iPad Pro Should i trade in my 12,9 Pro before it becomes obsolete?

[says_stuff]

I am about to enroll to online classes, which is a first for me. i was informed that we will be using zoom (never used before) for some of those classes and i wanted your input, please. Should i keep my larger-screen-but-soon-obsolete ipad pro first gen to use on those classes or should i trade it in for an ipad mini 6?

I am considering the mini beacuse i might need to carry it on in-person classes in the future plus it’s the latest and cheapest, guessing the facetime camera will be good enough? Trading-in will cut the mini price to about half of current.

Those of you with zoom practice on a 1st gen Ipad pro or a latest mini, could you please drop a comment? Are you happy with your setup, or would you trade? Do you find your device adequate?

 

[TiggrToo]

I am about to enroll to online classes, which is a first for me. i was informed that we will be using zoom (never used before) for some of those classes and i wanted your input, please. Should i keep my larger-screen-but-soon-obsolete ipad pro first gen to use on those classes or should i trade it in for an ipad mini 6?

I am considering the mini beacuse i might need to carry it on in-person classes in the future plus it’s the latest and cheapest, guessing the facetime camera will be good enough? Trading-in will cut the mini price to about half of current.

Those of you with zoom practice on a 1st gen Ipad pro or a latest mini, could you please drop a comment? Are you happy with your setup, or would you trade? Do you find your device adequate?

Still use my original iPad Pro 9.7” with Zoom. Zero issues.

I also use my 2020 iPad Pro 12.9” for Zoom - it depends on where and when. The smaller one is better to walk around with and I use for more social Zooms, the larger has center stage and is useful when I hold business meetings.

 

[thadoggfather]

got 355 for my 12.9 pro 2017 (2nd gen) from Apple when I got my M1 11" Pro
no regrets, the thing had spotlighting and I got great use out of it for 4 years

Still worked fine but im happy to be on a new iPad and not have to upgrade or be tempted for another few years

 

[JRiggsIV]

I believe your iPad Pro is adequate. You should appreciate the screen real estate. However, if trading it in is a serious option, you should trade for a 2020 or 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 for better resolution.

 

[elbert]

I am about to enroll to online classes, which is a first for me. i was informed that we will be using zoom (never used before) for some of those classes and i wanted your input, please. Should i keep my larger-screen-but-soon-obsolete ipad pro first gen to use on those classes or should i trade it in for an ipad mini 6?

I am considering the mini beacuse i might need to carry it on in-person classes in the future plus it’s the latest and cheapest, guessing the facetime camera will be good enough? Trading-in will cut the mini price to about half of current.

Those of you with zoom practice on a 1st gen Ipad pro or a latest mini, could you please drop a comment? Are you happy with your setup, or would you trade? Do you find your device adequate?

Will your grades be impacted on the quality of the camera?

I'd be more focused on your GPA or better yet learning a new skill.

Your compensation would be based on how skillful you are and professional.

I'd reward myself with an 2025 iPad in the future.

 

[says_stuff]

i do get the sentiment and you are right, i only commented on the the 2015 ipad camera, because it was also kinda grainy and low light. Since i haven’t used zoom, would i get complaints if i tried to actively participate?

i am also confused about resolutions and screen real estate, would the ipad mini fit more details of what the zoom speaker shows or zoom whiteboard if the resolution or the screen size ratio is different to the 12,9 pro?

Trading in gives me about 300 euros to spend on the ipad mini which costs 650 here and it will get support for another five years, i guess. Classes would last about two years and i doubt i would be able to spend on tuition AND a full price device. I am also worried about loss of support, if obsolete, during that time. It’s been supported for 7 years!


Thank you all for answering, every opinion is absolutely appreciated.

 

[Ram65]

I am about to enroll to online classes, which is a first for me. i was informed that we will be using zoom (never used before) for some of those classes and i wanted your input, please. Should i keep my larger-screen-but-soon-obsolete ipad pro first gen to use on those classes or should i trade it in for an ipad mini 6?

I am considering the mini beacuse i might need to carry it on in-person classes in the future plus it’s the latest and cheapest, guessing the facetime camera will be good enough? Trading-in will cut the mini price to about half of current.

Those of you with zoom practice on a 1st gen Ipad pro or a latest mini, could you please drop a comment? Are you happy with your setup, or would you trade? Do you find your device adequate?

Hell yeah trade that **** it’s time to upgrade

 

[dumastudetto]

The 2021 12.9" iPad Pro is an absolute game-changer. I wouldn't hesitate to trade-in and upgrade.

 

[DeepIn2U]

The 2021 12.9" iPad Pro is an absolute game-changer. I wouldn't hesitate to trade-in and upgrade.

I would = Blooming on the screen, something a student in University/College would notice. 2021 11” would be just as good without the blooming.

The mini 6 is and looks like a great kit. But for Zoom meetings with chat/screen-sharing/presentations it’s too small. Even with the higher resolution any chat rooms or presentations/screen-sharing will be too small to use, effectively beyond the main zoom video.

IF you can try it in person in a store. Get family/friends to connect to a zoom with someone presenting documents or their desktop with chat session and then connect. This way you’ll know first hand.

 

[says_stuff]

IF you can try it in person in a store. Get family/friends to connect to a zoom with someone presenting documents or their desktop with chat session and then connect. This way you’ll know first hand.

I do have a usb-c hub, so do you think anything would change size-wise if i keep the mini connected it to my tv? I mean the minis new ratio is closer to my 16:9 tv than the original pro? So i would get my screen filled in more, right?

I really should try it in person, thank you for the suggestion.

 

[MarkC426]

Trading in gives me about 300 euros to spend on the ipad mini which costs 650 here and it will get support for another five years, i guess.

Curious to know what storage size is your iPadPro?
Mine is the base 32gb but is in mint condition (never left the house).

 

[says_stuff]

Curious to know what storage size is your iPadPro?
Mine is the base 32gb but is in mint condition (never left the house).

Its a 128gb plus cellular/ also in mint condition.

 

[MarkC426]

My trade-in would probably be half that price then....
Not worth it for me at the minute.

I would rather keep it when I get a new one.

 

[TheRealAlex]

I am about to enroll to online classes, which is a first for me. i was informed that we will be using zoom (never used before) for some of those classes and i wanted your input, please. Should i keep my larger-screen-but-soon-obsolete ipad pro first gen to use on those classes or should i trade it in for an ipad mini 6?

I am considering the mini beacuse i might need to carry it on in-person classes in the future plus it’s the latest and cheapest, guessing the facetime camera will be good enough? Trading-in will cut the mini price to about half of current.

Those of you with zoom practice on a 1st gen Ipad pro or a latest mini, could you please drop a comment? Are you happy with your setup, or would you trade? Do you find your device adequate?

Just traded in my 2018 12.9” at Samsung.com for $800 two days ago. Which is an insane price. My 11” 2018 Pro was offered $550 which is still great.

Just snagged a new Galaxy S22 Ultra and a new OLED Tab S8+ tablet 12.4” I just couldn’t take a 13” bulky 12.9” iPad Pro anymore.

 

[MarkC426]

Is the Samsung REALLY any smaller (12.4 ~ 12.9).....

 

[Beards]

Until Apple pull their finger out from where the sun never shines and give their user base a decent and proper iPadOS I’m sticking with my 2018 iPad Pro 12.9.
Even the original Pro’s can handle most tasks in iPadOS well enough.

 

[TheRealAlex]

Is the Samsung REALLY any smaller (12.4 ~ 12.9).....

Smaller, lighter thinner, brighter, more colors deeper darker blacks aka OLED.

 

[Digitalguy]

Smaller, lighter thinner, brighter, more colors deeper darker blacks aka OLED.

Having had the S7+ (now sold to buy the S8 ultra) I can confirm that it's quite a bit smaller and lighter than the M1 iPad pro.
Inches are tricky when you change the aspect ratio... they lose much of their meaning.
The 14.6in S8 ultra is as tall as the 12.9in iPad pro but wider and barely heavier (the weight difference is the same as the difference between the 2018 12.9 and the M1 12.9, that is around 50 grams).

 

[AppleFanatic10]

I am about to enroll to online classes, which is a first for me. i was informed that we will be using zoom (never used before) for some of those classes and i wanted your input, please. Should i keep my larger-screen-but-soon-obsolete ipad pro first gen to use on those classes or should i trade it in for an ipad mini 6?

I am considering the mini beacuse i might need to carry it on in-person classes in the future plus it’s the latest and cheapest, guessing the facetime camera will be good enough? Trading-in will cut the mini price to about half of current.

Those of you with zoom practice on a 1st gen Ipad pro or a latest mini, could you please drop a comment? Are you happy with your setup, or would you trade? Do you find your device adequate?

Right now I’m using my iPad Air 4 for zoom classes. It works pretty good tbh. It’s pretty portable in my opinion.

 

[AppleFanatic10]

i do get the sentiment and you are right, i only commented on the the 2015 ipad camera, because it was also kinda grainy and low light. Since i haven’t used zoom, would i get complaints if i tried to actively participate?

i am also confused about resolutions and screen real estate, would the ipad mini fit more details of what the zoom speaker shows or zoom whiteboard if the resolution or the screen size ratio is different to the 12,9 pro?

Trading in gives me about 300 euros to spend on the ipad mini which costs 650 here and it will get support for another five years, i guess. Classes would last about two years and i doubt i would be able to spend on tuition AND a full price device. I am also worried about loss of support, if obsolete, during that time. It’s been supported for 7 years!


Thank you all for answering, every opinion is absolutely appreciated.

I can tell you right now you would not get complaints from students or faculty if you participated with you iPad camera. First, no one will know that you’re on an iPad. I just did Zoom today and no one knew I was on one either. Second, no one cares what device you‘re using to do your school work in or your participation, it only matters that you’re doing it.

 

[andrewcole836]

As an iPad mini owner, I’ll chip in and say it’s a great form factor. Compact and portable but still decent amount of screen. If you can’t afford the bigger Pro versions I would say the Mini 6 is a great alternative, especially since you’ll have that trade in value. Makes it very affordable. I traded in my Mini 5 for this one. It was worth it.

 

[Bodhitree]

OP I would suggest making the trade and getting a standard 10.2” iPad, they are a fair bit larger and cheaper than the mini, if cost is an issue. 389 euros at the Apple Store here.

 

[brdwygurl]

College professor here who up until very recently used first 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 to teach without any issues whatsoever. I only upgraded because of declining battery capacity.

The camera is more than adequate, and honestly in my experience the image quality is more dependent on your internet speed than camera limitations.

My biggest caution for using a mini for class is the screen size. Particularly on zoom, you will want to see what the professor is sharing as well as your classmates. In addition to PowerPoint, sometimes I share word documents which I imagine would be difficult to read on such a small screen.

I’m not sure if you’re also planning to do your class work on your iPad, but it might be a challenge to navigate the LMS, type/edit assignments and take quizzes or exams on a smaller screen.

Having a larger screen size will definitely be an advantage.

 

[Pakaku]

My biggest caution for using a mini for class is the screen size. Particularly on zoom, you will want to see what the professor is sharing as well as your classmates. In addition to PowerPoint, sometimes I share word documents which I imagine would be difficult to read on such a small screen.

I’m not sure if you’re also planning to do your class work on your iPad, but it might be a challenge to navigate the LMS, type/edit assignments and take quizzes or exams on a smaller screen.

As a student, generally it seemed that anything suitably-sized for a projector screen would be fine for a small tablet screen or window size. Slideshows were fine by default. Word is readable if it was fullscreen or if the instructor made sure to fill the Zoom stream with the doc window. Trying to take a coding class was... not fun if I kept a small window size, unless the instructor bumped up their text size. (This is where having dual monitors really shines...)

As for doing any actual work, split-window mode is a huge asset for multitasking, but I can only imagine that being tolerable on a 13" tablet or larger.

 

[icanhazmac]

If I were you I'd keep it. My OG 12.9 pro is a tank and still running strong. Checked the trade-in on mine, 32gig wifi, and it was $220. Honestly for that I am holding on to it to the bitter end and when it is no longer usable for business/games or it goes obsolete I will use it for an external screen or find another use.

Edit: Unfortunately I am forced to use Zoom from time to time and it works fine, my group varies but is between 6-12 people.