iPad iPad Advice/Value Proposition

[TalkShowHost!]

Question for you all: how do you value iPads, or even all tech devices, in dollars relative to the features they bring? Example - I always have a problem keeping and selling iPads because they're a nice to have piece of tech and not something I consider a "need" (in however much any electronic device can ever be a need). I had the 2020 11 inch Pro earlier and ended up returning it, as I felt I couldn't justify spending what was near $1000 on an iPad that I used primarily for reading, watching videos and browsing. However, the wife needed a new pair of Airpods, so I purchased the base 11 inch Pro for $750, which hasn't shipped yet, and got the Airpods for free using the education discount. I figured I could live with having a $600 Pro and justify it that way.

Then a few days ago there was a Microcenter open-box iPad 10.2 128GB for $210. So I impulse bought that iPad and now I'm trying to value the two against each other and I can't make a decision. For someone who doesn't draw, edit video, or game, how would you value these features out? The Pro is $400 difference. Is it worth the cost of a Surface Go better? Is it nearly an iPad Air's worth better? Is it worth three times the cost of the 10.2? I don't know!

Plus, I feel that all the iPads are in a state of flux right now. The 10.2, Air and Mini are all rumored to be due for an upgrade in the near term and are using an outdated design language with the lightning port and touch ID. The Pros are in a weird spot too because they're using what's essentially a better binned chip from two years ago and are rumored to be due for an upgrade to an A14X sometime in the near future as well.

 

[sracer]

One of the best things to do to be able to accurately assess the value proposition is to reject all of Apple's marketing from the equation. Places like MacRumors makes it difficult to do that because there are many who fully embrace the marketing as actual value... things like TruMotion, quad speakers, laminated screens, etc.

They place a disproportionate value on those things... which for them may be fine... but doesn't translate to those who are trying to figure out what it means for themselves.

I've seen more of my share of hyperbole claiming that TruMotion is worth the additional cost because anything else is a stuttering mess... or that the Apple Pencil 2 is a must-have because the original Pencil is laggy... or that non-laminated screens are a crime against humanity.

when I was trying to figure out where the iPad (Pro or non) fits with my workflows, I bought a 12.9 Pro so that my experience would not be impeded by anything considered "less than". After 2 years, I got rid of it and went to a 6th gen 9.7 iPad. It supports the 1st gen Pencil and even though I heavily used the Pro during those two years, I was able to do everything that it did on the 6th gen iPad... at a fraction of the price.

The "outdated design language" is one of those buzz phrases that helps perpetuate the up-sell. Unless one finds actual value in going to Face ID, removal of the headphone jack, inclusion of USB-C then that outdated design language is nothing more than aesthetics.

 

[TalkShowHost!]

Great points! I think I’m feeling the same way you are, being that I could use the 10.2 for essentially everything I need. The biggest thing that would be nice is the updated cameras, since I use mine around the house and leave my phone on the nightstand. It’s convenient to have a decent camera on me (mostly for cats), but since I don’t use it as a laptop replacement or for work, my needs are minimal in general.

it’s just hard to get away from new shiny thing!

 

[rui no onna]

For me storage is a big consideration. I can’t get 512GB-1TB storage on non-Pro models so that automatically limits my options.

There’s also size to consider. The 12.9 is only available on Pro.

That said, my 512GB 2017 Pros work fine so I just keep using them. I may feel the upgrade itch but ~$3,400 (~$1,600 1TB LTE 11” and ~$1,800 1TB LTE 12.9” with tax) is a tough pill to swallow to upgrade both. Especially so considering the 2020 Pros are just a minor rehash of the 2018 models. Even upgrading just the 12.9” is already more than I’m comfortable spending on single piece of tech (bar multi-terabyte file server/NAS including HDDs).

My Windows laptops normally cost me just $600-800 for laptop itself + $200-300 for aftermarket RAM & SSD upgrades. I’m used to spending laptop money (or slightly more) for iPads but 1.8-2x is a bit too much for me regardless of how much I enjoy using iPads.

 

[spiderman0616]

One of the best things to do to be able to accurately assess the value proposition is to reject all of Apple's marketing from the equation. Places like MacRumors makes it difficult to do that because there are many who fully embrace the marketing as actual value... things like TruMotion, quad speakers, laminated screens, etc.

They place a disproportionate value on those things... which for them may be fine... but doesn't translate to those who are trying to figure out what it means for themselves.

I've seen more of my share of hyperbole claiming that TruMotion is worth the additional cost because anything else is a stuttering mess... or that the Apple Pencil 2 is a must-have because the original Pencil is laggy... or that non-laminated screens are a crime against humanity.

when I was trying to figure out where the iPad (Pro or non) fits with my workflows, I bought a 12.9 Pro so that my experience would not be impeded by anything considered "less than". After 2 years, I got rid of it and went to a 6th gen 9.7 iPad. It supports the 1st gen Pencil and even though I heavily used the Pro during those two years, I was able to do everything that it did on the 6th gen iPad... at a fraction of the price.

The "outdated design language" is one of those buzz phrases that helps perpetuate the up-sell. Unless one finds actual value in going to Face ID, removal of the headphone jack, inclusion of USB-C then that outdated design language is nothing more than aesthetics.

It's not wrong for someone to not find much value in the extra bells and whistles, but it's also not wrong for someone to value them and pay the extra money. (It's ProMotion, by the way, not TruMotion.) If you want those things, you want them. If you don't, you don't. Wanting them doesn't make you foolish, and not wanting them doesn't make them useless. Besides, what's Apple supposed to do, NOT market the nicer features?

Case in point: when I got the original iPad Air, even though I had no idea there was such a big difference between a laminated vs. non-laminated screen, I noticed the hollow sounding "thud" of the screen right away. On day 1. This was not something I had seen or heard on my previous iPads. It was a noticeable difference and made the screen feel, and to a certain extent even look, less premium.

To my eyes and ears, there is a perceptible difference between a laminated and non-laminated screen. There is a perceptible difference between a 60 and a 120 Mhz refresh rate. There is a perceptible difference between 2 speakers on the bottom of the iPad vs. 4 speakers, one at each corner, that adjust based on how you're holding the iPad. And there is most certainly a perceptible difference in screen real estate once you get rid of the forehead and chin of and switch over to Face ID. I will pay for these extra perks when they're on a machine that I use day in and day out as my main computer. For the next person, maybe none of those things are necessary, but that doesn't negate those nice to have features that some people are willing to pay for. These things are not just marketing fluff. They're real features that some people like and want.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You assess value (re: purchase) by how much you are willing to pay for an item. In regards to selling, you look at the MacRumors Marketplace, and Swappa, as those places ere in line (as a whole) with what a lot of buyers are willing to pay for Apple items.

 

[0128672]

(It's ProMotion, by the way, not TruMotion.)

Wait, it's not True Tone Motion Pro? 😉

 

[AutomaticApple]

I've seen more of my share of hyperbole claiming that TruMotion is worth the additional cost because anything else is a stuttering mess...

Wait, I'm confused. Are you talking about ProMotion?

 

[dmccloud]

The "outdated design language" is one of those buzz phrases that helps perpetuate the up-sell. Unless one finds actual value in going to Face ID, removal of the headphone jack, inclusion of USB-C then that outdated design language is nothing more than aesthetics.

To me, the USB-C functionality is a major plus of the new iPad Pro - it not only allows me to connect directly to a monitor via a USB-C to HDMI cable, but I can also connect my 1TB portable SSD and use it as additional storage. The loss of the headphone jack is a non-issue to me, because I only use wireless headsets with my devices. FaceID I can honestly take it or leave it. When it works, it's great. When it doesn't work, it's a royal pain in the 4$$

 

[sracer]

To me, the USB-C functionality is a major plus of the new iPad Pro - it not only allows me to connect directly to a monitor via a USB-C to HDMI cable, but I can also connect my 1TB portable SSD and use it as additional storage. The loss of the headphone jack is a non-issue to me, because I only use wireless headsets with my devices. FaceID I can honestly take it or leave it. When it works, it's great. When it doesn't work, it's a royal pain in the 4$$

I find iPadOS support for USB-C to be laughably limited compared to my Android-based and ChromeOS-based tablets... even the $60 (on sale) Fire HD 8's USB-C port is more functional.

Having said that, if a person finds value in USB-C on the iPad, then they have to consider if the cost of the more expensive models is worth the added functionality. It sounds like you have made that value proposition analysis and deemed it worthy.