@Gabz If it makes you happy, buy it. If you’re just buying because of FOMO, hold off. I’m waiting to upgrade my iPad Air 2 to an iPad Pro for when iPads Pro come with OLED screens (because I watch media on my iPad and would love deep blacks).
@Gabz If I were in your shoes, I would buy the new iPad Mini for your child, along with an Apple Pencil, and the keyboard cover for your existing Pro (if not already owned). That covers all the bases without being significantly out of pocket, plus you get to buy a new shiny thing. Alternatively, go down the above route and don't buy the keyboard cover and then read comics on the iPad Mini...plus you can still do the odd bit of writing on it if the desire to play with that workflow is still there, grab a bluetooth keyboard and Bob's your Uncle.
@yorrike I gave in a few weeks ago and upgraded my iPad Air 2 to an 11" iPad Pro. I hadn't realised how slow the old iPad had become…
@Miraz yeah, I know my iPad is slow, and the battery is dying - I have an XR to compare it to. But I just can’t quite justify buying a new iPad.
@yorrike It can be hard when your phone has a large an awesome display. What do you generally use your iPad for?
@Gabz I upgraded from a 10.5” Pro to an 11”, mainly because I liked there new folio keyboard and I’ve grown to hate the bezels on older Apple devices after getting an iPhone X. The 11” is my daily computer, but the same could actually be said about the 10.5” when I had it.
That said, maybe try getting used to the writing apps on the iPad. I find going into do not disturb mode and having that singular canvas to write on helps me sink into things a bit better. You might find the 10.5” is all you need.
@Gabz The 11” Pro will feel smaller than your 10.5” though of course the screen is better. I don’t think you need a new iPad, but of course I often make these decisions on a not purely rational basis. You might want to consider a used or refrub’d iPad Mini for your daughter. We started our kids with Minis and it wasn’t long before they outgrew them. Before I got my 12+” Pro I had the smaller 9.7” Pro with Apple’s keyboard and pencil. It was not bad but I use my iPad much more than my laptop so the larger screen and overall improvements were worth it to me. Using the 11” and 12+” iPad Pros side by side at the store convinced me to get the larger one. I had been leaning to the 11”.
@martinfeld i mostly use it for watching shows before I go to sleep. But I also occasionally use it for general web browsing and logging into my Raspberry Pi via SSH.
@yorrike The Raspberry Pi function sounds interesting! I’m always impressed by the variety of tasks that people achieve on their iPads. I’m pretty ordinary at illustration but have really enjoyed using the Apple Pencil for basic sketches to go with blog pieces.
@martinfeld I have absolutely zero skills at drawing, but @stickmandiaries inspired me and I now have an iPad Pro with Pencil 2. First thing I did was find lessons on how to draw stick figures… (yes, I'm that unskilled at drawing).
@Miraz That’s great! I hope that we’ll see at least a few of your illustrations here on Micro.blog, if you feel comfortable to do so.
@martinfeld Oh, not likely for a few years yet. Currently drawing like an uncoordinated 5 year old! 😂
@Miraz I started out with drawings a 5 year old would blush at but with some time and practice I have something I am happy with.. and as I’ve said the iPad was the thing that got me started and I would sell any passing granny if I needed a new one :)
// @martinfeld
@stickmandiaries @Miraz Time and practice certainly are the key. I bought an Apple Pencil some time ago and found myself being slightly concerned at my lack of illustration skills. After a while, I worked out that I could just do casual sketches to go with each of my Daily Ruminations on my Lounge Ruminator blog and be satisfied that I was doing my own thing. Not everyone has to be an expert, it's just about finding what you enjoy!
@martinfeld Good words. My friend Rachel blogs and adds her own sketches, which are definitely quirky. I'm not yet at that skill level. I’ll keep practicing.