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Robdmb

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 5, 2008
253
29
I'm about to become a first time iPad owner and was wondering what the general consensus is about storage. Is the 16gb model sufficient? How much of that storage is taken up by the operating system, preinstalled data etc.? Would it be prudent to upgrade? Any opinions are welcome. Thanks.
 
I'm in the same boat.

Some can argue that 16gb was plenty enough for the first iPad, however the second one comes with two cameras - one that does 720P.

On my current ip4 w/32 gb and NO music, I'm at 16gbs free. With music I'm at 4gb free. I have over 2000 photos on the phone.

If you plan to use the cameras I think 32gb would be the best option.

Also 32gb w/operating system is about 29gb. I'm guessing the 16gb version will be 14gb
 
In the same boat too. I think I'm going to opt for the 32gb. But once I do that, I would start contemplating about the 64gb. I hate you apple.
 
I'm getting the 32gb. I have a 32gb iPhone and I'm using about 20gb of it.

In terms of actual storage on the 32 you get about 29.~gb and the 16gb there is just over 14gb I think.

But it all comes down to your usage. Are you going to put a lot of music on it? Are you going to put a bunch of movies on it. Movies can be 1-4gb+ each. That adds up quick. Also some apps like game apps can be several hundred MB or a GB. For the extra $100 I would play it safe.
 
learn from me

I staunchly argued how, based on my extensive iPhone usage, 16GB was plenty for the iPad. I regret that, and I'm debating between 32 and 64. My kids play a lot, they have many apps, and many iPad ('HD' variants) apps are 700-900mb each. I also want the offline wikipedia database that's 2-6GB. My advice, and indeed my plan when I upgrade, is to definitely go larger.
 
I was debating myself, as the iPad 2 will be my first iPad purchase. I won't be putting music on it since I use my phone for this. Movies or television shows? Probably not as I don't travel much and if I watch anything it will probably be streamed at home. There is the occasional video podcast but they are one or two a month and weigh in at maybe 350MB each.

I've been adding apps to a wishlist in preparation, so I went through and added them up. I have 25 apps that I'm currently interested in, some games some not. Grand total for the 25 apps? 2.5 GB.

Looking at this shows that 16GB is enough for me. If you're truly concerned I'd suggest taking a look at the app store and seeing what you think you'd be interested in and add up the file sizes. It will give you a ballpark idea of what you'll be using.
 
I originally went with 32GB and returned it within the 14 days I had purchased my iPad. I exchanged it for the 16GB and didn't look back. I had roughly around 50 apps, no music, 100 or so pictures, and still had 9 GB of free space. If you download a lot of tv shows, then maybe 32GB would make more sense, but in my opinion, you watch a show, you delete it. How long is that show or movie going to stay on your iPad?

Going with 16GB once again.
 
The only thing I kept on my iPad 1, before I sold it yesterday, was pics and apps which still left me with 12GB worth of space or so. I stream all music and movies when I can to avoid using up the storage space. I think 16GB is more than enough if that's what you plan to do.
 
I originally went with 32GB and returned it within the 14 days I had purchased my iPad. I exchanged it for the 16GB and didn't look back. I had roughly around 50 apps, no music, 100 or so pictures, and still had 9 GB of free space. If you download a lot of tv shows, then maybe 32GB would make more sense, but in my opinion, you watch a show, you delete it. How long is that show or movie going to stay on your iPad?

Going with 16GB once again.

Why would you exchange a 32GB for a 16GB? Seems strange.

I plan on getting the 64GB, more space the better. I would prefer not to have to limit anything!
 
If you're using the iPad for browsing and reading, 16GB is more than sufficient. Actually 4GB is enough. But if you're gonna download alot of apps, upload tons of movies, music, pics, then you will need at least 32GB. I regret getting a 64GB iPad because I still have 59GB unused. I thought I will upload tons of stuff on it but ended up only using it to browse and read.
 
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fishcube said:
Uhh... save yourself $100?

Well, yah. But why bother for $100? Might as well keep the extra space. But that's why they have GB choices I guess :)

Why keep space you have never come close to using? $100 buys a lot of apps or music or movies, but then you would need more space. It's a vicious circle :)
 
more the better. Once you've used the camera, put music on it. A couple movies a load of photos and bunch of other documents you are going to run outa room fast.
 
Imo I would get the 32gb. I have the 32 gb iphone 4 and need to constantly delete apps to download new ones. I find my iphone works ****** when I have under 2gb free.
 
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