Looking for first iPad

[Specialjesus]

Been looking at my first iPad to buy... Planning on using it for watching videos, editing photos, uploading photos from SD card to iPad, web browsing, music streaming, and possibly taking some photos.

My dilemma is, do i just go with the iPad 2017 or step up to the iPad Pro 10.5? I want it to still be useable a couple years down the road.

Thanks for any input.

 

[0003462]

Every iPad Apple currently sells will be great a couple years down the road. The lineup is solid.

If you're happy to spend the money, go get the full on luxury iPad experience in the Pro 10.5. But, really, I reckon the iPad 9.7 is what you should go for. When it comes time to upgrade in a couple of years, some of the Pro's current features will have trickled down to the lower pricepoint too.

I've had my Air 2 for (almost) 2 years and I'm still sticking with it despite these new Pros. There still isn't enough of a differentiator between them to justify the price for me, which is why I think the iPad 9.7 is a great first iPad.

 

[0003462]

I'll add to my previous post that you may have read that the iPad 9.7 is a mixed bag and a side step rather than a step forward in terms of an upgrade.

Be aware that this is only with respect to the iPad Air 2. The current iPad 9.7 is a great update to any iPad before the Air 2 and, as in your case, a truly great first iPad.

I stress this just in case such comments were clouding your judgment for which iPad to go for.

 

[Closingracer]

I'll add to my previous post that you may have read that the iPad 9.7 is a mixed bag and a side step rather than a step forward in terms of an upgrade.

Be aware that this is only with respect to the iPad Air 2. The current iPad 9.7 is a great update to any iPad before the Air 2 and, as in your case, a truly great first iPad.

I stress this just in case such comments were clouding your judgment for which iPad to go for.

I picked up the iPad and wow it's so thick . I honestly would rather use my Samsung galaxy tab S2 over that thing .

 

[jumpingjackflash]

There still isn't enough of a differentiator between them to justify the price for me, which is why I think the iPad 9.7 is a great first iPad.

The differences between 10.5" and 9.7" models are massive and well worth the extra $$$.

-A9x vs. A10x, a 30-40% better performance.
-10.5" screen vs. 9.7" screen.
-120Hz screen on 10.5"
-P3 and HDR screen on 10.5"
-better camera on 10.5"
-10.5" has 4gb of RAM vs 2gb on 9.7".
-2nd gen. Touch ID on 10.5"

etc.

The differences are absolutely massive and it would be completely madness to buy 9.7" instead of 10.5".

 

[Specialjesus]

I'll add to my previous post that you may have read that the iPad 9.7 is a mixed bag and a side step rather than a step forward in terms of an upgrade.

Be aware that this is only with respect to the iPad Air 2. The current iPad 9.7 is a great update to any iPad before the Air 2 and, as in your case, a truly great first iPad.

I stress this just in case such comments were clouding your judgment for which iPad to go for.

Thank you for everyone's input on this subject. I'll have to head to the store and check them both out now that the 10.5 is out. I'm leaning towards the pro but if I get the 9.7 I'll be able to afford all the accessories I'll need plus others.
Anyone on here done any photo edits/touch ups on their air 2 or 9.7 2017 model? Does it handle it with ease? Do the pictures look great?
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I picked up the iPad and wow it's so thick . I honestly would rather use my Samsung galaxy tab S2 over that thing .

I understand where you're coming from, I just have had too many problems with Android that I want to stick with iOS.

 

[rui no onna]

The differences between 10.5" and 9.7" models are massive and well worth the extra $$$.

-A9x vs. A10x, a 30-40% better performance.
-10.5" screen vs. 9.7" screen.
-120Hz screen on 10.5"
-P3 and HDR screen on 10.5"
-better camera on 10.5"
-10.5" has 4gb of RAM vs 2gb on 9.7".
-2nd gen. Touch ID on 10.5"

etc.

The differences are absolutely massive and it would be completely madness to buy 9.7" instead of 10.5".

iPad 32GB $329
iPad 128GB $429

iPad Pro 10.5 64GB $649
iPad Pro 10.5 256GB $749
iPad Pro 10.5 512GB $949

Realistically, you'd get maybe 1-2 years more use from the Pro 10.5. Whether that and the new features are worth the price increase is a personal choice.

 

[willmtaylor]

Been looking at my first iPad to buy... Planning on using it for watching videos, editing photos, uploading photos from SD card to iPad, web browsing, music streaming, and possibly taking some photos.

My dilemma is, do i just go with the iPad 2017 or step up to the iPad Pro 10.5? I want it to still be useable a couple years down the road.

Thanks for any input.

Why not consider the iPad Pro 9.7"? They're marked down quite significantly at several retailers currently.

 

[Zaft]

Been looking at my first iPad to buy... Planning on using it for watching videos, editing photos, uploading photos from SD card to iPad, web browsing, music streaming, and possibly taking some photos.

My dilemma is, do i just go with the iPad 2017 or step up to the iPad Pro 10.5? I want it to still be useable a couple years down the road.

Thanks for any input.

Its a decent price difference, its ultimately up to you and what the iPad is worth to you. How often are you going to use it? If its more of a casual use then I would say get the iPad 9.7, it should be fine for another 3 or 4 years.

EDIT: I have the air 2 and still smooth so I expect the new 9.7 to be fine.

 

[bufffilm]

Been looking at my first iPad to buy... Planning on using it for watching videos, editing photos, uploading photos from SD card to iPad, web browsing, music streaming, and possibly taking some photos.

My dilemma is, do i just go with the iPad 2017 or step up to the iPad Pro 10.5? I want it to still be useable a couple years down the road.

Thanks for any input.

If you can stand the extra cost, then get the 10.5".

It has a lot more than the plain-Jane new iPad, but you gotta pay to play.

 

[Zaft]

If you can stand the extra cost, then get the 10.5".

It has a lot more than the plain-Jane new iPad, but you gotta pay to play.

Yup, depends if the extra stuff is worth $330 or not to the OP. You also have to factor in the pencil if you really want all the features, another $100 right there.

 

[Specialjesus]

Yup, depends if the extra stuff is worth $330 or not to the OP. You also have to factor in the pencil if you really want all the features, another $100 right there.

I care about having a product that will work well and for at least 2-4 years before feeling completely out of date. I had an android tablet, and had nothing but issues with apps crashing or lagging even when swiping from home screen to home screen. I'll need something that can stream video well also. I'm still leaning to the PRO 10.5

 

[willmtaylor]

I care about having a product that will work well and for at least 2-4 years before feeling completely out of date. I had an android tablet, and had nothing but issues with apps crashing or lagging even when swiping from home screen to home screen. I'll need something that can stream video well also. I'm still leaning to the PRO 10.5

If you've got the money, get the 10.5. It is the best at the moment.

 

[bufffilm]

I care about having a product that will work well and for at least 2-4 years before feeling completely out of date. I had an android tablet, and had nothing but issues with apps crashing or lagging even when swiping from home screen to home screen. I'll need something that can stream video well also. I'm still leaning to the PRO 10.5

And which Android tablet was that?...just curious.

 

[Specialjesus]

And which Android tablet was that?...just curious.

Samsung Tab 4 10.1 inch, before that a HP touchpad running the latest android at the time.

 

[bufffilm]

Samsung Tab 4 10.1 inch, before that a HP touchpad running the latest android at the time.

That's in-ter-esting...I bought a Samsung Tab Pro 8.4 in 2015.

Samsung never rolled out more than KitKat to it, but it performs flawlessly. I'm still using it for movies, Chromecast mirroring, etc.

Eventually, I will get either the Pro 12.9 or the 10.5...but no huge rush, just yet.

Apple still has more to do with the iPad before it becomes indispensible.

I have an ipad2 still being used for ereader and comics. And FaceTime.

 

[Specialjesus]

That's in-ter-esting...I bought a Samsung Tab Pro 8.4 in 2015.

Samsung never rolled out more than KitKat to it, but it performs flawlessly. I'm still using it for movies, Chromecast mirroring, etc.

Eventually, I will get either the Pro 12.9 or the 10.5...but no huge rush, just yet.

Apple still has more to do with the iPad before it becomes indispensible.

Yeah that Samsung Tab PRO is a much better device than i bought, ill admit it.

 

[QCassidy352]

The differences between 10.5" and 9.7" models are massive and well worth the extra $$$.

Totally depends on how you use your iPad because the price difference is also massive (almost double).

I use my iPad as a media consumption device, so differences like a faster processor or more RAM are of no value except future-proofing.

If my air 2 were to die tomorrow, I'd definitely go for a 2017 iPad 9.7". The pro is far too expensive for the ways I use my iPad.

I care about having a product that will work well and for at least 2-4 years before feeling completely out of date.

2 years and 4 years is very different in tech-years. The top iPad on sale at this time 4 years ago was the iPad 4th gen, which would feel very sluggish and dated today. The top iPad on sale 2 years ago was the air 2, which still works great with iOS 10 today.

If you're looking to keep it 4 years, and have it running the OS of 2021 decently, you should go for the pro. Of course, at half the price, you could upgrade the lower end iPad twice as often, which is what I'd do.

 

[Specialjesus]

Totally depends on how you use your iPad because the price difference is also massive (almost double).

I use my iPad as a media consumption device, so differences like a faster processor or more RAM are of no value except future-proofing.

If my air 2 were to die tomorrow, I'd definitely go for a 2017 iPad 9.7". The pro is far too expensive for the ways I use my iPad.

Ill stream media, edit/upload photos from my camera, and the occasional game.

 

[willmtaylor]

Totally depends on how you use your iPad because the price difference is also massive (almost double).

I use my iPad as a media consumption device, so differences like a faster processor or more RAM are of no value except future-proofing.

If my air 2 were to die tomorrow, I'd definitely go for a 2017 iPad 9.7". The pro is far too expensive for the ways I use my iPad.

Again, the 9.7 iPad Pro is the sweet spot between the two.

 

[missbing]

I care about having a product that will work well and for at least 2-4 years before feeling completely out of date. I had an android tablet, and had nothing but issues with apps crashing or lagging even when swiping from home screen to home screen. I'll need something that can stream video well also. I'm still leaning to the PRO 10.5

Either iPad should last at least 3-5 years if not longer. I have an iPad Air 2 that's 2.75 years old and still works just as good as when I first got it. I see it lasting at least another 2 years. It may not have all the features as the Pro, but it's still a great tablet and only seconds slower (meaning 1-4 seconds) in app startup or webpage loading than the pro. I just got the new iPad Pro, only because I wanted more storage and like to buy things. I think the 9.7 iPad would meet your needs, but if you don't mind spending double the price, the Pro is a great looking iPad. You can also go with anothers suggestion of getting last years Pro 9.7. There should be some good discounts on a new version or you can get refurbished.

 

[parseckadet]

I'll need something that can stream video well also. I'm still leaning to the PRO 10.5

Streaming media won't be a problem no matter what you choose. I have a non-Retina iPad Mini, which can still handle Netflix like a champ. It chokes on everything else (can't even handle TurboTax for crying out loud), but streaming video is great.

 

[44267547]

I'll add to my previous post that you may have read that the iPad 9.7 is a mixed bag and a side step rather than a step forward in terms of an upgrade.

Be aware that this is only with respect to the iPad Air 2. The current iPad 9.7 is a great update to any iPad before the Air 2 and, as in your case, a truly great first iPad.

I stress this just in case such comments were clouding your judgment for which iPad to go for.

The new 9.7 iPad is a good first iPad, yes I would agree with you. However, you do have to take into consideration that the lack of laminate display is a huge pitfall when it comes to lighting And reflectivity.

If somebody truly wanted to upgrade from an iPad older than the Air two, I would not suggest the new 9.7 iPad. Primarily because the real upgrade would be with the 10.5 iPad or 9.7 iPad Pro if you can find one. If somebody never owned an iPad before and they were not interested in the Pro features, then the 2017 9.7 iPad would be an easy recommendation.

 

[KGB7]

2017 iPad 9.7 is now $30 cheaper for both models at some retail stores; Microcenter and Staples that I have found so far. Best Buy will price match both of them.

Edit:

Just got the 5th gen iPad 9.7 at Best Buy for $299 with price match with Microcenter.

Traded in my Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 for $70 and used it towards purchase of the iPad.

 

[44267547]

2017 iPad 9.7 is now $30 cheaper for both models at some retail stores; Microcenter and Staples that I have found so far. Best Buy will price match both of them.

Edit:

Just got the 5th gen iPad 9.7 at Best Buy for $299 with price match with Microcenter.

Traded in my Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 for $70 and used it towards purchase of the iPad.

That's a good sale for $300.00. On a side note, Target will also price Match as well besides Best Buy.