Which iPad?

[dtr_angel]

I'm trying to decide which iPad to get. I know I don't want the mini. I'm leaning towards the iPad 2 since it is cheaper than the iPad air. I'm not a have to have the latest technology kind of person so I will have it for as long as it lasts and don't want to regret going the cheap route. If I get the Ipad 2 will I be wishing I got the air? How many GB do I need? I only got an 8gb iPhone 2 years ago and I'm kicking myself for not getting the 16. Is 16gb enough for an ipad or should I spring for 32? I'm also not sure if I should get the wifi or the wifi/AT&T model. I don't plan on adding a data plan to it right now. In the future though if I change my cell phone plan to one that shares data then I'd add the iPad. Not sure if it's worth getting the AT&T/wifi model for something I might or might not want data on.

I'm leaning towards the 16gb ipad 2 from walmart (wish I could order it online though to get the extra cash back from my credit card) for $299. It's the model that was released in 2011 though. Since I'm going to have it for as long as it lasts I just don't want to be all like "it's too heavy, I should've gotten the air. I don't have enough space, I should've gotten the 32gb. I should've gotten the newest version!" in a few months.

So should I keep saving for a fancier iPad or will the 16gb ipad 2 from 2011 be just fine?

 

[Lizzybean]

We've been very happy buying refurbished 16gb iPads through Apple. Never a problem and still get the one-year warranty.

Personally, I think 32 or even 64 would suit us better, but with the option to buy additional storage via iCloud, we haven't had a problem.

I always tell people in the market for apple products to check their website for their refurb products first.

 

[squirrel]

I have been asking friends about the size for an iPad mini. I'm leaning towards a 32 GB since everyone I have talked to wished they got 32 GB or more. The apps that it comes with take up some of that room so on 16 GB you might be left with 14 GB of actual room.

I've also heard that when it updates the OS it will take up more room each time.

Can't help with the cellular part as I was wondering the same thing if sometime down the road I might use that feature.

I guess it depends on what you plan on doing with it. Music and e-books don't take up that much room.

 

[DawnM]

I have an iPad 2 32gb wifi.

I am looking at upgrading and I want to get the 3g/4g capability. Not sure when/if I will add a data plan, but there are places I could really use it.

32gb is usually enough for me. I have filled it a few times and had to take things off. I find it a pain, but not too bad. I would NOT do well with a 16gb.

Dawn

 

[descovy]

Did you know, T-Mobile offers 200mb data/mo free for life?
http://www.t-mobile.com/landing/free-mobile-internet-data.html

I bought an iPad with At&t cellular. All it took was to swap the sim card with a T-mobile sim. T-Mobile sim cards cost $10... but seem to be found for free semi-frequently.

Sure 200mb isn't a lot. Don't stream a movie. But to surf the internet once in awhile when out and about is pretty handy. You have the choice to have the internet shut off, or you can buy a little more (for example maybe one month you're on vacation)

I think #1 choice would be iPad Air, 32gb, cellular. Newest device means it will be supported longer. 32gb should allow you many apps, and even a couple movies saved on there.

I think all encompassing that would give you anything you want and will be supported for years.

If budget dictates it, work your way on down from there.

 

[dennise]

I have the I-pad II and love it, mine is 32 gb, WiFi, no data. I find it is enough for me as my phone has a data plan that I can use. There is an app that will find free WiFi spots for you.

 

[JediBonas]

I have an IPad with retina display (I think it's the fourth generation one, not sure). I would definitely opt for more storage. I have the 32 GB wifi one as I like having movies and tv shows on it and, since I have an IPhone, didn't really see the need to have a data package. The 32 GB is perfect for me as I don't use it to take pictures or videos (which is what takes up the most room on my phone). I had originally purchased a 16 GB but cancelled and got the 32, I'm very happy I went with the bigger one.

 

[sksjasams]

I will start by saying I have the 16gb wi-fi iPad2 and I love it. It is absolutely the best gift I ever received and I use it more than anything else I've ever owned.

DS15 also has the same model. Now for him, he really needed more gb. He had 32gb on his iPod Touch, which was way more than enough, so we assumed 16gb would be plenty. As PP mentioned just some of the stuff the iPad comes with takes up space and then the apps for the iPads take up more space than the apps for the iPod Touches. He ran out of space long, long ago and has to add and take off stuff all the time to get it to fit.

When the iPad Air came out, I thought how much different could it really be? How much a difference could 1/2 lb. make? Let me tell you I saw the iPad Air at best buy and it is just beautiful. You can hold the Air and iPad2 side by side to compare. The weight difference is definitely noticeable and the size of the tablet is different too. The iPad air has the same size screen but a much smaller bezel around the border, so the actual tablet size of the iPad Air is both smaller and lighter.

It's enough to make me want to upgrade It's just not in our budget though, and as I said I really do love my iPad2

So I would say, if you can afford it, get the iPad Air! If you can't, the iPad2 is still great too. I don't have any advice about the wi-fi vs 3g/4g, since we only have wi-fi versions.

Good luck!

 

[lucyem]

I have an iPad 2 with 32GB. I have an external HD so I back up everything on that via my computer. That HD was cheaper then more iPad storage and its a TB of space. Photos, movies, audiobooks, apps, full backup, etc are on it. I only put on my iPad what I use daily or want on it for a trip or something. I have never run out of space. I also have an iPhone with 16GB and while that is enough on my phone, it would not work with my iPad between movies and kids stuff. Which is why if I were buying another I would stick with the 32GB. My friends who run out of space on their iPads do so because they have no backup anywhere. They keep all their photos on it and apps and movies etc. Then they end up paying for iCloud and that adds up.

I only have wifi. I cannot think of a time where I needed a data plan on my iPad because I have the iPhone. And wifi is practically everywhere these days. But different people have different needs obviously.

 

[LJSquishy]

I have an ipad 2 which I got when it came out. I love it to death! I don't find it heavy at all and unless the price difference between the 2 and the Air is something like $50, I don't see a big enough benefit to upgrade.

Definitely get at least the 32. I have the 64 because I wanted to be able to store several movies on it (for traveling) without having to delete in order to download a new one. You'll also want a larger size if you store photos or music on it.

I haven't had any issues with my ipad 2 and whenever it does die, I'll definitely get another ipad...I almost never use my desktop pc now.

 

[JillianMarie]

My mom ha a 2011 model ipad 2 and she said it started to slow waaaay down at the 2 year mark to the point of being unusable. She replaced it with an ipad air which she likes much better. Personally I would never pay for an ipad data plan. Pretty much everywhere has wifi these days. I was looking at getting an ipad not too long ago and would definitely go with the air.

 

[lazer]

Don't get the 2, get the air. I just got a mini and love it! Husband has a 2 and it's great, but it's old. They won't always be able to handle the OS updates and are significantly slower. I did all the research this past weekend, but couldn't justify spending extra for an air, but if you don't want a mini for sure...get an air!

 

[Kies99]

I got the iPad 2 32GB WiFi when they first came available. I still use it daily and have no issues with it being slow or anything. I play games, listen to music, watch movies and stream Netflix. If I compare it with a newer model, I'm sure it's slower but not enough to make me want to upgrade.

The iPad 2 will be fine. I do suggest you go with as much memory as you can afford though.

 

[wenrob]

My vote goes for the iPad Air 32GB WiFi

My husband has the 4th generation w/retina 16GB with cellular. In one year, he's NEVER used the cellular option. As mentioned there are plenty of WiFi spots out there so he's never needed it. The extra cash would've been better spent on the 32GB WiFi model which is why when I bought my iPad rMini that's exactly what I did. My intention for it is as a "media center," books, movies and magazines. No need for music as I keep it on my phone. The 32GB gives me the space to carry a nice selection with me without having to stream. I voted for the iPad Air because technology moves SO fast that it wouldn't be worth paying for "old technology." Apple only supports previous generations for so long. For me it wouldn't be worth the savings.

 

[dtr_angel]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I've decided to
Keep saving and get a 32 gb wifi iPad air

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[quikah]

I have an iPad air. I have had iPad 1 and iPad3. The air is kind of buggy, Safari crashes a lot compared to ipad 3 (2-3 times / hour). I had Apple swap with a new one and have the SAME problem. It is a problem with iOS7 and the new processor in the air, the air doesn't have enough RAM (only 1GB). Hopefully they fix this issue in the next update, but I am not hopeful. Apple really should have put more than 1GB RAM in the air, maybe the next revision will be better.

If I were to buy now, I would get a refurb iPad4. The air is not worth the aggravation.

 

[GenieCat]

 

[Momonthegogo]

I have the ipad mini and just love it. I have the 16 gb and maxes it our in less than 2 months. I thinking waiting for the air is a good idea. My husband has an older iPod touch and after a while it could no longer use most of newer apps and games. We wound up letting the kids use it to watch shows we downloaded. My daughter found all these games she wanted but could not get because the processor was so outdated. That will happen soon with the ipad 2 too. If you will keep it for a long time then get the more recent version.


I know the mini is smaller but I feel the screen is big enough yet I can fit it in my purse.I take mine everywhere with me.

 

[DawnM]

My son's sporting event place (for practice and games) has no wifi. It drives me batty. I am there hours per week.

I either need to get a phone plan with hot spot capabilities or an iPad with 4g.

Dawn