IPad Pro vs iPad Air 3

[macguy360]

Now that the Air 3 is "confirmed" to have the a9x processor, the question most people will be asking is "which iPad is the better deal?"

I'm going to go ahead and say that iPad Pro will be the better deal if you can get it at its current price point from Staples or from other sales that might be occurring keeping the 128gb model at $799.

Consider that the iPad Air 3 will most likely still start at 16gb and go up to 64gb, and then 128gb with prices being $499, $599, and $699 respectively.

Additionally the Air 3 will most likely have 2gb of ram and a slightly slower a9x processor as to not be considered as "pro" as the IPP.

So for $100 more, you can go from the Air 3 to the Pro with 2gb more ram, a faster processor, and a larger screen.

The best value will absolutely be the iPad Pro if you can get it at the sale price.

 

[Noble Actual]

iPad Pro is too big so...

 

[macguy360]

iPad Pro is too big so...

That is your opinion.

 

[Noble Actual]

That is your opinion.

Umm, and you're telling me that because...?

 

[stevemiller]

No sales in Canada: 32gb pro is $1049, 64gb air2 is $649.

Air 3 has a9x driving a lower resolution screen.

Some people prefer the air form factor.

BUT- if the air 3 doesn't support pencil they won't get my sale on either.

i could juuuust justify $750 for an iPad digital sketchbook experience, but no way $1150. Nor is it worth $650 to simply rebuy the performance my iPad 3 has lost over time. (I know people will claim it'll be so much better, but I know my usage, and it's not worth it to me)

 

[masotime]

Big screen is a big factor.

Bit of a toss up as to whether the Air 3 will have Pencil support, but if rumors of the smart connector are real, I can't imagine why they would go halfway and not include Pencil support.

If it's your first iPad I'd rather get an Air 3 though. It's difficult to define a better iPad with the right mix of size and portability. There's a reason why this was the size that Steve Jobs chose as the first size to launch the iPad at.

 

[macaximx]

No sales in Canada: 32gb pro is $1049, 64gb air2 is $649.

Air 3 has a9x driving a lower resolution screen.

Some people prefer the air form factor.

BUT- if the air 3 doesn't support pencil they won't get my sale on either.

i could juuuust justify $750 for an iPad digital sketchbook experience, but no way $1150. Nor is it worth $650 to simply rebuy the performance my iPad 3 has lost over time. (I know people will claim it'll be so much better, but I know my usage, and it's not worth it to me)

SteveMiller, I think Apple will raise the price in Canada and "take the money and run."

 

[A.Chakery]

Some People would need a smaller iPad to carry around no matter how much it costs so they would go for iPad3 ... Personally if I have not had an iPad Air I would say iPad3 is for me but now since I have an iPad Air so iPad Pro would be a better choice for sure.


So IMO there is no an exact answer to this question.

 

[Channan]

So for $100 more, you can go from the Air 3 to the Pro with 2gb more ram, a faster processor, and a larger screen.

The best value will absolutely be the iPad Pro if you can get it at the sale price.

If you even want 128GB. I'm managing with 16GB right now.

 

[masotime]

That is your opinion.

Wait did you just zing yourself? Holy schizophrenia, Batman!

 

[Noble Actual]

Wait did you just zing yourself? Holy schizophrenia, Batman!

Its ok, let him have his fun.

 

[Umbrarian]

air

 

[eastamherstbias]

Now that the Air 3 is "confirmed" to have the a9x processor, the question most people will be asking is "which iPad is the better deal?"

I'm going to go ahead and say that iPad Pro will be the better deal if you can get it at its current price point from Staples or from other sales that might be occurring keeping the 128gb model at $799.

Consider that the iPad Air 3 will most likely still start at 16gb and go up to 64gb, and then 128gb with prices being $499, $599, and $699 respectively.

Additionally the Air 3 will most likely have 2gb of ram and a slightly slower a9x processor as to not be considered as "pro" as the IPP.

So for $100 more, you can go from the Air 3 to the Pro with 2gb more ram, a faster processor, and a larger screen.

The best value will absolutely be the iPad Pro if you can get it at the sale price.

Ipad Pro is too big. I am all about the iPad 3. iPad Pro should have been a hybrid.

 

[stephen1108]

I doubt they'll keep the Air 3 at 2 GB of RAM. It works great in the iPad Air 2, but with the Pro at 4 GB of RAM, they're gonna wanna bump it up to at least 3.

Then again with Apple you never know. This company is known for launching crippled devices due to a lack of RAM (iPad 3, iPhone 6 Plus).

 

[Tsepz]

Air 3 128GB LTE would be the one to go for, IMO, same A9X at lower res will make it a beast, 2GB RAM seems to be fine so far for iOS, I doubt the Air 3 will have the Pro features that require the extra 2GB RAM.

 

[joeblow7777]

I doubt they'll keep the Air 3 at 2 GB of RAM. It works great in the iPad Air 2, but with the Pro at 4 GB of RAM, they're gonna wanna bump it up to at least 3.

Then again with Apple you never know. This company is known for launching crippled devices due to a lack of RAM (iPad 3, iPhone 6 Plus).

iOS is by no means "crippled" by 2GB of RAM. Most iOS devices have just 1GB, in fact, and Apple typically does not upgrade RAM until it's absolutely necessary.


Also, addressing the original post, since when has anything about the Air 3 been "confirmed"?

 

[Noble Actual]

Also, addressing the original post, since when has anything about the Air 3 been "confirmed"?

Yup, op has trouble knowing the difference between facts and opinions.

 

[sjleworthy]

The Pro is the best. Thats law.

 

[stephen1108]

iOS is by no means "crippled" by 2GB of RAM. Most iOS devices have just 1GB, in fact, and Apple typically does not upgrade RAM until it's absolutely necessary.


Also, addressing the original post, since when has anything about the Air 3 been "confirmed"?

Let me clarify, I never insinuated that 2 GB of RAM was insufficient for iOS. I was referring to Apple insisting on keeping RAM at a bare minimum until they're forced to upgrade it, which is exactly what you just said.

It was ridiculous to keep the iPhone line at 1 GB of RAM for 3 product cycles, when it made simple multitasking a pain on the iPhone 6 Plus.

The iPhone 6s and the iPad Air 2 run GREAT with 2 GB of RAM. However in 2016, with iOS 10 right around the corner and whatever else Apple may have in store for their iOS/iPad line, bumping up the RAM in the iPad Air 3 would not be a bad idea.

Hopefully they've broken that mindset of keeping RAM to a bare minimum, because all it does is create an annoying end user experience that can easily be alleviated.

 

[Abazigal]

That is your opinion.

And if I am the only buying it, you can damn sure it's my opinion that would matter, not yours.

I won't be picking up the iPad pro for this reason - it's too big for me to realistically use while walking around my classroom.

 

[suburbanwar]

The iPad Pro is €919 is the Netherlands (32gb). The Air 2 is €499 at Apple and €459 at authorized resellers. I'm not comfortable with the size of the pro so the Air 3 wille be perfect for me, especially at almost half the price. Maybe they will (finally) start at 32gb, than €499 will be a good deal.

 

[maflynn]

I like the iPad Pro over the Air, because of the size. I'm going from a Mini to a larger form factor, it might as well be much larger

I do wish there were more "pro" features in the iPad Pro, but nonetheless my kids and wife love the idea of an iPad Pro.

 

[ZBoater]

I'm trading my iPad Pro for an Air 3. I've enjoyed the Pro but it's a tad too heavy to hold with one hand in bed. I like the large screen. But my Air 2 was no slouch.

 

[KUKitch]

Umm, and you're telling me that because...?

And you told him your opinion because...?

See? We can all do that, and you know what they say about opinions. Personally, I went from a Mini to a Pro and I'd never go back. I love the size and use it more than my MBP - but that's me and obviously some people think it's too big or heavy or expensive... but as it's my primary device most of the time, I personally disagree.

 

[sparksd]

I'd go for the Air 3 because in my opinion the Pro is too big for my interest. I tried out my brother's and found that I just didn't care for - or feel the need for - the larger size. So if I didn't like it, the Pro would not be a better value for me.