Need opinion...New 6th gen iPad or used 2017 iPad Pro 10.5

[kmichalec]

So looking for opinions.

Currently have a 6th Gen iPad 128GB Wifi on hold at a store, which I bought/reserved for $323 after taxes, our the door. Figure I could get an Apple Pencil for around $75 or so (open Box maybe from BB) if I catch one on sale, or maybe $50 used. But ultimately, about $400 total or a few $ under.

However, I now have a line on a mint 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 256GB WiFi + Cellular, with a regular leather folio case and an Apple Pencil included for $500 cash.

Obviously buying used from someone (stranger) can be a risk, but assuming all legit, which would you do?

 

[canesalato]

So looking for opinions.

Currently have a 6th Gen iPad 128GB Wifi on hold at a store, which I bought/reserved for $323 after taxes, our the door. Figure I could get an Apple Pencil for around $75 or so (open Box maybe from BB) if I catch one on sale, or maybe $50 used. But ultimately, about $400 total or a few $ under.

However, I now have a line on a mint 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 256GB WiFi + Cellular, with a regular leather folio case and an Apple Pencil included for $500 cash.

Obviously buying used from someone (stranger) can be a risk, but assuming all legit, which would you do?

Keep in mind that in a few months the new iPad should be released, with support for pencil 2 and maybe usbc

 

[mofunk]

If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I would need a warrantee.

I'm on my second 10.5 IPP and I see a few problems. I don't necessarily listen to the reviews I will see what it does for me. Right now I have the finger now responding in some games and little lag when drawing. But ehh its small announces. 10in IPP 64GB $500 at Microcenter. You can check to see if Target has them and Price Match.

Cases are cheap so I wouldn't count that in the deal. $500 for an IPP is really cheap. If they are like a college student and don't need it and if you can inspect it fully. Like check the battery life, bending, dead pixels, charging port and etc are in working conditions. If not you would without $500.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I would HIGHLY suggest you buy new vs buying from a stranger. Do you know the condition of the battery of the iPP or any other problems you’re not being told about? As another poster mentioned you won’t get a warranty if a problem develops after the sale.

Now if the owner of the iPP was willing to part with his stuff for $300 then that could be tempting but if it were me, I still wouldn’t do it. If I wanted to save money buying used, i’d rather buy it from Apple because they inspect and test it and they give you a new outer shell, glass and battery with a one year warranty.

Btw, i’m typing this on a 2018 budget iPad and it’s been great.

 

[kmichalec]

If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I would need a warrantee.

I'm on my second 10.5 IPP and I see a few problems. I don't necessarily listen to the reviews I will see what it does for me. Right now I have the finger now responding in some games and little lag when drawing. But ehh its small announces. 10in IPP 64GB $500 at Microcenter. You can check to see if Target has them and Price Match.

Cases are cheap so I wouldn't count that in the deal. $500 for an IPP is really cheap. If they are like a college student and don't need it and if you can inspect it fully. Like check the battery life, bending, dead pixels, charging port and etc are in working conditions. If not you would without $500.

I would HIGHLY suggest you buy new vs buying from a stranger. Do you know the condition of the battery of the iPP or any other problems you’re not being told about? As another poster mentioned you won’t get a warranty if a problem develops after the sale.

Now if the owner of the iPP was willing to part with his stuff for $300 then that could be tempting but if it were me, I still wouldn’t do it. If I wanted to save money buying used, i’d rather buy it from Apple because they inspect and test it and they give you a new outer shell, glass and battery with a one year warranty.

Btw, i’m typing this on a 2018 budget iPad and it’s been great.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yes, I saw the one at MicroCenter for $500, but it's a 64GB WiFI only with no Pencil, and this is a 256GB WiFi + Cellular (i have a free 200MB iPad for life SIM chip from TMobile, which I would use in it) and includes the Apple Pencil. The 256GB might be overkill, but the Cellular and Pencil are things I would use. And buying a new 64GB with Cellular and Pencil would be around $850 including tax. Definitely understand there is some risk to it. But my last iPad was an Air 2 i bought off eBay used, and it's been going strong for the last three years (until it accidentally broke). I looked at the Apple Refubs too, but they are only knocking $50-75 off the new price. Still looking at about $800.

So far, everything seems on the up and up. He said he got the new version for Christmas, so he's just selling the old one. He seems very honest and straightforward so far, as he's cool with us meeting in the lobby of the local police station for both our safety and piece of mind, and said I'm welcome to inspect as much as needed.

I think this is the way I'm leaning at the moment.

 

[canesalato]

The iPad pro 10.5 is not a 100% reliable machine. There are problems with light spots on the screen and touch sensitivity. If yu happen to develop one of these problems, which are very common, out of warranty service is super expensive.

 

[muzzy996]

The iPad pro 10.5 is not a 100% reliable machine. There are problems with light spots on the screen and touch sensitivity. If yu happen to develop one of these problems, which are very common, out of warranty service is super expensive.

As much as I love my gen 2 12.9 I have to agree with this now that I too experience random touch sensitivity issues. The used unit could be fine or it could have an issue or two . . the new unit undoubtedly is under warranty for a year so my vote is go new.

 

[1BadManVan]

Also depends on your usage. What are you going to be using this for to warrant the extra money to buy a used last year pro model?

 

[kmichalec]

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback. I actually wound up meeting with him today, and went through with it for $480 cash (device, box, case, original charger, original lightning cord, and pencil). He was a very nice guy, let me test it for quite a while, even let me hook it up to my computer, and check the battery capacity (96%) using iMazing. Overall, the device is nearly flawless. He also provided me with his contact info (email and phone) in case I had any questions. And, the best part, he still has AppleCare+ on the device, which is good through June of this year. He agreed that it's not worth the time/hassle for the small refund he'd get, so he agreed to leave it on, and let me transfer it to my name (but it ties back to the device anyway). I just called Apple and had it moved to my name and information (so he couldn't call up later and cancel - but not that I think he would), and he provided the actual AppleCare+ policy document he received via email, and gave me his original purchase receipt too, in case there were any issues. This way, I'll have a bit of coverage in case I notice any issues, at least in the next 6 months (including accident coverage).

Appreciate the warnings about the reliability, light spots and/or touch sensitivity. I'll have to use it quite heavily in the near term to see if anything crops up. But, overall, for nearly half the price of new, I think it's worth the risk.

@UnLiMiTeD558 - Plan to use it for drawing, graphic design, and hand note taking at work, in addition to the normal web browsing, streaming video, email, etc.

 

[1BadManVan]

Sounds like you got a good used one and still some warranty. Good luck with it

 

[Freakonomics101]

As much as I love my gen 2 12.9 I have to agree with this now that I too experience random touch sensitivity issues. The used unit could be fine or it could have an issue or two . . the new unit undoubtedly is under warranty for a year so my vote is go new.

I also *HAD* the touch issue but I had it replaced for free, even with it 30 days out of warranty. I was really surprised they offered that to me. But my new one is not experiencing the touch issue that my old one was experiencing for months.

But spec wise, I highly disagree on it being unreliable. It’s the best iPad I’ve ever owned.

 

[canesalato]

I also *HAD* the touch issue but I had it replaced for free, even with it 30 days out of warranty. I was really surprised they offered that to me. But my new one is not experiencing the touch issue that my old one was experiencing for months.

But spec wise, I highly disagree on it being unreliable. It’s the best iPad I’ve ever owned.

Forgive the sarcasm (i do not mean anything bad) but: it’s likely that the touch screen will stop working properly, plus it might develop a white spot above the home botton around one year after purchase. But apart from that, it’s great.