iPad Should I upgrade or wait? (iPad 6th Gen Now)

[macgeek7860]

Hi All,

I’ve noticed my 6th gen iPad has been slowing down and that using the split screen functionality is not so fluid. I usually don’t like buying new products but I feel like I should trade it in while there’s some value and either get the current gen iPad or the refurbished 11inch iPad Pro. I don’t do anything intensive on the iPad. Just watching movies, using safari, spotify, and studying. I’m only considering the iPad Pro cause I like the design and I believe the refresh rate is 120. Is it worth going for the pro or just stick with the current gen iPad?

 

[Phil77354]

Lots of discussions here comparing pros and cons of the basic iPad vs Pro. Best choice for you will depend on how much you use your iPad and how sensitive you are to price. Also you might consider the iPad Air as well (actually the discussions may be mostly Air vs Pro).

I can comment to my own situation. Both my wife and I use our iPads a lot. For the same kinds of things you mentioned. Worked our way through 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th generation iPads - not because any of them were broken but partially to get more storage and partly because I wanted to pass the older ones on to family members overseas. Also had a mini 2 that ended up with a cracked screen and I returned to Apple for recycling.

A year ago I decided to get an 11" iPad Pro, to replace the 7th gen iPad (in that instance I traded it in). Got the magic keyboard and pencil too. I was surprised by how much nicer it was - display, speakers, everything. Terrific tablet computer. Led me to get a new M1 iPad Pro 11" for my wife about 6 months ago, so we both have 11" Pro models now.

If you are fine with spending the extra money, then in my experience it is worth it. Try them out at the Apple Store if you have the ability to do that. As I mentioned, we use our iPads heavily. I don't regret spending the money for the Pro models. Ours are both 256GB, by the way, so that we have plenty of storage.

 

[rui no onna]

I agree with @Phil77354. It depends on how much you're willing to spend

$329 iPad 9th gen, A13/3GB, 64GB WiFi

$479 iPad 9th gen, A13/3GB, 256GB WiFi

$519 refurb iPad Pro 11 (2018 1st gen), A12X/4GB, 64GB WiFi

$609 refurb iPad Pro 11 (2020 2nd gen), A12Z/6GB, 128GB WiFi

$649-699 sale iPad Pro 11 (2021 3rd gen), M1/8GB, 128GB WiFi

Any of the above will give you a good experience and will be supported years from now.

I skipped the Air 4 on the list. For the same ~$600, I'm more inclined to recommend the refurb 2020 iPad Pro 11 (double storage, 2GB extra RAM, ProMotion, quad speakers, better cameras/LIDAR, etc).

 

[Andysapple]

I upgraded from the 6th Gen to the M1 11 inch pro for exactly the same reason as you. My iPad is by far my most used home device, and I felt that the 6th gen was getting slow and often crashed when moving between apps. The 11 inch is a huge upgrade obviously. The screen is amazing, the speakers are actually pretty usable and it's a joy to use with the magic keyboard. It's runs everything flawlessly without lag.

However, I reckon I wouldn't notice much of a difference performance-wise vs the air or the 9th gen. If you are inclined to pay a premium price for the superior screen and the ability to use the magic keyboard, it's worth it I think. If that doesn't matter to you to much, just go for the 9th gen and spend the rest on beer.

 

[TechRunner]

Lots of discussions here comparing pros and cons of the basic iPad vs Pro. Best choice for you will depend on how much you use your iPad and how sensitive you are to price. Also you might consider the iPad Air as well (actually the discussions may be mostly Air vs Pro).

I can comment to my own situation. Both my wife and I use our iPads a lot. For the same kinds of things you mentioned. Worked our way through 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th generation iPads - not because any of them were broken but partially to get more storage and partly because I wanted to pass the older ones on to family members overseas. Also had a mini 2 that ended up with a cracked screen and I returned to Apple for recycling.

A year ago I decided to get an 11" iPad Pro, to replace the 7th gen iPad (in that instance I traded it in). Got the magic keyboard and pencil too. I was surprised by how much nicer it was - display, speakers, everything. Terrific tablet computer. Led me to get a new M1 iPad Pro 11" for my wife about 6 months ago, so we both have 11" Pro models now.

If you are fine with spending the extra money, then in my experience it is worth it. Try them out at the Apple Store if you have the ability to do that. As I mentioned, we use our iPads heavily. I don't regret spending the money for the Pro models. Ours are both 256GB, by the way, so that we have plenty of storage.

I appreciate your response to the OP. I have a 7th Gen, and am considering an upgrade to the 11" Pro. Thanks for your insight!

 

[Phil77354]

I'll add to my earlier note - there are multiple good threads on the forum discussing Air vs Pro, for anyone who wants to browse a more extensive discussion giving other points of view and so forth.

Here are a few:

Still debating between the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Pro. Coming from the iPad Air 2 (with usage explained)

Hello everyone, I am still debating between the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Pro (either 2020 or waiting till 2021). I currently own an iPad Air 2, so it's been awhile since I have upgraded my iPad. My primary usage for the iPad is only browsing, streaming, reading and some light gaming...

forums.macrumors.com

Hi. I'm about to buy my first iPad..

I'm about to buy the new iPad Air. Planning to use it for second monitor, Logic Remote, and want to also try out drawing animation ( not a pro or anything at animation I just want to try out.. I don't know much about this field yet..) Will this be a good choice ? and any other tips for first...

forums.macrumors.com

11" iPad Pro 2nd Generation vs. iPad Air 4th Generation

If you were to be getting a 256GB Wi-Fi only version of either model, which one would you get and why? I am in that predicament currently and I keep going back and forth on it. My primary uses for it would be to watch movies and TV shows (probably with headphones more often than without, but...

forums.macrumors.com

iPad Air vs. Wait For New iPad Pro 11?

Hey guys, I am a corporate pilot and would like to upgrade my iPad soon (I have an iPad mini 4 ha!). My wife has an iPad Pro 12.9" which is amazing, but it is too big for cockpit use. The iPad Air is very tempting and quite frankly, if it had a 120Hz screen I would buy it today. However, I am...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[1BadManVan]

I went from a 6th gen to a 2021 11” pro. I could have easily gotten by with a new 9th gen or air but I had the budget for the pro and I love the very fluid experience. The speakers are also a fantastic upgrade from my 6th gen.