iOS 26 is available on 8th gen and up iPads...Question regarding moving forward...

[Steve Adams]

I went on apples website and saw that the iOS 26 update was available for the 8th gen and new iPad. Am I correct to assume that the 8th gen will not get 27? I am asking this because I will have to get my son a new iPad after 27 since he's using the 9th gen.

 

[Gregg2]

Unknown. Official to date:

iPad models compatible with iPadOS 26

Find out which iPad models support iPadOS 26.4.

support.apple.com

But Art Intell says this:
The iPad 8th generation will not run iPadOS 27. Currently, the iPad 8th generation supports up to iPadOS 15, and it is unlikely to receive updates beyond that version. Apple typically provides support for devices for several years, but each model has a limited lifespan regarding the latest operating system updates

I'm not sure I trust it.

 

[Steve Adams]

Unknown. Official to date:

iPad models compatible with iPadOS 26

Find out which iPad models support iPadOS 26.4.

support.apple.com

But Art Intell says this:
The iPad 8th generation will not run iPadOS 27. Currently, the iPad 8th generation supports up to iPadOS 15, and it is unlikely to receive updates beyond that version. Apple typically provides support for devices for several years, but each model has a limited lifespan regarding the latest operating system updates

I'm not sure I trust it.

So i am figuring that his 9th gen will get 27 and that's it. and I am guessing my 10th gen will get 28 and then be done. I am using timeline logic with this one.

 

[BigBlur]

I am asking this because I will have to get my son a new iPad after 27 since he's using the 9th gen.

Why would you "have to"? There's no reason to upgrade the iPad just because it doesn't support the latest OS, unless you absolutely need the new features. It will still receive security updates for at least a few more years beyond that.

The 7th, 6th, 5th gens, and even the iPad Air 2 from 2014 all received updates for iOS 18, 17, 16, & 15 this past Monday, at the same time 26.5 was released.

 

[Steve Adams]

Why would you "have to"? There's no reason to upgrade the iPad just because it doesn't support the latest OS, unless you absolutely need the new features. It will still receive security updates for at least a few more years beyond that.

The 7th, 6th, 5th gens, and even the iPad Air 2 from 2014 all received updates for iOS 18, 17, 16, & 15 this past Monday, at the same time 26.5 was released.

Ok, I was under the understanding that once OS updates stop security updates stop too. Interesting.

What about macOS? Is it the same with that as well? I would buy a couple of intel macbooks just to see if we like MacOS and not blow a crapload of cash to find out we don't like the OS.

 

[BSDnostalgia]

Ok, I was under the understanding that once OS updates stop security updates stop too. Interesting.

This is tricky, it seems. The security updates usually keep going for a few more years, but the trick is that, for example, I'm supposed to upgrade iPad 9th gen 64GB to 26.5, but, update can't do it automagically because of the growth and obstinance of "System Data". (Two of these 9th gen in the household.) But, it seems, that 9th gen iPads running 18.7.8 are not getting the massive security fixes that are flowing out now. Automatic updates were working without manual intervention prior to 26.x Frustrating.

 

[Steve Adams]

This is tricky, it seems. The security updates usually keep going for a few more years, but the trick is that, for example, I'm supposed to upgrade iPad 9th gen 64GB to 26.5, but, update can't do it automagically because of the growth and obstinance of "System Data". (Two of these 9th gen in the household.) But, it seems, that 9th gen iPads running 18.7.8 are not getting the massive security fixes that are flowing out now. Automatic updates were working without manual intervention prior to 26.x Frustrating.

Yes, I just activated the 26.5 update on my son's 9th gen 256gb version. I will see how it goes.

 

[BigBlur]

Ok, I was under the understanding that once OS updates stop security updates stop too. Interesting.

What about macOS? Is it the same with that as well? I would buy a couple of intel macbooks just to see if we like MacOS and not blow a crapload of cash to find out we don't like the OS.

Same goes for macOS, but not as long as iOS/iPadOS versions. macOS 15 (Sequoia) and macOS 14 (Sonoma) are still supported. I'm guessing Apple will drop support for Sonoma once macOS 27 is released.

You can view all the updates that Apple have released here to get an idea of how long things are supported:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates for Apple software.

support.apple.com

As for getting a cheaper Mac, I'd recommend going with Apple Silicon for a better experience since Intel is on its way out. Look for an M1 Mac or newer, but also keep the relatively cheap cost of the Mac mini and MacBook Neo in mind. (ex. Don't spend $400 on a seven-year old Mac when a mini or Neo with the latest and greatest could be had for one or two hundred more.)

 

[BigBlur]

This is tricky, it seems. The security updates usually keep going for a few more years, but the trick is that, for example, I'm supposed to upgrade iPad 9th gen 64GB to 26.5, but, update can't do it automagically because of the growth and obstinance of "System Data". (Two of these 9th gen in the household.)

If you run out of space to do an OTA update, you have to offload apps or data, do the update and put them back. The other option is to connect to a computer and update that way.

But, it seems, that 9th gen iPads running 18.7.8 are not getting the massive security fixes that are flowing out now. Automatic updates were working without manual intervention prior to 26.x Frustrating.

Right. If the device supports a new major OS version, you have to update to that version to continue getting the security updates. The iOS 18 security updates are only for those that don't support iOS 26.

 

[BSDnostalgia]

If you run out of space to do an OTA update, you have to offload apps or data, do the update and put them back.

You have no mechanism to do the with "System Data", except to factory reset the iPad. I don't know how Apple let this get out of hand. Until 26.x, "It just works."

The other option is to connect to a computer and update that way.

I haven't updated an i-device using iTunes for 10 years. Does that still work?

Regardless, I've spent too many hours of my life on this 26.x upgrade. Apple is de-supporting the 64GB 9th gen, whether they are admitting it or not. "Death by 1000 cuts."

 

[winxmac]

iPad 6 [A10 Fusion]
last major update - iPadOS 17.x

iPad 7 [A10 Fusion]
last major update - iPadOS 18.x

iPad 8 [A12 Bionic]
last major update - iPadOS 27.x [?]

iPad 9 [A13 Bionic]
last major update - iPadOS 28.x [?]

My current Apple devices:
MacBook Pro 2015 - OCLP macOS 13.7.8 Ventura
iPad 6 - iPadOS 16.7
iPad 9 - iPadOS 18.7.8 [just upgraded from iPadOS 16.7]
iPhone 7 Plus - iOS 15.8
iPhone 11 Pro Max - iOS 18.7

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

So i am figuring that his 9th gen will get 27 and that's it. and I am guessing my 10th gen will get 28 and then be done. I am using timeline logic with this one.

Predictions can only go so far.
For example, the system requirements between iPadOS 13, 14 and 15 did not change.
I do think the iPad 10 will receive further security updates than 28 given that it was still being sold last year, but that’s unclear.
Either way, both the iPad 9 and 10 are very much safe this year, they were released in 2021 and 2022 respectively. I don’t think we are at the point where Apple is going to start cutting off devices from 2022 yet, that seems quite a way off still.
Consider the fact that the current version of iPadOS still supports the iPad Air and mini from 2019, and the Pro from 2018.
I wouldn’t rush to upgrade just yet.
There have been rumors floating around of an A19 based iPad 12 being released sometime within the next year, maybe around the time that releases would be a good time.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

What about macOS? Is it the same with that as well? I would buy a couple of intel macbooks just to see if we like MacOS and not blow a crapload of cash to find out we don't like the OS.

This is an absolutely horrible idea, the last five years of Intel Macs were all universally trash other than maybe the iMac.
Your best bet is to buy two Neos and either keep them if you like them or return them within the first 14 days.
Intel Macs after about 2016 are all universally hot, most of them have keyboards that are a speck of dust away from failing, have tons of missing benefits of current apple silicon Macs, and the majority of them can’t even run the latest update.
On top of that, they are not that much cheaper than an equivalent apple silicon Mac.
Also if you go for the Neo and find out that you absolutely hate the operating system, you can get all of your money back. Instead of buying a used Intel computer, where all of that money just gets shoveled right down the toilet if you don’t like it.

 

[BSDnostalgia]

So i am figuring that his 9th gen will get 27 and that's it. and I am guessing my 10th gen will get 28 and then be done. I am using timeline logic with this one.

Yes, I just activated the 26.5 update on my son's 9th gen 256gb version. I will see how it goes.

The 256GB version should update just fine. It is the 64 GB version that can't deal with the 26.x bloat. It just looks like they "forgot" that not everything has at least 128GB.

 

[BSDnostalgia]

Intel Macs after about 2016 are all universally hot

And PCs! At least, the PCs where they were trying to get graphics performance up. I'm not sure about the recent Intel-based systems. But, I will say this: Apple Silicon for laptops, the M1, the continuation of Mx, and now the Neo: brilliant moves by Apple to reset the standard for performance/heat-energy ratio.

 

[Steve Adams]

And PCs! At least, the PCs where they were trying to get graphics performance up. I'm not sure about the recent Intel-based systems. But, I will say this: Apple Silicon for laptops, the M1, the continuation of Mx, and now the Neo: brilliant moves by Apple to reset the standard for performance/heat-energy ratio.

Nah, not all pc's are hot. Mine is fine. Does not even get warm on the lap when I am editing video or photo. That's a load of malarkey. Some Pcs have poor thermals, but lots have just as good as anything else. Plus if you get a PC with a dedicated graphics card it's much more performant at graphics intensive workflows than a similar era M series.