Which iPad?

[Vado]

I've been asked by a friend to help her buy an iPad for her 8yr old son for his birthday around May.

He'll be using it mainly for Web, Games and WhatsApp but the family will be using it for Netflix/Prime Video possibly when away on holidays etc, so cellular connectivity is a must.

I realise that an iPad refresh is being rumoured for June probably at WWDC.

I know the current iPad is a decent enough buy but the screen apparently lets it down when compared to the previous generation, iPad Air 2.

You can get some good deals on the Apple Refurb store on an Air 2 with cellular networking, my question though is the Air 2 still a good buy considering it was released back in 2014?

I'm still using mine happily enough but I've had my one since launch.

 

[Glmnet1]

I think the iPad Air 2 is too old to be worth the investment. It was released in 2014 and discontinued in March 2017. It'll be fine now but not a good long-term investment IMO.

There is a rumoured regular iPad in March actually so I would wait a few weeks to see if something is released. If an iPad is release in June at the WWDC it would most likely be an iPad Pro, which you don't seem to need.

If you don't want to wait then get the 2017 iPad. The screen is nicer on the iPad Air 2, but overall the new iPad is better and unless you put both side by side you won't really notice the difference.

 

[960design]

I've been asked by a friend to help her buy an iPad for her 8yr old son for his birthday around May.

Pick up the normal iPad from the Apple Education Store: $309US
https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-9-7

Pick up a good case:
https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Bumper-Convertible-Generation-Release/dp/B072DR82XD

There is nothing wrong with the display and it is less expensive to repair if it is damaged, when compared to the iPad Air 2.
iPad 2017 display repair = at least $100US
iPad Air 2 display repair = at least $200US

 

[weeesss]

I have seen the 2017 iPad as low as $279 in recent weeks. I have one and it would be fine, and I am a lot older than 8!

 

[Hal~9000]

Pick up the normal iPad from the Apple Education Store: $309US
https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-9-7

Much better deal ($249) through Best Buy atm: https://slickdeals.net/f/11345595-a...let-32gb-249-99-or-128gb-349-99-free-shipping

 

[Peter K.]

Much better deal ($249) through Best Buy atm: https://slickdeals.net/f/11345595-a...let-32gb-249-99-or-128gb-349-99-free-shipping

Good deals, but I would recommend against getting the 32 GB model. Both of my daughters have iPads and the one with a 32 GB model is always bumping up against available space. Between movies and extremely large games, she never has room to spare

 

[Crow_Servo]

I’d either get last year’s 9.7” or wait and see if it’s getting a refresh in the next few weeks.

 

[Vado]

Thanks everyone. Looks like it'll be the 2017 iPad or wait for the new 2018 model if it's released in time.