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iPad Pro Upgrade from Air 2 to Pro 11" or wait

M

Mojer

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 30, 2011
150
8
Hello,

I have an Air 2 which is obviously several years old. It still works decent but I am thinking that it is time for an upgrade within the next year. I really like the Pro 11" that just came out. I have read rumors that another Ipad will be released by the end of the year. Thoughts on buying now or waiting, seeing as though I technically do not "need" one right now? Thanks for any advice!
 
I’ve done this very upgrade. Worth every penny. Don’t wait it out because I’d be sure because of COVID, the next release will be delayed or in very short supply.
 
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Moving from an Air 2 to Pro 12.9". Should arrive on Thursday.
You could wait until fall (6 months from now) to see if something new is released. But if something isn't (perhaps likely at this point due to Covid-19 delays), you may as well wait until March 2021 to see if they decide to release something then. Or buy something now and enjoy it for the net 6+ months. However, the point is moot if you don't need it.
 
Upgraded last November from Air 2 to IPP 12.9” 2018. Best decision ever. Do it: every year will be a new model comong.
 
Mojer said:
Hello,

I have an Air 2 which is obviously several years old. It still works decent but I am thinking that it is time for an upgrade within the next year. I really like the Pro 11" that just came out. I have read rumors that another Ipad will be released by the end of the year. Thoughts on buying now or waiting, seeing as though I technically do not "need" one right now? Thanks for any advice!
Click to expand...
Yes, upgrade as soon as possible.
 
I'm waiting, but that's because I have an iPad Pro 10.5, and I'm waiting specifically for 5G. I upgraded to that 10.5" from an iPad Air 2 last year. If I didn't want 5G, I'd be buying now.

In your shoes, I'd upgrade to the iPad Pro 2020 immediately. It's got 6 GB RAM this time around so it should last a very long time. These are the first iPads that get 6 GB RAM (besides the 1 TB 2018 model).

11" is a great size. I find the 12.9" great for use on a table, but not so great for hand-foldability.

BTW, consider getting the Apple Magic Keyboard for it in May/June, or else the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio now.
 
I’m upgrading from an Air 2 to an 11”. Apps have started to launch rather slowly and media apps have started to get a little crashy on the Air. In addition to having a faster CPU, the Pro has 3x the memory of the Air 2 which I expect will make for a substantial upgrade over my current machine.
 
justinkim said:
I’m upgrading from an Air 2 to an 11”. Apps have started to launch rather slowly and media apps have started to get a little crashy on the Air. In addition to having a faster CPU, the Pro has 3x the memory of the Air 2 which I expect will make for a substantial upgrade over my current machine.
Click to expand...
The speed of the Air 2 and the limited RAM started to annoy me back in about 2018. It was OK, but enough to stick in my mind. It's decent for my kids' educational programs though.

When the Air 3 was introduced, the 10.5" iPad Pro dropped in price substantially, and I picked up the latter. It is an ENORMOUS upgrade over the Air 2. I also tested a couple of 2018 iPad Pros side by side with it, and the 2018 is faster for UI navigation and surfing, but the 10.5" is already fast and both are way faster than the Air 2. The 2017 and 2018 iPad Pros both have 4 GB RAM too.

The other thing is the "full-size" keyboard with 18 mm key spacing on the 10.5" and 11" iPad Pros is huge advantage as well. It makes typing way, way more pleasant. It's also great being on a website like this forum and not having the on-screen keyboard obscuring half the screen. The keyboard has transformed how I use the iPad.

I did have keyboard cases for the iPad Air 2 (two different ones in fact, as well as a separate Apple Bluetooth Magic Keyboard) but it just wasn't the same. Bluetooth is annoying for keyboards, and the key spacing is too narrow for comfortable typing. The 9.7" iPad Pro suffered the same problem of unergonomic key spacing.
 
I didn’t really start to see speed or stability issues before the release of iOS 13/iPadOS. My Air 2 has been a great machine for much longer than I expected.
 
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Mojer said:
Hello,

I have an Air 2 which is obviously several years old. It still works decent but I am thinking that it is time for an upgrade within the next year. I really like the Pro 11" that just came out. I have read rumors that another Ipad will be released by the end of the year. Thoughts on buying now or waiting, seeing as though I technically do not "need" one right now? Thanks for any advice!
Click to expand...
Always wait.
 
I’ve just done the same upgrade. Observations so far:

Pros:

- Speed
- RAM
- Bigger screen in only a slightly larger unit
- The 120hz refresh rate
- Sidecar is incredibly useful when working from home on a 12” MacBook
- Speakers are vastly superior

Cons:

- The Air 2 is lighter and more comfortable to hold
- Removal of split keyboard (I know the floating keyboard is an option, but I find this slower and less intuitive to use)

Overall, I‘m very pleased & consider it a worthwhile trade up. I don’t know where you’re based, but in the UK you can still get £100 for the Air 2 via sites like Mazuma. And it‘s worth keeping an eye on prices: I managed to get my base 128gb model for just over £700 via Amazon (RRP is £769).
 
Wow, that’s a huge update. You won’t regret it at all. Just use the pro until you’re ready for your next upgrade. You seem to be doing that with the Air 2.
 
I just recevied my 2020 Pro 11 with 256GB to replace the 5.5 yr old iPad Air 2 which I use daily.

I would say I don't regret it at all. The speed, screen color saturation and fluidity, and the improved utility with Pencil and coming Magic Keyboard makes it well worth the upgrade. My favourite gadget ever.

As for the rumour of the next iPad coming end of the year etc.. it all depends on what you anticipate to do with that version. Do you need 5G, even better screen tech, or faster processor? Are these worth the 6 months (at least) wait? To me, they are not worth it. I don't use 5G on my phone... so why on iPad, and I think the processor and screen is good enough in this version for my use.

I've passed the iPad Air 2 to my kids for their online learning and games.
 
My personal opinion is that there will not be a 11-inch iPad Pro with mini LED anytime soon. I think the first batch will be an even more expensive ‘iPad Pro XDR’ with a 12.9 inch display and especially for creators who needs precessions on the road.

Even though it may be more expensive, it may also be worth it.

If you want size, go for the 11 now. If you want the best once again, wait.
 
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