What's Stopping Me From Getting An M4 iPad Pro? OLED Issues

[2112st]

I posted this elsewhere, but I'm going to do so here as well...

I've been looking around for an iPad to do illustration on. I've been doing quite a bit of research, and it had boiled down to 2 choices: the 13-inch M3 iPad Air and the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro.

I was starting to lean towards the Pro-until I learned of two issues. Both have to do with problems related to the OLED display.

The first had to do with screen burn, which surprisingly seems analogous to the issue CRT screens had back in the day. With Apple's technology, the chances of this happening are very small with the iPad.

But there was a much more serious issue that I came across, after doing further digging-

Eye strain. Here is one place where it's discussed, and I'm sure you can find others:

Severe Eye Strain due to OLED PWM Dimming - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Understand that I'm in front of my devices a LOT. I've never had a problem with LCDs. My M2 MacBook Air and M3 MacBook Pro have great displays that have never caused me any issues. Still, I remember back in the day decades ago when I was using my very first computer, a Macintosh SE/30. Because those old devices used CRTs, I suffered from eyestrain and headaches.

So, that's a very strange thing to have to go through again with modern technology.

Even more dismaying to me is the fact that none of the videos I've seen so far dealing with iPads for artists have discussed this issue. This is no joking matter. If you're going to spend this kind of money on a device, you'd better damned well have all the information you need at your fingertips-particularly if you're going to go on YouTube and pitch this device to potential customers. But thinking on this further, many of these people might be looking for likes so they can get eyes on their videos-and negatives like eye strain might not be a good thing for them to bring up. It seems stupid, I know-but at the same time, such an attitude wouldn't surprise me. I know how people can be.

I already have issues with my eyes and given what these devices cost, I'm not going to take chances with my hard earned money.

So-I'm leaning towards the 13-inch iPad Air.

 

[caver01]

Hmmm. I own the 13 inch M4 Pro and have not had any issues. I do almost all of my daily computing on it and spend many hours every night in bed holding it just inches in front of my face. Just another anecdote, I suppose, and maybe I don’t have the same eye strain sensitivities as the next guy, but hands down, it’s the best Apple device I have ever owned. Given the fact I spend any time here, that’s saying a lot.

 

[Douglas]

If eye strain is a concern, the iPad Air’s LED screen is a safer bet. The iPad Pro uses mini-LED with PWM dimming, which can cause flicker and fatigue over long use. Since you’re used to LCDs and want comfort, the Air is powerful enough and easier on your eyes. YouTubers often skip mentioning this issue, so good on you for researching. Stick with the Air if eye comfort matters most.
I have the M3 and its alright for me, and I work almost all day on it but everyone is different.

 

[2112st]

Sorry I'm getting to this response now. I've been EXTREMELY busy and just haven't had time to even look at this thread. Let's cut to the chase...

Instead of going by what other people have said, I decided to take the plunge and check this issue out for myself, since this is not an issue a lot of other people have had. In short-the OLED screen didn't affect me. I'm an illustrator, and I've wanted to get my hands on an iPad to continue the digital art exploration I've been doing on my M3 MacBook Pro & M2 MacBook Air.

I will say-the OLED screen can get VERY bright. But this issue is simply resolved for me by lowering the brightness.

Douglas:

"Since you’re used to LCDs and want comfort, the Air is powerful enough and easier on your eyes. YouTubers often skip mentioning this issue, so good on you for researching. Stick with the Air if eye comfort matters most."

See, this is what pisses me off about a lot of YouTubers who do reviews like this. Many of them are just looking for clicks and likes, and how many damned unboxings do I have to freaking sit through?!?!?!? I'm going to pay a sizable amount of coin for this thing, and I don't have the time or patience for bullsh*t. Get to the damned point and focus on what's important. Alas, lots of people just don't do that. It's incumbent on the potential customer to do the deeper digging. I've been researching for the last several months and watched A LOT of YouTube vidoes. Some were useful, some were absolute nonsense-one guy spent much of his video plugging away his site and work-and I bailed halfway through the video.

Even with the useful videos, ONLY ONE person briefly brought up the PWM dimming.

I've decided I'm going to go for the M4 iPad Pro, 13-inch display, 256 gb storage. I've made enough drives to the Apple Store and played with it enough to know it will suit me just fine.

Thanks, folks!

 

[2112st]

Here's a sample of some of the work I want to do on the M4 iPad Pro...

 

[JDW]

I've decided I'm going to go for the M4 iPad Pro, 13-inch display, 256 gb storage. I've made enough drives to the Apple Store and played with it enough to know it will suit me just fine.

Seems like a reasonably good choice because when I asked ChatGPT about this topic today, that M4 iPad Pro is on the recommended list, as you can see below...

 

[2112st]

Seems like a reasonably good choice because when I asked ChatGPT about this topic today, that M4 iPad Pro is on the recommended list, as you can see below...

View attachment 22325

Thanks for the response! I'm looking to finally purchase it around the beginning of August.