iPad ipad air 3rd gen or wait for a potential air 4th gen?

[auroraars]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting an ipad for uni this year. It'll be used for notetaking, revising and drawing.

I was inclined to get the air 3 at first but upon further research, I found out that a few people have issues with bright/white spots.

ipad pros are out of the question for me as they're too expensive, even refurbished ones.

should I get the air 3 nonetheless? or wait for the rumored air 4 though uni would've commenced for at least 1 - 2 months by then.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I found out that a few people have issues with bright/white spots.

Don't let that deter you from getting an iPad Air 3. It's a great device.

 

[Digitalguy]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting an ipad for uni this year. It'll be used for notetaking, revising and drawing.

I was inclined to get the air 3 at first but upon further research, I found out that a few people have issues with bright/white spots.

ipad pros are out of the question for me as they're too expensive, even refurbished ones.

should I get the air 3 nonetheless? or wait for the rumored air 4 though uni would've commenced for about 1 - 2 months by then.

the air 4 won't be there before the second half of the year, maybe even the end of the year... if you can wait, it would be a much better device... but the wait might be long... by then you could also have an A12 basic ipad for $329...

 

[Torty]

I think it will take a while for the air 4 to appear. The new pro just got the A12Z and Air 3 has A12. I don’t think there will be an Air 4 soon with A13.

 

[BigDO]

Air 3 is a really great device at a good price, and as per the guy above, unlikely that the SOC will be updated soon. It's a good buy right now.

 

[*~Kim~*]

If I wanted a bigger iPad, I’d have to go with the Air also. I wouldn’t pay Pro prices for the A12Z model even if money was no object. The Pro line will surely get the A13 before the Air/Mini, so I also think an Air 4 in the near future would be unlikely. It would also drive sales away from the 10.2 (as an upgrade to the Air line would then get 3 processor generations forward rather than 2) and the 10.2 only came out late last year.

The Air is now appearing as a refurb on the Apple Store and the saving would make me more inclined to buy in spite of the bright spot risk (it seems much lower on the Air than on the 2017 Pro mercifully.)

 

[ericwn]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting an ipad for uni this year. It'll be used for notetaking, revising and drawing.

I was inclined to get the air 3 at first but upon further research, I found out that a few people have issues with bright/white spots.

ipad pros are out of the question for me as they're too expensive, even refurbished ones.

should I get the air 3 nonetheless? or wait for the rumored air 4 though uni would've commenced for at least 1 - 2 months by then.

For your intended use case the basic iPad is likely more than enough.
Besides I recommend to regard these things as tools. Any current iPad can be used with the pencil for drawing, writing etc. If you’re keen on a tool, buy it when you need it.

 

[Seanm87]

Buy now it isn't coming any time soon

 

[EugW]

Welcome to MacRumors!

Which country are you in? I’d suggest waiting for the Back-To-School promotion on the iPad Air 3 if that promotion is available in your country.

In the US of A, the promotion should start in about 6 weeks or so, and the iPad Air 3 will likely be included as a qualifying purchase. Last year the iPad Air 3 purchased in this promotion would get you free wireless Beats headphones.