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iPad New 10.2" iPad: Touch ID, Smart Connector, A10, 2160x1620 - $329 - ** 3 GB RAM CONFIRMED **

The delivery date for this 10.2” iPad is now October 10, a full month after the announcement. Did people who ordered early get earlier delivery dates? I believe it was supposed to be shipping Sept. 30. I checked both in Canada and the US, both for the 32 GB and the 128 GB. Also, there is no listed option yet for in-store pickup.

Either way, I guess this gives the retailers much lead time to clear out their old stock for back-to-school sales.

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gpat said:
I really hope this sentence was written with some uber top-notch sarcasm skill.
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For the vast, vast majority of iPad users who just surf the web, email, and check social media how is this not a great deal? The A10 is a powerful CPU that is more than up to the task for typical usage. At $329 where can you get a better tablet experience?

Like I said previously, this is going to make a fantastic update for my dad who is currently using the previous $329 iPad without a single complaint. Now I can get him this with a keyboard and it’ll be the perfect device. He doesn’t need any more than that.
 
EugW said:
Definitely get the 7th gen. Bigger screen and Smart Connector.

Also, it's possible the 7th gen may get more RAM.
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Bigger screen is a bonus but for me that's all i'd be going for its the same spec as the current iPad 6th gen the Smart Connector doesn't appeal to me as i'll get a 3rd party keyboard if i need one
 
NT1440 said:
For the vast, vast majority of iPad users who just surf the web, email, and check social media how is this not a great deal? The A10 is a powerful CPU that is more than up to the task for typical usage. At $329 where can you get a better tablet experience?

Like I said previously, this is going to make a fantastic update for my dad who is currently using the previous $329 iPad without a single complaint. Now I can get him this with a keyboard and it’ll be the perfect device. He doesn’t need any more than that.
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I think it's only bad as an upgrade to the previous version (which is apparently what you're buying it for, but whatever floats your boat). It's just a slightly larger screen, and a smart connector, while the previous model could support various keyboards via bluetooth anyway. I think that a lot of people would have been happier if they had just cut $50 off of the 6th gen model or at least put an A11 in this one. Personally I can't justify paying the same price that I did for basically the same hardware 18 months ago. I know that the A10 is still very capable for most people's usage, but buying a new device with a 3 generation old chip just doesn't seem like a wise investment to me.
 
No one has confirmed 2 or 3 GB of RAM, correct? Hopefully it’s 3. It 2, yikes. This iPad will end up being discontinued in 2-3 years if that’s the case.
 
joeblow7777 said:
I think it's only bad as an upgrade to the previous version (which is apparently what you're buying it for, but whatever floats your boat). It's just a slightly larger screen, and a smart connector, while the previous model could support various keyboards via bluetooth anyway. I think that a lot of people would have been happier if they had just cut $50 off of the 6th gen model or at least put an A11 in this one. Personally I can't justify paying the same price that I did for basically the same hardware 18 months ago. I know that the A10 is still very capable for most people's usage, but buying a new device with a 3 generation old chip just doesn't seem like a wise investment to me.
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...but you just bought an iPad 18 months ago. You shouldn’t even be remotely considering a new one for basic usage.

The base iPad is for people who have still been using devices like the iPad 4 happily because it does everything they need it to.
 
NT1440 said:
...but you just bought an iPad 18 months ago. You shouldn’t even be remotely considering a new one for basic usage.

The base iPad is for people who have still been using devices like the iPad 4 happily because it does everything they need it to.
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I don't disagree. That's sort of my point. It's a poor "upgrade" from last year's model, but fine if you're coming from something pre Air 2. But still, an A11 at least would have been nice for longevity's sake.
 
Freakonomics101 said:
No one has confirmed 2 or 3 GB of RAM, correct? Hopefully it’s 3. It 2, yikes. This iPad will end up being discontinued in 2-3 years if that’s the case.
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Not yet confirmed. I'm expecting 3 GB, as 2 GB would be a crying shame in 2019. My A10 iPhone from 2016 came with 3 GB.
 
joeblow7777 said:
I don't disagree. That's sort of my point. It's a poor "upgrade" from last year's model, but fine if you're coming from something pre Air 2. But still, an A11 at least would have been nice for longevity's sake.
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That’s kind of my mentality on all electronics. I upgrade every 4-5 years as long as something hasn’t broken. I might not even upgrade my Mac until 2021 or later, everything just works perfectly for me. IPads have an unusually long natural replacement cycle if you’re in that mindset because they frankly seem to last forever. I gave my sister my iPad 2 years ago...for some reason she’s content still using it. This new iPad would be an absurd step up in capability for her.
 
muzzy996 said:
Yeah, 0.1 inches over Microsoft’s screen size restriction on free mobile office applications. MS must be rejoicing.
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I suspect MS would probably prefer that casual users stay on the free Office, just to keep them hooked.
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sracer said:
Thanks for the info. The Verge article I read stated it was a keyboard folio... not smart keyboard. That's a relief... and makes the 2019 iPad go from no-go to a potential purchase.
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It's called the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio.

Here's the description for the 3rd generation iPad Pro:

https://www.apple.com/ca/smart-keyboard/

"The Smart Keyboard Folio is designed to deliver a great typing experience on a full-size keyboard whenever you need it. Its durable, lightweight cover protects both the front and back of your 11‑inch or 12.9‑inch iPad Pro. Simply attach it to your iPad Pro and type away."
 
EugW said:
[doublepost=1568218911][/doublepost]
It's called the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio.

Here's the description for the 3rd generation iPad Pro:

https://www.apple.com/ca/smart-keyboard/

"The Smart Keyboard Folio is designed to deliver a great typing experience on a full-size keyboard whenever you need it. Its durable, lightweight cover protects both the front and back of your 11‑inch or 12.9‑inch iPad Pro. Simply attach it to your iPad Pro and type away."
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The 1st and 2nd gen were simply called Apple Smart Keyboard.

It's only the 3rd gen with back cover that are called Apple Smart Keyboard Folio. @sracer's concern with the way it was worded is understandable. Thankfully, the pics clearly show it's the same ASK as for Pro 10.5 and Air 3.
 
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rui no onna said:
The 1st and 2nd gen were simply called Apple Smart Keyboard.

It's only the 3rd gen with back cover that are called Apple Smart Keyboard Folio. @sracer's concern with the way it was worded is understandable. Thankfully, the pics clearly show it's the same ASK as for Pro 10.5 and Air 3.
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Ah I see. That makes sense. I just always used "Smart Keyboard" and "Smart Keyboard Folio" interchangeably, since that's what Apple does too... now for the 3rd gen that is.
 
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joeblow7777 said:
An A10? Seriously? And here I was looking forward to upgrading my 6th Gen. I guess there’s no reason to. :(
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Yep, unless you really, really want a smart keyboard (and honestly just get a bluetooth keyboard, there are some really good ones out there for less than a smart keyboard) there's really no reason to upgrade from a 6th gen to a 7th gen iPad... the extra 0.5" of screen real estate isn't much. Even if I didn't already have a 6th gen I'd be hesitant to buy this as it's questionable as to how long it will get iOS updates (my guess is only 3 years, which isn't much for an iPad).
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Joplin said:
Doesn't seem like a worthwhile upgrade from the 6th generation iPad at all. The same A10 is the biggest letdown, if it were an A11 it would at least be something. That very slight increase in screen size alone is not enough. I didn't expect the unit to be physically bigger than the 6th gen either. Bezels could've been slimmer if they stuck to the same size.

Do we know if it comes with 2GB of RAM?
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Don't know. Maybe they at least upped it to 3 GB of RAM, but we won't know until some of these are out in the wild as Apple doesn't share those details. I wouldn't hold your breath though, it's probably 2 GB.
 
bodonnell202 said:
Yep, unless you really, really want a smart keyboard (and honestly just get a bluetooth keyboard, there are some really good ones out there for less than a smart keyboard) there's really no reason to upgrade from a 6th gen to a 7th gen iPad... the extra 0.5" of screen real estate isn't much. Even if I didn't already have a 6th gen I'd be hesitant to buy this as it's questionable as to how long it will get iOS updates (my guess is only 3 years, which isn't much for an iPad).
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Don't know. Maybe they at least upped it to 3 GB of RAM, but we won't know until some of these are out in the wild as Apple doesn't share those details. I wouldn't hold your breath though, it's probably 2 GB.
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I mentioned this earlier, but if someone has a hankerin' for an upgrade from a 6th gen, then it might make sense to consider the 10.5" iPad Pro refurbished. $469 gets a vastly superior iPad. There is also the $499 iPad Air, but I prefer the Pro over the Air.

Who knows about the iPadOS update support, but the release of an A10 iPad in 2019 is a reasonably good sign for decently long A10X support.
 
satchmo said:
They’re also $219 CDN. That’s half the price of the iPad itself.
IMO, going BT is the better buy.
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I have a Logitech Keys to Go that I use with my iPad (on the rare occasions that I actually want to use a keyboard with my iPad) and I love it. Super slim and lightweight and it connects instantly and the battery lasts forever. Much cheaper than the Apple Smart Keyboard too. Not interested in the Smart Keyboard in the slightest.
 
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EugW said:
I mentioned this earlier, but if someone has a hankerin' for an upgrade from a 6th gen, then it might make sense to consider the 10.5" iPad Pro refurbished. $469 gets a vastly superior iPad. There is also the $499 iPad Air, but I prefer the Pro over the Air.

Who knows about the iPadOS update support, but the release of an A10 iPad in 2019 is a reasonably good sign for decently long A10X support.
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Sure, if someone wants to upgrade from the 6th gen iPad there are other options, whether it's a refurbished Pro or the 2019 iPad Air. I'm just saying this isn't much of an upgrade from the 6th gen, but I don't think it was meant to be - I think they just wanted a way to add Smart Keyboard support to their cheapest iPad, especially for education.
 
EugW said:
I mentioned this earlier, but if someone has a hankerin' for an upgrade from a 6th gen, then it might make sense to consider the 10.5" iPad Pro refurbished. $469 gets a vastly superior iPad. There is also the $499 iPad Air, but I prefer the Pro over the Air.

Who knows about the iPadOS update support, but the release of an A10 iPad in 2019 is a reasonably good sign for decently long A10X support.
Click to expand...

Yeah at this point it's clear to me that I need to order a refurbished iPP 10.5 for my wife soon while supplies last. She's currently on a 64gb cellular version of the iPad Air 2 and is satisfied with it other than it getting a little long in the tooth for her performance wise.

At $20 more for the 10.5 in cellular variant refurbished ($579 refurb 64gb cellular iPP vs $559 for new 128gb iPad 10.2) it kind of makes sense to just spend the extra $20 to get the performance boosts that the pro brings to the table. Of course this is predicated on the fact that she's fine with the current storage capacity that she has, I have to verify that.

I wouldn't mind upgrading her to an 11" iPP but the cost for that iPad plus pencil and keyboard folio is just cost prohibitive for her needs.
 
I don't think the iPad 10.2 is a good upgrade. It's obvious that it's a cash grab as it still uses an Apple A10 CPU and will most likely have only 2 GB, pretty bad front camera, no laminated display, no True Tone, 1st Gen Touch ID (not 2nd gen), and only 32 GB as the base storage. For probably a little over $100 more, you can get an iPad Pro 10.5 (if you are not scared of the bright spot issue or an iPad Air 3. The iPad 10.2 is obviously a cash grab with questionable longevity with a 3 year old processor.

At least it will be better than Chromebooks. Chromebooks are pure garbage.
 
What do you think is a good upgrade ? I have an iPad third generation. I was thinking of geting this to save money but maybe I should get the 2019 iPad Air but that seems kinda expensive.
 
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