How does the RAM limitation affect professional apps like video editors on the iPad Pro

Impact on Video Editing

1. App Performance: While most video editing apps on the iPad Pro are optimized to run within the 5 GB RAM limit, some may not fully utilize the available hardware resources. This means that even with more RAM (like the 16 GB models), individual apps cannot access more than 5 GB of RAM, limiting their potential performance and capabilities[1][3].

2. Multitasking and App Suspension: The additional RAM in the 16 GB models is beneficial for multitasking, allowing more apps to remain open simultaneously without being suspended. However, this does not directly enhance the performance of a single video editing app, as each app is still capped at 5 GB of RAM[1][3].

3. Rendering Speed: Some users report minor improvements in rendering speed with the 16 GB model compared to the 8 GB model, but these differences are typically small (around 15-30 seconds) and may not be significant enough to justify the additional cost for most users[2].

4. App Capabilities: Certain video editing apps, like DaVinci Resolve, may require more RAM for optimal performance. However, even with 16 GB of RAM, the per-app limit restricts how much memory these apps can use, potentially limiting their full capabilities compared to desktop versions[2][3].

Specific Apps and Workflows

- Procreate and Similar Apps: Apps like Procreate, which benefit from additional layers and complexity, are more affected by the RAM limit. Users may notice limitations in layer count and performance, even on higher RAM models[1][3].

- DaVinci Resolve: Users of DaVinci Resolve on the iPad Pro report that the 16 GB model can provide better performance, but the app's full potential is still constrained by the per-app RAM limit[2].

Conclusion

For professional video editors using the iPad Pro, the 5 GB RAM limit per app can be a constraint, especially for complex projects or apps that could benefit from more memory. While the 16 GB model offers advantages in multitasking and minor improvements in rendering speed, it does not significantly enhance the performance of individual video editing apps due to the per-app RAM limit. Therefore, unless multitasking is a priority, the 8 GB model may suffice for many video editing tasks, especially if the workflow involves lighter editing tasks or apps optimized for the iPad's constraints[1][2][3].