I am looking to buy the new iPad Pro just released and wondering if the base 256gb is enough i.e. wondering how much is actually available on purchase. Newer apps tend to take more space and I want to add Microsoft Office and other apps such as procreate and traditional games for older folks.
I have looked everywhere but can’t find it on line even at apple support.
iPad Air 2, iOS 11
Apple doesn't document space occupied by preinstalled Apps - many of which can be deleted if you have no use for them.
iPadOS 17 alone typically occupies ~11GB - of which some will be preinstalled Apps. It is generally recommended that you always maintain at least 4-6GB of available storage for iPadOS to work - as some space is required for temporary files and data. Your iPad will also use some additional storage for cached data - this being dynamically managed by the OS. By example, my own iPad Pro M1 uses ~10GB of storage for cached data.
While 256GB might be adequate for your needs, think carefully before opting for the base-storage model...
Whichever iPad model you choose, you would be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.
A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage, 512GB and higher having a greater margin for growth.
Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.
Also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping.
Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.
As for the iPad Pro M4, a further consideration might be RAM. In common with iPads Pro M1 and M2, The 1TB/2TB M4 models have 16GB RAM, whereas other models have 8GB RAM. Also consider that the new nano-texture OLED-screen glass is only available as an option for 1TB/2TB models.
Storage taken by preloaded apps on iPad Pro m4?
