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iPad Pro 2017 iPad Pro owners - are you upgrading to 2021 iPad Pro?

so

  • 10.5, not sure

    Votes: 19 10.9%

  • 12.9, not sure

    Votes: 9 5.1%

  • 10.5 -> 11, yes

    Votes: 31 17.7%

  • 12.9 -> 11, yes

    Votes: 2 1.1%

  • 10.5-> 12.9, yes

    Votes: 43 24.6%

  • 12.9-> 12.9, yes

    Votes: 40 22.9%

  • 10.5, no

    Votes: 15 8.6%

  • 12.9, no

    Votes: 16 9.1%
  • Total voters
    175
thadoggfather

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,173
17,098
my base wifi 12.9 2017 has backlight spotlighting, but it has for some time and hasn't gotten worse any time recently- but I have a Smart Keyboard that I don't really feel like dishing out for again but find essential for the 12.9 experience. And I really like the silicone back even though its meant for the 2015 12.9. Still mostly fits, minus blocking top mic which I don't use, and flash which I don't use either.

I could just get an 11" as a tablet by itself, but that's where my Mini 5 still comes in handy.

Leaning towards no, but I'll go with not sure.

Assuming Apple would accept it, it's worth $350 in trade in so that's something to factor in
 
Yes. 2017 12.9 512GB LTE to 2021 12.9 1TB 5G.

I would've upgraded last year but the 2020 Pro was quite disappointing considering the high asking price. Back in 2018, the 1TB pricing was a bit of a shock. Now, I'm somewhat desensitized, plus some raises, paid off car and no vacations due to COVID means more disposable income available.
 
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iF34R said:
I'm a little worried that I won't like the 12.9 size. I really like the 10.5 lol.
Click to expand...

Wackery said:
For me the big ipad also wouldn’t fit on my mount, 10.5/11 is such an ideal size
Click to expand...

I mean, I’m sure the brain will adapt after so long, but I really liked a quote I read a while back (I can’t remember where I first read): if you want a really good tablet that can function as an ok laptop if needed, get the 11 inch. If you want a laptop replacement that can function as an OK tablet, get the 12.9 inch.

for my uses, I want a really good tablet that can also be a laptop if I need it. The 12.9 inch just seems too unwieldy to use in a car or like it will have a lot of wasted space unless you’re constantly using split screen.
 
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I won’t get any more functionality so I stay with my 10.5. I’m gonna be closely watching WWDC tho to see what they bring to iPadOS. I would consider going iPad Pro only and get rid of Mac but so far it’s just not feasible to me. This would be only reason for me to upgrade to new iPad instead of MacBook.
 
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I have a 2017 10.5 that is still working well. The battery is starting to show signs of aging and there is a large and annoying white spot- but its not as bad anymore since I mostly use dark mode. I’m on the fence. I don’t have a laptop and would love to get the 12.9 as a laptop replacement, but I’m not sure how well it can be used as a tablet. It seems too big for that purpose. I would have loved it if they had upgraded the screen on the 11- it doesn‘t seem worth it for what I need to miss out on the screen update. I might wait another year- still undecided.
 
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I’ll be going from the 2018 12.9” to this years. LIDAR and the XR display are the main selling points for me. I’ll also go for 5G, currently just WiFi.
 
This retina screen on my iPad PRO 10.5” is still really nice (compared to my MPB 2015 15”). Wondering if the 2021 iPad PRO 12.9” Retina XDR will be a noticeable further improvement over the 10.5” (besides the size), and how much of a difference would you see compared to an M1 MBP screen? It is a significant higher price compared to the new 11” and into the MBP 13” price territory.
 
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I really like my 2017 12.9". I got the 2015 and replaced it with the 2017 upon release.

I just got the battery "replaced" in the 2017 for $99, so it's just as good as new. It still runs everything I need very well, so I'll probably wait one more generation before getting a new one.

I was slightly disappointed in the lack of Touch ID and rounded screen corners on the 2018, and 2020 models, but I'll probably get the 2022 or 2023 model because of the improved screen.
 
12.9 owner, cellular. I'd really love to, but with my current use case I just can't justify the cost even though I have the disposable income to pay for it.

Thought process I go through:

1. Has to be 1 step higher in storage than my current model ---> Picks the 512GB version.
2. Has to have cellular ---> picks cellular version.
3. We're now at $1599 with no keyboard, no pencil. —-> Hmmmm...
4. Ok how much with pencil and keyboard folio? ---> $1927 . . Holy #@$.
5. How much can I get for my old setup? ---> Probably $700 but i'm too damned lazy to go through the effort.
6. Is it worth over $1000 bucks to upgrade to a new ipad and do the same old stuff with it? ---> nope

I have been through the same thought process multiple times with the other models as well. The prices varied some but not the overall conclusion.

So at the end of the day I can’t help but think that in order to move myself ahead in model I need there to be feature changes (in hardware or software) that lead me to want to explore new workflows that aren’t currently possible to do now on my 2017 model. Those workflows have to be meaningful to me and not just nice to haves like faceid, lidar or a different way to charge the pencil. I wouldn’t mind a new pro to use as a mobile video editing rig, but I haven’t done any videos in over a year and don’t anticipate doing any for several months more. I think eventually I will upgrade to do things with LumaFusion but I am not in a hurry yet when my cameras are collecting dust. For now I look forward to WWDC and hope that something else peaks my interest enough to hurry my decision along LOL.
 
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muzzy996 said:
12.9 owner, cellular. I'd really love to, but with my current use case I just can't justify the cost even though I have the disposable income to pay for it.

Thought process I go through:

1. Has to be 1 step higher in storage than my current model ---> Picks the 512GB version.
2. Has to have cellular ---> picks cellular version.
3. We're now at $1599 with no keyboard, no pencil. —-> Hmmmm...
4. Ok how much with pencil and keyboard folio? ---> $1927 . . Holy #@$.
5. How much can I get for my old setup? ---> Probably $700 but i'm too damned lazy to go through the effort.
6. Is it worth over $1000 bucks to upgrade to a new ipad and do the same old stuff with it? ---> nope

I have been through the same thought process multiple times with the other models as well. The prices varied some but not the overall conclusion.

So at the end of the day I can’t help but think that in order to move myself ahead in model I need there to be feature changes (in hardware or software) that lead me to want to explore new workflows that aren’t currently possible to do now on my 2017 model. Those workflows have to be meaningful to me and not just nice to haves like faceid, lidar or a different way to charge the pencil. I wouldn’t mind a new pro to use as a mobile video editing rig, but I haven’t done any videos in over a year and don’t anticipate doing any for several months more. I think eventually I will upgrade to do things with LumaFusion but I am not in a hurry yet when my cameras are collecting dust. For now I look forward to WWDC and hope that something else peaks my interest enough to hurry my decision along LOL.
Click to expand...

Yea I could get $350 for my 64gb 2017 12.9” if apple will take it and not be nitpicky, and the 2021 12.9” is $999 through edu discount,

still that’s $650... then a Magic Keyboard, that’s like $279

I rarely use my gen 1 pencil but I got it ages ago, for my 9.7 iPad Pro I no longer have (paid for most of my mini 5 in 2019), add another $119 For the pencil

Still looking at like $929/$1050 after trading in my iPad before tax. That’s a whopper. I still don’t feel like the A10x lags for what I use my device for. My mini 5 with A12 feels a bit zippier, but this 2017 still isn’t a dog on iOS 14.4 all these years later

does yours have backlight spotlighting too along the vertical spine (horizontal if attached to ASK) ?
 
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elmarjazz said:
This retina screen on my iPad PRO 10.5” is still really nice (compared to my MPB 2015 15”). Wondering if the 2021 iPad PRO 12.9” Retina XDR will be a noticeable further improvement over the 10.5” (besides the size), and how much of a difference would you see compared to an M1 MBP screen? It is a significant higher price compared to the new 11” and into the MBP 13” price territory.
Click to expand...
Main advantage for me would be the night time movie watching will be so much better, but I don’t want to be holding up a big ipad for that
 
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2017, 12.9 cellular, 512gb

don’t really “need”, hotspot is enough. I can go lower in storage now so that helps. My screen has the spotlights and has a huge circle of delamination on it - which makes it frustrating to use at times. If the screen was fine I’d probably go another year and access my needs then. I in no way want or need the mini-LED screen (or so I think), so I could drop to the 11”. Maybe. I’ve been pondering that for months - since the Air updated... can I go smaller? My Mini5 was hijacked for booth work, so something smaller I can easily cart around and move work area to work area would be nice. But yikes, the Pro money is rough. I have to access also my desk vs bed work space (disabled and end up working in bed a lot). This just isn’t cut and dry nor easy...

basically, I think I’m waiting for WWDC at this point...
 
thadoggfather said:
does yours have backlight spotlighting too along the vertical spine (horizontal if attached to ASK) ?
Click to expand...

I am familiar with what you are describing but no my current 12.9 does not have that issue. I say current because I recently had it replaced under AC+ for touch sensitivity issues at which time there was backlight bleed in that area.
 
muzzy996 said:
I am familiar with what you are describing but no my current 12.9 does not have that issue. I say current because I recently had it replaced under AC+ for touch sensitivity issues at which time there was backlight bleed in that area.
Click to expand...

Same here I had a exchange in Jan 21 for Touch Disease on my 12.9 Gen 2. If was just outside of the 12 months warranty but issue was reported during the UK lockdowns and store closures in Nov 20
 
10.5 with cellular to 12.9 WIFI only. Tethering off my 12 Pro is enough for me.
Might be a few (read "6 months") before I do the deed....
 
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