iPad Pro M4 - Is it worth the upgrade? My hands on review!

[@shsawy333]

I ditched my MacBook Pro for an m1 iPad pro 12.9 three years ago and never looked back. I am on the new m4 iPad Pro 13 inch and really really happy with it’s new features (Oled,Thinness,fluidity,best in class accessories,light weight) it is a full experience when it works for you, it will be an awesome experience.

[@scottmckenna]

Awesome. Glad it’s working out well. I’ve been loving mine so far as well.

[@RogerZoul]

If doing your work on the iPad causes you friction, you’re going to go back to the device that presents less friction to getting your work done, your MBP. Just yesterday, I wanted to build a simple spreadsheet to do some calculations. I got it started on Excel for iPad, but quickly learned that Excel on iPad is not Excel on PC or Mac, and then everything just blew up. Simple things like formatting cells could not be done. I tried all the icons I could see on the screen, but could not see how to get it done. iPad was out! Sad. File management is another big friction point for many people. But I’m typing this on my 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro in the KZbin app, so no friction here. I agree with your point, and I’m an iPad lover. I just use iPad for iPad things and my MBP (or windows PC) for other things. I’m lucky that I can afford multiple devices like this but many cannot, so I get their (And your) points. Good video.

[@scottmckenna]

Spot on. I agree that if I was trying to do things on a tight time window, I might grab my computer if it’s nearby.

[@andyH_England]

That is true. I use an iPad and Mac and do the heavy lifting on the Mac. So, for your example, I would set up the Excel sheet with formatting on the Mac and then use it on my iPad when out and about. It is a balance as there are many things you cannot do on a Mac that you can do on an iPad, which people tend to miss out on when complaining about the iPad, as justified as it may be.

[@stevenpike7857]

There's NO reason for it not to be able to do that. The M4 is way overpowered for what ipadOS handicaps it to be.

[@mikes96fs]

I’ve had the 1st gen 2015 iPad Pro since it came out. Just picked up the new 13 inch pro with Magic Keyboard yesterday. The iPad has been my main computer for years. It does almost everything I need it to do. I own a MacBook Pro (M1 pro chip) and hardly ever have the need to use it. There are definitely times when the MacBook is the right tool for the job but because the iPad is so much more convenient and easy to use, it has been the device I reach for first.

[@scottmckenna]

I agree. I love my iPad for most tasks. It’s just a more fun device to use in most things I do.

[@villarreal0706]

That great to hear! I’m like you l also have first generation iPad Pro next month I’ll be upgrading to 13 inches iPad Pro

[@villarreal0706]

What GB did you get 256 or 515

[@mikes96fs]

I went with 256gb. Originally was gonna go 512 but opted to save money since I don’t think I will actually need it. I bought the magic keyboard and pencil pro so everything came to $1900

[@k.p.u.]

Great review! As someone who is trying to decide between 11/13 in right now, do you mind sharing if using the 13 in tablet form has been a worse experience than when you used the 11?

[@scottmckenna]

I think the average 13” user will use it much more often in Magic Keyboard mode or like a computer. If you plan on using it more like a tablet or in your hands, the 11” is probably the better option. I don’t take it out of the case often, but I also have an iPad mini so when I need super portable, I go to that.

[@Oneverythangilove]

The iPad is the same size as before the size didn't change. The screen size changed. To 13 inches, my 12.9 m1 iPad pro case still fits the new iPad pro 13

[@LMActionsports]

I picked up the M4 iPad Pro 13 with 1 TB of storage in the apple pencil Pro for my photo editing business and coming from the M1 iPad Pro 12.9 with one terabyte this new iPad Pro is so much faster and the screen is really beautiful. And the new Apple pencil Pro does not lag compared to the second generation Apple pencil. But I do not really care if it's any thinner because I put a case on it and protect my device device. But I am super impressed with how fast it uploads raw image files from my 62 megapixel camera

[@scottmckenna]

Glad you’re enjoying the iPad

[@pepelinsuarez]

Excellent video! I just bought a 2024 iPad Pro 13 inch 256 gb(space black). Wonderful oled display, performance, speakers, cameras, built quality, thickness, and weight.

[@scottmckenna]

Great choice.

[@pepelinsuarez]

@@scottmckenna Thank you!

[@jimtipton8888]

Enjoyed the video. Agree about the need for an upgrade to the file system on the iPad. Also agree both are invaluable. I don’t think it’s by accident. Apple knows what they are doing.

[@scottmckenna]

Yea. Apple is pretty smart haha.

[@PawFromTheBroons]

That's where being a Davinci Resolve user on iPad/PC gets less confusing. It is, in essence and UI/UX, the same App.

[@scottmckenna]

Good point.

[@stevenpike7857]

I would be nice if you could connect a monitor to it and turn on "macOS" mode. IpadOS artifically handicaps and "gatekeeps" the power for no freaking reason.

[@scottmckenna]

It would be sweet if you could go into MacOS mode at any time. I'm not sure how possible that actually is because I'm not an enginner, but the MIcrosoft surface does something like this. It goes into tablet mode. I like that.

[@QuaimeVLee]

Thanks for your review. I have work and a personal M-series laptops, respectively, and just traded in my iPad Pro12.9” from 2018, in large part because the battery was fading and I didn’t appreciate how much storage I would need at the time I got it a few years ago. I only really use the iPad for media consumption and occasional gaming, so I think the Pro is just too much for my use case and I will go with the Air M2. Plus the 12.9” really was unwieldy for holding and had to prop it up most of the time. So I am going smaller. But your review was very helpful in thinking through me need versus my wallet!

[@scottmckenna]

It sounds like you've decided on a great option for you. The ways in which you use the iPad are the biggest factors into which one is right for you.

[@patriot4757]

Just fired up ours….awesome

[@scottmckenna]

Emjoy

[@peraman2022]

I use the Documents app as well as the files app for my file management.

[@scottmckenna]

Nice.

[@andrewsauter8749]

Thanks for video! Really enjoyed hearing how you use it as your main device. 👌👍

[@scottmckenna]

Glad you found it valuable. I appreciate it.

[@RemofRenaissance]

Thanks for this. Really well put together and valid points. I’m one of the few that is an excel king and as much as I love my iPad I can’t get half the work I needed done on it in excel. You’re one of the few to mention that. Still love it (my M1) but think twice before investing another £1k two years later for what is a solid companion device. It is a very important tool and as you say, I probably do 90% of my stuff on iPad but that 10% left is pretty important and large pieces. Steve Jobs described it once as most work done on iPads and computers seen as “trucks” for big pieces of work. 👍🏾

[@scottmckenna]

For some work, it’s definitely still not able to replace a computer for sure.

[@BV35]

Great Video! Be curious to see if over the next month or so you think it can replace the Remarkable or you still need that in your work flows (MacBook, IPad and Remarkable)

[@scottmckenna]

Great question. I’ve actually been processing the same thing. I’m not sure if I’ll keep the remarkable anymore or not.

[@BV35]

@@scottmckenna Please share when you make a decision -- I tried this with the 12.9 and found it too heavy, tried the 11" and found it too constraining (for everything but notes) -- I use a mini for my consumption device. I did try Remarkable -- LOVED the feel -- but you can't beat the "connectivity" / extracting links, photos etc. and dropping them into Notes w/ IPAD. Ahh First world Problems :) - Thank you and God Bless!

[@cardinalnest6272]

Comparing an iPad to a Macbook is, well, like comparing apples to oranges. Each device has its own unique purpose!

[@scottmckenna]

Yes, they both have unique purposes, but it doesn’t mean that one should be crippled in certain capacities either. That’s all I’m saying.

[@susanleach9106]

I haven’t had a computer since the iPad came out. No regrets.

[@scottmckenna]

I can see that being a great experience for most as well.

[@sharonb.9128]

Great video. Refreshing to see a different perspective than the typical KZbin “tech Bro” whine about Final Cut and suggestion that everyone buy a M1 iPad Pro instead. After all Apple sells more iPads than Macs so SOMEONE must like it.

[@scottmckenna]

Thanks. Glad you found it useful. It’s a great tool, but not for everyone.

[@sharonb.9128]

@@scottmckenna I do appreciate the iPad is not for everyone. It just rubs me the wrong way how KZbin, made up mostly of videographers, treat the iPad like a device has been a software failure, unworthy of upgrades for years. Healthcare, education, aviation, construction, real estate, retail, digital artist and more all need the iPad. Reviewers should discuss the iPad Pro usefulness in terms of the people who use it professionally, not just KZbin content creators.

[@Cedarium]

Great video thank you!

[@scottmckenna]

Glad you found it valuable. Thanks.

[@ILoveBeingLoved1]

never had an ipad so i went and purchased the 13 inch pro in 1tb of storage. I now have a macbook air m1 and this. Sadly iphones dont catch my interest so im sticking with a android smartphone

[@scottmckenna]

Very interesting. I think it’s probably very rare that someone uses a Mac and iPad and not an iPhone. Not saying there’s anything wrong it, just found it interesting. All the eco system conveniences between all the devices together make it seem like the right choice for many. But glad you are happy with your setup.

[@planinshek]

Yeah… this is the first example I’ve seen of this too. I’d hate to have to buy 2x apps just to use android too.

[@rob4601]

8 vs 16gb differences?

[@scottmckenna]

Not a huge deal for most people.

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

What exactly are you doing on the iPad Pro m4 that you can’t do on an iPad Air m2? Also, besides power washing what is your daily work?

[@scottmckenna]

Like I said in this video, not much the iPad Air can’t do. Sounds like you didn’t watch the whole video.

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

@@scottmckenna I did. I went with the AIR. Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@freddiecauseyii9419]

Great overview.

[@scottmckenna]

Thanks a lot for watching. I appreciate it

[@iamnotapoet]

Thanks, as always, for the great video. Sweetie & I love watching them. I am using my M2 IPad Pro a lot on the road instead of my 14” m1 Mac MacBook Pro. That said, how I mostly use it is with Jump Desktop to screenshare connect to my heavier MacBook Pro sitting at home. That gives me best of both worlds. Have you ever tried and used the remote screen share trick to get a BIT of the best of both worlds? - Eric ZORK Alan & Sweetie [ 🤣Professional🤣Poets & Bed 🛏️ & Beer🍺 Vloggers ]

[@scottmckenna]

Glad you found the video useful. I screen share constantly to home computer, and that's a great option as well.

[@iamnotapoet]

@@scottmckenna for me Jump Desktop was the killer feature. I never even think of bringing my MacBook anywhere unless I will be doing full day edits. It also allows me to get a baser 512gb iPad Pro instead of coughing up the INSANE price of a 2tb iPad . And once again, Sweetie and I love all your videos. Keep them coming. - Eric ZORK Alan & Sweetie [ 🤣Professional🤣Poets & Bed 🛏️ & Beer🍺 Vloggers ]

[@thewildman4300]

14 inch m3 max solves every problem there is with an iPad period. Touch screen is ok but lets be real its not worth the hamstrung os. Cellular is good but hotspot is good enough.

[@scottmckenna]

Each person has their own preferences for sure.

[@SHAKA-NEU-LU]

Just for the simple fact that I can’t run Ecamm Live on a “pro” , I know I can’t replace my Mac

[@scottmckenna]

Valid point. That’s what I’m taking about as well. There needs to be more developers making the apps work on iPad as efficiently. The iPads can handle it.

[@SHAKA-NEU-LU]

@@scottmckenna I honestly was expecting more from the 2020 iPad Pro I have. But it was a good jump from the 2011 iPad Air I had

[@aurangzebzeb7259]

I have one reason to upgrade “Oled” display rest all are assumptions

[@scottmckenna]

Good reason.

[@RuralSquirrelJuror]

It’s not just you, file management is garbage

[@scottmckenna]

Glad you can relate.

[@afargreencountry6324]

Is it just me or is the audio on the new iPad Pro 13 M4 not as good as the 2018 iPad Pro? Is it just me or is the picture quality on the 2018 iPad Pro picture better than the M4? Is it just me or is the Magic Keyboard exterior quality incredibly poor and marks really easily. Pencil is ok though. Returning the M4 and keeping the 2018. Who cared that it’s thinner! Oh I can no longer access the RT app on the M4. Goodbye M4!!

[@scottmckenna]

I don’t use the speakers on the iPad much honestly. I use AirPods most of the time. Both speaker sound fine to me though.

[@Zenmaster911]

No

[@scottmckenna]

Ok

[@Mr2pint]

i think the ipad is a computer - might better just to call your laptop a laptop and the ipad an ipad since thyer both computers 😂

[@Heartford]

Most people cannot afford two 1000 plus devices, stick with a laptop. iPad is an expensive toy, you don’t need it

[@Executive_Essy]

You don't need need. The world is so big incase you think the only world that exists is your bedroom. Stop sounding foolish. Allow maturity to grow on you. What you don't need is what another people need. Let me stop it there.

[@scottmckenna]

It’s not a toy for some people. It’s a tool that is super valuable.

[@NosaIgbinosa]

Lol it may not be useful to you, but it is to me. I use it for all of my illustrations

[@andyH_England]

That is a very narrow point of view. No one has ever said that the iPad Pro is for everyone; quite the contrary, it is a niche device. And of course, it is a luxury product, so it is aimed at a demographic with higher disposable income.

[@E_Everything]

​@garettw1678no

[@Dub105]

1️⃣

[@scottmckenna]

2.