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For someone that only uses the iPad for reading and watching TV.. is it worth upgrading?

OrlandoTragic

OrlandoTragic

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 13, 2007
1,517
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Orlando, FL
I'm running out of gift ideas for my wife for Christmas, so I was going to jump on the Best Buy sale going on and upgrade her from her old iPad 2 to an Air 2 - my dilemma is that all she really uses the iPad for is reading and watching TV (mainly using an app provided by our cable provider).

She's not really a techie, so I honestly feel like it would be a waste. Does anyone have any thoughts on if upgrading would just be a silly waste?

Thanks. I know this topic is dumb but I need some voices of reason, lol.
 
Absolutely worth it. The Retina display alone is worth the upgrade. Not to mention it's MUCH lighter and faster overall. Upgraded my wife from a ipad 2 to an Air when the Air came out. Her usage is virtually identical and she appreciated the better display and weight decrease.
 
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unless shes actually struggling with the weight im not sure it matters much.

its a sizable upgrade at this point though, skipping 3 generations. she'll notice the difference. its not the most practical gift but thats part of the charm of gifts sometimes
 
It is now more of a portable TV than any other product out there.

Anyone remember the 10 pound 13 inch TVs back in the 80's?

For what you've disclosed as usage, totally worth the upgrade to a bigger screen. Think in terms of a 36 inch LED vs. a 55-60 inch LED.
 
Do you think she'd begin to use it differently if she had the Air 2?

With my iPhone 4s, I find I sometimes don't use specific functions when I'd like to (even just swiping up Control Centre) because of the performance.

Switching between apps and searching and loading websites and typing etc is such a different experience between the iPad 2 and iPad Air 2. She'd also get Siri, AirDrop, Handoff, Proactive, Apple Pay, Split View, Picture-in-Picture, Drawing within Notes, and whatever else I've missed out.
 
No, not worth it.

I watch all on the laptop. I can lie down and have the laptop on the stomach, no holding the screen.

For reading, would you really like to hold a A4 sized book? Either the font is going to be huge or the screen is going to be one massive block of text.
 
Ries said:
No, not worth it.

I watch all on the laptop. I can lie down and have the laptop on the stomach, no holding the screen.

For reading, would you really like to hold a A4 sized book? Either the font is going to be huge or the screen is going to be one massive block of text.
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He's talking Air - it's the same size/form factor?

And iBooks in landscape on an iPad Pro is about the same size as an open printed book with the iPad splitting in the middle and showing 2 pages at once - just like a physical printed book ?
 
greensalad said:
Do you think she'd begin to use it differently if she had the Air 2?

With my iPhone 4s, I find I sometimes don't use specific functions when I'd like to (even just swiping up Control Centre) because of the performance.

Switching between apps and searching and loading websites and typing etc is such a different experience between the iPad 2 and iPad Air 2. She'd also get Siri, AirDrop, Handoff, Proactive, Apple Pay, Split View, Picture-in-Picture, Drawing within Notes, and whatever else I've missed out.
Click to expand...
Yeah this is a good point - she will be able to do way more with it. I also got her a bluetooth keyboard so she can use it for work stuff too. I feel good about the decision now! :D
 
Heck yeah, the size is amazing for both. Mine barely leaves the house and I love it. If I was traveling with it daily I'd probably want something smaller.
 
Dont forget also a better screen, upgraded WIFI, stereo speakers.
 
Everyone answers with their own perspective, I answer from my wife's. What she has now is working fine and no matter what I buy if I just gave her the money she would spend it on something else.

If it makes you feel better: yes she will like and use the upgrade.
 
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duelingdragons said:
I'm running out of gift ideas for my wife for Christmas, so I was going to jump on the Best Buy sale going on and upgrade her from her old iPad 2 to an Air 2 - my dilemma is that all she really uses the iPad for is reading and watching TV (mainly using an app provided by our cable provider).

She's not really a techie, so I honestly feel like it would be a waste. Does anyone have any thoughts on if upgrading would just be a silly waste?

Thanks. I know this topic is dumb but I need some voices of reason, lol.
Click to expand...

How much time does she spend on the IPad 2? If not a pretty decent amount, don't upgrade.
 
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Does she ever complain about it being heavy or anything like that?
Upgrading would be a lot lighter and have a more crisp screen. She may enjoy that.
Is it worth it? Well you need to decide that part.
 
The iPad Air 2 will be so much better for reading because of the Retina Display. It will also be lighter and a bit smaller (less bezels) so it should make it easier to hold. Same goes for using it to watch TV. I would recommend getting it.
 
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