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iPad Thinking about buying an iPad. Which one should I get?

T

theRealNaz

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 30, 2020
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I currently don’t have an iPad and have never had one, but I’m strongly considering getting one. However, I’m not sure if I should get the upcoming iPad Air or the current 11” iPad Pro.

I am not a creator of any sort, and my main use would just be for general browsing and video streaming on a bigger device than my iPhone, but a less unruly device than a laptop. I would either be getting the base 64GB WiFi Air for $599 or the 128GB 11” WiFi Pro for $799.

Storage isn’t really an issue as I don’t plan on downloading much of anything since I mostly stream everything. 64GB would be enough but it can’t hurt to have more. I’ve also seen a lot of people mention pro motion being very good (though I’m not really sure what it is or if I would need or notice it) and the lower ram on the Air as being a limiting factor, though I’m not sure to what extent it would affect me.

My brain tells me I should go for the cheaper Air as I don’t really need to spend the extra $200 for the bells and whistles of the Pro, but I’ve seen a lot of people saying it’s worth it and I want to get a device that will last me a while. What do I get here?
 
My only advice is that for iPads, people tend to keep those longer than iPhones. I'd recommend springing for more storage to future proof your device.

As for Air vs Pro -- I'd recommend the new Air based on what you've said. I've used both the Air (last gen) and the 10.5 Pro and the 11 Pro --- if I had to do it all over again, the Air is how I'd go. Apple Pencil 2 is very nice vs the first generation if you're into writing a lot. I use mine daily.
 
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Will you be holding it often in-hand or will it see a lot of use docked on a keyboard? If the latter, FaceID is probably a lot more convenient for authentication.
 
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The new Air would be an amazing new iPad to own. If 64GB is sufficient, then you do save $200 versus the Pro, so that’s definitely a plus. If you decide that you’d like to go for the extra storage, I’d probably just get the Pro at that point. It’s only an extra $50 compared to the 256GB Air and, who knows, maybe the added 2GB of RAM will future proof it better than the (assumed) 4GB RAM of the Air. That is a pickle, I agree.

Or what Northern Man said. You really can’t go wrong with your first iPad being any of the 2020 options.
 
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Northern Man said:
Based on your usage comments, the just released new 10.2 iPad with 128GB would serve you well. No need to spend more. This is Apple’s best value product in my opinion.
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Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. The iPad Air might be a bit overkill for general web browsing and video streaming.
 
AutomaticApple said:
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. The iPad Air might be a bit overkill for general web browsing and video streaming.
Click to expand...

I keep going back and forth along this line of thinking because my iPad needs, like the OP, are not intensive. The one thing that I would not want to return to is the non-laminated display.

Because the Air 4 has the better laminated display and should be able to handle my needs for the next five years, that’s what I’ll choose and would recommend to the OP.

The best thing is to compare the two in person. If the screen difference is a non-issue, then save some money and enjoy the iPad 8. Keep in mind that the base iPad comes with only 32GB storage, so bumping that up to 128GB will put one closer to the 64GB Air 4 price.

I suspect, though, that Apple makes a lot of money with the way they set up their storage tiers. It’s easy to talk yourself into a 256GB Pro 11 when you started out thinking about an iPad 8.
 
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I’ll get the Air or a Pro for those better speakers. Not saying they’re great but probably better than the entry level.
 
Broadus said:
I suspect, though, that Apple makes a lot of money with the way they set up their storage tiers. It’s easy to talk yourself into a 256GB Pro 11 when you started out thinking about an iPad 8.
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This is EXACTLY the case and the problem I was just facing :) I think Apple mastered this along all those years, it is SO easy to lose it when jumping to "one tier" higher. I just needed to stop - take a breath, take a huge step back and answer again my inital question - what I need this device for and so not to spend suddenly twice as much that planned in the first place :)
 
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iPad 8 would be a good option choice for basic usage and more money saved. As others mentioned, it’s plenty powerful for your usage case, and it’s compatible with Apple Pencil should you want to try it. The screen is non laminated..but personally for me, I don’t notice it aside from the “hallow” feel if I knock on the screen.

I have the iPad mini 4 for years. I bought a refurbished iPad Pro 11 2018 directly from Apple earlier this year. While it’s a nice device, but to be honest, I still reach for my iPad mini 4 more often for general browsing mostly for the convenient size and weight. Pro motion is nice, but personally I don’t notice it that much. Occasionally I use my wife’s iPad 5, and I don’t notice the non laminated screen much either.

If you’ve never owned any iPads, maybe try going to Apple store/Best Buy/somewhere to take a look at the iPad 8 by itself and see if it’s adequate if you want to save some money. If you test it side by side with the higher models, you may notice some difference..but some of those may be placebo effect like testing TVs in stores.. If the money difference isn’t an issue between the iPad 8 128gb vs base iPad Air 4, then I’d suggest the iPad Air 4 for the more features and faster processor.
 
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Broadus said:
I suspect, though, that Apple makes a lot of money with the way they set up their storage tiers. It’s easy to talk yourself into a 256GB Pro 11 when you started out thinking about an iPad 8.
Click to expand...

Regular_User said:
This is EXACTLY the case and the problem I was just facing :) I think Apple mastered this along all those years, it is SO easy to lose it when jumping to "one tier" higher. I just needed to stop - take a breath, take a huge step back and answer again my inital question - what I need this device for and so not to spend suddenly twice as much that planned in the first place :)
Click to expand...
Yep. First you're looking the basic iPad and then all of a sudden, you're at an iPad Pro 1TB with cellular. 🤣🤣🤣
 
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For media consumption, the cheapest ipad is enough. The 10,2” model with 32 gb could be very good and at a really good price.
 
On previous models the air battery lasted longer than the pro. If you store in cloud you have no reason for more storage on device than what base offers.
 
If your using iCloud storage go for the base Air, if not then go for the base Pro for your use case IMO...
 
I've had iPads since the first one came out (anyone remember that heavy thing?! 😂) I currently have a 1st Gen iPad Pro, and just ordered the new iPad Air. It will do everything I personally need it to do, and the better speakers don't matter to us. I would also recommend the Air for you if you plan to use the Apple Pencil 2. If you want to save a few dollars, the regular iPad would work for you as well. Enjoy! :)
 
Go with the iPad 8. They are on sale. The 32 is $299 and 128 is $399. With the A12 in it you will get many years out of it!
 
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Go for the Air to save 200 bucks.
If you‘re not gaming or using the Pencil to draw, the ProMotion isn’t that much of a deal In my opinion.

If you have the budget, avoid the regular iPad. Even for video streaming the non laminated display will annoy you.
Also the Air and Pro wider screen aspect ratio will looks better for 16:9 video content.
 
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