Upgrading from an iPad 2

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Let me start by saying this may be a wall of text and apologize in advanced. I've had my iPad 2 for 5 years now (bought it when it first came out) and it's been doing "great" for me, but it's starting to show its age. I'm keeping it on iOS 7 since iOS 8 and iOS 9 introduced less responsive interface which means I don't have access to the latest apps (Tweetbot is a good example). I use it mostly for watching Netflix, but when I first got it, I used it for web surfing, Twitter, Facebook, mostly as a consumption device. Sometimes I use Citrix to work from home as well. I see my iPad as being used more as a sitting down device on the couch instead of using my 15" rMBP.

Here is my dilemma. With the new 9.7" iPad Pro being released soon, I'm at the point where maybe this is the time to buy a new one to future proof for another 5 years. Plus, even though, I'm not planning on buying an Apple Pencil or Smart Keyboard for awhile, the ability to get both later down the road is appealing. However, there also were pricecuts to the iPad Air 2 which also is appealing, but since it's almost 2 years old, I'm hesitant that it will last another 5.

The way I see it I have 3 options: 1) Buy a new 9.7" iPad Pro. 2) Buy a refurbished iPad Air 2, 3) Wait and slog through using my iPad 2 and my rMBP more.

I'm not sure which way to go especially considering I'm debating if I should get Wifi only or Wifi + Cellular even though I have a phone that I can use to tether. Also, my iPad 2 has 32GB and that's fine, but I think I would want to have 64GB for the future. Any insight?

 

[Artdeco]

I would wait, pick up an iPP on sale, we'll see them on sale in about 3 months for $499.

That's my plan.

 

[Eug]

iOS 8 is totally fine on the iPad 2. iOS 8.0 wasn't but the last versions of iOS 8.x performed well. Too bad you can't install iOS 8 anymore, and iOS 9.3 is slow. The only reason I mention this is that some apps require iOS 8 or higher now, but if you're on iOS 7 then yeah, just stay there, if the apps you need are available on 7.

Don't waste your time and money on the 2 GB 9.7" iPad Pro IMO. Get a 2 GB iPad Air 2, either on sale or else a refurb. I got one at launch in 2014 (!) at full retail and then another one last year for CAD$100 (US$75) off on sale. With my two iPad Air 2s I have zero interest whatsoever in the 9.7" iPad Pro.

Remember, the thing that will limit upgrades and performance on the iPad Air 2 four years from now or whatever is the 2 GB RAM, but the 9.7" iPad Pro doesn't fix that. It has the exact same 2 GB.

 

[KeithP]

Refurb iPad 2 now, next year refurb iPP and sell iPad 2 Air...lather, rinse, repeat. Take advantage of refurbs and high resale value to stay more current and have much better performing machines.

-KeithP

 

[Lyfer]

I preordered two 9.7 128gb iPads from VZW. Should be here soon. I'm coming from an IPad 3. My brother has an air 2. The ram isn't a huge deal breaker for me. But better speakers, tru tone display, and beefy A9x chip make it an no brainer for the $100 premium on the iPad Air 2.

 

[Midwayman]

I preordered two 9.7 128gb iPads from VZW. Should be here soon. I'm coming from an IPad 3. My brother has an air 2. The ram isn't a huge deal breaker for me. But better speakers, tru tone display, and beefy A9x chip make it an no brainer for the $100 premium on the iPad Air 2.

Its $100 more than msrp with half the storage or $250 more with double. $175 if you average it not considering the $419 64gb refurb price. Or if you prefer the normal $100 step that doesn't exist anymore at 128gb $150 more. That's a big premium if you don't care about pencil support. Its a hard recommendation to make unless you have very specific needs.

 

[Hugo Drax]

I would look for a lower priced ipad air2. The issue with the "Pro" version is the 2gb of ram which will probably be an issue 1-2 years from now.

 

[NetGuySC]

You may want to consider the $650 version of the 12.9" Ipad Pro found on ebay. I was holding out for the "Air 3", once the 9.7 pro's price was announced, I thought that $599 was just too high, so I opted for what I thought was the better valued 12.9" ebay version for $650 shipped.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

So after much thought, I ended up getting the 32GB 9.7" iPad Pro Wifi only. I figure since it's being released now I have more of a chance with having it last over 5 years and it would keep me from having to buy refurbished and sell each time a new device comes out (simplicity for me).

I decided on 32GB and no cellular which included very interesting debates with myself about should I get 128GB and should I get with Cellular. My logic was this: I normally only have about 10-15GB used on my current iPad and the main reasons for needing larger storage is 1) more apps/games, 2) more pictures/videos using the camera. I don't usually use my iPad for games since I have my gaming PC and I have an iPhone 6S so that covers taking pictures/videos. That made getting the 32GB more tenable. I have a phone that I can use to tether to my iPad so spending $120 more to get that built in doesn't really make sense especially since I'll either have that phone or always be on wifi.

 

[Eug]

It should be a nice machine for you but I'm not convinced it will have much more staying power than the iPad Air 2, because both the Air 2 and the 9.7" Pro will be limited by their 2 GB RAM.

32 GB is perfectly fine for my wife and even 16 GB can be fine for the kids. For me 32 GB is OK but 64 GB is nicer. Why? Because some of my movie files might be say 8 GB. If I were to go on vacation and wanted to bring some movies along, then 32 would only allow me to put on maybe two big movies before I ran out of space, since the rest of the space would be used by other stuff. 64 GB provides a lot more breathing room. However, I'd say that 95% of the time 32 GB is fine for me too.

I never get the cellular iPads. I just tether from my phone as necessary. The extra cost for the tablet doesn't bother me but the extra $120-$200 per year for data plan fees does.

 

[Midwayman]

32 GB is perfectly fine for my wife and even 16 GB can be fine for the kids. For me 32 GB is OK but 64 GB is nicer. Why? Because some of my movie files might be say 8 GB. If I were to go on vacation and wanted to bring some movies along, then 32 would only allow me to put on maybe two big movies before I ran out of space, since the rest of the space would be used by other stuff. 64 GB provides a lot more breathing room. However, I'd say that 95% of the time 32 GB is fine for me too.

I got one of these (They make them with integrated batteries too.)
http://www.amazon.com/HooToo-Wirele...1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

plus a memory card.

Allows you to toss all the video you want on it and have it served up like a wifi server. I use it with infuse to carry obscene amounts of video on trips. Plus you can always add more memory. I have a 128gb card in it right now. What is super cool about it is you can have all the ipads access it. Like your kids could be using it in the back seat, each on their own ipad to watch whatever and you don't have to duplicate content.

 

[Eug]

I got one of these (They make them with integrated batteries too.)
http://www.amazon.com/HooToo-Wirele...1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

plus a memory card.

Allows you to toss all the video you want on it and have it served up like a wifi server. I use it with infuse to carry obscene amounts of video on trips. Plus you can always add more memory. I have a 128gb card in it right now. What is super cool about it is you can have all the ipads access it. Like your kids could be using it in the back seat, each on their own ipad to watch whatever and you don't have to duplicate content.

Cool. Only CAD$30 too.

 

[Geekbabe]

I was a happy iPad Air user but had the opportunity to upgrade, after careful thought and looking at the Air 2 & the two versions of the Pro I opted for the 64GB Air 2.

My reasons?

The pencil - nice idea except that I have lost three Bamboo Styluses so far, having to keep track of a $100 pencil doesn't work well for me.

Keyboard? I have a pricey keyboard for my Air sitting in a box on a shelf, lol, I am good with the virtual keyboard.

Faster processor? I usually don't play graphic intensive games, I use my iPad for web surfing, social media, music and Netflix.

Cost - Aside from the price of the new Pro, cases and third party accessories are abundant for the Air 2 at attractive prices. I also got a decent price on an open box model.

I ended up with a 64GB Air 2 which feels like a substantial upgrade over my 32GB Air. The screen is simply lovely and the extra ram makes things much snappier. I do not miss the irritation of my Safari tabs constantly reloading.

The Pro is gorgeous, particularly the 12.9 version but it is basically more iPad than I need. I have a Rentina Pro for heavy work & an iPhone for camera use. My Air was my constant companion & I already love my new Air 2, I hope all of you are as happy with your choices as I am.

 

[ultimatebob]

The iPad Air 2 is a huge performance boost coming from the original iPad 2. They still sell it now, so it will likely be supported with iOS updates for at least another 3 years.

 

[Pneumothorax]

Agree with the above unless absolutely must have the pencil the Air 2 is the much better deal. Both the iPP 9.7 and Air 2 will be obsolete at about the same time thanks to Apple cheaping out on the 2gb of ram. It would've been much more future proof if they at least gave it the same amount of ram as it's bigger brother. This will be the first time I skip an iPad generation....

 

[Lyfer]

My wife ordered two cheap Chinese knock off cases from Amazon for $7 each. They work great and put our iPads to sleep as well. I just don't understand how Apple charges so much for there's.