KVR Audio

RichLum · Post by **RichLum** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 1:26 pm

Hi all,

what your thoughts on the 9.7" ipad pro vs the Air 2 for music apps?

I am using my wife's ipad mini 2 and am trying to decide if the increased cost of the 128GB pro is worth the the performance difference to the Air 2. I'd be getting either the 64GB Air 2 or the 128GB Pro.

From what I've read, the Pro does significantly in single core benchamrks, but only slightly better in multicore tests as the A9X is dual core and the A8X is tri-core.

My understanding is that when you run multiple apps at the same time, like we do for music (say an instrument + audiobus+Cubasis), each app will run on a separate core. So, will more cores on the Air 2 actually be more beneficial for music making?

Thanks,
Rich

IncarnateX · Post by **IncarnateX** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 1:34 pm

RichLum wrote:My understanding is that when you run multiple apps at the same time, like we do for music (say an instrument + audiobus+Cubasis), each app will run on a separate core.

AFAIK, the software has to support multicore just like PC programs to be able to benefit from it.

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 2:07 pm

If the 3-core even slightly outperforms the other in a single-core benchmark, you have an overall winner.. Not?

IncarnateX wrote:AFAIK, the software has to support multicore just like PC programs to be able to benefit from it.

Sure, each app could use more than one core only if it is programmed to do so, but if you run multiple apps the operating system should distribute these amongst available cores.

ezelkow1 · Post by **ezelkow1** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 2:48 pm

Just beware there is no ram increase. I had been contemplating going air->9.7pro, but once they revealed that the 9.7pro only has 2gb ram vs. the full pro's 4, IMHO the 9.7 became not worth it vs the air 2. So at this point I may just try to sell my air1 and put that towards an air2 and wait for the next revision

RPH · Post by **RPH** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 5:02 pm

Am disappointed to see there is no 64GB version of the pro, the steep price and of-course the amount of RAM ( compared to the Air 2 ).
I'll probebly go for the iPad Air 2, to replace my iPad 4.

BiancaNeve · Post by **BiancaNeve** » Wed Mar 23, 2016 7:13 pm

Also it appears they are under clocking it compared to the original iPad Pro

RichLum · Post by **RichLum** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 12:42 am

Thanks for the input.
Yes I'm disappointed that there is no 64GB option. If they had a 64GB for the price of the 32GB Pro, then that would seem worth the extra price over the Air 2.

Same with the RAM. If they put 4GB instead of 2 GB of RAM, it would go some way to justify the cost over the Air 2.
As it is, it seems the extra cost is mainly for the ABILITY to use the pencil and keyboard (both of which I have no interest in).

I'm leaning more toward the 64GB Air 2. The 2GB RAM in the Pro gives me some comfort that even if developers make apps for the "Pro" line they still have the 2GB limit. So, the Air 2 should still be a viable tool for quite some time.

BertKoor, I think my first post may have been a little confusing. What I meant was that the new Pro performs a lot better in single core tests, but only slightly better in multi-core tests.

Here is the article with the benchmarks
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/03/a- ... cessories/

Rich

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 8:38 am

RichLum wrote:What I meant was that the new Pro performs a lot better in single core tests, but only slightly better in multi-core tests.

So?? It's still better in each and every aspect. No-brainer for me...

Wormhelmet · Post by **Wormhelmet** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:03 am

I just picked up my 128GB Air 2 with 4G and wifi - refurb for $579 w/logitech bluetooth keyboard case.

Looked at specs for 9.7" Pro and can't justify swapping. I'm just barely into Air 2 from original ipad2 which is still running most of the programs I need and the Air 2 should be good for me for the next 3 years or more.

I'll wait at least two more versions to upgrade.

That logitech bluetooth keyboard works flawlessly. Guess just missing the pencil bit. Not that I need it.

polaris20 · Post by **polaris20** » Tue Apr 12, 2016 7:46 pm

I know it's expensive, and I DEFINITELY could do fine with a 64GB Air 2, but I went with the Pro 128GB (9.7"). It's such a nice machine, and generally I've been progressively keeping my iPads longer, so this one will last me 3-4 years. The extra $250 is definitely worth it, and I bought the Pencil too; not for drawing, but for possibly taking notes, as well as seeing how it behaves when doing remote desktop apps, like RDP, VNC, etc.

benjamind · Post by **benjamind** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:35 am

Im waiting patient until the iPad has 3D Touch.

3D Touch is so important for musical expression when playing synths that respond to the pressure, and also velocity response, which can only be a fixed value on the current iPads...even the iPad Pros don't have 3D Touch...only the iPhone 6S and 6S+

RichLum · Post by **RichLum** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:36 am

Thanks for all of the input.
I ended up going with the 64GB Air 2.
The amount of ram in the Pro means that all apps will have to work within the 2GB limit for the near future.
The 64 GB Air 2 is 3688 RMB vs 5388 RMB for the 128GB Pro here in China. I couldn't really justify the extra cost when I'm not interested in the pencil or keyboard accessories.

Happy with the Air 2. It handles Cubasis, Geoshred and my other music apps fine.
A lot better than the Mini 2 I was using before.

9.7" ipad pro vs Air 2