I'm in the market to replace my OG Retina iPad (3rd Gen). If anyone's got a deal for the new 10.5" Pro on contact (12/24 months), please let me know.
edit: I'm also looking for the apple pencil. I'll probably keep an eye out for tomorrow's eBay deals.
Cellular 10.5" iPad Pro (64 or 128GB)
HuskyActual on 13/06/2017 - 07:15
Last edited 13/06/2017 - 07:19
Last edited 13/06/2017 - 07:19
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yea, I've already done that. only optus has their pricing available hence the post.
Surely buying on contract would make it more expensive over the term?
Keep your eye on the likes of JB Hi-Fi for possible 10% off Apple discounts coming up. They usually have one every 6 weeks or so.
(Though often those discounts are on Macs only. Probably depends on how fast they're selling. The older 12.9" iPad Pro was a slow seller and was often discounted just by asking for one.)
Looking on eBay for the Pencil is a good idea. There has been no change to its specification, but it will instantly benefit from 20ms response because of the new iPad Pro's 120 Hz screen refresh.
There are probably people around who have bought a Pencil but never use it because, "I'm not an artist, and I can't even play one on TV!" (ignoring the fact that used right, it's an immense productivity gain).
Carrier subsidy offsets the price increase for the data, seeing as I'm going to need cellular data, it's justifiable imo seeing as it's being released today.
Edit: monthly payments also helps with cashflow
Fair enough.
A phone plan data share (extra SIM on same plan) not helpful here? I think Telstra charges $5/month for this, which is only $60 until the iPad is obsolete again ;)
Ironically, even though I've bought cellular iPads since 2010, today/tomorrow's 10.5" model is the first one I'm looking at buying Wi-Fi only.
Why? Whereas I did travel with an iPad more in the past, for this past one I realised I never even inserted a SIM card! Seems that a larger phone has taken over more of the communications role.
Nor did I make use of the GPS (which you only get on the cellular model). So I basically paid $200 for features I never used.
Wi-Fi only 10.5 for me I think.
Since Optus has released their pricing, I can run the numbers with outright iPad + pre/postpaid mbb and compare it with the iPad plans. I've been using the Optus ZTE 4G modem as a hotspot but I tend to forget to charge it or turn it off when I get into a wifi zone. I also think the Instant Hotspot feature will be convenient as I won't need to toggle tethering manually.
Agreed, if you need to use it while out and about, a cellular iPad is the way to go. Much more convenient.
On the subject of hotspots, a few years ago I took an iPad on a camping trip and used its Personal Hotspot feature to provide Wi-Fi to other devices. Not only did it get excellent coverage in the sticks, the battery in the iPad lasts a L-O-N-G time.
It was basically a 26 hour Wi-Fi dongle. Beat that, OzBargain cut-price supermarket specials that are never in stock when you try to get one! ;)
PS — picked up the 10.5" iPad Pro an hour ago. Ah, the 120 Hz refresh rate… Safari scrolling is like butter. Best of luck with yours!
This is a great start