Get the Air 4 if the 120hz ProMotion display and 6GB RAM of the 2020 Pros doesn’t matter to you.
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All iPads Still debating between the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Pro. Coming from the iPad Air 2 (with usage explained)
- Thread starter etkuo
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Correct my first pro 10.5 the screen was bad. You could tell something wasn’t right and it looked like the picture you posted. I like a warm screen but not yellow. As I said the second one I bought was perfect and what you would expect it should be(until the white spot issues).
Agreed. I scrolled using my Air 4 and then my original Air. I didnt see any difference in scrolling smoothness. Id hoped the A14 would improve scrolling at least to some extent, but for me it doesnt appear to make any difference.
Too true. I now really dislike 60hz. Some people might think that is precious if it doesn't bother them, but I hate the fuzzy screen look when scrolling.
A lot of people got lost in the A14 hype when it comes the Air 4 I believe, once you get used to a large high refresh rate screen there is no going back, at least I can bare 60hz on my iPhone, but my tablets now HAVE TO be 120hz, I fully expect it from a device this large and powerful.
I switch between regular 6th gen iPad and iPad Pro and I have to admit the screen refresh rate is the thing I do not notice at all. With the transition I notice far more the dip in performance (in terms of CPU and RAM) than anything else. Here are the things I notice:
1. Lack of laminated screen - it affects the pencil usage
2. Less RAM - a lot more tabs and apps reloads, some apps crashing (Books, Notability, issues with export videos from Keynote etc)
3. Chip difference - you can feel it both when it comes to performance/execution as well as GPU. For example you can use LumaFusion for video export, but the experience of scrubbing the timeline and seeing real time what is going on is not always the best.
4. Audio differences - two speakers vs four.
Overall I personally would not say that the screen refresh rate is something that is vital for me. Most probably it contributes to a nicer experience on the pro, but it is not the first thing I notice when I switch between the devices. So I personally would not put it higher on my list for features I need and am looking for.
1. Lack of laminated screen - it affects the pencil usage
2. Less RAM - a lot more tabs and apps reloads, some apps crashing (Books, Notability, issues with export videos from Keynote etc)
3. Chip difference - you can feel it both when it comes to performance/execution as well as GPU. For example you can use LumaFusion for video export, but the experience of scrubbing the timeline and seeing real time what is going on is not always the best.
4. Audio differences - two speakers vs four.
Overall I personally would not say that the screen refresh rate is something that is vital for me. Most probably it contributes to a nicer experience on the pro, but it is not the first thing I notice when I switch between the devices. So I personally would not put it higher on my list for features I need and am looking for.
It could be nice for customers, but as Apple’s device portfolio expands, they plan their upgrades strategically in almost all categories. For example, they added iPhone SE releases in the springs and iPads are also having two upgrade seasons - October (iPad and iPad Air) and March (Pro). This year we also have a staggered iPhone release, with 12 and 12 Pro coming out first, followed up by 12 mini and Max several weeks later.
My man you need to get your eyes check if you can’t tell a 60hz and 120hz difference.
I should get my eyes checked as well then.
I can notice the difference for sure, but I personally don’t care enough and it doesn’t make 60hz a bad experience at all. This is totally subjective for everyone
Funnily enough I do wear prescription glasses so hey it might be that but I doubt it. It might be an improvement but it is not WOW for sure and I would not pay more money only for that. I should mention that I do not play games though. I am not fan of games in general no matter the device. So this might be another reason why I don't see it as that big of a deal.
That’s my experience too: 120Hz is not noticeable to me in the reading. It is noticeable with the pencil lag and latency (but I’ve been drawing with little issue on the base iPads and tested the 11” iPP), so not a deal breaker.
If I went back to the iPP, it would be the 12.9” model (Which Apple would be delighted about.)
With the Air, I‘ve noticed a much improved sound from the new stereo speaker layout. Love this Touch ID and pencil 2 compatibility too.
Sure, the 11” iPP is the better buy, but all I miss is the extra RAM. I did not use FaceID or the camera when I had the 11” iPP earlier this year.
If the Mini gets the Air specs, I’d own a Mini and a 12.9” iPP.
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From all the reading I’ve been doing here, it sounds like if I was staying in the 11” range the Air 4 might be the smarter buy. However, at 12.9 there is no other option. I’d really like the bigger screen. All this talk about future proofing and what not - I’m pretty sure my battery will be shot to hell before the processor holds me back. iPads are disposable appliances, as are most things technology. If I get 3-4 years out of a 12.9 IPP I’d be thrilled.
Apple is one of the very few companies (are there any others?) that will change your tablet battery (or rather swap you ipad) for around $100, that's not bad, especially for expensive devices...
That's not the first time someone says this... What can you do, people think that those that are not like them are not normal.... I have 2 120hz devices and, as I said, while it's a nice bonus, it does not change my experience dramatically and I move between 60 and 120 without even thinking... Speakers do change my experience dramatically. Oled is a nice bonus too, but like 120hz, once I am in a non oled device I forget it, and I focus on contents, not on looks.I should get my eyes checked as well then.
I can notice the difference for sure, but I personally don’t care enough and it doesn’t make 60hz a bad experience at all. This is totally subjective for everyone
I had pre-purchased the Air 4 to pickup at the Apple store over the weekend and at the very last minute I returned the Air and purchased the IPP 11. It was a $200 price difference but I was able to apply my work’s corporate discount to get $45 off the price of the IPP so I just decided to go for it. I wanted the 4 speakers and the Face ID along with the 120hz. I‘m planning on keeping this iPad for 3-4 years so decided to just pay the extra $155. I have not regretted choosing the Pro, even though I probably don’t need such a fancy IPad as I don’t draw or edit photos or do anything that requires the use of the Pro.
The escalation in price points as you step up to the nirvana device, has me giving the big dreamy eyes to the entry iPad at this point.
A12 processor, for the price you know, it's not the end of the world if you drop it bad, but once you start to dress the iPad pro's (or new Air) prime with all the bits, it's MacBook pro pricing or in other words, outside the US it's killer.
I never think of the mini, but then you see the price, they should really send some innovative love to the mini once more, give it the air treatment for that price, iPad mini Air.
A12 processor, for the price you know, it's not the end of the world if you drop it bad, but once you start to dress the iPad pro's (or new Air) prime with all the bits, it's MacBook pro pricing or in other words, outside the US it's killer.
I never think of the mini, but then you see the price, they should really send some innovative love to the mini once more, give it the air treatment for that price, iPad mini Air.
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For fun here are the (approx.) EURO starting prices compared to US price for the iPad range.
iPad - €392.50
xe.com conv. $462.93
Apple.com $329
Cost approx. +$133.93 more (EU)
iPad Air - €667.95
xe.com conv. $787.81
Apple.com $599
Cost approx. +$188 more (EU)
iPad Pro 11' - €894.20
xe.com conv. $1054.63
Apple.com $799
Cost approx. +$255 more (EU)
iPad Pro 12.9" - €1110.60
xe.com conv. $1309.85
Apple.com $999
Cost approx. +310 more (EU)
Simple example if iPad pro 12.9 was €999 it would still convert to $1178.22, but in reality it's more like $1309.85!!!!!
So you can see, the higher end models enjoy a far greater dollar cost divergence, compared to bought in US dollar prices.
These are base models, lowest GB storage, wifi.
Caveats: EU Vat rates vary across member State and also State taxes US, afaik are not applied to the US $ prices, I think are not applied to these prices, but EU VAT rate (sales tax) hover around 20% +/- 3%)
Even after all that, Apple US prices are the best value.
iPad - €392.50
xe.com conv. $462.93
Apple.com $329
Cost approx. +$133.93 more (EU)
iPad Air - €667.95
xe.com conv. $787.81
Apple.com $599
Cost approx. +$188 more (EU)
iPad Pro 11' - €894.20
xe.com conv. $1054.63
Apple.com $799
Cost approx. +$255 more (EU)
iPad Pro 12.9" - €1110.60
xe.com conv. $1309.85
Apple.com $999
Cost approx. +310 more (EU)
Simple example if iPad pro 12.9 was €999 it would still convert to $1178.22, but in reality it's more like $1309.85!!!!!
So you can see, the higher end models enjoy a far greater dollar cost divergence, compared to bought in US dollar prices.
These are base models, lowest GB storage, wifi.
Caveats: EU Vat rates vary across member State and also State taxes US, afaik are not applied to the US $ prices, I think are not applied to these prices, but EU VAT rate (sales tax) hover around 20% +/- 3%)
Even after all that, Apple US prices are the best value.
I know. I was shocked that Surface Pro 7 with horrible battery life didn't offer battery replacement. One of the many reasons it went back to Costco.
Aside from all the differences, the new iPad Air seems to have a backlight bleed problem that the 2020 Pro doesn't have. I went to the Apple Store to get a replacement and the replacement device had a backlight issue that was worse than my current one. So I swapped it out for a 11" Pro and they let me keep the 20W charger with the Air.
Good to know!Aside from all the differences, the new iPad Air seems to have a backlight bleed problem that the 2020 Pro doesn't have. I went to the Apple Store to get a replacement and the replacement device had a backlight issue that was worse than my current one. So I swapped it out for a 11" Pro and they let me keep the 20W charger with the Air.