iPad Pro Can't decide between those two iPad Pros. Coss a toin?

[TomOSeven]

I really want a secondary computer to my Thinkpad, mostly to watch Udemy content, listen to music (my laptop speakers are terrible) and read and mark up lecture notes.

Due to Apple's "back to school" programme in Europistan, I can save about 250 € over Apple's normal price on one of them:

iPad Pro 12.9 2017 (refurbished) vs. iPad Pro 11, new (2018)
LTE, 256 GB vs. LTE, 256 GB
720 € vs. 1000 €
850 € vs. 1200 € with accessories

I prefer touch ID over FaceID (I just dislike having a camera that I can't cover pointed at my face).
I obviously prefer USB-C over Lightning.
I obviously prefer not having my iPad bend like a cheap piece of crap.
I love the Smart Cover and I hate that newer iPads don't have it.
I haven't used the new pen but by all accounts it's streets ahead of the first gen.

I know just looking at the price, the older 12.9 inch is a better deal. But **** if that 2018 model doesn't look like pure luxury and the USB-C port saves me a another cable. Then again, I'm afraid I'd never dare to take the more expensive, more fragile iPad 11 out of the house.

Decisions!

 

[Shirasaki]

Soon with under the display camera, you cannot even cover it whether you want or not. At least right now you can tape the notch.

And your preference is a weird conflict of interest, as Apple cannot introduce a budget Touch ID iPad with old design and Apple Pencil 2 support, although USB-C port can be a reality.

Some people suffer flood illuminator emitting lasers to their eyes during Face ID process. You can go to Apple store and test out Face ID on demo machine and see how it goes for you.

 

[xxray]

It sounds like you'll prefer the 2017 12.9 more. It's a better value to you, you prefer touchID, you won't feel like you have to pamper the device like you seem to feel about the 11, and you can get a Smart Cover.

You have to decide what your priorities are though, because while you seem to have more pros for the 2017 12.9 model, if you value the convenience of usb-C and the 2nd generation pencil and the luxury of the 11 more than than other things, then it doesn't matter how many pros you have going for the 12.9.

I will say, the things that seemed concerning to you about the 11" might be things you could get past. You might find that you prefer FaceID once you use it. There haven't been many complaints about bending iPads since the release. There should be similar cases/covers on Amazon to the Smart Cover for much cheaper and not much difference in quality.

Sorry if I just made you more confused when it comes to making the decision, but I hope I've provided some points that might help you think through the decision instead.

 

[TomOSeven]

It sounds like you'll prefer the 2017 12.9 more.

Afraid so, I can't see myself getting comfortable with a camera pointing at my face while I sweatily and cryingly labour over my lecture notes anytime time.

 

[hancuriang]

FaceID cant see your photo i think its just the algorithm/face prints/whatever thats saved. Nobody in the secret headquarter watches what the camera sees if youre worried. I mean im not the best looking person and i think the concern is kinda weird.... but mind you iphone’s faceID is superior, i unlock my ipad 50% of the time. I use my ipad 99% landscape mode so not sure if this causes it, maybe it works better in portrait but that said, landscape mode faceID sucks... and the distance is atrocious.. iphone faceID is amazing though

As for the bent, i havent seen any bent in my 12.9” ipp in 6 months.... for the pencil yes the ability to switch tool is great and no awkward charging but the magnet can scratch the charging spot... I think the magnet is so strong it scraps the paint off...

 

[Shirasaki]

Afraid so, I can't see myself getting comfortable with a camera pointing at my face while I sweatily and cryingly labour over my lecture notes anytime time.

This reason sounds a bit weird because essentially except iPad 1, you are facing a camera all the time while you use it, including iPad Pro 2017. The plus side for any iPad than iPad Pro 2018 is you can tape the front facing camera easily without any drawback. I guess this is a plus.

 

[AutomaticApple]

iPad Pro 12.9 2017 (refurbished)

Definitely go for this one.

 

[TomOSeven]

This reason sounds a bit weird because essentially except iPad 1, you are facing a camera all the time while you use it, including iPad Pro 2017.

Exactly, I always tape it. I know Apple doesn't use it to spy on me, it just makes me uneasy.

Pro 2017 it is, thanks friends.

 

[jerryk]

You might want to play with both. I did and went with the 11" Pro, It is an amazing device. Fast,fast,fast and screen is fantastic. Also, lighter and easier to carry. The 12.9 felt really big to me, and if you add a keyboard you at or exceed the bulk of a MacBook Pro 13". Can't wait to see what iPadOS brings to this platform.

But if you can't handle the camera not being covered go with the old 12.9 or 10.5

 

[ejin222]

I had the 2017 12.9 and upgraded to the 2018 12.9. I don't think you'll notice the performance difference, but after seeing what Apple did with iPadOS, it was clear there would be so much potential with USB-C. Plus, the added benefit of an always charged Pencil with lightning fast FaceID, I am happy I upgraded.

 

[MEJHarrison]

The front-facing camera is a non-issue. Whichever way you go, you'll have a camera pointed at your face. The newer iPads just add FaceID. It's not FaceID that would be taking your photo, but the front-facing camera available on both models you're looking at. Unless you're concerned that someone might somehow see a photo made up of dots that represents you, this shouldn't be a concern. Or, if you prefer, it should be a concern regardless of which model you go with.

For what it's worth, it just took me about 20 seconds to cover the front-facing camera on my 11" and I was still able to unlock with FaceID and validate that my front-facing camera was blind. So covering the camera shouldn't be an issue on either device, though you'd need to take slightly more precaution with a FaceID. But it's very easily done on either model.

 

[RevTEG]

Afraid so, I can't see myself getting comfortable with a camera pointing at my face while I sweatily and cryingly labour over my lecture notes anytime time.

I lecture from my 2018 12.9 pro 5/6 days a week according to my schedule. I did it with the 2017 12.9 as well. I prefer the current gen 12.9. The camera is awesome. Especially since six of my weekly lectures are either live or recorded and uploaded right from my iPad.

 

[JemiS]

I lecture from my 2018 12.9 pro 5/6 days a week according to my schedule. I did it with the 2017 12.9 as well. I prefer the current gen 12.9. The camera is awesome. Especially since six of my weekly lectures are either live or recorded and uploaded right from my iPad.

That's nice to hear. I've been thinking about upgrading from a 10.5" to a 12.9" for giving my lectures, but was worried about FaceID, due to the number of times I find myself unlocking it when it's not in front of me (reaching over a table, etc).

 

[jonnyb098]

First off....you can disable Face ID....Second, Every iPad since 2011 has a front camera. FaceID is strictly done ON DEVICE ONLY and can’t be accessed via the web. Stop being paranoid and get the 11 inch. You won’t be disappointed.

 

[RevTEG]

That's nice to hear. I've been thinking about upgrading from a 10.5" to a 12.9" for giving my lectures, but was worried about FaceID, due to the number of times I find myself unlocking it when it's not in front of me (reaching over a table, etc).

I don’t think you’ll have any issues. Once it’s unlocked and your lecturing from it there’s no reason for Face ID to be in use. My iPad doesn’t normally unlock with me just reaching across the table near it. Maybe that’s because I have my iPad to never turn off unless I do it or close the cover.

 

[JemiS]

First off....you can disable Face ID....Second, Every iPad since 2011 has a front camera. FaceID is strictly done ON DEVICE ONLY and can’t be accessed via the web. Stop being paranoid and get the 11 inch. You won’t be disappointed.

To clarify, I don’t mind the inclusion of FaceID, I just mind the missing Touch ID to unlock. I currently use that to unlock it a lot when my face would not be in front of the screen, so this feels like a step back to me.

 

[TomOSeven]

Or, if you prefer, it should be a concern regardless of which model you go with.

I thought I said that before. I just tape the front facing cameras, which isn't an option on the 2018 models because they don't have Touch ID.

 

[jterp7]

if you plan to use it for extended periods of time holding it I'd always say 11. However since you plan on using it for lectures and such I'd recommend at least trying the 12.9 in store, because if its gonna be used at a desk the size makes such a huge difference. Try not to think about the price difference too much so you don't end up regretting it later.

 

[Jack Neill]

Id go with the older 12.9, I always wanted one of those...

 

[MEJHarrison]

I thought I said that before. I just tape the front facing cameras, which isn't an option on the 2018 models because they don't have Touch ID.

You should re-read my post. I have a 2018 model with Face ID and was able to tape over the front-facing camera just fine without interfering with the operation of the Face ID system. So you're completely wrong there. It IS an option.

 

[TomOSeven]

Wait, Face ID doesn't use the front camera?

 

[JBGoode]

Wait, Face ID doesn't use the front camera?

You can cover just the middle portion of the notch which will block the selfie camera but still allow Face ID to work which uses the infrared camera I believe.

 

[MEJHarrison]

Wait, Face ID doesn't use the front camera?

No, FaceID uses the Infrared Camera, Dot Projector and Flood Illuminator. The Front-Facing camera isn't part of the FaceID system. As I said, I was able to completely cover my camera and still unlock with FaceID.

 

[TomOSeven]

No, FaceID uses the Infrared Camera, Dot Projector and Flood Illuminator. The Front-Facing camera isn't part of the FaceID system. As I said, I was able to completely cover my camera and still unlock with FaceID.

That almost made me get the 11 inch, then I saw the 12.9 inch was another 100 Euro off for the 512 GB version. That's 620 Euros for the 512 GB / cellular version, basically new.

 

[TomOSeven]

That almost made me get the 11 inch, then I saw the 12.9 inch was another 100 Euro off for the 512 GB version. That's 620 Euros for the 512 GB / cellular version, basically new.

iPad arrived, literally looks new, I was ace-tidal at first but it actually is the 512 GB version with LTE.