Unless a pencil is being used for the specific tasks for which it was designed, the vast cost of a pencil versus using a pointer device which is only a few pounds, seems a strange choice.
Indeed, any pointer device would work, just suggested an apple pencil so as not to confuse things given it is known to work with recent ipads.
The attraction of course, is that a pointer doesn’t need to be powered or connected to bluetooth. As a finger substitute it works well. The pencil remains an expensive option, which works only within certain products. Old pencil doesn’t work with 7 gen ipads, Typing this using a pointer device - must be 10 years + old, no issues and less typos, haha!
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We all have different requirements, so best to spec what suits. I travel a lot and on only one occasion, when wifi required a login registration, which was really data mining, then i used iphone tether. Thought extensively if it was worth adding data on new ipad, but that requires a separate sim, so if nec will use iphone.
Perhaps investigate whether subscribing to mobile wifi would be an alternate option.
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Would you please say how you can handwrite text for the Naim forum using a pointer on a tablet?
I’ve never tried that.
Apple Pencil is £79.
You’d pay hundreds if not more than £1k for a decently specced iPad and more on Naim Fraim; wouldn’t dream of opting for Naim alternatives despite their many benefits in a Naim system but wouldn’t pay £79 for a Pencil. Strewth.
I’m not convinced about that: faster processor makes no difference to longevity, which is limited by either battery life, or at whatever point the OS ceases to be updatable, and sometime after that apps ceased to work with the old OS. My last iPad battery failed at I think it was six years, which was just months after Apple had ceased supporting battery replacement on it. (I hadn’t bought it when that model was first released, so I can’t comment on the number of tears Apple will support battery replacement or models - maximum support would obviously be if you buy as soon as a new model comes out.) Until the battery died mine was as usable as it was on day one. If, based on your notes about your battery now just about end of life, it seems iPad Pro might last eight years instead of six years. But they cost considerably more then an extra 33%, so cost of ownership is still distinctly less with a standard model (albeit this is just a single instance of battery life for each model.)
Faster processor means iOS updates for longer i.e. Apple support it for longer. That support automatically extends to battery i.e. Apple don’t withdraw support for replacement batteries where they’re still doing iOS updates.
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Interesting I was unaware of that. Good for longevity, but i doubt it would last double the life of a plain iPad, the cheapest pro costing double (with the same memory)…
I’m a light tablet user, browsing, mail, news apps, crosswords, occasional spreadsheets, Naim app, YouTube. I’m running a 5th gen IPAD bought around release date, so spring 2017. The battery still lasts a few hours on a charge, it’s stuck on IOS 16.7.10, it’s still fine for my purposes, I’ll upgrade when either it looks like there is a vulnerability or apps stop working, so I’ll have got 8 years+ out of it.
If there is a basic IPAD on a reasonably modern processor (for the reason Mike stated) I’ll go for that as I don’t need high power and I’m cool with a 7-8 year life for a device of this class. (It’s not ideal, but tablets aren’t designed for upgrade ability to allow longer spans.)
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Bigger means heavier, numbness sets in that bit earlier as the weight increases but go too small and the benefit over a phone diminishes.
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Bought a new iPad mini last week to replace an iPad mini I broke through carelessness. The mini is just the job for my requirements. Fast. Great screen. Light & easy to hold with one hand.
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It’s not for me but the new Mini is terrific. Great reviews but seriously under-rated.
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My requirements are fairly simple so the mini is a perfect fit for me.
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To me the Mini is pointless: the whole point of an iPad compared to an iPhone is decent size screen (and on-screen keyboard). The Mini isn’t big enough to be a substitute for a full size computer, but is too big to fit in a trouser pocket.
To you maybe. I know lots for whom it’s perfect and at least a couple of people who like a phone in their pocket but a Mini in a small back pack whilst out working as sports journalists. Nothing you can’t do on a Mini if your eyes can cope with the screen size. Mine can’t but others can.
The reality is that the Pro has eaten into sales of iPad, Air and Mini in the past year, which again suggests lots of people recognise the latter gas more advantages than big screen and fast processor, but, those other devices all have their place and if Apple couldn’t move them in large numbers they wouldn’t exist by now.
They have a huge constituency amongst students precisely because of their size.
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I’m surprised students can afford them!
Most students have jobs, and often more than one, nowadays. Just like they have smartphones. Also a great tool for many courses. My offspring funded a Pro for their Music Performance degree through FT Summer work. Uses Logic and masters on it. I’m sure those who only need a Mini will have equally little difficulty.
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I have the iPad Pro 13” which I got last year replacing my smaller iPad Pro which I passed onto my step-son.
Also use the Apple Pencil which I find works well and use the iPad for most things.
Also have a iPhone 15 Pro Max that I use when I’m out as it has a big screen, but at home use the iPad for everything else.
Don’t find it too heavy, either using it on my lap or holding it. Although do have a case to make holding it easier as they are smooth and you can still attach the pencil to it.
Screen is nice and bright, plus the speakers are good.
We’re well into the Apple Ecosystem, as Mrs DG and I both have iPhones and iPads, plus we have two AppleTV boxes, so good interconnection.
DG…
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Why would anyone want to put an iPad in their trouser pocket, that’s where the iPhone 12 mini goes?
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