iPad There's no reason to buy an iPad anymore

[CyberDavis]

Neither of those are a good deal. The 9th gen iPad was the best deal, but at this point the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a better offer than it, unless you really hate Android for some reason. M1 Macbook Airs are cheaper than the 11 Pro.

Saying the Galaxy Tab is better misses a few points.
I am sure the Galaxy tab is a good tablet, but if someone on an Apple eco system got it then viewing their films and TV and listening to their music is not as straightforward.
Other areas such as photo and cloud data are also then not as straightforward.

Whilst price may seem the simple comparison it leaves aside all the areas that people use an ipad for.
As I say I have no issue with Galaxy or Kindle tablets or whatever flavour of tablet people use, I am sure they all generally have their pros and cons.
But in many cases the eco system in place needs to be considered.

I love the seamless nature of my iPhone, iPad and Mac's. I am not naive enough to think they are perfect, but they work for me and help my workflows and fit with my lifestyle.

 

[The Game 161]

there's plenty of reasons to buy an ipad just not upgrade that often

 

[DMG35]

OP I like your argument. The only difference that would apply for me is that I do use my iPad daily for taking notes as to me its the best writing experience out there. Not having to deal with paper anymore has been a big game changer for me and I wouldn't want to go back to that.

Outside of that though I think your argument makes a lot of sense.

 

[Deepshade]

Time and time again - Apple recycle old stuff and sell it to the gullable as 'New' - Indeed, there's no point in buying a gen 10 iPad unless you just want a landscape camera.

Advertised as 'NEW, but....
1) Only works with the 'old' Apple Pencil.
2) You are getting an 'old and out of date' CPU
3) Has to use the 'old' keyboard (Magic Folio)
4) Uses an 'old' reduced gamut display
5) ....but wait - I get a 'New' Landscape camera! Yay....but I have to 'use up' all the old Apple 'old stuff' to get that unique feature!!

And not surprisingly....it will get an update next year...oh!....but with this years technology....rinse and repeat.

 

[maflynn]

For me, there is a distinct difference between the iPad and Mac, so much so I do all of my "work" on my Mac and much of my content consumption on my iPad.

I know Apple has been working to make the iPad a work device and in many respects its been successful, but for my needs laptops/desktops have clear advantages that have yet been overcome by a tablet.

You can spend a lot of money on an iPad setup, to be sure and the cost will rival the cost of a laptop but that doesn't mean you should. I espouse the theory of using the right tool for the job. Wrenches and screwdrivers can cost the same but have different functions. You're better off using a screwdriver for a screw then a crescent wrench. Could that crescent wrench work - maybe but you'll work hard and it will be frustrating. Likewise with trying to do many laptop/desktop tasks on a tablet

 

[doolar]

There still remains the fundamental differences between a tablet - the iPad - and a laptop - the Mac. So, if you want a tablet form factor, there is still a reason. I do, so your argument doesn't win me over.

Precisely the same for me. My iPad Pro is my go to mobile device. I own a MacBook Pro 14” too. I bring my MacBook when I need or want macOS and can deal with the weight over my iPad.

But my most used mobile device is by far my iPad, at least in hours every day.

I have the M1 Air from work, and while I love that computer, it’s still larger than my iPad 11”.

Two very different devices for me, with very clear use cases. Some overlapping for sure, but I wouldn’t want to be without the iPad. I bought the very first one Apple released, it’s such a fantastic device, letting me free of the laptop a lot. It’s the Apple Watch of computers really.

 

[RinkDinkus]

I think the argument is there’s really no reason to buy a new iPad anymore.

No compelling features again, awkward missteps in design and functionality—it might be worth it just to find a refurb iPad Pro from the past few years (2018 on).

 

[Born2Run]

if you need a tablet, just get a Galaxy Tab S6 Lite at this point. The iPad lineup has become an expensive redundant mess at this point that's trying so hard to be a laptop replacement, plus the fundamental issues of iPadOS (Like the fact we still don't have multiple user account support while the Galaxy Tabs do) and you'd get more value out of the S6 Lite for the same price as the 9th gen iPad.

Get an Android tablet… No freaking way!
Yeah, let’s get into the Apple ecosystem, but then buy a crappy tablet that is completely out of it!

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Apple to oranges: by the same logic apple sells 1500 iphones which makes no sense since i got mbp14 for that price.

To be honest if you're paying $1500 for a phone that's it's own can of worms.

 

[chevyboy60013]

Even if that were the case, then you simply buy a used one if you can't afford a new one. Just like people who need a car to get to work don't have to go out and buy a brand new Audi or whatever. They buy probably an unattractive (by comparison), much older car but that's still functional to meet the need. Lots of options if one just thinks rationally about it.

It's been fun, but this discussion has drawn to a close. Take care.

I personally was very happy to get rid of my much newer American made s***box car for a much older Jaguar. It is nice to actually have a car that one can actually trust and isn‘t a pile of garbage in 2 years. Now that I have joined the “elite” group by owning a Jag, may have to use a home equity loan to buy a new Jag suv….

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

That’s still dependent on individual usage.

For someone who prefers to work on a desktop, an iPad + optional/detachable keyboard may be more desirable than a laptop as a more portable companion.

Except for the fact you're still stuck with the crapshoot known as iPadOS, a lackluster OS designed for touch so using the keyboard your inputs are emulating a finger press not a proper mouse cursor. So at that point, just get the Macbook Air so you can use macOS, an OS that by the way isn't locked down and lets you customize and install whatever you wanted.

Sure you don't get the flexibility you'd get out of an iPad, but to be honest that flexibility is meaningless if the OS it's forced to run is so limited and increases thoughtput. Just trying to use Microsoft Office or Google Drive on iPadOS is an absolute nightmare compared to macOS.

 

[chevyboy60013]

For some strange reason, it doesn't seem you can comprehend that there are those in this world who only want an Apple tablet. Yes, an Apple device that runs iPadOS and those individuals have zero want for an Android based OS tablet. There are those in school and as well as working professionals that use note taking programs such as Notability, as well as Goodnotes and CollaNote (new favorite of mine) and none of those are made for Android devices! Microsoft OneNote is way behind the curve, so I don't readily recommend it. Anyhow, a MacBook Air (or any Macbook for that matter) doesn't suffice at all for handwritten notes. That is ONE tiny use case. There are thousands of use cases that an Android based tablet would not work at all.

It's hilarious you think Apple is trying hard to make an iPad a "laptop replacement." They have no need to do that. Also, most people I know, don't have a need to share and have multiple user accounts. Me, my wife and my kids all have iPads and iPad Pros. No need to share a device.

iPads are not just for watching movies and listening to music.

Expand your mind. 😊 Think Different.

Who says $ really matters? Buy what you need (and want). Get'er done.

There is really nothing that compares to an Apple product, be it a phone, tablet or computer. I have had them all, and glad I made the switch to Apple several years ago. At least my phone doesn’t try to catch fire in my pocket like several different android models did multiple times, at least my iPad pro acts properly and doesn’t act stupid like the few android or windows tablets I have had did, and at least my MacBook Air does not crash several times in a row when trying to actually get work done on the rare occasion I actually want to do what my company expects.

I am so happy I was introduced to Apple’s line up by a friend, several years ago and will never switch back to anything other than Apple.

 

[chevyboy60013]

Surface Pro is here and better than Macbook Air and iPads. With windows 11 you now can get access to mobile Kindle.

Surface pro is horrible, it runs winblows…. Constant crashing and almost daily updates…. Glad I use my iPad Pro for work and I can watch the others fight with the company provided microsoft surfaces….

 

[Jackbequickly]

So today the 10th gen vanilla iPad was revealed, killing the headphone jack once and for all in the iPad lineup (which still makes no sense) but also FINALLY bringing USB-C to the vanilla iPad! 🥳

Additionally, the vanilla iPad finally gets a Magic Keyboard of it's own, and it no longer has the home button. It's glorious...well it would be if it wasn't for two factors: Price, AND IT'S STILL USING THE 1ST GEN APPLE PENCIL

$449 for 64 gbs. The 9th Gen iPad is 256 gb for only $20 more. Or hell the Galaxy S6 Lite gets you 128gb for $329, AND THAT COMES WITH A STYLUS.

But hey, it has it's own Magic Keyboard now...for $250. So to that, I'd like to do a little comparison. A 10th Gen iPad with 256 gb and a Magic Keyboard, is $850.

View attachment 2097164

Well that's fine and dandy...but there's another thing that is the same price as that with better specs: The M1 Macbook Air


View attachment 2097165

For the price of a 256 gb vanilla iPad and the keyboard, you can just get a much better Macbook Air, and not just refurbished, as Amazon is selling brand new M1 Macbook Airs for $800 now. I've said this regarding the M1 iPad Air/Pro that you're better off just getting an M1 Macbook Air instead of this, and now this also applies with the vanilla iPad.

Hell I can't even recommend the 9th gen iPad anymore, as the Galaxy S6 Lite is the same price as it and it has more storage than base spec iPad at the same price, and it comes with a stylus, as well as having a desktop mode with DeX mode. Not to mention not being bogged down by iPadOS and having features it doesn't, like being able to install software without an app store, AND ACTUALLY HAVING MULTIPLE USER ACCOUNTS ON THE SAME DEVICE WHY DO WE NOT HAVE THIS C'MON.

So with today's update, there's no reason at all to buy an iPad anymore. The S6 Lite is just a better tablet on the value proposition and featureset, and if you need to go higher just get a Macbook. And I'm not alone in this sentiment as the Mac has been outselling the iPad lineup for two years now since the Apple Silicon transition happened.

God...this makes me sad as the iPad used to be my favorite Apple thing since the iPad 2. Now, the Mac's my new fave, as my Macbook Pro has pretty much taken over all of my iPad's previous functions. Steve Jobs is rolling in his grave at what his most important creation has become.

I use the iPad more than any other device. My 14PM and Ultra are nice but the iPad is most important to me. I purchased the 12.9 because I wanted it but faster WiFi, 5G and Bluetooth is a plus. Some may not think it is a big update but for me and the time I spend on it, it is an automatic buy!

I have tried and returned almost every Surface Pro and they are not an option for me.

 

[JW5566]

There's still reasons for me to buy, but am saddened by the price rises. I use mine recreationally for surfing and games, and professionally I use it as a remote monitor with Filmic Pro with my iPhone filming. So I will always have a use for an ipad. Sometimes it's just easier to reach for that, than my MacBook Air. I have looked at alternatives in non-iOS tablets and nothing really appeals.

 

[ssledoux]

You still going to be keeping the kids in iPads after just being instructed by your daughter to sell all the ones you recently purchased? Did she feel the kids were spending too much time on the devices?

Well she’s not my only daughter with kids, and she did keep one for them to share. I’m sure as the younger ones get older, they’ll have iPads again.

I don’t think she felt they were spending too much time on them, but that when they did get time, they wouldn’t want to get off, so she eliminated the problem. Of course now they’ll have to share one, which will likely cause its own set of problems, but that’s for her to handle. ;-p

 

[rui no onna]

Except for the fact you're still stuck with the crapshoot known as iPadOS, a lackluster OS designed for touch so using the keyboard your inputs are emulating a finger press not a proper mouse cursor. So at that point, just get the Macbook Air so you can use macOS, an OS that by the way isn't locked down and lets you customize and install whatever you wanted.

Sure you don't get the flexibility you'd get out of an iPad, but to be honest that flexibility is meaningless if the OS it's forced to run is so limited and increases thoughtput. Just trying to use Microsoft Office or Google Drive on iPadOS is an absolute nightmare compared to macOS.

You're kinda married to the idea that MacOS/MacBook is better in all scenarios.

For me, it's not. I don't like having a fixed physical keyboard. I use the iPad without keyboard 90% of the time.

I have a 2020 M1 MacBook Air and that gets used maybe once or twice a year when I need to do a backup and restore for iPhone/iPad while the iPad gets used for hours daily.

 

[NeonNights]

Uh, I do teach, and I'm trying to understand how teaching with an audio wire connected to your iPad for audio is better than using a bluetooth adapter. And if you have to be wired, then who cares about adding 3 more inches of length due to a dongle?

Agreed. I had three Lightning-to-3.5mm adapters for an old 5th-gen iPad, and now have three USBc-to-3.5mm adapters for the family when traveling on a plane (iPad Air 5 and IPP 12.9). The adapters are compact and stay connected to the wired ear buds anyways, so not really anything "extra" to carry.

I was an early adopter of Android tablets (Nexus 7 gen 1 and 2) but haven't bought another one since. My wife received a Galaxy Tab as part of a dental course but it just sits on the shelf. The rest of the family prefers iPhones and iPads. I have to agree that Apple devices, while costing more, will be cheaper in the long run.

My daughter stil uses my old early-2015 MacBook Pro 13 (the last MBP with all the ports and great keyboard). Battery life is still good for such an old laptop. I love my M1 MBA and bought my first personal iPad (the 12.9 M1 Pro) a few months ago because I started violin lessons and needed a larger display and the forScore app isn't available on Android. I probably didn't need a brand new IPP and a used one would've been fine too but used prices didn't offer a significant savings. I love Android for my phone (switched from iPhone 13 Pro to Z Fold 4), but I'll stick with Apple laptops and tablets. Besides, we won't need to upgrade Macbooks or iPads again for a very long time.

Although the S6 lite initially seems like a better bargain, a year or two down the road the iPad will retain higher resale value, and I doubt someone considering the base iPad is planning to double their cost by pairing it with expensive Apple accessories.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

You're kinda married to the idea that MacOS/MacBook is better in all scenarios.

It pretty much is. Better UI, isn't locked down like iPadOS is so you can freely install software, and actually takes full advantage of the hardware. Oh, and IT ACTUALLY HAS MULTIUSER ACCOUNT SUPPORT

For me, it's not. I don't like having a fixed physical keyboard. I use the iPad without keyboard 90% of the time.

Then why do you even have the keyboard if it's hardly getting used that much? Seems like a waste of space to me. See the iPad works better as a tablet, but once you start getting into trying to use it as a daily driver or notebook replacement that's when things get dicey.

I have a 2020 M1 MacBook Air and that gets used maybe once or twice a year when I need to do a backup and restore for iPhone/iPad while the iPad gets used for hours daily.

Bro...

 

[rui no onna]

It pretty much is. Better UI, isn't locked down like iPadOS is so you can freely install software, and actually takes full advantage of the hardware. Oh, and IT ACTUALLY HAS MULTIUSER ACCOUNT SUPPORT

While I would appreciate multi-user account support, lack of it is not a deal breaker for me. I've been using iPads since 2011. If multi-user was an issue, I would've moved to something else a long time ago.

As for software, as long as the apps I use most often (or good alternatives) are available on iPadOS, I don't really care if some program I won't ever use (e.g. FinalCut, Logic, Xcode) is not available. Most of what I use the iPad for can be accomplished in Safari.

Then why do you even have the keyboard if it's hardly getting used that much? Seems like a waste of space to me. See the iPad works better as a tablet, but once you start getting into trying to use it as a daily driver or notebook replacement that's when things get dicey.

I have a Logitech K780 bluetooth keyboard and MX Ergo trackball that's paired to both my Windows desktop and iPad. I use the iPad as a third display for messages, emails, the rare video conferencing, PDF reference, etc while I have file manager, Notepad++, a bunch of spreadsheets, etc open on the Windows desktop.

When I'm not at my desk, then the iPad is purely in tablet mode.

 

[chrono1081]

You're kinda married to the idea that MacOS/MacBook is better in all scenarios.

For me, it's not. I don't like having a fixed physical keyboard. I use the iPad without keyboard 90% of the time.

I have a 2020 M1 MacBook Air and that gets used maybe once or twice a year when I need to do a backup and restore for iPhone/iPad while the iPad gets used for hours daily.

That person has an agenda and honestly isn't worth arguing with. They'll just keep hammering back with their personal opinions, spouting them as if they're fact every time.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

That person has an agenda and honestly isn't worth arguing with. They'll just keep hammering back with their personal opinions, spouting them as if they're fact every time.

Welcome to MacRumors

 

[NeonNights]

Aside from how inconvenient that is compared to just having a god damn jack when there's no god damn reason the jack should've been cut?

Did you tell Macbook Pro owners who wanted HDMI and SDXC back to "why don't you just use a dongle?"

It used to bother me when Apple started removing beloved ports from the MBP line, but honestly I prefer the lighter weight of my M1 MBA over my still-awesone early 2015 MBP 13.

Do I have a dongle/hub for my MBA? Yes, but I don't constantly need it. Besides, I also have OTG dongles for my phone (whether Apple or Android). I don't mind dongles, I only use then when needed. Well, technically my USBc 8-in-1 hub can now be shared between my MBA, IPP, and Z Fold 4 -- win!

 

[NeonNights]

The cheaper v9 is still available. But there’s value to this one. You save $150 over the air, and the only differences are processor, laminated screen, and pencil 1 vs 2.

If you were to get pencil with an iPad, the pencil 2 is much better and the reason I upgraded my daughter's iPad to the Air over a base iPad. Having the pencil 1 stick straight out while charging is a ridiculous design and invites a broken pencil or charge port. And now you need a USBc adapter to charge the pencil 1 with the 10th-gen iPad.

Just a screenshot from the web to illustrate my point:

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

It used to bother me when Apple started removing beloved ports from the MBP line, but honestly I prefer the lighter weight of my M1 MBA over my still-awesone early 2015 MBP 13.

Do I have a dongle/hub for my MBA? Yes, but I don't constantly need it. Besides, I also have OTG dongles for my phone (whether Apple or Android). I don't mind dongles, I only use then when needed. Well, technically my USBc 8-in-1 hub can now be shared between my MBA, IPP, and Z Fold 4 -- win!

As a 14 inch MBP user...no. Ports are miles better than dongles, especially since I plug into HDMI a lot and have SD cards I have read. Plus having magsafe back I have more ports free'd. USB-C is better, but losing a port for a display is not.

If you were to get pencil with an iPad, the pencil 2 is much better and the reason I upgraded my daughter's iPad to the Air over a base iPad. Having the pencil 1 stick straight out while charging is a ridiculous design and invites a broken pencil or charge port. And now you need a USBc adapter to charge the pencil 1 with the 10th-gen iPad.

Just a screenshot from the web to illustrate my point:
View attachment 2097795

There was this one bozo on Twitter capping for the first gen Apple Pencil, saying the complaints about the charging were a "non-issue." I swear to god I'm gonna become the Joker in regards to iPad users at this rate.