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iPad Pro Would you still buy an iPad Pro 9.7 (Apple Refurb)

Fozziebear40

Fozziebear40

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 14, 2008
372
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Newton-le-Willows, England
I was looking to buy a basic iPad but it looks like the current one may be replaced this month. I wouldn't want to have it 3 weeks then a new model replace it. The other niggle is the screen, not laminated or anti-reflective.

I think the screen on the Pro's is better plus the more ram may make a better machine. I don't want to spend what the new Pro's cost, plus I like Touch ID rather than Face ID. I won't be gaming on it, but I may get the pencil for drawing and photo editing.

Is it wise to buy an iPad Pro 9.7 (Apple Refurb, would still cost more than a basic iPad) or wait a few weeks?

Thanks
 
2 GB on the 9.7 Pro was a mistake, IMO. So unless you can find one for a very good price, it’s not worth it if you plan on keeping it until it dies while expecting great performance update after update.
 
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Both the low-end iPad and the 9.7” Pro have 2 GB of RAM. The A10 chip on the budget iPad is probably in the same ballpark performance-wise at the A9X on the 9.7”, so you’re not going to see much difference there. The screen on the 9.7” is undoubtedly nicer than the one on the low-end iPad. But, only you can decide if it’s worth the price difference. The speakers on the Pro will also be better.

At the end of the day, it really depends on what you’re going to be using the iPad for. If it’s only going to be web browsing and media consumption, then any iPad manufactured from 2016 onward is probably fine. You only really need to decide if the laminated screen is worth the price premium.

You might also look for a used 10.5” on somewhere like Swappa. The resale value on iPads has really dropped in recent years and you can probably find a 10.5” in good condition for a reasonable price. The bigger screen, ProMotion, and the extra 2 GB might make the higher price easier to swallow.
 
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I would wait and see what this month brings if anything. I spent some time with the 2017 iPad and had no problem whatsoever with the non laminated screen. Perfectly useable display.

Whatever you end up buying make sure you buy where you get a good return policy and make your own experience with the device.
 
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I have found a brand new Pro 9.7 32GB in a retail store for £380 whereas the 2018 iPad is £319. I think £61 for the better screen, speakers, slightly lighter and thinner iPad is worth it. I don't know what the 2019 iPads will be like though.

Just checked, they have a 30 day return policy, so that should get me to the end of March :)
 
Fozziebear40 said:
I think I've read the non-laminated screen looks better with a black surround.
Click to expand...
I've heard a few people who own a 2018 iPad with white bezels say that the effect of the non-laminated screen is magnified with the white bezels... probably because the edge of the digitizing layer is black so there's the white of the bezel and the black border. That black border is not visible with black bezels.

I have iPads with laminated displays and non-laminated (all black bezels) and the difference is not that noticeable.
 
Yes, probably at the end of this month. Apple has registered new device reference numbers with European and other authorities. Some talk of a very slightly larger screen in the same enclosure. But the supply chain rumours don't suggest it's going to be much more than a mid-life spec bump.
 
The iPad Pro 9.7 is still a very good and capable machine. The performance of the A9X is roughly on par with the A10 in the current 2018 iPad. The laminated screen and the quad speakers are also an upgrade on the current iPad.

That being said you might want to wait until Apple releases/announces the new iPad to see what upgrades it has on the current version. If nothing else, then the prices on the older/similar models should lower as well.

I just purchased a 9.7 iPP myself as I wanted a smaller/more portable iPad to carry with me when I go out on my road bike and I wanted one running an older version of iOS for my older apps. I picked it up used at a good price 128GB cellular model that has iOS10 on it.
 
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This thread has intrigued me, I bought a 6th gen iPad 9.7” for my son. And I see the 1st gen iPad Pro May be better for the same money almost?

I can still return his 6th gen to walmart. So, this may be a option.
 
Mine should be here in the next day or so. It is supposedly brand new, old stock from a retail store. Paid £60 more than a new iPad 6th gen (£59 less than an official Apple Pro refurb). I think for the laminated better screen, better speakers, lighter, 1.4mm thinner etc. it's worth it.
 
Nice to hear that you found one you wanted. The design of the Pro 9.7 is really nice. It's an improved version of the Air 2 which was already very nice. I liked my old Air 1 when I had it, but the laminated screen on the Air 2 (and Pro 9.7) was a big improvement. I have an iPad 2 as well and it is quite noticeable when I switch to it with the non-laminated screen. The current 2017/2018 iPads are based on the Air 1 design, which is why I prefer the Pro 9.7.

I use mine as a secondary iPad (main is a 12.9 2017 iPP), but it is definitely enjoyable to use.
 
I just purahced the 9.7 iPad Pro as well, mainly the portability. I purchased the used Apple Smart Keyboard online for about 50CAD (purchased from China and shipped to my door within 2 weeeks time). There, i have a portable mobile machines that do everything i wanted to do. I also have 10.5inch iPad Pro with the Logitech Creative keyboard case, always felt it was too heavy. And my 12.9 third generation iPad is primary sitting on my desk.

Apple Pencil plus iPad Pro 9.7 plus the keyboard case it is great for me to commuication with my clients. I draw down stuff using GoodNotes app, I create presentation files and present to my client and reply my client’s email using outlook app. This is prefect for me to carry around without a big bag.

However, i think 2GB of RAM starts to show its ages. Always bump into app refresh and webpage refresh. This is not to much of big deal to me.

Overall, I love my iPad Pro 9.7 inch. This is abousltey the best purchase i have ever made. More so than my 12.9 inch iPad Pro.
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smbu2000 said:
Nice to hear that you found one you wanted. The design of the Pro 9.7 is really nice. It's an improved version of the Air 2 which was already very nice. I liked my old Air 1 when I had it, but the laminated screen on the Air 2 (and Pro 9.7) was a big improvement. I have an iPad 2 as well and it is quite noticeable when I switch to it with the non-laminated screen. The current 2017/2018 iPads are based on the Air 1 design, which is why I prefer the Pro 9.7.

I use mine as a secondary iPad (main is a 12.9 2017 iPP), but it is definitely enjoyable to use.
Click to expand...


I have both the iPad Pro 9.7 and the 6th generation iPad. The non-laminated screen is not much of issue for me at all. The only thing i don’t like about regular iPad is lack of the smart connector. I love my Apple Smart Keyboard, it works great with the iPad Pro.

For me, iOS always have some issues with Bluetooth and my 6th generation iPad sometime will not connect to my keyboard case via Bluetooth or the key press does not regesiter.
 
I'd recommend against the 9.7 in either Pro or non-Pro variants. The real savings right now is in the 10.5. I bought one several weeks ago and paid ~$600 for the 10.5, Smart Keyboard, and back case, and it's terrific. The ProMotion screen makes a HUGE difference.
 
I would’ve recommended it had Apple given it 4gb RAM like the 12.9”. As an owner of a 9.7 Pro and 10.5 Pro, I would highly recommend getting a 10.5. RAM is important and 2gb is borderline adequate now days.
 
And now the new iPad Air 10.5 is out! Wondering how much better this is from the iPad Pro 9.7 I've just bought. I've only had it a week so can return it. 6.1mm laminated screen is there and double the storage to 64gb. The camera's don't bother me, wait and see if it has more than 2GB RAM.
 
Fozziebear40 said:
And now the new iPad Air 10.5 is out! Wondering how much better this is from the iPad Pro 9.7 I've just bought. I've only had it a week so can return it. 6.1mm laminated screen is there and double the storage to 64gb. The camera's don't bother me, wait and see if it has more than 2GB RAM.
Click to expand...

Looks like it doesn't have ProMotion, though, which I feel is even more critical than lamination or updated processor. A spec bump doesn't matter if it doesn't feel faster, and ProMotion really does.
 
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