Selecting iPad Pro specs for the longest use-life

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Level 1

8 points

Selecting iPad Pro specs for the longest use-life

Hi!

I'm exploring the option of switching from MacBooks to iPads, and am looking for advice re choosing the best specs to make the device last as long as possible (environmental reasons).

My second MacBookPro just died after 10 years, my previous one lasted for 12. For both I chose the max RAM and specs that I could afford in the hope that they would last as long as possible, despite built-in obsolescence, regardless of the 'recycling program' - making things 'last' is more eco-friendly than recycling.

I'm a full-time uni student in health science, plus a designer and content creator and have been eyeing off the iPadPro with a keyboard and pencil for a while. I have external monitors and a printer that is supposed to have bluetooth (it's a brother and a bit temperamental), so need everything to connect, though as a family we tend to 'hot-desk'.

I don't game, though my young son might get to use my device occasionally for more simple games if we're travelling.

I've been seeing news about Mac bringing out the next generation of iPad towards the end of 2022, but I can't wait till the end of the year to replace my dead MacBookPro. When selecting the iPadPro, should I be focusing on memory size? Anything else? If most of my stuff is stored on cloud, does that make such a difference anymore?

I'd love any kit (mac or other) recommendations too. Durability is a high-priority.

Thanks in advance!

Posted on Mar 21, 2022 4:09 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Michael Black

Level 10

80,418 points

Mar 21, 2022 4:32 PM in response to zekecran

Note that iPadOS is strictly a single user account system. You cannot set up separate user accounts for family members. iPadOS is also not a true preemptive multitasking operating system like MacOS. So if you ever work with multiple programs open at the same time you will find iPadOS very restrictive. Also make sure that any health science software you use has iPad compatible versions and that those are full desktop equivalents (most desktop software with iPad versions does not offer full featured iPad versions - even MS Office mobile does not do everything office for MacOS or windows does).

Personally, I do not see an iPad as a replacement for a MacOS computer. It compliments one, but cannot truly replace it.

All that said, with an iPad as with a Mac, yes, buy as much storage as you can afford as it cannot be expanded later. iCloud is a sync service, not archival storage, so iCloud is not a substitute for device storage.

If you need aGPS functionality, you’ll need a WiFi+cellular model (although you do not need to ever activate cellular service on it if you don’t wish to).

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Answer 2

Mar 21, 2022 4:53 PM in response to zekecran

No one could have summed it up better than Michael Black just did. I too agree an iPad Pro is still not a computer replacement. And I'm an iPad Pro user, but I will likely always be dual, with a computer as my main driver.

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Answer 3

zekecran Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2022 5:28 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Thanks Lobsterghost1!

How do you find the iPad sync with the main driver via cloud profiles?

I've got a mac mini that we share as a family (Connected to two screens), but need with the iPadPro or another laptop (to replace dead one) to 'hotdesk' around the house.

I really liked how easily the cloud-based profile would sync between MacMini and MacBookPro... Can that be achieved with the iPad?

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