iPad Care to help me choose a smaller iPad?

[pullman]

I've never owned an iPad because I simply prefer to use notebooks. But it seems I now need one because certain magazines that I subscribe to don't have a functioning online presentation.

I find the iPad models really bewildering, but have decided that I don't want a very large one, preferably one with smaller than 10,5 inch screen, but preferably around 8". From what I understand that means either an Air or a Mini or possibly the first version of the Pro.

Over at Lifewire there's an article from Sept 2020 which seems to say that all iPad Pro models are still great choices, being "wicked fast". Is that still true for the first Pro model that had a smaller screen?

But I'm not sure I understand the Pro moniker and how such iPads differ from 'ordinary' Mini and Air models.

For instance, are Pro models expected to have longer lifespan in terms of future OS versions (maybe they are more powerful)? This won't be my main device but it would be nice if I'd be able to use it for 2-3 years. If a smaller Air or Mini of the same age as the first Pro will have similar longevity then I'd prefer the smaller screen.

As you can see, lots of confusion here, so thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Philip

 

[StralyanPithecus]

For magazines, I recommend a minimum of 10.5 inch ipad, unless you enjoy zooming all the time, if the magazine app allows you, or reading really small fonts. A regular iPad will be fine for just reading. I can't recommend the mini for magazines or pdf reading, but yes for casual ebooks reading.

 

[Phil77354]

If the only reason for you to purchase an iPad is to view magazines, I don't know why you would be considering more expensive models such as the Air or Pro. the standard iPad is a great device and considerably less expensive. It also is a more logical first iPad for someone who hasn't used these devices previously.

Apple is expected to introduce a new model of the basic iPad in just a few days, as well as a new mini. If you think that the mini screen would be large enough then it is also a great device. I used a second-generation mini as my main device for several years before shifting the larger models.

I say this as an owner and daily user of an 11" iPad Pro, which is a terrific device. But you can practically get two standard iPads for the price of a single 11" Pro.

 

[rui no onna]

For letter/A4-sized fixed layout magazines, I actually found the 10-11" iPads too small for viewing the full page comfortably (fonts too small). It required frequent panning and zooming to read content. Might be fine for someone with better eyesight than me.

As for older Pros being wicked fast, I have the iPad Pro 9.7 and honestly, the RAM's way too limited. To me, it feels like it lags a lot.

The current iPad mini 5 and iPad 8th gen (probably to be replaced by 9th gen soon) are faster than the Pro 9.7.

 

[rui no onna]

I say this as an owner and daily user of an 11" iPad Pro, which is a terrific device. But you can practically get two standard iPads for the price of a single 11" Pro.

No practically about it. You can get two base iPads for $658 and still have change left over versus $749-799 for the current gen Pro 11.

I reckon SFH/WFH pretty much killed the deals on the basic iPads but used to be, you can regularly find those on sale for $230-250 so that's 3 basic iPads for one Pro.

 

[bodonnell202]

Depending on whether you want to go bigger or smaller I would suggest either the base iPad or the iPad Mini. Both are set to be updated soon so don't buy the current generation unless it's at a good sale price.

 

[pullman]

Thank you very much for your replies.

@StralyanPithecus This is exactly what I was hoping to get, practical suggestions. I hadn't thought of zooming. The problem is that I don't know how the magazine app works on the iPad as I've never seen it. In some way I don't mind zooming. I've in the past used my iPhone X to read articles by zooming in on them and that has worked well. It's of course not the same as reading a magazine, which is what an iPad seeks to emulate.

For magazines, I recommend a minimum of 10.5 inch ipad, unless you enjoy zooming all the time, if the magazine app allows you, or reading really small fonts. A regular iPad will be fine for just reading. I can't recommend the mini for magazines or pdf reading, but yes for casual ebooks reading.

@Phil77354 This is great to know. I fell victim of marketing speak possibly lol. I would ideally prefer not to buy new if I can avoid it. I'm in Europe so the new iPads cost a lot more it seems to me. And I sort of like to buy used tech to recycle it. Rebuy is a great place for that.

I think I will need to visit an Apple store to see if they can demo the various screen sizes for me with some magazine app. I guess it's the best way to check if zooming would be annoying.

If the only reason for you to purchase an iPad is to view magazines, I don't know why you would be considering more expensive models such as the Air or Pro. the standard iPad is a great device and considerably less expensive. It also is a more logical first iPad for someone who hasn't used these devices previously.

Apple is expected to introduce a new model of the basic iPad in just a few days, as well as a new mini. If you think that the mini screen would be large enough then it is also a great device. I used a second-generation mini as my main device for several years before shifting the larger models.

I say this as an owner and daily user of an 11" iPad Pro, which is a terrific device. But you can practically get two standard iPads for the price of a single 11" Pro.

@rui no onna My eyes are getting there too, haha. I need longer arms it seems. Thanks for the info on the 9,7 Pro. This is very helpful. I think that will not be an option then.

For letter/A4-sized fixed layout magazines, I actually found the 10-11" iPads too small for viewing the full page comfortably (fonts too small). It required frequent panning and zooming to read content. Might be fine for someone with better eyesight than me.

As for older Pros being wicked fast, I have the iPad Pro 9.7 and honestly, the RAM's way too limited. To me, it feels like it lags a lot.

The current iPad mini 5 and iPad 8th gen (probably to be replaced by 9th gen soon) are faster than the Pro 9.7.

Thank you for the suggestions. Even though my first instinct is to go for a used model I will keep my eyes peeled for what Apple will present.

Depending on whether you want to go bigger or smaller I would suggest either the base iPad or the iPad Mini. Both are set to be updated soon so don't buy the current generation unless it's at a good sale price.

 

[Phil77354]

. . . I think I will need to visit an Apple store to see if they can demo the various screen sizes for me with some magazine app. I guess it's the best way to check if zooming would be annoying. . .

Great plan and it is what I was about to suggest. I don't use my iPad for magazine reading myself, so I can't speak to how it will work for you. Always best to try it for yourself and if you have an Apple store that is convenient, they will have lots of good advice for you. Good luck!

 

[wilberforce]

Magazines are basically obsolete (like newspapers), just that some of them haven't realized it yet.
They need to reformat themselves for mobile device consumption.

I know this is not a very helpful comment, but I especially hate those digital magazines that fake like they have pages that turn, with fake page-turning noises.

 

[pullman]

No worries, I don't mind your comment at all. In fact I agree to a certain extent. It's a lot a matter of preference. I've in the past enjoyed reading from for instance issuu.com and think it's an acceptable experience provided one accepts the constraints.

I've seen lots of really poorly implemented digital magazine solutions. In fact surprises me that nobody has created a simple, no-frills solution that doesn't get in the way of reading digitally.

What I personally dislike is that some magazines seem to abdicate the magazine format in favour of what's essentially a blog. This applies to one of my favourite magazines, the British Journal of Photography.

They've completely given up on the online presentation by turning the magazine to a never-ending flow of bite-sized stories. It's the same on the phone, though there I can accept that they reformat the content that way.

But online it ought to be possible to create a reading experience that works. Or if nothing else, just provide a PDF of each monthly issue. That's a no-brainer. I would personally not mind this at all because, after all, that's the layout I happily read when I get the paper edition.

So this is the main reason I would need an iPad.

Magazines are basically obsolete (like newspapers), just that some of them haven't realized it yet.
They need to reformat themselves for mobile device consumption.

I know this is not a very helpful comment, but I especially hate those digital magazines that fake like they have pages that turn, with fake page-turning noises.

 

[WorldIRC]

Have you checked out PressReader? Thousands of global publications including papers and magazines and you may get it for free through your local library. Everything is optimized for all iOS devices.

 

[pullman]

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I didn't know of PressReader. I'll check it out.

Have you checked out PressReader? Thousands of global publications including papers and magazines and you may get it for free through your local library. Everything is optimized for all iOS devices.

 

[Nhwhazup]

I love the size of the 11 inch iPad. I upgraded this year from the original iPad Pro 9.7. That iPad is still going strong with my granddaughter after 5 years.

 

[WorldIRC]

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I didn't know of PressReader. I'll check it out.

Let me know what you think. They’re Canadian, so a bit of pride over here

 

[Shanghaichica]

I have an iPad mini 5 and iPad Pro 11 inch. I find the mini to be a nice size for reading magazines. There isn’t too much zooming. The mini is easier to hold than my 11 inch pro. However if I’m sat down on couch or at the table the 11 inch pro is a more immersive.