All iPads Which iPad to keep? (2020 Pro or Air)

[MarvinHC]

Here is the thing: I want an iPad for taking notes and for thing I would do on the go on the iPhone but could use the bigger screen. That plus for some videos etc on the go in planes.

I got two pretty sweet deals from Amazon Warehouse, both in "acceptable" condition and I cannot make up my mind which to keep, so maybe some group thinking will help me.

Option 1:
iPad Air, 2020 with 64GB, cellular. Condition is very good, a 1cm scratch in the screen not only noticeable when off and screen completely clean (so not a big deal), under warranty until June 2022: I paid EUR 525 (625 USD), about 22% discount vs new

Option 2:
iPad Pro 2020 11" with 256GB, cellular: a bit of a dent in the back (obviously complete invisible when in the case), for the rest in nice condition. However already a bit older, warranty running out in 2 weeks but works perfectly and also battery (45 cycles) is in great condition. I paid EUR 669 (about 796 USD), about 31% discount vs new

What I like about the Air: it is cheaper and newer and I actually prefer the fingerprint sensor vs the faceID

What I like about the Pro: much bigger storage, more RAM (more future proof?), don't care much about the better camera. Slightly better screen but I haven't seen much of the difference to be honest

 

[Isengardtom]

At 256 GB, I would go for the Pro over the Air because of the extra storage and other features that are an additional bonus such as quad speakers, 6GB ram vs the 4GB, promotion 120 Hz vs 60 on the air

Especially the big difference in storage is something to consider in your case because 64 GB can fill up easily, especially if you want do download HD video content for flights and travel on top of the apps already on your iPad.

 

[iterva]

I agree with previous poster. I too would choose the Pro over the Air but only because of storage. 64GB is in my opinion simply too little for a device intended for on the go media consumption...Assuming no access to unlimited data that is.

 

[MarvinHC]

Thanks for the feedback, I see your point. However I was just comparing the two side to side and I noticed some discolouring /stains in the display of the Pro. Is this something Apple would fix under warranty in your opinion?
(not sure if so visible in the picture - I didn't notice it previously but now I cannot unseen it )

 

[akash.nu]

Thanks for the feedback, I see your point. However I was just comparing the two side to side and I noticed some discolouring /stains in the display of the Pro. Is this something Apple would fix under warranty in your opinion?
(not sure if so visible in the picture - I didn't notice it previously but now I cannot unseen it )

If it’s out of the norm then they will fix it provided it was not caused by any external damage. That dent in the back is concerning in this case. You don’t know how the internals are.

 

[MarvinHC]

If it’s out of the norm then they will fix it provided it was not caused by any external damage. That dent in the back is concerning in this case. You don’t know how the internals are.

Yes you got a point. Not sure how it could cause the screen issue but could give an excuse to Apple. I guess that one will go back - in attachment a pic of the dent.

 

[iterva]

F

Yes you got a point. Not sure how it could cause the screen issue but could give an excuse to Apple. I guess that one will go back - in attachment a pic of the dent.

For sure. Any visible outside damage may very well result in Apple saying no to any warranty repairs. Wise choice to send it back and keep the Air instead!

 

[MarvinHC]

Thanks for all inputs and feedback, glad I asked the community.

 

[skaertus]

I would keep the Pro.

You mentioned that the Pro has a dent in the back. But the Air has a 1cm scratch on the screen, which would concern me even more (as it is more visible than a dent in the back).

I assume the 11-inch iPad Pro is the one released in Mach 2020, the one with the A12Z processor.

Now, I am not sure which iPad Air you are talking about here. You mentioned that it is under warranty until June 2020. Do you mean June 2021? If the warranty expires on June 2021, it means that, under Apple's 1-year warranty policy, this iPad Air was bought in June 2020, I suppose? The iPad Air 4, with the A14 processor, was only released in September 2020. Is this the previous version then? Am I missing something?

 

[MarvinHC]

My bad, I meant to write under warranty until 2022, it's the latest iPad Air (with the A14). The scratch is really only visible when the screen is freshly cleaned and off (black), under normal use it is invisible. So the Pro goes back for sure (due to the screen issue), verdict is out on the Air... To be honest if I hadn't discovered the screen issue, I would have kept the Pro. Now I can also still return the Air and splash our for the 2021 Pro... ;-) We shall see...

 

[iterva]

My bad, I meant to write under warranty until 2022, it's the latest iPad Air (with the A14). The scratch is really only visible when the screen is freshly cleaned and off (black), under normal use it is invisible. So the Pro goes back for sure (due to the screen issue), verdict is out on the Air... To be honest if I hadn't discovered the screen issue, I would have kept the Pro. Now I can also still return the Air and splash our for the 2021 Pro... ;-) We shall see...

Oh, so the 2021 is a option too...Though decision you have bud. Best of luck to you!

 

[MarvinHC]

Oh, so the 2021 is a option too...Though decision you have bud. Best of luck to you!

It is, but for the moment I am not sure the M1 and Thunderbolt ports are worth it to me to pay so much more. Otherwise I fail to see a true difference. I am a slow decider... overall I like the Air and the fact that it has touchID. The other day I used the iPad to take notes during a video call and I found it rather annoying that either one has to bend over the iPad to unlock it, lift it up or type in the PIN. Maybe it is just me but I still find touchID so much more usable (reason I am still holding on to my iPhone 7+, waiting every year for Apple to bring touchID in addition to the faceID which as the Air demonstrates is not a problem to include it in the button). So, Apple, if you are listening....

 

[skaertus]

My bad, I meant to write under warranty until 2022, it's the latest iPad Air (with the A14). The scratch is really only visible when the screen is freshly cleaned and off (black), under normal use it is invisible. So the Pro goes back for sure (due to the screen issue), verdict is out on the Air... To be honest if I hadn't discovered the screen issue, I would have kept the Pro. Now I can also still return the Air and splash our for the 2021 Pro... ;-) We shall see...

The way I see it, you would use the iPad to take notes and watch videos, and perhaps other stuff that you could do with an iPhone. Web browsing, maybe?

If that is the case, here is what I would do. I would keep the iPad Air for now. It has less storage (64 GB), less raw power, and lacks the ProMotion screen. However, its processor (the A14) is faster in single-core tasks than the one in the iPad Pro (the A12Z). For the kind of tasks you will do, the A14 is probably better than the A12Z. Plus, it is cheaper.

I would not buy the 2021 11-inch iPad Pro now. It is more expensive and you do not really need the M1 processor for the time being. Plus, the 11-inch model may get a MiniLED display in the near future, and that may be a worthy upgrade. Then you may consider getting one and selling the Air.

 

[MarvinHC]

I meant taking notes with the Pencil which is not really an option with the iPhone. But yes, will for the moment keep the iPad Air and shall see what the future brings. Positive thing is that the cash outlay is a lot less than with the 2021 Pro.

 

[skaertus]

I meant taking notes with the Pencil which is not really an option with the iPhone. But yes, will for the moment keep the iPad and shall see what the future brings. Positive thing is that the cash outlay is not much.

The iPad Air which you bought is the latest version available, so it may retain resale value for a little bit longer than the Pro which has already been superseded by a new version.

 

[MarvinHC]

Short feedback: For reasons explained above I kept the Air and am very happy with it. Now that I have added a Logitech Folio with keyboard and touchpad it is really a little MacBook The Touch ID on the side takes a bit getting used to however, but I prefer it to the FaceID. Best would be to have both but let's hope that is something the iPhone 13 brings ;-)