iPad Pro Which refurbished iPad?

[Cassr]

Upgrading from my old IPad pro 9.7.

I have a budget of £500 and wondering which you would get:

iPad pro 10.5" 64gb from the apple refurb store, on sale for £359

iPad pro 11" 64gb from third party refurbisher for £489

I definitely don't need more than 64gb. Using it mostly for sketching initial ideas, creating social media images (doing video on my phone), planning and note taking and browsing the web. I use my laptop for more intense tasks.

Thanks

 

[rui no onna]

Is the 11" not available via Apple refurb store? In the US Apple refurb, 64GB Pro 10.5 is $379 while 64GB Pro 11 is $519 so an Apple certified refurb 11" likely would be around the same price as that third party.

The 10.5 has a known white spot defect that develops after a year or so. No idea what percentage of iPads are affected but it appears to be common enough.

Also, 11" supports Apple Pencil alternatives that use the same tech (e.g. Logitech Crayon and $15-30 Apple Pencil clones from AliExpress).

For those reasons, I'd be more inclined to get the 2018 11" over the 2017 10.5" although I'd probably wait for Apple certified refurb stock.

 

[Broadus]

Is the 11" not available via Apple refurb store? In the US Apple refurb, 64GB Pro 10.5 is $379 while 64GB Pro 11 is $519 so an Apple certified refurb 11" likely would be around the same price as that third party.

The 10.5 has a known white spot defect that develops after a year or so. No idea what percentage of iPads are affected but it appears to be common enough.

Also, 11" supports Apple Pencil alternatives that use the same tech (e.g. Logitech Crayon and $15-30 Apple Pencil clones from AliExpress).

For those reasons, I'd be more inclined to get the 2018 11" over the 2017 10.5" although I'd probably wait for Apple certified refurb stock.

I second what run no onna said. And I like what Apple does, replacing the outer shell and battery and providing the standard one-year warranty.

 

[*~Kim~*]

There are higher capacity 11” cellular models available at the moment, but if you click onto one and use the drop down to select other variants, it’ll give you the price. 64GB WiFi is £479 when available, cheaper than the third party refurbisher and gives you a year’s Apple warranty and the ability to purchase AC+.

The 10.5 doesn’t have the option for AC+ at the point of sale. You might be able to get the monthly on setup but it’s a might as I posted in another thread. £120 is not enough of a saving in my opinion given the issues with that model. 11” when available will be more future proof (2GB extra RAM, A12X rather than A10X, current design, not known for screen issues after a period of time.) In your position I would wait - you clearly keep your iPads for a long time.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I second what run no onna said. And I like what Apple does, replacing the outer shell and battery and providing the standard one-year warranty.

They also replace the screen, right?

 

[rui no onna]

The 10.5 doesn’t have the option for AC+ at the point of sale. You might be able to get the monthly on setup but it’s a might as I posted in another thread. £120 is not enough of a saving in my opinion given the issues with that model. 11” when available will be more future proof (2GB extra RAM, A12X rather than A10X, current design, not known for screen issues after a period of time.) In your position I would wait - you clearly keep your iPads for a long time.

Correction, same 4GB RAM on 2018 64-512GB as on 2017 Pro. It's only the 1TB model that gets 6GB RAM.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Upgrading from my old IPad pro 9.7.

I have a budget of £500 and wondering which you would get:

iPad pro 10.5" 64gb from the apple refurb store, on sale for £359

iPad pro 11" 64gb from third party refurbisher for £489

I definitely don't need more than 64gb. Using it mostly for sketching initial ideas, creating social media images (doing video on my phone), planning and note taking and browsing the web. I use my laptop for more intense tasks.

Thanks

I’d go with the 11” IPP. Aside from it being newer and not having the potential white spot problem, the ease of how the Pencil charges is worth it.

 

[Cassr]

If the 2017 one didn't have the white spot issue, would the decision still be an easy one?

 

[sublunar]

I would wait for a suitable ipad pro with USB-C on the apple refurb store. The iPad Air 4 would be an alternative if pro motion is not required But at retail prices it‘s very overpriced compared to refurb pros I have tracked the odd price drop at Amazon for 64gb and cellular models that are within your price range but prices appear to have gone back up in recent weeks.

 

[DMG35]

11” without question. The one single benefit of the 10.5“ to me would be Touch ID as I find it more convenient but outside of that the 11” is superior in every way.

 

[kristalsoldier]

If the 2017 one didn't have the white spot issue, would the decision still be an easy one?

Personally speaking, yes. My 2017 IPP did not have the white spot. But I had been using it since virtually release day. Battery was obviously not as good as it was when new. I opted for the 2020 IPP because, among other things, it’s design really appealed to me. Plus I got a good trade in deal through Apple and my worl-related discounts, which made the cost far more attractive for me. Of course, the biggest benefit was the mechanism for charging the Pencil, which was not simply awkward, but horrible with the 2017 IPP. That said, I’ll still maintain that the 2017 IPP was an excellent machine in my experience and it travelled with me everywhere!

 

[jsmith1]

10.5 no question....no issues for me

 

[Digitalguy]

If the 2017 one didn't have the white spot issue, would the decision still be an easy one?

without the white spot it's still a very good machine, for me the real differentiation is the pencil 2 and USB C. But mine has the white spot and it's therefore not suitable for reading or annotating, and it's hard to sell...

 

[Cassr]

without the white spot it's still a very good machine, for me the real differentiation is the pencil 2 and USB C. But mine has the white spot and it's therefore not suitable for reading or annotating, and it's hard to sell...

That's another thing I was thinking, being able to sell on an IPP with a white spot!

In the end I took a risk and got the 10.5 as it was such a good deal on the apple refurbished store.

Unfortunately I had to send it back as it had a small white spot!

For the moment I have just stuck to my current iPad pro 2016 as it has no issues at all and needed a break from worrying about the decision. Plus not much on the UK apple refurb store at the moment.

I have also been wondering, realistically in real world general use, does upgrading from a device with an A9X chip to one with an A12/ A12X chip really make that much difference?

 

[Digitalguy]

That's another thing I was thinking, being able to sell on an IPP with a white spot!

In the end I took a risk and got the 10.5 as it was such a good deal on the apple refurbished store.

Unfortunately I had to send it back as it had a small white spot!

For the moment I have just stuck to my current iPad pro 2016 as it has no issues at all and needed a break from worrying about the decision. Plus not much on the UK apple refurb store at the moment.

I have also been wondering, realistically in real world general use, does upgrading from a device with an A9X chip to one with an A12/ A12X chip really make that much difference?

Yes it does, I have all generations except M1 and yes, the jump is noticeable...

 

[sublunar]

That's another thing I was thinking, being able to sell on an IPP with a white spot!

In the end I took a risk and got the 10.5 as it was such a good deal on the apple refurbished store.

Unfortunately I had to send it back as it had a small white spot!

For the moment I have just stuck to my current iPad pro 2016 as it has no issues at all and needed a break from worrying about the decision. Plus not much on the UK apple refurb store at the moment.

I have also been wondering, realistically in real world general use, does upgrading from a device with an A9X chip to one with an A12/ A12X chip really make that much difference?

There’s plenty of the 10.5” Pros in the UK refurb store, 64 and 256 capacities but the price is still high for what it is. The 2018 Pros of both sizes in the refurb store sold out very quickly leaving the older 10.5” models still in plentiful supply.

I had an old Air 2 (A8X CPU) with what turned out to be the white spot problem later - I wasn’t aware of what it was so it ended with the battery expanding the screen out. It didn’t stop me from getting another iPad later and I am glad I waited for the USB-C 2018 Pro model.

I would still look for a refurb 2018 or keep an eye on the 2020 models in third party retailers as I have noticed prices softening and signs of a de factor price cut. As mentioned earlier by others the USB-C support is superb and I would agree with Pencil 2 as well (Although I currently don’t have one I would be interested in it).

The A12X CPU in my 2018 is great - the screen is superb - and apart from wishing I had bought a 256Gb model instead of the base 64Gb I am happy with it mainly as a consumption device for light use. In fact, I’m writing this on the iPad now using a Bluetooth keyboard.

Keep an eye open for iPad Air 4 as well, I have seen some interesting deals on as well, brand new iPad Air 4 64Gb can go as low as 500 quid if you keep an eye on the usual retailers as prices are fluctuating at the moment.

 

[*~Kim~*]

That's another thing I was thinking, being able to sell on an IPP with a white spot!

In the end I took a risk and got the 10.5 as it was such a good deal on the apple refurbished store.

Unfortunately I had to send it back as it had a small white spot!

For the moment I have just stuck to my current iPad pro 2016 as it has no issues at all and needed a break from worrying about the decision. Plus not much on the UK apple refurb store at the moment.

I have also been wondering, realistically in real world general use, does upgrading from a device with an A9X chip to one with an A12/ A12X chip really make that much difference?

I suspect the jump from 2GB RAM (only the 12.9 1st Gen Pro had 4GB) will be more noticeable than an upgrade from the A9X. The 10.5 has the A10X so I think you’re right to wait for a deal on a more significant and less risky upgrade.

 

[Cassr]

I suspect the jump from 2GB RAM (only the 12.9 1st Gen Pro had 4GB) will be more noticeable than an upgrade from the A9X. The 10.5 has the A10X so I think you’re right to wait for a deal on a more significant and less risky upgrade.

Yeah I agree.

I keep hearing people talking about the iPad lottery in terms of screen or battery and my current pro has been such a workhorse, battery is still great and no other issues so far.

I am so tempted to get a companion mini 5 though. I recently sold a few things I wasn't using and now really want a shiny new toy but the mini 5 might be pointless really, 9.7 inches isn't exactly huge!

 

[sublunar]

Yeah I agree.

I keep hearing people talking about the iPad lottery in terms of screen or battery and my current pro has been such a workhorse, battery is still great and no other issues so far.

I am so tempted to get a companion mini 5 though. I recently sold a few things I wasn't using and now really want a shiny new toy but the mini 5 might be pointless really, 9.7 inches isn't exactly huge!

Mini 5 is the next to get the upgrade though. Most recent story suggests it’s going to become an iPad Air mini type setup with A14 and USB-C which would be a massive upgrade.

If you need the storage Amazon UK are selling 256Gb cellular ones (I think it’s silver or gold) for 515 quid - fully loaded - but similar money gets you a 64Gb iPad Air with A14, USB-C, and bigger screen on deal.

The Mini is very much a dead end design and liable to get that massive upgrade By October this year.

Obviously Apple won’t quibble with returning faulty goods so it’s just worth keep an eye on the refurb store on a daily basis. I note that they seem to release stocks of the same item from time to time - only occasionally releasing new configurations after stocks have dried up.