iPad Tell your iPad journey from wherever you started to today

[wib]

My story is quite short compared to everyone else.

The Retina iPad Mini was my first. I'd been desperately waiting for a retina display and got it on release day at my local electrical store. I wanted it to be able to read pdfs and articles in portrait as I find it really irritating trying to read them in landscape on a computer.

I loved my mini, but when the pencil was announced, I had to buy the pro 9.7 and passed the mini on. I loved the pencil but didn't like the 9.7. Maybe it was something about the proportions. It was also the first and last iPad I traded in very quickly.

As soon as the 10.5 pro came out, I got it. I'm still using it now and love it! It IS finally time to upgrade though, and it will be going to live with an older friend who has never had an iPad or a pencil and I'm sure he'll love it.

Now, I'm really torn about what to upgrade to, as everything is so expensive (although I have the money saved up and available). I thought I would get the 11 inch Air, but seeing it in real life, it wasn't much of an upgrade for me in person. Then I thought the 13 would be good until I saw the screens on the pros! I've been stuck for about a week between taking the sensible(ish) option or just blowing my money and going for the pro.

Last year I upgraded from a 7+ to the 15 ProMax and the iPads are not that much more expensive when taking into account screen real estate. I also got a lot of use and value out of both devices over the years.

On the accessories side, it's fascinating how different we all are. My brother uses a 3rd party keyboard case but never the pencil. I use the pencil all the time and have an incredibly thin and light Bluetooth keyboard, that it actually had a coating of dust on it when I got it out to show him on FaceTime recently.

 

[namethisfile]

My iPad journey began on May 15, 2024....

So, it has only been just over a week. I guess, I am a baby iPad user.... The first app I bought was Procreate. And, one can probably surmise why I got an iPad. I have always wanted one, but, I already have a drawing display tablet. If, I really wanted to draw on-the-go, I could just bring the tablet with me and hook it up to my MBP. I can also just use good ol' pen and paper, of which I have plenty of. I don't need an iPad. It's just a huge smartphone (I have an android).

Well... last week, on the day of the launch, I went to my local BB to check it out. I don't have to buy it. Just look at it. After waiting for like 20 minutes and playing around with the prior gen iPad Pro, switching between the small one and big one to see which one is better (I was trying to convince myself smaller is better because it is also cheaper), one of the alarms went off. It was tripped up by a mom and daughter who were also there for the new iPads. I said to them, "That's a good way to get their attention." Finally, a BB sales associate, or maybe manager came because he wasn't wearing a blue shirt but a grey one.

And, yes, they didn't even have the new iPads on display which doesn't even matter when you're at BB because the security cords are so short and easily tripped. When I was playing around with the iPads, I was holding them so close to the table because the security cord prevented me from lifting them up any higher.

"I will take care of this alarm and get to you, okay," the grey-shirted BB employee said.

After turning off the alarm, he turned to me and said, "I will take care of them first, okay?" And I replied, "Yes, take care of them first." Even, though I was there first. But, I was trying to be courteous and a gentleman. I then heard the mom say, "He was here first," which was surprising. I guess I had to make my decision fast....

The grey-shirted BB employee then approached me and asked what he could help me with and I said, "I am interested in the new iPad 13" Pro M4. Do you have those? It came out today."

"Yes, Let me go check if I have them in inventory, he replied. He then took out a smartphone and looked on the BB website. I thought, "Wow, that looks just like the BB website I visit at home." It even took him a few minutes to find the right iPad. And, I thought, "Even, a BB employee has to deal with that website. LOL."

Finally, he said, "Yes, we have them. Which color do you want?" And I said, "Black." And He said, "Yes we have that in stock. That's a classic color."

"Do you need anything else?" He asked. I said, "Do you have the Apple Folio for them?" And the second I said that, I regretted it because he was going to use his smartphone again to search for it on the BB website.

When I saw he struggling to find it, I suggested, "Maybe type in M4 iPad..."

No luck. No Apple Folio for the new iPad Pro. It was okay because I could just go to the Apple store for one, which I did.

And, oh, I almost forgot the most important accessory. I asked if they had the Apple Pencil Pro, which they did, thankfully!

When the grey-shirted BB employee came back, he returned with the new Apple Pencil Pro box design and browm box.

I asked, "Is the ipad in that brown box?"

He replied, "Yes. We keep it in this brown box because it is easier for us to identify which iPad it is because it says it on the box."

"Oh, ok," I answered.

And that is pretty much the story of when I decided to get on the iPad.

I wanna say it felt similar as to when I got the OG iPhone in 2007, but the novelty and awe isn't the same.

When I opened the iPad, I was not as impressed by the marketed thinness. Paper is thinner I said. The iPad felt familiar....

But, I think I am glad I got it. My digital drawing journey can now be taken out to cafes, or under a tree, or on the sidewalk or where ever the iPad can take me.

But, I don't think I needed it, I could have drawn without it. But, it is a neat piece of technology. And, I got 3 months free of AppleTV+, so there you go.

 

[Coolpher]

My first iPad was an iPad 3, 32GB, Black. I remember getting it from Walmart as for some reason they were the only retailer around me that had it in stock.(Funny story to go along with it, I remember opening my first checking account at my bank because I was going to go buy an iPad). I would have been in high school and remember when it was announced with the retina display. I really wanted one and I remember having a friend who had an iPad 2 and it was kind of a competition because he claimed that he would upgrade and get it before me (which he didn’t lol). I used that iPad a lot. I remember being so frustrated when the iPad 4 came out with its updated processor 6 months after the 3’s introduction. The 3 in my opinion was frustrating to use after iOS 7 came out as it was just too slow. IOS 5 and 6 were good on it though. Funny thing about this iPad is that I still have it today, right now it is sitting on my island in my kitchen. I kind of don’t know what to do with it, I think though I will send it in to be recycled through Apple. I have tried to browse the web on it and download apps and it is basically like a brick. Not much can be done with it anymore. The reason I have it is my brother gave it back to me because he wasn’t using it and wanted to just get rid of it.

My second iPad was the iPad Air 2. I got it in 2015 when Target had a good sale on it. It was a space grey 128gb model. I remember this model the best, it had a very longevity with iOS support. Started with iOS 8 and I think the last version was 15. I ended up trading this model in to Apple Trade in for $100 in 2021 or 2022, not for sure what year. It was so much lighter than the iPad 3, so much faster and was just all around better to use. When I got the Air 2, I gave my iPad 3 to my brother for free as I didn’t really have a need for the 3.

My current iPad is a 2022 M2 Pro 11”. Got from BestBuy. I decided after not having an iPad for a while, there was a small need for one, but maybe just more of like I wanted one lol. It’s a iPad Pro 11” - M2 Space Gray 512GB storage. I also got the magic keyboard for it and am currently using it to type this post. I haven’t used it a lot but have been trying to use it more. But let me just say when you go from an Air to a Pro, there are a lot of positives. The quad speakers are so much better than the Air ever were. I also like having Face ID, makes it very easy to unlock than the fingerprint reader that was on the Air. In my opinion, one of the best experiences for an iPad. I do see that new M4 Pro, Oled, lighter, function row on keyboard, and the M4 chip all look like very nice upgrades but I spent a lot on this one, so I think I will keep a while.

But that is my iPad story. Kind of an interesting thread with everyone’s posts. Should almost have an iPhone/Mac thread also lol.

I always love using text to speech when I read these long forums and I get to hear the story. I’m glad that I made this thread and I hope that more people post on it and they get to experience other people stories of the iPad journeys they’ve been on, Hope to read more soon

 

[Coolpher]

My iPad journey began on May 15, 2024....

So, it has only been just over a week. I guess, I am a baby iPad user.... The first app I bought was Procreate. And, one can probably surmise why I got an iPad. I have always wanted one, but, I already have a drawing display tablet. If, I really wanted to draw on-the-go, I could just bring the tablet with me and hook it up to my MBP. I can also just use good ol' pen and paper, of which I have plenty of. I don't need an iPad. It's just a huge smartphone (I have an android).

Well... last week, on the day of the launch, I went to my local BB to check it out. I don't have to buy it. Just look at it. After waiting for like 20 minutes and playing around with the prior gen iPad Pro, switching between the small one and big one to see which one is better (I was trying to convince myself smaller is better because it is also cheaper), one of the alarms went off. It was tripped up by a mom and daughter who were also there for the new iPads. I said to them, "That's a good way to get their attention." Finally, a BB sales associate, or maybe manager came because he wasn't wearing a blue shirt but a grey one.

And, yes, they didn't even have the new iPads on display which doesn't even matter when you're at BB because the security cords are so short and easily tripped. When I was playing around with the iPads, I was holding them so close to the table because the security cord prevented me from lifting them up any higher.

"I will take care of this alarm and get to you, okay," the grey-shirted BB employee said.

After turning off the alarm, he turned to me and said, "I will take care of them first, okay?" And I replied, "Yes, take care of them first." Even, though I was there first. But, I was trying to be courteous and a gentleman. I then heard the mom say, "He was here first," which was surprising. I guess I had to make my decision fast....

The grey-shirted BB employee then approached me and asked what he could help me with and I said, "I am interested in the new iPad 13" Pro M4. Do you have those? It came out today."

"Yes, Let me go check if I have them in inventory, he replied. He then took out a smartphone and looked on the BB website. I thought, "Wow, that looks just like the BB website I visit at home." It even took him a few minutes to find the right iPad. And, I thought, "Even, a BB employee has to deal with that website. LOL."

Finally, he said, "Yes, we have them. Which color do you want?" And I said, "Black." And He said, "Yes we have that in stock. That's a classic color."

"Do you need anything else?" He asked. I said, "Do you have the Apple Folio for them?" And the second I said that, I regretted it because he was going to use his smartphone again to search for it on the BB website.

When I saw he struggling to find it, I suggested, "Maybe type in M4 iPad..."

No luck. No Apple Folio for the new iPad Pro. It was okay because I could just go to the Apple store for one, which I did.

And, oh, I almost forgot the most important accessory. I asked if they had the Apple Pencil Pro, which they did, thankfully!

When the grey-shirted BB employee came back, he returned with the new Apple Pencil Pro box design and browm box.

I asked, "Is the ipad in that brown box?"

He replied, "Yes. We keep it in this brown box because it is easier for us to identify which iPad it is because it says it on the box."

"Oh, ok," I answered.

And that is pretty much the story of when I decided to get on the iPad.

I wanna say it felt similar as to when I got the OG iPhone in 2007, but the novelty and awe isn't the same.

When I opened the iPad, I was not as impressed by the marketed thinness. Paper is thinner I said. The iPad felt familiar....

But, I think I am glad I got it. My digital drawing journey can now be taken out to cafes, or under a tree, or on the sidewalk or where ever the iPad can take me.

But, I don't think I needed it, I could have drawn without it. But, it is a neat piece of technology. And, I got 3 months free of AppleTV+, so there you go.

I love hearing that your iPad journey started this year with this M4 iPad Pro . I don’t know how much thinner they can go unless they change the design of the iPad completely because the charging port is what’s holding them back now I believe someday it’ll turn into what Tony Stark uses when it’s just a piece of glass in your hand, but I’ve gone through almost every generation of iPad since the beginning and this is my favorite so far I wish you luck on your journey with the iPad Pro M4 2024. and into the future.

 

[Onimusha370]

Start off with the OG iPad in 2010. Funny story, I actually got it the day before release in the UK by bugging my local UPS courier. I ended up travelling across the country on a train that same day and got countless "funny looks" from people wondering what the hell it was (and how I had it a day early!) - crazy to think how most of the general public new about it, and the release date, before launch.

I made the switch to the iPad 3 in 2012, as I loved the retina screen on my iPhone 4. I know the 3rd gen had its problems but it was a sensational device - so incredibly satisfying to view the web with such high resolution on a device that weighed 1.4 pounds.

iPad Air next in 2013 - the jump down to 1.0 pounds made a huge difference, and I remember vividly how the default background really popped. The contrast and general quality of the screen was a big improvement and the A7 chip screamed.

iPad Air 2 in 2014 - I actually wasn't planning to buy this one but I went to the Apple Store regarding my MBP and ending up trying them out. I could really feel the extra thinness, weight reduction, and how nice the laminated screen felt. The A8X was also a monster. The UK pricing in 2014 was at its peak (atleast while I've been buying Apple products) and I remember picking up the 128GB for about £560. Amazing how good that iPad was considering an equivalent now starts at £999.

iPad Pro (12.9") in 2016 - I bought into the dream of a bigger iPad with more power, proper multitasking, the Apple Pencil. Great device, but in hindsight a bit too heavy, too bigger bezels, and a bit of a pain to use as a tablet.

iPad Pro (10.5") in 2017 - I knew the 120hz was going to feel great and it did. I also loved the slim bezels of the 10.5 inch, to the point where I still miss this design and would happily use an updated version of it today. It felt amazing after a year with the larger size and I loved using it as a proper tablet again. Screen was awesome.

iPad Pro (12.9") in 2019 - I was pretty happy with my 2017 10.5" but managed to pick up a great deal on amazon and get the 1TB model for about £500 off. I loved this iPad. It was blazing fast, the screen was awesome, the bezels were a giant improvement on the previous gens, the thinness and weight was great.To me this was the first time that the iPad was really capable of being a laptop replacement (assuming that the software limitations didn't stop you). I could not get over how nice the all screen design was and how great everything looked with the rounded edges and bright vivid screen. I had this device for 5 years and loved every minute of it.

iPad Pro (13") in 2024 - Given how much I loved the 2018 model, I was happy waiting it out for a new design. It was worth the wait! I love this thing, it's laughably thin, light, and a big step up in performance from the A12X to the M4. The OLED screen is absolutely bonkers. At night when you see the screen light up to 1000 nits SDR on an image with a range of tones/colours it is literally laughable. I've been struggling to work out which I prefer out of the 11 or 13" (have been test driving both) - but I'm pretty sure the 13" will win out as I can't get enough of the big OLED screen.

Thanks for joining me on the journey!

 

[JeffreyVB]

Started with an iPad 5th gen. My company bought it for me as a way to test apps used on the iPad.

After a year or so, they upgraded me to an Air 3 and a pencil. Requested this for note taking and as a way to get rid of the million legal pads on, and in, my desk.

Once I got used to the iPad/Pencil arrangement, I want, nay, needed the iPad Pro with Pencil 2 and the double tap feature.

Bounce around with a few. 11in Pro with Wifi. 12.9 Pro Wi-fi. 11in Pro with Cell. Now I have the M2 12.9 with Cellular and LOVE it.

Whilst trying out Pros, the Mini 6 came out. I told my self, it it supported Pencil 2 and had USB-C, I was buying one. Well, lo and behold, it got both. So pre-ordered one of those as soon as pre-orders went live.

Very happy with both my 12.9 and Mini 6. Still have the iPad 5 and Air 3. iPad 5 gets little use. My daughter uses my Air 3 quite a bit.

 

[PaperMag]

the next year when they upgraded to the fourth generation, which was literally just a port swap when they went from the 30 pin connector to the lightning connector

Interestingly, it was more than just a port swap.

The problem with the 3rd Gen iPad was it was the first with Retina Display but having 4-times the amount of pixels—performance was weak. Why? Because Apple simply used a re-tuned A5 chip from the previous 2nd Gen iPad that had ¼ the amount pixels.

So Apple "fixed" the 3rd Gen by giving the 4th Generation iPad (2012) a new A6X processor which doubled graphics performance, better handling retina as it should.

In fact, Apple "fixed" the 3rd Gen by releasing the 4th Gen a mere 8-months later. Apple knew they messed up.

 

[rui no onna]

The problem with the 3rd Gen iPad was it was the first with Retina Display but having 4-times the amount of pixels—performance was weak. Why? Because Apple simply used a re-tuned A5 chip from the previous 2nd Gen iPad that had ¼ the amount pixels.

So Apple "fixed" the 3rd Gen by giving the 4th Generation iPad (2012) a new A6X processor which doubled graphics performance, better handling retina as it should.

In fact, Apple "fixed" the 3rd Gen by releasing the 4th Gen a mere 8-months later. Apple knew they messed up.

Iirc, the A5X actually had 2x the graphics performance of the vanilla A5. Unfortunately, that just wasn’t enough to handle the 4x jump in pixels.

In fact, Apple "fixed" the 3rd Gen by releasing the 4th Gen a mere 8-months later. Apple knew they messed up.

I don’t think it’s that they messed but rather all the Androids were sporting higher resolution displays while the iPad was still on a measly 1024x768.

I expect the 3rd gen was merely a stop gap measure because the 4th gen simply wasn’t ready to be released yet.

 

[PaperMag]

Iirc, the A5X actually had 2x the graphics performance of the vanilla A5. Unfortunately, that just wasn’t enough to handle the 4x jump in pixels.




I don’t think it’s that they messed but rather all the Androids were sporting higher resolution displays while the iPad was still on a measly 1024x768.

I expect the 3rd gen was merely a stop gap measure because the 4th gen simply wasn’t ready to be released yet.

Yes—4x the pixels needs 4x the GPU but instead Apple gave it 2x the GPU and 1x the CPU, leading to the iPad 3 having noticeably worse performance than the iPad 2.

Still a worthy upgrade for those begging for retina text—understandable.

Yes—Apple pulled this little stunt so as not to concede nearly a year of market ground to their—at the time—mortal enemies friendly competitors Google/Samsung/Android. It was a calculated move and my wife paid with her purse.*

* not me, I wisely received an iPad 4 as a gift.

 

[Coolpher]

Need more stories please post

 

[anakinfan8]

Definitely not as varied as some of the other folk on here, but here's my story.

I remember when the very first iPad came out and wanted one. At the time, it was cool to see Steve do all that stuff with it on stage, but after the iPad 2 came out, my interest sort of waned with each model. Coupled with the fact that I was pretty young and didn't have a job or money, I saw it as "just a bigger iPhone" and didn't really pay much mind to it until the Apple Pencil came out. I was in high school watching the 2015 keynote and went "Oh dang, I want one again." The prospect of notetaking was mainly what appealed to me as I was preparing to go to college. But for most of that time, I realized that a MacBook was way better for that as well as the stuff I needed to get done (and the various papers/projects I'd end up doing)

Despite that, I found that I was not the biggest fan of using my MacBook for content consumption (it's mainly my main man for getting work done) and felt like the iPad would provide a better experience with that. So I started shopping around after the M4 keynote. I figured I didn't need all that power as well as that fancy OLED screen. I took a look at it in the Apple Store, and other than the size difference, I couldn't really tell it apart from the Air. I was mainly eyeing that as well as the Mini, since we have one of those being used as part of the check-in system where I work. I almost pulled the trigger on the Air since it just went on sale on Amazon, but then I took a good long look at my MacBook Pro 14" as well as my iPhone 15 Pro Max and realized that I really, really wanted ProMotion, as petty as that sounds 😆

So, I ultimately settled on a used 128GB M2 iPad Pro 11" that I picked up from my local Micro Center (any excuse for me to go there is always one I will accept.) Funnily enough, when I booted it up, System Settings said that it still had 37 days left to add AppleCare, so it was basically a brand new machine from the looks of it! I've been using it since Saturday and I must say, it's been great! I also picked up the Pencil 2nd gen as well as a Paperlike screen protector, and writing/doodling on this thing is so much fun. The speakers are wicked and I love the split screen multitasking -- it's literally perfect. This is the first tablet I've owned and I've been immensely pleased so far. Now if they can bring that to the Max iPhones, I will be a happy camper.

 

[NauticalDan]

Got an iPad original the day it came out In Spring 2010. Sold that to my mom (I should have just made it a gift) and upgraded to a iPad 2 a year later in 2011 and had that for a few years. Sold it in maybe 2014 cause I wasn’t using it much. Actually, I didn’t really use the iPad much at all for these first two - I just wanted to play with something new

Got an iPad 6th gen in 2019 cause I was travelling a lot. Use started going up - I was using it a lot in Split View answering math questions with an Apple Pencil. Used it lots on flights and in hotels for movies.

Got an iPad Pro 12.9” 3rd gen in mid 2020, first time buying something used (it was released in 2018). I wanted the bigger screen for taking notes at school.

Gifted the iPad 6th gen to my dad in 2022.

Sold the iPad Pro 12.9 3rd Gen in April this year…. for $40 more than I paid for it in 2020!

Bought the 13” iPad Pro 7th Gen in May this year. It’s used a lot - I still consider the Mac my main computer but use my iPad for most things I’d use my Mac for - I just like how easy it is to grab and do something fast on it, use in bed or sofa, etc. it’s just way more fun to use than a laptop I think. I definitely could live without it, but tech life wouldn’t have as much joy in it.

 

[joeblow7777]

iPad Mini 4 (Space Gray, 64GB) --> iPad 6th gen (Space Gray, 64GB) --> iPad Air 3 (Space Gray, 256 GB) --> iPad Air 4 (Silver, 256 GB).
I also have a work-issued 9th gen iPad (Space Gray, 64GB).

All Wi-Fi only.

My very first tablet before any of these was a 2nd gen Nexus 7, 32 GB. I've always been an iPhone user, so at the time I thought that having an iPad too would be redundant. I decided to try an Android tablet. I actually really like it for a lot of reasons, but I eventually decided that the iPad tablet experience, although a bit more restrictive, seemed more polished, and the hardware was definitely better.

Now I've had my current Air 4 since launch in 2020, and it continues to meet my needs so well that I don't really see what will drive me to upgrade in the near future.

 

[rui no onna]

My very first tablet before any of these was a 2nd gen Nexus 7, 32 GB.

That was the best Android tablet I’ve used.

 

[joeblow7777]

That was the best Android tablet I’ve used.

Definitely! The Nexus line was great.

 

[familychoice]

Over a decade ago I saw a video demonstrating the Korg iMS20 synth app, and as I have the original synth, purchased an iPad 2 and a few other music apps, to supplement my little desktop home studio.

It didn’t get a great deal of use though, but then Gadget turned up, then Audiobus, and suddenly making music on an iPad became a much more serious proposition. The iPad 2 was upgraded to an Air 2 to accommodate the new tech, and the old one donated to my son.

Had a number of years of fun on the Air 2 until an iOS update knobbled the device making it run extremely slowly, and no option of re-installing the previous version. Thanks Apple. The lightning port also started playing up, so upgraded a few years ago to my current Air 4. It gave me 5 good years of service though, so can’t really complain, and I still occasionally boot it up for its ease of use via the headphone socket.

My son has upgraded to a newer iPad as well, which really helps him cope with his autism and ADHD issues.

Although I prefer the design of the Air 2, and really miss the headphone port, the extra speed and storage with the Air 4 have made it a proper music-making machine.

I’m now ready to upgrade again next week to the Air 13” - I don’t travel with the iPad, and so the extra speed, disk space and screen size will be a real boost for music production. I’ve amassed a few grands worth of apps over the years, so pretty heavily invested in the platform, so looking forward to a few more years on a bigger device!

 

[flobach]

Over a decade ago I saw a video demonstrating the Korg iMS20 synth app, and as I have the original synth, purchased an iPad 2 and a few other music apps, to supplement my little desktop home studio.

It didn’t get a great deal of use though, but then Gadget turned up, then Audiobus, and suddenly making music on an iPad became a much more serious proposition. The iPad 2 was upgraded to an Air 2 to accommodate the new tech, and the old one donated to my son.

Had a number of years of fun on the Air 2 until an iOS update knobbled the device making it run extremely slowly, and no option of re-installing the previous version. Thanks Apple. The lightning port also started playing up, so upgraded a few years ago to my current Air 4. It gave me 5 good years of service though, so can’t really complain, and I still occasionally boot it up for its ease of use via the headphone socket.

My son has upgraded to a newer iPad as well, which really helps him cope with his autism and ADHD issues.

Although I prefer the design of the Air 2, and really miss the headphone port, the extra speed and storage with the Air 4 have made it a proper music-making machine.

I’m now ready to upgrade again next week to the Air 13” - I don’t travel with the iPad, and so the extra speed, disk space and screen size will be a real boost for music production. I’ve amassed a few grands worth of apps over the years, so pretty heavily invested in the platform, so looking forward to a few more years on a bigger device!

Loved using my iPad when plugging my guitar in to it, great use case.

You mentioned your son having ADHD and the iPad helping him. Having adhd myself, I think the relative simplicity of the iPad is a reason I love it more than the Mac. More focused. How does your son use it, and how does it specifically help him? Thx for your insights!

 

[familychoice]

Loved using my iPad when plugging my guitar in to it, great use case.

You mentioned your son having ADHD and the iPad helping him. Having adhd myself, I think the relative simplicity of the iPad is a reason I love it more than the Mac. More focused. How does your son use it, and how does it specifically help him? Thx for your insights!

I think it helps him more with the autism side of things, as he is typically hypersensitive to noise, smells, crowds of people etc., and it becomes a ‘safe place’ he can focus in (headphones help) and de-stress.

ADHD-wise - he loves making videos and cartoons, and so the iPad provides a great platform where he can absorb himself in his hobbies. Only difficulty is getting him to switch it off and come and eat some food!

 

[Bethanie21]

I’ve had the original iPad, which I absolutely loved when it first came out. Kept that for a while (I was only young when that released so had neither the money nor the inclination to upgrade quickly) and then got the Air 2 when my original iPad became slow. After the Air 2 I had Air 4, Air 5 and I’ve currently got an Air 6, which I’ve had for just over a week now. I wouldn’t have bothered upgrading from the Air 5 but it was a 64gb device and I had filled that up. 128gb is perfect for my needs.

I like the idea of a Pro but for my use case it would be overkill! Plus I’m not bothered about having OLED and ProMotion, although that is present on my iPhone. I don’t miss it on the iPad, I’m one of those who doesn’t spot it!

 

[Arcontia]

In a nutshell:

iPad Pro 10.5 was my first Pro back in 2017 after the original 3rd generation iPad. It was a huge step up with the Pro-Motion and other display upgrades.

Then upgraded to iPad Pro 2020 11” as I was drawn by the then-new Magic Keyboard and its ability to turn the device into a laptop-computer hybrid which served me and my needs very well. I also will remember this tablet especially because it was announced and I got it right as Covid hit… those were the days.

Four years later in mid 2024 I felt ready for an upgrade and just got the M4 iPad Pro 11”. Look very similar, but appreciating the lighter weight, the Magic Keyboard improvements and of course the big one, the OLED display has made a massive difference in viewing (creative) content on screen. It is a pity the speakers took a definite slight hit in quality but is what it is, the rest of the device is great.

 

[AZhappyjack]

I bought the OG iPad in July, 2010, and subsequently, bought each generation iPad through gen 3.

I gave my gen 3 to my wife and bought the first generation Mini when it launched in November, 2012. To date, I've owned every version of the iPad mini, and am anxiously awaiting the release of gen 7, which will be an immediate buy. I love the size of the Mini and wished that Apple would give it the love that it deserves.

 

[Richy85]

When the iPad came out I always thought it was a big iPhone and I wouldn't use it... until my boss bought the iPad 2 and in a meeting we were testing it with another coworker... we liked it so much so that we went out that day to buy one. One or two years later I changed it for the iPad mini and then the iPad mini 2... I skipped the 3 because it seemed like a steal that the only update was the touch ID, I just made the change again to the iPad mini 4, Until that moment all my iPads were 16GB and the lack of space was beginning to be felt... although I was in love with the mini, I jumped to an iPad Pro 10.5 with 64GB and my problems went away... until the failure of the common shiny spot on that model....so when the iPad Pro 11 2020 came out, I took advantage of an offer and bought the 2018 1TB one that I have to this day. Honestly, I don't need to change it, I have it complete with keyboard and pencil, it helps me when I go on vacation and navigate during the day

 

[LowerWolf]

I’m one of those who mocked the iPad way back when it first came out. Today, I use my iPad more than my iPhone and MacBook Air combined. And yesterday, I added a second iPad to my arsenal.

• iPad 3 (purchased in 2012)
• iPad Mini 2 (2014)
• iPad Mini 4 (2017)
• iPad Mini 6 (2022)
• iPad Air, 11-inch 2022 model (2024)

Fell in love with the Mini the first time I saw it. The compact size is perfect for me. Got the Air yesterday to go with the Mini 6. Was going to get an M2 Air, but decided the M1 would work for me so I grabbed it on sale. I‘ll likely trade in my Mini for a Mini 7 when/if Apple refreshes it.

 

[Coolpher]

I bought the OG iPad in July, 2010, and subsequently, bought each generation iPad through gen 3.

I gave my gen 3 to my wife and bought the first generation Mini when it launched in November, 2012. To date, I've owned every version of the iPad mini, and am anxiously awaiting the release of gen 7, which will be an immediate buy. I love the size of the Mini and wished that Apple would give it the love that it deserves.

I truly believe that there will be a GEN seven that will bring it closer to what the 2022 ipp had and what the current generation air series has in the smaller form factor but who knows when it’ll happen

 

[Atomic1977]

I started out with a iPad Mini 2 then was gifted the iPad 9th gen. Looking at upgrading to a Pro or Air in the near future when I can. Have to see if my fund request from my rep payee goes through first.