256GB vs 512GB Storage

[MikaLoop]

Though 512gb is overkill for me (I stream mostly all of my media), I would consider it if there was a good deal on one. Extra storage doesn't hurt to have.

 

[dsakurai]

I only store Kindle books and Audibles on my iPad, so, 256GB is enough for me. Then again, that was just an excuse to avoid buyers remorse. Sigh, I should have gotten the 512GB...

 

[ShaggyL]

For me when it comes down to deciding on electronics (or any decision) I ask which one will I regret more if I didn't do it. In this case 6 months from now will I regret not having that $200 or not having the extra storage space? Now I'm not rich by any means but I'm also not running tight margins on my finances (trust me I'd rather have the wife & kids and such along with tighter finances but that's not my situation so I do with what I got and be happy 🙂 ). So $200 is a healthy chunk of change but not the difference in making my bills. So for me I won't really think about the $200 at all but I just might wish I had the extra storage on an item I spent a big amount of money on.

My advice in such situations is when making a major purchase spend the extra and get exactly what you want. But I'm blessed enough to be able to do that. If it might make you late on rent or not eat or the kid might not get the flute or if it'll cause tension in the home then save the $200 because iPads just aren't THAT important 🙂 . Its all about perspective.

BTW: this is a response to the topic, not addressed to the OP per se.

Because of this, I'm able to decide on the iPad I want. I picked up the 256 wondering if it'll be enough in the future. I was always deleting apps just to free up space so by spending a little more, i feel ill avoid doing just that with the 512gb iPad Pro. Like you said, I think id miss not having the extra space rather than the $200... Thank you.

 

[Precursor]

I'd normally go for the larger storage, but knowing that I upgrade whenever the new model come out, I probably won't be filling up 512 GB within a year, so I decided to go for 256 GB instead.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I went with 256GB. It’s double what I had on my iPad Air 2. I still have about 100GB free so I think I can use it comfortably for a while.

 

[Pennypacker83]

Apple charges 290 euros (355 USD) extra for the 512 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model here in Finland. 😵

 

[eVolcre]

Apple charges 290 euros (355 USD) extra for the 512 GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model here in Finland. 😵

Makes more sense to go with a 256 and add a WD WiFi drive or a ravtech hub attached to a 4GB external.

I’ve got a 256 gb X. My entire music library is on it. Book collection is 4GB. Photos around 45gb (need to offload some of that), and I have plenty of room few. I think I’ll be fine with a 256 iPad. Keep a few rotating movies and my favorites on it, rest on the external.

 

[mrklaw]

Makes more sense to go with a 256 and add a WD WiFi drive or a ravtech hub attached to a 4GB external.

I’ve got a 256 gb X. My entire music library is on it. Book collection is 4GB. Photos around 45gb (need to offload some of that), and I have plenty of room few. I think I’ll be fine with a 256 iPad. Keep a few rotating movies and my favorites on it, rest on the external.

Yeah I nearly kept my 64GB and got a WD wireless passport - partly because my kids still have 16GB iPad minis so plex for their movies on flights could be handy. Went 256GB for now so I can easily import camera SD cards for back up and pre processing without worrying about space, but the WD drive still tempts

 

[alboalus]

I currently have the 512GB iPad and wondering if this is too much, especially since the 256gb is $200 less. I'm wondering if I should exchange mine for the 256gb and save $200. I previously had an iPad Air 2 which had 128GB of storage and I literally had less than 1gb of storage left. I have about 50gb of music, 10gb of pictures (with another 300gbs in the cloud), 30+gbs of apps, 10+gbs of videos (I have a ton of movies in the cloud, but didn't have enough space to download more to my iPad). So with this in mind, I knew that when I upgraded I needed more storage. But even with downloading a few more videos, I don't see how I could possibly get to 512gb. I plan on keeping this iPad for the next 3 to 4 years, so wanted to make sure I had enough space.

For those who have the 256 or 512, what made you decide to get one vs the other? Do you see yourself using more storage with the new file system coming with OS 11?

I just ordered my iPad Pro and was up against the same question, in fact I added both the 256GB and 512GB to my cart on BestBuy.com multiple times, just kept changing my mind over the last 48hrs, before reasoning with myself using straight logic (vs. my desire to have the max of everything). Here's what I opted for and why:

iPad Pro 12.9 Space Gray 256GB wifi & cellular...

1) I went for the larger screen because it's still not as big as my 15" MacBook Pro so I feel the extra screen real estate over the 11" is going to be better for professional users. I will be using it for project management and client meetings, I work in online marketing so visuals are important.

2) I opted for cellular version for the reason mentioned below (and ultimately linked to Storage)

3) I got the 256GB because I also opted for cellular. I have a free line on my T Mobile account with unlimited data... Makes sense to use it and if I'm constantly connected it means I can store more easily in the cloud and access work files from there. Anything important (e.g. specific music, movies, work files) I will store locally using the 256GB but the fact that the cellular option offers me unlimited data adds flexibility and removes the worry of limited storage, at least to some degree. I will always have my iPhone on me while using this (also 256GB) and will likely store more photos, music etc. on it anyway.

4) Went for the space grey because the silver just reminds me of my first iPad 8 years ago. Space Grey is definitely a classier look (subjective, of course).

My general advice is that Apple, as always, is incredibly overpriced for storage. Unless you plan to manage media on the device (as in high quality video and image files) I find it unlikely 90+% of users will ever get near 256GB.

If money is no object, I'd ignore the 512 altogether and go for the ultimate performance iPad (6GB RAM) with the 1TB option. Just my 2 cents.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I currently have the 512GB iPad and wondering if this is too much, especially since the 256gb is $200 less. I'm wondering if I should exchange mine for the 256gb and save $200. I previously had an iPad Air 2 which had 128GB of storage and I literally had less than 1gb of storage left. I have about 50gb of music, 10gb of pictures (with another 300gbs in the cloud), 30+gbs of apps, 10+gbs of videos (I have a ton of movies in the cloud, but didn't have enough space to download more to my iPad). So with this in mind, I knew that when I upgraded I needed more storage. But even with downloading a few more videos, I don't see how I could possibly get to 512gb. I plan on keeping this iPad for the next 3 to 4 years, so wanted to make sure I had enough space.

For those who have the 256 or 512, what made you decide to get one vs the other? Do you see yourself using more storage with the new file system coming with OS 11?

I prefer 256GB.

 

[Perene]

You will get there with 4K videos, either recorded by your camera or downloaded from someone else. Also remember about these sizes, from lossless Matroska files, created from the original discs, for the movie only

Blu-ray, 1080p - 20 - 40 GB
Ultra-HD Blu-ray, 2160p/4K - 60, 70 GB

I don’t have more than one lossless 1080p lossless here and am already wasting over 150 GB, with a few lossy movies and downloaded videos...

256 GB is the minimum these days

 

[cogitoman]

I have over 15000 books and articles. Will be expanding
Which should I get?