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Which iPad would you get if you had the choice again?


  • Total voters
    151

SR 7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2009
715
427
Which iPad would you get now if you had the chance to repurchase your iPad? Would you stick with your current one, be it the iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini or regular iPad?

I ask because there has been so much talk of the iPadOS being so behind, outdated and holding back the actual capabilities of the iPad Pro hardware.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,919
13,261
I'm quite content with my 1TB 5G M1 iPad Pros. Then again, I'm not a fan of MacOS in the first place so I'm not exactly clamoring for that to be put on the iPad (although I'd be happy if I can dual boot Windows).

I've always thought Apple was too stingy when it came to RAM and the 2021 Pros (and now 2022 Air 5) solved that gripe. I've got a few minor annoyances but for the most part, the iPad Pro adequately performs the tasks I've bought it for.
 

SR 7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2009
715
427
what do you use it for? just curious because it does seem like the iPad Pro is so way overpowered then what the iPadOS can offer.
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,919
13,261
what do you use it for? just curious because it does seem like the iPad Pro is so way overpowered then what the iPadOS can offer.

Browsing, media consumption, personal finance, some work, etc. Pretty much the same things I used to do on my home laptop.

I need the internal storage. Can't get 1TB on non-Pro and can't use USB storage for DRM content. Comixology works much better with the iPad (via app) than my old Windows 7 laptop (via website). Haven't actually checked if there's a Comixology app now on the Windows app store.

Also, the 16GB RAM has been quite nice. I was using the 2017 iPad Pro before and more often than not, apps would crash/reload when I needed to do some basic multitasking (Safari + Excel + GoodReader). Actually, I've had all three apps crash at one point or another even when I'm not multitasking. Haven't encountered those issues yet on the 2021 iPad Pro.

I almost never touch the PC anymore when I get home (work is on Windows desktop with multiple monitors).
 

SR 7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2009
715
427
Why not get the iPad Air 5th gen? Seems like the same thing as a pro besides the promotion and 1 other camera feature.
 

ian87w

macrumors G3
Feb 22, 2020
8,704
12,638
Indonesia
Don't have an iPad yet, but if I were to buy one, I would probably just get the basic iPad.
Reason mainly is price. The old 64GB wifi only iPad Air 4 is "on sale" in my country for $750. If the M1 is released, base price for 64GB wifi only model probably will be $800.

2nd reason, considering they all run the same iPadOS, the base iPad would probably be sufficient as functionality wise would be 95% the same (exception being USB-C and Apple Pencil).
 

stinkhorn9

macrumors 6502
Mar 29, 2020
285
198
Don't have an iPad yet, but if I were to buy one, I would probably just get the basic iPad.
Reason mainly is price. The old 64GB wifi only iPad Air 4 is "on sale" in my country for $750. If the M1 is released, base price for 64GB wifi only model probably will be $800.

2nd reason, considering they all run the same iPadOS, the base iPad would probably be sufficient as functionality wise would be 95% the same (exception being USB-C and Apple Pencil).
I have the basic - and it's fast/great; I use it mostly for various music-making apps (I understand it's going to be the last iteration of an iPad with a headphone jack - enjoy it while you can!) - and web-surfing/office stuff...
 
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Andeddu

macrumors 68000
Dec 21, 2016
1,798
2,341
I have the Mini 5 but if I had the chance to repurchase I would probs go for either the Mini 6 or Air 5. Not sure which. I can’t justify getting rid of my current Mini 5 as it’s more then fast enough for web browsing and video streaming along with games.
 
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Expos of 1969

Contributor
Aug 25, 2013
4,825
9,515
I have the basic iPad 8th Generation and do not require a more expensive or powerful version. I also have an M1 MacBook Air. Both should be good for a few more years. When one becomes useless I will then determine if I can satisfy all my needs with only one of these two tools.
 
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ian87w

macrumors G3
Feb 22, 2020
8,704
12,638
Indonesia
I have the basic - and it's fast/great; I use it mostly for various music-making apps (I understand it's going to be the last iteration of an iPad with a headphone jack - enjoy it while you can!) - and web-surfing/office stuff...
Oh yeah, forgot about the headphone jack thing. Really no good reason to eliminate the headphone jack on the iPad as there's plenty of room and no IP rating needed. Of course everybody copied Apple with Samsung also removing headphone jack on their tablets. :(
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,919
13,261
Why not get the iPad Air 5th gen? Seems like the same thing as a pro besides the promotion and 1 other camera feature.

I guess you missed the 1TB storage. And no, USB external or NAS (I have 20TB) are not adequate alternatives for my use (offline DRM content).

Mind, I use my 12.9 docked at work as an extra display for chats, emails, etc. and FaceID is so much more convenient than TouchID in this scenario.
 

NastyMatt

macrumors 6502a
Jul 7, 2020
521
737
Which iPad would you get now if you had the chance to repurchase your iPad? Would you stick with your current one, be it the iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini or regular iPad?

I ask because there has been so much talk of the iPadOS being so behind, outdated and holding back the actual capabilities of the iPad Pro hardware.
Yes the OS is holding back the iPad but that does not mean the iPad is not great, it could just be greater!

I voted to stick with my IPP, why? I love promotion, face id and the 4 speakers. First world problems I know, and I could get by without them but that is my preference.
 
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TechRunner

macrumors 65816
Oct 28, 2016
1,345
2,328
SW Florida, US
I would have gone for the 11" iPP for the slightly larger screen and quad speakers, with ProMotion being sort of a bonus. But I don't find my 7th gen iPad lacking much, especially for the price I paid ($219 USD) and my current uses.
 
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bransoj

macrumors 68000
Jul 31, 2013
1,563
739
Finally looking at replacing my iPad, not saying its old but its a 3rd gen with 30 pin connector!! Like when i got that one i could never really justify the cost of one but now find myself in a position where i can afford one without having to justify the cost of it. Wont be a Pro so need to decide between the latest iPad Air with the M1 chip or the last iPad from Sept last year. Edging towards the extra cost of the Air as there is a good chance i wont buy another one for years so get the best one i can now.
 
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cardfan

macrumors 601
Mar 23, 2012
4,431
5,627
Same one. The 12.9 rocks. But would replace it with an oled 11” one in a heartbeat.
 

*~Kim~*

macrumors 65816
May 6, 2013
1,178
470
UK
I would keep my Mini 5 and buy the Air 5, rather than what I actually did which was buy the Mini 6 and sell the Mini 5 a couple of months later. I would not have cellular again on a non-Mini so from that perspective I would still want a Mini, but it’s the 8GB RAM that really does it. Mini would after all likely be stuck with the A series chips for thermal reasons.

In trying to be more mindful of energy use with the rising prices I have discovered how energy hungry my TV is, so an Air 5 would be ideal right now.
 
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nburwell

macrumors 603
May 6, 2008
5,559
2,462
DE
I'd keep my current iPad (4th gen.) It does everything that I need it to and it's a great second screen to use when my son has the TV occupied with his programming.
 
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Devyn89

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2012
964
1,801
Still my 12.9” pro. It’s completely overkill but I love the size and display. Watching content is a dream
 
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JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,549
26,171
M1 iPad Air.

It's just right in terms of performance and price.
 
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