So... why buy an iPad?

[ThatsMeRight]

If you read reviews or go to Apple's product page for iPad, all they focus on is what's new and better compared to previous or other iPad models.

But no one seems to be talking about why one would buy an iPad.

Personally, I've had several iPads in the past but I mainly used them for watching videos and browsing the web. That need kinda went away when bigger sized phones showed up.

The new $329 iPad, however, grabs my attention. Relatively low price and iOS seems much improved when looking at stuff like multitasking.
Still not convinced I'm going to buy one. Also considering the 2017 iPad which is $30 cheaper.

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

 

[metalcyclone]

I bought my iPad Pro 10.5 because I love iPads and use them for lots of different things. I watch netflix, browse the web, email, take notes with apple pencil, calendar, sometimes ebooks but I usually use ereaders for that... but generally I just love iPads and tablets in general... I love phones too, dont get me wrong, but there's something about that extra screen real estate and the feel of a thin tablet that's like your holding a high tech futuristic sheet of paper that's digital... that's the main reason I use the iPad...

 

[Johnny365]

It's easier viewing media than a cell phone, especially on the go, or other places a laptop/computer wouldn't make sense.

 

[maflynn]

what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

In no particular order,
I bought an iPad to use
Office Apps (mostly excel)
Watch movies
Take notes (I really haven't done much of that).
surf the web
read comics.

The 10.5 iPad Pro offered the right mixture of performance, screen size and productivty and I'm happy I bought it

 

[rui no onna]

If you read reviews or go to Apple's product page for iPad, all they focus on is what's new and better compared to previous or other iPad models.

But no one seems to be talking about why one would buy an iPad.

Personally, I've had several iPads in the past but I mainly used them for watching videos and browsing the web. That need kinda went away when bigger sized phones showed up.

The new $329 iPad, however, grabs my attention. Relatively low price and iOS seems much improved when looking at stuff like multitasking.
Still not convinced I'm going to buy one. Also considering the 2017 iPad which is $30 cheaper.

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

Manga/Comics for me.

Usage as primary web browser came later when hardware became faster and websites and Safari started playing nice with each other (circa iOS 9?). I've used an iPhone 6 Plus but to me, the web browsing experience leaves much to be desired compared to even a retina iPad mini.

The 2017 iPad isn't worth it at just $30 less. You should be able to get them for at least $90 less than a similarly configured 2018 iPad.

 

[boast]

Phone screens are too small. Laptops are too big for couch/toilet. iPads are a good size.

 

[CharlesShaw]

For me, reading top-notch websites (with gorgeous photos, layouts) like NYTimes on an iPad Pro 12.9” surpasses the experience on my 15” MacBook Pro.

 

[bruinsrme]

porn and low budget websites

 

[sracer]

If you read reviews or go to Apple's product page for iPad, all they focus on is what's new and better compared to previous or other iPad models.

But no one seems to be talking about why one would buy an iPad.

Personally, I've had several iPads in the past but I mainly used them for watching videos and browsing the web. That need kinda went away when bigger sized phones showed up.

The new $329 iPad, however, grabs my attention. Relatively low price and iOS seems much improved when looking at stuff like multitasking.
Still not convinced I'm going to buy one. Also considering the 2017 iPad which is $30 cheaper.

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

If you are considering an iPad at all, I'd recommend the 2018 over the 2017. A minor spec bump and Pencil support more than justify the extra $30 IMO.

I've owned and used iPads (standard, Mini, and Pros) daily since day-1 of gen-1. Over the years my usage has varied but now I've settled in to the following with the 2018 iPad + Pencil + Smart Cover (alternating with the Logitech ultra-thin keyboard cover for the iPad Air):

Comic/Magazine/Catalog reading - I have countless vintage comics, magazines, and catalogs (Radio Shack, Sears, etc.) that I read on the iPad. So easy to access them on the iPad. Reading them on the iPad is a pleasure as zooming and page turning is smooth and responsive.

Note-taking (work, home, etc) - After experimenting with different apps and workflows, I'm finally settling in on a combination of GoodNotes and the Notes.app. 9.7" 2018 iPad is a great size for portability as a notepad. The ability to easily create customized notebook/planners, mix handwritten and typed text, visual brainstorming, and terrific handwriting-to-text translation makes this a very flexible solution.

Casual gaming - Most of my waking time is spent deep in thought and analysis so I like the mindless pick-up-and-play type of games. I have a second iPad (iPad 2) that I use more as a dedicated gaming system since I have iMame installed (when it was available on the app store) and use it with my iCade cabinet (terrific arcade-quality controls). I also have the Duo pinball controller for the iPad that makes playing pinball more immersive.

Casual web surfing/blog reading - Nothing to heavy since some sites don't play nice with Safari and/or Brave for iOS (including this site).

Video playback- most of my video streaming is done via my Roku and Fire TV, but occasionally I'll use my iPad for that... in particular Plex to access my home media library.

Sketching, drawing - Although the larger 12.9 screen was great for art, I found it to be less than ideal for using away from the desk in more mobile/casual settings. The 9.7 form-factor is ideal for me in this regard and I find myself taking it with me more often.

Webcams - I'm a sucker for webcams. There's something neat about being able to see what other people around the world are doing (slice-of-life) at that moment in time. The EarthCam app is terrific for that.

Remote Desktop - Using Jump Desktop, I can access my iMac at my home office and use the Citrix X1 mouse with the iPad for a very natural-feeling experience. The downside is that it makes me irritated that Apple has not implemented native mouse support (as Android has had for years).

Miscellaneous media creation - Time is in short supply, but I try to find the time to use the iPad to create.

 

[bruinsrme]

There are many reasons.
Most tv provides have some sort of tablet support.
Taking tv on the go has become an enjoyment. I’m talking about watching a show not an all day event.
Take it to a gathering to watch your team with your friends, some places may not have the channel.

As others mention a device to display books/magazines and websites.

New iPad and pro you can sketch, edit pictures and make videos.

Games/puzzles/music and so on.

Great for toilet time. Less apt to plunge than a phone.

 

[darkarn]

Play games that are available on iOS (regardless whether they are available on Android, cos the iPad Pros are pretty much the strongest tablets in the market currently) and not on other platforms

 

[joeblow7777]

If you read reviews or go to Apple's product page for iPad, all they focus on is what's new and better compared to previous or other iPad models.

But no one seems to be talking about why one would buy an iPad.

Personally, I've had several iPads in the past but I mainly used them for watching videos and browsing the web. That need kinda went away when bigger sized phones showed up.

The new $329 iPad, however, grabs my attention. Relatively low price and iOS seems much improved when looking at stuff like multitasking.
Still not convinced I'm going to buy one. Also considering the 2017 iPad which is $30 cheaper.

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

For me it just fills a niche between my phone and my laptop. Quick and convenient for web browsing, emails, videos, social media, and quickly viewing or editing a document. Better than even a large phone for such tasks.

 

[NoBoMac]

Not going to bullet list, as others have already mentioned my list.

Will echo it's a nice travel device vs. lugging a full laptop with me. Particularly if will not be doing anything that only laptop can do (read: VMs, code development, heavy photo editing). Nice to have the more "real" sized screen vs. "small" iPhone screens.

Since I'm coming off the iPad 3 and using the new iPad, one great feature for me the other day was the split-screen/multi-tasking. I was flipping through a cooking magazine subscription on their app, had Notes up to note which recipes I want to print off their web page, and had the baseball game in that PIP-like mode (hockey was on the real TV).

 

[DNichter]

Email, Safari, Document Management, FaceTime, iMessage, Server Management, Word, Excel, OneNote, Downloading Torrents, Smart Home Management, Netflix, PlayStation Vue, Hulu, Plex, Sports, Reddit, Twitter, News, Games, and Music. This is what I mostly use my iPad for, but new things always come up. I like the larger screen. It’s my only other computer besides my iPhone for work and personal use.

 

[s2mikey]

iPads remind of Goldilocks and the three bears story. Laptops are a little too big. Phones are too small. But iPad is just right. Hard to beat them for media consumption, web browsing, and the other plethora of things that people have listed here. I use mine daily for multiple hours. Couldn’t be without one.

 

[nathasnajperowa]

Play games that are available on iOS (regardless whether they are available on Android, cos the iPad Pros are pretty much the strongest tablets in the market currently) and not on other platforms

What games you recommend as iPads best exclusives?

 

[Valbunny]

I will add to the list, I mostly use my iPad Pro for gaming, for me it is beyond easier to play a game on my ipad versus my phone, also I enjoy the larger battery. I really love that I can multitask and watch something while grinding on Final Fantasy III, wish I could do that on my X. ;( I also use it, though not often, for watching netflix and hulu.

 

[Eithanius]

For on-the-go where my 8-year old MBP is too heavy to lug around, and my 3.5-year old iPhone screen is too bloody small to do anything...

 

[Misuteri]

I don’t think too many people are truly pushing specs on an iPad. The overwhelming majority of people here, myself included, are web, email and TV on the go.

However that’s most people with phones now as well.

I’ve argued relentlessly that iPhones are the most over engineered computer hardware on the planet compared to what they are actually used for by 98% of the general population.

The most significant reason to update an iPad is becoming size/weight. If you’re still running around with an iPad that’s capped at 10.3.3/32 bit. You’re carrying a brick in comparison to a feather.

I love having a 512GB 10.5 Pro. I bought that much memory because I fully intend on keeping this thing at least 5 years and I’m a bit of a game collector.

 

[muzzy996]

Media consumption, general browsing (news and forums), PDF annotation, email, cloud storage management and note taking. All of which I could do on my laptop but the iPad Pro that I have is easier to carry around and has always on LTE.

 

[rosyapple]

I don't like using my iPhone to read and watch movies/videos. The screen is too small.

My MacBook Air is pretty heavy to carry around.

I have an iPad 2018 128GB.

iPad indeed fills that sweet spot in between. I can take my iPad out with one hand from my backpack, and read/watch movie on it while sitting or standing on the bus.

I use my iPad to read books and comics (about 7k files or so).

And most important, I use my iPad for college. It's no fun lugging heavy biochemistry, anatomy paperbacks. In my iPad, I have all my handwritten notes (using Apple Pencil), typed notes, lab manuals, exercise textbooks, flash cards, you name it, I throw everything but the kitchen sink (and Xcode) inside my iPad.

 

[skottichan]

I use mine (1st gen 12.9" iPad Pro) for reading (books/manga/comics), some light gaming, but mostly for drawing, which is my primary form of income. I generally use my iPad more than my Cintiq these days.

 

[TheRealAlex]

If you read reviews or go to Apple's product page for iPad, all they focus on is what's new and better compared to previous or other iPad models.

But no one seems to be talking about why one would buy an iPad.

Personally, I've had several iPads in the past but I mainly used them for watching videos and browsing the web. That need kinda went away when bigger sized phones showed up.

The new $329 iPad, however, grabs my attention. Relatively low price and iOS seems much improved when looking at stuff like multitasking.
Still not convinced I'm going to buy one. Also considering the 2017 iPad which is $30 cheaper.

So, I'm curious: what is the reason why you bought (and kept) an iPad?

I got in on the $99 HP Touch pad craze 6 years ago
Then

I bought 2 iPads ever iPad Air 1 which was replaced via AppleCare in Store with an iPad Air 2 on the spot. I’ll never play in a SuperBowl but that was one of my happiest days ever, an early Christmas.
Both devices were amazing.
Had an Android Tablet and then came the 12.9” IPad Pro And it was amazing the launch video still makes me drool.
A month later Apple reveals the 9.7” Pro with all the features of the 12.9” Pro But with a Better Display with Better colors, and a Better Camera.
And then Sprint sells me the LTE $729 9.7” Pro for $529 bucks
And it’s been 2 years of Productivity, Portability, and Personalability the 3 Ps of a successful device.

It’s Productive, my 9.7” Pro allows me to gets things done in my down time. Scan documents. I’ve saved Thousands of Dollars shopping late night when a flash sale happens and you snag a GTX 1080 Gaming PC from $2,000 for $1,000. Or Thanks to my iPad Pro I signed up for Samsung Insights and as tester I was Gifted a Samsung Note 8. And thanks to my LTE during Hurricane Irma last year No Power No Internet.
I was able to cut red tape speed up the process and get over $1,200 in FEMA grants for repairs. While others waited. Just download the FEMA App.
It’s, Portable that’s self explanatory. It goes everywhere I go. It’s my DJI Mavic Pro Display of choice.
It’s Personalble, sharing videos with others, Learning to write code personally myself. Help others by letting them use an intuitive device.
[doublepost=1525746664][/doublepost]

I got in on the $99 HP Touch pad craze 6 years ago
Then

I bought 2 iPads ever iPad Air 1 which was replaced via AppleCare in Store with an iPad Air 2 on the spot. I’ll never play in a SuperBowl but that was one of my happiest days ever, an early Christmas.
Both devices were amazing.
Had an Android Tablet and then came the 12.9” IPad Pro And it was amazing the launch video still makes me drool.
A month later Apple reveals the 9.7” Pro with all the features of the 12.9” Pro But with a Better Display with Better colors, and a Better Camera.
And then Sprint sells me the LTE $729 9.7” Pro for $529 bucks
And it’s been 2 years of Productivity, Portability, and Personalability the 3 Ps of a successful device.

It’s Productive, my 9.7” Pro allows me to gets things done in my down time. Scan documents. I’ve saved Thousands of Dollars shopping late night when a flash sale happens and you snag a GTX 1080 Gaming PC from $2,000 for $1,000. Or Thanks to my iPad Pro I signed up for Samsung Insights and as tester I was Gifted a Samsung Note 8. And thanks to my LTE during Hurricane Irma last year No Power No Internet.
I was able to cut red tape speed up the process and get over $1,200 in FEMA grants for repairs. While others waited. Just download the FEMA App.
It’s, Portable that’s self explanatory. It goes everywhere I go. It’s my DJI Mavic Pro Display of choice.
It’s Personalble, sharing videos with others, Learning to write code personally myself. Help others by letting them use an intuitive device.

For the record a Laptop could have accomplished none of the above. Because I would not use a laptop in bed in my down time it’s just awkward. A Laptop would not have LTE, at least not many. A Laptop is portable but you can’t use a laptop to pilot a drone. And it’s not as fun to share things on a laptop as it is an iPad.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

To tell you the truth, I personally use my iPad and MacBook air mostly interchangeably. I don't really have any specific requirement for one over the other, so for me it's kinda just whichever is closer, more charged, and/or I'm in the mood for. They each have advantages of their design and workflow.

 

[TomOSeven]

From a hardware perspective, I adore the iPad. So much performance and battery life and such a good screen in that tiny package. And the speakers are to die for.

Things fall flat when it comes to software, though.
None of the apps I want are available for the iPad.

Whatsapp, Fitbit, Signal, none of them. Not even the iwatch apps are on iPad. Why?

If I could replace my smartphone with an iPad, I'd do that in an instant, but the apps just aren't there.