iPad Yet another iPad decision thread! :-D

[cwo]

Hello everyone,

I'm in the market to buy an iPad moving up from my current iPad Mini 2. The only thing I am torn about is if to buy the new iPad 2018 with 128 gb or get a refurbished iPad Pro 10.5 with 64 gb. The things I'll be using it for is media consumption, learning ProCreate and Affinity Photo plus editing images on the go. I would also like to get a vector based drawing program on there when a good one is available.

I'll be buying a Apple Pencil along with a screen protector. I keep going back on forth on both as the iPad Pro has a nicer screen and a bit more power but if I get the iPad 2018 I can get more space for the editing in the future. Apple is focusing on iOS 12 to be more responsive etc which may reduce perceived differences between the Pro and standard iPad. I already know that I am not interested in FaceID etc in the new ones coming out possibly in the fall.

Anybody have recommendations. If I had the money I would have gotten the iPad Pro 10.5 with 256 gb but I'm constrained by budget here.

Cheers,
cwo

 

[TiggrToo]

Hello everyone,

I'm in the market to buy an iPad moving up from my current iPad Mini 2. The only thing I am torn about is if to buy the new iPad 2018 with 128 gb or get a refurbished iPad Pro 10.5 with 64 gb. The things I'll be using it for is media consumption, learning ProCreate and Affinity Photo plus editing images on the go. I would also like to get a vector based drawing program on there when a good one is available.

I'll be buying a Apple Pencil along with a screen protector. I keep going back on forth on both as the iPad Pro has a nicer screen and a bit more power but if I get the iPad 2018 I can get more space for the editing in the future. Apple is focusing on iOS 12 to be more responsive etc which may reduce perceived differences between the Pro and standard iPad. I already know that I am not interested in FaceID etc in the new ones coming out possibly in the fall.

Anybody have recommendations. If I had the money I would have gotten the iPad Pro 10.5 with 256 gb but I'm constrained by budget here.

Cheers,
cwo

Or you could go with a refurbished 9.7" iPad Pro as my wife just did and she's extremely happy she did.

 

[ericwn]

Life is short- get what inspires you most. Apple offers two weeks return period- test one device for two weeks, you can send it back and order the other one if you want.

 

[xxray]

I say get the iPad Pro. You always have cloud storage as an option for only a few bucks a month or less, depending on how much you need. The slightly larger, better screen and better performance will help you out when you’re working.

 

[ssledoux]

Coming from a pro 12.9 to a 2018 iPad (needed to downsize a bit, but wanted to wait on new pads to come out in the fall before spending the money on a smaller pro), I can say I’m not disappointed with what I got for the money in my 2018 pad. In fact, I’m not positive I’ll go back pro in the fall because this little guy packs a nice punch for the money.

I know that likely doesn’t help much, but I guess I’m just saying you can’t really go wrong either way.

 

[mofunk]

I like the size of 10.5 IPP. With 64GB that's still a lot of space to work with. If you go with the 10.5 IPP you get more screen space and a faster processor. You can always buy external storage or some cloud feature. iOS folder allows you to store folders from your apps like Dropbox.


Shop around too. I'm not sure if B&H Photo ships to you or you could go to NYC. With the 256B iPad Pro you don't have to worry too much about space.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1342184-REG/apple_mpdy2ll_a_10_5_ipad_pro_256gb.html


shipping info

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/International.jsp#canada

 

[dumastudetto]

iPad Pro is a no brainer. Don't settle for the cheaper iPad.

 

[Boyd01]

Shop around too. I'm not sure if B&H Photo ships to you or you could go to NYC.

I love B&H and have spent more money there than I care to admit. Visiting the store is an amazing experience, there's nothing else like it. Just realize, if you make a purchase in the store it will be subject to a sales tax of about 9%, and this is not reflected in the prices shown on their website. So that $749 iPad will actually cost you about $816 if purchased in person.

 

[cwo]

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all the input on this and given me much food for thought! I think I'll save a bit more so I can get the iPad Pro and I'll just get either the 64 gb or 256 gb whichever the budget allows in a another 3 months or so!

As for B+H, I love them and get their catalog... too tempting that store!

Cheers,
cwo

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

A bit late to the party, but I would certainly recommend looking at Apple's refurbished iPad Pro 10.5" too.
A moderate saving with a "new" look and feel.
I have a refurbed 9.7" Pro and it performs like new and is so much better than the 2017 iPad I had in the same size.
I understand the 2018 has a faster processor and Pencil support, but it does lack the additional speakers, RAM (important) and laminated screen (very important IMO).
Get as much storage as you can afford...you'll end up using it.

 

[rui no onna]

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all the input on this and given me much food for thought! I think I'll save a bit more so I can get the iPad Pro and I'll just get either the 64 gb or 256 gb whichever the budget allows in a another 3 months or so!

As for B+H, I love them and get their catalog... too tempting that store!

Cheers,
cwo

Good choice. You can save a nice chunk with Apple refurbs. Particularly so if a new model is introduced later this year.

 

[pika2000]

It all boils down to your budget, urgency, and how long you want to keep it.
10.5" iPad Pro: more expensive, you need to save more money as you stated (delayed learning process for you), better longevity thanks to 4GB of RAM
2018 iPad: more affordable, presumably you can afford it now (means you get your learning process started right away), supports all the tools you probably will need (ie. Apple Pencil), may not age as well as the pro due to less RAM

Personally, the niceties of the Pro (laminated screen, quad speakers) are just icing on the cake, things you appreciate considering the higher price tag. I have been switching back and forth between my 10.5" pro and non-laminated mini 2, and I rarely notice the discrepancy of screen quality. The RAM imo is the most important decision maker. We all have learned how RAM can make an iDevice age well/worse.