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RaphaZ

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 2, 2021
258
79
Hello!

I have a 5th generation iPad, which I use mainly for media and, most important, work.
I’m a PhD student, and I need to scan a lot of historical documents (when I run out of light, I pick up my iphone 11). My iPad is great, but it can't manage my workflow nowadays (hundreds of pages in ScannerPro, Gmail, some Safari, etc).
I have already decided to purchase a brand new iPad (10,2", 2021): I have still more 2 years to go, and I need a better equipment. So, I did ordered an iPad, yesterday, from Amazon, the wi-fi model with 256 GB. It will only arrive here, Portugal, in two weeks, which is very good according to the estimated delivery dates of the basic iPad. I have also ordered accessories, like the pencil and a case, and they have just arrived - accessories and no tablet!

I have two questions. This iPad will cost me around 550 euros. I saw iPad Pro 11" (2020) selling from 650 euros in the UK's refurbished store. Would you maintain the choice on the regular iPad or would you pay extra 100 euros to buy the pro? More than 500 euros is more than I was about to pay, but I don't like the estimated delivery date of the 64GB model extended till late January'22! This 64GB model would fit me well, I guess, as I payed already for some extra iCloud storage, but I can't wait much longer.

The last question is if you consider A13 chip (and A12X chip) really good and future-proof to handle my workflow? I guess that anything beyond this A9 iPad would be a beast...

Thank you in advance!
Rafael

EDIT: the purpose behind the Apple Pencil is to edit the scanned documents and to take notes on them. I think that will be a major improvement!
 
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rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,922
13,277
Hello!

I have a 5th generation iPad, which I use mainly for media and, most important, work.
I’m a PhD student, and I need to scan a lot of historical documents (when I run out of light, I pick up my iphone 11). My iPad is great, but it can't manage my workflow nowadays (hundreds of pages in ScannerPro, Gmail, some Safari, etc).
I have already decided to purchase a brand new iPad (10,2", 2021): I have still more 2 years to go, and I need a better equipment. So, I did ordered an iPad, yesterday, from Amazon, the wi-fi model with 256 GB. It will only arrive here, Portugal, in two weeks, which is very good according to the estimated delivery dates of the basic iPad. I have also ordered accessories, like the pencil and a case, and they have just arrived - accessories and no tablet!

I have two questions. This iPad will cost me around 550 euros. I saw iPad Pro 11" (2020) selling from 650 euros in the UK's refurbished store. Would you maintain the choice on the regular iPad or would you pay extra 100 euros to buy the pro? More than 500 euros is more than I was about to pay, but I don't like the estimated delivery date of the 64GB model extended till late January'22! This 64GB model would fit me well, I guess, as I payed already for some extra iCloud storage, but I can't wait much longer.

The last question is if you consider A13 chip (and A12X chip) really good and future-proof to handle my workflow? I guess that anything beyond this A9 iPad would be a beast...

Thank you in advance!
Rafael

I vote for iPad Pro for better back camera. I find it helps with scanning. The 5th gen already lasted you this long. I expect either A12X or A13 would last you even longer.
 
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fwmireault

macrumors 68020
Jul 4, 2019
2,292
9,717
Montréal, Canada
If you plan to use heavily the Apple Pencil, I would recommend going with the iPad Pro because Apple Pencil 2 is much more convenient to charge than Apple Pencil 1. For future proofing, I would recommend not to look for any device older than the A12, but both are fine in that regard. The better camera quality on iPad Pro may be useful for scanning purpose, but the difference will not be dramatic. Both are great choices, but if you're sure 64GB is enough for you, I'd go with the iPad Pro
 
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RaphaZ

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 2, 2021
258
79
Would you find 64 GB sufficient or 256 GB would be better?
 

Phil77354

macrumors 68000
Jun 22, 2014
1,928
2,036
Pacific Northwest, U.S.
The iPad Pro is definitely a significant step up from the base iPad and I can confirm from my own experience that it is well worth the extra cost.

My wife and I have worked our way through base model iPads - 4th generation through 7th generation - before moving to the 11" iPad Pro beginning just a year ago. We're both now using 11" Pro models, 2020 and 2021 (M1) models.

If you can afford the additional cost then I recommend you get the Pro.
 
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RaphaZ

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 2, 2021
258
79
Speaking just about classic iPads, 64 GB model might arrive just in January 22. I would love a 128 GB model, I think it would fit perfectly. 256 GB just seems to much, I’m afraid I could get a better solution for that price.
 
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sird28

macrumors member
Jan 16, 2012
88
65
Watch for deals, but I got the 13 inch and magic keyboard open box from best buy for $1100 for it all this is of course the 128 gb wifi. Just look and you can find deals out there.
 
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PBG4 Dude

macrumors 601
Jul 6, 2007
4,366
4,646
The pro has flash LED built in so you wouldn’t need to use your phone for light. Does the non-pro iPad have flash LED?
 

RaphaZ

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 2, 2021
258
79
Do you think RAM plays a great role over my decision?
And the fact that I don’t want more accessories than the pencil.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,922
13,277
Do you think RAM plays a great role over my decision?
And the fact that I don’t want more accessories than the pencil.

RAM plays a part in how smoothly things run. Question is how patient are you and how much multitasking do you do?

Both my mom and dad get by just fine with their old iPads (Pro 9.7 and 5th gen). I expect they'll use those until the iPads break. Meanwhile, the constant reloads will probably drive me nuts if I had to use those as my primary iPad. I was already getting frustrated on occasion even with the 2017 Pros (A10X + 4GB RAM).
 
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EastHillWill

macrumors 6502
Dec 2, 2020
472
551
Boise, ID
Do you think RAM plays a great role over my decision?
And the fact that I don’t want more accessories than the pencil.
Unless you have memory-intensive pro app workflows I’d say no. Frankly, iOS and iPadOS don’t seem to do much with the extra RAM in newer models. For example, I have a 13 Pro that closes the active file in Google Sheets when the Clock and Music are the only other apps running. Anyways! I wouldn’t worry too much about RAM. However, if you can find a refurbished iPad Pro for about the same price as a base iPad I think it’s a worthwhile upgrade. (For non-RAM reasons.)
 
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terryw1

macrumors regular
Jan 12, 2018
221
155
phoenix
Hello!

I have a 5th generation iPad, which I use mainly for media and, most important, work.
I’m a PhD student, and I need to scan a lot of historical documents (when I run out of light, I pick up my iphone 11). My iPad is great, but it can't manage my workflow nowadays (hundreds of pages in ScannerPro, Gmail, some Safari, etc).
I have already decided to purchase a brand new iPad (10,2", 2021): I have still more 2 years to go, and I need a better equipment. So, I did ordered an iPad, yesterday, from Amazon, the wi-fi model with 256 GB. It will only arrive here, Portugal, in two weeks, which is very good according to the estimated delivery dates of the basic iPad. I have also ordered accessories, like the pencil and a case, and they have just arrived - accessories and no tablet!

I have two questions. This iPad will cost me around 550 euros. I saw iPad Pro 11" (2020) selling from 650 euros in the UK's refurbished store. Would you maintain the choice on the regular iPad or would you pay extra 100 euros to buy the pro? More than 500 euros is more than I was about to pay, but I don't like the estimated delivery date of the 64GB model extended till late January'22! This 64GB model would fit me well, I guess, as I payed already for some extra iCloud storage, but I can't wait much longer.

The last question is if you consider A13 chip (and A12X chip) really good and future-proof to handle my workflow? I guess that anything beyond this A9 iPad would be a beast...

Thank you in advance!
Rafael

EDIT: the purpose behind the Apple Pencil is to edit the scanned documents and to take notes on them. I think that will be a major improvement!
There are a bunch of refurb pros on the store right now. I would snag one with your desired storage capacity. I counted over q2. Now is the time!
 

RaphaZ

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 2, 2021
258
79
Thank you all. Your comments were useful.
I actually decided to downgrade my options and wait for the classic 64GB model: a little bit was better, but I can manage my workflow with an iCloud improvement. I didn't want to pay more money, and you made me confident that the A13 chip will run smoothly the operations I need. I'll just wait that Amazon brings me the iPad as soon as they can :)
 

1BadManVan

macrumors 68040
Dec 20, 2009
3,285
3,446
Bc Canada
Thank you all. Your comments were useful.
I actually decided to downgrade my options and wait for the classic 64GB model: a little bit was better, but I can manage my workflow with an iCloud improvement. I didn't want to pay more money, and you made me confident that the A13 chip will run smoothly the operations I need. I'll just wait that Amazon brings me the iPad as soon as they can :)
You’ll still love it. A13 is still a very fast chip. My mom has the 5th gen with the A9 so she’ll appreciate the nice bump in speed with her new 9th gen for Christmas
 
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