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iPad pro or iPad 2018

Firstgreen

Firstgreen

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 1, 2018
11
0
Hey guys I'm a medical student going I to my second to last year of clinicals. I currently own a macbook pro 2017 and an iPad mini2 I've seen a lot of videos of people saying iPads with pencil support is super helpful. I'm wondering I should upgrade from the mini? Or should I stick with the mini 2 for awhile longer. I read lots of pdf books but that can be done on both my laptop and iPad mini but I thi k I would love the comfort of underlining with an apple pencil.

If I am to upgrade should it be to the iPad pro 2017 or the iPad 2018?
I'm partially leaning towards the regular ipad because it's less expensive and the apple pencil would be more affordable this way. At the same time I would love to future proof and I wouldnt want the iPad to become redundant in 2 years :(

What are your thoughts would it really benefit me in school to get an iPad with an apple pencil?
 
Portability sounds like it’s a big plus so I’d say no to the Pro, which is probably overkill for your use.

The chip in the Mini 5 is 2 generations newer than the 2018 iPad so I’d be tempted to go for that. Might be worth checking the trade in value for your Mini 2 since it would be redundant if you did get the Mini 5.

Apple is likely to drop iOS support for the Mini 2 in September.
 
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If you have any reservations about the Pro, go Mini 5. I have the Mini 4, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro 11".
 
The 10.5" (and 11" models can use a so-called full-sized keyboard with 18 mm key spacing, but the 9.7" models cannot. This makes a HUGE difference in typing comfort. Furthermore, the 10.5" (and 11" models) have a Smart Connector, but the 9.7" models do not. This makes a HUGE difference in convenience since you don't have to pair anything with the Smart Connector or deal with wireless disconnects, unlike with Bluetooth. Bluetooth keyboards can get quite annoying at times. So, I'd recommend:

iPad Pro 10.5" (refurb) with Apple Pencil (edu or refurb) and Apple Smart Keyboard (Amazon on sale), and leave your MacBook Pro at home during class.

Only issue with the iPad Pro 10.5" is some people have reported a white spot on the screen after a year of use. The alternative would be:

iPad Air 10.5" (edu) with Apple Pencil (edu or refurb) and Apple Smart Keyboard (Amazon on sale), and leave your MacBook Pro at home during class.

The only drawback is that MS Office is no longer free on the iPad Pro 10.5", whereas it is free on the iPad 9.7". However, you may get a free student licence for MS Office anyway through your med school so it may be moot.
 
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Firstgreen said:
Hey guys I'm a medical student going I to my second to last year of clinicals. I currently own a macbook pro 2017 and an iPad mini2 I've seen a lot of videos of people saying iPads with pencil support is super helpful. I'm wondering I should upgrade from the mini? Or should I stick with the mini 2 for awhile longer. I read lots of pdf books but that can be done on both my laptop and iPad mini but I thi k I would love the comfort of underlining with an apple pencil.

If I am to upgrade should it be to the iPad pro 2017 or the iPad 2018?
I'm partially leaning towards the regular ipad because it's less expensive and the apple pencil would be more affordable this way. At the same time I would love to future proof and I wouldnt want the iPad to become redundant in 2 years :(

What are your thoughts would it really benefit me in school to get an iPad with an apple pencil?
Click to expand...
Get the iPad Mini 5!
 
My husband is a resident and he uses a mini because it is the only iPad that fits in the coat pocket. Many others just use large phones.

This is a use case where you should definitely error on the side of portability.
 
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Saskat said:
My husband is a resident and he uses a mini because it is the only iPad that fits in the coat pocket. Many others just use large phones.

This is a use case where you should definitely error on the side of portability.
Click to expand...
Depends. A resident or medical student on the wards is different than a medical student in class taking notes.
 
EugW said:
The 10.5" (and 11" models can use a so-called full-sized keyboard with 18 mm key spacing, but the 9.7" models cannot. This makes a HUGE difference in typing comfort. Furthermore, the 10.5" (and 11" models) have a Smart Connector, but the 9.7" models do not. This makes a HUGE difference in convenience since you don't have to pair anything with the Smart Connector or deal with wireless disconnects, unlike with Bluetooth. Bluetooth keyboards can get quite annoying at times. So, I'd recommend:

iPad Pro 10.5" (refurb) with Apple Pencil (edu or refurb) and Apple Smart Keyboard (Amazon on sale), and leave your MacBook Pro at home during class.

Only issue with the iPad Pro 10.5" is some people have reported a white spot on the screen after a year of use. The alternative would be:

iPad Air 10.5" (edu) with Apple Pencil (edu or refurb) and Apple Smart Keyboard (Amazon on sale), and leave your MacBook Pro at home during class.

The only drawback is that MS Office is no longer free on the iPad Pro 10.5", whereas it is free on the iPad 9.7". However, you may get a free student licence for MS Office anyway through your med school so it may be moot.
Click to expand...
keyboard issues is only if using the apple smart keyboard. There are many bluetooth keyboard cases or keyboards in general that may alleviate this concern
 
dukebound85 said:
keyboard issues is only if using the apple smart keyboard. There are many bluetooth keyboard cases or keyboards in general that may alleviate this concern
Click to expand...
Not if they're matched keyboards. There isn't enough physical space for the 9.7" to accommodate a full-sized keyboard. That's one of the main reasons Apple switched to the 10.5" size in the first place actually. (BTW, the 11" is about the same width in landscape mode as the 10.5", due to the smaller bezels.) The keyboard has to physically wider than the 9.7" iPads in order to be full-sized. This usually means a completely separate keyboard, and it also means Bluetooth. As mentioned, Bluetooth can be a pain. YMMV, but I won't be buying another Bluetooth keyboard for my iPads. (I already have several.)
 
EugW said:
Depends. A resident or medical student on the wards is different than a medical student in class taking notes.
Click to expand...

True but OP mentioned they were going into second to last year of clinicals and I would think they were seeking opinions taking that into consideration.

PS my husband had an iPad Pro 9.7 at first thinking it would be the right size but once he got into the swing of things he found the 9.7 too large so he gave it to me. He got the mini 4 instead and will upgrade to mini 5 later this year.
 
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I’d probably jump in with a iPad Pro 2017, if I were a medical student needing an updated iPad. It’ll last you for years, and years. Plenty of power for all of your needs!

Pretty light weight too, and it is not to big either, and it has extremely good battery life. It may even replace your laptop sometimes
 
tps3443 said:
I’d probably jump in with a iPad Pro 2017, if I were a medical student needing an updated iPad. It’ll last you for years, and years. Plenty of power for all of your needs!

Pretty light weight too, and it is not to big either, and it has extremely good battery life. It may even replace your laptop sometimes
Click to expand...
I agree with this. I was at one time considering the 2019 Pro, but decided against it for pretty much the reasons you mentioned. Additionally, I also considered getting the new iPad mini but also decided against it. It really would not have added any real value at all to what I do and the way I use my iPad. The 2017 Pro is more than sufficient in virtually all respects (for me).
 
If you have a MacBook and an iPhone already, get the mini. It is excellent in terms of portability, using on the couch and bed, and on the go.
 
VertPin said:
If you have a MacBook and an iPhone already, get the mini. It is excellent in terms of portability, using on the couch and bed, and on the go.
Click to expand...

The op already has a mini and decided to look into something bigger for this upgrade.
 
EugW said:
This 4th year Cambridge medical student loves Notability on his 10.5” iPad Pro with Apple Pencil.

Click to expand...

I was checking out an Air just a few hours ago. Very nice all in all. However, the speakers as compared to my 9.7 Pro and 10.5 Pro are really rather dire. I can't say I could get used to them. It doesn't bother me anywhere near as much on the mini as it's not a primary device and the way things are looking I'm going to be using it mainly for reading ebooks anyway. And when I do listen to music and even audiobooks and the radio on the mini, I shall definitely do so via headphones.
 
Firstgreen said:
Hey guys I'm a medical student going I to my second to last year of clinicals. I currently own a macbook pro 2017 and an iPad mini2 I've seen a lot of videos of people saying iPads with pencil support is super helpful. I'm wondering I should upgrade from the mini? Or should I stick with the mini 2 for awhile longer. I read lots of pdf books but that can be done on both my laptop and iPad mini but I thi k I would love the comfort of underlining with an apple pencil.

If I am to upgrade should it be to the iPad pro 2017 or the iPad 2018?
I'm partially leaning towards the regular ipad because it's less expensive and the apple pencil would be more affordable this way. At the same time I would love to future proof and I wouldnt want the iPad to become redundant in 2 years :(

What are your thoughts would it really benefit me in school to get an iPad with an apple pencil?
Click to expand...
You already have a Mini 2, so you are familiar with how well that form-factor works for you. If it does work well for you, then the Mini 5 will be even better. Pencil support is fantastic for taking notes and highlighting PDFs.
 
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