All iPads Which iPad for parent?

[Soybomb]

I just replace my 9.7” pro with a 2018 11”. Ive got a parent that likes browsing the internet (eBay, imdb, Wikipedia) on an old pc, but the pc is getting out of date and having some hardware issues, not sure the os is even getting patched, they struggle with passwords, etc. not especially savvy, super Basic trac phone for calls.

I’m not sure theyd adopt an iPad for browsing but it seems like a good use case. What would be the right model for them? There won’t be gaming or media consumption so I’d like to keep it cheap. I’d considered selling off my old 9.7 pro but even with folio keyboard and pencil im not sure I’d get more than 300 for the whole package. The battery was still fine. Would that be a good fit? Or is it getting old enough where I’d really better be served to sell it to someone that wants pro features and get a newer non-pro model?

 

[muzzy996]

Not sure what the question is exactly but it almost sounds like you're asking if it would be a good idea to sell of your old 9.7" pro to fund the purchase of another iPad for your parent to use? If that's the question on the table my initial thought is since you don't know for sure yet if an iPad is the right fit for them why not reset your old 9.7 and have them give that a go first rather than consider any further investment. If things work out then great, if not then perhaps the question becomes funding a new PC purchase instead.

 

[staggerlee41]

When I got my Air 2, I handed down the Air to my father. He still loves it. When I replaced my Air 2 with a 10.5 Pro, my mother got my Air 2. She loves it. Both also use iPhones so using an iPad has been an easy transition. Their old Windows PC was dying and I got them a base model MBA. It's perfect for their needs, but both still prefer using an iPad over the MBA.

I think your 9.7 Pro would be more than enough for their use case. My parents have similar use cases and are using older devices and they're perfect. This is a long way of saying, hand your parent your old iPad and I'd bet they'd love it. If not, you have your answer.

 

[rui no onna]

My mom's been using iPads since 2012. Her current iPad is a Pro 9.7 LTE that she's had since 2016. She uses it a lot (Facebook, banking, online shopping, vacation planning, etc).

My dad still prefers the Windows desktop for browsing because of the 27" monitor but has no trouble using an iPad (he has a 5th gen). His iPad is Wi-Fi only though so he uses my mom's iPad when they're out of the house much to her annoyance.

As mentioned, better off giving your old iPad to your parents especially considering it already includes keyboard to see if they like it first.

Even with Black Friday sales, a complete kit would run you more than you can get from selling the Pro 9.7 and accessories.

 

[*~Kim~*]

The 5th Gen iPad is less powerful than your Pro (A9 v A9X) with the same RAM, so swapping it for anything older than a 6th Gen with the A10 is a no no and even that is questionable. The 6th Gen is barely any faster and you give up the laminated display, better cameras and quad speakers. I would let them try your 9.7” Pro, it’s what I’d buy if I wanted something standard size. From there it would only be worth selling if your parent needed something larger or smaller.

 

[Puppuccino]

Either get the newly released iPad or iPad mini. They're fairly cheap (less than £400) and can do great stuff without the faff of the Pro stuff. The iPad is probably better than the iPad mini because the screen is bigger but I think they're largely the same apart from size.

 

[*~Kim~*]

Either get the newly released iPad or iPad mini. They're fairly cheap (less than £400) and can do great stuff without the faff of the Pro stuff. The iPad is probably better than the iPad mini because the screen is bigger but I think they're largely the same apart from size.

The newly released iPad uses the A10 processor, the same as the 2018 6th Gen iPad. It also shares its non-laminated display and cameras with that iPad, it just has an extra GB of RAM and half an inch of screen size. The Mini and Air are the two that are similar internally with the A12, two generations newer than the A10.

I would not ordinarily suggest the Pro for a parent’s first device but as the OP already owns it, selling it to fund another iPad would seem that it will lose them money for something that would be a downgrade in many respects.

 

[rui no onna]

Either get the newly released iPad or iPad mini. They're fairly cheap (less than £400) and can do great stuff without the faff of the Pro stuff. The iPad is probably better than the iPad mini because the screen is bigger but I think they're largely the same apart from size.

Caveat, while the mini 5 (A12/3GB) is notably faster, the iPad 10.2" (A10/3GB) isn't as big of an upgrade over the Pro 9.7 (A9X/2GB). Certainly not an upgrade I'd pay for unless there's something wrong with the Pro (e.g. cracked screen, degraded battery).

For an actual upgrade to the Pro, that's either mini 5 or Air 3 (A12/3GB). Hence, OP is better off giving his old Pro 9.7 to his parents instead of paying extra for what is more or less a sidegrade on a device that they may not even like.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hand down your 9.7 inch iPad Pro. Your parents will love it.

 

[Hym tix]

If the question is keep the 9.7 pro or replace with a 10.2 2019 model, I would agree it is not worth the hassle.
I would just let them use the Pro 9.7 and ask them to see how it goes so you can swap it out for a better option if needed.

If the goal is to get your parent the best computing option, there are so many other factors. In your situation, you want to consider: how is the aging parent’s eyesight? Even in their 40’s and 50’s lots of people start to appreciate bigger text (perhaps a used 12.9 Pro). How old are we talking? Someone who is generally weaker than when they were younger might have more trouble with handling the weight of a larger iPad, so you would want to factor that in. In that case, if they still have great eyesight, then a mini 7.9 might be best.

You mention they are not so good with passwords... so... how much time and patience do you have for fielding all the super basic questions? They would be learning 1. A new operating system and 2. A touch-based computer interface. It can be a frustrating experience if the user is not motivated. Maybe a windows tablet?

Anyway, let them use the 9.7 Pro and you’ll figure what would be best.

 

[rui no onna]

You mention they are not so good with passwords... so... how much time and patience do you have for fielding all the super basic questions? They would be learning 1. A new operating system and 2. A touch-based computer interface. It can be a frustrating experience if the user is not motivated. Maybe a windows tablet?

FaceID and TouchID are actually awesome in this regard.

My mom keeps a mnemonic list of passwords on the PC. On iPhone and iPad, she's thrilled that she can just use TouchID to check her banking apps and login to websites.

The problem with Windows tablets is a lot of stuff available for Windows 10 expect keyboard and mouse input still. The good Windows tablets/2-in-1 are quite pricier than regular PCs with decent specs/performance (thanks AMD Ryzen!) so better off getting a normal PC (which they're already familiar with) if they end up not liking iOS.

 

[960design]

I just replace my 9.7” pro with a 2018 11”. Ive got a parent that likes browsing the internet (eBay, imdb, Wikipedia) on an old pc, but the pc is getting out of date and having some hardware issues, not sure the os is even getting patched, they struggle with passwords, etc. not especially savvy, super Basic trac phone for calls.

Sell it. Buy your parent a current 10.2 iPad with a decent case. Something like the Unicorn Beetle Pro Case:

SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for iPad 10.2 (2021/2020/2019), with Built-in Screen Protector Protective Case for iPad 9th Generation/8th Generation/7th Generation (Black)

The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro for the Apple iPad 7th Generation/iPad 10.2 Inch 2019 offers dual layer protection and convenience without compromising on looks or style. Shock-resistant Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and solid Polycarbonate provide both cushion during accidental drops and a har...

www.amazon.com

Do not complicate things. Keep it simple. They way it is meant to be.

PS. Bought my Dad (73yo) an iPad ( the standard $329 9.7 model ) last year for Christmas. Spent some time showing him how to use it. He called once in a while asking a question or two. You'd have to pry it from his cold dead hands to get it away from him now. He uses it for presentations and classes instruction.