iPad Pro M1 iPad Pro vs Current Air

[ag21]

Trading a mini to get either Air or M1 Pro. Wanted to get some input from users of Pro.

I love the Air we’ve been using for a few years (no keyboard case) but tempted to get a bigger screen on this next purchase. I will primarily be doing some light work (email, etc) and then watching/playing games and possibly doing minor photo/video editing (son likes GarageBand, I like to tinker in iMovie). Also, please offer any keyboard feedback as well. Not sure if the stuff on Amazon is worth a try or stick with apple branded keyboard options for best longevity.

From a pricing standpoint, looks like another Air is the choice. Figure it’s just a decision on screen size at this point, if I’m down to the choice of M1 on either current Air or looking for refurb/sale M1 IPP 2021.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Macalicious2011]

Easy decision: Whenever possible, buy Pro, even if it's an older model.

Why:
-Quad speaker: Stereo in any screen orientation and fuller and superior sound quality to other iPads.
-Laminated Display: Quieter to tap on and less glare
-120hz display
-128GB base storage. Some triple A games like Genshin impact are 32GB large.
-Face ID makes it dead convenient to unlock the device. Don't need to think about unlocking. Just pick up and swipe up.

 

[ag21]

@Macalicious2011, Apple refurb doesn’t seem to allow for trade in. Know if that’s accurate? Asked in store today and he didn’t think I could.

(Also would miss back to school promo presumably)

Really appreciate your response.

 

[danb1979]

@Macalicious2011, Apple refurb doesn’t seem to allow for trade in. Know if that’s accurate? Asked in store today and he didn’t think I could.

(Also would miss back to school promo presumably)

Really appreciate your response.

Yup; Apple don't do trade ins unfortunately

Sell privately, get more £££ / $$$ and buy the replacement

Why buy the M1 iPad Pro when the M2 iPad Pro is out and at decent prices; more so if you're on Amazon Prime and they offer the Pay in 5; or look and see what the likes of Klarna or PayPal Pay in 3 can offer etc

 

[ag21]

@danb1979, after seeing some of those M1 woot deals on, not sure I need to pay for M2

 

[GMShadow]

Easy decision: Whenever possible, buy Pro, even if it's an older model.

Why:
-Quad speaker: Stereo in any screen orientation and fuller and superior sound quality to other iPads.
-Laminated Display: Quieter to tap on and less glare
-120hz display
-128GB base storage. Some triple A games like Genshin impact are 32GB large.
-Face ID makes it dead convenient to unlock the device. Don't need to think about unlocking. Just pick up and swipe up.

The Air has had a laminated display since the Air 2.

 

[ag21]

Also felt like if it went $1000+, might as well go with M2 MBA in 13 or 15”…

 

[Digitalguy]

I think M2 is not worth it unless you find it for a price very close to the M1 pro.
As mentioned, the 3 big differences with the air are:

• double the storage
• double the speakers
• double the refresh rate (and variable too)

Other than that, other differences are more minor or subjective, like Face ID, much better microphones (matters only if you do video calls), slightly higher brightness (600 vs 500 nits), Thunderbolt support and thinner bezels.
For me the storage and speakers difference are the big deal, but your mileage may vary...

 

[ag21]

Best places to hunt M1 12.9 Pros? Feel like the $889 refurbs on apple could be beat pretty easily, no?

 

[GMShadow]

Best places to hunt M1 12.9 Pros? Feel like the $889 refurbs on apple could be beat pretty easily, no?

The Woot deal was the best prices I'd seen, especially on the high-tier storage models, but they're sold out (though I've seen them blip back up a few times). May have to watch the used market.

 

[JamesMay82]

Also felt like if it went $1000+, might as well go with M2 MBA in 13 or 15”…

Yeah that’s my big regret, as I do like the iPad Pro now but once you bump up storage and add in Magic Keyboard and cellular option your in MacBook Pro territory.

I wish I bought a laptop

 

[danb1979]

Yeah that’s my big regret, as I do like the iPad Pro now but once you bump up storage and add in Magic Keyboard and cellular option your in MacBook Pro territory.

I wish I bought a laptop

I'm fortunate as I have both (M1 MBA is for my work), M2 Mini Pro is mine and the iPad is mine...

But for reading books (Kindle etc) and magazines; the iPad comes into its own!

You can read them on the M1 MBA; but it's not as good or easily held

 

[danb1979]

Best places to hunt M1 12.9 Pros? Feel like the $889 refurbs on apple could be beat pretty easily, no?

See that's a bloody good price really and with Apple; they're literally as new and with full warranty (and also less faff if anything goes wrong)

 

[ag21]

I would do the refurb price if they let me apply my mini trade in and maybe even secure the back to school promo. Doesn’t seem I can do either. I’ve found some decent local deals but hesitant to meet in person (offerup).

 

[danb1979]

I would do the refurb price if they let me apply my mini trade in and maybe even secure the back to school promo. Doesn’t seem I can do either. I’ve found some decent local deals but hesitant to meet in person (offerup).

As said; sell the mini privately and get the iPad from Apple - makes the most sense IMO

 

[Macalicious2011]

Yeah that’s my big regret, as I do like the iPad Pro now but once you bump up storage and add in Magic Keyboard and cellular option your in MacBook Pro territory.

I wish I bought a laptop

Save money by using your phone as a hotspot and buy your case refurbished, opened but unused or simply used.

 

[JamesMay82]

Save money by using your phone as a hotspot and buy your case refurbished, opened but unused or simply used.

True, I think I had expectations of using my iPad outside the office/home more than I actually do so cellular was probably a waste for me in hindsight.

 

[ag21]

@danb1979, I’m finding 2021 12.9 with keyboard for $750. Also found one without keyboard for $600. Don’t want to rush decision and agree Apple is the safe bet but they’re also often the most expensive option.

 

[Digitalguy]

@danb1979, I’m finding 2021 12.9 with keyboard for $750. Also found one without keyboard for $600. Don’t want to rush decision and agree Apple is the safe bet but they’re also often the most expensive option.

are the devices used? If not these are amazing prices, but I guess they are used. But even then if they are in good conditions these are very good prices

 

[blkjedi954]

I think M2 is not worth it unless you find it for a price very close to the M1 pro.
As mentioned, the 3 big differences with the air are:

• double the storage
• double the speakers
• double the refresh rate (and variable too)

Other than that, other differences are more minor or subjective, like Face ID, much better microphones (matters only if you do video calls), slightly higher brightness (600 vs 500 nits), Thunderbolt support and thinner bezels.
For me the storage and speakers difference are the big deal, but your mileage may vary...

Air 5 thunderbolt is up to 10Gbps vs IPP is up to 40Gbps. This is significant depending on use case.

 

[blkjedi954]

Trading a mini to get either Air or M1 Pro. Wanted to get some input from users of Pro.

I love the Air we’ve been using for a few years (no keyboard case) but tempted to get a bigger screen on this next purchase. I will primarily be doing some light work (email, etc) and then watching/playing games and possibly doing minor photo/video editing (son likes GarageBand, I like to tinker in iMovie). Also, please offer any keyboard feedback as well. Not sure if the stuff on Amazon is worth a try or stick with apple branded keyboard options for best longevity.

From a pricing standpoint, looks like another Air is the choice. Figure it’s just a decision on screen size at this point, if I’m down to the choice of M1 on either current Air or looking for refurb/sale M1 IPP 2021.

Thanks in advance!

You mentioned screen size as a factor, were you considering 12.9? Or just the 11in > 10.9 Air?

 

[Digitalguy]

Air 5 thunderbolt is up to 10Gbps vs IPP is up to 40Gbps. This is significant depending on use case.

Air 5 doesn't have thunderbolt at all, the 10Gbps is USB C 3.2 gen 2.
Having said that,
- very few people use Thunderbolt drives because they are very expensive, the vast majority of people use non TB SSDs.
- 20Gbps drives (gen 2x2) are not supported by Apple products
- Thunderbolt is not 4 times faster than gen 2, but more like 2.5 to 2.8 times faster, as the true speed of Thunderbolt drives is around 22.5 Gbps or 2.8GB/s while 3.2 gen 2 is around 8 Gbps or 1GB/s.

 

[cwosigns]

I have a 12.9 M1 iPad Pro as my only personal computing device (I use a MBP for work). I also have an iPad mini 6 that I use for reading, content consumption in bed, etc.

If you can swing a 12.9” iPad Pro, the display is totally worth it for me. It’s great for watching content in HDR.

 

[ag21]

@blkjedi954, I’m now pretty set on 12.9 IPP from 2021. Don’t think I will do the Air.

@Digitalguy, yes, used, mostly offerup listings with verified sellers.

 

[blkjedi954]

Air 5 doesn't have thunderbolt at all, the 10Gbps is USB C 3.2 gen 2.
Having said that,
- very few people use Thunderbolt drives because they are very expensive, the vast majority of people use non TB SSDs.
- 20Gbps drives (gen 2x2) are not supported by Apple products
- Thunderbolt is not 4 times faster than gen 2, but more like 2.5 to 2.8 times faster, as the true speed of Thunderbolt drives is around 22.5 Gbps or 2.8GB/s while 3.2 gen 2 is around 8 Gbps or 1GB/s.

True. Was commenting about thunderbolt on another platform and got stuck in my memory..lol. Touchez!!