I have the 2018 and it is just as good. The 2020 just isn't worth the money at this point. I will wait until the next revision to take a look.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Pro Why didn’t you purchase the new 2020 iPad Pro?
- Thread starter Ipadlover29
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well, I did exactly what I said in the last post.....returned the 2018 256gb IPP 11 inch (still unopened) that I bought from Micro Center for $699. Now they‘ve dropped the price down to $629. I wish they’d stop doing this. It’s not nice to tempt a guy with such good deals😉. If you’ve got a Micro Center near you...this is a great “in store only” 🦠 deal!I don’t update my Apple products every year (iPhones, Macbooks, iMacs, iPads). I’ve got the 2017 256gb 10.5 pro (with the identifying decorative white spot just above the home button).
I didn’t update to the 2018 pro because I like to skip a cycle. The 2020 to me felt like a minor ”spec bump” and not a real update. So, I guess I’ll continue on with my 2017 pro until I can truely “skip a cycle”. The 6gb ram (for me) is the only real update for the 2020. I’ve got an iPhone 11 that‘s “always” with me...so cameras on the iPad aren‘t important to me. LiDAR seems cool, but I doubt I’d have a real use for it. The other updates seem very minor to me. Oh, I forgot about the “brighter“ True Tone flash....now that’s another “real“ update that’s hard to pass up
To be totally honest though...it’s tough to “sit out” on an upgrade after having the 10.5 pro for 2 1/2 yrs now. I actually bought a new 2018 11 inch 256gb for $699...Still unopened as I think I’ll hang onto the 10.5 for another year and see what 2021 brings. Also, the base 2020 128gb model is tempting because 128gb is a real sweet spot for my storage needs.
Even if I kept the 2018 256gb 11 inch, my total cost would be: $699, plus minimum $179 for ASK folio, plus $125 for the Apple Pencil 2 (I’ve got the version 1), plus tax = $1,010.
What I think I’m gonna do: Return the 2018 iPad I bought and keep the 10.5 with it’s distinctive white spot above the home button...along with my pencil (gen 1). I’ll add the new Logitech Combo Touch keyboard/trackpad case ($149)..with pencil holder....and call it a day.
I think it’s best for me to practice a little “social distancing” from the 2020 update🦠.....and see what 2021 brings to the iPad.
I reserved one to give me time to think it over. They also had one “open box” of the same iPad for $535. I reserved that one too. If it’s in perfect shape (ie if it looks like someone just opened and decided against it), I might go for this one.
Last edited:
Personally, I'm waiting for availability & review of the magic keyboard before deciding. I'm already sure I will hate the lack of brightness / volume keys on it, I love them on the separate bluetooth magic keyboard I'm using now. For the asking price, I think it's a huge oversight.
We'll see.
We'll see.
That’s actually the biggest thing holding me back from the 2018/2020 iPads....the limited keyboard case options (ie I’ve got the 2017 10.5 IPP). Logitech is coming out in May with a keyboard case that uses the smart connector for the 2017 10.5 IPP with trackpad which includes the row of keys with functions you mention (Logitech Combo Touch). Why don’t the Apple keyboard cases include these...they’re so useful!
I DID buy the 2020 model. Why? Because my previous model was a mini 2. Sure... I could’ve gotten a 2018 for cheaper. But I wanted the 11” and 6GB of RAM. Overall the extra cost compared to a 2018 model was worth it for me.
considering how long I waited for an upgrade, I think I’m good for a while. And if anything *special* happens to come along that changes my mind, I’ll trade up 🤷🏼♂️
considering how long I waited for an upgrade, I think I’m good for a while. And if anything *special* happens to come along that changes my mind, I’ll trade up 🤷🏼♂️
I purchased the 2020 because there are no significant discounts on 2018's for my config. I'm not going for an old model to save 6% and that's the best I've seen.
My old iPad was a 2017 so I'm sure I'll enjoy the smaller/lighter device and the performance + RAM improvements. I'm also going from 512GB to 1TB.
My old iPad was a 2017 so I'm sure I'll enjoy the smaller/lighter device and the performance + RAM improvements. I'm also going from 512GB to 1TB.
Last edited:
Now I feel really great about upgrading from my 2017 to a 2020.
No more bezels and touch ID too!
It's just as thin as the 2018 I returned. I also can't like no headphone jack and Face ID on it. Guess I'll be using my older model for as long as possible here.
I’m probably going to buy, I’m using the original 12.9 pro so this is a huge upgrade for me, but there were a few things holding me back:
- I need a keyboard and I want the magic keyboard, so waiting for that
- I was disappointed at the lack of a processor upgrade. In particular I was hoping for a bigger GPU improvement for video editing
- Given the big changes happening on the x86 side with AMD pushing Intel and the 10 nanometer chips finally showing up, I’m also curious to see what the new 13/14 inch MacBook Pro is packing. Historically the iPad Pro has had better graphics performance than the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but an Intel G7 or one of AMD’s new APUs could pack a bigger punch given that the IPad Pro’s performance hasn’t shifted. If it does have significantly better performance, it’s going to be tempting, even though I much prefer iPadOS to MacOS.
I already have iPad Pro 2017. I broke the screen. I think I am going to buy another 2017 model refurbished. Much cheaper. Hundreds of dollars cheaper than 2018 or 2020 model if I count the purchase of a new Apple Pencil gen 2.
For me, the main reason is the screen is just the same as my current iPad. No change at all. The thinner bezel and the convenience of double taps of Apple Pencil 2 are certainly nice to have but certainly not worth the extra money. I think I am going to stick with 2017 model for 15 more months until the price of the upcoming mini LED 2020 or 2021 model dropped, then I buy it.
For me, the main reason is the screen is just the same as my current iPad. No change at all. The thinner bezel and the convenience of double taps of Apple Pencil 2 are certainly nice to have but certainly not worth the extra money. I think I am going to stick with 2017 model for 15 more months until the price of the upcoming mini LED 2020 or 2021 model dropped, then I buy it.
My 2016 iPad Pro does everything I need it to do.
Would I have to buy an ipad today, it would be this one due to the RAM futureproofness.
However my iPad Pro 2017 still fills my needs very well and works without a flaw. I also (I might be alone in this) like the design of the 2017 one, of glorious white and gold, better.
However my iPad Pro 2017 still fills my needs very well and works without a flaw. I also (I might be alone in this) like the design of the 2017 one, of glorious white and gold, better.
The ”open box” 2018 256gb 11 inch IPP was pristine...not a mark/scratch anywhere. Checked the serial number on a site that shows production date (March 2020), so it’s obviously one someone opened and just decided against...as opposed to a display model that’s been handled for a year and a half. For $535 I couldn’t pass it up. They also had an open box generation 2 Apple Pencil for $95 that I grabbed...also in perfect shape. Oh, and a new charcoal smart folio case on clearance for $55...got that too. All that’s left is to hold out till May and pick up the Magic Keyboard/trackpad case....then I’m set until there’s a major change in display(mini LED or OLED) or other major changes sufficient to entice me into an upgrade....when it’s available ”open box” of course 😉.
Now I just need to sell my 2017 256gb 10.5 IPP, generation 1 pencil and smart keyboard case. My 2017 IPP has the distinctive and decorative white spot just above the home button...so it probably won’t fetch a lot! Maybe $250 I’m guessing!
Last edited:
There’s no reason to buy one. As someone said above, it’s a 2018 and one half Pro. Barely even that. There’s no significant upgrade, they’ve just sweetened the deal compared to buying a 2018 in February.
However, now the 2018 is crazy good value in the refurb section of the Apple website. My wife was holding out for the next iPad Pro but as it’s such a little upgrade we decided to buy the 2018 12.9” 256gb for significantly less than the base 12.9” 2020. Basically got a free Apple Pencil with it. It’s a no brainier to buy a discounted 2018 right now.
However, now the 2018 is crazy good value in the refurb section of the Apple website. My wife was holding out for the next iPad Pro but as it’s such a little upgrade we decided to buy the 2018 12.9” 256gb for significantly less than the base 12.9” 2020. Basically got a free Apple Pencil with it. It’s a no brainier to buy a discounted 2018 right now.
I’m sure there are plenty of people that would rather have 50% more RAM than a free pencil.
+1. If you have a 2018 model already, there’s very little reason to upgrade. But if you have an older iPad and are in the market for a new iPad now, there is very little reason not to go for the 2020 model vs the 2018 version....unless you can get a “substantial” discount on the 2018 in the configuration you are after. I know “substantial” is subjective, but to me the Apple refurbished prices are not quite substantial enough In the 2018 config that I’m after (ie 11 inch 256gb).
For example: I need either an 11 inch 256gb 2018 version or a 128gb 2020 version. Either storage would work well for my needs! The 2020 128gb version is roughly $769 today while the refurbished 2018 256gb from apple is $679 when it’s in stock. That’s roughly 12% lower. That’s not a substantial difference to me. However, the prices of the “new” 2018’s seem to be dropping even further this week. The 256gb version is down to $629.....18% lower than the 128gb 2020. To me, that difference has moved into substantial territory. As I mentioned in a post above, I found an even better deal on an open box 2018 256gb version in pristine condition for $535....30% lower than the 2020 128gb version. That’s very, very substantial to me....and the one I chose!
Last edited:
Two reasons I ultimately decided against it: 1) I have a perfectly good 2018 iPad Pro and 2) I have debt that needs to be paid off before i buy more technology
Yes, people have different needs, does that need to be spelled out? 2gb more RAM makes absolutely zero difference to me or my wife for how we use our iPads so it’s not worth spending an extra 25% for that single thing.
As the user said above, if the discount is substantial enough it’s really about how much extra you’re willing to pay for 2gb more ram. 2gb of ram is not worth a 25% premium to me and I’m sure it isn’t worth it to many other people.
It entirely depends on what your needs are.
Your post said “There’s no reason to buy one.”
That is very different than “People have different needs.”
The question is “Why didn’t you purchase the new 2020 iPad Pro?”
Is it really that hard for you to believe that people are talking from their own personal perspective when answering that question? It’s pretty obvious I’m not answering for everyone. A rudimentary understanding of context should tell you that I’m speaking from my own personal experience.
