iPad Pro Wrong time to buy an iPad Pro?

[Cricketman]

Hi all,

A bit of background. I feel like I have had terrible timing in purchasing big ticket apple products off late. I bought two iPad 3's (which shortly got updated to the iPad 4, and subsequent iterations of the iPad Air far surpassed that device). I bought the 2017 MacBook Pro, and have had a few issues with the keyboard and general performance over time. and I got the 2016 iPad Pro 9.7" (original iPad Pro), which honestly has been pretty slow through most of the time I have had it, and the "Pro" features that came with it have permeated through to even the budget iPads now

I am considering purchasing either the M1 or M2 iPad Pro. I am thinking of getting the 12.9" version. My main use case is this - I want to be able to read and markup textbooks and large PDF files. I want to use flashcard apps like Anki. I want to watch lectures and take notes. I have administrative duties (preparing schedules, e-mails, etc) and would need to prepare image-heavy teaching files in the form of PowerPoints.

I have a medical board exams for which I will begin concentrated study Fall 2023 and take my exams in Summer 2024. This is why I am thinking of making this purchase now as I slowly kind of ramp up into study mode. I also have (virtual) interviews for the next stage of training over the next year; I would like to use the iPad for those, but I am hesitant with the camera positioning on the current models and will probably use my Mac with an upgraded webcam.

I am considering a) not purchasing a device at all. b) a base line m1 iPad 128gb, and c) a souped up, 1TB iPad (with 16gb ram) +/- Cellular. The reason I am considering the last one is that it will give me theoretically more headway to last a long time with better specs, especially with (hopefully) overhauled iPad OS in the future. I dont need cellular (I don't even get reception in my workplace) but it may be a nice thing to have down the line....

My concern is that I may be sinking $1.5-$2k on a device that quickly becomes previous gen. The current iPad as we know it is about to turn five years old - are we on the cusp of a massive overhaul? If that happens, it may be after my exams... (summer 2024).

I know the answer is "buy what you need, when you need it" but I would just like to hear everyone's own thought process as I have always found this forum helpful. Thanks so much.

 

[Rafterman]

Five years? The M2s were just released. The M1 Pros a year and a half ago. There won't be a new model of a Pro for a while yet. And even if there was a new one soon, even the M1s won't be obsolete for a long while.

A 1TB (with 16GB RAM) would help with future proofing.

 

[Cricketman]

Five years? The M2s were just released. The M1 Pros a year and a half ago. There won't be a new model of a Pro for a while yet. And even if there was a new one soon, even the M1s won't be obsolete for a long while.

A 1TB (with 16GB RAM) would help with future proofing.

Yeah the internal specs with M2 are great and far outperform my i5 MBP. But the chassis and design are about to hit 5 y/o in 2023.

I anticipate they will move the camera to landscape mode and improve it in the next iteration. I can't see what other major hardware changes there would be.

 

[macacam]

You don't want to buy an ipad pro because there will be a new one in the future with new features? Am I reading this right? Sounds like you'll never buy another ipad with that anxiety floating around in your head.

 

[usmaak]

I am using a 2nd gen 12.9” iPad Pro that is showing its age. It’s still a good device that gets more use than any of my other devices, but the battery is garbage. I was going to update this year, but this stopped me.

Apple Reportedly Planning to Release Larger 16-Inch iPad Next Year

Apple is developing a larger 16-inch iPad that it hopes to release in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a report today from The...

www.macrumors.com

 

[VaruLV]

Redesign might be coming, but, seeing how Apple doesnt care too much about iPad Pro and its evolution, it might happen next year with minor changes or it might happen in couple of years with... minor changes, who knows.

As for ipadOS and looking forward to its evolution and thus thinking about getting 16/1TB combo - dont. Not to start another discussion here, but IMHO there isnt enough indications that Apple will take ipadOS and iPad Pro seriously. Its just premium device that they pitch to everyone who can afford them. Yeah, I know, their marketing says otherwise, that its a pro device, but it isnt., at least not for majority of buyers/users.

So, if you feel like you NEED one right now, just get the cheapest M1 12.9 model, perhaps if the sale is good, get one with 256GB of SSD or just get the base model and work with iCloud or any other suitable cloud storage for your needs.

Im a happy 12.9 M1 128GB 5G owner myself(only got cellular model simply because those were the only ones in stock at the time of purchase), however I stopped expecting miracles from iPadOS/Stage Manager/"pro apps" a while ago and just treat iPad just for what it is - tablet, not a "real" computer(yeah, yeah, 30 years ago someone would call advanced pocket calculator a computer, I get it).

 

[Shirasaki]

When making such decisions, you really need to think through your next 3-5 years and anticipate a change that the iPad you want to buy today can handle. To me, your current workflow will change after you take the exam. If you anticipate a career change, factor those needs in.
$1500-$2000 iPad Pro cost is significant. Thankfully we‘ve passed the early days where next generation was 10x better than previous one, meaning waiting for next gen has diminishing returns now. iPad has more or less been mature and nothing major would change, unless Apple overhauls iPadOS (which is highly unlikely).

 

[hoo-man-b-ing]

The reason I am considering the last one is that it will give me theoretically more headway to last a long time with better specs, especially with (hopefully) overhauled iPad OS in the future. I dont need cellular (I don't even get reception in my workplace) but it may be a nice thing to have down the line....

In software engineering we often use the acronym YAGNI - You Ain’t Gonna Need It (so don’t build or buy it). If you don’t need cellular, don’t pay for it, especially since you seem to be at least a little cost conscious. There’s the cost of the hardware going in, and there’s the ongoing cost of whatever service you use. I have a 2018 iPad Pro with cellular and haven’t used it once, even when overseas. It’s theoretically a nice feature, but it remains just that — theoretical.

As for iPadOS improvements, sure, it’s possible they’ll introduce something amazing, but it’s equally possible:
- they don’t offer anything that benefits you
- they offer something that would benefit you but only if you’re on M3 or better

1TB is massive for an iPad and nothing you described suggests you would ever approach that size limit. For reference, I have a 256GB model and the only thing that causes me to run out of space is downloaded videos when traveling.

I’m unclear what a new iPad Pro offers you over your current setup. Plus, using an iPad Pro for video calls is suboptimal, particularly if you tend to use it horizontally (e.g., with a keyboard).

If you want to buy a new toy and have the money, go for it — but just be honest with yourself that you’re buying it because you want it and not for any sort of professional reasons. 😉

 

[BB1970]

As a proud new owner of a discounted 512 M1 12.9 iPad Pro, all I can say is any redesign will not diminish my love for this device. Yes, there’s things I wish it had (portrait mode on the rear camera, MagSafe so I don’t have to use the thunderbolt port, and a few other things) but it’s a tool, not a Faberge egg. Use technology to serve YOU, until it doesn’t, then move to the next.
Also, you don’t need cellular. Simply tether it to the phone. There. I just saved you 120 dollars. A terabyte is overkill if you don’t do a lot of video. Use a super fast external drive.
I saved a bit of money just buying last years model but in the end all I did was go a year without this device for a bit of savings when I could have used it, but I kept waiting for M2. And look how that turned out. I have no doubt some new feature will come out eventually, but it won’t be for another year minimum now.

 

[saintmac]

I think now is a pretty good time to buy one:
- Cellular: already has 5G
- Display: already has mini-led (on the 12.9): OLED will probably come but not sure if it will meaningfully change anything for your needs.
- Chip: M1 or M2 is already overkill for an iPad.
- Cameras: already way overkill for an iPad.
- Ports: Already thunderbolt
- Pencil: already has the good pencil 2 and the M2 now has a mode to make it work from a small distance which adds features.
- Form factor: making the bezel smaller would make it impractical to hold and it already has face ID.
Apart from maybe moving the camera to landscape mode and adding some sort of magsafe I don't see what can get better in the short term.

However don't fool yourself with future proofing too much to be ready for the day when the iPad can pretty much run macOS. That day will (unfortunately) probably never come and many people have already been burnt by that. And anyways a M1 8gb already runs macOS fine.
Your use case sounds very basic and I feel like even a 2018 A12X would already be enough.

I have a 2020 iPad Pro. This one was the bad buy (no 5G, no mini-led, no thunderbolt, no M1), but buying now I wouldn't worry too much. I've never found it slow in any way.
If you're not sure you need 1Tb I would rather save the money for Cellular I think it's more helpful as it enables you to access from anywhere the file that you may not already have on your iPad

 

[sunking101]

If you want the latest and greatest then get the M2 version which has only just been released. As others have said I wouldn't expect massive technological improvements over the next 5 years which would render your purchase obsolete.

 

[Rafterman]

As for ipadOS and looking forward to its evolution and thus thinking about getting 16/1TB combo - dont. Not to start another discussion here, but IMHO there isnt enough indications that Apple will take ipadOS and iPad Pro seriously. Its just premium device that they pitch to everyone who can afford them. Yeah, I know, their marketing says otherwise, that its a pro device, but it isnt., at least not for majority of buyers/users.

Sorry, but you just started another discussion I do think Apple has a plan for iPads, but they aren't anywhere near the endgame yet. People go on too much about the "pro" moniker. "Pro" is just marketing. It just means the higher end specs and people shouldn't get so worked up about it.

 

[VaruLV]

Sorry, but you just started another discussion I do think Apple has a plan for iPads, but they aren't anywhere near the endgame yet. People go on too much about the "pro" moniker. "Pro" is just marketing. It just means the higher end specs and people shouldn't get so worked up about it.

Yet, at the same time, Apple tries hard in their video ads to show video and graphics artists/pro's working on it, sending weird message to people who want to use it for more than just iPhone grade apps. I dont expect them to change that for a long time, if ever.

 

[ndouglas]

Considering your stated needs and most people’s needs, there is no such thing as ”had terrible timing.” Especially with the near-constant updating Apple does of everything. I know site readers on here may disagree with “near-constant” but real-world people would likely agree with it. Just my humble view of course, referring to iphone ipads macs etc etc all being updated yearly, and if not yearly then pretty darn close to that. And often even more frequently than yearly if you consider how many phone / tablet variations come out at various times a year.

As your post ends, “buy when you need it.” It sounds like you want and/or need a new one for good reasons. I doubt you will regret it especially if you find the 2016 ipad you have slow, that is too bad, it seems like you’d have a strikingly different experience with your current and future uses to get the latest or 1 year older model.

 

[ndouglas]

Yet, at the same time, Apple tries hard in their video ads to show video and graphics artists/pro's working on it, sending weird message to people who want to use it for more than just iPhone grade apps. I dont expect them to change that for a long time, if ever.

Yes, it’s marketing (aka false advertising), however red bull shows people flying, chevy trucks show guy up in the mountains off roading, etc. Apple’s ads are no more or less wildly exaggerated than those especially when it comes to the words Pro, not to mention Air.

As much as I’ve enjoyed my (3+ pairs of) Airpods for example, I still can’t get them to help me dance sideways like this guy:

 

[usmaak]

Yes, it’s marketing (aka false advertising), however red bull shows people flying, chevy trucks show guy up in the mountains off roading, etc. Apple’s ads are no more or less wildly exaggerated than those especially when it comes to the words Pro, not to mention Air.

As much as I’ve enjoyed my (3+ pairs of) Airpods for example, I still can’t get them to help me dance sideways like this guy:

You’re wearing them wrong??

 

[haydn!]

We’re unlikely to see new iPad Pro’s before 2024. Spring 24 is the most likely release timeframe right now given the last several iPad Pro updates have fallen within an approx 18 months timeline.

You could of course wait, but then, in Spring 2024 you’re only 18 months away from the M4 iPad Pro. Do you wait for that? You have to draw a line… as there will always be something new coming at some point.

 

[kp98077]

Official Dx = Apple anxiety 😄
just get the m2 12.9 and be done you’ll love it and an excellent tool in medicine.

 

[luzsa2004]

Can’t go wrong with the latest iPad Pro 2022 model. The screen size at nearly 13 inches rivals laptops, the speed when multitasking is impressive, especially running in stage manager, and w/ a combo touch typing / navigating is a breeze. For context, I mistakenly bought the iPad 10 and within 2-3 days was at the Apple store returning that unit to upgrade to the ’22 pro.