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Condition of iPads after some time of use?

kristalsoldier

kristalsoldier

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 10, 2013
818
523
Hi all,

Just wanting to gain a sense of what is the average condition of your iPads after the warranty period is up (1 yr). How long do you folks keep your devices before upgrading generally? And, what is the condition of your device when you upgrade?

I have a IPP 10.5”. It’s just over a year old. I have the ASC and the Pencil, which I use very often. I carry it in the Apple leather sleeve, which in turn I put inside a padded sleeve. No back cover or protection.

After 1 year, I find my device to have no scratches on the back or elsewhere on the body. The screen has one small scratch near the right lower middle section...closer to the bezel. I don’t notice it at all, but I know it’s there. Probably caused by either some grit caught inadvertently in the ASC or when I was cleaning the screen given that it gets so messy with fingerprints. Don’t like the idea of screen protectors, especially on the iPad.

So, what are your experiences?
 
I have always found iPads too uncomfortable and slippery to use naked and have used a case from day one. Therefor all my iPads have looked brand new until I've upgraded.

I had my previous iPad for 6 years. The 10.5 Pro will last as long as I intend not to avoid software updates as much as possible.

Only a 4K or OLED screen will tempt me to upgrade.
 
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My 2010 iPad still works. It’s been in the official Apple case since day 1 and still looks almost brand new. Web browsing sucks on it though as it uses an ancient JavaScript engine.
 
Well my launch day original iPad Air still has epic battery life lol so there is that.

I even still own my launch iPad 2(not in use).

So you can say iPads hold up amazingly well imo.

We also have the newest 32gb 9.7 iPad in the house. Great device.

My gf uses a current iPad Pro which she loves. I’m holding out for the next one.

I’ve owned a ton of iPads throughout the years, can’t soesk for everyone but for me they have been flawless. Can’t kill them.
 
I have an iPad 2 (6 years old), which has lived in a case. Externally - perfect. We stopped using it because it was so slow - bridge too far on the iOS updates. The battery won't hold a charge, and it won't turn on anymore. Oh well...
 
I have an Air 2 and a 12.9" gen 2 Pro. Both are still in fine working condition. I think anything with 2 GB or more RAM is still a perfectly working device.
 
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My iPad 3 still works though I don't use it as often. Mainly cause I put the SIM card in a hotspot.

Heck my original iPad still works. I use it to play music.

I've had both in cases since I got them. No scratches on the screen. I'll probably finally upgrade to an iPad Pro once the new ones come out.
 
My 5 yr old ipad mini 2 has multiple cracks in the screen and the home button is totally broken. I had to set up a virtual home button in settings. Works okay, but sometimes it dissapears completely. Overall the ipad works fine, but is getting annoyingly slow. I can’t wait to upgrade to one of the new ipad pros when they come out. The thing i am looking forward to the most besides the huge speed increase , is the lack of a home button. The home button has failed on Every iPad I’ve owned. Will be nice not having to deal with one anymore.
 
My air 2 has a crack across the bottom of the screen. It’s annoying but actually pretty faint and does not affect performance.
 
I've always sold my used iPads with no appreciable blemishes or aberrations to the screen – I've always used Smart Covers and protected them while taking them with me.

I think the closest thing I've had to wear was a slight dulling of the housing's aluminum from those original Smart Covers with the metal hinges.
 
Air2 that’s been in a leather Apple smart case since day 1 looks brand new.. Waiting to see what the new pro’s look like before I upgrade. 10.5 pro is a nice device though and I could upgrade if the price is right
 
kristalsoldier said:
Hi all,

Just wanting to gain a sense of what is the average condition of your iPads after the warranty period is up (1 yr). How long do you folks keep your devices before upgrading generally? And, what is the condition of your device when you upgrade?

I have a IPP 10.5”. It’s just over a year old. I have the ASC and the Pencil, which I use very often. I carry it in the Apple leather sleeve, which in turn I put inside a padded sleeve. No back cover or protection.

After 1 year, I find my device to have no scratches on the back or elsewhere on the body. The screen has one small scratch near the right lower middle section...closer to the bezel. I don’t notice it at all, but I know it’s there. Probably caused by either some grit caught inadvertently in the ASC or when I was cleaning the screen given that it gets so messy with fingerprints. Don’t like the idea of screen protectors, especially on the iPad.

So, what are your experiences?
Click to expand...
My father is still using his first gen iPad everyday. My kids still use my first gen iPad everyday for watching Netflix. Still has all day battery life
 
9.7 Pro, had it in a case so condition is good. I have it on iOS 9 so performance and battery life are like new. Really happy with it.
 
kristalsoldier said:
Just wanting to gain a sense of what is the average condition of your iPads after the warranty period is up (1 yr).
...
So, what are your experiences?
Click to expand...
I have an iPad mini 4, almost 3 years old now. Since the beginning it "lives" inside a case (a cheap one but very nice looking, providing excellent protection) and it is today in mint condition. Only its battery starts showing some fatigue signs.
 
I gave my iPad 3 to my mother-in-law just a year ago. I took care of it and kept it in a neoprene case when not in use. I used it for home, work, and school. I used a bluetooth keyboard to take class notes, and work meeting notes (work did not issue me a laptop). I never got a scratch on it. My mother-in-law does not take it out of the house, but uses it nearly every day. When I last saw it a month ago, it still did not have any scratches on it.

I gave my iPad Air 2 to my spouse and have also taken care of it. It has a silicon case along with an Apple cover. Before giving it to her, I used it constantly at home and often at work to take meeting notes with a cheep bluetooth keyboard. The case and cover has got minor scuff marks and hardly noticeable scratches. The iPad itself has no marks on it.

I have a iPad 2018 with pencil. I use it for home and work. I create drawings and videos on it for work purposes as well as fun. It has a silicon case and Apple cover. the iPad has no marks on the device.

These are expensive devices. Take care of them and they last.

P.S. I have a 92 year old uncle. He has a 11 year old iMac. It still works as well as it did the day he bought it and he has moved three times with it. (Yes, he has not been able to update it in a while but it still does everything that he needs to do, including connect with his still functioning iPad 3.)
 
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10.5 Pro, no case, no screen protector (they are stupid), don't baby it. Barely a scratch on it, and that's after a few low-level drops. Not a mark on the screen. Just use it, it will last a long time. Really great devices, iPad Pro with laminated screen is my favorite Apple product.
 
Velin said:
10.5 Pro, no case, no screen protector (they are stupid), don't baby it. Barely a scratch on it, and that's after a few low-level drops. Not a mark on the screen. Just use it, it will last a long time. Really great devices, iPad Pro with laminated screen is my favorite Apple product.
Click to expand...
Yeps, its one of my favourite devices too.
 
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