Apple geek squad alert: Ipad Pro 12.9

[Too Tall]

I'm enamored with the Ipad Pro 12.9" for reading online print (newspapers mostly).

What configuration will work best for me? I stream music from my phone and do not store gobs of data on devices.

Also, what's the play wrt connectivity? Is it wise to use my phone as a hotspot and order the Ipad WiFi (no cellular)?

Last, refurbished 2nd Gen Ipad Pro 12.9" are looking like a good move.

[rwsaunders]

I’ve been using mine for a little over a year and I love it. I did get the cellular option and the keyboard, as mine is primarily used for work and I wish that I could ditch my laptop, but not quite yet. Sounds like WiFi and using your phone as a hotspot might do the trick for you.

[Drew]

I do exactly that, with exactly those devices. My job keeps my leash (phone) fresh - just got an 11. It does the job... takes photos, makes calls, sends emails. I don’t use it for much else and the battery lasts four or five days. I have iPad Pro 12.9 2g. No cellular. Tether to phone when I am not in range of WiFi. I use it quite a bit. The big display format enables Apple to spec a big battery, which lasts me several days. If I go on a two day trip for work, I usually don’t take chargers anymore.

I recommend the Logitech backlit keyboard. This one: Logitech Create iPad Keyboard Case with Apple Pencil Holder

[Too Tall]

Thanks gents

[Saab2000]

If you have a data limit on your cell phone plan use caution with the mobile hotspot thing. I considered an iPad Pro last summer but ended up with the latest Air instead. The reviews were very positive and I can report good things as well. But I won't try to talk you out of the larger Pro. It's a choice device, especially in the larger size.

Mine is Wifi only because normally I can get a signal. But if you are camping often in that Airstream you may not have Wifi available, in which case your mobile hotspot thing works well as long as you have a signal. But it will suck your data if you're not careful. When I use it it's for a fairly limited time and then I'm sure to shut it off to make sure I'm not wasting data. If you're just downloading newspapers it's not a ton of data. Just be aware that just downloading the day's issue of the paper won't allow all the articles to open without a data connection. That can be a frustration. I get the digital NYT and it's great but to get full benefits a data signal is necessary. I'm sure you know this already.

For the record, I travel a lot and used to travel with my MacBook Air. No longer. The iPad Air does 99.5% of what I want on the road. I just wish I had a keyboard. Folks I know have the Apple keyboard accessory and like it.

[Too Tall]

Still a good discussion and thanks Jim. All things considered I will need GPS so cellular. What was I thinking?

[sk_tle]

If you have a data limit on your cell phone plan use caution with the mobile hotspot thing. [...]
Mine is Wifi only because normally I can get a signal. But if you are camping often in that Airstream you may not have Wifi available, in which case your mobile hotspot thing works well as long as you have a signal. But it will suck your data if you're not careful.

I am not sure I understand your point. If you are take the cellular option you still have to pay the same amount of data, but either in a separate plan or within the same one if you just order a new SIM. It doesn't really change anything in term of actual data volume. You have to make sure to have the correct plan and I guess it is easier and cheaper to have one big data plan for both.

Still going with cellular option + a second sim on the same plan might be the best way to go. In my experience the smartphones tends to get really hot when acting as a hotspot. I use it sporadically so I don't mind but I guess these are the kinds of use that might damage the battery in the long run.