All iPads New iPad 8 with 128g or used 2018 iPad pro 64g?

[Cassr]

Would you go for a new iPad 8th gen with 128g of storage for £400 or a third party refurbished 2018 11" pro with 64g for £450 plus the cost of a new (probably third party) pencil?

I keep reading how the new iPad 8th gen is great value for money but that the non laminated screen is a real compromise. Is the writing experience that different in real life?

I have no way of testing it myself unfortunately.

 

[VaruLV]

Im using my gf’s 5th gen iPad with non laminated screen and I can feel the difference between it and the laminated one that I had on my 10.5 iPP and its been months since I had my iPP so it says alot.
At the same time the screen isnt bad at all.
However I guess Id go for either 2018 11 or, if you can stretch “a little” for either Air 4 or 2020 11 if you can find good deals.
Imho regular 2020 iPad isnt a bad tablet, however, depending on the market youre in, it might not represent the best value IMHO. I think that 128Gb is overpriced on a device with pre-previous gen design and “only” 3Gb of RAM.

 

[LFC2020]

Go with the pro, it’s a easy decision for a extra $50, better display, Face ID, better speakers, design, ProMotion and the list goes on.

 

[Joplin]

The iPad 9th generation is expected in September. Rumors indicate it will feature a laminated screen (in the body of the Air 3), so if you prefer a new unit (with a fresh battery, warranty etc.) you could consider waiting a few months.

 

[Cassr]

The iPad 9th generation is expected in September. Rumors indicate it will feature a laminated screen (in the body of the Air 3), so if you prefer a new unit (with a fresh battery, warranty etc.) you could consider waiting a few months.

Oh I didn't know that thanks for letting me know

 

[Cassr]

Im using my gf’s 5th gen iPad with non laminated screen and I can feel the difference between it and the laminated one that I had on my 10.5 iPP and its been months since I had my iPP so it says alot.
At the same time the screen isnt bad at all.
However I guess Id go for either 2018 11 or, if you can stretch “a little” for either Air 4 or 2020 11 if you can find good deals.
Imho regular 2020 iPad isnt a bad tablet, however, depending on the market youre in, it might not represent the best value IMHO. I think that 128Gb is overpriced on a device with pre-previous gen design and “only” 3Gb of RAM.

Do you think the air is better than the older pro?

 

[Shirasaki]

Imagine you want to draw something on paper. Instead of your pencil directly touching paper, there is a thin layer of plastic in the way that can perfectly copy what you have drawn on it to the paper but without it you can’t draw anything on paper. Dunno if this analogy makes any sense, but that air gap between the screen and the top is that noticeable.
Or think of it this way. Writing on iPad is like touching the chair with gloves on, while writing on iPad Pro/iPad Air is like touching the same chair with bare hands.

 

[Shirasaki]

Do you think the air is better than the older pro?

Air and older pro is a tie for the most part. Newer processor does not change the fact that core count is lower and lower amount of RAM. Perfect example: iPad Air 2 receives longer support than iPhone 6/6 Plus, because A8X has more RAM and more cores. The same difference will eventually happen on 2020 iPad Air and 2018 iPad Pro.

 

[DanTSX]

Pro

The screen on non-pros suck. You can’t go back to the regular screens after using the pros.

 

[Shirasaki]

Pro

The screen on non-pros suck. You can’t go back to the regular screens after using the pros.

Yeah, and now scrolling the Home Screen on iPad Air feels laggy and less responsive. It’s mind boggling. Same for my game playing with 60fps as much as possible. It’s just really night and day.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

If you can get by on 64GB storage, it’s got to be the 2018 Pro. 120Hz on a display is too nice - and it sounds like the display is something that really matters to you.

 

[0128672]

I agree with trying to stretch your budget for the Air 4. It’s a terrific iPad. Although the 2018 Pro is a great iPad too, I would not trust third-party refurbs unless there’s a good and enforceable warranty with it. Apple refurbs are a solid choice (new outer shell, new battery, same as new warranty) if you can find the model you want in stock. Sometimes that takes patience.

Certified Refurbished Products

Every Apple Certified Refurbished product includes savings up to 15%, and comes with a one-year warranty and full functional testing.

www.apple.com

 

[Nick05]

I have both a iPad Pro and iPad 6. You can certainly tell the difference between the laminated display of the Pro vs the iPad. As far as the actual experience, I think that depends on if you plan on using the pencil for artistic purposes, or just notes. When drawing, it makes a bigger difference, as does the Pro Motion. As far as note, I generally use the iPad for note taking and don’t have any issues with the display. This usage would be my first consideration. Second would be whether you think 64GB would be enough. I buy the 256GB versions because I use right at the 128GB of storage on mine.

 

[ericwn]

If the Pro is used but in good condition, I’d probably prefer that over the other one.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Go with the pro, it’s a easy decision for a extra $50, better display, Face ID, better speakers, design, ProMotion and the list goes on.

ProMotion is subjective. Many people don't seem to notice the difference.

 

[trip1ex]

The screen on the regular ipad is good.

If you want to draw a lot you would want to get an iPad that features the Apple Pencil 2.

Personally neither of those options in the OP are attractive.

I don't like buying refurbs from 3rd parties in general. And don't like paying Apple ~$100 extra for a relatively small amt of extra storage even more so on the cheap iPad where the $100 is such a high percentage of the base price. And don't like paying what looks like full price (to my US eyes at least) for an Apple product that is approaching a year old.

I would look at the Air instead. Not sure what deals you have available to you but in the US it's $550 with free Airpods right now through the education store. Airpods easily net $75 on Ebay if you don't need them.

 

[Cassr]

I do keep thinking about waiting a bit longer to get the air (birthday in August)

I have a 9.7 inch pro at the moment so due an upgrade I think

 

[LFC2020]

I do keep thinking about waiting a bit longer to get the air (birthday in August)

I have a 9.7 inch pro at the moment so due an upgrade I think

Definitely wait, should be a few new iPads coming out at the end of the year, New base model iPad, iPad mini, maybe a updated air, the air will most likely be next year, rumoured to have a oled panel.

 

[Cassr]

Definitely wait, should be a few new iPads coming out at the end of the year, New base model iPad, iPad mini, maybe a updated air, the air will most likely be next year, rumoured to have a oled panel.

I don't buy iPads often at all. When new ones get released do the older ones go down in price much?

 

[LFC2020]

I don't buy iPads often at all. When new ones get released do the older ones go down in price much?

You should find some stores selling previous models at a cheaper price.

 

[DSTOFEL]

Would you go for a new iPad 8th gen with 128g of storage for £400 or a third party refurbished 2018 11" pro with 64g for £450 plus the cost of a new (probably third party) pencil?

I keep reading how the new iPad 8th gen is great value for money but that the non laminated screen is a real compromise. Is the writing experience that different in real life?

I have no way of testing it myself unfortunately.

Between these two, I’d go for the new Gen 8 128gb. I’d be hesitant to go for a 3rd party refurb…and…the IPP only has 64gb. That’s really limiting. I have the 2018 IPP (256gb) 11 inch…and just recently upgraded my mom’s older iPad to the iPad 8th gen (and Logitech Combo touch keyboard case…nice. I got to test them side by side. The 8th gen iPad is great. The A12 makes it very responsive. I think it’s a great bargain. To me..the main cons with the 8th generation iPad vs the 2018 IPP are: 1) dated form factor (big forehead and chin)…but that leaves room for a touch id button which you might actually prefer (?), 2) still has the lightning port (not USB-C), 3) only works with the 1st gen Apple Pencil (if that matters to you), 4) the display is not on par with the iPad Pro (or Air 4). The display on the gen 8 is not full sRGB coverage (colors seem a bit muted by comparison to the IPP….and…the gen 8 display is not laminated (ie air gap). It’s only 60 hz refresh rate….just like the air 4. Not sure if the gen 8 iPad‘s display has anti-reflective coating, but if not…another big difference. Still though..the display on the gen 8 is very good. If you didn’t have it side by side with the IPP, you might not notice. 5) The speakers on the 8th gen are good, but they’re not as good as the IPP’s quad speakers. If you can live with these compromises, the gen 8 is a fantastic iPad.

But, as others are saying, if you can wait and get the gen 9 iPad that’s a good option too. Not sure where you live, but in the States, the Gen 8 iPad has been on pretty steep discounts recently. If you can get the Gen 8 on a deep discount...it’s a no brainer. Grab it.

 

[VaruLV]

Do you think the air is better than the older pro?

For some 4 speakers and pro motion display seems like the reason to get Pro over Air.
However, if you compare 2018 Pro and Air 4, aside from those two things, there isn’t much of a difference that end user might feel.
Others have already pointed out that, unless you can get 2018 Pro with warranty, Apple refurb or brand new iPad with full warranty would be more sensible choice.
And I see you have birthday coming up, so perhaps wait till then and see what good deals you can score.
Where I live, from time to time there are deals where 2020 11 Pro costs only ~50€ more than 2020 Air and that’s a no brainier to figure which one is the better deal.
You have 9.7 - if it still works, regardless of it’s speed and capabilities compared to newer iPads - I’d wait and I’m sure you’ll get a better deals ?
I for example, am left without iPad for few months while waiting for Pro announcements and now waiting for order fulfilment which takes forever. You already have one, so use all you can out of it and then score some better one later on ?

 

[Cassr]

Between these two, I’d go for the new Gen 8 128gb. I’d be hesitant to go for a 3rd party refurb…and…the IPP only has 64gb. That’s really limiting. I have the 2018 IPP (256gb) 11 inch…and just recently upgraded my mom’s older iPad to the iPad 8th gen (and Logitech Combo touch keyboard case…nice. I got to test them side by side. The 8th gen iPad is great. The A12 makes it very responsive. I think it’s a great bargain. To me..the main cons with the 8th generation iPad vs the 2018 IPP are: 1) dated form factor (big forehead and chin)…but that leaves room for a touch id button which you might actually prefer (?), 2) still has the lightning port (not USB-C), 3) only works with the 1st gen Apple Pencil (if that matters to you), 4) the display is not on par with the iPad Pro (or Air 4). The display on the gen 8 is not full sRGB coverage (colors seem a bit muted by comparison to the IPP….and…the gen 8 display is not laminated (ie air gap). It’s only 60 hz refresh rate….just like the air 4. Not sure if the gen 8 iPad‘s display has anti-reflective coating, but if not…another big difference. Still though..the display on the gen 8 is very good. If you didn’t have it side by side with the IPP, you might not notice. 5) The speakers on the 8th gen are good, but they’re not as good as the IPP’s quad speakers. If you can live with these compromises, the gen 8 is a fantastic iPad.

But, as others are saying, if you can wait and get the gen 9 iPad that’s a good option too. Not sure where you live, but in the States, the Gen 8 iPad has been on pretty steep discounts recently. If you can get the Gen 8 on a deep discount...it’s a no brainer. Grab it.

Alas I'm in the UK. We have had some discounts recently though.

I was tempted for example by the mini 5 as another potential compromise as it's cheaper than the air or IPP and has a laminated screen (thinking about it a new iPad would be preferable to a refurb. I have an awesome refurb camera but not sure about iPads). Not sure if it's a touch too small though.

I'm coming from a 9.7 pro which has a laminated screen but no promotion so I wouldn't miss that.

I will keep an eye out for deals though and see what comes out.

 

[Cassr]

For some 4 speakers and pro motion display seems like the reason to get Pro over Air.
However, if you compare 2018 Pro and Air 4, aside from those two things, there isn’t much of a difference that end user might feel.
Others have already pointed out that, unless you can get 2018 Pro with warranty, Apple refurb or brand new iPad with full warranty would be more sensible choice.
And I see you have birthday coming up, so perhaps wait till then and see what good deals you can score.
Where I live, from time to time there are deals where 2020 11 Pro costs only ~50€ more than 2020 Air and that’s a no brainier to figure which one is the better deal.
You have 9.7 - if it still works, regardless of it’s speed and capabilities compared to newer iPads - I’d wait and I’m sure you’ll get a better deals ?
I for example, am left without iPad for few months while waiting for Pro announcements and now waiting for order fulfilment which takes forever. You already have one, so use all you can out of it and then score some better one later on ?

Ah patience - not my strongest suit but maybe I should try!

My pro is in very good condition and still works great but only 3g left (stupidly got the 32g option!)

So I can manage for a bit.

 

[VaruLV]

Neither am I too patient when it comes to getting tech replacements.
However, I’m also very deal ”hungry” and aware of price fluctuations, thus that helps to keep my impatience at check and things in balance ?