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iPad Air Am I going to regret this?

S

Superman041

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 16, 2011
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I have access to education discount in the UK which ends on 21/10

Currently debating whether or not to get an iPad Air. The pro’s are too expensive and I won’t use all the features of it given I have a MBP

Inclusive of the Magic Keyboard (given the back to school promotion) and apple care it’ll be total £749

Is this worth it considering the recent iPad Pro update? I imagine all other versions will be cheaper so should I wait post promotion and forgo the keyboard discount?

I’m also debating between the base and iPad Air. Primarily use it for social media browsing, basic document editing etc but concerned if I get the base now it’ll not be futureproof

IMG_6331.png
 
It’s a good deal, i had an m1 pro that my wife uses so I’m very tempted to get pro for the screen but when you price up they are just bonkers expensive versus a laptop..

Think im going to get the air and magic keyboard
 
The next update to the iPad Air will probably only be an M4 chip, and could be a year away. You'd be saving £119, and do not have to wait.

The standard iPad with a keyboard would be £211 less. Personally, I think anti-reflective, lamination, P3 and M3 over A16 would be worth it, but if those features aren't for you, save even more.
 
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Yes - it’s a good deal. Air is the sweet spot, outside of a seldom picked up device, the lowest end model is no good, I’d nearly say no good for anyone into Apple enough to be on this forum.

The Pro is nearly double that, so don’t consider it unless you feel stronger that you might need or not be able to live without its improvements. The Pro is a lot of nice to have, not much need to have unlike the base to the Air decision.

The keyboard accessory is more relevant. They’re fairly balanced between the Pro and Air. The Pro one is mental on the palm rest and backlit, other than that, pretty much the same. Buy it with your iPad (and AppleCare with student discount) and the fragile expensive keyboard is also covered for damage and faults too. If you can, nip into Apple or Curry’s and look at all three side by side. The screens really do show their differences side by side and in a real world complicatedly-lit retail environment too, you’ll see the light reflections and know fairly quickly what your tolerance level is.

just be warned though… that tandem OLED on the iPad Pro is the equivalent of whatever the most damaging addictive drug is.. once you see it, your wallet will be expecting a right kick in the stomach…
 
Its a good deal. I was in the same boat a couple weeks ago. I only wanted an iPad and Pencil for a single 3D design app. Was tempted by the Pro to 'future proof' but in the end I just went with the Air and got the base model, with the Pencil for free.

It should do everything I need - when I do come to use it!! I set it all up, and its been sitting there since! Need to find some time and come up with some ideas to design and print!
 
I would get the Air over the base, but for what you intend to use it for, the Pro would be overkill. I run a management consultancy and use my M1 Pro 12.9” as a secondary device - when I’m visiting clients or decide to park in a cafe for an hour to do some work - so use it a fair bit for office productivity work. It’s way more than I need power-wise I’m sure, but it does the job and the screen size is great as an alternative to my 14” MBP. I’m sure the Air will more than meet your study needs and the Magic Keyboard is great.
 
I would get air too but if weight matters you might want to consider the air and an alternative keyboard. The Magic Keyboard and air combined weight is heavier than the base 13inch MacBook Air. I am also in the market for an iPad with a keyboard and for your use a pro would be too much of an expense in my opinion.
 
Basic75 said:
For a Facebook and Pages machine?
Click to expand...

For me, absolutely. I absolutely hate the look and feel of a non-laminated and reflective display for any task. (But then again, I bought an iPad Pro for light and infrequent consumption, pretty much only for the OLED display and better speakers, so I am probably the wrong person to ask.)
 
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