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On average, how many years do you keep your iPad before upgrading?

  • 1

    Votes: 21 13.0%
  • 2

    Votes: 38 23.6%
  • 3

    Votes: 38 23.6%
  • 4

    Votes: 36 22.4%
  • 5

    Votes: 15 9.3%
  • 6

    Votes: 7 4.3%
  • 7

    Votes: 1 0.6%
  • 8

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 9

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 10 and over

    Votes: 5 3.1%

  • Total voters
    161

hajime

macrumors G3
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
8,099
1,383
And the reasons such as too slow for new apps, not enough RAM, lack of support from the latest iOS, moving to Android, etc.?
 
Never upgraded any iPad's in our house. iPad 3 and iPad Mini 2 still going strong.
 
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With the tvOS beta profile keeping it at a stable IOS release, probably until the battery dies. I’m the frugal type.
 
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I am still using my iPad Air 2. It continues to do everything that i want. From sending/receiving email, tracking appointments, surfing the web. I also generate letters and spreadsheets using iWork. I edit photos and videos taken with my iPhone using Infinity Photo and LumaFusion. I then share my products after posting to my WordPress powered web site. While the rendering of the videos are not as fast as a newer iPad i continue to get the most from this device and i don't have to concern myself with the waste if i replaced it. I will continue to use it until it ceases to function. My spouse is still using an iPad 3.
Saving money is not a crime (and if taken care of, apple devices last a very long time).
 
I tend to use my iPads more then my iPhone and each new iteration has brought some exciting new feature or function that makes me decide I just HAVE to have the latest..... That said, since I only just bought the iPad Pro 10.5 in September (had intended to get it earlier but was out of town for a while during the summer and just decided to wait until I was back home again) and the second-gen iPad Pro 12.9 in October, I probably will not purchase whatever Apple offers us this next time around unless once again I find some new feature or function just so compelling that I can't resist.......
 
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I am trying to hold onto the 2017 iPP 12.9" until I am done with my degree. I want to attempt to recoup some of that $1500 I spent back before buying another one (on sale) for myself.

I was "testing" iPads for almost every release through the iPad Mini 4 (which I loved but had to return to get this iMac).

My mom's iPad 2 is on its last legs though (she won't admit it), so I will probably get a 2018 iPad for her when things normalize here. Naturally, I want to test it (I have a feeling that no promotion will be the one feature on the 2018 iPad that will push me toward continuing to use the iPad Pro). For me, the iPad is not a necessity.

Prior to last year, I was tempted to upgrade with every new release. Not anymore. Now I am happy with what I have already and getting the most bang for my buck.
 
I buy an iPad every time I think it can replace most things I do on my iPhone and MacBook, then sell it after some 6 months because it can't.

Thats hilarious. one issue i have is that the iPad doesn't seem to age well(at least the early ones didn't. I have no issue with using laptops 6 years old.


[doublepost=1522345304][/doublepost]I still have my iPad 2 which hasn't been used in 4 years besides testing of apps for work once in a while. I've been considering jumping back the on the iPad but not sure. The iPhone's size increase is pretty useful for many quick situations but I do miss using the iPad at times but other times I think a Macbook would be much more useful. A bit torn....thinking about a iPad 10.5 pro but not sure if they will be updates this year. I hear microcenter as a good deal at $500.
 
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Performance is the main reason I upgrade them. When it becomes virtually too slow to even use a browser is when I know it's time to upgrade. My last iPad (iPad Mini 2), lasted about 4 years until it got to that point.
 
Performance is the main reason I upgrade them. When it becomes virtually too slow to even use a browser is when I know it's time to upgrade. My last iPad (iPad Mini 2), lasted about 4 years until it got to that point.

There is a time on which an iPad cannot even handle a browser?
 
There is a time on which an iPad cannot even handle a browser?
Plenty of JavaScript and media heavy sites nowadays. I've seen websites that just plain crash on iPads with 1GB RAM or less. At least with apps, most stop getting updated eventually so the app version installed on an iPad with older iOS firmware might actually work more smoothly. Websites, you're always on the latest version.
 
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My first iPad was an iPad 2. With various updates it started to appear quite slow and it was replaced with an iPad Air 2. The Air 2 still performs great for my use, although I’m considering getting the battery replaced.

I’ll change the Air 2 if it starts to slow down or things stop working due to lack of new iOS updates for it.

I change my iPhone a lot more frequently than my iPad.
 
Plenty of JavaScript and media heavy sites nowadays. I've seen websites that just plain crash on iPads with 1GB RAM or less. At least with apps, most stop getting updated eventually so the app version installed on an iPad with older iOS firmware might actually work more smoothly. Websites, you're always on the latest version.

I remember using Netscape on Apple Quadra and connected to the internet via a modem. It was very fast.
 
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I don’t have a pattern yet, since I only just recently picked up my second iPad, replacing one that was over 3 1/2 years old, and I plan to get another one in less than two years (because my current iPad is already a 2+ year old model).
 
I had an iPad 2 which I sold to lay for a MacBook Air, then I bought a mini and eventually sold that for an air 2, then sold that and bought an iPad Pro 9.7”. Probably will upgrade next year.
 
Using my Air 2 since early 2015, still runs fine on IOS 11. I don’t have a reason to upgrade at this point. Battery is at 81%.
 
So, after the release of each new iPad, we have to be careful about upgrading iOS from 3rd year on because Apple could do something to make hinder our devices to make us buy new ones?
 
So, after the release of each new iPad, we have to be careful about upgrading iOS from 3rd year on because Apple could do something to make hinder our devices to make us buy new ones?
In the earlier days of the iPhone/iPod Touch, I actually stuck to just one major firmware update or sometimes even just the launch firmware (with minor point updates).

Whenever one installs a firmware update, there's always a possibility that the update might slow down the device, introduce new bugs or break app support.

I used to update my iPod Touch first and if everything works properly after 1-2 weeks, that's when I updated my iPhone. Used to do that with iPads, too, but I skipped some models or handed down the iPads to family members so now I don't have any more spares to test new firmware (at least not ones that can run iOS 11).
 
I went from the original iPad, to the original Mini, and in breaking with tradition, I opted for the 2nd generation iPad Pro. I'd say I go several years between the models
 
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