Advice Needed iPad Air 2 vs iPad Pro 9.7"

[DeepIn2U]

I'm in the market to finally get an iPad.

My main use will be for Swift Playgrounds (complete newb to programming and thinking this way), Web browsing at home or the coffee shop, reading books, and soon with iRig plug in my Electric Guitar when it's tuned end of this month. Later on maybe I'll get into drawing more and also using handwriting (something I hardly ever do anymore: working with computers and smartphones cursive writing his distastful).

I'm sure I could watch Netflix and other stuff but these will be my main focus for the next few months.

I'm seeing $200-300CAN on Kijiji lately for a 16GB (in LNIB condition) yet I'm wondering if this is too high a price to pay for used. The 9.7" iPad Pro I'm really wanting to have yet currently at $500+ for a 16GB I'm wondering if Apple will provide good future support for this in iOS.

Will the iPad Air 2 get dropped from iOS 12 support this fall? Is the performance currently with iOS 11 really lacking that I should not even bother and save a little more for a 9.7" 128GB or just go for the 10.2" iPP?

PS: I'm trying to find Swift Playgrounds 2 minimum requirements and I'm not finding it on Apple's site. Plus cannot download on iPhone to see it's requirements other than "iPad".

Thanks.

 

[mofunk]

Everything is listed here, well what you will see on the App. idk Apple removed the Apps store from the Mac, because you can't really search unless you have an iOS device. Go to the link and scroll. I found the link just by searching "Swift Playground 2"

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swift-playgrounds/id908519492?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo=4


If you are trying to run a lot of apps or apps that are huge files, then you should go with an iPad that's has 125GB or higher. The iPad Pro's have a faster processor. I could be wrong, but I think those iPad that are current have the fingerprint scanner. I would go with the Pro if you are working with iRig, Swift, and maybe drawing.

 

[teezy]

While neither of these iPads are manufactured anymore (iPad Air 2=> “The New iPad” or “iPad”, iPad Pro 9.7”=> iPad Pro 10.5”), I would 100% suggest iPad Pro (9.7”). I have one and I love it. Works great with Swift Playgrounds, GarageBand, and various photo-editing apps.

There are, however, refurbished iPad Pro 9.7” and iPad Air 2 available from Apple though, if you want to save a few bucks but get a legitimate warranty (and you can add AppleCare+). You’ll be fine with a 32GB iPad Pro 9.7” (which is what I have). 16GB iPad Air 2, probably not.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Everything is listed here, well what you will see on the App. idk Apple removed the Apps store from the Mac, because you can't really search unless you have an iOS device. Go to the link and scroll. I found the link just by searching "Swift Playground 2"

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swift-playgrounds/id908519492?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo=4


If you are trying to run a lot of apps or apps that are huge files, then you should go with an iPad that's has 125GB or higher. The iPad Pro's have a faster processor. I could be wrong, but I think those iPad that are current have the fingerprint scanner. I would go with the Pro if you are working with iRig, Swift, and maybe drawing.

Thanks man much appreciated.

I had a peak over at everymac.com to compare the 2017 iPad vs iPad Air 2 and there are some similarities and minimal differences: (Air2 vs iPad 2017) A8X vs A9, Better Low Light on front iSight Cam vs 2017, Both are 2GB RAM, Both have same rear camera, Retina Display Laminated and antireflective vs Retina" display that is not fully laminated and that does not have an antireflective coating but does have a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor. The most surprising part is ... Geekbench 3 (64): 1791/4403 vs 2542/4424 so I'm not loosing much by going with the Air 2 vs 2017 iPad.

Pro I may have to wait until next month.
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While neither of these iPads are manufactured anymore (iPad Air 2=> “The New iPad” or “iPad”, iPad Pro 9.7”=> iPad Pro 10.5”), I would 100% suggest iPad Pro (9.7”). I have one and I love it. Works great with Swift Playgrounds, GarageBand, and various photo-editing apps.

There are, however, refurbished iPad Pro 9.7” and iPad Air 2 available from Apple though, if you want to save a few bucks but get a legitimate warranty (and you can add AppleCare+). You’ll be fine with a 32GB iPad Pro 9.7” (which is what I have). 16GB iPad Air 2, probably not.

Good tip on the AppleCare+ for refurbished store iPads! I hadn't known that was possible. There, they're slightly more than what I'm finding on kijiji but the piece of mind outweighs a bird in the hand.

Cheers!

 

[teezy]

You're welcome! Keep in mind, the refurbished iPads are only available for purchase online and not in-store, but you could have it shipped to a store if you preferred! That way you can get some help setting it up if you need it.

Either way, I hope you end up happy with what you get! Cheers!

 

[IowaLynn]

I'm in the market to finally get an iPad.

My main use will be for Swift Playgrounds (complete newb to programming and thinking this way), Web browsing at home or the coffee shop, reading books, and soon with iRig plug in my Electric Guitar when it's tuned end of this month. Later on maybe I'll get into drawing more and also using handwriting (something I hardly ever do anymore: working with computers and smartphones cursive writing his distastful).

I'm sure I could watch Netflix and other stuff but these will be my main focus for the next few months.

I'm seeing $200-300CAN on Kijiji lately for a 16GB (in LNIB condition) yet I'm wondering if this is too high a price to pay for used. The 9.7" iPad Pro I'm really wanting to have yet currently at $500+ for a 16GB I'm wondering if Apple will provide good future support for this in iOS.

Will the iPad Air 2 get dropped from iOS 12 support this fall? Is the performance currently with iOS 11 really lacking that I should not even bother and save a little more for a 9.7" 128GB or just go for the 10.2" iPP?

PS: I'm trying to find Swift Playgrounds 2 minimum requirements and I'm not finding it on Apple's site. Plus cannot download on iPhone to see it's requirements other than "iPad".

Thanks.

There were deep discounts thru 1/31 on iPad Pro refurbished units. I got mine from Apple but B&H, Best Buy and Amazon also.

I went from 9.7” non-Pro to 10.5” Pro.
64GB / 4GB RAM A10X make it an excellent tablet for Swift.
But above your price. 2018 models will surely come out but lost time.
Some people trade up and able to get 50% from their older model.
AT&T likes to sell tablets to put on your plan. End up paying more on monthly but another way.

I know you wouldn’t be disappointed in iPad Pro line.

 

[DeepIn2U]

There were deep discounts thru 1/31 on iPad Pro refurbished units. I got mine from Apple but B&H, Best Buy and Amazon also.

I went from 9.7” non-Pro to 10.5” Pro.
64GB / 4GB RAM A10X make it an excellent tablet for Swift.
But above your price. 2018 models will surely come out but lost time.
Some people trade up and able to get 50% from their older model.
AT&T likes to sell tablets to put on your plan. End up paying more on monthly but another way.

I know you wouldn’t be disappointed in iPad Pro line.

Living north of the USA border doesn't give us cannucks any decent deals.
Rogers/Telus does sell iPads on your contract, adding another line but well above my budget (I have no need to use a secondary line for data on the iPad anyway).
Unable to trade up - Apple or otherwise. Maybe a few smaller chains like CarbonComputing local here in Toronto; yet I have nothing to trade in that's Apple. I need my phone and watch
Pro is what I want yet far out of my league unfortunately.

Eventually I'll get the 9.7" Pro (I prefer that over teh 120hz display on the 10.5" Pro I'll pass out literary). 2018 models if they get FaceID I'll be in the market for this fall. Until then it's iPad and a MacBook Air (as a desktop; backlight issue) until then.

Thanks everyone much appreciated.