Considering iPad 9: share your experience please

Velskoen

Velskoen

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I have been using an iPad Mini 4 for a good few years now, bought to run my drone on. Recently, I have found the mobility of an iPhone for the drone meets my needs better.

So I've been looking at the (very overcrowded and confusing) iPad lineup. The Pro is waaaaaay overkill for my needs. Air, nice to have but the price/value sum doesn't really add up for me. So then I looked at the iPad 9 (iPad 10 is a confusing model so crossed that off my list).

I use it for reading, medium photo editing, internet, email, correspondence, access to all my documentation in-field, running a few specialised in-field agri apps (currently using my iPhone for the latter two items but an iPad with stylus should make things easier on my eyes).

I'd value your first hand experience please. (Yes, I know the Pro and the Air are great but their prices are moving into MacBook territory and I have a MB Air).

This is the model I'm looking at: iPad 9, 256GB, Wi-Fi only
 
I've got a 128gb iPad 8 with the Apple Smart KB & I use it more than my phone & at times more than my povo spec M1 "MacAir". The iPad 8 & 9 is the same thing bar the better selfie cam & the upgraded CPU. I feel I am qualified on this subject.

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I use the iPad for everything & then some, it goes pretty much everywhere with me. Obviously YMMV but you already have a Mini 4 so you know what to expect. You don't need me to explain the multitude of uses.

I am rather more intrigued on the iPad 9 model you're eyeing, must it be the 256gb, is 64gb not enough? The reason for asking is for that R10,8k TAL price I would rather look at the Air 5 (M1) on Carb or even the Air 4. Yes I know they're 64gb but for the standard iPad models you really get your value if you can manage with the base storage.

I would def dismiss the iPad 10, that is a bit of a dog's breakfast & the price is not competitive.
 
I picked up an iPad 10 whilst in the UK last month for a great price. Even got the Logitech combo keyboard for it.

Having said that; the iPad 9 will be more than capable for what you need.
 
FiestaST said:
I've got a 128gb iPad 8 with the Apple Smart KB & I use it more than my phone & at times more than my povo spec M1 "MacAir". The iPad 8 & 9 is the same thing bar the better selfie cam & the upgraded CPU. I feel I am qualified on this subject.

Share your screentime!

I do try limit my browsing.
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za

I use the iPad for everything & then some, it goes pretty much everywhere with me. Obviously YMMV but you already have a Mini 4 so you know what to expect. You don't need me to explain the multitude of uses.

I am rather more intrigued on the iPad 9 model you're eyeing, must it be the 256gb, is 64gb not enough? The reason for asking is for that R10,8k TAL price I would rather look at the Air 5 (M1) on Carb or even the Air 4. Yes I know they're 64gb but for the standard iPad models you really get your value if you can manage with the base storage.

I would def dismiss the iPad 10, that is a bit of a dog's breakfast & the price is not competitive.
Click to expand...
Memorywise, I like to give myself a bit of headroom. My Mini is 128GB, of which I've used 44.7GB in the roughly 5 years I've had it. This would increase slightly if I made more use of it. I have an iCloud 200GB account. There is a big price difference between 64GB and 256GB. The 64GB iPad Air 5 starts to make more sense then. I'm just wary of running out of space.

When you mention Carb, are you referring to Carbonite? Been keeping an eye open there for an Air but no joy thus far.

I'm trying hard not to get into an analysis paralysis situation which is easy to do, given all the options and online opinions. So thanks, I really appreciate your first hand feedback.
 
Priapus said:
I picked up an iPad 10 whilst in the UK last month for a great price. Even got the Logitech combo keyboard for it.

Having said that; the iPad 9 will be more than capable for what you need.
Click to expand...
Apple had a bit of a mind fizz with the iP 10. I like the square edges and upgraded processor but that USB-C port and Apple Pen Gen 1 compatibility is weird. As is the fact that the Gen 1 Pen needs a Lightning port to charge. Strange mishmash of tech.

That Logitech keyboard is lekker though.
 
OnePlusOne said:
Apple had a bit of a mind fizz with the iP 10. I like the square edges and upgraded processor but that USB-C port and Apple Pen Gen 1 compatibility is weird. As is the fact that the Gen 1 Pen needs a Lightning port to charge. Strange mishmash of tech.

That Logitech keyboard is lekker though.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it’s a bit of a mismatch on some of the tech. I do like that the camera is where it’s suppose to be though - I have no use for an Apple Pencil though.
 
OnePlusOne said:
Memorywise, I like to give myself a bit of headroom. My Mini is 128GB, of which I've used 44.7GB in the roughly 5 years I've had it. This would increase slightly if I made more use of it. I have an iCloud 200GB account. There is a big price difference between 64GB and 256GB. The 64GB iPad Air 5 starts to make more sense then. I'm just wary of running out of space.

When you mention Carb, are you referring to Carbonite? Been keeping an eye open there for an Air but no joy thus far.

I'm trying hard not to get into an analysis paralysis situation which is easy to do, given all the options and online opinions. So thanks, I really appreciate your first hand feedback.
Click to expand...
Pleasure, I see your predicament/ headroom requirement now. Based on what you're saying 64gb would not be enough & they don't make a 128gb iPad 9 or 10 (we know why). You need to fork out all the way for 256gb & some would regard that as "too big".

And yes Carb is Carbonite site, in the last 2/3 years I got my iPad, iMac & MacAir all from the site. All zero hassles. Depending on your location you would often would find good deals, you just have to be fast.

Marketplace is a good option as well but obviously do your checks & if sounds too good....

If you don't want the possible hassles of good cond 2nd then that TAL option would work well for your needs. I just personally cant stomach paying over 10k for only an iPad (not an Air or Pro) then again I know many people are not wired as cheap as me.
 
I'm a seriously cheap bastid. :cool: I too buy good used stuff, Macshack has taken some of my money over the years, never had a problem. I'm not on FB so Marketplace won't work. I'll keep an eye on Carbonite but, as you say, one needs to be fast. My gut tells me Air but my tightfistendess says NO! to those prices.:)
 
Just as an aside on being a cheap bastid; I'm sitting here in my office wearing a sweatshirt dating back to 1991. Seriously. :sneaky:
 
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Between iPad 10 and air, based on my memory when I looked at them a few months , the iPad 10 had the same chip as the air, etc. It felt like the 10 was better value for money. I will probably buy a 10. Thank goodness it has USBC. Not sure if I care about the pencil but since it will for the kids, could be useful for them.
 
It's a great device at the price. However, if you're used to the high refresh rate on your phone, the display feels a little lacking while navigating around.
 
TedLasso said:
Between iPad 10 and air, based on my memory when I looked at them a few months , the iPad 10 had the same chip as the air, etc. It felt like the 10 was better value for money. I will probably buy a 10. Thank goodness it has USBC. Not sure if I care about the pencil but since it will for the kids, could be useful for them.
Click to expand...

I do enjoy this iPad 10 and even more so with a decent keyboard and case. The USB charging is great and I hope Apple bring it to the next iPhone.
 
Lady down the road got an iPad Pro in 2016 from her daughter. She seldom uses it. I saw it last week, it is immaculate

She asked me a while ago to sell it for her but I did not do anything about it. It has 256Gb storage, SIM and wifi

Specs state: iOS 16.6. Model ML3T2TB/A (A1652), s/n DLXTG17YGMW6
 
chrisc said:
Lady down the road got an iPad Pro in 2016 from her daughter. She seldom uses it. I saw it last week, it is immaculate

She asked me a while ago to sell it for her but I did not do anything about it. It has 256Gb storage, SIM and wifi

Specs state: iOS 16.6. Model ML3T2TB/A (A1652), s/n DLXTG17YGMW6
Click to expand...

That’s an old tablet.Not sure she will get much for it.
 
My only real gripes with it are.

1. The lack of FaceID. It’s such a bizarrely half-arsed experience to use it like any device with it only to have these workflow brain freeze moments to authenticate with your finger so often. You forget just how much FaceID works in the background without your noticing.

2. The lack of stereo speakers. Really it’s 2023 come on, it’s a weird model disparity.

Apple Pencil has been a bit of a fail for me with regards to its intended purpose of note taking, but I’m yet to try a paper-like screen protector to see if that helps.

Oddly I use it for games a lot more, which I never expected and when supported nicely is great.

Highly recommend the Smart Folio cover at the very least with purchase as it adds a lot more dynamic use to the device that is lacking otherwise.
 
OnePlusOne said:
Memorywise, I like to give myself a bit of headroom. My Mini is 128GB, of which I've used 44.7GB in the roughly 5 years I've had it. This would increase slightly if I made more use of it. I have an iCloud 200GB account. There is a big price difference between 64GB and 256GB. The 64GB iPad Air 5 starts to make more sense then. I'm just wary of running out of space.

When you mention Carb, are you referring to Carbonite? Been keeping an eye open there for an Air but no joy thus far.

I'm trying hard not to get into an analysis paralysis situation which is easy to do, given all the options and online opinions. So thanks, I really appreciate your first hand feedback.
Click to expand...

How much of that space is going to Photos?

I’m willing to bet the vast majority which won’t be the case for the iPad as the camera is crap.

Since you have iCloud I doubt you’ll really have a space problem.

dfcca97cdb352ea36d031c8afadbf83a.jpg
 
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