While most people replace their tech every few years, my 2015 iPad Pro keeps proving its worth. Even though I own the newest model, I find myself reaching for this aging tablet more often than you’d expect.
Why I haven’t retired my ancient iPad Pro
My iPad collection is simple: there’s the original Pro 12.9-inch beast (A1584) with laughably tiny 32GB storage, plus my current iPad Pro 2TB powerhouse. Logic says I should’ve donated the old one years ago. But here’s the thing—I use that first-gen iPad Pro several times a week, and it’s earned its permanent spot in my tech lineup.
The original iPad Pro in 2015 was Apple’s bold statement that tablets could be serious productivity machines. Nearly a decade later, mine’s still making that case—just with a few more battle scars and significantly less available storage.
My go-to second monitor setup
The biggest reason I keep reaching for my old iPad Pro is that it’s the perfect second display for my Intel MacBook Pro. Using Sidecar, it becomes an instant extended desktop. You can connect wirelessly or with a cord—I prefer connecting it with a cable because it’s a more stable connection and provides pass-through charging.
That 12.9-inch display is perfect for keeping reference docs open, monitoring Slack, or attending meetings while I’m working on the laptop.
Could I get a standalone portable monitor instead? Sure, but at just over a pound, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro disappears into my bag next to the laptop. Plus, Sidecar means zero setup—it connects instantly without any driver nonsense.
Why this beats “cheaper” portable monitor alternatives
I learned this lesson when I borrowed my friend’s portable monitor, which he got from Amazon. It had thousands of five-star reviews and cost about $200, so I figured I’d check it out.
It ended up being a total letdown. With the brightness all the way up, it looked terrible next to my old iPad. The text wasn’t crisp, the colors seemed drained, and after five minutes of reading, I wanted to stop. The real kicker? That monitor’s battery completely gave up after maybe five months.
In contrast, my 2015 iPad is still going strong on the original battery. Apple knew what it was doing back then.
The perfect kitchen companion
When I’m cooking, I grab the older iPad without hesitation. It’s the ideal size for propping up on the counter to display recipes, and I don’t have to worry about splashing sauce on my newer $2,000+ iPad Pro. It powers through long cooking sessions without needing a charge, and the size works perfectly propped against my splashback.
Carrying it from counter to counter never feels awkward, and I can read everything clearly from across the kitchen. Try pulling that off with a 6-inch phone screen when your hands are sticky with flour from kneading bread.
A guilt-free device for the kids
My 2-year-old and 4-year-old have discovered the joy of trying to guess my passcode. It’s like they’re competing to see who can trigger the longest security lockout period. Their current record is somewhere around 307 minutes, which actually impressed me more than it frustrated me.
This illustrates another great use for an old iPad: I don’t mind if they touch the older device because I’m not stressing about every bump and scratch. Inevitable drops and grubby fingerprints don’t send me into panic mode like they would with my expensive model. It could actually become their gateway into using real tech responsibly.
It still does what most people need
App compatibility is still surprisingly solid on such an old device. All my regular apps work just fine—Netflix, YouTube, Safari, Notes, and more. Is it blazingly fast? Nope. But for reading articles, watching videos, and handling basic work tasks, it’s totally adequate.
Here’s what really struck me: most tablet users aren’t pushing their devices to the limit anyway. Email, web pages, and YouTube—the usual tablet activities work without complaint.
The trade-offs of keeping old tech
However, let’s be real—the decade-old device is definitely showing its age. Jumping between my two iPad Pros makes the speed difference painfully obvious. Apps take their sweet time loading, scrolling gets choppy with heavy content, and multitasking requires actual patience.
Charging takes forever compared to modern devices. I usually plug it in overnight because trying to top it off quickly during the day is futile.
That Lightning port is absolutely maddening now. All my other Apple gear has switched to USB-C, which means keeping one stupid Lightning cable around just for this device. Such a minor issue, but it gets annoying fast.
Storage management is my biggest headache. With only 32GB total and iOS taking up a chunk of that, I never add any extra apps to it besides my current streaming, reading, and recipe applications.
Why selling doesn’t make sense
Looking at eBay, similar 32GB models are going for $100-$150 at most, if they’re pristine. Mine’s got a few dings and scratches, but everything works fine.
For what I’d get out of selling it, keeping the iPad Pro as a backup device, dedicated second monitor, and kitchen tablet makes more sense. The peace of mind alone is worth more than whatever I’d pocket from a sale.
Plus, there’s something satisfying about getting maximum value from a device. This iPad Pro has logged likely thousands of hours of use across multiple roles, and it’s still going strong.
This 2015 iPad Pro taught me that well-built hardware can outlast every marketing campaign trying to get you to upgrade. It’s not winning any speed contests, but it doesn’t have to. The best tech often isn’t the flashiest—it’s whatever gets your actual work done reliably. You’ll know when it’s really time to upgrade your iPad.
