Which ipad?

Craftyscholar

I was impressed with a friend's ipad 2, but wonder if looking at a reconditioned model (official - from Apple) would be worth considering.

Ipad Air - 16GB - £399
Ipad 2 - 16GB - £329

Reconditioned
Ipad 4th Gen - 16GB - £309
Ipad 4th Gen - 32GB - £359

We both do textile art and she was showing me how she could enlarge photos of her work, plus using (I think) Bamboo Paper to design.
I would also like to access digital versions of magazines which I know will take up memory.

Lifeforms

Reconditioned models from apple direct are basically like new. They take returns, or broken ones, fix them, replace battery (so it's new) and often replace the back/front so it looks like a new one.

Frankly if you want art, of whatever origin, yours, others, etc, you will be better looking at a minimum 32gb model. As you can see the ipad 2 16gb model is 329, if you can get a 32gb ipad 4 for just £30 more you're far better going for that. Basically it comes down to constant adding and removing if you fill up the 16gb, and remember that 16gb you lose around 1/2 gb of it for os, and then whatever data your apps will store.

The screens are far better, and it's modern, where as the ipad 2 is getting on. It's not getting obsolete yet, but it's an older model by a couple of years now, does not have a retina screen (and this can show on close up work), and it feels like it is slower sometimes. I think with any aspect of zooming and wanting to see in depth on it, you need the better screen of the 4, and with storage, you will need the 32gb minimum.
I guess it depends how long you think you will use it for. If you can forsee yourself using one for a good couple of years, then try and stretch yourself to the maximum you can, so maybe a 64gb if you plan to store an awful lot of art on it (of reasonable size, ie high res, high file size.
If you only think you'll use it for a year max, you can get away with a smaller sized one.

Your last choice is physical size.

For ease, the air is much easier and lighter to carry around, but you get more screen with the 4.

Recons can be hard to grab from apple direct, and can often take a bit of time and effort to keep checking/calling if you aren't lucky to just log on and see them, but there is no quality drop between a recon and a brand new one, just a bit of a price drop. If you get a recon from apple you would expect it to be looking as if it were new, just possibly in a blank box, rather than a normal ipad box.

InsideInsurance

If you are into Art then presumably you value the screen quality a lot in which case I would discredit the iPad 2

As to Air or 4, there isnt much in it for what you want to use it for. Ultimately the Air is lighter, 64bit (possibly more relevant in the future) and better battery life. Only you can really decide if these things are worth the premium on the price - Id say its a relatively close call but I am a bit of a sucker for "future proofing"

wba31

Is the ipad mini with retina too small? my colleague was asking my opinion and when looking at the "compare ipad models" on the apple site the only differences are screen size and price.

I have a mini and it doesnt feel small, it's a perfect size for reading magazines on and using on the train etc

Craftyscholar

Many thanks for such informed advice.
I just wish I had asked here sooner before the offers I took the prices from disappeared :sad:.
Will just have to keep checking the Apple site.

italiastar

I wouldnt consider the ipad2 at £330 for anyone - things have moved forward since the 2 was released. A refurb or cheaoer gen 4 is good, but now hard to find. The Air is very good and compaired to the other ipad options worth the price.

Can I ask why do you want an Ipad - ie Apple. Better value is the Samsung Galaxy note 10.1 2014 edition - £369 at John Lewis. Excellent screen, powerfull, fast and added option of a pen, which you might find usefull. Id give it serious consideration, unless you specifically want an ipad.

purplepardalis

I've just picked up a brand new iPad 4 from PC World for £323

Some stores do have them if you search. Croydon might still have one in white. Only 16gb though