Buying my first iPad – Advice Please

[Once Bitten]

 

Well my old 10 inch ( WiFi + 3G ) Android tablet finally stopped working after I dropped it and cracked the screen. So I am thinking about now buying my first Apple iPad .

 

I am  thinking about buying an Apple iPad Air 2 , after seeing some apparent good deals online ( Lazada )

 

Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi Cellular 16GB = 13,400 Baht

 

Apple iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi Cellular 32GB = 16,800 Baht

 

( Equivalent branded Android Tablet – Samsung S2 9.7 inch WiFi Cellular = 15,900 Baht )

 

 

 

I have seen that there are now new updated versions of the iPad , but these are all above my maximum budget.

 

I have watched a few Youtube videos on the iPad Air 2 , and generally it seems to get good reviews .

 

I have seen on the Thailand Apple store web page that you can purchase the iPad AppleCare Protection Plan for 2,800 Baht .

 

 

So I’m now wondering

 

1. Is there any downsides to buying an iPad that is no longer available on the Thailand Apple store.

 

2. As the iPad Air 2 is no longer officially sold , would it still be possible to purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan .

 

3. If the AppleCare Protection Plan can be purchased for the iPad Air 2 , how long is it after the original purchase that you can still buy the AppleCare Protection Plan.

 

4. I have read that there's soon to be an update to the iPads operating system ( iOS 10 ) so would an iPad Air 2 be able to eventually get and run that new update .

 

 

5. As I plan to only use the iPad Air 2 for web surfing and watching media , would the 16GB version be generally sufficient.

 

6. If the AppleCare Protection Plan is available for the iPad Air 2 , would it be worth buying it .

 

I have not yet been able to find a local shop that has an iPad Air 2 on display for me to get my hands on

and give one a try , so I will need to take a trip to the city ( Korat ) to see if I can find an iPad Air 2 on display .

 

Any one have comments / suggestions / advice on my above possible purchase .

 

I know I could just google for the answers to the above , but as this is Thailand , and we all know things here are some times not what we think , I thought I would first ask here .

 

Many Thanks

[DMC1]

Did you not check out the new regular iPad? Pricing starts at ฿12,500 for 32gb/wifi (I have this one).

Personally I would look at this newer so called 'budget' model as you get the updated faster processor. The iPad Air 2 has a laminated screen and is slightly lighter but I've used both devices and can hardly tell the difference.

The iPad Air 2 is still a great device but I'd go for the newer version to be more future proof. You will find, however, that iPads will go for years through multiple IOS updates.

Personally I don't bother with Apple care on iPads/iPhones as you get one year anyway and Apple care only gives you 2 years, I think. I only purchase Apple care on laptops as it extends warranty to 3 years.

Whichever device you choose they will both run easily for the next 3 years.

[rijb]

Get the new iPad.  It's well worth the money.  Then, there won't be any problems updating to IOS 11 (due later this year).  It's a very big update that will make the iPad almost like a laptop.

[Once Bitten]

 

 

Many thanks for both your comments , Ive been doing a bit more research and have noticed mounting comments about the new iPad ( 2017 ) particularly the screen not being laminated and having a 2mm air gap between the screen and the glass , and when tapping the screen because of the 2mm air gap , it makes a ‘’ thunk ‘’ sound which can get annoying. There also seems to be mounting comments on this subject………. My new iPad 2017 running on iOS 10.3.1 is stuttering slightly when scrolling slowly with my finger on the screen, as reported here …

 

http:// https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7932917?start=0&tstart=0

 

and here ...

 

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7909898

 

 

http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=304337

 

 

https://discussions.apple.com/message/31833699?start=60&tstart=0

 

[ quote 1]

 

For what it is worth, I am returning the iPad and have purchased an iPad Air 2 for $30 less for the same configuration (Best Buy). The Air 2 is noticeably lighter (1.3 oz) and the scrolling jitter is almost completely absent. Using them side by side, the Air 2 has a less reflective display but is less bright -- for outdoor use, this is a wash. The new iPad has a larger battery -- this should make it last a bit longer. The CPU is a bit faster (about 30%), but this is not a problem in any apps I run (on the Air 2).

 

The main reason for choosing the Air 2 is the lack of  display jitter -- most people would not notice it very much, for me it was very annoying.

 

[ quote 2]

 

My new iPad 2017 running on iOS 10.3.1 is stuttering slightly when scrolling slowly with my finger on the screen constantly. This is very annoying when scrolling a website slowly or when scrolling the settings or swiping down the notification bar. It looks like the screen refresh rate is low or the FPS of the scroll animation is low. This also coincides with the screen having a seemingly slow response time when typing.

 

 

[ quote 3 ]

 

Hey guys a little update here (crucial one I think). So, a few weeks ago I refunded the replacement ipad 2017 that I bought from their official online store. So after receiving the money I instantly went to the listed Apple Reseller taken from their site which also has a Authorised Service Provider cert just to be safe. Went to a few stores for the ipad 2017 and my honest review was some lags/stutter more than others. So after a few days thinking, this time I just opt for the ipad Air 2 128gb (which has stopped production a while ago if I'm not mistaken) for about 80$ more than the 32gb Ipad 2017. So now after 2 weeks of using it I must say IM VERY SATISFIED WITH IT. Scrolling has never been smoother. Games doesn't lags at all in fast pace games (Although only on scrolling certain menu which I think only the game does that). Games do run at 60fps constant. Even if it's an old unit. I must recommend you guys to buy this instead if you really need it like I do. Extra note.. It's updated to the latest OS 10.3.2. No settings were different than the ipad 2017 I received a while ago. So maybe the ipad 2017 is not capable to run properly at all? I don't know. Just don't buy it period.

 

 

Youtube video of the stuttering

 

 

I’m going to make a trip into the city and check out the new 2017 iPad at the Apple re sellers

and see  if I can find an iPad Air 2 on display , just to compare , will post back with my thoughts.

 

Many Thanks 

 

 

[DMC1]

Play with both of them. I am telling you these are really first world complaints.

 

The new iPad is faster (newer processor) than the Air 2 so if there's any stutter it will be the Air 2 which I also find hard to believe.

 

The screen on both these iPads is beautiful. My eyes can't detect the difference. I would say the Air 2 display performs better in direct sunlight - but I would never be in that situation!

 

[DMC1]

If you want to compare displays then look at the 9.7" pro version.

 

Air gap? I mean come on, you seriously need to be a sniper for that even to register.

 

I honestly wouldn't buy the Air 2 as it is out of production plus the laminated displays are more difficult to repair - if you did happen have any issues.

 

If you like the Air 2 form factor then see if can get a deal on a 9.7" pro model as these have even faster processors. I do believe that the 9.7" pro is also going out of production to be replaced by 10.5" pro and 12.9" pro. The 9.7" will just be the regular iPad.

 

[Deli]

Buy a Samsung and be happy :)

[Pinot]

16 GB is never enough. 32GB should be the absolute minimum. 

 

I rarely take the iPad outside the house and don't think the cellular is worth it. Most places have wifi. 

 

I have an Air 2 64GB and can't imagine anything better. 

 

My opinion is to cry ouch once and get the best iPad with the most memory. I recently saw the big Pro model and thought it was over kill but everything else is 4-5th generation and works perfectly. I can't tell one screen from another. 

 

The standard iPad with 32 GB at 12500 baht is a deal. 

[mike324]

I still have the 2nd Generation ipad, still works fine for normal surfing and listening to music. Which ever you go with, I'm sure it would hold to any needs you have - if you are just playing and surfing the web. 

[stevkyt]

IPads are Ok but not as cutting edge as Apple would have us believe. I ditched mine for a Samsung Galaxy Note for a number of reasons:

1) You are committed to Apple's eco system. All well and good if you have an iMac or MacBook but not if you don't.

2) If you're a media buff like me, then it's hell formatting media to play on iPad. Everything goes through iTunes: photos, music, videos. All videos MUST be in the iPad format - .m4p, not readable by anything else. Mp4 is the standard everywhere else and my Android reads loads of different file formats. Videos must be a specific size also.

3) Streaming without Apple TV is nigh impossible unless anyone knows otherwise.

4) No drag and dropping on an iPad. You never see any folder to drag a file into. It's all hidden in the system. and is very confusing.

5) It uses a non standard lightening connector which won't even work without an adaptor on Apple's new MacBook Pro. Beware that they have changed their plugs before, so if you have bought peripherals using Lightening then you're up s**t creek when they change (and they will to USB C).

6) Apple have removed the standard headphone jack from their iPhones and might well do with iPads in future.

7) Android has way more features than IOS though Apple would never admit it. Screen res is much the same despite the Apple Retina display. I cannot tell any difference.

8) Memory is always too low and you cannot upgrade. Apple charge outrageous surcharges for memory. 

9) Most Androids, allow you to pop in another 64gb or 128gb memory card. On an iPad you upgrade by buying a new one.

10) After three years (the length of Apple care), Apple normally ditch features on older models with OS upgrades like my MacBooks, iMacs, iPhones etc. Don't like it?... buy a new one is Apple's policy.

I have far less hassle with Android than I ever did with Apple and would not recommend them at this time. Deli's post is correct. I am more than happy now but always had stress with my iPad 2.

 

 

Edited July 4, 2017 by stevkyt
More info

[DMC1]

^ Stevkyt

 

I don't use iTunes for anything, this is a complete myth. If I'm not watching Netflix or YouTube etc. I just plug in my small ixpand drive (USB to lightning) directly into my iPad and play whatever I've downloaded in many formats - no issues. You can also save these files to your iPad to watch whenever. I've done this for years.

 

Android tablets will be lucky to run smoothly for 2-3 years due to OS updates whereas iPads will go at least 3 years of updates.

 

Drag and drop is incorporated into IOS 11 with file system.

 

I'm not sure what you're on about with memory? Do you mean storage? Never had any issues as I keep movies/tv downloads I'm not watching on my ixpand drive.

 

If your last iPad experience was with iPad 2 then that was years ago.

 

 

 

[stevkyt]

1 minute ago, DMC1 said:

^ Stevkyt

I don't use iTunes for anything, this is a complete myth. If I'm not watching Netflix or YouTube etc. I just plug in my small ixpand drive (USB to lightning) directly into my iPad and play whatever I've downloaded in many formats - no issues. You can also save these files to your iPad to watch whenever. I've done this for years.

Android tablets will be lucky to run smoothly for 2-3 years due to OS updates whereas iPads will go at least 3 years of updates.

Drag and drop is incorporated into IOS 11 with file system.

I'm not sure what you're on about with memory? Do you mean storage? Never had any issues as I keep movies/tv downloads I'm not watching on my ixpand drive.

If you're last iPad experience was with iPad 2 then that was years ago.
 

Well of course everything is fine if you want to lug an external drive around with you. Hardly makes it the ideal portable tablet though.  If like me you don't then its iTunes. I guess I did mean storage.

 

So you  can play avi, mkv, wmv? Amazing. Not even Quicktime can manage that on my MacBook Pro. My partner has an iPad 4. Not that old.

[DMC1]

Yes all those formats and it's as big as my little finger, so not 'lugging' around! It's basically a USB flash drive, been around years. You can buy them in most resellers or Amazon etc.

[DMC1]

https://www.sandisk.com/home/mobile-device-storage/ixpand

[rasg]

I have ten different iPads of various flavours going back to the first iPad from the day they first came out and they still all work well. I was still buying iPads 2s from the Apple refurb store a year ago.

 

The first generation still do what I originally bought them for but I no longer update them but I bought them for a specific task.

 

I wouldn't buy one with less than 32 gb of storage and I would recommend you buy the latest you can. Having said that I use an original iPad mini for most of my TV watching, reading web surfing etc. No issues.

 

I have never bought Apple Care for any of my Apple kit and on the odd occasion I have had a problem, I have taken it to an Apple Store and they have fixed it FOC. Apple really are the best for customer service if you are nice to them. They fixed a 2011 iMac for me a few months FOC that needed a new video card.

 

In the case of a broken screen I have a local guy in the high street that does a good job at a reasonable price. I have a slip case for the Mini and a Lifeproof case for one of my iPad 2s I use for boat navigation that makes it waterproof and it floats. Just make sure you get something to protect it.

 

I have an iexpand drive too that allows me to back it up and the only one of my iPads that goes near iTunes is the mini. My iexpand is one of the originals that is the size of a book of matches.

Edited July 4, 2017 by rasg

[whatawonderfulday]

Don't as is old technology compared to others and only sells because of its good physical design so is liked by wannabees and hisos. only.

 

Steve Jobs is dead the thinker behind this sales gimmick but unfortunately the image of an inferior product but good looks still lives on

[little mary sunshine]

On my second IPad, no problems with the first one

had it 4 years...I upgraded to,the Air 4 with cellular 

excellent and I would never have one WITHOUT

cellular!!   Good luck!

[DougSunee]

I have an IPad 2 and it has preformed faultlessly. It had been running a bit slowly so I binned all the rubbish and reser it to the factory settings and now it's as good as new. I don't need cellular there is plenty of free wifi around Chiang  Mai or I can use my IPhone as a hot spot.

[soumanioco]

I wouldn't even consider purchasing the Air 2 now as it's already struggling on iOS 10. iOS 11is going to make it even worse. The new iPad 5 runs circles around it. The only cutbacks Apple made were to lamination and anti-reflective coating. The lack of anti-reflective coating is actually a bonus for a lot of people since the thing is no longer a fingerprint and dust magnet. The iPad 5 is also much brighter than the Air 2, has a much better battery, and most importantly has a much better processor.

Just my two cents. 

[ktab27]

I'm by no means an expert but have had Mac products since the 90's.  Presently have an Ipad2 32gigs, iPhone 6 and a Mac book pro.  Here are my answers:

1.  No, buy it.

2. Yes, you should be able to purchase protection plan - do it.

3. Not sure - think you have about a month.  But don't hesitate, buy it.

4. I have one, I bought last year, I have every expectation of being able to run a new operating system.  I'm on 10.3.2.

5. I would normally say go for the extra size, especially as you'll be keeping it for a long time - mine says 28.55gb capacity, and that I have 6gb left.

6. Buy protection plan.  And feel free to call Mac with any problem, and go into the stores and get hands on help.  It really makes a difference.

 

 

[Henryford]

Best advice - don't. iTunes is a nightmare. Buy Android.

[DMC1]

Best advice - don't. iTunes is a nightmare. Buy Android.

 

Yawn... someone else who hasn't a clue about iTunes and the fact that you don't need to use it if you don't want to.

[Ace of Pop]

Do those Pad things make Phone Calls , this phone was 30 k + , and the Apple Pad is cheap . Any idea why.?.


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[DMC1]

Do those Pad things make Phone Calls , this phone was 30 k + , and the Apple Pad is cheap . Any idea why.?.


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You certainly can make phone calls from any device with an internet connection Ace. For example, you could use Skype credit to call to landline phones or mobiles in other countries. I use Skype credit on all sorts of different devices to call elderly relatives in other countries who don't use the internet.

The only problem is the size of the device for portability.

[Ace of Pop]

So why are they so Cheap..?My Sons Apple Laptop was twice the average cost,admittedly more reliable, as are the Phones,recon I must get one for easy read screen, and phone feature. Guess it has Apple Play for the Car as well...Thanks for the info DMC.?



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[RichCor]

5 hours ago, Ace of Pop said:

So why are they so Cheap..?

I'm glad you think they are cheap (inexpensive).

 

Besides cost of parts; manufacturing; distribution; marketing; and aftercare, there's a slightly higher cost involved with licensing and certifying Mobile/Cellular chipsets vs non in 'pad'. Then there's the profit margin in selling popular 'must have' merchandise. So a lot of variables involved.

[Ace of Pop]

9 minutes ago, RichCor said:

I'm glad you think they are cheap (inexpensive).

 

Besides cost of parts; manufacturing; distribution; marketing; and aftercare, there's a slightly higher cost involved with licensing and certifying Mobile/Cellular chipsets vs non in 'pad'. Then there's the profit margin in selling popular 'must have' merchandise. So a lot of variables involved.

Dont understand you too Good,  ive no interest in what it cost the MFG it, neither are they in how i made money to buy their products. Im saying my new phone was 30K  + one for my Wife, so 65 K  in total, so rather interested in why the  Ipad is so cheap,not a  Financial Diatribe

[RichCor]

Wow. 

[sometimewoodworker]

On 04/07/2017 at 5:30 PM, stevkyt said:

Well of course everything is fine if you want to lug an external drive around with you. Hardly makes it the ideal portable tablet though.  If like me you don't then its iTunes. I guess I did mean storage.

 

So you  can play avi, mkv, wmv? Amazing. Not even Quicktime can manage that on my MacBook Pro. My partner has an iPad 4. Not that old.

You need to use VLC on both the I pad and MacBook Pro to play those.

[Ace of Pop]

You need to use VLC on both the I pad and MacBook Pro to play those.

Your Spot on,went to see, limited so bought the new top I phone, only diff from the 6sPlus i can tell so far is the Cameras much better on the 7.?


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