As you may know from my prior opinion piece on the iPad Pro, I was on the fence about keeping Apple’s new 12.9″ tablet. One of our editors has loved his Pro since day one, another returned his after a week of testing, and a third effectively consigned his to Netflix duty. Up until the Pro came out, I was a very satisfied iPad Air 2 user, so I didn’t feel like I needed a bigger device.
But after three weeks with my iPad Pro, several things have changed my mind, and I’m officially a happy convert to the larger tablet. Moreover, I have no intention of going back to the smaller iPad Air or iPad mini form factors any time soon. Here are the five things that made a big difference to me…
1. Apple Pencil. Apple’s first iPad stylus, Apple Pencil, is very close to awesome — better overall than any of the dozens of styluses I’ve tested for earlier iPads, and a joy to use for writing notes, sketching, and drawing. Assisted by iOS Notes and third-party apps such as Procreate, the pressure- and orientation-sensitive stylus does a truly wonderful job of accurately representing the motions and imperfections of both handwriting and analog marking tools. While an accessory named “Pencil” could certainly stand to include an eraser, and its battery life isn’t fantastic, I otherwise love this stylus, and consider it essential to my iPad experience. Unfortunately, it’s still extremely hard to find, but available on eBay and through Amazon Marketplace sellers.
2. The Right Stand/Case. My first week with the iPad Pro was marked by daily struggles to prop up and hold the 12.9″ tablet for extended periods of time, and made more awkward because I was relying on the wrong stand and case combination (Logitech’s Create). I discovered that turning the iPad Pro into a bulky, cheap-feeling laptop killed the enthusiasm I had for its “tablet-plus” functionality. So I initially solved the stand problem by switching to Just Mobile’s Encore, which works with all iPads, then found a great combination iPad Pro stand and case in Urban Armor Gear’s Composite Case, which I’ve been using and loving. Being able to carry the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil together, with the benefit of an as-needed stand, makes the large tablet experience leagues better; pairing it whenever necessary with a Logitech K811 Keyboard is perfect for long-form typing.
3. Finding A Better Price. Apple’s $499/$599/$699 pricing strategy for the original iPad was smart, presenting a major new product with an affordable option from day one (while incentivizing upgrades); the same strategy helped the iPad mini and iPad Air roar out of the gate. By comparison, Apple’s iPad Pro pricing feels somewhat exclusive: the $799, $949 and $1,079 models are all outside “impulse buy” territory for casual users, and may seem a little expensive compared with Apple’s fuller-featured laptops or earlier tablets. But if you can get the Pro at a discount, it’s harder to pass up.
The Apple Store’s holiday return policy entitles you to bring back your iPad Pro through early January for any reason, so even if you already have an iPad Pro, you can still save money if you find a better price elsewhere. I was able to score a rare Cyber Monday deal to lower my iPad Pro’s price, and though it’s expired, you can save some cash (particularly on sales tax) through a third-party vendor such as MacMall; coupon code MWBCJ9TO5MAC will help you save at least $25 off Apple’s standard prices, plus a state- and iPad model-specific sales tax savings of $70 to $100.
4. Getting Updated Apps. It’s probably not surprising that there weren’t many iPad Pro apps ready on launch day, given that Apple released it with so little advance notice to developers. The initial selection of apps with either iPad Pro resolution support, or split-screen support, was seriously disappointing. But each time an app adds support for the iPad Pro, particularly split-screen functionality, the Pro becomes more useful, and I like it more. Some of Apple’s built-in iOS apps, including Messages, are absolutely essential to use in split-screen rather than full-screen mode. I’ve enjoyed using Reeder 3 and Tweetbot 4, both of which have been updated for the Pro. But other third-party apps really could benefit from Pro updates; I’m anxiously awaiting Facebook and YouTube updates, and other tweaks so that my most-used apps can share the big screen at once.
5. Discarding Some iPad Air/mini Conceptions. One of the things that changed was me. Like anybody who’s been using iPads and MacBooks for years, I had certain expectations as to how the iPad Pro might function — somewhere inbetween them, hopefully as a replacement for both of them. But for me, the iPad Pro turned out to just be a more capable iPad, solely a replacement for my iPad Air 2. Once I decided that I was going to stop using the iPad Air 2, I began to figure out workarounds for some of the challenges created by the larger Pro’s form factor. Knowing that I wanted to make it work for the long term, rather than as a temporary replacement for the iPad Air 2, really changed my enjoyment of the device.
I’m not going to tell you that the iPad Pro’s perfect — the overly large, poorly-designed virtual keyboards remain a sore point for me, and many other parts of iOS 9 feel either underpolished or downright ignored for the 12.9″ screen. But the more I use this tablet, the more I would feel comfortable recommending it as an alternative to a 9.7″ iPad; perhaps in time it will be worthy of recommending over a MacBook, as well.
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I’m with you on this. Sadly not yet got my hands on the pencil, so looking forward to giving that a whirl when it finally arrives. I’ll grab the same case you suggest when it becomes available in the UK, currently using a cheap £6.99 case, which is functional and the only option I could get on the first few days of release. It’s ok but a little too easy to topple.
Whilst the iPad pro won’t replace my MacBook Pro 15′ retina any time soon (audio editing, Final Cut Pro etc will prevent this being a consideration) but for browsing web, responding to emails and general every day tasks, it’s typically quicker and easier to just pick up the pad.
While calling $25 a factor is just ridiculous, #5 is the real key to being as productive as possible and appreciating what the Pro is capable of.
That’s actually $25 plus $70 to $100 in sales tax, depending on the state you live in and the model you want to buy.
That’s a good point. Depending on where you live/where you buy the taxes make a difference. Where I live there is an (ugh) additional tax on lcd displays called a ‘recycling fee’…ugh
I want that Logitech keyboard badly, but after shelling out $1K+ for the IPP and Pencil, I want to save a little moola. Is there a cheaper place to get one than Amazon? I’ll even go refurbished–I lost sight in one of my eyes and the backlit keyboard would be absolutely perfect.
I think this very reasoned description of what makes the iPad Pro good device for some people. I too figured out how to adapt to the iPP’s large form factor. Picking it up for the first time, coming from an iPad Air 2, was slightly intimidating. At first I thought what have I gotten myself into! AKA as “The Land of the Giants” TV show of yore ;)
The benefits of the larger screen far outweigh the “work” in adopting techniques to get the most out of this large tablet.
One early adaptation for me was finding a carry bag that isn’t too large. Recently I found that ThinkTank’s 13″ My 2nd Brain briefcase is the sweet spot between a sleeve and a larger laptop bag. In time I’m sure iPP specific bags will be out there. But I think I’ll still be enamored with My 2nd Brain.I also like the Heckler Design iPad @Rest tablet stand for desktop use (sans keyboard of course). I even use the iPP in this table stand mode right next to my 27″ iMac. Works great to monitor e-mails while i’ve got the iMac’s screen covered with one or several open windows. It also comes in handy in the kitchen for online recipe reference. I liked this one so much I ordered a second one. One for work and one for home, this hefty stand is not one you are going to go mobile with.
And yes, the Apple Smart Keyboard is probably going to be a must for most people. It does in fact act as a simple, one angle stand when you fold back the keyboard to the back of the iPP. So you are not just stuck with the keyboard in a perpetual laptop like mode just to get a mobile tablet stand. I got the Apple Smart Cover too, but find the versatility of the Smart Keyboard makes the Smart Cover a little redundant if you can accept a slightly “fatter” profile.
The point is with the right auxiliary devices, and a willingness to adapt you can get some great things out of the iPP. In the end the new form factor and accessories are not a burden, but a great opportunity to personally benefit from new Apple tech.
I have to admit, though I love my iPad Air and use it for ~3/4 of my computing, I’m absolutely drooling over the iPad Pro. I figure I’ll get at least two more years with the iPA before time, heavy use, and falling behind the software curve force me to replace it. By then the iPP should be spectacular.
To me this was a no brainer – I sold my air 2 and bought this and I am very happy about this purchase. The pro will last you for 4-6 years at a minimum – really Apple will need to retire the A5 -> A9x before this machine is no longer supported.
Thank you! I’m glad someone else has mentioned using a stand and a K811 for typing, rather than the bulky and cheap-feeling smart keyboard case. I use the Twelve South Compass2 for a stand, which is really nice because I can also use it around the house for my iPad if I want it somewhere, when I may not need a keyboard. Then for when I need to type, I have a vastly adjustable stand, along with a far superior keyboard that also can double as a keyboard for 2 other PCs/devices. I really think this is the right way to go.
I’ll have to wait for ipad Pro 2. I think it’s a shame they didn’t include 4K Video and force touch this time …
I think I’ll get an iPad Air 1 for 299 euros in the meantime … (discount at local dealer next week)
Force touch may be way too hot for the pro!
Tried one of these in the shop the other day. For me it should have been called the Plus as it is a great media/photos/magazines sofa device. They will sell them by the truck load this xmas. Forget the pencil/case/big bag to carry it take a MacBook instead
I personally bought the iPad Pro the first day one could preorder. I used it for about a week and a half to give it a fair share. It just didn’t feel right to me. I ended up returning both the iPad and the case, and buying the iPad air 2. It just feels so much better. Plus it’s half the cost too.
looking forward to your future reviews of future iPads… when you say “this will replace the MacBook Pro easily!”
I can’t wait to be able to say that.
Can I ask a legitimate question here, because I feel this way too sometimes… but why do we need a MacBook Pro replacement?
The pencil is the real differentiator because it’s the only thing that no other product can do. Beyond architects, designers, artists, and other creatives I literally cannot see a use for the Pro that’s worthy of the upgrade. Having held one and played with it, it’s extremely bulky and too large to use comfortably in anything but a desk. The keyboard case sucks because the keys don’t move more than a millimeter and if I’m going to go through the effort of propping the thing up and typing a Macbook is better because it won’t move around. With that said, the pencil is a magical experience I use that word carefully and it is. It literally fells as if you’re drawing with pencil on paper. Jony’s team did a remarkable job.
“The pencil is the real differentiator because it’s the only thing that no other product can do.”?
Eh – don’t be telling me you REALLY believe the iPad Pro is the first tablet with a stylus/pencil???
It’s far and away the best stylus I’ve ever used – and I’ve tried the Surface stylus. It’s not even close.
it is the real differentiator. There is no comparison between the Apple Pencil and any stylus ever invented. Other styluses are fine for navigating the UI but the Apple Pencil is like no other stylus I’ve ever used. It’s magnificent. The level of detail that Jony and his team went to on it is actually incredible. It just lacks a place to put it.
Jeremy’s point on app updates is very key – I’m am finding myself giving some devs the ‘side-eye’ behind lack of proper Split View support. So that people understand what this requires, since I do this for a living and stuff, let e tell you what you need to do:
Contact the dev and ask them. Supporting this functionality, if your app isn’t a memory hog, mechanically requires adding a “new” type of ‘launch screen’ and rebuilding with the new SDK. If the app you use is a Universal App already and has been updated even remotely recently, it is already good to go for at least Slide Over – iOS sees the Slide Over as essentially a taller iPhone.
Just let devs know you want it. Their cost for implementation in many cases should not be prohibitive…but…
(small ‘boo Apple’ mini-rant here)
A core problem with the App Store model is Apple expects dev to continue to improve software and absorb the costs of keeping up with iOS. It isn’t…right. There are certain provisions they have in place that disallow pretty much any uncharges for upgrades/IAP for new iOS features, which deprives ISV’s, or I guess what are called “indie” devs now a revenue stream for implementing new features and it sort of misleads consumers by thinking this stuff should “just be included when they get a new phone”.
A good example of this is Peek and Pop for the new 6s-series. While it looks pretty simple in the presentation, the implementation takes a bit more work. If a shop adds all the new iOS features they can when a new iOS comes out, building, testing, implementing can cost them a lot of time, and by extension, money, that they can’t uncharge for, which is pretty much a traditional, long understood, and sustainable model for software development. It is (sadly) why there is a LOT of iOS ‘abandonware’ – too low unit pricing, no mechanism of upgrade/fractional pricing, and prohibitions on charging for adding support for new features…the price of ‘free’ :)
(ok, done)
So yeah, let dev know you’d like to see these things added, or the won’t have a lot of motivation to do so before *they* need the feature(s) in their software…especially when these features support on a subset of the ecosystem :)
Good writeup, Jeremy. Lot of good points in there, pro/con.
Please excuse typos. No edit…sigh
I personally have no real-life need for the iPad Pro other than watching shows, which my laptop does just fine + my iPad when on the road. As mainly a browser & light – medium productively guy, I literally replaced my laptop w/ the regular size iPad. I use it 1000x more than even my iPhone so the Pro’s impractical for me due to the mobility factor. Just wishing the pencil becomes available to the regular size iPads w/ iOS 10+. That’s the inky thing I’m envying about the Pro, no matter how ,any other styluses exist out there.
With the introduction of the iPad Pro, Apple should probably do away with the iPad Air and enlarge the mini a little bit (up to 8.5-8.8 inches). I used to have an iPad Air but sold it as it was barely holdable with one hand (I do a lot of reading / movie watching in bed and whichever way I held it, it always felt clumsy) and felt a little big overall. So, in this respect, if you want the Air, go for the Pro.
I love my iPad mini as it is, but I guess I wouldn’t complain if it was just a little bit bigger. The best bits about the mini are that:
– it’s perfect to hold with one hand and type with the other. The virtual keyboard in portrait mode is perfect for one-hand typing (for more serious typing I have a MS Foldable Keyboard)
– its size is about the same as many printed books
– and still it’s very light and portable
If Apple bumps it up so that the screen goes A5 size, it will still be one-hand holdable and the screen will be a little more spacious (though I’m still very happy with it as it is)
“1. Apple Pencil. Apple’s first iPad stylus, Apple Pencil, is very close to awesome — better overall than any of the dozens of styluses I’ve tested for earlier iPads, and a joy to use for writing notes, sketching, and drawing. Assisted by iOS Notes and third-party apps such as Procreate, the pressure- and orientation-sensitive stylus does a truly wonderful job of accurately representing the motions and imperfections of both handwriting and analog marking tools.”
Do you have any plans to test the iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil in conjunction with Astropad and a Mac, Jeremy?
P.S. Is my comment on http://9to5mac.com/2015/11/25/review-urban-armor-gear-composite-case-for-ipad-pro/ regarding my wishes on case design, and referencing ClamCase and Black Friday discounts, still stuck in moderation?
Love handwriting with the iPad pro. I’ve always loved the long lost art of cursive handwriting. Sample can be seen in an article I posted on my personal blog : http://www.richimages.net/?p=7002
Do you like the urban case? It has awful reviews everywhere. I have the Logitech create. Still on the fence with the case. Love the pro though.
It’s a great case, and I use it every single day. While I wouldn’t call it perfect (and didn’t), it does several things extremely well, and will remain my iPad Pro case of choice until something decidedly better comes along. Most of the reviews I’ve subsequently read have been very positive, except for a few suspicious and poorly-written jabs at it by a few supposed ‘customers’ who may well be working for competing case makers.