What iPad for Sketching Floor Plans

tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 17:47
Last edited 05/09/2024 - 20:36

Hello OzB peeps.

Just started a new job which involves sketching diagrams and floorplans for work.
Nothing fancy, just a simple sketching program and uploading files to Google Drive/Dropbox.
Maybe Photoshop… Not totally sure yet.
So I'm in the market for an iPad where I can use a stylus.

There's a few options out there:

Cheap Option - iPad 9th Gen 64GB (Cheapest - $417 OW)
Cheap but uses old Apple Pencil. A13 Chip. Worried it won't last long.
Also uses lightning where none of my items have lightning. Everything is USB-C

Middle Option - iPad Air 4th Gen 64GB (Cheapest - $653 MobileCiti w/ 5% Code)
Decently priced. Comparable to iPad 10th Gen at $549 (Umart) with the same A14 Chip. But has an antireflective coating.

High End Option - iPad Air 5th Gen 64GB (Cheapest - $759 MobileCiti w/ 5% Code)
Ideal Option I think… M1 Chip to last a while longer.

I don't think I'll need the new iPad Air 11" M2. I don't think I will notice any difference in just simple sketching.

I'm thinking of the iPad Air 5th Gen with the updated Apple Pencil as it's only $100 more than the Air 4th Gen.

Any input would be amazing! Or finding cheaper prices.

UPDATE
Just found out I can get the iPad Air 5th 64GB WiFi for $719 through MobileCiti. Surely that's the best value model?

Poll Options

  • 1
    iPad 9th Gen - $400
  • 3
    iPad 10th Gen - $550
  • 0
    iPad Air 4th Gen - $650
  • 3
    iPad Air 5th Gen - $700
  • 14
    iPad Air 11" - $900
Computing Apple Tablet

Comments

  • freefall101 on 05/09/2024 - 17:59
    +1

    What does your employer/coworkers recommend? And why are you paying for the tablet if you need it for work?

    • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 18:01

      They say a few people have iPad 9th Gens and a few have Airs.
      Also mentioned some people have Samsung tablets.
      Some people mentioned to get stuff with palm rejection. A few people complained that 7-8th gen iPads get slow. So I'm just curious to see if 9th Gen will start to feel slow after 1-2 major updates.

      I'm paying as I'm a contractor for the company.

      • braddsey on 05/09/2024 - 18:43

        Keep in mind that this will be 100% tax deductible so factor that into your buying/budget decision.

        • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 19:54

          Yep for sure. But defs no need to overspend on an iPad Pro etc. I think the Air's are the sweet spot. But just figuring out which one.

          • braddsey on 06/09/2024 - 14:41

            @tempestswitch: Then get the best you can justify with your budget. If you're set on iPad Air and the $50-$70 difference between 4gen and 5gen isn't significant to you, then get the 5gen - you won't be upset.

            I bought the ipad air 5th gen for $750 last year as a business expense basically to use it as a second monitor for a very small home off setup, and when travelling. $750 is too much, but after tax claim it comes down to about $410. I could have gone cheaper, but I can justify that cost. It's a nice device. I underutilise it, but good to have as a second media consumption device.

  • HamBoi69 on 05/09/2024 - 18:06

    An Apple one.

  • Signet on 05/09/2024 - 18:38

    Definitely one with Apple Silicon. You have the right idea with using an Apple Pencil too.
    Would the budget stretch to a 12.9”?

    • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 18:46
      +1

      Hmmm I don't think the extra 2 inches would be that helpful. I've tested someones 11 inch and it's so much more portable and easy to take around.

      • 87percent on 06/09/2024 - 07:09
        +4

        That’s what she said

      • Signet on 06/09/2024 - 09:03

        Fair enough. I’ve found once going to 12.9” I wouldn’t be able to go back.
        It’s good your happy with 11” or smaller

  • scooba on 05/09/2024 - 18:42

    Just wondering OP, would you say $35-$42 per month is too much to pay for an M4 11 inch iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil Pro and AppleCare?

    • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 18:47

      I actually havent thought about that… I'm guessing through Telstra or something?

      I kind of want to just pay it off in one go, claim it back through my business rather than having to keep track on monthly payments.

  • schmuppet on 05/09/2024 - 19:48

    Have you tried using an iPad for sketching? I’ve found the Apple Pencil to be incredibly frustrating.

    • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 19:52

      Yeah I don't mind it. I tried the S9 FE with S Pen and I didn't like that. Is there anything else that would help sketch better rather than an Apple Pencil?

  • scooba on 05/09/2024 - 19:54

    11 inch iPad Pro with 512GB of storage which is $2268 plus AppleCare which is $249 equals $2517. Apple usually provides 5 years of software support, so divided by 5 years is $503.40, divided by 12 months is $41.95.

    I forgot to factor in a case, so $129 for the genuine Smart Folio case from Apple brings it up to $2646 or $44.10 per month.

    So $44.10 a month for a 120Hz display with 512GB's of storage isn't too bad, which is also covered by AppleCare for first 2 years so if you drop the device and crack the screen you can get it replaced for $45, AppleCare also covers accessories which you can see here—>https://www.apple.com/au/support/products/ipad/
    You can also extend the AppleCare for $8.49c after the 2 years.

    If you can pay it off in one go and buy it outright, not to mention claim it back through your business this would be the way to go because iPad Pro deals are few and far between, not to mention buying through a dodgy reseller means you can end up with grey import stock.

    Just my 2 cents…

    • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 20:08

      Appreciate your thoughts.

      I've thought about it and anything over 128GB would probably be pointless for me.
      Any sketches + floorplans + footage would need to be uploaded pretty soon after the inspection. So it's all just temporary storage until it's all in the cloud.
      Also I don't think I would really care about the 120hz.

      $759 for an iPad Air 5th Gen through MobileCiti (Genuine reseller) means over 3 years (assuming 5 years of support minus 2 since it's a 2022 model) means it's $21 a month.

      I don't mind paying it in one hit as then it's one less thing to worry about.
      I also don't mind spending more money on a better model but I need to draw the line of where there is diminishing returns. I just really don't think the Pro is worth it for sketches with some markings of numbers and icons.

      • sumyungguy on 05/09/2024 - 20:41

        For what it's worth I have a pre-owned iPad Air 5th 256GB $660 with Magic Keyboard $239 and do real estate plans using Magicplan

        • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 20:45

          How are you finding it? Good enough and smooth enough?

          • sumyungguy on 05/09/2024 - 20:48

            @tempestswitch: Considering I used to get by with an iPad mini retina, my new setup is killer. I especially like having the keyboard with trackpad; so many input options. I can use my fingers with Magicplan, but a Pencil is on my list as I'll be doing some home reno plans soon.

            • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 20:53

              @sumyungguy: Good to hear someone's enjoying it. I really don't think that the Air 11 M2 is worth the extra $200 as it's only one year newer.

      • scooba on 05/09/2024 - 21:49
        +1

        No probs.

        Forgot to say, when I said $35 in my first reply that was for the 11 inch Pro 256GB which is the base model in the Pro models, so if you only needed 128GB the Pro is a no go.

        A few people I know who use iPads for work say the 120Hz is like night and day after using 60Hz displays to work on for many years. I don't use mine for work or drawing so I can't contribute to their opinions but a 120Hz screen is a really nice addition but I'm glad it's variable as 120Hz can be a battery killer.

        Only bad thing about getting refurbished older models is there's no option for AppleCare. The amount of people I know that spent money on a refurb, then had problems with the display, battery or whatever else, were then told $300-$400 for a new display etc.

        I agree with you saying "I just really don't think the Pro is worth it for sketches with some markings of numbers and icons", but don't forget an iPad's use case can change over time and having plenty of power, storage, RAM and screen Hz means it can be used for a number of different tasks now and in the future, no matter what you throw at it.

        As I used to say to people when buying their first iPad for work or home use, buy it right, buy it once and then you don't have to do it again for at least 5-6 years plus more.

        Hope you find the right fit OP, good luck👍🏻.

        • tempestswitch on 05/09/2024 - 22:01

          Thanks for the comment.

          Yeah I think I'd rather stick to cheaper tablets that can do a good enough of a job and have a bit of headroom.

          I've already got a PC for heavy editing workflow, a MacBook Pro 14 2021 for portability. Just need something to draw.

  • omguleh on 05/09/2024 - 22:52

    Get an ipad with 5G, pay it off in instalments with the plan. I bought my iPad Pro that way and it was good. Helped with cashflow and everything was a tax deduction.

    • jv on 05/09/2024 - 23:11

      and everything was a tax deduction.

      It's possible to claim even if you pay it all upfront.

      • Signet on 06/09/2024 - 07:45
        -1

        Thanks captain obvious! :)

    • tempestswitch on 06/09/2024 - 09:37

      I don't need 5G. It's just wasting more money I don't need to spend.
      Happy to pay upfront. One less thing to think about.

  • 82norm on 06/09/2024 - 07:47
    +1

    What app are you using to do the sketching?

  • fungi79 on 06/09/2024 - 09:26

    I'm an architect and up till a few weeks ago still used an iPad 6 for sketching. Prior to that I have a 12" iPad Pro gen 2 which I loved, but sold to get an iPad Air 4th Gen, still regretting that decision.

    If I was looking around again, I would see if there is a second hand 12" floating around for a good price. For sketching, screen real estate > speed.

    Edit: spelling

  • tempestswitch on 12/09/2024 - 20:37
    +1

    UPDATE:
    I just bought the M2 iPad Pro 11inch (Last Gen) for $1100.

    I figured $200 more than the top pick is decent.
    Both M2 chips, however the Pro gets Promotion and FaceID which I love.

    • sumyungguy on 12/09/2024 - 20:53

      Love how you feinted with Goldilocks Strategy but subtly disclosed an outlier which turned out to be your preference.

      • tempestswitch on 12/09/2024 - 20:55

        Haha yep. I'm too stingy where I'd prefer to save a buck rather than get better features.. But then I played with the Pro and couldnt give it up.

        • sumyungguy on 12/09/2024 - 21:02

          Interestingly it was by far the top poll option…

          • tempestswitch on 12/09/2024 - 21:12

            @sumyungguy: Desperately trying to keep it under $1000 as I sold off an old iPad 6 that I touched only a handful of times. I was close to just buying the 9th Gen, but I turned into a sucker and kept upselling myself a better iPad lol.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join