Help in choosing first iPad and switching to Apple

james_williamson_6544

Not very techie with these things so need your help and advise please… 

I have always been with Google ecosystem through Gmail (for my emails), Google Drive (cloud file & documents storage), Google photos (for photos and videos). For my smartphone, I have been using Android since ever. i have basic 15 GB storage option and have not purchased any cloud storage. 

Only exception is personal laptop for which I use Apple MacBook Air for last 7 years but only for basic internet browsing and spreadsheets. I don’t use any of their Photos or other products. 

I am now wishing to move to Apple ecosystem for following reasons:

• I want to introduce tablet for basic games to my 5.5 year old
• They are more easy to use and beautiful
• I have now almost exhausted my free storage and will soon need to purchase cloud storage, so thinking it is better to switch now. Google will upgrade my 15 GB to 100 GB at a cost of £16/year. Apple will give me 5GB free and will upgrade this to 50GB for £9.50/year.

I need help on two topics (slightly unrelated to each other):

1. Which iPad should I chose (Mini, Regular, Air, Pro) and what physical storage (64 / 256 GB) option should I select? I am inclining towards 64 GB 2021 10.2 inch iPad (WiFi only) which will cost me £319 - I couldn't find any discount anywhere

2. What are the pros and cons of switching to Apple ecosystem for my photos, videos and other cloud storage? I currently have Android phone and will probably have to move to iPhone as well…? I guess Apple doesn't have email service like Gmail - so I will have to continue with that.

GDB2222

I have an ipad, similar to "64 GB 2021 10.2 inch iPad (WiFi only)" but a couple of years older. I only have 32GB storage, which works okay for me.

I use gmail on it, and I have stuck with google storage. I have a windows PC, windows laptop, and Android phone, so I use Chrome on the ipad (and the others), and everything syncs between the different devices.

I don't store loads of photos on the ipad, and the basic cloud storage from Apple is adequate.  My ipad is poor for taking photos. So, it would be odd to take photos on the phone then transfer them to the ipad.

I had a think about how much stuff I really need to store in the cloud. Really, there's very little stuff I really could not do without.

 

james_williamson_6544

I only have 32GB storage, which works okay for me.

Thanks. I guess default OS / system doesn't take too much space then?

daveyjp

Latest OS uses about 7GB.  Like all things Apple if budget is tight look for used.

benson1980

We have iPhones- I also have a tonne of google stuff and use their apps. The google apps actually work really well with the phone. It used to irritate me that the iPhone used to force you to use their default apple apps but this has changed now. In summary, I wouldn’t have any concerns about integration.

another_casualty

I am typing this on my iPad mini 4 which is just over ...5 years old ! 

Unbelievable in the scheme of things by apple standards ( only imho of course)

My take on things , try and buy the iPad with the most storage . Try to get as near as 2021 as possible also , so that the you'll be able to be around for the regular software updates  for longer . Yes iCloud plan is also essential but having that extra storage actually in the iPad to start off with is there for a reason . Maybe go for refurbished . 

The one good thing about iPad is they have so many apps . They also get discounted on Christmas , thanksgiving etc . Plus if you could afford an Apple TV box , the iPad could be mirrored onto your tv ! Pretty good for gaming I'd say ..
it has to be said that it is true , the camera on iPads aren't that great. Then again, it's something I rarely bother with . 

GDB2222

I find the ipad a clumsy size for taking photos. 

I have no idea what I would do with 256GB of memory on an ipad. It may depend on usage. I use it almost entirely at home, and any videos are streamed. If I were using it as entertainment on long journeys, I'd probably want much more space. 

debitcardmayhem

iPados allows the use of external storage eg usb 

Sandtree

james_williamson_6544 said:

1. Which iPad should I chose (Mini, Regular, Air, Pro) and what physical storage (64 / 256 GB) option should I select? I am inclining towards 64 GB 2021 10.2 inch iPad (WiFi only) which will cost me £319 - I couldn't find any discount anywhere

2. What are the pros and cons of switching to Apple ecosystem for my photos, videos and other cloud storage? I currently have Android phone and will probably have to move to iPhone as well…? I guess Apple doesn't have email service like Gmail - so I will have to continue with that.

Remember that the "regular" is the most basic device, despite its diminutive size the Mini has a processor 2 years more recent than the "regular"... probably more accurately an Air Mini.

My preference is for buying the best I can afford and keep them for 5+ years rather than buying middle of the road more frequently. As such I wouldnt consider the "regular" but the Mini, Air or Pro. This really then comes down to what size of device do you want. The large Pro is great for graphic design (and watching TV) but is bigger and heavier for quick browsing... my iPad Mini was great for one handed use, travel etc but you miss the screen real estate if trying to use it for drawing.

I struggle a little with where the Pro is going now it has the same processor as the laptops and that in part is why I dismissed the small Pro for now.

Apple generally works best when all/most components are theirs but you are able to use 3rd party cloud systems, applications etc but the experience can be a little more clunky than if you are apple to the core. Gmail has its own app, you can use Gmail accounts with Apple Mail and Apple offers its own mail service. Some of the features like "hide my email" are only usable if you use Apple Mail (the app not the service) and so whilst you can use Gmail App or Outlook etc you then cannot use this new security feature.

knightstyle

Look here for deals   https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished    Direct from Apple UK and often new.