IPads

smglbrth · April 2016

I've been researching some IPads and could use some advice on them. I'm looking at the Mini 4 and Mini 2. My wife is thinking of getting one for the obvious reasons of having something smaller around rather than using the desktop for everything. My youngest son, a Marine, has an IPhone and we could face time with him, which, of course peaks both our interests. I thought about Skype but have read that most don't really like it. Seems to me it would so much easier to do this face time thing than Skype.

So..., what would be recommendations between the two? It would mainly be used for "old people" using. Mail, surfing, face timing, stuff like that. No gaming or "young people" things, he he. Any advice I could get would be greatly appreciated!

rooftop59 · April 2016

I don't really see any reason to get a 4. I think a 2 will do everything you need quite well. Good luck!

AsSiMiLaTeD · April 2016

Skype works fine for audio calls, I use it all the time, but it's poor for video conferencing so just depends on what you need. Between those two I'd go for the older gen mini 2, but as a desktop replacement I'd seriously consider going with the full 9.7" model, again depends on what you need

And no I'm not just saying that because I happen to have an iPad Air 2 for sale

Emlyn · April 2016

I'd recommend going to a store to check them out in person with your wife as there is more to it than just screen size. Other choices are whether to get a WiFi only version or to get a cellular model with a data plan. Another choice is what amount of memory to get in it. For my purposes 16GB works alright, but is not optimal. 32GB is about right for me.

I use an older iPad mini with a data plan for work purposes, but also have a WiFi only iPad Air for use around the house. The mini is perfect for me when away from home and the office, but a bit too small for use at home. I always use an Otterbox case for protecting the iPad when out, but remove the clear plastic screen from them. The iPad Air is the perfect size for what I use it for at home. A store can give you good advice to best meet all of your needs.

It could be that the Mini 2 meets all of your needs, and the price is decent on those, but I think it's worth checking out the other options too.

Legender · April 2016

On the used market the Ipad Air 1's run for about $300 +/- a few $, and have the retina display and the faster processor than the Gen 1-3 versions. I second the above idea that you visit a store, BB has them, and see what you think will meet your needs better. Personally I would not get a mini as I already have an iphone. The full size is much more useful to me. I've bought plenty of them used of CL and never had a problem. But with all CL items, you must be careful and prudent. If it sounds too good to be true, it most assuredly is.

[Deleted User] · April 2016

I have used a few iPads. For portability, any of them will do. All of the iPads are much lighter than any laptop. I personally use FaceTime a lot with family all over US and the World. I have not had any real issues. If Internet is slow, it affects anything that you are using, I don't care if it is Viber, Skype, Sococo, FaceTime, etc.

I would go with a bigger screen in your case.

For my personal use, I have sold all my previous iPads and currently have the Pro. My eyes aren't as sharp and I could use all the screen I could get. And it's ultra thin and light.

halen

Strong Bad · April 2016

I can 99.999% guarantee that when you get one of these devices in hand and start playing with it, the list of "things i'll do with it" will keep growing. Right now you say you'll do mail, surfing, FaceTime and things like that, but you'll keep discovering more and more as you load apps.

Do yourself a favor, if you can swing the cost, get the 9.7" iPad Pro. I've had the iPad 2 and iPad Air and just setup my new iPad Pro 9.7".

Get it! It's gorgeous! Your eyes will thank you.

txcoastal1 · April 2016

halen wrote: »

I have used a few iPads. For portability, any of them will do. All of the iPads are much lighter than any laptop. I personally use FaceTime a lot with family all over US and the World. I have not had any real issues. If Internet is slow, it affects anything that you are using, I don't care if it is Viber, Skype, Sococo, FaceTime, etc.

I would go with a bigger screen in your case.

For my personal use, I have sold all my previous iPads and currently have the Pro. My eyes aren't as sharp and I could use all the screen I could get. And it's ultra thin and light.

halen

Halen sold his air a few months ago
Now he's addicted to the size of the pro.

We set up a new air today to use at LSAF, he thought it was a mini

smglbrth · April 2016

Thanks for all the insights on the models. We visited BB the other day to check them out. They didn't have all the models but most. I agree that the 9.7" would be great but would like to stay in around the $3-400 range. I could not believe how light they were. My daughter has an IPod which we "face timed" with the past weekend and my wife kind of fell in love with the thing, seeing as we could see/talk with my son in Commifornia at the base.

Thanks again for the recommendations, I need to talk with the wife a little more!

TCK · April 2016

You could get a brand new iPod touch 6th gen ( w/ name engraved for free, in your color of choice) for the cost of a referb one, I've done it twice.
I was looking for one for my daughter, called them & asked about their refurb program & was told that they don't do refurbs anymore but I could buy a new iPod at a refurb price. I of course said yes, & it was at my door in no time ( you have to be there to sign for it btw)
My daughter uses it to FaceTime her friends & family besides using it for a ton of other stuff.
The second time I called them, the person didn't know about this & thought I was crazy telling me "sir, I can't give you a brand new iPod at a refurbished price" I told her to check with her supervisor & soon the other one was at my door, with her name engraved on it.
Ended up paying a little north of $200 each for 2 new iPod touches 32gig.

Strong Bad · April 2016

smglbrth wrote: »

Thanks for all the insights on the models. We visited BB the other day to check them out. They didn't have all the models but most. I agree that the 9.7" would be great but would like to stay in around the $3-400 range. I could not believe how light they were. My daughter has an IPod which we "face timed" with the past weekend and my wife kind of fell in love with the thing, seeing as we could see/talk with my son in Commifornia at the base.

Thanks again for the recommendations, I need to talk with the wife a little more!

With your budget in mind, i'd go with the 16gb iPad Air 2 at $399. You're gonna want that 9.7" screen. When i'm at home and vacationing, my iPhone sits most of the time in favor of that much larger screen. Trying to sit and read news articles, emails, websites and do everything else...is far and away better on a larger screen. My 48 yo eyes are not what they used to be for up close reading!

Jhayman · April 2016

I agree with getting the larger screen..
I have an iPhone 5s and never use it for anything other than a phone call, or text.
As soon as I get home the phone goes away, and my iPad Air 2 comes to life, much bigger screen, easier to read, even though I still need glasses now..
My next iPhone will be a bigger screen as well..

smglbrth · April 2016

Well, she surprised me this afternoon and bought an iPad Air 2, in gold (go figure). This was after we talked about the screen being bigger on them and I told her that after reading that smaller screen for a while it would probably strain her eyes. So..., now I know she just bought one. She never usually buys anything so what the heck.

What do you think about protective cases? She is looking at the Otterbox Defender series, in Pink, I think. Remember, she will put it in her purse, car, whatever, and it probably will get some, or alot of, abuse along the way, not to mention dropped probably...

polk500 · April 2016

Great buy, that's the model I'm currently using great choice..

Enjoy

rooftop59 · April 2016

I just bought one of these: http://www.amazon.com/SUPCASE-Generation-Full-body-Protective-Protector/dp/B00O8RCKAY?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Just as good as an otter box, a lot cheaper. They also come in pink

cfrizz · April 2016

By all means, get a protective case for it, It's just good sense to protect it especially if she is going to be carrying it around with her.

Emlyn · April 2016

smglbrth wrote: »

What do you think about protective cases? She is looking at the Otterbox Defender series, in Pink, I think. Remember, she will put it in her purse, car, whatever, and it probably will get some, or alot of, abuse along the way, not to mention dropped probably...

I wouldn't be without one. They are trade offs though. The Otterbox defender series about doubles the weight and triples the bulk of an iPad. The iPad is much more secure feeling in the hand though and easier to hold onto for me. I like to feel some weight to the thing. The Otterbox includes a built in stand, which some competirs don't include. I always remove the clear plastic screen because I found fingerprints on it had a rainbow effec, and anyway the case has two parts that completely protect the screen when it's not in use.

You should look for cases that are designed for the Air 2. The Air 2 is a bit different design layout from earlier iPads and the cases from the earlier models are not designed for the Air 2's different layout.

polk500 · April 2016

https://www.amazon.ca/Belkin-Ultimate-Wireless-Keyboard-Display/dp/B00BWHILCY/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1459640561&sr=1-2&keywords=belkin+ultimate+keyboard

This is the best case / keyboard u can get IMHO and I've owned over 20 cases. The case can separate from the keyboard with ease as it attached with magnets, it fits well and is very slim. The keyboard is back lit and holds a charge for 3 months.

Cheers

AsSiMiLaTeD · April 2016

If you decide you want the Air 2 shoot me an IM

kevhed72 · April 2016

fwiw.....I have an ipad mini2 w 16gb. I wish I would have bought a regular ipad with 128gb.

Dabutcher · April 2016

I am on my second iPad The 3rd edition. Always in an otter box. Great photos. I am really close to pulling the trigger on the 13" pro. Saw them on sale for $ 749.99 128 GB model on eBay. Repedable Ebay store. Thing I like best about my iPad and iPhone. Always work and when something has gone wrong. Apple replaces it for free. Nuff said. Peace. D

AsSiMiLaTeD · April 2016

I've been testing both Pro models the past week. As much as I really WANT to like the larger 12.9 inch model better because the larger screen is so nice, I just can't do it. I use mine for probably 75% content consumption and 25% content creation and for that mix the smaller screen just works better for me.

If I were doing lots of video editing (these things are fast enough to edit 4K videos easily) that may sway me over to the larger screen, but I don't do that much on the iPad. For drawing I thought I would like the bigger screen better but the smaller model being more workable and easier to spin around actually makes drawing for me easier, a real artist would probably enjoy the larger space though.

Also, if you're using as a full laptop replacement with the keyboard the larger size is definitely the way to go as I don't think the 9.7" screen is big enough to replace a laptop. Although I do much of my computer related things like reading, forums and emails on the tablet the iPad is NOT a replacement for a computer for power users, but for alot of people it'll work just fine and the larger screen is nice in that scenario.

rooftop59 · April 2016

Hey Danny can u have the Pro set up for dual screens? As in the ipad as screen on and an external monitor as the second? That's how I use my Macbook Air, and if the pro can do that it might just work for me as a computer replacement.

rooftop59 · April 2016

That's actually not what I was asking, but a quick Google search turned up that feature and I bought the app for 10$ and used it all afternoon. Duet is pretty frickin cool! I will be using it a lot I think...

What I was asking was could an iPad Pro completely replace my laptop by using the pro as the main screen and having an external monitor as a second screen, just like I do with my MacBook. Looks like it can't do that yet, so I will be sticking with my MacBook Air. Duet actually makes me less inclined to use a tablet as my main work machine...

AsSiMiLaTeD · April 2016

Correct, you could get the iPad screen on a bigger screen obviously, but not have a desktop extended to a second monitor. As I said the iPad Pro only works as a computer replacement for those who have minimal needs like general internet, email and some light productivity work. If you need things like dual monitors of professional media tools like full Photoshop or Premiere or even want to do something like rip a CD it won't work.

rooftop59 · April 2016

Thanks Danny, that's what I needed to know. My macbook air is so thin and light is really hardly worth it anyway. Plus I really do like using the ipad as a second screen. My office has cream walls, flourescent lights, no windows, and smells like a** half the year, but I stay in in more often than not because I need dual monitors. Looks like I'll be working at the library, coffee shop or bar a lot more often. The app only cost 10 bucks, but I gonna lose money on this deal!!

rooftop59 · April 2016

Yea, sorry, won't be selling it for two reasons. One I really like it with Duet and my ipad, and two, its a work machine. I get a new one every three years, but no selling aloud. Communists!!!

IPads

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