iPad 9.7 2017 or iPad Pro 10.5

[rui no onna]

Another way of looking at the issue.

Assume $0 resale value after this period:

iPad 9.7
$279 / 2 years = $139.50/yr
$279 / 3 years = $93/yr

iPad Pro 10.5
$499 / 3 years = $166.33/yr
$499 / 4 years = $124.75/yr
$499 / 5 years = $99.80/yr


Assume $150 resale value for iPad 9.7 after 2-3 years and ~$200 resale value for iPad Pro 10.5 after 4-5 years or ~$300 after 3 years:

iPad 9.7
$129 / 2 years = $64.50/yr
$129 / 3 years = $43/yr

iPad Pro 10.5
$399 / 3 years = $133/yr
$299 / 4 years = $74.75/yr
$299 / 5 years = $59.80/yr


And what 2-5 years might mean in terms of iPad generations:

2017 - iPad Pro 10.5 A10X/4GB

2016 - iPad Pro 9.7 A9X/2GB

2015 - none (Pro 12.9 A9X/4GB, mini 4 A8/2GB)

2014 - iPad Air 2 A8X/2GB

2013 - iPad Air A7/1GB

late 2012 - iPad 4 A6X/1GB

early 2012 - iPad 3 A5X/1GB

2011 - iPad 2 A5/512MB

2010 - iPad A4/256MB


The iPad Air 2 is very well regarded in terms of longevity while maintaining performance but it should be noted that that model is only 3 years old.

 

[Mainsail]

In either case, I would figure on about 3 years of use. While the 10.5 may have better tech specs and longevity potential, the truth is most folks upgrade for new features and functions......Pro users especially. Unlike Mac OS, iOS and the iPad platform are still developing pretty rapidly, so you will probably be drawn away from either device in 3 years for reasons other than performance/speed etc.

BTW - if you are not buying the Apple Pencil or Keyboard, then you are not getting the full value from the Pro’s capability and price premium. Of course, these acessories will cost you another $250 for both, which is another cost consideration.

 

[butoft]

Another way of looking at the issue.

Assume $0 resale value after this period:

iPad 9.7
$279 / 2 years = $139.50/yr
$279 / 3 years = $93/yr

iPad Pro 10.5
$499 / 3 years = $166.33/yr
$499 / 4 years = $124.75/yr
$499 / 5 years = $99.80/yr


Assume $150 resale value for iPad 9.7 after 2-3 years and ~$200 resale value for iPad Pro 10.5 after 4-5 years or ~$300 after 3 years:

iPad 9.7
$129 / 2 years = $64.50/yr
$129 / 3 years = $43/yr

iPad Pro 10.5
$399 / 3 years = $133/yr
$299 / 4 years = $74.75/yr
$299 / 5 years = $59.80/yr


And what 2-5 years might mean in terms of iPad generations:

2017 - iPad Pro 10.5 A10X/4GB

2016 - iPad Pro 9.7 A9X/2GB

2015 - none (Pro 12.9 A9X/4GB, mini 4 A8/2GB)

2014 - iPad Air 2 A8X/2GB

2013 - iPad Air A7/1GB

late 2012 - iPad 4 A6X/1GB

early 2012 - iPad 3 A5X/1GB

2011 - iPad 2 A5/512MB

2010 - iPad A4/256MB


The iPad Air 2 is very well regarded in terms of longevity while maintaining performance but it should be noted that that model is only 3 years old.

Thanks for the wonderful analysis! I'm a CPA so I can definitely appreciate that. I think the Pro with the 4gb of RAM will definitely last 4 years. Assuming you get resale value at the end, it costs $31.75 extra for the Pro or $2.65 more per month (if the 9.7 last 3 years). If I were to go with the 9.7, I would buy it from Costco since they have the 90 day return policy. I could use it and then return if Apple does in fact come out with a revised 9.7 with the A10 chip for $259.
[doublepost=1518026141][/doublepost]

Thanks for the wonderful analysis! I'm a CPA so I can definitely appreciate that. I think the Pro with the 4gb of RAM will definitely last 4 years. Assuming you get resale value at the end, it costs $31.75 extra for the Pro or $2.65 more per month (if the 9.7 last 3 years). If I were to go with the 9.7, I would buy it from Costco since they have the 90 day return policy. I could use it and then return if Apple does in fact come out with a revised 9.7 with the A10 chip for $259.

After more consideration, I have made my final decision. I'm sticking with the 10.5 Pro as $31.75 extra per year is not much in the total scheme of things when you consider the much better display. I also might eventually decide to use it more as a laptop and purchase the keyboard. My justification is that I bought my iPhone 8 for $400 during Black Friday (after $300 Wal Mart discount). I can have both the iPhone 8 and 10.5 Pro for less than the iPhone X cost at a $1,000. Honestly, I use my iPad more than any other electronic device when I get home at night as it's super easy just to lay on the couch and browse the web or watching videos. Thanks again all for your input!

 

[conifer]

If you are buying AppleCare, need to factor that in. I would advise as cost to repair 10.5 screen is a lot otherwise and not a lot of third party shops for that size screen.

Also if you will be buying keyboard , pencil or other peripherals need to factor that in.

Also consider battery. I use mine a lot and notice battery wear about a year and a half in although still good.

My air 2 16 gb cost about $400 three and a half years ago but AppleCare plus keyboard/case brought it up to $650.i cracked the screen and they swapped it for a new one about 2 years in so battery is still pretty good.

 

[butoft]

If you are buying AppleCare, need to factor that in. I would advise as cost to repair 10.5 screen is a lot otherwise and not a lot of third party shops for that size screen.

Also if you will be buying keyboard , pencil or other peripherals need to factor that in.

Also consider battery. I use mine a lot and notice battery wear about a year and a half in although still good.

My air 2 16 gb cost about $400 three and a half years ago but AppleCare plus keyboard/case brought it up to $650.i cracked the screen and they swapped it for a new one about 2 years in so battery is still pretty good.

I don't plan on purchasing AppleCare. I'm very careful and particular about my electronics and purchase cases for them right away (besides my iPhone...that's the one device I do purchase warranty for since that literally goes with me everywhere). I had my iPad 4 for 5 years and it's still like brand new. If I had children I would be inclined to purchase it. I'm hoping that some place will eventually run a sale on the Smart Keyboard. Otherwise, I think I have seen some open box ones on Ebay. Thanks.

 

[nburwell]

What I would say is this: Until I got the 10.5 iPad Pro I didn't realise how much I would start to use it. And for me, my biggest mistake was in only choosing a model with 64GB storage. After importing my photos (which I didn't' think I would want to do), I am already maxing out (and I don't use iCloud for photos). So for 4-5 years usage, I think $200 spent now is very small addition to get twice the storage, twice the processor, twice the speakers, better display, twice the RAM, and a slightly bigger screen.

Not to go off topic, but I completely agree with your post. Ever since I purchased my 10.5” Pro, I use it extensively everyday that I never really did with my Mini 4. Usually when I got home from work, I still would use my iPhone for most, if not all tasks. Now with my Pro, I don’t even touch my X when I’m home. I just use my IPP for essentially everything. It’s great because it saves battery life on X since I’m not using it as much.