Resolved Should I Buy a New iPad Air or Refurb Pro? More inside..

[Blur702]

Hello,

I'm looking to get an iPad. I recently switched from Android to iPhone, Windows to OSX, and now I would like to get an iPad. There are apps on my phone that I really like, but the screen size doesn't really accommodate my big fat thumbs. But I'm torn between a new iPad Air or getting an older model iPad pro. Yup, I'm on a budget.

”What apps do you like?”
Hey, I'm glad you asked. Right now I am loving Lunafusion. I use Premiere/After Effects on the Mac, but for super basic projects, Lunafusion is a great alternative. I also use the Adobe mobile apps, but it's never anything complicated because I have a computer.

I also stream udemy videos at night when I'm trying to learn. Trying is the key word.

I also use Pythonista really badly and read all of the fake news I can find. I would like to be able to use the Apple Pencil so I can confuse my mom by sending a handwritten email.

All kidding aside, I'm torn between a new iPod Air or a 2017ish Pro. Wifi only. Although a bigger screen with a larger virtual keyboard and a cell connection would help with texting and driving. I'm kidding.

Once this coronavirus thing blows over and they let me back in the office, I'll be looking to use it on the train between Baltimore and DC.

Any help would be great.
Thanks for reading my diatribe,
Kevin

 

[0128672]

Welcome to Macrumors! Go for an Apple Refurb Pro. This month I got a 2018 12.9 IPP and it's perfect. I couldn't be happier with a like new device. You may already know this, but Apple refurbs with a new outer shell, battery and anything else that needs replacing. You can read more about its refurb process on its site. I also have a 2018 refurb Mac Mini, and again it was in mint condition.

The 2018 IPP 11s are a little harder to find in stock than the 2017 and 2018 12.9s there, so it's good to check daily.

There's a good thread here about all of the Pro advantages that you might enjoy reading: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/trying-to-decide-benefits-of-the-pro-are.2237323/

Good luck and be sure to post what you decide to do.

 

[Blur702]

Hello,

Thank you for replying. I have a refurb 2018 MBP that I love, so I'll probably go the IPP refurb route.

Thanks for posting the link. I will definitely check it out.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I'll probably go the IPP refurb route.

Please update us when it arrives!

 

[Alexis Noel]

Hello,

Thank you for replying. I have a refurb 2018 MBP that I love, so I'll probably go the IPP refurb route.

Thanks for posting the link. I will definitely check it out.

I agree with AutomticApple. Refurb iPP, whether it is a 2018 11 or 12.9 or a 2017 10.5 is better than a new iPad Air.

You noted being torn between the air and 10.5 pro, which is understandable, however based on what you have provided, the pro would suffice.

The pro has the advantage of 120Hz Promotion, laminated display and 4 speakers, capable of landscape stereo mode, unlike the air.
The air boasts a new processor, and as such a bit more future proof. However, I believe what you get out of a pro, which you could find as an apple certified refurb for ~$350-$400 outweigh what you get from an air.

 

[ericwn]

Hey Kevin, another vote to check out the refurbished offerings from Apple.

 

[chhhrrriiisss]

I’m not sure if I got lucky or not but yesterday I decided to get a 12.9 IPP and when I checked my local Best Buy they had one opened box listed as satisfactory condition for $140 off. I risked it and purchased it and when I opened it, the thing looks brand new.

 

[Blur702]

Hello, everyone.

Thank you for your recommendation. I'm going to go with the 2017 IPP. Now it's just finding out where to buy and the best deal for the price. I'm not looking for the least expensive as I know there are a lot of shady vendors out there. I'm mainly torn between a 256g at Amazon for $479, or the refurb from Apple at $509 ($539 after taxes).

I also would like to get a pencil. Is there an off-brand that works well? I can't seem to find a 1st gen pencil for less than $100. Do I sound like a cheap-o? I feel like I do.

How long should I expect Apple to keep new OS builds compatible with the 2017 IPP?

 

[rui no onna]

I also would like to get a pencil. Is there an off-brand that works well? I can't seem to find a 1st gen pencil for less than $100. Do I sound like a cheap-o? I feel like I do.

Just a thought, if you want a Pencil as well, I wouldn't bother with Gen1 at this point.

There are very good Pencil alternatives that use the same tech which work on 2018 iPads and newer (missing pressure sensitivity though). This is one of the reasons I bought an Air 3 for swapping instead of another Pro 10.5.

 

[Blur702]

Does a gen 2 pencil work with IPP 10.5 (2017)?

 

[rui no onna]

Does a gen 2 pencil work with IPP 10.5 (2017)?

Sadly, no. Only gen 1 Apple Pencil. No alternatives except pretty crappy styluses.

 

[Blur702]

Thank you.
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Oh, geeze. I'm so indecisive. I'm now looking to open the budget a bit and looking at refurbs around $700. I just know that I'm probably going to be using this more than the laptop. So indecisive. I don't know how I made it this far in life.

 

[0128672]

Occasionally I've seen the Pencil 2 in the Refurb Store Accessories section for $109. There are a couple places I saw today that offer the Pencil 1 for $89 (Mac of all trades is one of them).

 

[ACG12]

I have an Air 3 and my wife has the 10.5" Pro. It's really no comparison, the 10.5" Pro is a much better experience.

It's not in stock ATM, but the 64gb 10.5" Pro WIFI on Apple's refurb website is the best bang for the buck, period. 120hz, 4gb RAM, better rear camera with flash, quad speakers (this is my biggest problem with the Air 3). I also can't tell a difference in speed between their processors...They're almost identical from what I've noticed.

 

[Blur702]

Have you ever started out shopping for a minivan (something to get the job done) and ended up buying a super-deluxe, pimped out, 'paid too much money for' SUV? Welp, I pulled the trigger on a 4th gen 12.9" IPP.

Thank you everyone for your wise words, I appreciate it.

---Edit---
If I remember correctly, the apps I buy through the app store can be used on all devices connected to the same Store account, right?

 

[Clintro]

Congrats, Sometimes we just want what we want, plus it is a nice flex at the coffee shop. (If we even get back to normal, LOL)

 

[rui no onna]

Have you ever started out shopping for a minivan (something to get the job done) and ended up buying a super-deluxe, pimped out, 'paid too much money for' SUV? Welp, I pulled the trigger on a 4th gen 12.9" IPP.

Thank you everyone for your wise words, I appreciate it.

---Edit---
If I remember correctly, the apps I buy through the app store can be used on all devices connected to the same Store account, right?

Lol, I actually miss having a minivan.

As for apps, yes.

 

[Blur702]

Ha ha!

Does anyone want to come by for some Ramen Soup? I splurged and got the packs that cost 33 cents apiece.

This is exactly how it went down when I bought my phone. Do I need an 11 pro max? No. My galaxy s7 worked.

Oh - gonna need a couch to sleep on when the wife finds out. No need to worry about the killer virus that's out and about. I had my daily bleach shots.

Good to know about the apps. I've bought way too many. Thanks for being cool about all of this.

 

[ssledoux]

I doubt you’ll regret that purchase. These things are amazing!

 

[Blur702]

I don’t. It came in the mail this morning and I haven’t put it down. Waiting for the pencil to come in on Tuesday.