All iPads Anyone else planning to downgrade from Pro to Air? Why?

[rui no onna]

Currently have cellular+wi-fi version and would like to get another cellular but it's such a bump in price and am buying myself this time that I'll likely choose storage over cellular if a compromise is required. Am likely upgrading from iPhone 14 Pro Max to 16 PM this year so would rather keep the iPad spend a bit lower.

If you’re not in a hurry, you might also want to consider waiting for clearance deals on M1 or M2 iPad Pro.

I remember Woot selling brand new M1 11” 1TB cellular for less than $900.

 

[troubleonline]

If you’re not in a hurry, you might also want to consider waiting for clearance deals on M1 or M2 iPad Pro.

I remember Woot selling brand new M1 11” 1TB cellular for less than $900.

Yes I have been thinking on that too.

 

[StoneJack]

I made that jump (or fall?) last month. I had a 2017 10.5” iPad Pro that I brought to meetings but, nowadays, I work remotely so I’m always in front of my desktop Mac and my iPP became more of an entertainment and social media device when I’m in the backyard on weekends. The battery was not holding charge as well as it used to and I heard that the new iPads were coming so I traded for a Best Buy gift card while it still had a decent trade-in price. After looking at what I’m using an iPad for, I decided that the current 5th Gen iPad Air meets my needs so I went for it. I figure it will be supported for another 5-6 years and I save at least $250 vice getting the imminent shiny new iPad Pro/Air

Me too same model

 

[Rafterman]

Not Pro to Air, but maybe Pro to Mini, depending on the new specs.

I'd like to see an M series processor and 512GB storage. I think those are realistic expectations. Facetime would be nice too, but unlikely.

 

[redcarlsen]

So new iPads are imminent.
I am still usinga 2018 iPad Pro which is now a bit long in the tooth and sluggish. It’s time to upgrade. However as a MacBook Pro user , Apple have done nothing in that time to convince me that the iPad Pro can be used as a serious computer nor worth the premium. Therefore when the new models are announced I’ll be opting for an Air.
Anyone else in the same boat, or think otherwise? What are your thoughts?

Why is it sluggish? backup your stuff and reset it. done.
I imagine you're just convincing yourself there are reasons to upgrade. When in reality there are not, other than wanting a new thing. Your old ipad does everything just as well as a new one will.
Especially b/c it's the OS holding back ipad capability, not the hardware.

 

[Biro]

Front-facing camera placement. This is a huge deal for me since I take a lot of Teams calls, and I hate it when my eyes are off-centre. Even got called out for it in a job interview once. Seems the Pro will be getting the landscape camera, but renders of the Air showed that it wouldn't. If that holds true, it would turn me off the Air big-time.

I wouldn't put it past Apple to do anything. But if the Air doesn't get a landscape camera while both the Pro and base iPads have it, it would be very strange indeed.

 

[muzzy996]

Not Pro to Air, but maybe Pro to Mini, depending on the new specs.

I'd like to see an M series processor and 512GB storage. I think those are realistic expectations. Facetime would be nice too, but unlikely.

Same, would like a better screen on the mini and more RAM. I probably wouldn't upgrade my gen 2 iPP 12.9, I just don't have the need for a large pro anymore.

 

[geta]

Not Pro to Air, but maybe Pro to Mini, depending on the new specs.

I'd like to see an M series processor and 512GB storage. I think those are realistic expectations. Facetime would be nice too, but unlikely.

That will be great upgrades for the Mini, but even if they’ll keep using the latest A chip versions, increase the RAM to 8GB, the storage to 128GB/512GB, while keeping TouchID and the camera in same position, that would be enough reasons to consider upgrading from the correct Mini 6.

 

[leifp]

My problem is that I am very susceptible to certain visual defects in displays and while the Pro models don’t cure them they are noticeably superior to the non-Pro displays. And as much as I dislike miniLED (the MBPro is the only example I’ve ever seen/used that is excellent) the 12.9” iPP is superior to the 11” in my experience as well. Even if I blooming hate that…

As long as the Pro models have noticeably superior displays to the others they will get my money. Too bad; I really prefer the Air approach otherwise (maybe if the Air actually was substantially lighter…)

 

[Biro]

I really prefer the Air approach otherwise (maybe if the Air actually was substantially lighter…)

Same here. Maybe the Air should live up to its name again as the lightest version. Instead, it’s the Pro that we’re hearing about in terms of weight savings. How… Apple.

 

[troubleonline]

maybe if the Air actually was substantially lighter…

would be nice....

 

[Rafterman]

Same, would like a better screen on the mini and more RAM. I probably wouldn't upgrade my gen 2 iPP 12.9, I just don't have the need for a large pro anymore.

8GB, up from 4GB , is also realistic. I think the rumors already said the screen will be re-oriented to reduce jelly.

 

[Rafterman]

That will be great upgrades for the Mini, but even if they’ll keep using the latest A chip versions, increase the RAM to 8GB, the storage to 128GB/512GB, while keeping TouchID and the camera in same position, that would be enough reasons to consider upgrading from the correct Mini 6.

Yes, the prcoessor will be interesting. It may be the latest A chip, which would be OK. But I sense they would eventually like M chips in all iPads and A chips for phones, eventually.

 

[MikB]

Apple have been promoting it as a computer replacement for ages now

Care to give ONE example?

I knew some successful startups only using iPads already 12 years ago. I don't see why I'd need one myself, but a digital DJ I know use the first iPad Pro. Works great is what I hear.

 

[rui no onna]

Yes, the prcoessor will be interesting. It may be the latest A chip, which would be OK. But I sense they would eventually like M chips in all iPads and A chips for phones, eventually.

M chips might be problematic on the iPad mini from both a heat dissipation and battery life standpoint.

What we'll probably see are A Pro chips like the A17 Pro for the iPhone 15 Pro.

 

[darthbane2k]

Care to give ONE example?

I know successful startup only using iPads already 12 years ago. I don't see why I'd need one myself, but a digital DJ I know use the first iPad Pro. Works great is what I hear.

Magic Keyboard, external display support, mouse support and..

 

[darthbane2k]

Why is it sluggish? backup your stuff and reset it. done.
I imagine you're just convincing yourself there are reasons to upgrade. When in reality there are not, other than wanting a new thing. Your old ipad does everything just as well as a new one will.
Especially b/c it's the OS holding back ipad capability, not the hardware.

Nope I’ve been holding out for ages but the thing is just running way too slow now, particularly when I’m multitasking.

 

[nburwell]

I went from the 10.5” Pro to the Air 4. Only to go back to the M1 11” Pro and have been very pleased. I would be tempted to move back to Air if Apple would introduce a base 128gb storage instead of 64gb.

 

[Cricketman]

If they have a bigger Air I'd be intrigued. I don't care for the cameras. OLED is whatever. I just want a big screen to read PDFs and browse the web.

 

[redcarlsen]

Nope I’ve been holding out for ages but the thing is just running way too slow now, particularly when I’m multitasking.

Multi-tasking has always been terrible on iOS. It clears memory was too frequently.
But hey, I would love it too if they did it better. I would love to use an ipad as my desktop as well, but they make it so needlessly frustrating.

 

[AHDuke99]

I just upgraded from my 2017 iPP to the newest iPad Air. I am trying to get used to not having ProMotion on the screen because it is a slightly different feel, but for what I do with an iPad, which is basically web browsing and watching shows while traveling or on the go, it made no sense to spend an extra $300 (got the iPA at BB this weekend for $449).

It depends on what you do with it. Aside from ProMotion, the iPA is plenty powerful given the limitations iPadOS has.

 

[Misuteri]

I basically view the IPP as a fallback to not wanting to lug around a graphics card laptop. I want to do video work on the go without a plug and need a cellular connection to get it where it needs to go. MacBook can’t do it, PC can’t do it and I’m paying for that capability. Will I use it often? At best monthly. However knowing that it’s there is peace of mind.

I use my tablet more than anything and just love having the best money can buy.

 

[dborja]

I just upgraded from my 2017 iPP to the newest iPad Air. I am trying to get used to not having ProMotion on the screen because it is a slightly different feel, but for what I do with an iPad, which is basically web browsing and watching shows while traveling or on the go, it made no sense to spend an extra $300 (got the iPA at BB this weekend for $449).

It depends on what you do with it. Aside from ProMotion, the iPA is plenty powerful given the limitations iPadOS has.

Same here. I did miss ProMotion and the quad speakers but, for what I use an iPad for nowadays similar to yours, I'm good with the 5th Gen iPA. I got a good trade-in and a good price (also $449) with BB as well.

 

[AHDuke99]

Same here. I did miss ProMotion and the quad speakers but, for what I use an iPad for nowadays similar to yours, I'm good with the 5th Gen iPA. I got a good trade-in and a good price (also $449) with BB as well.

Ah, BB also gave me $100 for my old iPP so I actually got the iPA for $350. I’ll survive without a pro. I don’t see a reason to buy it unless you do thinks like maybe content creation, but even then I’d just use a MacBook over a tablet.

 

[bluedoggiant]

Having had an IPP with FaceID I don't think I could go back to TouchID so its gonna be pro or bust (if they're stupid money).
If IPP+Magic Keyboard is £1800 then that's a serious consideration.

Same, I would consider Air if it had Face ID. Probably will upgrade my A12X 11” to a used M1 when the new ones come out.