iPad Pro with M5 chip • Hacker News Board

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#11

Post by sylens » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:16 PM UTC

gh0stcat wrote: post #10

sylens wrote: post #4

I have a 2018 iPad Pro that is due for replacement but I cannot bring myself to spend the money on a new iPad. No matter how much I think I'll use it, it becomes a web browsing and YouTube machine on the couch. It's a shame because I think the hardware design is quite good, but the OS itself is so limiting, even with the "improvements" iPadOS 26 introduced.

You could consider getting into drawing/design. They compete incredibly well against the display-based tablets made by wacom, especially these days where you can also do 3d and animation in procreate.

If I was starting this as a hobby, my first step would not be to spend several hundred dollars on a tablet and pen. I'd probably grab some sketchbooks and pencils first for <$50 and see if it sticks for more than a month.

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#12

Post by stormed » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:17 PM UTC

sylens wrote: post #4

I have a 2018 iPad Pro that is due for replacement but I cannot bring myself to spend the money on a new iPad. No matter how much I think I'll use it, it becomes a web browsing and YouTube machine on the couch. It's a shame because I think the hardware design is quite good, but the OS itself is so limiting, even with the "improvements" iPadOS 26 introduced.

I use my iPad solely for just artwork at this point. I don't respect the App Store and needing to pay subscriptions for things you can get for free on a computer. That, and having to rely on web apps

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#13

Post by drcongo » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:25 PM UTC

sylens wrote: post #4

I have a 2018 iPad Pro that is due for replacement but I cannot bring myself to spend the money on a new iPad. No matter how much I think I'll use it, it becomes a web browsing and YouTube machine on the couch. It's a shame because I think the hardware design is quite good, but the OS itself is so limiting, even with the "improvements" iPadOS 26 introduced.

I've produced two albums and done quite a few remixes on mine. Trying hard not to sound like a dick here, but if you pick up an iPad and all you can think to do with it is watch YouTube it seems weird to blame the iPad for that.

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#14

Post by pjmlp » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:25 PM UTC

Great hardware spoiled by a toy OS.

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#15

Post by omnibrain » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:27 PM UTC

They will probably keep the other iPads at 60Hz displays in future. I don't need the other Pro features.

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#16

Post by alberth » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:27 PM UTC

I'm be curious to know the breakdown of Pro vs Air vs Base iPad sales.

Because I have to imagine very few people buy the iPad Pro (and for those who do, what use case are they buying it for).

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#17

Post by whalesalad » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:28 PM UTC

sylens wrote: post #4

I have a 2018 iPad Pro that is due for replacement but I cannot bring myself to spend the money on a new iPad. No matter how much I think I'll use it, it becomes a web browsing and YouTube machine on the couch. It's a shame because I think the hardware design is quite good, but the OS itself is so limiting, even with the "improvements" iPadOS 26 introduced.

Agreed. I am forcing myself to start using my iPad Air more and more but it generally just collects dust. The 10Hz refresh rate has made me want to look at getting a proper one with a fast display - but then I remind myself that it will also probably collect dust most of the time.

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#18

Post by seviu » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:29 PM UTC

ErneX wrote: post #5

seviu wrote: post #3

I really want this but I can’t justify such a machine just for watching YouTube. I cannot even give it to my kids since I don’t have multiple accounts with it. Kind of sad that the most interesting device Apple has will never show its true potential due to their greed.

For watching YouTube you just need the cheapest iPad not a Pro.

A generalization I would say

I really dig that Oled screen

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#19

Post by dialup_sounds » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:29 PM UTC

sylens wrote: post #4

I have a 2018 iPad Pro that is due for replacement but I cannot bring myself to spend the money on a new iPad. No matter how much I think I'll use it, it becomes a web browsing and YouTube machine on the couch. It's a shame because I think the hardware design is quite good, but the OS itself is so limiting, even with the "improvements" iPadOS 26 introduced.

This may be a controversial statement, but: you don't have to replace things that you're not using.

Re: iPad Pro with M5 chip

#20

Post by gh0stcat » Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 2:31 PM UTC

sylens wrote: post #11

gh0stcat wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could consider getting into drawing/design. They compete incredibly well against the display-based tablets made by wacom, especially these days where you can also do 3d and animation in procreate.

If I was starting this as a hobby, my first step would not be to spend several hundred dollars on a tablet and pen. I'd probably grab some sketchbooks and pencils first for <$50 and see if it sticks for more than a month.

I mean yes, but if you have an incredibly impressive machine compared to SOTA 10 years ago just lying around, I'd have fun with that too. :) Plus you can use it for more "practical" stuff like logo design or editing or even just note taking... I wanted to provide some examples of not just youtube machine.