iPad 3 for Netflix/Plex streaming

[mgpg89]

Hi all,

I used to have an iPad, but sold it when I got my 12" MacBook because I didn't use it anymore.

Now however, I found a new use for one.
I bought a Technogym MyRun treadmill, which has the option to mount an iPad,
so you can watch movies/tv shows while running.

So, I'm looking for the cheapest iPad that enables me to do so.

I found a second hand iPad 3 for €180, which sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me...

Can you guys tell me if this is a good idea or not?

Only requirements:
- WiFi
- Retina Display

Storage space is irrelevant as everything will be streamed from Netflix/Plex.

I just think shelling out €500 for an iPad Air 2 is overkill because it will stay mounted on the treadmill 24/7.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Smeaton1724]

I would skip the iPad 3 and find an iPad 4 16GB. The iPad 3 still has the old connector, has none of the power and has the retina screen. The iPad 4 is still just about usable today and when you look at specs it was some jump from the iPad 3 to the iPad 4.

Link to benchmarks: https://browser.primatelabs.com/ios-benchmarks

 

[mgpg89]

For some reason, I only seem to find cheap iPad 3's though ...
The connector type doesn't really matter to me as long as it's included when I buy it.
It'll be plugged in 24/7 in a dedicated outlet

Is the CPU jump important when its sole use is streaming video?
Plex does all the transcoding on the server side, and Netflix doesn't take up a lot of resources, right?

 

[bufffilm]

I would second it and look for an ipad4...shouldn't be that much more.

 

[powerbook911]

For some reason, I only seem to find cheap iPad 3's though ...
The connector type doesn't really matter to me as long as it's included when I buy it.
It'll be plugged in 24/7 in a dedicated outlet

Is the CPU jump important when its sole use is streaming video?
Plex does all the transcoding on the server side, and Netflix doesn't take up a lot of resources, right?

I have had an iPad 3 since the day it was released. It was nice during that first year, and I certainly still use it for specific apps that work ok.

However, I also recommend you get and an iPad 4 or newer. It will be a much better experience loading the apps, etc. The 4 was a big jump in CPU. However, if you ever see a deal or special I'd even consider an Air or Air 2.

 

[Night Spring]

I have an iPad 3 still lying around, but I also recommend looking for a good deal on an iPad 4. Keeping a 30-pin connector around just to charge one device isn't much fun. Plus, it's doubtful iPad 3 would get the next iOS update. And who knows when Netflix or Plex might update their app to include features supported only by the latest iOS.

 

[Dunbar]

The iPad 3 becomes incredibly sluggish once it's upgraded to iOS 8/9. Performance was quite good up to iOS 7. I know because I have one. I would spend a bit more money for an iPad 4 or Air 1.

 

[imlovinit]

I still have an iPad 3 around the house (though i use my air 2 more) and it works just fine with streaming netflix, hulu, and plex on 9.1.

 

[FSMBP]

iPad 3 is fine for your purpose. FYI...I have the original iPad (2010) and Netflix/Amazon Video works fine too.