Price difference between iPad and iPad pro is a bit wide

[unobtainium]

It is kinda strange how for the longest time, ipads and iphones kept improving every year with new features, but stayed at basically the same price as the year before. Now suddenly, ever since the “pro” ipads and the iphone x...Apple has decided to charge more every year for those new features. I always thought the apple pencil should work on every ipad, but it seemed like Apple wanted to justify the cost of the ipad pros, so they made it exclusive to the pros for the first couple of years. Now that the regular ipad can use the apple pencil...it just makes the whole “pro” moniker and over $1,000 price point kinda silly. Yes, the pro ipads still have more features...but enough to justify a price jump 4x higher than the new regular ipad? Thats kind of ridiculous in my opinion. And if Apple charges even more for the next bezel-less ipad pros coming at wwdc...its gonna be even more ridiculous.

Agreed, Apple has been busy dividing their lineup between “pro” devices with innovative features (for an ultra-premium price) and “regular” offerings that have very little new or exciting stuff, but get the job done. These “regular” devices are still pricey, but nowhere near as overpriced as the “pro” stuff. Apple always did this to some degree, but the idea of “pro” iDevices is Cook-era. (Even with MBPs, the price differentiation has gotten more extreme.)

It’s an annoying trend for a tech enthusiast who likes the latest and greatest, because it pushes all those nice new features into a very high price bracket.

 

[phillyman]

HI, I appreciate the feedback. I agree that Apple is making a differentiation between the two lines easier with premium feel and prices. I'll need to go to the apple store and see how much of a difference I can tell. I do usually buy a premium device so that it lasts me longer (speed etc). I've never used an apple pencil and I can see it being useful but since it does not have an intuitive place to store it, it would be more of a hassle for me. Also people are right that comparing iPad 2018 with Pro 2017 is not exactly a fair comparison. Having said that... Since my iPad is unreliable, I can't wait another 2+ months so will probably go with the cheaper model. I would like the true tone but can live without it. Last test will be the side to side comparison.

Thanks,
Philly

 

[NorthSeaBeach]

I would appreciate some insight from people who currently own maybe a pro and a standard iPad. I wrecked my iPad air a couple of weeks ago and have been limping towards a Spring event. I was of course hoping that we might even get an early iPad pro update. I didn't necessarily "need" pencil support and had I not broken my old device I would have stuck with it.

I agree with the original poster, the price difference seems high. In fairness I would have paid pro prices if they had updated it now. But paying pro prices for a nine month device seems a bit much. Do you feel the screen is that much better and sound makes such a significant difference in day to day use? I mostly use it for reading newspapers, some games and as a quick reference device when it comes to scores etc. I'll also shop and browse on websites. I like to text and read emails as well. Fairly basic stuff. I'll use it while traveling to watch a couple of movies etc and when in the gym I might watch a live stream .

As for the new Face ID, that does not appeal to me (might have with multiple user profiles). For any "real" work I much prefer a laptop. Maybe I'm just old school but being able to adjust the screen angle and having a full size keyboard plus a mouse is much faster and comfortable (word, excel, powerpoint and work applications). But hey for my main computer I also still have an iMac for ergonomic reasons more than anything else!

I'm inclined to say that I don't see a reason to upgrade for regular use from the iPad to the Pro. Is it similar to desktop macs where an iMac is more than enough for most users? Not like in the past where you had to have a tower (g3, g4) just that the computer could last for three to five years and not slow down to a crawl.

Thanks for any and all insights. Sorry if I hijacked this thread, I just didn't feel it was worth another thread.

I use it for pretty much the same things and would deffo not pay pro price for that. I think the 2018 iPad gives you great bang for the buck and the pro is overpriced. Only if I'd live somewhere sunny and use the ipad outdoors all the time, would I consider the extra money for a laminated display. But I don't.

 

[rui no onna]

I use it for pretty much the same things and would deffo not pay pro price for that. I think the 2018 iPad gives you great bang for the buck and the pro is overpriced. Only if I'd live somewhere sunny and use the ipad outdoors all the time, would I consider the extra money for a laminated display. But I don't.

Even iPads with fully laminated displays don't work all that well in direct sunlight. I usually use either iPhone (so I can shade the display with my hand) or Kindle in those instances.