iPad 3 to 2018 iPad or iPad Pro 9.7?

[serendip]

I'm sorry - yet another "Which should I get?" post! There was a very similar one, but I didn't want to barge in there.

I use my iPad mostly for email, web, quick info, reading, games, streaming, facebook, lots of similar apps. I use it all day. More and more often when I'm typing, I'm waaay ahead of what I'm seeing on the screen (and I'm NOT a fast typist!) and several apps are no longer usable - it's time to get a new one.

I would love the iPad Pro 10.5 (shiny - bells and whistles!), but the budget doesn't.

I like the idea of Pencil support (though I may never get one), maybe I could use more productivity apps, so the 2017 iPad is out.

For ipad 2018, I would get 128gb wifi.

Then I thought about the iPad Pro 9.7, 128gb. For $100 more (apple refurb) would it be a good compromise? Which is the "better" one to get? I know there isn't any such thing as "future proofing" but I'm not likely to upgrade again any time soon (i mean, iPad 3!).

Thank you!!

 

[profets]

Either option would be a very nice update.

The 2018 iPad does have the advantage of A10 vs the A9X in the Pro, so likely a bit more longevity if you're keeping it for a long time. However if I had to choose myself, I'd go with the Pro. 4 speakers, laminated screen with tru tone and thinner body do it for me. And I do love using the Apple Smart Keyboard with it.

 

[rui no onna]

Honestly, the 2018 iPad has faster processor than the Pro 9.7 and the A10 probably supports some extensions that the A9X doesn't. What the Pro 9.7 gives you are features (fully laminated display, 4 speakers, TrueTone, etc).

 

[NorthSeaBeach]

I have a iPad 3 too (on ios 7), 2 mini 2's (on ios 10) and an Air 2 (on ios 11, my son's for school) in our house. Thinking about upgrading the 3 because it's too slow. I use it just as a radio and for spotify. Because mij mini 2 is still pretty snappy for everything I need it to do, I'm not in a hurry. But I'd like to anyway. Only eyeing the 2018 model. Don't even consider the pro.

 

[serendip]

Thank you all!

Exactly, NorthSeaBeach, it's getting to be far too slow. Otherwise I'd happily stick with it.

 

[andiwm2003]

Thinking about the same. The iPad 2018 with 128GB and LTE is $559, the iPad pro with 128GB and LTE is $649. How much faster is he A10 vs. the A9X? This is the main factor for me.

to answer my own question: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/08/iphone-7-plus-a10-fusion-chip-benchmark/

"The iPhone 7 Plus is approximately 33 percent faster than the iPhone 6s when it comes to both single and multi-core scores, and approximately 7 percent faster than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro on single-core tests and nearly 10 percent faster on multi-core tests."

So the A10 is faster but 10 percent (maybe 11 or 12% for the 9.7 inch) is barely noticeable in real life.

 

[BigDO]

I'd definitely get the Pro.

 

[Leo90]

Pro anyday. The laminated screen outweighs by far the slighty better A10 processor. To be honest I would suggest the iPad Pro 10.5, it is a bit pricier but it will last much longer and has the best screen size IMO

 

[ThatsMeRight]

I would go for the new 9.7" 2018 iPad. I don't know for how long you've had the iPad 3, but it was released in 2012... six years ago. If you plan on keeping your new iPad for several years too, than I'd go for the 2018 iPad since it has a newer chip and will likely be supported longer and perform better in the long run.

Also, the price difference is huge. You can get nearly two 2018 iPads for the price of one iPad Pro. I also realize you're looking at a refurbished iPad Pro, so that the price difference is only $100. Still, that's quite a premium you're paying.

The biggest difference between the new 2018 model and the Pro is the display. Yes, the Pro has a better display but that doesn't mean the 2018 model has a bad display. Quite the opposite, actually, because it's still very good (and definitely an upgrade from your current iPad 3).

The other differences between the 2018 model and the Pro are, in my opinion, too small to warrant the much higher price.

 

[spiderman0616]

The new 2018 iPad is a fantastic device in its own right but the screen differences between that and a Pro cannot be overstated. There are tactile and visual differences, and I personally could never go back to a non-Pro model at this point. The hollow “thump” of the non laminated screen on the Air 1 always annoyed me, and that issue will be present on the 2018 iPad. The laminated screen of the Pro makes a huge difference in that regard as well as visual quality. I would advise that you try both in person before deciding.

 

[andiwm2003]

Pro anyday. The laminated screen outweighs by far the slighty better A10 processor. To be honest I would suggest the iPad Pro 10.5, it is a bit pricier but it will last much longer and has the best screen size IMO

Thanks, completely overlooked the 10.5. It's $659 for the 64GB+LTE. That compares well to the 9.7 128GB + LTE for $649. I don't think I need more than 64GB. Currently I have 32 GB and I would like to have a few TV shows and Movies with me on planes. 64 GB should easily do that.

 

[darkarn]

Honestly, the 2018 iPad has faster processor than the Pro 9.7 and the A10 probably supports some extensions that the A9X doesn't. What the Pro 9.7 gives you are features (fully laminated display, 4 speakers, TrueTone, etc).

Surprising, I was under the impression that the A9X is faster than the A10 and that only an A11 or A10X can beat an A9X

 

[rui no onna]

Surprising, I was under the impression that the A9X is faster than the A10 and that only an A11 or A10X can beat an A9X

Graphics, A9X is still faster. CPU, A10 beats it.

Iirc, A11 matches or beats A10X on CPU, too. Maybe not on graphics.

 

[Leo90]

Thanks, completely overlooked the 10.5. It's $659 for the 64GB+LTE. That compares well to the 9.7 128GB + LTE for $649. I don't think I need more than 64GB. Currently I have 32 GB and I would like to have a few TV shows and Movies with me on planes. 64 GB should easily do that.

yeah, mine is also 64GB and I feel it is plenty especially if you pay for iCloud. Apps I am not using much are automatically erased from local storage and “uploaded” to iCloud for instance.

 

[rui no onna]

Thanks, completely overlooked the 10.5. It's $659 for the 64GB+LTE. That compares well to the 9.7 128GB + LTE for $649. I don't think I need more than 64GB. Currently I have 32 GB and I would like to have a few TV shows and Movies with me on planes. 64 GB should easily do that.

The Pro 10.5 is a better option, imho. iOS 11 appears to have notably worse memory management than iOS 10 so the 4GB RAM is already quite helpful *now*. If the next Pro doesn’t have TouchID, I’ll probably grab a refurb 2017 Pro 10.5 512GB + LTE.

 

[Wando64]

Either option would be a very nice update.

The 2018 iPad does have the advantage of A10 vs the A9X in the Pro, so likely a bit more longevity if you're keeping it for a long time. However if I had to choose myself, I'd go with the Pro. 4 speakers, laminated screen with tru tone and thinner body do it for me. And I do love using the Apple Smart Keyboard with it.

I have a 9.7” pro and I love it, however it should be said that it is no longer possible to buy the 9.7 Smart Keyboard from Apple.

 

[muzzy996]

Refurbished 2017 iPad Pro gets my vote.

I’ve done my fair share of chasing for performance through upgrading of devices just as I’m sure many others have. It has been my observation that for those who demand high performance, compromising for the sake of budget only leads to more frequent upgrade cycles due to disappointing performance being realized more quickly.

If all we’re talking about is the desire to upgrade for improved performance then consideration should be made that the faster refresh rate display, larger amount of RAM, faster CPU frequency, additional cores, and faster GPU of the 2017 iPad Pros all factor heavily into the better performance one gets from them over the new base iPad. From a pure performance standpoint chances are somewhere down the line with the 2018 iPad that same performance concern is going to creep up sooner for someone than it would had they purchased a 2017 iPad Pro.

Given the speculation of another iPad release sometime later this year if it were me using an older iPad and contemplating just a performance boost I’d wait until the next Apple event and then re-evaluate. If another iPad release is made, perhaps the lineup may or may not be shuffled a bit in terms of pricing. If not, all I’d have lost was a little bit of time and I’d probably snatch up a refurbished 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 which at $549 for the 64GB WiFi model and $679 for the 256GB WiFi model compares well to the new base iPad for the improvements the older Pro provides. Is the extra $250 (comparing 128gb WiFi IP 2018 to a refurb 256GB WiFi IPP 2017) worth the better display, better cameras, double the RAM, double the storage, the smart connector and nearly double the multi-core performance? I think so.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

I would get the new iPad. The 9.7 iPad Pro is a few years old, and you’ll get longer support with the new one.

 

[rui no onna]

I’ve done my fair share of chasing for performance through upgrading of devices just as I’m sure many others have. It has been my observation that compromising for the sake of budget only leads to more frequent upgrade cycles due to disappointing performance being realized more quickly.

From a pure performance standpoint chances are somewhere down the line with the 2018 iPad that same performance concern is going to creep up sooner for someone than it would had they purchased a 2017 iPad Pro.

While this is true, there is also the question of whether the Pro model at 2x pricing will last 2x as long as the non-Pro. More likely than not, it won't. Maybe it'll last for 1.2-1.3x as long at best. Depreciation hit will probably be higher (absolute $-terms), too.

Buy the Pro if you like the features offered. However, I wouldn't buy it in order to "future-proof".

 

[ventmore]

If you can live with 64GB, I'd go with a refurbed 10.5 pro.

 

[muzzy996]

While this is true, there is also the question of whether the Pro model at 2x pricing will last 2x as long as the non-Pro. More likely than not, it won't. Maybe it'll last for 1.2-1.3x as long at best. Depreciation hit will probably be higher (absolute $-terms), too.

Buy the Pro if you like the features offered. However, I wouldn't buy it in order to "future-proof".

Last as long in terms of what? Software support?

Normally I’d agree except for the fact that in virtually all aspects the 2017 iPad Pro lineup the specifications are higher than the new 2018 iPad so I’m not sure I follow what you’re saying . . . The A10 SOC in the new 2018 iPad is 2 years old (from the iPhone 7) vs the one year old A10X.

I suppose Apple could software gimp the 2017 iPad Pro line in the future to make it support less things than the cheaper 2018 iPads but that’d be ridiculous wouldn’t it?

 

[rui no onna]

Last as long in terms of what? Software support?

Normally I’d agree except for the fact that in virtually all aspects the 2017 iPad Pro lineup the specifications are higher than the new 2018 iPad so I’m not sure I follow what you’re saying . . . The A10 SOC in the new 2018 iPad is 2 years old (from the iPhone 7) vs the one year old A10X.

I suppose Apple could software gimp the 2017 iPad Pro line in the future to make it support less things than the cheaper 2018 iPads but that’d be ridiculous wouldn’t it?

If the 2018 iPad is good for, say, 3-4 years, can one expect 6-8 years of use from the 2017 (or even 2018) Pro to justify the price difference?

Honestly, 8 years of use seems unimaginable to me given the only 8-year old iPad at the moment is the 1st gen.

 

[muzzy996]

If the 2018 iPad is good for, say, 3-4 years, can one expect 6-8 years of use from the 2017 (or even 2018) Pro to justify the price difference?

Honestly, 8 years of use seems unimaginable to me given the only 8-year old iPad at the moment is the 1st gen.

Heck 4 years seems unimaginable to me. All I’m suggesting is that someone purchasing with performance in mind take into consideration the value that they might get out of the added cost to step up to an IPad Pro instead. That 2x price jump (more like 1.7x if one goes refurb which is what I recommend considering) comes with significant performance improvements that are realized immediately and can be taken advantage of continuously over the course of the lifespan of the device. It’s up to the individual whether or not they want to ignore the immediate performance difference or not and just extrapolate like you’re doing. Personally I wouldn’t but it all depends on what the user’s looking for and that’s the entire reason the pro line exists in the first place. In the case of the OP it was expressed that they were looking for performance.

 

[rui no onna]

Heck 4 years seems unimaginable to me. All I’m suggesting is that someone purchasing with performance in mind take into consideration the value that they might get out of the added cost to step up to an IPad Pro instead. That 2x price jump (more like 1.7x if one goes refurb which is what I recommend considering) comes with significant performance improvements that are realized immediately and can be taken advantage of continuously over the course of the lifespan of the device. It’s up to the individual whether or not they want to ignore the immediate performance difference or not and just extrapolate like you’re doing. Personally I wouldn’t but it all depends on what the user’s looking for and that’s the entire reason the pro line exists in the first place. In the case of the OP it was expressed that they were looking for performance.

Hence, this part of my post (by features, I meant including A10X and 4GB RAM):

Buy the Pro if you like the features offered. However, I wouldn't buy it in order to "future-proof".

Note, I did recommend the refurb Pro 10.5, too.

The Pro 10.5 is a better option, imho. iOS 11 appears to have notably worse memory management than iOS 10 so the 4GB RAM is already quite helpful *now*. If the next Pro doesn’t have TouchID, I’ll probably grab a refurb 2017 Pro 10.5 512GB + LTE.

 

[deaglecat]

Re upgrades: It is largely driven by RAM. Iphone X = 3Gb. This year, expect all "X" phones to also be 3Gb.

In 18months, 3Gb will be required for best experience (IOS13) and in 30m (IOS14), all the 2Gb devices will run slow.

The extra 1Gb in Ipad Pro, IphoneX etc will basically add 2 years.