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Have iPad 3 Gen. Should I upgrade to new iPad Pro or new iPad that was introduced today?

A

Appurushido

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 28, 2012
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Looking to upgrade from my 3rd gen iPad (first retina display). It's THICC AF, so looking to lighten up the load. Which is best for my needs?

I use iPad for:

-iTunes (movies, and streaming)
-YouTube
-Web browsing
-Email
-Light gaming
-Online shopping
-Apple news feed
-Some video editing
-Netflix + streaming services


Thanks!
 
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I used to have an iPad 3, so I know how underpowered they were (and that was 2 years ago I sold it, so they’d be worse nowadays).

You could probably upgrade to an iPod Touch
 
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Krayzkat said:
I used to have an iPad 3, so I know how underpowered they were (and that was 2 years ago I sold it, so they’d be worse nowadays).
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Well, at most they're running iOS 9.3.5 same as 2 years ago so they probably wouldn't be worse. Merely just as bad. ;)
 
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What’s your price point? I upgraded from 2017 iPad to PP 10.5. The screen is nicer to me but I wasn’t missing anything really. That was last month knowing the newer models were coming soon.
 
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Either one is going to be a massive upgrade and handle pretty much all of those tasks. Depends on your budget, and whether the laminated P3 screen, 120 Hz refresh rate, larger size, better cameras, Smart Keyboard compatibility, better graphics performance, four speakers and second-gen Touch ID are worth the extra money.
 
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Personally, if I were to use the iPad a lot every day, I’d get the Pro with the nicer screen. Maybe even 12.9”. The iPad that was announced this week however is great value and will be a huge update already to you.
 
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I’m just surprised you could stand the 3rd gen this long. I was ready to throw mine against the wall in frustration until trading it in for the 5th gen last fall.

If in your situation, I’d go directly to the 6th gen. Beautiful high resolution retina display with the latest fast processor at a decent price. Should perform well for quite a long time.
 
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Appurushido said:
I use iPad for:

-iTunes (movies, and streaming)
-YouTube
-Web browsing
-Email
-Light gaming
-Online shopping
-Apple news feed
-Some video editing
-Netflix + streaming services
Click to expand...
I think the basic one will do just fine. That's not much more than we use our iPad 2 for, and I'd get the regular non-Pro iPad ("iPad Amateur"?) for myself.
 
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Last year, I upgraded my iPad 4 (which had gotten really slow, so I can only imagine what your iPad 3 is like) to the 2017 iPad. I considered the 10.5" iPad Pro and even the older 9.7" iPad Pro, but I couldn't justify the price difference, especially since the Pro models don't have any features that I truly need. I got the 2017 iPad at a Costco sale for $60 off the regular price. I have no regrets. The user experience is just like that of my iPad 4, but much faster. I'm sure I could tell the difference in screen quality if I did an A/B comparison with the Pro, but I don't look at photos or video on my 2017 iPad and think, "Gee, the screen really could be better." It looks great, and it's better than the one on my iPad 4. The stereo speakers are of no importance to me. When I watch movies or listen to music, I use headphones. If I were buying today, I'd get the 2018 iPad. The Pencil intrigues me, but I don't know if I'd use it regularly. I should add that I do my "serious" work (writing, web design, and photography) on a 13" MBP, which I connect to a 4K monitor when I work at my desk. My iPad is my secondary device--one that I use every day.
 
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For the things you list as activities you should be fine with a regular or the budget iPad that's coming out (except for video editing, that would maybe require a more capable device). Here's my observation on the Pro.
I went from the 4th gen (circa 2011-2012) to the 10.5 inch Pro. The old iPad still performs and work beautifully, but there is no comparison to the new Pro. The one thing that's really noticeable is the snappier frame rate with the Pro - everything is faster and more fluid, the animations look so good and the thing performs amazingly well even with multiple apps running at the same time. I am an artist and needed the Pro to be able to use the pencil for work and that has definitely been a highlight in functionality, but if you don't need it for that, then save yourself some money.
The bezels on the Pro are also smaller (if that's important to you). There's a lot to consider, but one thing that's valid for all iPads is - you will get an amazing device either way, we're just talking varying levels of excellence at this point cause all of them are very very impressive :)
 
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Is there a good alternative to the iPad Smart Case fro this iPad? I know that the iPad Air 2 Smart case doesn't really fit.
 
Thanks for the input everyone! I paid MSRP for my iPad 3rd Gen 64GB (max at the time) in 2012. I believe it as around $699 if I recall. Don't mind spending the same amount since I will be jumping up 5-6? generations worth of technology. Is the regular non-pro iPads good with video editing? Use iMovie mostly, and a few other video apps. Same with some picture editing as well. And yes, it still on the original 30pinn connector that is electrical taped sealed cause Apple makes their cords to become obsolete over time. The burn is always on the device connector side.
 
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Appurushido said:
Thanks for the input everyone! I paid MSRP for my iPad 3rd Gen 64GB (max at the time) in 2012. I believe it as around $699 if I recall. Don't mind spending the same amount since I will be jumping up 5-6? generations worth of technology. Is the regular non-pro iPads good with video editing? Use iMovie mostly, and a few other video apps. Same with some picture editing as well. And yes, it still on the original 30pinn connector that is electrical taped sealed cause Apple makes their cords to become obsolete over time. The burn is always on the device connector side.
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Yep, it was $699 for 64GB. I got the same.

Note, current rumors are new iPad Pros to be announced at WWDC (June?). You might want to take that into consideration before making a purchase.
 
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I mean, if you use th iPad 3 for this long you’re obviously aren’t pushing the iPad (as a category) to its limits (not being condescending, just stating what I think.)

In this case the new ipad is more than enough. Do you have a specific need/want for the Pro?
 
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rui no onna said:
Yep, it was $699 for 64GB. I got the same.

Note, current rumors are new iPad Pros to be announced at WWDC (June?). You might want to take that into consideration before making a purchase.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip. I will take that into consideration.
[doublepost=1522713609][/doublepost]
rui no onna said:
Yep, it was $699 for 64GB. I got the same.

Note, current rumors are new iPad Pros to be announced at WWDC (June?). You might want to take that into consideration before making a purchase.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I will definitely take that into consideration.


Traverse said:
I mean, if you use th iPad 3 for this long you’re obviously aren’t pushing the iPad (as a category) to its limits (not being condescending, just stating what I think.)

In this case the new ipad is more than enough. Do you have a specific need/want for the Pro?
Click to expand...

I took no offense to your comment and thank you for your input, but never stated I wanted or needed the Pro. I was only asking suggestions on which iPad should I upgrade to and gave information on the uses on my current one. It's always nice getting suggestions from the community.
 
Appurushido said:
Thanks for the tip. I will take that into consideration.
[doublepost=1522713609][/doublepost]

Thank you. I will definitely take that into consideration.






I took no offense to your comment and thank you for your input, but never stated I wanted or needed the Pro. I was only asking suggestions on which iPad should I upgrade to and gave information on the uses on my current one. It's always nice getting suggestions from the community.
Click to expand...


I think any of the current models will suite you.

Whether or not you should pro honestly comes down to a few things:
- do you want a larger screen (marginally so)
- do you want the absolute best screen quality? The 9.7 isn’t bad, but that laminated Pro-Motion True Tone displays are much better.
- speakers? Do you use them often?

I don’t think the speed differences are noticeable nor do I think he slight thickness increase will be.

It’s only if the screen and speakers are worth double the price. They would be to me, but that’s up to you.
 
It sounds to me like the 2018 iPad would be perfect for your needs. I love my 10.5in iPad Pro (I upgraded from the 9.7 Pro), but I also use it as my main portable computer when I travel and needed the RAM and bigger screen. I think you’d be very happy with the newly released standard iPad.
 
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If you’re happy spending $700 or so, the pro is the best iPad you can buy, and you’ll love it. But the 2018 iPad is probably the best value ever on an iPad. It’s basically half the price of the pro with a handful of relatively minor differences.
 
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I was in the same situation - iPad 3, original owner. Similar uses, used it all day. How slow it was became an issue, not unexpected for a 6 year old device. After much thought and research and help here, I got the 10.5 iPad Pro (refurb from Apple store) a couple of days ago. Love it! It is blazing fast, I had no idea some of the apps could even do the things they do!

For me, the final deciding factor was the 4GB memory, I'm guessing the Pro may carry me a bit longer than the regular iPad.

Whatever you decide, I hope you are as happy as I am.
 
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