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iPad longevity and value
- Thread starter Richard8655
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Yes, you're probably right. But I’m still unsure if it’s ok to let the apps refresh on their own and hope they’ll not update when incompatible with current IOS. I’m also thinking it’s ok to allow updates to the current IOS (IOS 11), but not allow the future IOS 12 full release upgrade and beyond. IOS 11 updates will probably not affect performance.
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My iPad 3 got unbearably slow for me. Glad to hear it’s still usable on some level there.
Many people do point updates - I never update anything, my iPod Touch 5G is on iOS 6.0 - and report it's fine, but they refrain from doing full number updates. That approach might work I think. And later versions work better than early versions - or at least, that's the general consensus here and it makes logical sense - so point updates should be fine.
By the way, The iPad 3 I have is a great Home Automation control center with the apps that will run on it. But it doesn't have Home Kit and some of the apps I LIKE to run are not available for latest OS on it, so I will be replacing it ASAP (Christmas)
Yes, so IOS 11 would be the last release but updates in that release ok. Still not sure if allow apps refresh forever, or halt them after IOS 12 becomes available.
I just update them manually. So, just in case an update is launched and introduces changes that I don't like, I just refrain from updating those apps too. I generally update the majority of apps though. I didn't before I had my 9.7 Pro but now I started to.
We use an original iPad 1 with my 3 year old daughter. It plays youtube, Netflix, web browser and other simple pre-shcool apps and games still quite well. Also, the batter holds its charge as well as when we first got it.
we can't update any of the apps and any new apps aren't supported but it still works exactly the same as it did before the final upgrade.
we are using a 6 year old iPad (iPad 2?) for my son and it is the same. Plays many most apps and is only starting to not get updates for key apps like Netflix and Youtube. but its still fast and battery is strong.
We are upgrading to an iPad Pro 12.9" this Christmas but that is mainly because I want one!
so for everyday simple use iPads can last a very long time.
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So mostly for the Kids? That’s about why mine was no longer practical. I wouldn't use that as a serious criteria of longevity for most people.
I would. The vast majority of people who purchase iPads are using them to consume media. people who use them for serious productivity are certainly in the minority.
Not productively, but everyday advanced features that kids don’t use. That’s a majority of the users. What kids consume on an old iPad like the 3 would likely not be useful for most adults. Otherwise iPad 3’s would be running the latest IOS releases and people would not be selling or trading them in.
I have a 4 year old iPad Air that runs iOS 11 nearly as good as the 2017 iPad. In fact I returned the 2017 iPad since I am happy with my Air's performance running iOS 11.
Many people have already mentioned why longevity varies.
My mom's iPad 2's email client no longer works because she never updated the software beyond iOS 5 and forgot her Yahoo! email password. She doesn't mind since she does not use email all that much. I'd love to present her with a 2017 iPad, but she's stubborn.
I think I may join her as I use my 12.9" iPad Pro rather sparingly. I cannot see upgrading the software too much unless there is a necessary fix for something like the WiFi KRACK hack. Given my needs, not sure if I'd buy another iPad Pro though: Baby has to start thinking about a new Mac.
My mom's iPad 2's email client no longer works because she never updated the software beyond iOS 5 and forgot her Yahoo! email password. She doesn't mind since she does not use email all that much. I'd love to present her with a 2017 iPad, but she's stubborn.
I think I may join her as I use my 12.9" iPad Pro rather sparingly. I cannot see upgrading the software too much unless there is a necessary fix for something like the WiFi KRACK hack. Given my needs, not sure if I'd buy another iPad Pro though: Baby has to start thinking about a new Mac.
Well... I replaced the iPad 3 with a new 256gig 12.9 iPad Pro... the leap is so big that I can't really give a solid explanation of all the differences. In just a few days, I have just touched the tip of the iceberg on what this thing can do and I am amazed. So far, I haven't found anything it doesn't do, other than bluetooth mouse support, that I really would like to have. BUT... I did go ahead and buy the Apple pencil as well, so I don't have to grease the display quite as much as the older iPad required. The display is much easier to clean on a new piece of glass of any kind, but I did not buy a screen protector either, so it's really easy to clean for now. If this iPad gives me "most" of the longevity of the old iPad 3, I'm gonna be satisfied with it for a while. I had to go ahead and pull the trigger now instead of Christmas, because of some unexpected travel for work, and didn't want to haul around the 15" MBP and all it entails on this trip as I don't use my computer for work and I need to travel as light as possible. I got a decent Cover and I look like I'm carrying a small portfolio/folder. Works great. Time will tell.
Really? Did you do anything to optimize it?
I did the opposite and picked up a 2017 iPad because of how sluggish iOS11 was on my iPad Air.
Although, I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. A bit concerned about performance of the A9 chip.
I'd like to get at least 4 years out of it. Wish it had a A10 chip, but I guess Apple wanted to keep prices down.
I thought about it this way too. Compared to the latest 5th gen iPad, the Pro will have better longevity mostly due to the A10X chip and 4gb memory. But the price difference is so vast, it might be as cost effective to just replace the base model more frequently.
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As has been mentioned before, I am not convinced by the longevity argument Pro vs iPad 5th gen. When you buy the Pro, you expect the best. After 3 years, you will probably upgrade for additional features, better performance, etc.. iPad 5th gen buyers are less particular about their technology purchases, so they will also be satisfied for about 3 years or maybe even more before upgrading.
The typical 5th gen buyer does not haunt tech forms following the latest releases and updates. So, they don't really know or care about the latest upgrades. For example, I would guess most 5th gen buyers don't know that the Pro allows 3 apps for multi-tasking vs 2 apps. It just isn't a major selling point to this market segment. As a result, they feel less compelled to update often.
I am not knocking the iPad 5th gen. This is the iPad that I select, but I am kind of the exception, since I follow Apple products pretty closely. Honestly, I think this entry level iPad is a great option for many people. Black Friday sales were as low as $250. While the Pro was on sale for $525 without accessories, to me, it doesn't make much sense to pay the premium for the Pro and not make use of the features and associated accessories (Pencil and ASK) that really differentiate the product. So, you are looking at an additional $250 for Pencil + ASK. That's $775 vs $250 for the 5th gen. I am not saying they are equivalent products.....just saying most 5th gen users won't make much use of these additional features. They also won't feel as compelled to update down the road for new features.
Next year, if Apple introduces a Pro with edge to edge screen and Face ID, I suspect the primary consumers will be current Pro owners not 5th gen buyers.
The typical 5th gen buyer does not haunt tech forms following the latest releases and updates. So, they don't really know or care about the latest upgrades. For example, I would guess most 5th gen buyers don't know that the Pro allows 3 apps for multi-tasking vs 2 apps. It just isn't a major selling point to this market segment. As a result, they feel less compelled to update often.
I am not knocking the iPad 5th gen. This is the iPad that I select, but I am kind of the exception, since I follow Apple products pretty closely. Honestly, I think this entry level iPad is a great option for many people. Black Friday sales were as low as $250. While the Pro was on sale for $525 without accessories, to me, it doesn't make much sense to pay the premium for the Pro and not make use of the features and associated accessories (Pencil and ASK) that really differentiate the product. So, you are looking at an additional $250 for Pencil + ASK. That's $775 vs $250 for the 5th gen. I am not saying they are equivalent products.....just saying most 5th gen users won't make much use of these additional features. They also won't feel as compelled to update down the road for new features.
Next year, if Apple introduces a Pro with edge to edge screen and Face ID, I suspect the primary consumers will be current Pro owners not 5th gen buyers.
The huge price difference almost begs for a middle tier, but that would just muddy up the product line.
I wish they made the iPad Pro much more access to the average user.
It's not as if only 'pros' uses a stylus. But this is typical Apple. Deeming routine features as pro status.
I wish they made the iPad Pro much more access to the average user.
It's not as if only 'pros' uses a stylus. But this is typical Apple. Deeming routine features as pro status.
Probably depends on usage and tolerance. For Netflix, email, ebooks and non-media heavy webpages, the iPad Air still works fine for the most part. At the very least, the Air is still a darned sight faster than the iPad 3 even with the latter running iOS 6.
Nope, I didn't do anything special and it runs iOS 11.1.2 very well. If it ran iOS 11 like my iPad 3 runs iOS 9 I would have sold my Air and kept the 2017 iPad.
I wonder if Apple will consider adding the smart connector to the entry level iPad line-up. I have no idea how much cost it would add to the bill of materials and production, but I suspect it would not be much. The benefit to Apple would be that adding this feature to the base iPad would expand the market for the very expensive Apple Smart Keyboard. So, instead of $330-430 sale, many consumers would be spending $480-580 on their entry level iPad plus ASK.
Of course, Apple would then have to worry about the entry level iPad cannibalizing the Pro.....but, I think the Pencil and other Pro features would sufficiently differentiate the two products.
I’m one of those people who is part of the tech community in real life and virtual life and I chose the 5th gen iPad simply based on my requirements where the pro would have been simple waste of money.
And i'm not part of the tech community well haven't been since the early 90's when I was servicing computers in data centers but I would not consider an iPad Pro because i'm not sold that it's a "PRO" device. Sure if you like to draw or earn a living from drawing then yeah, the iPad Pro would make sense. Split screen, running multiple apps, well Google's been doing that for awhile as well. Besides the extra ram and the nicer screen, the Pro series is a non-factor and the budget 2017 iPad is the best option for me. By the time the 2017 iPad begins to seriously slowdown I would have gotten back my money. I purchased a iPad Air back in 2013 and it's still going strong in 2017 running the latest OS.
Along the lines of the above couple posts, the iPad to me is basically a throwaway device. I guess you can say that about any computer technology these days, but the iPad especially. The lithium battery will eventually not charge, the home button could suddenly just fail, IOS software upgrades will eventually outpace the chip, etc.
That’s why I can’t see sinking $1000+ into such a vulnerable and limited life device. For $250 (or less) the 5th gen is everything I need with a beautiful display. If it should fail or future IOS upgrades bog it down, not a big deal nor big financial loss. Just move to the next basic cost-effective model available then.
That’s why I can’t see sinking $1000+ into such a vulnerable and limited life device. For $250 (or less) the 5th gen is everything I need with a beautiful display. If it should fail or future IOS upgrades bog it down, not a big deal nor big financial loss. Just move to the next basic cost-effective model available then.
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You're another who seem to find decent performance in the iPad Air.
I'm going to restore to factory settings and see if I get better results from mine.