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All iPads Which iPad would you get now if you had the chance to repurchase yours?

Which iPad would you get if you had the choice again?

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S

SR 7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2009
718
433
Which iPad would you get now if you had the chance to repurchase your iPad? Would you stick with your current one, be it the iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini or regular iPad?

I ask because there has been so much talk of the iPadOS being so behind, outdated and holding back the actual capabilities of the iPad Pro hardware.
 
I'm quite content with my 1TB 5G M1 iPad Pros. Then again, I'm not a fan of MacOS in the first place so I'm not exactly clamoring for that to be put on the iPad (although I'd be happy if I can dual boot Windows).

I've always thought Apple was too stingy when it came to RAM and the 2021 Pros (and now 2022 Air 5) solved that gripe. I've got a few minor annoyances but for the most part, the iPad Pro adequately performs the tasks I've bought it for.
 
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what do you use it for? just curious because it does seem like the iPad Pro is so way overpowered then what the iPadOS can offer.
 
SR 7 said:
what do you use it for? just curious because it does seem like the iPad Pro is so way overpowered then what the iPadOS can offer.
Click to expand...

Browsing, media consumption, personal finance, some work, etc. Pretty much the same things I used to do on my home laptop.

I need the internal storage. Can't get 1TB on non-Pro and can't use USB storage for DRM content. Comixology works much better with the iPad (via app) than my old Windows 7 laptop (via website). Haven't actually checked if there's a Comixology app now on the Windows app store.

Also, the 16GB RAM has been quite nice. I was using the 2017 iPad Pro before and more often than not, apps would crash/reload when I needed to do some basic multitasking (Safari + Excel + GoodReader). Actually, I've had all three apps crash at one point or another even when I'm not multitasking. Haven't encountered those issues yet on the 2021 iPad Pro.

I almost never touch the PC anymore when I get home (work is on Windows desktop with multiple monitors).
 
Why not get the iPad Air 5th gen? Seems like the same thing as a pro besides the promotion and 1 other camera feature.
 
Don't have an iPad yet, but if I were to buy one, I would probably just get the basic iPad.
Reason mainly is price. The old 64GB wifi only iPad Air 4 is "on sale" in my country for $750. If the M1 is released, base price for 64GB wifi only model probably will be $800.

2nd reason, considering they all run the same iPadOS, the base iPad would probably be sufficient as functionality wise would be 95% the same (exception being USB-C and Apple Pencil).
 
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ian87w said:
Don't have an iPad yet, but if I were to buy one, I would probably just get the basic iPad.
Reason mainly is price. The old 64GB wifi only iPad Air 4 is "on sale" in my country for $750. If the M1 is released, base price for 64GB wifi only model probably will be $800.

2nd reason, considering they all run the same iPadOS, the base iPad would probably be sufficient as functionality wise would be 95% the same (exception being USB-C and Apple Pencil).
Click to expand...
I have the basic - and it's fast/great; I use it mostly for various music-making apps (I understand it's going to be the last iteration of an iPad with a headphone jack - enjoy it while you can!) - and web-surfing/office stuff...
 
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I have the Mini 5 but if I had the chance to repurchase I would probs go for either the Mini 6 or Air 5. Not sure which. I can’t justify getting rid of my current Mini 5 as it’s more then fast enough for web browsing and video streaming along with games.
 
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I have the basic iPad 8th Generation and do not require a more expensive or powerful version. I also have an M1 MacBook Air. Both should be good for a few more years. When one becomes useless I will then determine if I can satisfy all my needs with only one of these two tools.
 
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stinkhorn9 said:
I have the basic - and it's fast/great; I use it mostly for various music-making apps (I understand it's going to be the last iteration of an iPad with a headphone jack - enjoy it while you can!) - and web-surfing/office stuff...
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, forgot about the headphone jack thing. Really no good reason to eliminate the headphone jack on the iPad as there's plenty of room and no IP rating needed. Of course everybody copied Apple with Samsung also removing headphone jack on their tablets. :(
 
SR 7 said:
Why not get the iPad Air 5th gen? Seems like the same thing as a pro besides the promotion and 1 other camera feature.
Click to expand...

I guess you missed the 1TB storage. And no, USB external or NAS (I have 20TB) are not adequate alternatives for my use (offline DRM content).

Mind, I use my 12.9 docked at work as an extra display for chats, emails, etc. and FaceID is so much more convenient than TouchID in this scenario.
 
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SR 7 said:
Which iPad would you get now if you had the chance to repurchase your iPad? Would you stick with your current one, be it the iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini or regular iPad?

I ask because there has been so much talk of the iPadOS being so behind, outdated and holding back the actual capabilities of the iPad Pro hardware.
Click to expand...
Yes the OS is holding back the iPad but that does not mean the iPad is not great, it could just be greater!

I voted to stick with my IPP, why? I love promotion, face id and the 4 speakers. First world problems I know, and I could get by without them but that is my preference.
 
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I would have gone for the 11" iPP for the slightly larger screen and quad speakers, with ProMotion being sort of a bonus. But I don't find my 7th gen iPad lacking much, especially for the price I paid ($219 USD) and my current uses.
 
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Finally looking at replacing my iPad, not saying its old but its a 3rd gen with 30 pin connector!! Like when i got that one i could never really justify the cost of one but now find myself in a position where i can afford one without having to justify the cost of it. Wont be a Pro so need to decide between the latest iPad Air with the M1 chip or the last iPad from Sept last year. Edging towards the extra cost of the Air as there is a good chance i wont buy another one for years so get the best one i can now.
 
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Same one. The 12.9 rocks. But would replace it with an oled 11” one in a heartbeat.
 
I would keep my Mini 5 and buy the Air 5, rather than what I actually did which was buy the Mini 6 and sell the Mini 5 a couple of months later. I would not have cellular again on a non-Mini so from that perspective I would still want a Mini, but it’s the 8GB RAM that really does it. Mini would after all likely be stuck with the A series chips for thermal reasons.

In trying to be more mindful of energy use with the rising prices I have discovered how energy hungry my TV is, so an Air 5 would be ideal right now.
 
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I'd keep my current iPad (4th gen.) It does everything that I need it to and it's a great second screen to use when my son has the TV occupied with his programming.
 
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Still my 12.9” pro. It’s completely overkill but I love the size and display. Watching content is a dream
 
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M1 iPad Air.

It's just right in terms of performance and price.
 
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