8GB vs 16GB M4 iPad Pro: Is the 10-core CPU Worth $600?!
TLDRIn this video, the host compares the 8GB and 16GB M4 iPad Pro models, questioning whether the 10-core CPU and additional RAM are worth the extra $600. After unboxing the devices, they run a series of tests, including speed and performance benchmarks, graphics tests, and real-world applications like Affinity Photo 2 and Lightroom Mobile. The results show that while there are some differences in speed and performance, the 16GB model offers only marginal improvements over the 8GB version. The video concludes that for most users, the additional cost for the higher-spec iPad Pro does not provide a significant enough performance boost to justify the expense.
Takeaways
- 🚀 The new iPad Pro models come with either a 9-core or a 10-core CPU, and the 1TB model has 16GB of RAM compared to the 8GB in the 256GB model.
- 📦 Unboxing reveals that even the packaging is lightweight, and both models include a 20W power adapter.
- 🔥 In synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench, the 1TB model showed a single-core performance almost identical to the 256GB model, with a multicore score difference of only 8%.
- 📈 The 1TB model demonstrated faster read and write speeds in storage tests, with a 76% increase in read speed over the 256GB model.
- 🎨 For graphics performance, both models performed similarly, with a slight edge to the base model in one test.
- 🤖 Geekbench ML tests showed no significant difference in the neural engine's performance, despite the increased RAM in the 1TB model.
- ⚙️ Real-world application tests, such as Affinity Photo 2, showed minor differences in CPU performance, but no difference in GPU performance.
- ⏱️ In a stress test using Lightroom Mobile, both models completed a render task in the same time, despite the RAM and CPU differences.
- 📊 3D Mark tests revealed a minimal difference in frame rates, with the 1TB model achieving only a 1% higher FPS.
- 🌡️ Thermal imaging showed that the 10-core CPU model had a larger hotspot, but both models had improved thermal systems with features like graphite cooling.
- 💰 The overall conclusion was that the extra cost for the 10-core CPU and additional RAM in the 1TB model does not yield a significant performance difference to justify the expense.
Q & A
What are the two different iPad Pro models discussed in the transcript?
-The two different iPad Pro models discussed are the 8GB RAM with a 9-core CPU and the 16GB RAM with a 10-core CPU.
What is the primary difference between the 8GB and 16GB iPad Pro models?
-The primary differences are the amount of RAM (8GB vs. 16GB) and the number of CPU cores (9-core vs. 10-core).
Which iPad Pro model was found to have faster read speed in the storage test?
-The 1TB model with 16GB of RAM was found to have a 76% faster read speed compared to the 256GB model with 8GB of RAM.
What was the percentage difference in single-core CPU performance between the two models?
-The single-core CPU performance was almost identical with a difference of less than 10 points, making it the fastest score by far with any Apple product.
How much faster was the multicore score of the 16GB RAM model compared to the 8GB RAM model?
-The multicore score of the 16GB RAM model was only 8% faster than the 8GB RAM model.
What is the sponsor mentioned in the transcript that provides iPad accessories?
-The sponsor mentioned is ESR, which offers accessories such as magnetic cases, stylus pens, and magnetic keyboard cases.
What was the FPS difference in the 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme test between the two iPad Pro models?
-The FPS difference was only 1%, with the 16GB RAM model having a slightly higher frame rate.
What was the conclusion about the extra RAM and CPU core in terms of performance?
-The conclusion was that the extra RAM and CPU core provided negligible performance differences in most tests, and it was not worth spending the extra money for the 16GB RAM and 10-core CPU model.
What thermal imaging was used to observe?
-Thermal imaging was used to observe the heat dissipation and hotspots on the iPad Pro models during the stress test with Tutu app.
What was the performance difference when exporting photos in Lightroom mobile?
-The performance was identical, with both models finishing the export at the same time.
What is the recommendation regarding the purchase of the 16GB RAM and 10-core CPU iPad Pro model?
-The recommendation is to save money and not purchase the higher-end model, as the performance difference is negligible for most users.
Outlines
😀 Unboxing and Performance Testing of New iPads with M4 Chips
The video begins with the unboxing of new iPads featuring M4 chips, highlighting the lightweight design of the boxes and the devices themselves. The presenter compares two models: a 256GB version and a 1TB version with 16GB of RAM and a 10-core processor. The performance of these iPads is put to the test using various applications and benchmarks, including speed tests, Geekbench 6 for CPU performance, and a look at thermal performance. The video also mentions a software update to iPad OS 17.5 and discusses the potential for higher wattage charging capabilities, which will be tested in a future video.
🤔 Analyzing Performance Differences Between iPad Models
The second paragraph delves into the performance differences between the two iPad models. Despite the higher specifications of the 1TB model, tests show minimal differences in performance, particularly in the Geekbench ML test where extra RAM did not yield significant improvements. The presenter runs Affinity Photo 2 and Lightroom mobile to test real-world performance, including CPU, GPU, and RAM usage. Results indicate that the base model performs slightly faster in some graphics tests, and both models complete tasks at similar times, suggesting that the extra RAM and CPU core do not provide a substantial advantage in these scenarios.
📉 Conclusion on the Value of Higher-End iPad Configurations
In the final paragraph, the presenter summarizes the findings, noting that the performance differences between the two iPad models are negligible, especially concerning graphics performance, which is identical. The extra CPU power and RAM do not seem to offer a significant advantage for most applications tested. The video concludes that, unlike with some other devices, spending extra money on the higher-end configuration of the iPad does not provide a noticeable improvement in performance. The presenter decides against keeping the more expensive model and advises viewers to save money by opting for the base model.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡M4 chips
💡RAM
💡CPU
💡Geekbench
💡SSD
💡Thermal imaging
💡Affinity Photo 2
💡Lightroom Mobile
💡3D Mark Wildlife Extreme
💡iPadOS
💡ESR iPad accessories
Highlights
Apple has introduced M4 chips in the new iPads with a choice between a 9-core and a 10-core CPU.
The 1TB model iPad offers 16GB of RAM compared to the 8GB in the 256GB model.
The 1TB iPad model demonstrated 46% faster read speed and 76% faster write speed in storage tests.
Single-core CPU performance was almost identical between the two models in Geekbench tests.
Multicore CPU performance showed an 8% difference, with the 1TB model being slightly faster.
The 256GB iPad model likely has a single NAND inside, while the 16GB model might have dual NANDs.
ESR offers a range of high-quality iPad accessories, including magnetic cases, stylus pens, and keyboard cases.
The base model iPad showed faster graphics performance in the initial test.
Both iPad models have the same number of Graphics cores, resulting in very similar performance.
Geekbench ML tests showed no significant difference in performance with the extra RAM.
Affinity Photo 2 benchmark results showed a minor difference in multicore CPU performance.
Lightroom mobile export times were identical for both iPad models, indicating negligible performance difference.
3D Mark Wildlife Extreme test showed a 1% difference in FPS with the extra RAM and core.
The new Solar Bay test with Ray tracing showed less than 1% difference in performance between the models.
Thermal imaging revealed a larger hotspot on the 10-core CPU model, but both iPads have improved thermal systems.
Overall, the performance difference between the 8GB and 16GB RAM iPads is negligible for most applications.
The reviewer suggests that it is not worth spending extra money for the 10-core CPU and additional RAM on the iPad.
iPadOS may be a limiting factor in utilizing the extra performance of the higher-spec iPad models.
