All iPads First iPad ever for studies & research.

[Leffe]

Hey,

I am currently using a 2-in-1 PC laptop for taking notes, solving problems and doing research at uni.

But I am considering moving over to an iPad for a better workflow in terms of using it as a digital notepad. I will still use a normal laptop for heavier work.

Which one would do for my uses? I will use it every day to take notes and solve problems with split screen having one window for the PDF of the textbook and the other for Goodnotes or the like. There will be a lot of screen time and lots of surfing the web doing research on several subjects so split screen will probably be used more or less all the time. Even when I take notes during lectures with the professors PDF on half the screen and the other for jotting down notes.

I have been eyeing the new 10.2" because of it's price - around $380 in my country.
Also the Pro 10.5" and the Air 3 - both of which costs about $570, but I am a bit concerned in regards to the white spot issue.
And last but not least the 2017 12.9" Pro - around $618, but then again the reports of the intermittent touch screen issues is causing some concern.

The 2018 Pro models is more or less out of the question because of the price landing at $860 for the 11" and $1070 for the 12.9".


Which one do you guys recommend? Only the 10.2" & Air 3 can be bought directly from Apple, whereas i have to buy the older models new from eBay with whatever warranty they come with.


Thanks, Leffe

 

[ericwn]

The entry level iPad might be fully sufficient for these tasks. Maybe buy from a place with a good return policy and give it a shot.

 

[Leffe]

The entry level iPad might be fully sufficient for these tasks. Maybe buy from a place with a good return policy and give it a shot.

That's my thought as well - the one caveat being; is the screen large enough?
I am not really comfortable with bringing home a product with the ulterior motive of returning it.

 

[ericwn]

The idea is not to buy to return but to give you two weeks to try it out before making that call. Sufficiently bigger is only the 12.9 in my opinion.
Essentially they are all good at this stage, get the screen size that works best for you.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Also the Pro 10.5" and the Air 3 - both of which costs about $570, but I am a bit concerned in regards to the white spot issue.

If you're buying the iPad Air 3, don't be concerned about the white spot issue.

 

[Leffe]

If you're buying the iPad Air 3, don't be concerned about the white spot issue.

Hard to not be concerned when people experience the same issue as the Pro 10.5.

There also seems to be spotlighting problem on the 2nd gen 12.9" beyond the touch issue, yikes.

 

[RevTEG]

12.9 fits my research and teaching needs perfectly. Don’t get me wrong, I like the other sizes too. The 12.9 fits my needs best. The 12.9 in landscape is the perfect size (for me) for running apps side by side while doing research and taking notes.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hard to not be concerned when people experience the same issue as the Pro 10.5.

There also seems to be spotlighting problem on the 2nd gen 12.9" beyond the touch issue, yikes.

Compared to the hundreds of thousands that are out in the wild? Again, you shouldn't be concerned.

 

[Ghost31]

you don’t sound insanely picky so i think just go with the base model cheapest one and try it out for a bit and see how it works for ya. I would say ideally if you’ll be writing and split screening a lot, people tend to go for the bigger monster of a tablet the 12.9, but if you really just want to write some notes and not break the bank, the cheapest would be just fine. Might be a halo effect for ya. You’ll see how much you love the cheap one and wanna go big next time

 

[Leffe]

you don’t sound insanely picky so i think just go with the base model cheapest one and try it out for a bit and see how it works for ya. I would say ideally if you’ll be writing and split screening a lot, people tend to go for the bigger monster of a tablet the 12.9, but if you really just want to write some notes and not break the bank, the cheapest would be just fine. Might be a halo effect for ya. You’ll see how much you love the cheap one and wanna go big next time

I did test them all out in store, and I can understand why people go with the 12.9" - especially with split screen in mind. I think I'm just going to go all out and 'invest' in an 2018 12.9". Coming from an 13.3" 2-in-1 laptop I cannot see myself going to 10-11" and be happy about it. My work flow would deteriorate too much considering my needs of multitasking.

Thank you all for your inputs!

 

[ericwn]

Compared to the hundreds of thousands that are out in the wild? Again, you shouldn't be concerned.

Oh so you have verified information about how many are affected? Please share.
I hope it’s not just guesswork. There has been tons of reports on this board so it’s unlikely to be a small issue.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Oh so you have verified information about how many are affected? Please share.
I hope it’s not just guesswork. There has been tons of reports on this board so it’s unlikely to be a small issue.

Assuming that almost all 2nd generation iPad Pro's have the white spot issue is purely guessing.

 

[ericwn]

Assuming that almost all 2nd generation iPad Pro's have the white spot issue is purely guessing.

I’m not assuming that at all.
I am however respectfully looking at how often this was brought up on this board and would guesstimate that it’s among the more common topics.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am however respectfully looking at how often this was brought up on this board and would guesstimate that it’s among the more common topics.

Yeah, I can't deny that.

 

[Brammy]

I think the 10.5" Air with the Pencil and a Smart Keyboard is a very compelling mobile writing and note-taking platform. You can kit the whole thing out for under a grand (or close to), whereas the price of just the Pro is a grand.

I have a 12.9" first gen Pro, and I think my replacement for that will be a 10.5 + ASK (I already have two pencils).

 

[Ungibbed]

The entry level iPad might be fully sufficient for these tasks. Maybe buy from a place with a good return policy and give it a shot.

Bought my 12.9 (2017) from Amazon. If it’s a refurb, they do have a warranty and good return policy. I wouldn’t risk eBay.

 

[Brammy]

I also feel Apple has come a long way to making all of the iPads more appealing for doing work stuff on. The pencil and the smart keyboard used to be just Pro devices, but now all can use the Pencil, and everything but the Mini can use an ASK.