Category: iPad

The upcoming iPad Pro models are set to be the first devices to feature Apple’s faster M5 chip, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. These refreshed models are likely to debut in October, making them an exciting addition to Apple’s high-end tablet lineup. The last update to the iPad Pro series occurred in May 2024 with the introduction of the M4 chip and OLED display technology.

This means there will be approximately 17 months between the M4 and M5 launches. While the 2025 models are not expected to undergo significant design changes due to a major redesign in 2024, they will maintain the sleek chassis and OLED display, benefiting from the enhanced speed and efficiency of the new M5 chip. Built on TSMC’s advanced 3-nanometer process, the M5 will deliver notable performance upgrades.

Apple is also exploring new display technology that could slim down the bezels of the iPad Pro, though it’s uncertain if this innovation will be ready for the M5 models. In parallel, Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 17 series in a couple of months. The iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to undergo a redesign, particularly in the rear casing and camera area.

However, major changes to the lineup will likely be reserved for the following year with the iPhone 18 models. Looking ahead, Apple does not intend to refresh its Mac lineup with the M5 chip until 2026. Plans for updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models have shifted, as the introduction of M5 MacBook Pros is now expected in early 2026.

Meanwhile, anticipation is also building for an updated Apple TV, which is expected to feature key enhancements including a new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. Overall, as new devices are set to emerge, Apple continues to innovate within its product lineup.

Hello everyone,

I am seeking advice on what will likely be my final Apple purchase for the next five years, as it will ensure that all my devices continue receiving software updates over this timeframe. As a student on a somewhat tight budget, I currently own a Mac Mini M4 (16GB RAM, 256GB storage) gifted to me at Christmas and an iPad Mini 6th gen (256GB, 5G) paired with an Apple Pencil 2. I use these devices for schoolwork, but I anticipate needing CAD software in three years, at which point I plan to purchase a Windows machine. For now, I’m focused on consolidating my workflow and believe that a MacBook Air (16GB RAM, 256GB storage) would suit my needs, but I’d appreciate some additional perspectives.

Initially, I relied on the iPad as a replacement for a school-issued Chromebook, which worked out well. The addition of the Apple Pencil transformed it into an effective digital notepad. I enjoy taking digital notes and am curious about how well I can utilize the MacBook’s trackpad for note-taking. However, I have accumulated a substantial amount of stationery over time.

I feel that paper notes may facilitate communication with my teachers better than digital notes, as I prefer not to draw attention with my elaborate digital setup. Additionally, staring at my iPad for about seven hours a day raises concerns about my eyesight. Another consideration is the potential overlap with my Mac Mini, which I don’t intend to sell since it was a gift. I plan to sell the iPad to a family member for $350.

I’m contemplating the practicality of having two M4 Macs. The new MacBook could run on a power adapter instead of relying on its battery when stationary, drive the same 27” 4K monitor as the Mini, and offer a quality built-in keyboard, unlike my current, less reliable one. I can afford the price difference, especially with educational pricing and by selling the free AirPods I received. Before making a decision, I want to ensure that choosing the M4 Air is the right move and that my plan makes sense.

Thank you for any insights you can provide!

I understand your concerns about the iPad mini 7 display based on what you’ve seen in various YouTube videos. Many users often have mixed feelings about display quality, especially when it comes to color accuracy and brightness.

In my personal experience, the display of the iPad mini 7 has its strengths and weaknesses. While it may not be as vibrant as some other high-end tablets, it’s important to note that it serves its purpose well for everyday tasks.

The screen is responsive, and for reading, browsing, and basic media consumption, it performs adequately. Some individuals might perceive the display as having a yellow tint or being dim, particularly in comparison to other models that boast more vivid colors and higher brightness levels.

However, I haven’t found it to be a significant issue in daily use. The screen quality is decent, but if you’re accustomed to more saturated displays, you might notice the difference.

If your primary use is casual web browsing, reading, or light gaming, the iPad mini 7 display should meet your needs. However, if color accuracy and display vibrancy are critical for your content creation or media consumption, it might be worth exploring alternative tablets in the same price range with better display specifications.

Ultimately, I recommend trying to see the device in person if possible. This would allow you to have a firsthand experience of the display quality before making a purchasing decision.

I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for this discussion. I’ve been considering purchasing this specific model, and thanks to your insights, I now realize the importance of getting AppleCare+. Given my usage patterns, I can easily see my battery health dropping below 80% within a year.

I recently bought an 11″ Pro and am thrilled with my decision. It has only been three days, and the battery health is still at 100%, with just one charge cycle completed. I’m looking forward to using my new iPad extensively, as it seems like a fantastic device for both work and entertainment.

Regarding my approach to battery maintenance, I’ve mostly kept my iPad charged up to the 80% limit due to my inconsistent usage. I only charge it fully when I have plans to take it out of the house. This method has served me well so far, as it helps prolong the battery’s lifespan while still ensuring that it’s ready when I need it.

Overall, I’m excited about the potential this iPad holds and am eager to see how it enhances my daily activities.

The distinction between the iPad and the Mac is becoming increasingly ambiguous with the introduction of iPadOS 26, currently in beta and set to launch this fall. Apple is enhancing the iPad’s functionality with several powerful new features that bring it closer to a traditional desktop environment while maintaining the tablet’s unique advantages. One of the standout features is the new macOS-style menu bar, which can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen within any app.

This menu includes familiar options such as File, Edit, and Help, tailoring its content to the specific application in use. Additionally, iPadOS 26 introduces a Windowed Apps mode that allows users to arrange and resize multiple app windows. This capability mimics the efficiency of a Mac, giving users more control over their workspace.

Users can easily drag and stack app windows, resize them, or scatter them across the screen. The introduction of Mac-like traffic lights in the upper-left corner of app windows allows for intuitive window management, letting users close, minimize, or maximize apps with ease. There are also new options for moving and arranging windows for added convenience.

Moreover, the update includes an App Exposé-style view for better access to all open apps and a revamped Preview app that now supports Apple Pencil for easy editing and markup of various file types. File management also sees significant upgrades with a new List view in the Files app, allowing for improved organization and easy customization of folders. Users can now add folders to the Dock, which supports a greater number of icons and offers classic macOS display preferences.

Overall, iPadOS 26 significantly narrows the gap between the iPad and the Mac, establishing a more versatile and powerful user experience.

I recently acquired an iPad Air with 4G cellular capabilities. I’m curious if anyone knows how to utilize the free call and text options available with this device. While I also have an iPhone equipped with 5G that I use for tethering, I can send iMessages from any of my three iPads, including the iPad Air, when they are connected via WiFi or tethered to the iPhone. However, when it comes to using the iPad Air on its own, I’m wondering if there’s a way to access the free text messaging features tied to its cellular service.

I’ve come to the realization that making calls from the iPad, aside from using apps like Zoom or FaceTime, appears to be quite challenging. It seems that the conventional calling functionality is limited, which raises further questions on how to maximize the cellular capabilities of the iPad Air. If anyone has insights or potential solutions on how to make use of free text messaging or calling features directly from the iPad Air without relying on third-party applications, I would greatly appreciate your input. I’m eager to make the most of my device and explore its cellular options for communication.

Thank you!

In my view, Apple’s battery performance has declined over the years. Many users have observed unusual battery behavior, noting that their devices age more quickly and overheat more easily than in the past.

This seems particularly relevant to iPhones. If you are noticing a consistent monthly drop in battery percentage, such that by year’s end it’s at around 88-92%, you should definitely consider visiting Apple Service to inquire about the possibility of a defective device.

If you’re already experiencing issues like overheating or faster-than-advertised battery drain, it may be prudent to seek help from Apple sooner rather than later. The idea that it’s considered “normal” for devices to lose 10% of their battery life every year raises concerns.

If that’s the case, the effective lifespan of the device might only last around two and a half years before significant performance drops occur. This is quite different from my personal experience with the iPad Air 2.

Although I don’t use it as much now, it still functions well and can easily handle watching a lengthy movie. It’s worth noting that the iPad Air 2 was released in 2014 and, even as of 2019, it could still handle playing three full-length movies, each two hours long.

This stark contrast in battery longevity between older and newer devices is concerning and points to a potential issue with how contemporary batteries are designed and manufactured.

Is anyone else feeling the same way? The iPad Pro 13 with the M4 chip and the new Magic Keyboard is an impressive piece of technology, but it’s simply more than I need. My requirements are quite basic, encompassing web browsing, reading online forums, and light productivity tasks. Consequently, I opted for the iPad Air 11 with the M2 chip last year instead.

I did consider the Pro as a potential laptop replacement, thinking I could keep the Air for casual tablet use. However, the cost is exorbitant. Moreover, I own an M3 iMac that is so efficient and powerful that it serves my needs perfectly when I’m at home. Truthfully, I rarely need a laptop; on the few occasions that I do need portability, the M4 MacBook Air seems like a better fit.

At 999€, it offers superior battery life, a full operating system, a better keyboard, and more ports. In Europe, the starting price for the M4 iPad Pro is around 1400€. If I want the 5G model—my ideal choice—the cost jumps over 1500€, plus an additional 300€ for the Magic Keyboard. This is simply too much for a device that I wouldn’t consider essential in my situation.

While the iPad Air 13 is a solid choice, I would lean towards the Pro if looking for a device to serve as a laptop alternative or just for fun. The better Magic Keyboard, 120Hz display, OLED screen, and Face ID are all enticing features. Perhaps once the new M5 comes out, prices will drop slightly, but given the recent trends in Apple’s pricing in Europe, I wouldn’t expect significant reductions.

I recently noticed that the little three dot icon has disappeared, which I used to activate the windowing feature on my device. I frequently watch YouTube while keeping an eye on my text messages, conveniently displayed in the Messages app on the right. Unfortunately, it seems that I can no longer do this seamlessly.

Even though I checked the Settings and found the windowing feature is enabled, there is no visible icon to toggle it on or off. Instead, when I open YouTube, it takes over the entire screen, and there appears to be no way to superimpose another app over it or position it alongside. I’m using a Magic Keyboard and an Apple Pencil, yet I haven’t had any luck finding the right buttons or gestures to access this new windowing feature.

It’s becoming quite frustrating since I relied on this functionality for multitasking. Additionally, the guidance in Settings isn’t particularly helpful either. It includes a small animation that fails to clearly explain how to utilize this feature effectively.

As a result, I find myself needing to exit YouTube entirely in order to send messages, which disrupts my viewing experience. I would appreciate any advice or troubleshooting tips to help me resolve this issue. It would be great to restore the ability to text while continuing to enjoy my videos without interruptions.

I am considering whether to sell my 7th generation iPad, especially since it’s nearing the end of major iPadOS support with the upcoming iPadOS 26. Given that I primarily use my Mac and not much else on the iPad, I’m pondering if there’s any compelling reason to hold onto it.

I have a Logitech combo case for the iPad, which I’ll likely part with as well if I decide to sell. However, the truth is that my usage of the iPad has significantly declined over time.

I don’t engage in many activities on it currently, which makes it tempting to sell while it still holds some value. On the flip side, I wonder if there are any functions or benefits I might be overlooking that could make the iPad worth keeping, even as support dwindles.

Perhaps it could serve as a secondary device for specific tasks or be useful for streaming and entertainment. With my limited use of the iPad and the impending loss of major updates, making the decision to sell it feels logical.

Yet, I’m still trying to weigh the pros and cons. Your insights would definitely help in deciding if I should keep it or let it go.

Thank you for your thoughts on this matter.