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Quick: iPad 1 or iPad 2?

E

east1999

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 1, 2011
84
11
Hey, I know everyone's busy with the next iPad, but I'm chasing the earlier models and I really need to decide.

I just sold a Samsung monitor and an Apple keyboard I didn't use, and made 180$ off that. Then I started looking for iPads, wanting to get one as cheap as I could. 180$ would be the ideal price.

I found an iPad 1 for 220$ and an iPad 2 for 330$. I know 100$ isn't much for most people, but it is a lot to me. If I got an iPad 1, the thing would be mostly paid for with my sales; if I go for the 2, I have to add over 150$.

I want an iPad to read, either web content, books, or comics. I'd also like to do some casual gaming. I plan to use it at home to relax off using the computer a lot.

I read the 5.1 iOS update basically resurrects the iPad 1. Is this true? On the other hand, the better RAM and processor, plus the better resale value do make me consider the 2. I don't want to regret the purchase 6 months down the line.

What do you think?
 
The frustrations of having a laggy iPad by doing the simplest of tasks like browsing the web are not worth saving $150. Go with the iPad 2 bare minimum.
 
If it's not too big of a stretch I'd go with the iPad 2. When I pickup my iPad 1 to read internet sites it drives me crazy... too much checker boarding and crashes.
 
Forget the first iPad that's old news. Even the iPad 2 wont have a great resell value the the fourth iPad comes out.
 
iPad 2. It's lower weight makes it more comfortable to hold while reading. I've got a new iPad on order and the one thing I'm concerned about is the weight creeping back up. The original iPad gets heavy after holding it for a few minutes and also doesn't fit in the hand as well as the 2.

Functionally I never had any problems with the original iPad, but then again I was only using apps made for the original iPad. Books were no issue, other than mentioned weight.
 
Knowing Apple, the iPad 1 will probably melt when you install iOS 6 on it – not to mention that it is pretty slow already. Go for the iPad 2. It'll be a better deal in the long term.
 
Have a 1.
Buying a 3.

If in market today for a 1 or 2, get the 2. The memory issues on my 1 are frustrating.
 
The first iPad is definitely still usable, and if you don't mind the occasional crash and slowdowns here and there, it's still a very capable machine for light use. 5.1 made it much better than when it was on 5.0.

If you're really strapped for cash, go for the first one.

Just don't upgrade to 6.0 when it comes out.
 
The first gen iPad is still a capable device and for less than $200 a good deal. It is getting a little laggy though with iOS 5, but the people I know who still own the first iPad don't seem to notice much.

However, if you can afford it without blowing your bank, I would still recommend the iPad 2. It has a superlative experience. Really fast and worth an extra $150 if you have it. Plus with iOS 6 who knows how the first gen will run, but I feel like the iPad 2 could handle it better than the iPad 1 handled iOS 5.
 
I don't know what people are doing, but I am using a like-new iPad 1 manufactured in Dec 2010 and it's not slow. If you don't care about iOS 6, get the 1 as it is capable and not an annoyance. After the 5.1 update I've seen great improvement. Also, whoever said there's a lot of checkerboarding must not have an iPad 1 on the latest OS because there is NO checkerboarding. That hasn't been around for a few software updates now. If their's is checkerboarding with the latest version of iOS, they have a faulty device. I think the perception of the original iPad as being obsolete or bricked is almost entirely psychological.
 
I would say get the iPad 1 if you don't need cameras. I have the 1 and it hasn't crashed on me yet after upgrading to 5.1. I use my ipad several hours a day and it does the job.
 
iPad1 long in the tooth after 2 years? :confused:
I wish I could throw away a $500 device every other year. :rolleyes:

We own both in our home. The iPad2 is only slightly faster than the 1.
The camara on the iPad2 is also average & you'd better be very still when taking pics unless you are going to use it for an avatar.

If you can find an iPad1 with pre iOS 5, I'd get it.
5.0 makes Safari crash more often.

The weight & physical dimensions between the 2 iPads are neglagible.

If you aren't getting the new iPad, I would get the 1 & save your cash for the refresh next year.

**If your iPad is acting up, power it off/on (not standby but powering down).
This will help clear out any residual crap that is in memory.



As for 5.1, I'm holding off on updating our iPads & iPhones for several weeks to make sure the consenses of the general public is good feedback.
Broswing the apple.com forums doesn't give the indication that 5.1 doesn't have battery or performance issues.

Also, if your iPad is working fine for you, don't break it with an update.
Updates aren't mandatory but optional. Having the latest is not always the best.
 
My daughter has my old original iPad and loves it. She has had no issues at all on it. If money truly is a consideration, get the original. You can always save up to buy next year's new model.
 
bawbac said:
As for 5.1, I'm holding off on updating our iPads & iPhones for several weeks to make sure the consenses of the general public is good feedback
Click to expand...

Update your iPad 1 to iOS 5.1 - it is a huge improvement.

JohnnyQuest said:
My iPad is laggy as hell, and the apps constantly crash. Go with the 2.
Click to expand...

Try an update to iOS 5.1 - mine was close to being up for sale on eBay before 5.1. If you're on 5.1 try restoring your device and re-installing the OS.
 
Last edited:
Get the iPad 2. iPad 1 is sluggish compared to the 2 especially since you would like to do some "casual gaming."
 
east1999 said:
Hey, I know everyone's busy with the next iPad, but I'm chasing the earlier models and I really need to decide.

I just sold a Samsung monitor and an Apple keyboard I didn't use, and made 180$ off that. Then I started looking for iPads, wanting to get one as cheap as I could. 180$ would be the ideal price.

I found an iPad 1 for 220$ and an iPad 2 for 330$. I know 100$ isn't much for most people, but it is a lot to me. If I got an iPad 1, the thing would be mostly paid for with my sales; if I go for the 2, I have to add over 150$.

I want an iPad to read, either web content, books, or comics. I'd also like to do some casual gaming. I plan to use it at home to relax off using the computer a lot.

I read the 5.1 iOS update basically resurrects the iPad 1. Is this true? On the other hand, the better RAM and processor, plus the better resale value do make me consider the 2. I don't want to regret the purchase 6 months down the line.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

I say got for iPad 1. Theyre not the pieces of junk others are making out. You say money is tight and you just want to do simple things like read comics. If you are happy to put up with a little lag compared to the latest and greatest then its a steal at ~$200. Prices are flooring with the number of people selling their old iPad 1 & 2s and remember, the price is already at the floor so even if you do decide to sell it in 6 months time you should get more or less your money back, its not as if iPad 1 is going to drop much further. You'll lose more resale buying an iPad 2 right now. Its funny how people are crying how useless iPad 1 is. I didnt hear any of this back in 2010 when it came out. Its no less now than it was then. Im on the look out for a cheap used iPad 1 for my parents too, I think theyre still great for certain folk who are not too demanding.
 
iPad 1 all day... I have a 1 and 2, and have preordered a 3. With the 3 coming out, I am struggling to find much of a difference between the 1 and the 2.

I'm running iOS 5 and it runs fine for me. Initially, I bought a 2 for myself, but wasn't all that amazed with it after the neatness of it wore off. My fiancé ended up with the 2 and I kept the 1, with no screen / case so I could use it bare. It's been beaten up, but so what, It's an iPad 1!

[I don't care what you say, everyone will call it the iPad 3 soon]
 
No need to go into debt for the iPad 2. Get the iPad 1 and upgrade to 5.1. Makes a world of difference. I was planning to get rid of my iPad 1 because of the lag and crashing but after the update, I'll be hanging onto it till I have the iPad 3 in my hands.

It's still a lovely machine to use.:D
 
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