I've Used the Same iPad Every Day for 4 Years

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I've used the same iPad every for the last 4 years. It's been my daily driver. In many of my videos I don't get to talk much about durability because I only use a product for a few days or weeks before reviewing. I wanted to try something different today.
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[@AlexandruT1987]

This is appreciation at it’s finest. I got myself Dec. 2022 the iPad Pro 11 2020. Seen you by the principle, if it’s not broken, don’t replace it, is nice. Go Brad. 🎉

[@GoodMorningButch]

That's the one I've had for two years and a half, extremely satisfied with it. I use it a lot.

[@heyamax]

My Ipad 2020 11 inch is enough for me

[@mikedominique10]

same here! ❤

[@YouTubeUserLol]

I have that iPad, commenting from it. I love it, a bit slow sometimes but that’s fine. My next iPad will be M3 iPad Pro in 2024.

[@tabbycat406]

Why is it that I can not understand a thing this dude is talking about in this comment

[@preshitamalhotra1267]

I love the size and the use I get out of it is exactly what it was intended for kzbin.infoUgkxUGaHtKW8MwCql2fPyIm9-ftTqSMzKFFA . I use it mostly for taking notes in school and studying and it for the most part has replaced all my note-taking on actual paper. However, the screen is not as bright as I'd like. The lights in my class are super bright and I have to adjust my angles often just to see what I'm reading/writing on the screen. It could be my eyes, but I think a brighter screen would still help. Also there is no mute switch. This might not be an issue for most people but for me, this being my first ipad and being an iphone user, I'm so used to having it there. Everyone can hear when I'm typing with it in the library (probably just me overthinking) but I'm sure I can adjust that in the settings. Just kinda inconvenient. Other than that, I really enjoy it overall

[@AdamDuffArt]

I love hearing you advocate for the non-hover iPad from an animation artist perspective - you really take full advantage of it - I really struggled to push art as far as you do on it

[@thebradcolbow]

Hover is the one things that could push me to upgrade. Right now I have my new iPad pro on loan form Apple. But yeah, I don't need it for my work, it's more of a feature I need in order to review all the features coming out in apps now.

[@rewanji]

Right on point, Brad. I do also have an iPad Pro 2018 (256 Gb) and I simply love it. Working, drawing, animation, media consumption, video chat, you name, this machine does it all. One of the best products Apple put out in the last 4 years, indeed… Cheers.

[@nodfactor8808]

Cool! Just curious, what apps do you use for animation?

[@rewanji]

@@nodfactor8808 Procreate, for simple animations…cheers.

[@mixchief]

@@nodfactor8808 One of the good ones for animation I think, is FlipaClip.

[@zycane]

Got to admit that sometimes Apple ipads last for so long, mine has also crossed the 4 year mark, and still holds up so well, such a pleasure to draw on still! Amazing stuff at times.

[@BrianJones-wk8cx]

Not a visual artist, rather a writer here, and my same 2018 iPad Pro remains a mainstay in my workflow. Proofing, marking up docs, handwritten brainstorming, research, note-taking, and even some writing (with either on-screen or Bluetooth keyboard) on the device remain a pleasure. While each generation released tempts my tech lust, the old girl keeps on kicking without complaint. Prior to this 12.9”, I had always been a standard iPad guy, but this larger screen has me hooked, I ain’t never going back! And, hopefully at my current clip, I don’t necessarily need to upgrade any time soon, either!

[@bmadan123]

I don’t do art at all but I have been using the entry level ipad from 3 years now. It fits my need just fine. I think people generally tend to use iPads way longer than cellphones

[@charlix3]

Yep, the entry level iPad, even with base storage, is really really good.

[@MinccinoCappuccino]

My 2018 iPad Pro has been with me every day and on every trip I've taken since I got it. I love it so much and have felt zero want or need to upgrade. Thanks as always for the video, Brad!

[@andrewghrist4895]

I have the same 2018 iPad, It also runs as well today as the first day and the only thing I would upgrade is the ram for more layers in Procreate for larger prints. This was my first ipad with a pencil and Its probably the best bang for my buck of anything tech I've even bought. It's becoming so rare that I can wholeheartedly advocate for a mass produced product.

[@JakeWeidman]

When this iPad came out, I almost couldn't believe it. A company actually gave us the true best thing they could give us with the tech they had, and they so outdid themselves that even 4 years later this thing is still a beast (I still also have and use the same 2018 iPad Pro). I consistently tell people it's one of the finest computing devices ever engineered. It works as a laptop (keyfolio) and as an awesome sketch device (I do all of my Lightroom, etc. on here). Can't say enough great things about it.

[@gothicchocobo]

The old tech that I use constantly is my iPhone 5c. It still has a headphone jack, the home button is physical, and the podcast app still has playlists. I wish I could get the current iPhone with all of these features (or even an iPad mini) but they keep on taking away the things that make the 5c such a nice device to use.

[@jochemcasier6974]

I'm still using my 2017 12.9 inch pro. I've bought the 2021 model last year but could not get over the physical differences, the weight was quite different, the sides very uncomfortable in comparison and the bezels on the older model are much better for drawing sessions. So I sold it again as the differences were so few performance wise. I've been using it for multi-layered illustrations and music production for years. Currently started using it for 3d-modelling with Nomad Sculpt and even there still not a single hiccup ever. Waiting for a design change before upgrading now. The longevity of iPads are their best feat and what makes them worth their price for me.

[@Sibukop]

Thanks for the video, Brad! I've been using the 1st gen iPad Pro for my illustration work. (got it a few months after it came out) So far everything works - still does job well.

[@Tajhad]

Still using a 2017 12 inch pro ( over 5 years now). Still going strong. Will probably replace next year for the “hover” feature - but also the Apple pencil2.

[@SirGeoC]

I’ve been painting in Procreate on my iPad Mini (5th generation) since spring of 2019. I absolutely love the simplicity and portability of it.

[@ShaunYeoh]

Been using an iPad Pro 9.7-inch from May 2016. Can't afford to upgrade but haven't felt the need to either. It's been going strong for 6.5 years and followed me to three countries, used it for lectures, note taking, engineering sketching, video editing and even on the construction site. Hopefully I can stretch this iPad for another couple years before retiring it.

[@cmartinez1012]

So I’m using the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9” 256gb and have been using it since it came out. I use it mainly for drawing and an occasional video on KZbin. But I absolutely love it!! Personally I don’t have an interest in the hover feature and actually prefer my iPad without it. Awesome video as always Brad!!

[@gregedwards69]

I’m still using and perfectly happy with my 11” 2018 iPad Pro. I actually bought it used a couple of years ago as an upgrade from an Air 2. At the time I was torn between getting the Air 4 new, or a used 2018 Pro. I chose the latter, mainly for the better screen and I’m so glad I did because iPadOS 16 has transformed it into a much more capable device, with some goodies that didn’t make it to the Air 4. Such as display scaling and stage manager. I’ve just picked up a used Magic Keyboard too that has transformed the device yet again. It still performs as well as when I bought it and see no reason to upgrade for some time yet as it does everything I ask for it with aplomb. IPads seem to have such a long useful life these days, and OS updates don’t appear to slow them down.

[@Departingin5mins]

I’ve had my 2018 iPad Pro since 2019 and it’s been amazing on daily use. It’s as fast as ever, never any bending issue (and I travel a lot). It’s been a wonderful purchase and it looks like it has plenty of life left in it.

[@KoalaTulip47]

I bought both sizes of the 2020 256GB iPad Pros last year and they work great for my needs. Drawing and light web browsing on both is perfect, anything stronger and I just use my laptop. Also this is a perfect video for anyone who feels FOMO with every new iPad. Apple really builds these to last, I still see people drawing with the old iPad Pros from 7 years ago and Apple continues to support these devices.

[@ardwg_]

Well, if I would buy 2020 (M1) iPad Pro as my first iPad, because I want to spend little more than iPad air for lots feature that maybe I'll use 5 years ahead. What you'll recommend for me, 11" or 12.9"? And what storage My needs is Lecture Writing, Procreate (as enthusiast), and game is just one, Genshin (but this game is huge if you know) xD Considering I'll brought it traveling alot in Uni.. is it best to pick 11" instead?

[@ailuridayze]

@@ardwg_ I'm not the person you asked, but as a fellow student and notetaker (and Genshin player lolz), the 11 inch works great for me! It's a good size for notetaking (I have friends who take notes on the Mini, which is commendable). The screen size works great for games, as far as I've used it, by which I mean I can see a lot of the world but still reach the interface easily. And the 11 inch fits great in smaller backpacks, which is super nice for carrying around campus because it's one of the only things in my bag, and I don't need to dedicate a giant backpack to it. Plus I feel like it's less prone to breaking than the 12 inch just because the surface area is smaller. I have Notability, the Photos app, Procreate, Genshin, and Twisted Wonderland on my iPad atm (the biggest storage suckers I can think of off the top of my head) and 128 GB, I think I've only barely passed the 64 GB line. Unless you're doing video projects or something that sucks up a *ton* of storage, I think 128 is enough!

[@ardwg_]

@@ailuridayze oh, okay.. it's nice to read your experience. Thanks!

[@oldoakdesign8273]

Fulltime Graphicdesigner & Illustrator here - I've bought the regular Ipad with the 1. Gen Apple Pen back in 2018 and I've been using it on a daily basis since and it's still going. Just once, I ran into storage problems because I only got the 32g Version.

[@Tech4YourNeeds]

I still have the iPad 2020 11-inch 128GB, Space Grey. I’m not planning to exchange it because it is already paid for. As the saying goes “if ain't broken why fix it” that is how I feel.

[@canosisplays5152]

I just upgraded my 2018 iPad Pro this year to the M2. I heavily used it on a daily basis both at work and at home for the past 4+ years, averaging 7 hours a day. My expectations for this M2 is to last at least that long and I’m fully confident that it will. With full external display support I’m using my iPad more and more. I’m still happy that I have an M1 iMac but there is very little these iPads can’t do well now.

[@ahadmrauf]

Even though I'm on Windows/Android for all my other devices, the iPad Gen 7 I got a few years ago still functions amazingly well. I've had to write a few scripts to automate syncing functionality between my iPad and other devices, which hasn't been particularly user friendly, but the iPad still functions very well and has great battery life.

[@jacques-dev]

I’ve got the same model that I used daily for taking notes at university and it’s still going strong, very happy with it

I travel often with my iPad (I have it inside one of these ultra sturdy covers available in Apple UK) and it never even gives in a millimetre, nevermind bending. I often use it as the hard back for notebooks if I need to quickly scribble something & I have nothing to lean on. This one is not a pro, but I did max out the storage. And I'm happy with it. It allows me to paint, draw and do quick tasks when I go around. I also have a MacBook but I mostly keep it at home. So yeah, very happy with it, and it's already been very well travelled 2 years already.

[@JC-hj4py]

I can identify with your feelings for this device, Brad. I got the first iPad Pro in 2016 and used it until the M1 came out and it does everything I need it to do, exceptionally well. For a professional cartoonist, it’s still the only game in town.

[@somedude12344]

I'm still very happy with my iPad 9. It's been 6 months and my drawing has improved so much. All thanks to your videos

[@NightMahar]

Been using the 2020 11 inch Pro since it released. Very happy with it and no plans to replace.

[@blakesauner3985]

Thanks for the review Brad! I’m typing this looking over at my 2018 ipp and thinking the same thing. Might need to upgrade from the Smart Keyboard Folio though, getting a bit tired of the viewing angle locks.

[@SalleyneDesign]

I use an iPad 6th gen, and believe it or not, it's been going strong and is where I spend most of my creative time. My only issue at this point is the size. I also have an iPad 4 and it still works as well, I just don't use it. One thing I can say about Apple (NOT the phones, hard pass on those lol) is their products last looong! My first iMac lasted 12 years and still works, but the screen lost it's lustre. My new iMac i'm sure will last just as long. I do plan to upgrade my iPad soon too. For my computers/tablets, I don't think I'd ever buy anything other than Apple. Definitely worth the money.

[@241baka]

Nice, I have the same 2018 iPad Pro and also have been using it for almost four years as well. I have very similar use cases and accumulated time. I do commute to work though, that means I put it a panier ride a bike half an hour then use it on a train for half an hour, same in the evening, 150 times per year. The folio is enough to protect the iPad, I just have a few nicks on the edges. The tablet itself is still running like a charm. I am on my second pencil though. Pretty satisfied, would have thought when I bought it.

[@drbowater]

I switched from my surface book to an iPad pro years ago largely because of your reviews. I think the iPad Pro is a fantastic little device.

[@madhands2278]

Great video 👍. The point is you don’t need a big studio desk full of gadgets to improve/grow in your art. I hv a 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 which I’m using to this day. It’s my primary device on which I learned the digital art and now running my small scale art business. Yes, it is getting outdated as 3gb ram is an issue now but I just work with less layers now. Simple solution 😊.

[@GeiUnDrawingCafe22]

I have this same iPad since 2019 and I always get impressed with the fact it´s still working the same way as the first day I used it, I didn´t have a single slow down since this day, and I love the iPad because it is very versatile, I can do tons of tasks with it, and it works perfectly, I trully recomend the iPad Pro for anyone that is looking for a device for Digital Art

[@3232groundhog]

Very good and very fair long-term review Brad. Excellent at keeping it real, as always. Just sold on my iPhone 7 Plus 256Gb after 5 years of good use. It was in near-perfect condition, still had 80%+ battery life and sold for £150 (incl. 2 cases, charger, box). I upgraded to an 11 Plus (as-new condition) for £360 & it made a big difference to my usage/functionality. It was effectively getting a new iPhone for £200, so staying behind Apple’s cutting-edge curve can save you a lot of money. Relatively few people really need all the pro features that come with the “biggest and best” tech anyway. The ability to use an additional screen with the new M1/M2 iPads looks like a very useful/interesting feature worthy of an upgrade but I’ll bide my time.

[@WilliamSteppan]

Until just a few weeks ago, I was still rocking my 2017 ipad pro 10.5 inch. I wound up giving that to my wife and giving her 9.7" pro to our daughter when it was discovered that *her* ipad mini 3 (8 years old now) no longer supported the Disney app. I *really* want the 12.9 inch form factor but I'm holding out to see if I want to just go with a refurbed M1 model or if I want to splurge and get myself an M2 (it would be the first time I've ever purchased a new apple product, I typically get secondhand or refurb models since I know they get a long support lifeline).

[@chaunceypierce8803]

I have an iPad Pro back when the pandemic lockdown started. It's now my main tool, and I still haven't even put a scratch on it in terms of memory. I want to hold onto this one until the wheels fall off.

[@Dulcilady]

Thanks for the great update. I’ve been using my iPad Pro 12.9” Gen2 since 2017 and just recently decided to update to the M2 pro. I love the M2 but still use the older guy for many things. Just debating about updating the gen2 & hoping there’s no side effects for such an older device. Btw, I also have hung into my first iPad, the Air2 which is working fine but can’t be updated any more but it’s still being used. I play Contra & Historic Dance music & having a second (& third) iPad to hand to other band mates is extremely helpful. It means no dragging bags of music books to a gig. I also use LumaFusion & Procreate in addition to ForScore (sheet music app).

[@jochemcasier6974]

Check my comment above here. Do you notice much difference with the M2 model or similar experience? LumaFusion also works like a charm on my 2017 model still.

[@RacsoLeinad]

thank you so so much for this kind of video, its so common to see a new fresh gadget review but no one makes this kind of videos after X years of use how the iOS updates affect the RAM or the procesor etc.

[@KhaliDALKhafaji]

most of your video talking about drawing or sketching but there are several things that ipad can do for me I use it for study and notes taking, also the colors and graphics of the ipad is very interesting ... thanks for your presentation

[@arikpeterson6260]

Nice job Brad. I’ve been watching your channel since you got that ipad.Even when you recorded video on a iPhone 6. You do a great job. I’m still drawing on my iPad Pro 2nd Jen 12.9 256. Still works great!

[@linusl4710]

Correction at 7:08: the 2018 iPad Pro has a A12X Bionic SoC, which is a scaled up version of A12 and probably still one of the most powerful arm SoC to this day. (even more than an A13) that's the main reason why iPad Pros are lasting forever, they simply won't run out of processing power.

[@SublimeGemini]

I've had my 6th gen 2018 since 2019 it's still going strong!

[@rek8193]

2018 Air here, use it every day as well. It's still above 80% battery! It'd be cool to have the new hotness with m1 or w/e, but there's seriously no reason for me to upgrade.

[@drongorius]

I am still issuing mine and it’s the 2017 pro version . Amazing pure e if tech , maybe my favorite . I ordered today the discounted iPad Pro 12.9 2021 model . Excited .

[@bruno_jordani]

I'm still with a 2017 Ipad pro 2nd generation. Brought it second hand in middle of 2018 but it was pretty new. The the Ipad and the apple pencil's batteries are asking for a replacement, but everything else works just fine. This year I brought a new macbook pro 16in and now I'm using this ipad as a cintiq/second monitor. Sometimes there are hiccups but it replaces a cintiq almost perfectly.

[@jngarrettart]

I love this video! New reviews are fun, and they can be important when it really is time to consider buying something, but it’s also so great to hear longer term experiences with devices. I remember you’ve talked before too about the iPad (6?) your daughter uses and how it’s held up. I’m currently using a 2020 11 inch iPad Pro that I bought refurbished from Apple, and I expect it’ll very much so be a long term device for me. A couple years ago, I moved to that device after selling my 2017 12.9 Pro. The 12.9 was in good shape, but collectively, I was looking for more layers, larger storage capacity, and easier portability, and I liked having access to the facepaint tool in Procreate (which I’ve used for character work). Similarly, I later sold my 2018 iPad 6 that I used as a teacher for an iPad Mini (again, it was in excellent shape, but smaller and lighter to carry for classroom demos was a huge plus). I’m now settled into a system of devices that suit my needs extremely well, and that I see myself using for a very long time. The iPads are incredible tools for my work that I am so grateful for. The longevity of Apple devices is amazing, honestly, and something I feel gets glossed over in a lot of online reviews that are primarily focused on new features. Despite that it still runs, my family’s old iPad 2 (what was that model, 2011?) finally stopped being very useful due to app compatibility issues in the last couple years, so it got a good decade run. There are a few fun old games on there though that do still run and that no longer exist in today’s App Store. My mom uses the original 12.9 2015 iPad Pro on a daily basis, and that thing is a beast that is still champing along with no signs of stopping. It MAY finally need a battery replacement in the nearish future. She uses it for sheet music, web browsing, games, and drawing. I know an artist who used an “unsupported” iPad 4 and third party stylus for years for rough sketching. I also have a 2013 iMac I bought refurbished years ago. It’s gotten a bit slower in recent years, and it no longer receives feature updates (still security updates though, amazingly enough) but still, I sometimes mirror my iPad to it on the occasions I want to see my drawing larger (yay, QuickTime!), and it totally still works for when I want to play videos on a bigger screen. So yep! Loved seeing this, and would love to continue to see videos like this in coming years if you wanted to do them from time to time.

[@AlexLepoutre]

I too am a daily user of my 2018 11" iPad Pro. They just kinda perfected it then, and I haven't seen a need to upgrade until they change the camera location and give it the 12.9's micro led screen (or oled, just some kind of hdr upgrade). Until then, I'm happy as a clam!

[@evesilhouette4724]

Been using iPad Pro 12.9 2018 256gb for almost 3 years now, it was my very 1st tablet purchase. Incredible tablet, I use it for everything from work to daily entertainment. Doesn’t lag, good battery life, nice screen. Feels great to draw on, easy to edit video with. The latest iPad Pro is very enticing but personally the improvement are optional so I’d prolly be sticking with mine for a long time until it dies.

[@ajwalker4416]

It was your review that got me to go with the Samsung Galaxy S7 FE. I'm one of those people who doesn't want to do Apple anything so finding something that good in the Android ecosystem, which I've been invested in for years, was very helpful.

[@Newgrfx321]

Well said Brad! I have the same 2018 iPad Pro 512 storage and don’t have a good reason to upgrade yet. It does everything I need it to do. I also still appreciate my HP ZBook x2 G4 and HUION KAMVAS pro 22 and they also work for me. I like Wacom products but for the price I don’t want to struggle with driver issues constantly so I’ll wait for Wacom to work out their issues before I consider buying their stuff again. Thanks for your awesome work dude!

[@fablewalls]

Shout out for the zbook from me too. I think I use it more now than when I first got it in 2017. I got an S8 last year when Samsung offered £250 off for any Android tablet in part exchange but I don't use it much - when I do; I use the zbook stylus. I'm waiting to see if Sammy do another part exchange next year and then I'll part-x the S8 for an S9 Ultra - that might force me to leave the zbook behind.

[@Omar-kl3xp]

I have the iPad Pro 2018 since it was released,honestly I haven’t yet had a problem with the iPad ,it’s being 4 years ,I honestly don’t have any reason to upgrade .

[@wayneyoung8647]

Brad, great video as usual! I am an artist, graphic designer, and photographer. I got my iPad Pro 12.9" 4th Generation when it was released in 2020; it is my first and only iPad. Before that I was in the Samsung world with a Galaxy Book 12. The iPad Pro has become my main computing device except for a few tasks that require I be on a desktop OS. Like you, I easily see 4 or 5 years of use from my iPad Pro 4th gen before I buy a newer one.

[@reftoons]

Pretty sure I have the same version of iPad Pro. I've also been using mine for the last 4 years (almost exactly) and haven't had any major issues with it. Still draws the same and feels just as fast as before. The only issue I've noticed in the last couple months is that the Wi-Fi occasionally has issues connecting, but that could also be a router issue (we recently switched to US Cellular home internet which runs off the phone towers ). Anyway, exellent video analysis. I appreciate the dedication to making a 4 year revisit/review. Keep it up!

[@unorthodoxbox]

I currently have an iPad Air 4 and use it with Clip Studio for on the go, it's great. Hands down the best purchurse I think I made back in 2021. Gotta admit though when the time comes to upgrade, may consider the iPad Pro.

[@timdahl8912]

I’ve been rocking the same iPad since 2018 as well. It’s practically become my computer replacement in the house. There are a couple of things I can’t do with it, but to be honest I rarely need to do those things. I’ll probably use it until it breaks. Also, I used the 2nd Gen Ipad for about 8-10 years as well. I’ve had nothing but good experiences thus far.

[@loquaciousdesigns]

Brad, have you tried the hover with Procreate 5.3 (just came to iPad a few days ago). It is absolutely game changing. At least for me. It makes my accuracy so much better. Also makes adjust brushes size and opacity so smooth. As a teacher who uses many iPads to teach digital painting, it is now the new standard I am going to recommend going forward to my students. It is just too nice of an upgrade. Until this update from Procreate 5.3, I would have completely agreed with you that a 2018 version would have been my go to for budget/quality.

[@ssaaffuu]

watched your videos brad and bought myself a used but in good condition 2018 iPad pro 12.9 inch and i love it i haven't touched the wacome in months it's been my primary source of creative work from brainstorming to 3d model from sketching through full on illustrations and paintings although unlike you i am a windows type of fella still have much similarity with requiring both a laptop and iPad just wanted to say thanks for your advice it really helped me

[@pandaventures6836]

been rockin the 2018 Ipad Pro 11” (bought 2019) so essentially 3yrs now I tried out the new M2 Ipad Pro and seems like my workflow is essentially the same. And I can say that 85-90% of what you want to do on the new ipad pros can be done on the older ipad pros.

[@robertcerins]

I am still using the first pro tablet for 8 year and lovin it.

[@eLokiEah]

I have been using my first gen iPad Pro (12.9") for five years now (I've bought it second handed at 2 years old). It's starting to lag sometimes, and I've unfortunately cracked the screen a few weeks ago (not too bad, but noticable) and I still like it. I have previously though of replacing it (basically every year) but it works just so well for my use cases as a student, that I just choose not to... I am gonna be replacing it probably this summer though - just for large note and pdf handling and the cracked screen, but at that point it will be 8 years old! It's practically very old in terms of mobile devices, yet it just doesn't feel... especially since it's got iPad OS 16... I just see the iPad Pros as an investment, a device that could serve me for years and saves me the hassle of finding the best device to upgrade to etc... I hope my next iPad can also serve me for at least 5 to 7 years (depending on which model I choose) cause I feel like changing devices so often just produces soooo much waste that is very hard to recycle... and also wastes the potential of the material, and human resources put into the product's making..

[@dockaych]

I've been rocking a 2018 iPad Pro 11" for years and the only thing that has made me want to upgrade has been getting that larger screen. I draw on it for at least a couple of hours every day. It's really fantastic. I mostly use Goodnotes, with a bit of Procreate here and there. I use a Windows PC for the rest of my day.

[@Mypenleaks]

Great video. I always watch your vids and get tempted by new tech to the point it's in my Amazon basket. But then snap out of it as there's absolutely nothing wrong with my first generation 12.9 ipad pro. Draw on it everyday. It's my best friend.

[@WestonWoodfin]

I was rocking the 2018 11in iPad Pro since it came out. This year I decided to sell it and get the iPad Mini 6th Gen. with more storage. The mini is actually more powerful than the 2018 iPad Pro, in a smaller package. Super happy with my upgrade even as a "pro" user. The mini is plenty powerful and I will probably use it for the foreseeable future... At least until an new iPad Pro comes out with updates that seem worth the upgrade.

[@nodfactor8808]

I have the same one, Brad, and it still works fine for my needs. I would love to see Apple make larger iPad pros, though... A 16 or 17-inch at least!

[@resuk_]

Great review and idea, I still use my 2017 ipad Pro daily for illustration work, it just works, all the time haha

[@MaggaTrading]

my 2015 9.7inch iPad Pro is still holding up very well. The only issue I've noticed after using it for 8 years and 5-6 hours a day is the battery life.

[@m3g_h4n]

this is the same ipad I’ve been using for nearly 4 years and the reason I got it was from your review lol makes me proud that i picked the same ipad as you

[@madhu6337]

I have ipad pro from 2016 with apple first gen pencil. It works like a charm even today. I do not see much of an issue. except for slight lag and that could be due to amount of files in it.

[@Elle79]

I only just upgraded from my 2019 Air 3. It’s still a great device but storage is a serious issue for me and having the 64 G was my error during purchase So I am giving it to my son for Christmas and enjoying my M2 pro 128G with 2T SSD.

[@MrBraun-kq5qf]

Im still using my original iPad Pro 12 inch from 2016 and it works great

[@audiem.7353]

Bought the 2015 iPad Pro 12.9 in July 2017. I sold it a few months ago and I bought the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9. I plan on keeping it for the next 7-9 years.

[@Purdey921]

I have a 2018 iPad Pro 11" 1st generation 64 gigabyte. I love it. Have it (most of the time) in the Otterbox Defender. The screen protective cover didn't work well for drawing on my first one and Otterbox sent me another one which works well. That one is getting worn out on the screen, so Otterbox is sending me a third one! That case has a USB cover, which maybe saved mine from having to be cleaned. I wasn't sure I wanted an iPad when I bought it, but could afford it at the time. I use it more than my iMac, and my Intuos 5 and Cintiq 16 Pro are in cases being stored in my computer room! I absolutely am amazed how much I use the iPad. Love, love, love Procreate. I also recently paid for Sketchbook, and Clip Studio Paint. I have very little storage, as you can see, but it works for me. I think the Photos take up the most space, so if I delete them (they are stored elsewhere anyway) if I need to...more space!

[@SkyeBoredom]

speaking of a durability of product, i've used xiaomi mi a1 for 5 years now, and its still work so good, i think it was all about how we take care of some product.

[@mikebennewitz]

I used my First Gen iPad Pro 12.9 for 7 years. Solid device.

[@chinkk8581]

totally agree with you. i m still using my old faithful ipad pro 2018. do not b tempted with new models when the existing model fulfils our needs. so far support from Procreate updates are good.

[@antonio.martins]

I use an iPad 2018 for work and it fits my needs.

[@shadowyzman7078]

Still using my 2nd gen 2017 edition iPad Pro for art. Bought it in Jan 2018 and it still runs fine - will be 6 years soon. Granted I might not have used that many hours but I've used it to sketch on my commutes etc. I'm not an Apple fan by any means but the quality of this thing blew me away. Still runs like it did on its first day., no lagging, does what it's meant to do. I love it!

[@FiRezfps]

I'm still using the 1st gen iPad Pro (2016). 6 years later this is its state: Home button no longer works, thankfully it can be replaced on screen. Some areas of the screen are uneven lighted but is barely noticeable and doesn't get in the way of my work, Lightning port might be coming loose (it happened to my iPhone 7 which I also still use) so I'm using an adapter to charge my apple pencil. That said this is the best tablet I've owned. I use it more than my Cintiq Pro 16. I'm still holding to it because I really want an iPad with a bigger screen which unfortunately has not happened yet

[@Mih52]

I also have a 2gen iPad pro from the launch date and with the pencil got after the year. I say with how much the M1 or M2 came, the 2 gen is still the option for normal use. I use it as my drawing tablet, but for day to day tasks, it never slows down. I know that the laptop chip on a tab seems overkill but for creators, it is good to have more power to handle apps that are cpu hungry.

[@trenonights6635]

My son plays on a first Gen iPad Pro. It was a hand me down from his nana. She claimed there were dead spots on the screen, but there isn’t. She just wanted an excuse to upgrade lol. He’s on it daily with gaming, procreate, and stop motion. The battery is the only issue we have, it only charges with one cord and it charges very slowly. What my son doesn’t know is he has a 2021 iPad under the tree right now! He’ll be so excited. Also my husband uses a 2015 iPad that I passed to him when I got my 2020 iPad Air. Still runs perfectly. I didn’t realize 4 years was considered a long time with iPads. 😳

[@miguelrondow]

I have the first Ipad Pro 12.9, it is with me since 2016 and it stills packs a punch. I pretend to buy the new one this next year but its my favorite tool to drawing

[@heynim342]

I'm still using the same 2017 iPad Pro 10.5" that I bought second-hand in 2018 for professional illustration work. Almost 5 years now.

[@Rickardt0]

I’m still using my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro as well, though it’s the 256GB version. I’ve not been really tempted to upgrade or change until now, because my iPad IS my primary computer, for me, it handles my art AND roughly 90% of my current computer needs. I am considering upgrading to the M2 iPad Pro though, I really want to utilize that full external display support and mess with Hover. I’m holding off a bit longer though to see if the rumors of a 14” iPad Pro come true first, lol.

[@evawoods511]

I’m still using 2019 iPad too! It works great and as of yet, I feel no need to upgrade especially when M2 is soo expensive

[@Skyfire-dy4yw]

I think I got my first iPad (an iPad 2) in 2011 or 2012. I used it almost daily for eight years before I finally upgraded to an iPad Air. They really last a really long time. I even dropped it so many times I lost count, and even now it's still functional (albeit very slowly, and with declining API support.)

[@alzamonart]

I have been using an 11-inch iPad Pro since 2019 (the one I’m typing this on in fact) and even though I initially regretted not going with the larger 12.9 inch model, I now appreciate the smaller form factor when traveling, as if still does everything I expect from it and then some. The screen, however, broke off on a mirthless accident a few months ago and had to replace it at a non-insignificant cost (ouch), but I decided to go with it because first I can’t afford a new iPad Pro this point, and second because it still has plenty of useful life left… but now with a military grade case and screen protection, better safe than sorry 😅

[@PovertyPear]

I got a Ipad3 and I still hav it, I tink it was the ”pro” version at the time but it is still working fine. Not many apps works tho but its fine watching youtube and recipies on. I like it and I can only hope my new Ipad Pro 12.9 is going to survive just as long.

[@mythoughts2355]

The Magic Keyboard is durable as well I spilled soda on it rinsed it under the faucet briefly let it dry, The key pad functioned properly. Second time spilled coffee took couple days for key pad to function properly had sprayed alcohol directly on to key pad wiped it keys functioned. Track pad eventually functioned but port doesn’t function, but dont need to replace it. I now have a keyboard cover but track pad not covered so if can be a plastic cover that covers entire keyboard and track pad. I was lucky Apple puts water resistant products out. It probly shows water damage inside but it functions .

[@sadaharu9717]

I would really love one of these ipads for Christmas 🥺 even with just the old version, just enough to practice digital art.

[@michalpyre]

My ipad pro m1 had it since launch and love it

[@TheMetalMag]

my 2015 iPad is working so well, updating to the last OS, and working great. this is not a computer and I used it really for the internet and like you, it's cool for drawing or just writing up text .. really it it an amazing device Apple released years ago. Still, as new, most of my computers got issues mostly due to the internet but I kept them each for at least 10 years. So I bet the Ipad will last long Such a good one.

[@wojtek842]

iPad Pro 2018 have a12x not a12 and it makes massive difference (its practicly the same performance level as a15 not a13) plus with pro lineup you get additional features like for example stage manager, 120hz, face id, 4 speakers or smaller bezels

[@mrt.7146]

Handed down my 2018 12.9" for a 11" m1 pro --> I miss that larger canvas so much 🤩

[@grinnazeed]

This is the best long term review, also, please do a "Struggles of Artist" review since there's a lot.

[@GarydeBrown]

Congratulations on making The Verge!

[@Juanro_7]

Same, iPad Pro 2nd gen. Since 2015sh. Like it a lot but want to upgrade to more storage and ram

[@yuukod2546]

I also have the ioad pro 2018, 11” going strong for 4 years. You use your ipad the same way I do so I can relate completely to your points in the video! 😁 I’ve used my laptop the longest: macbook air early 2015 model. I’ve used it a bit less the last 2 years, using my ipad daily and the laptop maybe 3x a week. The battery needs to be replaced… it barely survives without constantly charging with the powercable. So that’s on my need to do in january list👀 I use it for admin, browsing and drawing on CSP or Affinity Photo (not much now because battery issues, but yeah) and not much else. That laptop is the best thing ever and its really hard to figure out which of the newer models would be a good upgrade. Honestly if it could keep going I’d rather just keep using that as long as possible.

[@louiscalata]

i’m using the same 2018 ipad pro model since it came out. and still fast and the battery life is still adequate. Been wanting to upgrade but always cancels because it’s hard to justify.

[@teemuntubetus]

I've been using Mac Pro 2013 since 2013.. Still using it. Although I upgraded it to 10-core, 64GB RAM and 1TB SSD, but still.. And I too have the iPad Pro as a drawing tablet (bought it 2020, switched from Cintiq). Imho some people buy new hardware because they WANT it - not that there is a solid NEED for the new one. 8 minute time saving in one video's rendering time, does not cut for me as a solid reason to buy new product: you can't be *that* busy 24/7..