iPad Pro My First iPad Pro> Buyers Guilt?

[MetalMatt24]

So I just got an iPad Pro M1 12.9". I got the 11" and returned it for the 12.9"

Now that I have it I start thinking? did I really need this or did I just want it? I'm in no way an artist or a "creator" but do occasionally color with colored pencils and would like to get into the world of doing it digitally. I used to bring my iPad with me and run my music off it in my truck instead of my phone. This one does seem huge.

has anyone ever bought one and then started thinking after did I need this? Should I just have gotten the Air?
The Air would be a major upgrade from my "iPad" cheap that I had. But this seems to be the ultimate. I'm just coming up with excuses after excuses of why I really need it.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Sure, 99% of us could settle for an entry-level iPad to do the stuff ‘we need’.

What about what the things we ‘want’: nicer screen, more RAM, faster CPU, laminated screen, maybe 120Hz refresh rate, maybe mini LED. Sometimes it is nice to have something nice, that makes our day a little nicer.

 

[iPadified]

So I just got an iPad Pro M1 12.9". I got the 11" and returned it for the 12.9"

Now that I have it I start thinking? did I really need this or did I just want it? I'm in no way an artist or a "creator" but do occasionally color with colored pencils and would like to get into the world of doing it digitally. I used to bring my iPad with me and run my music off it in my truck instead of my phone. This one does seem huge.

has anyone ever bought one and then started thinking after did I need this? Should I just have gotten the Air?
The Air would be a major upgrade from my "iPad" cheap that I had. But this seems to be the ultimate. I'm just coming up with excuses after excuses of why I really need it.

Do you like the device? Can you afford it? If you answer Yes on these, just stop brooding and enjoy the high end iPad.

 

[sparksd]

No. I went for the 12.9 (2021 version now) because I wanted the larger screen as an upgrade from a 10.5. Zero regrets here. Did I really need it? Nope. Did I really want it? Yep.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I know the iPad Pro 11 is overkill for my usage. But, for the first time this year, I went out of my way to try a mini, air, and no iPad .... yeah, once you go Pro, you're not going back. The iPad Pro is just so more pleasant to use, especially for the way I personally use it.

I've read 29 books on it so far this year. So I justify it not saying I NEED it, but I want it and I really like using it. Taking handwritten notes in Notability is far better on the Pro 11 than the mini or Air. Playing YouTube with surround sound is ... so much nicer. Scrolling Macrumors is so much smoother. That resolution difference between the Air 4 and Pro 11 was ever so slightly different but it bugged me - As someone who can sit down and read a book for 6 hours straight, the Pro 11 just looks sharper and feels better.

The way I look at it is, my wife and I don't hit up Starbucks everyday - that alone pays for the tablet in a year. I don't need to justify it, just saying, most people have hobbies that are way more cost/year than an iPad, especially if you keep the iPad for several years.

Like @iPadified mentions - I get a LOT more enjoyment out of my iPad Pro 11 than I would without. As someone who reads a LOT - yeah, I am good with this purchase.


But yeah, I've had times where I thought, wow, I could have spent that $1200 on something else. But then I look at it over a timespan - if I keep the iPad Pro 11 for 3 years or more, that's only $400/year. If I keep it 5 years (I probably won't, just saying) - that's only 240/year. I can think of a LOT more expensive hobbies/habits. (Just don't make the mistake of justifying a ton of purchases this way).

My family/relatives have benefited from my indecision this year.

 

[ericwn]

I think after getting the 11”you’d have realized the kind of premium device you’re about to purchase. The 12.9 is no different in that regard, just a tad bigger.

I’ll bet that the vast majority of users could make an entry level iPad work, but we chose not to for one reason or another.

Just test it in the return period and if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle, simply return it.

 

[ericwn]

This happened to me with the Air coming from an iPad 6th. Felt much more than I needed. Was very curious that feeling. I always wanted the high end iPads, but it felt too much power for just a tablet.

When does one ever have too much computing power?

 

[Nhwhazup]

Enjoy your new Pro.

 

[Danae02]

I enjoy mine with zero guilt. I love the larger screen and gorgeous image quality. I use mine a lot for note taking for work with the pencil and pretty much all the tasks I’d be using a home computer for. Lots of Netflix, reading and web browsing. It’s nice and makes my day a little better.

 

[sracer]

So I just got an iPad Pro M1 12.9". I got the 11" and returned it for the 12.9"

Now that I have it I start thinking? did I really need this or did I just want it? I'm in no way an artist or a "creator" but do occasionally color with colored pencils and would like to get into the world of doing it digitally. I used to bring my iPad with me and run my music off it in my truck instead of my phone. This one does seem huge.

has anyone ever bought one and then started thinking after did I need this? Should I just have gotten the Air?
The Air would be a major upgrade from my "iPad" cheap that I had. But this seems to be the ultimate. I'm just coming up with excuses after excuses of why I really need it.

An iPad Pro sounds like overkill for your uses. Even the Air would be. The 8th Gen iPad is a great device and would do everything you would need it to for far less money. But then again, you don't want to be THAT guy among your friends and acquaintances who cheaped out while they all had iPad Pros.

 

[FMRWin10Boy]

No I did at first but concluded it was a good purchase. I spend most of my time working on a desk and it’s nice to move to the couch or take my work outside. I find it helps my mental state. I don’t view the iPad Pro as a laptop replace by any means. However, I think Apple is heading in the direction in which professionals could do 100% of their work on an iPad, but it’s not there right now. I can only do about 40% of my work on it. But during that 40%, I’m away from my desk!

 

[rui no onna]

An iPad Pro sounds like overkill for your uses. Even the Air would be. The 8th Gen iPad is a great device and would do everything you would need it to for far less money. But then again, you don't want to be THAT guy among your friends and acquaintances who cheaped out while they all had iPad Pros.

Honestly, I think I'm the only one in my circle who spends $$$$ on iPad Pros. Most have the iPhone Pro/Pro Max and either no iPad or just the basic iPad.

Me? Cheap iPhone (SE2) + high capacity iPad is more my speed.

 

[MetalMatt24]

So many good replies and stories. I’m definitely excited to use this device more, and really unleash its power. I’m interested in learning to draw and color. I’m always down for watching movies in the best possible quality. Even remote gaming, photo editing or recording music. Coming from an old 9.7” I really wanted the best. I don’t think I’d be happy with an iPad that I know there’s one that can sound better look better, be more powerful.

 

[slplss]

Every time you look, make use of the brighter, larger and all around better screen, it pays off. Life is too short, enjoy things money can buy. It’s a good investment too. You have the best tablet in your hands that will last many years to come. I’m happy with iPhone 8, 5 years with iPhone 4 before that, people are happy with iPP 2018... I wish I had iPP before this one, feels like I was missing out. (hope some of it makes sense)

 

[MhaelK]

With the current state of the iPadOS being the limiting factor in the way we can use out iPads. I personally believe the budget iPad (especially with a rumored 9th on the Way) should be the default option for most people. Then up the model if special features are needed - compared to how most people just go for the most powerful version/newest design without looking at user-needs first.

Not saying the Air or the Pro is a bad buy, but for couch-surfing, watching Netflix, and Reading in bed the extra power is not really needed.

 

[rui no onna]

No. I went for the 12.9 (2021 version now) because I wanted the larger screen as an upgrade from a 10.5. Zero regrets here. Did I really need it? Nope. Did I really want it? Yep.

Same. More want rather than need. While I already had the 2017 12.9, I did upgrade for FaceID, 1TB storage, Crayon-support and to a lesser extent, M1, 16GB RAM and 5G.

I used to upgrade whenever Apple released higher storage tiers but the 2018 1TB costing $1900 and the 2020 being almost the same as the 2018 had me delaying for a few years.

 

[trhoffmann]

I upgraded from an iPad Air to iPad Pro for one reason and one reason only … the 12.9” screen. It provides a much more enjoyable user experience for me than the 11” screen. I use my iPad Pro for everything in my increasingly simplified life.

 

[NARadyk]

Having waited 5 years to upgrade (from the 1st Gen 9.7 iPad Pro), I do not feel any guilt in my M1 12.9 purchase. It feels like a HUGE upgrade and I can justify such a luxury when it’s over such a long period of time.

 

[MisterSavage]

Not for one second. If it's something I use and enjoy every single day it's worth the money to me.

 

[rui no onna]

The most important feature for me is being able to use one outside. I sometimes consider getting an iPad, but always thought you couldn't use it outside because of the brightness, so I'm wondering if that has changed, and if so, can any/all new iPads be used in, at least, indirect sun?

I use mine in the car pretty often (passenger). Sunny SoCal weather and it's fine. Just need to increase the brightness from my usual 0-25% to max. Of course, having display at max uses up a ton of battery and makes the iPad pretty warm. During heat waves and with the sun beating down on the iPad, it could get hot enough to shutdown to prevent overheating.

 

[nStyle]

Yes. I wish I had just got the 11". When using the 12.9, I would rather just use my MBA since it's more capable and I want the keyboard anyway. When doing "tablet things", the 11" is a better size. The extra space of the 12.9 is wasted because of iOS limitations. I thought I would appreciate mini LED more but in truth I just don't care. All I really need is an iPhone and MBA.

 

[iPadified]

I think the capitalistic world would go under if we only bought the base iPad type of things. Think cars, clothings, food, beverages, boats (you name it) only meeting the "need" for survival or base function. Sounds bleak, boring and is the signature of totalitarian states. A bit of luxury sweetens the life a little.

 

[PsykX]

I did not really need it back then, but to diminish my buyers guilt, I bought a refurbished iPad Pro Gen 1 + Apple Pencil and saved over 40% on both products.

Every now and then I buy a kindle book instead of a hardcover, and save a few bucks.
I'm also extremely happy to have it when I take the plane.

--

Just upgraded to a refurbished iPad Pro 11-inch 2020 and literally could sell it $150 higher tomorrow if I wanted to.

 

[Jakewilk]

I definitely relate. I bought the 12.9” M1 with the expensive magic keyboard a few months ago. I got it to replace my 10.5” 2017 ipad pro and was expecting to really love the upgrade… but instead I just found myself mentally justifying dropping $1700 or so on a device I honestly already had. Sure it was new, fast, big, and sleek, but if I’m being honest with myself my old ipad does all the things the new one did, without even one single significant feature difference for my use case (no pencil).

Maybe if my A10X was struggling to keep up I would’ve kept it, but since there aren’t any pro apps or triple A games to use it on, I just had to return it. Got the M1 macbook air instead and saved myself a lot of money. I would’ve bought the ipad air in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for pro motion—any ipad without pro motion would’ve felt like a downgrade for me.

If you’re having buyer’s remorse, I would definitely return it. It costs too much to buy frivolously. Gone are the days of the $650 ipad pros

 

[1BadManVan]

So I just got an iPad Pro M1 12.9". I got the 11" and returned it for the 12.9"

Now that I have it I start thinking? did I really need this or did I just want it? I'm in no way an artist or a "creator" but do occasionally color with colored pencils and would like to get into the world of doing it digitally. I used to bring my iPad with me and run my music off it in my truck instead of my phone. This one does seem huge.

has anyone ever bought one and then started thinking after did I need this? Should I just have gotten the Air?
The Air would be a major upgrade from my "iPad" cheap that I had. But this seems to be the ultimate. I'm just coming up with excuses after excuses of why I really need it.

Yea I had a bit of that. I don’t even have a pencil for mine and probably never will. Just wanted the better speakers and better screen, plus the most future proof tablet you can buy. We only live once, if you can comfortably afford it then why not get the best iPad experience