iPad Air vs. Pro as new purchase?

Started by Rhcole, May 19, 2016, 04:44:29 PM

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Rhcole

Gah,

I've got a lot of catching up to do in this area. I have decided to get into iOS because Android still isn't ready for prime time and I now believe that nothing can catch iOS as the musician's mobile platform of choice. I'll be haunting this section of the forum for a long time because I know nothing about this. My wife has an iPad Air, but the closest she gets to hacking it or making it work hard it is to connect a Bluetooth speaker.  ::)

First up is a simple decision. Is the iPad Pro 9.7 worth the substantial coin over the Air? I've read reviews, they basically say "if you already own an iPad Air, don't consider moving to the Pro. But if you don't, start with a Pro". The Air technology looks to be almost 3 years old now, that's pretty old in product terms.

Agreed?


Elantric

#1
The "AIR" is 2 years old now and should be avoided today.
- IMHO a (gently used / refurb) 2015 128GB  "AIR2" remains the best bargain at $400 (observe that Apple deleted the 128GB AIR2 model 2 months ago)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-iPad-Air-2-128GB-Retina-2nd-Gen-Wi-Fi-9-7-Space-Gray-B/131752415003?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D36501%26meid%3Dea215b067dd642deaafa930352ee5154%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26


more here:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=18081.msg128774#msg128774

But if you really want 10% more performance for twice the price  . . . . get the new 9.7" PRO
http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/136645-apple-ipad-pro-9-7-vs-ipad-air-2-what-s-the-difference


Also only the larger 12.9"  iPad PRO includes 4GB RAM, the smaller 9.7" PRO has same 2GB RAM  as iPad AIR2

http://9to5mac.com/2016/03/22/9-7-inch-ipad-pro-includes-2-gb-ram-slightly-slower-cpu-than-12-9-inch-ipad-pro/

QuoteI have decided to get into iOS  - I've got a lot of catching up to do in this area.
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10050.0

http://musicappblog.com/music-app-blog-email-newsletter/


http://musicappblog.com/category/news/

whippinpost91850

I have an iPAD Pro 12.9  and use it for both Setlist manager and triple play live.

Rhcole

Pulled the trigger on an iPad Pro 9.7 from B&H. Got a really good price on a limited quantity special.
...here comes another big learning curve...

Elantric

#4
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=ipad+pro&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Just be sure you ordered one with at least 64GB minimum.

Biggest mistake IOS newbies make is buying a new iPad with only 32GB  - which is not enough memory.  soon gets filled up , particularly if you use music apps that use samples (Sampletank, Garageband,etc)

Myself I'm holding off until the 2017 models, and when I buy again it will have 256GB minimum.

Rhcole

Thanks. Got 128G. 256G prices were crazy.
Do I understand right that there is now a way to access USB drives with a special cable? Do they work for storage? Obviously people here are using the FTP.
But no mouse or pad, huh?

Yow, I've got a lot to learn...

Elantric

#6
Apple still adheres to their "Reality Distortion Field" , there remains zero proper File management system for IOS that you can use without iTunes app running on an external Win/Mac computer. ( this is an area where Android Tablets with USB OTG ports excel )

Most popular IOS MUSIC DAW apps implement their own method to get your creative work files in and out of the iPad, typically using DropBox, or iCloud, or Email. Some ( like Auria DAW support specific model external USB drives with a lightning port ( Sandisk), but that is rare.

I assume you are on Windows for your desktop  / laptop computer?


Basically you must get acquainted with Apple iTunes , which remains a mandatory requirement for iPad ownership, as thats the only tool that allows true management of IOS Apps, Importing and exporting IOS App Files, and  IOS environment Backup  and management of iPad music library   

Head to Costco Magazine Rack and get one of those glossy fully color iCreate  / iLife for iPad Books
https://www.imagineshop.co.uk/bookazines/mac/ilife-tips-tricks-and-fixes-vol-1.html
search Youtube for iPad tutorials

and read our IOS App knowledge area:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=132.0

and

IOS Hardware / Audio Interfaces / MIDI Interfaces / USB Hubs and 100% Battery Power solutions area:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=212.0



And while I can understand some folks suffer from "data overload" and carefully manage specific  VGuitarForums "threads of interest"  notifications,  while ignoring all others . .
- If you don't want to miss out on all current "VGuitar knowledge" (which includes non 13 pin solutions, Windows / Macs / Linux / iPads / iPhones/ Android /Bluetooth MIDI, etc)   


This link shows ALL Recent Posts on all topics from all areas of the Forum:

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=recent

I recommend book mark the URL Link above and check it frequently daily

Rhcole

Oh man, I just had a moment...

I thought I would drop by a bookstore to buy a book on iOS and perhaps the iPad. Get myself more familiar before it arrives.
...Now, just to be honest, I'm not such a young guy anymore...
So, I went to THREE bookstores and essentially the only books on the subject they carried were titles like: "The iPad for Seniors!" "ipads for Dummies" "Tablets for Seniors!" with charming photos of nice older women looking at pictures of their grandson's birthday party with smiling icons encouraging newbie points of interest.

"What's going on?" I pondered. "Where are the books for sophisticated customers on iOS, deep manuals on the iPad, tech references... what happened?"
Then it hit me. Ugh. The only people who would go shopping for manuals on the iPad at a bookstore anymore ARE older people. Nobody else would think of doing that.
It was a "Gotcha" moment.  :(

concordal

#8
@Rhcole, try iPad: The Missing Manual   (http://www.amazon.com/iPad-Missing-Manual-David-Pogue/dp/1491947152/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463798749&sr=1-1&keywords=ipad+missing+manual)   Author David Pogue is, among other things, the personal-tech columnist The New York Times.  His missing Manual series is a great resource for the not-so-senior, too.


Elantric

#9
QuoteWhat's going on?" I pondered. "Where are the books for sophisticated customers on iOS, deep manuals on the iPad, tech references... what happened?"

:)Register to be a developer
https://developer.apple.com/wwdc/

Join scribd and locate more docs

www.scribd.com

whippinpost91850

Quote from: Rhcole on May 20, 2016, 05:44:33 PM
Oh man, I just had a moment...

I thought I would drop by a bookstore to buy a book on iOS and perhaps the iPad. Get myself more familiar before it arrives.
...Now, just to be honest, I'm not such a young guy anymore...
So, I went to THREE bookstores and essentially the only books on the subject they carried were titles like: "The iPad for Seniors!" "ipads for Dummies" "Tablets for Seniors!" with charming photos of nice older women looking at pictures of their grandson's birthday party with smiling icons encouraging newbie points of interest.

"What's going on?" I pondered. "Where are the books for sophisticated customers on iOS, deep manuals on the iPad, tech references... what happened?"
Then it hit me. Ugh. The only people who would go shopping for manuals on the iPad at a bookstore anymore ARE older people. Nobody else would think of doing that.
It was a "Gotcha" moment.  :(

Good story and well stated :)

jassy

Quote from: Elantric on May 19, 2016, 05:04:40 PM


But if you really want 10% more performance for twice the price  . . . . get the new 9.7" PRO
http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/


Has been tested and it only gives a 10% more performance this new new AX9 chip in audio apps?
Apple claims that its 1.8 times faster, not for our audio apps?
I was in doubt about to upgrade my ipad air but not sure what to get.

Elantric

#12
I'm comparing 2015 iPad AIR2 vs 2016 PRO 9.7".

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=18081.msg128774#msg128774


The Pro 9.7" is substantially faster than 2013 iPad AIR.

I'm awaiting a 9.7" model with 4GB RAM , due 2017

jassy

Maybe not expressed myself well.
I know its worth upgrading the Air 1, my doubts are between Air2 or Pro, but if the Pro is only 10% better...


Elantric

#15
http://9to5mac.com/2015/11/12/ipad-pro-benchmarks/

Realize that benchmark above is comparing the 12.9" IPad PRO that has 4GB RAM
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=16073.0

Not the new 9.7" Pro which still has 2GB RAM, same as iPad AIR2