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16gb was always frustrating for me. A few songs, some pictures, and a couple of games.... Full.

I've just never kept that much on my iPad. Not a ton of apps. No music. I've always used my phone for music. So I never got close to the 16G. But everyone's different of course.
 
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A4 and A5X chips are probably the worst of them all, the rest were (and are) pretty good relative to their support cycle.
Not really. The chips are not that bad.
The issue with the iPad 1 (A4) is that it has only 256MB of RAM. The iPhone 4, A4 + 512MB RAM fared much better in its lifecycle.
As for the iPad 3 (A5X), Apple misjudged the GPU required to drive the retina display. The A5 itself was a fine chip, surviving quite a long time on the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.
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Currently own an A1416, iPad 3rd Gen. Seeing how I can't update past IOS 9.3.5, and 16GB is limiting, would now be the time to upgrade to the latest release, the iPad 2017? Not sure how long people hold onto their iPads, so I'm just curious. Mainly do games, read books and magazines, and surf the web with the iPad.
The iPad 5 (2017) will be a great upgrade. Not only it is cheaper at baseline ($329), it has more storage and more power than you ever need for the next 3+ years.
 
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I'm in the same position but not sure if I should get the 64gb air 2 or the 32gb 2017 iPad.
 
I've just never kept that much on my iPad. Not a ton of apps. No music. I've always used my phone for music. So I never got close to the 16G. But everyone's different of course.
I'm similar - I've got a 128GB iPhone which holds some of my music, but on a tablet 32GBs does me fine.
 
My iPad 3 has become a complete pig since iOS 8 and iOS 9 was a nail to the coffin.
It was basically dead to me for 2 years and now it found new life as a Netflix player for my mother.
I even started to think, that the iPad is useless at one point, forgetting that I used to use it a lot before the crippling updates. Even reading PDFs became a chore, when the app would reload the entire file, because it was out of memory.

Currently I have 12.9" Pro and boy, does the rMBP feel useless now. I hardly ever use it anymore.
Writing, document annotation, browsing, even watching video with those 4 speakers is incomparable to the MacBook Pro.

Of course the 2017 iPad doesn't have the four speakers, but it has all the goods to be a good all-round computing device and if I hadn't payed an arm and a leg for the 12.9" Pro, I'd get one to replace the lagging iPad 3 too.

But as far as things go right now, the iPad 3 still holds some value for me, and I'd probably sell it for the sweet price of a night in a motel room with a sparkling wine for two anyway, so I'll just keep it and eventually recycle it when it dies.
 
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Get the 128gb version and you won't have to buy another for another 5+ years.

Exactly what I did. But comparing my iPad 3's screen, I have to say I think maybe the iPad 3 is slightly better. Thicker glass, but of course heavier etc. But...no complaints with the new iPad. Had the New iPad 2017 for a few days and it is worth it if you are upgrading from an iPad 3 or 4 or lower. Big improvements will be noticed and this model is targeted for those who still use the older iPads. Pro model would be ideal...but can't justify the cost. I only updated because I have worn out my iPad 3. Slow..not too bad if web surfing and basic stuff, but it is a good upgrade from the iPad 3.

Get the 128gig model and probably be set for another five years!
 
Exactly what I did. But comparing my iPad 3's screen, I have to say I think maybe the iPad 3 is slightly better. Thicker glass, but of course heavier etc. But...no complaints with the new iPad. Had the New iPad 2017 for a few days and it is worth it if you are upgrading from an iPad 3 or 4 or lower. Big improvements will be noticed and this model is targeted for those who still use the older iPads. Pro model would be ideal...but can't justify the cost. I only updated because I have worn out my iPad 3. Slow..not too bad if web surfing and basic stuff, but it is a good upgrade from the iPad 3.

Get the 128gig model and probably be set for another five years!
I loved the old iPads, they felt expensive, the new ones do too but idk its different
 
Then the iPad 4 came soon after to rub salt into the wound of those who bought the iPad 3

Yes....my wound did not heal from apple UNTIL this iPad came out and made up for it.. :)
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I loved the old iPads, they felt expensive, the new ones do too but idk its different

Actually..I too agree...I am giving my iPad 3 to my 72 year old father-in-law and hesitated when my wife suggested it...had the iPad 3 for so long...but...REALLY will not use it now since I now have the new one.

It is weird, but I am still hesitating.. ;).
 
Not really. The chips are not that bad.
The issue with the iPad 1 (A4) is that it has only 256MB of RAM. The iPhone 4, A4 + 512MB RAM fared much better in its lifecycle.
As for the iPad 3 (A5X), Apple misjudged the GPU required to drive the retina display. The A5 itself was a fine chip, surviving quite a long time on the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.
I don't think Apple misjudged the GPU. They were just faced with having to play resolution catch up with Android tablets that have had 1920x1080 displays for months. Kind of a damned if you, damned if you don't situation.
 
I don't think Apple misjudged the GPU. They were just faced with having to play resolution catch up with Android tablets that have had 1920x1080 displays for months. Kind of a damned if you, damned if you don't situation.
Still the iPad 2 wasn't needed of a upgrade, they could've held off till Fall if they wanted too.
 
Still the iPad 2 wasn't needed of a upgrade, they could've held off till Fall if they wanted too.

I believe the iPad3 was a way to get the Retina screen iPad on the market. It performed like the iPad2, but with a much nicer screen.
 
I believe the iPad3 was a way to get the Retina screen iPad on the market. It performed like the iPad2, but with a much nicer screen.
Yah I wonder how many then proceeded to get the iPad 4, even for all its extra power its only received iOS 10 just 1 extra year of iOS support.
 
Still the iPad 2 wasn't needed of a upgrade, they could've held off till Fall if they wanted too.

It was, to me! I had the iPad 2, and was absolutely dying to get a Retina tablet screen. Especially after experiencing the retina display of the the iPhone 4/4S.
 
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I've had my iPad 3 since launch day. The last major iOS update made it very hard to use. Not impossible. But it was extremely laggy. I'm typing on my new 2017 model right now, and I absolutely love it.

Keep in mind that I've never even held the Air, Air 2 or Pro. But to me, this thing is a gem.

Update to this post:

When I wrote this I hadn't tested out the speakers. They're terrible. Not the sound. But the entire device vibrates with only 5 bars of volume. It makes my hands feel very uncomfortable. I don't know if others are experiencing this or not, but I'm thinking it could be a deal breaker for me.
 
Update to this post:

When I wrote this I hadn't tested out the speakers. They're terrible. Not the sound. But the entire device vibrates with only 5 bars of volume. It makes my hands feel very uncomfortable. I don't know if others are experiencing this or not, but I'm thinking it could be a deal breaker for me.
Solution: Buy a $40 Smart Cover to prop up the iPad on a table or desk for audio/ media use. A must have accessory, or just use headphones
 
Solution: Buy a $40 Smart Cover to prop up the iPad on a table or desk for audio/ media use. A must have accessory, or just use headphones

Eh, I really just like to hold it. I mainly use it while sitting on the couch. I do have a little Bluetooth speaker I could use. Just bummed I need extra stuff.
 
Eh, I really just like to hold it. I mainly use it while sitting on the couch. I do have a little Bluetooth speaker I could use. Just bummed I need extra stuff.
I mean a Smart Cover is a useful $40 bucks to cover your display when not being used and act as a stand for media or a prop for typing on a desk
 
Currently own an A1416, iPad 3rd Gen. Seeing how I can't update past IOS 9.3.5, and 16GB is limiting, would now be the time to upgrade to the latest release, the iPad 2017? Not sure how long people hold onto their iPads, so I'm just curious. Mainly do games, read books and magazines, and surf the web with the iPad.

iPad 1: YES YES YES YES YES
iPad 2: YES YES YES YES YES
iPad 3: YES YES YES YES
iPad 4: YES YES YES
iPad Air 1: 50-50
iPad Air 2: Not particularly compelling
iPad Pro 9.7": Not unless you want to earn some money by selling it and getting the new iPad 2017.
 
iPad 1: YES YES YES YES YES
iPad 2: YES YES YES YES YES
iPad 3: YES YES YES YES
iPad 4: YES YES YES
iPad Air 1: 50-50
iPad Air 2: Not particularly compelling
iPad Pro 9.7": Not unless you want to earn some money by selling it and getting the new iPad 2017.
The iPad Air 2 was amazing when announced at least for people like me concerned with horsepower the Air 2 was a huge jump in terms of performance a iPad offered
 
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