iPad iPad Air or wait for new iPad Pro 11" (2021)?

[Freida]

Was 9.7 not enough for those tasks? I wasn't really commenting on the upgrade itself but more on the wording of it.

ie. if you usage is that light then getting the top spec is not a wise choice. The money you pay extra could pay for A Pencil, A case etc. and your results would be the same but more money in your pocket.

My usage is light like yours so I'm still on Air 2 but I'm finally going to upgrade now to Air 4 as the Air 2 is starting to really show its age. I also have a bright spot that developed over those 6!!! years of usage (impressive for tech).

Anyway, I wasn't picking on you (even if it looked like it), I just disagree with people who buy the best when they don't need it.

Such as?

For a product I use daily in and outside of the classroom, I don't really consider it a waste of money. It's really paid for itself. Better specs (4gb ram, A12X, USB-C port which now supports external storage, better camera), I also do a fair amount of gaming on my iPad and am pleased at the performance of games such as Grimvalor (which does support the 120hz display).

I was upgrading from the 9.7" iPad Pro and in 2018, there really wasn't any other alternative. The entry level iPad was a step down compared to what I already had, and Apple had just refreshed the form factor with the 2018 iPad Pro, together with a new way of docking the Apple Pencil and a new Smart Keyboard design.

I don't think there's really anything else I could have bought at that point (or even now) that can replace my iPad in terms of what I use it for, and I say it's been worth every penny.

 

[TopDownDriver]

Well, my analysis has probably come to and end. And the winner is....

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7 PLUS!!!

What?

Well, I was all set to go iPad. However, went and looked at them all and while they are great tablets, they are nothing more than that. The AMOLED screen on the Samsung was miles better than anything on any other tablet. The form-factor (a bit longer) was better for reading and watching content, but the killer was DEX! There is nothing like this on the iPad! This turns the tablet into a true desktop replacement. With basically a complete window-based desktop and interface and much better file handling than the iPad, it will suit me much better. I also like that I can cast the device to a television without the need for an additional dongle, and if the monitor supports touch - it is also supported! Also, given that it is cheaper and comes with the pen interface, these are another series of pluses.

Now, I am not engaging in iOS vs. Android. It is clear that there are more apps on the iPad than on Android, but the vast majority of them are games I will not play. Additionally, it is unlikely that the iOS/Apple infrastructure will ever get XBox GamePass or Stadia (which my son uses) so there is that.

At the moment Apple is in a major transition and it is yet clear how it will work out. They have a lot to go through moving to "Apple Silicon" (ARM) as their main processors. This will clearly affect all of their products. While Samsung and Microsoft and Google are teaming up and making huge leaps in terms of interoperability and quality.

I have use iOS and MacOS in the past and can honestly say, that on the desktop, for what I do, Windows 10 is clearly the superior choice (even before you begin to factor in longevity and cost). While I am impressed with the current iPads, the recent iPhones are lagging the market.

For me, and only for me, the S7 Plus is the superior choice!

Thanks all for your input!

 

[rui no onna]

Was 9.7 not enough for those tasks? I wasn't really commenting on the upgrade itself but more on the wording of it.

ie. if you usage is that light then getting the top spec is not a wise choice. The money you pay extra could pay for A Pencil, A case etc. and your results would be the same but more money in your pocket.

My usage is light like yours so I'm still on Air 2 but I'm finally going to upgrade now to Air 4 as the Air 2 is starting to really show its age. I also have a bright spot that developed over those 6!!! years of usage (impressive for tech).

Anyway, I wasn't picking on you (even if it looked like it), I just disagree with people who buy the best when they don't need it.

Why are you getting the Air 4 instead of the iPad 8th gen? The A12 chipset on the 8th gen is still very fast. It will handle light usage just as well and your results would be the same but more money in your pocket.

8th gen 32GB -> Air 4 64GB: $270
Air 4 64GB -> 2020 iPP 11 128GB: $200

We all have our own budgets and reasons for getting certain models.

 

[TopDownDriver]

USB-C is a requirement. I will be hooking up an external hard drive as well as a card reader in order to back up files from my camera.

Why are you getting the Air 4 instead of the iPad 8th gen? The A12 chipset on the 8th gen is still very fast. It will handle light usage just as well and your results would be the same but more money in your pocket.

8th gen 32GB -> Air 4 64GB: $270
Air 4 64GB -> 2020 iPP 11 128GB: $200

We all have our own budgets and reasons for getting certain models.

 

[KittyKatta]

I’m wondering should have just skipped the A12Z and just did an A14/A14X October release for both.

2018: iPad Pro 11 - A12X
2019: iPad Air 3 - A12
2020: iPad Pro 11 - A12Z
2020: iPad Air 4 - A14
2021: iPad Pro 11 - A14X

That A12Z just seems out of place.

 

[Freida]

Because iPad 8th gen doesn't support Apple Pencil 2 and as we are getting iPad Pro next update (my partner) we don't want to buy 2x Apple pencil and waste money. We want to share 1 between us.
Also, I want start doing digital sculpting as well as editing photos in Affinity on these devices. Air 2 doesn't allow that as there is no pencil support but these 2 devices will hence my workflow will change. Until then my usage is light:
ie. web browsing, hearthstone and some movies when on the go.

Thats why. I understand what you were trying to implicate but in this case it doesn't really apply. If the OP I was replying to said the same, I wouldn't comment. Simple as that.
My point was that you don't need iPP just for slideshows and browsing

And I completely agree with the reasons to upgrade. We all have different ones, however, I also believe that we should get the right device that fits our needs and not device that is the top spec. Just because you can get the most expensive model doesn't mean you should. Its not about money and I feel that most people would agree that saving money always feels good.

Why are you getting the Air 4 instead of the iPad 8th gen? The A12 chipset on the 8th gen is still very fast. It will handle light usage just as well and your results would be the same but more money in your pocket.

8th gen 32GB -> Air 4 64GB: $270
Air 4 64GB -> 2020 iPP 11 128GB: $200

We all have our own budgets and reasons for getting certain models.

 

[rui no onna]

Because iPad 8th gen doesn't support Apple Pencil 2 and as we are getting iPad Pro next update (my partner) we don't want to buy 2x Apple pencil and waste money. We want to share 1 between us.
Also, I want start doing digital sculpting as well as editing photos in Affinity on these devices. Air 2 doesn't allow that as there is no pencil support but these 2 devices will hence my workflow will change. Until then my usage is light:
ie. web browsing, hearthstone and some movies when on the go.

Thats why. I understand what you were trying to implicate but in this case it doesn't really apply. If the OP I was replying to said the same, I wouldn't comment. Simple as that.
My point was that you don't need iPP just for slideshows and browsing

And I completely agree with the reasons to upgrade. We all have different ones, however, I also believe that we should get the right device that fits our needs and not device that is the top spec. Just because you can get the most expensive model doesn't mean you should. Its not about money and I feel that most people would agree that saving money always feels good.

The poster you were replying to had already mentioned they used the Apple Pencil a lot. At the time of release/upgrade, only the 2018 iPad Pro supported the new Apple Pencil 2.

I have the first one (purchased with iPP 9.7). It usually never has any charge when I need to use it because of the incredibly inconvenient charging method. Alas, I lost the little adapter for the Lightning cable within just 2 days.

Mind, I use the $60 Logitech Crayon nowadays. Works on all iPads released in 2018 or later (both non-Pro and Pro). Likely not the best for art but works very well for note taking and PDF markup.

Sure, it's nice to save money. Sometimes though, it's better to just spend a little extra to improve quality of life.

 

[Tsepz]

Well, my analysis has probably come to and end. And the winner is....

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7 PLUS!!!

What?

Well, I was all set to go iPad. However, went and looked at them all and while they are great tablets, they are nothing more than that. The AMOLED screen on the Samsung was miles better than anything on any other tablet. The form-factor (a bit longer) was better for reading and watching content, but the killer was DEX! There is nothing like this on the iPad! This turns the tablet into a true desktop replacement. With basically a complete window-based desktop and interface and much better file handling than the iPad, it will suit me much better. I also like that I can cast the device to a television without the need for an additional dongle, and if the monitor supports touch - it is also supported! Also, given that it is cheaper and comes with the pen interface, these are another series of pluses.

Now, I am not engaging in iOS vs. Android. It is clear that there are more apps on the iPad than on Android, but the vast majority of them are games I will not play. Additionally, it is unlikely that the iOS/Apple infrastructure will ever get XBox GamePass or Stadia (which my son uses) so there is that.

At the moment Apple is in a major transition and it is yet clear how it will work out. They have a lot to go through moving to "Apple Silicon" (ARM) as their main processors. This will clearly affect all of their products. While Samsung and Microsoft and Google are teaming up and making huge leaps in terms of interoperability and quality.

I have use iOS and MacOS in the past and can honestly say, that on the desktop, for what I do, Windows 10 is clearly the superior choice (even before you begin to factor in longevity and cost). While I am impressed with the current iPads, the recent iPhones are lagging the market.

For me, and only for me, the S7 Plus is the superior choice!

Thanks all for your input!

Congratulations and all the best man! Didn’t see this one coming ?

Sounds like you are better off with the Tab S7+ overall.

 

[Digitalguy]

Congratulations and all the best man! Didn’t see this one coming ?

Sounds like you are better off with the Tab S7+ overall.

Yes when you use Windows and an Android phone, the ipad starts to become a less interesting device as you are not in the ecosystem. Like him I don't see the ipad (nor any other tablet) as a creation device, but that's probably also because I don't edit videos, I rarely edit photos and I can't draw. What I "create" is mainly documents (mainly word and powerpoint) and the only reason I use a stylus is for anotating pdfs and word files. And Windows is miles ahead for that. Mobile apps seem good but are crap in comparison. You cannot do simple things like compare files, edit .doc files without converting or even opening rtf in word.... Which are all basic tasks that are essential in a work environment. So tablets for me are mainly a device to browse, read, watch videos, use social media and annotate (I also use them as portable second monitors). There is an exception to the creation, I create music, but even then, I play more than I create. And for that ipad is great (and it's actually what pushed me to the ipad 6 years ago), but Windows still gives you much more choice.
I am also not one of those that say Windows is terrible for touch, since I use all my tablets, except the 8in ones, with a keyboard. A I would take the less touch optimization of windows anytime over the lack of full apps (full browser with extensions, desktop whatsapp, possibility to remote into the device etc.). But the problem with windows tablets is that they are crappy in terms of hardware...
Like the topic starter I also strongly considered the surface pro x, which is the only windows tablet that is half decent in terms of speakers, battery life and screen size to body weight, but I too preferred the S7+.
Still I might consider a future iteration of the pro x...
Anyway, I am a multi device guy, so I keep using my ipads and I will certainly buy another ipad pro in the future, when they really improve it...

 

[TopDownDriver]

While I am very impressed with the iPad Pro, it is clear that Apple is moving to a new architecture and will be eliminating the computer in favor of a modular approach. They've already lost the desktop computer battle and their new Mac Pro desktop line is neither compelling nor priced competitively. However, the smart move is going to be the modularization of the laptop. You want a tablet, you buy one. Add a keyboard and it is a laptop. Add another module with more storage and memory allows you to run the new MacOS apps.

Probably 3-5 years off, but that's where its heading. I'm just not interested.

 

[Digitalguy]

While I am very impressed with the iPad Pro, it is clear that Apple is moving to a new architecture and will be eliminating the computer in favor of a modular approach. They've already lost the desktop computer battle and their new Mac Pro desktop line is neither compelling nor priced competitively. However, the smart move is going to be the modularization of the laptop. You want a tablet, you buy one. Add a keyboard and it is a laptop. Add another module with more storage and memory allows you to run the new MacOS apps.

Probably 3-5 years off, but that's where its heading. I'm just not interested.

not gonna happen, that's not what maximizes profits for Apple, so no, Macbooks are here to stay and are not even getting touch