The iPad 9.7 Is All I Need

[jjohnstonjr]

So this weekend I was out looking at several different iPad models to see if I needed to upgrade from my 9.7 iPad. After toying with them all I just couldn't bring myself to part with my money for another iPad for seemingly no reason at all. I bought the "budget" iPad last year when it was released and was happy ever since. I felt like I needed a newer and bigger screen but I don't. The long life keyboard that I have for my 9.7 and the screen size fulfills my needs at this point. Anyone else rocking with the 9.7 and share the same sentiments?

 

[EugW]

I had the 9.7" decided to upgrade to the 10.5" Pro from 2017.

It has transformed my usage. The thing is I always disliked the Bluetooth non-full-size keyboards for my iPad Air 2, and didn't really want to carry around a full-sized one, even if it was folding.

With Pro 10.5" I carry around the Apple Smart Keyboard everywhere, as it also acts as its cover, and it's a full-sized (18 mm keyspace) keyboard. Plus it's not Bluetooth.

Also, the screen on the 10.5" Pro (and the 10.5" Air) is much nicer than on any of the 9.7" non-Pro models. It's up to you as to whether or not it's worth the extra cost though.

 

[AutomaticApple]

So this weekend I was out looking at several different iPad models to see if I needed to upgrade from my 9.7 iPad. After toying with them all I just couldn't bring myself to part with my money for another iPad for seemingly no reason at all. I bought the "budget" iPad last year when it was released and was happy ever since. I felt like I needed a newer and bigger screen but I don't. The long life keyboard that I have for my 9.7 and the screen size fulfills my needs at this point. Anyone else rocking with the 9.7 and share the same sentiments?

There are definitely a few people here who think the same.

 

[secretk]

So this weekend I was out looking at several different iPad models to see if I needed to upgrade from my 9.7 iPad. After toying with them all I just couldn't bring myself to part with my money for another iPad for seemingly no reason at all. I bought the "budget" iPad last year when it was released and was happy ever since. I felt like I needed a newer and bigger screen but I don't. The long life keyboard that I have for my 9.7 and the screen size fulfills my needs at this point. Anyone else rocking with the 9.7 and share the same sentiments?

It definitely depends on how you use it. What is your usage?

I bought the same iPad last year beginning of October and I am more in the middle. I would not say that I hate it but I also would not say that it is the best thing ever.

Things I like:

1. It is portable and light
2. Good battery life (though do have in mind that this is the first tablet I am using so I have not compared it to others)
3. Apple Pencil Support - do use the iPad as a digital notebook as well as to read, annotate and highlight
4. Sometimes use ProCreate to colour stuff
5. Like the Apple apps that could spark creativity (iMovie, GarageBand etc). Unfortunately I do not have time to play with them

Restrictions that comes with the size:

1. I do assume that split screen is better on a bigger screen. I don't see that well so for me using two apps on this small screen is rather tiring
2. They keyboard is rather small and not super comfortable when it comes to ergonomics

Things I openly dislike:

1. Does not have enough RAM. I open a lot of apps and keep a lot of tabs open and they get reloaded a lot (like every 5 minutes, sometimes could be even sooner).
2. Some bugs in the Files app itself. Quite often it is unresponsive.
3. Restrictive iOS

Point 3 is valid for every iPad. Not sure about point 2 as the bugs might be due to not enough RAM (cannot say).

IMO for the money I paid for this iPad is good enough. Would I call it the best thing ever? No because there are some bugs that I experience daily (like the files app bugs) and the tabs/apps reloading every 5 minutes which for me is basically lagging.

However I bought it to use it as a digital notebook at work and it serves its purpose. It is useful for reading books (well not in sunlight but in work setting you can). You can access Microsoft office files and even do light editing. It is portable. As long as your expectations are reasonable I think that this is good device and will work for you. If you need more than you either get the Pro options or you go to completely different device .

 

[RayB4]

I’m more than happy with my 6th gen iPad. I got it to replace my iPad Air which I loved but with 16GB storage I was running out of space as I used it more & more instead of an ageing laptop which was slowing to a crawl. I still have it but have upgraded to the 6th Gen 128Gb WiFi/Cellular and I love it. Good news also is that as it’s the same size as the iPad Air it has teamed up well with my Belkin Qode Bluetooth keyboard.
I don’t need the power of an IPP and probably wouldn’t use it if I had it. When it’s time to upgrade again I’ll consider whatever is available and make my choice then.

 

[jjohnstonjr]

It definitely depends on how you use it. What is your usage?

I bought the same iPad last year beginning of October and I am more in the middle. I would not say that I hate it but I also would not say that it is the best thing ever.

Things I like:

1. It is portable and light
2. Good battery life (though do have in mind that this is the first tablet I am using so I have not compared it to others)
3. Apple Pencil Support - do use the iPad as a digital notebook as well as to read, annotate and highlight
4. Sometimes use ProCreate to colour stuff
5. Like the Apple apps that could spark creativity (iMovie, GarageBand etc). Unfortunately I do not have time to play with them

Restrictions that comes with the size:

1. I do assume that split screen is better on a bigger screen. I don't see that well so for me using two apps on this small screen is rather tiring
2. They keyboard is rather small and not super comfortable when it comes to ergonomics

Things I openly dislike:

1. Does not have enough RAM. I open a lot of apps and keep a lot of tabs open and they get reloaded a lot (like every 5 minutes, sometimes could be even sooner).
2. Some bugs in the Files app itself. Quite often it is unresponsive.
3. Restrictive iOS

Point 3 is valid for every iPad. Not sure about point 2 as the bugs might be due to not enough RAM (cannot say).

IMO for the money I paid for this iPad is good enough. Would I call it the best thing ever? No because there are some bugs that I experience daily (like the files app bugs) and the tabs/apps reloading every 5 minutes which for me is basically lagging.

However I bought it to use it as a digital notebook at work and it serves its purpose. It is useful for reading books (well not in sunlight but in work setting you can). You can access Microsoft office files and even do light editing. It is portable. As long as your expectations are reasonable I think that this is good device and will work for you. If you need more than you either get the Pro options or you go to completely different device .

Overall these are some of the many reasons I love it. I don't do a lot of designing and or editing other than docs. I use Files, Pages, Keynote and Microsoft Office for those things.

 

[1BadManVan]

I think for most users the 6th gen is a great tablet. It’s what an entry level should be IMO, a smooth experience that lets you try out almost all aspects of an iPad that Apple offers. Then at the end of the day, if you’re intrigued enough to take it to the next level of usability, like say for photo or video editing, you step up a model higher.

For most people, what we use an iPad for, the base model is a perfect set up. Only reason I’m considering the pro model is because I find myself using mine a lot for gaming and would love a bit bigger screen and the extra speakers. But the gaming experience on my 6th gen is still awesome.

 

[jjohnstonjr]

I think for most users the 6th gen is a great tablet. It’s what an entry level should be IMO, a smooth experience that lets you try out almost all aspects of an iPad that Apple offers. Then at the end of the day, if you’re intrigued enough to take it to the next level of usability, like say for photo or video editing, you step up a model higher.

For most people, what we use an iPad for, the base model is a perfect set up. Only reason I’m considering the pro model is because I find myself using mine a lot for gaming and would love a bit bigger screen and the extra speakers. But the gaming experience on my 6th gen is still awesome.

Which games do you currently use on your iPad?

 

[1BadManVan]

Which games do you currently use on your iPad?

Right now grid Autosport has been my go to game and it runs at 60fps on the performance settings. Play PUBG on it, mortal combat, guns of boom, boom beach. Few others but it’s a great gaming tablet overall

 

[secretk]

Overall these are some of the many reasons I love it. I don't do a lot of designing and or editing other than docs. I use Files, Pages, Keynote and Microsoft Office for those things.

What else are you using the iPad for?

Btw I forgot to add another guilty pleasure of mine (though I currently do not have enough time for it). I like to play with Swift Playgrounds. It is sort of a game or I see it this way. I have to come up with some pseudo code to solve some labyrinth or puzzle. I could waste hours playing it .
[doublepost=1556555592][/doublepost]

I think for most users the 6th gen is a great tablet. It’s what an entry level should be IMO, a smooth experience that lets you try out almost all aspects of an iPad that Apple offers. Then at the end of the day, if you’re intrigued enough to take it to the next level of usability, like say for photo or video editing, you step up a model higher.

For most people, what we use an iPad for, the base model is a perfect set up. Only reason I’m considering the pro model is because I find myself using mine a lot for gaming and would love a bit bigger screen and the extra speakers. But the gaming experience on my 6th gen is still awesome.

I could see you wanting the extra speakers. It is something I would love as well . When it comes to gaming I wonder if the big screen would be comfortable. I am not into gaming so I cannot decide what screen size is the optimal when it comes to playing games on touch screen devices.

 

[1BadManVan]

What else are you using the iPad for?

Btw I forgot to add another guilty pleasure of mine (though I currently do not have enough time for it). I like to play with Swift Playgrounds. It is sort of a game or I see it this way. I have to come up with some pseudo code to solve some labyrinth or puzzle. I could waste hours playing it .
[doublepost=1556555592][/doublepost]

I could see you wanting the extra speakers. It is something I would love as well . When it comes to gaming I wonder if the big screen would be comfortable. I am not into gaming so I cannot decide what screen size is the optimal when it comes to playing games on touch screen devices.

Well the physical size of the 11” isn’t much more than the 9.7” due to the thinner bezels, plus it’s lighter

 

[secretk]

Well the physical size of the 11” isn’t much more than the 9.7” due to the thinner bezels, plus it’s lighter

Good point that the 11 inch is not that bigger than 9.7. I was wondering about the screen estate when moving your hands. However that is most probably just my restriction . I have small hands and I have issues moving them around 9.7 inch screen. It would be worse for bigger screen. And it cause a bit of strain for my right wrist.

If you don't have those restrictions the 11 inch would be great. It does seems lighter!

 

[MisterSavage]

Different people have different preferences. I upgraded from a 9.7 IPP to an 11 IPP and couldn't be happier!

 

[Duckhunter]

I recently bought a 9.7 iPad for light use so I don't have to drag out my Macbook, and it is awesome for $250 I paid for it. Ya it would be nice to have a bigger screen and more speakers, but at this price point it does everything I need it to do from running Office to light photo editing!

 

[*~Kim~*]

I would have said the same had I purchased the 2018 iPad, but it wasn’t until the model was in the later part of its life cycle that I started to seriously think about upgrading, by which time the A10 chip was 2 years old.

I bought the Mini and while it’s nice that it’s so portable, it’s just so comfortable to use full stop. Had the 9.7” updated, it would have been a tougher decision as the 2018 iPad would also be considerably lighter than what I had.

 

[supertiffany]

I had the 9.7" decided to upgrade to the 10.5" Pro from 2017.

It has transformed my usage. The thing is I always disliked the Bluetooth non-full-size keyboards for my iPad Air 2, and didn't really want to carry around a full-sized one, even if it was folding.

With Pro 10.5" I carry around the Apple Smart Keyboard everywhere, as it also acts as its cover, and it's a full-sized (18 mm keyspace) keyboard. Plus it's not Bluetooth.

Also, the screen on the 10.5" Pro (and the 10.5" Air) is much nicer than on any of the 9.7" non-Pro models. It's up to you as to whether or not it's worth the extra cost though.

i even prefer using the air 2 than the 2018 ipad because of the screen.

watching videos fine, but navigating and touching or swiping the ipad, its not as smooth and snappy because of that noticeable air gap.

 

[DNichter]

It's a great option, but I noticed too many issues regarding the screen, performance, and design to where I couldn't make it my daily driver.

 

[Richard8655]

I agree. The regular 9.7 iPad is (for me) "the" iPad. I wouldn't call it a budget iPad, as it's still an expensive piece of electronic gear for most regular folks. But it does exactly what a modern tablet should do, and perfectly, without the gimickry of the more expensive variations.

 

[ssledoux]

I think the 9.7 is a great iPad. I used one for about 9 months between pros, and right now I'm a little frustrated with myself that I jumped on the pro bandwagon.

The 11" pro is an amazing device - don't get me wrong - but for a few reasons, I think I'm going to have to have a desktop again, and I'm gonna have a pretty expensive iPad just for fun.

If I would've hung onto my 9.7, I could be purchasing a refurbished iMac for not much more than I spent on my iPP.

I'm not gonna cry about it or anything - I love using my pro. I'm just kicking myself a little.

Good news is - I should be able to write BOTH off on my taxes because of my jobs, so that'll ease the pain a little.

 

[supertiffany]

honestly i seldom use the ipad,

i use my phone and laptop all the time, that I only used the ipad when there is a work exclusive app that only works with ipad.


it is so limiting to be a computer and it is too big to be your mobile consumption