Anyone else loving the 2017 iPad 9.7?

[Ubele]

Almost every thread on this forum is devoted to the iPad Pro 12.9, 10.5. or 9.7, except for a few in which people wonder about the fate on the mini. I get it; the Pro is awesome, and I'd love to have one. For me, though, the price jump between the 2017 iPad 9.7 and any of the Pro models isn't worth it unless I also buy the Pencil and the ASK. That takes the price considerably higher. I have a 2015 MBP and a 2012 Mac mini, so I just couldn't justify spending the money on an iPad Pro. Pencil, and ASK. When Costco in the US put the 128 GB 2017 iPad 9.7 on sale this month for $60 less than Apple's price, it was too good to pass up, so I bought one for my wife and one for myself. It doesn't do anything my old iPad 4 didn't do -- it just does everything a whole lot faster. I'm really looking forward to iOS 11 to make it feel "new."

While I'd love to play around with the iOS version of Affinity Photo on an iPad Pro using the Pencil, there's nothing I can't do with Affinity Photo on my Mac. The new iPad 9.7 isn't sexy like the Pro, but it does everything I need an iPad to do -- and, at $359, it's a heck of a deal. If you have a need for an iPad Pro, or if you just want one, and you have the cash, then, by all means, get one. But if you're on the fence, and you're on a budget, and you don't need the features the Pro has to offer, then I wholeheartedly recommend the regular iPad 9.7. It's like wanting a Tesla S but only being able to afford a Honda Civic -- the Civic is still a fine car, and it will get you where you need to go.

 

[PBz]

The 9.7 is amazing. I think there are a few areas where the new iPads will shine like photo editing and import of RAW images. However, outside of some of these areas of use the iPad 9.7 is on-par IMO. I have both (selling 9.7) and the 9.7 is absolutely still very capable. Great device.

 

[akash.nu]

Yep I bought the iPad 2017 9.7 as well to be used for work and personal usage while i am out and about. I didn't want to carry my MacBook and so far I am loving it.

 

[sracer]

Almost every thread on this forum is devoted to the iPad Pro 12.9, 10.5. or 9.7, except for a few in which people wonder about the fate on the mini. I get it; the Pro is awesome, and I'd love to have one. For me, though, the price jump between the 2017 iPad 9.7 and any of the Pro models isn't worth it unless I also buy the Pencil and the ASK. That takes the price considerably higher. I have a 2015 MBP and a 2012 Mac mini, so I just couldn't justify spending the money on an iPad Pro. Pencil, and ASK. When Costco in the US put the 128 GB 2017 iPad 9.7 on sale this month for $60 less than Apple's price, it was too good to pass up, so I bought one for my wife and one for myself. It doesn't do anything my old iPad 4 didn't do -- it just does everything a whole lot faster. I'm really looking forward to iOS 11 to make it feel "new."

While I'd love to play around with the iOS version of Affinity Photo on an iPad Pro using the Pencil, there's nothing I can't do with Affinity Photo on my Mac. The new iPad 9.7 isn't sexy like the Pro, but it does everything I need an iPad to do -- and, at $359, it's a heck of a deal. If you have a need for an iPad Pro, or if you just want one, and you have the cash, then, by all means, get one. But if you're on the fence, and you're on a budget, and you don't need the features the Pro has to offer, then I wholeheartedly recommend the regular iPad 9.7. It's like wanting a Tesla S but only being able to afford a Honda Civic -- the Civic is still a fine car, and it will get you where you need to go.

Great observations. Yes, it is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of new models. Frankly, I've given (and continue to give) serious consideration to trading in my 1st gen 12.9 Pro for a 2017 9.7. As much as I use multiwindow and take full advantage of the larger screen, I still bump up against the limitations of iOS and iOS apps to the point where I'd rather tote my 11" MBA+9.7 iPad rather than the 12.9 Pro alone. The jury is still out though.

 

[Hubcapjw]

I got the 2017 9.7 for my mom for Mother's Day. She came from an iPad 2. She absolutely loves it and uses it all the time. I have the 2017 12.9 pro. It's a big difference for me but she can't tell the difference. It's a very capable little machine. I played around with it when she first received it and I liked it. Anyone on the fence about getting don't be it's a great buy. I have the LTE version so it was a bit more money but I'd say go for it.

 

[Act3]

I traded out 16 gig Air 2 in for a 32 gig 2017 model. We still have a 64 gig Air 2 that I use. My wife uses the 2017 model. I prefer the air 2 screen over the 2017 and it is a little thinner. However minor performance improvements can be noticeable with the 2017.

 

[Act3]

Great observations. Yes, it is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of new models. Frankly, I've given (and continue to give) serious consideration to trading in my 1st gen 12.9 Pro for a 2017 9.7. As much as I use multiwindow and take full advantage of the larger screen, I still bump up against the limitations of iOS and iOS apps to the point where I'd rather tote my 11" MBA+9.7 iPad rather than the 12.9 Pro alone. The jury is still out though.

95% of real work I will go straight to desktop or laptop to do. iPad is 95% consumption for me. I agree, the new models are great but even at 120 hz , they are still iPads especially if no use for the pencil. lol

Since most of my use is consumption, if anything I might look to get me a 9.7 pro model on a steep discount just to have the 4 speakers.

 

[rui no onna]

I got my dad the 2017 iPad 9.7 to replace the iPad 3 and he loves it. I borrow it sometimes to test performance and it's absolutely great. No slowness compared to the A10X or A9X iPads.

My only regret is getting him the wifi-only version because I figured he was at home all the time anyway. My parents will be traveling overseas next year and the LTE model would've served him better.

 

[lookn4wifi]

I picked up an iPad 2017 for my wife as her iPad 2 was rather long in the tooth. Pretty snappy and the display looks great IMO.

 

[44267547]

The 9.7 is amazing. I think there are a few areas where the new iPads will shine like photo editing and import of RAW images. However, outside of some of these areas of use the iPad 9.7 is on-par IMO. I have both (selling 9.7) and the 9.7 is absolutely still very capable. Great device.

I think for the price point of $329 and in terms of what you're getting with this new iPad with the exception of the laminate display, its hard to be beat. It has excellent battery life, Is plenty fast with the A9 and it's affordable.

 

[Reno Raines]

I traded out 16 gig Air 2 in for a 32 gig 2017 model. We still have a 64 gig Air 2 that I use. My wife uses the 2017 model. I prefer the air 2 screen over the 2017 and it is a little thinner. However minor performance improvements can be noticeable with the 2017.

I did the same thing with switching my air 2 16gb for an iPad 2017 32gb. I love it and use it daily. For a basic tablet it is well worth the money and has great functionality.

 

[raymanster]

Agreed, we bought our son one last week for his birthday, 128GB Wifi silver to replace his hand me down Mini 1. It is speedy and does the job. I think the screen looks great and I don't notice the supposed increased reflectivity. Side by side with my Air 2, the bezels are more noticeable, but only if you look for them.

Like others I have a few desktops for heavy lifting and use the iPad mainly for consumption, so can't really justify or budget for an iPad Pro. So when the Air2 comes up for replacement in a year or two I will probably go for a non-Pro model.

 

[Precursor]

Great observations. Yes, it is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of new models. Frankly, I've given (and continue to give) serious consideration to trading in my 1st gen 12.9 Pro for a 2017 9.7. As much as I use multiwindow and take full advantage of the larger screen, I still bump up against the limitations of iOS and iOS apps to the point where I'd rather tote my 11" MBA+9.7 iPad rather than the 12.9 Pro alone. The jury is still out though.

Blasphemy!

 

[Ubele]

Glad to see that there are other people who appreciate the virtues of the iPad 9.7. I have a history of buying the latest tech just because it's shiny and new, and then not making use of the features I paid all that extra money for. (I cringe when I think of all the money I spent during the 1980s and 1990s on synthesizers, reverb units, multi-track tape decks, and so on that I used only slightly before selling them at a loss and buying newer models.) The techno-geek in me has wondered whether I could use an iPad Pro, Pencil, and ASK as my only computer, in which case, I could sell my Macs, but then common sense kicks in, and I ask myself, "Why would I want to do that, when my Macs work just fine for what I do?" Partly, it's an intellectual exercise, but partly, there is a certain appeal to the idea of having one device that does everything. Maybe in a few years. For now, though, I do most of my "real work" on my Macs, and my iPad is primarily for consumption.

 

[Centris 650]

We bought 2 for my high school kids to use to take notes, log into their school's app, email professors/teachers, etc. Combined with a keyboard case it's a cheap laptop solution that meets all of their needs. It's a great iPad and I miss using that size (I have a first gen 12.9) as it's super portable.

 

[Beachguy]

I have one as well, and am in love. Yes, I would have loved to grab a 10.5, but I simply could not justify the extra cost to my wife. The Pros offered nothing I had any real use for. Yes, they're nicer, but the extras just wouldn't figure into my world. Mine is the 128G version, wifi only.

 

[Broadus]

Comparing the same book in iBooks in both the Pro 10.5 and and iPad 2017, the fonts appeared more sharp and crisp in the cheaper iPad. That makes for less eyestrain when I'm reading.

 

[dogslobber]

If you compare an Air 2's thinness the thickness of the 2017 iPad then it's quite stark that the 2017 model is a poor replacement.

 

[Mackinjosh]

If you compare an Air 2's thinness the thickness of the 2017 iPad then it's quite stark that the 2017 model is a poor replacement.

It's slightly thicker. And in a case, it's hardly noticeable at all. What is noticeable, however, is that the new iPad performs better than the Air 2, isn't a fingerprint magnet like the Air 2, has a much much brighter screen, and much better battery life.

I bought the 10.5 and the 2017 and ended up returning the 10.5. It's better than the 2017 but it isn't remotely close to being 300+ dollars better.

 

[44267547]

It's slightly thicker. And in a case, it's hardly noticeable at all. What is noticeable, however, is that the new iPad performs better than the Air 2, isn't a fingerprint magnet like the Air 2, has a much much brighter screen, and much better battery life.

I bought the 10.5 and the 2017 and ended up returning the 10.5. It's better than the 2017 but it isn't remotely close to being 300+ dollars better.

I like your analysis here. I think it really comes down to is which iPad suits somebody more specifically. In your case, you tried the 10.5 iPad Pro, realized that the 2017 9.7 iPad was more suited for you.

But I agree the 2017 9.7 iPads strongest attributes are the battery life and brighter display.

 

[Broadus]

It's slightly thicker. And in a case, it's hardly noticeable at all. What is noticeable, however, is that the new iPad performs better than the Air 2, isn't a fingerprint magnet like the Air 2, has a much much brighter screen, and much better battery life.

I bought the 10.5 and the 2017 and ended up returning the 10.5. It's better than the 2017 but it isn't remotely close to being 300+ dollars better.

Good for you in making the better decision for yourself.

Just curious: In what ways was the 10.5 better than the 2017 from your perspective, and in what ways was the 2017 better than the 10.5? For instance, when I compared the same iBook in both a 2017 and a 10.5, I was surprised to see the fonts cleaner and sharper than in the 10.5.

 

[Act3]

bought the 10.5 and the 2017 and ended up returning the 10.5. It's better than the 2017 but it isn't remotely close to being 300+ dollars better.

Agreed, I did similar thing. I tried the 10.5 first and returned it for the 9.7, sure it is nicer but not $300 nicer if no need for a pencil.

I most likely am returning the 9.7 though and going with a 9.7 pro, not for the pencil but the laminated screen and extra speakers. I am able to order a 9.7 pro for $388 delivered (navy exchange now allowing vets to shop online starting 11/11 but I got invited to beta test early). Close to the deal BB had a couple weekends ago.

 

[sracer]

It's slightly thicker. And in a case, it's hardly noticeable at all. What is noticeable, however, is that the new iPad performs better than the Air 2, isn't a fingerprint magnet like the Air 2, has a much much brighter screen, and much better battery life.

I bought the 10.5 and the 2017 and ended up returning the 10.5. It's better than the 2017 but it isn't remotely close to being 300+ dollars better.

I regret that I have but one "thumbs up" to give to this post. You nailed it. My resolve is weakening... should the 2017 iPad go on sale again, I don't know if I could resist.

 

[dogslobber]

2017 iPad is thick and heavy where as the Air 2 is sleek and light-weight. Still if folks are happy carrying around a brick then fine by me.

 

[Beelzbub]

I like the 2017 iPad, picked up a 32 GB cellular, replacing my 128 GB mini 3, which is now my daughters. I barely touched the 128 GB of space my old one had as I am only using about 10 GB. For what I do, it is great. I am a Windows guy (sorry), so for any heavy lifting, I use my Surface Pro 4, core i7 model with 16 GB of RAM (use it as a laptop out and about and a desktop while in the office docked). With my iPad I mostly surf the web, listen to podcasts in the office, stream my audio, VPN and use Remote Desktop as needed. I also use it as a second monitor for my Surface Pro 4 when needed with the duet app, works great being able to extend my desktop when using my SP4 as a laptop. I thought about picking up an iPad Pro, but for what I do, which is basic stuff, I really saw no need. And this iPad has been great. I even use it outside as a TV when I am grilling, open up the DirecTV app and I have access to all my channels and stuff on the DVR. Should be nice this fall when I am grilling in the middle of a football game

No regrets with this iPad, pretty solid and performs good.