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Hard to imagine because the battery is substantially smaller in the new iPPs. Maybe it's because the battery is new compared to the more often charged battery in the 2017 iPP....
Could be, considering the 2017 IPP has been used 10 hours virtually every day for the last 18 months. That must be close to 500 charges.
 
One thing I find noticeable better with the 2018 IPP is battery life. Surprising as that was not something publicised by Apple.
Perhaps the new display and APU use less power.

Mind, Apple has never published anything past 10 hours. I think tech specs listed 10+ hours battery life on iPad 4th gen but Apple never gave a concrete number to that plus. Note, for my usage (text heavy web browsing and ebook reading), that plus was equivalent to around 6 hours. The Air, Air 2 and Pro 9.7 all had much shorter battery life compared to my 4th gen. The 2017 iPad 9.7 gave comparable battery life and I assume the 2018 iPad 9.7 would meet or exceed it.
 
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I never questioned anyones ability to purchase one...I simply replied to the false statement that the 2018 iPad Pro cant do anything more than what the 2017 can.
I've both.

Anyway, I judge technology by whether they can help save time and money.
Yes, there are lots of new features in the 2018 iPad Pro.
But does the 2018 model save significantly more time for its significantly higher price?
 
I have neither of these, but have been seriously considering either getting the new 12.9 or the old 12.9 that is being clearanced out at the moment. I think the size of the new model is probably its the biggest selling point relative to the 2017 version. I've only held one briefly, but it seemed pretty reasonable even for using as a tablet, compared to the previous version that everyone seemed to say was a bit unwieldy. I also think FaceID should be very handy for people wanting to use the device on a table with a keyboard, since it can authenticate you for things like passwords without you having to reach out and touch the device at all.

That said, you can get the 64GB 2017 model for $579 right now from B&H Photo, which is practically half the price of the new model.
 
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The 2017 has a better camera, and it has a home button in addition to the ios 12 gestures — you can use either as it suits you. And it’ls much cheaper, and if you don’t have them (I do), the accessories are cheaper on eBay. Screen is the same and it’s not that much heavier. With the smart keyboard it’s lighter than the new one with keyboard.
 
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Price is a big factor and difference between the new and old models. Especially if you don’t mind getting a used one. I used to have the original 12.9 Pro but then switched to a 10.5 later. I missed the bigger size of the 12.9 and so I decided to switch back to 12.9. By then the new models were going to be announced so I thought waiting a bit might be best.

After seeing the new models, I decided to go with my original plan to buy a 2017 12.9 model as I still like the form factor. (I also still had a smart cover and case from before.) I picked up a 3 month old 512GB 2017 12.9 Pro with cellular for under $750. Getting a similar new model would have cost me more than double that.

After spending a bit buying my BTO Mac Mini, it was nice to save a little money somewhere else.
 
The 2017 has a better camera, and it has a home button in addition to the ios 12 gestures — you can use either as it suits you. And it’ls much cheaper, and if you don’t have them (I do), the accessories are cheaper on eBay. Screen is the same and it’s not that much heavier. With the smart keyboard it’s lighter than the new one with keyboard.

It has not the same camera as the Xr. The camera has no OIS and one lens less than the Xr. It seems to have the same image processing than the Xr...
 
People who use the iPad camera for taking photos are monsters.

I live right behind the Magic Kingdom, my wife works for Disney, so we’re at the parks a lot.

I witnessed a man fumbling with his iPad Pro yesterday, trying to snap a photo of his kid. All I thought was “how is this easier than grabbing your phone?” (Okay, sure, his phone could have been out of juice. But still.)

Point is: if I could buy an iPad without a camera, I would.
 
2018 is worth it for the new design and sizer reduction alone.

That depends how deep ones pockets are, because you have to buy everything new. In my case (12.9 iPP with 512 GB and LTE that is about $2K with all accessories and AppleCare+)
 
People who use the iPad camera for taking photos are monsters.

I live right behind the Magic Kingdom, my wife works for Disney, so we’re at the parks a lot.

I witnessed a man fumbling with his iPad Pro yesterday, trying to snap a photo of his kid. All I thought was “how is this easier than grabbing your phone?” (Okay, sure, his phone could have been out of juice. But still.)

Point is: if I could buy an iPad without a camera, I would.
iPad camera is important for me, not to take photos, but to scan documents!
 
I paid $999 for my 2017 12.9” v2 iPad Pro with 512GB WiFi. I paid $999 for my 2018 12.9” v3 iPad Pro with 256GB WiFi. In making that decision I looked carefully at my storage needs and decided it was worth the trade off. The smaller overall size of the 2018 version for travel was worth it to me.

I carry it with me every day. The magnetic attachment of the covers is brilliant and allows me to quickly change to any configuration I want. If you really want to see the difference, travel in cattle class on any modern airline and try to use the 2017 verses 2018 version. THAT is what sold me. The newest version is the best iPad I’ve owned.
 
I paid $999 for my 2017 12.9” v2 iPad Pro with 512GB WiFi. I paid $999 for my 2018 12.9” v3 iPad Pro with 256GB WiFi. In making that decision I looked carefully at my storage needs and decided it was worth the trade off. The smaller overall size of the 2018 version for travel was worth it to me.

I carry it with me every day. The magnetic attachment of the covers is brilliant and allows me to quickly change to any configuration I want. If you really want to see the difference, travel in cattle class on any modern airline and try to use the 2017 verses 2018 version. THAT is what sold me. The newest version is the best iPad I’ve owned.

I think in landscape orientation the height is more critical than the width at airplanes. In that regard there is not so much difference between the gen2 and gen3...
 
I think in landscape orientation the height is more critical than the width at airplanes. In that regard there is not so much difference between the gen2 and gen3...

I agree, in landscape mode it seems like there is little difference until the guy in front of you decides he needs to lay down in your lap the whole flight. Then, I’ll take as much space as I can get.

Ironically, the area I see the biggest difference is in security. Every flight with the v2 I had to take it out at the security check like my laptops. But, I’ve yet been asked to take the v3 out. “Oh, it’s an iPad? No reason to remove it” is the typical response now. So, there are big differences to me.
 
I agree, in landscape mode it seems like there is little difference until the guy in front of you decides he needs to lay down in your lap the whole flight. Then, I’ll take as much space as I can get.

Ironically, the area I see the biggest difference is in security. Every flight with the v2 I had to take it out at the security check like my laptops. But, I’ve yet been asked to take the v3 out. “Oh, it’s an iPad? No reason to remove it” is the typical response now. So, there are big differences to me.

That is really a special argument for the v3! I am still loving my v2 and did not see so many reasons to upgrade apart from the size. For carrying it around I am using a small bag that will be still the same for the v3. There seems to be no real important functional upgrades and the speed of the v2 is still more than enough within the limits of IOS 12 and the mobile apps it admits....
 
The V2 is still a great device and is perfect for use around the office or home. But for travelling I certainly find the V3 better. Quite apart from being smaller and having Face ID - the swipe across the bottom to switch apps is much better than the previous five finger guesture and is something I miss when using my 10.5”, while the Smart Keyboard is better to be using on my lap
 
The V2 is still a great device and is perfect for use around the office or home. But for travelling I certainly find the V3 better. Quite apart from being smaller and having Face ID - the swipe across the bottom to switch apps is much better than the previous five finger guesture and is something I miss when using my 10.5”, while the Smart Keyboard is better to be using on my lap

Swiping across the bottom to switch apps was added as an iOS feature for all iPads. I use it all the time on my gen 1 12.9. The only difference from the gen 3 is you don’t have that bar, so you have to start from the bottom edge and make a slight arch to your swipe.
Also what did you mean the Smart Keyboard is better on your lap? Better than the keyboard folio? Because it’s more stable?
 
That is really a special argument for the v3! I am still loving my v2 and did not see so many reasons to upgrade apart from the size. For carrying it around I am using a small bag that will be still the same for the v3. There seems to be no real important functional upgrades and the speed of the v2 is still more than enough within the limits of IOS 12 and the mobile apps it admits....
I’ve only ever had ipads checked over at security like laptops in Europe, and they always did it for both my 12.9 2nd gen and my Air 2. I love the new form factor, but this would not be a factor in a purchasing decision for me.
 
Just looking for input in the decision making process.

I have a 10.5 Pro which I use constantly. Being older tho I am wanting the larger screen size for processing photos, etc. I was really disappointed when I saw how expensive the new Pros are. I have seen some sales lately for the 2017 12” model and am torn between waiting til I have the funds for the newer version or take advantage of the sales and buy the older version which is a quite capable device.

I prefer the smaller dimensions of the new model which is a big factor for me. I am also looking forward to PS on the iPad. I believe that will run on the older model but the newer processor I’m sure will be handy when dealing with a lot of layers.

Anyway, any input will be appreciated.

Btw, this is not a need. It’s a want. I have a computer so that is available to me.

Im sorry for mentioning, but as you stated being a slightly older person, you would not particularly benefit from the newer model. I am 16 years old and a student and have made the leap from the 10.5" to the 11", and although its great to pull out in the hip coffee shops, alongside my MBP, its not much better for day-to-day use - not for the price difference.

Unless you are an artist or need a ridiculous screen, I would suggest sticking with the older model. Also, this one is less likely to bend in your hands - hahahaha!

Good look, Im sure you will lobe any new device that you get!
 
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