it should be. I just said if it came down to it I would rather have the MacBook based on price and value for me. I don't think an iPad should cost as much as a Macbook. That is my gripe.
The iPad Air 13 inch cost the same as what the iPad Pros were costing a few years ago $799. And it doesn't even have a high refresh rate or the quad speakers. Best Buy has MacBook Air M2s for $799 right now.

It shines as a tablet and that is 100% what I use it for. I do not have a pencil or magic keyboard. I mean, I'm still probably gonna buy one (lol) when the time comes for me to replace my 2020 iPad Pro 11" I love it that much for couch surfing.

 

[GuruZac]

I have had an 11” 2020 iPad Pro since it launched and it is still incredibly smooth. Handles everything with absolute ease, I even had it replaced via AppleCare around 2022, so this one is technically only two years old. But performance-wise is perfect. Beast of a device.

I want the new OLED model, and the bigger screen. But I cannot bring myself to get it. iPads are such a ridiculous luxury I just can’t do it. While I do use it for my business it is not a mission critical device by any means. So I could absolutely justify it and twist it so it feels semi-needed. But it isn’t lol.

That is all. Just lamenting how lucky we are to be in this modern well off civilization. Wanting something just to want it and feeling guilty. Ugh

I played around with the 13" iPad Pro with my 12.9 M1 iPad Pro, and there was just nothing there. Even the OLED for most content was not noticeable. Speed was negligible to non-existent difference for my daily usage. An excellent product but iPad Pros have been exceptionally good since the 2018 model, and have truly stood the test of time. My wife's 2018 still flies, shockingly.

 

[Melbourne Park]

I never said it was a MacBook nor do I think it should be. I just said if it came down to it I would rather have the MacBook based on price and value for me. I don't think an iPad should cost as much as a Macbook. That is my gripe.
The iPad Air 13 inch cost the same as what the iPad Pros were costing a few years ago $799. And it doesn't even have a high refresh rate or the quad speakers. Best Buy has MacBook Air M2s for $799 right now.
...

I never said it was a MacBook nor do I think it should be. I just said if it came down to it I would rather have the MacBook based on price and value for me. I don't think an iPad should cost as much as a Macbook. That is my gripe.
The iPad Air 13 inch cost the same as what the iPad Pros were costing a few years ago $799. And it doesn't even have a high refresh rate or the quad speakers. Best Buy has MacBook Air M2s for $799 right now.

It shines as a tablet and that is 100% what I use it for. I do not have a pencil or magic keyboard. I mean, I'm still probably gonna buy one (lol) when the time comes for me to replace my 2020 iPad Pro 11" I love it that much for couch surfing.

And in the USA a new 13" OLED Surface Pro with 16 GB RAM 256 GB SSD and its keyboard is $1,579.98. They'd drop in price too. They do both functions - run Office very well, nice screen, and can double as a touch device. I think the non OLED versions like the Air M2 screen has are around $1,000. And one can upgrade the SSD easily oneself. My wife wants to keep the PC environment and her battery is gone in her iPad Pro 10.5". Which weighs about 676 grams with its fold out cover stand. But a 13" IBM weighs 885 grams. Only a bit heavier ... hmmm Apple should be making a touchscreen Air with a fold back or de-tachible keyboard.

 

[Bandoholic]

There’s like to, need to and degrees in between, one can always sell what they have on some online platform or trade it in, both ways incurring a loss, your wallet and your need for the latest and greatest, will help you decide.

 

[Matsamoto]

I’m in the same boat.

Currently using an iPad Pro 11“ 2020, and sure, an upgrade to the 11“ 2024 would be nice.
But the performance on this device (for my needs) is still very good.
Recently checked the battery health through imazing and it has 380 cycles after
3 1/2 years of usage😁
And the price for the base 11“ M4 in Sweden is 1330$/1225€

So I’m going to use my 11” 2020 at least 2 more year, and see what will be next.

 

[GuruZac]

I actually plan to trade my 12.9 M1 iPad Pro for the iPad Mini 7 that will hopefully launch this Fall. Don't need the size or function of the iPad Pro, and the portability of the Mini with the ability to use Apple Pencil 2 is very attractive.

 

[brilliantthings]

I usually buy a second-hand iPad Pro that is two generations old. I have the M1 11" iPad Pro with a second-hand Magic Keyboard that I first bought for my 2018 iPad Pro.
I can't justify buying new iPads.

 

[alecgold]

I usually buy a second-hand iPad Pro that is two generations old. I have the M1 11" iPad Pro with a second-hand Magic Keyboard that I first bought for my 2018 iPad Pro.
I can't justify buying new iPads.

Why can’t you justify them? What do you do with them? How much do you use them?
Sorry, lot of questions, but I’m curious how you came to this conclusion, perhaps it might apply to me as well.

 

[Matsamoto]

I actually plan to trade my 12.9 M1 iPad Pro for the iPad Mini 7 that will hopefully launch this Fall. Don't need the size or function of the iPad Pro, and the portability of the Mini with the ability to use Apple Pencil 2 is very attractive.

I have similar thoughts. Not to trade in my iPad Pro for a Mini, but to also buy a Mini 6, just for the reason that I sometimes feel that the 11” is to large when I take the iPad with me.
A refurbished Mini 6 cost 500-550$ in Sweden, but I’m little nervous about the jelly screen. If I notice it, it will never getting away😁

But don’t you think you will miss the Promotion screen of the Pro?
(I don’t think Apple will get Promotion to the Mini series)

 

[brilliantthings]

Why can’t you justify them? What do you do with them? How much do you use them?
Sorry, lot of questions, but I’m curious how you came to this conclusion, perhaps it might apply to me as well.

I find it hard to justify buying any new tech. The expense of new tech feels like an unnecessary extravagance for me. The improvements generation to generation are usually incremental and it's good for me to delay gratification. Also, the savings are significant when buying products that are two generations old.

 

[brilliantthings]

Why can’t you justify them? What do you do with them? How much do you use them?
Sorry, lot of questions, but I’m curious how you came to this conclusion, perhaps it might apply to me as well.

I didn't answer all your questions. I consider myself a power user. I don't use the SOC to its limit though. I use my iPad daily for at least an hour.
Most of my work gets done on a generation old 15" MBA and a 27" 4k monitor. Both were second-hand.

 

[Melbourne Park]

I find it hard to justify buying any new tech. The expense of new tech feels like an unnecessary extravagance for me. The improvements generation to generation are usually incremental and it's good for me to delay gratification. Also, the savings are significant when buying products that are two generations old.

Depends where you live.

In Australia Apple refurbs are very limited. I think in some countries Apple sells new superseded gear, which is sold as refurb or used or demo. They might be new ... but in Australia, it seems resellers don't get those good deals on older gear which may even be brand new. That may be because we have a retail protection kind of scheme, where if something expensive fails, then despite the warranty, a company has to fix it. But that only applies to brand new equipment ... so I guess, Apple is not willing to label older tech as being actually new in Australia.

 

[alecgold]

Depends where you live.

In Australia Apple refurbs are very limited. I think in some countries Apple sells new superseded gear, which is sold as refurb or used or demo. They might be new ... but in Australia, it seems resellers don't get those good deals on older gear which may even be brand new. That may be because we have a retail protection kind of scheme, where if something expensive fails, then despite the warranty, a company has to fix it. But that only applies to brand new equipment ... so I guess, Apple is not willing to label older tech as being actually new in Australia.

Refurbs from Apple are rather rare in the Netherlands as well. But buying second hand is a good option over here as well.

I didn't answer all your questions. I consider myself a power user. I don't use the SOC to its limit though. I use my iPad daily for at least an hour.
Most of my work gets done on a generation old 15" MBA and a 27" 4k monitor. Both were second-hand.

I use my iPad at least 8 hours a day, every meeting it is with me and serves as a notebook with the pencil. And when I make a small note of a meeting/minutes or mail action points to the participants afterwards it’s also on my iPad.
I use my laptop usually only on Mondays or Fridays when I’m WFH and working on larger reports/excel sheets.
Up until the M4 iPad the combination of running warm and battery life on a single charge was limiting for me. But now with the M4 it seems solved as I can get a whole day and then some more and it doesn’t run warm anymore.
And I paid €2856 for the 11”-1Tb/5G with Pencil Pro, MKB and AC+ without a problem (well, it did hurt, but I use it so very often). But what will the resell value within a year?Your post got me serious thinking.
Thanks!

 

[brilliantthings]

Depends where you live.

In Australia Apple refurbs are very limited. I think in some countries Apple sells new superseded gear, which is sold as refurb or used or demo. They might be new ... but in Australia, it seems resellers don't get those good deals on older gear which may even be brand new. That may be because we have a retail protection kind of scheme, where if something expensive fails, then despite the warranty, a company has to fix it. But that only applies to brand new equipment ... so I guess, Apple is not willing to label older tech as being actually new in Australia.

I'm in Australia, too. I buy refurbished or secondhand. There are refurbished models of everything except phones but you've got to get in quick. A refurb alert service is helpful.

 

[brilliantthings]

Refurbs from Apple are rather rare in the Netherlands as well. But buying second hand is a good option over here as well.


I use my iPad at least 8 hours a day, every meeting it is with me and serves as a notebook with the pencil. And when I make a small note of a meeting/minutes or mail action points to the participants afterwards it’s also on my iPad.
I use my laptop usually only on Mondays or Fridays when I’m WFH and working on larger reports/excel sheets.
Up until the M4 iPad the combination of running warm and battery life on a single charge was limiting for me. But now with the M4 it seems solved as I can get a whole day and then some more and it doesn’t run warm anymore.
And I paid €2856 for the 11”-1Tb/5G with Pencil Pro, MKB and AC+ without a problem (well, it did hurt, but I use it so very often). But what will the resell value within a year?Your post got me serious thinking.
Thanks!

That's right. It's a bit like cars. They lose their value a few seconds after they're bought new.
Unlike cars, though, Apple products are incredibly good at retaining value. But not their new value.