Which iPad?
 

Osem Jnr # 2 needs an iPad to link to the communications related activities etc. he's engaged in at college. He has special needs and needs to be able to access some of the specialist apps they use which are only available via Apple.

We're always been an Apple free household so have no idea how different setting up and operating these things is as compared to the many Android devices we have which are set up and accessed via gmail accounts so would welcome some basic advice.

Also there's a lot of different options available and we're wondering what spec would be the best to opt for. There are various options for storage for example but is it possible to add SD cards for example so how much does internal storage matter. Then there's wi-fi and or 3g. I have an Android tablet which has wi-fi and uses a normal PAYG phone SIM card for mobile data which suits me fine for occasional use. Would that option be available on an iPad or would we need a dedicated data SIM? Is it possible to get an iPad with both data and wifi?

I appreciate there are a number of ifs and buts in the above but I would really value some input from any iPad users here so we can get him the right device with the right options for him. The tablet is one thing but that might also include accessories or specific optional extras which could be very useful and can't be added after purchase. We don't want to make a costly mistake but money isn't the biggest issue if we get the right device for him.

One thing is that it'll likely get dropped from time to time and it'd want to be at least 8 inches in display size, possibly more. If anyone knows of some really tough durable cases and screen protectors they'd be on the shopping list too as might be accidental damage cover.

Are these good value:

https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/ele...N-5nlvZ1z13zz4

I like the 3 year guarantee.

TIA as always.

Re: Which iPad?
 

You can't add storage directly to an iPad, so always get the biggest storage option you can.

For mobile data, I personally use a Mifi device instead of buying a mobile data iPad. Can work just as well and its cheaper, as the iPad with a sim slot can add £130

The best one without spend loads is the 128GB 9.7 version for £429.

Again personal choice but the space grey is the only one with a black surround. The others have white.

Mine is actually the older 9.7 iPad Pro but the current ones are a fair bit more then the currently available 9.7 iPad. All depends on whether you need some of the Pro capabilities.

Re: Which iPad?
 

Thanks Ben.

Could we use something like this with a normal PAYG SIM card in order to connect the iPad to or does the above device use a purely data SIM? We wouldn't need lots of data when we're out and about so don't want to spend £'s every month if we can avoid it.

The grey/black version would be our choice too as it'll probably stay looking nice longer.

As regards memory, there's no way to add to it? No cards, usb sticks or whatever? Why? So when you run put that's it? Seems odd to me. :confused:

Re: Which iPad?
 

It's to force you to buy the next model. They deliberately bloat the applications over time to use up the memory. That's the penalty of buying an Apple product.

Re: Which iPad?
 

I think you must be right. Not having any form of expansion options does almost seem Luddite given Apple pride themselves on their state of the art technology. :shrug:

He's not going to be doing all sorts of complicated stuff on this device but will want mainly to access the various communications apps we purchase and doing stuff like viewing YouTube videos. There won't be 1000s of images or songs to store either. He can do that on a cheap effective Android tablet I suppose and that makes more sense when we're out and about because if it gets lost, stolen or dropped it not so much of a big deal.

One other thing, will he need to use something like itunes if he's not bothered with music etc. and presumably any apps we purchase will be backed up via the app store as it is on Android's Google play store? I still don't know whether we'd need to oeprate the ipad via an email account of some sort so could someone clarify please?

Cheers all. :tu:

Re: Which iPad?
 

Not just Apple that do this, some Android devices don't have expansion either, like my Nexus 10.

Re: Which iPad?
 

I'ver had a tablet that doesn't have a MicroSD port.

I have aslo used a Dual port drive that connects to the port in my devices that enable me to copy stuff across

---------- Post added at 13:07 ---------- Previous post was at 13:05 ----------

Apple user might be able to use this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TaiPove-Iph...ing+dual+drive

Re: Which iPad?
 

I owned first generation iPad Mini 16Gb but sold it a year later due to very little usage.

Needed a new tablet for FPV Monitoring and then bought iPad Mini 2, 32Gb. I have about 14 Apps on it and use about 7Gb of storage. Because I have an iPhone, I can take a photo on one device and it will save on the other through the storage cloud server that Apple uses, all accounts get an additional 5Gb of cloud storage. I don't see the App bloating issue that eats up memory.

iPad Mini 2 has a 7.9 inch screen. You may be able to get a 2nd hand one but they have been discontinued by Apple. They only sell the iPad Mini 4 as of March 2017. Which has more DRAM and using faster CPU.

Re: Which iPad?
 

MiFi devices will work with both PAYG and PAYM SIMs. The bigger thing is ensuring that you get a SIM that allows it to be used in a MiFi. Some SIMs are restricted to phone use only.

Yes, you can get Lightning memory sticks that connect to the iPad. For instance:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Certified-I.../dp/B01F86AQR2

Personally I've never used them as I've got a 128GB iPad and use Google Drive for most of my data transfers.

Re: Which iPad?
 

Thanks guys. There's a lot to think about but having done so we could probably just use his Android tablet for pics, videos etc. and the iPad for the specialist apps etc. That ought to mean storage isn't as big an issue as it might have been and we can keep the iPad for the one purpose - educational.

I think we'll go for the higher memory version anyway as it'll hold its value better and it's not that much more expensive. I'll speak to his college staff tomorrow and see what spec of machine they're using.

The mifi box will be of interest anyway and it seems we could use it for our other devices including our phones and Anrdroid tablets.

It's good to know there's a memory stick option to should we need that in future. I think that's a really important option.

Will let you know what happens.

TVM

Re: Which iPad?
 

Does Jr already have a mobile Osem?

It might be worth looking at upgrading an existing tariff to allow larger tethering limits as opposed to buying another device and paying for another plan... and of course carting more dangly bits around

Re: Which iPad?
 

Hi, yes he does. Just a small cheap basic Android phone with a 3 PAYG SIM.
It's more for emergency use and tracking were he to get lost than anything.
We're not big mobile users and only his older brother has a contract, the rest of us have VM and 3 PAYG SIMs.

I don't know anything about tethering, how does that work?

TVM

Re: Which iPad?
 

Tethering is a feature which allows you to share the 3G/4G data connection on your mobile, generally via wifi (the phone hosts it's own wifi hotspot you connect to from your guest device) or Bluetooth.

Depending on your tariff you may have to get this enabled at extra cost then there will be a tethering limit on the account. If, as you say it's only a light use PayG phone then it may well be worth going for the mifi device.

Re: Which iPad?
 

Ah OK right understood. So he could access the internet out and about via his iPad's wifi by tethering it another mobile phone's mobile data access but it would need to be via a tariff/company which allows that.

Cheers for the nice simple explanation. ;)

:tu:

Re: Which iPad?
 

That's right yeah.

As an example I have a sim only contract which allows unlimited local data on the phone and a 12GB per month tethering allowance which is not too shabby.

Based on this it wouldn't really be worth me buying a mi-fi dongle, effectively forking out more for something I already have.