If all I want is PDF and couch-browsing, is an iPad 4 for $100 an okay choice?

[James.K.Polk]

32 GB Wifi+Cellular, seemingly good condition... I've owned quite a few iPads but I never push them to their limit, and I'm now thinking something cheap is right for me. Is this iPad a bad choice right now?

 

[Suckfest 9001]

For 100 dollars, it is a steal. Go for it as long as it really works and isn't activation locked.

 

[Jal217]

I know they are more expensive but if you could find an iPad air in your price range id say that's a much better choice. Simply because the weight and size is much much better for couch use. You'd be surprised the difference it makes.

Power wise though the iPad 4 would be fine for couch use for sure.

 

[sorcery]

At that price I'd be tempted even if I didn't need one. But the screen size may be a little limiting for large PDFs.

 

[pika2000]

Not too bad for $100, unless if you can find iPad Air for a bit more.
Try finding a (maybe) cheaper wifi only version. You probably won't need cellular based on your usage.

 

[zhenya]

iPad 4 is a fine device - we still have one in regular rotation as a kids/family device. I agree that an Air would be a better choice mostly for the form-factor which is much more comfortable to hold, but would guess they are probably still about double that price?

 

[sracer]

iPad 4 is a fine device - we still have one in regular rotation as a kids/family device. I agree that an Air would be a better choice mostly for the form-factor which is much more comfortable to hold, but would guess they are probably still about double that price?

I agree. If the OP could get the Air for nearly (no more than $30 more than the 4) the same price, go with the Air, but as long as the 4 is in good condition it will still serve well.

My 4 is still in active service. My daughter uses it at college and it continues to work nearly as well as the day it was new. The 4 had the best battery life of any iPad I own and with 1GB RAM, it will continue to be useful for quite some time to come.

 

[iPadDad]

32 GB Wifi+Cellular, seemingly good condition... I've owned quite a few iPads but I never push them to their limit, and I'm now thinking something cheap is right for me. Is this iPad a bad choice right now?

I wouldn't, with iOS 10 coming out now, that device is going to become noticably slow, go at least an air 1, which will be a more enjoyable experience for your couch and PDF surfing.

 

[aypues]

Totally fine. I am on an iPad 4 and no issues aside from some occasional lagginess. Some pdf's dont work right in the normal web browser so i open them in Acrobat itself.

 

[macdragonfl]

I wouldn't, with iOS 10 coming out now, that device is going to become noticably slow, go at least an air 1, which will be a more enjoyable experience for your couch and PDF surfing.

Surprisingly the 4 runs great on iOS 10, no speed loss. I've run the iOS 10 beta from first to GM.