If you have a 6th generation 12.9” iPad Pro with cellular data, you’re going to pay $800 to fix it.
I know exactly what you’re thinking: “that’s for the fanciest iPad out there, it’s probably way cheaper to fix mine.”
That’s what I thought too.
It costs $649 to repair my four year old iPad Pro. $649.
Wanna see how much it’ll cost for you? Go here and scroll down.
Fixing your iPad is really expensive. Really, really expensive. It sucks.
Here’s what you can do to protect it.
Screen Protectors
I think screen protectors on iPads are stupid.
On iPhones, they are 100% worth it. But for iPads, I don’t really recommend them.
There’s only three reasons that I think deserve an exception:
You drop your phone multiple times a day
You want to stay on the safe side
You want the “paper-like” experience
If you want a normal screen protector, go to Amazon and find the first screen protector that fits your iPad.
If you want the “paper-like” screen protector, do not buy the Paperlike brand—you’re paying a 200% markup for the brand name.
You can find identical products for a third of the price on Amazon. Just search “matte screen protectors for iPads” and you’re good to go.
Quick Note: As Oluwatise pointed out in the comments, make sure you don’t get a low quality paper-like screen protector. It’ll wear out your Apple Pencil tips.
Cases
If you want to protect your iPad, cases are the move.
If you’re already using a kickstand or keyboard case, you’re already good to go. I use my Magic Keyboard to protect my iPad.
If you aren’t already using a case, you have a few options on the market.
I’ve used Speck cases to protect every iPhone I’ve ever owned. They’ve been fantastic, while also maintaining a sleek design.
If you’re really clumsy, you could also get one of those bulky Otterbox cases. That’s what they used to protect my elementary school’s iPads, so they’ve gotta be durable.
Sleeves
The third option you could pick is laptop sleeves.
Now these probably aren’t super useful when you’re actually using your iPad.
But when you’re on the go, I think your iPad is most at risk for breaking. Especially if you have the ultra-thin versions that’ll bend with an ounce of pressure (like my iPad).
Just throwing your iPad in a bag also keeps it at risk for getting scratched up by your stuff.
Keeping a laptop sleeve kind of solves both of these problems—your iPad is less likely to bend and there isn’t as much stuff that’ll scratch your iPad’s screen.
If you don’t want a screen protector or a case, a sleeve is probably your best choice.
Final Thoughts
Sorry for keeping the post short this week—I don’t have access to my iPad at the moment, so I had to pick something generic to write about.
Thanks for reading!
Adi
Concepts
Concepts is an "unlimited canvas" note-taking app I've used for years (if you don't believe me, check my post history). I use it to take notes, brainstorm article ideas, and come up with startup ideas.
It's one of the few apps I highly recommend for every iPad user out there. And I genuinely believe this (again, check my post history if you wanna verify this claim).
Concepts has been kind enough to offer a free 30-day trial. And no, you don't have to enter your credit card info.
Show Concepts some love ❤️—they're amazing sponsors.
If you do want to get your self a paper like screen protector, I highly recommend the PAPERFEEL ones on Amazon. Way cheaper than the £34 Paperlike brand and they are very similar in feel and write. It is important to get a decent one as from experience, a cheap one will DESTROY your pen tips. And to be fair to Paperlike, they feel very nice to write on do not wear pen tips as fast as other cheap brands. PAPERFEEL has this functionality for a way cheaper price.
For cases, I would highly recommend the Inateck keyboard case. It is honestly amazing and the pricing is insane. You can literally compare this to the Logitech combo touch. All the functionality of a laptop, a tablet and a notebook all in one. Very rugged as well keeping that iPad safe and protected. Deserves more love and respect in the iPad accessory range and the price still shocks me. Been using it for about 2 months now and I’m in love. If you really watch out for the price you could pick this up for £45 where the original price is £59. Best buy for my iPad hands down.
If you aren't sure you want a paper-like protector, or more probably, don't want to be stuck with the grainy look you get from one, they make magnetically attachable ones as well...the one I use is super easy to apply, goes off and on in a flash, has a pretty good paper feel to it, and is only 10 bucks right now on that a-to-z place. It's called "ESR for iPad Air 5/4 Paper-Feel Magnetic Screen Protector(2022/2020, 10.9 Inch) and iPad Pro 11 Inch (2022/2021/2020/2018), Write and Draw Like on Paper, Detachable and Reusable, Matte Finish".
Another recommendation is a metal tip for the Pencil. I was very disappointed in the feel of the matte screen protector (I had originally tried an expensive one from Japan on my Pro 10.5" a few years ago, what a waste of money!), but I found a mention of these tips somewhere (ok, it was a review of the SuperNote, which has such a screen and pen from the start) and gave them a try...what a difference! It makes the pencil feel like a rollerball pen on paper with the matte screen. I would NOT use it on the plain glass (it doesn't feel great anyway), though. Same place, 7 bucks for two tips, "Delidigi 2 Pack Pencil Tips for Apple Pencil 2nd Gen 1st Gen and USB-C, Upgraded Metal Wear-Resistant Pen Like Tips, Fine Point Precise Control Tips for Apple Pencil". Apparently they wear out as well, but mine hasn't yet and I've been using it for months. Oh, bonus is it is a 'sharper' tip, so feels more precise than the stock plastic tip!