Getting the iPad 11
I picked up the 11-inch iPad a few days ago. It’s an entry-level tablet, but it’s more than enough for me right now. After using it for a bit, I’m jotting down my impressions.
Why I Bought It
My iPad mini 5 is already six years old, and it can no longer receive system updates. Some apps have stopped working as well, so I took advantage of a government subsidy to upgrade my device.
Purchase
When it comes to 3C products in China, JD.com is my go-to choice.
This time I stacked the government subsidy with the education discount and chose the iPad with the A16 chip, Wi-Fi, 128 GB of storage, and the silver-gray finish. It cost 2379.15 CNY, down from the original 2999 CNY.
I see the subsidy as direct cash back, so for small electronics it's worth prioritizing.
Accessories
So far I’ve only bought a tempered glass screen protector. I skipped the case for two reasons: the iPad isn’t that expensive, so I don’t feel the need to baby it, and I don’t want the extra weight.
- Flash Demon tempered glass screen protector
Initial Impressions
After using it for a few days, here’s what stands out.
Pros
- The screen is plenty large (coming from the mini, the size difference is obvious).
Cons
- The display quality is visibly mediocre, but that’s expected at this price. If you’re picky about screens, I don’t recommend the standard iPad.
- There’s no Face ID. I’m so used to unlocking my iPhone this way that it’ll take some getting used to.
Setting Up the iPad
- Since it’s a new device, I found the overall Apple experience to be excellent. Place the two iPads next to each other, transfer the data wirelessly, and once it’s done the new iPad has a full copy of the old one. Just sign into your Apple ID and you’re good to go—it saves a lot of hassle.
Final Thoughts
Overall, getting an 11-inch iPad for just over 2,000 yuan feels like a solid value. Combined with the Apple ecosystem experience, I’m very satisfied.
