For years I did the annual upgrades on my iPhones and iPads up until the M1. I never went with the larger sizes because my MacBook always filled that gap, and I always preferred portability. M2 was the only one I skipped. When Apple went OLED with the Nano texture display with the iPad M4, I was all over it. I had gotten the 11 inch 2 TB with the Nano. I use my iPad a lot, it replaced my MacBook in my bag, I am on the road most days. For context, I do a lot of project work in Property Management. I use it for photos and video, drawing up on plans, signatures, email and texting, I live in Goodnotes. I type up reports and use Word and Excel a lot. I do Zoom calls On breaks I watch YouTube, and I want to start using it for Final Cut. I also read books and magazines on it. I love the Nanotexture being that I am outside a lot. Having no glare when doing work in my car or sitting outside typing a report is great.
To be clear, the M4 performs incredibly. The one thing I was extremely disappointed with was them discontinuing the Keyboard Folio. The areas I wanted them to improve on- the battery was good but not great, and it took forever to charge.
When they announced the new M5 iPads, I was going to initially pass, I didn't feel there were enough upgrades. Then I read they used faster SSD and Memory, they increased the speed and efficiency of the SIM card for faster wireless, and of course the faster charging. With the M5, I was wondering if battery life would also improve. So I figured I would give it a shot, if there wasn't any noticeable difference, I'd bring it back.
I went with the same specs as the M4, 11 Inch, 2 TB, Nano. I use my MacBook to transfer data, using the Thunderbolt Cable, that was the fastest I've ever seen a device loaded up, and I have a lot of data. I took it out Day 1 and used it a LOT. First thing I noticed immediately is how fast the mobile data is. Everything is immediate. Fringe areas on Verizon's network where my iPhone was loading a little slow, the iPad loaded immediately, it didn't skip a beat. On that note, I also noticed there was zero load anywhere when doing anything on this iPad. Again, not saying the M4 was slow by any stretch, but there is absolutely no hesitation with anything I throw at it. The M4 was fast, M5 is just faster. Another thing I noticed is at the end of the day with same usage, my M4 would be at or below 50%. M5 was at 75%. It took a few more days of heavy used to get below 20% where I plugged it in. Where the M4 would drag, the M5 was at 80% in a half hour and fully charged not long after that. I didn't time it, but it was very noticeably faster to charge. This is handy in itself for the amount of times I took the M4 out with half charge and concerned about losing battery, I could fast charge this to not have to worry at all.
Needless to say, I kept the M5. As iterative as the upgrade initially seemed on the surface, they have improved everything under the hood. Many people would not see the differences I am pointing out here. I'm not saying M5 is a must upgrade from the M4. I'm a gadget geek, and a power user. I take enjoyment in these improvements.
To be clear, the M4 performs incredibly. The one thing I was extremely disappointed with was them discontinuing the Keyboard Folio. The areas I wanted them to improve on- the battery was good but not great, and it took forever to charge.
When they announced the new M5 iPads, I was going to initially pass, I didn't feel there were enough upgrades. Then I read they used faster SSD and Memory, they increased the speed and efficiency of the SIM card for faster wireless, and of course the faster charging. With the M5, I was wondering if battery life would also improve. So I figured I would give it a shot, if there wasn't any noticeable difference, I'd bring it back.
I went with the same specs as the M4, 11 Inch, 2 TB, Nano. I use my MacBook to transfer data, using the Thunderbolt Cable, that was the fastest I've ever seen a device loaded up, and I have a lot of data. I took it out Day 1 and used it a LOT. First thing I noticed immediately is how fast the mobile data is. Everything is immediate. Fringe areas on Verizon's network where my iPhone was loading a little slow, the iPad loaded immediately, it didn't skip a beat. On that note, I also noticed there was zero load anywhere when doing anything on this iPad. Again, not saying the M4 was slow by any stretch, but there is absolutely no hesitation with anything I throw at it. The M4 was fast, M5 is just faster. Another thing I noticed is at the end of the day with same usage, my M4 would be at or below 50%. M5 was at 75%. It took a few more days of heavy used to get below 20% where I plugged it in. Where the M4 would drag, the M5 was at 80% in a half hour and fully charged not long after that. I didn't time it, but it was very noticeably faster to charge. This is handy in itself for the amount of times I took the M4 out with half charge and concerned about losing battery, I could fast charge this to not have to worry at all.
Needless to say, I kept the M5. As iterative as the upgrade initially seemed on the surface, they have improved everything under the hood. Many people would not see the differences I am pointing out here. I'm not saying M5 is a must upgrade from the M4. I'm a gadget geek, and a power user. I take enjoyment in these improvements.
