In the market for a new iPad...too many choices...Pro any good?

neo_mao

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So right now I have a very first generation iPad that is basically being used to watch videos while feeding a baby.

Time for an upgrade...definitely don’t want a mini but trying to decide between the standard, air or or pro.

The price differential between the basic and air isn’t too much so i’d probably go with the air...but I am intrigued by the pro.

Anyone have a pro and any thoughts? Right now i do any “computing” I need to do on a MacBook Air from 2013. It was in pretty terrible shape but I cleaned up a lot of the storage (still not a lot left), updated the os etc and is now running very well.

But i guess is the pro really a substitute for a laptop? Would I be able to run ms office applications etc in it? I figure if I need to replace my MacBook in a couple of years maybe just go ahead and splurge on a iPad Pro now with one of them fancy keyboards?

Any fans of the Pro? Any haters?

And yes I know there are a ton of non-apple choices but I am already in way too deep in the ecosystem...
 

Rot

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Can't you google?

... Just sayin'...

xROTx

PS. The Pros and so called normal new gen ipads are gonna be fine for a few years...

You won't notice any difference unless you're interested in nano second response times...

PPS. Jan has both a Pro and a next gen ipad... no real difference... doesn't use keyboard or pen...

Can watch little baby bum on youtube just as well on both....
 

neo_mao

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Hi Rot!

I don’t trust google. I trust you. I trust in Rot.
 

fake

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I have a Pro from before the most recent redesign. I love it for watching videos and drawing, but I wouldn't use it as a laptop replacement.

I think unless you really want to get deep into stuff like Procreate and Z-Brush, the standard iPad will be a lot of bang for your buck, especially since the base models are now compatible with the Pencil.

I'd hold off if you can on getting a new laptop. Apple's shift away from Intel could be a big step up for Air lineup. (I'm skeptical if an ARM SoC can handle Creative Cloud apps as well as an integrated AMD GPU.) It could also be a disaster, so it wouldn't hurt to wait and see.

But, long story short, as cool as it would be to replace your laptop with a tablet, I don't think it will ever happen if you need to use Office, Creative Cloud, etc. The user interface just isn't there yet. And even if it were, I'd need something bigger than a 10" screen. I think if Apple can pull off a 13" tablet with full keyboard and mouse support and better multitasking, it *might* eventually work. But for now, tablets are still basically toys IMO.
 

NeoSneth

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I have a Pro. It's still just an Ipad.
I would never consider replacing my laptop with any version of a Pro. or anything iOS...

It'll be really interesting as Apple transitions their computer line into glorified ARM Ipads.
 

Rot

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Yah... Fuck thinking your ipad is a laptop...

Who the hell does that sorta shit except yuppy coonts who think they're better than who they are...

xROTx
 

Heinz

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Well you can watch porn on any of them... so.. am I helping?
 

neo_mao

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I have a Pro from before the most recent redesign. I love it for watching videos and drawing, but I wouldn't use it as a laptop replacement.

I think unless you really want to get deep into stuff like Procreate and Z-Brush, the standard iPad will be a lot of bang for your buck, especially since the base models are now compatible with the Pencil.

I'd hold off if you can on getting a new laptop. Apple's shift away from Intel could be a big step up for Air lineup. (I'm skeptical if an ARM SoC can handle Creative Cloud apps as well as an integrated AMD GPU.) It could also be a disaster, so it wouldn't hurt to wait and see.

But, long story short, as cool as it would be to replace your laptop with a tablet, I don't think it will ever happen if you need to use Office, Creative Cloud, etc. The user interface just isn't there yet. And even if it were, I'd need something bigger than a 10" screen. I think if Apple can pull off a 13" tablet with full keyboard and mouse support and better multitasking, it *might* eventually work. But for now, tablets are still basically toys IMO.

I have a Pro. It's still just an Ipad.
I would never consider replacing my laptop with any version of a Pro. or anything iOS...

It'll be really interesting as Apple transitions their computer line into glorified ARM Ipads.

Well you can watch porn on any of them... so.. am I helping?

Thanks guys, these are all super helpful posts. I’m thinking I am better off with an basic/air and just get a model with more memory. Compatibility with pencil is pretty awesome and sure the kids will have a blast with it. I was intrigued by the Pro’s camera but realistically I’m not going to be chasing my kids around with a giant fucking tablet in my hand, haha.

Plus i’m sure I got a couple of years left in my MacBook Air, but the amount of storage on it was ridiculously small and don’t want to make the same mistake here.


Yah... Fuck thinking your ipad is a laptop...

Who the hell does that sorta shit except yuppy coonts who think they're better than who they are...

xROTx

This is not a helpful post. What gives Rot I thought we were pals. Or are you still not my friend like Wasabi?
 

neo_mao

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Plus I didn’t realize that fancy pro keyboard is an additional $350...yowza!
 

RAZO

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Yah... Fuck thinking your ipad is a laptop...

Who the hell does that sorta shit except yuppy coonts who think they're better than who they are...

xROTx

Word
 

RAZO

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I hardly use a tablet. It's either android or pc. I have a Galaxy tab I purchased for mainly reading comics. I have a few older IPADs but no one uses them anymore.
 

neo_mao

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So I guess my options are a regular iPad 128 gb for $430...or an iPad Air 256 gb for $550 (on sale).

$120 more for twice the storage and slightly better processor is worth it, ya?
 

SpamYouToDeath

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For $430 you could just get a real computer at the Wal-Mart.
 

NeoSneth

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So I guess my options are a regular iPad 128 gb for $430...or an iPad Air 256 gb for $550 (on sale).

$120 more for twice the storage and slightly better processor is worth it, ya?

I'd go a generation back personally. $500 for a tablet is a lot. The main difference is the screen quality. You are going to be able to watch the same videos on any model.
 

neo_mao

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True...but I wonder how easy it is to find the previous generation in new condition? I'm a bit leery of buying refurbished electronics.

Plus, I'm a big fan of Apple Care warranty, saved my butt a couple of times.

I took a look on eBay just now and looks like you can get some refurbed Air 2s for around $300 which is a fair amount less...so I'll do some digging but not totally sold on the idea.

Plus plus, I'm lazy.
 

HeavyMachineGoob

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I got myself an iPad 6th gen with a cracked glass/digitizer and put a new one on, it's been perfectly fine for things I need. Youtube, web browsing, ebooks, discord and what not. If you need a keyboard, mini bluetooth keyboards are all over eBay.

The Pros are so insanely overpriced, just go with a regular iPad (latest is 7th gen), an Air or Mini.
 

neo_mao

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I got myself an iPad 6th gen with a cracked glass/digitizer and put a new one on, it's been perfectly fine for things I need. Youtube, web browsing, ebooks, discord and what not. If you need a keyboard, mini bluetooth keyboards are all over eBay.

The Pros are so insanely overpriced, just go with a regular iPad (latest is 7th gen), an Air or Mini.

I’d be ok with a 7th gen but they only come in 32 gb and 128 gb sizes...and the price differential between 7th gen 128 go vs. an Air 3 256 gb is like $100...so I figure I’ll go with the Air 3.

Not sure I need or want a keyboard, but I’ll probably get a pencil.
 

Heinz

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I wonder if Moe will be using his tablet at work to draw nudes of his coworkers? Probably.
 

neojedi

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I have a Pro and I like the enhanced sound on it as I use it to listen to music a lot around the house. I wouldn't want to take it out anywhere though. Here's how I broke down the purchase:
- Pro vs non-pro is pretty much capability vs whether you want to take it out places
- the iPad keyboard sucks except for the huge screen ipad pro which is hella expensive, I got Pro with a cheap 3rd party bluetooth kb
- spending more on at least the medium storage option is a smart move, the data adds up fast. Try to guestimate how much content you will be keeping on the hard drive
- Apple discontinued the headphone jack on ipads a short while back. Something to be aware of. I think they still have their own version of headphones now but need the charging jack? Pain in the ass if that's what it is
 

neo_mao

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Thanks neojedi helpful post. Yeah I need at least 128 go I think, don’t want to go any less than that.

I have to say I really do love that 12.9 inch Pro but that’s like $1000.

We do take a lot of road trips though and big screen would be great to mount in the car for the kids. I also like how the apple pen just clings to the side of the pro.

But I don’t think I can justify the price tag on it.

But, on the other hand our last iPad basically lasted like a decade...so I assume i’d get good mileage out of it. Same with my MacBook Air...

Ugh, tough choice
 

evil wasabi

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I have a 2018 ipad which I mostly just use for shit drawing in procreate. It has an official apple ipad keyboard, but the keyboard sucks. I use my macbook pro for anything work related.
 

neo_mao

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Did you make my avatar in this procreate thing?
 

fake

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If you can, go for the Air. It has a laminated screen, which is much nicer.

NeoJedi is incorrect about the headphone jacks. iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini all have headphone jacks. The only iPads without headphone jacks are the redesigned Pros (the ones without the home button).
 
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