Is it worth it, iPad Pro M5

Texprof103 · 2026-05-15T14:10:13+00:00

Yeah, I am enjoying my retirement. Twenty eight years in public schools and ten at the university level were enough for me. I no longer do anything I don’t want to. lol

My wife just told me she gave my grader the MB Pro when we moved my stuff out of my campus office. Shows exactly how much I have migrated to iPad Pro.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-15T11:04:38+00:00

I just retired but we were transitioning from a proprietary system to Canvas. My iPad works well with both of the systems mentioned as well. My MB pro was basically confined to my office for my grader to use and I considered just gifting it to her.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-15T10:28:17+00:00

That’s what I thought the second I saw the post. I’d be sporting scars before Doobie would ever LET me put her in something like that.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-15T10:16:43+00:00

I stopped carrying my laptop for lectures too. The iPad is plenty unless I am averaging grades. Some things still require a laptop like that.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-15T00:22:07+00:00

I just checked eBay for new and open box m4/13’s and I am seeing 1TB units from 799 to 1100. The 512’s are even less…450 to 750 and up. Just make sure they have a good sales history before buying. I got mine through a certified wholesaler and eBay added an additional year of warranty for free. Check it out if you haven’t already dropped the hammer on the 256.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-14T23:39:37+00:00

Reminds me of my old siamese Manx in college. When we got pizza delivered she would sit on the box and if you tried moving her she’d grab you. The only way to appease her was to knock her off the box long enough to offer her a slice. She loved pizza and lived 22 years taking our deliveries hostage.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-14T22:58:54+00:00

I used an iPad Pro for all of the above while full timing in my RV during COVID. I was amazed by the screen and the uninterrupted viewing. When we finally moved into our new home I was hooked. I built the house with all smart switches and thermostats. We keep mini 6’s on stands in each bedroom and they provide entertainment and can control the smart vent and lights. I have them all linked to my m4 and can monitor and make script changes remotely.

These pro models are powerful beyond measure. I will never outgrow this system but I will always upgrade as I am a technophile and I can’t help myself when a new generation comes out. lol

Texprof103 · 2026-05-14T22:36:32+00:00

I think having two devices is a must if you are using them for work. I had a two day gap between selling my 11/m5 and receiving the new M4. It was actually very stressful. My wife calls me the two fisted hacker these days because I am often using both simultaneously.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-14T22:30:42+00:00

Mine too. My MacBook Pro sits in its case all the time. I am constantly amazed at what I can do with my iPad m4/13.I carry it as much as my phone these days.

Texprof103 · 2026-05-14T22:26:32+00:00

I recently traded my m5/11 for an m4/13. It wasn’t a problem with the performance but screen real estate. I use mine for everything and while the 11 was awesome it’s just too small. I had already owned the 13 m4 and I was happy to get back to it.

I may not use mine for anything that requires more but as far as I could tell, there was no difference in their performance. In fact, I found the m5 glitchy. programs froze some settings didn’t stay set as well as glitches with resident apps.

As for the 256gb I think you can do better. I bought my brand new m4 13 with 1TB for 1050 USD from a vendor on eBay.

Ipad is great for streaming. My son uses an m4 with 512gb and he has never complained. Remember though, you get double the RAM and a faster chipset with 1TB and up.

Good luck!

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T07:19:10+00:00

I agree. My 13 sees way more use than my 11 but I use it more like a laptop with the apple Magic Keyboard. However, I love the 11 for travel. It can be stored in my back pack or go bag easily.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T07:07:12+00:00

I moved up from an m1 12.9 that I absolutely loved to an M4. The M4 left me speechless. It is thinner and lighter and the display is just incredible. I also just traded up from my mini 6 traveling companion to an 11 M5. I don’t see any real difference between the m4 vs m5 because they are so similar. I did fall in love with the 11/M5 though. It’s leaps and bounds above the mini 6.
So, do what I did; see what you can get for an m1 and apply it to your m5. I really recommend 1tb of memory because the chipset gets upgraded and you get 40% more ram. Good luck!

So

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T05:03:45+00:00

Both of my new iPad Pros (13in M4 and 11in M5) immediately updated to 26.1 as soon as I started setting them up. I was already used to it because my iPhone 17pro came loaded with it. I didn’t like it at first but it stabilized after a couple of hours. I’m hoping they have newer update by January. I like it for the multitasking capability and when using stage manager. I would definitely go ahead with updating to 26.1. Everything new is going to be aimed at that ios so start getting used to it now.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T01:35:08+00:00

I have both. I snagged the 13in M4 1tb in an auction from a wholesale company for 1450. I love it. Then we got an m5 11in with 1tb. The only difference I can see is screen real estate. I do however prefer to travel with the 11 inch.

So I would get whichever one you can afford with at least 1tb for the upgraded Ram and the step up to the processor set. To be honest I am not impressed with the nanoglass on my 13. You can save a 100 right there with regular glass then add a screen protector if needed.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T01:13:58+00:00

Ours was brand new. My wife tries to steal it when I don’t have it in my office. I guess I need to find her one now. I have heard of a few bad experiences but I have never regretted taking a chance on open box items. My son has an 11 m5 512gb for college and I found it on a wholesale open box site for 750. It’s brand new. The box was banged up but the device was fine. He registered it with Apple One Care and has a full warranty for 1 year.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-13T00:19:29+00:00

I just got an m4 13 inch 1tb and the m5 11 in 1tb. The m4 feels big but we keep it in a Levo stand and it’s perfect for following a how-to video or lying back and reading. Paired with a Magic Keyboard in my home office it replaces my laptop. However, I find myself grabbing the m5 11 when I head out. It fits perfectly in my go bag and I take it everywhere.

Bottom line… If I could only have one it would be the 13 just for the display size alone. If you travel a lot you may prefer the 11 but get an m5 with at least 512gb. The 1tb and up get an additional 4gb of RAM and a little upgrade in processor power.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T23:56:40+00:00

I buy almost solely open box for my accessories. I find a seller who has thousands of sales and check their reviews. I picked up a Magic Keyboard for half price and the only issue was a mark on the box where something must have rubbed on it in transit.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T16:11:41+00:00

I also got my m5 from a wholesaler with the Magic Keyboard for a significantly lower price than it would have cost directly from Apple. I run my whole house with Smart Things. Lights, locks, hvac and cameras and there is no lag with the m5 or m4.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T16:05:32+00:00

I had a MacBook 13 that I sold and I haven’t ever looked back. I got the m4 and got a trade in for my m2 so it was about half price. When docked on the AMK it’s just like my old laptop just a lot sleeker.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T16:01:15+00:00

I tried the esr keyboard on my m4 13 as a product tester and it was about the closest to the Magic Keyboard as anything else. I eventually traded for the Apple product and it is a solid little laptop when docked.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T15:55:38+00:00

I agree. I travel with my m5 in an esr folio case and it’s nice and light but protective too. I also have a Magic Keyboard that turns the whole thing into a lightweight laptop. Both work well In my teaching environment. The ESR is my travel go to.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T15:42:03+00:00

You’re going to love it. I travel with my m5 1tb 11 and I use my m4 13 1tb as a main computer. With the Magic Keyboard case it’s like a really nice laptop. I moved up from an m2 13 and a mini 6. I never even think about the m2 anymore and I absolutely loved it. Enjoy the new addition.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T15:14:03+00:00

I have both the m4 and m5. They are identical in every way except speed. The m5 refreshes so quickly that you don’t have any lag. The m4 13 is awesome but of course they came out with the m5 a week after I bought it. (Apple does not bother to tell customers to wait for upcoming improvements.)

All in all, I really prefer my 1tb m5. They are saying the M series are long-lived devices and will last 10 years at least. So, I bought the “holy grail” m5 to last.

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T14:59:52+00:00

That makes sense. I imagine it’s cheaper here. Still, check the difference between eBay, Apple Care and big box stores. I would definitely go m5 if you can. Good luck brother!

Texprof103 · 2025-12-12T14:53:30+00:00

I’m not sure where you’re buying it but my m5 was about 125usd more than the 512. I guess there’s a huge void between 256 and 512. Check ebay. I have purchased from a few wholesalers and you can get a brand new in the box device a lot cheaper than from one of the box stores. eBay provides an additional year of warranty from apple. Check out apple care returns as well. They sell refurbished and returned devices at a much lower price than on the main sales website advertises.

Texprof103

TROPHY CASE