please help me decide on which ipad to buy!

[wombat888]

Spend the extra $200 and you'll won't have to upgrade because you ran out of space.

Or, spend the extra $200, and next year when a 128GB model and maybe a 256GB model are available, you'll sell your 64gb without getting the full $200 back and upgrade, regardless. 64gb is not enough space for any kind of packrat/everything in my library approach. It's just more space than the other current options.

I also think people who believe everyone is going to want 40 movies on their iPads are not thinking about the device as most people will use it. The world contains all kinds of people, and some of them are pack rats who worry about hypothetical situations in which they're in a doctor's waiting room and suddenly have an urgent need to watch Ghostbusters III.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

. The world contains all kinds of people, and some of them are pack rats who worry about hypothetical situations in which they're in a doctor's waiting room and suddenly have an urgent need to watch Ghostbusters III.

The irony of the hard core geeks recommending the 64GB unit to non-geeks is precious. Those that are near their computers frequently, and most comfortable around them, and thus can refresh their media most often, want the largest storage as-if they are never near their "mothership" machines. Honestly though I do not understand the concept of using the iPad as an archival device. How much media can one consume in a week?

 

[ZBoater]

Honestly though I do not understand the concept of using the iPad as an archival device. How much media can one consume in a week?

Because some of us rather have it handy than have to sync. Syncing is slow and inconvenient. That constant backing up is ridiculous. Having it there is, well, instant gratification.

 

[emaja]

4 movies
say 15-20 or so books
tons of apps
maybe 100 songs

Movies bought off iTunes or digital copies included with DVDs are less than 2GB - even for long movies like Inglourious Basterds. If you want to keep 3-4 movies on their all the time, that is 8GB, but you can always manage those manually if you need to.

Books are about 1MB each. I have about 50 books and they take up hardly any space at all.

I doubt that you will ever fill the 16GB model, but if you want to be almost 100% sure that YOU will not full YOUR iPad, then go with the 32GB model.

For those of you recommending the 64GB model, if you are serious, you are nuts. OP will hardly use 1/4 of that.

I have 14 movies and 94 apps on the 32GB model and I have 6.5GB free.

 

[sracer]

Because some of us rather have it handy than have to sync. Syncing is slow and inconvenient. That constant backing up is ridiculous. Having it there is, well, instant gratification.

You'll discover that once your media collection exceeds the largest capacity of portable media players you will be forced to be selective about the media on your devices.

When your media collection is in far excess of 1TB, whether you have 32GB or 64GB of storage on your portable media device makes no difference.

 

[silverblack]

When your media collection is in far excess of 1TB, whether you have 32GB or 64GB of storage on your portable media device makes no difference.

I have to disagree. Having a small media collection (say <30 GB) is when it doesn't matter whether you buy the 32 or 64GB. When you have a large collection, it matters the most to have your iPad capacity doubled (32 to 64 GB).

 

[emaja]

I have to disagree. Having a small media collection (say <30 GB) is when it doesn't matter whether you buy the 32 or 64GB. When you have a large collection, it matters the most to have your iPad capacity doubled (32 to 64 GB).

Not really. If you have a library larger than your iPad, you still have to choose what to put on it. I have almost 2TB of media (not bragging, just giving perspective) and I carry what I want to hear for the next few days on a 4GB iPad nano.

 

[sracer]

I have to disagree. Having a small media collection (say <30 GB) is when it doesn't matter whether you buy the 32 or 64GB. When you have a large collection, it matters the most to have your iPad capacity doubled (32 to 64 GB).

You can pick an arbitrary limit to prove your point I guess. You say that you disagree. Do you disagree that you will be forced to selectively manage the content of your device when your collection exceeds the greatest capacity of that device?

If your media collection is large (1TB+) whether you have a device that can hold 3% of your collection or 6% of your collection makes practically no difference.

 

[krnboy503]

Go with the WIFI only model!
Since you have an iPhone (guessing with the data plan), you can tether it with MiWi and save the monthly and the hardware upgrade to 3G+Wifi.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Because some of us rather have it handy than have to sync. Syncing is slow and inconvenient. That constant backing up is ridiculous. Having it there is, well, instant gratification.

Right, but we are talking what once a week. You plug it in when it needs a charge and walk away. Two birds. One Stone. Done. Also, of course it's slow when you have to back up 64GB of NAND. Duh. Another reason for the 16GB.

I understand having handy -- that's why you put on a few movies, a few dozen apps, maybe some key pics and albums. That doesn't take more than 16GBs. What I don't get is the need for two dozen movies, twenty books, 10K songs. It's like packing a trunk for a weekend trip. That only works if you are an impetuous diva.

I remember when the 80GB iPod came out and I ran to get one so I could put all my music on it. Cool I thought. Every single album I own on my iPod. 400 CDs. Yeah, so cool, I only listened to about 10% of it. I sold it and bought an 8GB nano.

The reality is most productive people can't use 16GB worth of books, music and videos in a week. I know I can't. Of course, a lot of people bought more house than they needed or could afford too because of, as you say, instant gratification, rather than logic. We see how that worked out.

 

[krnboy503]

Right, but we are talking what once a week. You plug it in when it needs a charge and walk away. Two birds. One Stone. Done. Also, of course it's slow when you have to back up 64GB of NAND. Duh. Another reason for the 16GB.

I understand having handy -- that's why you put on a few movies, a few dozen apps, maybe some key pics and albums. That doesn't take more than 16GBs. What I don't get is the need for two dozen movies, twenty books, 10K songs. It's like packing a trunk for a weekend trip. That only works if you are an impetuous diva.

I remember when the 80GB iPod came out and I ran to get one so I could put all my music on it. Cool I thought. Every single album I own on my iPod. 400 CDs. Yeah, so cool, I only listened to about 10% of it. I sold it and bought an 8GB nano.

The reality is most productive people can't use 16GB worth of books, music and videos in a week. I know I can't. Of course, a lot of people bought more house than they needed or could afford too because of, as you say, instant gratification, rather than logic. We see how that worked out.

I agree with you 100%.

 

[silverblack]

If your media collection is large (1TB+) whether you have a device that can hold 3% of your collection or 6% of your collection makes practically no difference.

I would looking at this as a comparison between 3% and 6%. Instead, I look at this as a comparison between holding 30 movies vs. 60 movies. Yes, in both case you would have to manage your files, and decide what to sync. But if you have 1000 wishes, would you rather the genie grant you 3 or 6? Hugh difference in my opinion.

 

[ZBoater]

Right, but we are talking what once a week. You plug it in when it needs a charge and walk away.

Not really. You have to sit down and make playlists and pick and choose what you want to take off, what you want to put on. Should I download Batman? No, maybe Stargate. Star Trek, definitely. But I already watched it. Ok, I want to watch it again. Ratz, it doesn't fit. What can I take off?

No, thank you.

I want it all and I want it now. We have the technology. Apple chooses to cripple it's products and block the use of cheap portable storage. Baffling. But it is what it is. I can access my 1TB WD Passport drive from my Archos 5 Android tablet. I do need the battery dock. But at least it is an option. And do you know the last time I had to resync my A5? Never.

 

[mathewr]

I'm going to china in 2 weeks and I'm not sure if I should get 32 gb or 16 gb. I'm getting 3g because I like the option of it. I won't put any music on it cause I have an iPhone. The flight is 16 hrs so I'm gonna need some things to do so I'm not bored. I'm also not sure if the iTunes store will work in china so I may not be able to download new content after deleting things I've watched. Also if u delete something do u gain all of the space back?

Thanks

 

[ZBoater]

Then 64GB is the way to go...

 

[livenlaugh]

Don't know what's wrong with me but I still haven't made a decision!
Money isn't the problem; I just like the idea of having lots of storage yet can't bring myself to pay that much. I'm worried that mywi won't work and then I'll be stuck but, I also hate the idea of paying ATT another $30 a mo.

 

[Harmush]

i'm not convinced for that list 16gb will be enough.
because you got to remember its not close to 16gb really, because of the 8 bits in a byte thingy and then the OS on the ipad will take some.

i dunno how much your left with mind? i don;t have an ipad yet lol

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Just go ahead and get the 3G+WIFI 64GB. you won't regret it.

I agree.... though 32GB's could work if you manage things well....

This snap of my usage was based on using the iPad for travel..... YMMV

Just go ahead and get the 3G+WIFI 64GB. you won't regret it.

Just go ahead and get the 3G+WIFI 64GB. you won't regret it.

Ditto Regardless of the choice between wifi or the 3G model - you are looking at just $200 more for the 64GB vs the 16GB. And I look at the the cost helping me wait out the third generation iPad three years out. Still working with an iPhone 1G here.

Size of books will vary based on illustrations. In terms of only the text - War and Peace is 1MB (literally).

The stuff you listed, I'd estimate at 8gb total.

There are many "books" worth looking at the provide richer content than even iBooks is offering at this point. The Alice book is a case in point. And the likes of the Vook series of books that Apps verses the iBook format.

The irony of the hard core geeks recommending the 64GB unit to non-geeks is precious. Those that are near their computers frequently, and most comfortable around them, and thus can refresh their media most often, want the largest storage as-if they are never near their "mothership" machines. Honestly though I do not understand the concept of using the iPad as an archival device. How much media can one consume in a week?

The OP could be happy with a 32GB model.... some of us are just saying that we don't know what the future will bring in terms of Apps and content. Decided to "future proof" myself in the next two or three years.

And with kids one never knows what their tastes maybe when on a road trip

 

[rman726]

I have been holding off thinking "do I really need this toy?"... but i visited my parents for the weekend for mothers day and my dad bought one... well... just bought the 64GB 3G... i can't wait for it to come now. i figured i'm already spending $729 for 32GB... might as well spend the extra $100 in case it becomes more useful to have 64GB...