First off you care about either the Apple pencil or keyboard stop reading. If you don't care then this unit might be for you. When the iPad Air 2 came out many of us were asking why didn't Apple just replace the innards of the iPad Air with a better processor and more ram. Why reduce the size of the battery and make a unit which vibrates when the volume is audible. The iPad 2017 is that unit. I just replaced my kids iPad 2 with a new iPad 2017 and I'm pretty impressed. In fact I'm think about trading in my iPad Air 2 for one. The size difference is hardy noticeable. The screen is a slightly more reflective but I can't imagine a real world situation where it would make a difference. The sound quality in the new iPad is significantly better. The new iPad seems quicker and more responsive across the board. The price is great for the quality of the product. I know people here are programed to expect to pay top dollar but price isn't a statement of quality. For many people the iPad 2017 is a great fit regardless what apple releases later this year.
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iPad iPad 2017 is seriously underrated
- Thread starter Charliebird
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I just got the new iPad last Friday and love it. I also have an air 2 and also notice it being faster. I also notice an increase in battery performance. Good update for the money.
I love my iPad Pro, but I'm quite happy about this new model coming out. Always had a tough time suggesting an iPad to someone when they asked. This seems like such an easy choice now for so many people. Good price, good internals, dual speakers. I'm happy that as a lower end option it still has newer internals with the A9. Hated when it was just older generation SoCs that you had to go with at lower price points. At least this way you'll get a bit more longevity out of the product.
It seemed to be underrated by owners of iPad Air 2 or iPad Pro 9.7" who wanted to justify their original purchase. It was cognitive dissonance in full effect.
All of sudden, a non-laminated display was unbearable and the extra 32 grams made the iPad a brick. In reality, the majority of consumers want bettery batter life over a slimmer iPad. It's a device meant for the couch or coffee table.
It's a solid upgrade using A9 + LPDDR4 + Big Battery + Updated LCD and Wi-Fi.
All of sudden, a non-laminated display was unbearable and the extra 32 grams made the iPad a brick. In reality, the majority of consumers want bettery batter life over a slimmer iPad. It's a device meant for the couch or coffee table.
It's a solid upgrade using A9 + LPDDR4 + Big Battery + Updated LCD and Wi-Fi.
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2017 iPad is a great product for an attempt by Apple to offer a lower cost option. I set up one for my Mother, and other than the non-laminated screen it is a speed demon. If your coming from a laminated screen try one first. Apple will sell millions. They will then upgrade. Starting a new iPad Cycle. 
I don't "underrate" the newest iPad, but I hardly consider it a "solid upgrade" from an iPad Pro 9.7". I suppose it might be reasonable for anyone with an iPad Air 1 or older.
I would agree. And for the price point without the Pro features, this was a great move by Apple. The new 9.7 iPad should meet most media needs and as a in between their Laptop. I personally have no issue with the laminate display missing. It still has ten hours of battery life with an upgrade processor. I think in the long run, this iPad will flourish.
I don't think it's meant to be. That will probably come later in the year.
I think it's a reasonable strategy by Apple to introduce a low cost iPad though. It's a good way to distinguish the "Pro" variants, although I'd really like to see Apple do more work in "Pro" Apps. That's really the only weak point of the iPad Pro. If there are significantly more touch-optimized apps which have functionality close to or equivalent to their Windows counterparts, naysayers no longer have any good fodder to complain about the iPad, save for niche categories of apps.
Who in the world ever said the 2017 iPad was an upgrade to the Pro???
I flirted with Windows tablets when I owned a SP3 and it didn't click with me at all. I'm big Windows user and owe my career to Microsoft. However iOS is built from the ground up to be a touch centric OS where as Windows is a KBM OS with touch layered on top of it. Nothing feels natural or organic in it. But I totally agree to your point that iPad Pro needs to do more to justify it's existence.
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Apple pretty much defined the touch experience with all of its iOS products. The question is how to bring it to the next level - the "Pro" level. They already have the Pencil and Smart keyboard, what's next would be to encourage developers to really build those fully-featured touch versions into iOS. I strongly believe the main reason why it isn't happening is because there isn't much profit potential - iOS users are conditioned to pay very little for apps, and are unlikely to pay e.g. US$40 or more for a fully featured "Pro" app.
Conversely, the subscription model is alien to many "pro" users who prefer to pay the full up-front cost for an App, although this is slowly changing.
I'm still looking forward to a dedicated "Pro" App store. It would clearly demarcate apps for Professional (literally money-making, not the marketing monikor) purposes.
Not me. I'm a 9.7 Pro owner, and went ahead and picked up a 32GB 5th gen as a spare tablet. Really, I needed an excuse to trade in my iPad 3 that was gathering dust
Funny thing, the 2017 iPad + Apple Smart Cover is exact same size & weight as a 9.7 Pro + Apple Smart case.
The new ipad is an upgrade for those who are still in ipad air 1 or older. Period
Of course it's not an upgrade from the 9.7" iPad Pro, it's not mean't to be. This is separate from the iPad Pro refresh. But you're right, it's a good upgrade from the Air 1 or older, which is a significant number of people due to the long upgrade cycles.
Without qualification the blanket statement that it is a "solid upgrade" is inaccurate... this is particularly important because @JPack's assertion is that it is "underrated by owners of iPad Air 2 or iPad Pro 9.7". It's not underrating - it's simply not interesting if you own an iPad Pro, because it really is not a "solid" upgrade from an iPad Pro.
I think that the 2017 model is a fantastic upgrade for anyone who has an Air 1 or older, which is a lot of people. I can't really see how it's worth it for someone who has an Air 2 or Pro though.
I will be upgrading next week from an iPad 2. I normally don't care about the price, I want the newest/best/etc, but I wasn't willing to spend a lot for a new iPad since I have never used mine very much, its mostly for content consumption. However, the lower price point has convinced me to upgrade, and I think that a lot of people with older iPads will think about it the same way.
I also looked at an iPad Air 2, but decided I would prefer to have the newer processor than the better screen, for two reasons: it will still be a better screen than my iPad 2, and it will not get outdated by updates as quickly.
I also looked at an iPad Air 2, but decided I would prefer to have the newer processor than the better screen, for two reasons: it will still be a better screen than my iPad 2, and it will not get outdated by updates as quickly.
I have a Air 2 and have to admit the new iPad is sorta tempting just to get a fresh processor and brighter screen, lets not forget the apparently amazing battery life. What's preventing me is wanting a larger screen, Pencil, and Smart Keyboard.Not me. I'm a 9.7 Pro owner, and went ahead and picked up a 32GB 5th gen as a spare tablet. Really, I needed an excuse to trade in my iPad 3 that was gathering dust
Funny thing, the 2017 iPad + Apple Smart Cover is exact same size & weight as a 9.7 Pro + Apple Smart case.
In addition to the 9.7 Pro and 2017 iPad, I also own two Air 2s (my kids use them now). Go ahead and spring for a 9.7 Pro.