All iPads Which would you choose for 3yo?

[ssledoux]

And please - no comments about 3yo with iPad. My daughter’s husband is military and they are ALWAYS traveling. The iPad is a car necessity.

My grandson has a 6th gen with a badly damaged screen. I’m replacing it for him. Do I want to get a 9th gen so I can insure it, even though it is really a bulky pad to hang onto in a car seat by the time we put a bulky case on it, OR do I want a used mini 5th gen with no possibility to insure (screen cracks are a concern)?

I lean towards the mini because I think it’s just easier to manage, and less likely to get a crack because less surface to crack, but new with insurance is appealing.

I’d just like some input because I need to decide today, and clearly need a push one way or the other.

 

[0128672]

Just curious why the new iPad Mini 6 isn't on your list. Wouldn't that be a way to get the size you want and be able to add Applecare+? You could also opt for a refurb iPad 8 for which you can also add AC+. At the moment, there's no Mini 5 refurbs available.

 

[Yr Blues]

Whatever you do, get a robust child case with screen protection and turn on child features. All of them are good for simple stuff.

 

[ssledoux]

Just curious why the new iPad Mini 6 isn't on your list. Wouldn't that be a way to get the size you want and be able to add Applecare+? You could also opt for a refurb iPad 8 for which you can also add AC+. At the moment, there's no Mini 5 refurbs available.

Money. Too much for a 3yo. It would absolutely be my preference if it weren’t $500.

 

[xraydoc]

Absolutely buy the cheapest iPad. If it gets killed, it's the cheapest to replace. Then get one of those kid-proof Nerf-like cases for it.

 

[ssledoux]

Whatever you do, get a robust child case with screen protection and turn on child features. All of them are good for simple stuff.

For sure - all my grandkids have iPads with big, rubbery cases and screen protectors. That’s one reason I feel like the regular iPad is almost too big for a small child anymore, but he’s used to the 9.7, so I’m torn.

 

[ssledoux]

Absolutely buy the cheapest iPad. If it gets killed, it's the cheapest to replace. Then get one of those kid-proof Nerf-like cases for it.

That’s what we have, but it does make them super bulky, which makes the base iPad pretty darn big.

 

[ssledoux]

Just curious why the new iPad Mini 6 isn't on your list. Wouldn't that be a way to get the size you want and be able to add Applecare+? You could also opt for a refurb iPad 8 for which you can also add AC+. At the moment, there's no Mini 5 refurbs available.

Oh and on the 8, having to get 32 gigs is a drag - the 64 is much better if they’re gonna store shows and movies for him to watch in the car.

 

[0128672]

Oh and on the 8, having to get 32 gigs is a drag - the 64 is much better if they’re gonna store shows and movies for him to watch in the car.

Totally agree. There's a refurb 128GB iPad 8 for $349 if that might work in the budget. So $349 verus $329 for 64GB ... whatever you get, lucky grandson!

Refurbished iPad Wi-Fi 128GB - Gold (8th Generation) - Apple

Originally released September 2020 Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) Bluetooth 4.2 technology 10.2-inch Retina display 8-megapixel camera FaceTime HD camera 1080p HD video recording A12 Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture Neural Engine 10-hour battery life LED-backlit Multi-Touch screen 1.08 pounds (490...

www.apple.com

 

[ssledoux]

Totally agree. There's a refurb 128GB iPad 8 for $349 if that might work in the budget. So $349 verus $329 for 64GB ... whatever you get, lucky grandson!

Refurbished iPad Wi-Fi 128GB - Gold (8th Generation) - Apple

Originally released September 2020 Wi‑Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) Bluetooth 4.2 technology 10.2-inch Retina display 8-megapixel camera FaceTime HD camera 1080p HD video recording A12 Bionic chip with 64-bit architecture Neural Engine 10-hour battery life LED-backlit Multi-Touch screen 1.08 pounds (490...

www.apple.com

Well, don’t really need that much storage, and the decision is going between mini 5 and 9th gen because I’m torn about the overall size of the new pads - the 8th gen doesn’t really solve that problem.

I’d LOVE to go mini 6 because I think it’s a good balance, but it’s just cost prohibitive.

 

[rui no onna]

For sure - all my grandkids have iPads with big, rubbery cases and screen protectors. That’s one reason I feel like the regular iPad is almost too big for a small child anymore, but he’s used to the 9.7, so I’m torn.

If he's already used to the 9.7, the 10.2 doesn't really feel that much bigger. I feel like the build is more robust as well as the non-laminated display adds thickness.

You can get the iPad 9th gen 64GB WiFi for $299 at Amazon, Costco or Walmart, iirc.

I've seen enough cracked iPhone displays that I don't think a smaller surface area reduces the likelihood of cracking.

 

[1BadManVan]

If he’s fine with the 9.7, he can handle the 9th gen. It’s barely any bigger, it has smaller bezels to help achieve the larger screen size.

 

[ssledoux]

Got the 9th gen in, and I have to say I’m glad I wound up going ahead with that one. I know it’s gonna look huge and bulky once I put it in the case, but dang, these newer base iPads really give you some bang for your buck!

 

[rui no onna]

Got the 9th gen in, and I have to say I’m glad I wound up going ahead with that one. I know it’s gonna look huge and bulky once I put it in the case, but dang, these newer base iPads really give you some bang for your buck!

I'm sure your grandkids will enjoy them.

 

[1BadManVan]

Got the 9th gen in, and I have to say I’m glad I wound up going ahead with that one. I know it’s gonna look huge and bulky once I put it in the case, but dang, these newer base iPads really give you some bang for your buck!

They definitely do! Especially with these newer chips. I went with the air 3 for my kids only because at the time the bass model was still using the A10 and wanted them a bit more future proof. Glad we did as they the main thing they use daily and held up fantastic so far. And now that apple gave the base model a good internal upgrade, they will last years

 

[KPOM]

Money. Too much for a 3yo. It would absolutely be my preference if it weren’t $500.

Maybe buy an unsold 5th gen from an authorized reseller. You should still be able to add AppleCare to it. Or a refurb from Apple. You can definitely add AppleCare to Apple refurbs.

 

[ssledoux]

They definitely do! Especially with these newer chips. I went with the air 3 for my kids only because at the time the bass model was still using the A10 and wanted them a bit more future proof. Glad we did as they the main thing they use daily and held up fantastic so far. And now that apple gave the base model a good internal upgrade, they will last years

I’ve bought a couple of my grandkids Air 3s, but at this point as I am upgrading the ones who still have 6th gens I am gonna do the base models - just can’t beat the price, and the number of grandkids is growing, so I need to keep the costs down. ;-p

 

[ssledoux]

Maybe buy an unsold 5th gen from an authorized reseller. You should still be able to add AppleCare to it. Or a refurb from Apple. You can definitely add AppleCare to Apple refurbs.

I wound up going with the 9th gen iPad instead of a mini.

 

[1BadManVan]

I’ve bought a couple of my grandkids Air 3s, but at this point as I am upgrading the ones who still have 6th gens I am gonna do the base models - just can’t beat the price, and the number of grandkids is growing, so I need to keep the costs down. ;-p

If I was buying now, I would do the 9th gen as well. Having the A13 in it, it’s only one gen behind the air vs 2 gen behind when I bought in 2019.

 

[chanerz]

My 3yo has the 7th gen 10.2
He loves using it and play Roblox lol

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Our kids are using an iPad Air 2, and I would not go below that speed wise (A8X). But otherwise it is a very nice model for kids. One of Apples best designs, light weight, and cheap used by now.

We are currently considering getting our 6 year old an iPod Touch for the long car rides. Then she can also take pictures on her own, listen to music, etc.

 

[Shanghaichica]

A mini or a 9th gen. However my 3 year old is still fond of breaking things. Posting things out of the letterbox and open windows so for now he has a kindle fire tablet which he has broken a few times but they don’t cost a lot to replace.