All iPads iPad Air 4? or iPad Pro

[Dualvansmommy]

I'm handing down my iPad Pro 10.5 to my nearly 10 year old kid while getting my 7 year old the iPad 8th gen to replace hid ipad mini for xmas. That leaves me to decide which ipad to get. After looking at current iPad Air or iPP 11" model, i still can't make up my mind and further confused whether i should get 8th generation too?

iPad Air is GORGEOUS!!!!!! but feels bit overkill for my needs and consumption? Has anyone gotten the iPad Air just for emails, browsing the internet, stream media, photo edit, write and read newspapers and magazines? feels excessive when 8th gen model would just do for my needs. Essentially the same needs I've been doing with my current 10.5 iPP model.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I'm handing down my iPad Pro 10.5 to my nearly 10 year old kid while getting my 7 year old the iPad 8th gen to replace hid ipad mini for xmas. That leaves me to decide which ipad to get. After looking at current iPad Air or iPP 11" model, i still can't make up my mind and further confused whether i should get 8th generation too?

iPad Air is GORGEOUS!!!!!! but feels bit overkill for my needs and consumption? Has anyone gotten the iPad Air just for emails, browsing the internet, stream media, photo edit, write and read newspapers and magazines? feels excessive when 8th gen model would just do for my needs. Essentially the same needs I've been doing with my current 10.5 iPP model.

If youre going to just do basic tasks with your iPad, then I would definitely go for the iPad 8.

 

[ericwn]

The topic came up multiple times in the last few weeks - feel free to browse the board and get way more opinions on the topic.

Since your child is getting an iPad 8 anyway, why not order an Air for yourself and test both for a bit to make your own experiences. Return it during the extended return period.

 

[kristalsoldier]

I'm handing down my iPad Pro 10.5 to my nearly 10 year old kid while getting my 7 year old the iPad 8th gen to replace hid ipad mini for xmas. That leaves me to decide which ipad to get. After looking at current iPad Air or iPP 11" model, i still can't make up my mind and further confused whether i should get 8th generation too?

iPad Air is GORGEOUS!!!!!! but feels bit overkill for my needs and consumption? Has anyone gotten the iPad Air just for emails, browsing the internet, stream media, photo edit, write and read newspapers and magazines? feels excessive when 8th gen model would just do for my needs. Essentially the same needs I've been doing with my current 10.5 iPP model.

Well, you could keep the 10.5” for yourself and buy two iPad 8th gen for your kids. That way they both get new devices from under the Xmas tree.

 

[Dualvansmommy]

Thanks. I forgotten the storage issue; only 64 or 256? the 128 would have been the sweet spot for me. I checked my existing 10.5 iPP and its already at 60.5 gb and granted it has fair amount of my kids games and apps on mine, so really i sould say it's 50 gb for my own media, apps, etc.

now the struggle is even harder cuz the 8th gen has 128 gb.....

 

[Dualvansmommy]

Well, you could keep the 10.5” for yourself and buy two iPad 8th gen for your kids. That way they both get new devices from under the Xmas tree.

We thought about that, but since our oldest will be getting an iphone in 2 years, i feel like a new ipad is bit overkill for him. Hence passing down my 10.5 iPP for him which is just perfect for that bit of gap while waiting till he gets iphone. ugh decisions though....cuz i know he would love to play gaming on the new 8th gen though since it can pair his xbox controller.

 

[kristalsoldier]

We thought about that, but since our oldest will be getting an iphone in 2 years, i feel like a new ipad is bit overkill for him. Hence passing down my 10.5 iPP for him which is just perfect for that bit of gap while waiting till he gets iphone. ugh decisions though....cuz i know he would love to play gaming on the new 8th gen though since it can pair his xbox controller.

2 years is a long time! And, kids like presents from under the Xmas tree, especially if they are new. But you are the parent and you know best.

 

[vongole83]

I'm handing down my iPad Pro 10.5 to my nearly 10 year old kid while getting my 7 year old the iPad 8th gen to replace hid ipad mini for xmas. That leaves me to decide which ipad to get. After looking at current iPad Air or iPP 11" model, i still can't make up my mind and further confused whether i should get 8th generation too?

iPad Air is GORGEOUS!!!!!! but feels bit overkill for my needs and consumption? Has anyone gotten the iPad Air just for emails, browsing the internet, stream media, photo edit, write and read newspapers and magazines? feels excessive when 8th gen model would just do for my needs. Essentially the same needs I've been doing with my current 10.5 iPP model.

I got the 256Gb IPA4 for exactly what you are describing. Not cheap at over £700 over here but it’s an incredible device and is definitely replaces my MBP for most things except coding.
Lightroom with a decent preset pack is an absolute dream on this thing - everything is instant (breath of fresh air next to Luminar chugging on my 2017 Pro and it’s questionable ability to maintain its library file correctly)- the screen is lovely and little things like Sidecar and Share Audio so me and my other half can watch NowTV next to the sleeping little one just make this such a useful device. Battery life is superb as well... it can handle CPU- heavy tasks for hours on end without excessive battery drain. Feels so much more useful than my IPA 2

No regrets at all.

 

[mverza]

Two years is absolutely forever to a kid. I vote for two new iPads for the kids and you take your time in trying to decide the best device for yourself! We are getting the iPad air for exactly the things you describe- browsing the internet, facebook, email, etc. No games or complicated apps. Just for the joy of surfing the web.

 

[Falhófnir]

I agree with @mverza it might be better to get the kids an 8th gen each, and keep your Pro 10.5 for a bit longer.

Edit to add: In some ways the Air 4 is a side grade from the Pro 10.5: bigger screen but no ProMotion, new design but no quad speakers, new chip but will you even notice it?

 

[rui no onna]

I'm handing down my iPad Pro 10.5 to my nearly 10 year old kid while getting my 7 year old the iPad 8th gen to replace hid ipad mini for xmas. That leaves me to decide which ipad to get. After looking at current iPad Air or iPP 11" model, i still can't make up my mind and further confused whether i should get 8th generation too?

iPad Air is GORGEOUS!!!!!! but feels bit overkill for my needs and consumption? Has anyone gotten the iPad Air just for emails, browsing the internet, stream media, photo edit, write and read newspapers and magazines? feels excessive when 8th gen model would just do for my needs. Essentially the same needs I've been doing with my current 10.5 iPP model.

If you didn't feel the pricier iPad Pro 10.5 was overkill for those tasks, why would the Air 4 be?

 

[Digitalguy]

If you didn't feel the pricier iPad Pro 10.5 was overkill for those tasks, why would the Air 4 be?

I guess because the air 4 would be new and the 10.5 is used....

 

[rui no onna]

I guess because the air 4 would be new and the 10.5 is used....

Presumably, the Pro 10.5 was also new back when the OP bought it.

 

[Dualvansmommy]

I agree with @mverza it might be better to get the kids an 8th gen each, and keep your Pro 10.5 for a bit longer.

Edit to add: In some ways the Air 4 is a side grade from the Pro 10.5: bigger screen but no ProMotion, new design but no quad speakers, new chip but will you even notice it?

eh, the quad speakers is never needed for me as i'm deaf. i always watch my tv shows, movies etc on mute with closed captions on. Good point on that as it's looking like the 8th generation might suit me better. The reason i keep going back to Air 4 cuz of the pencil 2 over 1st generation and the magic keyboard. 8th generation doesn't support either 2nd gen pencil or magic keyboard.

Presumably, the Pro 10.5 was also new back when the OP bought it.

Correct. I feel like 8th generation will serve me quite well as my needs are basic compared to other users heavier needs. How much of a difference between 1st and 2nd generation pencils though? and the magic keyboard too is really really nice....

 

[rui no onna]

eh, the quad speakers is never needed for me as i'm deaf. i always watch my tv shows, movies etc on mute with closed captions on. Good point on that as it's looking like the 8th generation might suit me better. The reason i keep going back to Air 4 cuz of the pencil 2 over 1st generation and the magic keyboard. 8th generation doesn't support either 2nd gen pencil or magic keyboard.


Correct. I feel like 8th generation will serve me quite well as my needs are basic compared to other users heavier needs. How much of a difference between 1st and 2nd generation pencils though? and the magic keyboard too is really really nice....

The experience is nicer on the higher end iPads though and I think the AP2 charging is far more convenient. I hate the charging mechanism for the AP1. Mind, I did buy a $230 iPad 7th gen + $50 Logitech Crayon last year to dedicate for PDF markup for work. I like the Crayon more than the AP1 and it's still usable if I upgrade to the Air 4 or next iPad Pro.

They offer higher base storage as well. My dad can live with 32GB but the only apps he has installed are Chrome, Chess, Solitaire, Facebook and FB Messenger, and I have iCloud Photos enabled for him (the $0.99 50GB iCloud plan is enough for him).

It's like getting a Lexus versus Toyota. Both will get you from point A to point B but the Lexus offers better style, comfort and convenience. Granted, I stick to Honda and Toyota myself. I've never been a car person and a basic vehicle allows for more funds to fuel my tech, anime, comics and toys hobbies.

Mind, I bought a $1500 (after tax and AC+) iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen in 2017 primarily for reading American comics. Most would probably think that overkill but I greatly appreciate having the large display for doublepage spreads and the storage is very useful when 25-30 page single issues are clocking in at 80-100MB each and omnibuses are multi-GB.

 

[Dualvansmommy]

The experience is nicer on the higher end iPads though and I think the AP2 charging is far more convenient. I hate the charging mechanism for the AP1. Mind, I did buy a $230 iPad 7th gen + $50 Logitech Crayon last year to dedicate for PDF markup for work. I like the Crayon more than the AP1 and it's still usable if I upgrade to the Air 4 or next iPad Pro.

They offer higher base storage as well. My dad can live with 32GB but the only apps he has installed are Chrome, Chess, Solitaire, Facebook and FB Messenger, and I have iCloud Photos enabled for him (the $0.99 50GB iCloud plan is enough for him).

It's like getting a Lexus versus Toyota. Both will get you from point A to point B but the Lexus offers better style, comfort and convenience. Granted, I stick to Honda and Toyota myself. I've never been a car person and a basic vehicle allows for more funds to fuel my tech, anime, comics and toys hobbies.

Mind, I bought a $1500 (after tax and AC+) iPad Pro 12.9 2nd gen in 2017 primarily for reading American comics. Most would probably think that overkill but I greatly appreciate having the large display for doublepage spreads and the storage is very useful when 25-30 page single issues are clocking in at 80-100MB each and omnibuses are multi-GB.

I completely forgot about the Logitech crayon pencil, and recall I liked it better. I’m with you on Toyota/Subaru, that’s what I drive so I have more money for tech, sports and travel. So it’s just down to the magic keyboard....

Looks like I’m leaning towards the 8th Gen then? But if I’m giving both my kids that model then I want a different model lol ugh why do decisions have to be difficult

 

[Falhófnir]

eh, the quad speakers is never needed for me as i'm deaf. i always watch my tv shows, movies etc on mute with closed captions on. Good point on that as it's looking like the 8th generation might suit me better. The reason i keep going back to Air 4 cuz of the pencil 2 over 1st generation and the magic keyboard. 8th generation doesn't support either 2nd gen pencil or magic keyboard.


Correct. I feel like 8th generation will serve me quite well as my needs are basic compared to other users heavier needs. How much of a difference between 1st and 2nd generation pencils though? and the magic keyboard too is really really nice....

I see, well, maybe if you can stick it out for a bit the Air might have some good sales? Certainly if you're going to make use of the pencil then I agree getting the Air with the second gen pencil makes more sense, due to the convenient form factor. Personally I don't use a keyboard with my iPad but the iPP keyboard folio is probably the one I'd go for with a bluetooth mouse, think it looks nicer and less heavy/ bulky ?

 

[scupking]

Go with the 8th gen 128. Looks like they will be on sale for $359 at bestbuy!