I Bought An iPad Pro 11 Inch Used – Here’s What Happened…

Is buying a used iPad Pro 11 inch a good idea? I bought one to find out. Here’s everything you need to know about the PROs and CONS of buying used iPads

The thing you have to remember about Apple products, either its iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watch or, in the context of this post, its iPads and iPad Pro tablets, is that while they might be expensive, they last a bloody long time.

Case in point: the iPhone 11 I bought back in 2019 immediately following its release still works just fine. I ended up passing it on to my mum in 2021, but she’s had literally zero problems with it since. And the battery capacity is still in the 90% region.

As someone that’s never really been a fan of tablets, I’m more than happy to just get by using my phone, the thought of actually “buying” a tablet, either from Apple or Samsung, has never really appealed to me. But now I have a business, I can write off a lot of the tech I buy as an expense.

So, given that refurbished technology is enjoying a renaissance at the moment, thanks in part to the A) massive rises in inflation, and B) the cost of living crisis, and the fact that Apple is still selling A LOT of iPads, I decided to buy a used iPad Pro 11 inch to see what all the fuss was about.

Why Buy An iPad Pro 11 Used?

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For starters, a used iPad Pro – or, in the context of the one I bought, a refurbished iPad Pro – is significantly cheaper than buying one outright.

I’m not going to go into the INS and OUTS of how refurbished tech works, as we’ve covered this subject to death on KYM.

How Much Is A Used iPad Pro 11 Inch

The thing about iPads is that they’re really expensive to buy new but because they’re not designed to be used like phones, they tend to last longer. Most people do not take their iPad with them everywhere, unlike their phones, so most refurb iPads are usually in very good condition.

In context of how much you’ll pay for a used iPad Pro 11 inch, well, it all depends on which model you go for – there’s quite a few different versions now. To date, there are now four major versions of the iPad Pro 11 and, as you can see in the table below, they’re all priced differently on the used market.

Again, with Apple products the more storage and, in the context of iPads and Apple Watch, the type of connectivity you go for, can really jack up the price of the product.

If you don’t want/need 5G or LTE connectivity, go with a WiFi only model. They’re significantly cheaper.

Again, if you don’t need 256GB of storage, opt for a 128GB model. Again, it will be significantly cheaper.

Which Model Did I Get?

I went for the iPad Pro 11 3rd Gen with 128GB and WiFi – it cost $609. I don’t need 5G or LTE as my iPad stays in doors. I use it mostly in my living room and, on occasion, when traveling on long haul flights. But even then, mobile data still isn’t required.

I got it a few months back and since then it has been working great. No issues, no bugs or defects, and the chassis is free from bumps and scratches. It looked brand new, basically.

And the reason I bought the iPad Pro 11 3rd Gen instead of the iPad Pro 11 2nd Gen? The M1 chip. I wanted to see how Apple’s new custom silicon worked inside its iPad format. The results, as you’d expect, were impressive – the 3rd Gen iPad Pro 11 is insanely powerful.

The M1 chip provides excellent performance and power efficiency, allowing the iPad Pro 11 to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. Additionally, the tablet has a 120Hz refresh rate display, which makes for a very smooth and responsive user experience.

Overall, it will be able to handle any task you throw at it for years to come.

The 3rd Gen iPad Pro 11 was also a pretty sizeable update over the iPad Pro 11 2nd Gen, as you can see below.

iPad 8th Generation

Another option, if you’re looking to spend less money and don’t need a Pro-model iPad, would be the iPad 8th Generation. Why? It’s cheaper, for one, and if all you need is a powerful iPad with excellent battery life and all the modern trimmings, it might just fit the bill.

I actually had one of these laying around but I up-cycled to my Dad who needed one. As tablets go, it is a brilliant machine despite the fact it is now a couple of years old – here’s why:

With its A12 Bionic chip, it was the iPad 8th Generation that brought a massive performance leap to the affordable iPad line back in 2020. Even three years later, it’s still lightning fast, confidently tackling a diverse range of tasks.

Whether you’re streaming the latest season of that hit Netflix show, maneuvering through high-octane games, or juggling between a bunch of productivity apps, this iPad doesn’t stutter. It’s a testament to the longevity of Apple’s tech wizardry.

One of the most delightful parts about revisiting the iPad 8th Generation is its Retina display. Colors pop, text is crisp, and there’s ample screen space for reading, drawing, or indulging in video marathons.

Yes, the bezels are a bit on the chunky side by today’s standards, but in a way, it’s reminiscent of a simpler era, an era before everything had to be bezel-less.

And let’s not forget the incredible utility of the Smart Connector. Slap on a Smart Keyboard and voila – your versatile tablet is now a mini workhorse. The magic of the iPad is in its flexibility, and this 8th Gen model fully embraces that philosophy.

The iPad 8th Gen’s compatibility with the 1st Gen Apple Pencil is another feather in its cap. Even after all these years, scribbling away on this iPad feels as intuitive and natural as ever. It’s like your creativity knows no bounds – whether it’s jotting down thoughts, sketching, or annotating PDFs.

In 2023, it’s all about value, and this is where the iPad 8th Generation truly shines. Newer iPads may offer fancier screens, thinner designs, or faster chips, but they also come with heftier price tags.

The iPad 8, meanwhile, gives you the core iPad experience at a fraction of the cost. You have access to the same vast ecosystem of apps, the same intuitive interface, and the same sturdy build quality that Apple is renowned for.

So, yeah, if you don’t need to go Pro, maybe give this one a look first?

Should You Buy A Used iPad Pro 11

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The decision of whether or not to buy a used iPad Pro 11 depends on a number of factors: the condition of the device, the price being asked, and your personal needs and budget.

If the device is in good condition and the price is significantly lower than the cost of a brand new one, then it may be a good deal.

But you should ALWAYS be cautious when buying a used device, as there is always a risk that it may have hidden issues or defects that are not immediately apparent.

This is why we ALWAYS recommend that our readers buy refurbished instead of used. It’s just safer and you get things like a rock-solid returns policy.

It’s also worth considering whether you need the latest model or if an older model, such as the 2nd generation or 1st generation, would suffice for your needs. The older models come at a lower cost and still provide good performance for most tasks.

Ultimately, the decision to buy a used iPad Pro 11 depends on your specific needs and budget. It’s important to carefully evaluate the condition and price of the device, as well as any potential risks, before making a purchase.