PSA: Don't Buy an iPad Right Now, New Models Coming in 2024

[Joe Dohn]

New iPhones coming in 2024 too.

Don’t buy an iPad, period. Unless you absolutely need touch/pencil support, a laptop will be a better value, be serviceable longer, and give you more versatility and flexibility.

A x86 tablet will also be better on that respect. They are inherently compatible with Windows Ink, meaning you have several styli to choose from, ranging from Microsoft's ink pen solutions to Wacom or any cheap / budget stylus if you just want to use a crappy device to use as a pointer.

But you know what's worst? The iPad being almost a toy is 100% Apple's fault. If they had opened up iPadOS, and if they wouldn't restrict the Apple pencil to only work on certain models (a cheap cash grab maneuver), we would have a much more versatile device.

 

[Abazigal]

Only if you want to. You could just grab a x86 tablet instead, which would be inherently more useful. The Microsoft Surface comes to mind, but there are other options (e.g, from Asus) if you want to.

And if you go the AMD route, you can find some power efficient tablets that last as much or almost as much as the iPad, while maybe being a bit thicker.

There’s a reason why I have been using an iPad to teach in the classroom since 2012 - windows tablets are absolute crap for what I need them to do.

First, there’s no decent 11” windows tablet, much less one with a UI optimised for touch, or with the plethora of tablet-optimised apps that the iPad comes with.

Second, heat. Funny story - my school switched to the HP Elitex2 just before the pandemic, then school closed and we moved to zoom. You should have seen the sheer number of laptops that ended up with burnt screens because the laptop wasn’t designed for zoom, and with the display right over the power-hungry Intel processor, it was a recipe for disaster.

Third, battery life remains an issue. I think I got like 2-3 hours max from said windows tablet, and it frequently throttled when not plugged in to power. Maybe it’s gotten better, but I am willing to bet it’s nowhere close to the 10 hours I get from my iPad Pro, and I need my iPad to go one full day of school without me having to worry about the battery life.

Fourth, I just like the utility and ease of use of iPad apps. For example, I can type meeting minutes in word on my iPad with the Smart Keyboard, then mail it directly to my vice principal via the share sheet. When I was overseas with my students, blogging about their experiences was a breeze thanks to the Wordpress app, camera, inbuilt cellular and portable form factor. I have recorded screencasts using the native screen recording feature, edited it in LumaFusion, then uploaded to YouTube directly (thanks to integration with LumaFusion) before posting the link in google classroom.

Meanwhile, it’s a pain just to find a decent pdf annotation app on windows (why do I have to open a pdf in edge just to annotate on it?). I can’t do everything on an iPad, but for many tasks, they do feel more fluid and convenient and performing these same tasks just feels like jogging in quicksand on a windows device.

You couldn’t pay me enough to ditch my iPad and switch to a windows tablet.

 

[yabeweb]

There’s a reason why I have been using an iPad to teach in the classroom since 2012 - windows tablets are absolute crap for what I need them to do.

First, there’s no decent 11” windows tablet, much less one with a UI optimised for touch, or with the plethora of tablet-optimised apps that the iPad comes with.

Second, heat. Funny story - my school switched to the HP Elitex2 just before the pandemic, then school closed and we moved to zoom. You should have seen the sheer number of laptops that ended up with burnt screens because the laptop wasn’t designed for zoom, and with the display right over the power-hungry Intel processor, it was a recipe for disaster.

Third, battery life remains an issue. I think I got like 2-3 hours max from said windows tablet, and it frequently throttled when not plugged in to power. Maybe it’s gotten better, but I am willing to bet it’s nowhere close to the 10 hours I get from my iPad Pro, and I need my iPad to go one full day of school without me having to worry about the battery life.

Fourth, I just like the utility and ease of use of iPad apps. For example, I can type meeting minutes in word on my iPad with the Smart Keyboard, then mail it directly to my vice principal via the share sheet. When I was overseas with my students, blogging about their experiences was a breeze thanks to the Wordpress app, camera, inbuilt cellular and portable form factor. I have recorded screencasts using the native screen recording feature, edited it in LumaFusion, then uploaded to YouTube directly (thanks to integration with LumaFusion) before posting the link in google classroom.

Meanwhile, it’s a pain just to find a decent pdf annotation app on windows (why do I have to open a pdf in edge just to annotate on it?). I can’t do everything on an iPad, but for many tasks, they do feel more fluid and convenient and performing these same tasks just feels like jogging in quicksand on a windows device.

You couldn’t pay me enough to ditch my iPad and switch to a windows tablet.

Fifth, the iPad is simply an amazing device.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Don’t buy an iPad now because there is a new one coming next year? Are you kidding me? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. In that case no one should ever buy a new iPhone cos there is a new one next each year. Seriously wow…

I get what MR is going for, that the upgrade will be quite significant.

But being that there are no substantial leaks or predictions on an imminent launch from analysts or anyone whatsoever, I have to agree that this ”PSA” is bad advice.

There’s still 4 months left until 2024, and nobody knows at what date the next iPad will drop.

This also assumes that new iPads Pro that aren’t just another spec bump are guaranteed to happen in 2024. That’s just not the case.

Nobody knows with certainty when the next generation of iPads Pro will drop.

This is essentially recommending buyers to maybe wait 1 full year or more for something we have no idea what will be like but is most likely just a much better display.

I doubt the upgrade can be worth waiting for more than a year. Current iPads Pro are more than enough for nearly anyone.

 

[miric]

Don’t buy an iPhone either! I heard there’s a new one coming out in 2024 too!

Oh, 2024 is to early. It's better to wait until 2027.

 

[allenvanhellen]

There’s a reason why I have been using an iPad to teach in the classroom since 2012 - windows tablets are absolute crap for what I need them to do.

First, there’s no decent 11” windows tablet, much less one with a UI optimised for touch, or with the plethora of tablet-optimised apps that the iPad comes with.

Second, heat. Funny story - my school switched to the HP Elitex2 just before the pandemic, then school closed and we moved to zoom. You should have seen the sheer number of laptops that ended up with burnt screens because the laptop wasn’t designed for zoom, and with the display right over the power-hungry Intel processor, it was a recipe for disaster.

Third, battery life remains an issue. I think I got like 2-3 hours max from said windows tablet, and it frequently throttled when not plugged in to power. Maybe it’s gotten better, but I am willing to bet it’s nowhere close to the 10 hours I get from my iPad Pro, and I need my iPad to go one full day of school without me having to worry about the battery life.

Fourth, I just like the utility and ease of use of iPad apps. For example, I can type meeting minutes in word on my iPad with the Smart Keyboard, then mail it directly to my vice principal via the share sheet. When I was overseas with my students, blogging about their experiences was a breeze thanks to the Wordpress app, camera, inbuilt cellular and portable form factor. I have recorded screencasts using the native screen recording feature, edited it in LumaFusion, then uploaded to YouTube directly (thanks to integration with LumaFusion) before posting the link in google classroom.

Meanwhile, it’s a pain just to find a decent pdf annotation app on windows (why do I have to open a pdf in edge just to annotate on it?). I can’t do everything on an iPad, but for many tasks, they do feel more fluid and convenient and performing these same tasks just feels like jogging in quicksand on a windows device.

You couldn’t pay me enough to ditch my iPad and switch to a windows tablet.

Google Classroom hates the iPad.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

Thanks to Apples’s decision to make all their iPad apps subscription only, my current iPP is the first and also last iPP I have ever bought. The subscription model makes this extremely expensive piece of hardware less useful for me.

 

[Abazigal]

Google Classroom hates the iPad.

Google just hates the iPad in general.

 

[anthorumor]

I need a mini

 

[throAU]

Don't buy in 2024, I hear there will be major updates in 2026

in the meantime, you'll be fine with paper and crayons.

 

[anthony13]

Don’t get me wrong, I probably agree with MR and wouldn’t buy one right now, but oled isn’t that much of a game changer for me. A newly designed Smart Keyboard might move the dial. But honestly it’s the software holding this beast that is the iPad back and it has been for years.

 

[Abazigal]

Don't buy in 2024, I hear there will be major updates in 2026

in the meantime, you'll be fine with paper and crayons.

I think the OP's rationale is as follows:

It's been almost a year since the M2 iPad Pro was released. It's also another 8 months till the M3 iPad Pro is released (estimated).

We are currently in the middle of what is supposedly a 1.5 year refresh cycle. Kinda like a neither-here-nor-there timing. I can really see arguments both for getting the M2 iPad Pro if you are in the market for one, and for opting to wait.

Go with the M2 iPad Pro - All your accessories carry over (eg: Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard / Logitech keyboard folio etc). You might be able to get a decent discount if you look hard enough. But the 2018 iPad Pro is still a very capable device, and if you are coming from an older iPad, you will still need to buy your accessories again.

Wait it out for the M3 iPad Pro - You can still wait, don't think the current iPad models offer a significant enough improvement over what you currently have, and hope for a more radical design next year. M2 in particular doesn't seem that huge of a boost over the M1, but you will be hard-pressed to find a workflow that taxes the M2 even. And depending on whether it gets a new form factor or not, you may need to buy your accessories all over again. Plus they may cost more. Again.

There is of course, always the possibility that we don't get a new iPad next April, since this is all still speculation.

Maybe I should have upgraded last year. 🤔

 

[Joe Dohn]

There’s a reason why I have been using an iPad to teach in the classroom since 2012 - windows tablets are absolute crap for what I need them to do.

[...]

You couldn’t pay me enough to ditch my iPad and switch to a windows tablet.

The problem with these arguments is that you don't even NEED to go to the Windows ecosystem to find a better alternative. A Macbook has just as much battery life (if not more), and is far more versatile, while still being able to run all the iPad can.

If you ARE willing to go for an Android alternative, you'll see that they aren't standing still waiting. The Samsung Galaxy tablet S9 Ultra can have up to 12 hours battery life (https://www.techradar.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-s9-ultra-review). And remember, Samsung makes screens for Apple, so your experience should be very close, with Samsung giving ever-so-slightly more vivid colors due to default calibration.

 

[Joe Dohn]

And depending on whether it gets a new form factor or not, you may need to buy your accessories all over again. Plus they may cost more. Again.

If Apple wants to charge more, their device has to do more. I won't be paying $2,000 for a glorified PDF reader / external monitor (which doesn't even play nice with default resolutions) ever again.

 

[xantufrog]

Only if you want to. You could just grab a x86 tablet instead, which would be inherently more useful. The Microsoft Surface comes to mind, but there are other options (e.g, from Asus) if you want to.

And if you go the AMD route, you can find some power efficient tablets that last as much or almost as much as the iPad, while maybe being a bit thicker.

I feel you're opening a can of worms... x86 laptops tend to be cheaper, easier to maintain with home diy, and have more 3rd party software support than Macs.... at what point does this line of reasoning break down? Or does it?

The Apple form factor, OS, cross-product integration, design language and materials, more subtle hardware features (ports, apple pens, etc) are things that sell macbooks and iPads alike when you could otherwise usually save money for the same (or sometimes more) power and more expansive "do whatever you want with it" traits elsewhere. These things have to count for something.

 

[Joe Dohn]

I feel you're opening a can of worms... x86 laptops tend to be cheaper, easier to maintain with home diy, and have more 3rd party software support than Macs.... at what point does this line of reasoning break down? Or does it?

The Apple form factor, OS, cross-product integration, design language and materials, more subtle hardware features (ports, apple pens, etc) are things that sell macbooks and iPads alike when you could otherwise usually save money for the same (or sometimes more) power and more expansive "do whatever you want with it" traits elsewhere. These things have to count for something.

Apple is not being a great value ever since they banned eGPU and dual booting from their machines.
Also, Windows has caught up since 7. For example, you think Windows 10 / 11 is substantially harder to use than MacOS / iOS? I think not (just more annoying, maybe).

For example, one thing that has gotten much easier over time is installation. You used to be forced to install drivers manually for most devices in your PC before using Windows; now, it will instead detect almost everything manually (even Internet) during install.

And if you really want to, you can find laptops just as slim and elegant on the PC side as well. Dell is an example on that.

 

[dominiongamma]

or...
those who DID wait and pull the trigger on an OLED model will complain about the price increase over the previous gen.

If people read the rumors on here, (which I know they do), then they are fully aware the iPads have a good chance good the price increase, probably not for the average person. I will probably get an iPad Pro 12.9 at the end of year once they drop some holidays sales on them. Thinking more on it, I could be good with the current iPad Pro

 

[Abazigal]

The problem with these arguments is that you don't even NEED to go to the Windows ecosystem to find a better alternative. A Macbook has just as much battery life (if not more), and is far more versatile, while still being able to run all the iPad can.

A MBA doesn’t have a touchscreen, inbuilt cellular, rear camera, nor can it be detached from the keyboard.

If you have been following me for some time around here, you will understand why I use an iPad more extensively than a laptop for the stuff that I do, and I find that a laptop is not a substitute for an iPad in my circumstance.

If you ARE willing to go for an Android alternative, you'll see that they aren't standing still waiting. The Samsung Galaxy tablet S9 Ultra can have up to 12 hours battery life (https://www.techradar.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-s9-ultra-review). And remember, Samsung makes screens for Apple, so your experience should be very close, with Samsung giving ever-so-slightly more vivid colors due to default calibration.

Hardware-wise, perhaps. I bought my dad a Xiaomi tablet and it’s a nice piece of hardware at a very affordable price.

But then I lose the ecosystem integration (iCloud, airdrop, continuity), and more importantly, the iPad apps that I have come to rely on. While I have lost Tweetbot and Apollo, there is still Notability, 1Password, Overcast, Ivory, Lookup, PDF Expert, MindNode and Things.

I am pretty invested in a number of apps and I would find it pretty annoying to have to look for alternatives, given the state of tablet apps in the google play store.

 

[Crowbot]

[...]


The problem with these arguments is that you don't even NEED to go to the Windows ecosystem to find a better alternative. A Macbook has just as much battery life (if not more), and is far more versatile, while still being able to run all the iPad can.

If you ARE willing to go for an Android alternative, you'll see that they aren't standing still waiting. The Samsung Galaxy tablet S9 Ultra can have up to 12 hours battery life (https://www.techradar.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-s9-ultra-review). And remember, Samsung makes screens for Apple, so your experience should be very close, with Samsung giving ever-so-slightly more vivid colors due to default calibration.

If I was going to move from an iPad to a MacBook, the only candidate would be the Air. It's the closest in weight to the iPad and portability is critical to me. Years ago I had a Toshiba Libretto. The screen was small but it couldn't be beat for portability.

 

[sracer]

If people read the rumors on here, (which I know they do), then they are fully aware the iPads have a good chance good the price increase, probably not for the average person. I will probably get an iPad Pro 12.9 at the end of year once they drop some holidays sales on them. Thinking more on it, I could be good with the current iPad Pro

Just because the regulars here know a price increase is coming doesn't stop them from complaining about it.

 

[xantufrog]

Apple is not being a great value ever since they banned eGPU and dual booting from their machines.
Also, Windows has caught up since 7. For example, you think Windows 10 / 11 is substantially harder to use than MacOS / iOS? I think not (just more annoying, maybe).

For example, one thing that has gotten much easier over time is installation. You used to be forced to install drivers manually for most devices in your PC before using Windows; now, it will instead detect almost everything manually (even Internet) during install.

And if you really want to, you can find laptops just as slim and elegant on the PC side as well. Dell is an example on that.

Yes, that was my point - if you just look at component traits one might take your argument and say "don't buy an Apple" instead of your more restrictive "don't buy an iPad". You're the one telling people to buy a MacBook instead, but I don't think you are sticking to your own narrative regarding the iPad when you make that recommendation.

My counterpoint would be these products function in your hands in a way that is more than just the sum of their parts. From the size, shape, build quality to (IMO most importantly) the synergy of the software ecosystem, even though it is more limited in breadth Apple's products tend to work very easily and consistently. They feel good and painless to use, in both the physical and software ecosystem space.

For the record, I'm a Windows and Linux user for my daily computing needs, and I'd happily defend my ThinkPad all day. But I think your argument against the iPad misses a lot of the holistic user experience quality that makes Apple products (laptops and ipads alike) stand out. They do not stand out because of their price or having the most software. Typically they are a pain to repair oneself. Those are not why people buy them. Coming from Android and windows tablets the iPad is definitely preferable for my daily tablet use, and my next tablet will almost surely be another ipad

 

[tomtad]

New iPhones coming in 2024 too.

Don’t buy an iPad, period. Unless you absolutely need touch/pencil support, a laptop will be a better value, be serviceable longer, and give you more versatility and flexibility.

Exactly this. Apple's strategy is a complete mess at the moment and I don't think they know where to move.

As a product it's getting squeezed from both sides, larger screened phones are making the iPad as a content consumption device less relevant and fast, fanless ARM powered MacBooks with double the battery life make it make less sense as a laptop replacement. It really feels the iPad increasingly lacks a clear purpose of a device.

I feel what Apple should focus on is flexibility. Where the MacBook offers a rigid experience with a fixed board and trackpad the iPad is able to shapeshift and become a magazine, or a notepad, a canvas as well as a laptop. And the problem is while the iPad is flexible with it's hardware, it's paired with rigid software that limits what you can do.

The line up needs shrinking down, the battery life needs to be better, accessories need to be better and cheaper. But fundamentally the OS needs to be able to scale to offer the flexibility macOS, and iPad hardware, offers.

 

[Joe Dohn]

A MBA doesn’t have a touchscreen, inbuilt cellular, rear camera, nor can it be detached from the keyboard.

If you have been following me for some time around here, you will understand why I use an iPad more extensively than a laptop for the stuff that I do, and I find that a laptop is not a substitute for an iPad in my circumstance.

I haven't been following you, sorry. I only participate here occasionally.
That being said, I'm assuming you need a rear camera to record class for some reason or you teaching. In that case, you could simply turn the laptop 180º.

But if you want touch so much, there are a few options, from many other devices who do have touch enabled. to touch screen overlays (to convert any screen into a touch screen), or simply a drawing tablet (with or without a screen).

 

[Joe Dohn]

My counterpoint would be these products function in your hands in a way that is more than just the sum of their parts. From the size, shape, build quality to (IMO most importantly the synergy of the software ecosystem, even though it is more limited in breadth) Apple's products tend to work very easily and consistently. They feel good and painless to use, in both the physical and software ecosystem space.

For the record, I'm a Windows and Linux user for my daily computing needs, and I'd happily defend my ThinkPad all day. But I think your argument against the iPad misses a lot of the holistic user experience quality that makes Apple products (laptops and ipads alike) stand out. They do not stand out because of their price or having the most software. Typically they are a pain to repair oneself. Those are not why people buy them. Coming from Android and windows tablets the iPad is definitely preferable for my daily tablet use, and my next tablet will almost surely be another ipad

I'm being harsh to Apple precisely because they have been neglectful to their strongest point: the ecosystem.
While Tim Cook HAS refined current hardware, it feels he has been playing too safe, and is not willing to put money into refining the software, as it is more expensive and user don't necessarily notice it easily.

For example, there have been reports of Apple neglecting Final Cut and people moving to Davinci Resolve because it's simply faster and more featured.

That takes away the clear advantage Macs had in video and image editing. Or can you say Macs are objectively better today for video editing than a x86 PC?

But I'm digressing. Since the topic was on the iPad, we are talking about the iPad ecosystem. And besides Procreate, the iPad doesn't have many apps that give it a CLEAR advantage. And even Procreate can be replaced to a degree with ClipStudio, Photoshop or Fresco.

I would argue that even convenience has been taking a hit. If anything, the iPad is clunkier to use sometimes because it doesn't play along well with being connected to an external monitor (for example, it refuses to resize well to a default monitor resolution, and here it will give some nasty vertical bars).

So, I'm criticizing Apple because I WANT the Apple products to be better and more flexible. Because I KNOW they can be more. It has the potential to do so. Apple is being simply too draconian and is penny pinching to the detriment of the ecosystem. I don't think they'll listen to a comment from a random user on a small forum, but you can only hope.

 

[slyronit]

There are 4 more months till 2024. And it likely won’t launch in January. People should wait at least 6 more months for an iPad?