iPad longevity and value

[Richard8655]

Let’s say they’re in a different environment. Maybe at work or business meeting? Or traveling. Do you see them with their tablet? Just curious.
I’m thinking that the tablet may be phasing out. Recently, MR came out with an article saying that the laptop sales has gone up. I can see why. Laptops are more practical and you can do everything with it. And now they come in many sizes.

That may be, I don’t know. But personally I really dislike laptops as to me they’re heavy, cumbersome, and not as ergonomical or portable as tablets. I don’t see tablets phasing out as the latest sales stats seem to show an uptick, especially with the release of Pro tablets from Apple. Many believe Pros are replacing laptops in many respects based on their advanced features and capabilities.

 

[Mainsail]

That may be, I don’t know. But personally I really dislike laptops as to me they’re heavy, cumbersome, and not as ergonomical or portable as tablets. I don’t see tablets phasing out as the latest sales stats seem to show an uptick, especially with the release of Pro tablets from Apple. Many believe Pros are replacing laptops in many respects based on their advanced features and capabilities.

To each his/her own. I like both iPads and MacBooks, and I use both. I don’t mind owning two different devices, since they both excel at diffent things. I bought a new 2014 MBA on sale a few years ago and a base 2017 iPad this summer, also on sale. Together, I spent a little over a $1,000....which isn’t bad really. I use iCloud for all of my storage and syncing, so moving between devices is seemless.

Back to the longevity thing. I figure 3 years for an iPad and 5 years for a MacBook, which comes to $100 per year for the iPad and about $150 per year for the MBA......like I said, got them on sale at B.B. The point is they are pretty good values considering how much daily use I get from both devices.

 

[gobikerider]

To each his/her own. I like both iPads and MacBooks, and I use both. I don’t mind owning two different devices, since they both excel at diffent things. I bought a new 2014 MBA on sale a few years ago and a base 2017 iPad this summer, also on sale. Together, I spent a little over a $1,000....which isn’t bad really. I use iCloud for all of my storage and syncing, so moving between devices is seemless.

Back to the longevity thing. I figure 3 years for an iPad and 5 years for a MacBook, which comes to $100 per year for the iPad and about $150 per year for the MBA......like I said, got them on sale at B.B. The point is they are pretty good values considering how much daily use I get from both devices.

MacBook will go seven years no problem

 

[akash.nu]

Let’s say they’re in a different environment. Maybe at work or business meeting? Or traveling. Do you see them with their tablet? Just curious.
I’m thinking that the tablet may be phasing out. Recently, MR came out with an article saying that the laptop sales has gone up. I can see why. Laptops are more practical and you can do everything with it. And now they come in many sizes.

Tablets & laptops have different usage. For me, unless I’m doing something related to development, I actually don’t need to use my laptop at all. iPad suffices for most of my needs & its way more portable than the laptop. It depends on individuals and their usage.

 

[danmart]

I’ll add to the chorus of “it depends on your usage”. My folks have an iPad 2 which is just starting to become frustrating for web and email (their primary use cases). I’ve recommended they upgrade to the 2017 iPad and that will probably do them for another 5-6 years.

On the other hand, I have a 2017 12.9 Pro and had the gen 1 12.9 Pro before that. It was the screen tech that prompted me to upgrade there, and to me it was a worthwhile bump.

 

[DestinyWonder]

As we’re seeing and buying pretty expensive iPads these days approaching $1k or more, I wonder what the practical longevity of these are? Is it worth spending that kind of money if it’ll lose much of its value in a few years? Or stick with base and less expensive models and just replace more frequently?

For example, before starting to get sluggish and difficult to use, I’m thinking a regular 2017 iPad (A9 chip) maybe 4-5 years. iPad Pro (A10x chip) 5-6 years? Maybe that’s too optimistic. Any thoughts?

My brothers iPad Mini is still going. It's around 5-6 years old now. I plan to get him a new one for christmas next year.

 

[Starship67]

Isn’t iPad Pro 9.7 with an A9 chip?

Its an A9X

I feel bad for the iPad Pro 9.7” owners however. The A8X is a 2014 product so suppprt is expected to last through iOS 12 only.

Considering the iPad Pro 9.7 is an A9X I think we should be okay for a while.

 

[Richard8655]

Its an A9X.

20% performance difference over the A9.

 

[Starship67]

20% performance difference over the A9.

Wasn't making any claims, just clarifying.

 

[Richard8655]

Wasn't making any claims, just clarifying.

No, that’s fine. I was actually clarifying an earlier post that said “I feel bad for the iPad Pro 9.7 owners however. The A8X is a 2014 product so support is expected to last through iOS 12 only.”.

But you’re right, I should have said A9X not A9.

 

[Hastings101]

Really there shouldn't be any slowing down with how powerful these things are and with 2/4GB RAM. Even the iPad 2017 is as good as or better than many cheap laptops that run Windows 10 just fine.

Longevity is another thing, I have no clue how long tablets should last. Maybe laptop lifespan of anywhere from 3-5+ years before some issues comes along and puts it out of commission, or maybe longer. Obviously Apple support will end eventually though

 

[Abazigal]

No, that’s fine. I was actually clarifying an earlier post that said “I feel bad for the iPad Pro 9.7 owners however. The A8X is a 2014 product so support is expected to last through iOS 12 only.”.

But you’re right, I should have said A9X not A9.

Just a few days ago, I was using my iPad to read my emcee script for a school event. The script weighed in at 44 pages of text, and was visibly lagging on my 9.7" iPad Pro.

On iOS 10, the same document flew on my iPad Pro, and I could even do edits in real time. But something changed during this time. Either iOS 11 is heavier, or google docs requires more memory, but my iPad was good only for viewing the document. Any edits result in the app lagging extremely badly.

The 2gb ram will be the major bottleneck before long. Calling it now.

 

[Richard8655]

Just a few days ago, I was using my iPad to read my emcee script for a school event. The script weighed in at 44 pages of text, and was visibly lagging on my 9.7" iPad Pro.

On iOS 10, the same document flew on my iPad Pro, and I could even do edits in real time. But something changed during this time. Either iOS 11 is heavier, or google docs requires more memory, but my iPad was good only for viewing the document. Any edits result in the app lagging extremely badly.

The 2gb ram will be the major bottleneck before long. Calling it now.

My very large PDF files zip through their pages on my 2017 9.7. My Smart Office Word docs are zippy too. There’s also Pages for IOS word processing that runs beautifully. All under IOS 11. Maybe something about Google docs?

 

[Abazigal]

My very large PDF files zip through their pages on my 2017 9.7. My Smart Office Word docs are zippy too. There’s also Pages for IOS word processing that runs beautifully. All under IOS 11. Maybe something about Google docs?

Possible. The file was visibly lagging even on my work laptop and was noticeably taking up a lot of memory on my iMac.

 

[Richard8655]

Possible. The file was visibly lagging even on my work laptop and was noticeably taking up a lot of memory on my iMac.

Seems to point to Google docs. But you make a good point about potential 2gb limitations.

 

[scottrods]

This is just an example, but here goes. I've seen and read many complaints about slowing iPads, from the early days of the first generation units. I waited until just before the release of the iPad 4 and bought "the biggest baddest" Wifi, Highest capacity, Cellular the whole shootin' match version of the iPad 3 and it was about 900 bucks back in those days with a screen protector and a cover (one of the crappy magnetic ones made by apple even)...900 bucks. If I were to go out and buy a new one(which I plan on soon), I could buy the same basic idea, Max Capacity, Cell/Wifi, no cover, no screen protector, and an Apple Pencil, for about 1400 bucks, no apple care or anything else... If it lasts me the same 6 years of usable life as a "home use" tablet, not a business computer or laptop replacement, I'm good with that.

I would gladly buy a new iPad Every year if I could get one for 225 dollars each year... including the initial purchase price... but current prices tell me I'm only buying once they become completely unsupported, and a little longer. And I take really good care of my iPad, so I gift the old one to one of the Grand kids, so they can hate *it* instead of *me*.

I honestly believe the iPad 3 I bought did very well for our family, and have no issue paying to get the new ones right now. I expect the current iPad Pro will last well into 6 years for us. A Power user will find a new one more necessary more often. And the potential for using this as the only "computer" one may own is growing quickly.

ON day iPads, or tablets in general, may completely swallow desktops and Laptops. They're not there yet, but maybe one day... I see a day where you will be able to pair peripherals such as virtual 3d Brushes and visors and Mouse and construction kits and more. The stuff out there already is crazy unbelievable. They've had a 3D scanner attachment for iPad for about 3 years already... how many of you knew that? It's Called Structure sensor if anyone would like to check it out... (NO I don't own sell or have any interest in the sales of this item, but so many cool things are out there, I thought I share one that is pretty ground breaking... they have VR headset too, that works wit their structure sensor for Augmented reality as well... but It isn't quite ready for iPhone x, so they're only saying they have it in the works)...

 

[FeliApple]

I do the 'refrain from updating' thing but to be honest it sucks. I had some Pages documents with a friend on my previous iPad and I couldn't open them because I couldn't have the latest Pages version because of my iOS version, I started to not being able to download apps and app updates due to the required version.
But if that's the price to pay so that my iPad works flawlessly, then so be it. I'll seek app workarounds. I'll tolerate the nagging. I'll transfer documents in a different way. I can't have my iPad work awfully. When I get a new one, I'll maintain it in its original version and regain ability to download apps. And so on. Or maybe I'll keep this one and update the new one when I get it, I don't know.
What I do know is, if I only have one iPad, I'll keep that one in its original version. I updated my iPad 4 and it was full of lag and general sluggishness. Now that I have my 9.7 Pro still on iOS 9 (and don't have the 4), it works flawlessly. It's too good of an experience compared to what I had to give it up for a few apps.
I wish I could just update and have it work flawlessly to be honest, but if I can't, then I have to do what I have to do.
Also, I forgot to say: The problem is unavoidable. Even if I update constantly, there will be a point (this is proven by experience and by reading everywhere) that even though it's supported, the device will start progressively lagging and working worse that how it worked before. Let's take the 9.7 Pro. Let's assume I update for app compatibility now to iOS 11. In two years, the general consensus is that iOS 13 lags this iPad too much, so I leave it in iOS 12. There will be a point where a majority of apps require iOS higher than 12. Result: iPad works worse than iOS 9, and I haven't solved the problem of app compatibility.
Yes. I know. I gained time and support if I do that because no device is supported forever. But I still have the app problem and, not only that, but with an iPad that works worse than on iOS 9.
Conclusion is: In the long term, you'll have the problem anyway, but you'll have an iPad that works worse than what it would have if you hadn't updated it to begin with.

 

[Richard8655]

^^^ This is an excellent write up on the situation and possible solutions. Similarly, I’m wondering about the approach of not only never updating the IOS (i.e. staying on IOS 11 permanently), but also never updating the final set of apps you want installed on your iPad. This assumes much uncertainty if future apps are ever desired.

But if you at accept that, it seems your iPad should perform as well over the next few years as originally while bypassing future IOS releases. I wonder, though, if there are any gotchas with this scenario. Connection issues with potential future network/WiFi changes possibly?

The nagging is still an issue to tolerate.

 

[FeliApple]

^^^ This is an excellent write up on the situation and possible solutions. Similarly, I’m wondering about the approach of not only never updating the IOS (i.e. staying on IOS 11 permanently), but also never updating the final set of apps you want installed on your iPad. This assumes much uncertainty if future apps are ever desired.

But if you at accept that, it seems your iPad should perform as well over the next few years as originally while bypassing future IOS releases. I wonder, though, if there are any gotchas in this scenario. Connection issues with potential future network/WiFi changes possibly?

The nagging is still an issue to tolerate.

The app situation is the most annoying. Not too much the updates, but initial downloads. Obviously you cannot do anything regarding new apps (i.e, new apps launched that initially require, in my previous example, iOS 13.)
But regarding current apps, what I do is (although you cannot always anticipate needs, and only if your iPad has enough storage) try to anticipate needs.
For example: I come across an interesting app. Is there a chance I will need it in the future if I don't need it now? Do I have enough storage leftover for that? If yes, then I download it.
If you don't care about OS specific improvements, or they aren't good enough if there is a prospect - however slim might it be - of possible issues, then the only issue would be the apps. I don't think networks will change so drastically.
Regarding nagging, it is just a matter of getting used to it, it is indeed annoying, but I won't be beaten by insistence. Prove you can deliver a flawless experience in subsequent updates, and I'll believe you. And possibly update. Until then, this is all I can do.

 

[mk313]

But regarding current apps, what I do is (although you cannot always anticipate needs, and only if your iPad has enough storage) try to anticipate needs.
For example: I come across an interesting app. Is there a chance I will need it in the future if I don't need it now? Do I have enough storage leftover for that? If yes, then I download it.

You can also save cop Es if the apps you like and load them to your iPad from your Mac later on if you want. I use an app closed of ifunbox (or something like that, I’m not at home too confirm right now.) I did that for a while with the Nike Plus app. The old version was great but the new one sucked. I had a copy of the old version and was able to load that into my iPhone and continue to use the app while they sorted out the issues with the newer version.

 

[Richard8655]

The app situation is the most annoying. Not too much the updates, but initial downloads. Obviously you cannot do anything regarding new apps (i.e, new apps launched that initially require, in my previous example, iOS 13.)
But regarding current apps, what I do is (although you cannot always anticipate needs, and only if your iPad has enough storage) try to anticipate needs.
For example: I come across an interesting app. Is there a chance I will need it in the future if I don't need it now? Do I have enough storage leftover for that? If yes, then I download it.
If you don't care about OS specific improvements, or they aren't good enough if there is a prospect - however slim might it be - of possible issues, then the only issue would be the apps. I don't think networks will change so drastically.
Regarding nagging, it is just a matter of getting used to it, it is indeed annoying, but I won't be beaten by insistence. Prove you can deliver a flawless experience in subsequent updates, and I'll believe you. And possibly update. Until then, this is all I can do.

Good stuff. I’m wondering if it makes sense to keep auto refresh (background app refresh) of all apps turned on, while turning off future IOS software updates. In that case, I imagine eventually future apps might be incompatible with the frozen and older release of IOS (IOS 11 in this case), as they might expect future IOS functionality to either install or function properly. We may then be stuck with the latest apps that won’t run properly under IOS 11. The alternative is to also turnoff background app refesh.

 

[FeliApple]

Good stuff. I’m wondering if it makes sense to keep auto refresh of all apps turned on, while turning off future IOS software updates. In that case, I imagine eventually future apps might be incompatible with the frozen and older release of IOS (IOS 11 in this case), as they might expect future IOS functionality to either install or function properly. We may then be stuck with the latest apps that won’t run properly under IOS 11.

Auto refresh? Do you mean auto updates? And some apps update minimum iOS requirements as time passes by. So there'll be a point where you'll be stuck with an app version. YouTube requires iOS 9.0 for example, but if I try to download it on my iPod Touch 5G on iOS 6, it'll install the latest version compatible with my iOS version.
That is to download. I'm not sure - but I don't think so - that it allows you to download the latest compatible version if you already have the app. (If I'm wrong correct me please) here's an example to make it clearer:
So. If I have YouTube on my iPod already (without the latest iOS 6.0 compatible version, but a previous one) and try to update it, it won't let me, even to the latest compatible version. But if I do not have the app, it will automatically download the latest iOS 6.0 compatible version.

 

[Richard8655]

Auto refresh? Do you mean auto updates? And some apps update minimum iOS requirements as time passes by. So there'll be a point where you'll be stuck with an app version. YouTube requires iOS 9.0 for example, but if I try to download it on my iPod Touch 5G on iOS 6, it'll install the latest version compatible with my iOS version.
That is to download. I'm not sure - but I don't think so - that it allows you to download the latest compatible version if you already have the app. (If I'm wrong correct me please) here's an example to make it clearer:
So. If I have YouTube on my iPod already (without the latest iOS 6.0 compatible version, but a previous one) and try to update it, it won't let me, even to the latest compatible version. But if I do not have the app, it will automatically download the latest iOS 6.0 compatible version.

Yeah, this is what I’m saying. Freezing IOS while allowing future app updates (auto refresh) may eventually cause problems with those apps.

 

[gorkt]

I guess since I have been buying computers since the early 90’s, my idea of value is a bit skewed. In 1993, I got a 486 without a graphics card and a minuscule hard drive for around $1600. I had to spend another $400 to get a sound card, graphics card and a DVD drive a few years later. My next computer, three years later, was a top of the line (at the time) pentium from Dell that cost over 3K. An iPad for $1k that lasts 3 years or more doesn’t seem all that bad.

 

[FeliApple]

Yeah, this is what I’m saying. Freezing IOS while allowing future app updates (auto refresh) may eventually cause problems with those apps.

Won't it stop automatically updating when the iOS version doesn't meet app requirements?