To use an iPad wirelessly in my apartment, I assume I'll need some kind of wireless router. I had an Airport in the past, but it wasn't very reliable and I kept having issues with it.
Any recommendations?
I live in an efficiency (studio) apartment. (Still pretty big considering I only like to own what I use on a weekly basis.) 465 sq. ft. No walls to interfere. Will check back for your recommendation later. Off to work. Thanks jev425!Apartments vary in size. Depending where you'll be placing the router and how many walls come between you and the router when using your iPad
Either the air 2 or the mini 4, would be my recommendation, as they will take new updates longer, and can utilize all the new features in os9. Size is an individual preference.
As to seeing the grumbling so about screens, not sure any iPad has not had at least one of those threads. If for some reason you are in the 1-2% that gets a bad screen, you can exchange it. I have been purchasing iPads since the first gen, and have not had an issue, but know apple take care of their customers.
Wow, thanks for taking the time to find that for me. I'll definitely look into it. But, as recommended, I probably won't do it. The reason I wanted to consider it is because I use my phone so very little.
The Apple routers tend to be very good, although a little bit pricey. I like Asus routers for a bit less money.
Wireless in an apartment is always a bit less than ideal because there are typically so many wireless devices competing for the same spectrum. I'd make sure to get one that is dual-band (2.4 and 5ghz). Pretty much anything new that is anything but the cheapest should be.
I think the Smart Covers are must-have. I don't like full covers because they greatly increase the weight of the device. The smart covers are barely noticeable, protect the screen in a bag, and can be removed whenever you are holding the device, and perform at least an adequate job of propping it up. If you are abusive with your electronics, you'll want a complete case however.
iPad Air 2 is currently the better deal being on clearance for $350 or less and better spec'd.
iPad Mini 4 has better form factor if you plan to use it as a phone but I'd wait for a sale since it's not worth MSRP.
Haven't tried it on my iPad but on my Android devices I use Hangouts plus Hangouts dialer with 10-digit Google Voice # for free inbound/outbound calls within North America and SMS over WIFI or LTE. Nicest part is I can have the number active on multiple devices or instantaneously self port it between devices.
If you don't need to be always reachable then you can do with free public WIFI everywhere and save yourself the monthly carrier plan.
I'm like you in this regard. My iPad mini fits in my suit jacket pocket and is my main portable device, which means I don't use my phone for much beyond making phone calls and taking pictures. I've thought about using the iPad mini as a phone, but it's not as good at taking pictures, and I'm not sure I want to go to the trouble of figuring it out.
Thanks, Left4DeadBoy. I'm kind of glad there aren't many accessories out there for these iPads yet. Makes everything a lot simpler. Now, if they just came with decent earbuds. I don't listen to anything loudly, but I hate hearing everyone else's stuff when it leaks out of their ears. Annoying.I definitely use the Smart Covers. I didnt know that anyone else did. Its that simple when your Mac is built for forum browsing.
When I got my Mac mini to finally covert from Windows I bought a time capsule router from the refurbished store it was the best decision I made as I always had trouble with prior routers but apples time capsule has been super easy to use. It also has a hard drive so I do monthly backups, it's an all in one and I really like it. I get great reception it uses the new ac wifi but I have an iPhone 5 so I've never been able to use the new AC feature but just bought an iPad Air 2 from staples with their current sale and I believe the Air 2 utilizes the new AC wireless technology so I'm excited to see how it will work.
I'll have to do some research on routers. I'll be sure to check out the Asus, though. Anything specific I should be looking for in a router? I'll also check to see if a pocket wifi wouldn't be a better deal. (I pay a flat $39.95/mo. with my ISP and get about 53mbps.) If I can find a pocket wifi device that can give me that, it seems that would be a better deal because then I'd have the internet wherever I went. Unless, I'm missing something... which I usually am.
I'm anything but abusive with my electronics. My 12 year old flip phone still looks brand new. I've never even dropped it. I'll just have to take a look at the covers when I go to look at the iPads. I wanted to yesterday, but work got crazy... and it will again today. I guess I'll have to wait until the weekend.
Mostly, it will stay home. I rarely even take my flip phone out of the house. I treat it like a land line 98% of the time.
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I really like my asus router. For the size of area you want to put wifi in you can easily get a good enough router for under $100. I would find something with dual-band(which most are now a days) so you don't have any interference from other electronics around your apartment building.
Pocket wifi depending what wireless company you get it from and where you live could easily get those speeds, if not even faster. Like you said it would be nice to have it anywhere you go, but depending how much internet you use.
For example, AT&T offers a 5gb per month pocket wifi for $50. If you use more than 5gb per month between all your devices you run the risk of having them slow down your internet to a crawl. It is less likely if you live in a rural area since they prioritize metro areas to keep antennas less congested with Internet hogs. I
If you're rarely going to take the iPad out, that might be a reason for giving another look at the Air 2. There are people who prefer the mini who mostly use it at home, because it's small and easy to carry, almost like a modest sizedbook. But I do think for most the mini's portability edge will be lessened if it's only used at home. I might chosen an Air myself, if I'd only expected to use my iPad at home.
My personal opinion is that the difference in price between the Air 2 and Mini 4 is small for a device one may be using on a near daily basis for years, and one should choose which ever size device suits one's needs and preferences more closely (easier said than done). Similarly, I think the difference in processor power is small enough not to be a factor, unless one is nearly indifferent as to device size.
I chose the mini form factor because it fits the way I want to use the device, and I would have chosen it if it had been more instead of less expensive than the Air.
Currently there are some sales on the Air 2, so it may not even be more expensive if you look for a deal.
Hmmm... I can use the Target Cartwheel discount of 10% on the iPad Air 2 64GB. That brings it from $599 to $539.10. With my friend's 14% Target Discount, that brings it down to $463.63 for a total discount of $135.37. I'm thinking I may have to go with the Air 2.