HELP! Which Ipad model should I buy?

Dan Tavis

@Nyrryl-Cadiz
11 x 17 at 300 dpi = 58 layers

NessIllustration

@Nyrryl-Cadiz For Cloud, I actually pay for several different services which is a bit dumb haha... But I use them for different things! iCloud, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. iCloud is good for the iPad. It's connected to your iPad as a synchronized folder on your device. When saving your files, it's easy to save it to your cloud instead on on the iPad itself, and work from there!

The RAM makes the difference for the layers, but up to a certain point. As you can see on your graph, pro 3-6 have the same amount of layers! When buying mine last year, I hesitated between the 2018 or the latest 2021 model. In my research I found that although the newer one had a crazy amount of RAM with their new amazing chip, because Procreate actually caps the RAM, it wouldn't make a big performance difference from the 2018 model. This may change in the future if Procreate adjusts their RAM cap.

Annaaronson

Hello!

I recently upgrade to the newest 12.9 inch iPad Pro- the 512g. I had the 2018 64 g (maybe is was 128 I would have to check). I upgraded because my iPad would go dim when I was working in color, layers count, and just the beefiness of working on whole books was tricky. I don’t notice a huge difference working with the newer model (the hover feature is cool but nit worth getting a new iPad over) but the higher layer count is so nice- and I am less nervous about everything crashing. My current project I am working on is 21.25in. x 9.25in. spreads, I am working at 400 DPI and I have 26 layers available.

Good luck making your decision!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Annaaronson that sounds awesome Anna!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@NessIllustration hi Ness! Yes, procreate has actually raised their RAM cap last 2021. Here's the article for the M1 Chip. It's also the same for the M2.

https://procreate.com/insight/2021/layer-limits

There's been a huge layer difference from the 2018 model lately. So for me currently, I think I'll be considering the newer models.

Nyrryl Cadiz

Anyway, given how much the amount of layers can affect our work, is anyone interested in us making a chart of the layer limit for each ipad model? So that we can all have a resource to refer to especially if someone is considering getting an ipad in the future.

MimiHecher

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Sure, tell me the specifications the "test canvas" should have for comaprison, and I will look it up in my
IPad Pro 12,9 (4th generation) with 256 GB (it's from 2020)

von_Nimmermehr

Hey,

My roommate really dig in to the technical date and always suggest me to not get the newest one but the model from the year befor. The model before works more then fine and still does the work, for a lower price.

He works a lot with aftereffects and lightroom and with a load of pictures he has to edit. So he got the newest ipad with 1TB and 2M core.
In all these years i never did work with so much data, or had to render Videos or whatever. so he would never suggest me to buy this ipad.

I work with my ipad every day (as a tattoo artist and illustrator) and currently have 128 gb. in 5 years i never needet more space. I dont have to save the pictures on my Ipad though because the final Files will be saved on my PC or my harddrive.

I bet i would go for a 256 gb next maaaaybe 512gb. for me its just my work ipad not a file saver so, I have no personal photos on my Ipad. Just work stuff. I bet you have to concider that. Still 1TB is a lot and makes the difference of 500€ here in germany. I don't see any reason to pay 500€ more, i would cut the corners.

Also the question you asked 11 x 17 at 300 dpi is = 35 layers. IPad Pro 11"; 2. generation; 128GB
I couldn't say i ever work in this size though. But i have come up with sollutions how to handle bigger canveses. so the amount of layers doesnt effect me or my work any way.

Procreate itself uses ca 50gb on my ipad. i have around 433 (tattoo) client illustration files (1-3layers), 400 (30+layers) personal illustration files.

I hope this helps a bit.

NessIllustration

@Nyrryl-Cadiz That's great to hear!!

Nyrryl Cadiz

@MimiHecher hi Mimi! First off thank you.

I guess we can start with the more common sizes like
8x8
8x10
10x10
8x11
10x16
8x16
8x20

Nyrryl Cadiz

@von_Nimmermehr @NessIllustration thanks guys!

Nyrryl Cadiz

Hi everyone! So I finally bit the bullet and bought an ipad. I chose the iPad Pro 12.9 1TB 6th gen. I was looking to buy a refurbished one but I just got scared I guess. Hopefully getting the latest model, future proofs me for a bit. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts. I truly appreciate them.

AngelinaKizz

@Nyrryl-Cadiz how do you like it compared to the model we both had?

Nyrryl Cadiz

@AngelinaKizz haven't used it much yet but so far it feels just like my old ipad but the amount of layers i can have is insane. For an 8x10 300 dpi canvass, I can get 200+ layers. I love it. It's exactly what I need for my process.

Pamela Fraley

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Following this thread. I have been wondering about this too!

jvartandillustration

@NessIllustration Agreed that storage is less important, as there are alternatives to where you can keep your artwork. RAM is more important for me. That dictates how many layers you can have, and what kind of apps you are able to run. Apple made it so you have to purchase the models with higher storage in order to get the most RAM.
If I were just doing static images, I wouldn’t need to buy a more expensive model because I usually merge my layers as I get closer to the end of a piece, but I opted for the iPad with more RAM this time because I’m trying to do more with animation, and I’ll need more layers.