iPad Should I finally upgrade my iPad 4 from 7.1.2 to 8...

[spraven]

Hi Everyone (or anyone),

I have an iPad 4 that I have been Very Reluctant to upgrade iOS on.

It's currently on iOS 7.1.2 and I know there are things in iOS 8 that I would like, but I'm not an "Early Adopter" for any new iOS versions on any device...in this case, I'm not even a Middle Adopter.

Should I make the jump? If yes, what version of iOS 8 should I go with? I know I have an earlier version than iOS 8.3 (most likely iOS 8.2.?). I don't want a lot of crazy issues and I definitely don't want to lose battery life faster!

If the newer features aren't worth the risk...I'm good with that! I just need experienced users to help me make an Informed Decision!

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

Have a Great Week and God Bless!

Scott

 

[BruiserBear]

I don't see why you shouldn't upgrade to the latest version. I've seen no problems.

 

[Rodster]

Hi Everyone (or anyone),

I have an iPad 4 that I have been Very Reluctant to upgrade iOS on.

It's currently on iOS 7.1.2 and I know there are things in iOS 8 that I would like, but I'm not an "Early Adopter" for any new iOS versions on any device...in this case, I'm not even a Middle Adopter.

Should I make the jump? If yes, what version of iOS 8 should I go with? I know I have an earlier version than iOS 8.3 (most likely iOS 8.2.?). I don't want a lot of crazy issues and I definitely don't want to lose battery life faster!

If the newer features aren't worth the risk...I'm good with that! I just need experienced users to help me make an Informed Decision!

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

Have a Great Week and God Bless!

Scott

You can only install the latest version of iOS 8 which is 8.3

Check Youtube videos for reviews because you can't go back to iOS 7. General rule is you'll take a performance hit. The question is if it will bother you. None of my iPad's are running iOS 8. There aren't any features I want and I don't want to ruin the performance on my iPads

 

[spraven]

You can only install the latest version of iOS 8 which is 8.3

Check Youtube videos for reviews because you can't go back to iOS 7. General rule is you'll take a performance hit. The question is if it will bother you. None of my iPad's are running iOS 8. There aren't any features I want and I don't want to ruin the performance on my iPads

I have actually downloaded 8.2 on my MacBook Pro, but not 8.3 so I should be ble to stick with it unless I download 8.3 as long as I disconnect my Internet connections. At least, that's what I did with my iPhone each time I finally decided to upgrade.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep thinking on it. I hate losing performance for any reason!

 

[Rodster]

I have actually downloaded 8.2 on my MacBook Pro, but not 8.3 so I should be ble to stick with it unless I download 8.3 as long as I disconnect my Internet connections. At least, that's what I did with my iPhone each time I finally decided to upgrade.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep thinking on it. I hate losing performance for any reason!

You can try and install 8.2 but it won't activate with Apple's servers so it will download 8.3. Keep in mind that iTunes phones home so it will know there's a newer release if you have connected to the internet. And actually 8.3 cleaned up issues with 8.2 and 8.4 addresses issues with 8.3 and adds an all new music app.

 

[spraven]

You can try and install 8.2 but it won't activate with Apple's servers so it will download 8.3. Keep in mind that iTunes phones home so it will know there's a newer release if you have connected to the internet. And actually 8.3 cleaned up issues with 8.2 and 8.4 addresses issues with 8.3 and adds an all new music app.

Thanks! If I decide to make the leap, I'll just see how it goes. I'm going to have to follow up again on what the benefit might be to me personally and then weigh that against the potential issues that would drive me Crazy!

 

[s2mikey]

I don't see why you shouldn't upgrade to the latest version. I've seen no problems.

Agreed. The wife's iPad 4 has been running great on the latest iOS.

Go for it.

 

[Hermes Monster]

Not really sure what your reasons are for being reluctant? What's the "risk" you're talking about?

Personally, my iPad 3 has been left on iOS 7 because I use it almost solely for streaming to my apple tv, and AirPlay is much much better on 7 than 8

Other than that, I would quite happily move to 8.3 .. and have in fact just ordered an iPad Air 2 which will likely come with it on

 

[spraven]

Agreed. The wife's iPad 4 has been running great on the latest iOS.

Go for it.

Thanks s2mikey (and also BruiserBear) for your input. It's actual users of older than "Air" models I have been watching for to see what, if any, issues or difficulties pop up after upgrade. Your help is greatly appreciated for sharing your own experiences.

 

[spraven]

Not really sure what your reasons are for being reluctant? What's the "risk" you're talking about?

Personally, my iPad 3 has been left on iOS 7 because I use it almost solely for streaming to my apple tv, and AirPlay is much much better on 7 than 8

Other than that, I would quite happily move to 8.3 .. and have in fact just ordered an iPad Air 2 which will likely come with it on

The "risk" I mentioned is slowing down functions that I use most often and/or hurting Battery life. I know a couple of people that upgraded and now hate their iPads because they don't work like they did prior to the upgrade. They have trouble with both the performance overall and the battery life.

I guess I should have said it as Pros and Cons instead of "risks" to be more clear.

One of the friends I talked to has the iPad 3 (yeah, I know they didn't call it that, but we all know that's what it actually was). His issues are to be expected more so than the iPad 4 that I have.

Thanks for your advice. I am taking everything I get from people who have updated and compiling it down to a bottom line to help me with the decision of upgrade or not.

 

[Rodster]

The "risk" I mentioned is slowing down functions that I use most often and/or hurting Battery life. I know a couple of people that upgraded and now hate their iPads because they don't work like they did prior to the upgrade. They have trouble with both the performance overall and the battery life.

I guess I should have said it as Pros and Cons instead of "risks" to be more clear.

One of the friends I talked to has the iPad 3 (yeah, I know they didn't call it that, but we all know that's what it actually was). His issues are to be expected more so than the iPad 4 that I have.

Thanks for your advice. I am taking everything I get from people who have updated and compiling it down to a bottom line to help me with the decision of upgrade or not.

I have a very simple rule wrt upgrading. I only upgrade if I need a feature in the newer OS. The other reason is if my tablet has been made obsolete by not upgrading because it's pretty much non-functional and upgrading will extend it's life even if it means taking a performance hit. That's why my iPad 3 is running iOS 5, iPad 2 iOS 7, Air iOS 7.

 

[spraven]

I have a very simple rule wrt upgrading. I only upgrade if I need a feature in the newer OS. The other reason is if my tablet has been made obsolete by not upgrading because it's pretty much non-functional and upgrading will extend it's life even if it means taking a performance hit. That's why my iPad 3 is running iOS 5, iPad 2 iOS 7, Air iOS 7.

That's kind of the way I've felt about it. Sure, there are some interesting additions in iOS 8, but I haven't decided if there is anything worth the potential slow down (unless it's very minor).

Now, if it's more efficient and might allow more battery life, then I'm all for it. I know the iPad 4 will do a lot better on it than the 3 or lower. Since I can't upgrade to an iPad Air because of lack of funds (We've all been there, haven't we!?), then I'll be using this one for awhile longer. My wife took my MacBook Pro away from me when her Windows Laptop died...even after she swore up and down that she'd never use one, like one, etc...and now, she'll never own a PC again! WIN!!!! I use my iPad almost exclusively, now!

Of course, I still have an iPhone 4S, even though I'd do anything to have a 6+ (well, maybe not "anything"). It's still running iOS 7.1 on it and I have no plans to run anything else on it.

Thanks to Everyone who has commented so far! You guys are a Great Resource and a wealth of knowledge! If I had the time, I'd probably spend most of my time on this forum instead of what I'm "supposed" to be doing! LOL

 

[doug in albq]

I would not go to iOS 8 (any version) on that old iPad or you will take a large performance hit.

 

[XTheLancerX]

iOS 8 for iPad SUCKS. It's stuttery as hell on my mini 2, which is faster than the iPad 4. Seriously, don't do it. Unless you really are craving the features. Everything is also really quirky in general, buggy, even if it isn't necessarily dropping frames in that certain scenario. Everyone has given iOS 8.3 glory but I have seen little to NO difference between this and 8.2 and before that there was little to no difference between 8.1.3 and 8.2.

 

[The Man]

I have iOS 8.3 on an iPad mini (regular) and have no problems. Funny that people with faster iPads seem to have problems. Sure, Safari is a memory hog, but what else is new?