Is the iPad Pro 10.5" worth it?

[cracksoup]

I'm a part time worker/student who definitely can afford a new and shiny iPad, but is it really worth the money? I live in Sweden and the price of a 64GB iPad Pro 10.5 translates to $905 of our currency. Today I rock the original iPad Air and it's sluggish after 4 years of daily use and the 1GB of RAM is mostly thanks to that. I get annoyed that I can't use it even for basic multitasking because nothing stays in memory and the split view is shining with its absence.

I also have a 6S+, MacBook Pro and a desktop PC so this iPad situation is purely for luxury and comfort. However I get more interested by the day by the new 120Hz display and having tried it out in the store, it feels like a completely different kind of soft butter next to an older iPad. I'm also using the speakers a lot in my iPad, so that would be a huge upgrade as well. What do you think? Could it be worth a shot? I'd most likely use this new iPad for at least another 4 years.

 

[aakshey]

Yes. It is worth it. Get the 256 GB version.

 

[iF34R]

Check it:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-from-ipad-air-1-to-ipad-pro-10-5.2057211/

 

[Shark5150]

Yes. Simple answer if it's within your budget. Enjoy. It's a great machine.

 

[The_MutenRoshi]

I think that the worth really depends on the person and the usage. Some people might say it's worthless and other say that this is probably the single best device they need.

Try the following: how many hours will you use it? And divide that by the price.

For example: I'll buy a shoes around 150€. They're very good quality. It will last me for 12 months or more about 252 days. So for each use I just paid like 0.6cent. Im this perspective it's worth it.

 

[cambookpro]

I was in quite a similar position - had an iPad Air, a modern phone, MacBook Pro, so the iPad was a little luxury I bought with some of my earnings from my Summer job.

I realised the Air was so slow by iOS 10 that it'd put me off using it. The new 10.5" Pro is so fast and smooth to use, and split screen multitasking is fantastic. I can handwrite maths equations with the Pencil in MathPad and copy as LaTeX into Pages which is about a million times faster than using my MacBook Pro. Can also annotate lecture notes and slides. I'll use both this and my MBP next academic year for note-taking and see which I prefer, I think I'll end up using the iPad where more diagrams are required (maths and economics) and probably the laptop for solely typing (philosophy). Might look into getting a Smart Keyboard at some point in the future if I like using the iPad enough.

It's also much better than anything I own for handwriting notes, watching video and reading books and newspapers. I also partly own a small app dev business, so it's been useful for testing iPad versions of our apps, as well as sketching early UI and icon designs.

It's not a necessity, but I absolutely don't regret the purchase. I went with the 256GB as £85 for quadruple the storage seemed worth it for me, and I'm using ~55GB so I think it was the right decision. Plenty left over to download Netflix series when travelling etc.

 

[BenTrovato]

If I had the original Air I would definitely upgrade. Having an Air 2 I'm planning to get the 10.5 next year at a discount but in your situation you will appreciate the screen, speakers and definitely the extra memory.

 

[spiderman0616]

Even if you're just upgrading from the 9.7" Pro to the 10.5" Pro, it's totally worth it. I have had three major "wow" moments when it comes to the iPad line:

1) The introduction of the first iPad: First time I've ever absolutely LUSTED over an Apple product (even before I ever bought an iPhone). And back then I was just thinking "Put a front camera on this thing and it's the perfect Skype machine!" Now it's my favorite computing device, even over my iPhone.

2) The original iPad Air: The redesign completely blew me away--I was so glad the bigger iPad finally got the awesome design of the iPad mini. I got a lot of mileage out of that model.

3) The 10.5" iPad Pro: It's hard to pinpoint it to one particular feature that makes this one feel so special. The ProMotion display is not just marketing--it's the real deal. The 4 GB of RAM future proofs it, at least for the next few years. The slightly bigger screen size is a bigger deal than it looks on paper or in photos. The quad audio is improved. The design is still razor thin. The battery tends to last me WELL over 10 hours. Just pick one up and use it, and you'll most likely agree that this is the most premium, most refined, most powerful iPad ever created. (You can arguably lump the 2017 12.9" model in with that too.)

I would give honorable mention to the first iPad with retina display--it was crazy seeing that big of a retina screen and something I wanted for a long time. Unfortunately, that was kind of a terrible iPad in general. (bad battery life, high operating temperature, etc.)

 

[akash.nu]

"Worth" is a very relative word. It really depends on your requirements. There are endless posts here on this topic. Take some time out to read them and make your mind up.

 

[cracksoup]

Thank you everyone for quick answers! After reading through your comments and other threads, I went out and bought one immediately. I've been in the fence for a few months, and it honestly is a completely different experience to use this iPad. I'm typing from it now and I'm experiencing major improvements in everything. Even typing is much faster because my old iPad has a minor delay when hitting the keyboard. I definitely notice the 120Hz refresh rate and the laminated display is absolutely gorgeous.

They didn't have the 256GB model anywhere though so I went for the Space Grey 64GB. I have 64GB in my phone and I'm not close to filling that up even after two years and no factory reset. I think this iPad will do the job perfectly fine when I'm heading back to my studies.

 

[44267547]

Thank you everyone for quick answers! After reading through your comments and other threads, I went out and bought one immediately. I've been in the fence for a few months, and it honestly is a completely different experience to use this iPad. I'm typing from it now and I'm experiencing major improvements in everything. Even typing is much faster because my old iPad has a minor delay when hitting the keyboard. I definitely notice the 120Hz refresh rate and the laminated display is absolutely gorgeous.

They didn't have the 256GB model anywhere though so I went for the Space Grey 64GB. I have 64GB in my phone and I'm not close to filling that up even after two years and no factory reset. I think this iPad will do the job perfectly fine when I'm heading back to my studies.

Good choice. I agree the 120 HZ display and Laminated display really do make a difference. My other likes with this iPad is the Tru-Tone display and the power with the A10X.

 

[maflynn]

but is it really worth the money?

Worth is subjective.
I personally have been enjoying the 10.5 iPad Pro, but I cannot answer for you

 

[cracksoup]

Good choice. I agree the 120 HZ display and Laminated display really do make a difference. My other likes with this iPad is the Tru-Tone display and the power with the A10X.

Yup, I noticed that as well. Going back to my 6S+ is like going back in time now, sadly
This iPad definitely is Apple at its finest.

 

[CatherineVeraGat]

It's worth the upgrade.

 

[QCassidy352]

Sounds like you're happy with the purchase, so congrats!

I think 4 years is a good lifespan for an iPad and sets you up for a nice jump when you upgrade. I had my iPad 2 from early 2011 to late 2014 when I got a terrific deal on my current air 2, which is now almost 3 years old. The new Pro doesn't really tempt me, but next year's model probably will.

 

[noteple]

I used my friends 9.7 pro and was hooked.
The 10.5 screen and Apple Pencil exceeded my expectations at the store and
Purchased on site.
Couldn't be happier.

 

[Booji]

Yes, absolutely. That is if you want the best tablet / portable computer in the world.

 

[BWhaler]

Very much so. Perfect form factor.

Just hope app,e invests more in iPad software, including iWork. It's really holding the platform back.

 

[cracksoup]

Very much so. Perfect form factor.

Just hope app,e invests more in iPad software, including iWork. It's really holding the platform back.

I'm sure that'll come in time. I know it has been said for many years, but Apple finally seems to acknowledge that the iPad could be a real laptop replacement with iOS 11 and the power of the iPad Pro.

The 10.5" iPad Pro really is a good form factor as it's perfectly usable for multi tasking but small enough to bring everywhere. However one downside is that it's not as good to use for reading as an iPad mini. Those things are just the perfect e-book size. Other than that, I have no complaint about the size.

 

[Donfor]

"Worth" is a very relative word. It really depends on your requirements. There are endless posts here on this topic. Take some time out to read them and make your mind up.

akash helped me earlier with ipad texts

since going air to 10.5 upgrade as o2 dont hold any 9.7 pro stock

that was fast are 9.7 pro’s being fased out of uk already

 

[44267547]

Very much so. Perfect form factor.

Just hope app,e invests more in iPad software, including iWork. It's really holding the platform back.

I do like the 10.5 iPad look even more. I'm actually shocked how much of 40% reduced bezels made a significant difference with how the display looks

 

[LiveWireless]

It is to some, and not to others. You are the only one to answer this subjective question for yourself. A trip to a retailer might help.

 

[DanTSX]

I just moved to a 10.5" pro from an original IPad Air. I don't know if I was fully able to justify the upgrade from a use perspective as I mainly use it for browsing and playing audio, but it certainly is worth it in terms of expense on my part. The pro is susbstantially faster and smoother in terms of just general navigation and use, that it is certainly a pleasure to use. My prior iPads had always felt like co sumption devices, and you could really tell they were using 1Gb of RAM. The pro with 4Gb responds more like a surface pro (albeit not yet using iOS 11). I'm finally able to use split screen for simultaneous YouTube viewing with safari in the other pane.

The screen is a huge upgrade that I'm only still realizing the benefit of with the faster refresh rate, etc. Everything is much sharper and more clear than before. The size of the screen is nice, but I don't think the 9.7" was small. It is just that the form factor with smaller bezel is more present.

I really feel like the pro will not truely show its benefits until iOS 11 shows up. Right now it feels like driving a high performance car around a parking lot because you cannot fully appreciate the features yet. So it will be very tough to say in terms of value if the pro is "worth it" from a value proposition until iOS 11 hits, but I am willing to assume that it is worth it.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

so this iPad situation is purely for luxury and comfort.

You answered you own question. Of course iPPs are monstrously overpriced. It wouldn't be my sole computing device nor the first to spend $ on upgrading. So don't try and justify it based on value, base it on you have some extra $ and you'd like an accessory device because, yes, sometimes a computer is too much and an iPhone is not enough.

The current crop of iPPs are great. Don't feel bad buying one unless it's your last $.

 

[rowspaxe]

Its worth it, but I just bought a 9.7" pro for $400 on a a Best Buy special. That all the ipad i needed.