Atlantico: You could say that there is nothing easier than buying an iPad. But Apple now offers four models (classic, Air, Pro, Mini), not counting the old versions. What general advice would you give before making a choice?
Jérôme Durel: There are several tablet manufacturers on the market today, the best known being Samsung and Apple – there are other players, but the more serious are still these two. If you are going for an iPad, then you have already made a choice. From the moment you have therefore made this choice – perhaps because you are already in the Apple ecosystem – the question to ask is that of the price. In reality, it is often the budget that will determine the choice. The more you have a large budget, the more you can take a comfortable model.
Exactly, in terms of budget, we notice a difference of nearly 300 euros between the classic iPad and the iPad Air. Is this significant additional cost for the iPad Air justified for the general public?
Not really. In my opinion, the classic iPad is the best value you will find in the tablet market in general, and Apple in particular. The iPad Air is prettier, thinner, with a slightly larger screen, and has an important difference with the classic iPad which is its compatibility with all the latest Apple accessories, in particular the keyboard which allows it to be transformed. into a much more practical device for advanced uses such as word processing. That being said, there are also bluetooth keyboards compatible with the classic iPad, which is why the iPad Air is not necessarily worth it.
Does the iPad Pro have an interest for a non-professional?
The iPad Pro is the largest in terms of screen size, which is more comfortable for working, but also for watching movies. Who can do the most can do the least! Its screen is more responsive, has a depth sensor, there are many accessories … It is designed for professional use but may very well be suitable for personal use. It’s a question of budget and size.
Regarding size, precisely, what audience is the iPad Mini intended for, which is more expensive than the classic?
Apple wanted to offer a small format tablet, hence this model. But today, phones are bigger than before; which also explains why the iPad Mini is less mini than its first versions. But whatever we’ll do with a 7.9-inch iPad Mini, we’ll do with a 6.3-inch smartphone. The gain in comfort, compared to the price, seems to me quite limited; especially since it is just the same power as a classic iPad. In reality, I find that this is a segment that has lost its relevance. I think Apple is only keeping it for historical reasons. It may only be useful for people who want to travel or have a very small phone.
Is it worth buying a used or refurbished iPad?
Yes, this is the case for Apple products in general. There are several reasons, but the first is that the update tracking is good, and the second is the quality of its processors. To put it simply, they’re homemade and therefore optimized for the device, and are generally six months ahead of the competition. So even though your product is two years old, it’s actually only a year and a half behind what the rest of the market is doing. The devices therefore age well. Especially since the updates are made for several years, while in the competition, the updates generally stop after two years.
Are there any older iPad models to avoid, however?
It’s still aging electronics, so don’t go overboard! You can go your way for iPads that are over three years old. The generation preceding the one on sale is generally a good plan; the one from before can be interesting if you do not have excessive uses. Beyond that, you have to be really aware of what you are buying, because it only meets very specific needs (second screen, etc.).
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