After using a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 as my primary tablet for the past 2 years, I’m back to a full-size iPad. During that time I used my iPad Mini 5 as an e-reader and digital notebook. (The 3 years in the thread title refers to the 6th gen iPad that was my last full-size iPad)
Why now?
For many reasons, I’m a big fan of the “classic” iPad form-factor. The little-birdie that I rely on for Apple tech, lead me to believe that the 9th gen iPad would be the last iPad to sport the “classic” form-factor.
Given the chronic short supply (in my local area) of base iPads, I knew should Apple announce a 10th gen base model that used the Air form-factor, that the 9th gen would disappear forever locally.
I’ve never regretting a device “too early” but there have been plenty of occasions where I regretted one “too late”. So I thought better too early... 64GB in Space Gray.
My Samsung Tab S6 Experience was great but...
...the 16:10 aspect ratio continues to feel awkward to me for a tablet. It was fine when using the bookcover keyboard, but as a hand-held tablet and writing with the S-Pen, it felt too tall and too narrow in portrait mode. Reading scans of vintage magazines and catalogs was awkward because of the aspect ratio.
...the cover and keyboard options were too limited. When I bought the Tab S6, I also purchased the OEM bookcover ($15) and bookcover keyboard ($45). The bookcover is a folio, which I usually don’t care for, but because the S-Pen attaches to the back, the folio protected and secured the S-Pen. That was an acceptable compromise.
The bookcover keyboard initially showed a lot of promise. But the design flaw for how it attached to the back of the tablet made it a near-permanent option. I managed to gently modify it so that I could attach and remove it at will and be confident that when attached, it was firmly attached.
But the bookcover keyboard added significant bulk and weight to the tablet. But that was really the only viable option for keyboard case. (3rd party alternatives were far worse... and neither Zagg nor Logitech produced one for it)
...Pen-optimized apps are still lacking. I had become spoiled by the quantity of quality pen-optimized apps on iOS/iPad OS. There’s nothing quite like GoodNotes and Notability on Android. Sure, Squid and Xodo do the best they can, but they’re not in the same league.
Things I’ll miss by returning to the iPad...
Great things about returning to the iPad...
..the 4:3 Aspect Ratio. Try as I might to get accustomed to 16:10 and 16:9 devices, 4:3 is it for me. I don’t watch a lot of videos on my portable devices, but when I do, they’re usually in Academy Ratio (near identical to 4:3). The more modern stuff is usually wider than 16:9 so letterbox or pillarbox bars are almost always present on those wider aspect ratio devices.
...smartcovers and smart keyboard covers! For me, the tablet user experience can be made or broken by the covers and cases available. I’m careful with my devices so I don’t need anywhere near Otterbox-level protection. The thinnest and lightest possible are my requirements.
I just need a clear skin on the back to protect against scratches and improve grip a little and something thin and light to cover the screen. Smartcovers are terrific. And because the 9th gen uses the same smartcovers as the 7th and 8th gen iPads, prices for new OEM Apple smartcovers are dirt cheap. I’ve picked up a few in different colors for $10 each new.
I’ve been a big fan of the smart keyboard cover ever since I first owned one for my 12.9 iPad Pro so many years ago. The smart keyboard cover for the 9th gen just arrived this morning and wow... I had forgotten just how much I love this keyboard. For portability and convenience it can’t be beat... basically it’s a smartcover with Logitech keys-to-go keyboard with more pronounced keys. Super thin and light.
...Pen-optimized apps. It’s great to be back using GoodNotes and PDF Expert. Apple Notes was a pleasant surprise in how much it had been updated. Although I have been using my Mini 5 (with Apple Pencil and 3rd party active pens that don’t require syncing), I stopped using Notes since my primary tablet was Android.
...iPad OS 15. The advancements made with widgets and multitasking help make the transition back to iPad OS easier. These few little enhancements help personalize it a bit more. Obviously nowhere near the level of Android, but enough to improve the experience.
...the iPad hardware. I know that it still has a non-laminated screen, but when I compare the 9th gen to the 6th gen (which I still have), it seems like the air gap is less on the 9th gen. The screen looks great. Performance is great. Ever since the release of the 6th gen base iPad I have maintained that it is the tech bargain of all of Apple’s devices. The 9th gen proves that even more IMO.
...more to explore! I love to tinker and I’m looking forward to discovering new things about using the 9th gen iPad with iPad OS 15.
Here's the clear skin of the "Jupiter 2" (I theme all of my devices so that I can tell them apart) 😂
Here it is with the smart keyboard cover and lockscreen....
...and finally the homescreen. I have a lot more customization I need to do.
Why now?
For many reasons, I’m a big fan of the “classic” iPad form-factor. The little-birdie that I rely on for Apple tech, lead me to believe that the 9th gen iPad would be the last iPad to sport the “classic” form-factor.
Given the chronic short supply (in my local area) of base iPads, I knew should Apple announce a 10th gen base model that used the Air form-factor, that the 9th gen would disappear forever locally.
I’ve never regretting a device “too early” but there have been plenty of occasions where I regretted one “too late”. So I thought better too early... 64GB in Space Gray.
My Samsung Tab S6 Experience was great but...
...the 16:10 aspect ratio continues to feel awkward to me for a tablet. It was fine when using the bookcover keyboard, but as a hand-held tablet and writing with the S-Pen, it felt too tall and too narrow in portrait mode. Reading scans of vintage magazines and catalogs was awkward because of the aspect ratio.
...the cover and keyboard options were too limited. When I bought the Tab S6, I also purchased the OEM bookcover ($15) and bookcover keyboard ($45). The bookcover is a folio, which I usually don’t care for, but because the S-Pen attaches to the back, the folio protected and secured the S-Pen. That was an acceptable compromise.
The bookcover keyboard initially showed a lot of promise. But the design flaw for how it attached to the back of the tablet made it a near-permanent option. I managed to gently modify it so that I could attach and remove it at will and be confident that when attached, it was firmly attached.
But the bookcover keyboard added significant bulk and weight to the tablet. But that was really the only viable option for keyboard case. (3rd party alternatives were far worse... and neither Zagg nor Logitech produced one for it)
...Pen-optimized apps are still lacking. I had become spoiled by the quantity of quality pen-optimized apps on iOS/iPad OS. There’s nothing quite like GoodNotes and Notability on Android. Sure, Squid and Xodo do the best they can, but they’re not in the same league.
Things I’ll miss by returning to the iPad...
- DeX (a desktop experience on Android is quite excellent)
- True dual display support. Having such a small device be able to drive a 2nd display at full native resolution and a true 2nd display (not a mirror of the primary display) is more useful than I realized.
- A fully accessible system-wide filesystem. The ability to directly interact with files with multiple apps allowed me to have workflows that offered a more streamlined user experience.
- Full support for USB peripherals. Although the need for this has waned over time, it is still very useful. Things like being able to use my wireless presentation remote control (USB dongle) to control PowerPoint or Slides while displaying the presentation on the 2nd display is something that I’ll definitely miss.
- Micro SD card support. It was terrific to be able to swap cards at will. Being able to swap in the card from my DJI Osmo Action to view and edit files was very handy.
Great things about returning to the iPad...
..the 4:3 Aspect Ratio. Try as I might to get accustomed to 16:10 and 16:9 devices, 4:3 is it for me. I don’t watch a lot of videos on my portable devices, but when I do, they’re usually in Academy Ratio (near identical to 4:3). The more modern stuff is usually wider than 16:9 so letterbox or pillarbox bars are almost always present on those wider aspect ratio devices.
...smartcovers and smart keyboard covers! For me, the tablet user experience can be made or broken by the covers and cases available. I’m careful with my devices so I don’t need anywhere near Otterbox-level protection. The thinnest and lightest possible are my requirements.
I just need a clear skin on the back to protect against scratches and improve grip a little and something thin and light to cover the screen. Smartcovers are terrific. And because the 9th gen uses the same smartcovers as the 7th and 8th gen iPads, prices for new OEM Apple smartcovers are dirt cheap. I’ve picked up a few in different colors for $10 each new.
I’ve been a big fan of the smart keyboard cover ever since I first owned one for my 12.9 iPad Pro so many years ago. The smart keyboard cover for the 9th gen just arrived this morning and wow... I had forgotten just how much I love this keyboard. For portability and convenience it can’t be beat... basically it’s a smartcover with Logitech keys-to-go keyboard with more pronounced keys. Super thin and light.
...Pen-optimized apps. It’s great to be back using GoodNotes and PDF Expert. Apple Notes was a pleasant surprise in how much it had been updated. Although I have been using my Mini 5 (with Apple Pencil and 3rd party active pens that don’t require syncing), I stopped using Notes since my primary tablet was Android.
...iPad OS 15. The advancements made with widgets and multitasking help make the transition back to iPad OS easier. These few little enhancements help personalize it a bit more. Obviously nowhere near the level of Android, but enough to improve the experience.
...the iPad hardware. I know that it still has a non-laminated screen, but when I compare the 9th gen to the 6th gen (which I still have), it seems like the air gap is less on the 9th gen. The screen looks great. Performance is great. Ever since the release of the 6th gen base iPad I have maintained that it is the tech bargain of all of Apple’s devices. The 9th gen proves that even more IMO.
...more to explore! I love to tinker and I’m looking forward to discovering new things about using the 9th gen iPad with iPad OS 15.
Here's the clear skin of the "Jupiter 2" (I theme all of my devices so that I can tell them apart) 😂
Here it is with the smart keyboard cover and lockscreen....
...and finally the homescreen. I have a lot more customization I need to do.
