If the kids are going to be handling the iPad then definitely the 9th gen. More durable body and the glass is much cheaper to replace on it compared to the laminated display of the air 4
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All iPads iPad Air vs iPad
- Thread starter ms.annette
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Oh no. They won’t be touching it. Lol
Lot of people missing the most obvious differences: home button and headphone jack. As an 11’’ pro user, I miss the home button of my prior iPads. I don’t think swiping up translates as well to a tablet compared to how it works on the iPhone.
I totally agree. The home button is a lot more intuitive and affords a much better user experience -- at least for me.
Depends on how you use it. If you use a keyboard, it's often more convenient to tap the space bar to log in with Face ID than to reach across the table to hold your thumb on the Touch ID button. So in this situation, I would prefer Face ID on the iPad Pro. In contrast, I prefer Touch ID on my iPhone.
Ironically, I own an iPad Pro 10.5 with Touch ID, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max with Face ID.
I can see your point. But, I use my MBP as my keyboard required device (for most work activities) and use my iPad strictly as a handheld with no peripherals. So, I really think the home button is better for that use case -- but it's obviously only my opinion. YMMVDepends on how you use it. If you use a keyboard, it's often more convenient to tap the space bar to log in with Face ID than to reach across the table to hold your thumb on the Touch ID button. So in this situation, I would prefer Face ID on the iPad Pro. In contrast, I prefer Touch ID on my iPhone.
Ironically, I own an iPad Pro 10.5 with Touch ID, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max with Face ID.
Between the two, i would go with the Air (newer cpu, 3GB vs 4GB memory and newer design) unless you’re tight with money.
based on this logic it's even better to go with pro 11 (better CPU, 8GB RAM vs 4 and better screen) for less than the price difference between the air and the iPad 9... unless you're tight with money.... ?
Maybe consider this option. Go for the iPad 9 now, as I think its better value with the Air approaching the end of a cycle.
When the Air 5 comes out, see if it’s worth upgrading to in which case you can probably sell the iPad 9 with maybe a loss of 50 USD or something.
The only thing you have to be mindful of is the Apple Pencil 1 vs 2, and cases and such.
When the Air 5 comes out, see if it’s worth upgrading to in which case you can probably sell the iPad 9 with maybe a loss of 50 USD or something.
The only thing you have to be mindful of is the Apple Pencil 1 vs 2, and cases and such.
based on this logic it's even better to go with pro 11 (better CPU, 8GB RAM vs 4 and better screen) for less than the price difference between the air and the iPad 9... unless you're tight with money....
Quite a jump from the iPad 9 though and the Air is almost in the middle with a few of the high end features. Some may stretch to the £500ish budget from the base but £700 may be a bit too far. I wouldn’t pay that much for an iPad I have to say lol.
For her use case the IPad 9 makes the most sense. Anything beyond that is a want more than a need. I could get by with an iPad 9, but I wanted a pro so I went with that
So at this point, she’s got the knowledge to know what they offer, it’s just up to how much she wants to spend on the experience
So at this point, she’s got the knowledge to know what they offer, it’s just up to how much she wants to spend on the experience
I agree with the above post. The push to go with the more expensive iPads is unwarranted for the user's needs. There's no compelling entertainment or business needs. Also as mentioned, the laminated Air and Pro models are more delicate versus the regular iPad 9's thicker glass as a better fit for the classroom.
I've been using a couple iPad 5's everyday since they came out, and feel no need to jump on my Air 3 or Mini 5 that sit on a shelf much of the time.
I'm sure the original poster got way more advice and comments than anyone expected!
I've been using a couple iPad 5's everyday since they came out, and feel no need to jump on my Air 3 or Mini 5 that sit on a shelf much of the time.
I'm sure the original poster got way more advice and comments than anyone expected!
Annette, to throw a curveball have you considered the Ipad Mini 6? Its priced in between the IPad 9 and Ipad Air, but has the most up to date specs than the other 2 (A15 chip etc). You would be able to use the Apple Pencil 2 on it also. Its obviously a smaller screen than the others, but 8.3" is still a decent size, and is more portable.
Again, I am blown away at how awesome you all are. ? I feel so invested in this thread and all of you lol
Update: I went with the iPad Air! It’ll be here tomorrow. Along with a case and Apple Pencil. I know they’re probably going to be upgraded soon but I can’t wait. I will be selling my 7 gen iPad and pencil on eBay most likely.
As far as the mini suggestion, it’s cute but way too small.
Update: I went with the iPad Air! It’ll be here tomorrow. Along with a case and Apple Pencil. I know they’re probably going to be upgraded soon but I can’t wait. I will be selling my 7 gen iPad and pencil on eBay most likely.
As far as the mini suggestion, it’s cute but way too small.
what is your current model of iPad ? If the battery is really terrible,and indeed below 80%, Apple should offer you a battery replacement service, but in reality they would sent you a refurbished model - in many cases a newer model than what you have. The battery service is only $100, so something to consider.
Edit: nvm, i see you went with Air4 - enjoy it!
Edit: nvm, i see you went with Air4 - enjoy it!
Thanks for the input! Yeah I already bit the bullet. It was a gen 7 iPad which doesn’t seem that old ? but I’m kind of an apple nerd and like shiny new things as well. Lol aren’t we all?
Congratulations. I bought an Air 4 and Pencil for my girlfriend in 2021 and she loves the combo. I’m sure you will love it also.
One topic people are really passionate about around here is which iPad is the best for what things. The common thread though is that I think most of us really love iPads.
You really can't go wrong with any of the current models, but the Air is definitely what I would have bought in your situation. Plus, being married to a teacher who never buys herself "the nicer one" out of guilt but DEFINITELY earns it and then some, I'm REALLY glad you bought the nicer one of the two. Enjoy.
I would say Ipad 9 if it had USB-C and took the Pencil 2 but it doesn't. Those two factors are why I would get the Air over it.
I find with the pro you atleast get quite a bit more for the extra money vs the price jump from the 9 to the air lol. Quad speakers, double base storage, faster storage, higher refresh screen, double the ram, big processor boost, thunderbolt 3, better front and rear cameras, LiDAR etc. It’s a big list lol
Yes, as I said in another thread, in term of pure value for money for mid-sized iPads, while the iPad 9 is first, the pro 11 is clearly second and the air is last. Of course this is without taking into account refurbished iPads (which means basically new previous gen pros, new battery, new screen etc.). You can find new 2018 pros for cheaper than an air 4, and they are overall better devices, or 2020 ones for essentially the same price and an even better value.
Of course value is also relative, because it depends on what people value the most. If speakers are a priority a pro is a must. Same for promotion. If you like to have many tabs open in safari without them reloading periodically, then having more than 4 GB RAM is again a priority. Or if you need more than 64GB of storage.... It all depends...
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Surprised more people haven't mentioned the difference with respect to speakers. If you plan on using it for any video content you really will appreciate the Air's true stereo speakers top and bottom versus the dual speakers on the iPad 9 that fire only from the bottom.
Also ergonomically the flat edges of the Air IMO are far more enjoyable to handle versus the rounded edges of the iPad 9.
And if the Air does get updated soon, I don't think you will have any buyers remorse as the changes should not be drastic.