All iPads iPad Air 2020 vs Waiting

[HardstylePanda]

Didn't want to hijack someone elses thread so starting a new one

I'm looking into an iPad air (256gb wifi only) as something to take notes on , sketch, and media consumption (netflix, youtube , prime video)

Just reading these forums i've seen rumours of a new ipad pro range soon ,

Would it be worth waiting till these arrive and trying to snap up a last-gen pro at a discount , or would the air be better? My only thoughts are i might be able to pick up a 12.9 size instead of a 10.9 / 11 for similar prices once new models arrive.

Also , Which has the better aspect-ration for media consumption? I know youtube generally fits most screens, but thinking of netflix, would 10.9 / 11 / 12.9 be the best? Interested to hear from anyone thats tried different sizes for netflix/prime video

Thanks

 

[Mannaerts]

For what you want to do i wouldn't wait, you can even do that on a normal iPad actually

 

[AutomaticApple]

Didn't want to hijack someone elses thread so starting a new one

I'm looking into an iPad air (256gb wifi only) as something to take notes on , sketch, and media consumption (netflix, youtube , prime video)

Just reading these forums i've seen rumours of a new ipad pro range soon ,

Would it be worth waiting till these arrive and trying to snap up a last-gen pro at a discount , or would the air be better? My only thoughts are i might be able to pick up a 12.9 size instead of a 10.9 / 11 for similar prices once new models arrive.

Also , Which has the better aspect-ration for media consumption? I know youtube generally fits most screens, but thinking of netflix, would 10.9 / 11 / 12.9 be the best? Interested to hear from anyone thats tried different sizes for netflix/prime video

Thanks

Feel free to get the iPad Air 4 right now. It can easily do all of the tasks that you mentioned.

 

[dantracht]

I just sold my 2019 air and picked up a 2020 air. From what you describe, it would more than serve that purpose.

 

[kave]

If you dont want as thin as possible the normal iPad will do just fine for that.
I find the Air not very much worth the money, for just 49$ more and if you can do with 128GB the Pro is so much better. Better display, better sound, face id.

 

[ericwn]

I also think that an Air fits your use case well, even the basic iPad can do all these tasks.

You will have black bars when watching movies and diy content like YouTube on all iPads.

 

[Nebulance]

I just ordered the iPad Air w/ 256 GB Wi-Fi only a few days ago, with pretty much the same use cases as you stated; it looks like a fine choice given the A14 chip; indeed, new Pro models coming soon, but I figure for what I need it for, it'll be plenty good.

 

[Sensamic]

Im waiting to grab a Pro at a discount when new one is announced. By then itll be cheaper than Air 4. I mean Pro 128GB WIFI 11 inch model.

 

[Tsepz]

I wonder if the 2021 iPad Air will have a ProMotion display.

 

[KittyKatta]

I wonder if the 2021 iPad Air will have a ProMotion display.

My guess is that there wont be a 2021 iPad Air.

Apple is all about creating artificial product differentiators, and since the 2021 Pro rumors seem to just be yet another hardware (and price) bump then I doubt they’re going to put any effort into improving the Air.

 

[spiderman0616]

In your situation, I would just grab the Air. It's got a screamer of a processor and isn't a ton different than the 11" iPad Pro. Just be aware that there are some key differences:

1) Stereo audio instead of quad audio
2) No ProMotion 120 Hz refresh rate
3) Slightly smaller screen than the 11" iPad Pro
4) Touch ID instead of Face ID

But it does have the fully laminated display and that is something I think might be more important to me personally than ProMotion. I am not a big fan of the hollow, cheap feeling "thunk" of the non laminated iPad displays. So there is a little compromise there, but I'd still highly recommend the Air 4 if you don't need the 12.9" screen size.

If I were buying an iPad right now to supplement my 15" MBP and my M1 MBA, I would buy the iPad Air 4 with a non-keyboard cover and Apple Pencil.

 

[Jamacfer]

I agree. Or you could also wait until March to see what the new Pro models will be and then decide whether to buy a Pro or the Air. I will do so because after the coming of the Mac M1 I have decided to replace the Pro 12.9" 2020 with the 11" (possibly the Pro otherwise the Air).

 

[Whoakapi]

With the current terrible quality issues of the Air 2020, I would definitely wait for a 2021 version or the alleged Mini LED model.

 

[HardstylePanda]

Thanks everyone who replied. Is the 10.9/11" size more popular then it would appear?

With the current terrible quality issues of the Air 2020, I would definitely wait for a 2021 version or the alleged Mini LED model.

What quality issues?

 

[Whoakapi]

What quality issues?

The first production batches had quite pronounced backlight bleed. Can be annoying when watching letterboxed videos. It might be fixed now or in future batches.

I returned an Air 2020 that had backlight bleed, dead pixels and image retention. All signs of poor display quality. Definitely not something I want to pay for, especially when I keep the iPad for several years.

COVID could be an explanation as Apple seems to have quite long delivery times for even the cheapest iPad. But I have no idea if the issues will be fixed or not. I assume that the Pro models have somewhat better quality control.

 

[markcres]

It just so happens my first generation 9.7" Ipad Pro (coming up to 5 years old in two months!) has just started to suffer lines appearing across the screen as well as the battery needing frequent daily charging for light duties.
Not sure if I persevere until a new Ipad Pro comes out....or just replace it with the current 11" model now.
I quite like the idea of having LIDAR functionality and a larger screen. I just upgraded my 7 year old Macbook Air to an M1 Air....could be overkill 💰💸.....or a wise investment in upgrading all my old tech at the same time?

 

[Nebulance]

Based on @Whoakapi's insight and seeing a number of comments about screen quality issues on iPad Air, I decided to swap for a iPad Pro 11" 256 GB. I suppose there's always the chance the Pro ends up with issues too, but I figure I'll roll the dice on the nicer display (or so it seems).

Should arrive today -- better than waiting a few weeks!

 

[Nebulance]

My iPad Pro 11" 256 GB space gray arrived yesterday afternoon; it's really great -- the screen quality is very good from what I can tell, I don't see any evidence of light bleed, etc (hope I don't jinx it haha!)

I haven't had an iPad since about 4--5 years ago (the first iPad with Retina display which I got around 2011), so this is quite an upgrade; the Pencil is really great. I found an app for creating 3D CAD models using the Pencil called Shapr 3D, which is exactly the kind of thing that I always said would "sell me" on getting another iPad (I'm a physicist and I tend to design a good amount of hardware), so I'm very happy.

Perhaps all of you err on the side of caution when it comes to choosing storage size, but I went with 256 GB to be sure I have enough space in the future; upon setting up, I see I've already used about 40 GB (restored from my iPhone) -- so I'm glad I went with 256 GB. Perhaps that'll go down a bit as I trim out apps I don't use on iPad, but I thought I'd offer some thoughts on that.

 

[kave]

My iPad Pro 11" 256 GB space gray arrived yesterday afternoon; it's really great -- the screen quality is very good from what I can tell, I don't see any evidence of light bleed, etc (hope I don't jinx it haha!)

I haven't had an iPad since about 4--5 years ago (the first iPad with Retina display which I got around 2011), so this is quite an upgrade; the Pencil is really great. I found an app for creating 3D CAD models using the Pencil called Shapr 3D, which is exactly the kind of thing that I always said would "sell me" on getting another iPad (I'm a physicist and I tend to design a good amount of hardware), so I'm very happy.

Perhaps all of you err on the side of caution when it comes to choosing storage size, but I went with 256 GB to be sure I have enough space in the future; upon setting up, I see I've already used about 40 GB (restored from my iPhone) -- so I'm glad I went with 256 GB. Perhaps that'll go down a bit as I trim out apps I don't use on iPad, but I thought I'd offer some thoughts on that.

Good choice.

 

[doolar]

I think a 2018 Pro is the sweet spot right now. They can be found new for less than the Air 4. A Pro iPad for less than Air money, it’s a great deal imho.

I went that route and couldn’t be happier!

 

[Tsepz]

My iPad Pro 11" 256 GB space gray arrived yesterday afternoon; it's really great -- the screen quality is very good from what I can tell, I don't see any evidence of light bleed, etc (hope I don't jinx it haha!)

I haven't had an iPad since about 4--5 years ago (the first iPad with Retina display which I got around 2011), so this is quite an upgrade; the Pencil is really great. I found an app for creating 3D CAD models using the Pencil called Shapr 3D, which is exactly the kind of thing that I always said would "sell me" on getting another iPad (I'm a physicist and I tend to design a good amount of hardware), so I'm very happy.

Perhaps all of you err on the side of caution when it comes to choosing storage size, but I went with 256 GB to be sure I have enough space in the future; upon setting up, I see I've already used about 40 GB (restored from my iPhone) -- so I'm glad I went with 256 GB. Perhaps that'll go down a bit as I trim out apps I don't use on iPad, but I thought I'd offer some thoughts on that.

Congratulations I have the very same model and same storage, been thoroughly enjoying it! I think 256GB is a safe bet, I feel like 64GB in the Air is like the new 32GB and 128GB is the new 64GB if that makes sense, lol.