iPad Pro (It seems) still no compelling reason to upgrade from a 2018 11’ iPad Pro

[MisterSavage]

I was planning to upgrade from my 2018 iPad Pro this year, not because it doesn't still do everything I need it to, but because my husband's hand-me-down IPP 9.7, which is two years older, is getting long in the tooth. (He doesn't care if he gets something new or a hand-me-down.) But I'm not seeing much of a reason to upgrade the 2018, especially since my husband isn't complaining about the old 9.7". Honestly, for my use, I don't need "pro" features - I just try to future-proof, and I want Face ID . . . Of course, I didn't "need" an iPhone 14 Pro either, and yet I got one.

I'm in the same boat. I still have my 9.7 and it feels so clunky but my 2018 IPP (which I use daily) still feels like a champ. I can't live without Face ID any more.

 

[jongriff]

I was waiting for these iPads to get an 11” Pro to go along with my 12.9” 2018 which has been insanely good. Nothing at all interesting today so I’ve just spent £519 on a 64GB Cellular 2018 11 inch from the Apple Store and couldn’t be happier. A new M2 128GB Cellular with MK was going to be £1,400 and gives me in real life nothing on the 2018, it really is the pick of the entire generation. Apple have just saved me a lot of £££ today.

 

[ant the ninja]

So what is a better buy?

2021 9th Gen iPad for $269

or

2018 iPad Pro for $350(ebay)/$469(apple refurb)

 

[rui no onna]

So what is a better buy?

2021 9th Gen iPad for $269

or

2018 iPad Pro for $350(ebay)/$469(apple refurb)

Performance-wise, they're not gonna differ much. The question is are you willing to pay extra for the quality of life improvements (ProMotion, quad-speakers, FaceID, etc) on the 2018 iPad Pro?

We're replacing an iPad 6th gen and going for a Pro model for FaceID although most likely going for the M1.

 

[BradWI]

So what is a better buy?

2021 9th Gen iPad for $269

or

2018 iPad Pro for $350(ebay)/$469(apple refurb)

Maybe wait for the 2021 iPad Pro to drop down to $599 again like it was last week. Should happen next month during the many Black Friday sales.

$130 more than the refub 2018 model gets you a new unit and the M1 chip which should buy you another year or two of OS updates.

 

[Student of Life]

I was thinking the same thing. Just before my apple care ran out the 12.9 stopped working. The replacement came with 90 days and the ability to add monthly apple care. Here I am today thinking, wow the new ones look nice but a $1000 in my hand looks sexy.

Apple Care is such a blessing. I highly recommend it.

 

[kiranmk2]

The A12Z/2020 model was a bit of a dud if you had the A12X/2018 model. This new M2/2022 model looks to be the same if you own the M1/2021 model. If anyone has the 2018/2020 model and is itching to upgrade I would suggest looking for a reduced / 2nd hand M1 model which is think is going to be supported for years.

Looking forward, I can see the next version being another good 'un with M3 on a smaller process node and potentialy OLED screen.

 

[bruinsrme]

Apple Care is such a blessing. I highly recommend it.

when I worked at a store, my favorite situation was when people were adamant when I suggest it.
then a while later see them come in for a repair. Most were candid about it, some got angry apple would charge them so much.
whatcha gonna do, lol

 

[estabya]

The A12Z/2020 model was a bit of a dud if you had the A12X/2018 model. This new M2/2022 model looks to be the same if you own the M1/2021 model. If anyone has the 2018/2020 model and is itching to upgrade I would suggest looking for a reduced / 2nd hand M1 model which is think is going to be supported for years.

Looking forward, I can see the next version being another good 'un with M3 on a smaller process node and potentialy OLED screen.

A friend and I made the same comparison today. It's definitely one of the more minor Pro updates.

I sure hope the next generation switches to OLED so the 11" can get in on the XDR goodness. After today's underwhelming announcement I am planning to hang onto my 2018 for another year or two.

 

[profets]

Well, for what its worth from Ross Young (who's been calling the display stuff quite accurately):

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1582500670564814848

 

[Aftermath747]

An 11-foot iPad seems quite big

 

[jace88]

I bought a magic keyboard for 2018 11 inch iPad Pro, will it fit the M2 11 Inch ?

Don’t know for sure but check the cutout for the camera bump. I have a 2018 pro and I bought my keyboard at the same time which only has the narrow single camera lens cutout (ie a rectangular hole) whereas revisions to the keyboard covers had a bigger square hole. That being said I think Magic Keyboard (the one with trackpad) came out much later so should have the square hole.

 

[Digitalguy]

Don’t know for sure but check the cutout for the camera bump. I have a 2018 pro and I bought my keyboard at the same time which only has the narrow single camera lens cutout (ie a rectangular hole) whereas revisions to the keyboard covers had a bigger square hole. That being said I think Magic Keyboard (the one with trackpad) came out much later so should have the square hole.

yes square hole, so it will fit

 

[BhaveshUK]

I for one don’t mind the lacklustre hardware updates. That money doesn’t have to be spent and can be invested elsewhere in my life.

The lacklustre software updates on the other hand is the biggest issue facing iPad. Without better software, there’s almost no hardware update that would make me want to upgrade anyhow.

 

[badsimian]

Just bought a Apple refurb 2018 12.9" which should arrive today. Currently on at £579 for the 256GB one in the UK. Should I be worried about RAM being only 4GB? I am replacing a 10.5" previous gen iPad Pro which has the white spot on the screen and I don't think I ever noticed that reloading all the time.

 

[Digitalguy]

If you don't notice them there and you use this the same way you won't notice here either...