iPad 11” Pro now? Or wait for 2020 iPad Pro?

[OasisNYK]

I used the 12.9 and the 11 at the store for a while and felt like the 11 was too small.

I can see how the 12.9 could feel a little too big though but I bought a used one and will see how it goes. The size of the screen is pretty awesome, I am hoping it’s not too much to use it without a desk (I commute a lot by bus and plane).

 

[jettie1767]

I'm waiting for the upcoming model this year. I have my 2017 iPad 9.7 and it still works fine.

 

[stanza.richi]

I used the 12.9 and the 11 at the store for a while and felt like the 11 was too small.

I can see how the 12.9 could feel a little too big though but I bought a used one and will see how it goes. The size of the screen is pretty awesome, I am hoping it’s not too much to use it without a desk (I commute a lot by bus and plane).

I suggest you smart folio case: really thin and useful.

 

[OasisNYK]

I suggest you smart folio case: really thin and useful.

it comes with the Keyboard folio and pen so I should be good to go but that is for the recommendation

 

[Abstract]

I’ve only had mine for 1 day, but I find that the 12.9” model is certainly manageable in terms of size and weight, but possibly not ideal.

It’s fantastic for working on a desk, and even for the work I plan on doing while sitting on a couch (PDF annotations using the Pencil). It’s just Ok to use while standing.

However, for casual/fun browsing on the couch, I don’t know if I’d grab it over my iPhone. In the beginning, I’ll use my iPad because it’s shiny and new, but I think that subconsciously, I’ll eventually reach for my phone bu default because it’s an easier size to manage, to type on (using on-screen keyboard), etc. If I had the 11”, I think it would get more use in general because typing on forums like this would be easier, and it’s still a good size.

The one thing I lose with the 11” Pro is the ability to have 2 PDFs side-by-side. I can certainly do it, but I’d have to zoom in to write notes if I don’t want my writing to appear too large in the PDF. Not sure if that’s a big deal or not.

I still have 13 days to get a refund or exchange, so we’ll see how I feel later. I think I should have purchased both iPads and returned the one I didn’t want.

 

[stanza.richi]

it comes with the Keyboard folio and pen so I should be good to go but that is for the recommendation

Also a good combo if you need the keyboard always with you 👍🏻 enjoy your new device

 

[Mitchdoc]

I just bought the 11 inch with 256gb here in Canada as it was on sale from equivalent of 900 us to 775.
This is new not refurb. I am sure there are better deals in the USA.

Going by the last iPad pro 2017, this only went on great sale after they were long discontinued and stores were clearing very limited stock.

So my feeling is let me get a new model on sale now rather than waiting several months to save 100.

As for improved models down the pipeline, that is a tougher decision.
I don't need an iPad now, I want one.
I could wait in theory but why should I? This device is blazing fast rivaling many laptops. So a faster chip at 150 dollars more doesn't do it for me as this was already more expensive than I wanted. I started with an air 3 and loved the screen but hated only bottom speaker's.

Just replaced it with a refurbished iPad pro 10.5 which I tried to cancel but it came anyway so will have to return as it fixes speaker issue and promotion but screen is a bit unevenly backlit and out of the box battery seems to be draining faster than the air 3 and have hear about white spot issues and premature battery aging.

I am in the USB c ecosystem with my phone and peripherals so don't want to deal with lightning adapters for everything which would have added up to almost the difference in price between the 2017 and newer pro.

So after my long winded post this is my bottom line. Faster processor and better camera are not selling points for me waiting for an upgrade. Doubt more ram will be too. Chances are the price will be 200-300 dollars more for same storage capacity model.

Given my wifes iPad Air 2 still is doing pretty good after 5 years I don't see needing to wait for a more exensive spec bump. The 2018 was a large departure from the 2017. And the 2017 was a size change from the 2015. Neither will be coming to the 2020.
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Oh and as the late Steve Jobs would say...one more thing...,

Depends on your use case. I suppose if you are a professional and this is your primary work tool then I could see wanting the highest spec you can get but truth is you can get a MacBook pro for price of the upper spec 12.9 inch so would be better with that and a budget iPad.

 

[EugW]

I just bought the 11 inch with 256gb here in Canada as it was on sale from equivalent of 900 us to 775.
This is new not refurb. I am sure there are better deals in the USA.

Going by the last iPad pro 2017, this only went on great sale after they were long discontinued and stores were clearing very limited stock.

So my feeling is let me get a new model on sale now rather than waiting several months to save 100.

As for improved models down the pipeline, that is a tougher decision.
I don't need an iPad now, I want one.
I could wait in theory but why should I? This device is blazing fast rivaling many laptops. So a faster chip at 150 dollars more doesn't do it for me as this was already more expensive than I wanted. I started with an air 3 and loved the screen but hated only bottom speaker's.

Just replaced it with a refurbished iPad pro 10.5 which I tried to cancel but it came anyway so will have to return as it fixes speaker issue and promotion but screen is a bit unevenly backlit and out of the box battery seems to be draining faster than the air 3 and have hear about white spot issues and premature battery aging.

I am in the USB c ecosystem with my phone and peripherals so don't want to deal with lightning adapters for everything which would have added up to almost the difference in price between the 2017 and newer pro.

So after my long winded post this is my bottom line. Faster processor and better camera are not selling points for me waiting for an upgrade. Doubt more ram will be too. Chances are the price will be 200-300 dollars more for same storage capacity model.

Given my wifes iPad Air 2 still is doing pretty good after 5 years I don't see needing to wait for a more exensive spec bump. The 2018 was a large departure from the 2017. And the 2017 was a size change from the 2015. Neither will be coming to the 2020.

I don’t absolutely need a new one right now either, so here are my reasons to wait:

50% more RAM
Possibly more base storage
Possibly 5G
Different camera configuration so the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio will be revamped
Longer iPadOS support

Saving just US$125 in 2020 on a 2018 model doesn’t seem very enticing to me.

 

[Mitchdoc]

We call it a 2018 model but it came out in November 2018 so almost 2019.

The ram bump is speculation.
5g means nothing as I own a wifi model.

I have taken 2 pictures in past 5 years with my iPad mini 4 or air 2.
I never have my iPad and not my phone with better camera. And I don't want to become "that guy."

Now if you have a 2017 or recent iPad working well then sure wait. My iPad is a mini 4 which is running slower with iPad os13 and only 2gb ram and A8 processor. Battery not lasting alot either.

Given that a new iPad was released with 3 GB RAM and A10 chip I think we can expect at least 4 is updates for this given previous models.

And yes I saved 125 over the non sale price. I expect the new models will see a price increase too as there was more than a 100$ increase between 2017 and 2018 models. So a. I willing to spend 250 more? No.
Even the current pro on sale was more costly than I wanted but I felt linmisted by speakers of the air and the wasted screen reslestate for viewing movies and YouTube.
Tried 10.5 pro but even the refurb was only 200$ cheaper than a new pro 2018. So here I am.

There will always be a newer better model.....

 

[sosumi99]

I would wait until the new iPads are released and see if the new features are compelling. If not, then get the 2018 one at a good discount (it'll be discounted as soon as the new ones are out). Since you don't absolutely need one right now, by waiting a few months you maximize your chances of getting the best deal. Saving money is not a bad thing.

 

[Mitchdoc]

Yes saving money is good but given I got mine on sale how much will I save 100$? And how long will I have to wait? What if they announce it in June? Then I miss out on 6months of use.

Other option is I stick with the iPad pro 10.5 refurb that I received today whose value won't go much lower and use that for a year before passing it down and upgrade next year

 

[EugW]

Yes saving money is good but given I got mine on sale how much will I save 100$? And how long will I have to wait? What if they announce it in June? Then I miss out on 6months of use.

You never know if course but like I said, saving $125 on a 2018 is not very enticing to me.

Other option is I stick with the iPad pro 10.5 refurb that I received today whose value won't go much lower and use that for a year before passing it down and upgrade next year

The difference here is I already had the iPad Pro 10.5 refurb, with accessories, from 9-10 months ago. They went on sale back then at the Apple Canada refurb store when the iPad Air 3 was launched. I’m not buying now. If I were buying my first iPad Pro now, perhaps I’d more seriously consider the 2018, but again, not at just a US$125 discount.

Furthermore, my plan is to keep both. I’ll keep the iPP 10.5 at my workplace.

 

[Mitchdoc]

I am playing with the refurb 10.5 and actually really like it except the screen is faintly more dark and yellow at right edge. Not very noticeable but I am very picky.
I actually prefer the in hand feel of it over the newer model. But live the allergy radio of the new one better. More screen in portrait and landscape. Want usb ctoo otherwise the refurb makes sense. Though 850 vs 620 Canadian for the newer model.... All you need to do is save on singles and but cheaper keyboard cover to make the cost the same...

 

[Donar]

I am playing with the refurb 10.5 and actually really like it except the screen is faintly more dark and yellow at right edge. Not very noticeable but I am very picky.
I actually prefer the in hand feel of it over the newer model.

I also like the feel of the rounded edges of the Air 3 better than the angular edges of the Pro model. A light bumper case can help with that. If you don’t like the screen of the 10.5 you got, maybe better return it. Could be a sour point later, like the speaker configuration on your Air 3.

 

[Mitchdoc]

I also like the feel of the rounded edges of the Air 3 better than the angular edges of the Pro model. A light bumper case can help with that. If you don’t like the screen of the 10.5 you got, maybe better return it. Could be a sour point later, like the speaker configuration on your Air 3.

Thanks
Wish there was more concrete information on a release date...

 

[Abstract]

And how long will I have to wait? What if they announce it in June? Then I miss out on 6months of use.

Exactly why I just bought one. I could also wait, but life is short. An upgrade in March/April seems minor, while October 2020 is so long from now that I don’t care to wait. Those 10-11 months may be 1% of my lifespan, and for what?

I just returned my 12.9” iPP to Apple for the 11” iPP with 1TB storage. Definitely better for me.

 

[fokmik]

In march are high chances for the pro line to be updated
Some sources said it will retain the same design, but all storages will come with 6gb Ram, 7000series Al, 4G, not 5G
Update camera

 

[Mitchdoc]

In march are high chances for the pro line to be updated
Some sources said it will retain the same design, but all storages will come with 6gb Ram, 7000series Al, 4G, not 5G
Update camera

I guess question is at what price. If it is full retail 950 USD for the 256 vs the 775 I paid not sure it is worth it for mi or spec bump and camera I don't use.

Now if it has OLED or other new display tech then maybe. But that I hear is I my end of year and 12.9 inch

 

[ssledoux]

I’m struggling to decide if I want to go from 11 to 12.9. I really love the 11, but I got it thinking I’d use it more portably than my prev gen 12.9s and I really still only use it sitting at the table/desk. I rarely use it in my lap. I’m thinking of bumping my phone to a pro max so it’ll be a little bigger than my 11, and going to a 12.9 pad.

But IDK - it’s the beginning of the year, and I’m one of those people who always makes a lot of changes around this time for whatever reason, so if I hold off a bit, I probably won’t wind up doing it. ;-p

 

[OasisNYK]

After using my new to me 2018 12.9 for two days I can say I love it.

Definitely the best iPad I have used between the OG, Air 1.0, and the 2018 pro. Prior to this I didn’t really use them but this one is great, especially with the pencil. Marking up documents is fantastic.

I have tried the keyboard yet but this seems like a winner. Igot a great deal on a 1 TB used w/ pencil and keyboard and decided it was not worth it to wait for a new version @ full price - the upgrades would not change my experience.

the only think I would prefer is stronger aluminum because of the bending issues but I take care of my tech so should be OK.

If you are buying used I think it makes sense to buy whenever, if you are paying retail I would hold off.

 

[rui no onna]

If you are buying used I think it makes sense to buy whenever, if you are paying retail I would hold off.

Yep. If one's paying full MSRP, it's better to buy near release if possible.

 

[SeenJeen]

I'd wait, or pick up a used 6th gen iPad for cheap to tide you over.

 

[scupking]

I hope the pros get the A14x and all pro models get 6 or 8gbs of ram. The ipad 8 moves to the A12 and 4gb of ram. The air gets the A13 or A14 and 4 gbs of ram. All iPads will come with the 4 speakers like the pros.

 

[SRLMJ23]

I am looking to upgrade from my 9.7" iPad Pro to the 11" iPad Pro, but do not want to buy the current gen. one and then have the new one come out a few months later.

My question is this: Is the A13X really going to be that much of a beast that it will be a big game changer? Is there anything else that is going to be added feature wise, besides the rumored cameras? I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max, I really do not need three cameras on my iPad, but definitely want an iPad Pro.

I know I am just asking for speculation, other than what I have read, but if this is just going to be a refresh, I might wait for the new Pro's to come out and then buy the current gen. 11" for much less money.

Any screen advancements, FaceID advancements, etc...is what I am asking about.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[EugW]

The Galaxy Tab S6 5G, which will be available in Korea in the first quarter of 2020, will be the world’s first 5G tablet bringing ultra-fast speeds together with the power and performance of the Galaxy Tab series.

Unfortunately, even though second gen 5G is now here, AFAIK the analysts are claiming the iPad Pros likely won't get 5G until 2021.