iPad Pro Am I crazy to go for a discounted 2020?

[Broadus]

I'd say right now is the worst time to buy a 2020 iPad unless it is 50% off or more. Your best bet is to wait it out until WWDC and then decide if there is anything that moves the needle for you there since we know the hardware station for the new iPad Pro. If there is anything announced that's interesting you will have more people dumping IPP 2020 models softening the price even more (especially if you don't care for the additions) and if nothing magical comes about the pricing on the used ones will still hover around where they are right now.

I get that there is a debate on how awesome or lackluster this update will be. You can't get hyped on this early, but since this is your first iPad waiting about another month seems prudent to me.

I am convinced Apple didn't decide to disclose RAM on an iPad and add a historically abnormal amount of RAM to it by accident. I think there will be some serious surprises at WWDC that may make 2020 iPads really tank in value. Especially since they are pretty much the same as the 2018 with super minor tweaks.

In my opinion, the discounts that I’m seeing are relatively nominal considering that a new iPP has been announced. Were it not for Covid and the concomitant higher demand for iPads with more people working from home and the vast amount of online teaching in schools and colleges/universities, we would have seen such discounts from time to time during the past year. Instead, we rarely saw discounts on new iPPs in stores or even Apple-refurbished iPPs listed on Apple’s site.

I’m going to hold steady with my 10.5” iPP for a little while longer.

 

[doboy]

I'd say right now is the worst time to buy a 2020 iPad unless it is 50% off or more. Your best bet is to wait it out until WWDC and then decide if there is anything that moves the needle for you there since we know the hardware station for the new iPad Pro. If there is anything announced that's interesting you will have more people dumping IPP 2020 models softening the price even more (especially if you don't care for the additions) and if nothing magical comes about the pricing on the used ones will still hover around where they are right now.

I get that there is a debate on how awesome or lackluster this update will be. You can't get hyped on this early, but since this is your first iPad waiting about another month seems prudent to me.

I am convinced Apple didn't decide to disclose RAM on an iPad and add a historically abnormal amount of RAM to it by accident. I think there will be some serious surprises at WWDC that may make 2020 iPads really tank in value. Especially since they are pretty much the same as the 2018 with super minor tweaks.

50% or more, haha. Keep dreaming. You can likely trade it in for more than 50% of current retail.

 

[doboy]

In my opinion, the discounts that I’m seeing are relatively nominal considering that a new iPP has been announced. Were it not for Covid and the concomitant higher demand for iPads with more people working from home and the vast amount of online teaching in schools and colleges/universities, we would have seen such discounts from time to time during the past year. Instead, we rarely saw discounts on new iPPs in stores or even Apple-refurbished iPPs listed on Apple’s site.

I’m going to hold steady with my 10.5” iPP for a little while longer.

Need to wait few months to see $250+ discounts to show up, but if the new Pros are in short supply then maybe longer.

 

[LogicalApex]

50% or more, haha. Keep dreaming. You can likely trade it in for more than 50% of current retail.

That's precisely my point... Unless it is an insanely good deal that is a an extreme outlier then it isn't worth doing right now. Otherwise, you risk coming into June 7th (literally 6 weeks away) and feeling like the advancements are significant enough to warrant a 2021 or others do and try dumping their 2020 to upgrade. You have pretty much zero to lose waiting 6 weeks to have the debate on iPadOS 15 settled.

I returned my 2020 iPad recently as the rumors were getting to heavy and I'm glad I did. I get it. I shouldn't put too much stock in iPadOS 15 since all iPadOS updates have been softer overall, but everything on the table points to Apple dropping a heavy one this year.

Even the timing is really suggesting to wait here...

They did a hardware only iPad drop on 4/20... Pre-orders are allowed on 4/30... Goes on sale 5/22 (rumored)... A mere 2 weeks later WWDC 6/7...

 

[B1llyG]

Hi everyone,

I have been wanting to get an iPad for a long time and I am super excited about the 2021 refresh (M1, display, 8GB of RAM, thunderbolt, center-stage). However, I've discovered a pretty nice deal on amazon on the 2020 models (899 euros for the 12.9 model, 128GB Wifi). Given the price bump (1219 euros for the 2021 model), the difference is quite material and would cover the pencil and smart keyboard. Would it be a bad choice to go for the old model?

In a nutshell, the price of the 2020 model discounted is in the limit range of what I would pay for a very nice iPad, while if I splurge for the 2021 model, I am expecting a possible laptop replacement... (which feels realistic considering the specs)

I am not sure how much stock they have so I don't want to wait for too long (e.g. waiting for the reviews) and therefore asking for your opinion!

Without your expected usecase(s) we can’t give you appropriate advice. So here are some general pointers that hopefully help you in your decision:
1) iPad won’t replace your laptop for productivity as it is inherently hampered by it’s form factor and (at this point) it’s software. Generally speaking, you will be able to get more stuff done faster on an equally priced laptop.
2) In terms of value (bang for buck) the iPad Pro isn’t great. This is partially inherent to Apple products and eco-system, the form factor (i.e. loss of productivity compared to your laptop) and of course the early adopter premium you pay (for the latest Pro). If you prioritise value, consider looking for a different eco-system (Android, Windows etc.). If you want to stay within the garden of Apple, consider the iPad Air. It‘s has the best value proposition in the iPad line-up, especially if you buy it discounted.

For what it’s worth, I‘m happy using my iPad Pro (2020) and other Apple devices but productivity and value weren’t high on my decision making list.

 

[rui no onna]

If you prioritise value, consider looking for a different eco-system (Android, Windows etc.). If you want to stay within the garden of Apple, consider the iPad Air. It‘s has the best value proposition in the iPad line-up, especially if you buy it discounted.

I actually think the iPad 8th gen A12/3GB wins on the value front. So far, it runs pretty much all the apps its more expensive cousins do. It's lacking in the fancier features/nice-to-haves and sports an older design. In terms of pure utility though, it works darned well. It'll probably be supported as long as the 2018 iPad Pro from this point forward, too.

 

[ggx12]

Without your expected usecase(s) we can’t give you appropriate advice. So here are some general pointers that hopefully help you in your decision:
1) iPad won’t replace your laptop for productivity as it is inherently hampered by it’s form factor and (at this point) it’s software. Generally speaking, you will be able to get more stuff done faster on an equally priced laptop.
2) In terms of value (bang for buck) the iPad Pro isn’t great. This is partially inherent to Apple products and eco-system, the form factor (i.e. loss of productivity compared to your laptop) and of course the early adopter premium you pay (for the latest Pro). If you prioritise value, consider looking for a different eco-system (Android, Windows etc.). If you want to stay within the garden of Apple, consider the iPad Air. It‘s has the best value proposition in the iPad line-up, especially if you buy it discounted.

For what it’s worth, I‘m happy using my iPad Pro (2020) and other Apple devices but productivity and value weren’t high on my decision making list.

There are other factors that are important that's why I specifically said - the right value at the right price ? . I know it's weird! The best way I can explain this is that I care about the little things so I am willing to pay a bit more if I see it makes a difference. At the same time, I don't need all the little things so I don't typically need to get the latest and greatest

• For example, I'd actually go base iPad but I just can't stand the non-laminated screen (the design is fine) as I would be using the pencil a lot. At this price, I can live with the fact that it doesn't have proMotion.
• The Air would fit the bill but, I think they are expensive for what they are (you easily get to 1000 euros with the accessories, even on the 64GB version). So at that price level, I can't stand the fact that it does not have proMotion and the thicker bezels
• which puts me in iPad Pro territory... and we all know that this is not the most value-based proposition ? the discounted 2020 is thus ideal for me today, but I am not sure about tomorrow. i'll probably be happy in 4 years to have an M1 tablet and not a A12Z one.

 

[Bodhitree]

It’s really about what you expect to do with your iPad. It’s a very capable machine as a media consumption device, and it works fine as a laptop replacement for email and general office-style productivity. But if you use your laptop to do more sophisticated things, like making music or editing video, then you might appreciate what the M1 brings, and you’ll probably still end up reaching the limits of what the iPad’s software can do.

For most of the things that the iPad is called upon to do, the processor is perfectly capable. I still use my original, first generation iPad Pro for a range of things, and I never have to wait for it to catch up. For me, a new iPad Pro would be nice for the upgraded screen primarily, a better processor would translate into waiting a quarter of a second for webpages to load rather than half a second, I’d hardly notice it.

 

[rui no onna]

There are other factors that are important that's why I specifically said - the right value at the right price ? . I know it's weird! The best way I can explain this is that I care about the little things so I am willing to pay a bit more if I see it makes a difference. At the same time, I don't need all the little things so I don't typically need to get the latest and greatest

Alas, value is entirely subjective.

As an example, for myself, I have a perfectly working 2017 iPad Pro 12.9 512GB LTE.

Current sale price is $1.5K minimum for the 2020 12.9 1TB LTE. Add sales tax and now it's up to $1.6-1.7K.

The 2021 12.9 1TB 5G is $2K ($1.9K via EDU) or ~$2.1-2.2K with tax.

$2.1-2.2K is a lot of money but then so is $1.6-1.7K. Question is would I rather spend $2.1-2.2K on the latest model (with latest CPU, 10GB more RAM, Thunderbolt support and 5G) or $1.6-1.7K for what is, essentially, a 3-year old model? I expect I will be using this iPad for 3-4 years same as my 2017 Pro. Amortized over that period, the 2021 Pro costs ~$10-14 more per month than the 2020 Pro. For me, that tilts the value proposition towards the 2021 Pro.

 

[Momof9]

So do you actually own an iPad? I see that you are wanting to use the Pencil a lot. I have 2018 12.9 (1TB) and 11, technically I still own the 2015 -12.9 since my daughter has not paid me for it yet.... LOL. I also just recently purchased a 2019 iPad mini.... if they update the mini this year, I want to get a cellular version - but that is if they change the screen size - it would be nice to have Apple Pencil 2 as well....

I was going to wait and see how the 2021 actually worked.... But the M1 chip and huge jump in Ram sounds impressive. There has to be a reason for the Ram jump.... There is nothing wrong with my 2018.... I use it everyday, throughout the whole day - it IS my laptop.... The only problem is I don't have access to all of my external hard drives on it LOL. I have a 1TB HD that I bought to take upstairs, I just need to work on it LOL

I got the 2018 iPP to be my computer replacement.... The issues I had were external drives and setting up a new printer etc. So I got a 2018 Mac mini, so I could do the things above. But my iPP is my primary device.... I am a graphic designer and NOTHING beats the Apple Pencil 2 (I miss the double tap on the 1 with my mini).... I have a Wacom tablet, but I LOVE the iPP with AP2 - it is so much better with graphic design etc. I am using Affinity Photo / Designer and Procreate for graphic design etc.... I have not tried PS in awhile, it was really bad when it came to iPad, but Affinity software is the best alternative I have ever seen. It is really on pace with PS....

Now I might be ordering one on Friday, because my youngest wants to learn how to do animation. She has few year old basic iPad with Pencil that she has been using for drawing etc. So I will give her one of mine to use for the animation purposes!