Which iPad do I get

[silenthunterstudios]

I am looking to purchase an iPad in a couple months, and have no idea what version to get.

A friend sold me his old Kindle Fire, which works great for reading Facebook and other social media apps, but that's all it can do (I like books, never had any plans to read an ebook, unless I find one free or get one from the library). However, I have an old iPhone 4S that I load podcasts onto, an old iPod classic that I am in the process of putting my CD collection on, and an iPhone 6 that has 64gbs of storage and is synced with my music and podcasts.

I know that I could do it all on my iPhone 6, but the data drain on Verizon is crazy, that's with cellular data turned off, and only one app at a time running data.

This iPad will be primarily for running my Facebook groups at home on WiFi, photo editing (no Photoshop etc), and I plan on getting one of those keyboards for it. I am also blind as a bat, my 6S is easier to read, but I want this iPad for social media. I do not have a computer now, but I am planning on getting a Mac laptop.

I am at a loss for capacity, I would ideally like more than 16GB, 32 seems to be the minimum. I'd ideally like a large screen, but the mini is an option. I would get a case for it, probably an Otter Box.

I'm looking at the latest offering of the Air, and the mini. Looking to keep the cost down as much as I can.

 

[Sid Post]

I have an iPad Air 2 with 64Mb and it works like a charm. For the cost differences, I could not justify on older iPad which will go obsolete faster when Apple stops the iOS upgrades. The Mini is too hard on my eyes and not enough difference to justify a couple 100 bucks for a cheap mini not mention the newer ones with their higher price tags.

Whatever you do, get one with the 9~10 inch screen. It makes a world of difference when using the soft keyboard, viewing pictures, and reading articles.

If you are not tied to the Apple world, you can get a fantastic 10" Android tablet new for <$300. My 7" Samsung Tab is a work horse I got last Christmas for ~$150 and blows away everything but a descent laptop or my Air 2, both of which stay behind more often because I don't want the bulk or weight unless work requires the Apple device.

 

[Dddrees]

I've actually tried three sizes. Over a year ago when first considering an iPad I tried the mini mainly because of price. After just one day of constantly maximizing the view from page to page on the internet I determined it was way to small and hard to see. I returned it and eventually went with the iPad Air 2 64 GB and was very glad that I did. However about a week ago after checking out the iPad Pro I decided it was high time for an upgrade. So now I'm very happy to say that I'm primarily surfing the Internet from my lazy boy with the latest larger 12:9 iPad Pro 128 gb. I will say however I'm still glad I have the iPad Air 2 for those times when I go more mobile. Although it's possible to go mobile with the iPad Pro 12:9 I can see where it wouldn't be as easy. Apple does have a new Pad Pro 9:7 albeit it doesn't have as much Ram.

Keep in mind I still have a laptop for those times when I need something more work related. The IOS based iPad isn't as good a 2:1 as Microsofts Surface Pro. The main reason doesn't have anything to do with screen size and now you can get a better keyboard it's the due to the limitations of the file system of the IOS. So considering your needs you might want to check out some comparisons before you decide which direction to take. For some requiring a 2:1 the Microsoft Surface Pro might be your best cost solution. However if your looking strictly for a Pad the iPad in whatever form really can't be beat.


By the way due to the charging issue with the iPad Pro I also purchased the USB-C Lightening to USB cord and the Mac USB-C power plug separately. This is supposed to cut down the time it takes to charge the iPad Pro from 0 to 100 from 5 hours to about half the time. not an issue if you need to charge only at night but if you ever need to do so during the day the default cable in the box just wouldn't cut it. Cost me about $90 for the pair. I didn't purchase the keyboard as I just need it for a Pad. By the way I don't think the 9:7 version takes as long to charge but it doesn't work with the USB-C charging cable anyway.

 

[bdmicarta]

At work I use dual 22" monitors, at home I use a 15" laptop. I have a smaller laptop for travel but I don't like to use it unless I have to. How this applies to your question- if you will be carrying the ipad a lot in a small bag then go for the 7" screen, otherwise you are probably better off with the 10" screen.

A 16GB ipad will hold a lot of stuff. If you are using it to hold a lot of media such as movies, magazines, photos, or a whole lot of apps, then you might need more than 16GB. Ebooks don't take up much room because most of them don't have a lot of images, just text.

And the last option- if you travel and need internet access everywhere then get the one with cellular radio. If you are mostly on wifi then you wouldn't need the radio.

I get along well with my ipad2 so if you have the option to buy a previous model maybe you could save some money on it. But if you are planning to get a laptop then maybe you just advance that plan and not spend money on the separate device.

 

[T.K.C.]

I would personally get an iPad 4 128 gig Wifi+ Cell. , Mini, if I were to get an iPad right now.