Get my daughter a mini, iphone 4s, or ipod touch 5g?

[AdonisSMU]

Guys, I don't think the question was "Could you please help me raise my child?" The question was what should I get her.

I'd get her the iPad Mini. It has the most uses outside of phone capabilities. I hate talking on the phone in most cases.

 

[darngooddesign]

Guys, I don't think the question was "Could you please help me raise my child?" The question was what should I get her.

People love judging the parenting skills of others, especially if they don't have children.

 

[lighthouse_man]

Guys, I don't think the question was "Could you please help me raise my child?" The question was what should I get her.

This is a public forum where many ideas connect and collide on a broader spectrum. We are not salespersons working in the local mall.

 

[convergent]

I'd get the cellular iPod Mini.

- Its the latest thing, and all her friends will be envious. Trust me, 8 year old girls could care less about "specs"... or 16 year old girls either for that matter.
- I am pretty sure you can still use FindMyXXXX to find an iPad if the cellular radio is on.
- You can use FaceTime over cellular to have that chat with her at her sleepover, if you are on a shared data plan with AT&T... not sure on the other carriers.
- She will ultimately get more use out of the iPad than the iPod Touch, and it will still let her do music and apps... just the apps are a lot better.
- She can use Messages to text with her friends.

The reality is that teenaged girls do not use phones anymore at all. They use texting exclusively to communicate. My youngest of 4 is a 16 year old girl, and she has an iPhone 4s. In the last month, she has used the phone zero minutes. So she wants a communication device, not a phone. You can't get a cellular iPod Touch.

 

[seajewel]

I think iPad mini would be the most fun--for games, books, etc. However, if she's expressed a preference for the iPod Touch, I'd go to an Apple Store with her if you can and check out both first

 

[tann]

Maybe I'm living in the past but she's 8 and no 8 year old needs a £400 phone!

I'd say get her the iPod since that's what she said she likes, and a £10 payg phone.

 

[AJsAWiz]

Maybe I'm living in the past but she's 8 and no 8 year old needs a £400 phone!

I'd say get her the iPod since that's what she said she likes, and a £10 payg phone.

Perhaps (your comment on living in the past) . . . times have changed and children (like adults) are different. Some are more responsible, some are more or less mature than others their age, some are more intelligent, some have more or less self discipline. It's the wise parent who knows their child and makes the right choices for him or her.

 

[D.T.]

It's the wise parent who knows their child and makes the right choices for him or her.

Hmm, you're making me rethink my chainsaw purchase for my 4 year old ...

 

[AJsAWiz]

When I was younger my friend got an RC car. After seeing how cool his was I asked for and recieved one as well.

I'm sure that your parents made the right choice for you

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Hmm, you're making me rethink my chainsaw purchase for my 4 year old ...

Okay, I get the humor here. BUT there are some parents out there who just might do that or something similar. I've seen it

 

[tann]

Perhaps (your comment on living in the past) . . . times have changed and children (like adults) are different. Some are more responsible, some are more or less mature than others their age, some are more intelligent, some have more or less self discipline. It's the wise parent who knows their child and makes the right choices for him or her.

True, but at the same time we all know how younger people are targeted for thieving from. Especially iPhones. Obviously that's dependent on where you live, but still.

I still vote for the iPod. The screen is nicer for watching videos on over the 4S.

Also an 8 year old, maybe she likes the choice of colours available on the iPod!

 

[Hakone]

She's only 8, and you are about to send her the message that, just because your friend has an iPod, you'll get one from me. I wouldn't buy her any of the above as HER gift.

If you have to get her something, find a used iPod on Craigslist. Call it yours, but let her borrow it. She needs to learn how to own and take care of valuables. Don't buy her anything brand new until she has earned it by showing she is responsible enough to.

Agreed. I 'handed down' my old iP4 to my kid without a screen protector, and it looks like Wolverine tried to play angry birds with it or something. Granted she is....3YO but STILL!

 

[D.T.]

I'm sure that your parents made the right choice for you

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Okay, I get the humor here. BUT there are some parents out there who just might do that or something similar. I've seen it

I know it's kind of sad, I meant it entirely as a joke, but I wouldn't be surprised ...

"Alright Pa, it's the Poulan I wanted, tha other first graders are gunna be hatin' me!"

"Yep, but just use it in yer room or outside, and if yer baby brother wants to play, you be sure an share"

 

[aneftp]

Your daughter states she wants the ipod touch.

The answer is obvious. Get her the ipod touch. She's 8 years old and will enjoy the super portability of a 4 inch device she can put in her pocket etc over a 7.85 inch ipad mini.

But whatever you do, get her the ipod touch 5th generation. Don't be cheap and try to save $100 and get the ipod touch 4th generation. At least the ipod touch runs on 2011 technology.

The iPod touch 4th generation is supporting 2010 technology.

 

[D.T.]

Agreed. I 'handed down' my old iP4 to my kid without a screen protector, and it looks like Wolverine tried to play angry birds with it or something. Granted she is....3YO but STILL!

Hahaha

 

[Truefan31]

Good info from everyone. Thanks for the advice.

BTW I'm still torn lol.

My daughter IMHO is a pretty awesome girl. Responsible, smart, outgoing, and humble. It's why she has so many friends, yet will talk to anyone. Me, my wife, and my son all have iphone 4s (son is 12). I guess I'm saying I felt she was a lil too young for an iphone 4s, but i wanted to get her a multimedia device she can play with. Yet I know if she goes anywhere (sleepovers, etc), it'd be nice if she could call me anytime, or I could track her whereabouts. I was waiting for the mini, but was disappointed that gps wasn't a standard feature in the wifi model.

So here i am now lol. BTW my daughter is playing on my iphone 4s right now lol

 

[CapnJackGig]

This is a choice my 7 year old had to make last week. She chose the Mini. Much better choice than the Touch imo. Now she can play the better version of iOS games, watch her movies on a bigger screen etc. And I get to use it when she goes to sleep.

 

[convergent]

Good info from everyone. Thanks for the advice.

BTW I'm still torn lol.

My daughter IMHO is a pretty awesome girl. Responsible, smart, outgoing, and humble. It's why she has so many friends, yet will talk to anyone. Me, my wife, and my son all have iphone 4s (son is 12). I guess I'm saying I felt she was a lil too young for an iphone 4s, but i wanted to get her a multimedia device she can play with. Yet I know if she goes anywhere (sleepovers, etc), it'd be nice if she could call me anytime, or I could track her whereabouts. I was waiting for the mini, but was disappointed that gps wasn't a standard feature in the wifi model.

So here i am now lol. BTW my daughter is playing on my iphone 4s right now lol

Right, my suggestion was the cellular Mini.... for that very reason. You can't do that with the Touch. Also, compared to the iPhone, you'll spend less for service for the Mini than an iPhone, and like I said... girls don't talk on the phone anymore.