So father's day is coming up this weekend and I think he's been wanting iPad for sometime. I don't know anything about iPads so was wondering if I could get some advice.

1) What's the difference between the current iPad (iPad 3??) vs. iPad 2? And is it worth getting the iPad 3 over the iPad 2?
2) When's the next iPad coming out? And is it worth waiting for?
3) What's a fair price used for the iPad 3 and iPad 2?
4) How does the iPad connect to the internet? Through available WIFI hotspots only? Can he connect with his Sprint cell phone service?

Basically I'm trying to figure out the best combination of price and essential features.

6/11/2012 10:00:47 AM

1)iPad3 has a better screen resolution. Its only worth it if he can see the difference. If he has bad eyesight then I doubt he can tell the difference. The battery life and weight are nearly the same.
2)iPad3 just came out. So the iPad4 will be a year out, at best.
3)You wont find a fair price on a used new iPad3. Say $250 for a used 16Gb wifi only iPad2.
4)You can get a data plan for either iPad but do him a favor and get a wifi only. No need to give a present that keeps on taking every month.

So size depends on how he will use it. If internet/game apps only get a 16Gb. If he is going to have tons of music and movies then the 32 or 64Gb will be better.
I would get a 16Gb wifi only version because I save things to my home server and dont have tons of movies/music on my device. If I need it for a trip I transfer over before I leave.

6/11/2012 10:47:37 AM

Quote :

"iPad3 has a better screen resolution. Its only worth it if he can see the difference. If he has bad eyesight then I doubt he can tell the difference. The battery life and weight are nearly the same. "

Also 4G vs 3G and double the RAM as well as 4X the graphics processing power. It's not just a resolution bump. If video games and visuals are important, the new one is worth the extra money. Also things like text on eBooks are much crisper and clearer on the new iPad. I don't think it's fair to say you won't notice the difference unless you have really poor eyesight.

Quote :

"4)You can get a data plan for either iPad but do him a favor and get a wifi only. No need to give a present that keeps on taking every month."

That's not true at all. There are no contracts required for data plans for the iPad so you can turn it on for the months you need it and deactivate it for months you don't. The thing is, unless you buy a 4G enabled iPad, he won't have the option to do that at all, so it's something to consider when purchasing one. If you think it's worth the extra $130 up front cost to be able to give him the option of connecting to a 4G network then it's worth thinking about. Plus the 4G version has a GPS chip built in, if that sways you one way or another. Personally I bought my dad a new iPad for his birthday and went with the wi-fi only 32 GB version. He was happy with everything except for the 32GB part and ended up swapping it out for a 64 GB version. Aside from that, cellular internet wasn't something that he was interested in. To answer your question about him being able to use it on his Sprint phone, that depends on if he can tether or not. If he has that service, then he will be able to use the iPad on it, if not, he won't.

6/11/2012 10:58:47 AM

unless you seriously game on the thing, which is horribly awkward to do, i'd go with an ipad2

6/11/2012 11:10:02 AM

+1 for the extra money for the iPad 3. My dad is 66 and reads A LOT. He could definitively tell the difference in screen resolution and how much easier on the eyes the iPad 3 is. The iPad 2 just looks bad no matter what you're doing on it.

6/11/2012 11:29:20 AM

Damn evil Apple always making you want to get the latest.
My dad doesn't play games so he'll only use the iPad to check email, surf internet, and he watches tons of movies but on the internet so GB capacity won't matter I guess. 4G is a nice to have but I don't even see Sprint being supported. GPS is nice to have too.

Wow, Apple nickels and dimes you huh? At these prices maybe I should consider a netbook or ultrathin/portable laptop! GASP!

Wi-Fi
$499 16GB
$599 32GB
$699 64GB

Wi-Fi + Cellular
$629 16GB
$729 32GB
$829 64GB

6/11/2012 12:19:27 PM

If you want something a bit more cost effective, apple sells new and refurb (great quality refurbs btw) ipad 2 that should be a bit cheaper, buying off craigslist would be even cheaper (but risky). Getting the 4G will require a seperate data plan, it won't work with his current one unless maybe he takes the sim card out of his phone, and I'm not sure if that works either. Also, I'm pretty sure every Ipad has GPS.

6/11/2012 12:51:29 PM

Quote :

"Also, I'm pretty sure every Ipad has GPS"

nope

6/11/2012 12:57:58 PM

Well I guess I'm not so sure now, my Ipad can tell where I am, somehow, I just assumed it was GPS.

6/11/2012 1:09:33 PM

LMAOOOOOOOOOOO @ Kris

6/11/2012 1:19:47 PM

Quote :

"4G is a nice to have but I don't even see Sprint being supported."

if his sprint phone can become a wifi hotspot, then you can connect anything else using wifi to it. otherwise you'd just be paying a separate fee for cell access anyway, so the fact that his current cell phone is with sprint really isn't a factor, unless he was trying to bundle it or something.

6/11/2012 1:43:44 PM

Quote :

"Well I guess I'm not so sure now, my Ipad can tell where I am, somehow, I just assumed it was GPS."

The wifi only iPads use wifi to determine your location. The 3g/4g iPads DO have a GPS chip and use that.

6/11/2012 2:10:48 PM

So how useful really is cellular connection and GPS ability on iPad. Sounds like I'm better off saving money and just getting a basic refurbished wifi-only iPad 2 16GB. Does the Apple store at Crabtree Mall sell refurbs?

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 3:20 PM. Reason : k]

6/11/2012 3:18:48 PM

they don't sell refurbished products in the stores

there is a drastic difference in the displays on the 2 vs 3, in my opinion.

and the only refurbished wifi-only ipad 2s on the site are 64gb ($499)

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 3:27 PM. Reason : price]

6/11/2012 3:23:40 PM

darn it, so how risky is it to buy off craigslist.
what should I look for to make sure everyone is ok?
and how can I quickly tell an iPad 2 from an iPad 1?
I'm kinda running out of time.

6/11/2012 3:32:01 PM

no camera on the original

6/11/2012 3:36:25 PM

Go to the apple store and compare the 2 and the new iPad side by side. If that will not convince you to get the new one, you must be vision-impaired.

6/11/2012 3:36:57 PM

how much are you looking to spend? that might make it easier

fyi, a brand spanking new ipad2 from apple, 16gb, wifi only is $399

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 3:40 PM. Reason : ]

6/11/2012 3:38:50 PM

when I set up my mom's iPad 2 last Christmas I thought the screen was great

now everybody is saying its shit?

6/11/2012 4:35:09 PM

^ this is the evilness that is Apple. Then when iPad 4 comes out, everyone will flock to that and say how much the iPad 3 sucks. This is how we keep feeding Apple's fat happy employee checks.

^^^ My budget? Well I need to rethink it since originally I did not want to go over $300.

6/11/2012 4:45:50 PM

Quote :

"this is the evilness that is Apple. Then when iPad 4 comes out, everyone will flock to that and say how much the iPad 3 sucks. This is how we keep feeding Apple's fat happy employee checks."

How is Apple evil? You've said this twice now. If you don't think the product is worth the money, don't fucking buy it. Simple as that. Nobody from Apple is holding a gun to your head and making you buy their products. A company isn't evil just because they put out a product that you (apparently) want to buy. Nobody (at least in this thread) is saying that an iPad 2 sucks. Just that, for $100 extra, the additions to the 3rd version are worth it in some people's opinion. If you're content giving your dad a used last generation iPad, then buy one. But stop bitching about how evil Apple is just because they updated their product line.

6/11/2012 5:17:56 PM

and maybe look into an android tablet. they can be had much cheaper, but imo, you get what you pay for.

6/11/2012 5:28:23 PM

I bet El Nacho has tons of stock in Apple. Don't have a cow dude.

6/11/2012 6:18:23 PM

OH MY GOD! FORD IS SO EVIL, THEY KEEP MAKING MUSTANGS AND EACH YEAR THEY ARE ALMOST THE SAME BUT JUST A LITTLE BETTER. SOOOO EVIL!!!

6/11/2012 6:27:06 PM

lol she said "dont have a cow"

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 7:08 PM. Reason : eat my shorts El Nacho]

6/11/2012 7:08:44 PM

Quote :

"they can be had much cheaper, but imo, you get what you pay for."

Truth. If you want a cheap tablet, get an HP Touchpad and put ICS on it. Much better than anything in the same price range.

6/11/2012 7:30:48 PM

Quote :

"eat my shorts El Nacho"

Whatever dude. I'm rubber and you're glue. What you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!

Sick burn!

6/11/2012 7:52:30 PM

Quote :

"Wow, Apple nickels and dimes you huh? At these prices maybe I should consider a netbook or ultrathin/portable laptop! GASP!"

Does your dad want a tablet or does he want a laptop/netbook? They aren't the same thing and if he wants one and you get him the other because of price he will be disappointed.

6/11/2012 9:34:46 PM

What does the iPad have over netbooks? Netbooks seem half the price with a keyboard. He just wants something portable and can surf the net, check email, and watch movies. Seems both satisfy that criteria.

6/11/2012 11:11:10 PM

Ipad is cooler with touch screen. And it's made by Apple.

6/11/2012 11:27:03 PM

Better screen, faster, easier to use doing anything other than just sitting at a desk or on the couch.

If you want something with a keyboard get a notebook. I mean chances are if he's already got a laptop and you get him a netbook one of them will just be redundant.

6/11/2012 11:27:52 PM

maybe i'm cheap or something, but i'm not gonna spend $500 on a father's day present

6/12/2012 12:31:59 AM

Well yeah me neither haha. But if my dad wanted an ipad but I didn't want to spend that kind of money I wouldn't just go "Well I'll just get him some crappy netbook instead lol"

6/12/2012 12:35:15 AM

I got my dad a pair of $30 bluetooth headphones for Fathers day. I thought that was plenty.

6/12/2012 1:00:10 AM

ahh what the hell, i'm just going to go look for a wifi only iPad 3. might as well make him happy.
so the new iPad3 at the store is $499+tax? What's a fair price on a used new iPad3 off craigslist, $400?

6/12/2012 10:33:55 AM

from the first reply in this thread:

Quote :

"3)You wont find a fair price on a used new iPad3."

also, i looked around on craigslist (raleigh) for a second & didn't see many used new ipads. there's a couple, but they're $470 or so.

[Edited on June 12, 2012 at 10:49 AM. Reason : ]

6/12/2012 10:48:31 AM

Hmm seems for a little more I could get the MacBook Air 11" or 13".

What I'm after is something ultrathin, light, and portable. But if I'm going to spend $500 on an iPad 3, for $100 more should I consider getting a used MacBook Air with a real keyboard?

Anyone have experience with the MacBook Airs?

6/12/2012 11:05:53 AM

where are you finding prices like that? mine was $1100 new, but of course it was new.

if he already has a laptop, i would say skip the MBA.

6/12/2012 11:07:45 AM

Craigslist, Ebay. Tons of them.
What screen size do you have? Do you like it? Any gripes?

He has a ThinkPad, but it's kind of large, thick, and heavy. I really want to get him somethng portable.

6/12/2012 11:19:47 AM

13" & i love it. i personally would not buy a $600 used MBA, but i wouldn't buy a used computer anyway just because the technology changes so fast (like you complained about earlier). i would consider buying a used ipad, maybe, but only if it was a couple of months old & even then i'd probably still go with whatever was newest. this type of technology changes too fast to start off with something already behind the curve. this is all just my opinion though.

if portability is what you're after, and you're already over your original $300 limit, stick with an ipad.

6/12/2012 11:25:59 AM

thanks for your insightful and helpful comments. i'm trying to balance between cost and technology features. i'm not sure my dad would appreciate the difference in the features.

i don't know what the difference is between the latest MBA vs. the ones from 2011, 2010, 2009.

if the same thinness and weight are very close and just changes in CPU, RAM, SSD, then I don't think he cares about these.

6/12/2012 11:31:12 AM

459 for 16gb wifi ipad 3 on ebay daily deal

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Apple-3-3rd-Generation-16GB-Wi-Fi-9-7in-Black-White-Latest-Model-/261043803371?var=#ht_39553wt_6722

6/12/2012 11:34:06 AM

^^for differences in MBA models
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air#Specifications

^sounds like a winner

6/12/2012 11:37:54 AM

MBA is better for producing content, iPad is better for consumption. MBA is better if he likes to sit at the desk, iPad is better if he likes to sit anywhere else. Anyone can use an iPad, it takes some training to use iOS if he is coming from Windows background. Apps for ipad are much more plentiful and cheaper than apps for MBA, but more limited in functionality. But mainly the form factor of the two devices is very different, why don't you go to the apple store and put your hands on the actual products?

6/12/2012 11:39:49 AM

yeah i was planning to go to the apple store later this afternoon but just came across a friend that wants to sell me his ipad 3 16gb wifi only barely used for $400. it's black in color. should I bite or haggle some more? is there much difference in black or white color? decisions decisions.

[Edited on June 12, 2012 at 11:57 AM. Reason : k]

6/12/2012 11:56:02 AM

Quote :

"is there much difference in black or white color? "

is this really a question?? one is black, one is white.

6/12/2012 12:47:43 PM

Well if you're somewhere that's dark you might opt for the white because it will stand out a little more, on the other hand, if you're in the snow a lot, or if you're in some sort of cult that wears a lot of white, you might opt for the black so it doesn't get lost too easy.

6/12/2012 1:03:23 PM

from what i've read, people actually prefer black...mentions of more contrast, less distracting white border esp watching movies with black borders, less paint loss, etc

6/12/2012 1:15:34 PM

Played with the new 15'' MBP today. Noticeably thinner than the last generation. New retina display is sweet, but somehow I feel like the difference between the regular and retina iPad is much more noticeable than the difference between regular and retina MBP. Probably because I naturally hold the iPad quite a bit closer to my eyes. Scrolling through content on either one is a completely different experience. I was pretty set on getting the new MBP, but for what i will be using this for, i think the new iPad may actually be more suitable.

I agree that black border on the iPad is much less distracting for photo and video viewing.

[Edited on June 12, 2012 at 8:37 PM. Reason : sorry i though i was in the Apple products thread. Oh well, still relevant]

6/12/2012 8:36:25 PM

+1 for the ipad 3

my vision is uncorrected shit and flipboard looks great on mine and like crap on my son's 2. it's not just for gaming. if he reads books great. web browsing is amazing. neither is bad,. but don't let anyone tell you the resolution isn't that big of a deal. as far as pricing goes, I was able to get mine for 450 and my son's for 300 both new/sealed on craigslist raleigh. both 16gb wifi version.

6/13/2012 2:27:32 AM