[All iPads] 1st time iPad buyer

Mendozart · Mar 20, 2013, 02:09 AM

I've owned ipods and itouches, but never an ipad. I've always wanted one, and I'm finally going to dive in. I've been trying to read as much comparison info as possible, plus have watched a ton of youtube comparisons. I'm not going to buy new, trying to save a bit. I have two Craigslist deals on the table, and need to make a decision tomorrow. I have deals worked for an Ipad 2 64gb and Ipad mini 32gb, both wifi, and both the same price. Any advice would be welcomed, thanks.

Greg

racoonboy · Mar 20, 2013, 02:28 AM

U have owned the touches so why not go for something little bulkier. Go for Ipad 2 because i think it could take a lot more beating compare to the mini. Especially when u are not buying brand new.

Though, i assumed the mini would still be under warrenty for certain period of time right?

mtneer · Mar 20, 2013, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mendozart

I've owned ipods and itouches, but never an ipad. I've always wanted one, and I'm finally going to dive in. I've been trying to read as much comparison info as possible, plus have watched a ton of youtube comparisons. I'm not going to buy new, trying to save a bit. I have two Craigslist deals on the table, and need to make a decision tomorrow. I have deals worked for an Ipad 2 64gb and Ipad mini 32gb, both wifi, and both the same price. Any advice would be welcomed, thanks.

Greg

Additionally, think of the expected support lifecycle for each from Apple. The iPad 2 is serially 2 generations behind the current model and has the old 30 pin connector. I would expect it to get dropped whenever the next iPad refresh shows up.

The iPad Mini was launched with the lightning connector and while first generation products do have a diminished life expectancy; I would expect the Mini to get supported for another generation.

TJ61 · Mar 20, 2013, 10:14 AM

Will you continue to use your other iDevices? If so, you might consider that the mini would have a different connector, and what that might mean to you. I deal with both (iPad mini and iPhone 4s), though, and it's not too much trouble.

I really like the size/form factor of my mini, and I'm not sure what "bigger" gets you in this case, since the resolution is the same for each. Regarding the memory: if you think 32GB would be enough, then 64GB doesn't really add much value to you.

As someone else pointed out, the mini is newer, and so would probably make it through a few more iOS updates. And being newer, I think it would hold its resale value better.

Regards,
Tom

Mendozart · Mar 20, 2013, 10:34 AM

Good info so far. I'm the type of person that holds onto my devices forever. I'm an electrical technicinan, and have taken apart Ipod original minis, 5th gen videos, and iTouches, replacing batteries, harddrives, and broken screens. Right now I'm leaning towards the iPad 2, it being the same 30-pin connector as my other devices. Keep the info coming though.

Knockworstface · Mar 20, 2013, 10:50 AM

I wouldn't worry about the 30 pin adaptor being phased out anytime soon, considering the majority of iOS users are still using 30 pin devices. I'd get the iPad that suits your needs. Me personally I'd get the iPad 2.

Han Solo 1 · Mar 20, 2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ61

As someone else pointed out, the mini is newer, and so would probably make it through a few more iOS updates. And being newer, I think it would hold its resale value better.

Regards,
Tom

Do you think this is really true, given that the mini has only 512mb of RAM? I would think that as iOS gets more and more advanced, more RAM will be needed to handle basic tasks.

Sophia. · Mar 20, 2013, 10:59 AM

Size matters or does it? If you want a larger screen buy the iPad 2 if your ok with a smaller screen buy the mini. I personally would buy the iPad 2 if I was in your shoes because I prefer the larger screen and make good use of the extra browsing room you get with a larger screen.

ThatsMeRight · Mar 20, 2013, 11:00 AM

iPad mini as it is more future proof and as an iPad 3 user I actually find the iPad mini much more comfortable to use.

Also, the iPad mini has a 5 MP camera and an HD front facing camera.

Bokes · Mar 20, 2013, 11:25 AM

Get the ipad 3
Super-duper screen
just as fast as the ipad 4 on most tasks.
great deals right now with full 1 year warranty

iPhysicist · Mar 20, 2013, 11:28 AM

Its more of a feeling, but i would say go for the iPad 2. I owned one and it was a very good device. Nice screen. Superb Battery life. Resolution wise - you won't win or lose with either iPad. Processor wise - they have the same specs (if you don't look at the node size). Resale Value will drop less for your iPad 2 if you ever consider to sell it.

TJ61 · Mar 20, 2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

Do you think this is really true, given that the mini has only 512mb of RAM? I would think that as iOS gets more and more advanced, more RAM will be needed to handle basic tasks.

But the iPad 2 has 512MB also, so this is a wash. They also both have essentially the same SOC (A5) and GPU, but the mini has the newer audio chip as found in the iPhone5 and iPad4 (which allows it offer Siri), so a slight "win" for mini here. May or may not make a difference to the OP, and unknown whether it really makes a difference in OS upgrade-ability.

Regards,
Tom

Medic311 · Mar 20, 2013, 11:38 AM

get an iPad 3 refurb

cardfan · Mar 20, 2013, 11:39 AM

The Mini over the ipad 2 easily. The real problem is comparing the ipad 3 vs the Mini. They just dropped all the refurbed ipad 3's by another 50 dollars in the Apple store. 459 for a 16gb ipad 3 with LTE isn't bad.

Medic311 · Mar 20, 2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardfan

The Mini over the ipad 2 easily. The real problem is comparing the ipad 3 vs the Mini. They just dropped all the refurbed ipad 3's by another 50 dollars in the Apple store. 459 for a 16gb ipad 3 with LTE isn't bad.

damn you're right

i got an iPad 3 64GB-LTE for $679 last year. i see it's now $629.

i wonder if that's indicative of a new iPad soon?

AppleRobert · Mar 20, 2013, 12:32 PM

As always without specifying what you will use it for, it is harder to give a recommendation for one over the other.

djransom · Mar 20, 2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardfan

The Mini over the ipad 2 easily. The real problem is comparing the ipad 3 vs the Mini. They just dropped all the refurbed ipad 3's by another 50 dollars in the Apple store. 459 for a 16gb ipad 3 with LTE isn't bad.

I definitely agree.

Mendozart · Mar 20, 2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleRobert

As always without specifying what you will use it for, it is harder to give a recommendation for one over the other.

I will mainly be using it for web-browsing, e-mail, movies (netflix) & music. I realize the ipad 3 has the retina, which is cool, but the ipad2's picture looks fine to me. I'm also only spending $350.

Mendozart · 08:47 AM

So, I picked up the ipad2 and its awesome! I ended up wanting the bigger screen and the 64gb. I cleaned and inspected it, and there is not one scratch on this thing. It doesn't't even look like it was used at all.

BTW, thanks for all the input!

Han Solo 1 · Mar 21, 2013, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mendozart

So, I picked up the ipad2 and its awesome! I ended up wanting the bigger screen and the 64gb. I cleaned and inspected it, and there is not one scratch on this thing. It doesn't't even look like it was used at all.

BTW, thanks for all the input!

I'm glad you got what you wanted, enjoy it!

myrtlebee · Mar 21, 2013, 09:38 AM

Nice. I just got the 2 over the mini as well. I think it has superior build quality by what I've been reading about the mini's glass. The larger screen is nice. Downfall, if any: as others have mentioned - it may not go much further as far as iOS updates. I don't care about Siri, I don't talk to my devices, nor do I want to.

AppleRobert · Mar 21, 2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mendozart

So, I picked up the ipad2 and its awesome! I ended up wanting the bigger screen and the 64gb. I cleaned and inspected it, and there is not one scratch on this thing. It doesn't't even look like it was used at all.

BTW, thanks for all the input!

After reading what you would be using it for, the 2nd gen is what I would have recommended. Enjoy!

Mar 20, 2013, 02:09 AM	#1
Mendozart macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	1st time iPad buyer I've owned ipods and itouches, but never an ipad. I've always wanted one, and I'm finally going to dive in. I've been trying to read as much comparison info as possible, plus have watched a ton of youtube comparisons. I'm not going to buy new, trying to save a bit. I have two Craigslist deals on the table, and need to make a decision tomorrow. I have deals worked for an Ipad 2 64gb and Ipad mini 32gb, both wifi, and both the same price. Any advice would be welcomed, thanks. Greg
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 10:59 AM	#8
Sophia. macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: United Kingdom	Size matters or does it? If you want a larger screen buy the iPad 2 if your ok with a smaller screen buy the mini. I personally would buy the iPad 2 if I was in your shoes because I prefer the larger screen and make good use of the extra browsing room you get with a larger screen. __________________ Do you use Autodesk Smoke? Please read my thread here. Can you help? Please click here.
	0

Mar 21, 2013, 01:56 AM	#19
Mendozart Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	So, I picked up the ipad2 and its awesome! I ended up wanting the bigger screen and the 64gb. I cleaned and inspected it, and there is not one scratch on this thing. It doesn't't even look like it was used at all. BTW, thanks for all the input! Last edited by Mendozart; Mar 21, 2013 at 08:47 AM.
	1

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Mar 20, 2013, 02:28 AM	#2
racoonboy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2012	U have owned the touches so why not go for something little bulkier. Go for Ipad 2 because i think it could take a lot more beating compare to the mini. Especially when u are not buying brand new. Though, i assumed the mini would still be under warrenty for certain period of time right?
	1

Mar 20, 2013, 10:14 AM	#4
TJ61 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2011	Will you continue to use your other iDevices? If so, you might consider that the mini would have a different connector, and what that might mean to you. I deal with both (iPad mini and iPhone 4s), though, and it's not too much trouble. I really like the size/form factor of my mini, and I'm not sure what "bigger" gets you in this case, since the resolution is the same for each. Regarding the memory: if you think 32GB would be enough, then 64GB doesn't really add much value to you. As someone else pointed out, the mini is newer, and so would probably make it through a few more iOS updates. And being newer, I think it would hold its resale value better. Regards, Tom
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 10:34 AM	#5
Mendozart Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	Good info so far. I'm the type of person that holds onto my devices forever. I'm an electrical technicinan, and have taken apart Ipod original minis, 5th gen videos, and iTouches, replacing batteries, harddrives, and broken screens. Right now I'm leaning towards the iPad 2, it being the same 30-pin connector as my other devices. Keep the info coming though.
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 10:50 AM	#6
Knockworstface macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2013	I wouldn't worry about the 30 pin adaptor being phased out anytime soon, considering the majority of iOS users are still using 30 pin devices. I'd get the iPad that suits your needs. Me personally I'd get the iPad 2.
	1

Mar 20, 2013, 11:00 AM	#9
ThatsMeRight macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2009	iPad mini as it is more future proof and as an iPad 3 user I actually find the iPad mini much more comfortable to use. Also, the iPad mini has a 5 MP camera and an HD front facing camera.
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 11:25 AM	#10
Bokes macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2008	Get the ipad 3 Super-duper screen just as fast as the ipad 4 on most tasks. great deals right now with full 1 year warranty
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 11:28 AM	#11
iPhysicist macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Dresden	Its more of a feeling, but i would say go for the iPad 2. I owned one and it was a very good device. Nice screen. Superb Battery life. Resolution wise - you won't win or lose with either iPad. Processor wise - they have the same specs (if you don't look at the node size). Resale Value will drop less for your iPad 2 if you ever consider to sell it.
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 11:38 AM	#13
Medic311 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2011	get an iPad 3 refurb
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 11:39 AM	#14
cardfan macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012	The Mini over the ipad 2 easily. The real problem is comparing the ipad 3 vs the Mini. They just dropped all the refurbed ipad 3's by another 50 dollars in the Apple store. 459 for a 16gb ipad 3 with LTE isn't bad.
	0

Mar 20, 2013, 12:32 PM	#16
AppleRobert macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2012	As always without specifying what you will use it for, it is harder to give a recommendation for one over the other.
	0

Mar 21, 2013, 09:38 AM	#21
myrtlebee macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2011	Nice. I just got the 2 over the mini as well. I think it has superior build quality by what I've been reading about the mini's glass. The larger screen is nice. Downfall, if any: as others have mentioned - it may not go much further as far as iOS updates. I don't care about Siri, I don't talk to my devices, nor do I want to.
	0