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Buy decision: 8 GB vs 16 GB in the light of video memory
I definitely want to buy a new iPad Pro. In the advent of Thunderbolt on the iPad I expect a better external monitor support as of iPadOS 15. Given the high resolution and color depth of the 12.9 inch version I wonder if 8 GB could be a problem when connecting a high res external monitor. I think that the basic display memory is not much, so theoretically if you don't need 3D rendering with a lot of textures - what is the case for music production - it shouldn't be a problem. Anyway as the memory is shared I wonder how much memory would be consumed by an external monitor.
I'm a total noob when it comes to the technical background of graphics but anyway I'd like to try some calculations. The display supports 10 bit HDR, so I assume a color depth of 3 x 10 = 30 bit.
12.9 inch iPad native display
- 2.732 x 2.048 = 5595136 pixels
- 5595136 x 30 = 167854080 bits = 20490 KB ~ 20 MB
FHD portable touch monitor:
- 1920 x 1080 = 2073600 pixels
- 2073600 x 30 = 66355200 bits = 7593.75 KB ~ 8 MB
4K desktop monitor:
- 3840 x 2160 = 8294400 pixels
- 8294400 x 30 = 265420800 bits = 30375 KB ~ 30 MB
This seems to be not much memory and nothing to worry about. But know we know that also the normal user interface also utilizes the GPU for some 2D acceleration, shadows, etc. Would this add significantly to the memory requirements? Something wrong about my calculations?
Comments
8GB M1 Macs run 4k external displays just fine. I had one for a while and did just that. If that helps
Yes, that helps indeed. Should have thought about that immediately
If you can wait I would be tempted to see what WWDC brings. There are multiple rumours about why Apple chose to suddenly publicize how much RAM an iPad has installed. Just saying there might be information revealed about the next OS updates that would inform which model to go for.
I have an M1 iMac hooked up to a 4k TV. The iMac has no problem driving even some pretty graphics intensive games at 4k. I've never seen it have any heavy memory pressure either.
But, if you are going to be doing any sort of video processing, there could be many frames of 4k video going at any given time. If any type of application for the iPad Pro is going to push its memory limits, it's going to be video processing.
Thinking about what's going to happen at WWDC. I'd expect more evolution-not-revolution. They are almost certain to talk up the Thunderbolt possibilities and I'm hoping (without any good reason) that they are going to make 3rd party drivers possible. These would be huge by themselves. The only problem with waiting until WWDC to make a purchasing decision is that it probably means waiting until Apple get things back in stock. That's where I'm at now. Wait and then wait again or order early and take a little bit of a risk.
As far as what the M1 signals about the iPad ecosystem future, it could just be that Apple is all about supply chain. Putting the same chip in everything will help to reduce their costs. The M1 works really well in everything they've put it in, so why not take advantage of this? Especially now with the world chip supply in the state it's in.
@NeonSilicon, yes I think you are right. The 16 GB model might make sense only for video intense applications. I think the same about Thunderbolt in the sense of the upcoming iPadOS 15. I'm quite sure about an evolution of iPad Pro utilization of external monitors. I also hope for file system improvements that make better use of external drives.
Several forum users have reported that Logic on an M1 MacBook performs outstandingly well even just with 8 GB RAM. So I'm more and more confident that 8 GB will be good enough. My maximum budget is about $1800 so I have to choose between 11 inch, 1 TB, 16 GB or 12.9 inch 512 GB, 8 GB model. And I really would like to have the bigger screen.
The thing is my current iPad's storage is full and I already deleted what I could delete, so I have some pressure to buy now.
I like having 1 TB so I don't need to worry about offloading videos and music since the iPad is my main device. So I guess I'll get the 16GB anyway. @krassmann the 12.9 with 1 TB is $1,799 so not sure if that fits your budget. Also, there's the education store if you have school-aged kids at home. Having said that, every time I've bought the 12.9 I've ended up going back to the 11" because the greatness of a larger screen quickly diminishes against its portability of the smaller model.
I said iMac in my response above. I meant Mini. I typed that when my brain was still asleep and my fingers should have been.
I think I finally have to upgrade because I'm guessing that my iPad Pro won't get this year's OS update. My iPad is very old now. So, I'm trying to figure out what to do. I want the Thunderbolt port because I want to try out AVB and see if it will work, so it's going to have to be one of the new Pros unless I decide to wait and see if they push Thunderbolt in the next Air generation.
I think I'd like the size of the 11" better. But, that XDR display is sooooo tempting.
@jblock, you really prefer the 11“? I’m dreaming of more screen estate. AUM gets so busy quickly with small AU windows. I also find myself scrolling around a lot. I do use my iPad also for reading and email but music is my prime usage. Hmmm.... pity that shops are closed due to lockdown now.
After watching comparison videos between the two sizes and looking at the 2020 models in the shop, I think I will get the 11", 256gb one.
Hopefully Apple will make it possible to pump more Audio streams through the thunderbolt port to a mac, so we can include and mix more individual ios synths in for intance Ableton without having to buy an iConnectivity unit just for that...
Torn on the size issue as well. Always had the 11" Pro and thought the size was nice, but at the same time always been curious about the 12.9 as well for music apps. Just debating how easy it will be to carrry for traveling and what not, and if I NEED to have it on a table or lap for it to be comfortable.
I love big screens but I wear progressive lenses because I'm old and need glasses for all distances so I can only focus on one part of an iPad screen at a time and for many things a bigger screen doesn't give me anything larger just a little more of it. Also, there are still tons of apps out there that aren't optimized for the 12.9 screen as well at the 11".
I think 8 is fine but I’d still go for as much as I could afford. Once you buy 8 if you want more you’re going to have to buy another IPad. I wish we could somehow install more ourselves but were sol. I bought a 2020 13inch Intel MacBook Pro with 16 gigs of ram thinking I could buy 32gigs and install it myself lol🤦🏽♂️
Tough question... I think I start a new thread
Better to get a iPad Pro 11 in for music and use an actual computer for serious video editing. Right now, I can do an ok amount on Lumafusion running on iPad Pro 9.7 2016. I'm sure an 11 in will be fine for my needs, but if I was a serious video editor, I'd like an actual computer, but as other have said, wait until WWDC.
Screen size = same question for me.
I think I need to hold the devices in my hands to compare the pros and cons.
With the 12.9, you can read comfortably sheet music as on a regular printed edition.
What are you picturing? Curious why you’d want AVB.
I have AVB interfaces now on lightning iPads.
I want to go straight into the iPad with an ethernet cable to do AVB -- no Interface. I want it so that I only have one interface for all of my devices and the rest are hooked up via AVB. This will also make it so I can do POE to power the iPad.
This all relates to a longer term plan I have with some hardware I'm working on.
Apple's docs for audio devices seem to indicate that AVB will be enabled on iOS 14. But, the only way I can see that this is going to be supported is over Thunderbolt since it doesn't seem to work with any of the USB-C or Lightning ethernet dongles. There is also a Thunderbolt AV port listed in the iOS 14 docs.
Here’s my 2 cents. In no way am I discouraging you but I’ve attempted already what you’re trying to attempt with the exception of a thunderbolt port on an iPad:
All in all, I use this to dump everything from 3 iPads to logic in 1 go. Then send that file off to someone for mixdown. (Mixdown has got to be the worst part of music making. Zero interest in that part)
I do recommend picking up a ultraliteAVB and trying it out 1st. What I was expecting to do (very similar to you expectations) and what was actually achievable were fairly far apart.
(Current setup. 1 iPad connected to 828 via usb and 2 connected via both adat inputs ——AVB——->mac)
Thanks very much for the info. I'm very much in the still-trying-to-figure-it-out stage. The switch I was looking at was the little 5-port with POE from PreSonus. I've found a couple of POE to Thunderbolt ethernet switches that claim to be compatible with AVB, but I have no idea if they actually work.
I'd be fine with needing an AVB capable interface on the Mac side that hooked to the Mac over USB or Thunderbolt. The side of this that I definitely want free of the need for an interface is the iPad connection. That's going to be an open question until the new iPads get into peoples' hands or at least until MOTU or PreSonus update some docs.
The BIG issue with 11” iPad Pro - it ain’t 4:3 display ratio!
I HATE 16:9 or whatever (11” is 16:10?)...
1.43:1 which is not common to say the least lol
The 16 GB is more future proof the apps that can make use of the RAM.will be coming in the future.
Good point. I actually created a paper model and now I believe the 11" model hits the sweet spot between portability and size. I also don't mind the aspect ratio. The 11" also allows me to buy the 1TB/16 GB, so I'll be future proof and I plan to use this device for some years. Decision made - THANK YOU ALL!!
👍
Nice to read you have made up your mind.
I am still hesitating. I would be sure I will be able to read a sheet music comfortably.
If I was having to choose, that screen on the 12.9 would be a huge temptation.
To me, the 12.9 looks much more Pro than the 11". If I was a professional illustrator, film composer, etc I'd probably get a bigger one, and I'd always keep it on my desk and use it only for work.
I think it's just too big for normal use
Good choice! I'm kind of leaning that way as well (and I've owned a 12.9"). I'm actually glad Apple is in this routine now where they announce a product and you have a week or so to figure out what you want rather than have to make a split decision.
I had the OG 12.9" and 10.5" Pros, the large one for "creative stuff" and the smaller for portability and reading. When the 2018 models came out with the reduced bezels, I upgraded both, but honestly switched to the 12.9 for basically everything. It wasn't that much larger than the fat bezel 10.5", and the weight was much lighter than the OG 12.9".
I skipped the 2020 models because they were a minor upgrade and my 2018s were running fine. I think this cycle I'll just get the 1TB 12.9" and not bother with upgrading the 11". Granted the last year has been strange with basically never leaving the house, but the 12.9 is always by my side. It's like a small format magazine.