Daily Driver ?

[ProgRocker]

I'm most likely going to purchase an iPad Pro when the new ones are released. However considering the price, ect I don't think I'll be comfortable taking it out on trips and such. It will be more of a music composition tool, which I will just bring to studios and recording sessions, along with general usage.

Given this I was thinking it might make sense to pick up a 'cheap' daily driver that I could take out on business trips, hotel stays, vacations, ect. Losing/damaging an $80 tablet is one thing, Losing/damaging a +/- $800 iPad Pro is another.

So my question is, is this something that some/most iPad tablet owners do ? And if so which cheap(er) tablets do you use and which would you suggest ? I was looking at the Fire HD8, though I'm sure there are others in that price range.

Thanks...

 

[rui no onna]

For their last trip, my parents used a 2017 iPad with LTE (purchased for around $350).

Personally, I'm actually fine taking the iPad Pro with me on vacations. Granted, we usually stay with family on most trips so there's a secure location to leave the iPad and I can track it with its built-in LTE. Personal preference, I want my on-the-go tablet to work just like my normal tablet. An inexpensive Fire HD 10 might be great for videos and stuff but I'd find it too frustrating as an iPad replacement (even for a short car ride).

 

[ericwn]

I’ll take my Pro with me wherever I like. If I were to buy a device to use just on the road I’d probably get the 2018 iPad since it also has pencil Support - or an older 9.7” Pro for that reason.

 

[crodonline]

Even though it's older, maybe an iPad mini 4? Though the 2017/2018 iPads are cheaper and run faster, maybe a smaller iPad you can stash more easily would ease your fears.

In general, what would you use the iPad for other than music composition? If it's nothing that needs any special bells and whistles, just get an older iPad for travel. It would be easier to sync whatever you've done to your Pro if you get another iPad than a different kind of tablet.

If you will be just reading email, browsing the web, and maybe typing some notes, then a cheap Android tablet would be fine. Depends on your other uses.

 

[Jonathantuba]

Why not take the iPad Pro? Get Apple care in case of damage and add to your insurance policy in case of loss and take it out and enjoy.

There is little point in getting a lesser device as well and take that out. You will just not be satisfied. It is like having a lovely car and driving around in an old banger because you are worried of damaging the best car. You only live once - enjoy without worry!

 

[muzzy996]

I take my iPad Pro 12.9 with me wherever I go and if I somehow damaged it I am hoping that the AppleCare+ policy that I got for it will aid in getting repair or replacement. If my tablet were lost or stolen I’d purchase another in a heartbeat. Everyone’s needs and financial situation is different, I don’t have a ton of disposable income but I do rely upon the tablet enough that I would want to replace it immediately.

 

[rui no onna]

There is little point in getting a lesser device as well and take that out. You will just not be satisfied. It is like having a lovely car and driving around in an old banger because you are worried of damaging the best car. You only live once - enjoy without worry!

Lol, my aunt drives a Lexus but they rent a car for long drives from Los Angeles to Las Vegas or to San Francisco.

 

[A.R.E.A.M.]

My career is in television , film and music. I am a major android fanboy.

I went with the iPad Pro years ago when the first 12.9 pro came out. I’m now on version II and will get version III when it’s released. I wanted a large screen and wanted the tablet to mate well with music apps. The iPad Pro was better over the surface befcasue of the major support iOS haave with music developers. I had a nexus 9 at the time the pro came out.

I take the ipad everywhere along with me. I have a UDG ultimate large producer bag that i carry with me EVERYWHERE!

In addition to the iPad Pro 12.9, i carry:

akai mpc live
Akai 25 key Bluetooth keyboard
Arturia Audiofuse Interface
Akg n90q headphones
Portable battery box to power /charge my bits and pieces
Portable wifi box
Associated cables and bits

Ive been carrying this for well over a year. I keep the iPad Pro in a logitech keyboard case.

Ive been across the country , in studios (im in a studio now typing on the ipad) and its no issue to carry as a daily driver. Save that money to purchase music apps (I have about 1000 dollars worth of iOS music apps) instead of getting a second ipad you will not like after you get used to the large screen of the iPad Pro.

My opinion. Others’ mileage may vary....

 

[Newtons Apple]

Have two 10.5 iPad Pro's. One stays in the SUV for field use and the other next to the lazy boy for cruising the Internet, email, etc.

 

[RevTEG]

theres just no way I would leave my iPad Pro at home. Not for a $80 replacement tablet. I couldn't keep my workflow "flowing". I bought the iPad to use. Now my 1966 Chevy, I restored it to look at.

 

[thisismyusername]

Heck no! The main reason I got an iPad Pro is to have an ultra portable laptop replacement when I'm traveling. The fact that it's an awesome general purpose tablet for when I'm lounging around the house is just a bonus. No way I'd spend $800+ for a tablet that never leaves the house. Would you buy an iPhone X just for home use and a cheap android for when you're out and about?

As for damaging/losing it, etc... take good care of it like you would any other expensive device.

 

[0007776]

I wouldn't bother with a cheaper tablet to take out. As others have suggested if you are that worried about losing it or having it stolen get it added on to an insurance policy that will cover it if either of those cases happen, and get Apple care to cover any damage.

 

[rui no onna]

Would you buy an iPhone X just for home use and a cheap android for when you're out and about?

As for damaging/losing it, etc... take good care of it like you would any other expensive device.

We've actually done that although it was more current model iPhone for daily use in the US and a cheapie Android when traveling to the Philippines. Risk of theft kind of increases exponentially over there.

The problem with Android is my parents have a hard time learning it. Now, instead of buying a cheap Android phone, we just keep our older iPhones when we upgrade and use those on overseas trips.

 

[ProgRocker]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions guys.

 

[spiderman0616]

When I make a decision to leave my iPad Pro at home it's for practical purposes rather than wanting to protect it. When the iPad Pro stays home, it's because I decided that anything I needed to do while out could be done on my iPhone. We're going on a 10 day vacation this summer and the iPad Pro will be coming with me for sure. I can't go without it that long. But a weekend overnight trip? The iPhone will usually suffice.

I've always thought of my iPhones as mini iPads rather than iPads as large iPhones. I always bring the smallest tool that I feel will get the job done in the environment I will be in.

 

[rui no onna]

When I make a decision to leave my iPad Pro at home it's for practical purposes rather than wanting to protect it. When the iPad Pro stays home, it's because I decided that anything I needed to do while out could be done on my iPhone. We're going on a 10 day vacation this summer and the iPad Pro will be coming with me for sure. I can't go without it that long. But a weekend overnight trip? The iPhone will usually suffice.

I've always thought of my iPhones as mini iPads rather than iPads as large iPhones. I always bring the smallest tool that I feel will get the job done in the environment I will be in.

Lol, I won't even last one day without my iPad. Maybe when phones reach 7" (with battery life comparable to iPads), then I might consider them as mini iPads.