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iPad Which iPad should I buy?

K

keporkak_jedna

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 22, 2019
14
5
Hey people,

I am thinking of buying an iPad. Main use should be YouTube, Netflix, Kodi, etc. My question is: Is it basic iPad good enough for the reason for next few years? Ofc no one knows what will come.

I used to have iPad mini 2 back in the day and was using it for web browsing.


Thanks,
A.
 
A budget to work towards would be useful - and a screen size preferred. For streaming only you probably won't need anything major. I'd assume a major update is coming to the classic iPad in September while iPad Air and iPad Mini may get a refresh at some point.
 
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A budget is like I do not care if it is a price of classic, mini or air. I definitely don't need pro version. Since I want to do the watching stuff mainly in bed it should have reasonable weight.
 
keporkak_jedna said:
I am thinking of buying an iPad. Main use should be YouTube, Netflix, Kodi, etc. My question is: Is it basic iPad good enough for the reason for next few years? Ofc no one knows what will come.

I used to have iPad mini 2 back in the day and was using it for web browsing.
Click to expand...
Video streaming is one of the tasks that's kinda all or nothing on the iPad. I doubt we're getting a new codec to replace HEVC anytime soon so even the basic iPad should be fine.

Heck, even the iPad 3 handles H.264 Netflix playback just fine. It's the browsing/navigation that's a pain.

Mind, the 2018 Pro 11 64GB WiFi is $549 on the Apple refurb store if you can catch it in stock. If you're not the type to use headphones or external speakers, the Pro models have quad speakers which do sound better.
 
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I would probably stick with new unit. Apple refurbished program is not available in our country. But I am going to check premium resellers offers. They are usually not so good.

Netflix runs pretty good on my Galaxy S9 but screen size is not great for subtitled movies and TV series
 
Any current iPad can perform these tasks - it comes down to the form factor you like the most.

From iPad mini to maybe a used iPad Pro - pick the one that inspires you most.

Also consider the accessories you want to buy from the start if possible.
 
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Yes the 10.2 is good enough. It has the same amount of RAM as the Air 3. So it should be fine for years for watching videos in bed, especially if speaker's volume is not important....
 
keporkak_jedna said:
Ok guys. Thank y'all for advice. I would go for Air3 probably with some UAG case.
Click to expand...

You may be better off with the classic one (iPad 10.2”), as many people here have complained about the white spot on Air 3 screens:

forums.macrumors.com

iPad Air 3 white spot problem.

I haven't seen anybody mention about white spot problem on iPad Air 3 only on iPad Pro. Unfortunately, my iPad Air 3 has this problem, it happened around a month after use. Anyone with the same problem?
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
iPads are showing better longevity, as it should be. There’s little they can do except incremental upgrades at this point. My first gen pro still runs fine. An air 3 will no doubt give a good service life of 3 years and easily beyond. But this is coming from someone that upgrades rarely and doesn’t feel the need to have the fastest tech -each- year.
 
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I bought the 10.2” basic iPad for my mom recently and she uses it for simple mobile games (like candycrush), facebook, Netflix, hulu, etc and it works perfectly fine for that! I would definitely consider that if you’re looking to save money, plus it does all that you require from it, and more.
 
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keporkak_jedna said:
A budget is like I do not care if it is a price of classic, mini or air. I definitely don't need pro version. Since I want to do the watching stuff mainly in bed it should have reasonable weight.
Click to expand...
All iPads have reasonable weight. Watching movies and youtube can be done on iPads from 10 years ago. You should better ask yourself how much storage you want. I wanted 256GB so my choice was limited to Air 3 and the pros.
 
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Hey people, thank y'all again for all responses.

I'll try to answer some things.

1. Storage is definitely not important, so I think 64 gigs is enough. Like I want some basic stuff.
2. Didn't know about screen white spots issues. Is that somehow related to iPads which have display laminated to glass?
3. Are basic iPad and iPad Air3 the about the same size? I Guess they are.
4. Money question. +/- 2 or 3 hundred bucks is not big drama.
 
keporkak_jedna said:
1. Storage is definitely not important, so I think 64 gigs is enough. Like I want some basic stuff.
2. Didn't know about screen white spots issues. Is that somehow related to iPads which have display laminated to glass?
3. Are basic iPad and iPad Air3 the about the same size? I Guess they are.
4. Money question. +/- 2 or 3 hundred bucks is not big drama.
Click to expand...
1. Something to consider:

Basic iPad 10.2" storage options:
32GB/$329
128GB/$429

Air 3 storage options:
64GB/$499
256GB/$649

2. Thus far, it seems only the 2017 iPad Pro 10.5" and 2019 iPad Air 3 10.5" are affected by white spot.

3. Chassis width and length, yes. Basic iPad is slightly thicker due to non-laminated display and has slightly smaller display and bigger bezels.
 
The white spotting issue seems exclusive to any iPad with 10.5“ screen. Although, these are a minority as opposed majority of 10.5 screens affected.

I also considered it being due to the lamination of these devices but not so sure as my older air 2 also with laminated display has never had issues & don’t recall seeing others with similar (Spotting) issues here. Ultimately, it would appear, a number 10.5 inch displays are susceptible
 
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