iPad A lot of “Tablet First” iPad users should really be using iPad Air/7th Gen, not iPad Pro

[MarthaJones]

Why is there such a leap from not wanting/needing a keyboard to not needing an iPad Pro at all? Just because someone doesn't utilize one the same way as you? Why are we gatekeeping iPads of all things now?

The other iPads don't have the storage capacity or screen resolution that the Pros do. Nor are you able to utilize art apps the same way even if they are available on the other ones.

I just bought a 1TB 11" WiFi one, and I got a case from Speck for it. I travel several times a year and live in a hurricane zone. Having a crap ton of movies, tv shows, and books pre downloaded at all times matters to me. As does having a nicer screen to enjoy them on. And sometimes I like to draw on it too. For those reasons alone the Pro is the device of choice for me and many others. There are people who use them without intending them to replace a laptop or desktop computer.

 

[rui no onna]

The other iPads don't have the storage capacity or screen resolution that the Pros do.

All iPads have same ~264 ppi pixel density bar the Mini at 326 ppi. The higher resolution is just a function of the larger screen size. ProMotion does allow for a smoother experience, though.

I just bought a 1TB 11" WiFi one, and I got a case from Speck for it. I travel several times a year and live in a hurricane zone. Having a crap ton of movies, tv shows, and books pre downloaded at all times matters to me. As does having a nicer screen to enjoy them on. And sometimes I like to draw on it too. For those reasons alone the Pro is the device of choice for me and many others. There are people who use them without intending them to replace a laptop or desktop computer.

Agreed. I buy iPad Pros because I want a good tablet experience and tons of local storage, not because I want it to be a desktop/laptop replacement. Heck, one of my primary uses is reading comics and for that, the iPad is much more enjoyable and convenient than a desktop or laptop.

With work, Windows 10 is a requirement for telecommuting so even with keyboard and trackpad support, the iPad can't be a desktop/laptop replacement for me regardless if it's Pro or not.

 

[MarthaJones]

That's what I get for writing in at rush. I meant screen size 🤦🏻‍♀️. The Air is close the same physical size of an 11", but still has a slightly smaller screen.

I have a MacBook Pro. I got it because of the larger hard drive and Touch Bar. If I want to type anything longer than three or four paragraphs, I'll just grab it. I'm not trying to buy gadgets for the sake of buying them, but I will buy more than one if the need arises. Laptops aren't as travel friendly to me and more expensive to replace if something goes wrong.

 

[Digitalguy]

That's kinda the point. I'm not at all saying people shouldn't buy iPad Pros. That would be extremely hypocritical considering I own a few and am planning on buying a 1TB cellular model. Just that most people have budgets and need to weigh the value of their purchases.

I can afford to buy a $1500 iPad. However, I can't afford 10x other things I want that also cost $1500 (well, I can but then I'd need to dip into savings).

Hence, I need to weigh the value the iPad Pro gives and what alternatives are available versus my other wants. I expect the same is true for a lot of folks.

If you put this way, I am with you. But this does not make the point of the original poster and of ervingv any more valid... as again, most people that buy an ipad pro have budget constraints and many probably don't do any actual work it, but they still consider it is worth it, and they have any right to do so...

 

[rui no onna]

I have a MacBook Pro. I got it because of the larger hard drive and Touch Bar. If I want to type anything longer than three or four paragraphs, I'll just grab it. I'm not trying to buy gadgets for the sake of buying them, but I will buy more than one if the need arises. Laptops aren't as travel friendly to me and more expensive to replace if something goes wrong.

Lol, since I buy Windows laptops, they're usually cheaper than my iPads. Granted, less so after factoring in aftermarket RAM and SSD upgrades (I once bought a $600 1TB SSD for a $600 laptop circa 2013).

But yes, I prefer buying the right tool for the job. I've got e-ink readers, multiple iPad sizes, a laptop and a desktop.

 

[Mainsail]

There are so many ways to enjoy and to productively use an iPad that I just don’t think there is one right answer for which device and accessories are the best.

Right now, I have three kids home: one in college and two working remote. So, I gave up my desk for one of them to use, and I roam around the house like a nomad with my iPad 7. I have a logitech k380 Keyboard and the new pebble i345 mouse. So, when I am lucky enough to find a patch of free space on the dinnning room table, I can be pretty productive with this minimalist setup. It works for me. Might not work for a lot of other folks.

 

[rui no onna]

If you put this way, I am with you. But this does not make the point of the original poster and of ervingv any more valid... as again, most people that buy an ipad pro have budget constraints and many probably don't do any actual work it, but they still consider it is worth it, and they have any right to do so...

I have budget constraints same as most. I still buy $1K iPads for reading comics (and keep old ones as spares or for beta testing). To me, the enjoyment derived is worth it. Heck, I know folks who spend $1K a year going to the movie theaters. I see this being much the same except I put the $20 or so a week in a "tech funds/misc" savings account. I happily drive a 10+ year old RAV 4 so I can feed my tech hobby.

It's just up to the individual to decide whether the iPad Pro is worth it or if they can be served just as well by a less expensive model.

The thread title is a bit clickbaity but the points on the first post are pretty valid:

1. just don't buy a keyboard if you only want to use the iPad as tablet
2. if the Pro model is too expensive, then the 7th gen and Air 3 are available as less expensive alternatives

 

[MyopicPaideia]

The point of this thread is that people are stupid and don’t do proper research when purchasing something. Then they complain that the thing they purchased is not functioning like they assumed it would function. The lesson here is to do research first then decide if the device or accessory is for you.

This is exactly the pompous attitude that I am referring to. Your very first postulation is that you are more intelligent than others in general...
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If you put this way, I am with you. But this does not make the point of the original poster and of ervingv any more valid... as again, most people that buy an ipad pro have budget constraints and many probably don't do any actual work it, but they still consider it is worth it, and they have any right to do so...

🤣 Don’t take it too seriously, @rui no onna is legendary for her/his love of a well structured budget! 😉

 

[rui no onna]

🤣 Don’t take it too seriously, @rui no onna is legendary for her/his love of a well structured budget! 😉

Alas, this is by necessity, not design. Too many wants and not enough funds to afford them all hence the need to prioritize. 😅

It's more flexible than structured, too, with a bunch of impulse buys. I've got a pool for discretionary spending (entertainment, tech, etc) and what doesn't get spent on one category is usually spent on another.

 

[subjonas]

I think OP is just alluding to the possibility (or maybe fact) that some people may not be understanding that Apple is trying to cater to a wider range of usages than they once did, with their current lineup of different iPads and accessories. Some people may be thinking that the iPad is still what Steve Jobs introduced it as years ago—it definitely is, but it is also definitely more. The iPad lineup, including accessory devices, has expanded to include a more laptop-like experience—via scaling up the size and adding robust keyboard+trackpad accessories, which invariably makes it a less dedicated “tablet” experience. The old is still there, but the new is as well. Things were simpler when there was one iPad made for one type of usage. Now that the lineup has expanded based on expanded usage, it now reuires a little more thought on the customer’s part as to what to buy and what not to buy, in order to fit one’s needs. No more autopilot.

The turbulence is understandable. What other line of devices has changed so much in usage? The Mac is used the same as before, the iPhone is used the same as before—but just a lot more which led to it getting bigger. iPad has been crossing a chasm of usage types. And there are people on both sides of the chasm as well as all along the bridge. As a user above said, it’s a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

I don’t think any other Apple device has forced people to evaluate their own needs as much as the iPad has—due to not only the increased number of devices and accessories in the lineup, but also due to the widely different usages that each iPad, from 7.9” ipad mini to 12.9” ipad pro, plus accessories, is best suited for.

 

[MPclk2006]

I totally understand your point of view. But at the same time I know I am not using my 2020 iPad Pro nowhere near it’s full potential.I love it any wats. I also know I have a device that should last 4 maybe 5 years if I don’t abuse it. Hell my elderly neighbor still has her 1st gen iPad she uses strictly for book and newspaper reading. Love my iPad Pro. My wife loves hers also. Hers is the 1st gen 11in Pro we got 2 months ago. And I just bought my son a 3rd gen iPad Air today. All the iPads are incredible in their own rights.

I agree, these iPads last forever. We upgrade our kids ipads every 3 years or so, my wife gets rid of hers for a while then gets another one. I have the 10.5 and do not have a reason to upgrade, do I want to? YES! But, upgrading means new case, new keyboard, new pencil, too much money.

Sorry, back to them lsting a long time. We recently upgraded one of the kid's ipad and her old one is being sent to her cousin so they dont have to share one, it's in great condition as it was always in a case.

 

[throAU]

That's kinda the point. I'm not at all saying people shouldn't buy iPad Pros. That would be extremely hypocritical considering I own a few and am planning on buying a 1TB cellular model. Just that most people have budgets and need to weigh the value of their purchases.

Like I said, have both iPad Pro 2017 and 6th Gen iPad in the house and unless you're using the thing for serious work there is essentially almost no noticeable difference in functionality for half the price.

Except mine (the Pro) has white dot disease and hers doesn't

 

[rui no onna]

Like I said, have both iPad Pro 2017 and 6th Gen iPad in the house and unless you're using the thing for serious work there is essentially almost no noticeable difference in functionality for half the price.

Except mine (the Pro) has white dot disease and hers doesn't

Storage is a major consideration for me. Indeed, it's been a driving factor for upgrades since the iPad 2 (took me all of two days to upgrade from 32 to 64GB iPad 2) all the way to the 512GB iPad Pro 2017.

While performance on the A10-based iPad 6th and 7th gen are adequate for my needs, I would've chafed at only 128GB storage max.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

Alas, this is by necessity, not design. Too many wants and not enough funds to afford them all hence the need to prioritize. 😅

It's more flexible than structured, too, with a bunch of impulse buys. I've got a pool for discretionary spending (entertainment, tech, etc) and what doesn't get spent on one category is usually spent on another.

Yes, I meant it in truly the most positive way - and I quite enjoy your perspective. I’m in finance, and have never run into someone, a colleague or otherwise, that has a personal budget as structured as yours seems to be by the way you describe it, that it even has a pool of discretionary spending set aside in order to allow cross-category impulse spending in order to introduce an element of flexibility. 😜
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I agree, these iPads last forever. We upgrade our kids ipads every 3 years or so, my wife gets rid of hers for a while then gets another one. I have the 10.5 and do not have a reason to upgrade, do I want to? YES! But, upgrading means new case, new keyboard, new pencil, too much money.

Sorry, back to them lsting a long time. We recently upgraded one of the kid's ipad and her old one is being sent to her cousin so they dont have to share one, it's in great condition as it was always in a case.

Fully agree! My kids are still in grade school, and both have 128GB iPad Air 2’s that still are in pristine condition due to having been in hard cases virtually their entire lives.

Wife still has her 128GB 9.7” iPad Pro which she loves as well. Our iMac is very very lonely down in the office, and it is going to be the last of its lineage in our house I suspect.

Depending on what the next iPad models are going to be, I might be looking for used 2018 11” Pro’s for the kids come Xmas. They’re going to be at that age where Google Apps is going to be a daily thing at school.

 

[rui no onna]

Yes, I meant it in truly the most positive way - and I quite enjoy your perspective. I’m in finance, and have never run into someone, a colleague or otherwise, that has a personal budget as structured as yours seems to be by the way you describe it, that it even has a pool of discretionary spending set aside in order to allow cross-category impulse spending in order to introduce an element of flexibility. 😜

That's because the only structured part are the fixed expenses including savings. I earmark discretionary funds for certain categories but I don't stick to the divisions religiously (as long as I don't go over the total). Pretty sure I've read about that budgeting technique elsewhere. Of course, I don't impulse buy $1000+ items. More like getting a Kindle or a RasPi 4 kit for under $100 on sale.

This is where the value equation comes in. Getting that iPad Pro might mean fewer impulse buys or I skip a vacation or something. Choice just boils down to which I want or need more.