Ipad help needed.

poet123

I am thinking of buying my husband an Ipad for our (big!) anniversary. Just got an email from a company I have dealt with before offering a 64gb 3G Ipad for £399 is this a good deal? is is a good spec?

It seems cheaper than I was anticipating, is there a reason? I am clueless about this and would love some advice and guidance if anyone can spare the time to give me some info that would be great.

HGLTsuperstar

At that price, its a first gen ipad, not ipad 2

NeilF3485

The spec is the same on all first generation iPads (which this will be based on the price - i.e. it is NOT an iPad2).

The only differences between them are the storage capacity (16, 32 or 64gb), and 3G vs. no 3G.

I have a 32gb WiFi only version which I paid about £399 for about 12 months ago. Now that the iPad 2 is out I would expect the price of the first gen. to come down so I don't disbelieve the price.

Whether you need 64gb is up to you to determine based on what it will be used for. 32gb is now not enough for me because I mainly use it to download TV shows from US iTunes before they are available here and a 1 hour episode of Dexter, or House in HD is over 1GB, so space is filled quickly. If he will just be using Apps he will never fill 64gb.

All that being said if you are happy with that price then go for it - that is the highest capacity available and also the 3G and WiFi version.

I have no use for the 3G model so didn't spend the extra cash because a) it requires a sim card and monthly tariff to use for relatively low data allowance, and b) I have an iPhone anyway. Additionally the latest iOS update for the iPhone and iPad allows you to create a bluetooth network connection between the two, and the iPad can piggyback on the iPhone's 3G connection for data. This still costs the same in terms of data use through your network provider, but saves you having to get a different sim card etc. for the iPad.

If you want an iPad2 rather a first gen. this will cost a lot more and goes back to my statement before. Don't bother with 3G unless you know it will be needed AND you don't have an iPhone, and get a capacity based on what it will be used for (the only thing a lower capacity means is that you have to sync. to iTunes more often to back stuff up and then clear it from your iPad). In my eyes most people will be fine with a WiFi only, 32GB model (currently @ £479 on Apple's website vs. a 64GB WiFi+3G = £659)

Hope at least some of this helps!

poet123

Are there appreciable differences?

poet123

Thanks, to be honest I am not sure how he will use it. I suspect only as storage for pictures, surfing the net whilst away on business without having to pay hotel prices for a net connection, the same usage as a laptop, little more than that really. He saw one a friend had last week and remarked on how good it seemed, I suspect from what you have said it was an Ipad 2 as his friend said it was £600.

From what you have said it seems that the one I mentioned would be sufficient, but if it is not the same as the one he saw I wouldn't want him to be disappointed ifyswim.

OOh decisions!

buyitall

The major difference in my opinion is that ipad2 has a dual-facing camera and video camera, I don't think the ipad1 has either of those. Apart from that, the differences are things like ipad 2 is slimmer and has faster processor, better battery life etc
Personally, I would not buy an older model of something as a gift for someone (even though I might do so if it was for myself)
I have an ipad2, I LOVE it!!
The only disappointment I have had with it is that you can't just add video from a normal camera onto it - you can add photos really easily for storage and viewing, but video has to be converted.
ps the cover costs another £35-£60 if you get the Apple one, which is amazing.

poet123

Can I ask a stupid question? What do you use it for? and do you use for anything that you could not use a laptop for?

NeilF3485

Buyitall is basically correct.

There aren't any software differences between the two because iOS is available as an update on both devices anyway (iOS 5 is out in Autumn, I suspect to go along with an iPhone 5/4GS release).

Main differences between iPad2 and iPad:

Lighter and thinner
Front and rear cameras
Faster processor
Better battery life? (not convinced - I use my iPad daily for watching Sky Sports, iPlayer, reading Kindle books and general t'internet use, and I charge it maybe once every 4/5 days - no issue with battery life IMO)

So it's down to you really and what you want to spend. My personal thoughts are that if you can afford the extra £80 buy the iPad2 32GB WIFI only version for £479 - kind of the best of both. This is dependent on my earlier statement about using 3G, having an iPhone already etc. though.

P.s. "the one I've mentioned would be sufficient" - it would have to be, they don't do a higher spec. in either generation!

NeilF3485

poet123 wrote: »

Can I ask a stupid question? What do you use it for? and do you use for anything that you could not use a laptop for?

Apps/games, watching Sky Sports so my girlfriend can watch some nonsense on Living TV on our actual TV, iPlayer/4OD in bed - downloading video from US iTunes before UK release. General email and internet use.

In short, nothing (besides apps) that can't be done on a laptop (which I also have) but it is extremely convenient to leave it on the coffee table and grab it when you want it, then taking it to bed to read books, taking it to work, on a train etc. vs. doing this with a laptop.

buyitall

Ours is used by the whole family' so used for lots of things:
The quality of video-watching is superior to a normal laptop in my opinion, even though the screen is smaller.
We have also had great fun as a family using the photobooth programme which comes with it.
We have lots of apps (already had most of them as myself and children have ipod touches). The apps are all free or very low cost so much cheaper than buying games for any other devices. They are not all games though, you can get an app for just about anything.
You can use it as an ebook reader (I do prefer Kindle for that, but my children prefer ipad)
I find it really convenient for quickly checking emails, websites etc - you don't need to wait for laptop to boot up, just press a button and it's on.

poet123

Thanks,:T I am feeling much better informed now! think I will make "subtle" overtures re the one he saw and what he would use it for ( boy's toys I suspect really) but it would make a good gift as it would be something he wants, rather than me buying yet another watch or cufflinks!!!

What do you buy men for "big" anniversaries (don't normally bother).....we women are so much easier to buy for;).