iPad Dilemma - which model to go for?

[DMB1]

Hi folks, in the market for a new iPad after deciding on a change from my 9th gen normal iPad.

It’ll be used for the odd teams/zoom call for coaching, browsing the internet, watching Netflix and maybe the odd PowerPoint on the go when I can’t be bothered bringing my MacBook.

I’ve toyed with the 13 inch air, but won’t be using it with a keyboard.

The following options are -

M1 iPad Pro refurbished - £549 from Apple
M2 iPad Air 11 - £599 from Apple
M2 iPad Pro - £650ish from eBay (new)
M4 iPad Pro - £999 from Apple

Things that I’m considering is - longevity and future support with iOS releases.

I prefer Face ID over touch.

Pro motion isn’t really a big thing to me, can’t really see it on my iPhone.

What’s people’s thought on the best value?

 

[okkibs]

That's no dilemma, it's simple. The best value is the M1 iPad Pro refurbished straight from Apple as that one's basically good as new.

The M2 Air has worse hardware and costs more. The M2 iPad Pro is basically no different from the M1 generation. The M4 is great and personally I'd choose that since I want the very best iPad hardware on offer but you get 95% of that with the M1 version at a great price... that's as long as you are going for the 12.9" version.

The 11" M1/M2 iPad Pros have a static backlit display with a much lower contrast than on the 11" M4.

Since you are looking at the 11" models I'd choose solely based on the display. All 11" iPads other than the new M4 have the same kind of display that most computer screens had for years. Unless you have a 14" or 16" Macbook you will also have the same kind of display in your Macbook, IPS static backlit. The contrast just isn't very good, blacks are grey.

Does it matter much for browsing the internet and Office use? Nope, not at all. The M1 iPad Pro is still the winner for best value but the 11" display is nothing special. It gets the job done and it's what you'd expect at £549. You'd have to pay twice as much for an improvement. Few people care that much about the display.

longevity and future support with iOS releases.

The M4 wins that. Considering that you can save 50% of the cost with the M1 model there is no point in getting M4 just for longer update support. Because after all you could just spend that money you saved in 2024 on a new iPad with much longer support in 4-5 years from now. Paying twice as much just to get a few more years of new iOS versions is never a good idea.

Once you put it all together, 11" M4 with the better display, lower weight, more iOS updates, somewhat better battery life, if you don't care spending twice as much you could just get the 11" and call it a day. But it won't matter for Office and browsing. If you had asked for a recommendation for very intense use where every bit of performance and battery matters I'd have recommended the M4.

longevity

A new battery is most important for that as you can never get an iPad battery replaced. Apple does not replace batteries in iPads ever, they only replace the entire iPad and the rules for that are so strict that it's basically impossible under normal circumstances. Hence the Apple refurbished version makes sense as it always comes with a new battery (for iPads as well as iPhones, but not Macbooks).

This is a reason why I don't by default recommend the most expensive iPad Pro. Because after 3-4 years battery life will be mediocre at best anyways and then you are stuck with that.

 

[pedregosa]

Hi folks, in the market for a new iPad after deciding on a change from my 9th gen normal iPad.

It’ll be used for the odd teams/zoom call for coaching, browsing the internet, watching Netflix and maybe the odd PowerPoint on the go when I can’t be bothered bringing my MacBook.

I’ve toyed with the 13 inch air, but won’t be using it with a keyboard.

The following options are -

M1 iPad Pro refurbished - £549 from Apple
M2 iPad Air 11 - £599 from Apple
M2 iPad Pro - £650ish from eBay (new)
M4 iPad Pro - £999 from Apple

Things that I’m considering is - longevity and future support with iOS releases.

I prefer Face ID over touch.

Pro motion isn’t really a big thing to me, can’t really see it on my iPhone.

What’s people’s thought on the best value?

The best value would be none of those, but the IP 10, which is a great buy at its new price point — $350 in the US. It won't give you Touch ID, admittedly. But it is more than enough for the uses you mention. The Verge now recommends it over the M2 Airs. Ironically, it offered the FaceTime camera on the horizontal edge and function keys on the optional keyboard long before any of the pricier iPads did.

 

[klasma]

M2 iPad Air 11, because of the landscape camera for Zoom/Teams, and having a better screen (laminated, AR coating, P3) and better longevity than the iPad 10.

If you watch a lot in dark environments and/or use it a lot in broad daylight or other bright lighting, then the M4 iPad Pro, but wait until you can get it 5–10% cheaper.

 

[cambookpro]

I don’t disagree with any of this analysis, but I would say that having done multiple Teams calls on my 2018 iPad Pro vs my new M4 Pro, the horizontal camera makes a massive difference if using in a keyboard/other horizontal stand like the Smart Folio. If that’s a big use case for the OP (it is mentioned), it’s a big enough improvement to make me think the M2 Air is the better buy over the M1 Pro, even though you lose things like ProMotion, Face ID etc.

That's no dilemma, it's simple. The best value is the M1 iPad Pro refurbished straight from Apple as that one's basically good as new.

The M2 Air has worse hardware and costs more. The M2 iPad Pro is basically no different from the M1 generation. The M4 is great and personally I'd choose that since I want the very best iPad hardware on offer but you get 95% of that with the M1 version at a great price... that's as long as you are going for the 12.9" version.

The 11" M1/M2 iPad Pros have a static backlit display with a much lower contrast than on the 11" M4.

Since you are looking at the 11" models I'd choose solely based on the display. All 11" iPads other than the new M4 have the same kind of display that most computer screens had for years. Unless you have a 14" or 16" Macbook you will also have the same kind of display in your Macbook, IPS static backlit. The contrast just isn't very good, blacks are grey.

Does it matter much for browsing the internet and Office use? Nope, not at all. The M1 iPad Pro is still the winner for best value but the 11" display is nothing special. It gets the job done and it's what you'd expect at £549. You'd have to pay twice as much for an improvement. Few people care that much about the display.


The M4 wins that. Considering that you can save 50% of the cost with the M1 model there is no point in getting M4 just for longer update support. Because after all you could just spend that money you saved in 2024 on a new iPad with much longer support in 4-5 years from now. Paying twice as much just to get a few more years of new iOS versions is never a good idea.

Once you put it all together, 11" M4 with the better display, lower weight, more iOS updates, somewhat better battery life, if you don't care spending twice as much you could just get the 11" and call it a day. But it won't matter for Office and browsing. If you had asked for a recommendation for very intense use where every bit of performance and battery matters I'd have recommended the M4.


A new battery is most important for that as you can never get an iPad battery replaced. Apple does not replace batteries in iPads ever, they only replace the entire iPad and the rules for that are so strict that it's basically impossible under normal circumstances. Hence the Apple refurbished version makes sense as it always comes with a new battery (for iPads as well as iPhones, but not Macbooks).

This is a reason why I don't by default recommend the most expensive iPad Pro. Because after 3-4 years battery life will be mediocre at best anyways and then you are stuck with that.

 

[DMB1]

The only thing that would sway me to M1 Pro is for Face ID.

I wouldn’t want the iPad 10 based on the chip it has.

So really down to the either m2 Air or just spend extra and go for the m4 11.

 

[Isamilis]

Hi folks, in the market for a new iPad after deciding on a change from my 9th gen normal iPad.

It’ll be used for the odd teams/zoom call for coaching, browsing the internet, watching Netflix and maybe the odd PowerPoint on the go when I can’t be bothered bringing my MacBook.

I’ve toyed with the 13 inch air, but won’t be using it with a keyboard.

The following options are -

M1 iPad Pro refurbished - £549 from Apple
M2 iPad Air 11 - £599 from Apple
M2 iPad Pro - £650ish from eBay (new)
M4 iPad Pro - £999 from Apple

Things that I’m considering is - longevity and future support with iOS releases.

I prefer Face ID over touch.

Pro motion isn’t really a big thing to me, can’t really see it on my iPhone.

What’s people’s thought on the best value?

It seems your budget is not very tight. In this case, M2 Pro might be the best option. If you have more budget, get Magic Keyboard (you will enjoy typing in iPad) and more storage (or even 1TB storage - so you get 16gb ram which will benefits for apps running concurrently). I don’t think M4 iPad is good choice for now, especially it still 1st iteration.

 

[dumastudetto]

The older iPad Pros will be getting cut off from some future new feature releases. Very possible WWDC will have stuff exclusive to the M4... especially AI technologies.

If you can go afford to splurge on the M4 iPad Pro, I'd go for that.

 

[Doodah7]

The older iPad Pros will be getting cut off from some future new feature releases. Very possible WWDC will have stuff exclusive to the M4... especially AI technologies.

If you can go afford to splurge on the M4 iPad Pro, I'd go for that.

Hardly. Apple are not going to cut the week old new iPad Air off at the knees and throw everything in on the M4 chip. AI will work on at least M2 if not M1.

 

[ctjack]

M4 is leaps ahead even when compared to full blown laptops like M1 air, m1 pro.
I think it is worth it to stretch 400 now to be stocked for years later.

Otherwise if you are looking just for an ipad and get the job done, nothing is wrong with the existing ipad 9th gen for $250 (which you already have) to save some buck.

 

[Doodah7]

M4 is leaps ahead even when compared to full blown laptops like M1 air, m1 pro.
I think it is worth it to stretch 400 now to be stocked for years later.

Otherwise if you are looking just for an ipad and get the job done, nothing is wrong with the existing ipad 9th gen for $250 (which you already have) to save some buck.

This is terrible advice. Overpay vastly now for what benefit? A shiny screen and a chip that no-one can use?? All well and good advising people to spend their money and not yours on ifs, buts and maybes.

OP: M1 refurbished from the Apple Store will stand you in good stead for many years and is half the price of what the fanboys here would have you buy with your own money. However, as I am also currently on the fence, I'm waiting to see what WWDC brings in two weeks and then decide. I would suggest you do the same if you are not in a huge rush.

 

[dumastudetto]

Hardly. Apple are not going to cut the week old new iPad Air off at the knees and throw everything in on the M4 chip. AI will work on at least M2 if not M1.

Depends if they have specific AI / Other features targeted at iPads Pros. Not long to wait to find out anyway.

 

[aurora_sect]

Whatever M4 Pro-only features might be rolled out next month may be, it seems it would have been smart marketing on Apple's part to clearly broadcast any imminent bombshell new features when they released the new iPads.

If Apple told me on launch day that the new M4 iPad will be able to pack my lunch for me come summertime, I'd have been all over it. Cha-ching.

I agree though that those who can wait another month probably should.

 

[Doodah7]

Interesting that Marques Brownlee, in his latest M4 iPad Pro review, says that he will continue to use his M1 iPad Pro and has no need for the latest and greatest.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Looks like you keep your devices for a while so get the M4 for the longest service.

 

[Surfsalot]

Interesting that Marques Brownlee, in his latest M4 iPad Pro review, says that he will continue to use his M1 iPad Pro and has no need for the latest and greatest.

Where?

 

[ctjack]

Interesting that Marques Brownlee, in his latest M4 iPad Pro review, says that he will continue to use his M1 iPad Pro and has no need for the latest and greatest.

He said the same about M1 Pro MacBook 14 laptop. I truly feel the same cause owned this laptop and do not need to replace it.

But we were the buyers who bought right away and 3 years ago. If a person trying to buy now, then the value proposition could change. Chances are with M4 anything (ipad or mac), you will feel the same in 3 years, and will tell everyone that you do not feel upgrading.