iPad Pro iPad for Physical Education Apps/tech in school

[jhawkin1]

I am looking to possibly purchase a new iPad for myself so I have access to unlimited apps and such including but not limited to: taking videos and modifying them using various apps, stop watches, Team Shake, Interval Timer, Show Me app, Scanner, Digital Whiteboard, ect.

My school district gave us all iPad 6th Generation Mid 2018 with 128 GB. I can only access iMovie and none of the other apps. I would love to have a new iPad for myself that I have complete control over.

Dilemma: Should I use the iPad I currently have from District and use iPhone for other apps or is it worth purchasing a new iPad 12.9' M1 2021 processor with 16 GB of RAM for School and personal use? I am so torn, and the new iPad looks super appealing.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!



Jim

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wouldn't get an iPad for yourself unless you were already planning to before the news from the school. Why spend more money if you don't really need to, unless the programs you want to use are better used on a larger mobile device like the iPad?

I also don't advise you use any personal device for school duties as well. Keep work separate from personal. That is why the school is giving you a free iPad to use.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

If you want the very very best iPad and money is no hindrance, then yes a 12.9” M1 16GB RAM iPad Pro will be the one you want.

However if you are simply looking for an iPad to do all the things you want, then you could also save some money and consider the iPad Air 4, the 11” iPad Pro 8GB RAM, or the 12.9“ Pro 8GB RAM. Even the iPad 8th Gen is worth considering as a value for money device.

There are also other options if you can get them cheaper: the 2018 and 2020 11”/12.9”Pro models.

The only iPad I wouldn’t consider to be suitable is the iPad Mini as its spec is not great for the price point.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am looking to possibly purchase a new iPad for myself so I have access to unlimited apps and such including but not limited to: taking videos and modifying them using various apps, stop watches, Team Shake, Interval Timer, Show Me app, Scanner, Digital Whiteboard, ect.

My school district gave us all iPad 6th Generation Mid 2018 with 128 GB. I can only access iMovie and none of the other apps. I would love to have a new iPad for myself that I have complete control over.

Dilemma: Should I use the iPad I currently have from District and use iPhone for other apps or is it worth purchasing a new iPad 12.9' M1 2021 processor with 16 GB of RAM for School and personal use? I am so torn, and the new iPad looks super appealing.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!



Jim

The 2020 iPad Air could do all of those things without a hitch.

 

[jhawkin1]

These are excellent points! I would love the newest model but want to make sure it would more than last at least 10 years plus if I take good care of it. I would pay money for the very best and it be technologically speedy for the long haul.

Is the M1 much faster than iPad Air 2020? I will save if I get an 8 GB RAM/256 GB storage as opposed to a 16 GB/1-2 T storage package on the iPad Pro

Also for the current iPad Pro model, is the 12.9" screen look much better or any big difference between that and the 11" screen?

Thanks!

 

[Username-already-in-use]

There are so many issues here.

12.9” vs 11”
How big a screen do you want?
How portable do you want your iPad?
Liquid Retina XDR Mini LED or Liquid Retina?
120Hz or 60Hz?
Does the bigger or smaller iPad feel more comfortable when holding?

RAM / Storage
Do you want 4GB, 6GB, 8GB or 16GB RAM?
How much in-built storage do you need?
Can you get by with lower storage and an external HDD?
Can you get by with lower storage and adding cloud storage?

Cost of ownership
If you’re buying long term, how long will you expect Apple to support the device?
If you’re buying long term, have you considered the cost of insurance/extended guarantee?
Have you also factored in the cost of any accessories?
Do you invest in the best model now, or pay half (or one third) the price and buy a pretty good model now and upgrade to another pretty good model in 4 years’ time?

It’s worth bearing in mind how technologies filter down from the top end to the mid-range in 2-4 years. For example the mid-range iPad Air 4 2020 can perform similarly to the 11” iPad Pro 2018 and run faster than the the iPad Pro 2017 and 2015.

I bought the 12.9” 1TB/16GB model, but I suspect it will likely feel as fast as mid-range iPads will in 2025/26. However I will likely upgrade again at that time. I love the screen, love the size, love that I don‘t need to worry about storage, as well as not worrying about losing the 20 windows sitting in RAM.

 

[Abazigal]

I am looking to possibly purchase a new iPad for myself so I have access to unlimited apps and such including but not limited to: taking videos and modifying them using various apps, stop watches, Team Shake, Interval Timer, Show Me app, Scanner, Digital Whiteboard, ect.

My school district gave us all iPad 6th Generation Mid 2018 with 128 GB. I can only access iMovie and none of the other apps. I would love to have a new iPad for myself that I have complete control over.

Dilemma: Should I use the iPad I currently have from District and use iPhone for other apps or is it worth purchasing a new iPad 12.9' M1 2021 processor with 16 GB of RAM for School and personal use? I am so torn, and the new iPad looks super appealing.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!



Jim

If the apps are managed at a school level, you may want to submit a request for those additional apps to be allowed to the ipad if you believe they will benefit the teaching experience.

That said, as a teacher who got an ipad to use in the classroom mainly to get around the restrictions of a admin-managed windows laptop, I totally understand the allure of being able to use your device however you wish. Assuming there are no concerns with data being on your device, I see no harm.

I would add that 16gb seems like overkill, unless you see yourself storing a lot of videos on it. You may also be better off using the 11” iPad Pro over the larger version. The smaller size will make it more portable and easy to bring around.

Oh, and get the cellular version as well.

 

[jhawkin1]

I am looking for cases that have the hand strap for the 11" and I can't find any on Amazon. Any suggestions??

 

[jhawkin1]

UPDATE: I ended up going with the 12.9" iPad Pro 1TB system in Silver. I could not find cases for the 11" 5th generation with hand strap. Apple was completely out of cases (or didn't offer cases) for the 11" Pro. With me working at school, I can't take risks with the amount of money I put into this system I purchased as an educator through Apple.

***Any great cases for iPad 12.9" Pro?***