Upgrade Air 2 to 9.7 iPad Pro?

[jbachandouris]

I've been on the fence since I already sold my Air 2. Now my obsessive 'window shopping' has me debating between the IPP 128GB cellular and non cellular.

$749 wifi. $779 LTE (with contract through AT&T.

I have also debated on paying off the Next plan on my wife's phone ($300) so that I can use Next for the IPP.

Then there's the iPhone 7...

 

[melman101]

I have an iPad Air 2. I have 3 years AppleCare on it because it was bought through an educational institution. That being said, I will not be upgrading to the iPad Pro. Without a fundamental change in iOS, it is no more a pro machine than the iPad Air 2. That being said, I know people who could use an iPad Pro as a primary computer, however, I will always need a laptop as I am a database administrator, etc.

So I'll be sticking with my iPad Air 2 as I don't see any significant reason for me to upgrade since all I do on it is web browsing. And the occasional email.

 

[rui no onna]

I've been on the fence since I already sold my Air 2. Now my obsessive 'window shopping' has me debating between the IPP 128GB cellular and non cellular.

$749 wifi. $779 LTE (with contract through AT&T.

I have also debated on paying off the Next plan on my wife's phone ($300) so that I can use Next for the IPP.

Then there's the iPhone 7...

Figure around $40 for activation/upgrade fee for AT&T 2-year contract and I think $15-20 for Next and the discount/financing becomes less appealing.

Just as a thought experiment, calculated how much one needs in AAPL shares so dividends can support annual upgrades. Their dividend was $2.08 for FY15-16. Figure $750 for iPhone 7 64GB and $750 for iPad Pro 9.7" 128GB. You'd need around 721 shares. At $106/share, that's $76,426. Too much concentration in one company for me.

 

[Cayden]

I upgraded mine. I plan on selling the air 2 and am only spending about $500 for the new iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil, so I'm excited for it. If I could've just got the pencil to work with my air 2 I would have, but it's worth it for me to go to the newer iPad for the pencil support

 

[ahostmadsen]

I am on the opposite of you, I am thinking if I don't buy this now, I just don't see any possible hardware upgrades in the future except for more RAM and I doubt they will introduce a new iPad featuring just more RAM.

3D touch.

 

[RMSko]

I love the Smart Keyboard on the 12.9 Pro so much that I wished to use it on the 9.7.

The Smart Keyboard is one of the reasons I'm getting the IPP 9.7. If I could use that with my iPad Air (I have the original Air, not Air 2), it could have been a tougher decision. That said, I probably still would be upgrading b/c of twice as much RAM, fingerprint sensor, plus the LTE hardware upgrades (I have grandfathered unlimited data and use Slingbox on my Air all the time).

 

[Sloan Ranger]

I was prepared to upgrade my Air 2 for no other reason than having the latest greatest. I expected that i would at the very least be able to spend the same $600 I paid for the 64 GB Air 2 and come out ahead with at the very least the same storage, and a better overall machine. Since i have to spend $750 to achieve this I will just hang on to my otherwise fine and dandy Air 2. I could give two poops about the 4 speakers, the camera, the $99 pencil, the $149 keyboard (which seems like it would be a downgrade in user experience compared to my Macbook Air). Apple left out folks like me in predicting what we wanted to see and instead priced it such that one would have to spend $150 more for basic generational tech upgrades to a 15 month old device. The pricing should have been lateral. Apple could have had my $600 in a heartbeat. But now they get nothing. I hope enough folks speak with their wallets so we may see a price break in the future or unpgrade to the pathetic offering of 32GB of storage in the base Pro 9.7. Not even considering the 2GB of memory, how can you offer a device that shoots 4k with only 32 GB and not have an sd slot? Very annoyed, but first world problems. The Air 2 works fine for now.

 

[Kendo]

I was prepared to upgrade my Air 2 for no other reason than having the latest greatest. I expected that i would at the very least be able to spend the same $600 I paid for the 64 GB Air 2 and come out ahead with at the very least the same storage, and a better overall machine. Since i have to spend $750 to achieve this I will just hang on to my otherwise fine and dandy Air 2. I could give two poops about the 4 speakers, the camera, the $99 pencil, the $149 keyboard (which seems like it would be a downgrade in user experience compared to my Macbook Air). Apple left out folks like me in predicting what we wanted to see and instead priced it such that one would have to spend $150 more for basic generational tech upgrades to a 15 month old device. The pricing should have been lateral. Apple could have had my $600 in a heartbeat. But now they get nothing. I hope enough folks speak with their wallets so we may see a price break in the future or unpgrade to the pathetic offering of 32GB of storage in the base Pro 9.7. Not even considering the 2GB of memory, how can you offer a device that shoots 4k with only 32 GB and not have an sd slot? Very annoyed, but first world problems. The Air 2 works fine for now.

Great post and pretty much sums up my feelings. I generally upgrade my iPad every year since it is easy to sell the current one and pay a little more for the new one. I don't mind a small bump in price to incorporate the Apple Pencil sensors into the display but to deliberately cut out the 64GB tier is frustrating. 32GB is not enough and 128GB is too much. Not sure why they just didn't make the base model 64GB. If loyalists like you and myself feel this way, I'm assuming Apple will see this in their iPad Pro sales.

 

[Talkingtoaster]

Yeah you have to go through the list of new features and decide how many of them are worthwhile for you. It is marketing, and the longer the list of new things you can stuff into the brain of the potential customer - the better the chance you have of converting them into a paying customer.

If you don't use the camera, have no use or interest in the pencil, and you won't buy a smart connector keyboard - you've already crossed quite a few related items off big Phil's list. Add in the protruding camera and suddenly one of the touted upgrades can become a negative for you.

I'm sure the new display tech is great. The new processor, graphics and faster RAM a very nice speed bump, but if you're not using particularly complex apps (and there aren't many that will really tax even the Air 2 right now) then all you're getting is some neat benchmark scores with very limited real world benefit.

Apple is doing their job with the marketing. You have to do yours in applying some critical thinking to establish what in the powerful marketing messages is meaningful to you.

Right on the money my friend and exactly my thoughts summed up. The most taxing thing I will be doing is university work (essays etc), streaming movies to my TV and playing games such as 'Real Racing' etc. I have a 55" TV and PS4 8 feet in front of me, so even iPad gaming isn't 'needed'. AIR 2 it is for me, thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Sloan Ranger]

Great post and pretty much sums up my feelings. I generally upgrade my iPad every year since it is easy to sell the current one and pay a little more for the new one. I don't mind a small bump in price to incorporate the Apple Pencil sensors into the display but to deliberately cut out the 64GB tier is frustrating. 32GB is not enough and 128GB is too much. Not sure why they just didn't make the base model 64GB. If loyalists like you and myself feel this way, I'm assuming Apple will see this in their iPad Pro sales.

I presume the decision to not offer 64 GB in the base model was a hedged bet on the lot of us, who upgrade just to have the latest, to be chomping at the bit to upgrade. I know i was--like a crack fiend on a 3 month dry spell. 15 months is a long time in iPad years. I would have stopped on a dime and scooped it up if it had 64 GB, and i wouldnt mind 128 as i have plenty of media to fill it up with, however $150 more to ensure i have a superior device is too far reaching for me to satisfy the want when there is no need. On my Air 2 i have 10 iTunes movies stored locally and including the rest of my stuff...i have 6 GB left over. Clear downgrade in convenience. Ive been an absolute sucker for apple gear since 1983 and an easy sell time after time, but something just doesnt sit well with me on this one. The juice is not worth the squeeze right now for the basic media consumer.

 

[Melrose]

This thread is like a living testament to the fact that you can't reason with trolls.

I was prepared to upgrade my Air 2 for no other reason than having the latest greatest. I expected that i would at the very least be able to spend the same $600 I paid for the 64 GB Air 2 and come out ahead with at the very least the same storage, and a better overall machine. Since i have to spend $750 to achieve this I will just hang on to my otherwise fine and dandy Air 2. I could give two poops about the 4 speakers, the camera, the $99 pencil, the $149 keyboard (which seems like it would be a downgrade in user experience compared to my Macbook Air). Apple left out folks like me in predicting what we wanted to see and instead priced it such that one would have to spend $150 more for basic generational tech upgrades to a 15 month old device. The pricing should have been lateral. Apple could have had my $600 in a heartbeat. But now they get nothing. I hope enough folks speak with their wallets so we may see a price break in the future or unpgrade to the pathetic offering of 32GB of storage in the base Pro 9.7. Not even considering the 2GB of memory, how can you offer a device that shoots 4k with only 32 GB and not have an sd slot? Very annoyed, but first world problems. The Air 2 works fine for now.

That's not true and you know it. As so many ObviousTrollsAreObvious users have noted already, most consumers don't need the power that comes form the 9.7" iPad Pro.

 

[pasadena]

I'm not going from iPad Air 2 to Pro, but I am going from Mini 2 to Pro, and if I had an Air 2, I would also upgrade in a heartbeat. The main reason (and the only one, really) is the Pencil. This iPad is the one I've been waiting for since the first one came out in 2010. I want a tablet to write on. The screen bump from the mini is nice too.

But yeah, Pencil.

When the 12" Pro came out last year, I was SO envious. Held back because I couldn't justify the price and the screen was too big for my usage. I've been eagerly waiting for the 9.7 version, and I'm jumping on it.

 

[MrJM]

I've got a first generation 16gb air. It still works and is in great shape. I would really like the upgrade to the pro but not sure I can justify it! Mines a bit sluggish at times but still does what I need it to do, am I likely to notice that much difference?

 

[ZBoater]

... am I likely to notice that much difference?

Oh yes.

 

[ahostmadsen]

I'm not going from iPad Air 2 to Pro, but I am going from Mini 2 to Pro, and if I had an Air 2, I would also upgrade in a heartbeat. The main reason (and the only one, really) is the Pencil. This iPad is the one I've been waiting for since the first one came out in 2010. I want a tablet to write on. The screen bump from the mini is nice too.

But yeah, Pencil.

When the 12" Pro came out last year, I was SO envious. Held back because I couldn't justify the price and the screen was too big for my usage. I've been eagerly waiting for the 9.7 version, and I'm jumping on it.

Exactly. When the first iPad came out, I was disappointed it did not support pen input. I guess one reason might have to distinguished it from MS failed 'pen computing.' The 12.9 is just too big and heavy. This is exactly the iPad I have wanted from the beginning. Yet, having an Air 2, it seems $1000 is a lot to spend just to get a pencil.

 

[ZBoater]

... Yet, having an Air 2, it seems $1000 is a lot to spend just to get a pencil.

And better screen. And better speakers. And faster processor.

You know, an upgrade.

 

[jbachandouris]

I was on the fence, but AT&T helped me decide tonight.

I called because I had asked for more data and a lower bill a few months back and the bill only dropped $7. They had given me 6GB (3GB, double data). It turns out that it was cheaper for me to buy 20GB. The rep put me on that plan AND cancelled the 2 year agreement contract on one of my lines (I have 2 NEXT agreements, so they knew I wasn't going anywhere). They also gave me $100 bill credit for the inconvenience. Now my bill is $20 lower.

$779-100=$679 for a 2 year contract for a 128GB LTE 9.7 or $44/month for 20 months Next. Decisions, decisions...

 

[ahostmadsen]

And better screen. And better speakers. And faster processor.

You know, an upgrade.

I know, but I'm not sure they will really matter to me. The Air 2 is fast enough. But the pencil does. I use a pen with my air 2 quite a lot, but it's far from ideal.

 

[eyeseeyou]

I asked this in another thread, would your rather have a 32gb iPad Pro 9.7 or 128gb iPad Air 2?

 

[rui no onna]

I asked this in another thread, would your rather have a 32gb iPad Pro 9.7 or 128gb iPad Air 2?

For me, storage is more important therefore, 128GB Air 2, no question. Thankfully, I can afford a 256GB iPad Pro 9.7.

 

[Traverse]

Everyone's talking about 4K screens. As nice as a resolution bump is it will be more demanding on the processor and cripple battery life unless Apple's comes out with a very innovative screen or juices up the battery.

 

[klikekyle]

I've been on the fence since I already sold my Air 2. Now my obsessive 'window shopping' has me debating between the IPP 128GB cellular and non cellular.

$749 wifi. $779 LTE (with contract through AT&T.

I have also debated on paying off the Next plan on my wife's phone ($300) so that I can use Next for the IPP.

Then there's the iPhone 7...

And it never stops..... LOL

 

[dumastudetto]

I've got a first generation 16gb air. It still works and is in great shape. I would really like the upgrade to the pro but not sure I can justify it! Mines a bit sluggish at times but still does what I need it to do, am I likely to notice that much difference?

You'll need to tell people what you are doing to know how much of a difference it will make. And do you need the pencil? An Air 2 refurb might be a better option if not.

As a browsing/email device the Air 1 is still okay. But I wouldn't upgrade iOS beyond 9.3.x. Apple is no longer selling it thus expect it to get very slow with iOS 10 and onwards, because they won't do much (if any) optimisation for it.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I'm not interested in the pencil or the keyboard. Had the price of the pro stayed the same as previous models the improved screen, quad speakers and improved camera may have been enough for me to consider upgrading. However I pad £560 for my 128GB iPad Air 2. To get an iPad Pro 9.7 in 128GB I'd need to spend £60 more. I'm not interested in spending extra when in not interested in the pencil or the keyboard. Besides my air 2 still runs very well. I have no complaints at all. If I had the air 1 then I would upgrade but as the air 2 still runs perfectly I won't bother.

 

[Loveandterror]

I have requested to have my preorder of the ipp 9.7 128gb cancelled.
Now I have the choice between the ipp 9.7 32gb ( I just don't need more) and the air 2.

I've read everyone's replies to this thread and still don't know what to do.
- I suck at drawing and don't need to take notes regularly besides the odd shopping list etc. So there is no need for pencil support.

- I don't need games and I usually only stream movies to my tv.

I would like to store a few kids episodes on the iPad for my little one.
I guess I should go for the air 2, but i am worried about future proofing (I don't plan on upgrading every year, more like 2-3yrs)
Can anyone help me make a decision? My brain feels fried.