I’m buying one of these iPads for a new student starting college soon. They use it for casual stuff like web browsing, streaming, nothing demanding. However, I purely want to know from a future proof performance viewpoint, which would last longer and take longer to slow down. I know the iPad Air has the better processor, but would the 3gb of ram in the Air vs 4gb of Ramon the ipp make a big difference? Which matters more? Thanks.
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iPad Pro New College Student: iPad Air 2019 or IPP 10.5?
- Thread starter legaleye3000
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I bet on the Pro because of the quad speakers offering a superior experience whenever they’re used. The RAM difference seemingly doesn’t matter much today but could do someday.
The CPU difference is mainly because the A10/X can’t task the high and low performance cores simultaneously. This makes for a discrepancy in benchmark scores but not so much in real life.
The CPU difference is mainly because the A10/X can’t task the high and low performance cores simultaneously. This makes for a discrepancy in benchmark scores but not so much in real life.
Hellllll no. I have pretty basic uses too. Browsing, reading, streaming, downloading and playing some light games and for my uses, i could probably still even use an iPad Air 2 from 2014. Ipads are incredibly well optimized for smoothness. I think the priority for someone that wants to relax is a good quality screen and good speakers in this case and 10.5 pro fits the bill to a T
If you're buying on what will be the better device to use, I'd say the 10.5" Pro due to the screen and speakers. However, if you're purely buying based on what will be supported the longest, I'd think it would be the Air 3 due to the A12.
I have both and nope, can't really tell for the aforementioned usage either way.
Even the RAM difference, I don't really notice. I've pretty much just accepted a long time ago that reloads are something I need to get used to when using the iPad and have adjusted my habits accordingly.
To be honest, I can switch between any iPad with A9/2GB or better and not miss a beat.
Definitely the Pro for that 120hz ProMotion display. Only advantage that the Air has over the 10.5 is the A12 and as others have said the speed isnt even noticeable.
I can feel the difference, with A12 being faster, but the difference is not big, it's really small...
And compared to a lower specced ipad like A10 or A9X the difference is even more noticeable, but again not huge.
As for RAM not much difference on IOS 13...
I would go with the pro for the speakers mainly...
But beware, quite a lot of 10.5 ipad develop a white spot at some point....(some people say it's a small minority others it's most of them, the reality is that there are no statistics, other that quite a lot of people reporting the issue, including me).
A10X with all cores fired up is about the same as A12. With A12 edging it By 500 points (geekbench)
i’d say get the 10.5” for the display and speakers And an extra gig of ram.
The only time the processors and RAM will matter is towards the end of software support much like the iPad Air 2 still supporting iOS 13 to this day albeit giving it everything its got.
i’d say get the 10.5” for the display and speakers And an extra gig of ram.
The only time the processors and RAM will matter is towards the end of software support much like the iPad Air 2 still supporting iOS 13 to this day albeit giving it everything its got.
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I am quite pessimist to use iPad for study. My main device is still 13" MBP. I used iPad (Air 3) mostly for storing and reading hundred of journals, which most of them are in PDF. I can write notes, highlight, etc in iPad much more natural than in macbook.
Go for the 2018 Pro. It's fairly priced in the Apple refurbished store. The 10 inch iPads could possibly develop a white dot on the screen that will only grow bigger in time. It's not worth the risk. Plus, the 2018 Pro will be compatible with the new Magic Keyboard. It could be something to consider purchasing down the road.
As long as your SoC is A12 or newer, you're going to be setup for longevity. You'll get ~5 years of support which should last the student through until graduation (4 year degree).
The A10X in the iPad Pro 10.5" is great and will hold up. But since we're talking longevity, I recommend a newer iPad instead.
You can get a new 256GB iPad Air for < $700 which is $100 cheaper than the lowest configuration 2020 iPad Pro. If you want to sweeten the deal you could find a 2018 iPad Pro for under $700 as well. Apple is selling refurbished ones for ~$679 for a 256GB configuration. The refurb Air is going for ~$549.
Storage space is often a concern. Do not get a 32GB! I recommend 128GB or more for most people, but if the student is just doing basic things a 64GB might get them by. But again, we're talking longevity and more storage ensures it lasts longer.
The RAM isn't a concern in your case. The student might appreciate an iPad Pro with 4GB or more, but the 3GB in the Air will do just fine.
If cost isn't a concern, my recommendation is 2018 iPad Pro 11" 256GB
If cost is a concern, my recommendation is the 2019 iPad Air 256GB
The A10X in the iPad Pro 10.5" is great and will hold up. But since we're talking longevity, I recommend a newer iPad instead.
You can get a new 256GB iPad Air for < $700 which is $100 cheaper than the lowest configuration 2020 iPad Pro. If you want to sweeten the deal you could find a 2018 iPad Pro for under $700 as well. Apple is selling refurbished ones for ~$679 for a 256GB configuration. The refurb Air is going for ~$549.
Storage space is often a concern. Do not get a 32GB! I recommend 128GB or more for most people, but if the student is just doing basic things a 64GB might get them by. But again, we're talking longevity and more storage ensures it lasts longer.
The RAM isn't a concern in your case. The student might appreciate an iPad Pro with 4GB or more, but the 3GB in the Air will do just fine.
If cost isn't a concern, my recommendation is 2018 iPad Pro 11" 256GB
If cost is a concern, my recommendation is the 2019 iPad Air 256GB
Consider the iPad Pro 11" (2018) refurb. iPad Air 3 w/ 256 (new): $649 vs iPad Pro 11" w/256 (refurb): $679. IMO, the refurb devices are better than new since they have each been individual tested and reviewed post repair. And, you can still get Apple Care with them.
You can get the iPad Air 3 256GB refurb for $549. I think it's worth shelling out the extra $130 for the 2018 Pro 11 256GB refurb, though.
I had the 11” pro and now have an Air 3. I’ll admit I’m not a big consumption user, so the speaker issue isn’t really that huge to me (obviously that is really important to some), and I also don’t see a big difference without pro motion, although I know that’s another biggie for some.
What I do prefer is the original Apple Smart Keyboard over the keyboard folio, for a couple reasons. 1) I can have a slim case on the back of the iPad which can stay on even when keyboard is removed. 2) If I leave the keyboard on while doing other tasks, I don’t have to hold it with the keys exposed. I couldn’t stand that about my 11” pro.
I also love how slim And light the Air 3 is, and I prefer Touch ID on my iPad to Face ID.
Obviously personal preferences, but figured I’d share my 2 cents.
What I do prefer is the original Apple Smart Keyboard over the keyboard folio, for a couple reasons. 1) I can have a slim case on the back of the iPad which can stay on even when keyboard is removed. 2) If I leave the keyboard on while doing other tasks, I don’t have to hold it with the keys exposed. I couldn’t stand that about my 11” pro.
I also love how slim And light the Air 3 is, and I prefer Touch ID on my iPad to Face ID.
Obviously personal preferences, but figured I’d share my 2 cents.