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what to buy as replacement for my kid's ipad

K

kevjen888

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2008
767
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the screen on my 1st grade daughter's ipad air 2 is totally shot, not worth it to replace the screen imo. she needs it for her school's reading assignment, so not just for fun. the current choices are kind of limited. basically i have three options: ipad mini 4, ipad pro 9.7 and ipad 2017. following are cases for each of them:

ipad mini 4: coming on 3 year since introduced, ancient but still effective (but for how long) A8 chip, nice screen with that anti-glare coating, perfect size for elementary age kid. expected black friday price: $250 128GB wifi version.

ipad pro 9.7: may be an overkill but i like pro 9.7's weight compare to the non-pro 9.7 ipad. and the screen has true tone which is kind of important for kids' vision. has A8X chip, somewhat more future proof than the mini 4. expected black friday price: $350 32GB wifi version

ipad 2017: cheapest of the bunch, has the latest hardware. but it's also the heaviest of the bunch, inferior screen compare to the other two. expected black friday price: $200-$250 32GB wifi version.

which one would you pick? not interested getting used ones on craiglists or ebay.
 
kevjen888 said:
the screen on my 1st grade daughter's ipad air 2 is totally shot, not worth it to replace the screen imo. she needs it for her school's reading assignment, so not just for fun. the current choices are kind of limited. basically i have three options: ipad mini 4, ipad pro 9.7 and ipad 2017. following are cases for each of them:

ipad mini 4: coming on 3 year since introduced, ancient but still effective (but for how long) A8 chip, nice screen with that anti-glare coating, perfect size for elementary age kid. expected black friday price: $250 128GB wifi version.

ipad pro 9.7: may be an overkill but i like pro 9.7's weight compare to the non-pro 9.7 ipad. and the screen has true tone which is kind of important for kids' vision. has A8X chip, somewhat more future proof than the mini 4. expected black friday price: $350 32GB wifi version

ipad 2017: cheapest of the bunch, has the latest hardware. but it's also the heaviest of the bunch, inferior screen compare to the other two. expected black friday price: $200-$250 32GB wifi version.

which one would you pick? not interested getting used ones on craiglists or ebay.
Click to expand...

If it’s used primarily for her reading, I don’t think you need to worry about cpu and future proofing. Keep it on whichever iOS it ships with and just focus on getting whichever device will be best for her to use. For reading, especially for her size, I’d think the mini would be best.

If she doesn’t need full tablet functions, a paperwhite is also a good option. Even more comfortable size and no backlight.
 
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My 6yo grandson has been super happy with the 2017 iPad. I moved him from a mini 4 so I could upgrade his sister from her mini 2. He really likes having the bigger screen.
 
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I use an ipad mini 2 right now. The mini size is great for young hands.

I recommend the mini 4. It is thin and light, with the nicest screen on an ipad before the pros came out.
 
i'd probably go for the ipad mini4, then the pro 9.7, then the others you mentioned.
you also might want to check out the refurbs at the apple store, save a few $$$ there.
 
Last week, Best Buy had the iPad 2017 on sale for less than $270. This is the same device I have been using everyday for the last 5 months to do all kinds of light productivity work for a family real estate business and media consumption. I can’t really imagine why a grammar school child would need more power. If you want them to learn some touch typing, you can add a Logitech k380 BT Keyboard for like $25 on sale. Finally, if the child really needs to get on to a full size computer, most families have a desktop computer to share for those rare occasions.

This forum contains lots of useful information, and I find people are generally very helpful with their suggestions. However, I also find the typical MR reader leans a bit toward over spec and overkill with their device recommendations. Less is sometimes more....especially with respect to devices used by kids.
 
Last edited:
kevjen888 said:
the screen on my 1st grade daughter's ipad air 2 is totally shot, not worth it to replace the screen imo. she needs it for her school's reading assignment, so not just for fun. the current choices are kind of limited. basically i have three options: ipad mini 4, ipad pro 9.7 and ipad 2017. following are cases for each of them:

ipad mini 4: coming on 3 year since introduced, ancient but still effective (but for how long) A8 chip, nice screen with that anti-glare coating, perfect size for elementary age kid. expected black friday price: $250 128GB wifi version.

ipad pro 9.7: may be an overkill but i like pro 9.7's weight compare to the non-pro 9.7 ipad. and the screen has true tone which is kind of important for kids' vision. has A8X chip, somewhat more future proof than the mini 4. expected black friday price: $350 32GB wifi version

ipad 2017: cheapest of the bunch, has the latest hardware. but it's also the heaviest of the bunch, inferior screen compare to the other two. expected black friday price: $200-$250 32GB wifi version.

which one would you pick? not interested getting used ones on craiglists or ebay.
Click to expand...
For a 1st grader the iPad 2017 is the best choice. The screen is fine for what your daughter needs.

EDIT: Im also surprised an iPad is required for 1st grade..
 
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PBMB said:
The mini 4 has been introduced two years ago. But this does not change the fact that it is outdated. However, it is perhaps still the best tablet in this size, with a very nice display and running fairly well the latest iOS (11.0.3).


Definitely iPad mini 4.
Click to expand...

Maybe a bit behind spec-wise, but it's still sold by Apple, so not really outdated in my view
 
CrystalQuest76 said:
What kind of first grade school requires a child to have an iPad for a reading assignment?
Click to expand...
My daughter’s private school requires iPads for reading assignments, math assignments, extra credit work, and other things that come up in her lessons. However, the iPads are issued by the schools and turned in at the end of the year.
 
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Zaft said:
For a 1st grader the iPad 2017 is the best choice. The screen is fine for what your daughter needs.

EDIT: Im also surprised an iPad is required for 1st grade..
Click to expand...


Any tablet would do for her reading assignment but since our family live in Apple ecosystem, iPad would be the most logical choice.
 
MrGimper said:
Maybe a bit behind spec-wise, but it's still sold by Apple, so not really outdated in my view
Click to expand...
The iPad mini 4 and the iPod touch are the only devices sold by Apple with an A8 processor, a SoC introduced in 2014 with the iPhone 6. This is the main handicap for the mini, which otherwise is a very capable machine. But today's iPads have at least an A9 inside. So should the mini by now. But apparently Apple has different plans for it.
 
kevjen888 said:
the screen on my 1st grade daughter's ipad air 2 is totally shot, not worth it to replace the screen imo. she needs it for her school's reading assignment, so not just for fun. the current choices are kind of limited. basically i have three options: ipad mini 4, ipad pro 9.7 and ipad 2017. following are cases for each of them:

ipad mini 4: coming on 3 year since introduced, ancient but still effective (but for how long) A8 chip, nice screen with that anti-glare coating, perfect size for elementary age kid. expected black friday price: $250 128GB wifi version.

ipad pro 9.7: may be an overkill but i like pro 9.7's weight compare to the non-pro 9.7 ipad. and the screen has true tone which is kind of important for kids' vision. has A8X chip, somewhat more future proof than the mini 4. expected black friday price: $350 32GB wifi version

ipad 2017: cheapest of the bunch, has the latest hardware. but it's also the heaviest of the bunch, inferior screen compare to the other two. expected black friday price: $200-$250 32GB wifi version.

which one would you pick? not interested getting used ones on craiglists or ebay.
Click to expand...
iPad 2017 with a nice case something from Bump Armor or this one:
https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Shock-Proof-Cover-Handle/dp/B072B5SXNG?th=1

PS. I see the Bump Armor iPad 2017 case I have is apparently a pilot project and not yet released. Seems strange, I've had it nearly 6 months now.
 
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I'm debating this also. My 6yo has a first gen mini and it is out of memory. I'm tossed up between mini-4 and the newest non-pro ipad.
 
Definitely a pro, with a pencil. Kids love drawing, download some coloring apps too. I had my 2 yo nephew draw on my iPad, much better than drawing on walls and doors with actual pencils & crayons lol
 
iPad 2017 is a direct upgrade from your previous one and was just released, so it is plenty future proof.
 
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