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New iPad Air, powered by M4

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Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#121

My current iPad is the iPad Air 3 (the one with the backlight issue that's never been acknowledged, to my understanding.) Can someone explain to me why an iPad at all, let alone an iPad Air, needs as powerful a processor as a M4? That's stronger than my laptop (a M2) where I run multiple VMs and more.

I have an iPad Pro (2018) with A12X processor which at one point was a "holy crap this this is incredibly fast for how thin it is" device. 8 years later the local apps still run fast, but it struggles with web browsing. Which is to say, you need a fast processor or web developers will out-bloat your device capabilities in a few years.

The processor is still fast enough, the ram is too small for modern web apps.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#122
post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Photoshop and video editing. Until the M chips, the app options were slim, and now iPads get new M chips as they come out. You might ask — doesn’t it suck to do either on an iPad? Yep, yet even on my iPhone, I use Photoshop all the time. VMs are not very CPU demanding usually — usually more RAM demanding.

How do you do any productivity on it if getting files in and out is such a pain? I had M4 iPad PRO and is just collecting dust. Too clunky to use.

The Files app can connect to SMB locations.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#123
post #18

I'm about to head to the gym with my 12.9-inch 2017 vintage iPad Pro, which is still going strong. I prop it up on the elliptical trainer every other day or so for entertaining me while I grind out an hour of cardio. I use it for reading, watching YouTube, listening to music, audiobooks, etc. It's been my regular gym buddy for years, and is showing no signs of needing to be replaced. It's stuck on iPadOS 17.7.10, whi…

They can only go as far if Apple doesn't deprecate them, unfortunately

I use a 2012 MacBook Air 11" for Zoom meetings. Still runs like a champ. It's stuck on Catalina, but Apple still sends out patch releases.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#124
post #117

To what end? I genuinely don’t get the purpose of these high end processors in a tablet. Like more power is nice but what would I do on it that needs it? Serious gamers mostly steer clear of Apple. Video editors presumably use desktops/laptops. Browsing doesn’t need power. Video watching doesn’t need it. Programming on iPads is cumbersome. Who is the target audience that gains from this?

People who buy things, mostly.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#125
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pure marketing, in a couple years it will start lagging doing basic web surfing, like every other iOS device

That has never been true. My iPhone 15 Pro and iPad M1 have no lag.

Those devices are too young to start lagging. Eventually websites will bloat to the point that you will definitely notice. My estimate is that it will be at the 7 year point.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#126
I don't understand why they still have such thick borders, compared to smartphone screens that almost get to the edge. Anybody knows if there's a technical reason for it?

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#127
post #126

I don't understand why they still have such thick borders, compared to smartphone screens that almost get to the edge. Anybody knows if there's a technical reason for it?

Tablets need an edge where you can grip it. Without thicker bezels, it’s harder to hold it without your fingers being on the screen. This is much less of an issue for phone-sized devices.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#128
post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Photoshop and video editing. Until the M chips, the app options were slim, and now iPads get new M chips as they come out. You might ask — doesn’t it suck to do either on an iPad? Yep, yet even on my iPhone, I use Photoshop all the time. VMs are not very CPU demanding usually — usually more RAM demanding.

How do you do any productivity on it if getting files in and out is such a pain? I had M4 iPad PRO and is just collecting dust. Too clunky to use.

You can attach a USB drive. The Pro models have Thunderbolt.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#129
post #126

I don't understand why they still have such thick borders, compared to smartphone screens that almost get to the edge. Anybody knows if there's a technical reason for it?

I don't think it is technical. Because of their size, they would be hard to hold without covering portions of the screen, if the bezels were thinner. As is, my fat fingers get in the way already.

Re: New iPad Air, powered by M4

#130
post #126

I don't understand why they still have such thick borders, compared to smartphone screens that almost get to the edge. Anybody knows if there's a technical reason for it?

To each their own, but I would rather have a larger border where I can rest my thumb without causing an accidental press/scroll a few times a day. The software-based rejection is not good enough and I am very willing to go back to the older look of the iPad if offered.
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