Which iPad should I get?

Thread: Which iPad should I get?
Dr. Farnsgoth

Dr. Farnsgoth

Clique Commander
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Life is pretty much back to normal here which means the roads are clogged again now that most people aren't WFH anymore. That means I'm commuting to work on the train and while I enjoy reading, I need some variety. I'm thinking of getting an iPad as a FTL/Into the Breach/Stardew machine but I'm confused by all the different models. Some are cheap (~500 dollarydoos) while others are expensive as hell (>$1200). What's the difference between the different models, i.e. air vs pro? What's the difference between 6th, 7th, 8th gen? Probs gonna splash the cash this week so advice appreciated.
 
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Research is half the fun... I love digging up the exact model of something I want... having said that... I have never even held a pad.
 
I bought the cheapest iPad in 2018, think it was around $350. Battery life is great, still lightning fast, does everything I need it to do as a glorified YT device when cooking or for streaming games / videos from the PC.

The iPad Air has a better screen (think it was @Liberty4all who was chatting about this in the Discord a month or two ago), the pro is basically a laptop replacement and way more powerful for stuff like multitasking. If you already have an iPhone, you'll get more benefit out of it. I don't know that much between the real differences between all the different iPads, but even the cheapest model is a pretty good buy as a place to play games, read or watch videos. I've had a couple of cheapo Android tablets (one Asus and one Samsung) and they were painfully slow with shit battery life within 12 months.
 
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I literally bought each of the kids a Samsung galaxy Tab A 2019 a couple weekends ago. Each was 149 euro, decent size and works well enough.
 
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If you are going to get an ipad for reading, I would get an ipad mini. I have one and it is the lightest of them all for holding while reading. The other ipads have bigger screens and some more power but they are too heavy to read with IMO. My mum has a 'ipad' ipad and it is isn't too heavy but when trying to read with, the extra weight is noticeable. Of course with the proper case you can lean on your legs or something else, but if you can't lean on something its better to get the mini.
 
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Simply put:

iPad - Budget model, around $300, is a genuinely great device
iPad Mini - Smaller, a little fancier, $400
iPad Air - Bigger than everything so far, has some premium features and a really nice look, $600
iPad Pro - A bit similar to the Air right now but the luxury vehicle of iPads. Ridiculous specs, all the premium features (even 120 FPS), $799
iPad Pro 12.9 - The last thing but the most gigantic screen of all of them, may be some extra RAM? $999

For just about everyone that budget model or the mini will work fine, but you can ramp up as you like.

Also, it may be wise to wait. People are expecting some kind of Apple show at some point relatively soon. We're overdue.
 
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About generations, it's dumb when they do that, agreed. Just buy from Apple's site or something so you know you're only getting the latest ones. Otherwise, you can look up the model on Wikipedia, and there's a quick guide there in the release date section.

en.wikipedia.org

iPad Mini - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Also not sure about those particular games, but Android in general is a bit spotty when it comes to tablet apps. I tend to think Android on a tablet, while fine, isn't quite the monster it is on phones.
 
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Elektro Demon said:
Ain't you an easily offended dude.
Chill out bro.
Click to expand...
It's clearly a joke but ok

tenor.gif
 
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Nicktendo said:
I bought the cheapest iPad in 2018, think it was around $350. Battery life is great, still lightning fast, does everything I need it to do as a glorified YT device when cooking or for streaming games / videos from the PC.

The iPad Air has a better screen (think it was @Liberty4all who was chatting about this in the Discord a month or two ago), the pro is basically a laptop replacement and way more powerful for stuff like multitasking. If you already have an iPhone, you'll get more benefit out of it. I don't know that much between the real differences between all the different iPads, but even the cheapest model is a pretty good buy as a place to play games, read or watch videos. I've had a couple of cheapo Android tablets (one Asus and one Samsung) and they were painfully slow with shit battery life within 12 months.
Click to expand...

just to clarify on this — the ipad air has a laminated/bonded screen, the cheap ipad is a non laminated/non bonded screen.

What does this mean exactly ? The best way to describe it is that iPad Air screen is like paper with no air gap. Regular cheap iPad has an air gap between screen and glass that may bother you (it would drive me crazy).


see:

B05p-PiCAAAKXGe.jpg:large


forums.macrumors.com

How Important is Laminated Display for Reading?

I have an older iPad (original iPad Air) that I have been using exclusive for reading for the past couple years....iBooks, news websites and that sort of thing. I am looking to upgrade but will continue to use mostly use the new one just for reading. I am considering either the new iPad or the...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

www.jcdrepair.com

Apple Laminated vs Non-Laminated iPad Screen and the Repair Process

Why Apple laminated iPad screen repair (where the LCD and glass are fused together) is so much more expensive than a non-laminated iPad screen (where the glass and LCD are separate components).
www.jcdrepair.com
 
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Liberty4all said:
just to clarify on this — the ipad air has a laminated/bonded screen, the cheap ipad is a non laminated/non bonded screen.

What does this mean exactly ? The best way to describe it is that iPad Air screen is like paper with no air gap. Regular cheap iPad has an air gap between screen and glass that may bother you (it would drive me crazy).


see:

B05p-PiCAAAKXGe.jpg:large


forums.macrumors.com

How Important is Laminated Display for Reading?

I have an older iPad (original iPad Air) that I have been using exclusive for reading for the past couple years....iBooks, news websites and that sort of thing. I am looking to upgrade but will continue to use mostly use the new one just for reading. I am considering either the new iPad or the...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

www.jcdrepair.com

Apple Laminated vs Non-Laminated iPad Screen and the Repair Process

Why Apple laminated iPad screen repair (where the LCD and glass are fused together) is so much more expensive than a non-laminated iPad screen (where the glass and LCD are separate components).
www.jcdrepair.com
Click to expand...
Why does Apple always have to make their "cheaper" version absolute utter shit?

It's like, "oh you gotta get the more expensive one, because it doesn't slowly drain the life blood from your family while you use it."
 
Falcs said:
Why does Apple always have to make their "cheaper" version absolute utter shit?

It's like, "oh you gotta get the more expensive one, because it doesn't slowly drain the life blood from your family while you use it."
Click to expand...
The budget iPad is great. I bought it for my mom as a Christmas gift, got some time in with it myself, and was surprised at how good it was. I'm used to getting what you pay for in tech, but this seemed in-line with all the other iPad experiences.

I mean, if the screen has some sort of gap of a millimeter, okay, I didn't notice, and certainly nobody not demanding the absolute limit of tech won't.
 
Yeah that's why I'm saying the majority of casual users won't care about the air gap.

in my case I've always had bonded screens and I live on my iPad so it would bother me.
 
IPad mini for convenience, standard iPad for cheapness, iPad Air to show off, iPad Pro to pointlessly waste money.
 
Dr. Farnsgoth said:
Cheers cunts, I've decided on a pair of matching iPad airs for the wife and I. Rose gold for her, space grey for me.
Click to expand...
Well aren't you flashing the cash.

Although you do loose points for not going for either of the clearly superior blue or green colour options.

It's also worth noting the Air is compatible and capable enough to make use of the trackpad keyboards and apple pencil, making them decent little laptops, photo/movie editors and drawing tablets.
 
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Stilton Disco said:
Well aren't you flashing the cash.

Although you do loose points for not going for either of the clearly superior blue or green colour options.

It's also worth noting the Air is compatible and capable enough to make use of the trackpad keyboards and apple pencil, making them decent little laptops, photo/movie editors and drawing tablets.
Click to expand...

Cash ain't a problem breh
 
Ok so I went to JBHIFI today to have a look at the regular iPad vs the iPad Air and I really couldn't tell the difference. Based on what I read I thought I wanted the Air but now I think I'll save the money and get the regular version.
 
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Guys, he isn't getting a Pro in the first place, and is fine with the base iPad. Don't make him spend $500 extra, lol.
 
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