M1 iPad Professional (2021) vs. M2 iPad Professional (2022): Which one is best for you?

Forgoing any form of fancy occasion, Apple on Tuesday introduced the 2022 iPad Professional powered by its Apple Silicon M2 processor alongside a totally redesigned — and way more costly — base-model iPad.

You may preorder the brand new iPad Professional now, with availability starting Oct. 26, the identical day as in-store availability.

Additionally: iPad (2022) vs iPad (2021): Which pill must you purchase?

Earlier than you click on that purchase button, although, take a couple of minutes to determine if you actually need that shiny new iPad Professional, or if final 12 months’s mannequin is greater than sufficient in your wants. Don’t be concerned, I am going to assist break it down for you.

Specs

You need to get the brand new iPad Professional if…

1. You employ the Apple Pencil for every part

The brand new iPad Professional fashions include a brand new Apple Pencil function that detects when the tip of the 2nd Era Apple Pencil is 12mm above the show after which adjusts the interface. 

For example, for those who use Scribble to put in writing in a textual content subject as a substitute of utilizing a keyboard, the textual content subject will robotically enlarge, supplying you with extra room to put in writing, after which shrink again to its regular measurement when you’re carried out.

On its web site, Apple additionally reveals a video of drawing instruments previewing what they seem like as you make changes to issues like measurement and opacity. 

To be clear: Samsung’s Galaxy Be aware and now the Galaxy Z Fold have lengthy had an analogous hover function for the S Pen, so Apple is not inventing the wheel right here.

I am going to have to attend to get my arms on the brand new iPad Professional earlier than determining simply how helpful the brand new hover detection function is, nevertheless it seems prefer it’s extra of a quality-of-life enchancment than a ground-breaking new function. 

2. You intend on absolutely benefiting from iPadOS 16 when it is completed

With the discharge of iPadOS 16 on Oct. 24, newer iPad Professional fashions and the newest iPad Air will acquire Stage Supervisor, a function that brings a brand new multitasking expertise to Apple’s tablets. However not all of these tablets are created equal, with solely the fashions outfitted with M1 and M2 chips getting true exterior monitor help. 

The mix of Stage Supervisor and exterior monitor help means you’ll be able to have as much as eight apps open and in use on the iPad Professional on the identical time. This, after all, will tax the efficiency of the pill, and Apple’s M2 processor is probably the most succesful in the case of powering via no matter you throw at it. 

In keeping with Apple’s Oct. 18 launch, the M2-powered iPad Professional is 15% quicker than final 12 months’s M1 iPad Professional. The brand new processor additionally gives a 50% increase for reminiscence bandwidth, one thing you may absolutely want for multitasking with a lot of apps. 

In case you plan on taking full benefit of Stage Supervisor and do not wish to run into any efficiency points, now or down the street with future software program options, the M2 iPad Professional makes a ton of sense. 

3. You want the newest connectivity tech

The brand new iPad Professional fashions include help for Wi-Fi 6E — the newest and quickest Wi-Fi normal accessible — together with 5G mobile connectivity. Help for 5G is not new, however Wi-Fi 6E is, and it is one thing that future-proofs your funding, or if you have already got a Wi-Fi 6E system in your house, lets you take full benefit of the elevated speeds and efficiency enhancements. 

I at present personal the 2021 iPad Professional — it is simply my favourite pc and one thing I exploit each single day. I am not bought on the efficiency increase, and I do not use the Apple Pencil a complete lot to reap the benefits of the brand new options there, but when Apple supplied greater than $500 for my trade-in (I paid $2,000 for the 1TB 5G mannequin), I would strongly take into account getting the M2 iPad Professional only for Wi-Fi 6E.

Additionally: use an iPad Professional to energy your property workplace

You need to get final 12 months’s iPad Professional if…

1. You are on the hunt for a very good deal

When new {hardware} is introduced, older {hardware} — on this case, the 2021 iPad Professional — normally receives some form of value reduce. 

A fast look on Greatest Purchase’s web site does not replicate any value modifications thus far, nevertheless it’s solely a matter of time earlier than retailers begin clearing out previous stock with a view to make room for Apple’s latest tablets. 

Do not trouble trying on Apple’s web site, as the corporate has already eliminated the 2021 iPad Professional from the shop. 

Nevertheless, Amazon is taking a pair hundred {dollars} off the worth of Wi-Fi fashions. For instance, the 512GB 2021 iPad Professional is marked all the way down to $1,199 as a substitute of $1,399. The 1TB mannequin begins at $1,599 for those who want extra storage. 

Additionally: flip your previous gadgets into Amazon reward playing cards

2. You do not want all of that efficiency

Though Apple eliminated true exterior monitor help from iPadOS 16 through the beta course of, I by no means felt that my M1 iPad Professional was underpowered throughout my early testing of the unfinished working system. 

And whereas the M2 processor is certain to convey some efficiency beneficial properties, I am not bought that the 15% enchancment is sufficient to warrant upgrading from the M1 iPad Professional. 

What meaning to somebody who does not have an iPad Professional is that it’s best to see related and completely acceptable efficiency from the 2021 iPad Professional. 

Not solely that, however the iPad Professional’s {hardware} has been overpowered for years now, with customers have been begging Apple so as to add extra options and capabilities to iPadOS. And regardless that Stage Supervisor guarantees to do exactly that, I am not satisfied that the iPad Professional’s {hardware} has lastly met its match. 

3. You do not need the brand new fancy Apple Pencil options

Outdoors of improved Wi-Fi and a quicker processor, the one different notable function coming to the brand new iPad Professional is the Apple Pencil’s hover function. In case you’re somebody who does not use an Apple Pencil, otherwise you solely use one sparingly, then the 2022 iPad Professional does not actually convey any additional worth to the desk over the 2021 mannequin. 

You should utilize the second-generation Apple Pencil with the 2021 iPad Professional to put in writing, scribble, or attract no matter apps you have to. And for lots of people, that is greater than ok.