The Many Flavors of Ipads in 2019

By Wayne Maruna

            The current version of Apple’s IOS operating system software for mobile devices like iPhones and iPads at the time of this writing (7/1/19) is 12.3.1.  If you own an iPad or iPhone, you can check your version by going into Settings, General, Software Update.  You may even find that you’ve got an update waiting for you.  Apple has announced that there is an upgrade to version 13 in our future, probably in September. Further, if you have an iPad, you’re in for a change, as Apple will be creating a separate iPadOS to take advantage of the larger screen versus the iPhone. Unfortunately not all older devices will be allowed to participate.

            If you have an iPhone 6, sorry Charlie/Charlene, no IOS13 for you.  Just to confuse things, if you have an iPhone 6S, you’re OK…for now.  If you have an original iPad or even a first generation iPad Air, Apple says to you as well ‘Get thee behind me.’ I’m going to give Apple the benefit of the doubt and say that these device exclusions are due to hardware requirements and not planned obsolescence, but you have to wonder.

            If you have an older iPad and are looking to replace it, you may be overwhelmed with your options – and quite possibly their costs.  I’m not even talking about Android products, I’m talking just within the Apple universe. The current model lineup includes five basic models, including two iPad Pro models(12.9” and 11” screens), an iPad Air with its 10.5” screen, the regular ol’ iPad at the traditional 9.7” screen, and the baby bear iPad Mini with its 7.9” screen.  Within those five basic models, there is an even larger selection of storage capacities, colors, and choice of Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi plus cellular communications. 

            The entry point for the current product array is simply called ‘iPad’.  It is the same 9.7” diagonal screen size as the original model, also called ‘iPad’.  So clearly if someone offers you a deal on an iPad, you need to be very clear about what model you are talking about.  List price for the Wi-Fi model with 32GB of storage is $329, but I have seen it frequently on sale for $249.  If you opt to add cellular capability and increase storage to 128GB, list price climbs to a max of $559.

            While you might think that the iPad Mini would be at the bottom of the price ladder, it is not.  The least costly Mini comes with 64GB of storage, twice that of the iPad, and lists for $399.  You can increase storage to 256GB, also twice that of the iPad’s maximum, and if you do that and add Cellular, you’re going to pay Apple $679 for the privilege.  The Mini is a handy size, but with 1.8” less screen size, you better make sure your near vision is up to the task, because everything gets a bit scrunched and text is smaller.

            While the basic iPad will serve most people nicely, those who want a little more shine in their Shinola will opt for the iPad Air.  This was originally called iPad Air, and then iPad Air2, but now it reverts back to just iPad Air.  However, purchasers get a bump in screen size, from 9.7” to 10.5”.  They also get a faster processor chip, the A12 versus the older A10 in the new iPad.  There are a few other enhancements like a fully laminated True Tone display for enhanced viewing. Despite the larger screen, the weight of the iPad Air is 1.0 pounds versus 1.03 in the basic iPad.  Storage capacities mirror those found in the Mini, and list prices run $100 over the mini in all configurations.

If you plan to upgrade from the Air, watch out for that first step because it’s a doozy.  You’d be looking at an iPad Pro, which comes in 11” and 12.9” sizes.  Both come with the top of the line A12X chip (why do cars and electronics like to put X in their designations?)  Storage capacities available are 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB – these are desktop computer storage sizes.  The 11” model holds its weight to that if the new iPad, 1.03 pounds.  Not so its prices, which start at $799 and go all the way to (brace yourself) $1,699!  Ah, but we’re not done yet.  You can get yourself the top model, the 12.9” Pro which has the same chip, features, and options as the 11” model, and costs $200 more for each configuration.  That’s $1,899 for the fully loaded big boy!  The 12.9” Pro also packs on an addition 0.4 pounds.  That weight differential may seem trivial, but I’ve used one for a few days, which I suggest anyone thinking about the 12.9” unit should do, because when you’re used to an Air, the Big Boy feels like you’re lugging around a tombstone.

If your eyes are not yet glazed over, let it be known that the prior 2017 model Pros can be found, brand new or refurbished, on many websites at considerable discounts, and I’m talking 50% or more.  If you can handle the size and weight, a new 2017 12.9” 512GB cellular model for $719 is quite a bargain if you can justify it, with not a ton of feature difference from the new models.