Comparing the new 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro versus the older model

Comments

• Reply 1 of 24

  dougd Posts: 292member

  November 13, 2018 9:31PM

  I wouldn't take an iPad as a gift

  
• Reply 2 of 24

  napoleon_phoneapart Posts: 548member

  November 13, 2018 9:46PM

  dougd said:

  I wouldn't take an iPad as a gift

  I wouldn't take your freshly-ground axe as a gift. 
  

  
• Reply 3 of 24

  Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member

  November 13, 2018 9:50PM

  napoleon_phoneapart said:

  dougd said:

  I wouldn't take an iPad as a gift

  I wouldn't take your freshly-ground axe as a gift. 
  

  🤣

  
• Reply 4 of 24

  JustSomeGuy1 Posts: 315member

  November 13, 2018 10:24PM

  "That is roughly a 25-percent single-core gain and almost 50-percent multi-core."

  
  

  You guys are usually better at math. It's a more than 90% improvement on multi-core.
  

  
  

  From a hardware standpoint, this is really impressive. It means that the performance scales basically *linearly* going from 2 to 4 cores. (Since there's 4 efficiency cores in both models, contributing approximately the same towards the results, scaling is better than the 90% figure!) This is a pretty big deal as it means that Apple's capable of building an interconnect that not only scales to at least 8 cores, but that power use for the interconnect is scaling well too.
  

  
  

  Until recently I was not convinced that putting an Ax chip in a MacBook was viable, but last year's A11 changed my mind. This puts the nail in the coffin of the idea that Apple can't scale their processors up to compete with the best 4-8 core processors Intel can build. Just using the tech on display in the A12x, replacing efficiency cores with performance cores, they could probably beat intel's best chips now. (There's some question as to how far they can push clocks on the current design without hitting a wall due to pipeline length, but in any case they're certainly close... and they haven't even tried to optimize for a laptop power envelope yet.)
  

  
• Reply 5 of 24

  pogdaddle Posts: 2member

  November 13, 2018 10:26PM

  I bought the new iPad. I had the 1st gen 12.9. I enjoyed swapping the SIM card between my 12.9 and 10.5 home-button iPads, without any issues. The data plan would fire up, immediately.
  The new iPad seems to prefer that I move my data account to the internal SIM chip. My SIM card was not recognized in the card tray. I had to log on to my carrier account on the new iPad and transfer the data plan via the Settings > Cellular software. There was a lag of several minutes before the data became active.
  The SIM card is now inactivated unless I decide to head out with the 10.5 iPad and transfer the data plan to the other device.
  I would rather put the wear and tear on the SIM tray and card, than transfer the dates plan with the software.
  
  One thing -  when the keyboard case is opened flat, to use the iPad in portrait mode, there is no suede flap, to cover the keys, as with the gen 1 and 2 keyboard. The right side, of the back of the iPad, feels like an accordion button keypad. If I lay it down on a table, I risk, getting the keys soiled with whatever is on the surface of the table. Love the face recognition. It still feels heavy. 

  
• Reply 6 of 24

  glindon Posts: 22member

  November 13, 2018 11:25PM

  You said the the new iPad with Smart Keyboard weighs more than the old one but don’t even bother to state how much more. A few grams more? A quarter pound more? What is it? Actually it weighs slightly less.
  
  Here’s the numbers (this is for the LTE version that weighs a few grams more on both models):
  2017
  Smart Keyboard: 0.75 lbs
  iPad 12.9: 1.57 lbs
  Total: 2.32 lbs (with no back protection)
  
  2018
  Smart Keyboard: 0.9 lbs
  iPad 12.9: 1.39 lbs
  Total: 2.29 lbs (with back protection)

  
• Reply 7 of 24

  patchythepirate Posts: 1,254member

  November 13, 2018 11:49PM

  JustSomeGuy1 said:

  "That is roughly a 25-percent single-core gain and almost 50-percent multi-core."

  
  

  You guys are usually better at math. It's a more than 90% improvement on multi-core.
  

  
  

  From a hardware standpoint, this is really impressive. It means that the performance scales basically *linearly* going from 2 to 4 cores. (Since there's 4 efficiency cores in both models, contributing approximately the same towards the results, scaling is better than the 90% figure!) This is a pretty big deal as it means that Apple's capable of building an interconnect that not only scales to at least 8 cores, but that power use for the interconnect is scaling well too.
  

  
  

  Until recently I was not convinced that putting an Ax chip in a MacBook was viable, but last year's A11 changed my mind. This puts the nail in the coffin of the idea that Apple can't scale their processors up to compete with the best 4-8 core processors Intel can build. Just using the tech on display in the A12x, replacing efficiency cores with performance cores, they could probably beat intel's best chips now. (There's some question as to how far they can push clocks on the current design without hitting a wall due to pipeline length, but in any case they're certainly close... and they haven't even tried to optimize for a laptop power envelope yet.)
  

  Thanks for your perspective. I'm not a techie, per se, but to me the fact that the new macbook air is so feature packed and impressive almost guarantees we'll be seeing a new MacBook with an A series chip in 2019.
  

  
• Reply 8 of 24

  dws-2 Posts: 276member

  November 13, 2018 11:57PM

  Never have I been more impressed by a device, and seen no need for it. I have a 9.7" iPad Pro that I use for browsing the web on the couch. The new iPad is definitely something that I want, but without a way for me to use all that power, I can't see how it would improve my experience except for the larger screen.
  
  In another world (or maybe in a future world), it would be the ultimate computer, effortlessly switching between a computer and an iPad. Right now, I think the Verge said it best: It's like a high-speed train on rails, but chances are it's not going someplace useful to the average person.

  
• Reply 9 of 24

  fastasleep Posts: 6,417member

  November 14, 2018 12:37AM

  dws-2 said:

  Never have I been more impressed by a device, and seen no need for it. I have a 9.7" iPad Pro that I use for browsing the web on the couch. The new iPad is definitely something that I want, but without a way for me to use all that power, I can't see how it would improve my experience except for the larger screen.
  
  In another world (or maybe in a future world), it would be the ultimate computer, effortlessly switching between a computer and an iPad. Right now, I think the Verge said it best: It's like a high-speed train on rails, but chances are it's not going someplace useful to the average person.

  That’s why the average person should buy the regular 9.7” iPad. The Verge said it stupidly. 

  
• Reply 10 of 24

  williamlondon Posts: 1,324member

  November 14, 2018 12:49AM

  dougd said:

  I wouldn't take an iPad as a gift

  One of the early signs indicating MacRumors was going downhill was the inane competition amongst its more juvenile and immature members to be the first to post something negative.
  
  That attitude can fuck right off.

  
• Reply 11 of 24

  fastasleep Posts: 6,417member

  November 14, 2018 12:57AM

  williamlondon said:

  dougd said:

  I wouldn't take an iPad as a gift

  One of the early signs indicating MacRumors was going downhill was the inane competition amongst its more juvenile and immature members to be the first to post something negative.
  
  That attitude can fuck right off.

  Check out his comment history. It’s literally 201 negative comments. Mike, can we get the dislike button back yet?

  
• Reply 12 of 24

  cornchip Posts: 1,950member

  November 14, 2018 1:24AM

  patchythepirate said:

  JustSomeGuy1 said:

  "That is roughly a 25-percent single-core gain and almost 50-percent multi-core."

  
  

  You guys are usually better at math. It's a more than 90% improvement on multi-core.
  

  
  

  From a hardware standpoint, this is really impressive. It means that the performance scales basically *linearly* going from 2 to 4 cores. (Since there's 4 efficiency cores in both models, contributing approximately the same towards the results, scaling is better than the 90% figure!) This is a pretty big deal as it means that Apple's capable of building an interconnect that not only scales to at least 8 cores, but that power use for the interconnect is scaling well too.
  

  
  

  Until recently I was not convinced that putting an Ax chip in a MacBook was viable, but last year's A11 changed my mind. This puts the nail in the coffin of the idea that Apple can't scale their processors up to compete with the best 4-8 core processors Intel can build. Just using the tech on display in the A12x, replacing efficiency cores with performance cores, they could probably beat intel's best chips now. (There's some question as to how far they can push clocks on the current design without hitting a wall due to pipeline length, but in any case they're certainly close... and they haven't even tried to optimize for a laptop power envelope yet.)
  

  Thanks for your perspective. I'm not a techie, per se, but to me the fact that the new macbook air is so feature packed and impressive almost guarantees we'll be seeing a new MacBook with an A series chip in 2019.
  

  Yeah, me either, but I’m of the opinion - as I think most of us are at this point - that Apple will inevitably begin building Macs with their own chips. I have the feeling that they won’t exactly be “A” series chips though. Like the watch, I have to imagine Apple will develop a new sibling for the Mac line - let’s call them “M” series chips -  that will be specially engineered for MacOS. So while it will obviously be ARM based and developed in house by Apple, I’m guessing it will be a somewhat juiced up version of the “A” series chips designed specifically for the laptop & desktop products. Just my take.

  
• Reply 13 of 24

  jdb8167 Posts: 626member

  November 14, 2018 2:11AM

  The weight of the new Folio keyboard was something I noticed before it was even out of the box. It’s a very good keyboard but it seriously increases the weight and thickness of the 12.9” iPad Pro. The other oddity is that it covers up the Apple logo. Kind of strange. Though if Apple is going to keep the back case logo in the portrait orientation I guess they might as well cover it up but you would think they would put the logo on the back of the folio instead. Not very important but an odd marketing decision. 
  

  edited November 2018
• Reply 14 of 24

  Andrew_OSU Posts: 573member, editor

  November 14, 2018 2:30AM

  glindon said:

  You said the the new iPad with Smart Keyboard weighs more than the old one but don’t even bother to state how much more. A few grams more? A quarter pound more? What is it? Actually it weighs slightly less.
  
  Here’s the numbers (this is for the LTE version that weighs a few grams more on both models):
  2017
  Smart Keyboard: 0.75 lbs
  iPad 12.9: 1.57 lbs
  Total: 2.32 lbs (with no back protection)
  
  2018
  Smart Keyboard: 0.9 lbs
  iPad 12.9: 1.39 lbs
  Total: 2.29 lbs (with back protection)

  
  This is outlined in the video actually. The new one with the Smart Keyboard Folio is about 2.5lbs and the old with the Smart Keyboard is roughly 2.2lbs.

  
  

  edited November 2018
• Reply 15 of 24

  Rayz2016 Posts: 6,957member

  November 14, 2018 5:11AM

  patchythepirate said:

  JustSomeGuy1 said:

  "That is roughly a 25-percent single-core gain and almost 50-percent multi-core."

  
  

  You guys are usually better at math. It's a more than 90% improvement on multi-core.
  

  
  

  From a hardware standpoint, this is really impressive. It means that the performance scales basically *linearly* going from 2 to 4 cores. (Since there's 4 efficiency cores in both models, contributing approximately the same towards the results, scaling is better than the 90% figure!) This is a pretty big deal as it means that Apple's capable of building an interconnect that not only scales to at least 8 cores, but that power use for the interconnect is scaling well too.
  

  
  

  Until recently I was not convinced that putting an Ax chip in a MacBook was viable, but last year's A11 changed my mind. This puts the nail in the coffin of the idea that Apple can't scale their processors up to compete with the best 4-8 core processors Intel can build. Just using the tech on display in the A12x, replacing efficiency cores with performance cores, they could probably beat intel's best chips now. (There's some question as to how far they can push clocks on the current design without hitting a wall due to pipeline length, but in any case they're certainly close... and they haven't even tried to optimize for a laptop power envelope yet.)
  

  Thanks for your perspective. I'm not a techie, per se, but to me the fact that the new macbook air is so feature packed and impressive almost guarantees we'll be seeing a new MacBook with an A series chip in 2019.
  

  I’m going to guess at 2020, but one is definitely on the way. 

  
• Reply 16 of 24

  1983 Posts: 1,225member

  November 14, 2018 10:55AM

  dws-2 said:

  Never have I been more impressed by a device, and seen no need for it. I have a 9.7" iPad Pro that I use for browsing the web on the couch. The new iPad is definitely something that I want, but without a way for me to use all that power, I can't see how it would improve my experience except for the larger screen.
  
  In another world (or maybe in a future world), it would be the ultimate computer, effortlessly switching between a computer and an iPad. Right now, I think the Verge said it best: It's like a high-speed train on rails, but chances are it's not going someplace useful to the average person.

  The power of these next-gen iPads is eye watering! But you’re right, currently there isn’t a way to take full advantage of it. I really hope Apple has taken note of this, and with the release of iOS13 for iPad next year, owners will be finally allowed to take full advantage of what these devices are capable of! But that might really hurt Mac sales, so I don’t know if they will have the courage to do so...

  
• Reply 17 of 24

  williamlondon Posts: 1,324member

  November 14, 2018 12:41PM

  fastasleep said:

  williamlondon said:

  dougd said:

  I wouldn't take an iPad as a gift

  One of the early signs indicating MacRumors was going downhill was the inane competition amongst its more juvenile and immature members to be the first to post something negative.
  
  That attitude can fuck right off.

  Check out his comment history. It’s literally 201 negative comments. Mike, can we get the dislike button back yet?

  Some I think use the "Informative" button to indicate "dislike," though I agree an actual dislike button was good here. At least, however, there's good and often quite strong moderation in these forums which I hope means our little haven won't succumb to the path of MR.

  
• Reply 18 of 24

  cornchip Posts: 1,950member

  November 14, 2018 2:29PM

  patchythepirate said:

  JustSomeGuy1 said:

  "That is roughly a 25-percent single-core gain and almost 50-percent multi-core."

  
  

  You guys are usually better at math. It's a more than 90% improvement on multi-core.
  

  
  

  From a hardware standpoint, this is really impressive. It means that the performance scales basically *linearly* going from 2 to 4 cores. (Since there's 4 efficiency cores in both models, contributing approximately the same towards the results, scaling is better than the 90% figure!) This is a pretty big deal as it means that Apple's capable of building an interconnect that not only scales to at least 8 cores, but that power use for the interconnect is scaling well too.
  

  
  

  Until recently I was not convinced that putting an Ax chip in a MacBook was viable, but last year's A11 changed my mind. This puts the nail in the coffin of the idea that Apple can't scale their processors up to compete with the best 4-8 core processors Intel can build. Just using the tech on display in the A12x, replacing efficiency cores with performance cores, they could probably beat intel's best chips now. (There's some question as to how far they can push clocks on the current design without hitting a wall due to pipeline length, but in any case they're certainly close... and they haven't even tried to optimize for a laptop power envelope yet.)
  

  Thanks for your perspective. I'm not a techie, per se, but to me the fact that the new macbook air is so feature packed and impressive almost guarantees we'll be seeing a new MacBook with an A series chip in 2019.
  

  
  “- let’s call them “M” series chips - “
  
  Sorry after doing a little research I see they already have “M” chips for “Motion”. Maybe “X” for OSX? Whatever, doesn’t really matter.
  
  

  
• Reply 19 of 24

  lemon bon bon. Posts: 2,173member

  November 14, 2018 5:24PM

  Rayz2016 said:

  patchythepirate said:

  JustSomeGuy1 said:

  "That is roughly a 25-percent single-core gain and almost 50-percent multi-core."

  
  

  You guys are usually better at math. It's a more than 90% improvement on multi-core.
  

  
  

  From a hardware standpoint, this is really impressive. It means that the performance scales basically *linearly* going from 2 to 4 cores. (Since there's 4 efficiency cores in both models, contributing approximately the same towards the results, scaling is better than the 90% figure!) This is a pretty big deal as it means that Apple's capable of building an interconnect that not only scales to at least 8 cores, but that power use for the interconnect is scaling well too.
  

  
  

  Until recently I was not convinced that putting an Ax chip in a MacBook was viable, but last year's A11 changed my mind. This puts the nail in the coffin of the idea that Apple can't scale their processors up to compete with the best 4-8 core processors Intel can build. Just using the tech on display in the A12x, replacing efficiency cores with performance cores, they could probably beat intel's best chips now. (There's some question as to how far they can push clocks on the current design without hitting a wall due to pipeline length, but in any case they're certainly close... and they haven't even tried to optimize for a laptop power envelope yet.)
  

  Thanks for your perspective. I'm not a techie, per se, but to me the fact that the new macbook air is so feature packed and impressive almost guarantees we'll be seeing a new MacBook with an A series chip in 2019.
  

  I’m going to guess at 2020, but one is definitely on the way. 

  Probably.  The momentum is going this way.
  
  Lemon Bon Bon.

  
• Reply 20 of 24

  lemon bon bon. Posts: 2,173member

  November 14, 2018 5:27PM

  dws-2 said:

  Never have I been more impressed by a device, and seen no need for it. I have a 9.7" iPad Pro that I use for browsing the web on the couch. The new iPad is definitely something that I want, but without a way for me to use all that power, I can't see how it would improve my experience except for the larger screen.
  
  In another world (or maybe in a future world), it would be the ultimate computer, effortlessly switching between a computer and an iPad. Right now, I think the Verge said it best: It's like a high-speed train on rails, but chances are it's not going someplace useful to the average person.

  The power of these next-gen iPads is eye watering! But you’re right, currently there isn’t a way to take full advantage of it. I really hope Apple has taken note of this, and with the release of iOS13 for iPad next year, owners will be finally allowed to take full advantage of what these devices are capable of! But that might really hurt Mac sales, so I don’t know if they will have the courage 
  
  
  The courage to make them cheaper?  or the courage to be even greedier.
  
  Great update soiled and sullied by a £200 price rise.  That would be using the greed inflation index as opposed to the standard one us mere mortals get paid by.
  
  Lemon Bon Bon.