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iPad Upgrade now or wait for March release?

surfnode

surfnode

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 27, 2013
149
51
United Kingdom
Hello!

I currently have an iPad mini 2 which has got rather slow since iOS 11 was installed. I use several music apps in my personal time and there is terrible latency when producing sounds. Should I upgrade to a 2017 iPad now (within my budget) or should I wait until March to see whether a new iPad gets released?
 
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I would argue there is little difference regarding sound quality across those iPads. Just go for it.
However, if you are patient enough to wait a bit longer (2 months), new iPad could be a bit better than current one. I am not sure.
 
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You should wait. 2 months is not that long and the rumors are that it's going to be even cheaper. So you would save money and get a newer and possibly better device.
 
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If you find a good deal like $200-250 for the 2017 iPad 9.7, just go for the upgrade. If it's full price, then I'd recommend waiting a little bit.
 
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surfnode said:
Hello!

I currently have an iPad mini 2 which has got rather slow since iOS 11 was installed. I use several music apps in my personal time and there is terrible latency when producing sounds. Should I upgrade to a 2017 iPad now (within my budget) or should I wait until March to see whether a new iPad gets released?
Click to expand...

Do Not Violate the 3 Rules of IPad Buying. Live by them.
Three Rules to IPad Buying. 100% works and will keep you happy.

#1. Always skip a Generation Minimum.
#2. Never buy last years model.
#3. Always buy an iPad with a feature the one you have does not.
 
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TheRealAlex said:
Do Not Violate the 3 Rules of IPad Buying. Live by them.
Three Rules to IPad Buying. 100% works and will keep you happy.

#1. Always skip a Generation Minimum.
#2. Never buy last years model.
#3. Always buy an iPad with a feature the one you have does not.
Click to expand...
Meh, if I followed these guidelines, I would be really frustrated with the 256GB storage and smaller display on my Pro 9.7 right now (for select tasks).

Besides, we're at the point where Apple's chipsets are bridging the gap with x86. Getting a slightly older iPad now is more like buying Core 2 Wolfdale/Yorkfield after Core i- Nehalem release and not so much Pentium IV after Core 2 release.
 
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I also still currently use an ipad mini 2. I haven't downloaded ios 11 on it yet, but the screen is cracked & the home button is totally broken. I had to set up a virtual home button. It works, but is a real pain! So, like you, i'm also planning to upgrade. I am going to wait until March tho to see if Apple releases a new ipad mini. It's a long shot, but i'd really like to see an ipad mini pro. Would be nice to be able to use the apple pencil with it. The last update was over 2 years ago, so i think if Apple doesn't update the mini this year, it might be discontinued i'm afraid. March is a good guess for a possible ipad mini update. If no ipad mini is announced then, i will wait until WWDC in June for the next ipad pro update. Although i prefer the size of the mini, i'll get the next 10.5" ipad pro update rather than buy an already old ipad mini 4. Just not worth it to me.

I only hope my ipad mini 2 doesn't die before March....or June! Lol
 
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I was planning on getting a new iPad right after Christmas, but after reading peoples comments in this forum will now be waiting till March and reviews.
 
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digitalcuriosity said:
I was planning on getting a new iPad right after Christmas, but after reading peoples comments in this forum will now be waiting till March and reviews.
Click to expand...
Why wait for reviews? I need a tablet and I plan on buying the next iPad on day 1. If I'm not satisfied I can bring it back.
 
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Glmnet1 said:
You should wait. 2 months is not that long and the rumors are that it's going to be even cheaper. So you would save money and get a newer and possibly better device.
Click to expand...

Wait ! What ? First up where are you getting these rumours that the iPad is going to release in March ? is it iPad Pro you are talking about or the 9.7" iPad ? I do not see anywhere these rumours that you talk about if a new iPad coming in March ? 2018 yes ! But March where ?
 
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augustya said:
Wait ! What ? First up where are you getting these rumours that the iPad is going to release in March ? is it iPad Pro you are talking about or the 9.7" iPad ? I do not see anywhere these rumours that you talk about if a new iPad coming in March ? 2018 yes ! But March where ?
Click to expand...

The 2017 iPad was released in March 2017.

That’s pretty much it, aside from iPads usually getting an update in March.

I don’t think anyone is expecting iPad pros to get an update in March, earliest will be WWDC but more likely September+.

There’s a lot of rumours about the new SE around March, so people probably just think that’s when a new iPad will be announced too. That said - I think there’s been a few rumours of a cheap iPad being released in second quarter, which lines up nicely with an end of March announcement.
 
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rui no onna said:
Meh, if I followed these guidelines, I would be really frustrated with the 256GB storage and smaller display on my Pro 9.7 right now (for select tasks).

Besides, we're at the point where Apple's chipsets are bridging the gap with x86. Getting a slightly older iPad now is more like buying Core 2 Wolfdale/Yorkfield after Core i- Nehalem release and not so much Pentium IV after Core 2 release.
Click to expand...
You did follow the guidelines. You followed Rule #3. It’s not all or nothing. Congrats.
 
TheRealAlex said:
You did follow the guidelines. You followed Rule #3. It’s not all or nothing. Congrats.
Click to expand...
The way the post is worded implies all or nothing.

Mind, I violated rule #2, too. Also got the following last year:

iPad Air 2 (A8X 3-yr old chipset) to replace an iPad 3
iPad 5th gen (A9 2-yr old chipset) to replace an iPad 3

At half the price of Pro 10.5, I expect we'll be fine even with a slightly shorter useful life. Wouldn't be surprised if they're still happily using it after 4 years, though (with judicious firmware updates).
 
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Given Apple's track record over the past 3-4 years, IMO the most likely change in 2018 will be an updated iPad Mini (which is a remote possibility) and even more distant than that, a 2018 iPad 9.7.
 
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My vote would be 5th generation now on another good sale. The next generation is rumored to be cheaper and maybe in more ways than one. And who knows when it’ll come out. This current version has excellent quality and functionality. And a waiting game with Apple can be frustrating and unrewarding.
 
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Richard8655 said:
My vote would be 5th generation now on another good sale. The next generation is rumored to be cheaper and maybe in more ways than one. And who knows when it’ll come out. This current version has excellent quality and functionality. And a waiting game with Apple can be frustrating and unrewarding.
Click to expand...
True. Waiting until March if possible seems reasonable. After all, a $200 9.7 iPad with plastic body and A10X would be quite the deal (if it were true).
 
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