You can either get them at Challenger (call beforehand to check for stock availability) or purchase online at Hachi Tech. You need to be a ValueClub member which costs merely $8, it’s well worth the awesome deal of this powerful iPad Pro (2017).
You might be wondering – why buy a 2017 model? Wouldn’t it be outdated? Let me answer that.
If you were to compare the redesigned 2018 iPad Pro (11-inch, WiFi) with the same 256GB of storage, it costs a whopping S$1,419. That’s more than twice (S$731) the cost of the 2017 iPad Pro that’s on promotion now. Are the new features and design worth that much more? No way.
The 2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch is actually very similar to the 2019 iPad Air 3. In fact, that share the exact dimensions. Hence, if you want to compare the 2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch, you should compare it with the 2019 iPad Air 3.
2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch vs 2019 iPad Air 3
Price wise, the 2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch (256GB) sells at the promotion price of S$688 while the 2019 iPad Air 3 (256GB) sells at S$969. That’s a S$281 of difference – which is a lot.
Specs are where things get interesting.
Hopefully as you scroll through you can already tell which is the better buy.
Here’s what the 2017 iPad Pro have that’s better than the 2019 iPad Air 3:
- ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate (vs 60Hz)
- 600 nits brightness (vs 500 nits)
- 12MP camera sensor (vs 8MP)
- f/1.8 with OIS (vs f/2.4 no OIS)
- Quad-LED True Tone flash (vs none)
- Six-element lens (vs five element lens)
- 4K video recording (vs 1080p)
- Four speaker audio (vs two speaker)
- Better GPU performance (Metal score is higher)
And here’s what the 2019 iPad Air 3 have that’s better than the 2017 iPad Pro:
- Better CPU performance with A12 (vs A10X)
- Neural Engine (vs none)
- 464 grams (vs 477 grams)
- Dual band WiFi (vs single band)
- Bluetooth 5.0 (vs 4.2)
As you can see, the older 2017 iPad Pro (10.5-inch) has better screen, better camera, better audio, and better graphic performance. Where the 2019 iPad Air 3 gains the upperhand is only in the CPU performance and bluetooth version. Neural engine on the Air 3 gives you an opportunity to use AR features in the future (but who really uses that anyway)
Yes, the A10X is older than the A12 but the A10X is already so fast that I don’t think you can feel the difference in speeds in your day-to-day use. The Air 3 will probably be supported longer by Apple but then again, I’m pretty sure you’ll be good with the 2017 iPad Pro (10.5-inch) for the next 3 to 5 years.
What I really feels makes the 2017 iPad Pro (10.5-inch) stand out is the 120Hz ProMotion display. Seriously, the high refresh rate is so amazing. Just try out ProMotion on the new 2018 iPad Pro at an Apple store or somewhere. You’ll definitely be able to feel the difference. Everything just feels so fluid and smooth. ProMotion could be the single reason choosing the 2017 iPad Pro (10.5-inch) over the 2019 iPad Air 3.
Speakers also sound very good on the 2017 iPad Pro (10.5-inch). Sounds come out of both sides on the device unlike the 2019 iPad Air 3 which only has audio coming out from the button.
Ultimately, it is really up to you which iPad you think is better. For me, the 2017 iPad Pro (10.5-inch) is better in almost every aspect of the device that I’ll use everyday – screen, audio and camera. And did I tell you it is also S$281 cheaper. It’s really a no brainer for me.
If you’re looking for a new iPad, this is really the best time to get one. S$688 for a Pro model is such an outrageous price. Imagine the base model iPad with 128GB costs S$649. Seriously, the price is too good.
Get it before the stocks run out!