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MacGeekAZ

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 5, 2011
68
1
I want an iPad for travel (movies, reading, surfing the web, checking email, games, etc.). I will use it when not traveling for reading, games, etc., too. I don't want to spend a lot, and having the latest version isn't important to me. However, I don't want one that's so old that some apps might not work, iOS can't be updated, etc. What do you recommend? Is there a good refurbished model I should look at? Or should I just keep saving up and get a new one?
 
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I’d agree with 2017 iPad but don’t automatically look at refurbished units. Apple price their refurb units at a discount to their full retail price but other retailers are discounting them.

See if there’s still some Black Friday or cyber Monday offers still around.

Refurbished iPads are really great, I had a 1'st gen 12.9 refurb do not hesitate to buy a refurb based on quality etc, however at this time of the year, this poster is absolutely correct, and you might be able to find a better deal on a -brand new- iPad, which is always more exciting.
 
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Reactions: ShaunAFC3
I’d agree with 2017 iPad but don’t automatically look at refurbished units. Apple price their refurb units at a discount to their full retail price but other retailers are discounting them.

See if there’s still some Black Friday or cyber Monday offers still around.
Bingo. The only reason to buy a refurb iPad is there isn't currently a sale on new ones and you can't wait for a sale to pop up.
 
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I wouldn't go with a 32GB because the iOS will take up most of the space and gaming apps are big. I have a 32GB iPad and it was good when it came out but after a few updates I had to pick and choose what to put on it. When I travel, I can only add one movie along with 2-3 games.
 
32gb is plenty for me. Everything’s accessible from my Mac or iCloud with lots of space left even after IOS and many apps. Saved money otherwise wasted.
 
I wouldn't go with a 32GB because the iOS will take up most of the space and gaming apps are big. I have a 32GB iPad and it was good when it came out but after a few updates I had to pick and choose what to put on it. When I travel, I can only add one movie along with 2-3 games.

System = 5 GB
Games = 2 GB each

I'm not sure what you're doing where you can only fit one movie and only 2-3 games.
 
If you’re going to use your iPad as a movies, music, and games warehouse, yes you need the 128gb version or even more with a Pro. Especially if you travel and want everything with you. But if you have access to your computer and iCloud where all this is easily accessible over WiFi, for many 32gb is fine.
 
System = 5 GB
Games = 2 GB each

I'm not sure what you're doing where you can only fit one movie and only 2-3 games.

Its really crazy. Like I said I have an iPad 32gb, maybe a 3rd Gen, and it doesn't have a lot of space. I know when I got it, I thought 32GB would be enough storage because I was using the same space on my iPod. Now its running iOS 9 and after that install I lost about 5GB just for the iOS system. Plus there was a move to HD apps which pushed the storage to its limits. Now, I have about 15 apps running, a few pics, and about 50 song (5 songs are 30-60min long). Every summer I can fit maybe 1-2 movies/Rentals on it.

Without the movies I have about 12GB of space free so then I can squeeze 2 movies onto it and that's it. I got to 12GB by deleting 4 apps like Badland, Racing Game, etc. I didn't want to get the iPad Pro in 64GB because of the same thing. Over time I would be deciding what to have on my iPad just to fit a few movies on it.

Spending $50 more for an iPad that has 3x more storage vs having to pick and choose what to add is a no brainer. If you look around you can find an iPad 9.7 125GB new for around the same price of a refurb.
 
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