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First Generation iPad

i1280

i1280

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 23, 2012
284
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Is it worth buying a first generation iPad for $50.00? It would probably just get used by the kids for Netflix and games. Will,it still work with some modern day apps? Thanks.
 
i1280 said:
Is it worth buying a first generation iPad for $50.00? It would probably just get used by the kids for Netflix and games. Will,it still work with some modern day apps? Thanks.
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Are you talking about the 1st generation iPad from 2010? If you are then in my opinion it is not worth it. The last software update for the iPad 1 I think was IOS 5.1.1. You will not be able to use modern apps because most modern apps require a minimum of iOS 7 to use them. If you could find an iPad 2 at least you could have the current update of iOS 9 even though iOS 9 makes it slower and run most to all modern apps except for intense games that require a newer iPad. What is your price range that you are considering on spending on an iPad?
 
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Agreed. The iPad 1 was almost painfully slow when it was brand new. It's so far behind on software that I imagine you'll spend more time trying to make it work than it's worth in any savings.

Get a refurb mini 2 if price is the primary factor.
 
sjleworthy said:
it's worth the 50 bucks for retro value alone. but i wouldn't use it. who knows, might make a handsome return on your investment in years to come.
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Unless it's still sealed in the box, I doubt it regardless of condition. Even first gen iPhones in great condition aren't going for that much unless still sealed in original packaging.
 
I held on to mine until just a few months ago--it's not worth it. It'll run Netflix but there are so many apps that it won't run--don't buy it.
 
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Lobwedgephil said:
You would do better buy buying your kids a used mini 2 or something like that.
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Or even a first gen iPad mini. The oldest iPads will run like crap, but at least all of them besides the original iPad are on the latest software, so they'll run the majority of apps.
 
i1280 said:
Is it worth buying a first generation iPad for $50.00? It would probably just get used by the kids for Netflix and games. Will,it still work with some modern day apps? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I still have my original iPad. While cool in a nostalgic sense, it's currently a Netflix backup machine for when something else runs out of battery at an inopportune time. Developers can no longer compile code that will run on iOS 5, so the amount of software available for iPad1 is fixed / cannot grow.
 
PBG4 Dude said:
I still have my original iPad. While cool in a nostalgic sense, it's currently a Netflix backup machine for when something else runs out of battery at an inopportune time. Developers can no longer compile code that will run on iOS 5, so the amount of software available for iPad1 is fixed / cannot grow.
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Buy one of the many tiny hubs available just for this purpose. Be honest, how often do you actually need to connect to these devices? How often while you are out and about?
 
Honestly, apart from retro value they're not much use past Netflix.

Most apps and games are no longer available for iOS 5, those that are feel somewhat antiquated and lack functions. The web browser very quickly runs out of RAM and crashes back to the home screen.
 
you should buy the first ipad that has slide over and that is the mini 2 and ipad 4, i think you can find those at second for around 100$
 
I got one given to me and am using the screen out of it in a modified icade with a Raspberry Pi 3 and Retropie.
 
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zhenya said:
Agreed. The iPad 1 was almost painfully slow when it was brand new. It's so far behind on software that I imagine you'll spend more time trying to make it work than it's worth in any savings.

Get a refurb mini 2 if price is the primary factor.
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When new the iPad 1 was a fantastic device and not slow at all, multi tasking didn't matter because the iPad opened and closed apps so quickly. I used an iPad 1 for two years of Uni and wrote over 60,000 words with the on screen keyboard. I don't think it's right to come now, 6 years later and disparage what it was then.
But you still shouldn't buy one now
 
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For loading it with music and videos- sure. Works in that capacity as well as any other (minus retina display). I have one with seasons of a show I enjoy and use it at the gym on the elliptical.

I'm not sure Netflix goes back to iOS5 though, so that may be an issue- just not sure.
 
boogiedout said:
When new the iPad 1 was a fantastic device and not slow at all, multi tasking didn't matter because the iPad opened and closed apps so quickly. I used an iPad 1 for two years of Uni and wrote over 60,000 words with the on screen keyboard. I don't think it's right to come now, 6 years later and disparage what it was then.
But you still shouldn't buy one now
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I had an original iPad as well and used it extensively. The CPU was ok, but it was so low on ram that every program quit every time you exited it, which meant to do a simple multi-task between two programs, you had to wait for each one to re-load every time you needed to switch apps, even if it was for just a second.
 
To echo the others, if it's mint and you want some nostalgia, go for it. Otherwise, pass on it and get something a bit newer for a few bucks more.
 
braddick said:
For loading it with music and videos- sure. Works in that capacity as well as any other (minus retina display). I have one with seasons of a show I enjoy and use it at the gym on the elliptical.

I'm not sure Netflix goes back to iOS5 though, so that may be an issue- just not sure.
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Netflix, Amazon and most streaming video options work fine. My ipad 1 has been used daily for six years, by me and now my wife. The battery life is still fantastic. It is very slow on safari and most apps but it does just work fine still. My father still uses his iPad 1 and has never seen a need to upgrade
 
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