Don't overestimate how many GIG you need.

[emaja]

The advantage of getting a larger capacity iPad is simple. Ask yourself, "What kind of content do I use on a daily basis and how often do I want to hook the iPad up to a computer to manage my content?" If it gets hooked up everyday, then it really doesn't matter since you can simply put the media on their that you intend to use that day. If it is not hooked up everyday, then you might want to consider a larger model so you can load several days worth of media.

I have a 32GB model for myself and have 50+ eBooks and about 50 apps. It gets hooked in everyday so I can manage everything else. I feel like I bought too much storage. On the other hand, I bought a 32 GB unit for the kids and put several movies and lots of music on theirs. I feel like I should have bought the 64GB model for them.

Ask yourself some questions and you will be able to easily determine what size iPad is the right one for you.

 

[Leon575]

I have been thinking about this matter and concluded that 16GB is enough for me. I will use my iPod Touch for music and I will not store alot of movies on the iPad at the same time.

And because of the excellent h264 codec, the movies can be pretty small in file size and still look good. Especially with 2-pass encoding.

 

[ZBoater]

I could put that $100 on a nice meal instead

To each his own. I'd rather eat at McDonald's and have extra storage on my NON upgradeable iPad.

 

[phpmaven]

So I have been waiting for some places to get some stock in so I can buy an iPad. At first I wanted to get the 3G version. Then I came to the conclusion that I probably won't take it out of the house. I never go anywhere where I would need it. Plus I have an iPhone, and after the "finger" incident, I am a bit nervous to have it in public.

So I found a few Best Buys in the area who had some in stock. And I can say at least for the Northern VA area, Best Buys will NOT hold an iPad if you call. They say it is first come first serve. Only the Springfield store will hold them.

I went back and forth on the size, 16 or 32. I know I will not put any music or movies on it, I mainly just wanted it for browsing and reading in bed or whenever I don't feel like sitting at my desktop, and some apps.

Unfortunately my friends all kept saying to get the 32 because ya never know how big the apps will be in the future. The "Better to have too much than not enough" type of attitude. And it seems that is the general consensus from people online as well.

So I get the 32 and dive right into it. There are not a lot of apps I want at the moment, and some of the apps I like on the the iPhone have little meaning on the iPad because it is much easier to just browse the regular websites.

On my 16g iPhone 3GS I am only using 4 gigs. The non-game apps for the iPad are not really that much bigger. I couldn't see me having more than 14 gig of apps.

I would love to take back the 32 and exchange it for a 16 and use the extra money to buy some accessories. But after paying the restocking fee at BB it wouldn't be worth the effort.

So I guess the moral is....Bigger is not always better, and don't live up to the hype that you may need the extra space later. If you already have an iPhone, look at how much you really use on that to get an idea on how big of an iPad you need. Save the extra money and buy some stuff for your iPad.

So now I have more space that I will ever need. I fell for the hype.

I would say the exact opposite. Don't underestimate how many Gigs you'll need.

 

[wombat888]

Anybody on this board could load up a 128gb or 256gb iPad if we wanted to. But when you talk about underestimating the space you "need" - I have 900 songs loaded, more than I need, since I use other devices for music. I have three movies loaded, I'll probably add another two or three over time, but most of my movie use would be streaming Netflix. I have 575 photos loaded, let's say I add another 500 in the next year. I have three screens of apps and don't use most of them very often. I am using 10.5gb and have 19.5gb or so free. If I double my media and my apps, I'll still have about 9gb free.

Now, if I decided I wanted to have 20 kids' movies on an iPad to entertain my kids during car trips, that's different. If I wanted to have two seasons of Smallville on my iPad instead of streaming or watching on a different device (and I need all of those seasons loaded at all times instead of swapping things and out), that's different. There are people who make well-thought-out decisions to buy each size, that's what's good about having options.

But I think there are more people upselling themselves to the 64gb model ("you never know" "maybe I want to have Superman III and every album by Genesis with me at all times") than downselling themselves to the 16gb model ("8000 songs will fit in 8gb, right?").

 

[KeriJane]

Weirdo

Why Thank You!
I think.
You did mean "Weirdo" in a good way, right?


So merely having modest tastes and expectations of a mobile device passes for "Weird" nowdays? After all, I don't plan to ditch any computers here... just to have a nifty portable that'll do email or maybe YouTube anywhere I want. Or maybe even a GPS thing in case I get lost.

If "Seeing how it goes with the 1st gen iPad before blowing the budget" is weird then I guess you're right.

It COULDN"T POSSIBLY be my sense of humor!
Or stunning good looks.
Or my Beanie Baby Assault Squad.

Have Fun,
Keri (who was never in danger of being elected "Miss Congeniality")

PS. They're named "Ashbury" "Isis" and "Heather Hoodie" and they are particularly vicious and cruel. (even for Beanie Babies) I'd watch it with the terms of endearment there if I were you.

 

[traveller09]

I would say the exact opposite. Don't underestimate how many Gigs you'll need.

I am with you! I have a 64 gig loaded with 6 or 7 movies, only a 1/3 of my iTunes library of songs, 1 photo album of wedding photos, the average assortment of Apps, and a few books and magazines and I have used close to 40 gigs so far. I may stream a few Netflix movies from time to time but I like having my content with me, that was whole point in getting a device like this.

 

[Doju]

More space IS always better. Paying more money for it isn't always worth it, but for those of us who can afford it, it's worth it for the assurance.

Simple as this: All iPads are free. 16GB, 32GB and 64GB: all $0. Which one would you choose?

Exactly.

That's why it's better, people are just unwilling to pay up. If that's the case, fine, but it's still a good idea, when in doubt, to go with the most. Price aside, no one is ever disappointed with having too much storage, however the opposite is unfortunately common.

 

[illutionz]

To each his own. I'd rather eat at McDonald's and have extra storage on my NON upgradeable iPad.

Well yeah of course to each its own... I clearly value good food more than any luxury item I can get (in fact food is #1 in my budget per month).

 

[wombat888]

^^ True but simplistic. There are a lot of people who wouldn't feel pain to spend $100 on an upgrade that will make no difference for them. But even among those people, spending $100 on nothing generally doesn't seem like a great idea. Storage you don't use = worthless. And for that matter, storage you use just because it's there with stuff you never watch/listen to = worthless.

The trick is knowing if the storage will matter for how you'll use it.

 

[ZBoater]

^^ True but simplistic. There are a lot of people who wouldn't feel pain to spend $100 on an upgrade that will make no difference for them. But even among those people, spending $100 on nothing generally doesn't seem like a great idea. Storage you don't use = worthless. And for that matter, storage you use just because it's there with stuff you never watch/listen to = worthless.

The trick is knowing if the storage will matter for how you'll use it.

If storage was easily upgradeable, that would be one thing. But needing more space requiring a whole new device put this in a whole new context.

 

[illutionz]

If storage was easily upgradeable, that would be one thing. But needing more space requiring a whole new device put this in a whole new context.

Who are we kidding really? You and I know we will be buying iPad v2 next year

 

[ZBoater]

Who are we kidding really? You and I know we will be buying iPad v2 next year

Touché.

 

[illutionz]

Touché.

When Jobs announcing the latest magical feature for iPad v2 (which probably should be in this iteration anyway), we won't be able to resist!

 

[KeriJane]

When Jobs announcing the latest magical feature for iPad v2 (which probably should be in this iteration anyway), we won't be able to resist!

Bingo!

Why spend the extra $200 now when I'll probably be getting V2 (or 3) with the iSight or Jobs knows what else?

This is a V1.0 kind of thing! Why buy the top of the line when we don't even know how we'll like it?

Probably this first one will go to family or friends.
There'll certainly be no difficulty in selling it if the need arises.

Have Fun,
Keri

 

[Tulipone]

+1.

If you're going to spend $600 on a frivolous and duplicative device, what's another $100 for the biggest drive? What's another $130 for 3G?

It's not like this is some $49 flash MP3 player. If you're going to go McDonald's for lunch, might as well Supersize® and get the best value possible.

BJ

Just because it works out cheaper per french fry does not make you hungrier, probably just fatter and slightly poorer. It is still cheaper to buy a MD Value meal and eat what you want. A modicum of restraint could make a difference you know.

Is a glass half empty, half full or over engineered?

 

[boltjames]

Just because it works out cheaper per french fry does not make you hungrier, probably just fatter and slightly poorer. It is still cheaper to buy a MD Value meal and eat what you want. A modicum of restraint could make a difference you know.

Is a glass half empty, half full or over engineered?

Poor people shouldn't be buying frivolous toys like iPad.

Wealthy people should buy the best version of everything.

Therefore, if you don't own a 3G/64GB/$829 then you're either in over your head or are unintelligent.

BJ

 

[jamesryanbell]

Poor people shouldn't be buying frivolous toys like iPad.

Wealthy people should buy the best version of everything.

Therefore, if you don't own a 3G/64GB/$829 then you're either in over your head or are unintelligent.

BJ

As much as I want to classify this post as "polar" or extreme, I can't.

If you think about it, it really does sort of make some sense. haha.

 

[illutionz]

Poor people shouldn't be buying frivolous toys like iPad.

Wealthy people should buy the best version of everything.

Therefore, if you don't own a 3G/64GB/$829 then you're either in over your head or are unintelligent.

BJ

"Wealthy people should buy the best version of everything."

Where the hell you get this idea? If the additional utility value is zero or negative, it makes zero sense to spend more money... That applies to everyone. Unless it's you and members of "iPad 3G Elitist Club® Member" from your signature...

Oh and frugal wealthy people are not dead yet I assure you

 

[mosx]

I'm happy with my 32GB wifi iPad. I didn't even consider the 3G version since it would only work with AT&T. That extra $129 is $129 wasted. I'd rather have a MiFi and use all of my devices online rather than give AT&T an extra $30 a month for their piss poor service. If theres no iPhone announced for Verizon or another network this Summer, I'll be leaving iPhone behind and going to something else. But thats another post.

I looked at the 64GB model. Realized I've had an 80GB iPod for years. The novelty of having "all" of my music with me and a ton of movies wore off years ago. Now I just put what I want on the device. 32GB was the best balance between price and storage.

 

[alana22]

To each his own. I'd rather eat at McDonald's and have extra storage on my NON upgradeable iPad.

You'll also have extra storage on your waistline ;p

 

[boltjames]

"Wealthy people should buy the best version of everything."

Where the hell you get this idea? If the additional utility value is zero or negative, it makes zero sense to spend more money... That applies to everyone. Unless it's you and members of "iPad 3G Elitist Club® Member" from your signature...

Let me clarify:

I'm talking about things under, say, $3000. I've got a 3 Series BMW. It's not the "best version". It's not an M3. But that's a $25,000 decision. Same for a house, same for a college. Those are big financial decisions. Life altering from a financial standpoint, for most.

But if you're an iPad owner and you're shelling out $500 for this frivolous and unnecessary device, surely you can afford $829. We're not taking $25,000 here. We're talking a scant $429 incremental. And in the case of the jump from 32gb to 64gb, we're talking a measly $100.

It's like buying cheap headphones for your iPod. It's like ordering Coke without ice to get another two sips. It's like buying no-name gasoline to save $0.08 cents a gallon. These aren't necessary compromises for individuals who can afford an iPad.

Instead, we do the opposite. Buy the best Sony LCD HDTV at 1080p instead of a Vizio at 720p. You buy a new LP for $12.99 with all the bonus tracks instead of the base version for $9.99. Caphalon anodized cookware instead of stainless steel. Studded snow tires instead of unstudded. Business class instead of coach. And on and on. The few extra bucks spent doesn't wreck anyone's financial lifestyle but surely increases their personal lifestyle.

Coke without ice to get two extra sips? To hell with that. Get extra ice then buy a second Coke so you're not thirsty. It's a $1.25 decision that prevents you from drinking warm soda and getting the most ice-cold soda ever. That's the point.

BJ

 

[sracer]

Let me clarify:
But if you're an iPad owner and you're shelling out $500 for this frivolous and unnecessary device, surely you can afford $829. We're not taking $25,000 here. We're talking a scant $429 incremental. And in the case of the jump from 32gb to 64gb, we're talking a measly $100.

Sounds like Wall St. has been taking advice from this guy.

When an (approx.) 80% increase over the base price is considered "scant", that tells me that some people have more dollars than sense. (not a typo )

Indiscriminately buying the most expensive model of something is no better nor more noble than indiscriminately buying the least expensive. Such "rules of thumb" make life easier but not necessarily better.

 

[boltjames]

Sounds like Wall St. has been taking advice from this guy.

When an (approx.) 80% increase over the base price is considered "scant", that tells me that some people have more dollars than sense. (not a typo)

Indiscriminately buying the most expensive model of something is no better nor more noble than indiscriminately buying the least expensive. Such "rules of thumb" make life easier but not necessarily better.

Gum from a dispenser costs $0.05 cents per piece.

Gum from a paper package costs $0.10 cents per piece.

Oh no! That's 100% more money! Who on Earth would buy packaged gum from a grocery store?! Where are the lines at the local Chuck E Cheese with consumers and prospectors filling their pockets and underwear with gumballs? Where's the eBay EU speculative market at?

Gum. Spend more, get a better product. What? It's 100% more expensive? No, dude. It's a nickel.

BJ

 

[lespaul85]

I didn't read this whole thread so forgive me. My input here is that 16 gig is fine if you did your research and only want to surf and download apps. However, those of us that travel and/or want actual video libraries onboard will possibly want that extra space.. It's about doing your research for the intended purpose before buying. Not only does video chew up the space really quick but if you do a lot of photography using raw format, your photo library is going to be pretty big too. If you don't use raw photos or video then by all means go with the 16. Music doesn't take up much space and apps are negligible.