Considering upgrading to a 10.5” iPad Pro from a 2017 9.7” worth it?

[mossme89]

i have a 32gb cellular iPad 5 (2017 model). Considering upgrading to a 10.5” iPad Pro. I don’t like how the iPad I have is unusable outside. I like to sit on the porch and soak up some sun, but the display is unreadable in sunlight. Also, the 32gb of storage is too little for my usage. But more than anything, I’m intrigued by the speed of the new iPad Pro. I’m not sure how noticeable it is in day to day usage, but I’m the kind of user who likes to do things as fast as my device allows me.

If I sell my iPad, the net cost will probably be around $200 to get a 64gb WiFi model. I found I haven’t been using the cellular radio so a WiFi model should be fine. What do you think, would it be worth it for me to upgrade?

 

[Stealthdiggers]

I believe it is a substantial upgrade and I have noticed a huge difference in performance and experience going from the 9.7 to the 10.5. I can honestly say I didn't think it would be that much better but it is and my main reason for upgrading was the 512GB space for video editing.
To me this is has been the best upgrade yet.

 

[spiderman0616]

I found it to be very much worth it. The screen size increase doesn't look like much on paper or in screenshots, but it's noticeable and appreciated. The ProMotion screen is also a noticeable upgrade. Also, you're going to get double the RAM. Your 9.7" Pro only has 2 GB and the 10.5" will have 4 GB. This will enable the full suite of multitasking features in iOS 11. If you use the slide over or split screen a lot, the 9.7" will be a bit limited there as it won't be able to keep 3 apps "live" on screen at the same time.

But for me, what has turned into the single biggest and most unexpected improvement--the onscreen keyboard. I primarily use the Apple Smart Keyboard, but I have found that I can comfortably type at a fairly normal speed on the 10.5" Pro's onscreen keyboard. I could not say that about the 9.7" Pro or any of the other iPads I owned before that. Because it's been such a positive change in that department, I have started using my normal Smart Cover more when I take the iPad somewhere with me, because I know if I need to type anything lengthy on the go, the onscreen keyboard will do just fine.

 

[sracer]

i have a 32gb cellular iPad 5 (2017 model). Considering upgrading to a 10.5” iPad Pro. I don’t like how the iPad I have is unusable outside. I like to sit on the porch and soak up some sun, but the display is unreadable in sunlight.

The 10.5 Pro is not going to have appreciably better viewing experience than the 2017 iPad when using it outside. I recommend trying to find someone who has one and trying it outdoors for yourself.

Also, the 32gb of storage is too little for my usage.

Well, that is an issue. But that doesn't require moving on to a 10.5 Pro. A higher capacity 2017 9.7 would resolve the space issue at a much lower cost.

But more than anything, I’m intrigued by the speed of the new iPad Pro. I’m not sure how noticeable it is in day to day usage, but I’m the kind of user who likes to do things as fast as my device allows me.

I don't think that is what you mean. You can do things as fast as your device allows now. That is true for whatever device you have. If you mean "likes to perform tasks with the fastest possible hardware" then yes, the 10.5 Pro will do things faster than the 2017 9.7. If that is a priority for you then there really is nothing to debate. Get the newer/faster device.

If I sell my iPad, the net cost will probably be around $200 to get a 64gb WiFi model. I found I haven’t been using the cellular radio so a WiFi model should be fine. What do you think, would it be worth it for me to upgrade?

It seems like you have already decided what are just looking for confirmation. Given YOUR priorities and preferences, yes it is worth it to upgrade.

If *I* were in your shoes, no I would not. Since space is a problem, I'd get a non-cellular 2017 9.7 with a larger capacity. (Probably would cost LESS than the 32GB cellular model you currently have)

 

[mossme89]

I found it to be very much worth it. The screen size increase doesn't look like much on paper or in screenshots, but it's noticeable and appreciated. The ProMotion screen is also a noticeable upgrade. Also, you're going to get double the RAM. Your 9.7" Pro only has 2 GB and the 10.5" will have 4 GB. This will enable the full suite of multitasking features in iOS 11. If you use the slide over or split screen a lot, the 9.7" will be a bit limited there as it won't be able to keep 3 apps "live" on screen at the same time.

But for me, what has turned into the single biggest and most unexpected improvement--the onscreen keyboard. I primarily use the Apple Smart Keyboard, but I have found that I can comfortably type at a fairly normal speed on the 10.5" Pro's onscreen keyboard. I could not say that about the 9.7" Pro or any of the other iPads I owned before that. Because it's been such a positive change in that department, I have started using my normal Smart Cover more when I take the iPad somewhere with me, because I know if I need to type anything lengthy on the go, the onscreen keyboard will do just fine.

Good point.

What orientation do you type on (big keyboard or small keyboard)? On my 9.7 (which I’m typing this from), I find the big keyboard in landscape to be too big where it slows me down, but the small keyboard in portrait is annoyingly uncomfortable. I seem to miss the space bar a lot, or hit the comma button when I mean to hit space. It’s taken me months to get used to it and even now I make a lot of mistakes while typing.
[doublepost=1505258935][/doublepost]

The 10.5 Pro is not going to have appreciably better viewing experience than the 2017 iPad when using it outside. I recommend trying to find someone who has one and trying it outdoors for yourself.



Well, that is an issue. But that doesn't require moving on to a 10.5 Pro. A higher capacity 2017 9.7 would resolve the space issue at a much lower cost.



I don't think that is what you mean. You can do things as fast as your device allows now. That is true for whatever device you have. If you mean "likes to perform tasks with the fastest possible hardware" then yes, the 10.5 Pro will do things faster than the 2017 9.7. If that is a priority for you then there really is nothing to debate. Get the newer/faster device.

I mean without any UI lag. There’s always been stutters, temporary freezes, and hiccups on older devices since the time smartphones have been around. Though I’m not sure if we are to the point where this is no longer a concern. Just like how around the time core 2 duo’s came out, the average computer was powerful enough to where going from mid-range to high-end wouldn’t be noticeable for day to day tasks. I mean maybe a split second in some cases but overall running without lag. I’m sure you remember back in the day the old Pentium 4’s running Windows XP’s that lagged constantly and took forever to do anything. Just not sure if we’ve reached that point on mobile yet.

It seems like you have already decided what are just looking for confirmation. Given YOUR priorities and preferences, yes it is worth it to upgrade.

If *I* were in your shoes, no I would not. Since space is a problem, I'd get a non-cellular 2017 9.7 with a larger capacity. (Probably would cost LESS than the 32GB cellular model you currently have)

Good point. I guess i feel like if I’m going to upgrade and have to sell my old device, I’d probably be better off getting the best.
[doublepost=1505258969][/doublepost]

I believe it is a substantial upgrade and I have noticed a huge difference in performance and experience going from the 9.7 to the 10.5. I can honestly say I didn't think it would be that much better but it is and my main reason for upgrading was the 512GB space for video editing.
To me this is has been the best upgrade yet.

Could you elaborate? Is it noticeable in day to day usage or just video editing?

 

[spiderman0616]

Good point.

What orientation do you type on (big keyboard or small keyboard)? On my 9.7 (which I’m typing this from), I find the big keyboard in landscape to be too big where it slows me down, but the small keyboard in portrait is annoyingly uncomfortable. I seem to miss the space bar a lot, or hit the comma button when I mean to hit space. It’s taken me months to get used to it and even now I make a lot of mistakes while typing.
[doublepost=1505258935][/doublepost]
I mean without any UI lag. There’s always been stutters, temporary freezes, and hiccups on older devices since the time smartphones have been around. Though I’m not sure if we are to the point where this is no longer a concern. Just like how around the time core 2 duo’s came out, the average computer was powerful enough to where going from mid-range to high-end wouldn’t be noticeable for day to day tasks. I mean maybe a split second in some cases but overall running without lag. I’m sure you remember back in the day the old Pentium 4’s running Windows XP’s that lagged constantly and took forever to do anything. Just not sure if we’ve reached that point on mobile yet.




Good point. I guess i feel like if I’m going to upgrade and have to sell my old device, I’d probably be better off getting the best.
[doublepost=1505258969][/doublepost]
Could you elaborate? Is it noticeable in day to day usage or just video editing?

I type on it in landscape mode and usually laying flat in my lap if I don't have the ASK out.