iPad Pro What is worthwhile for 12.9" - 2018 ed.

[roadkill401]

I have made the leap from my older iPad Air to get a new 12.9" pro. I am not sure what is considered a worthwhile investment for the unit and what is nothing more than eye candy junk.

For example:

- from the older days of cell phones, they have been selling screen pretectors going from plastic and scratch to the current 9H .33mm tempered glass. But is it worth it anymore? is the gorilla glass harder and less prone to damage than what you are putting on?

- cases for ipads. There are different degrees of protection from a simple $20 plastic cover to and Otterbox defender. Are you fooling yourself to think that one is going to do a much better job than the other? Are you playing a game of no win as a case that will protect will limit the use of the iPad, and forget about using the apple pensil or charging it.

- AppleCare+. it's an upfront expense for a short term insurance policy. The chances of the iPad having a build fault between the 1st and 2nd year are pretty slim. So you are really buying it for the accidental damage part. You get what works out to the first accident costing you the $210 and a second for another $50. Are you better off putting that money towards getting a better case for it? I never needed any repairs for my iPad Air, but my iMac has been in for mechanical issues 3 times under AppleCare and not is out of it and still needs the screen fixed again (known problem with those 5k retina's).

- is this Apple pensil a toy or does it really do a good job, and do you need to buy specific software to get the most out of it?

-3.5mm headphone jack. Buy and apple one for the $10, or just get with the times and buy bluetooth headphones?

-do you invest in a usb-c hub? With power? I have a Canon 5Diii that doesn't have a usb-c cable for it. All my CF card readers are all usb3. I don't know if they apple usb adaptor gives enough power to run all the usb type devices out there. The old ipad usb dongle was pretty bad and was told it's better to buy the ipad pro lightning to usb3 adaptor as it allows for power. Is this still the case?


Are there other toys or things that would make my iPad pro experiance that much better?

 

[Mike B in ok]

I have made the leap from my older iPad Air to get a new 12.9" pro. I am not sure what is considered a worthwhile investment for the unit and what is nothing more than eye candy junk.

For example:

- from the older days of cell phones, they have been selling screen pretectors going from plastic and scratch to the current 9H .33mm tempered glass. But is it worth it anymore? is the gorilla glass harder and less prone to damage than what you are putting on?

- cases for ipads. There are different degrees of protection from a simple $20 plastic cover to and Otterbox defender. Are you fooling yourself to think that one is going to do a much better job than the other? Are you playing a game of no win as a case that will protect will limit the use of the iPad, and forget about using the apple pensil or charging it.

- AppleCare+. it's an upfront expense for a short term insurance policy. The chances of the iPad having a build fault between the 1st and 2nd year are pretty slim. So you are really buying it for the accidental damage part. You get what works out to the first accident costing you the $210 and a second for another $50. Are you better off putting that money towards getting a better case for it? I never needed any repairs for my iPad Air, but my iMac has been in for mechanical issues 3 times under AppleCare and not is out of it and still needs the screen fixed again (known problem with those 5k retina's).

- is this Apple pensil a toy or does it really do a good job, and do you need to buy specific software to get the most out of it?

-3.5mm headphone jack. Buy and apple one for the $10, or just get with the times and buy bluetooth headphones?

-do you invest in a usb-c hub? With power? I have a Canon 5Diii that doesn't have a usb-c cable for it. All my CF card readers are all usb3. I don't know if they apple usb adaptor gives enough power to run all the usb type devices out there. The old ipad usb dongle was pretty bad and was told it's better to buy the ipad pro lightning to usb3 adaptor as it allows for power. Is this still the case?


Are there other toys or things that would make my iPad pro experiance that much better?

Most of these things are either personal “religious” preference or based on your specific use case, but I’ll tell you mine:

Unless you’re going to be around sand or something similarly hard on a daily basis, I recommend against screen protectors. They don’t seem to bother many folks, but they do me. And I’ve never had even a tiny scratch on my iPad screens.

I use a minimal plastic cover on my ipads. Main goal is scratch protection for resale. I often get something that just protects edges and back, but sometimes get one with a Smart Cover. I use my iPads primarily in safe indoor locations with few people around, and occasionally while seated on an airplane, and no child ever is allowed within ten feet. So I feel at low risk for drops or falls. If I did have that , I’d go with Otterbox and accept no substitutes. I actually had a Defender case for my iPad Air, and it was surprisingly usable, but still a nuisance. And it was enough of a pain to take on and off that I couldn’t switch easily.

I’ve never even met in the real world someone who had an iPad fail other than from dropping or water. My use is mostly sedentary, so I don’t buy AppleCare for my tablets. If kids used it, or I was in a riskier environment, I’d evaluate the cost and go with how my gut felt about it. But I suspect I’d decide against. Apple doesn’t offer AppleCare as a public service, it is profitable for them based on average users. If your risks are significantly higher than the average user, it may pay off. Otherwise, Tim Cook thanks you for your contribution to this year’s bonus.

I have no experience with Pencil, but am about to buy one when I upgrade to the new tablet.

I have been using an adaptor for my iPhone and will continue for the new tablet, because I didn’t want to replace my nice Bose noise canceling headphones. But if you want to upgrade your headphones, I promise not to call you names or sling feces at you! It depends on the age and condition of the headphones you’re using now.

I don’t have experience with USB3 yet, so cannot advise you.

Those are my policies, based on my usage experience and my prejudices, and clearly anyone who disagrees is an idiot and a heathen!!! Actually, you can and should decide based on your situation, but maybe these helped start your thinking.

 

[baypharm]

As far as cases go, I searched and searched and finally got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0772FDVRK/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A3JK24WE6NNEU&psc=1

I couldn’t be more happy with it. Luxurious leather, easy to carry, holds everything I need. Just love it.

The pencil is something I am using more and more each day. It’s great for signing/marking documents, etc. I don’t consider it a toy. It functions quite nicely for my daily business use. It really is great to use. Plus for relaxation I have an app called Paper, that allows me to draw to my hearts content. I don’t have use for a wired ear bud as mine are wireless.

I haven’t purchased AppleCare for it. Probably won’t.

I prefer going caseless and nothing is on the screen either. Again the leather folio is everything I could want. For me its the ideal travel combo as the World is my office. Anywhere I happen to be I can work productively.