2018 iPad (6th generation) Quandry

[Anglican-Mac]

So, I'm pondering purchasing a 6th generation iPad (the early 2018 model). I currently have an iPad Mini 2, which has served me well since I got it in 2014, but aside from some slowing down and some noticeable age on the battery, it still works pretty well. I primarily use it for a single game that I play, streaming (both video and music) email, documents, and the like.

I'm doing things now that I wasn't doing when I got it. I'm traveling a lot more, and would like to not lug my MacBook pro through four airports (twice) next month. I'm also working with Adobe Creative Cloud and writing a lot more (If you can believe it, since I was in grad school when I got the Mini).

While I think the new iPad Pros are very nice looking machines, and I like the second generation Apple Pencil, there's a big price jump between the iPad and the iPad Pro. There are also some very good sales right now.

I'm not looking for a full time laptop replacement, mostly something that I can use to fill the gap while I'm traveling and edit photos on while I'm on the road (The Pencil seems like it would be a lot more accurate than my finger.). Do you all think that the 6th gen iPad will fill my needs or do I need to save up for the Pro? I'd really like to have a new device before next month's trip, but I also don't want to spend money on a device that isn't going to be what I need, just to have it then.

What do you all think?

 

[sracer]

I think it depends upon how much you'll be using the device for Adobe Creative Cloud work. I use my 2018 iPad heavily every day for a variety of things and it works well, but if I were to work on large image files then I'd do it on my wife's 12.9 iPad Pro because the Pros (except for the 9.7 Pro) have 4GB RAM.

 

[Anglican-Mac]

I think it depends upon how much you'll be using the device for Adobe Creative Cloud work. I use my 2018 iPad heavily every day for a variety of things and it works well, but if I were to work on large image files then I'd do it on my wife's 12.9 iPad Pro because the Pros (except for the 9.7 Pro) have 4GB RAM.

I'll be doing some work in Lightroom and possibly in Photoshop, but no video editing.

 

[Mike82]

Depends on what kind of camera you have, I guess. Lightroom runs fine even on my Air 2 when I edit the RAW 24 MP images from my Nikon D5500.

 

[Anglican-Mac]

Depends on what kind of camera you have, I guess. Lightroom runs fine even on my Air 2 when I edit the RAW 24 MP images from my Nikon D5500.

I have a Nikon D3400.

 

[Richard8655]

As mentioned above, it depends what you'll be using the iPad for. But for everyday usage and enjoyment (as in my case), the regular iPad is perfect. It also depends how much you want to open your wallet. The Pro (obviously) is significantly more expensive. The current 2018 6th gen can be had lately at good discount. For me if at a good discount, that would be my choice.

 

[rui no onna]

Get the 6th gen. The discounts are super good right now for that specific model and there's also the benefit of a longer holiday return period. If it doesn't work for you, return it and buy the Pro.

 

[mtneer]

So, I'm pondering purchasing a 6th generation iPad (the early 2018 model). I currently have an iPad Mini 2, which has served me well since I got it in 2014, but aside from some slowing down and some noticeable age on the battery, it still works pretty well. I primarily use it for a single game that I play, streaming (both video and music) email, documents, and the like.

I'm doing things now that I wasn't doing when I got it. I'm traveling a lot more, and would like to not lug my MacBook pro through four airports (twice) next month. I'm also working with Adobe Creative Cloud and writing a lot more (If you can believe it, since I was in grad school when I got the Mini).

While I think the new iPad Pros are very nice looking machines, and I like the second generation Apple Pencil, there's a big price jump between the iPad and the iPad Pro. There are also some very good sales right now.

I'm not looking for a full time laptop replacement, mostly something that I can use to fill the gap while I'm traveling and edit photos on while I'm on the road (The Pencil seems like it would be a lot more accurate than my finger.). Do you all think that the 6th gen iPad will fill my needs or do I need to save up for the Pro? I'd really like to have a new device before next month's trip, but I also don't want to spend money on a device that isn't going to be what I need, just to have it then.

What do you all think?

If your rMini 2 is still holding up enough to do the job - why not just use that? At least until it kicks the bucket and you'll have the choice to buy the rumored Mini 5 or whatever Apple may bring to the market in 2019 or 20?

 

[Mike82]

I have a Nikon D3400.

The normal, 6th generation iPad should be fine then.